Power generation module, vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor, and ocean sensor

Abstract

The power generation module (100) is provided in the housing (20) such that its position relative to the housing (20) changes when an external force caused by any one of shaking, vibration, impact, and inclination acts on the housing (20). The power generation module (100) includes a magnet portion (24) made of a permanent magnet, and a power generation element (10) fixed in the housing (20) and including a magnetic core, a magnetic flux concentrator (13) made of a soft magnetic material at both longitudinal ends of the magnetic core, and a coil wound around the magnetic core. A voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in the magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet portion (24) and the position of the power generation element (10) when an external force acts on the housing (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generation module, a vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor, and an ocean sensor.

Background Art

[0002] When a magnetized body with tension applied or residual stress inside is magnetized, the magnetic wall inside the magnetized body moves at once, and the large Barkhausen effect in which the magnetization direction reverses in an extremely short time is known. When a pickup coil is wound around a magnetized body having the large Barkhausen effect, a pulse voltage can be generated in the pickup coil in response to the reversal of the magnetization direction of the magnetized body.

[0003] Based on such a large Barkhausen effect, energy harvesting technology for using human activities (such as walking) or vibrations of machines as energy around the body for power generation is known.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a power generation element that causes a magnetization reversal due to the large Barkhausen effect in a magnetic wire by a magnetic field changed by the reciprocating motion due to the vibration of a magnet attached to a spring, and charges a capacitor with a pulse voltage generated in a pickup coil wound around the magnetic wire as a result of the magnetization reversal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, all of the techniques described in Patent Document 1 have a problem that only a part of the magnetic force lines generated from the magnet is induced in the magnetic body core, and the induction efficiency of the magnetic force lines generated from the magnet to the magnetic body core is not good.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a power generation module, a vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor, and an ocean sensor capable of increasing the power generation amount by improving the induction efficiency of magnetic field lines generated from a magnet to a magnetic core.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The power generation module of the present disclosure is provided in the housing so that its position relative to the housing changes when an external force acts on the housing, and includes a magnet portion made of a permanent magnet, and a power generation element fixed in the housing and composed of a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core. The housing is either cylindrical or spherical. The magnet portion is provided to be swingable with respect to the housing, and a voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in the magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet portion and the position of the power generation element caused by the housing swinging due to the external force. The housing has a weight at the bottom inside the housing, so that the center of gravity is provided below the central axis of either the cylindrical shape or the spherical shape. The power generation element is fixed above the weight. When an external force acts on the housing, after the relative displacement between the position of the magnet portion and the position of the power generation element, it returns to the state before the external force acts according to the center of gravity. It is characterized by the above.

[0009] The vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor of the present disclosure rectifies and stores the power generated by the power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and uses the stored power to transmit by wireless communication that the external force has occurred and / or record it in a non-volatile memory. It is characterized by performing either one of these.

[0010] The ocean sensor of the present disclosure uses the power generated by the power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to drive a sensor that detects any one of seawater temperature, outside air temperature, and tidal current speed, and transmits the obtained data by wireless communication and / or records it in a non-volatile memory. It is characterized by performing either one of these.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power generation module, a vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor, and an ocean sensor capable of increasing the power generation amount by improving the induction efficiency of magnetic field lines generated from a magnet to a magnetic core.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the power generation modules, vibration / impact / tilt detection sensors, and ocean sensors according to Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6 will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and it is possible to appropriately combine the embodiments and appropriately modify each embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power generation element 10 used in the power generation modules, power generation devices, and floor power generation devices according to Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view thereof. The power generation element 10 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 has one or more composite magnetic wires that are magnetic core 11 that generates the giant Barkhausen effect. The power generation element 10 desirably has a magnetic flux concentrator (soft magnetic material) 13 that surrounds the outer periphery of the magnetic core 11. The magnetic flux concentrator 13 is disposed at both ends of the magnetic core 11 as a first magnetic flux concentrator 13A and a second magnetic flux concentrator 13B, respectively, and the coil 12 is wound around the magnetic core 11. For the soft magnetic material used for the magnetic flux concentrator 13, it is desirable to use steel materials such as SS400 or S45C, magnetic stainless steel materials such as SUS430 or SUS440, or high magnetic permeability materials such as permalloy or permendur, but any material with a magnetic permeability higher than that of air (a material with a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1) may be used. The magnetic core 11 has a magnetostrictive effect and expands and contracts due to magnetostriction in response to changes in the applied magnetic field.

