KR102196743B1 - Wearable device for harvesting energy using body temperature and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a wearable device worn on the body to perform energy harvesting using body temperature, including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between the first and second substrates. , A thermoelectric module generating electrical energy using a temperature difference due to body temperature; A heat radiation structure attached to the second substrate; A first air pump positioned on one side of the thermoelectric module; A first air flow path connected between the first air pump and the heat dissipating structure, and configured to flow air to the heat dissipating structure when the first air pump is pressed; A second air pump positioned on the other side of the thermoelectric module; And a second air flow path connected between the second air pump and the heat dissipation structure, and configured to flow air to the heat dissipation structure when the second air pump is pressed. Including, wherein the first substrate, compared to the second substrate relates to a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device, characterized in that the position adjacent to the body.

Description

Body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device and its operation method TECHNICAL FIELD [WEARABLE DEVICE FOR HARVESTING ENERGY USING BODY TEMPERATURE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device and a method of operation thereof, and more particularly, to a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device capable of performing energy harvesting using body temperature, and an operation method thereof. .

Recently, various energy production methods have been studied in accordance with the shortage of energy resources. In particular, research on a technology for recovering energy discarded in daily life under the concept of energy harvesting has been actively conducted.

Energy harvest refers to a technology that collects energy discarded from everyday life such as vibration, light, heat, and electromagnetic waves and converts it into usable electric energy, and such energy harvest is actively researched in a wide variety of fields.

The present invention is to provide a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device capable of performing energy harvesting using body temperature and a method of operating the same.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device capable of maximizing a temperature difference of a thermoelectric module by providing an air pump and an operating method thereof.

A body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a wearable device worn on a body to perform energy harvesting using body temperature, comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate, and the first substrate and the first substrate. 2 A thermoelectric module including a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between the substrates to generate electric energy by using a temperature difference due to body temperature, a heat dissipation structure attached to the second substrate, a first located on one side of the thermoelectric module An air pump, a first air flow path connected between the first air pump and the heat dissipation structure, for flowing air to the heat dissipation structure when the first air pump is pressed, located on the other side of the thermoelectric module A second air pump connected between the second air pump and the heat dissipating structure, and a second air flow path configured to flow air to the heat dissipating structure when the second air pump is pressed, The first substrate may be positioned adjacent to the body compared to the second substrate.

In addition, a first connecting pipe connecting the first air pump to the outside and a second connecting pipe connecting the second air pump to the outside may be further included.

In addition, by being inserted into the first connector or separated from the first connector, the first opening and closing stopper for performing an opening and closing operation on the first connector and inserted into the second connector or from the second connector By being separated, it may further include a second opening and closing stopper for performing an opening and closing operation on the second connection pipe.

In addition, the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device is a shoe worn on the foot of the body, the first air pump is disposed at a position corresponding to the heel of the foot, and the second air pump is the forefoot of the foot It is disposed at a position corresponding to and has a size smaller than that of the first air pump, and the second air flow path is characterized in that it has a smaller diameter than the first air flow path.

In addition, the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device further includes a receiving unit having an inner space in which the heat dissipation structure and the thermoelectric module are sequentially stacked and arranged, the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively It characterized in that it is connected to the receiving portion.

In the operating method of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first air movement step of moving air to the heat dissipating structure through the first air flow path by pressing the first air pump, the A second air movement step of moving air to the heat dissipating structure through the second air flow path by releasing the pressure on the first air pump and pressing the second air pump, and the first air movement step And the second air movement step is performed repeatedly.

According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device capable of performing energy harvesting using body temperature and an operating method thereof.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device capable of maximizing a temperature difference of a thermoelectric module and an operating method thereof by including an air pump.

1 is a view showing a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a diagram showing a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 3.
5 is a view showing a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device implemented as a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to the present invention will be illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail through detailed description. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms, and it is to be understood that it includes all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. .

In describing the constituent elements of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. In addition, in the present specification, when a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but each component It should be understood that another component may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" between elements. In the case of "connected", "coupled" or "connected", it is understood to be physically "connected", "coupled" or "connected" as well as electrically "connected", "coupled" or "connected" as needed. Can be.

Hereinafter, a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings related to the embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a view showing a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device shown in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a wearable device that is worn on a body and performs energy harvesting using body temperature. As, a thermoelectric module 10, a heat dissipation structure 20, a first air pump 31, a second air pump 32, a first air flow path 41, and a second air flow path 42. can do.

In addition, in the case of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1, the first connector 51, the second connector 52, the first opening and closing stopper 61, the second opening and closing stopper 62, and the storage unit ( 70) may be additionally provided.

