Magnetostrictive vibration generator

Abstract

To provide a magnetostrictive vibration generator with a simple structure capable of enabling continuous power generation by a magnetostrictive member by effectively utilizing an external force.SOLUTION: A magnetostrictive vibration generator that obtains power from the inverse magnetostrictive effect that occurs in a magnetostrictive element 13 includes a beam member 10 integrally provided with a rod-shaped magnetostrictive element 13 having one end as a free end and the other end as a fixed end, and a frame 12 on which the magnetostrictive element 13 is mounted, magnets 14a, 14b that apply a magnetic bias to the magnetostrictive element 13, a coil 15 wound around the magnetostrictive element 13 so as to be pierced by the magnetic flux generated in the magnetostrictive element 13 to which a magnetic bias is applied, and a rotating pawl member 20 including a plurality of pawl portions 23 disposed in close proximity to the beam member 10 and flipping off the free end of the frame 12 such that the magnetostrictive element 13 is bent at predetermined intervals on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetostrictive vibration power generator, and more particularly to a magnetostrictive vibration power generator that generates electric power by utilizing the inverse magnetostrictive effect that occurs in a magnetostrictive element. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, there is a demand for technology that generates electricity by utilizing external forces such as various vibrations that occur in human living environments or in the natural environment, and magnetostrictive vibration power generation, which utilizes the magnetostrictive effect of ferromagnetic materials, is attracting particular attention. The magnetostrictive effect refers to the physical deformation of a ferromagnetic material placed in a magnetic field, and materials with a particularly large deformation rate are called magnetostrictive materials. Such magnetostrictive materials have an inverse magnetostrictive effect, which changes the strength of magnetization over time in response to physical deformation caused by compressive / tensile stresses induced by the application of an external force. Magnetostrictive vibration power generation, which generates electricity by utilizing the temporal change in magnetization strength (magnetic flux), is attractive because it can generate a large amount of electricity with the application of a small external force.However, it also has other excellent features that make it attracting attention, such as its durability against impacts and low internal resistance.

[0003] A known conventional magnetostrictive vibration power generator uses a single weight or frame to deflect a magnetostrictive element, generating electricity through the inverse magnetostriction effect. As an example of the power generating unit, as shown in FIG. 10, the power generating unit 701 is made up of a magnetostrictive member 713 (in this example, the magnetostrictive member 713 is a bimorph type formed by bonding together two magnetostrictive elements of opposite polarity) having a predetermined (positive or negative) magnetostriction constant and permanent magnets 714a, 714b arranged at both ends, with one end (the side where magnet 714a is arranged) being a fixed end and the other end (the side where magnet 714b is arranged) being a free end, and a coil 715 being wound around the magnetostrictive member 713 (see FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1 listed below).

[0004] 10, when an impact is applied to magnetostrictive member 713 so as to press it down in the direction of the arrow, magnetostrictive member 713 undergoes bending deformation and then vibrates freely in the vertical direction. This deformation and vibration causes distortion in magnetostrictive member 713, changing the magnetic field around magnetostrictive member 713. Therefore, an induced electromotive force is generated in coil 715 arranged around magnetostrictive member 713, and the impact energy is converted into electrical energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-90065 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, the magnetostrictive member can only be flipped once with one action. The free vibration generated when the magnetostrictive member is flipped varies depending on various conditions, but although it may be repeated several tens of times, the free vibration period is, for example, only 0.05 to 0.2 seconds at most. Therefore, it is difficult to generate a large amount of electricity using such vibrations that occur over a short period of time, and there is a demand for a magnetostrictive vibration generator that can generate free vibrations of magnetostrictive members for the purpose of generating electricity over a long period of time.