[0015] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a power generation element 70 different from the power generation element 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view thereof. The power generation element 70 shown in FIG. 2 has a bobbin shape. In this case, the power generation element 70 is also called a magnetic bobbin. The coil 12 is wound around a cylindrical magnetic member 131 that is a constricted portion of the magnetic bobbin. Note that the power generation element 70 can be made of only a soft magnetic material such as iron as shown in FIG. 2, but the power generation efficiency is improved by providing the magnetic core 11 that generates the giant Barkhausen effect as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] The flow of magnetic flux 84 in the power generation element 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of magnetic flux in the power generation element 10 and is a side view of the power generation element 10 and the magnet section 24. FIG. 3(a) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic flux in the power generation element. FIG. 3(b) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic flux when the magnetization direction of the magnet section is opposite to that shown in FIG. 3(a). In FIG. 3(a), in accordance with the magnetization direction 82, the magnetic flux 84 emerging from the magnetized surface 80 (N pole) of the magnet section 24 enters the first magnetic flux collector 13A, passes through the magnetic core 11, and exits from the second magnetic flux collector 13B into the air. That is, the magnetic flux 84 passing through both the first magnetic flux collector 13A and the second magnetic flux collector 13B is directed in the +Y direction. Note that a part of the magnetic flux 84 directly enters the magnetic core 11.

[0017] Next, the flow of magnetic flux 94 in the power generation element 10 where the magnetization direction 92 of the magnet section 24 is opposite to that shown in FIG. 3(a) will be described with reference to FIG. 3(b). In FIG. 3(b), contrary to the case shown in FIG. 3(a), since the first magnetic flux collector 13A faces the magnetized surface 90 (S pole) of the magnet section 24, the magnetic flux 94 passes from the second magnetic flux collector 13B through the magnetic core 11, via the first magnetic flux collector 13A, and towards the magnetized surface 90 (S pole). That is, the magnetic flux 94 passing through both the first magnetic flux collector 13A and the second magnetic flux collector 13B is directed in the -Y direction. Note that a part of the magnetic flux 84 directly enters the magnetic core 11. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the magnetized surfaces 80, 90 of the magnet section 24 face the magnetic flux collectors 13 of the power generation element 10, and the magnetic flux collector surfaces 13A, 13B are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the power generation element 10 (the direction of the magnetic flux 84, 94 contributing to power generation in the coil). Therefore, the magnetic flux 84, 94 emerging from the magnetized surfaces 80, 90 of the magnet section 24 enter the magnetic flux collectors 13 straight, and take a path that advances almost straight through the magnetic core 11 in the power generation element 10 and exits from the opposite magnetic flux collector 13. Thus, the loss of the magnetic flux 84, 94 emerging from the magnet section 24 is very small, and the most efficient electromagnetic induction power generation can be obtained.

[0018] <<Embodiment 1>> FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power generation module 100 according to Embodiment 1. The power generation module 100 shown in FIG. 4 includes a magnet portion 24 composed of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26 suspended from the central axis 21 of a housing 20 having a cylindrical shape. The first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 have opposite magnetic poles as indicated by magnetic moments 25M and 26M, and are magnetized such that the magnetic field lines generated from each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 penetrate the power generation element 10 along the magnetic core 11. Further, by arranging the magnetization surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 side by side corresponding to the direction of relative displacement, most of the magnetic field lines are collected by the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic flux concentrator 13. One end and the other end of the central axis 21 are swingably locked to a wall surface corresponding to the side surface of the housing 20 having a cylindrical shape. When the housing 20 moves so as to roll in the directions of the double arrows in FIG. 4, the magnet portion 24 swings so as to maintain a horizontal state due to the rotation of the central axis 21 and its own weight, and the position of the magnet portion 24 with respect to the housing 20 changes. The above-described power generation element 10 is provided on a weight 22 provided inside the cylindrical side surface of the housing 20. Since the center of gravity of the power generation module 100 is set below the central axis 21 due to the mass of the weight 22, when an external force such as shaking, vibration (impact), etc. acts on the housing 20, the power generation module 100 swings while rolling together with the housing 20, and converges the swing in the manner of a tilting doll, and returns to the state before the external force acts.

[0019] The power generation module 100 is configured such that there exist a first state in which the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic flux collector 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 and a second state in which the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic flux collector 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26 during the movement of the magnet section 24. The polarity of the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 is opposite to the polarity of the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26. In the first state, since the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic flux collector 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 are close to each other with a slight gap therebetween, that is, since the surfaces face each other, the magnetic flux of the first magnet 25 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10. Also, in the second state, since the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic flux collector 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26 are close to each other with a slight gap therebetween, that is, since the surfaces face each other, the magnetic flux of the second magnet 26 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10. Due to the swinging of the housing 20, a relative displacement, which is a displacement in the relative position, occurs between the magnet section 24 provided to maintain horizontal and the power generation element 10. Since the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic flux collector 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 having different polarities alternately, the magnetic field of the magnet section 24 acting on the power generation element 10 changes due to such relative displacement. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction. That is, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to a change in the magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet section 24 and the position of the power generation element 10 when an external force due to any one of vibration, impact, and inclination acts on the housing 20.

