Autonomous device for producing electrical energy

Abstract

An autonomous electrical energy production device (1) comprising: - an electric motor (2) comprising a first shaft (3) rotated by starting the electric motor, - an electric generator (4) comprising a second shaft (5), the rotation of the second shaft producing an electric current at the terminals of the electric generator, - a means (6) for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft, - an electrical connection (7) from the terminals of the electric generator to the terminals of the electric motor, - at least one connector (8) for connecting an electrical consumer (9) to the terminals of the electric generator.

Description

Title of the invention: Autonomous device for producing electrical energy Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to autonomous devices for producing electrical energy, in particular portable autonomous devices which can be carried by a person during outdoor activities, such as hiking, caving and camping. Background to the invention

[0002] Activities consisting of living outdoors, in a tent, in a caravan, also grouped under the term camping, as well as hiking activities in the great outdoors pose the problem of the supply of electrical energy to power the electrical and electronic devices carried by campers / hikers / cavers. Indeed, they may find themselves far from the electrical network for a relatively long period of time, preventing them from plugging their devices in to use or recharge them.

[0003] External batteries powered by photovoltaic cells exist. However, electricity production is highly dependent on the level of sunshine. Electricity production is zero at night or in an enclosed environment, such as underground. We are therefore looking for an electricity production device that can be independent of the electricity grid, that can be used, for example, for night lighting and that can be sufficiently compact and light to be carried by a single person. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is a device for the autonomous production of electrical energy comprising: - an electric motor comprising a first shaft set into rotation by starting the electric motor, - an electric generator comprising a second shaft, the rotation of the second shaft producing an electric current at the terminals of the electric generator, - a means for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft, - an electrical connection from the terminals of the electric generator to the terminals of the electric motor, - at least one connector for connecting an electrical consumer to the terminals of the electrical generator.

[0005] This device is generally portable. Brief description of the drawings

[0006] Embodiments of the invention are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] [Fig. 1] schematically shows the operating principle of the device of autonomous production of electrical energy according to the invention.

[0008] [Fig.2] shows an embodiment of the invention in which the starting of the The device is provided by a battery and a starter.

[0009] [Fig.3] shows an embodiment of the invention in which the starting of the The device is operated by a crank. The two motors cooperate via a belt.

[0010] [Fig.4] shows an embodiment of a kit comprising the device according to the invention and a carrying case to house the device.

[0011] [Fig.5] shows an embodiment of the invention in which two devices, according to the invention, supply an electrical consumer in parallel.

[0012] Description of embodiments of the invention

[0013] The operating principle of the autonomous device for producing electrical energy according to the invention is shown in [Fig.l]. The device (1) comprises: - an electric motor (2) comprising a first shaft (3) set in rotation by starting the electric motor, - an electric generator (4) comprising a second shaft (5), the rotation of the second shaft producing an electric current at the terminals of the electric generator, - a means (6) for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft, - an electrical connection (7) from the terminals of the electric generator to the terminals of the electric motor, - at least one connector (8) for connecting an electrical consumer (9) to the terminals of the electric generator.

[0014] The operating principle of the device is based on the cooperation of the electric motor and the electric generator which, on the one hand, supply each other with energy and, on the other hand, supply one or more electrical consumers. Said one or more electrical consumers is connected either to the terminals of the generator or to the electrical connection electrically connecting the electric generator to the electric motor. The electric motor provides mechanical energy in the form of a rotational movement of its shaft. As the shaft of the electric motor cooperates with the shaft of the generator, the mechanical rotational energy of the shaft of the electric motor is received by the electric generator and is converted by it into a current. The current produced by the electric generator is used on the one hand for maintain the rotation of the electric motor shaft and on the other hand to supply one or more electrical consumers.

[0015] The means (6) for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft may comprise or consist of two toothed wheels (or gears), the teeth (10) of the first toothed wheel interlocking with the teeth (11) of the second toothed wheel. It is possible to vary the rotational speed of the shaft of the electric generator by varying the diameter of the second toothed wheel. The means for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft may also comprise or consist of a belt (12) stretched between the two shafts, as shown in [Fig. 3]. It may also consist of friction by direct contact of a part of the first shaft on a part of the second shaft. It may also comprise or consist of a chain, for example metallic, arranged in tension between the first and second shafts, or consist of any other device.

[0016] One or more connectors (8) can be connected in parallel to the electrical connection (7) or directly to the terminals of the generator. These are preferably connectors of standard format, for example USB type or a 220 V socket.

[0017] The device may comprise a means for interrupting the flow of current in the electrical connection between the electric generator and the electric motor, for example by a switch (13).

