KR101146564B1 - Dielectric elastomer generation unit, independent generating apparatus for attaching at joint and independent generating apparatus for attaching at weight thing having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A dielectric elastomer generation unit, a joint attaching independent electricity generating apparatus including thereof, and a weight attaching electricity generating apparatus are provided to generate electrical energy by changing a transform layer. CONSTITUTION: A dielectric elastomer generation unit comprises the following: a transform layer(111) containing a dielectric elastomer in a gel form, generating electricity by the transformation of extending and contracting; a guide unit(114) maintaining the shape of the transform layer; electrodes(112, 113) formed on first and second surfaces by turns into a positive electrode and a negative electrode; and a housing for storing the guide unit and the electrodes.

Description

Dielectric elastomer generation unit, independent generating apparatus for attaching at joint and independent generating apparatus for attaching at weight thing having the same}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dielectric polymer power generation unit that can be attached to a specific part of the body to generate electricity, a joint attachment self-power generation device and a weight attachment self-power generation device having the same.

Recently, due to the remarkable development of information technology (IT), there is no device that does not need a power supply regardless of which product. It doesn't matter if there is a power supply nearby, but the battery becomes more important when it is used for a long time outside.

Currently, conventional methods of changing batteries or recharging them with charging cartridges are being used, and in order to reduce the inconvenience of users who need to change the batteries frequently, each company is developing a battery with an extended life span. This is quite cumbersome for users who have to live in the future of portable electronics, and if they forget to charge the battery or do not have a battery to replace, there is a disadvantage that the product cannot be used.

In the low-capacity energy harvesting technology, interest in the Micro Power Generation (MPG) technology is increasing. Among the existing techniques, the energy harvesting method using piezo is used. The piezoelectric effect is a method of obtaining electrical energy in the form of mechanical vibrations of bending on hard piezo materials. Piezomaterials also have the disadvantages of high cost and low energy density. Because of this, there are many limitations to use it as a joint attachment that attempts to harvest energy from human movement.

The Dielectric Elastomer method, which is the beginning of a recent study, uses a polymer with flexible elasticity, which is a method of obtaining more electric energy through mechanical energy against bias voltage.

Dielectric polymers with electrostriction in which the strain is proportional to the square of the electric field are characterized by higher strain than piezo elements (typically PZT) whose strain is simply proportional to the electric field. In addition, it is noiseless and light, and is suitable for future defense applications. That is, the dielectric polymer may be characterized by low density, low noise, low noise, light weight, high deformation, and versatile and soft softness. Can be. On the other hand, the disadvantage is low output force and stiffness, weakness of durability and repeatability. The dielectric polymer generator technology presented and discussed in the present invention is a clean, infinite energy and semi-permanent material that does not emit pollutants by using the force of wind, waves, etc. in nature with the daily movement of humans or animals. In terms of development value is very high.

One embodiment of the present invention is to provide a self-powered device that can be worn on the body, to produce electrical energy.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the dielectric polymer power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has a certain thickness, including a dielectric elastomer in a gel state, elongation or shrinkage deformation or bending When deformed, the deformed layer formed to generate electricity, the guide portion disposed on the side of the deformed layer, and the anode or the first and second surfaces of the deformed layer alternately to maintain the shape of the deformed layer, respectively. It includes electrodes formed of a cathode.

According to an example related to the present invention, the apparatus may further include a housing formed to embed the deformation layer, the guide part, and the electrodes.

According to an example related to the present invention, the housing includes a spring so as to return to a state before deformation in a state in which the housing is elongated or contracted or bent under the external force.

According to one embodiment in connection with the present invention, the housing is a dielectric polymer power generation unit, characterized in that the spandex (spandex).

According to an example related to the present invention, the deformation layer has a thickness of 100 μm or less.

According to an example related to the present invention, the strained layer is formed by spin coating liquid silicon containing a dielectric polymer.

According to an example related to the present invention, the strained layer and the electrodes are formed in plural and stacked on each other.

