Power generating device and method for installing the power generating device

Abstract

To provide a power generation device which efficiently generates power during a variety of motions including walking and jogging, and upsizing of which can be avoided, and a power generation device mounting method.SOLUTION: A walking power generation device 100 includes: a pendulum part 110 that has an arm 112 extending in a vertical direction or in a substantially vertical direction, a weight 114 disposed on the upper end side of the arm 112, and a fulcrum section 116 being disposed on the lower end side of the arm 112 and supporting the weight 114 in a rotatable manner; a first spring 130 with which one side surface section of the weight 114 of the pendulum part 110 can come into contact; a second spring 132 with which the other side surface section of the weight 114 of the pendulum part 110 can come into contact; and a power generation unit 120 that generates power when the weight 114 of the pendulum part 110 is rotating between the first spring 130 and the second spring 132.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generation device and a method for installing the power generation device. Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, mobile information devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets have become widespread worldwide and essential in everyday life. Furthermore, as the number of opportunities and durations of use for mobile information devices increase, daily battery charging has become essential. Therefore, people who use mobile information devices for long periods of time carry mobile batteries and use them to charge their devices. However, depending on the frequency of charging, the charging process can be tedious and burdensome for users. Therefore, there is a need for mobile information devices that can be charged less frequently or even completely, with the aim of eliminating the need for charging.

[0003] The following documents disclose technologies for automatic power generation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device that generates electromotive force by swinging a housing like a pendulum in response to the user's walking movements. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an electric energy generator that includes a magnetic body supported by a spring so as to be movable in the vertical direction within a long, thin cylindrical housing, and a coil that generates electric energy in response to the vertical displacement of the magnetic body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5166193 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,498,682 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional mobile terminal devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and other publications have the following problems: The operating cycle of walking, jogging, and the like is generally about 1 Hz. To match the natural frequency of the mobile terminal device to this operating cycle, the length of the pendulum, which is the distance from the center of rotation to the center of gravity, must be designed to be about 25 cm, resulting in a problem of an increased size of the entire device. Furthermore, the operating cycles of walking and jogging are slightly different, with the jogging operating cycle being slightly shorter than the walking operating cycle. Therefore, the gravity-type pendulum used in conventional devices has the problem of being unable to track the cycles of both movements.

