A spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device

Abstract

The present invention provides a spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device, which includes a spherical housing and a plurality of energy harvesting devices. The spherical housing is arranged outside the energy harvesting devices. Each energy harvesting device includes a substrate and at least two eccentric structure energy harvesters. The eccentric structure energy harvesters are fixedly arranged on the substrate, and the substrate is arranged inside the spherical housing. By arranging a plurality of energy harvesting devices in various directions, the present invention can utilize the spherical structure to harvest energy from various directions in the environment, improving the energy harvesting efficiency and avoiding the waste of energy in the environment. The present invention converts the alternating current collected by the energy harvesting devices into direct current through a rectifier bridge, and transmits the converted electric energy to an energy storage module for storage, enabling the present invention to harvest energy from the environment to supply power to low-power electrical devices such as sensors in some unattended extreme environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of energy harvesting, and in particular to a spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device. Background Art

[0002] Energy has always been closely related to the survival and life of human beings and is also the primary driving force for the progress of human society. With the development of technology, the demand for and consumption rate of energy by humans are increasing day by day. The current energy consumption in the world mainly relies on non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. However, the total amount of these non-renewable resources is limited, and over-exploitation will have a profound impact on the earth's environment, such as global warming, soil desertification, flood disasters, and other problems. Therefore, for the sustainable development of human society, finding renewable energy is an important way to solve the current energy and environmental problems. Many renewable energy sources, such as mechanical energy, ocean energy, and wind energy, are green clean energies widely existing in the living environment, but they have been ignored due to the lack of efficient harvesting solutions before, and the current utilization rate of these energies by humans is very low.

[0003] For example, the invention with the publication number CN111181346B discloses an electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting device for an underwater robot. The invention includes a hemispherical body with permanent magnets distributed on its surface; the hemispherical body is located inside a lower hemispherical shell, and the centers of the two are the same; circular holes corresponding to the permanent magnets on the surface of the hemispherical body are distributed on the lower hemispherical shell, and the circular holes are used to insert coil columns; the lower hemispherical shell is connected to an upper hemispherical shell to form a complete spherical shell, and a support column extends from the inside of the upper hemispherical shell towards the center of the sphere. The support column is connected to the hemispherical body through a TBS joint bearing, so that the hemispherical body can rotate in any direction around the center of the steel ball of the TBS joint bearing; the outer parts of adjacent permanent magnets on the hemispherical body have opposite magnetic poles, and the winding directions of the coils wound on adjacent coil columns are opposite. The present invention can harvest the energy of external objects in all directions, can directly harvest energy and convert it into electrical energy; the overall structure is stable, the shape is symmetrical, and the influence on the stability of external devices is small. However, the number of coils and permanent magnets in this invention is small, and the energy harvesting efficiency is low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the technical problem that the existing energy harvesting devices cannot harvest energy in all directions and have low efficiency, the present invention provides a spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device, enabling the present invention to harvest energy in all directions in the environment, improving the energy harvesting efficiency, and at the same time avoiding the waste of energy in the environment.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows: A spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device, characterized in that it includes a spherical outer shell and a plurality of energy harvesting devices. The spherical outer shell is arranged outside the energy harvesting devices. The energy harvesting device includes a base and at least two eccentric structure energy harvesters. The eccentric structure energy harvesters are fixedly arranged on the base, and the base is arranged inside the spherical outer shell.

[0006] The eccentric structure energy harvester includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor and the stator are movably connected through a bearing. At least two permanent magnets are arranged outside the rotor, and at least two induction coils are arranged outside the stator. The positions of the permanent magnets and the induction coils correspond to each other.

[0007] The stator is of a circular structure, the rotor is of a semi-circular structure. The diameters of the rotor and the stator are equal and their centers coincide. The bearing is arranged at the centers of the rotor and the stator.

[0008] The rotor includes a bracket and a rotor counterweight. The bracket is a semi-circular bracket, the rotor counterweight is an arc-shaped plate. The rotor counterweight is fixedly connected to the outside of the bracket, and the center of the rotor counterweight coincides with the center of the bracket. The bearing is connected to the center of the bracket. The permanent magnets are evenly arranged on the inner side of the arc of the bracket, and the rotor counterweight is arranged inside the permanent magnets.

[0009] The permanent magnets include permanent magnets with the positive pole upward and permanent magnets with the negative pole upward. The permanent magnets with the positive pole upward and the permanent magnets with the negative pole upward are arranged alternately on the outside of the bracket.

[0010] Induction coil holes are arranged on the outside of the stator, and the induction coils are fixedly arranged in the induction coil holes.

