Apparatus and system for passively harvesting electricity from mechanical shock events and vibrational energy

Abstract

In some embodiments, the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein include an energy harvesting apparatus comprising a housing, a first magnet and / or spring provided at a first end of the housing, a second magnet and / or spring provided at a second end of the housing, and a free magnet configured to vibrate between one or more windings in response to vibrations of the housing, thereby inducing a voltage between the terminals of the windings. In some embodiments, the terminals of the windings are coupled to a passive energy harvesting circuit configured to rectify / filter the voltage generated by the apparatus, store the energy in a passive storage element (e.g., a capacitor), and use the stored energy to transmit information about the vibrations to a user device (e.g., by RF communication).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 578,072, entitled "Electromechanical Energy Harvester for Energy from Mechanical Shock," filed on August 22, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 578,079, entitled "Electromechanical Energy Harvester for Vibration Energy," filed on August 22, 2023. The entire contents of each of these applications are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to passive energy harvesters capable of converting mechanical energy from vibration and shock events into electrical energy, which is used to autonomously power electronic devices for purposes such as generating electrical signals and recording notable vibration / shock events.

Background Art

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 9,673,683 B2, issued to Deak on June 6, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an exemplary reciprocating magnet generator that uses a plunger or button to release a normally constrained free magnet. The described generator is further configured to use two opposing magnets to suspend and constrain the free magnet via repulsive magnetic force to achieve a nominal spring-like response. The free magnet is nominally suspended adjacent to an induction coil for a predetermined period of time during a button press. The mass of the magnet and the effective magnetic "spring" constant of the constraining suspension magnets determine the resonant frequency and mechanical impedance of the system. Such a generator, in one embodiment, may be suitable for obtaining short duration electrical energy generation from discrete button presses.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 9,843,248B2, dated 12 December 2017 (also granted to Deak), discloses an example of a bistable rocker arm system that can be used for signaling discrete mechanical events.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 10,348,160B2, dated July 9, 2019 (also granted to Deak), discloses an example of a rotary magnet generator. This system may be actuated tangentially by discrete mechanical events or by the release of stored magnetic energy from a pre-wound state. [Overview of the project]

[0006] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is capable of converting mechanical energy from vibrations the device experiences into electrical energy, which is used to autonomously power electronic devices for purposes such as generating electrical signals and recording notable vibration events. An energy harvesting device may include a housing, a first magnet provided at a first end of the housing, a second magnet provided at a second end of the housing, the first and second magnets being aligned along a first axis, a free magnet provided between the first and second magnets along the first axis, the first magnet, the free magnet and the second magnet being arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by both the first and second magnets, thereby causing the free magnet to vibrate between the first and second magnets along the first axis in response to vibrations of the housing, and one or more windings provided circumferentially around the first axis between the first and second magnets, each of the one or more windings having a first terminal and a second terminal, the vibration of the free magnet between the first and second magnets along the first axis inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals.

[0007] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the first magnet and configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet along the first axis.

[0008] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, the inner wall of which is textured to allow air or debris within the shaft to pass near the free magnet as the free magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the free magnet's vibrations. In some embodiments, the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slot-like, spine-like, rifle-like, ridge-like, or flute-like.

[0009] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, and the energy harvesting device may further include a plurality of springs operably coupling the free magnet inside the hollow shaft, the plurality of springs arranged parallel to a first axis, and each spring having a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. In some embodiments, the plurality of springs are planar springs.

[0010] In some embodiments, the center of the free magnet along its first axis is hollow. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a wire or rod extending through the center of the free magnet and configured to guide the oscillating motion of the free magnet along its first axis.

[0011] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a low magnetic reluctance material circumferentially arranged outside one or more windings. In some embodiments, the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

[0012] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the free magnets are configured to vibrate between a first magnet and a second magnet along a first axis in response to vibrations of the asset. In some embodiments, the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the asset is a shipping container or a pallet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include an electronic module electrically coupled to the first and second terminals of one or more windings, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is configured to power the electronic module to transmit data characterizing the vibrations to an external device.

[0014] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include one or more sensors electrically coupled to an electronic module, wherein a voltage induced between a first terminal and a second terminal of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to vibrations, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to an external device.

[0015] In some embodiments, one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting device.

[0016] In another embodiment, another energy harvesting device is capable of converting mechanical energy from vibration and shock events experienced by the device into electrical energy, which is used to autonomously power electronic devices for purposes such as generating electrical signals and recording notable vibration / shock events. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may include a housing; a first magnet provided at a first end of the housing; a free magnet provided between the first magnet and a second end of the housing along a first axis, wherein the first magnet and the free magnet are arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by the first magnet; a collar provided at a second end of the housing in some embodiments, the collar being made of a magnetic material, thereby generating an attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet sufficient to hold the free magnet in its normal confined state near the collar; and one or more windings provided circumferentially around a first axis between the first magnet and the second end, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein in response to an impact force exceeding the attractive magnetic force acting on the housing, the free magnet is configured to separate from its normal confined state and vibrate between the first magnet and the second end along the first axis, thereby inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals.

[0017] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a shaft extending along a first axis through a collar and coupled at a first end to a second magnet, wherein the free magnet and the second magnet are positioned such that the free magnet is repelled by the second magnet; and a spring operably coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft and spring are in a loaded state when the free magnet is in a normal restrained state, and the spring force of the spring in the loaded state is less than the attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet, wherein in response to an impact, the shaft and spring are configured to extend to an unloaded state, thereby propelling the shaft toward the first magnet.

[0018] In some embodiments, the shaft may further include a second end opposite to the first end, the second end protruding from the second end of the housing, and after the free magnet is separated from the normal constrained state, the user can move the shaft and spring from the unloaded state to the loaded state by pulling the second end of the shaft, thereby re-establishing the normal constrained state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include an adjustment mechanism that is operably coupled to a spring and configured to allow adjustment of the load condition, thereby adjusting the spring force.

[0020] In some embodiments, the collar is configured to short-circuit the magnetic field of the second magnet when the free magnet is in its normal constrained state, the energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 19.

[0021] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and vibration or impact forces are generated by or received by the asset. In some embodiments, the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the asset is a transport container or a pallet.

[0022] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, the inner wall of the hollow shaft being textured to allow air or debris in the shaft to pass near the free magnet as the free magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the free magnet, as described in claim 17. In some embodiments, the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slotted, spine-shaped, rifled, ridged, or flute-shaped.

[0023] In some aspects, the housing may further comprise a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, and the energy harvesting device may further comprise a plurality of springs operably coupling the free magnet inside the hollow shaft, the plurality of springs being arranged in parallel along a first axis, each spring having a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. In some aspects, the plurality of springs are flat springs.

[0024] In some aspects, a center of the free magnet along the first axis is hollow. In some aspects, the energy harvesting device may further comprise a wire or rod extending through the center of the free magnet and configured to guide oscillating motion of the free magnet along the first axis.

[0025] In some aspects, the energy harvesting device may further comprise a flange provided at a second end of the housing between the free magnet and a collar when the free magnet is in a normal constrained state.

[0026] In some aspects, the energy harvesting device may further comprise a low magnetic reluctance material circumferentially disposed outside the one or more windings. In some aspects, the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

[0027] In some aspects, the energy harvesting device may further comprise an electronic module electrically coupled to first and second terminals of the one or more windings, wherein a voltage induced between the first terminal and the second terminal of the one or more windings is configured to power the electronic module to transmit data characterizing vibration or impact force to an external device.

[0028] In some aspects, the energy harvesting device may further comprise one or more sensors electrically coupled to an electronic module, wherein the voltage induced between a first terminal and a second terminal of the one or more windings is further configured to supply power to the one or more sensors to obtain metadata corresponding to vibration or impact force, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to an external device.

[0029] In some aspects, the one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata comprises a peak acceleration of the energy harvesting device.

[0030] In another aspect, another energy harvesting device is provided. The energy harvesting device may comprise: a housing; a first spring disposed within the housing; a second spring disposed within the housing, wherein the first spring and the second spring are arranged in parallel along a first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; a first magnet operably coupled to the first spring and the second spring along the first axis, wherein the first magnet is constrained by the first spring and the second spring along the first axis and configured to vibrate along the first axis in response to vibration of the housing; and one or more windings circumferentially provided around the first axis on the housing, wherein each of the one or more windings has a first terminal and a second terminal, and a voltage is induced between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first magnet vibrates along the first axis.

[0031] In some aspects, the first spring and the second spring are flat springs.

[0032] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include an annular shutter provided at a first end of the housing and coupled to a first spring, the annular shutter being configured to extend uniformly and variably along a second axis from the outer circumference of the first spring toward the center of the first spring, thereby partially constraining the vibrational motion of the first spring toward the first axis and changing the first stiffness. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a second annular shutter provided at a second end of the housing and coupled to a second spring, the second annular shutter being configured to extend uniformly and variably along a second axis from the outer circumference of the second spring toward the center of the second spring, thereby partially constraining the vibrational motion of the second spring toward the first axis and changing the second stiffness.

[0033] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a hollow shaft configured to house a first magnet, the inner wall of the hollow shaft being textured to allow air or debris within the shaft to pass near the first magnet as the first magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the first magnet. In some embodiments, the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft may include slot-like, spine-like, rifle-like, ridge-like, or flute-like patterns.

[0034] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a non-magnetic connector that extends between a first spring and a second spring and is configured to operably couple a first magnet to the first spring and the second spring.

[0035] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a low magnetic reluctance material circumferentially arranged outside one or more windings. In some embodiments, the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

[0036] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the first magnet is configured to vibrate along a first axis in response to vibrations of the asset. In some embodiments, the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the asset is a shipping container or a pallet.

[0037] In some embodiments, the system may further include an electronic module electrically coupled to the first and second terminals of one or more windings, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is configured to power the electronic module to transmit data characterizing the vibrations to an external device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include one or more sensors electrically coupled to an electronic module, wherein a voltage induced between a first terminal and a second terminal of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to vibrations, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to an external device.

[0039] In some embodiments, one or more sensors include accelerometers, and the metadata has the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting device.

[0040] In another embodiment, another energy harvesting device is provided. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device includes a housing, a first spring provided within the housing, a second spring provided within the housing, wherein the first and second springs are arranged parallel to each other along a first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a first magnet operably coupled to the first and second springs along the first axis, a magnetic material coupled to the first spring, and a second magnet provided at the first end of the housing along the first axis, the second The device may include a second magnet, a first attractive magnetic force generated between the magnet and a magnetic material coupled to a first spring, the first attractive magnetic force being sufficient to hold the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet in a first pre-tensioned state, and one or more windings provided circumferentially around a first axis on a housing, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first spring is configured to separate from the first pre-tensioned state in response to an impact force exceeding the attractive magnetic force acting on the housing, thereby causing the first magnet to vibrate along the first axis and inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first and second springs are planar springs.

[0042] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a first adjustment cap coupled to a second magnet and configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the second magnet and a first spring along the first axis, thereby adjusting the first restraining force in a first pre-tensioned state.

[0043] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is configured such that, after the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet have separated from a first pre-tensioned state and vibrated along a first axis, the user presses the second spring toward the first spring, causing the magnetic material to recombine with the second magnet by a first attractive magnetic force, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet to a first pre-tensioned state.

[0044] In some embodiments, in response to the first spring separating from a first pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet are configured to vibrate once before the magnetic material is recombined with the second magnet, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet to a first pre-tensioned state.

[0045] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a second adjustment cap coupled to a third magnet provided at a second end of the housing, the third magnet being configured to hold the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet in a second pre-tensioned state by a second attractive magnetic force between the third magnet and a magnetic material coupled to a second spring, and the second adjustment cap being configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the third magnet and the second spring along a first axis, thereby adjusting the second restraining force in the second pre-tensioned state.

[0046] In some embodiments, in response to the first spring separating from a first pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet are configured to perform a first half-vibration before the second spring is coupled to the third magnet, thereby placing the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet into a second pre-tensioned state.

[0047] In some embodiments, in response to the second spring separating from a second pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet are configured to perform a second half-vibration before the first spring is re-coupled to the second magnet, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring, and the first magnet to a first pre-tensioned state.

[0048] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the impact force is generated or received by the asset. In some embodiments, the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the asset is a transport container or a pallet.

