A bearing, power supply structure and monitoring system based on the frictional volt effect

Abstract

The application discloses a bearing, a power supply structure and a monitoring system based on a friction voltage effect, the bearing comprising oppositely arranged conductor rings and semiconductor rings, a retainer and a plurality of conductive balls between the conductor rings and the semiconductor rings; the conductor rings, the semiconductor rings and the retainer are annular and coaxially arranged, the conductor rings or the semiconductor rings can rotate along the central axes thereof, the retainer has a plurality of ball holes uniformly distributed around the central axis thereof, the plurality of conductive balls are arranged in the plurality of ball holes in one-to-one correspondence, the conductive balls are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor rings and the semiconductor rings, and the conductive balls can be in frictional contact with the semiconductor rings to form a Schottky interface, and the semiconductor rings have conductive electrodes in ohmic contact therewith. The bearing can more effectively collect and utilize friction energy, and greatly improve energy utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy technology, and in particular to a bearing, power supply structure, and monitoring system based on the tribovolt effect. Background Technology

[0002] In today's Internet of Things (IoT) era, the number of sensors exceeds hundreds of billions. Studies show that approximately one-third of humanity's primary energy consumption is due to friction. Effectively collecting and utilizing frictional energy could significantly improve energy efficiency and provide an efficient energy solution for the vast number of sensor nodes distributed across the IoT network.

[0003] Since 2012, self-driven systems based on triboelectric nanogenerators have become a focal point in the field of triboelectric energy harvesting. A series of triboelectric nanogenerators integrated into mechanical components such as bearings and gears have shown promising application prospects in energy harvesting and data sensing, realizing the sustainable harvesting of triboelectric energy. Currently, how to more effectively collect and utilize triboelectric energy is a key research focus for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a bearing, power supply structure, and monitoring system based on the triboelectric effect. Due to its low impedance matching and DC output characteristics, the bearing can more effectively collect and utilize frictional energy, thereby significantly improving energy efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A bearing based on the tribovolt effect includes a conductor ring and a semiconductor ring disposed opposite each other, a cage and a plurality of conductive balls located between the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring;

[0007] The conductor ring, semiconductor ring, and cage are all annular and coaxially arranged. The conductor ring or the semiconductor ring can rotate around its own central axis. The cage has a plurality of ball holes evenly distributed around its own central axis. The plurality of conductive balls are correspondingly arranged in the plurality of ball holes. The conductive balls are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring, and the conductive balls can make frictional contact with the semiconductor ring to form a Schottky interface. The semiconductor ring has conductive electrodes in ohmic contact with it.

[0008] Optionally, the conductor ring or the semiconductor ring has an arc-shaped groove coaxial with its own central axis on the side facing the conductive balls, and the plurality of conductive balls are located in the arc-shaped groove and are in contact with the inner wall of the arc-shaped groove.

[0009] Optionally, the conductor loop can rotate around its own central axis.

[0010] Optionally, the retainer rotates synchronously with the conductor ring; or, the retainer rotates asynchronously with the conductor ring.

[0011] Optionally, the conductive ball is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ball hole; or, the conductive ball is rollably engaged with the inner wall of the ball hole.

[0012] Optionally, the material of the conductor ring is the same as the material of the conductive ball.

[0013] The present invention also provides a power supply structure, including any of the bearings based on the triboelectric effect provided in the above technical solutions;

[0014] It also includes a rotating shaft, a bearing housing, a first wire, and a second wire; the rotating shaft passes through the conductor ring, cage, semiconductor ring, and bearing housing of the bearing; of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring, one is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft and insulated from the rotating shaft, and the other is fixedly connected to the bearing housing and insulated from the bearing housing; the rotating shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing housing, the first wire is electrically connected to the conductive electrode on the semiconductor ring, and the second wire is connected to the conductor ring.

[0015] Optionally, the conductor ring is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft.

[0016] Optionally, the retainer is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft; or, there is a gap between the inner wall of the retainer and the rotating shaft.

[0017] Optionally, the rotating shaft has a limiting portion located on the side of the conductor ring opposite to the semiconductor ring.

[0018] Optionally, it also includes an energy management module, the input of which is electrically connected to the first and second wires, and the energy management module is used to store the electrical energy generated by the bearing and to supply power to electronic devices.

[0019] The present invention also provides a monitoring system, including any of the power supply structures provided in the above technical solutions;

[0020] It also includes a sensor module and a data acquisition module, wherein the sensor module and the data acquisition module are signal-connected, and the sensor module and the data acquisition module are electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply structure.

