Vibration power generation device

Abstract

This device provides a vibration power generation device that generates high electromotive force by causing the air gap of the magnetic circuit to change more significantly and rapidly than in conventional devices. [Solution] The vibration power generation device 10 comprises a magnetic circuit 11 in which a magnetic flux capturing part 15 or magnetic flux leakage part 13 provided at one end of a first magnetic material member 12 and a magnetic flux leakage part 13 or magnetic flux capturing part 15 installed at one end of a second magnetic material member 14 face each other with an air gap 21 in between, and the other ends of the first magnetic material member 12 and the second magnetic material member 14 are connected via a support shaft 16, thereby enabling relative rotation around the support shaft 16; a vibration transmission device 18 having a vibration receiving part 24 at one end and the other end fixed to the first magnetic material member 12; a coil 20 wound between the magnetic flux leakage part 13 or magnetic flux capturing part 15 of the second magnetic material member 14 and the support shaft 16; and an elastic body 22 configured to exert a restoring force in the direction that narrows the air gap 21 when an attempt is made to widen it.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a vibration power generation device that utilizes low-frequency vibrations of several Hz generated by the activity of animals such as horses. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the rise in popularity of horse racing, as many as 7,000 racehorses are bred annually. However, racehorses retire at around 5 years old, while the average lifespan of a horse is said to be 25 years. As a result, retired racehorses have a long life ahead of them, and their treatment has become a problem. According to NRA research, 34% of horses deregistered (retired) in local horse racing are used as riding horses. However, the actual number of horses used as riding horses throughout Japan is estimated to be only around 15,000, which is obviously a huge shortage of horses to accommodate the 7,000 racehorses bred annually.

[0003] To increase the use of horses as riding horses, one could consider expanding the base of horse riding enthusiasts by reducing the membership fees of riding clubs, which are necessary to cover the monthly maintenance costs of horses, which can amount to around 120,000 yen. However, there are currently no fundamentally effective means to reduce maintenance costs.

[0004] In recent years, with the growing environmental awareness and the spread of energy-saving devices, energy harvesting has attracted attention as a technology that extracts weak electricity from energy that is thinly and widely present in the environment and has not been utilized before. One proposed method is vibration power generation that utilizes low-frequency vibration energy of a few Hz generated by human and animal activity, and uses the induced current generated in a coil by electromagnetic induction (Patent Document 1).

[0005] The most basic method of vibration power generation is one in which a permanent magnet moves up and down inside a coil or outside a permanent magnet due to the resonant vibration of a spring, thereby generating an induced electromotive force. Similar technologies for low-frequency vibrations have been disclosed for a long time (Patent Documents 2 and 3), but since sliding members are required to restrict movement other than up and down for the vertical movement of the permanent magnet and coil, wear must be considered (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0006] As a method of energy harvesting, there is also a known method that uses the inverse magnetostrictive effect of magnetostrictive materials (Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 3). In this method, the change in the number of magnetic flux links in a coil caused by physically applying force to a magnetostrictive material and straining it is captured as the self-induction effect of the coil to generate electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-175676 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-50204 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-172351 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2017 / 183325 Brochure [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] Saotome et al., Applied Electromagnetism for Power Magnetics, edited by the Magnetics Society of Japan, p. 238. [Non-Patent Document 2] Ueno, "Vibration Power Generation Technology Using Fe-Ga Alloys and its Application to Battery-Free IoT," Journal of the Japan Institute of Metals, Materia, Vol. 59, No. 1, January 2020 (URL: https: / / www.jim.or.jp / journal / m / pdf3 / 59 / 01 / 6.pdf) [Non-Patent Document 3] Fujieda, "Improving the Performance of Vibration-Based Energy Harvesting Using the Inverse Magnetostrictive Effect," Kansai Energy and Recycling Science Research Promotion Foundation 2023 Grant Research Presentation Meeting, March 2023 (URL: https: / / www.krf.or.jp / wordpress / wp-content / uploads / 2023 / 03 / krf2023_001.pdf) [Overview of the Initiative]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In a vibration power generation method using the inverse magnetostrictive effect of a magnetostrictive material, a change in the number of magnetic flux linkages of a coil is also caused by a slight change in the air gap of a magnetic circuit. As the air gap increases, the magnetic resistance of the entire magnetic circuit increases, and the magnetic flux crossing the coil decreases. On the other hand, as the air gap decreases, the magnetic resistance of the entire magnetic circuit decreases, and the magnetic flux crossing the coil increases.