[0007] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a magnetostrictive vibration generator with a simple structure that can effectively utilize external forces to enable continuous power generation using magnetostrictive members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The magnetostrictive vibration power generator of the present invention is A magnetostrictive vibration power generator that obtains power by the inverse magnetostrictive effect generated in a magnetostrictive element, a beam member having a rod-shaped magnetostrictive element with one end being a free end and the other end being a fixed end; a magnet that applies a magnetic bias to the magnetostrictive element; a magnetic flux coil wound around the magnetostrictive element so as to be penetrated by a magnetic flux generated in the magnetostrictive element to which the magnetic bias is applied; a claw portion disposing member provided with claw portions that are disposed adjacent to the beam member and that continuously repel the free end of the beam member so that the magnetostrictive element bends in response to an external force; 、 One of the beam member and the claw portion is disposed circumferentially on the outer periphery of the inner circular member, and the other is disposed circumferentially on the inner periphery of the outer circular member, so that the beam member is continuously repelled by the claw portion as the inner circular member and the outer circular member rotate relative to each other. It is characterized by the following. Here, it is preferable that the claw portion disposing member is configured to have a plurality of claw portions arranged thereon, and that the plurality of claw portions are configured to continuously repel the beam member due to relative movement between the beam member and the claw portions in response to external force.

[0009] In this case, it is preferable that the spacing between the claws in the claw portion arrangement member and the speed of relative movement between the beam member and the claw portion are set to conditions such that the beam member that is bounced by one of the claw portions and vibrates is bounced again by another claw portion different from the one claw portion, thereby allowing continuous free vibration.

[0010] It is also preferable that the beam member is configured such that the magnetostrictive element is mounted integrally on a frame having elasticity, and the claw portion is configured to repel the free end of the frame. stomach.

[0012] Also ,before The outer circular member on which the beam member is disposed may have an elliptical shape. do. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the magnetostrictive vibration power generator of the present invention, when a vibration force from an external vibration source rotates the rotation axis of the rotary moving body or linearly moves the linear moving body, the multiple claws (or beam members) formed on the rotary moving body or linear moving body sequentially repel the beam members (or claws). The beam members here collectively refer to the magnetostrictive elements and the frames that are part of the beam members. In this way, by continuously bouncing the beam member in response to external vibrations and applying continuous strain to the magnetostrictive element, a large amount of power can be generated, and a magnetostrictive vibration generator with a simple structure can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention ((A) is an overall view, and (B) is a detailed view of a magnetostrictive element section). [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention ((A) is a power generating section according to the first aspect, (B) is a power generating section according to the second aspect, and (C) is a detailed diagram of the magnetostrictive element section). [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a power generating section of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a method for conducting a power generation experiment on the magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 7 of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a graph showing an output voltage waveform obtained from the experiment shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A magnetostrictive vibration-type power generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the magnetostrictive vibration-type power generator includes, in addition to a power generation unit, general components such as a rectifier circuit unit that rectifies the current from the power generation unit and a battery unit that stores the rectified charge. However, in the following description of this embodiment (the same applies to the descriptions of Examples 1 to 6), the power generation unit, which is the essence of the present invention, will be described in detail.

[0016] Example 1 A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The power generating unit 1 is constructed by arranging at a predetermined interval a beam member 10 which is formed by integrating a magnetostrictive element unit 11 and a frame 12, one end of which is fixed to a base 30, and a rotating claw member 20 which is formed by arranging a plurality of claw portions 23 in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of a rotating body 21.

[0017] The magnetostrictive element portion 11 is integrated onto the frame 12 by adhesive or the like. The frame 12 is large enough to mount the magnetostrictive element portion 11, and is required to have a tip portion that is large enough to expose the space from the tip of the magnetostrictive element portion 11 that is repelled by the claw portion 23. The frame 12 is preferably thinner than the magnetostrictive element portion 11, and is preferably made of a springy material such as phosphor bronze. The claw portion 23 is required to be made of a hard material, but is also preferably made of a material that has excellent fatigue strength and wear resistance, such as an iron-based alloy.