[0021] Optionally, it also includes a wireless transmission module, which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply structure and signal-connected to the data acquisition module.

[0022] This invention provides a bearing, power supply structure, and monitoring system based on the triboelectric effect. In this bearing, one of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring can be fixedly connected to the shaft and rotate with the shaft, while the other can be fixed to the bearing housing and does not rotate with the shaft. Multiple conductive balls are disposed between the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring under the constraint of a cage. The conductive balls are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring. When the conductor ring or the semiconductor ring rotates, the conductive balls can form a friction pair by frictional contact with the semiconductor ring. Based on the triboelectric effect, the friction interface between the conductive balls and the semiconductor ring forms a Schottky interface. Charge carriers are excited under the action of friction and move directionally at the Schottky interface between the conductive balls and the semiconductor ring. The bearing can output direct current through the conductor ring and conductive electrodes. Furthermore, the impedance matching of the bearing based on the triboelectric effect is lower than that of the existing self-driven system based on triboelectric nanogenerators, resulting in high power density. Due to its low impedance matching and DC output characteristics, it can be directly applied to various electronic devices, enabling electronic devices to power electronic components through self-drive, more effectively collecting and utilizing frictional energy, significantly improving energy efficiency, and providing an effective energy solution for a large number of sensor nodes distributed in the Internet of Things. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a bearing based on the triboelectric effect provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a power supply structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 A test diagram of the open-circuit voltage of a bearing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 A test diagram of the short-circuit circuit of a bearing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the trend of power density variation in a bearing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This invention provides an energy and information flow diagram of the bearing supplying power to the sensor node.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in charging voltage of the charging capacitor of the bearing at different rotational speeds, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8This is a cloud monitoring diagram of the monitoring system provided in an embodiment of the present invention during operation.

[0031] icon:

[0032] 1-Conductor ring; 11-Arc groove; 2-Semiconductor ring; 3-Cage; 31-Ball hole; 4-Conductive ball; 5-Conductive electrode; 6-Shaft; 7-Bearing seat; 8-First wire; 9-Second wire. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention provides a bearing based on the tribovolt effect, including a conductor ring 1 and a semiconductor ring 2 arranged opposite to each other, a cage 3 and a plurality of conductive balls 4 located between the conductor ring 1 and the semiconductor ring 2;

[0035] The conductor ring 1, the semiconductor ring 2, and the cage 3 are ring-shaped and coaxially arranged. The conductor ring 1 or the semiconductor ring 2 can rotate around its own central axis. The cage 3 has a plurality of ball holes 31 evenly distributed around its own central axis. A plurality of conductive balls 4 are arranged one-to-one in the plurality of ball holes 31. The conductive balls 4 are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor ring 1 and the semiconductor ring 2, and the conductive balls 4 can make frictional contact with the semiconductor ring 2 to form a Schottky interface. The semiconductor ring 2 has a conductive electrode 5 in ohmic contact with it.

[0036] In the bearing based on the triboelectric effect provided in the above-described embodiments, one of the conductor ring 1 and the semiconductor ring 2 can be fixedly connected to the shaft and rotate with the shaft, while the other can be fixed on the bearing seat and does not rotate with the shaft. Multiple conductive balls 4 are disposed between the conductor ring 1 and the semiconductor ring 2 under the constraint of the cage 3. The conductive balls 4 are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor ring 1 and the semiconductor ring 2. When the conductor ring 1 or the semiconductor ring 2 rotates, the conductive balls 4 can rub against the semiconductor ring 2 to form a friction pair. Based on the triboelectric effect, the friction interface between the conductive balls 4 and the semiconductor ring 2 forms a Schottky interface. Charge carriers are excited under the action of friction and move directionally at the Schottky interface between the conductive balls 4 and the semiconductor ring 2. The bearing can output direct current through the conductor ring 1 and the conductive electrode 5. Furthermore, the impedance matching of the bearing based on the triboelectric effect is lower than that of the existing self-driven system based on triboelectric nanogenerators, resulting in high power density. Due to its low impedance matching and DC output characteristics, it can be directly applied to various electronic devices, enabling electronic devices to power electronic components through self-drive, more effectively collecting and utilizing frictional energy, significantly improving energy efficiency, and providing an effective energy solution for a large number of sensor nodes distributed in the Internet of Things.