[0010] That is, by providing a mechanism in which the air gap of the magnetic circuit changes significantly due to vibration compared to the prior art, the induced electromotive force in the coil can be increased, and even when using low-frequency vibration energy of about 1 to 3 Hz generated by the up-and-down movement of a horse, it is expected that the charging efficiency can be improved.

[0011] In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration power generation device that produces a higher electromotive force by a significant change in the air gap of a magnetic circuit compared to the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] One aspect of the present invention made to achieve the above object is a generator that utilizes the movement of an animal as power. With such a generator, weak electric power can be extracted from energy that has not been utilized so far.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention made to achieve the above object is a vibration power generation device that generates electricity by using the vibration generated in a load support buffer attached to an animal when the animal moves, the vibration generated in a load support buffer incorporated in a vehicle towed by the animal, or the vibration generated when a person or an object is carried and transported on the load support buffer. With such a configuration, weak electric power can be extracted from a vibration source that has not been utilized so far.

[0014] The vibration power generation device preferably generates power by vibrating a person or an object mounted on the load support buffer. With such a configuration, weak power can be extracted from a vibration source that has not been utilized so far.

[0015] It is preferable that the load support buffer of the vibration power generation device is fixed to the second magnetic member of a vibration power generation device described later, and it is preferable that the animal is an odd-toed ungulate, an even-toed ungulate, a cetartiodactyl, or a carnivore. With such an animal order, the backbone is long in the front and back and extends relatively horizontally, making it easy to install the load support buffer. Also, since it is easy to secure space behind it, there is an advantage that it is easy to install the vibration power generation device. In addition, there is a tendency that there are many animal species that do not seem to have a large burden even when the vibration power generation device is installed.

[0016] One aspect of the present invention made to achieve the above object is that a magnetic flux capture portion or a magnetic flux leakage portion provided at one end of a first magnetic member and a magnetic flux leakage portion or a magnetic flux capture portion provided at one end of a second magnetic member face each other with a gap therebetween, and the other ends of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are connected via a support shaft, so that a magnetic circuit that can rotate relative to the support shaft, a vibration transmission tool having a vibration receiving portion at one end and fixed to the first magnetic member at the other end, a coil wound between the magnetic flux leakage portion or the magnetic flux capture portion of the second magnetic member and the support shaft, and an elastic body configured such that a restoring force acts in a direction that becomes narrower when trying to widen the gap. With such a configuration, in addition to the magnetic energy accumulated by widening the gap against the magnet torque or the reluctance torque, the kinetic energy when the elastic energy accumulated by the contraction of the elastic body when the gap expands is released is added, the air gap changes more quickly, and a larger electromotive force can be obtained. Also, the vibration propagated from the vibration receiving portion to which the load is applied to the magnetic flux capture portion or the magnetic flux leakage portion does not propagate directly to the coil but propagates via the support shaft, so the possibility and frequency of damage and disconnection can be reduced.

[0017] The vibration power generation device described above is characterized in that the magnetic flux capturing portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member is a permanent magnet with its magnetic pole surface facing the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member. Generally, permanent magnets have a lower density than iron, so a structure in which the magnetic flux capturing portion / magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member, to which vibration is directly transmitted, is a permanent magnet results in a smaller moment of force around the support axis, making it easier to move up and down.

[0018] In one embodiment, the vibration power generation device described above is a permanent magnet in which the magnetic flux capturing portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member and the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member are arranged with opposite magnetic pole surfaces facing each other. With this configuration, magnetic flux leakage is minimized, and the magnetic field can be concentrated efficiently.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vibration power generation device described above has an iron core in which at least one of the magnetic flux capturing portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member, or the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member, is an iron core. With this configuration, costs can be reduced by using an iron core, which is cheaper than a magnet.

[0020] In the above vibration power generation device, it is preferable that the distance between the vibration receiving section and the support shaft is greater than the distance between the magnetic flux capturing section or magnetic flux leakage section and the support shaft. With this configuration, when the vibration receiving section receives the kinetic energy of the rider's fall, the lever principle makes it easier to resist the torque of the magnetomotive force source with only a small force when widening the air gap.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention made to achieve the above objective is a vibration power generation device comprising the vibration power generation device and a load-supporting buffer fixed to a second magnetic member of the vibration power generation device, wherein the vibration receiving part is embedded below the seating surface of the load-supporting buffer or provided above the seating surface. With such a configuration, an electromotive force can be generated by utilizing the change in the magnetic resistance of the entire magnetic circuit, which occurs when the width of the air gap in the magnetic circuit changes due to vertical vibration of the vibration receiving part that receives vertical kinetic energy of a load or a person on the load-supporting buffer below or above the seating surface, thereby changing the magnetic flux linkage of the coil.

