JP7441492B2 - power generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power generation device.

Energy harvesting is a self-generating type of energy harvesting that can generate electricity using weak kinetic energy (human power, vibration, pressure, heat, sunlight, etc.) existing in the familiar environment, which was previously discarded without being used. Energy harvesting is attracting attention.

For example, Patent Document 1 is cited as a power generation mechanism and power generation method for generating electric power through such energy harvesting.

In the power generation mechanism and power generation device described in Patent Document 1, the power generation mechanism is formed of at least a first movable part, a second movable part, a torsion coil spring, a generator, and a housing. The first movable part and the second movable part are gears, and the first winding part and the second winding part of the torsion coil spring are wound around the first central axis in opposite directions to each other, and the first winding part has an initial elastic energy ie1. At the same time, an initial elastic energy ie2 is given to the second winding portion, and the absolute values of ie2 and ie1 are set to be equal. Furthermore, the second movable part is rotated from the initial state by a force from outside the power generation mechanism, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part are engaged, and the first movable part is rotated, so that the elastic energy ie12 is transferred to the second movable part. Accumulated in the first winding part, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part are disengaged, the first central axis is rotated in the opposite direction by ie12, and the generator generates electricity.

According to the power generation mechanism or power generation method of Patent Document 1, by including a torsion coil spring, elastic energy ie12 is accumulated in the first winding part by twisting of the first winding part, and then the elastic energy ie12 is released. Then, the generator generates electricity. Therefore, no matter how slow the second movable part is rotated and the power generation mechanism operates, a constant amount of power generation can be ensured, and reliable switching operation can be performed.

Furthermore, as a switch for starting the power generation mechanism of Patent Document 1, there is a lever illustrated in Patent Document 2 (see the reference perspective view showing the names of each part in Patent Document 2). The vehicle entry alarm illustrated in Patent Document 2 is composed of a switch power generating mechanism, a fixed part, a shaft, a lever, a wheel, and a pedestal on which these are placed. The shaft is inserted through the switch generator mechanism, the fixed part, and the lever. Two rotatable wheels are provided on each lever, and the levers are provided to be able to swing around an axis. Both ends of the shaft are supported by fixed parts. Further, a power generation mechanism (switch power generation mechanism) disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, is arranged between the two levers.

When a wheel of the vehicle comes into contact with the wheel of the two wheels of the vehicle approach alarm of Patent Document 2, which is placed above by the lever, the wheel of the vehicle approach alarm rotates and the lever swings, causing the wheel to move upward. One end of the lever, which had been raised, is pushed toward the pedestal, the shaft rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the switch power generation mechanism. The rotation of the shaft causes the spring of the switch generator mechanism to contract and the gears to rotate, then the motor shaft rotates, and as the shaft rotates, one of the coils or magnets inside the motor moves, causing electromagnetic induction. Electric power is self-generated inside the motor. The electric power operates a radio device and the like to send out a signal, thereby notifying the entrance or passage of a vehicle.

International Publication No. 2018/181341 Design Registration No. 1626196

However, in the lever-type switch illustrated in Patent Document 2, one end of the lever is pushed toward the pedestal while bearing the weight of the vehicle. Therefore, an excessive impact force is generated on the power generation mechanism and the vehicle approach alarm when the lever swings, and both ends move up and down alternately. There were concerns about the durability of the vehicle entry alarm.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power generation device that can reduce impact force caused by switch operation and improve durability.

The above problem is solved by the following invention. That is, the power generation device of the present invention includes at least a power generation mechanism, a switch, and an elasticity imparting means, and the power generation mechanism includes at least a first movable part, a second movable part, a torsion coil spring, a generator, and a housing. The torsion coil spring is formed of a first torsion coil spring and a second torsion coil spring, and the first movable part is rotatably supported on the first central axis, and the second movable part is rotatably supported on the second central axis. The first winding part is rotatably supported, and the first winding part, which is the winding part of the first torsion coil spring, is wound around the first central axis, and the first end of the first winding part is a free end; The second end portion is connected to the first movable part, and the second winding portion, which is the winding portion of the second torsion coil spring, is wound around the first central axis in the opposite direction to the first winding portion. , the first end of the second turn is a free end, the second end is connected to the first movable part, and the free end of the first turn is in contact with the housing. , due to this contact and the winding shape of the first winding part, initial elastic energy ie1 is imparted to the first winding part, and the free end of the second winding part is in contact with the housing, and this contact Due to the winding shape of the second winding part, an initial elastic energy ie2 is imparted to the second winding part, and the switch rotates around the second central axis or a shaft connected to the second central axis as a fulcrum. It is a seesaw type in which the second movable part rotates by a certain amount by the rotation of the switch, and rotates clockwise and counterclockwise with each swing, and both left and right ends move up and down. The teeth of the second movable part mesh and interlock, the first movable part is rotated by a certain amount, and the first torsion coil spring is twisted by the certain amount of rotation of the first movable part, and the elastic energy ie12 due to the torsion is After the torsion is accumulated in the first torsion coil spring and the first movable part rotates a certain amount, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part disengage from each other, and the first movable part moves in the opposite direction due to the elastic energy ie12 . The first central shaft is rotated by a certain amount of rotation, and the rotation of the first central shaft is transmitted to rotate the shaft of the generator, so that electric power is generated by the generator, and the first movable part is rotated. A certain amount of rotation in the opposite direction brings the free end of the second turn into contact with the housing, and this contact and the winding shape of the second turn causes an initial elastic energy ie2 to be transferred to the second turn. The first central axis is rotated by the initial elastic energy ie1 and the initial elastic energy ie2, the elasticity imparting means is a torsion coil spring wound around the second central axis, and the first end is connected to the second movable part. and the second end is fixed to the housing, and due to the winding shape of the elasticity imparting means, the initial elastic energy ie3 is transferred to the elasticity imparting means in a state where no force is transmitted from the switch to the second central axis. After the first movable part rotates a certain amount, the second movable part is rotated by the initial elastic energy ie3 in the opposite direction to the fixed amount of rotation due to the rotation of the switch , and the second movable part rotates in the opposite direction. Due to the rotation, the second central shaft is also rotated in the opposite direction, and the switch is also rotated in the opposite direction by the same angle, so that the upward protrusion height of the switch is reduced, and the teeth of the first movable part and the first It is characterized in that the teeth of the two movable parts come into contact with each other and the rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction is stopped .