[0018] That is, when the power generating unit 1 receives external vibrations, the rotary claw member 20 begins to rotate around the rotary shaft 22. If this rotation direction is counterclockwise in the figure, the claws 23 on the outer periphery of the rotary claw member 20 come into contact with the tip of the frame 12 of the beam member 10 and repel the frame downward. This causes the beam member 10 to vibrate freely, and the magnetostrictive element unit 11 bends so as to become convex upward, and then bends so as to become convex downward, and this process is repeated until the vibration is damped. Conversely, if the rotation direction is clockwise in the figure, the claws 23 will repel the frame 12 upward. This causes the beam member 10 to vibrate freely, and the magnetostrictive element part 11 will bend downward and then bend upward, and this process will be repeated until the vibration is damped.

[0019] 1(A), the magnetostrictive element section 11 is represented as a single rod-shaped member for ease of explanation, but its specific shape is shown in Fig. 1(B). That is, the magnetostrictive element section 11 comprises a magnetostrictive element 13 (in this embodiment, a monomorph (unimorph) type using one magnetostrictive element 13) which is a magnetostrictive material formed into a rod shape, a coil 15 wound around the magnetostrictive element 13 and the frame 12 as a unit, and a pair of magnets 14a, b which generate a magnetic flux that passes through the magnetostrictive element 13. Therefore, as described above, the claws 23 repel the frame 12, the beam member 10 vibrates freely, and the magnetostrictive element part 11 bends so as to be convex upward or convex downward, thereby generating an inverse magnetostrictive effect in the magnetostrictive element 13. This inverse magnetostrictive effect is utilized to generate induced electromotive force, thereby generating electricity.

[0020] The inverse magnetostriction effect is the effect of changing the magnetic flux when a force is applied to a magnetized magnetostrictive material. When the magnetic flux changes over time, an induced electromotive force is generated according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. The magnetostrictor 13 is made of, for example, Galfenol, an iron-gallium alloy having ductility, and has a rectangular rod shape of, for example, 2 mm×1 mm×several tens of mm.

[0021] The principle of how power is generated in this power generating section 1 will be explained in more detail below. When the claw portion 23 flips the frame 12 upward or downward, one end of the beam member 10 is fixed to the base 30, and a predetermined bending force is applied to the frame 12 of the beam member 10, causing the magnetostrictive element portion 11 to vibrate freely. At this time, the direction of the bending force is perpendicular to the axial direction of the magnetostrictive element portion 11. The magnetostrictive element portion 11 vibrates freely, causing it to resonate. The resonant frequency at this time is, for example, several hundred Hz, but may be any other frequency.

[0022] When a bending force is applied to the frame 12 of the beam member 10, bending deformation occurs in the magnetostrictive element 13. Specifically, when the magnetostrictive element 13 receives a downward bending force, the magnetostrictive element 13 expands, and when the magnetostrictive element 13 receives an upward bending force, the magnetostrictive element 13 contracts. In this way, as the magnetostrictive element 13 expands or contracts, the magnetic flux inside the magnetostrictive element 13 generated by the magnets 14a and 14b increases or decreases due to the inverse magnetostriction effect. That is, the magnetic flux density penetrating the coil 15 changes. This change in magnetic flux density over time generates an induced current in the coil 15. This results in power generation.

[0023] The magnetostrictive vibration generator of this embodiment is characterized in that the rotating claw member 20 rotates when subjected to external vibrations, for example, and the claw portions 23 arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating claw member 20 repeatedly bounce the frame 12. When the frame 12 is flipped once, the resonant operation of the magnetostrictive element portion 11 continues for, for example, a maximum of 0.2 seconds, so by flipping the frame 12 continuously at this interval, it is possible to generate electricity efficiently and continuously.

[0024] Therefore, in order to enable such continuous power generation, it is preferable from the standpoint of power generation efficiency to set the spacing of the claw portions 23 arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating claw member 20 and the rotational speed of the rotating claw member 20, which rotates in response to external vibrations, to values ​​that satisfy the conditions under which the frame 12 is bounced by one claw portion 23, and the vibrating frame 12 is bounced again by the other claw portion 23, thereby allowing continuous free vibration (conditions under which the ``bounce'' action of the frame 12 by the claw portion 23 does not result in a miss).