[0022] In the above vibration power generation device, it is preferable that the load-supporting buffer is a saddle. Because space can be easily secured behind the saddle, there is a high degree of design freedom for the charging component that utilizes the induced electromotive force output at both ends of the coil for charging. Furthermore, the relatively low-frequency, small-amplitude vertical vibrations associated with the walking or running of the animal are converted into vertical kinetic energy of the person riding the animal, which has a relatively large amplitude due to the weight difference between the animal and the person riding the animal, and a relatively large electromotive force can be generated.

[0023] The elastic body in the above-described vibration power generation device can take on any of the following states without limitation. With this configuration, the elastic body is installed inside or within the space surrounded by the magnetic circuit, resulting in a compact design. (1) One end is fixed to the first magnetic member 12, and the other end is an open end that can contact the second magnetic member 14. (2) One end is fixed to the second magnetic member 14, and the other end is an open end that can contact the first magnetic member 12, or (3) The first magnetic material member 12 and the second magnetic material member 14 are connected to each other.

[0024] The elastic body in the above-described vibration power generation device can take on any of the following states without limitation. With this configuration, the elastic body is installed outside the magnetic circuit or outside the space surrounded by the magnetic circuit, making maintenance and replacement easier. (4) The vibration transmission device 18 and the load support buffer 30 or fixed base 40 are interconnected. (5) One end is fixed to the load-supporting buffer 30 or the fixed base 40, and the other end is an open end that can contact the vibration transmission device 18, or (6) One end is fixed to the vibration transmission device 18, and the other end is an open end that can contact the load support buffer 30 or the fixed base 40. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention makes it possible to generate a high induced electromotive force by making it easier to resist the torque of the permanent magnet when widening the air gap, or by significantly changing the air gap. This reduces the possibility and frequency of damage or disconnection caused by vibrations generated by the weight of a person or the weight of an object placed on the device being directly transmitted to the charging components, including the coil, charging circuit, and energy storage unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] (a) A schematic perspective view, (b) A schematic front view, and (c) An exploded view of the magnetic circuit illustrating one embodiment of the vibration power generation device and method of installation on a horse saddle according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A model of the device used in the simulation of vibration power generation. [Figure 3] The 3Hz period vibration waveform diagram of the vibration transmission device used as the basis for the simulation. [Figure 4] Waveform diagram of the open-circuit voltage based on the periodic oscillation waveform in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Parametric analysis diagram of a spring. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows a prototype of the vibration power generation device mounted on a horse's saddle. [Figure 7] The waveform diagram of the open-circuit voltage based on the periodic oscillation of the prototype shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the vibration power generation device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] An exploded view of a magnetic circuit showing deformation patterns related to the mounting position of the spring. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The following definitions of terms used in this specification are provided below. In this specification, "vibration source" means the motion that serves as the direct energy source for vibration power generation. As it is the direct energy source, for example, when the vibration power generation device according to the present invention is installed on a horse's saddle, it is the up-and-down motion of the rider, not the up-and-down motion of the horse. In this specification, “load-bearing buffer” means one or more structures that support a load and have the function of mitigating impact by being positioned between the load and the animal and / or between the load and the vehicle being towed by the animal. In this specification, "saddle" refers to a type of load-bearing cushioning body that conforms to the shape of an animal's body. In this specification, "vertical kinetic energy of the rider relative to the load-bearing cushion (saddle)" refers to the energy of the rider's motion as they move vertically upward away from the load-bearing cushion (saddle) and vertically downward towards the load-bearing cushion (saddle) as a reference point. Typically, this includes the repeated motion of the rider's buttocks bouncing off the load-bearing cushion (saddle) and falling from the air as gravity returns them to the saddle when the horse is walking or running, due to inertia. In this specification, the "magnetic flux trapping section" refers to the part that primarily receives the magnetic flux leaking into the air gap from the surface magnetized to the north pole. In this specification, "magnetic flux leakage area" refers to the main part from which magnetic flux leaks into the air gap toward the surface magnetized to the south pole. The magnetic flux leakage section and the magnetic flux capturing section may be made of a different material from the first / second magnetic material member, or they may be made of the same material but are different components, or they may be part of the first / second magnetic material member. In this specification, "relatively rotatable" means that the rotation angle of the first magnetic member relative to the second magnetic member is within the range of motion of the vibration transmission device. Therefore, rotations of 180° or 360° are not necessary; for example, a rotation of about 10° may suffice.

