Device for generating, storing and transferring electrical energy wirelessly integrated into a connected shoe accompanied by a discharge stand for later use.

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe (10) capable of converting movements made during walking into electrical energy, storing the generated electrical energy, transferring it by induction into a stand allowing subsequent use of the accumulated electrical energy and capable of transferring and receiving information via Bluetooth. The device comprises: at least one system converting translational movements into rotational movements (21), at least one electrical energy generator (31), a battery (32), an electronic card (30) for further managing Bluetooth communication and induction discharge, via an inductor (34). The device also comprises a stand (60) capable of charging a battery (63) by induction and communicating its status via Bluetooth.The device comprises: at least two inductors (610, 611), an electronic card (62) for further managing Bluetooth communication, charging a battery (63) and discharging it using at least three ports (640, 641, 642). Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: DescriptionTitle of the invention: Device for generating, storing and wirelessly transferring electrical energy integrated into a connected shoe accompanied by a discharge stand for subsequent uses. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical energy recovery system integrated into a connected shoe via a generator and a battery. More specifically, it is a shoe capable of Bluetooth® connection and incorporating a system generating and storing electrical energy during walking via at least one electrical energy generator and a battery and capable of transferring the stored electrical energy by induction into a second system comprising a larger capacity battery. State of the prior art

[0002] By exploring alternatives to current methods of producing electrical energy, the innovative idea emerged of redefining the limits of this production, by considering the possibility for each individual to generate their own electrical energy according to their needs.

[0003] This problem led to the design of devices that take advantage of the rotational movements of a bicycle wheel in order to generate electrical energy and store it in a battery.

[0004] However, cycling represents an exceptional activity and in addition to its cumbersome aspect in a home, such a device requires devoting time of one's day to generating electrical energy.

[0005] When we know that the average daily walking time in France is 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours per day, the innovative idea of ​​exploiting the repetitive movements of daily walking has emerged. Statement of the invention

[0006] A device has therefore been designed that uses the movements inherent in daily walking to generate electrical energy, which is then stored in a battery carried in the shoe for transfer to a dedicated base, allowing subsequent use by the user. More specifically, the device takes the form of a shoe divided into two separate parts, namely a lower part integrating all the mechanical and electrical components, and an upper part that can move vertically relative to the lower part, assembled in nested manner and linked by a flexible material. When the foot is lifted, inducing a vertical translational movement, the upper part moves vertically away from the lower part. Conversely, when the foot is placed, the upper part rests on the lower part. This translational movement between the two parts is used to activate a system converting this translation into a unidirectional rotational movement, thus driving a generator capable of producing an electrical voltage intended to charge a battery integrated into the shoe. The charge level of this battery is communicated to a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, and can be displayed on a screen integrated into the shoe. At their discretion, the user places the pair of shoes on a base equipped with a larger capacity battery, where the pair of shoes transfers the electrical energy stored in the battery by induction.The energy thus stored can be used for later purposes.

[0007] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the shoe and the stand have one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to any possible technical combination(s): a shoe having: - two parts performing a translational movement within each other; - a system for converting translational movements into rotational movements; - at least one electrical energy generator; - at least one battery; - at least one induction charging and discharging system; - a wireless communication system; - at least one screen inserted into the sole of the shoe. a stand with: - at least one induction charging and discharging system; - a wireless communication system; - at least one battery; - at least one port allowing wired discharge;

[0008] This shoe therefore allows the user to generate electrical energy simply by walking, it stores the electrical energy until an induction discharge in the stand is carried out.

[0009] Firstly, the device integrates a mechanical system which converts translational movements in order to rotate an electrical energy generator unidirectionally and rapidly.

[0010] According to a preferred implementation, the system converting translational movements into rotational movements is a screw-nut system.

[0011] By using a nut that engages a threaded lead screw, the rotation of the lead screw during a linear translation of the nut. This nut is fixed in a structure surrounding it, itself fixed to a plate on which the upper part of the shoe is fixed.

[0012] According to a variant of the invention, the system converting translational movements into rotational movements is a ball screw allowing a reduction in friction.

[0013] According to a variant of the invention, the upper part rests on one or more springs, a bouncy material such as plastic, latex or rubber surrounding air, or a pneumatic system.