According to the power generation device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the impact force caused by the operation of the switch, so that the durability of the power generation device can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial explanatory view showing the housing and switch of the power generating device of FIG. 1 from the back side, and showing the configuration of the power generating mechanism inside the housing in a cutaway manner. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first movable component, a first central shaft, a torsion coil spring, and a partition plate in the power generation mechanism of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from a different angle and showing a first movable component, a first central shaft, a torsion coil spring, and a partition plate in the power generation mechanism of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the initial state of each component from the switch direction in FIG. 2 by extracting a first movable part, a first central axis, a second movable part, and a second central axis in the power generation mechanism in FIG. 2; 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated from the state in FIG. 5. FIG. From the state of FIG. 6, the first movable part is rotated in the opposite direction by the elastic energy ie12, and the second movable part is further rotated, and the switch connected to the second movable part and the elasticity imparting means are shown. It is a schematic diagram which also shows the state of. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable part and the switch are rotated by the elastic energy of the elasticity imparting means, and the teeth of the first movable part and the teeth of the second movable part are in contact with each other. be. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a first movable part, a first central axis, a second movable part, and a second central axis extracted from FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated in opposite directions from the state shown in FIG. 9, and the teeth of the second movable component and the first movable component are in mesh with each other. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated in opposite directions from the state shown in FIG. 10, and the teeth of the second movable component and the first movable component are disengaged from each other. 3 is a partial explanatory diagram showing a modification example of FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the initial state of each component from the switch direction in FIG. 12 by extracting the first movable component, the first central axis, the second movable component, and the second central axis in the power generation mechanism in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated from the state of FIG. 13 and the teeth of the second movable component and the first movable component are in mesh with each other. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated from the state of FIG. 14 and the teeth of the second movable component and the first movable component are disengaged from each other. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first movable part is rotated in the opposite direction by elastic energy ie22 from the state of FIG. 15, and also shows a state of a switch connected to the second movable part and the elasticity imparting means. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable part and the switch are rotated by the elastic energy of the elasticity imparting means, and the teeth of the first movable part and the teeth of the second movable part are in contact with each other. be. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second movable component and the first movable component are rotated in opposite directions from the state of FIG. 17, and the teeth of the second movable component and the first movable component are disengaged.

The first feature of this embodiment is that the power generation device includes at least a power generation mechanism, a switch, and elasticity imparting means. The power generation mechanism includes a first movable part, a second movable part, a torsion coil spring, a generator, and a housing. The torsion coil springs are a first torsion coil spring and a second torsion coil spring. The first movable component is rotatably supported on the first central axis, and the second movable component is rotatably supported on the second central axis. The first winding part, which is the winding part of the first torsion coil spring, is wound around the first central axis, the first end of the first winding part is a free end, and the second end is a first movable end. Connected to parts. The second winding part, which is the winding part of the second torsion coil spring, is wound around the first central axis in the opposite direction to the first winding part, and the first end of the second winding part is a free end. , a second end coupled to the first movable part. Furthermore, the free end of the first turn is in contact with the housing, and due to this contact and the winding shape of the first turn, an initial elastic energy ie1 is imparted to the first turn. Further, the free end of the second winding section is in contact with the housing, and due to this contact and the winding shape of the second winding section, initial elastic energy ie2 is imparted to the second winding section. The switch is a seesaw type switch that swings around the second central shaft or a shaft connected to the second central shaft as a fulcrum, rotates clockwise and counterclockwise each time it swings, and both left and right ends move up and down. . As the switch rotates, the first movable part and the second movable part engage, the first movable part is rotated by a certain amount, the first torsion coil spring is twisted, and elastic energy ie12 is stored in the first torsion coil spring . Thereafter, the mesh is disengaged, and the generator shaft is rotated by the elastic energy ie12 to generate electricity. A certain amount of rotation in the opposite direction of the first movable part brings the free end of the second turn into contact with the housing, and this contact and the winding shape of the second turn cause the initial elastic energy ie2 to be transferred to the second turn. The first central axis is rotated by the initial elastic energy ie1 and the initial elastic energy ie2 applied to the winding portion. The elasticity imparting means is a torsion coil spring wound around the second central axis, with a first end connected to the second movable part and a second end fixed to the housing. Due to the winding shape of the elasticity imparting means, initial elastic energy ie3 is imparted to the elasticity imparting means in a state where no force is transmitted from the switch to the second central axis , and after the first movable part rotates a certain amount, the first elastic energy ie3 is applied to the elasticity imparting means. 2. Rotate the movable part in the opposite direction to the fixed amount of rotation caused by the rotation of the switch . The rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction causes the second central shaft to also rotate in the opposite direction, and the switch to rotate in the opposite direction by the same angle, thereby reducing the upward protrusion height of the switch and The teeth of the movable part and the teeth of the second movable part come into contact with each other, and the rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction is stopped.