[0020] The gap 29, which is the distance between the magnetization surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 and the flux concentrator 13, is preferably narrower as the magnetic force acting on the magnetic core 11 increases and the power generation amount increases. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the position [mm] in the magnet advancing direction of the first magnet 25 (or the second magnet 26) and the magnetic flux density [mT] at a position separated by the gap G from the first magnetization surface of the first magnet 25 (or the second magnetization surface of the second magnet 26). In FIG. 5, an example is shown in which each length (i.e., width) in the moving direction D1 of the magnet portion 24 (i.e., the magnet advancing direction) is the first length L1 = 10 mm. FIG. 5 shows the magnetic flux density [mT] in each case where the gap G, which is the distance from the magnetic flux concentrating surface of the flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10, is 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the narrower the gap G, the greater the magnetic force acting on the magnetic core 11 and the greater the power generation efficiency. As shown in FIG. 5, among the conditions where the gap 29 is 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm, the magnetic flux density is maximized when the gap 29 is 0.5 mm. However, since a magnetic attraction force acts between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 and the flux concentrator 13, the substantially minimum assemblable gap 29 is about 1 mm.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows that the magnetic flux density waveform in the magnet thickness direction, that is, in the direction of the magnetic moment 25M or the magnetic moment 26M, has two peaks. When the gap 29 is 1 mm, since the interval between the peaks is about 6 mm, the width of the most efficient flux concentrator 13 is 6 mm. When the gap 29 is 1 mm, in order to obtain more magnetic force, for example, by installing a flux concentrator 13 having a width of about 8 mm, it becomes possible to collect more magnetic field lines 52 to the magnetic core 11. Theoretically, about 90% of the magnetic flux of the magnet portion 24 can be induced to the magnetic core 11.

[0022] When an external force acts on the housing 30, the width of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 in the power generation element 10 in the direction of the relative displacement (the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 6) with respect to the magnet portion 24 is about 60% of the width of each magnetization surface of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 of the magnet portion 24 facing the magnetic flux concentrator 13 in the direction of the relative displacement, with an upper limit of 80%. At least two magnets, the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, are required for the magnet portion 24. The smaller the installation interval between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, the more power can be generated with a smaller displacement amount of the magnet. If the width of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 in the direction of the relative displacement is wide, it is necessary to widen the gap 38 between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. Therefore, exceeding the most efficient width (6 mm) described above is disadvantageous in terms of the magnet interval. Thus, in this embodiment, from the viewpoint of the balance between the magnetic force and the magnet interval, the width of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 is desirably 60% of the width of the magnet, with an upper limit of 80%.

[0023] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the displacement direction 50 of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 and the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10. The displacement direction 50 shown in FIG. 6 is the amount of change in the relative position where the magnet portion 24 changes with respect to the power generation element 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable to provide a gap 38 between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. The gap 38 is made of a non-magnetic material, and it is desirable that the width of the gap 38 in the direction of relative displacement is equal to or greater than the width of the flux concentrator 13 in the direction of relative displacement. The gap 38 may be an air gap or may be filled with a non-magnetic material such as copper, aluminum, or synthetic resin. When the width of the flux concentrator 13 in the direction of relative displacement is wide, when the flux concentrator 13 relatively displaces and straddles the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, the flux concentrator 13 will collect both the upward magnetic flux lines 52 of the first magnet 25 and the downward magnetic flux lines 52 of the second magnet 26. As a result, the upward magnetic flux lines 52 and the downward magnetic flux lines 52 in the magnetic core 11 cancel each other out, and the change in magnetic flux in the magnetic core 11 becomes sluggish. If the gap 38 between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 is provided to be about the same width as or wider than the width of the flux concentrator 13 as shown in FIG. 6, the possibility that the flux concentrator 13 straddles the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 is suppressed, and the internal magnetic flux change of the magnetic core 11 can be increased.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetization surface of each of the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26. As a result, most of the magnetic flux lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 are propagated to the magnetic core 11 via the flux concentrator 13 facing the magnetization surface. As a result, the magnetic flux lines 52 can be efficiently induced to the magnetic core 11 via the flux concentrator 13. Then, the magnetic flux lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 propagate along the magnetic core 11 so as to penetrate the power generation element 10. When the magnet portion 24 moves according to the displacement direction 50 due to an external force acting on the housing 20, the magnet facing the flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 switches from, for example, the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, and the direction of the magnetic flux lines 52 acting on the flux concentrator 13 is reversed. As a result, a voltage due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 12.

[0026] Fig. 7(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform 140 generated by electromagnetic induction in a coil wound around a core without the large Barkhausen effect, and a voltage waveform 141 due only to the large Barkhausen effect. The voltage waveform 140 generated in the coil wound around the core without the large Barkhausen effect in Fig. 7(a) shows a wide pulse width and a large amount of generated charge, but the peak voltage is as low as about 5V. Also, the peak voltage of the voltage waveform 141 due only to the large Barkhausen effect is as high as 15 - 20V, but the pulse width is as narrow as about 80 μS or less and the charge amount is small.

[0027] Fig. 7(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform 142 generated in the coil 12 by electromagnetic induction and the large Barkhausen effect according to Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6. In Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6, by superimposing a voltage waveform due to the large Barkhausen effect with a prominent peak voltage on a voltage waveform with a large amount of charge due to electromagnetic induction, a high voltage of about 20 - 25V can be obtained. To efficiently charge a capacitor, both a potential difference and charge are required, and the power generation device according to Embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6 is suitable for charging a capacitor.