[0014] According to a variant of the invention, the upper part during an upward translational movement can be inclined between 10 and 45 degrees relative to the lower part.

[0015] According to a preferred implementation, the system uses a freewheel in order to allow the system to be unidirectional. The lead screw is inserted in the center of the freewheel, it rotates clockwise during the lowering of the nut, the outer wheel of the freewheel is driven by this clockwise rotation. During the raising of the nut, the counterclockwise rotation of the lead screw does not cause the rotation of the outer wheel of the freewheel. Teeth are placed on the outer face of the freewheel.

[0016] In order to quickly rotate the electric power generator, the system uses a gear train. This train follows the freewheel and rotates the direct current electric power generator.

[0017] The mechanical system is surrounded by a structure protecting it inside the heel of the lower part of the shoe.

[0018] In a second step, the generated electrical energy sees its voltage smoothed and increased in order to safely charge the transported battery.

[0019] In order to smooth, stabilize and increase the voltage, the device comprises an electrical card in which the output voltage of the electrical energy generator is smoothed, stabilized and increased in order to integrate a battery transported safely.

[0020] Such an electric card also integrates a microcontroller controlling the charge percentage of the transported battery and communicates it on demand to a smartphone. The microcontroller controls an inductor integrated into the electric card. The inductor allows wireless discharge of the transported battery. Finally, it allows the control of a screen and the exchange via Bluetooth® of information relating to the battery and the screen in addition.

[0021] According to a variant of the invention, the shoe incorporates a screen which may be an E-PAPER screen, requiring a minimal amount of electrical energy. This screen makes it possible to display numerous pieces of information such as the percentage of charge of the battery transported.

[0022] According to a variant of the invention, the shoe can be discharged and charged by cable. The shoe then includes a female USB-c port and the stand (element detailed in the following paragraph) a male USB-c cable allowing flexibility in the methods of charging and discharging the shoe.

[0023] According to a variant of the invention, the device also integrates several magnets placed in the corners of the shoe, allowing the inductance integrated into the shoe to align correctly with an inductance located in an ancillary system.

[0024] The device, a connected shoe, is accompanied by a support for discharging the battery carried by the shoes called a stand. This is equipped with a high-capacity battery. It is equipped with an electrical card integrating an inductor, allowing wireless charging between the shoe and the stand, a microcontroller capable of Bluetooth® communication controlling the state of the high-capacity battery and controlling several ports (for example USB A or USB-c female ports) allowing wired discharge at the user's request.

[0025] According to a variant of the invention, the stand also integrates several magnets placed parallel to the placement of the magnets in the shoe so that the two inductances are perfectly parallel.

[0026] According to a variant of the invention, the stand is equipped with electromagnets making it possible to vary the intensity of the magnetic field between the magnets placed in the shoe and the electromagnets placed in the stand. List of figures

[0027] The following description, given solely as an example of an embodiment of the invention, is made with reference to the appended figures which represent:

[0028] [Fig-1] is a schematic sectional view of each disassembled part composing the connected shoe in a particular embodiment.

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic view from above of the lower part.

[0030] [Fig.3] is a detailed schematic view of the mechanical system comprising the shoe.

[0031] [Fig.4A] is a schematic sectional view of the mechanical system making up the shoe of the device when the shoe is on the ground.

[0032] [Fig.4B] is a schematic sectional view of the mechanical system making up the shoe of the device when the shoe is lifted.

[0033] [Fig.5] is a schematic sectional view of the rear of the stand according to a particular embodiment.

[0034] [Fig.6] is a schematic sectional view of the process of unloading or loading the shoe in the stand.

[0035] The parts of the different figures which are identical, similar or equivalent have the same numerical references, which simplifies the transition from one figure to another.

[0036] In order to improve the readability of the figures, the parts shown in the figures do not necessarily follow a uniform scale.

[0037] The various options, including variations and embodiments, should not be considered mutually exclusive; they may be combined with each other. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] Possible variations or modifications may be made without altering the scope of the present invention. Such modifications falling within the scope of the invention are included in the claims set forth below.

[0039] In the remainder of the description, “fixed” means secured, so that the elements fixed together are movable together.