[0025] In the above-mentioned Example 1, the beam member 10 is configured to include the magnetostrictive element portion 11 and the frame 12, but it is also possible to continuously repel only the magnetostrictive element portion 11 with the claw portion 23 without using a frame. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Example 1, the magnetostrictive element portion 11 is a monomorph type (unimorph type) that uses one magnetostrictive element 13, but instead, a bimorph type that is made up of two magnetostrictive elements 13 bonded together with different polarities may be used.

[0026] <Example 2> A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 2 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2, but since many of the same configurations as those in Example 1 are also employed, in order to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 2 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 1. In this description, members used in Example 2 that are used in the same way as members in Example 1 will be designated by the symbols of the members in Example 1 with A (first embodiment) or B (second embodiment) added. 2(A) shows the power generating section 1A according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(B) shows the beam member 10B of the power generating section 1B according to the second embodiment. For ease of explanation, the magnetostrictive element section 11A in FIG. 2(A) is shown as a single rod-shaped member, but its specific shape is shown in FIG. 2(C).

[0027] As shown in Figure 2(A), the power generation unit 1A has a rotating claw member 20A configured in the same manner as the rotating claw member 20 of Example 1 above, but the shape of the beam member 10A is configured to be different from that of the beam member 10 of Example 1 above. That is, beam member 10A is configured by attaching (usually by gluing) magnetostrictive element portion 11A to a portion of the upper part of U-shaped frame 12A, which has a U-shape as a whole, and U-shaped frame 12A has a free end (upper part in this embodiment) and a fixed end (lower part in this embodiment). While the fixed end of U-shaped frame 12A is fixed to base 30A, the tip 17A of the free end is repelled by each of claw portions 23A of rotating claw member 20A, as in Example 1, and the free end of U-shaped frame 12A, and therefore magnetostrictive element portion 11A, is significantly deflected.

[0028] In addition, the tip 17A of the U-shaped frame 12A in this embodiment has a tapered shape, and by making the tip 17a that is bounced by the claw portion 23A thin in this way, the amount of deflection of the magnetostrictive element portion 11A when bounced can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of power generation.

[0029] 2(A) has the same basic configuration as the power generation unit 1A shown in Fig. 2(A), but has a U-shaped frame 12B that forms a beam member 10B and has attached thereto, by adhesive or the like, a post-attachment claw 16B with a tapered tip 17B. In this way, the post-attachment claw 16B can be attached later, making it possible to adjust the repelling strength of the tip 17B.

[0030] Here, as shown in Figure 2(C), the magnetostrictive element portion 11A comprises a magnetostrictive element 13A which is a magnetostrictive material formed into a rod shape, a coil 15A which winds the magnetostrictive element 13A and the frame 12A together, and a magnet 14A which generates a magnetic flux which penetrates and passes through the magnetostrictive element 13A.

[0031] The magnetostrictive element portions 11A, B and the frames 12A, B are integrated by adhesion or the like, and the materials forming the U-shaped frame 12 and the claw portions 23 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this way, in this embodiment, compared to Example 1, the frames constituting the beam members 10A, B are U-shaped frames 12A, B, and the tip 17A of the free end of the U-shaped frame 12A or the tip 17B of the post-attachment claw portion 16B attached to this free end is tapered, thereby increasing the amount of power generated from the magnetostrictive element portions 11A, B.

[0032] Example 3 A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3, but since many of the same configurations as in Example 1 are also employed, in order to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 3 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 1. In this description, members used in Example 3 that are the same as those in Example 1 will be assigned reference numerals that are 100 larger than the reference numerals of the members in Example 1.

[0033] The power generation unit 101 is constructed by arranging at a predetermined interval a beam member 110 which is formed by integrating a magnetostrictive element unit 111 and a frame 112, one end of which is fixed to a movable base 130 which moves linearly in the vertical direction, and a fixed claw member 120 which is formed by arranging a plurality of claw portions 123 in the vertical direction on the outer surface of a fixed base 131 which is arranged opposite the movable base 130. The magnetostrictive element portion 111 and the frame 112 are integrated by adhesion or the like, and the shape and material of the frame 112 and the material of the claw portions 123 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0034] The differences between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment 1 are, first, that the base that holds the beam member 110 is a movable base 130 that moves linearly in the vertical direction, and second, that the multiple claw portions 123 that bounce off the frame 112 are arranged in the vertical direction on the outer surface of a fixed base 131, which is a fixed base, to form a fixed claw member 120.