[0028] As described above, according to the power generation module 100 according to Embodiment 1, by obtaining the electric power generated in the power generation element 10 by an external force such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 20, carbon-neutral power generation without fossil fuel consumption can be realized.

[0029] In Embodiment 1, by suspending the magnet portion 24 from the central axis 21 or the like, the housing 20 and the magnet portion 24 move differently due to an external force such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 20, resulting in a relative displacement in the positional relationship between the magnet portion 24 and the power generation element 10. Due to such relative displacement, the magnetic field of the magnet portion 24 acting on the power generation element 10 changes, and a voltage due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 12.

[0030] In Embodiment 1, by providing the weight 22 below the housing 20, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical housing 20 from rolling indefinitely, and the housing 20 can rise up like a tilting doll and return to its original relative position with the magnet. However, in this embodiment, the weight 22 is not necessarily required, and depending on the installation location, a form in which power generation is repeated by the housing 20 rolling indefinitely may also be used.

[0031] In Embodiment 1, one power generation element 10 is mounted on the weight 22, but it is not limited to this. If there is room to mount a plurality of power generation elements 10 on the weight 22, a plurality of power generation elements 10 may be mounted. Also, the power obtained by power generation is rectified and stored in a power storage unit such as a capacitor, and the power stored in the power storage unit can be used as a vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor that either transmits wirelessly or records in a non-volatile memory that vibration, impact, and tilt have occurred in the housing.

[0032] In Embodiment 1, a magnetic flux concentrator 13 for efficiently guiding the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24 is provided in the power generation element 10, but it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, a configuration having only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic flux concentrator 13 may be used. Also, a configuration in which the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic flux concentrator 13 do not face each other may be used. Furthermore, a configuration without the magnetic core 11 in which a bobbin-shaped member is composed only of a soft magnetic material such as iron may also be used.

[0033] <<Modification Example of Embodiment 1>> FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power generation module 110 according to a modification of Embodiment 1. The power generation module 110 shown in FIG. 9 includes a magnet portion 24 composed of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26 suspended from the ceiling inside a spherical housing 37 by a support cable 23 such as a piano wire. As shown in FIG. 9, in the magnet portion 24, two first magnets 25 and two second magnets 26 are combined in a lattice pattern, and the first magnets 25 and the second magnets 26 are respectively present diagonally. When the housing 37 moves so as to roll in the direction of the double-headed arrow in FIG. 9, the magnet portion 24 swings to maintain a horizontal state due to the suspension by the support cable 23 and its own weight. The above-described power generation element 10 is provided on the weight 22 provided on the side in the 180° direction from the position where the support cable 23 of the housing 37 is attached. When an external force such as vibration, impact, or inclination applied to the housing 37 acts on the power generation module 100, the power generation module 100 swings so as to roll together with the housing 37, and returns to the original state while converging the swing in the manner of a tilting doll due to the mass of the weight 22.

[0034] As described above, according to the power generation module 110 according to the modification of Embodiment 1, by obtaining the electric power generated in the power generation element 10 by an external force such as vibration, impact, or inclination applied to the housing 37, carbon-neutral power generation without consuming fossil fuels can be realized.

[0035] Also, in the modification of Embodiment 1, the magnet portion 24 is suspended from the ceiling of the spherical housing 37 by the support cable 23. Due to external forces such as vibration, impact, or inclination applied to the housing 37, the housing 37 and the magnet portion 24 move differently, resulting in a relative displacement in the positional relationship between the magnet portion 24 and the power generation element 10. This relative displacement causes a change in the magnetic field of the magnet portion 24 acting on the power generation element 10, and a voltage due to the giant Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 12. Specifically, when the magnet portion 24 in FIG. 9 is composed of four magnets 25, 26, 27, and 28, at the initial position, the power generation element 10 faces the first magnet 25, and when it swings in the left - right direction of the figure, the power generation element faces the second magnet 26. When it swings in the depth direction of the figure, the power generation element 10 faces the third magnet 27 from the first magnet 25 (the third magnet 27 has the same magnetization direction as the second magnet 26). When the housing 20 rotates about the vertical direction as the central axis, the magnet portion 24 also rotates, and the power generation element 10 faces the second magnet 26, the fourth magnet 28, and the third magnet 27 in sequence from the first magnet 25. The magnetic poles on the magnetic flux collecting surface are switched in the order of downward, upward, downward, and upward to generate electricity.