According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the impact force caused by the operation of the switch, and thus it is possible to improve the durability of the power generation device.

Note that in the present invention, the "fixed amount" in the amount of rotation of the first movable part and the second movable part is not necessarily the same, and the "fixed amount" may differ depending on each rotation direction, or there may be a difference in the dimensions of each part. It also includes the difference in rotation angle caused by

The above-described power generation device can be used for switching purposes by humans, for recognizing the placement or removal status of cargo such as containers or chairs, and as a vehicle entry notification device.

In the present invention, the torque (N mm) applied or accumulated in the first winding part or the second winding part of the torsion coil spring, or the elasticity imparting means, respectively, is expressed as "elastic energy" (mJ) and explained. do.

Further, in the present invention, the switch includes a seesaw type switch that swings around a shaft and can alternately move up and down at both ends.

Furthermore , according to this configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, by rotating the switch until the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part come into contact with each other, the protruding height of the switch can be further reduced, and the height of the switch can be further reduced. By being able to reduce the amount of movement, the impact force can be alleviated. Therefore, it becomes possible to further improve the durability of the power generation device.

The second feature is that due to the rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction due to the initial elastic energy ie3 , the teeth of the first movable part and the teeth of the second movable part engage again and interlock, and the first movable part The first movable part is rotated in the opposite direction by a certain amount, and the second torsion coil spring is twisted by the certain amount of rotation in the opposite direction of the first movable part, and the elastic energy ie22 due to the torsion is accumulated in the second torsion coil spring , and the first movable part is rotated in the opposite direction. After rotating by a certain amount in the opposite direction, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part are disengaged again, and the first movable part is rotated by a certain amount by the elastic energy ie22 , and the first central axis is rotated. This is a power generation device in which the rotation of the first central shaft is transmitted to rotate the shaft of the generator, and the generator generates electric power again.

According to this configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, it becomes possible for the generator to generate power twice by one switching operation of the switch. Therefore, the amount of power that can be generated by the power generation device with one switching operation is doubled, and a larger wireless signal can be transmitted from the power generation device.

Examples according to the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited only to the following examples.

Hereinafter, a power generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the power generation device 1 includes at least a power generation mechanism 12 and a switch 9. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the power generation mechanism 12 is formed of at least a first movable part 2a, a second movable part 3a, a torsion coil spring 4, a generator 5, and a housing 6. Inside the housing 6, at least a first movable part 2a, a second movable part 3a, a torsion coil spring 4, and a generator 5 are housed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 and 5 to 11, the first movable part 2a is a gear in which a plurality of teeth are formed at least in a part of the periphery of the outer shape, and the first movable part 2a has a first central axis 2b. It is rotatably supported in the center. The first central shaft 2b is pivotally supported at both ends inside the housing 6.

Further, the second movable part 3a is a gear in which teeth are formed on at least a part of the outer circumference, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, and is rotatably supported around a second central axis 3b. has been done. The other end of the second central shaft 3b (that is, the end opposite to the one end on which the second movable component 3a is pivotally supported) passes through a hole provided in the housing 6 to the outside of the housing 6. It protrudes and is connected directly or indirectly to the switch 9 as shown in FIG.

The tooth profiles of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are both involute tooth profiles in this embodiment. By using an involute tooth profile, the meshing can be maintained correctly even if the distance between the centers of the gears (the linear distance between the center of the first central axis 2b and the center of the second central axis 3b) changes slightly. , is preferable because it can be easily produced and there is less slippage. It is also possible to replace the tooth profile 2a or 3a with an involute tooth profile and form a cycloid tooth profile.

