Dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device and control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a dual-mode switching human body kinetic energy collecting device and a control method thereof. The device comprises a pole body composed of a first member and a second member capable of relative movement, an energy conversion module and a mode switching mechanism. The mechanism has two stable states: in the first state, the first member provides rigid support, and the second member can slide back and forth with the impact to passively collect kinetic energy; in the second state, the mechanism rigidly locks the two members into one body, and the energy conversion module can be forced to drive to efficiently generate energy. The energy conversion module comprises a variable-diameter supercharging structure, and high-pressure small-flow supercharging is realized at the compression end through two-stage or multi-stage series connection of plungers. The application breaks through the physical contradiction between rigid support and kinetic energy collection, integrates the alpine staff, passive collector and active energy generation device into one, and can be widely applied to outdoor sports, emergency rescue and other fields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of outdoor sports equipment and portable energy harvesting technology, and in particular to a dual-mode trekking pole that can switch between a passive, non-kinetic energy harvesting mode and an active, efficient energy generation mode, as well as the corresponding mode switching and energy management control method. Especially relevant is a human kinetic energy harvesting device that improves compression efficiency through a variable-diameter pressurization structure. Background Technology

[0002] Trekking poles are core auxiliary equipment for outdoor sports, and their primary and uncompromising function is to provide users with stable axial rigidity support. Existing technology includes solutions that utilize the impact force of trekking poles hitting the ground to drive miniature air pumps or generators to harvest kinetic energy from the user's body. However, such solutions have inherent drawbacks: to achieve energy harvesting, gaps must be maintained within the pole body for relative movement of components. This directly leads to axial movement of the pole during support, compromising the trekking pole's support rigidity and reducing the user's sense of security and support efficiency.

[0003] In addition, existing trekking poles have limited functionality, either only having passive energy harvesting capabilities and their efficiency is limited by walking cadence; in scenarios requiring high-power energy output, such as camping and emergency rescue, users have to carry additional equipment such as dedicated air pumps and hand-cranked generators, which runs counter to the fundamental need for lightweight outdoor gear.

[0004] Furthermore, existing devices with air-pressurizing functions typically employ a single-stage piston structure. In the final stages of the compression stroke, when the cylinder pressure is already close to the target high pressure, this structure requires the user to apply tremendous force to continue compression. This not only easily leads to hand fatigue but also makes it difficult to consistently achieve ultra-high pressure requirements such as 30 MPa, limiting its application in scenarios with rigid demands for high-pressure air sources, such as high-altitude oxygen production.

[0005] Therefore, there is a long-standing technical contradiction in this field: how to achieve efficient, combined active and passive human kinetic energy harvesting while meeting the core requirement of rigid support for trekking poles, and how to easily generate high-pressure compressed air. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device and its control method. Through a purely mechanical mode switching mechanism, the trekking pole can seamlessly switch between two modes: "rigid support / imperceptible harvesting" and "active and efficient energy generation". A variable diameter pressurization structure is introduced to enable it to efficiently generate high-pressure compressed air in active mode. Technical solution

[0007] A dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device includes: a cane body composed of a first support member and a second outer sleeve member that can move relative to each other along an axial direction; an energy conversion module disposed within the cane body for converting relative motion kinetic energy into electrical energy or compressed air; and a mode switching mechanism mechanically coupled to the first support member and the second outer sleeve member; the mode switching mechanism has at least a first stable state and a second stable state; in the first stable state, the first support member maintains axial rigidity to provide support, and the second outer sleeve member can slide back and forth upon impact with the ground, driving the energy conversion module to passively harvest kinetic energy; in the second stable state, the mode switching mechanism rigidly locks the first support member and the second outer sleeve member together, and the user can actively push and pull the cane body to force the energy conversion module to perform efficient energy conversion.