[0028] The vibration power generation device according to the present invention typically utilizes the fact that the change in the overall magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit, caused by a change in the width of the air gap in the magnetic circuit due to the vertical vibration of the vibration receiving portion of the first magnetic material member, changes the magnetic flux linkage of the coil, thereby generating an electromotive force through the self-induction effect of the coil. The mechanism is generally explained as follows. First, assuming that a permanent magnet is used as the magnetomotive force source, the following equation holds true. TIFF2026086995000002.tif854(F: Magnetomotive force originating from the remanent magnetic flux density of a permanent magnet, R g : Magnetic resistance of the gap, Φ g : Magnetic flux across the gap, R i :Magnetic resistance of the first and second magnetic material members, Φ i : Magnetic flux of the first and second magnetic material members, R m : Magnetic resistance of a permanent magnet, Φ: Magnetic flux inside the magnet) Here R g >>R i Therefore Assuming there is no magnetic flux leakage and taking into account the self-induction effect of the coil, Substitute equation (2) into equation (1) in TIFF2026086995000004.tif858, Substituting equation (4) into equation (3) in TIFF2026086995000005.tif1756 and then substituting it into the following relationship between electromotive force and coil induced current, equation (5), TIFF2026086995000006.tif873(δ: air gap width, m: magnetization direction length, L: self-inductance, l: coil length, n: number of coil turns, μ r The formula is used to obtain the recoil ratio permeability, μ: permeability of the first and second magnetic material members, μ0: permeability of the air gap, I: current, S: cross-sectional area, R: magnetic resistance of the entire magnetic circuit. From the above equation, when the void δ increases, the absolute value in parentheses decreases inversely proportional to the square of δ, but since the rate of increase of the void δ is positive, a negative electromotive force is generated. When the void δ decreases, the absolute value in parentheses increases inversely proportional to the square of δ, but since the rate of decrease of the void δ is always negative, a positive electromotive force with a larger absolute value is generated compared to the case where the void δ increases.

[0029] (First embodiment) In one embodiment of the vibration power generation device 1 according to the present invention shown in Figure 1, the vibration power generation device 10 is installed behind the horse saddle 30 via a fixed base 40 that sandwiches the rear bridge portion 31 of the horse saddle 30. The vibration power generation device 10 consists of a magnetic circuit 11 comprising a first magnetic material member 12, a second magnetic material member 14, a support shaft 16 connecting one end of the first magnetic material member 12 and one end of the second magnetic material member 14, a magnetic flux leakage portion 13 hanging down from the other end of the first magnetic material member 12, and a magnetic flux capturing portion 15 provided on the other end of the second magnetic material member 14; a vibration transmission device 18 with one end fixed to the first magnetic material member 12; a coil 20 wound between both ends of the second magnetic material member 14; and an elastic body 22 hanging down from the vibration transmission device 18.

[0030] The magnetic circuit 11 is roughly C-shaped when viewed from the front with the rear bridge portion 31 of the horse saddle 30 on the right. A support shaft 16 is fixed to one end of the first magnetic member 12, and a bearing 17 that rotatably supports the support shaft 16 is attached to one end of the second magnetic member 14, so that both members can rotate relative to each other around the support shaft 16. A permanent magnet, which serves as a magnetic flux leakage section 13, is attached to the other end of the first magnetic material member 12 with a metal fitting so that it hangs down as a separate component. Here, the magnetic pole surface 19 of the permanent magnet forms one of the opposing surfaces 26a that face the iron core of the second magnetic material member 14 via an air gap 21. In this embodiment, the magnetic flux leakage section 13 is integrated with the other end of the first magnetic material member 12 as a result of cutting out the first magnetic material member 12 so that it curves in a direction that reduces the distance to the other end of the second magnetic material member 14. An iron core serving as a magnetic flux trapping section 15 is provided at the other end of the second magnetic material member 14. In this embodiment, the magnetic flux trapping section 15 has one of the opposing surfaces 26b that are parallel to the magnetic pole surface 19 of the permanent magnet and face each other across an air gap 21. In this embodiment, as the opposing magnetic pole surface 19 is the north pole, the magnetic pole surface 19 of the permanent magnet functions as a magnetic flux leakage section 13. However, if the opposing magnetic pole surface 19 is the south pole, the magnetic pole surface 19 of the permanent magnet will function as a magnetic flux trapping section 15. As described above, the magnetic flux leaking from the north pole of the permanent magnet recirculates in the following order: air gap 21, magnetic flux capturing section 15, second magnetic material member 14, support shaft 16, first magnetic material member 12, south pole of the permanent magnet, magnetic flux leakage section 13, and north pole of the permanent magnet, thus forming a closed magnetic circuit.