[0036] The spherical housing 37 can roll two - dimensionally including the front - rear and left - right directions, as compared with the cylindrical housing 20 that rolls one - dimensionally in the front - rear or left - right direction. Also, in the magnet portion 24, two first magnets 25 and two second magnets 26 are combined in a lattice pattern. Therefore, the change in the magnetic field acting on the power generation element 10 due to the relative displacement with the magnet portion 24 is more complex and has a higher frequency of change than in Embodiment 1 using the cylindrical housing 20. As a result, the power generation module 110 according to the modification of Embodiment 1 can output pulses generated at a higher frequency than the power generation module 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0037] In the modification of Embodiment 1, although one power generation element 10 is mounted on the weight 22, the present invention is not limited to this. If there is room to mount a plurality of power generation elements 10 on the weight 22, a plurality of power generation elements 10 may be mounted. Further, the generated power is rectified and stored in a power storage unit such as a capacitor, and using the power stored in the power storage unit, it can be utilized as a vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor that either wirelessly transmits that vibration, shock, and tilt have occurred in the housing or records it in a non-volatile memory.

[0038] In the modification of Embodiment 1, although the magnetic flux concentrator 13 for efficiently guiding the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24 is provided in the power generation element 10, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, it may be configured with only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic flux concentrator 13. Also, the configuration may be such that the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic flux concentrator 13 do not face each other. Furthermore, it may be configured with only a bobbin-shaped member made of a soft magnetic material such as iron without the magnetic core 11.

[0039] 《Embodiment 2》 FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor 200 according to Embodiment 2. The above-described power generation module 100 includes the power generation element 10 and the magnet portion 24, and a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the displacement of the position of the magnet portion 24 with respect to the power generation element 10. Since the voltage generated in the coil 12 exhibits a positive and negative pulse shape as shown in FIG. 7(b), it is full-wave rectified by the rectifying unit 202. In Embodiment 2, the rectifying unit 202 may perform half-wave rectification instead of full-wave rectification. Also, instead of the power generation module 100, the power generation module 110 according to the modification of Embodiment 1 may be used.

[0040] The voltage full-wave rectified by the rectifying unit 202 is stored in the power storage unit 204. The power storage unit 204 is a rechargeable secondary battery or a capacitor or the like. Since the waveform of the voltage output by the power generation element 10 exhibits a pulse shape with prominent peaks due to the large Barkhausen effect, if there is a risk of exceeding the voltage allowed for charging a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, or nickel-cadmium battery, a capacitor is used for the power storage unit 204.

[0041] The voltage monitoring unit 206 monitors the voltage of the power stored in the power storage unit 204. When the voltage of the power storage unit 204 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold voltage, the voltage monitoring unit 206 controls the switching unit 208 to supply the power of the power storage unit 204 to a power load 210 such as a subsequent wireless transmission unit or a non-volatile memory. The switching unit 208 is a switch composed of an FET (field effect transistor) or the like, or a DC / DC converter that converts a DC voltage.

[0042] The sensor unit 212 is a sensor that detects vibration, impact, and tilt, but can also be used for the following applications. When the sensor unit 212 is installed in a machine tool, it can be used as a sensor that detects the temperature, humidity, acceleration, current, magnetic field, CO2 concentration, or various gas concentrations of the machine tool. When the sensor unit 212 is installed in a general environment such as a house, it can be used as a sensor that detects the temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, magnetic field, CO2 concentration, pH of water or soil, water level, soil water content, land slope, acceleration (impact) due to an earthquake, or solar radiation amount (during cloudy days) in the installed house. The sensor unit 212 may receive power supply from the power storage unit 204. By wirelessly transmitting or recording in a non-volatile memory the data of acceleration and air temperature detected by the sensor unit 212 using the power stored in the power storage unit 204, the sensor unit 212 can be utilized as a sensor that detects information on the surrounding environment such as acceleration and air temperature when an external force related to shaking, vibration, impact, and tilt acts on the housing 20.

[0043] When the power load 210 supplied with power is the wireless transmission unit, the information acquired by the sensor unit 212 is transmitted to another device such as an analysis device. When the power load 210 supplied with power is the non-volatile memory, the information acquired by the sensor unit 212 is stored. The information detected by the sensor unit 212 stored in the non-volatile memory is appropriately analyzed by an analysis device or the like.

[0044] As described above, according to the vibration, shock, and tilt detection sensor according to the second embodiment, wireless transmission or recording in the memory is performed using the electric power generated in the power generation element 10 by an external force such as vibration, shock, or tilt applied to the housing 20, thereby enabling the realization of a vibration, shock, and tilt detection sensor without wiring and without a battery.

[0045] 《Embodiment 3》 FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module 120 according to the third embodiment. In the power generation module 120 shown in FIG. 11, a power generation element 10 is provided on the ceiling inside a housing 30 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a movable part 32 is provided via a linear bearing 33 that is movable in the direction of the double-headed arrow in FIG. 11 on a fixing part 31 fixed to the bottom inside the housing 30. As shown in FIG. 11, in the power generation element 10, one magnetic collector 13 is fixed to the inner wall ceiling of the housing 30, and the other magnetic collector 13 faces the movable part 32.