The torsion coil spring 4 is a spring having at least two winding parts, a first winding part and a second winding part, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The power generation mechanism 12 is provided with two torsion coil springs (a first torsion coil spring 4a and a second torsion coil spring 4b) in which a first winding part and a second winding part are individually formed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the winding part (first winding part) of the first torsion coil spring 4a is wound around the first central axis 2b, and the first end of the first winding part is the free end 4a1. On the other hand, the second end 4a2 is connected to either the first movable part 2a, the first central axis 2b, or the second winding part, and in this embodiment, the second end 4a2 is connected to the first movable part 2a. There is. When viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the first winding portion is wound clockwise in the direction toward the second end portion 4a2 connected to the first movable component 2a.

Furthermore, the free end 4a1 of the first winding portion is in contact with the side surface of the partition plate 6a that constitutes the housing 6. Due to this contact and the winding shape of the first winding part, initial elastic energy ie1 (mJ) is applied to the first winding part (i.e., the first torsion coil spring 4a) in a state where no force is transmitted from the outside of the power generation mechanism 12. has been done.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the winding part (second winding part) of the second torsion coil spring 4b is wound around the first central axis 2b in the opposite direction to the first winding part. The first end of the second winding portion is a free end 4b1. The second end 4b2 is connected to either the first movable part 2a, the first central axis 2b, or the first winding part, and in this embodiment, it is connected to the first movable part 2a. . When viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, the second winding portion is wound clockwise in the direction toward the free end 4b1. Therefore, when the first winding part and the second winding part are viewed facing each other, they are wound in opposite directions. Note that arrows A in FIGS. 3 and 4 point in the same direction.

Furthermore, the free end 4b1 of the second winding portion is in contact with the side surface of the partition plate 6a that constitutes the housing 6. Due to this contact and the winding shape of the second winding part, initial elastic energy ie2 (mJ) is imparted to the second winding part (i.e., the second torsion coil spring 4b) in a state where no force is transmitted from the outside of the power generation mechanism 12. has been done.

The absolute value of ie2 is set equal to the absolute value of ie1. With the absolute value of ie2 and the absolute value of ie1 maintained in balance, the first movable part is kept stationary and maintained in the initial state.

In addition, in the power generation mechanism 12, the second ends (4a2 and 4b2) of the first winding part and the second winding part are connected to the first movable part 2a, but the second ends ( 4a2 and 4b2), one torsion coil spring having a first winding part and a second winding part may be used instead of the torsion coil spring 4.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, elasticity imparting means 11 is wound around the second central shaft 3b. The elasticity imparting means 11 is a torsion coil spring wound around the second central shaft 3b, and in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is wound clockwise around the second central shaft 3b toward the second movable part 3a.

The elasticity imparting means 11 has two ends, the first end of which is fixedly connected to a stopper hole 13 of the second movable part 3a. The stopper hole 13 is provided on the bottom surface of a recess 14 provided on the side surface of the second movable component 3a. On the other hand, the second end is fixedly connected to a partition plate 6a that constitutes the housing 6 (see FIG. 2). The second end is always fixed to the partition plate 6a, and the force is not transmitted from the switch 9 to the second central shaft 3b due to the shape of the winding around the second central shaft. Initial elastic energy ie3 (mJ) is applied to the elasticity applying means 11.

Therefore, since the first end (stopper hole 13) is rotated by ie3 using the second end fixed to the partition plate 6a as a fulcrum, the second end is rotated by ie3 in FIGS. 7 and 8. A counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the movable part 3a.

The second end of the elasticity imparting means 11 may be fixed anywhere on the housing 6, but in order to apply a counterclockwise rotational force to the second movable part 3a using the ie3, it is necessary to fix the second end in FIG. 8, the end of the torsion coil spring is pulled out to the right from the lower peripheral edge of the winding portion of the elasticity imparting means 11, and the end of the torsion coil spring is pulled out to the right side of the housing 6 (not shown in the figure, the partition plate 6a ) is desirable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the axial direction of the first central axis 2b and the axial direction of the shaft 5a of the generator 5 are configured to be parallel to each other, and the first movable part 2a in the first central axis 2b is A spur gear 7 is pivotally supported on the opposite side to the shaft supporting side. On the other hand, a spur gear 8 is also pivotally supported at the end of the shaft 5a. Therefore, the first central shaft 2b and the shaft 5a of the generator 5 are connected by two spur gears 7 and 8. In addition, in FIG. 2, illustration of the tooth profiles of the first movable part 2a, the second movable part 3a, the spur gear 7, and the spur gear 8 is omitted.

The generator 5 is a motor that includes at least a coil and a magnet, and is of a type in which either the coil or the magnet rotates as the shaft 5a rotates.

The housing 6 is a component having an internal space as shown in FIG. 2, and the internal space is provided with a partition plate 6a for fixing the generator 5 and the like. This partition plate 6a also becomes a component of the housing 6. Hereinafter, the housing 6 will be referred to as the housing 6, including the partition plate 6a as necessary.

The materials of the first movable part 2a, the second movable part 3a, and the spur gears 7 and 8 can be selected arbitrarily, for example, plastic, resin that can slide without lubrication, stainless steel, steel, etc. may be used.