The thermoelectric module 10, the heat dissipation structure 20, the first air pump 31, the second air pump 32, the first air flow path 41, the second air flow path 42, the first connection The tube 51, the second connecting tube 52, and the like may be disposed on the base member 5.

Since the thermoelectric module 10 includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements 13, it is possible to perform a power generation operation of generating electric energy using a temperature difference caused by body temperature.

In addition, the thermoelectric module 10 includes a first substrate 11 positioned adjacent to the body when the body temperature-type energy harvesting wearable device 1 is worn, and a first substrate 11 located relatively far from the body compared to the first substrate 11. A second substrate 12 may be included, and in this case, the thermoelectric element 13 may be disposed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12.

When a temperature difference between both sides of the thermoelectric element 13 occurs, the thermoelectric element 13 may generate thermoelectricity according to a Seeback effect.

Due to the influence of the body temperature transmitted to the first substrate 11, the region on the first substrate 11 side of the thermoelectric module 10 is set as a relatively high temperature region, and due to the influence of the air transmitted to the second substrate 12 For this reason, the region on the side of the second substrate 12 of the thermoelectric module 10 may be set as a relatively low temperature region.

Accordingly, the thermoelectric element 13 may generate electric energy in response to a temperature difference between both sides.

The heat dissipation structure 20 may be attached on the second substrate 12 of the thermoelectric module 10. This is to maximize the heat dissipation effect for the low temperature region of the thermoelectric module 10 and may have various heat dissipation structures to increase the surface area.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of heat dissipation blocks attached to the lower side of the second substrate 12 may form the heat dissipation structure 20.

The structure and shape of the heat dissipation structure 20 is not limited thereto, and may be changed in various forms.

An accommodating portion 70 having an inner space may be formed in the central portion of the base member 5.

In the receiving part 70, the heat dissipation structure 20 and the thermoelectric module 10 may be sequentially stacked and disposed. That is, the heat dissipation structure 20 may be disposed under the thermoelectric module 10, and the thermoelectric module 10 and the heat dissipation structure 20 may be fixedly disposed through the receiving unit 70.

The first air pump 31 may be disposed on one side of the thermoelectric module 10. For example, the first air pump 31 may be installed in one area of the base member 5.

The first air flow path 41 may be connected between the first air pump 31 and the heat dissipation structure 20. For example, one end of the first air flow path 41 may be connected to the first air pump 31, and the other end of the first air flow path 41 may be connected to the receiving part 70.

Accordingly, when the first air pump 31 is pressed, internal air may flow to the heat dissipation structure 20 through the first air flow path 41 by the first air pump 31.

The second air pump 32 may be disposed on the other side of the thermoelectric module 10. For example, the second air pump 32 may be installed on the other side of the base member 5.

The second air flow path 42 may be connected between the second air pump 32 and the heat dissipation structure 20. For example, one end of the second air flow path 42 may be connected to the second air pump 32, and the other end of the second air flow path 42 may be connected to the receiving part 70.

Accordingly, when the second air pump 32 is pressed, internal air may flow to the heat dissipating structure 20 through the second air flow path 42 by the second air pump 32.

The pressurization operation of the first air pump 31 and the second air pump 32 may be alternately performed, and accordingly, air circulation to the heat dissipating structure 20 is continuously performed. As a result, since the temperature difference applied to the thermoelectric module 10 is increased, power generation efficiency may be increased.

On the other hand, in the case of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1, it may be implemented as a shoe worn on the foot of the body.

In this case, the first air pump 31 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the heel of the foot, and the second air pump 32 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the forefoot of the foot.

Therefore, when the user walks after wearing the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1, the first air pump 31 is pressurized by the heel, and the second air pump 32 is pressurized by the heel. I can.

At this time, since the intensity of pressure by the heel is stronger than that of the heel, the size of the first air pump 31 may be set larger than that of the second air pump 32.

In this case, in order to control the air flow rate by the second air pump 32 to the same or similar level as the first air pump 31, the diameter R2 of the second air flow path 42 is the first air flow path It may be set smaller than the diameter R1 of (41).

On the other hand, the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1 includes a first connection pipe 51 connecting the first air pump 31 to the outside, and a second connection pipe connecting the second air pump 32 to the outside. (52) may be further provided.

The first connection pipe 51 and the second connection pipe 52 can provide external air to each of the air pumps 31 and 32. In particular, when the outdoor temperature is low, such as in winter, heat dissipation by supplying low-temperature air to the inside. The cooling effect of the structure 20 and the thermoelectric module 10 on the second substrate 12 side may be increased.

