Vibration power generator

Abstract

To provide a compact vibration power generator.SOLUTION: The vibration power generator comprises a substrate having an aperture and equipped with an electric circuit, and a vibration power generation element, one end of which is fixed to a holding section, and the free end of which is inserted through the aperture during vibration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration-based power generation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Vibration power generation elements that convert vibration energy into electrical energy are used to generate power using environmental vibrations.

[0003] When vibration power generation elements vibrate, they require not only the volume of the element itself but also a volume for the vibrations, so when mounting them in a case, the case must be made larger to accommodate the volume for the vibrations.

[0004] On the other hand, when a vibration power generation element is used in an electronic device such as a sensor, there is a demand for miniaturization of the vibration power generation device due to the recent trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices and the need to install sensors in narrow spaces.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses that a vibration device can be miniaturized by flip-chip mounting on a semiconductor element as a base. Patent Document 2 also describes miniaturization of a vibration device by mounting a piezoelectric vibrator on a semiconductor substrate including an integrated circuit and placing a lid on the semiconductor substrate so as to cover the piezoelectric vibrator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-74649 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-67813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, the base, semiconductor element, and vibrator must be stacked in this order, which requires a certain height in the stacking direction. Also, in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide a sufficient space within the vibrating device so that the vibrating element does not come into contact with the semiconductor substrate during vibration.

[0008] In view of these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized vibration-powered energy generator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a vibration-powered energy generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a substrate having an opening and including an electric circuit; and a vibration-powered energy generating element having one end fixed to a holding part, the free end of which moves through the opening upon vibration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention can provide a miniaturized vibration-powered energy harvester, particularly a vibration-powered energy harvester in which the length of the vibration-powered element parallel to the vibration direction is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are explanatory views of a vibration-powered energy generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib in (a). [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are explanatory views of a vibration-powered energy generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb in (a). [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vibration-powered energy generator. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional cantilever-type vibration power generation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0013] 1. First embodiment Fig. 1(a) is a top view of a vibration power generator 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the vibration power generator 100 includes a substrate 120, a vibration power generation element 140, and a holder 160 that holds the vibration power generation element 140. The vibration power generator 100 may further include a housing 180 that houses these components. Each component of the vibration power generator 100 will be described below in order.

[0014] In this embodiment, the opening 122 is provided in the substrate 120, and when the vibration power generation element 140 vibrates, the free end 144 can be inserted through the opening 122, which will be described in detail later, and the length of the housing 180 in the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 140 can be reduced.

[0015] (substrate) The substrate 120 is provided with an electric circuit (not shown), and has an opening 122 at approximately the center of the substrate 120 when viewed from the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 140. The electric circuit is electrically connected to the vibration power generation element 140 (described later), and may include, for example, a rectifier circuit for the current generated by the vibration power generation element 140, a control circuit for the vibration power generation device 100, and a monitor for the charging state. Furthermore, the electric circuit of the substrate 120 may be connected to an external circuit (not shown) by wiring (not shown).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1( a ), in the first embodiment, the opening 122 is formed inside the substrate 120 and is not connected to the outer edge of the substrate 120 .

[0017] As will be described later, this opening 122 allows the free end 144 of the vibration power generation element 140 to pass through without contacting the substrate 120 during vibration. In other words, the vibration power generation element 140 and the substrate 120 do not overlap when viewed from the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 140. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 122 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the vibration power generation element 140 that passes through it. For example, the opening area of ​​the opening 122 is at least 110% of the cross-section of the vibration power generation element 140 that passes through it, and preferably 120% or more. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of ​​this opening 222 be 600% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the vibration power generation element 240, because this ensures a sufficient area for mounting electronic components on the substrate. For example, in the case of a vibration power generation element 140 with a cross-sectional area of ​​6 mm × 2 mm, the area of ​​the opening 122 may be 6 + 2 mm × 2 + 2 mm.

[0018] The opening 122 may have any shape as long as the free end 144 of the vibration power generation element 140 can be inserted without contacting the substrate 120. For example, it may be formed in a circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, polygonal, or other shape. The shape of the opening 122 does not have to be similar to the cross-sectional shape of the vibration power generation element 140; for example, the opening 122 may be circular for a vibration power generation element 140 having a rectangular cross-section.