In addition, in order to realize the above object, the present invention is a first coupling portion attached to the upper end of the joint, the second coupling portion and both ends attached to the lower end of the joint are attached to the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, respectively And a dielectric polymer power generation unit configured to generate electricity while being stretched or contracted or bent according to joint motion, wherein the dielectric polymer power generation unit has a thickness and has a gel dielectric dielectric. and a deformable layer formed to generate electricity when stretched, contracted or bent, and a guide portion disposed on the side of the deformable layer to maintain the shape of the deformable layer, and the deformable layer of the deformable layer. Disclosed are a self-powered apparatus for attaching joints, comprising electrodes formed on the first and second surfaces of the anode and the cathode, respectively.

According to an example related to the present invention, the apparatus may further include a housing formed to embed the deformation layer, the guide part, and the electrodes.

According to an example related to the present invention, the housing is formed of spandex so as to return to a state before deformation in a state in which the housing is extended or contracted or bent under the external force.

In order to realize the above object, the present invention includes a support formed to support a load while being in contact with the ground, and a dielectric elastomer having a predetermined thickness on the upper surface of the support and having a gel-like dielectric elastomer. And a strained layer formed to generate electricity when stretched or contracted or curved, and a guide part disposed on the side of the strained layer so as to maintain a shape of the strained layer, and first and second surfaces of the strained layer. Disclosed is a self-powered apparatus for attaching a weight including electrodes formed on the surface of the anode and the cathode, respectively.

In addition, in order to realize the above object, the present invention, the deformation layer and the electrode are formed in plural and are stacked on each other.

In order to realize the above object, the present invention further includes a spring attached to the strained layer so that the strained layer can be stretched, shrunk or bent when the load is applied or released.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the dielectric polymer power generation unit can be attached to any part of the body to produce electrical energy, and has advantages of high energy density, low cost and light weight, and unbreakable flexibility. To have.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an energy generation cycle of a dielectric polymer power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a graph showing the mechanical energy and electrical energy state of each step of Figure 1;
3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an energy generation process of a dielectric polymer power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a battery charging capacitor related to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating an increase in voltage of a battery charging capacitor with a change in capacitance of the dielectric polymer power generation unit with respect to FIG. 4.
6 is an exploded perspective view of a dielectric polymer power unit according to one embodiment of the invention.
7A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.
FIG. 7B is a side view of the housing in FIG. 7B. FIG.
8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a state of use of the self-powered device for attaching joints according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9A and 9B are conceptual views of a dielectric polymer power generation unit for weight attachment according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a conceptual diagram of a self-powered device for attaching a weight according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a wearing state of the self-powered device and charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a dielectric polymer power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, a self-powered device for attaching a joint and a weight-powered self-powered device having the same will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the present specification, different embodiments are given the same or similar reference numerals for the same or similar configurations, and the description is replaced with the first description. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

One embodiment of the present invention allows the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 of the flexible nature to be attached to the joint portion of the body having the largest movement displacement in human activity and at the same time self-power generation for attaching the weight to the heel of a person's shoes By attaching the device, it is a new concept of energy charging method that harvests energy from all human movements so that the battery of small electronic products can be charged anywhere and anytime.

The dielectric polymer generator unit has the advantages of high energy density, low cost, light weight, and unbreakable flexibility. This makes it possible to produce electrical energy from these activities, in comparison with mechanical energy, especially the body's activities, compared to other conventional energy collectors.

The technical principle of the present invention is to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy using dielectric polymers (Dielectric Elastomers, or dielectric elastomers), which are based on rubber-like dielectric polymers. The electrodes 112 and 113 using the back and the like are formed.

Self-powered devices using dielectric polymers can obtain a variety of energy because energy is generated under tension in the direction of the plane as well as in the thickness direction when the force is applied. When a bias voltage is applied to the dielectric polymer, the polymer, which is an incompressible material, increases in area and decreases in thickness. As the area is increased by applying force while the applied voltage is continuously applied, the electric capacitance C becomes large. At this time, the capacitance value increases while maintaining the same voltage state, so that the charge (Q) increases (a lot of charge flows from the voltage source), and when the force is removed, the polymer returns to its original state, thereby reducing the area and increasing the thickness. As a result, the same amount of charge flows to the output as the input charge. At this time, since the voltage is instantaneously increased, the electric energy has a larger value.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an energy generation cycle of a dielectric polymer power generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a graph showing the mechanical energy and electrical energy state of each step of FIG.

