WO2011132203A1

WO2011132203A1 - Transducer for generating electricity by footfall pressure

Info

Publication number: WO2011132203A1
Application number: PCT/IN2011/000261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohammed Ansar P.A.
Original assignee: P A Mohammed Ansar
Priority date: 2010-04-19
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2011-10-27

Abstract

A transducer (100) for converting pressure exerted by a footfall into electrical current comprises: a lid portion (102) shaped to receive a footfall pressure on the outer side, an axle (104) coupled with the lid portion (102) for moving in a downward direction due to the footfall pressure, the axle (104) being coupled at the center of the inner side of the lid portion (102); a magnet (112) coupled with the axel (104), the magnet (112) comprising a threaded pivot (114) placed through the center of the magnet (112), the downward motion of the axle (104) causing the magnet (112) to spin about the threaded pivot (114); and a coil of wire (116) wound around the magnet (112), the electrical current being induced in the coil of wire (116) by the spinning motion of the magnet (112).

Description

TRANSDUCER FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY FOOTFALL PRESSURE

Field of invention

[001] The present invention is directed towards a device which converts random kinetic energy (walking in particular) into clean electric energy without any material emissions that is hazardous to health or the environment. Background of the invention

[002] Renewable and clean energy creation is of greater importance in the wake of climate change hazard and energy and resource conservation drives. Increased use of fossil fuels for energy requirements in the last 2 decades has altered the variables in nature that regulate critical environmental factors like temperature and humidity. Carbon emissions in this period had risen exponentially as compared to previous decades. All major enterprises around the world endorse the idea of using fossil fuels efficiently or to resort to alternative energy generation techniques. The idea is to use lesser and lesser petroleum products and byproducts thus considerably reduce the 'carbon foot print' of the process.

[003] There are transducers (devices that convert one form of energy into another) that convert kinetic energy into electricity among which hydro electric power turbines and windmills are most common. Other less popular ones are those that convert the motion of sea waves into electric signals and chips that generate Piezoelectricity which is electricity produced by mechanical pressure on certain crystals (notably quartz or Rochelle salt); alternatively, electrostatic stress produces a change in the linear dimensions of the crystal. While the former technique requires large scale investments and is hence unaffordable to the common man, the latter is still in a research and development phase and is not into public use.

[004] Hence, there is need for a source of electricity which is economical and easily available to fulfill the ever growing energy requirements of man. Summary of the invention

[005] The present invention discloses a transducer for converting pressure exerted by a footfall into electrical current. The transducer comprises: a lid portion shaped to receive a footfall pressure on an outer side, an axel coupled with the lid for moving in a downward direction due to the footfall pressure, the axel being coupled at a centre of an inner side of the lid portion; a magnet coupled with the axel, the magnet comprising a threaded pivot placed through a centre of the magnet, the downward motion of the axel causing the magnet to spin about the threaded pivot; and a coil of wire wound around the magnet, an electric current being induced in the coil by the spinning motion of the magnet.

[006] In an embodiment, the transducer comprises one or more cylindrical containers for housing the transducer parts therein, the cylindrical containers being of metallic composition. Also, in an embodiment, the lid is shaped as a dome.

[007] In another embodiment, the axel is coupled with a spring for enabling the lid portion to regain an original position when the pressure exerted by the foot fall is removed. In an embodiment, the coil forms a complete electric circuit around the magnet. In another embodiment, the coil is coupled with an external battery for storing the induced electric current. In yet another embodiment the magnet is a permanent magnet.

[008] The aforementioned and other embodiments of the present shall be described in greater depth in the drawings and detailed description provided below.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings

[009] The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0010] FIG. I illustrates an orthogonal view of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG.l A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG.2 illustrates the method of operation of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly of a unit in a rubber form based panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed description of the invention

[0014] The present invention provides a transducer for converting the pressure obtained from footfalls into energy. The transducer provided operates by using the principles of basic dynamo comprising a permanent magnet which when moved causes an electric current to be induced in an electric circuitry.

[0015] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0016] The present invention would now be discussed in context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an orthogonal view of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The transducer 100 comprises two primary parts of cylindrical polymer or metal casements like a container with lid. The top portion is a contact dome 102, which is like the lid of the container, is dome shaped on the top and has a threaded axle spinner 104 extending downwards from the centre of dome inner. The threaded axle 104 comprises a spring 106 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylinder 108 which is intended to retain the original position of the contact dome 102 once it is pressed down. The lower segment of the transducer comprises a container 1 10 comprising a permanent magnet 1 12 with a threaded pivot 1 14 at the centre. On either sides of the magnet 1 12 are coils of wire 1 16 wound and completed in a circuit around the magnet installation. The two ends of the wire 1 16 lead outward as the phase and neutral. FIG.1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present in- vention.