[0049] In some embodiments, the housing may further include a hollow shaft configured to house a first magnet, the inner wall of the hollow shaft being textured to allow air or debris within the shaft to pass near the first magnet as the first magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the first magnet. In some embodiments, the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slotted, spine-shaped, rifled, ridged, or flute-shaped.

[0050] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a non-magnetic connector that extends between a first spring and a second spring and is configured to operably couple a first magnet to the first spring and the second spring.

[0051] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include a low magnetic reluctance material (e.g., non-magnetic) circumferentially arranged outside one or more windings. In some embodiments, the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

[0052] In some embodiments, the system may further include an electronic module electrically coupled to the first and second ends of one or more windings, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is configured to power the electronic module to transmit data characterizing the vibrations to an external device.

[0053] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device may further include one or more sensors electrically coupled to an electronic module, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to vibrations, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to an external device.

[0054] In some embodiments, one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0055] These and other features will be more easily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

[0056] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an exemplary energy harvesting system relating to the subject matter described herein. [Figure 2A-2B] This is a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an energy harvesting / energy generating device relating to the subject matter described herein, configured to generate electrical energy in response to large vibrations or shocks experienced by the device or the asset to which the device is coupled. [Figure 3A-3B] This is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an energy harvesting device relating to the subject matter described herein, configured to generate electrical energy in response to large vibrations or shocks and to vibrations experienced by the device or an asset to which the device is coupled. [Figure 3C] This is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an energy harvesting device relating to the subject matter described herein, configured to generate electrical energy in response to vibrations experienced by the device or the asset to which the device is coupled. [Figure 4] This figure shows a modified example of a component that can be used in combination with the energy harvesting apparatus described herein. [Figure 5] This figure shows another variation of a component that can be used in combination with the energy harvesting apparatus described herein. [Figure 6A] This is a perspective view of another embodiment of an energy harvesting apparatus relating to the subject matter described herein. [Figure 6B-6D] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the energy harvesting apparatus taken from section AA. [Figures 7A-7B] This is a perspective view of another embodiment of an energy harvesting apparatus relating to the subject matter described herein. [Figure 7C-7D]These are partial cross-sectional views of the energy harvesting apparatus shown in Figures 7A and 7B. [Figure 8A] This is a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an energy harvesting / energy generating apparatus relating to the subject matter described herein. [Figures 8B-8D] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of the energy harvesting apparatus from the BB section. [Figure 8E] This is a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an energy harvesting / energy generating apparatus relating to the subject matter described herein. [Figure 8F-8H] Figure 8E is a cross-sectional view of the energy harvesting apparatus from the CC section. [Figure 9] This figure shows an exemplary design of a planar spring relating to the subject matter described herein.

[0057] Please note that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to show only typical embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein and should not be considered to limit the scope of the disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0058] Many conventional asset monitoring sensors and devices require an active power source in the form of batteries and / or electrical wiring, which can consume energy even when the asset is functioning normally and generating no alerts. Battery-powered devices may require periodic battery replacement, while wired devices introduce additional "complexity" in the production environment and are also susceptible to problems such as disconnection and water damage. Furthermore, current passive energy harvesters, such as the technology described above in the background section of this application, suffer frictional losses, particularly when the reciprocating magnets of these devices are not aligned vertically. For example, the free magnets of the technology described above suffer mechanical losses as they move due to contact with the side walls of the device, debris accumulation, and back pressure and viscous damping caused by trapped air moving around the free magnets. These unfavorable effects worsen when the axis of motion deviates from the vertical, as gravity pulls the free magnets along the side walls. These unfavorable effects siphon mechanical energy from the system without contributing to power generation. Furthermore, the aforementioned techniques may suffer from static friction effects due to stationary contact between the free magnet and the side wall, which requires additional force to overcome and enable the free magnet to move and generate electrical energy.

[0059] The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein alleviate the limitations described above by providing a standalone passive energy harvesting function capable of generating electrical energy from vibrations in the environment, which can be used to self-power the apparatus to transmit signals to other apparatus when a noteworthy vibration pattern or shock event occurs in the environment monitored by the apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein minimize or eliminate contact between the movable magnet of the apparatus and the shaft in which the movable magnet moves. In some embodiments, the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein include an energy harvesting apparatus comprising a housing, a first magnet and / or spring provided at a first end of the housing, a second magnet and / or spring provided at a second end of the housing, and a free magnet configured to vibrate between one or more windings in response to vibrations of the housing, thereby inducing a voltage between the ends of the windings. In some embodiments, as described below, the terminals of the winding may be coupled to a passive energy harvesting circuit configured to rectify / filter the voltage generated by the device, store energy in a passive storage component (e.g., a capacitor), and use the stored energy to transmit vibration information and metadata recorded by various application-specific sensors to a user device (e.g., via RF communication).

[0060] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary energy harvesting system 100 configured to generate energy from mechanical energy, which can be used to power various application-specific outputs. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting system 100 includes an energy generator 105 and an electronic module 110. The energy generator 105 can take several different forms, the details of which are described in more detail below. The energy generator 105 may be coupled to the electronic module 110 via terminals 106a, 106b of the winding 106 of the energy generator. In response to vibration or shock events experienced by the energy generator 105, a voltage may be induced between terminals 106a, 106b of the winding 106, as described in more detail below, and this voltage may be transmitted to the electronic module 110. In some embodiments, the electronic module 110 may include a rectifier 115, a DC-DC converter 120, a bulk energy storage unit 125, a voltage regulator 130, a microcontroller 135, a sensor 140, an RF transmitter 145, and an antenna 150. In some embodiments, terminals 106a and 106b of the winding 106 may be operably coupled to the rectifier 115, which may be configured to rectify the voltage generated by the generator 105 into a direct current (DC) voltage. In some embodiments, the rectified voltage may then be sent to the DC-DC converter 120 and then to the bulk energy storage unit 125. The bulk energy storage unit 125 and the voltage regulator 130 may be configured to buffer intermittent or impulsive voltages into continuously available stored energy supplied to the microcontroller 135. In some embodiments, the bulk energy storage unit 125 may include a plurality of physical bulk capacitors, and the connection of these physical bulk capacitors may be reconfigured into one or more series configurations or one or more parallel configurations. In some embodiments, the bulk energy storage unit 125 may be a battery.In some embodiments, the microcontroller 135 may function as the central processing unit of the system 100, processing data from the generator 105 and / or sensor 140 and running firmware or software to control the RF transmitter 145. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 135 may be powered by a regulated voltage provided by a voltage regulator 130 and collect data from the sensor 140.

[0061] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting system 100 may be used in a manner in which the system 100 is mounted on a host object (e.g., a shipping pallet or compressor as described below) such that the axis of the movement path of the free magnet is aligned with the vibration axis of interest. In some embodiments, the waveform before or after rectification may be optionally monitored as an indicator of the vibration signal, and these signals may be analyzed to determine the characteristics of the vibration as described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the sensor 140 may be an accelerometer (e.g., a MEMS accelerometer) and may be configured to transmit acceleration data to the microcontroller 135 when the microcontroller 135 is powered by a voltage generated by the energy generator 105. For example, the acceleration data may include the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting system 100. The microcontroller may process the acceleration data and transmit the signal to an RF transmitter 145, which may be configured to convert the signal into an RF signal. The RF signal generated by the RF transmitter 145 may be transmitted by the antenna 150 as an RF output. However, the use of other sensor types is also conceivable. For example, if the application requires temperature measurement each time the energy generator 105 generates a voltage (for example, in response to a vibration or shock event as described below), the sensor 140 could be a temperature sensor and could be configured to transmit temperature measurements in the environment of system 100 to the microcontroller 135 when the microcontroller 135 is powered by the voltage generated by the energy generator 105. In another example, if the application requires pressure measurement each time the energy generator 105 generates a voltage, the sensor 140 could be a pressure sensor and could be configured to transmit pressure measurements in the environment of system 100 to the microcontroller 135 when the microcontroller 135 is powered by the voltage generated by the energy generator 105.As yet another example, if the application requires a photograph of the environment of system 100 each time the energy generator 105 generates a voltage, the sensor 140 could be a camera and could be configured to acquire and transmit a photograph when the microcontroller 135 is powered by the voltage generated by the energy generator 105. As yet another example, if the application requires location information of the object to which system 100 is attached, the sensor 140 could be a GPS sensor and could be configured to transmit the location information of system 100 to the microcontroller 135 when the microcontroller 135 is powered by the voltage generated by the energy generator 105. In this case, the location data can then be transmitted to an external tracking system via the RF transmitter 145 / antenna 150. Thus, system 100 can be modified to include any sensor type that may be required depending on the application in which it is used.

[0062] Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross-sectional views of exemplary embodiments of an energy harvesting / energy generating device 200 configured to generate electrical energy in response to vibration or shock events exceeding a predetermined threshold frequency or force. An energy harvesting device designed to generate energy only in response to vibration or shock events exceeding a predetermined threshold frequency or force may be used, for example, to notify a user of an anomaly in a monitored machine, or to notify a user if a package (e.g., a shipping crate) has fallen or has been subjected to other notable impacts that may damage the contents of the package. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 200 may include a base 205 configured to assist in coupling the device 200 to an asset. Depending on the application, the asset to which the device 200 is coupled may include industrial machinery or mechanical components. For example, in some embodiments, the asset may be a pump or compressor, and the device 200 may be coupled to the asset and configured to recover energy from the asset's natural vibrations to provide information about the asset's operation. In another example, the asset may be a vehicle, and the device 200 may be configured to generate energy from vibrations generated as the vehicle moves. In yet another example, the asset may be a shipping container or crate containing items requiring secure handling. In this case, the device 200 may be coupled to the container / crate and configured to generate energy when the container / crate experiences a vibration or shock event. In any of the above examples, the device 200 may function as a vibration / shock sensor and be configured to record vibration / shock events experienced by the asset, so that an operator or user can refer to the recording to determine whether a significant shock or unusual vibration has been generated that suggests damage to the asset or some kind of malfunction.

[0063] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the energy harvesting device 200 may further include a housing 210, a collar 215 provided at a first end 210a of the housing, a fixed magnet 220 provided at a second end 210b of the housing, and a free magnet 225 provided between the collar 215 and the fixed magnet 220. In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the collar 215 may be made of a magnetic material and may be configured to attract the free magnet 225 during operation of the device 200. The collar 215, the fixed magnet 220 and the free magnet 225 may be aligned along a first axis A1. Furthermore, the fixed magnet 220 and the free magnet 225 may be positioned such that the free magnet 225 is repelled by the fixed magnet 220. For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the free magnet 225 includes a north pole and a south pole, with the south pole of the free magnet 225 facing upward. Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the fixed magnet 220 also includes a north pole and a south pole. Therefore, for the free magnet 225 to be repelled by the fixed magnet 220, the poles of the fixed magnet may be oriented opposite to the poles of the free magnet 225. For example, in Figures 2A and 2B, the north pole of the fixed magnet is configured to face the north pole of the free magnet 225. However, it should be noted that the orientations of the free magnet 225 and the fixed magnet 220 may be reversed from those shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0064] During operation, the free magnet 225 of the energy harvesting device 200 may be positioned in a constrained state P1, as shown in Figure 2A. In the constrained state P1, a sufficient attractive magnetic force may be generated between the collar 215 and the free magnet 225 to hold the free magnet 225 in the constrained state P1 near the collar 215. In some embodiments, the device 200 may further include a flange 211 configured to act as an upper limit on the movement of the free magnet 225. The free magnet 225 is configured to rest on the flange 211 when positioned in the constrained state P1. In some embodiments, the collar 215 may be a threaded member having a first end 215a, a second end 215b, and a male thread 215c, the male thread 215c being configured to screw into a female thread 210c in the housing 210, thereby allowing adjustment of the distance D1 between the second end 215b of the collar 215 and the free magnet 225. Therefore, the attractive magnetic force can be adjusted (for example, by the user) by rotating the collar 215 around the first axis A1, which changes the distance D1 between the second end 215b of the collar 215 and the free magnet 225, and the attractive magnetic force is inversely proportional to the distance D1 between the free magnet 225 held by the flange 211 and the second end 215b of the collar 215. Therefore, the distance D1 determines the threshold shock level at which the free magnet 225 is released from the flange 211 and vibrates. For example, the attractive magnetic force can be increased by minimizing the distance D1 between the second end 215b of the collar 215 and the free magnet 225, thereby increasing the shock activation level at which the free magnet 225 is released. Similarly, the attractive magnetic force can be decreased by loosening the collar 215 and separating the second end 215b of the collar 215 from the free magnet 225, thereby lowering the shock activation level at which the free magnet 225 is released. For example, the first end 215a of the collar 215 may include a recess 215d that can be engaged with a screwdriver or the like to screw the collar 215 in and out within the housing 210. In some embodiments, the collar 215 may be manually adjustable. In some embodiments, the flange 211 may define a minimum value for the distance D1.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second end 210b of the housing 210 may be coupled to a base 205 which can be coupled to an asset as described above, thereby allowing vibration or shock events occurring in the asset to be transmitted to the device 200. The energy harvesting device 200 further includes one or more windings 230 provided on the housing 210 and positioned between the collar 215 and the fixed magnet 220 along the circumferential direction of the first axis A1. One or more windings 230 have first and second terminals (not shown) and may be coupled to an electronic module of the energy harvesting device 200 (e.g., electronic module 110 in Figure 1).