In order to use the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 as a self-generating device, as shown in FIG. 1, the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 is artificially further reduced by applying an applied voltage to the dielectric polymer first and then applying a force. Use a mechanism to increase electrical energy. The same electrical energy is obtained by first applying a force to the dielectric polymer, then applying an applied voltage and then removing the force.

Applying force to the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 in the first a process of FIG. 1 causes the dielectric polymer and flexible electrodes 112 and 113 to stretch. Applying (+) and (-) voltages to the upper and lower electrodes 112 and 113, respectively, in step b, an electric field is generated to increase the dielectric polymer and the electrodes 112 and 113. At this time, the volume is constant according to the incompressible nature of the dielectric polymer, the area becomes larger and the thickness decreases. Removing the pressed mechanical force (step c) results in greater electrical energy. This electrical energy can be returned to its original state using a load as shown in step d.

The above process is illustrated in Figure 2 as mechanical and electrical energy. In the process a, mechanical energy is applied to the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 to increase the mechanical energy. In step b, an electric field is applied to increase the electric energy of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110, and the mechanical energy is slightly increased due to the expansion of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 by the electric field. When the force is removed from the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110, the electrical energy is increased by increasing the voltage (step c), and when used for load, the power is returned to the original state.

3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an energy generation process of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a battery charging capacitor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5. 4 is a graph illustrating an increase in voltage of a battery charging capacitor according to a change in capacitance of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110.

Referring to Figure 3, look at whether the electrical energy is actually generated from the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 as follows. Assume that the initial applied power is V ₀ and the initial capacitance of the dielectric polymer is C ₀ (a). When the dielectric polymer is pressed to 1.1 C ₀ when the dielectric polymer is pressed while electrical energy is applied (b), the switch is disconnected from the power supply (c). After the mechanical force is released, the dielectric polymer's capacitance returns to its initial value, which increases the voltage of the dielectric polymer to 1.1V ₀ because there is no charge change in the dielectric polymer. If you look at this by using the electrical energy of the capacitor, the electrical energy is increased by the amount of capacitance change (10%). The process is expressed as follows.

The increased amount of electrical energy for any dielectric polymer capacitance change is given by the following equation. When the dielectric polymer is pressed, the charge amount of the dielectric polymer is Q ₁ , and when the mechanical force is removed from the dielectric polymer, it is Q ₂ . Since Q ₁ and Q ₂ are the same, the relationship between the capacitance change amount (ΔC) and the voltage change amount (ΔV) of the dielectric polymer is known. Then, as electrical energy in the electrical energy Q ₁ in E _ini, Q ₂ E _final, and when the electrical energy difference ΔE d in the two states is a _final E = E _ini + ΔE. Calculating the generated electric energy, so ΔC? V ^2/2 is proportional to the square of the change in capacitance and the initial voltage.

As a method of using the increased electric energy, a circuit as shown in FIG. 4 may be used. The increased electrical energy builds up in the battery charging capacitor. The initial applied voltage V _in can be supplied by using a small sized high voltage generator or solar cell. As shown in Fig. 5, the degree of accumulation of voltage gradually becomes smaller as a> b.

6 is an exploded perspective view of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the housing 115 in FIG. 7B.

As shown in FIG. 6, the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a strained layer 111, a guide portion 114, and electrodes 112 and 113.

The strained layer 111 has a predetermined thickness and is formed including a dielectric elastomer in a gel state. In the case of fabricating the strained layer 111, since 3M company's VHB (Very High Bonding) acrylic is thick and difficult to apply a high field, liquid silicon such as Dow Corning must be thinned by spin coating (about 100). Μm or less). The reason for the thinness is that a high electric field is applied to the thinly formed silicon and carbon grease electrodes 112 and 113. The thickness is preferably about 50 μm to about 30 μm. Above this, the increase in capacitance due to lamination is not satisfactory, and below this, there is no economical because the manufacturing cost is high.