[0046] On the upper surface of the movable part 32, a magnet part 24 composed of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26, which are permanent magnets respectively, is provided. The magnetization surfaces of each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 are attached to the movable part 32 so as to face the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10. The magnetization surfaces of each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 face the magnetic flux concentrator 13 with a gap 29 therebetween. Also, a gap 38 is provided between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. The power generation module 100 is configured such that, during the movement of the magnet part 24, there exist a first state in which the magnetic flux concentrating surface of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetization surface of the first magnet 25, and a second state in which the magnetic flux concentrating surface of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetization surface of the second magnet 26. The polarity of the magnetization surface of the first magnet 25 is opposite to the polarity of the magnetization surface of the second magnet 26. In the first state, since the magnetic flux concentrating surface of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetization surface of the first magnet 25 are close to each other with a slight interval therebetween, that is, the surfaces face each other, the magnetic flux of the first magnet 25 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10. Also, in the second state, since the magnetic flux concentrating surface of the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetization surface of the second magnet 26 are close to each other with a slight interval therebetween, that is, the surfaces face each other, the magnetic flux of the second magnet 26 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10.

[0047] In Embodiment 3, when the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 faces the magnetization surface of each of the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26, most of the magnetic force lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 propagate to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic flux concentrator 13 facing the magnetization surface. As a result, the magnetic force lines 52 can be efficiently induced to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic flux concentrator 13. Then, the magnetic force lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 propagate so as to penetrate the power generation element 10 along the magnetic core 11. When the magnet part 24 moves according to the displacement direction 50 due to an external force acting on the housing 30, the magnet facing the magnetic flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 switches from, for example, the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, and the direction of the magnetic force lines 52 acting on the magnetic flux concentrator 13 is reversed. As a result, a voltage due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 12.

[0048] When an external force such as vibration, impact, or inclination acts on the housing 30, the movable part 32 moves in both arrow directions with respect to the fixed part 31 fixed to the housing 30 by the linear bearing 33. As a result, the magnet of the magnet part 24 facing the flux concentrator 13 of the power generation element 10 switches from the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, or from the second magnet 26 to the first magnet 25, so that the magnetic field applied to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10 is reversed. Due to the reversal of the magnetic field, the giant Barkhausen effect in which the magnetization direction inside the magnetic core 11 is reversed appears, electromagnetic induction occurs in the coil 12, and a pulse voltage having a waveform as shown in FIG. 7(b) is generated in the coil 12 wound around the power generation element 10.

[0049] When the housing 30 is inclined with respect to the ground, the movable part 32 is smoothly displaced relative to the housing 30 by the linear bearing 33 or the like to generate power, and the generated power is rectified and stored in a power storage part such as a capacitor. Using the power stored in the power storage part, it can be utilized as a vibration / impact / inclination detection sensor that either wirelessly transmits or records in a non-volatile memory the fact that vibration, impact, and inclination have occurred in the housing.

[0050] As described above, according to the power generation module 120 according to Embodiment 3, in addition to the magnetization reversal in the magnetic core 11 due to the giant Barkhausen effect, the magnetic core 11 is actively utilized as an electromagnetic induction core, so that the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet part 24 are induced to the magnetic core 11 via the flux concentrator 13. As a result, in addition to the giant Barkhausen effect, by maximizing the electromagnetic induction component, an increase in the power generation amount can be achieved.

[0051] In the power generation module 120 according to Embodiment 3, since the magnet portion 24 is supported by the linear bearing 33, when an external force due to inclination or the like acts on the housing 30, the position of the magnet portion 24 with respect to the power generation element 10 can be smoothly displaced without friction. As a result, when the housing 30 is inclined, the magnet portion 24 smoothly moves on the linear bearing under its own weight, so that a relative displacement occurs in the positions of the magnet portion 24 and the power generation element 10 even with a slight inclination. Based on such a change in the magnetic field due to the relative displacement, a voltage can be generated in the coil 12 of the power generation element 10 by electromagnetic induction and the large Barkhausen effect.

[0052] In Embodiment 3, one power generation element 10 is mounted inside the housing 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. If there is room to mount a plurality of power generation elements 10 inside the housing 30, a plurality of power generation elements 10 may be mounted. Further, the power obtained by the power generation module 120 may be used for the vibration / shock / inclination detection sensor 200 shown in FIG. 10.

[0053] In Embodiment 3, the power generation element 10 is provided with the magnetic flux concentrator 13 for efficiently guiding the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, a configuration including only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic flux concentrator 13 may be used. Further, a configuration in which the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic flux concentrator 13 do not face each other may be used. Furthermore, a configuration without the magnetic core 11 in which a bobbin-shaped member is composed of only a soft magnetic material such as iron may be used.

[0054] <<Embodiment 4>> Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. In Embodiment 4, two forms as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are conceivable depending on the magnetization directions 430 and 432 of the magnet 410. FIG. 12 shows the case where the magnetization direction 430 of the magnet 410 is in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 13 shows the case where the magnetization direction 432 of the magnet 410 is in the thickness direction of the magnet 410.