[0035] In the above-mentioned Example 1, the beam member 10 equipped with the magnetostrictive element portion is fixed, and the claw portion 23 rotates and moves in accordance with the rotation of the rotating claw member 20, so that the claw portion 23 continuously flicks the tip of the frame 12 of the beam member 10, whereas in the present example, the claw portion 123 is arranged in the vertical direction on the fixed base 131, and as the beam member 110 equipped with the magnetostrictive element portion 111 moves in the vertical direction on the movable base 130, the tip of the frame 112 of the beam member 110 moves so as to be continuously flicked by the claw portion 123. In this embodiment, the movement of the movable base 130 and the fixed base 131 is relative, so as a variation of this embodiment, the movement and fixation of the movable base 130 and the fixed base 131 may be reversed, or both may be moved but with different directions or speeds.

[0036] Example 4 A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4, but since many of the same configurations as in Example 1 are also employed, in order to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 4 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 1. In this description, members used in Example 4 that are the same as those in Example 1 will be assigned reference numerals that are 200 larger than the reference numerals of the members in Example 1 (and sub-reference numerals a, b, c).

[0037] The power generation unit 201 is configured by arranging at a predetermined interval three beam members 210a-c each formed by integrating corresponding frames 212a-c with three magnetostrictive element units 211a-c, one end of which is fixed parallel to the vertical direction of a base 230, and a rotating claw member 220 formed by arranging a plurality of claw portions 223 in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of a rotating body 221. The magnetostrictive element portions 211a to 211c and the frames 212a to 212c are integrated by adhesion or the like, and the shape and material of the frame 212 and the material of the claw portions 223 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0038] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of (three) beam members 210a to 210c are provided, as described above. With this configuration, it becomes possible for the magnetostrictive element portions 211a to 211c to generate electricity simultaneously, thereby increasing the amount of power generation.

[0039] When multiple (three) beam members 210a-c are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction as described above, the tip of the claw portion 223 protrudes furthest toward the frame 212a-c at a position where the straight line connecting the tip and the rotation axis 222 of the rotating body 221 is parallel to the frame 212a-c. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the central beam member 210b is positioned slightly closer to the base 230 than the tips of the upper and lower beam members 210a, c (the overall length of each magnetostrictive element portion 211a-c is adjusted to be the same, and the overall length of each frame 212a, c is adjusted to be longer than the overall length of frame 210b), and the claw portion 223 of the rotating claw member 220 is adjusted to contact the tips of all of the frames 212a-c for the same length.

[0040] In short, it is desirable to adjust the total length of each magnetostrictive element portion 211a to 211c to be the same, and to adjust the claw portion 223 so that it contacts the tip of each of the frames 212a to 212c for the same length.

[0041] <Example 5> A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 5 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5, but since many of the same configurations as in Example 1 are also employed, to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 5 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 1. In this description, members used in Example 5 that are the same as those in Example 1 will be assigned reference numerals that are 300 larger than the reference numerals of the members in Example 1 (and sub-reference numerals a, b, c, d).

[0042] The power generation unit 301 is constructed by arranging at predetermined intervals on the inner peripheral wall surface of a fixed base 330 arranged on the outer periphery side magnetostrictive element units 311a-d and frames 312a-d integrated together, at one end at 90 degree intervals, and a rotating claw member 320 consisting of a plurality of claw units 323 arranged circumferentially on the outer periphery of a rotating body 321 arranged on the inner periphery side.

[0043] The inner peripheral wall surface of the base 330 arranged on the outer peripheral side and the outer peripheral portion of the rotor 321 arranged on the inner peripheral side are arranged to form concentric circles with the rotation axis 322 of the rotor 321 at the center. The magnetostrictive element portions 311a-d and the frames 312a-d are integrated by adhesion or the like, and the shapes and materials of the frames 312a-d and the materials of the claw portions 323 are the same as those in Example 1. Furthermore, the magnetostrictive element portions 311a, b, c, d and the frames 312a, b, c, d are all formed to the same length.