[0040] With reference to [Fig.l], the device, energy-producing connected shoe, here called shoe 10, comprises two parts nested one inside the other, a mobile upper part 11 and a lower part 12 directly in contact with the ground, comprising the entire on-board electrical and mechanical system. It comprises a mechanical system 20, comprising a motion conversion system 21 followed by a gear train 24 and a generator 31, associated together and arranged in the heel of the lower part 12. The lower part 12 also contains an electrical card 30, also placed in the heel of the lower part 12, a transported battery 32 placed at the front of the lower part 12, an inductor 34 placed in the middle of the lower part 12.The shoe 10 according to this variation, also has four magnets 40, 41, 42, 43 placed at the four corners of the lower part 12 and a screen 33 placed in a space dedicated to the screen 18, behind a layer of transparent flexible PVC, according to this variation of the invention, it is an E-PAPER screen.

[0041] The upper part 11 comprises a support 14 containing several springs 50, 51, 52, 53 placed on the edges of the support 14 and inside allowing the mobility of the upper part.

[0042] [Fig. 2] illustrates the lower part 12, housing the various electrical energy production and electrical energy storage elements of the device. The mechanical system 20, converting the translational movements into rotation in order to drive the rotation of a generator 31, the electrical card 30 stabilizing and increasing the output voltage of the generator 31, the electrical card 30 obtains and transfers by Bluetooth® the state of the transported battery 32 to a smartphone. The lower part therefore also contains the transported battery 32, storing the energy electrical energy collected, as well as the inductance 34, allowing the transfer of electrical energy between the shoe and the stand. The screen 33 controlled by the electrical card 30, is located at the end of the sole 13 in order to be visible to the user. The arrangement of the four magnets 40, 41, 42, 43 is visible in this figure, each occupying a corner of the lower part.

[0043] The on-board electrical card 30 further has a voltage regulation system, a voltage increase system, a voltage stabilization system, a system for smoothing out power interruptions as well as low-frequency distortions, a system for filtering noise and distortions. The electrical card 30 also includes a microcontroller, powered by the transported battery 32, controlling the voltage at the terminals of the transported battery 32, communicating for example the percentage of charge of the transported battery 32 via Bluetooth®, communicating with a smartphone and collecting data relating to the discharge by induction and to the display on the screen 33 in particular.

[0044] [Fig. 3] illustrates the mechanical system 20 further comprising a lead screw 23 accompanied by a nut 22 fixed to the intermediate sole 17. The lead screw 23 is fixed to a freewheel 25 for which its inner part is also fixed to a ball bearing 26 allowing it to maintain its rotation. The outer part of the freewheel 25 is surrounded by a support consisting of teeth 27 allowing it to be integrated into the gear train 24. The generator 31 has a small support consisting of teeth 28 fixed to its rod so that it can be integrated into the gear train 24. The gear train 24 allows the transmission ratio to be increased in order to increase the difference between the rotation speed of the generator 31 and the freewheel 25.

[0045] [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B] illustrate the evolution of the mechanical system during a walking movement. Illustrated are therefore: the upper part 11, the lower part 12 and the mechanical system 20 with the nut 22 and the lead screw 23, the freewheel 25 (shaded by its support consisting of teeth 27) as well as the gear train 24 and the generator 31.

[0046] [Fig.4B] illustrates the moment when the user's foot lifts the shoe 10 while walking. The upper part 11 has moved away from the lower part 11 by translation, the nut 22 has slid at the top of the lead screw 23 without causing the rotation of the gear train 24 thanks to the freewheel 25.

[0047] [Fig.4A] illustrates the moment when the shoe 10 is placed on the ground. The upper part 11 made a downward translational movement and was placed on the lower part 12, the nut 22 then slid down the lead screw 23 causing the rotation of the gear train 24 and the production of electrical energy.

[0048] Again, when the shoe 10 is lifted [Fig.4B], the freewheel 25 allows the rotational movement of the generator 31 to be maintained until the shoe 10 is placed again and the electrical card 30, omitted in this illustration, makes it possible to maintain for an instant the voltage obtained during the rotation of the generator 31, in particular thanks to a circuit composed of capacitors.