[0011] The rectifying and collecting module includes at least two rectifier bridges and an energy storage module. The rectifier bridges correspond to the eccentric structure energy harvesters. The induction coils on the eccentric structure energy harvesters are all connected to the corresponding rectifier bridges. The rectifier bridges are connected to the energy storage module. The energy storage module is a battery or an energy storage capacitor.

[0012] The spherical outer shell is composed of two fixedly connected hemispherical outer shells.

[0013] The usage method of this device is as follows: Place the spherical outer shell in the usage environment and make the spherical outer shell roll in the usage environment, so that the base inside the spherical outer shell rotates, the positions of the stators in all directions change, and the rotor rotates under the action of inertia to generate current. The current is rectified into direct current by the rectifier bridge and then stored in the energy storage module.

[0014] The method of generating current during use is: The rotation of the base causes relative movement between the permanent magnets on the rotor and the induction coils on the stator to generate current.

[0015] The present invention utilizes an energy harvesting device to convert external mechanical motion into the rotation of an eccentric rotor, which is used to harvest energy from all directions in the environment and continuously power sensors or other devices, thus avoiding the use of an external power supply. Since in the environment, the directions and magnitudes of the forces received by the present invention are both irregular, the directions and amplitudes of the voltages and currents generated by driving the energy harvester are also different. The present invention sets up multiple energy harvesting devices in all directions and uses a spherical structure to enable the present invention to harvest energy from all directions in the environment, improving the energy harvesting efficiency and avoiding the waste of energy in the environment. The present invention converts the alternating current collected by the energy harvesting device into direct current through a rectifier bridge and transmits the converted electric energy to an energy storage module for storage, enabling the present invention to harvest energy from the environment to power low-power electrical devices such as sensors in some unattended extreme environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the hemispherical housing of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 is a front view of the eccentric structure energy harvester of the present invention

[0020] In the figure, 1 is a bearing, 2 is a base, 3 is a rotor, 4 is a threaded rod, 5 is a stator, 6 is a bracket, 7 is a permanent magnet, 8 is a rotor counterweight, 9 is an induction coil, 10 is a hemispherical housing, 11 is a threaded hole, 12 is a permanent magnet hole, 13 is an induction coil hole, and 14 is a bearing hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Embodiment 1

[0023] As Figure 1As shown, a spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device includes a spherical housing and an energy harvesting device. The spherical housing is disposed outside the energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device includes a base 2 and at least two eccentric structure energy harvesters. The base 2 is a multi-faceted sphere, and an eccentric energy harvester is disposed on each face of the base 2. The eccentric energy harvester is fixedly connected to the multi-faceted sphere. As Figure 2 shown, the spherical housing is composed of two hemispherical housings 10 fixedly connected to each other. Threaded holes 11 are provided on both sides of the hemispherical housing 10. The two hemispherical housings 10 can be hermetically fixed together by screws to prevent water from entering the device and soaking the energy harvesting device.

[0024] Among them, as Figure 3 shown, the eccentric structure energy harvester includes a bearing 1, a rotor 3, at least two permanent magnets 7, a stator 5, at least two induction coils 9, and a rectifying and collecting module. The permanent magnets 7 are disposed outside the rotor 3. The induction coils 9 are fixedly disposed outside the stator 5. The positions of the permanent magnets 7 and the induction coils 9 correspond to each other. The rotor 3 is movably connected to the stator 7 through the bearing 1. The induction coils 9 are connected to the rectifying and collecting module. The stator 5 is of a circular structure, and the rotor 3 is of a semi-circular structure. The rotor 3 and the stator 5 have the same diameter and coincide in center. The rotor 3, the stator 5, and the bearing 1 are concentrically arranged. The rotor 3 includes a bracket 6 and a rotor counterweight 8. The bracket 6 is a semi-circular bracket, and the rotor counterweight 8 is a semi-circular ring counterweight. The bracket 6 is fixedly connected to the rotor counterweight 8 and coincides in center. A bearing hole 14 is provided at the center of the bracket 6, and the bearing 1 is disposed at the bearing hole 14. The permanent magnets 7 are evenly disposed inside the arc of the bracket 6, and the rotor counterweight 8 is disposed inside the permanent magnets 7. Induction coil holes 13 are provided on the outside of the stator 5, and the induction coils 9 are fixedly disposed in the induction coil holes 13. The rectifying and collecting module includes at least two rectifier bridges and an energy storage module. The rectifier bridges correspond to the eccentric structure energy harvesters. The rectifier bridges are mainly used to convert the electric energy collected by the energy harvesting device into direct current and transmit the converted direct current to the energy storage module. The induction coils 9 on the eccentric structure energy harvester are all connected to the corresponding rectifier bridges. The rectifier bridges are connected to the energy storage module. The energy storage module is a battery or an energy storage capacitor.