The switch 9 is a component whose shaft is supported on both sides by two fixed parts (10, 10), which will be described later, and swings about the shaft as a fulcrum, and each swing swings clockwise and counterclockwise. It is a seesaw type switch that rotates and moves up and down on both the left and right ends. The shaft of the switch 9 is the second central shaft 3b or a shaft connected to the second central shaft 3b. The switch 9 comes into contact with the wheels of a vehicle, a person's feet, luggage, or a chair. Therefore, in order to reduce the impact when a vehicle, person, baggage, chair, etc. runs onto the switch 9, or when a vehicle or person passes by, it is preferable to use rubber that can be contracted and deformed and has elasticity.

The fixed part 10 is a rubber base, and the two fixed parts (10, 10) support the shaft of one switch 9 on both sides. The fixed part 10 is a part for a step stool that comes into contact with the wheels of a vehicle, a person's feet, luggage, or a chair. Therefore, in order to reduce the impact when a vehicle, person, baggage, chair, etc. runs onto the switch 9, or when a vehicle or person passes by, it is preferable to use rubber that can be contracted and deformed and has elasticity. Further, the fixed part 10 is provided with two slopes at the front and back to smoothly transition the contact when riding on or passing, and is provided with two bolt fastening parts 10a to be fixed to an installation surface such as a road surface with bolts. It is being Furthermore, the surface of the fixed component 10 may be provided with unevenness to prevent wheels, feet, etc. from slipping when riding on or passing through the vehicle.

The housing 6 is also preferably made of rubber, similar to the fixing part 10, and is provided with two bolt fixing parts 6c at the front and rear for fixing to an installation surface such as a road surface with bolts.

Next, the operation of the power generation device 1 of this embodiment will be explained. The switch 9 moves (oscillates) when the seesaw-type switch 9 comes into contact with the switch 9 when a force such as a human force from outside the power generation mechanism 12 or a pressing force from an object to generate electricity for each purpose of use is applied. , the second central shaft 3b is rotated by the movement (oscillation) of the switch 9.

Due to the rotation of the second central shaft 3b, force is transmitted from the outside of the power generation mechanism 12 to the second movable part 3a via the second central shaft 3b, and the second movable part 3a is moved by a certain amount in this embodiment (Fig. In FIG. 6, it rotates and moves clockwise (approximately 19° to 20°). Therefore, the second movable part 3a functions as a switch part within the power generation mechanism 12, and is a part that moves by a switching operation.

Before the rotation of the second movable part 3a is transmitted to the first movable part 2a, the first movable part 2a is held at a position where ie2 and ie1 are balanced. Next, when the second movable part 3a rotates, the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the teeth of the second movable part 3a mesh to start interlocking.

The force continues to be transmitted to the second movable part 3a, and while the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are engaged with each other, the first movable part 2a continues to rotate, and the second movable part 3a continues to rotate. The rotation is transmitted to the first movable part 2a. Therefore, the first movable part 2a is rotated by a certain amount until the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a disengage from each other (in the case of this embodiment, about 120 degrees as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). (This results in a counterclockwise rotation of 121° to 121°.)

As the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount, the first central shaft 2b and the first winding part also rotate by a certain amount in conjunction with the first movable part 2a. However, since the free end 4a1 of the first winding portion is in contact with the side surface of the housing 6 in the initial state, its movement is stopped. On the other hand, since the other end of the first winding part is connected to the first movable part 2a, it rotates as the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount. Therefore, the first winding part is twisted, and elastic energy ie12 (mJ) is accumulated in the first winding part due to the torsion caused by the meshing of the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a. Ru.

The twist of the first winding portion is maintained while the force continues to be transmitted to the second movable part 3a and the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are engaged with each other. Therefore, the elastic energy ie12 of the first winding portion becomes the maximum amount immediately before the teeth of the first movable component 2a and the second movable component 3a disengage. In this embodiment, the elastic energy ie12 reaches its maximum when the first movable part 2a and the first central axis 2b have rotated approximately 120° to 121°.

After the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount, the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a disengage from each other, as shown in FIG. Then, the deformation retention due to the twisting of the first winding part is released, the deformation of the first winding part is released, and the free end 4a1 of the first winding part, which was stopped by contacting the side surface of the housing 6, is used as a fulcrum. , ie12, the first movable part 2a rotates a certain amount in the opposite direction. In this embodiment, the rotation is about 120° to 121° clockwise (see FIGS. 6 and 7). That is, ie12 is converted into a constant amount of rotation of the first movable part 2a in the opposite direction.

As the first movable part 2a rotates in the opposite direction by a certain amount, the first central shaft 2b also rotates in the opposite direction by a certain amount, and the spur gear 7 also rotates in conjunction with the rotation, and further, via the spur gear 8, the shaft 5a is rotated by a constant amount and at a constant speed. Note that, depending on the tooth ratio of the spur gears 7 and 8, the amount of rotation of the first movable part 2a and the first central shaft 2b is a "certain amount" and the amount of rotation of the shaft 5a of the generator 5 is a "constant amount". The amount differs for each. By rotating the shaft 5a by a constant amount and at a constant speed, electric power is generated inside the generator 5 and power generation is performed. The electric power makes it possible to activate a wireless communication device such as an infrared ray (not shown), which is separately provided in the housing 6 as a resin part 6b so that it can be fitted, depending on the purpose of the power generation device 1. The wireless communication device is activated and a wireless signal is transmitted, making it possible to report, for example, the entry or passage of a vehicle or person, or the placement or removal status of a chair or baggage. Note that a separate sheet or the like may be hung over the power generation device 1 for dustproofing.