[0008] Furthermore, the energy conversion module includes a variable-diameter booster structure. The variable-diameter booster structure divides the compression process into at least two stages: the first stage involves low-pressure, high-flow compression by a large-area piston, and the second stage involves high-pressure, low-flow boosting by a small-area plunger. Beneficial effects

[0009] Overcoming physical contradictions to achieve both performance and stability: Based on the time separation principle of TRIZ theory, the same structure exhibits completely opposite characteristics at different times: absolutely rigid during support, and capable of relative movement during collection. For the first time, energy-free collection has been achieved without sacrificing the core support function of the trekking pole.

[0010] Variable diameter booster for easy high pressure output: By introducing a two- or multi-stage variable diameter booster structure, the compression process is broken down into two stages: "low pressure and high flow" and "high pressure and low flow". This perfectly solves the problem of single-stage pistons being laborious and unable to reach high pressure at the end, and can easily boost compressed air to 30MPa.

[0011] One item with three functions, extremely lightweight: It integrates three functions: "rigid trekking pole", "passive kinetic energy harvester" and "active air pump / generator", which can replace three separate pieces of equipment and greatly reduce the weight carried outdoors.

[0012] Reliable structure and user-friendly operation: The core switching mechanism is a purely mechanical structure with no electronic components, which can adapt to harsh outdoor environments such as high and low temperatures, humidity, and sandstorms, and has an extremely low failure rate. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the present invention in its first stable state (trekking pole / non-contact collection mode).

[0014] Figure 2 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the present invention in its second stable state (air pump / active energy generation mode).

[0015] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the two-stage variable diameter booster structure in the present invention at the end of the compression stage. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Example 1 (Axial locking pneumatic dual-mode trekking pole) Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure in the "trekking pole mode" of this embodiment. The main body of the device includes a second outer casing component (1), a first support component (2), a piston (3), an unlocking ring (4), and a locking steel ball (5).

[0017] The first support member (2) is a rigid rod with its lower end fixed to the tip of the rod (11), which runs through the entire second outer sleeve member (1) and is the core load-bearing component of the rod. The piston (3) is fixed to the inner wall of the second outer sleeve member (1) and forms a compression cylinder with a sealed fit with the rod body of the first support member (2). The return spring (7) is located between the limiting platform of the second outer sleeve member (1) and the first support member (2).

[0018] The unlocking ring (4) is fitted onto the upper outer wall of the second outer sleeve member (1), forming the operating end of the mode switching mechanism. At this time, the unlocking ring (4) is located in the first position (4a) above, the locking steel ball (5) can retract outward, and the first support member (2) and the piston (3) are in a decoupled state. When the tip of the cane touches the ground, the first support member (2) provides zero-displacement rigid support; the second outer sleeve member (1) and the piston (3) move downward with the user's downward pressure, compressing the air in the cylinder; when the foot is lifted, the return spring (7) pushes the second outer sleeve member (1) to return to its original position, and the cylinder draws in air through the one-way air intake valve (8). Thus, each step completes one non-motion energy collection.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure in "air pump mode" of this embodiment. The user pushes the unlocking ring (4) to the second position (4b) below, and the inclined surface of its inner wall squeezes and locks the steel ball (5) into the locking groove (6) of the first support member (2), rigidly locking the first support member (2), piston (3) and second outer sleeve member (1) together. At this time, the user can actively push and pull by holding both ends of the rod with both hands, which can force the entire piston assembly to perform a large stroke reciprocating motion, efficiently generating compressed air.

[0020] Example 2 (Two-stage variable diameter turbocharger structure) Based on Example 1, this embodiment optimizes the energy conversion module by introducing a two-stage variable diameter booster structure. Figure 3This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the final compression section. The structure includes a main piston (3) and a booster plunger (12) coaxially fixed to the main piston (3). The diameter of the booster plunger (12) is significantly smaller than that of the main piston (3).

[0021] In the early part of the compression stroke, the main piston (3) pushes a large area of ​​air, compressing it at low pressure and high flow rate through a one-way valve. When the main piston (3) moves to near the end of its stroke, the booster plunger (12) is inserted into a high-pressure chamber (13) that fits precisely with it. According to Pascal's principle, the force applied to the main piston (3) will generate several times the pressure on the much smaller-diameter booster plunger (12), thereby boosting the gas in the high-pressure chamber (13) to more than 30 MPa, which is then filled into an external high-pressure gas cylinder through the high-pressure output valve (14).