[0037] Specifically, the aforementioned multiple conductive balls 4 are uniformly distributed around the central axis of the retainer 3 under the constraint of the retainer 3, that is, each conductive ball 4 is equidistant from the central axis of the retainer 3, and the included angle between any two adjacent conductive balls 4 in each group is equal.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, the conductor ring 1 or semiconductor ring 2 may have an arc-shaped groove coaxial with its central axis on the side facing the conductive ball 4. Multiple conductive balls 4 are located within the arc-shaped groove and contact the inner wall of the groove. The arc-shaped groove can limit the movement trajectory of the conductive balls 4, preventing them from detaching from the bearing. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, the conductor ring 1 has an arc-shaped groove 11.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the conductor ring 1 can rotate along its central axis, while the semiconductor ring 2 remains fixed and does not rotate. Alternatively, the semiconductor ring 2 can also rotate along its central axis, while the conductor ring 1 remains fixed and does not rotate. In the above-mentioned bearing, only the conductive ball 4 needs to form a Schottky interface through frictional contact with the semiconductor ring 2 to achieve bearing power generation.

[0040] Specifically, the aforementioned retainer 3 can rotate synchronously with the conductor ring 1, and multiple conductive balls can generate frictional contact with the semiconductor ring 2 under the rotation of the retainer 3 to form a Schottky interface; or, the retainer 3 can also rotate asynchronously with the conductor ring 1, and during the rotation of the conductor ring 1, a force can be generated by the friction between the conductor ring 1 and the conductive balls 4, thereby driving the conductive balls 4 and the retainer 3 to move, or only driving the conductive balls 4 to move.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, the conductive ball 4 can be fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ball hole 31, and the conductive ball 4 can slide in contact with the surface of the semiconductor ring 2 to generate frictional contact; or, the conductive ball can roll in contact with the inner wall of the ball hole, and the conductive ball 4 can roll in contact with the semiconductor ring 2 to generate frictional contact.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the material of the conductor ring 1 is the same as the material of the conductive ball 4, which is beneficial for bearing power generation. For example, the materials of the conductor ring 1 and the conductive ball 4 can be bearing steel or other conductive materials, which are not limited here and depend on the actual situation.

[0043] Specifically, the cage 3 can be made of carbon steel. The semiconductor ring 2 can be a semiconductor ring with a certain doping concentration and resistivity; for example, the semiconductor ring 2 can be made of gallium nitride film. The conductive electrode 5 can be made of metal conductor or alloy conductor. The outer surface of the semiconductor ring 2 can be formed with conductive electrode 5 having ohmic contact properties using welding technology or surface coating technology.

[0044] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a performance test diagram of a bearing based on the triboelectric effect provided in an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the semiconductor ring 2 is a gallium nitride crystal film with a certain doping concentration and resistivity, and a conductive electrode 5 is led out by welding. The material of the conductive electrode 5 is an indium tin alloy. Specifically, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The figure shows the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of the bearing under the operating condition of 120 rpm shaft rotation, based on the triboelectric effect. As can be seen from the figure, the average open-circuit voltage of the bearing is about 105 V, the peak open-circuit voltage can reach 130 V, the average short-circuit current is about 15 μA, and the peak short-circuit current is about 18 μA. Figure 5 The figure shows the trend of power density as a function of impedance for this bearing under operating conditions of 120 rpm shaft rotation. As can be seen from the figure, as the load connected to the bearing increases from 10... 4 Ω increased to 10 8The power density initially increases and then decreases with a load of 3 MΩ, reaching its maximum at a peak power density of approximately 150 kW / m². 2 The maximum average power density is approximately 50 kW / m³. 2 As can be seen, the bearing based on the triboelectric effect disclosed in this embodiment of the invention outputs DC power with high power density, which can directly power various electronic devices.

[0045] This invention also provides a power supply structure, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the bearing includes any of the bearings based on the triboelectric effect provided in the above technical solutions; it also includes a rotating shaft 6, a bearing housing 7, a first wire 8, and a second wire 9; the rotating shaft 6 passes through the bearing's conductor ring 1, cage 3, semiconductor ring 2, and bearing housing 7; of the conductor ring 1 and semiconductor ring 2, one is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 6 and insulated from the rotating shaft 6, and the other is fixedly connected to the bearing housing 7 and insulated from the bearing housing 7; the rotating shaft 6 can rotate relative to the bearing housing 7, the first wire 8 is electrically connected to the conductive electrode 5 on the semiconductor ring 2, and the second wire 9 is connected to the conductor ring 1.