[0006] Furthermore, the electric energy generator disclosed in Patent Document 2 has the following problems. Conventional generators are configured with a spring-mass system in which springs bias a magnet from above and below, so the natural frequency of the generator is uniquely determined. Therefore, when the motion cycles of movements such as walking and jogging are different, there is a problem that the generator cannot follow the motion cycles of both movements. Furthermore, conventional generators generate power using only vertical vibrations, so there is a problem that they cannot effectively utilize the horizontal external force that accompanies movements such as walking and jogging.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power generation device and a method for wearing the power generation device that can efficiently generate electricity during various types of exercise such as walking and jogging while avoiding the device becoming larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure provides a pendulum unit having an arm extending in a vertical or approximately vertical direction, an object provided on the upper end side of the arm, and a fulcrum provided on the lower end side of the arm and rotatably supporting the object, a first elastic member provided so that one side surface of the object on the pendulum unit can come into contact with the first elastic member, a second elastic member provided so that the other side surface of the object on the pendulum unit can come into contact with the second elastic member, and a power generation unit that generates power when the object on the pendulum unit rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member; a rotation mechanism including an arm extending in a vertical direction or a substantially vertical direction and provided between the object of the pendulum section and the first elastic member or the second elastic member, and a fulcrum portion provided on a lower end side of the arm and rotatably supporting the arm; Equipped with The power generating unit includes an input shaft attached to the fulcrum of the rotation mechanism, and the arm is rotated by the object rotating between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, and the power generating unit has a generator that generates electric power by rotating the input shaft attached to the fulcrum. . Furthermore, a method for wearing a power generating device according to the present disclosure is a method for wearing a power generating device on the thigh of a user's leg, the power generating device comprising: a pendulum section having an arm extending in a vertical or approximately vertical direction, an object attached to the upper end of the arm, and a fulcrum section attached to the lower end of the arm and rotatably supporting the object; a first elastic member against which one side portion of the object on the pendulum section is able to come into contact; a second elastic member against which the other side portion of the object on the pendulum section is able to come into contact; and a power generating section that generates electricity when the object on the pendulum section rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, wherein the power generating device is attached to the user's thigh with the axis of the arm of the pendulum section tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the thigh in the direction of travel of the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, by configuring the pendulum unit as an inverted type and providing a first elastic member and a second elastic member on the left and right sides of the pendulum unit, the pendulum unit can be continuously rotated back and forth in response to the user's movement, such as walking, and the natural frequency of the pendulum unit can be matched to the period of the user's movement. This allows resonance to be utilized by matching the period of the pendulum unit with the period of the user's movement, such as walking, and allows for the generation of larger power without increasing the size of the device compared to when the pendulum unit is configured as a gravity system. Furthermore, by effectively utilizing both vertical and horizontal external forces associated with movements such as walking and jogging, a large amount of power can be generated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] 1 is a plan view of a walking power generation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 is a side view of a walking power generation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a walking power generation device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a side view of a walking power generator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a walking power generation device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 3B]FIG. 10 is a side view of a walking power generator according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a walking power generation device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a side view of a walking power generator according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a walking power generator according to a fourth embodiment is attached to a user's thigh. [Figure 6A] 10 is a graph showing an output waveform of a power generation unit in a walking power generation device according to a fourth embodiment when a user is walking. [Figure 6B] 13 is a graph showing an output waveform of a power generation unit in a walking power generation device according to a fourth embodiment when a user is walking quickly. [Figure 6C] 10 is a graph showing an output waveform of a power generating unit in a walking power generating device according to a fourth embodiment when a user is jogging. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the weight and magnet sides constituting the pendulum part of the walking power generator are defined as the upper side of the device, and the fulcrum side constituting the pendulum part is defined as the lower side of the device. Furthermore, the first mounting plate side constituting the walking power generator is defined as the right side of the device, and the second mounting plate side is defined as the left side of the device.

[0012] First Embodiment (Configuration example of walking power generator 100) FIG. 1A is a plan view of a walking power generation device 100 according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the walking power generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1A.

[0013] The walking power generator 100 is an example of a walking device, and as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, The device includes a base plate 102 that is rectangular when viewed from the outside, a first spring 130 that is an example of a first elastic member, a second spring 132 that is an example of a second elastic member, a pendulum unit 110, and a power generation unit 120.

[0014] A first spring 130, a second spring 132, and a pendulum part 110 are provided on the surface side of the base plate 102, and these parts are covered by a case 180 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1B. A first mounting plate 140 that rises toward the surface is fixed to the upper right side of the base plate 102, and a second mounting plate 142 that rises toward the surface is fixed to the upper left side of the base plate 102.

[0015] The first spring 130 is formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of the first spring 130 is attached to the inner surface of the first mounting plate 140, and the tip end of the first spring 130 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the right side portion of the weight 114. When the pendulum part 110 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, the tip end of the first spring 130 and the right end face of the weight 114 are separated by a gap g1. When the weight 114 rotates in the right direction θ1, the right end face of the weight 114 abuts against the first spring 130, and the first spring 130 expands and contracts in response to the biasing force of the weight 114.

[0016] Like the first spring 130, the second spring 132 is also formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of the second spring 132 is attached to the inner surface of the second mounting plate 142, and the tip end of the second spring 132 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the left side portion of the weight 114. When the pendulum unit 110 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, the tip end of the second spring 132 and the left end face of the weight 114 are separated by a gap g2. When the weight 114 rotates leftward in the direction θ2, the left end face of the weight 114 abuts against the second spring 132, and the second spring 132 expands and contracts in response to the biasing force of the weight 114.