[0018] The device according to the invention can for example be started using a battery or cell connected to the terminals of the electric motor. It can be started from a cell or battery associated with a starter or be started from a crank. [Fig.2] shows an example of starting in which a battery or cell (14) provides a starting current to the starter (15). The output shaft of the starter is engaged with the shaft of the electric motor (2) and sets the electric motor in rotation. Once the device is started, the mechanical connection between the starter and the electric motor can be interrupted. The generator (4) can optionally supply current to the battery in order to maintain a minimum charge level. [Fig.3] shows another example of starting in which a crank is engaged with the shaft of the electric motor.The rotation of the crank (16) causes the rotation of the shaft of the electric motor and its start-up (2). The crank as well as the battery and / or the starter can be used by the user to restart the device if necessary in the event of a drop in the current supplied by the electric generator.

[0019] To enable the continuous operation of the current production, two devices connected in parallel to the electrical consumer and a sensor (21) capable of measuring the current delivered or the voltage across each of the devices can be used. In operation, one of the two devices supplies the electrical consumer. If the voltage delivered by the device falls below a certain threshold predetermined by the user, the second device takes over and supplies the electrical consumer. The first device is switched off. When the voltage delivered by the second device falls below the predetermined threshold, the first device is restarted. The first device takes over and supplies the electrical consumer. The second device is switched off, etc. This embodiment is illustrated in [Fig.5]. It is possible to use more than two devices connected in parallel to the electrical consumer.

[0020] It is possible to use only one device further equipped with a sensor to measure the current delivered or the voltage at the terminals of the device. If the current or voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, the sensor can give an order that part of the energy supplied by the device be used to restart the device via an action on the starter.

[0021] In the case of two or more devices, if the current or voltage supplied by the operating device falls below a predetermined threshold, the sensor can give an order that part of the energy supplied by this device is used to operate the starter of the device with which it is associated and / or to start the starter of a second device which is stopped. The second device then takes over from the first device which is stopped.

[0022] The device can be housed in a transport case (17) as shown in [Fig.4], the assembly forming a kit. A cooling device, such as a fan (18), installed in the interior volume of the case and connected to the terminals of the electric generator, makes it possible to cool the heat emitted by the device. A light-emitting diode (19) informs the user whether the device is in operation or not. The crank (16) can be fixed in a housing provided for this purpose.

[0023] The device according to the invention allows the supply of energy autonomously. It allows you to be independent of the electricity distribution network. It can be easily carried due to its low weight and small size. It is applicable in areas where electrical devices consume relatively low power, typically less than or equal to 200 W, or less than or equal to 150 W, or less than or equal to 100 W, such as camping, hiking, caving. It can also be useful for applications requiring higher power (electric vehicles).

[0024] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for autonomous production of electrical energy (1) comprising: - an electric motor (2) comprising a first shaft (3) rotated by starting the electric motor, - an electric generator (4) comprising a second shaft (5), the rotation of the second shaft producing an electric current at the terminals of the electric generator, - means (6) for making the first shaft cooperate with the second shaft, - an electrical connection (7) from the terminals of the electric generator to the terminals of the electric motor, - at least one connector (8) for connecting an electrical consumer (9) to the terminals of the electric generator, - means for starting or restarting the device, this means being chosen from: i) a crank for starting the electric motor (2), ii) a cell or battery (14) connected to the terminals of the electric motor (2), and iii) a starter (15), a cell or battery (14) supplying energy to the starter,the electrical supply to the starter driving the rotation of the electric motor (2).,

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (6) for making the first shaft (3) and the second shaft (5) cooperate comprises a first (10) and a second (11) toothed wheel, the teeth of the first toothed wheel interlocking with the teeth of the second toothed wheel.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (6) for making the first shaft (3) and the second shaft (5) cooperate comprises a belt or chain (12) arranged in tension between the first and second shafts.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for interrupting the electrical connection between the electric motor and the electric generator, for example a switch (13).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one connector (8) is chosen from a USB type connector or a 220 V socket.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, capable of being connected to an electrical consumer (9) consuming a power less than or equal to 150 W.

7. Assembly comprising: i) at least two devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims, said at least two devices being connected in parallel to the electrical consumer (9), and ii) a sensor (21) capable of measuring the current delivered or the voltage at the terminals of each of the devices.

8. Kit (20) comprising: - the device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or the assembly according to claim 7, - a box (17) for housing the device or the assembly.

9. Kit (20) according to claim 8, further comprising a cooling device (18) for the interior volume of the trunk (17), such as a fan, the cooling device being connected to the terminals of the electric generator (4).

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