[0044] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of beam members 310a to 310d (four beam members) are provided, and that a base 330 to which these beam members 310a to 310d are fixed is circular. With this configuration, it becomes possible for the magnetostrictive element portions 311a to 311d to generate electricity simultaneously, which increases the amount of power generated and also makes it possible to make the installation space for the power generating portion 301 compact.

[0045] Example 6 A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 6 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. However, since this example corresponds to a variation of Example 5 and employs many of the same configurations as Example 5, in order to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 6 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 5. In this description, components used in Example 6 that are the same as those in Example 5 will be assigned reference numerals that are 100 larger than the reference numerals of the components in Example 5. The magnetostrictive element portions 411a to d and the frames 412a to d are integrated by adhesion or the like, and the shapes and materials of the frames 412a to d and the materials of the claw portions 423 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0046] This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the base 430 to which the beam members 410a to 410d are fixed is elliptical rather than circular. Accordingly, beam members 410a and 410c fixed in the major axis direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 6) of base 430 are formed longer than beam members 410b and 410d fixed in the minor axis direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 6) of base 430. This allows claw portion 423 of rotating claw member 420 to contact the tip of any of frames 412a, b, c, and d for the same length.

[0047] In this way, by using magnetostrictive element portions 411a-d of different lengths, it is possible to generate power at a plurality of different frequencies. Furthermore, because power generating unit 401 has an elliptical shape, it can be placed in a space of this shape. For example, it can be placed inside a doorknob with an elliptical outer shape, so that continuous power generation occurs as the doorknob is turned.

[0048] Example 7 A magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to Example 7 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7, but since many of the same configurations as in Example 1 are also employed, in order to avoid redundant explanation, the following description of Example 7 will focus on the parts that are different from Example 1. In this description, members used in Example 7 that are the same as those in Example 1 will be assigned reference numerals that are 500 larger than the reference numerals of the members in Example 1.

[0049] The power generating unit 501 is composed of a beam member 510 which is formed by integrating a magnetostrictive element unit 511 and a frame 512, one end of which is fixed to a base 530, and a rotating claw member 520 which is formed by circumferentially arranging claw portions made of a plurality of magnet portions 533 on the outer periphery of a rotating body 521 below the beam member 510 at a predetermined interval. Furthermore, a magnet portion (or magnetic pole plate: the same applies hereinafter) 517 is attached by adhesive or other means to the lower surface of the tip of frame 512. The polarity of magnet portion 517 attached to frame 512 and each magnet portion 533 of rotating claw member 520 may be set to mutually attracting polarity as in this embodiment (described below), but may also be set to mutually repelling polarity, as opposed to this embodiment, and the magnetic force of magnet portion 517 attached to frame 512 is set so that frame 512 bends and the amount of power generated by power generation unit 501 becomes sufficient.

[0050] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the claws are magnet portions 533 made of permanent magnets. When the power generating unit 501 receives external vibrations, the rotary claw member 520 begins to rotate around the rotation axis 522. As this rotation occurs, one magnet portion 533 approaches the frame 512 of the beam member 510. As the rotation progresses, the frame 512, made of ferromagnetic metal, is attracted to the magnet portion 533 and bends downward, becoming concave. As the rotary claw member 520 further rotates, the one magnet portion 533 moves away from the frame 512. The frame 512 is released from the attractive force of the magnet portion 533 and is elastically bounced upward, becoming concave. The frame 512 repeats free vibrations, damped until the next magnet portion 533 approaches. In this specification, this type of motion is also referred to as "popping."

[0051] Since the magnetostrictive element section 511 is integrally disposed on the upper part of the frame 512, the magnetostrictive element section 511 also bends in the same manner as bending of the frame 512. External vibrations are transmitted to the rotary claw member 520, which causes the rotary claw member 520 to rotate, and the magnet sections 533 successively approach the frame 512, thereby causing the frame 512 to be continuously repelled, as in the above-described embodiments, and power can be generated efficiently and continuously.