[0046] In the power supply structure provided by the above-described embodiments, when the rotating shaft 6 drives the conductor ring 1 or the semiconductor ring 2 to rotate, a Schottky interface is formed between the conductive rolling ball 4 and the semiconductor ring 2 based on the triboelectric effect. Charge carriers are excited under the action of friction and move directionally at the Schottky interface between the conductive rolling ball 4 and the semiconductor ring 2. Direct current can be output through the first wire 8 and the second wire 9. This structure features low impedance matching and high power density, and can be directly applied to various electronic devices, enabling them to power electronic components through self-driving. It more effectively collects and utilizes triboelectric energy, significantly improving energy efficiency and providing an effective energy solution for a large number of sensor nodes distributed in the Internet of Things.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention, the conductor ring 1 can be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 6, and the conductor ring 1 can rotate with the rotation of the rotating shaft 6. The semiconductor ring 2 is then fixedly connected to the bearing seat 7. Figure 2 As shown; or, the semiconductor ring 2 can be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 6, and the semiconductor ring 2 can rotate with the rotation of the rotating shaft 6, in which case the conductor ring 1 is fixedly connected to the bearing seat 7.

[0048] Specifically, the aforementioned retainer 3 can be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 6, and the rotating shaft 6 can drive the conductor ring 1 and the retainer 3 to rotate synchronously; or, there is a gap between the inner wall of the retainer 3 and the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft 6 can drive the conductor ring 1 to rotate without driving the retainer 3 to rotate.

[0049] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the rotating shaft 6 has a limiting part located on the side of the conductor ring 1 away from the semiconductor ring 2, which can limit the position of the bearing and prevent the bearing from being displaced during operation.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, the power supply structure further includes an energy management module. The input terminal of the energy management module is electrically connected to the first wire and the second wire. The energy management module can store the electrical energy generated by the bearing and supply power to electronic devices. In the above power supply structure, the bearing based on the triboelectric effect can act as a generator, and the electrical energy generated by the bearing can be stored in the energy management module. The energy management module can manage the power supply to electronic devices.

[0051] Specifically, the electrode led out from the semiconductor ring 2 can be the positive electrode, and the electrode led out from the conductor ring 1 can be the negative electrode. The input terminal of the energy management module can be electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the bearing based on the triboelectric effect through the first wire 8 and the second wire 9.

[0052] This invention also provides a monitoring system, including any of the power supply structures provided by the above technical solutions; it also includes a sensor module and a data acquisition module, wherein the sensor module and the data acquisition module are signal-connected, and the sensor module and the data acquisition module are electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply structure.

[0053] In the monitoring system provided by the above-described embodiments, the bearing based on the triboelectric effect in the power supply structure can act as a generator. The energy management module can store the generated electrical energy and use the stored electrical energy to continuously power the sensor module and data acquisition module. When applied to electronic devices, it can realize the self-driving power supply of electronic devices. The sensor module and data acquisition module do not require an additional power supply and can achieve fully self-driving monitoring. It can more effectively collect and utilize frictional energy, significantly improve energy efficiency, and provide an effective energy solution for a large number of sensor nodes distributed in the Internet of Things.

[0054] Specifically, the aforementioned sensor module may include various sensors, such as temperature sensors and barometric pressure sensors; the data acquisition module may include various electronic devices for data acquisition, without limitation, and can be set according to the actual situation.

[0055] Specifically, the aforementioned monitoring system also includes a wireless transmission module. This module is electrically connected to the output of the power supply structure and also signal-connected to the data acquisition module. The wireless transmission module transmits data signals from the sensor module and the data acquisition module to a cloud storage platform, enabling continuous monitoring of the working conditions. Furthermore, the wireless transmission module can be electrically connected to the energy management module of the power supply structure. The energy management module continuously supplies power to the wireless transmission module, eliminating the need for an external power supply and achieving fully self-driving monitoring.

[0056] Specifically, such as Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the energy and information flow of a bearing based on the triboelectric effect, used to power a sensor node, as an example of this invention. As shown, the energy management module stores the electrical energy output from the bearing based on the triboelectric effect, continuously powering the downstream sensor module, data acquisition module, and wireless transmission module. The wireless transmission module then transmits data signals from the sensor and data acquisition modules to a cloud for storage, enabling the environmental monitoring equipment to continuously monitor the operating conditions. This monitoring system requires no external power supply and achieves fully self-driving sensing and monitoring.