However, in case the first connection pipe 51 and the second connection pipe 52 must be closed according to an external environment, such as in rainy weather, the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention ) May further include a first opening and closing stopper 61 and a second opening and closing stopper 62.

The first opening/closing stopper 61 may be inserted into the first connector 51 or separated from the first connector 51 to perform an opening/closing operation for the first connector 51.

The second opening/closing stopper 62 may be inserted into the second connector 52 or separated from the second connector 52, thereby performing an opening/closing operation for the second connector 52.

As an example, the first opening and closing stopper 61 and the second opening and closing stopper 62 may be fitted with respect to the ends of each of the connecting pipes 51 and 52. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be deformed and designed in various ways.

3 is a view showing a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 3.

The thermoelectric module 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have flexibility and may perform a power generation operation using a temperature difference using a thermoelectric effect such as a Seeback effect.

2 and 3, the thermoelectric module 10 may include a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, a thermoelectric element 13, an electrode 14, and a terminal 15. .

The pair of external substrates 11 and 12 may include a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 that are spaced apart from each other to face each other. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 support the thermoelectric element 13 or electrode 14 disposed therebetween. In addition, the external substrates 11 and 12 may perform a function of protecting the thermoelectric element 13 or the electrode 14 therein from the outside. The external substrates 11 and 12 may be made of a material that is easy to conduct heat and has flexibility. For example, the external substrates 11 and 12 may be thin polyimide (PI) films. The polyimide film not only has excellent flexibility, but also has a high thermal conductivity, but can be manufactured with a thin thickness, so it may be advantageous for heat conduction.

The thermoelectric element 13 may be a device that causes a thermoelectric effect such as a Seebeck effect or a Peltier effect. Basically, the thermoelectric element 13 may include a first thermoelectric element 13a and a second thermoelectric element 13b made of different materials constituting a thermocouple that induces a thermoelectric effect. The first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b are electrically connected to form a thermoelectric couple. Thermocouples generate a temperature difference when electric energy is applied, and conversely, when a temperature difference is applied, electric energy can be produced. A representative example of the thermoelectric element 13 is a pair of bismuth and antimony. In addition, recently, a pair of an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor is mainly used as the thermoelectric element 13.

The thermoelectric element 13 may be mainly provided in a rectangular or circular column shape, and may be disposed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12.

Both ends of the thermoelectric element 13 may be directly or indirectly connected to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 11 and 12, respectively, and may be supported by the external substrates 11 and 12. Here,'indirect connection' may mean that two objects are connected through an inclusion disposed in the middle of the two objects instead of making direct contact. For example, in a typical form in which the thermoelectric element 13 and the external substrates 11 and 12 are indirectly connected, the thermoelectric element 13 and the external substrates 11 and 12 are interposed therebetween. It can be connected through.

The thermoelectric element 13 may be disposed so that two thermoelectric elements 13 adjacent to each other form a thermoelectric pair by the electrode 14. For example, when the thermoelectric elements 13 are arranged in a two-dimensional array, the first thermoelectric elements 13a and the second thermoelectric elements 13b may be alternately arranged according to a specific direction. Accordingly, the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b are positioned adjacent to each other.

The electrode 14 electrically connects the thermoelectric element 13. The thermoelectric element 13 can generate a thermoelectric effect when at least the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b made of different materials are electrically connected to form a thermocouple. Accordingly, the electrode 14 basically forms a thermocouple by connecting the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b adjacent to each other.

In addition, the electrode 14 may connect a plurality of thermoelectric elements 13 in series. The thermoelectric elements 13 connected in series by the electrode 14 may simultaneously form a thermoelectric group performing the same thermoelectric operation.

The electrode 14 may be mainly provided in a plate shape. In addition, the electrode 14 may be fixed to the external substrates 11 and 12 by a screening method, an adhesive method using an adhesive (eg, silicone, acrylic, urethane, etc.), or various other attachment methods. .

The electrode 14 may electrically connect the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b through an inner surface.

The electrode 14 is disposed so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the arrangement direction of the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b to form a thermocouple, and the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13a 2 The thermoelectric element 13b can be connected. Structurally, one end region in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the electrode 14 and the cross-section of the first thermoelectric element 13a directly or indirectly contact each other, and the other end region in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the electrode 14 and the second thermoelectric element The cross section of (13b) may directly or indirectly contact. Accordingly, the electrode 14 may electrically connect the first thermoelectric element 13a and the second thermoelectric element 13b through the inner surface thereof.

Here, the thermoelectric element 13 and the electrode 14 may be coupled to each other by soldering or welding. The electrode 14 may be mainly made of a metal material such as copper or silver, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The terminal 15 is a terminal connecting the thermoelectric module 10 to the outside. When the thermoelectric module 10 is used as a thermoelectric generating module, the terminal 15 may transmit power generated by the thermoelectric module 10 using the Seebeck effect to the outside.