[0066] The free magnet 225 may be configured to remain in a constrained state P1 until the energy harvesting device 200 (or the asset to which the device 200 is coupled) experiences vibrations or shocks exceeding the attractive force between the collar 215 and the free magnet 225. In response to vibrations or shocks exceeding the attractive force, the free magnet 225 may be configured to separate from the constrained state, as shown in Figure 2B. Once the free magnet 225 separates from the constrained state P1, it accelerates downward toward the fixed magnet 220. In some embodiments, once the free magnet 225 begins its motion and accelerates toward the fixed magnet 220, it encounters a repulsive force from the fixed magnet 220, which causes it to decelerate, stop, repel, return, accelerate again toward the collar 215, and finally come to rest. The motion of the free magnet 225 during this event increases the rate of change of the magnetic flux passing through the winding 230 over time, thereby inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals of one or more windings 230. In some embodiments, the voltage induced in the winding 230 may be transmitted to an electronic module of the energy harvesting device 200 (e.g., electronic module 110 in Figure 1) and used to power the electronic module to transmit an alarm for vibration or shock events exceeding the attractive force between the collar 215 and the free magnet 225, as described above.

[0067] In some embodiments, after the free magnet 225 is separated from the constrained state P1, accelerates toward the fixed magnet 220, is repelled from the fixed magnet 220 and returns toward the collar 215, inducing a voltage in one or more windings 230 as described above, the free magnet 225 may need to be manually reset to the constrained state P1 before detecting a series of “impact” or “shock” events. Alternatively, in some embodiments, after the free magnet 225 is separated from the constrained state P1, the device 200 may be configured so that the free magnet 225 performs a single oscillation along the first axis A1, i.e., moves downward from the collar 215 toward the fixed magnet 220, is repelled by the fixed magnet 220 and returns as shown in Figure 2B, thereby moving upward along the first axis and being recaptured by the collar 215 by attractive force. In this case, after the free magnet 225 completes its single oscillation, the free magnet 225 is configured to recombine with the collar 215, thereby returning the free magnet to the constrained state P1. This design is particularly advantageous when the energy harvesting device 200 monitors a transport pallet over its transit period, which may routinely experience significant vibration or shock events that should be recorded or transmitted. In this case, when the free magnet 225 is separated from the collar 215, the voltage generated by a single vibration of the free magnet 225 may generate enough power to transmit a signal to notify the user of the event, as described above with reference to Figure 1, without requiring the user to stop before the restrained state P1 is re-established.

[0068] As described above, the holding force of the device 200 is changed by adjusting the distance D1 between the second end 215b of the collar 215 and the free magnet 225. The smaller D1, the stronger the attractive force between the free magnet 225 and the collar 215, and as a result, the greater the energy required to release the free magnet 225 from the flange 211. For example, if the energy harvesting device 200 is coupled to a transport pallet containing fragile items, the user can adjust the attractive force so that the free magnet 225 separates from the restrained state P1 in response to an impact exceeding a threshold indicating that the container has been dropped or that improper handling has occurred that could damage the contents.

[0069] In some cases, to further restrain the motion of the free magnet 225 to the first axis A1, the housing 210 may further include a hollow shaft 210d configured to house the free magnet 225 as it vibrates between the collar 215 and the fixed magnet 220. In some embodiments, the diameter of the hollow shaft 210d may be designed to have a tight tolerance relative to the free magnet 225. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the hollow shaft 210d may be textured or feature characteristics that minimize viscous damping due to air resistance acting on the free magnet 225 as it vibrates. For example, the inner wall of the hollow shaft 210d may be slotted, spine-shaped, rifled, ridge-shaped, or flute-shaped, as shown in Figure 2. These slots, spines, rifles, ridges, flutes, or other grooves formed in the hollow shaft 210d provide a larger cross-sectional area, thereby allowing displaced air to pass around the free magnet 225 and reducing air resistance due to finite air viscosity. By providing slot-like, spine-like, rifle-like, ridge-like, or flute-like features in the hollow shaft 210d, a channel is formed for air to pass through as the free magnet moves within the shaft, thereby eliminating the pressure difference above and below the free magnet 225. Textured inner wall of the hollow shaft 210d is also advantageous in that it allows any debris that may be present within the shaft 210d to enter the slots, spines, etc. of the inner wall so as not to hinder the movement of the free magnet 225. For example, in some cases, the frictional interaction between the free magnet 225 and the inner wall of the shaft 210d during vibration can cause wear of the material of either the shaft 210d or the free magnet 225, which can accumulate within the shaft 210d and generate debris. Such debris, if not properly managed, can have a detrimental damping effect on the vibration of the free magnet 225. By textured the inner wall of the shaft 210d as described above, a volume is provided in which wear particles can settle and be deflected from the tight tolerance region between the free magnet 225 and the inner wall of the shaft 210d.In some embodiments, slots, spines, rifles, ridges, flutes, or other grooves may extend linearly along the axis of motion A1 or be formed spirally around the axis of motion A1.

[0070] In some embodiments, the aerodynamic properties can also be improved by making the free magnet 225 hollow along its axis of motion A1 (not shown). In this case, the energy generating device 200 may further include a wire or rod (not shown) extending through the hollow center of the free magnet 225 into the hollow shaft 210d from the collar 215 to the fixed magnet 220, thereby guiding the free magnet 225 along the first axis in its oscillating motion. In some embodiments, the wire / rod extending into the hollow shaft 210d may also be textured to deflect air and debris, as described above. Furthermore, by making the free magnet 225 hollow along axis A1, the mass of the free magnet 225 is reduced, and therefore the resonant frequency is increased, which is advantageous in some energy generating applications. In some embodiments, the center of the free magnet 225 may be hollow along the first axis. In some embodiments, the wire / rod (and / or the inner wall of the hollow free magnet 225) may be coated with a low-wear, low-friction coating (e.g., a diamond-like carbon coating) to reduce friction and wear losses at the interface between the wire / rod and the inner wall of the hollow free magnet 225.

[0071] In some embodiments, a first air passage (not shown) may be provided along the first axis A1, from the upper surface of the free magnet 225 through the first end 215a of the collar 215, and a second air passage (not shown) may be provided along the first axis A1, from the lower surface of the free magnet 225 through the base 205. By providing the first and second air passages as described above, the air pushed out by the free magnet 225 can flow out through the first and second air passages, thereby reducing air resistance without texture the inner wall of the hollow shaft 210d or making the center of the free magnet 225 hollow. This design allows for a smaller distance between the free magnet 225 and one or more windings 230, and enables maximization of the magnetic flux of the free magnet 225.

[0072] Figures 3A to 3B are partial cross-sectional views of another embodiment of an energy harvesting device 300 configured to generate electrical energy in response to significant vibrations or shocks experienced by the device 300 or an asset to which the device 300 is coupled. As shown in Figures 3A to 3B, the energy harvesting device 300 may include a housing 310, a first magnet 315, a second magnet 320, a free magnet 325, and one or more windings 330 provided in the housing 310, which may be coupled to an electronic module. The first magnet 315, the second magnet 320, and the free magnet 325 may be aligned along a first axis A1', and the free magnet 325 may be positioned so as to repel both the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320. For example, as shown in Figures 3A to 3B, the free magnet 325 has a north pole and a south pole, with the south pole of the free magnet 325 facing upward. Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 3A to 3B, the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320 also have north and south poles. Therefore, in order for the free magnet 325 to be repelled by both the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320, the poles of the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320 may be oriented opposite to the poles of the free magnet 325. For example, in Figures 3A to 3B, the first magnet 315 may be positioned so that its south pole faces the south pole of the free magnet 325. Similarly, the second magnet 320 may be positioned so that its north pole faces the north pole of the free magnet 325. However, the orientation of the free magnet 325, as well as the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320, may be opposite to those shown in Figures 3A to 3B.

[0073] The energy harvesting device 300 may further include a collar 335 provided at the first end of the housing 310. In some embodiments, the collar 335 may be formed from a magnetic material configured to attract the free magnet 325, as described later. The energy harvesting device 300 also includes an end cap 340 provided at the first end of the housing 310. The end cap 340 includes a first end 340a and a second end 340b, and the inner wall of the second end 340b of the end cap 340 is provided with a female thread 340c. The female thread 340c is configured to screw into a male thread 310c provided on the outside of the housing 310. The energy harvesting device 300 may further include a shaft 345 configured to extend into the end cap 340 along a first axis A1'. The shaft 345 may include a first end 345a coupled to the first magnet 315 and a second end 345b opposite to the first end 345a, protruding from an opening 340d within the first end 340a of the end cap 340. The shaft 345 further includes a flange 345c configured to abut against the top of the collar 340 to restrict the movement of the shaft 345 and the first magnet 315 along the first axis A1' as the shaft 345 transitions from a loaded state shown in Figure 3A to an unloaded state shown in Figure 3B, as will be described in more detail below. The energy harvesting device 300 may further include a spring 350 provided within the end cap 340 and surrounding the shaft 345 circumferentially. The spring 350 may be axially constrained along the first axis A1' between the first end 340a of the end cap 340 and the flange 345c of the shaft 345.

[0074] During operation, the free magnet 325 can be positioned in a normally constrained state P1', as shown in Figure 3A. In the normally constrained state, an attractive force greater than the residual repulsive force generated between the first magnet 315 and the free magnet 325 can be generated between the collar 335 and the free magnet 325. Specifically, when the free magnet 325 is in the normally constrained state P1', the first magnet 315 is moved upward as shown in Figure 3A, so that the collar 335 surrounds the first magnet 315 in the circumferential direction, short-circuiting the magnetic field of the first magnet 315. Therefore, the short-circuiting of the magnetic field of the first magnet 315 creates an attractive force between the collar 335 and the free magnet 325 that is sufficient to hold the free magnet 325 in the normally constrained state P1', close to the collar 335, as shown in Figure 3A. When the free magnet 325 is in the normally constrained state P1', the shaft 345 is pushed upward, which compresses the spring 350 between the first end 340a of the end cap 340 and the flange 345c of the shaft 345, creating a loaded state for the shaft 345 and the spring 350 as shown in Figure 3A. When the free magnet 325 is in the normally constrained state and the shaft 345 and the spring 350 are loaded, a combined restraining force is established to hold the free magnet 325 in the normally constrained state. This combined restraining force is defined as the attractive force between the collar 335 and the free magnet 325, minus the spring force generated by the spring 350 in the loaded state and the residual repulsive force generated between the first magnet 315 and the free magnet 325.

[0075] In some embodiments, the combined restraining force can be adjusted (e.g., by the user) by rotating the end cap 340 around the first axis A1', thereby moving the end cap 340 toward or toward the second magnet 320 via the female thread 340c of the end cap 340 and the male thread 310c of the housing 310. For example, by rotating the end cap 340 toward the second magnet 320, the amount of compression of the spring 350 under load is reduced, and as a result, the combined restraining force can be increased. Similarly, by rotating the end cap 340 toward the second magnet 320, the amount of compression of the spring 350 under load is increased, and as a result, the combined restraining force can be decreased.