[0019] (Vibration power generation element) The vibration power generation element 140 is an element that generates power by having one end fixed to a holder 160 and vibrating the holder 160 in response to environmental vibrations such as external sound pressure. The "vibration power generation element" in this embodiment may be anything that has the relevant function, and also includes a "packaging member that houses the vibration power generation element inside." In Figures 1(a) and (b), the vibration power generation element 140 is a "packaging member that houses the vibration power generation element inside."

[0020] The electrical energy generated by the vibration power generation element 140 is transmitted to the electrical circuit of the substrate 120 via wiring (not shown) and can be used for sensor signals, etc., or can be supplied as power to the outside of the vibration power generation device 100.

[0021] Any element that converts vibration energy into electrical energy can be used as the vibration power generation element 140. For example, an electrostatic induction type vibration power generation element having comb-shaped electrodes may be used as the vibration power generation element. Furthermore, in addition to the electrostatic induction type vibration power generation element, the vibration power generation element 140 may also be an electret type power generation element, a piezoelectric type power generation element, an electromagnetic induction type power generation element, or a magnetostrictive type power generation element.

[0022] When an electrostatic induction type vibration power generating element having comb-tooth electrodes is used as the vibration power generating element 140, it is preferable that the vibration direction of the movable electrode of the vibration power generating element 140 coincides with the vibration direction of the holding unit 160. The holding unit 160 of one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1(b) vibrates in the direction of the double-headed arrow A, and therefore the vibration direction of the movable electrode of the vibration power generating element 140 is set so that it is also substantially in the direction of the double-headed arrow A.

[0023] (holding part) The holder 160 secures one end (fixed end 142) of the vibration power generation element 140, vibrates due to environmental vibrations, and transmits the vibrations to the vibration power generation element 140. Environmental vibrations include, for example, vibrations due to sound pressure, mechanical vibrations from compressors and motors operating in factories, vibrations of vehicle bodies during vehicle movement, and vibrations of roads or buildings caused by vehicle movement. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the holder 160 is a plate-like member having at least a portion of an elastic part made of an elastic material that is more flexible than the housing 180. However, in other embodiments, the holder 160 may have a cantilevered shape as long as the free end 144 can pass through the opening 122 without the vibration power generation element 140 coming into contact with the substrate 120 during vibration. That is, the cantilevered holder 160 may be entirely disposed within the opening 122, or only the free end 144 of the cantilevered holder 160 may pass through the opening 122 during vibration.

[0024] 1, the holder 160 may have any shape. For example, it may be disk-shaped or polygonal disk-shaped. Since the vibration power generation element 140 is provided on the holder 160, it may further have a shape that holds the vibration power generation element 140.

[0025] The holding part 160 may have, for example, a recess 162 or a support part (not shown) as a shape for holding the vibration power generating element 140. The recess 162 and the support part are more rigid than the elastic part due to their shape, and can stably hold the vibration power generating element 140. In this case, the plate-like part of the holding part 160 other than the recess 162 and the support part (not shown) constitutes an elastic part having elasticity.

[0026] The recess 162 has a shape that protrudes from the back surface of the holding portion 160. The depth of the recess 162 may be any depth that can hold the vibration power generation element 140. This allows the fixed end 142 of the vibration power generation element 140 to be firmly held in the recess 162. The shape of the recess 162 may be any shape that corresponds to the shape of the vibration power generation element 140 to be installed. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the vibration power generation element 140 is rectangular, so the recess 162 is also rectangular.

[0027] The support portion (not shown) may be formed, for example, with an inner circumferential surface that is continuous with the recess 162 in the vertical direction opposite to the direction in which the recess 162 protrudes relative to the holding portion 160, and may be formed from two pairs of support portions (not shown) that are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the holding portion 160 when viewed in the vertical direction. These support portions can hold parts of the side surfaces of the vibration power generation element 140 when the vibration power generation element 140 is mounted in the recess 162. These support portions can increase the vertical holding length when the vibration power generation element 140 is held by the holding portion 160, thereby further suppressing tilt in the vibration direction when the vibration power generation element 140 is attached and vibrated.

[0028] The holding portion 160 may be formed integrally with the other portion of the housing 180 by providing a thin portion in a part of the housing 180. Alternatively, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), a diaphragm that is a separate component as the holding portion 160 may be joined to the housing 180 to define the closed space. The method for joining the diaphragm is not limited to this, but examples that can be used include adhesion, welding, and screw fastening.