As an example, the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device 1 may be provided with a separate battery (not shown) for storing power transmitted from the thermoelectric module 10. In this case, the battery may be electrically connected to a pair of terminals 15 provided in the thermoelectric module 10.

Since the thermoelectric module 10 is provided in the wearable device 1 worn on the body, a relatively high temperature is applied to the side of the first substrate 11 adjacent to the body, and the air pump 31 and the air pump 31 are provided at the side of the second substrate 12. 32), a relatively low temperature may be applied.

Accordingly, it is possible to maximize the temperature difference between the body temperature and the body temperature emitted from the body (eg, feet), thereby enabling high-efficiency power generation.

The thermoelectric module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and a thermoelectric capable of generating electric energy through a temperature difference due to body temperature by holding the external substrates 11 and 12 and the thermoelectric element 13 A module is enough.

5 is a view showing a body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device implemented as a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the shoe 100 includes a sole 110 in contact with the user's sole and a body portion 120 formed on the upper portion of the sole 110 and accommodates the side surface and the back of the user's foot.

In this case, the thermoelectric module 10, the heat dissipation structure 20, the first air pump 31, the second air pump 32, the first air flow path 41, the second air flow path 42 described above. , The first connector 51, the second connector 52, the first opening and closing stopper 61, the second opening and closing stopper 62, and the storage unit 70, etc. of the shoe 100 It may be installed inside the sole 110.

When the user walks while wearing the shoes 100, the first air pump 31 may be pressurized by the user's heel. Accordingly, air may be moved to the heat dissipating structure 20 through the first air flow path 41 by the first air pump 31.

Thereafter, the second air pump 32 may be pressurized by the user's forefoot, and the pressure on the first air pump 31 may be released according to the movement of the center of gravity. Accordingly, air may be moved to the heating structure 20 through the second air flow path 42 by the second air pump 32.

Since the first air movement step by the first air pump 31 and the second air step by the second air pump 32 are repeatedly performed, the heat dissipation effect for the thermoelectric module 10 can be maximized. Accordingly, the temperature difference of the thermoelectric module 10 can also be maximized, and high power efficiency is possible.

Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims to be described later rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present invention. Must be interpreted.

1: Body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device
10: thermoelectric module
20: heat dissipation structure
31: first air pump
32: second air pump
41: first air flow path
42: second air flow path
51: first connector
52: 2nd connector
61: first opening and closing stopper
62: second opening and closing stopper
70: storage unit

Claims (6)

In a wearable device that is worn on the body and performs energy harvesting using body temperature,
A thermoelectric module including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and generating electric energy using a temperature difference caused by body temperature;
A heat radiation structure attached to the second substrate;
A first air pump and a second air pump;
A first air flow path connected between the first air pump and the heat dissipation structure, and configured to flow air to the heat dissipation structure when the first air pump is pressed; And
A second air flow path connected between the second air pump and the heat dissipation structure, and configured to flow air to the heat dissipation structure when the second air pump is pressed; Including,
The body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device, wherein the first substrate is located adjacent to the body compared to the second substrate. The method of claim 1,
A first connection pipe connecting the first air pump to the outside; And
A second connection pipe connecting the second air pump to the outside; Body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device further comprising a. The method of claim 2,
A first opening/closing stopper inserted into the first connection pipe or separated from the first connection pipe to perform an opening/closing operation for the first connection pipe; And
A second opening/closing stopper inserted into the second connection pipe or separated from the second connection pipe, thereby performing an opening/closing operation for the second connection pipe; Body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device further comprising a. The method of claim 3,
The body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device is a shoe worn on a foot among the body,
The first air pump is disposed at a position corresponding to the heel of the foot,
The second air pump is disposed at a position corresponding to the forefoot of the foot and has a size smaller than that of the first air pump,
The body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device, wherein the second air flow path has a diameter smaller than that of the first air flow path. The method of claim 1,
The body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device includes: a storage unit having an inner space in which the heat dissipation structure and the thermoelectric module are sequentially stacked and arranged; It further includes,
The body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device, wherein the first air flow path and the second air flow path are respectively connected to the storage unit. In the operating method of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device according to claim 1,
A first air movement step of moving air to the heat dissipating structure through the first air flow path by pressing the first air pump;
A second air movement step of moving air to the heat dissipating structure through the second air flow path by releasing pressurization of the first air pump and pressing the second air pump; Including,
The first air movement step and the second air movement step, characterized in that the operation method of the body temperature type energy harvesting wearable device is performed repeatedly.

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