[0052] The results of specific experiments carried out on the above-mentioned Examples are shown below. These experiments were carried out by selecting Example 7 as a representative example from among the above-mentioned Examples. <Experiment Overview> 8, magnetostrictive element 513 was set at a predetermined position above surface plate 540, parallel to the upper surface of surface plate 540, with its left end as a fixed end and its right end as a free end. In addition, coil 515a, which was penetrated by magnetostrictive element 513, was placed close to the fixed portion of magnetostrictive element 513. Magnetostrictive element 513 was configured so that magnetic flux from a field magnet portion (not shown) passed through its interior.

[0053] In this state, magnet portion 533a was moved to a position directly below the tip of magnetostrictor 513, so as to attract the tip of magnetostrictor 513 downward. Thereafter, magnet portion 533a was moved to the right on surface plate 540 from directly below the tip of magnetostrictor 513, so that the tip of magnetostrictor 513 was released from the attractive force (attractive force) of magnet portion 533a, causing the tip of magnetostrictor 513 to bounce upward, generating free vibration.

[0054] As a result, the magnetostrictive element 513 bent, generating strain within the magnetostrictive element 513, and the magnetic flux inside the magnetostrictive element 513 generated by the field magnet portion increased or decreased due to the inverse magnetostriction effect, changing the magnetic flux density penetrating the coil 515a. This change in magnetic flux density over time generated an induced current in the coil 515a. The change in output voltage corresponding to this induced current was measured.

[0055] The fixed portion of magnetostrictor 513 was set to a length of 4 mm, and the vibrating portion was set to a length of 28 mm. The number of turns of coil 515a was set to 2000 T, and the resistance was set to 759 Ω. The magnetic flux density of magnet portion 533a was set to 365 mT, and the resistance was set to 1000 Ω. The distance (push depth) by which magnet portion 533a was attracted when magnet portion 533a was moved directly below the tip of magnetostrictor 513 was set to 1.0 mm.

[0056] <Experimental Results> The change in output voltage (output voltage waveform) measured in the above experiment is shown in Fig. 9. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 9 represents the time (seconds) elapsed since magnetostrictive element 513 was released from the attracted state (attracted state) by magnet portion 533a, with 0 representing this time, and the vertical axis represents output voltage (Vpp).

[0057] 9, it is clear that vibrations are repeated about 40 times within a period of about 0.05 seconds while gradually attenuating. Therefore, the resonance frequency of magnetostrictor 513 can be estimated to be about 800 Hz. From these results, in the above-mentioned Example 7, the timing at which the next magnet part 533 approaches to repel the frame 512 released from the magnet part 533 can be selected appropriately, and may be set, for example, 0.05 seconds after the output voltage (Vpp) becomes approximately 0, or 0.015 seconds after the output voltage (Vpp) becomes, for example, 1 / 3 to 1 / 4 of the maximum value.

[0058] <Change of form> In the above embodiment, the beam member is composed of one magnetostrictive element and a frame on which the magnetostrictive element is mounted, but the magnetostrictive vibration power generator of the present invention can of course not use a frame.Furthermore, instead of the type in which the beam member is composed of one magnetostrictive element (monomorph type or unimorph type), it can also be a type in which two magnetostrictive elements with opposite polarities are bonded together (bimorph type). The bimorph type can improve the power generation, while the monomorph type as in the above-mentioned embodiments has the advantage of being inexpensive to manufacture and durable.

[0059] Furthermore, the number of magnetostrictive element portions and the number of claw portions are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and can be set to any appropriate number. Furthermore, in the power generating section of the above-mentioned Example 4, all three magnetostrictive element sections 211a to c are arranged in the same plane as the respective claw sections, but for example, multiple magnetostrictive element sections may be arranged sequentially in the depth direction of the paper, and accordingly, the claw sections may also be arranged in circumferential rows at positions offset in the depth direction of the paper on the outer periphery of the rotating claw member.