[0025] Embodiment 2

[0026] A spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device. In this embodiment, the present invention is placed in the use environment so that the device of the present invention can roll in the environment. The energy harvesting device inside the device rotates, the position of the stator 5 on the device changes, and the rotor 3 rotates under the action of inertia, causing the permanent magnet 7 on the rotor 3 to move relative to the induction coil 9 on the stator 5 to generate an electric current. The electric current is rectified into direct current by a rectifier bridge and stored in the energy storage module. Since the movements in all directions are irregular, the directions and amplitudes of the voltage and current generated by driving the energy harvester are also different. The alternating current generated by the generator is converted into direct current through the rectifier bridge, and the electric energy is stored in a battery or a supercapacitor, so as to achieve efficient collection of energy in all directions without interruption.

[0027] It is set that the spherical shell is a spherical shell with a radius of 10 cm and a thickness of 2 mm. This spherical shell is made of acrylic material, with a small volume and good sealing performance. The energy harvesting device is a dodecahedron, and the edge length of this dodecahedron is 7 cm. There are 12 eccentric structure energy harvesters arranged on the energy harvesting device. Among them, 12 coils are evenly arranged on the outside of the stator 5. The radius of this coil is 6 mm, the thickness is 5 mm, and the number of turns is 2,700. 7 permanent magnets 7 with alternating positive and negative poles are evenly arranged on the outside of the rotor 3. The measured experimental result is that when the device is driven to work, it can generate a voltage of 6 V and a current of 30 mA, and can charge a 22 μF capacitor to 2.5 V within 0.04 s. The energy collected from all directions can be stored in the energy storage device through the rectifier bridge.

[0028] The other structures and principles are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0029] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device, characterized in that, It includes a spherical shell and several energy harvesting devices. The spherical shell is arranged outside the energy harvesting devices. The energy harvesting devices include a base (2) and at least two eccentric structure energy harvesters. The eccentric structure energy harvesters are fixedly arranged on the base (2), and the base (2) is arranged inside the spherical shell; The eccentric structure energy harvester includes a rotor (3) and a stator (5). The rotor (3) and the stator (5) are movably connected through a bearing (1). At least two permanent magnets (7) are arranged outside the rotor (3), and at least two induction coils (9) are arranged outside the stator (5). The positions of the permanent magnets (7) correspond to those of the induction coils (9), and the induction coils (9) are connected to a rectifying and collecting module; The stator (5) is of a circular structure, and the rotor (3) is of a semi-circular structure. The rotor (3) and the stator (5) have the same diameter and their centers coincide. The bearing (1) is arranged at the centers of the rotor (3) and the stator (5); The rotor (3) includes a bracket (6) and a rotor counterweight (8). The bracket (6) is a semi-circular bracket, and the rotor counterweight (8) is an arc-shaped plate. The rotor counterweight (8) is fixedly connected to the outside of the bracket (6), and the rotor counterweight (8) coincides with the center of the bracket (6). The bearing (1) is connected to the center of the bracket (6). The permanent magnets (7) are evenly arranged on the inner side of the arc of the bracket (6), and the rotor counterweight (8) is arranged inside the permanent magnets (7).

2. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein The permanent magnets (7) include permanent magnets with the positive pole upward and permanent magnets with the negative pole upward. The permanent magnets with the positive pole upward and the permanent magnets with the negative pole upward are arranged alternately outside the bracket (6).

3. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 2, wherein, Induction coil holes (13) are arranged outside the stator (5), and the induction coils (9) are fixedly arranged in the induction coil holes (13).

4. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 3, wherein The rectifying and collecting module includes at least two rectifier bridges and an energy storage module. The rectifier bridges correspond to the eccentric structure energy harvesters. The induction coils (9) on the eccentric structure energy harvesters are all connected to the corresponding rectifier bridges. The rectifier bridges are connected to the energy storage module, and the energy storage module is a battery or an energy storage capacitor.

5. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 4, wherein The spherical shell is composed of two hemispherical shells (10) fixedly connected to each other.

6. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The usage method is as follows: Place the spherical shell in the usage environment and make the spherical shell roll in the usage environment, so that the base (2) inside the spherical shell rotates, the positions of the stators (5) in all directions change, and the rotor (3) rotates under the action of inertia to generate an electric current. The electric current is rectified into direct current by the rectifier bridge and then stored in the energy storage module.

7. The spherical eccentric multi-directional energy harvesting device according to claim 6, wherein The method for generating the electric current is as follows: The rotation of the base (2) causes the permanent magnets (7) on the rotor (3) to move relative to the induction coils (9) on the stator (5) to generate an electric current.

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