An electrode (eg, carbon grease) is made to apply voltage above and below the dielectric polymer. The carbon grease electrode may be applied to the deformable layer 111 with a brush or sprayed with an airbrush.

And the guide portion 114 is formed to surround the side of the strained layer 111 to maintain the dielectric polymer form. The guide part 114 may be formed of cloth, synthetic resin, or metal material.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the strained layer 111 having the electrodes 112 and 113 on both outer sides thereof may be stacked in layers, and as the layers are stacked, the capacitance of the dielectric polymer increases. Wires 112 ′ and 113 ′ are positioned to alternately supply voltages to the electrodes 112 and 113 to the positive and negative layers.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a housing 115 is formed to surround all of the stacked deformation layers 111, the electrodes 112 and 113, and the guide parts 114. Since the housing 115 should be able to return to its original state after bending deformation or stretching contraction deformation, the housing 115 includes a spring to enable elastic deformation. For example, in the outermost portion of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 115 is formed of spandex capable of stretching and contracting. In addition, the housing 115 is formed to serve as an internal protection and a safety device against high voltage.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a state of use of the self-powered apparatus 200 for attaching joints according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a dielectric polymer power generation unit for weight attachment according to another embodiment of the present invention. 130 is a conceptual diagram.

In more detail, the operating principle of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 120 is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the case of attaching the joint, the dielectric polymer power generation unit 120 expands in the area direction and a bending force in the thickness direction acts when the joint is not bent, thereby increasing the area of the dielectric layer. And the thickness decreases, forcibly increasing the capacitance value. When the joint is not bent again, the capacitance is restored and the voltage is increased to generate electrical energy. As shown, the first coupling part 140 and the second coupling part 150 are provided to attach to the upper and lower ends of the joint.

9A and 9B, in the case of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 130 attached to the weight, the pressure is applied to the dielectric polymer power generation unit 130 when the weight touches the ground as compared to when the weight is floating in the air. The capacitance increases. When the feet float in the air, the capacitance value is restored and electric energy is generated. It is easier to manufacture than the dielectric polymer power generation unit 130 for general joint wear, and is made by applying and folding the electrodes 112 and 113 above and below the stretched dielectric polymer. Stacking multiple layers alternately stacks dielectric polymer and electrode layers.

10 is a conceptual diagram of a weight attachment self-generating device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The self-powered apparatus 300 for attaching a weight according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a deformation layer 111, a guide part 114, electrodes 112 and 113, and a support part 140. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the electric field and the force act on the dielectric polymer (Dielectric Elastomer) up and down. The spring 116 is used as a buffer to prevent too much force being applied to the dielectric polymer. The spring may be used to maintain the gap between the deformable layers 111 in the laminated state as well as the buffering action, and to restore the spring to its original state upon deformation. FIG. 10 shows the structure of the dielectric polymer power generation units 130 arranged in three transverse directions and three longitudinal directions. The positive electrode collects the (+) electrodes and the negative electrode collects the (-) electrodes.

In the case of the joint-attach dielectric polymer power generation unit 120 and the weight-attach dielectric polymer power generation unit 130, the direction in which the electric field and the mechanical force are applied are different. The former is vertical and the latter is parallel. The former is the same as the constraint of the Voigt model in Rheology, and the latter is the same as the constraint of the Maxwell model. At this time, the conversion efficiency between the machine and electricity is about 4 times better for attaching the weight body due to constraint conditions, but the mechanical and electrical efficiency itself is better for attaching the weight body. Of course, the principle of energy generation is the same.

At this time, the electromechanical conversion efficiency η is as follows.

In the case of the dielectric polymer power generation unit 130 for attaching the weight, the efficiency of the obtained electrical energy is as follows.