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 5], the device accompanying the shoe 10, called stand 60, comprises a high-capacity battery 63 placed under two inductors 610 and 611. The device also contains an electrical card 62 containing in particular a microcontroller controlling and supplying to several female USB A ports 640, 641, 642, embedded in the support, a power which can be between 5 and 10 watts and communicating by Bluetooth or WIFI the state of the high-capacity battery 63. The whole is covered with a structure 65 of rectangular parallelepiped shape composed of a solid and resistant material and having two slight recesses 660 and 661 at the level of the inductors 610 and 611 in order to place the pair of shoes 10 there.

[0050] [Fig.6] illustrates the discharge process between the shoe 10 and the stand 60. The four magnets 40, 41, 42, 43 present in the shoe are parallel to the four electromagnets 600, 601, 602, 603. The inductor 34, once parallel to the inductor 610, begins the discharge process towards the high capacity battery 63.

Claims

Claims

1. Shoe (10) with the ability to generate, store and transfer electrical energy by induction to a stand (60), comprising: - a pair of shoes (10) consisting of at least two nested parts, performing a translational movement between them and connected by a bouncy material, comprising an upper part (11) and a lower part (12) enclosing a mechanical system (20) generating electrical energy by converting the translational movements of walking into unidirectional rotational movements; - a battery (32) for storing the energy generated by the generator (31) during walking; - an electrical card (30) allowing the smoothing and increase of the output voltage of the generator (31), the control of a screen (33), as well as the management of the state of the transported battery (32), of the Bluetooth communication and of the induction discharge process via an inductance (34). In addition, the device includes: - a stand (60) equipped with two inductors (610,611) capable of charging a high capacity battery (63) - an electrical card (30) ensuring the charging and discharging by induction of the transported battery (32), the control of its state, Bluetooth communication, and supervising several ports (64) in order to allow a wired discharge to the user for options of subsequent use of the stored electrical energy.

2. Shoe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical system (20) intended to convert translational movements into unidirectional rotational movements comprises a movement conversion mechanism (21), such as a screw-nut system, allowing the conversion of movements, a freewheel (25) ensuring unidirectional movement when the user lifts the foot, and a gear train (24) driven by the freewheel and being designed to increase the transmission ratio and accelerate the rotation of a coil installed inside a generator (31). When the user lifts the foot, the nut moves without causing the rotation of the gear train thanks to the freewheel. On the other hand, when the user lowers the foot, the nut moves down the screw, causing the rotation of the freewheel, the gear train and the generator. (31), thus generating an electrical voltage at the terminals of the generator (31).

3. Shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said shoe contains an electrical card (30) intended to increase, stabilize, regulate, smooth out interruptions in the power supply, as well as filter noise and distortions at the output of the generator (31), thus ensuring optimal charging of the transported battery (32). The electrical card (30) comprises a microcontroller powered by the transported battery (32). This microcontroller is also responsible for controlling the voltage at the terminals of the transported battery (32), Bluetooth communication with a smartphone, transferring data relating to the state of the transported battery (32), the system as a whole as well as receiving data relating to the discharge by induction, and displaying on the screen (33).

4. Shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device integrates a screen (33) in the sole, positioned at the heel, allowing the display of the charge percentage of the transported battery (32). The screen (33) is also designed to present other information, animations and images, which are transmitted via a Bluetooth connection from a smartphone to the integrated microcontroller.

5. Shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device integrates an inductance (34) allowing the charging and discharging of the transported battery (32) when it is paired with the stand (60) mentioned in claim 1.

6. A stand (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having the capability of charging a high-capacity battery (63), said stand being equipped with two inductors (610, 611). When the inductors (610, 611) of said stand are aligned in parallel to the inductors present in the connected pair of shoes, they simultaneously charge the high-capacity battery (63) while discharging the transported battery (32).

7. Stand (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an electrical card integrating a microcontroller powered by the high-capacity battery (63). This microcontroller fully assumes the responsibilities related to the advanced management of the system, including the control of the state of the high-capacity battery (63), its charging and discharging via the ports (640, 641, 642) included in the stand, as well as monitoring the charging and discharging process of the pair of shoes (10) by induction. In addition, the microcontroller establishes Bluetooth communication, transmitting the status of the high-capacity battery (63) and the system as a whole to a smartphone.

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