[0031] The vibration transmission device 18 is connected to a flat wire spring acting as an elastic body 22. The connection position is set such that the natural length is at the position where a minimum gap value δ is secured between the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the first magnetic material member 12 and the magnetic flux capturing portion 15 of the second magnetic material member 14, and that the connection position is shortened compared to the natural length so that a restoring force acts in the direction of narrowing when the gap 21 expands beyond the minimum gap value δ. In this embodiment, the minimum gap value δ is set to 1 mm, and the upper limit of the spread is set to approximately 16 mm. The distance l from the spring support shaft 16 is usually set to 0.14 to 0.18 m when the vibration transmission device 18 and the flat wire spring are connected to each other, and the maximum usable length is set to 30 mm to 40 mm. A flat wire spring can be used as an elastic body suitable for these conditions.

[0032] When the vibration power generation device 10 is installed on the rear bridge portion 31 of the load support buffer (saddle) 30 via the fixed base 40, as an alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the elastic body 22 may be (1) fixed at one end to the first magnetic member 12 and the other end as an open end that can contact the second magnetic member 14, (2) fixed at one end to the second magnetic member 14 and the other end as an open end that can contact the first magnetic member 12, or (3) connected to each other. It can also be used as follows: (4) to connect the vibration transmission device 18 and the seating surface 33 or fixed base 40 of the load-supporting buffer (saddle) 30; (5) with one end fixed to the seating surface 33 or fixed base 40 of the load-supporting buffer 30 and the other end as an open end that can contact the vibration transmission device 18; or (6) with one end fixed to the vibration transmission device 18 and the other end as an open end that can contact the seating surface 33 or fixed base 40 of the load-supporting buffer 30.

[0033] Instead of a spring, the elastic body 22 can also be made of rubber, urethane foam, silicone rubber, gas springs (air springs, etc.), etc.

[0034] The vibration transmission device 18 has one end fixed to the first magnetic member 12 and a vibration receiving part 24 at the other end that receives vibrations from a vibration source, and converts the vertical movement of the vibration receiving part 24 into rotational movement of the support shaft 16. The ideal fixing position for the first magnetic member 12 is to be at the shortest distance from the support shaft 16 so that rotational torque can be effectively applied to the support shaft 16. In this embodiment, the first magnetic member 12 is fixed with screws at a position directly above the support shaft 16 on its upper surface. The vibration receiving section 24 has left and right wing sections 25a and 25b that are large enough to receive the entire contact surface from the base of the thighs to the buttocks, so as to effectively receive the vertical kinetic energy of the rider against the load-supporting buffer (saddle) 30. SPCC was chosen for the vibration transmission device 18 due to its durability, but it is not limited to SPCC; for example, FRP could also be used to reduce weight. In a typical embodiment, the weight of a person received by the vibration receiving unit 24 is 40 kg to 70 kg, while the vibration transmission device 18 weighs 280 g, and the first magnetic material member 12, which is a movable member, weighs 4.3 kg. The first magnetic material member 12 has a shape in which a rod-shaped iron member of the same cross-sectional area extends from the pivot shaft 16 to a position a considerable distance away. Therefore, the length of the vibration transmission device 18 is set such that the distance between the vibration receiving unit 24 and the pivot shaft 16 is greater than the distance between the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the first magnetic material member 12 and the pivot shaft 16, thereby effectively applying rotational force to the pivot shaft 16 by the principle of leverage. In this embodiment, the distance between the vibration receiving unit 24 and the pivot shaft 16 is set to 165 mm, and the distance between the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the first magnetic material member 12 and the pivot shaft 16 is set to 85 mm.

[0035] The coil 20 generates an induced electromotive force at both ends by detecting the change in magnetic flux passing through the second magnetic material member 14, which occurs when the width of the air gap 21 changes, as a change in the magnetic flux linkage that crosses it. In this embodiment, the number of turns of the coil is set to 416, and the coil length is set to 0.026 m. The induced electromotive force output at both ends of the coil 20 is charged by being connected to a conventionally known charging circuit such as those used in conventionally known vibration power generation devices that utilize the self-induction effect or mutual induction effect of the coil 20. The conventionally known charging circuit is the circuit described in JP-A-2018-023214, JP-A-2020-010541, etc. Typically, after the AC voltage generated in the coil 20 is transmitted to rectifying means for rectifying by an electronic circuit, it is stored in a capacitor connected between the output terminals of the rectifying circuit, and the DC voltage generated between both ends of the capacitor is boosted or bucked through a voltage conversion circuit such as a DCDC converter or a power factor improvement circuit and output to a power storage unit such as a secondary battery.