Where C is the initial capacitance of the weight-bearing dielectric polymer, E is the electric field, k is the mechanical stiffness, and ΔC is the change in capacitance value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable parameters include a change in applied voltage (V _in ) and a change in voltage (V) according to joint motion caused by human movement, and a change in area (A) of the stretched and contracted dielectric polymer according to joint motion. There is a change in dielectric polymer layer thickness (d) due to a change in dielectric polymer area. At this time, the capacitance that the area (A) and the dielectric polymer layer thickness (d) affects the initial capacitance value is good in terms of electrical energy acquisition and efficiency. In addition, the greater the applied voltage, the greater the electrical energy and efficiency.

11 is a wearing state of the self-powered device and the charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. When applied to the actual body wear, glove type, shoulder attachment, elbow attachment, knee attachment and weight attachment can be considered.

As shown, a battery charging circuit 400 is placed in one place and used to supply the increased electrical energy to the load. Through this, mechanical energy input is received from the mechanical movement, and as described above, the mechanical energy is transferred to the dielectric polymer self-generating device through an energy transmission mechanism. The dielectric polymer self-powered device converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and supplies electrical energy to a battery charging circuit, which in turn supplies electrical energy to a load.

The above-described dielectric polymer power generation unit, a joint attachment self-power generation device and a weight attachment self-power generation device having the same can not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, the embodiments are various modifications All or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined in order to accomplish this.

Claims (13)

A strained layer having a predetermined thickness and including a dielectric elastomer in a gel state, the strained layer being formed to generate electricity when stretched, shrunk or bent;
A guide part disposed on a side surface of the strained layer to maintain a shape of the strained layer; And
And a plurality of electrodes formed on the first and second surfaces of the strained layer, respectively, alternately formed as an anode or a cathode. The method of claim 1,
And a housing formed to house the strained layer, the guide portion, and the electrodes. The method of claim 2,
And the housing includes a spring so as to return to a state before deformation in a state in which the housing is extended, contracted or bent under an external force. The method of claim 2,
And the housing is a spandex. The method of claim 1,
And the thickness of the strained layer is 100 μm or less. The method of claim 1,
And said strained layer is formed by spin coating liquid silicon comprising a dielectric polymer. The method of claim 1,
And the strained layer and the electrodes are formed in plural and stacked on each other. A first coupling part attached to an upper end of the joint;
A second coupling part attached to the bottom of the joint; And
A dielectric polymer power generation unit having both ends attached to the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, respectively, and configured to generate electricity while extending or contracting or bending deformation according to joint motion;
The dielectric polymer power generation unit,
A strained layer having a predetermined thickness and including a dielectric elastomer in a gel state, the strained layer being configured to generate electricity when stretched, shrunk or bent;
A guide part disposed on a side surface of the strained layer to maintain a shape of the strained layer; And
Self-powered apparatus for attaching joints, characterized in that it comprises electrodes formed of an anode or a cathode alternately on the first and second surfaces of the strained layer, respectively. The method of claim 8,
Self-powered device for attaching joints, characterized in that it further comprises a housing formed to house the deformation layer, the guide portion and the electrodes. 10. The method of claim 9,
The housing is a self-powered apparatus for attaching joints, characterized in that the spandex is formed so that it can return to the state before deformation in the state of extension or contraction deformation or bending deformation under external force. A support portion formed to contact the ground and support the load;
A deformable layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper surface of the support part and including a dielectric elastomer in a gel state, the deformable layer being formed to generate electricity when elongated or contracted or bent;
A guide part disposed on a side surface of the strained layer to maintain a shape of the strained layer; And
A self-powered apparatus for attaching a weight body including electrodes formed on the first and second surfaces of the strain layer, respectively, alternately formed as an anode or a cathode. The method of claim 11,
The deforming layer and the electrode is a plurality of self-powered apparatus for attaching the weight, characterized in that formed in plurality. The method of claim 11,
And a spring attached to the strained layer so that the strained layer can be stretched, shrunk or bent when a load is applied or released.

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