[0076] The free magnet 325 may be configured to remain in a normally constrained state until the energy generating device 300 experiences vibrations or shocks exceeding the combined constraining force, while the shaft 345 and spring 350 remain in a loaded state. In response to the vibration or shock force acting on the energy generating device 300 exceeding the combined constraining force, the free magnet 325 may be configured to separate from the normally constrained state to an unconstrained state P2', as shown in Figure 3B. Once the free magnet 325 separates from the normally constrained state, the spring 350 is no longer held in a loaded state and therefore begins to extend to an unloaded state. As the spring 350 extends from the loaded state to the unloaded state, the spring 350 acts on the flange 345c of the shaft 345, causing the shaft 345 to extend the first magnet 315 downward toward the second magnet 320 until the flange 345c abuts against the top of the collar 335, as shown in Figure 3B. As the first magnet 315 extends downward toward the second magnet 320, the first magnet 315 is no longer circumferentially surrounded by the collar 335, and the magnetic field of the first magnet 315 is no longer short-circuited by the collar 335, so that the magnetic field of the first magnet 315 acts on the free magnet 325. Therefore, when the free magnet 325 is separated from its normally constrained state, it vibrates along the first axis between the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320 as shown in Figure 3B, thereby inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals of one or more windings 330. In some embodiments, the voltage induced in one or more windings 330 may be sent to an electronic module of the energy generating device 300 (e.g., electronic module 110 in Figure 1) and used to power the electronic module to transmit notifications of vibration or shock events exceeding a predetermined threshold. For example, if the energy generator 300 is coupled to a transport container containing fragile items, the combined restraining force can be adjusted by the user to cause the free magnet 315 to separate from its normal restrained state in response to an impact exceeding a threshold indicating that the container has been dropped or subjected to improper handling that could damage its contents.

[0077] When the shaft 345 and spring 350 are released from the loaded state shown in Figure 3A to the unloaded state shown in Figure 3B, the first magnet 315 is moved by the shaft 345 and spring 350 from the loaded position shown in Figure 3A to the unloaded position shown in Figure 3B. Thus, the flange 345c is positioned on the shaft 345 such that the repulsive force between the first magnet 315 and the free magnet 325 when the first magnet is unloaded is greater than the attractive force between the collar 335 and the free magnet 325. This allows the free magnet 325 to vibrate between the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320 without being pulled back to its normal constrained state by the collar 335. In some embodiments, the distance between the first magnet 315 and the free magnet 325 may determine a first effective spring constant, and the distance between the second magnet 320 and the free magnet 325 may determine a second effective spring constant. The first and second effective spring constants together can define the effective mean stiffness of the device 300. In some embodiments, the effective mean stiffness and the mass of the free magnet 325 determine the resonant frequency of vibration of the device 300. In some embodiments, if the device 300 is tuned to monitor an impact or a single shock event, the resonant frequency is of little importance. However, if the device 300 is tuned to monitor vibration energy after an impact or a single shock event, additional energy can be recovered by the device 300 when the vibration frequency of the vibration energy is within a predetermined range of the resonant frequency.

[0078] In some embodiments, as described above, after the free magnet 325 separates from its normally constrained position and vibrates between the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320 to induce a voltage in one or more windings 330, a manual reset may be required before a series of "shock" or "impact" events can be detected. Therefore, in some embodiments, after the free magnet 325 separates from its normally constrained position and vibrates between the first and second magnets 315, 320 to generate a voltage used to transmit an impact or shock notification, the user can move the first magnet 315 from the unloaded state shown in Figure 3B to the loaded state shown in Figure 3A when the free magnet 325 is in its normally constrained position P1' by pulling the second end 345b of the shaft 345. By moving the first magnet 315 from an unloaded state to a loaded state, the magnetic field of the first magnet 315 is again short-circuited by being surrounded circumferentially by the collar 335, the attractive force between the collar 335 and the free magnet 325 is re-established, and can again overcome the repulsive force between the first magnet 315 and the free magnet 325. In addition to the attractive force that the free magnet 325 receives from the magnetic collar 335, the repulsive force that the second magnet 320 acts on the free magnet 325 also contributes to accelerating the free magnet 325 toward the loaded position P1'. This movement causes the free magnet 325 to recombine with the collar 335, thereby re-establishing the normally constrained state P1'. However, in some embodiments, after an initial shock event sufficient to separate the free magnet from the normally constrained state P1' to the unconstrained state P2', the free magnet 325 may continue to vibrate between the first and second magnets 315, 320 in response to any vibrations that the device 300 experiences after the initial shock event. Therefore, any vibrational motion between the first and second magnets 315, 320 of the free magnet 325 after the initial shock event may still induce a voltage between the first and second terminals of one or more windings 330, which can be used to supply power to the electronic module as described above. For example, in some cases, the device 300 can function as an earthquake sensor.In this case, the free magnet 325 is adjusted to normally separate from a constrained state P1' to an unconstrained state P2' in response to the initial seismic motion, inducing a first voltage in the coil, and may continue to oscillate thereafter to generate a secondary voltage in the coil during subsequent shaking.

[0079] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the housing 310 may further include a hollow shaft 310d configured to house the free magnet 325 as it vibrates between the first magnet 315 and the second magnet 320. The hollow shaft 310d may be designed to have a similar texture or similar features to the hollow shaft 210d of the energy generating device 200, and similar components will not be described.

[0080] In some embodiments, by removing the collar 340 and spring 350, the apparatus 300 in Figures 3A-3B can be modified to continuously generate electrical energy from vibrations in the environment in which the apparatus is placed, as shown in Figure 3C. Figure 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an energy harvesting apparatus 360 configured to generate electrical energy in response to vibrations experienced by the apparatus or the asset to which the apparatus is coupled. Depending on the application, the asset to which the apparatus 360 is coupled may be any asset that is subject to vibration, as described above.

[0081] In some embodiments, the components of apparatus 360 may be similar to those of apparatus 300 described above, and therefore similar components will not be described. For example, the energy harvesting apparatus 360 may include a housing 370, a first magnet 375, a second magnet 380, a free magnet 385, and one or more windings 390, which may have a similar configuration and arrangement to the housing 310, first magnet 315, second magnet 320, free magnet 325, and one or more windings 330 of apparatus 300.

[0082] During operation, in response to any vibrational motion experienced by the device 360, the free magnet 385 is configured to vibrate between the first magnet 375 and the second magnet 380 along the first axis A1', thereby inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals of one or more windings 390, which is transmitted to an electronic module and can be processed as described above. The energy harvesting device 360 ​​may also include an adjustment mechanism 395 operably coupled to the first magnet 375, as shown in Figure 3C. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 395 may be a screw having a male thread 395a configured to screw into a female thread 370c in a housing 370, thereby allowing adjustment of the height H1 between the first magnet 375 and the second magnet 380 along the first axis A1'. For example, the adjustment mechanism 395 may include a recess 395b that can be engaged with a screwdriver / wrench, etc., thereby allowing the adjustment mechanism 395 to be screwed in / out within the housing 370 to move the first magnet 375 toward / away from the second magnet 380. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 395 may simply be adjusted manually. Adjusting the gap H1 directly changes the magnetic force between the first magnet 375, the free magnet 385, and the second magnet 380, and thus changes the equivalent spring constant. A shorter height H1 may increase the vibration frequency of the free magnet 385, but it limits the time variation of the magnetic flux by limiting the total distance the free magnet 385 travels. Depending on the application in which the device 360 ​​is used, the strength of the magnetic field generated between the first magnet 375, the free magnet 385, and the second magnet 380 can be increased / decreased by adjusting the height H1 between the first magnet 375 and the second magnet 380 via the adjustment mechanism 395. For example, increasing the height H1 increases the total travel distance of the free magnet 385, reducing the magnetic force acting on the free magnet 385 and thereby lowering the vibration frequency. Alternatively, decreasing the height H1 reduces the total travel distance of the free magnet 385, increasing the magnetic force acting on the free magnet 385 and thereby increasing the vibration frequency. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism 395 can be used to fine-tune the energy harvesting device 360 ​​for a specific application.

[0083] In some cases, the housing 370 may also include a hollow shaft 370d which may be designed similarly to the hollow shaft 310d. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the free magnet 385 may be hollowed out along its axis of motion A1' and / or may further include a wire or rod (not shown) extending into the hollow shaft 370d, thereby guiding the free magnet 385 during its oscillating motion, as described above. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a first air passage (not shown) may be provided from the upper surface of the free magnet 385 through the adjustment mechanism 395 along the first axis A1', as described above with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, and a second air passage (not shown) may be provided from the lower surface of the free magnet 385 through the base 365 of the housing along the first axis A1'. As described above, by providing the first and second air passages, the air pushed aside by the free magnet 385 can flow out through the first and second air passages, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag without creating texture on the walls of the hollow shaft 370d or hollowing out the center of the free magnet 385. As explained above, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the distance between the free magnet 385 and one or more windings 390 and to maximize the magnetic flux of the free magnet 385.

[0084] Figure 4 shows the components of an energy harvesting / energy generating device 400 configured to generate electrical energy from vibrations in an environment in which the generating device 400 is provided. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 400 may be a similar variation of the design of the energy harvesting devices of Figures 2 to 3B described above, and therefore similar components will not be described. The components of the energy harvesting device 400 may also include a housing 410, a first magnet 415, a second magnet 420, a free magnet 425, and one or more windings 430 provided on the housing 410, as described above. Furthermore, the components of the energy harvesting device 400 may include a plurality of springs 435a, 435b configured to surround the free magnet 425 circumferentially and to operably couple the free magnet 425 inside the hollow shaft 410d of the housing. In some embodiments, the springs 435a, 435b may be plane springs similar to those described above, and are arranged parallel to the first axis (e.g., axis A1 in Figure 2). In some embodiments, the springs 435a, 435b may each have a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively high second stiffness along any second axis perpendicular to the first axis, thereby allowing the magnet 425 to vibrate along the first axis while keeping the vibrational motion along the second axis relatively constrained. Thus, the radial stiffness of the springs 435a, 435b with respect to the first axis contributes to constraining the motion of the free magnet 425 to the first axis, while the first magnet 415 and the second magnet 420 primarily determine the mechanical impedance and resonant frequency of the vibrational motion of the free magnet 425. In this case, the combination of magnetic constraints provided by the first magnet 415 and the second magnet 420 and mechanical constraints provided by the multiple springs 435a, 435b provides the additional advantage of limiting the overall displacement of the free magnet 425 along the first axis when the device 400 is subjected to vibrations of a larger amplitude.Furthermore, by using multiple springs 435a and 435b, any oscillating motion of the free magnet 425 can be minimized, which is particularly beneficial when vibration or shock events experienced by the device 400 are not directly aligned with the first axis (e.g., multi-axis vibration, elliptical vibration, etc.). In particular, if the device has sufficient radial stiffness, it can be operated horizontally without causing contact between the free magnet and the bore wall.

[0085] As shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, the free magnet 425 may include an upper surface 425a configured to face the first magnet 415 and a lower surface 425b configured to face the second magnet 420. Furthermore, the free magnet 425 may include a central groove 425c along its radial center, thereby providing more space for multiple springs 435a, 435b positioned between the free magnet 425 and the inner wall of the housing without reducing the width of the upper surface 425a and lower surface 425b of the free magnet 425. This configuration advantageously allows for a reduction in the distance between the upper surface 425a and lower surface 425b of the free magnet 425 and one or more windings 430.

[0086] Figure 5 is another diagram showing the components of an energy harvesting device / energy generating device 500 configured to generate electrical energy from vibrations in the environment in which the generating device 500 is located. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 500 may be a similar variation of the design of the energy harvesting devices of Figures 2 to 4 described above, and therefore similar components will not be described. The components of the energy harvesting device 500 may also include, as described above, a housing 510, a first magnet 515, a second magnet 520, a free magnet 525, and one or more windings 530a, 530b. However, the variations provided by the energy harvesting device 500, when applied to any of the energy harvesting device designs described above, advantageously allow for the omission of a tolerance-controlled hollow shaft in the housing (e.g., the hollow shaft 210d in Figure 2). For example, as shown in Figure 5, one or more windings 530a, 530b of the energy harvesting device 500 are provided on the inner wall of the housing 510. Furthermore, the components of the energy harvesting device 500 may include a plurality of springs 535a, 535b configured to operably couple the free magnet 525 to the inner wall of the housing 510. In some embodiments, the plurality of springs 535a, 535b may be planar springs similar to the springs described above in relation to Figure 4. In some embodiments, the springs 535a, 535b may include tabs 536a, 536b, and the housing 510 may include corresponding slots that allow the tabs 536a, 536b of the springs 535a, 535b to snap into the slots. This configuration can advantageously reduce the number of parts and assembly steps. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the free magnet 525 may be divided into three sections along the portion of the free magnet 525 that contacts the springs 535a, 535b.In this case, springs 535a and 535b are provided between three divided sections, and the divided sections of the free magnet 525 can be coupled to one another through holes provided through the centers of springs 535a and 535b (for example, through the central hole 925 of spring 900 as described below with reference to Figure 9) in order to fix the springs 535a and 535b. As shown in Figure 5, one or more windings 530a and 530b provided inside the housing 510 can be divided into an upper coil 530a and a lower coil 530b. The multiple springs 535a and 535b are provided axially between the upper coil 530a and the lower coil 530b and are configured to couple the free magnet 525 to the inner wall of the housing. In some embodiments, the repulsive forces acting between the first magnet 515 and the second magnet 520 on the free magnet 525 may help prevent the multiple springs 535a, 535b from colliding with one or more windings 530a, 530b during large displacements of the free magnet 525. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 510 may include an outer shell that surrounds one or more windings 530a, 530b and is made of a low-reluctance material (e.g., a material with high magnetic permeability) and is configured to physically support one or more windings 530a, 530b and springs 535a, 535b while maximizing magnetic flux coupling to one or more windings 530a, 530b. In some embodiments, the low-reluctance material may be, but is not limited to, iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, and ferrite, and the use of other known low-reluctance materials is also conceivable.