The amount of rotation and speed of the shaft 5a change depending on the amount of rotation in the opposite direction of the first movable part 2a, that is, the maximum value of ie12, and the ratio of the number of teeth of the spur gears 7 and 8. ie12 can be set to any fixed amount depending on the arc length of the pitch circle in which the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a engage with each other. On the other hand, the ratio of the number of teeth between the spur gears 7 and 8 can also be set to an arbitrary constant amount. Therefore, since the amount of rotation of the shaft 5a can be set to an arbitrary fixed amount according to the specifications of each power generating mechanism 12, the amount of electric power generated by the generator 5 also depends on the external force transmitted to the second movable part 3a. It can be set to a constant value regardless of speed.

After a certain amount of reverse rotation of the first movable part 2a, the elastic energy ie12 is attenuated. At the same time, as the first central shaft 2b rotates in the opposite direction, the free end 4b1 of the second winding section also moves with the rotation, and the free end 4b1 of the second winding section comes into contact with the side surface of the housing 6. The movement of the free end 4b1 is stopped. On the other hand, since the other end side of the second winding part is connected to the first movable part 2a, it rotates as the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount in the opposite direction. Therefore, from the moment the free end 4b1 stops moving, the second winding section is twisted, and elastic energy due to the twisting starts to be accumulated in the second winding section.

However, since the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are not already engaged with each other at this point, the twist of the second winding part is not maintained and is immediately released. Therefore, elastic energy is not stored in the second winding portion at this point. On the other hand, using the free end 4b1 of the second winding part, which was stopped in contact with the side surface of the housing 6, as a fulcrum, the first central shaft 2b is rotated by only ie1 and ie2, and ie1 and ie2 are made equal and balanced. held in a rotated position. By this rotation of the first central shaft 2b, the first movable part 2a is returned to its initial state (the state before the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the teeth of the second movable part 3a are engaged).

After the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are disengaged and the first movable part 2a rotates a certain amount in the opposite direction, the initial elastic energy ie3 applied to the elasticity imparting means 11 The second movable component 3a is rotated by being applied with a rotational force in a direction opposite to the rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 7 to 8). Due to this rotation in the opposite direction, the second central shaft 3b also rotates in the opposite direction, and the switch 9 also rotates in the opposite direction by the same angle. By rotating the switch 9 in the opposite direction, the upward protrusion height of the switch 9 (in FIGS. 7 and 8, the protrusion height of the left end of the switch 9) can be suppressed. By suppressing the protruding height, the operating amount of the switch 9 (rotation amount due to the rocking of the switch 9) is also suppressed, so the impact force generated when the switch 9 is pushed in the direction of the fixed part 10 can be suppressed. becomes possible. Therefore, since the impact force accompanying the operation of the switch 9 can be alleviated, the durability of the power generator 1 can be improved.

When the second movable part 3a rotates in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. It is more preferable that the rotation be continued until the rotation stops. By rotating the switch 9 in the opposite direction until the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a come into contact with each other, the protrusion height of the switch 9 can be further reduced, and the amount of operation of the switch 9 can also be reduced. This makes it possible to further reduce the impact force. Therefore, it becomes possible to further improve the durability of the power generation device 1.

The most preferred operation of the power generation device 1 is as follows.

By increasing the number of windings of the elasticity imparting means 11 or increasing the spring constant of the elasticity imparting means 11 to increase the initial elastic energy ie3, the state shown in FIG. 8 or 9 can be changed from the state shown in FIG. The second movable part 3a is further rotated in the opposite direction to the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 11, the rotation is approximately 9° to 10° counterclockwise. When the second movable part 3a rotates in the opposite direction, the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the teeth of the second movable part 3a contact each other and engage again, interlocking with each other, and the first movable part 2a rotates in the opposite direction. rotated a certain amount in the direction.

As the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount in the opposite direction, the first central shaft 2b and the second winding part also rotate by a certain amount in conjunction with the first movable part 2a. However, since the free end 4b1 of the second winding portion is in contact with the side surface of the housing 6, its movement is stopped. On the other hand, since the second end 4b2 side of the second winding part is connected to the first movable part 2a, it rotates as the first movable part 2a rotates by a certain amount. Therefore, the second winding part is twisted, and elastic energy ie22 (mJ) is accumulated in the second winding part due to the torsion caused by the meshing of the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a. Ru.