[0055] The configuration shown in Fig. 12 is an example of a case where the magnetization surface 410A of the magnet 410 and the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A of the power generation element 150 do not face each other. Utilizing the property that magnetic flux lines are incident perpendicularly to the surface of a magnetic material, the magnetic flux collecting surfaces 110A and 110B are planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic core 111 (the direction in which the magnetic flux lines flow). The magnetic flux lines incident on the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A are induced almost straight into the magnetic core 111. The magnetization direction of the magnet 410 is the longitudinal direction (the left - right direction in the figure), and the left - hand side surface of the magnet 410 becomes the magnetization surface 410A of the N - pole. The magnetic flux lines 420 emerging from the magnetization surface 410A circulate around the magnet 410 and enter the S - pole of the magnetization surface 410B. At this time, the power generation element 150 is above the magnet 410, and the magnetic flux lines circulating around the magnet 410 are concentrated at the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A, and take a path passing through the magnetic core 111 and reaching the magnetization surface 410B of the magnet 410 from the magnetic flux collecting surface 110B. In this case, since only a part of the magnetic flux lines emerging from the magnetization surface 410A is collected by the magnetic flux collector 112 and induced to the power generation element 150, the efficiency of electromagnetic induction is worse compared to Embodiment 1. However, if it is possible to obtain power that can operate even with a poor electromagnetic induction component by making the power consumption of the power load connected to the power generation device according to Embodiment 3 extremely small, there is an advantage in that the degree of freedom in installing the power generation element with respect to the magnet 410 is high.

[0056] 《Modification Example of Embodiment 4》 The configuration shown in Fig. 13 is a modification example of Embodiment 3 in which the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A of the power generation element 150 is made the side surface of the magnetic flux collector 112 so that the magnetization surface of the magnet 410 and the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A of the power generation element 150 face each other. The magnetization direction of the magnet 410 is the thickness direction (the up - down direction in the figure), and the upper left surface of the magnet 410 becomes the magnetization surface 410A of the N - pole, and the upper right surface of the magnet 410 becomes the magnetization surface 410B of the S - pole. The magnetic flux lines 422 emerging from the magnetization surface 410A are concentrated at the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A on the side surface of the magnetic flux collector 112, and take a path passing through the magnetic core 111 and reaching the magnetization surface 410B of the magnet 410 from the magnetic flux collecting surface 110B.

[0057] In this case, there are the following two problems. Problem (1): Since the longitudinal direction of the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A and the magnetic core 111 (the direction of the magnetic field lines contributing to power generation in the coil) are parallel, the magnetic field lines entering from the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A need to be induced into the magnetic core 111 so that they bend approximately 90 degrees. Therefore, some of the magnetic field lines take a path (dashed line in the figure) where they cannot bend completely within the magnetic flux collector 112 and some proceed straight and leak into the air, resulting in poor electromagnetic induction efficiency. Problem (2): When using a bundle of multiple composite magnetic wires for the magnetic core 111 as shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic field lines of the composite magnetic wires closer to the magnet 410 are more likely to enter, while those of the composite magnetic wires farther from the magnet 410 are less likely to enter. As a result, variations in the internal magnetic flux occur among the multiple composite magnetic wires, leading to poor electromagnetic induction efficiency.

[0058] Note that as in Embodiment 1, when the magnetization surface 410A of the magnet 410 and the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A of the power generation element 150 face each other, and the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A and the longitudinal direction of the power generation element 150 (the direction of the magnetic field lines contributing to power generation in the coil) are orthogonal, the magnetic field lines emerging from the magnetization surface 410A of the magnet 410 enter the magnetic flux collecting surface 110A straight, proceed almost straight through the power generation element 150, and exit from the opposite magnetic flux collecting surface 110B. Therefore, the loss of the magnetic field lines emerging from the magnet 410 is extremely small, and this is a desirable form in which the most efficient electromagnetic induction power generation can be obtained.

[0059] <<Embodiment 5>> Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the power generation module according to Embodiment 5. In FIG. 14, for the magnetic core 111 around which the coil 160 is wound in the power generation element 150, a composite magnetic wire that generates the giant Barkhausen effect is used, but it is different from the power generation element 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the magnetic flux collector 112 is not used.

[0060] In this configuration, since the magnetic flux concentrator 112 is not provided, the power generation efficiency is further inferior even when compared with FIG. 12 or FIG. 13. However, if it is possible to obtain power that can operate even with an inefficient electromagnetic induction component by making the power consumption of the power load connected to the power generation device according to Embodiment 4 extremely small, the number of components can be reduced, and thus the power generation module can be configured at low cost.

[0061] <<Embodiment 6>> FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module 130 according to Embodiment 6. The configuration of the power generation module 130 shown in FIG. 15 is different from that of Embodiment 1 in that the power generation module 100 according to Embodiment 1 floats on the sea surface 300 and swings due to wave power (for example, the force caused by the vertical movement of waves). However, regarding other matters and configurations, they are the same as those of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the same components as those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0062] When the swinging and vibration (impact) due to wave power act on the housing 20 of the power generation module 130 according to Embodiment 6, the housing 20 swings while rolling and returns to the original state while converging the swing in the manner of a tilting doll due to the mass of the weight 22. However, in this embodiment, the weight 22 is not necessarily required, and depending on the installation location, a form in which the housing 20 rolls infinitely to repeat power generation may be adopted.