[0029] The holding portion 160 may be formed from the same material as the housing 180, or may be formed from a different material. When the housing 180 and the holding portion 160 are formed from the same material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylic resin, polycarbonate, metal, or the like can be used as the material. When the housing 180 and the holding portion 160 are formed from different materials, they can be made from a combination of the above materials. For example, the housing 180 may be formed from acrylic resin, and the holding portion 160 made from PET may be joined to it. (Housing) The housing 180 accommodates the substrate 120 and the vibration power generation element 140 fixed to the holding part 160. The housing 180 may be formed using the same material as the holding part 160, or may be formed using a material that is more rigid than the holding part 160.

[0030] When power generation by the vibration power generation element is performed using sound pressure, the housing 180 has an opening communicating with the holding part 160 and transmits external sound to the holding part 160 .

[0031] As described above, in the first embodiment, the vibration power generating element 140 is fixed to the holder 160, and when the vibration power generating element 140 vibrates, its free end 144 can be inserted through the opening 122 of the substrate 120 (FIG. 1(b)). In contrast, in the conventional technology shown in FIG. 3, when the vibration power generating element 1140 fixed to the holder 1160 vibrates, it is necessary to provide a sufficient space using the spacer 1150 so that the vibration power generating element 1140 does not come into contact with the substrate 1120.

[0032] That is, when using a vibration power generation element of the same size, the length L1 of the housing 180 in the first embodiment of the present invention parallel to the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element can be made smaller than the corresponding length L3 (FIG. 3) of the housing 1180 of the prior art, making it possible to provide a vibration power generation device that is thinner than conventional ones.

[0033] 2. Second embodiment Fig. 2(a) is a top view of a vibration-powered energy generator 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the vibration-powered energy generator 200 includes a substrate 220, a vibration-powered energy generator 240, and a holder 260 that holds the vibration-powered energy generator 240. The vibration-powered energy generator 200 may further include a housing 280 that houses these components. Below, each component of the vibration-powered energy generator 200 will be described in order, but since this chapter has many similarities to the first embodiment, only the differences in configuration and operation from the first embodiment will be described using the drawings.

[0034] Although details will be described later, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the opening 222 is connected to the outer edge 224 of the substrate 220. In this embodiment as well, by providing the opening 222 in the substrate 220, when the vibration power generation element 240 vibrates, the free end 244 thereof can move through the opening 222, and the length of the housing 280 parallel to the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element can be reduced.

[0035] (substrate) The substrate 220 is provided with an electric circuit (not shown), and has an opening 222 that connects to an outer edge 224 of the substrate 220 when viewed from the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 240, and the overall shape of the substrate 220 is U-shaped.

[0036] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the opening 222 is connected to the outer edge 224 of the substrate 220, and has a shape formed by cutting out the outer edge 224 of the substrate 220 toward the center.

[0037] The opening 222 also receives the free end 244 of the vibration power generation element 240 during vibration, so the vibration power generation element 240 and the substrate 220 do not overlap when viewed from the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 240. The cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 222 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the vibration power generation element 240 that passes through the opening 222. For example, the opening area of ​​the opening 222 is at least 110% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the vibration power generation element 240 that passes through the opening 222, and preferably 120% or more. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 222 be 600% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the vibration power generation element 240, since this ensures a sufficient area for mounting electronic components on the substrate. For example, in the case of a vibration power generation element 240 with a cross-section of 6 mm × 2 mm, the size of the opening 222 may be 6 + 2 mm × 2 + 2 mm.

[0038] The opening 222 may have any shape as long as the free end 244 of the vibration power generation element 240 can be inserted without contacting the substrate 120. For example, it may be formed in a circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, polygonal, or other shape. In the case of a cantilever-type vibration power generation element described later, the opening may be a corresponding rectangular opening.

[0039] (Vibration power generation element) One end of the vibration power generation element 240 is fixed to the holder 260, and the free end 244 of the vibration power generation element 240, which vibrates due to environmental vibrations, is inserted through the opening 222 without contacting the substrate 120. In this embodiment, the opening 222 has a cutout shape, so the vibration power generation element 240 can have a cantilever shape. In Figure 2(b), the vibration direction of the vibration power generation element 240 is the direction of the double arrow B.