[0036] The vibration power generation device according to the present invention can typically be a system that does not use a magnetostrictive material. This is because even without using a magnetostrictive material, a sufficiently large electromotive force can be obtained when the magnetic energy accumulated by expanding the air gap 21 against the magnet torque or reluctance torque and the elastic energy accumulated by the contraction of the elastic body 22 are released. However, it is permissible to increase the change in magnetic flux by attaching a magnetostrictive material to the first magnetic member 12 or the second magnetic member 14 and winding it around the coil 20, embedding the magnetostrictive material in the first magnetic member 12 or the second magnetic member 14, etc. Such a vibration power generation device belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0037] Example 1 <Parametric analysis of the spring considering installation on a horse saddle> Regarding the model shown in FIG. 2, considering installation on a horse saddle, the distance l from the support shaft of the spring is usually set to 0.14 to 0.18 m, the maximum use length is set to 30 mm to 40 mm, and the distance l from the support shaft of the spring and the spring constant k are variously changed, and by the method described later, a simulation of the time change of the open-circuit voltage is performed, and the root mean square of the square of the open-circuit voltage V rms is calculated to determine the optimal parameters. The results are shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen from Figure 5, V rms The region where the voltage exceeds 6.5V is roughly within the area enclosed by the line, and it was found that the optimal value is around k = 71.1 N / mm and l = 0.145 m, which is the distance from the spring's pivot axis. <Simulation of the time evolution of open-circuit voltage> In the model shown in Figure 2, the Lagrangian L incorporates kinetic energy, elastic energy, energy stored in the coil, and magnetic energy stored in the air gap. By substituting these values ​​into the extended Lagrangian equations that include the dissipation function Γ, we simulated the time evolution of the electromotive force.

[0038] TIFF2026086995000007.tif3375 When the circuit is open, no current flows, JPEG2026086995000008.jpg1145

[0039] [Table 1]

[0040] <Specific simulation conditions> As shown in Figure 3, assuming that the vibration transmission device vibrates from 0 to 10 degrees with a period of 3 Hz, and taking into account the following values ​​for each parameter based on the results of the parametric analysis of the spring, the relationship between the open-circuit voltage and time is simulated, and the root mean square V of the open-circuit voltage is calculated. rms And the maximum output power P from the internal resistance max We calculated H and R. mag The values ​​in Table 2, which were obtained in advance using the electromagnetic field analysis software JMAG (manufactured by JSOL Corporation), were used. The results are shown in Figure 4. Permanent magnet type: Neodymium magnet (N-40), Magnetization direction length m: 0.003m Magnet cross-sectional area S: 0.003m 2 , Number of coil turns n: 783 turns, Coil wire diameter: 0.0007m Coil occupancy: 47.8% Coil length lsp :0.036m, Coil cross-sectional area S c :0.0018m 2 , Minimum void value δ: 0.001 m, Internal resistance R:9.75Ω, Distance l from the spring's pivot point = 0.145 m. Spring constant k = 71.1 N / mm Moment of inertia J of the movable part: 5.77 kg·m 2

[0041] [Table 2]

[0042] As can be seen from Figure 4, the root mean square of the voltage V rms =8.65V, maximum output power P max The calculated value was 1.93W, confirming through calculations that it is possible to generate a high induced electromotive force.

[0043] <Experimental verification of open-circuit voltage> As shown in Figure 6, a prototype vibration power generation device was fabricated by attaching a vibration power generation device to an actual saddle, and the open-circuit voltage was measured when it was opened and closed by hand, aiming for 3Hz. The results are shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, the root mean square of the voltage, Vrms, was calculated to be 9.62V, and the maximum output power, Pmax, was calculated to be 2.37W. The reason why the theoretical value of the output power was higher than that of the simulation is thought to be that the simulation was limited to 0-10°, but in the experiment, due to the limitations of the equipment, the angle was widened to about 20-30°.