The twist of the second winding portion is maintained while the force in the opposite direction continues to be transmitted to the second movable part 3a and the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are engaged with each other. Ru. Therefore, the elastic energy ie22 of the second winding portion becomes the maximum amount immediately before the teeth of the first movable component 2a and the second movable component 3a disengage. In this embodiment, the elastic energy ie22 reaches its maximum when the first movable part 2a and the first central axis 2b have rotated approximately 115 degrees.

After the first movable part 2a rotates a certain amount in the opposite direction, the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a disengage from each other, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Then, the deformation retention due to the twisting of the second winding part is released, the deformation of the second winding part is released, and the second winding part is rotated using the free end 4b1 of the second winding part, which was stopped by contacting the side surface of the housing 6, as a fulcrum. , ie22, the first central shaft 2b rotates by a certain amount. (In this example, the rotation is approximately 115° counterclockwise). That is, ie22 is converted into a fixed amount of rotation of the first central axis 2b.

As the first central shaft 2b rotates by a certain amount, the spur gear 7 is also connected and rotates by a certain amount, and the shaft 5a is rotated by a certain amount and at a constant speed via the spur gear 8, and the generator 5 generates electricity again. will be held. That is, the rotation of the first central shaft 2b is transmitted to the generator 5, the shaft 5a of the generator 5 is rotated, and the generator 5 generates electric power again.

In this way, due to the increase in the initial elastic energy ie3, a single switching operation of the switch 9 (contact of a wheel of a vehicle, a person's foot, luggage or a chair with the switch 9) causes the generator 5 to generate electricity twice. It becomes possible to do this. Therefore, the amount of power that can be generated by the power generation device 1 is doubled with one switching operation, and a larger wireless signal can be transmitted from the power generation device 1. Note that after FIG. 11, the state shown in FIG. 5 is restored. Therefore, after the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are engaged, it is possible to return the power generation device 1 to the initial state using only the elastic force (initial elastic energy ie3) of the elasticity imparting means 11. Therefore, it can be said that the most preferable operation of the power generation device 1 is to operate from the state of FIG. 9 to FIGS. 10 to 11 using only the initial elastic energy ie3).

Note that the present invention can be modified in various ways based on its technical idea. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12, 16, and 17, the elasticity imparting means 11 is wound around the second central shaft 3b, and the power generation device 1 is You can make it work. The modified examples shown in FIGS. 12 to 18 will be described only in terms of differences from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 11. 3 and 4 are also applied to the modified example.

The difference between the modified example and the embodiment is that the elasticity imparting means 11 is wound counterclockwise around the second central axis 3b toward the second movable part 3a in FIGS. 16 and 17. It is. Therefore, in FIGS. 16 and 17, a clockwise rotational force is applied to the second movable part 3a depending on the initial elastic energy ie3 (mJ). The second end of the elasticity imparting means 11 may be fixed anywhere on the housing 6, but in order to apply clockwise rotational force to the second movable part 3a by ie3, it is necessary to In FIG. 17, the end of the torsion coil spring is pulled out to the right from the upper peripheral edge of the winding part of the elasticity imparting means 11, and the end of the torsion coil spring is pulled out to the right side of the figure and attached to a portion of the housing 6 (not shown in the figure, the partition plate 6a). It is desirable to fix it. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the end portion of the elasticity imparting means 11 is fixed to the partition plate 6a.

Furthermore, in the modified example, the positions of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a shown in FIG. 13 are set to the initial state. Therefore, when the power generator operates, the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a rotate in different directions from those in the above embodiment.

When a wheel of a vehicle, a person's foot, luggage, or a chair contacts the switch 9 from the state shown in FIG. 13, the second movable part 3a rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, and the first movable part 2a, the first movable part 2a rotates clockwise, and the ie22 is accumulated. Thereafter, the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a are disengaged, the ie22 is released, the second movable part 3a rotates counterclockwise, and the generator 5 generates electricity, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 16. Become.

Then, the second movable part 3a is given a rotational force in a direction opposite to the rotational direction (clockwise in FIGS. 16 to 17) by the initial elastic energy ie3, and rotates. Due to this rotation in the opposite direction, the second central shaft 3b also rotates in the opposite direction, and the switch 9 also rotates in the opposite direction by the same angle. Therefore, the protrusion height and operating amount of the right end of the switch 9 are suppressed, the impact force accompanying the operation of the switch 9 can be alleviated, and the durability of the power generator 1 can be improved.

When the second movable part 3a rotates in the opposite direction, the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the teeth of the second movable part 3a contact each other, as shown in FIG. It is more preferable that the rotation be continued until the rotation stops.

Furthermore, in the modified example, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 18 and 13, the second movable part 3a is further rotated in the opposite direction based only on the initial elastic energy ie3, and the generator 5 is activated by the accumulation and release of the ie1. This is the most preferable because it enables the second generation of electricity.

Note that, as explained in the present embodiment and the modified example, the "certain amount" in the amount of rotation of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a is not necessarily the same. As in this embodiment and the modified example, the "certain amount" may differ depending on the rotational direction of each component. Furthermore, differences in the dimensions of each part (2a, 3a) cause differences in rotation angles.