[0087] In some embodiments, the springs may have tabs that snap into slots formed in the housing to reduce assembly steps. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the magnet 525 may include three sub-magnets 525a to 525c stacked with springs 535a and 535b interposed between adjacent magnets, and these magnets have projections on their opposing surfaces that protrude through a central hole in the spring. The asymmetry of the hole and projection can prevent incorrect assembly of the spring and magnet assembly. Sufficient cross-sectional area of ​​the projections that have holes formed between the magnets and fully engage can provide sufficient magnetic flux coupling between the magnet sections.

[0088] Figures 6A to 6D show another exemplary embodiment of an energy harvesting / energy generating device 600 configured to generate electrical energy from vibrations in the environment in which the generating device 600 is located (for example, on an asset as described above). Figure 6A is an isometric view of the energy harvesting device 600, and Figures 6B to 6D are cross-sectional views of the energy harvesting device 600 as seen from cross-section AA of Figure 6A, showing three different states of the operating device 600, as will be described in more detail below.

[0089] As shown in Figure 6A, the energy harvesting device 600 may include a housing 610 and a first spring 615 (e.g., a non-magnetic spring) provided at the first end 610a of the housing 610. In some embodiments, the first spring 615 may be secured to the first end 610a of the housing 610 by a plurality of screws (e.g., screws 616a). In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 600 may also be coupled to a platform 605 at the second end 610b of the housing 610. The platform 605 may be used as a coupling base between the energy harvesting device and the monitored asset. As shown in Figures 6B to 6D, the energy harvesting device 600 may also include a second spring 620 (e.g., a non-magnetic spring) provided at the second end 610b of the housing 610, and a first magnet 625 provided between the first spring 615 and the second spring 620. The second spring 620, as shown in Figure 6A, can be fixed to the second end 610b of the housing 610 by a number of screws, similar to the first spring 615. In some embodiments, the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 may be planar springs arranged parallel to each other along the first axis A1'', and each may have axial stiffness along the first axis A1'' and relatively high radial stiffness with respect to the first axis A1. In some embodiments, the radial stiffness is orders of magnitude greater than the axial stiffness. In some embodiments, the axial stiffness of the springs described herein may be designed to achieve a desired vibration frequency of the device 600, the design of which will be described in more detail below. The first magnet 625 can be anchored to the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 along the first axis A1'' by a connecting rod 626. In some embodiments, the connecting rod 626 may be made of a relatively rigid nonmagnetic material (e.g., plastic). In some embodiments, the connecting rod 626 may be coupled to the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 by screws 626a and 626b, respectively, but other means for securing the connecting rod 626 to the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 are also conceivable. In some embodiments, the first magnet 625 may be coupled to the center 626c of the connecting rod 626, which center 626c may be sized to fit the first magnet 625 by interference press-fit.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the central portion 626c of the connecting rod 626 may be bonded to the first magnet using an adhesive or other binder. In some embodiments, the center of the first magnet 625 may be hollow along the first axis (not shown). In this case, the connecting rod 626 may be configured to extend through the hollow center of the first magnet 625 and be bonded to the inner wall of the hollow center using an adhesive or other binder.

[0090] The first spring 615 and the second spring 620, along with the connecting rod 626, in combination, advantageously allow the first magnet 625 to move along the first axis A1'' while minimizing "in-plane" or "radial" movement along an axis perpendicular to the first axis A1'' (e.g., deviation of the first magnet 625 from the centerline of the device defined by the first axis A1''). Furthermore, by using a pair of springs (e.g., the first spring 615 and the second spring 620), any oscillation of the first magnet 625 can also be minimized.

[0091] In some embodiments, the housing 610 may also include a hollow shaft 610c configured to house the first magnet 625 as it vibrates. However, the hollow shaft 610c is not essential, as the movement of the first magnet 625 along the first axis A1'' is constrained by the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 and the connecting rod 626, as described above. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the hollow shaft 610c may be textured as described above with reference to Figure 2, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the first magnet 625 and allowing any debris present in the shaft 610c to pass near the first magnet 625 when it vibrates.

[0092] The energy harvesting device 600 may also include one or more windings 601, 602, 603 arranged circumferentially around a first axis A1'' on the housing 610, similar to the energy harvesting devices 200-500. As described above, one or more windings of the energy harvesting device 600 have first and second terminals (not shown) that can be coupled to an electronic module of the energy harvesting device 600 (e.g., electronic module 110 in Figure 1). In some embodiments, the housing 610 may be divided or arranged into a plurality of sections 610d, 610e, 610f, as shown in Figures 6B-6D, and one or more windings 601, 602, 603 may be provided around one or more of sections 610d, 610e, 610f, respectively. As shown in Figures 6B to 6D, section 610d is located above the first magnet 625 when the first magnet is in the equilibrium position P1'', and section 610f is located below the first magnet 625 when the first magnet is in the equilibrium position P1''. This design is particularly advantageous in maximizing electromagnetic induction in one or more windings of the device with respect to the winding resistance and inductance during small amplitude vibrations of the first magnet 625. Specifically, at small vibration amplitudes, winding 602 surrounding the first magnet 625 when the first magnet is in the equilibrium position P1'' receives almost no time-varying magnetic flux, and therefore increases electrical inductance and resistance but does not induce a significant voltage. On the other hand, windings 601 and 603 surrounding sections 610d and 610f, located above and below the first magnet 625, receive relatively large time-varying magnetic flux even at small vibration amplitudes, thus maximizing electromagnetic induction at small movements with respect to the winding resistance and inductance.

[0093] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 can be modified using any of the designs described above with reference to Figures 2A to 5. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus 600 can be modified to have a simply low-profile “pancake” design by rearranging the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 to positions adjacent to the free magnet 625 (for example, as shown in Figures 4 to 5). In some embodiments, this can be achieved, for example, by omitting the winding 602 from section 610e and instead utilizing the space provided by section 610e to rearrange the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 to positions adjacent to the free magnet 625. In this case, the apparatus 600 includes windings 601 and 603 surrounding sections 610d and 610f, respectively, and the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 are provided in section 610e (for example, as with coils 530a, 530b and springs 535a, 535b in Figure 5).

[0094] When the device 600 is not subjected to vibration or shock force during operation, the energy harvesting device 600 is stationary and the first magnet 625 is in equilibrium position P1'' as shown in Figure 6B. When the device 600 is subjected to vibration or shock, the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 may be configured to respond to the vibration or shock by vibrating along the first axis A1'', thereby causing the first magnet 625 to transition into a vibrating motion defined by the reciprocating motion of the first spring 615 and the second spring 620 (see Figures 6C and 6D). Figure 6C shows the energy harvesting device 600 at a first position of maximum displacement where the first magnet 625 is in a first vibrating position P2'', and Figure 6D shows the energy harvesting device 600 at a second position of maximum displacement where the first magnet 625 is in a second vibrating position P3''. Therefore, if the device 600 is subjected to vibration or shock, the first magnet 615 vibrates along the first axis A1'' between the first vibration position P2'' and the second vibration position P3'' (or between any smaller amplitude position between P2'' and P3''), thereby inducing a voltage between the first and second terminals of one or more windings 601, 602, 603. This voltage is then sent to the electronic module and can be processed as described above.

[0095] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 600 may also include an annular shutter that may be provided at the first end of the housing, the annular shutter being adjustable to increase / decrease the spring constant or "stiffness" of the device 600, thereby increasing / decreasing the resonant frequency of the device 600. Increasing the stiffness (reducing the opening) increases the resonant frequency. Thus, the resonant frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the opening, as will be described in more detail below in relation to Figures 7A to 7D.

[0096] Figures 7A and 7B show isometric views of another embodiment of the energy harvesting device 700. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 700 may be similar to the energy harvesting device 600 described above, and similar components will not be described. Similar to the energy harvesting device 600 described above, the energy harvesting device 700 may include a housing 710 and a first spring 715 (e.g., a screw 616a shown in Figure 6A) fixed to the first end 710a of the housing 710. In some embodiments, the first spring 715 and a second spring (not shown) may be planar springs arranged parallel to a first axis A1'', and each may have the stiffness described above with reference to Figures 6A to 6D. In short, the stiffness of a planar spring depends on the effective length of the spiral leaf member. Longer leaf springs have lower stiffness. The energy harvesting device 700 may further include an annular shutter assembly 720 provided at the first end 710a of the housing 710 and operationally coupled to the first spring 715. The radius of the opening defines the free length of the spiral leaf of the planar spring and thus defines its stiffness. In some embodiments, the annular shutter assembly 720 may include an adjustment mechanism 725 provided within the first end 710a of the housing. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 725 may be a mechanically or electrically driven cam, which is configured to rotate within the first end 710a of the housing 710 about a first axis A1'', as will be described in more detail below, thereby changing the first stiffness of the first spring 715 along the first axis A1''. The adjustment mechanism 725 may include a plurality of tabs (e.g., tabs 725a) which can be grasped by a user and used to rotate the adjustment mechanism 725 within the first end 710a of the housing 710. Alternatively, in some embodiments, instead of providing multiple tabs 725a, the outer surface of the adjustment mechanism 725 may simply be smooth, or it may be provided with a rubber grip or other texture to allow the user to rotate the adjustment mechanism 725 within the first end 710a of the housing 710.In some embodiments, the annular shutter assembly 720 may further include a plurality of blades 730 arranged concentrically around a central opening of variable diameter defined by a blade 730, as shown in Figure 7B. The number of blades 730 may vary depending on the design and the desired opening shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of blades 730 may be formed from a non-magnetic material having relatively high rigidity against blade deflection along a first axis A1'', such as titanium, polyimide, or liquid crystal polymer. Furthermore, the annular shutter assembly 720 may include an annular ring 735 configured to press the plurality of blades 730 against a first spring 715. In some embodiments, the plurality of blades 730 may be provided both above and below the spring 715, thereby constraining the spring 715 in both upward and downward deflection.

[0097] During operation, the annular shutter assembly 720 can operate similarly to an annular shutter mechanism that controls the size of the camera's aperture. Thus, as the adjustment mechanism 725 reciprocates around the first axis A1'', the multiple blades 730 move inward or outward toward the center of the spring 715, thereby reducing or expanding the diameter of the central aperture. For example, the central aperture can operate between a fully open position, as shown in Figures 7A and 7C, and any more restricted position, as shown in Figures 7B and 7D. The coupling of the multiple blades 730 with the first spring 715 causes the diameter of the central aperture to expand or contract, which in turn expands or contracts the effective diameter of the first spring 715 (defined by the aperture diameter), thereby changing the first stiffness of the spring 715 along the first axis A1''. Therefore, the annular shutter assembly 720 can be used to adjust the resonant frequency of the energy harvesting device 700. Figures 7A to 7D show only the annular shutter assembly 720 provided at the first end 710a of the housing 710, but it is understood that the same annular shutter assembly can also be provided symmetrically at the second end of the housing and may operate in the same manner as the annular shutter assembly 720.

[0098] Figures 8A to 8H show two variations of another exemplary embodiment of the energy harvesting devices 800a, 800b, configured to generate electrical energy in response to large vibrations or shocks experienced by the asset to which the devices 800a, 800b are coupled. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting devices 800a, 800b may be similar to the energy harvesting devices 600 and 700 described above, and similar components will not be described.