[0044] (Second embodiment) In another embodiment of the vibration power generation device 101 according to the present invention shown in Figure 8, electricity is generated by utilizing vibrations generated in a suspension device 130 incorporated in a vehicle 102 towed by an animal when the animal moves, or vibrations generated when a person or object is transported on the suspension device 130. In this embodiment, the suspension device 130 employs a laminated leaf spring composed of an upper elliptical spring 131 and a lower elliptical spring 132. The second magnetic member 114 of the vibration power generation device 110 and the fixing base 140a that fixes the lower elliptical spring 132 to the axle 103 are fixed to each other, while the vibration receiving part 124 of the vibration power generation device 110 and the fixing base 140b that fixes the upper elliptical spring 131 to the cabin 104 are in contact. In this embodiment, the suspension device 130 is both a load-supporting buffer and an elastic body. With this configuration, a portion of the force exerted when the suspension system 130, which consists of stacked leaf springs (elliptical springs) installed between the axle 103 and the cabin 104, is compressed is applied to the vibration receiving section 124 of the vibration power generation device 110, thereby generating electricity through vibration.

[0045] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments above are necessarily essential requirements of the present invention. The present invention can take various forms of modification, etc., as long as it does not depart from the technical idea and falls within the technical scope. For example, in the first embodiment, an iron core is used for the magnetic flux capturing portion 15 of the second magnetic material member 14, but instead, a permanent magnet with a magnetic pole surface facing the first magnetic material member 12 via an air gap 21 may be used, and a configuration in which two permanent magnets are arranged facing each other with opposite poles via an air gap 21 may be adopted. Configurations in which an iron core is used for the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the first magnetic material member 12 and a permanent magnet with a magnetic pole surface facing the S pole is used for the magnetic flux capturing portion 15 of the second magnetic material member 14, and configurations in which an iron core is used for the magnetic flux capturing portion 15 of the first magnetic material member 12 and a permanent magnet with a magnetic pole surface facing the N pole is used for the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the second magnetic material member 14 also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0046] The animals include all species belonging to the orders Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, Cetartiodactyla, or Carnivora, regardless of whether they are bipedal or quadrupedal. In the above embodiment, the horse, a species of the Equidae family in the order Perissodactyla, was given as an example, but the definition is not particularly limited and includes, for example, all species of the Equidae family other than horses, such as donkeys, zebras, and wild asses; all species of the Rhinocerotidae family, such as white rhinos, black rhinos, Sumatran rhinos, Indian rhinos, and Javan rhinos; and all species of the Tapiridae family, such as mountain tapirs, Baird's bugs, Malayan tapirs, and American tapirs. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on species belonging to the order Artiodactyla or Cetartiodactyla, and for example, all species belonging to the Camelidae family (camels, llamas, etc.), the Suidae family (pigs, wild boars, etc.), the Peccariidae family, the Mosquitoidae family, the Muskdeeridae family, the Cervidae family (deer, reindeer, Père David's deer, etc.), the Giraffidae family (giraffes, okapi, etc.), the Pronghornidae family, the Bovidae family (cattle, goats, sheep, etc.), the Hippopotamidae family (hippopotamuses, pygmy hippos, etc.), and the Cetaceans (blue whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, dolphins, etc.) are included. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on species belonging to the order Carnivora, and for example, all species belonging to the Canidae family (wolf, fox, raccoon dog, etc.), the Felidae family (leopard, lion, jaguar, tiger, clouded leopard, wildcat, serval, jaguarc, bobcat, cheetah, etc.), and the Ursidae family (polar bear, spectacled bear, Malayan sun bear, giant panda, etc.) are included.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the vibration power generation device is fixed to the load-supporting buffer via a fixed base on the second magnetic member. However, the second magnetic member and the seating surface of the load-supporting buffer may be directly fixed without using a fixed base.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the load-bearing buffer 30 is a horse saddle, but a combination of a saddle and a seat saver, or a combination of a rear riser, saddle, and seat saver may be used instead. When such a combination is used, a configuration in which the seat saver is used as the seating surface and a vibration-receiving part is embedded between the saddle and the seat saver may be used. The load-bearing buffer may also be a bicycle saddle or a motorcycle saddle.

[0049] Unlike the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a support shaft may be fixed to one end of the first magnetic member 12, and a bearing 17 for the support shaft 16 may be provided at one end of the second magnetic member 14. The support shaft 16 fixed to the first magnetic member and the bearing 17 formed in the second magnetic member 14 may be interconnected by a torsion spring 23, which is an elastic body embedded in the support shaft 16. The connection can be achieved, for example, by inserting one end of the torsion spring 23 into a small hole (not shown) in the inner wall of the bearing 17 of the second magnetic member 14, and inserting the other end into a small hole 29 next to the hole 27 for fixing the support shaft 16 of the first magnetic member 12. The positions of the small hole 29 and the inner wall small hole can be set so that the free time angle is at a position where the minimum air gap value δ is secured between the magnetic flux leakage portion 13 of the first magnetic member 12 and the magnetic flux capturing portion 15 of the second magnetic member 14. As a result, the void 21 is configured to be smaller (in the winding direction) compared to the free time angle, so that a restoring force acts in the direction of narrowing when the void 21 expands beyond the minimum void value δ.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the support shaft 16 may be fixed to one end of the second magnetic member 14, and the first magnetic member 12 may be configured to have a bearing 17 for the support shaft 16 at one end. [Industrial applicability]