In addition, in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 to 11, 13 to 15, and 18, priority is given to making it easier to see the meshing state of the teeth of the first movable part 2a and the second movable part 3a. , illustration of the torsion coil spring 4 is omitted.

The generator 5 is not limited to a motor as long as it includes at least a coil and a magnet and is a device that generates electric power. In addition, when using a motor for the generator 5, if the inertia of the motor is low, the number of teeth ratio (ratio of the number of teeth of the spur gear 7 to the number of teeth of the spur gear 8) should also be set low, and if the inertia is large, the number of teeth should be set low. Just set the ratio high.

Note that a one-way clutch may be used instead of the gear of the first movable part 2a or the second movable part.

1 Power generator
2a 1st moving part
2b 1st central axis
3a Second moving part
3b Second central axis 4 Torsion coil spring
4a 1st torsion coil spring
4a1 First end of the winding part of the first torsion coil spring
4a2 Second end of the winding part of the first torsion coil spring
4b 2nd torsion coil spring
4b1 First end of the winding part of the second torsion coil spring
4b2 Second end of the winding portion of the second torsion coil spring 5 Generator
5a shaft 6 housing
6a Partition plate
6b Resin part
6c, 10a Bolted part 7, 8 Spur gear 9 Switch
10 Fixed parts
11 Elasticity imparting means
12 Power generation mechanism
13 Stop hole
14 Recess

Claims (2)

The power generation device includes at least a power generation mechanism, a switch, and an elasticity imparting means,
The power generation mechanism is formed of at least a first movable part, a second movable part, a torsion coil spring, a generator, and a housing,
The torsion coil springs are a first torsion coil spring and a second torsion coil spring,
The first movable part is rotatably supported on the first central axis, and the second movable part is rotatably supported on the second central axis,
A first winding part, which is a winding part of the first torsion coil spring, is wound around a first central axis, a first end of the first winding part is a free end, and a second end is a first movable end. connected to parts,
The second winding part, which is the winding part of the second torsion coil spring, is wound around the first central axis in the opposite direction to the first winding part, and the first end of the second winding part is a free end. , the second end is coupled to the first movable part;
Furthermore, the free end of the first winding part is in contact with the housing, and due to this contact and the winding shape of the first winding part, initial elastic energy IE1 is imparted to the first winding part,
The free end of the second winding part is in contact with the housing, and due to this contact and the winding shape of the second winding part, initial elastic energy ie2 is imparted to the second winding part,
The switch is a seesaw type switch that swings around the second central shaft or a shaft connected to the second central shaft as a fulcrum, rotates clockwise and counterclockwise with each swing, and moves both left and right ends up and down. ,
The rotation of the switch rotates the second movable part by a certain amount, the teeth of the first movable part and the teeth of the second movable part mesh and interlock, and the first movable part is rotated by a certain amount,
A certain amount of rotation of the first movable part twists the first torsion coil spring, and elastic energy ie12 due to the twist is accumulated in the first torsion coil spring,
After the first movable part rotates by a certain amount, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part disengage from each other, and the first movable part is rotated by a certain amount in the opposite direction by the elastic energy ie12 , and the first center The shaft is rotated, the rotation of the first central shaft is transmitted, the shaft of the generator is rotated, electric power is generated by the generator, and electricity is generated.
A certain amount of rotation in the opposite direction of the first movable part brings the free end of the second turn into contact with the housing, and this contact and the winding shape of the second turn cause the initial elastic energy ie2 to be transferred to the second turn. given to the winding part,
The first central axis is rotated by the initial elastic energy ie1 and the initial elastic energy ie2,
The elasticity imparting means is a torsion coil spring wound around the second central shaft, the first end of which is connected to the second movable component, and the second end of which is fixed to the housing;
Due to the winding shape of the elasticity imparting means, initial elastic energy IE3 is imparted to the elasticity imparting means in a state where no force is transmitted from the switch to the second central axis ,
After the first movable part rotates by a certain amount, the second movable part is rotated by the initial elastic energy ie3 in a direction opposite to the certain amount of rotation by the rotation of the switch ,
The rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction causes the second central shaft to also rotate in the opposite direction, and the switch to rotate in the opposite direction by the same angle, thereby reducing the upward protrusion height of the switch and A power generating device in which the teeth of the movable part and the teeth of the second movable part come into contact with each other to stop the second movable part from rotating in the opposite direction . Due to the rotation of the second movable part in the opposite direction by the initial elastic energy ie3, the teeth of the first movable part and the teeth of the second movable part are engaged again and interlocked, so that the first movable part remains constant. amount said to be rotated in the opposite direction;
The second torsion coil spring is twisted by a certain amount of rotation of the first movable part in the opposite direction, and elastic energy ie22 due to the twist is stored in the second torsion coil spring;
After the first movable part rotates a certain amount in the opposite direction, the teeth of the first movable part and the second movable part are disengaged again, and the first movable part rotates a certain amount by the elastic energy ie22. The first central shaft is rotated, the rotation of the first central shaft is transmitted to rotate the shaft of the generator, and the generator generates electric power again. 1. The power generation device according to 1 .

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