[0099] Figure 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of the energy harvesting device 800a, including a single adjustable end cap, as will be described in more detail below. Figures 8B to 8D are cross-sectional views of the energy harvesting device 800a as seen from section BB of Figure 8A, showing three different states of the device 800a in operation, as will be described in more detail below. Figure 8E is a partial cross-sectional view of the energy harvesting device 800b, including a pair of adjustable end caps provided on both the first and second ends of the housing, as will be described in more detail below. Figures 8F to 8H are cross-sectional views of the energy harvesting device 800b as seen from section CC of Figure 8E, showing three different states of the device 800b in operation, as will be described in more detail below.

[0100] As shown in Figure 8A, the energy harvesting device 800a may include a housing 810 and a first spring 815 provided at the first end 810a of the housing 810. In some embodiments, the first spring 815 may be secured to the first end 810a of the housing 810 by a plurality of screws 816, as shown in Figures 8B to 8D. The energy harvesting device 800a may also include a second spring 820 provided at the second end 810b of the housing, and a first magnet 825 provided between the first spring 815 and the second spring 820. The second spring 820 may be secured to the second end 810b of the housing 810 by a plurality of screws 821, as shown in Figure 8A. The first spring 815 and the second spring 820 may be planar springs, as described above. The first magnet 825 can be anchored to the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 by a connecting rod 826 which can be coupled to the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 by screws 826a and 826b, respectively, along the first axis A1'''', although other means of fixing the connecting rod 826 to the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 are also conceivable, as described above. Furthermore, as described above, the springs may be directly coupled to the first magnet 825. The energy harvesting device 800a also includes one or more windings 812 provided circumferentially around the first axis A1'' in the intermediate section 810c of the housing 810, similar to the energy harvesting devices 200-700. As described above, one or more windings 812 of the energy harvesting device 800a have first terminals and second terminals (not shown), which can be coupled to an electronic module of the energy harvesting device 800a (for example, the electronic module 110 in Figure 1).

[0101] In some embodiments, the housing 810 may also include a hollow shaft 810d provided in the intermediate section 810c of the housing 810 and configured to house the first magnet 825 as it vibrates. However, as described above, the hollow shaft 810d is not essential because the motion of the first magnet 825 along the first axis A1''' is constrained by the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 and the connecting rod 826. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the hollow shaft 810d may be textured or provided with features, as described above. Alternatively, in some embodiments, an air passage may be provided along the first axis A1 from the upper surface of the first magnet 225 through the top of the housing 810 and from the lower surface of the first magnet 225 through the bottom of the housing 810 (similar to the air passage described above with reference to Figures 2A-2B, for example). As described above, by providing an air passage, the air pushed aside by the first magnet 825 can flow out of the device 800a, thus reducing aerodynamic drag without textured inner walls of the hollow shaft 810d or hollowing out the center of the first magnet 825. In some embodiments, the housing 810 of the energy harvesting device 800 may be shorter in the axial direction (e.g., along the first axis A1'') than the housing 610 of the energy harvesting device 600. For example, as shown in Figure 8A, the housing 810 may consist of only a single intermediate section 810c, rather than the multiple sections 610c, 610d, and 610e shown in Figures 6B to 6D. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the housing 810 of the energy harvesting device 800a may be designed to be even shorter in the axial direction (e.g., along the first axis A1'') by directly attaching the magnets 825 to the springs 815 and 820. However, it is also understood that the housing 810 may include multiple sections, as shown in Figures 6B to 6D.

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8A to 8D, the energy harvesting device 800a may include a first collar 830 provided on the upper surface of the first spring 815, aligned with the first axis A1'''. In some embodiments, the first collar 830 may be formed in the shape of a washer and may be coupled to the first spring 815 by a screw 826a that connects to a connecting rod 826. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 800a may further include an adjustment cap 835 that can be detachably coupled to the first end 810a of the housing 810. The cap 835 may include a female thread 835a provided on its inner wall, configured to screw into a male thread 810e provided on the outside of the first end 810a of the housing 810. However, other mechanisms for coupling the adjustment cap 835 to the first end 810a of the housing 810 are also conceivable. The adjustment cap 835 may include a first binding magnet 840 coupled to the inner surface of the adjustment cap 835 along the first axis A1''. In some embodiments, the first binding magnet 840 may be coupled to the adjustment cap 835 by a screw 840a or other suitable fastening means.

[0103] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 800a may further include a spacing plate 836 provided along the first axis A1''' between the first collar 830 and the first binding magnet 840. In some embodiments, the distance between the mounting plane of the first spring 815 (for example, the plane defined by the first spring 815 when the first magnet 825 is in the equilibrium position P1''' shown in Figure 8B) and the lower surface of the spacing plate 836 is kept constant. Thus, the maximum displacement of the first spring 815 is constant. The first collar 830 may be made of a magnetic material, the spacing plate 836 may be made of a non-magnetic material, and the device 800a may be adjusted as described below, so that when the first collar 830 contacts the spacing plate 836, a first attractive magnetic force is generated between the first collar 830 and the first binding magnet 840 that is sufficient to hold the first spring 815, the second spring 820 and the first magnet 825 in a first pre-tensioned state as shown in Figure 8C. When the first spring 815, the second spring 820 and the first magnet 825 move to the first pre-tensioned state, the first magnet 825 moves to the loaded position P2'' as shown in Figure 8C.

[0104] During operation, the first magnet 825 can be moved from the equilibrium position P1''' shown in Figure 8B to the loaded position P2''' shown in Figure 8C. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by manually pressing the outward surface of the second spring 820 upward toward the first spring 815. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 800a may further include a second collar 845a provided on the underside of the second spring 820, aligned with the first axis A1'''. In some embodiments, the second collar 845a may be formed in the shape of a washer and may be coupled to the second spring 820 by a screw 826b that connects the second spring 826 to a connecting rod 826. In this case, the first magnet 825 can be moved from the equilibrium position P1''' to the loaded position P2''' by manually pressing the second collar 845a. The coupling of the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 via the connecting rod 826 causes the outward-facing surface of the second spring 820 to press upward, thereby moving the first spring 815 upward until the first collar 830 contacts the lower surface of the spacing plate 836, thereby establishing a first pre-tensioned state by a first attractive magnetic force between the first binding magnet 840 and the first collar 830. In some embodiments, the adjustment cap 835 may be rotated (e.g., by the user) around a first axis A1'', thereby providing adjustment of the distance D1' between the first binding magnet 840 and the upper surface of the spacing plate 836, thereby adjusting the combined restraining force between the first collar 830 and the first binding magnet 840 when the first magnet 825 is in the loaded position P2'''. Specifically, the first attractive magnetic force can be adjusted to be greater than the first restoring force generated by stretching the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 to a first pre-tensioned state. Thus, a combined restraining force is established between the first collar 830 and the first binding magnet 840, and this combined restraining force is defined as the first attractive magnetic force minus the first restoring force generated by stretching the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 to a first pre-tensioned state. Since the distance between the first spring 815 and the spacing plate 836 is kept constant, the first restoring force generated by stretching the first spring 815 and the second spring 820 to a first pre-tensioned state is also kept constant.Therefore, the combined restraint force can be adjusted by changing the distance D1' as described above. Changing the distance D1' changes the first attractive magnetic force generated between the first collar 830 and the first binding magnet 840. In general, the magnetic attractive force follows an inverse relationship with distance D1. Therefore, by rotating the adjustment cap 835 to decrease the distance D1', the first attractive magnetic force can be increased, and the combined restraint force can be increased. Similarly, by rotating the adjustment cap 835 to increase the distance D1', the first attractive magnetic force can be decreased, and the combined restraint force can be decreased.

[0105] The first magnet 825 may be configured to remain at the loaded position P2''' until the energy harvesting device 800a receives an vibration or shock of sufficient energy to exceed the combined restraining force and accelerate the first magnet 825 away from the first pre-tensioned state. In response to a vibration or shock force that imparts to the energy harvesting device 800a sufficient energy to exceed the combined restraining force and accelerate the first magnet 825, the collar 830 may be configured to separate from the first pre-tensioned state. Once the collar 830 is sufficiently separated from the first pre-tensioned state, the first spring 815 and the second spring 820, along with the first magnet 825, repel each other by the restoring force generated by stretching the first spring 815 and the second spring 820, passing through the equilibrium position P1''' shown in Figure 8B and reaching the second maximum spring tension state P3''' shown in Figure 8D. As the first magnet 825 moves along the first axis A1''' from the loaded position P2''' to the second maximum spring tension state P3''', a voltage is generated between the first and second terminals of the coil surrounding the housing, as described above. The second position P3''' depends on the force of the impact and the stiffness of the spring.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first pre-tension state may be adjusted so that after the first collar 830 has separated from the first pre-tension state, the first magnet 825 continues to vibrate along the first axis A1''' with a damped amplitude between the load position P2''' and the second maximum spring tension state P3'''. In this case, the device 800a may require manual reset by the user. This design is particularly advantageous, for example, if the energy harvesting device 800a is monitoring an asset (e.g., a compressor) for failure events requiring immediate attention. In this case, once the first collar 830 has separated from the first pre-tension state, the voltage generated by the vibration of the first magnet 825 may be used to power the device 800a to transmit a signal to notify the user of the event, as described above with reference to Figure 1. Subsequently, the user must go to the installation site of device 800a and perform a manual reset of device 800a by pressing the second spring toward the first spring, as described above, to reconnect the first collar 830 to the first binding magnet 840, thereby resetting the first magnet to the load position P2''''.

[0107] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first pre-tension state may be tuned so that, after the first collar 830 separates from the first pre-tension state, the first magnet 825 moves from the loaded position P2''' to a second maximum spring tension state P3''' and then returns to the loaded position P2''' as the first collar 830 is recaptured by the first binding magnet 840, performing a single oscillation along the first axis A1'''. In this case, after the first magnet 825 completes the single oscillation, the first collar 830 is configured to recouple to the first binding magnet 840, thereby returning the first spring 815, the second spring 820, and the first magnet 825 to the first pre-tension state. This design is particularly advantageous when the energy harvesting device 800a monitors assets that periodically receive and record or transmit significant vibration or shock events. Therefore, in this case, when the first color 830 separates from the first pre-tension state, the voltage generated by a single vibration of the first magnet 825 generates enough power to send a signal to notify the user of an event, as described above with reference to Figure 1, and then the first pre-tension state is re-established without requiring a reset by the user.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first restraining magnet 840 may be coupled to a shaft / spring assembly (not shown) configured to extend within an adjustable cap 835 (similar to, for example, a shaft 345 and spring 350 provided within an end cap 340 of an energy harvesting device 300), and the shaft / spring assembly may function similarly to the shaft 345 and spring 350. In this case, the combined restraining force may be further defined as the first attractive magnetic force minus a first restoring force generated by extending the first and second springs 815, 820 to a first pre-tensioned state, and the spring force of the shaft / spring assembly provided within the adjustable cap 835, as described above with reference to Figures 3A-3B.

[0109] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 8E to 8H, the energy harvesting device 800b may further include a second collar 845b provided on the underside of the second spring 820 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the first collar 830 along the first axis A1'''. In some embodiments, the second collar 845b may be formed in the shape of a washer and may be coupled to the second spring 820 by a screw 826b that connects to a connecting rod 826. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the energy harvesting device 800b may include a second adjustable cap 850 that can be detachably coupled to the second end 810b of the housing 810. Since the cap 850 is similar to the adjustable cap 835, a similar component description will not be given. Therefore, the second adjustable cap 850 may include a second restraining magnet 855, and the housing 810 may further include a second spacing plate 851 provided between the second collar 845b and the second restraining magnet 855 along the first axis A1''''. In some embodiments, the second restraining magnet 855 may be coupled to the adjustable cap 850 by a screw 855a. The distance between the second spring 820 and the second spacing plate 851 is kept constant, as described above. Furthermore, the second collar 845b may be formed from a magnetic material, the second spacing plate 851 may be formed from a non-magnetic material, and the device 800b may be adjusted in the same manner as described above with respect to the device 800a. Therefore, when the first spring 815, the second spring 820, and the first magnet 825 are moved to a second pre-tensioned state, the first magnet 825 may be moved to a second load position P3''' as shown in Figure 8H. In some embodiments, as described above, the second adjustable cap 850 may be rotated (e.g., by the user) around a first axis A1''', thereby adjusting the distance D2' between the second restraining magnet 855 and the lower surface of the spacing plate 851, thereby adjusting the second combined restraining force between the second collar 845b and the second restraining magnet 855 when the first magnet 825 is in the second load position P3'''.