[0057] In one possible implementation, Figure 7 This invention provides a voltage-time diagram of the charging capacitor of a bearing based on the triboelectric effect at different rotational speeds. Specifically, the bearing operates at rotational speeds of 100 rpm, 200 rpm, and 300 rpm, respectively, while simultaneously monitoring the charging voltage across the energy storage capacitor in the energy management module. Initially, the charging voltage across the capacitor is 0. When the bearing operates at 100 rpm, the generated electrical energy is continuously stored in the charging capacitor, and its charging voltage rises to 5V within 90 seconds, i.e., the system startup time t1 is 90 seconds. At this time, the sensor module, signal acquisition module, and wireless transmission module are activated, and the collected environmental and operating condition data are transmitted to the cloud for storage via the wireless transmission module. The charging voltage across the capacitor drops to 2.5V. Subsequently, the charging capacitor is fully charged every 41 seconds, and the collected environmental and operating condition data is transmitted to the cloud with a period of 41 seconds, i.e., the transmission period Δt is 41 seconds. Under the condition that the rotational speed of shaft 6 is 200 rpm, the system startup time can be shortened to 41 seconds and the transmission cycle to 22 seconds. Under the condition that the rotational speed of shaft 6 is 300 rpm, the system startup time can be shortened to 24 seconds and the transmission cycle to 16 seconds. It is evident that the bearing based on the triboelectric effect disclosed in this embodiment of the invention can continuously power the downstream sensor module, data acquisition module, and wireless transmission module, thereby providing an effective energy solution for a large number of sensor nodes distributed in the Internet of Things. Figure 8The cloud monitoring diagram shown is for the monitoring system provided in this embodiment of the invention. The diagram shows the ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure of the bearing based on the triboelectric effect provided in this embodiment of the invention during operation.

[0058] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A bearing based on the tribovolt effect, characterized in that, It includes a conductor ring and a semiconductor ring arranged opposite each other, a cage and a plurality of conductive balls located between the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring; The conductor ring, semiconductor ring, and cage are all annular and coaxially arranged. The conductor ring or the semiconductor ring can rotate around its own central axis. The cage has a plurality of ball holes evenly distributed around its own central axis. The plurality of conductive balls are correspondingly arranged in the plurality of ball holes. The conductive balls are in contact with the surfaces of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring, and the conductive balls can make frictional contact with the semiconductor ring to form a Schottky interface. The semiconductor ring has conductive electrodes in ohmic contact with it.

2. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductor ring or the semiconductor ring has an arc-shaped groove on the side facing the conductive ball, which is coaxial with its own central axis. The plurality of conductive balls are located in the arc-shaped groove and are in contact with the inner wall of the arc-shaped groove.

3. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductor loop can rotate along its own central axis.

4. The bearing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The retainer rotates synchronously with the conductor ring; or, the retainer rotates asynchronously with the conductor ring.

5. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive ball is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ball hole; or, the conductive ball is rollably engaged with the inner wall of the ball hole.

6. The bearing according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The material of the conductor ring is the same as the material of the conductive ball.

7. A power supply structure, characterized in that, Including bearings based on the triboelectric effect as described in any one of claims 1-6; It also includes a rotating shaft, a bearing housing, a first wire, and a second wire; the rotating shaft passes through the conductor ring, cage, semiconductor ring, and bearing housing of the bearing; of the conductor ring and the semiconductor ring, one is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft and insulated from the rotating shaft, and the other is fixedly connected to the bearing housing and insulated from the bearing housing; the rotating shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing housing, the first wire is electrically connected to the conductive electrode on the semiconductor ring, and the second wire is connected to the conductor ring.

8. The power supply structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The conductor ring is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft.

9. The power supply structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The retainer is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft; or, there is a gap between the inner wall of the retainer and the rotating shaft.

10. The power supply structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The rotating shaft has a limiting portion located on the side of the conductor ring opposite to the semiconductor ring.

11. The power supply structure according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, It also includes an energy management module, the input of which is electrically connected to the first and second wires. The energy management module is used to store the electrical energy generated by the bearing and to supply power to electronic devices.

12. A monitoring system, characterized in that, Includes the power supply structure as described in any one of claims 7-11; It also includes a sensor module and a data acquisition module, wherein the sensor module and the data acquisition module are signal-connected, and the sensor module and the data acquisition module are electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply structure.

13. The monitoring system according to claim 12, characterized in that, It also includes a wireless transmission module, which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply structure and is signal-connected to the data acquisition module.

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