[0060] <Application mode> The following describes application modes of the magnetostrictive vibration-type power generator of the present invention, specifically, examples of combinations of types of external forces to be utilized and devices that use the power generated by utilizing those external forces. (1) By generating electricity from the vibration of a machine, a device that notifies the vibration and temperature conditions of the machine is continuously driven. (2) The vibration of the water pipe generates electricity to continuously drive a device that notifies users of the water pipe's leak status. (3) The device that monitors the condition of the bridge or tunnel is continuously driven by generating electricity from the vibrations and wind of vehicles crossing the bridge or passing through the tunnel. (4) The vibrations of the bogie (train) running on the rails generate electricity to continuously drive a device that notifies of the occurrence of cracks in the rails.

[0061] (5) Electricity generated by floor vibrations is used to continuously power a suspicious person intrusion alarm device. (6) The child monitoring device is continuously powered by electricity generated by the movement of the toy. (7) The security device is continuously powered by generating electricity from the opening and closing of the door and the turning of the doorknob.

[0062] (8) The movement of soil and sand generates electricity to continuously power a device that notifies of landslides. (9) The device that notifies tsunamis is continuously powered by generating electricity from waves and changes in water levels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1, 1A, 1B, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 701 Power Generation Unit 10, 10A, 10B, 110, 210a~c, 310a~d, 410a~d, 510 beam members 11, 11A, 11B, 111, 211a~c, 311a~d, 411a~d Magnetostrictive element part 12, 112, 212a-c, 312a-d, 412a-d, 512 frames 12A, 12B U-shaped frame 13, 13A, 513, 713 Magnetostrictive element 14a, 14b, 14A, 714a, 714b Magnets 15, 15A, 515a, 715 coils 16B Aftermarket claw 17A, 17B tip 20, 20A, 220, 320, 420, 520 Rotating claw member 21, 21A, 221, 321, 421, 521 Rotating body 22, 22A, 222, 322, 422, 522 Rotating shaft 23, 23A, 123, 223, 323, 423 Claw part 30, 30A, 30B, 230, 330, 430, 530 base 120 Fixed claw member 130 Mobile base 131 Fixed base 517, 533, 533a Magnet part 540 Surface Plate 713 Magnetostrictive materials

Claims

1. A magnetostrictive vibration power generator that obtains power by the inverse magnetostrictive effect generated in a magnetostrictive element, a beam member having a rod-shaped magnetostrictive element with one end being a free end and the other end being a fixed end; a magnet that applies a magnetic bias to the magnetostrictive element; a magnetic flux coil wound around the magnetostrictive element so as to be penetrated by a magnetic flux generated in the magnetostrictive element to which the magnetic bias is applied; a claw portion arrangement member disposed adjacent to the beam member and having claw portions arranged thereon that continuously repel the free ends of the beam member in response to an external force so that the magnetostrictive element is bent; A magnetostrictive vibration generator characterized in that one of the beam member and the claw portion is arranged circumferentially on the outer periphery of the inner circular member, and the other is arranged circumferentially on the inner periphery of the outer circular member, and the beam member is continuously repelled by the claw portion as the inner circular member and the outer circular member rotate relative to each other.

2. The magnetostrictive vibration generator described in claim 1, characterized in that the claw portion arrangement member is configured to have a plurality of claw portions arranged thereon, and is configured so that the plurality of claw portions continuously repel the beam member due to relative movement between the beam member and the claw portions in response to external force.

3. The magnetostrictive vibration generator described in claim 2, characterized in that the spacing between the claws in the claw arrangement member and the speed of relative movement between the beam member and the claws are set to conditions such that the beam member, which is bounced off by one of the claws and vibrates, is bounced again by another claw different from the one claw, thereby allowing continuous free vibration.

4. A magnetostrictive vibration generator as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam member is integrally mounted on a frame having elasticity on which the magnetostrictive element is mounted, and the claw portion is configured to repel the free end of the frame.

5. 5. The magnetostrictive vibration power generator according to claim 1, wherein the outer circular member on which the beam members are disposed has an elliptical shape.

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