[0110] In this case, during operation, the first magnet 825 may move from the equilibrium position P1''' to a loaded position P2''' as shown in Figure 8G or a second loaded position P3''' as shown in Figure 8H (for example, corresponding to a second maximum spring tension state P3''' as shown in Figure 8D). In this case, the first magnet 825 may remain at either the loaded position P2''' or the second loaded position P3''' until the energy harvesting device 800b receives vibrations or shocks of sufficient energy to exceed the combined restraining forces between the first collar 830 and the first restraining magnet 840, or between the second collar 845b and the second restraining magnet 855, thereby accelerating the first magnet 825 toward the opposite loaded position.

[0111] For example, when the first magnet 825 is initially at the load position P2'', the vibration or impact force acting on the energy harvesting device 800b may exceed the combined restraining force and accelerate the first magnet 825. In response, the first collar 830 may be configured to separate from the first pre-tensioned state. When the first collar 830 separates from the first pre-tensioned state, the restoring force generated by stretching the first and second springs 815, 820, and the first magnet 825, repel each other by passing through the equilibrium position P1''' as shown in Figure 8F, to a second maximum spring tension state P3''' as shown in Figure 8H. However, in this case, the addition of the second collar 845b and the second restraining magnet 855 causes the second collar 845b to be held by the second restraining magnet 855 by a second attractive magnetic force when the first magnet 825 moves from the loaded position P2''' to the second maximum spring tension state P3''', thereby holding the first magnet 825 in the second loaded position P3'''.

[0112] Therefore, as shown in Figure 8E, the distances D1' and D2' can be adjusted so that the first magnet 825 performs a half-oscillation along the first axis A1'''' from the load position P2'''' to the second load position P3'''' after the first collar 830 has separated from the first pre-tensioned state. In this case, after the first magnet 825 has completed its half-oscillation, the second collar 845b is configured to contact the upper surface of the second spacing plate 851 and is held at the second load position P3''' by a second attractive magnetic force between the second collar 845b and the second restraining magnet 855. In this case, when the first collar 830 separates from the first pre-tensioned state, the voltage generated by the half-oscillation of the first magnet 825 can generate enough power to send a signal to notify the user of an event, as described above with reference to Figure 1, and then the second load position P3''' is established without requiring a reset by the user. Such a configuration realizes a bistable shock sensor. Bistable operation requires that the energy of the shock or vibration received by the device 800b exceeds the combined restraining force between the collar of the device 800b and the restraining magnet, and that the first magnet 825 is accelerated with sufficient kinetic energy to exceed the spring energy required to move it from one maximum spring tension state to the other maximum spring tension state, thereby enabling the restraining magnet of the device to capture the collar of the device as the first magnet 825 moves between load positions P2''' and P3'''.

[0113] Figure 9 shows an exemplary planar spring 900 relating to the subject matter described herein. The planar spring 900 can be used as a spring in any of the generating devices described herein. Key design attributes of these springs include, but are not limited to, the selection of spring material, cyclic fatigue prediction, linear spring constant, deflection / stroke requirements, and radial stiffness.

[0114] In some embodiments, the radial stiffness of the flat spring 900 can be determined by the width 905 of the flat portion 910, the effective length of the spiral portion 910, the number of parallel sections, and the shear stiffness of the spring material. When used in the generating devices described herein (e.g., devices 200 to 800b), the radial stiffness kr of the spring 900 can be designed to satisfy the minimum design condition (ma*g < kr*s), where ma*g is the gravitational force acting on the mass of the movable component of the device (e.g., the gravitational force acting on the mass of the first spring 815, the second spring 820 and the first magnet 825 with reference to FIG. 8A), kr is the radial stiffness of the spring 900, and s is the gap between the movable component of the device and the side wall of the housing (e.g., the gap between the connecting rod 826 and the inner wall of the hollow shaft 810d with reference to FIG. 8A). In some cases, for example in the case of the generating device 700, the effective radius 915 of the spring 900 can be changed using the annular shutter assembly 720 as described above, thereby changing the spring constant kr. By having a radial stiffness kr that satisfies the above condition for all iris apertures, contact between movable components and fixed components in the device described herein can be prevented. This is particularly important when, for example, the moving axis (e.g., axis A''' with reference to FIG. 8A) is oriented horizontally or arranged perpendicularly to the direction of gravity. A higher radial stiffness also prevents contact under radial vibrations or impacts experienced by the device described herein.

[0115] In some embodiments, the axial stiffness of the planar spring 900 (e.g., stiffness along axis A1''', see Figure 8A) may be determined by the thickness of the spring 900 (e.g., in the plane of the paper, in the depth direction, in Figure 9) rather than the width of the section. The axial stiffness ka can be much smaller than the radial stiffness kr, thereby allowing the spring 900 to move significantly in the axial direction under the action of small vibrations, while restricting radial motion to very small displacements under large forces. This design is necessary to obtain large time-varying magnetic flux within the region enclosed by the windings of the generating apparatus described herein. As a non-limiting example, it may be desirable for the spring 900 to allow axial motion of 1 mm or more at a vibration acceleration of 0.1 g, while not contacting under a lateral acceleration of 2 g at a distance of 0.1 mm. In this case, the spring 900 may be designed such that the width-to-thickness ratio is at least (2 g / 0.1 mm) / (0.1 g / 1 mm), i.e., 200:1.

[0116] In some embodiments, the planar spring 900 may further include a plurality of radial holes 920 and a central hole 925. The plurality of radial holes 920 may be provided for securing the spring 900 to the housing of the energy harvesting device described herein (for example, to secure the spring 915 to the first end 810a of the housing 810 using a screw 816, as shown in Figure 8A). Similarly, the central hole 925 may be provided for securing the spring 900 to a connecting rod or a movable magnet of the energy harvesting device described herein (for example, to secure the first spring 815 to the connecting rod 826 or the first magnet 825 using a screw 826a, as shown in Figure 8A).

[0117] To provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, manufacturing and use principles of the systems, apparatus and methods disclosed herein, several exemplary embodiments are described. One or more examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, apparatus and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and the scope of the subject matter is defined solely by the claims. Features illustrated or described in relation to one exemplary embodiment can be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the subject matter. Furthermore, in this disclosure, components with similar names generally have similar features, and therefore, within a particular embodiment, each feature of each similarly named component may not necessarily be fully detailed.

[0118] The descriptions and examples herein refer to magnetic coupling, attractive, or repulsive forces, as well as mechanical forces resulting from shock, impact, or vibration. In such cases, the use of the term “force” is a simplification, and it is understood that in order to release a constrained system and impart acceleration to a magnet or a magnet-spring assembly, the energy of the mechanical source must exceed the constraining energy of the constrained state.

[0119] In several places, the connecting rods and springs are specified to be made of non-magnetic materials, i.e., materials with low magnetic permeability. The subject can function with materials of any permeability, but this may result in undesirable magnetic properties and electrical generation performance.

[0120] The processes and logic flows described herein (including method steps relating to the subject matter) may be executed by one or more programmable processors that run one or more computer programs that perform the functions of the subject matter by operating on input data and generating outputs. Furthermore, the processes and logic flows may be executed by dedicated logic circuits, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), and the devices relating to the subject matter described herein may be implemented as dedicated logic circuits, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits).

[0121] The technologies described herein may be implemented using one or more modules. The term “module” as used herein refers to computing software, firmware, hardware, and / or various combinations thereof. However, a module should not be interpreted as software not implemented on hardware or firmware, or recorded on a non-transient processor-readable recording medium (i.e., a module is not pure software). In fact, a “module” should always be interpreted as including at least some physical and non-transient hardware, such as a processor or part of a computer. Two different modules may share the same physical hardware (for example, two different modules may use the same processor and network interface). Modules described herein may be combined, integrated, separated, and / or duplicated to support various applications. Furthermore, functions described as being performed in a particular module may be performed by one or more other modules and / or one or more other devices in lieu of, or in addition to, the functions performed in that particular module. Moreover, modules may be implemented across multiple devices and / or other components located locally or remotely from each other. In addition, modules may be moved from one device to another and / or included in both devices.

[0122] The subject matter described herein may be implemented in combination with the use of a computing system that includes backend components (e.g., data servers), middleware components (e.g., application servers), or frontend components (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser for a user to interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein). Any combination of these backend, middleware, and frontend components may also be used. The components of the system may be interconnected by digital data communication in any form or medium, such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet.

[0123] The approximate expressions used throughout this specification and the claims may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that may vary to an acceptable extent without altering its fundamental function. Thus, values ​​modified by terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are not limited to the specified exact value. In at least some cases, the approximate expression may correspond to the precision of the measuring instrument used to measure the value. Throughout this specification and the claims, range limitations may be combined and / or substituted for each other, and such ranges are defined as encompassing all subranges contained therein unless the context or expression indicates otherwise.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will understand further features and advantages of the subject matter based on the embodiments described above. Therefore, this application is not limited to what is illustrated and described, except as shown in the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressed by express quotation in their entirety.

[0125] Further non-limiting aspects or embodiments are shown in the numbered examples below.

[0126] Example 1: An energy harvesting device comprising a housing, a first magnet provided at a first end of the housing, and a free magnet provided along a first axis between the first magnet and a second end of the housing, wherein the first magnet and the free magnet are arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by the first magnet, and a collar provided at the second end of the housing is provided, the collar is made of a magnetic material, thereby generating an attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet sufficient to hold the free magnet in a normally constrained state close to the collar, and one or more windings provided around a first axis between the first magnet and the second end, each winding having a first end and a second end, wherein in response to an impact on the housing, sufficient energy is provided to separate the free magnet from its normally constrained state and to accelerate the free magnet toward the first magnet, the free magnet is accelerated along the first axis toward the first magnet, repelled by the first magnet, and accelerated again toward the collar, thereby inducing a voltage between the first end and the second end.

[0127] Example 2: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the free magnet is configured to reattach to the collar after being repelled by the first magnet to re-establish a normally constrained state.

[0128] Example 3: The energy harvesting device according to Example 1, further comprising a shaft extending along a first axis through a collar and having its first end coupled to a second magnet, a free magnet and a second magnet arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by the second magnet, and a spring operably coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft and spring are in a loaded state when the free magnet is normally in a constrained state, the spring force in the loaded state is less than the attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet, and the shaft and spring are configured to extend to an unloaded state in response to an impact, thereby propelling the shaft toward the first magnet.

[0129] Example 4: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 3, wherein, after the free magnet is separated from its normally constrained state, the free magnet is configured to vibrate along the first axis between the first and second magnets in response to vibrations of the housing, thereby inducing a second voltage between the first and second ends.

[0130] Example 5: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 4, wherein the shaft further comprises a second end opposite to the first end, the second end protruding from the second end of the housing, and after the free magnet is separated from the normally constrained state, the user pulls the second end of the shaft to move the shaft and spring from an unloaded state to a loaded state, thereby re-establishing the normally constrained state.

[0131] Example 6: The energy harvesting device according to Example 3, further comprising an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to a spring and configured to allow adjustment of the load state, thereby adjusting the spring force.

[0132] Example 7: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 3, wherein the collar is configured to short-circuit the magnetic field of the second magnet when the free magnet is normally constrained.

[0133] Example 8: The energy harvesting device described in Example 1, wherein the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and vibration or impact forces are generated or received by the asset.

[0134] Example 9: The energy harvesting apparatus described in Example 8, wherein the asset is one of the following: a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle.

[0135] Example 10: The energy harvesting apparatus described in Example 8, wherein the asset is a shipping container or pallet.

[0136] Example 11: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 1, further comprising a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, wherein the inner wall of the hollow shaft is textured to allow air or debris within the shaft to pass near the free magnet as the free magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping in the vibration of the free magnet.

[0137] Example 12: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 11, wherein the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slotted, spine-shaped, rifled, ridged, or flute-shaped.

[0138] Example 13: The energy harvesting device according to Example 1, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house a free magnet, and the energy harvesting device further comprises a plurality of springs operably coupling the free magnet inside the hollow shaft, the plurality of springs arranged parallel to a first axis, and each spring having a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0139] Example 14: The energy harvesting apparatus described in Example 13, wherein the multiple springs are planar springs.