[0063] Due to the swinging of the housing 20, a relative displacement occurs between the magnet portion 24 provided to maintain horizontal and the power generation element 10, which is a relative displacement. Due to such relative displacement, the magnetic field of the magnet portion 24 acting on the power generation element 10 changes. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction.

[0064] The power generated by the power generation module 130 can be used to drive an ocean sensor such as seawater temperature, outside air temperature, or tidal current velocity. Furthermore, the data detected by the ocean sensor can be wirelessly transmitted or recorded in a non-volatile memory.

[0065] In addition, the electric power obtained by the power generation module 130 can achieve carbon-neutral offshore power generation without consuming fossil fuels by obtaining the electric power generated in the power generation element 10 by the wave power applied to the housing 20. Further, by using the electric power obtained by the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment for a ship basically without power such as a sailboat like a yacht, a buoy, or a lighthouse provided on the coast of a remote island, it can be utilized as an emergency power source for a transponder such as a sailboat, a power source for a buoy, and a power source for a lighthouse.

[0066] As described above, according to the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment, various ocean data such as seawater temperature, outside air temperature, or tidal current speed on the ocean can be acquired without wiring and without a battery. Conventionally, when a large number of ocean sensors are arranged and observed over a wide area, the battery replacement of the ocean sensors has been a bottleneck. However, according to the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment, maintenance-free and a large number of ocean observations over a wide area are possible.

[0067] In the sixth embodiment, the same power generation module 130 as in the first embodiment is used for the ocean sensor, but it is not limited to this. The power generation module 110 according to the modified example of the first embodiment or the power generation module 120 according to the third embodiment may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10 Power generation element, 11 Magnetic core, 12 Coil, 13 Magnetic flux concentrator, 20 Housing, 21 Central axis, 22 Weight, 23 Support cable, 24 Magnet part, 25 First magnet, 25M Magnetic moment, 26 Second magnet, 26M Magnetic moment, 29 Gap, 30 Housing, 31 Fixed part, 32 Movable part, 33 Linear bearing, 37 Housing, 38 Gap, 50 Displacement direction, 100, 110, 120, 130 Power generation module, 200 Vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor, 202 Rectifier section, 204 Power storage section, 206 Voltage monitoring section, 208 Switching section, 210 Electric power load, 212 Sensor section, 300 Sea surface.

Claims

1. A magnet part made of a permanent magnet, provided in the housing such that its position relative to the housing changes when an external force acts on the housing; and A power generation element fixed in the housing, comprising a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core; comprising: The housing is either cylindrical or spherical. The magnet part is provided so as to be swingable relative to the housing, and a voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in the magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generation element caused by the swinging of the housing by the external force. The housing is provided with a weight at the bottom inside the housing, so that the center of gravity is provided below the central axis of either the cylindrical shape or the spherical shape. The power generation element is fixed above the weight. When the external force acts on the housing, after the relative displacement between the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generation element, it returns to the state before the external force acts according to the center of gravity. A power generation module characterized by the above.

2. Installed on the sea surface, a voltage is generated due to the relative displacement between the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generation element caused by the up-and-down movement of the waves. The power generation module according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The power generation element has magnetic flux concentrators made of a soft magnetic material at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic core. The power generation module according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The magnet part includes a first magnet and a second magnet as the permanent magnets. The first magnet and the second magnet have opposite magnetic poles, and are magnetized such that the magnetic force lines generated from each of the first magnet and the second magnet penetrate the power generation element along the magnetic core. By arranging the magnetization surfaces of each of the first magnet and the second magnet side by side corresponding to the direction of the relative displacement, the magnetic force lines are collected by the magnetic flux concentrator to the magnetic core. The power generation module according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. There is a non-magnetic gap between the first magnet and the second magnet, and the gap is equal to or greater than the width of the magnetic flux concentrator in the direction of the relative displacement. The power generation module according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The width of the magnetic flux concentrator in the direction of the relative displacement is 60% to 80% of the width of the magnetization surface of the permanent magnet of the magnet part facing the magnetic flux concentrator in the direction of the relative displacement. The power generation module according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

7. The magnetic core and the magnetic flux concentrator integrally form a bobbin shape. The power generation module according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

8. The magnetic core is composed of one or more composite magnetic wires that generate the giant Barkhausen effect. The power generation module according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

9. Rectify and store the power generated by the power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and use the stored power to wirelessly transmit that the external force has occurred and / or record it in a non-volatile memory. The vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor characterized by the above.

10. The vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor according to claim 9 further includes a sensor unit that detects either acceleration or temperature using the stored power, and wirelessly transmits the information detected by the sensor unit and / or records it in a non-volatile memory. The vibration / shock / tilt detection sensor according to claim 9, characterized by the above.

11. Transmit wirelessly and / or record in a non-volatile memory the data obtained by driving a sensor that detects any one of seawater temperature, outside air temperature, and tidal current speed using the power generated by the power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The ocean sensor characterized by the above.

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