[0018] The transducer 100 works on the principle of a basic dynamo, in which a spinning permanent magnet induces electric current in a small circuit, with sufficient coiling, going around it. The transducer provided by the present inven- tion consists of two parts. The top cap portion, similar to the lid of a container, with its top in a dome shape 102, comprises a spring 106 just about the size of the inner perimeter of the apparatus and a threaded projection i.e. the axle spinner 104. The dome shape 102 of the lid is to give enough thrust distance for a foot pressure and also because the shape does not interfere with the spon- taneity of a person walking over the transducer 100. This threaded axle 104 couples with a threaded pivot 1 14 in the magnet 1 12 and causes the magnet 1 12 to spin on its axis. The top portion is the movable component of the transducer which moves in the direction of the projected axle 104. The spring 106 is used to bring back this moveable portion to its initial position once the force applied on the dome 102 by a foot is disengaged.

[0019] The container 1 10 in the lower portion of the transducer 100. comprises a durable and .heavy permanent magnet 1 12 with a threaded pivot 1 14 in its exact centre and a closed circuit of coiled metal wire (like copper) 1 16 wound around the magnet component 1 12. The pivot 1 14 of the magnet 1 12 is smooth and offers very little resistance to the spin. Sinbe the magnet 1 12 is heavy the initial thrust sends it spinning at a high speed. In an embodiment, the threaded axle spinner 104 provides the thrust and does not regulate the spin with its threads. Hence, the magnet 1 12 keeps spinning with its initial moment even if the weight or the force applied on the dome 102 is not disengaged.

[0020] FIG.2 illustrates the method of operation of the transducer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When the dome 202 gets stepped on, the axle spinner 204 moves down and spins the magnet 206 on its threaded pivot 208. Spinning magnet 206 induces electric current in the coiled circuit 210. [0021] In an assembled disengaged position, the top dome 202 and bottom container 212 interlocks with each other aided by a plurality of grooves provided therein. The spring 214 pushes the dome 202 upwards and the bottom edge of the axle spinner 204 remains within the threaded pivot 208 of the magnet. Stepping on the dome 202 presses the top portion of the transducer 100 down and drives the axle spinner 204 into a threaded hole in the centre of the magnet

206 which spins the permanent magnet 206 on its axis. The spinning motion induces electric current in the circuit of the wound coil 210. In various embodiments, the induced electricity is stored in external rechargeable storage cells/batteries (not shown in figure). Also, in various embodiments, the mag- . netic flux and the amount of alternating current induced depends on the strength of permanent magnet and other mechanical variables employed in the transducer.

[0022] In an embodiment, a number of similar transducers 100 are placed in a rubber- ized panel, in order to enable downward compression while being stepped on.

These transducers are then connected in series to rechargeable storage cells for capturing the electric energy generated. FIG. 3A illustrates an assembly of a plurality of transducers 302 in a rubber foam based panel 304. FIG. 3B illustrates a transducer 302a placed in a rubber foam based panel 304 coupled with output leads 306 for transferring the electric current generated in the transducer 302a to an external battery.

[0023] The present invention provides a method of converting a large scale incidental forces of movement which arise from a regular day's human activity into electrical signals by way of a simple mechanical process that does not require any additional input energy at all. Once installed, this transducer requires bare minimum of maintenance or repair. The transducer design is viable in dimension and safety standards to be utilized not only in industrial but also in domestic use, provided there are incidence of sufficient foot fall.

[0024] Therefore the present invention provides a transducer for converting the pressure obtained from footfalls into energy. Since this invention relys heavily on larger incidence of footfall, density of population in major cities can become a boon. In an embodiment, assembly units of a specific number of these transducers are placed on the walkways in the form of tiles to generate the desired amount of power in that region. Sidewalks, railway stations, metro services even dance floors are examples of spaces for the installation of the transducer provided by the present invention.

[0025] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A transducer for converting pressure exerted by a footfall into electrical current, the transducer comprising;

a. a lid portion shaped to receive a footfall pressure on an outer side, b. an axel coupled with the lid for moving in a downward direction due to the footfall pressure, the axel being coupled at a centre of an inner side of the lid portion;

c. a magnet coupled with the axel, the magnet comprising a threaded pivot placed through a centre of the magnet, the downward motion of the axel causing the magnet to spin about the threaded pivot; and d. a coil of wire wound around the magnet, an electric current being induced in the coil by the spinning motion of the magnet.

2. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 comprising cylindrical containers for housing the transducer parts therein, the cylindrical containers being of metal- lie composition.

3. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is shaped as a dome.

4. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axel is coupled with a spring for enabling the lid portion to regain an original position when the pressure exerted by the foot fall is removed.

5. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coil forms a complete electric circuit around the magnet.

6. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coil is coupled with an external battery for storing the induced electric current.

7. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.