[0022] This embodiment perfectly solves the problem of single-stage pistons being laborious and unable to reach high pressure at the end by using a two-stage variable diameter booster, enabling users to easily and efficiently generate high-pressure compressed air in active energy generation mode.

[0023] Example 3 (Multi-stage series supercharging structure) This embodiment is a defensive embodiment, intended to demonstrate a variable-diameter booster structure comprising three or more stages of tandem pistons / plungers. Its working principle is similar to Embodiment 2, but it includes three or more stages of tandem plungers, with each stage plunger having a smaller diameter than the previous stage, thereby achieving multi-stage relay boosting. This embodiment aims to show that employing a three- or more-stage tandem structure also falls within the protection scope of this invention.

[0024] Example 4 (Venturi Inhalation Enhancer) This embodiment is an example of optimizing passive collection efficiency. A Venturi tube structure is provided in the flow channel of the outlet check valve (9) of the compression cylinder. When the piston (3) compresses air, the high-speed airflow passes through the outlet check valve (9) and passes through this channel, which first contracts and then expands, generating a local negative pressure at the throat. A miniature ejector connects this negative pressure area to the outlet of the inlet check valve (8). This negative pressure will have a suction effect on the inlet valve, helping the inlet valve to open in advance and forcibly pre-charge air, thereby completely eliminating the intake lag under high-frequency reciprocating motion and significantly improving the volumetric efficiency of the non-sensory collection mode in high-altitude and low-pressure environments.

Claims

1. A human kinetic energy harvesting device with dual-mode switching, characterized in that, include: A staff body is composed of a first support member (2) and a second outer sleeve member (1) that can move relative to each other along the axial direction; An energy conversion module is disposed inside the cane body to convert the relative motion kinetic energy of the first support member (2) and the second outer sleeve member (1) into electrical energy or compressed air; A mode switching mechanism is mechanically coupled to the first support member (2) and the second outer casing member (1); The mode switching mechanism has at least a first stable state and a second stable state; In the first stable state, the first support member (2) maintains axial rigidity to provide support, and the second outer sleeve member (1) can slide back and forth along the first support member (2) with external impact, driving the energy conversion module to passively collect kinetic energy; In the second stable state, the mode switching mechanism rigidly locks the first support member (2) and the second outer sleeve member (1) together, and the user can actively push and pull the cane to force the energy conversion module to perform efficient energy conversion.

2. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A reset elastic element (7) is provided between the first support member (2) and the second outer sleeve member (1) for pushing the second outer sleeve member (1) to reset after an external impact.

3. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mode switching mechanism includes an axially sliding unlocking ring (4). By moving the unlocking ring (4), a locking member (5) is driven to engage or disengage from the locking groove (6) on the first support member (2) to achieve the switching between the first stable state and the second stable state.

4. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mode switching mechanism is equipped with a tactile positioning structure and visual markings to indicate the current working status.

5. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy conversion module is a piston-type compression cylinder, equipped with a one-way intake valve (8) and a one-way exhaust valve (9).

6. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The energy conversion module includes a variable diameter booster structure; the variable diameter booster structure includes a main piston (3) and a booster plunger (12) coaxially fixed to the main piston (3); the diameter of the booster plunger (12) is smaller than that of the main piston (3); at the end of the compression stroke, the booster plunger (12) performs secondary boosting on the gas.

7. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The variable diameter booster structure includes three or more tandem plungers.

8. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy conversion module is a linear generator.

9. The dual-mode switching human kinetic energy harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an energy output unit for storing or outputting the energy generated by the energy conversion module.

10. A portable outdoor protection system, characterized in that, The device includes a human kinetic energy harvesting device with dual-mode switching as described in any one of claims 1-9, and a terminal device connected to the energy output unit of the device.

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