[0140] Example 15: The energy harvesting apparatus described in Example 1, wherein the center of the free magnet along the first axis is hollow.

[0141] Example 16: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 15, further comprising a wire or rod that extends through the center of a free magnet and is configured to guide the vibrational motion along the first axis of the free magnet.

[0142] Example 17: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 1, further comprising a flange provided at the second end of the housing between the free magnet and the collar when the free magnet is normally constrained.

[0143] Example 18: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 1, further comprising a low magnetic reluctance material circumferentially arranged on the outside of one or more windings.

[0144] Example 19: The low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron, in the energy harvesting apparatus described in Example 18.

[0145] Example 20: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 1, further comprising an electronic module electrically coupled to the first and second ends of one or more windings, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is configured to power the electronic module and transmit data characterizing vibration or shock forces to an external device.

[0146] Example 21: The energy harvesting apparatus according to Example 20, further comprising one or more sensors electrically coupled to an electronic module, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to vibration or shock force, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to an external device.

[0147] Example 22: The energy harvesting device described in Example 21, wherein one or more sensors include accelerometers, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting device.

[0148] It should be noted that the exemplary energy harvesting apparatus described above can be combined in various ways with any other energy harvesting apparatus described herein, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Housing and A first magnet is provided at the first end of the housing, A second magnet provided at the second end of the housing, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are aligned along the first axis, A free magnet provided between the first magnet and the second magnet along the first axis, wherein the first magnet, the free magnet, and the second magnet are arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by both the first magnet and the second magnet, and thereby the free magnet vibrates between the first magnet and the second magnet along the first axis in response to vibrations of the housing, One or more windings are provided circumferentially around the first axis between the first magnet and the second magnet, each of which has a first terminal and a second terminal, and a voltage is induced between the first terminal and the second terminal as the free magnet vibrates along the first axis between the first magnet and the second magnet, one or more windings, An energy harvesting device equipped with the following features.

2. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the first magnet and configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet along the first axis.

3. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the free magnet, the inner wall of the hollow shaft being textured so that air or debris in the shaft can pass near the free magnet when the free magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the free magnet.

4. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slot-shaped, spine-shaped, rifle-shaped, ridge-shaped, or flute-shaped.

5. The housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the free magnet, and the energy harvesting device further comprises The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of springs that movably connect the free magnet inside the hollow shaft, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged parallel to the first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along the second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

6. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of springs are planar springs.

7. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center of the free magnet along the first axis is hollow.

8. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a wire or rod extending through the center of the free magnet and configured to guide the oscillating motion of the free magnet along the first axis.

9. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a low magnetic reluctance material arranged circumferentially on the outside of one or more windings.

10. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

11. The energy harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the free magnet is configured to vibrate between the first magnet and the second magnet along the first axis in response to vibrations of the asset.

12. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle.

13. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the asset is a transport container or pallet.

14. The electronic module further comprises an electronic module electrically coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal of one or more windings. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is configured to supply power to the electronic module for transmitting data characterizing vibrations to an external device.

15. The electronic module further comprises one or more sensors electrically coupled to it. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to the vibration, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to the external device.

16. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting apparatus.

17. Housing and A first magnet is provided at the first end of the housing, A free magnet provided along a first axis between the first magnet and the second end of the housing, wherein the first magnet and the free magnet are arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by the first magnet, A collar provided at the second end of the housing, wherein the collar is made of a magnetic material, and thereby generates an attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet that is sufficient to hold the free magnet in a normal constrained state in the vicinity of the collar, Between the first magnet and the second end, one or more windings are provided circumferentially around the first shaft, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, An energy harvesting device comprising, wherein, in response to an impact force exceeding the attractive magnetic force acting on the housing, the free magnet is configured to separate from the normal constrained state and vibrate along the first axis between the first magnet and the second end, thereby inducing a voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal.

18. A shaft extending along the first axis through the collar and having its first end connected to a second magnet, wherein the free magnet and the second magnet are arranged such that the free magnet is repelled by the second magnet, A spring operably coupled to the shaft, wherein when the free magnet is in the normal restrained state, the shaft and the spring are in a loaded state, and the spring force of the spring in the loaded state is less than the attractive magnetic force between the collar and the free magnet, The energy harvesting device according to claim 17, further comprising the following: in response to the impact, the shaft and the spring are configured to extend in an unloaded state, thereby causing the shaft to propel the second magnet toward the first magnet.

19. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the shaft further comprises a second end opposite to the first end, the second end protruding from the second end of the housing, and after the free magnet is separated from the normal restrained state, the user pulls the second end of the shaft to move the shaft and the spring from the unloaded state to the loaded state, thereby re-establishing the normal restrained state.

20. The energy harvesting device according to claim 19, further comprising an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the spring and configured to allow adjustment of the load state, thereby adjusting the spring force.

21. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the collar is configured to short-circuit the magnetic field of the second magnet when the free magnet is in the normal restrained state.

22. The energy harvesting device according to claim 17, wherein the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the vibration or impact force is generated by or received by the asset.

23. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle.

24. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the asset is a transport container or pallet.

25. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the free magnet, and the inner wall of the hollow shaft is textured so that air or debris in the shaft can pass near the free magnet when the free magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the free magnet.

26. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slot-shaped, spine-shaped, rifle-shaped, ridge-shaped, or flute-shaped.

27. The housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the free magnet, and the energy harvesting device further comprises The energy harvesting device according to claim 17, comprising a plurality of springs that movably connect the free magnet inside the hollow shaft, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged parallel to the first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along the second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

28. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of springs are planar springs.

29. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the center of the free magnet along the first axis is hollow.

30. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a wire or rod extending through the center of the free magnet and configured to guide the oscillating motion of the free magnet along the first axis.

31. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a flange provided at the second end of the housing between the free magnet and the collar when the free magnet is in the normal restrained state.

32. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a low magnetic reluctance material arranged circumferentially on the outside of one or more windings.

33. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

34. The electronic module further comprises an electronic module electrically coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal of one or more windings. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is configured to supply power to the electronic module for transmitting data characterizing the vibration or the impact force to an external device.

35. The electronic module further comprises one or more sensors electrically coupled to it. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to the vibration or the impact force, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to the external device.

36. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting apparatus.

37. Housing and A first spring provided within the housing, A second spring provided within the housing, wherein the first spring and the second spring are arranged parallel to each other along a first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A first magnet operably coupled to the first spring and the second spring along the first axis, wherein the first magnet is constrained by the first spring and the second spring along the first axis and is configured to vibrate along the first axis in response to vibrations of the housing, One or more windings are provided circumferentially around the first shaft on the housing, each of which has a first terminal and a second terminal, and a voltage is induced between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first magnet vibrates along the first shaft, An energy harvesting device equipped with the following features.

38. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the first spring and the second spring are planar springs.

39. The energy harvesting device according to claim 38, further comprising an annular shutter provided at the first end of the housing and coupled to the first spring, wherein the annular shutter is configured to extend uniformly and variably along the second axis from the outer circumference of the first spring toward the center of the first spring, thereby partially restraining the vibrational motion of the first spring along the first axis and changing the first stiffness.

40. The energy harvesting device according to claim 39, further comprising a second annular shutter provided at the second end of the housing and coupled to the second spring, wherein the second annular shutter is configured to extend uniformly and variably along the second axis from the outer circumference of the second spring toward the center of the second spring, thereby partially restraining the vibrational motion of the second spring along the first axis and changing the second stiffness.

41. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the first magnet, and the inner wall of the hollow shaft is textured so that air or debris in the shaft can pass near the first magnet when the first magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the first magnet.

42. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft includes any of slot-shaped, spine-shaped, rifle-shaped, ridge-shaped, or flute-shaped.

43. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a non-magnetic connector extending between the first spring and the second spring and configured to operably couple the first magnet to the first spring and the second spring.

44. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a low magnetic reluctance material arranged circumferentially on the outside of one or more windings.

45. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

46. The energy harvesting device according to claim 37, wherein the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the first magnet is configured to vibrate along a first axis in response to vibrations of the asset.

47. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle.

48. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the asset is a transport container or pallet.

49. The electronic module further comprises an electronic module electrically coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal of one or more windings. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second terminals of one or more windings is configured to supply power to the electronic module for transmitting data characterizing the vibration to an external device.

50. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising one or more sensors electrically coupled to the electronic module, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second terminals of the one or more windings is further configured to supply power to the one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to the vibration, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to the external device.

51. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting apparatus.

52. Housing and A first spring provided within the housing, A second spring provided within the housing, wherein the first spring and the second spring are arranged parallel to each other along a first axis, and each spring has a first stiffness along the first axis and a relatively higher second stiffness along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A first magnet operably coupled to the first spring and the second spring along the first axis, A magnetic material coupled to the first spring, A second magnet provided at the first end of the housing along the first axis, wherein a first attractive magnetic force is generated between the second magnet and the magnetic material coupled to the first spring, and the first attractive magnetic force is sufficient to hold the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet in a first pre-tensioned state, One or more windings are provided circumferentially around the first shaft on the housing, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, An energy harvesting device comprising, wherein the first spring is configured to separate from the first pre-tensioned state in response to an impact force exceeding the attractive magnetic force acting on the housing, thereby causing the first magnet to vibrate along the first axis and inducing a voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal.

53. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the first spring and the second spring are planar springs.

54. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the housing is coupled to the second magnet and further comprises a first adjustment cap configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the second magnet and the first spring along the first axis, thereby adjusting the first restraining force of the first pre-tensioned state.

55. The energy harvesting device according to claim 52, wherein the energy harvesting device is configured such that, after the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet separate from the first pre-tensioned state and vibrate along the first axis, the user presses the second spring toward the first spring, causing the magnetic material to recombine with the second magnet by the first attractive magnetic force, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet to the first pre-tensioned state.

56. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, wherein in response to the first spring separating from the first pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet are configured to vibrate once before the magnetic material is recombined with the second magnet, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet to the first pre-tensioned state.

57. The energy harvesting device according to claim 54, wherein the housing further comprises a second adjustment cap coupled to a third magnet provided at a second end of the housing, the third magnet is configured to hold the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet in a second pre-tensioned state by a second attractive magnetic force between the third magnet and a magnetic material coupled to the second spring, and the second adjustment cap is configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the third magnet and the second spring along the first axis, thereby adjusting the second restraining force in the second pre-tensioned state.

58. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 57, wherein in response to the first spring separating from the first pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet are configured to perform a first half-vibration before the second spring is coupled to the third magnet, thereby placing the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet into the second pre-tensioned state.

59. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 58, wherein in response to the second spring separating from the second pre-tensioned state, the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet are configured to perform a second half-vibration before the first spring is re-coupled to the second magnet, thereby returning the first spring, the second spring and the first magnet to the first pre-tensioned state.

60. The energy harvesting device according to claim 52, wherein the energy harvesting device is coupled to an asset, and the impact force is generated by or received by the asset.

61. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the asset is one of a machine, a machine component, or a vehicle.

62. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the asset is a transport container or pallet.

63. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow shaft configured to house the first magnet, and the inner wall of the hollow shaft is textured so that air or debris in the shaft can pass near the first magnet when the first magnet vibrates, thereby minimizing viscous damping of the vibration of the first magnet.

64. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the texture of the inner wall of the hollow shaft is one of slot-shaped, spine-shaped, rifle-shaped, ridge-shaped, or flute-shaped.

65. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, further comprising a non-magnetic connector extending between the first spring and the second spring and configured to operably couple the first magnet to the first spring and the second spring.

66. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, further comprising a low magnetic reluctance material arranged circumferentially on the outside of one or more windings.

67. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the low magnetic reluctance material is soft iron.

68. The electronic module further comprises an electronic module electrically coupled to the first and second ends of one or more windings. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is configured to supply power to the electronic module for transmitting data characterizing vibrations to an external device.

69. The electronic module further comprises one or more sensors electrically coupled to it. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 68, wherein a voltage induced between the first and second ends of one or more windings is further configured to power one or more sensors to acquire metadata corresponding to the vibration, and the electronic module is configured to transmit the metadata to the external device.

70. The energy harvesting apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the one or more sensors include an accelerometer, and the metadata includes the peak acceleration of the energy harvesting apparatus.

Images