[0040] The vibration power generation element 240 may also include a "packaging member that houses the vibration power generation element" similarly to the vibration power generation element 140. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the vibration power generation element 240 is directly mounted inside the housing 280 and is deformable due to environmental vibrations.

[0041] (holding part) The holding part 260 fixes one end (fixed end 242) of the vibration power generation element 240 and enables vibration of the vibration power generation element 240. If the vibration power generation element 240 is flexible, the holding part 260 may be rigid. Note that, in other embodiments, the holding part 260 may have a plate shape with an elastic part at least in part and may fix the vibration power generation element 240, as long as the free end 244 of the vibration power generation element 240 can be inserted through the opening 222 without coming into contact with the substrate 220 during vibration.

[0042] The holder 260 may also be conductive to transmit the current generated in the vibration power generation element 240. In this case, the current generated in the vibration power generation element 240 is transmitted to the substrate 220 via the holder 260 (wiring not shown).

[0043] (Housing) The housing 280 accommodates the substrate 220 and the vibration power generation element 240 fixed to the holder 260 .

[0044] As described above, in the second embodiment, the fixed end 242 of the vibration power generating element 240 is fixed to the holder 260, and when the vibration power generating element 240 vibrates, the free end 244 can be inserted through the opening 222 of the substrate 220 (FIG. 2(b)). In contrast, in the conventional technology shown in FIG. 4, when the vibration power generating element 1240 fixed to the holder 1260 vibrates, it is necessary to provide a sufficient space using the spacer 1250 so that the vibration power generating element 1240 does not come into contact with the substrate 1220.

[0045] That is, when a vibration power generating element of the same size is used, the length L2 of the housing 280 in the second embodiment of the present invention parallel to the vibration direction of the vibration power generating element can be made smaller than the corresponding length L4 (FIG. 4) of the housing 1280 of the prior art, making it possible to provide a vibration power generating device that is thinner than conventional ones.

[0046] According to the embodiment described above, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0047] (1) The vibration power generation device includes a substrate having an opening and an electric circuit, and a vibration power generation element having one end fixed to a holder, the free end of which passes through the opening when vibrating. The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0048] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a compact vibration power generating device, in particular a vibration power generating device in which the length of the vibration power generating element in the vibration direction is reduced.

[0049] (2) The device further includes a housing that houses the substrate and the vibration power generation element.

[0050] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a compact vibration-powered energy generator.

[0051] (3) The holding portion has an elastic portion.

[0052] With this configuration, the vibration power generation element can generate power efficiently.

[0053] (4) The opening is formed inside the substrate.

[0054] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a compact vibration-powered energy generator.

[0055] (5) The opening is connected to the outer edge of the substrate.

[0056] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a compact vibration-powered energy generator.

[0057] (6) The electric circuit is electrically connected to the vibration power generation element.

[0058] With this configuration, a circuit for rectifying the vibration power generation element can be provided near the vibration power generation element.

[0059] Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other embodiments that are conceivable within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Included in the range.

[0060] Furthermore, one or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100 Vibration power generation device 120 boards 122 Opening 140 Vibration power generation element 142 Fixed end 144 Free end 160 Holding part 180 cabinet 200 Vibration power generation device 220 board 222 Opening 224 outer edge 240 Vibration power generation element 242 Fixed end 244 Free end 260 Holding part 280 cabinet 1000 Vibration Power Generation Device 1120 PCB 1140 Vibration power generation element 1142 Fixed end 1144 Free end 1150 spacer 1160 Holding part 1180 chassis 1200 Vibration Power Generation Device 1220 board 1240 Vibration power generation element 1242 Fixed end 1244 Free end 1250 spacer 1260 Holding part 1280 case

Claims

1. a substrate having an opening and including an electrical circuit; a vibration power generating element having one end fixed to a holding part, the free end of which passes through the opening when vibrating; A vibration power generation device comprising:

2. The vibration power generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing that houses the substrate and the vibration power generating element.

3. The vibration-to-energy generator according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portion has an elastic portion.

4. The vibration-powered energy generator according to claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed inside the substrate.

5. The vibration-to-energy generator according to claim 1 , wherein the opening is connected to an outer edge of the substrate.

6. The vibration-powered energy generator according to claim 1 , wherein the electric circuit is electrically connected to the vibration-powered energy generating element.

Images