[0051] The vibration power generation device according to the present invention generates highly efficient vibration power by focusing on the up-and-down movement of horses. This has great industrial potential because it can reduce the burden of membership fees for riding clubs based on the monthly management costs of riding horses, increase the base of horse riding enthusiasts, and contribute to increasing the acceptance of retired racehorses as riding horses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1.101 Vibration power generation device 10, 110 Vibration power generation devices 11 Magnetic Circuit 12 First magnetic member 13 Magnetic flux leakage section 14, 114 Second magnetic member 15 Magnetic flux trapping unit 16 Spindle 17 Bearings 18. Vibration transmission device 19 Magnetic pole face 20 coils 21 void 22 Elastic body (flat wire spring) 23. Elastic body (torsion spring) 24, 124 Receiving section 25a,25b Left and right wings 26a,26b Opposite surface 27 Spindle fixing hole 29 Small hole 30, 130 Load-bearing buffers (saddles, saddles, suspension systems) 31 Posterior bridge 33 Seat surface 40, 140a, 140b Fixed base 102 vehicles 103 axles 104 Cabin 131 Upper elliptical spring 132 Lower elliptical spring

Claims

1. A generator that utilizes or is powered by the movement of animals.

2. A vibration power generation device that generates electricity by utilizing vibrations generated when an animal moves, vibrations generated in a load-supporting buffer attached to the animal, vibrations generated in a load-supporting buffer incorporated into a vehicle towed by the animal, or vibrations generated when a person or object is transported on the load-supporting buffer.

3. A vibration power generation device that generates electricity by causing a person or object placed on a load-supporting buffer as described in claim 2 to vibrate.

4. A magnetic circuit is formed in which a magnetic flux trapping portion or magnetic flux leakage portion provided at one end of a first magnetic material member and a magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux trapping portion provided at one end of a second magnetic material member face each other with an air gap in between, and the other ends of the first magnetic material member and the second magnetic material member are connected via a support shaft, thereby enabling relative rotation around the support shaft. A vibration transmission device having a vibration receiving part at one end and the other end fixed to a first magnetic material member, A coil wound between the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member and the support shaft, and A vibration power generation device equipped with an elastic body configured such that a restoring force acts in the direction of narrowing when attempting to widen the aforementioned gap.

5. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic flux capturing portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member is a permanent magnet whose magnetic pole surface is positioned opposite to the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member.

6. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic flux capturing portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member and the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux capturing portion of the second magnetic material member are permanent magnets arranged with opposite magnetic pole surfaces facing each other.

7. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the magnetic flux trapping portion or magnetic flux leakage portion of the first magnetic material member, or the magnetic flux leakage portion or magnetic flux trapping portion of the second magnetic material member, is an iron core.

8. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the vibration receiving part and the support shaft is greater than the distance between the magnetic flux capturing part or the magnetic flux leakage part and the support shaft.

9. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, The vibration power generation device comprises a load-supporting buffer fixed to a second magnetic material member, A vibration power generation device in which the vibration receiving part is embedded beneath the seating surface of the load-supporting buffer or is located above the seating surface.

10. The load-supporting buffer is fixed to the second magnetic member of the vibration power generation device according to claim 4. The vibration power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the animal is an odd-toed ungulate, an artiodactyla, a cetacea, or a carnivore.

11. The vibration power generation device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the load-supporting buffer is a saddle.

12. The vibration power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic body is any of the following: (1) One end is fixed to the first magnetic member 12, and the other end is an open end that can contact the second magnetic member 14. (2) One end is fixed to the second magnetic member 14, and the other end is an open end that can contact the first magnetic member 12, or (3) The first magnetic material member 12 and the second magnetic material member 14 are connected to each other.

13. The vibration power generation device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the elastic body is any of the following: (4) The vibration transmission device 18 and the load support buffer 30 or fixed base 40 are interconnected. (5) One end is fixed to the load-supporting buffer 30 or the fixed base 40, and the other end is an open end that can contact the vibration transmission device 18, or (6) One end is fixed to the vibration transmission device 18, and the other end is an open end that can contact the load support buffer 30 or the fixed base 40.

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