[0017] Pendulum unit 110 includes arm 112, weight 114 (an example of an object), and fulcrum 116. Arm 112 is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length and extending vertically or approximately vertically. Weight 114 is a cylinder or rectangular parallelepiped having a predetermined mass, and is fixed to the upper end of arm 112 with its axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of arm 112. Fulcrum 116 is provided at the lower end of arm 112 and supports weight 114 and arm 112 so that they can rotate (swing) in the right direction θ1 and the left direction θ2 indicated by the arrows. Fulcrum 116 has a hole 117 into which an input shaft 124 of power generator 120 (described later) is fitted. With this configuration, pendulum unit 110 of this embodiment forms an inverted pendulum in which weight 114 (the mass) is located at the upper end away from fulcrum 116, which is opposite to that of a normal pendulum.

[0018] A power generating unit 120 is fixed to the back side of the base plate 102. The power generating unit 120 is a rotary power generator, and can be configured, for example, as a geared power generator having an input shaft 124. The input shaft 124 provided in the power generating unit 120 penetrates the base plate 102 from the back side to the front side (thickness direction), and its tip side is fitted into a hole 117 of the fulcrum part 116. As a result, the input shaft 124 of the power generating unit 120 rotates back and forth integrally with the fulcrum part 116 of the pendulum part 110 in accordance with the left-right rotation of the pendulum part 110. The power generating unit 120 is connected to the device to be charged 150, and generates electricity in accordance with the rotation of the input shaft 124, charging the device to be charged 150 with the electricity. The device to be charged 150 includes a mobile battery and an information processing terminal equipped with a battery, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

[0019] (Operation example of walking power generator 100) Next, an example of the operation of the walking power generator 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. Because the pendulum unit 110 is in an inverted and unstable position, when no external force is applied, the weight 114 falls to either the left or right and comes into contact with the first spring 130 or the second spring 132 and remains stationary.

[0020] When the user starts walking or running, the entire walking power generator 100 vibrates vertically (up and down), left and right, and horizontally (front and back). As the walking power generator 100 vibrates, the weight 114 of the pendulum unit 110 inside the case 180 also rotates left and right. For example, when the weight 114 rotates to the right (θ1), the right end face of the weight 114 abuts and presses against the first spring 130. This compresses the first spring 130, and the reaction force (elastic force) pushes the weight 114 back to the left (θ2).

[0021] When weight 114 rotates leftward in θ2, the left end face of weight 114 abuts against and presses second spring 132. This compresses second spring 132, and the reaction force (elastic force) pushes weight 114 back in the rightward direction θ1. In this embodiment, when the user is walking or running, pendulum unit 110 continues to move back and forth between first spring 130 and second spring 132 due to the inverted and unstable nature of pendulum unit 110.

[0022] When weight 114 of pendulum unit 110 rotates left and right around fulcrum unit 116, input shaft 124 of power generation unit 120 also rotates around its axis. As a result, the geared generator constituting power generation unit 120 rotates in response to the rotation of input shaft 124, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy (power). The electrical energy (generated voltage) alternates between voltages of several volts on the positive side and several volts on the negative side, centered around 0 V, in response to the vibration of walking power generator 100, i.e., the left and right rotation of weight 114 of pendulum unit 110. The generated AC voltage is rectified by a rectifier circuit (not shown) and converted into DC voltage, which is charged to charger 150.

[0023] Here, the natural frequency of the reciprocating motion of pendulum unit 110 is determined not only by the distance r from the center of input shaft 124, which is the center of rotation, to the center of gravity C1 of pendulum unit 110, and the mass W of the entire pendulum unit 110, but also by the gap g1 between weight 114 and first spring 130, the gap g2 between weight 114 and second spring 132, and the spring constants k of first spring 130 and second spring 132. Since the natural frequency of walking power generator 100 of this embodiment is preferably around 1 Hz, the spring constant k and other parameters can be selected as follows:

[0024] As an example, distance r = 0.05 m, mass W = 0.16 kg, and moment of inertia I = 8 × 10 -4 Kgm 2 If the swing angle of weight 114 is 13 degrees to the right θ1 and 13 degrees to the left θ2, the gap g1 between weight 114 and first spring 130 is 8 degrees, the gap g2 between weight 114 and second spring 132 is 8 degrees, and the spring constant k of first spring 130 and second spring 132 is 0.135 Nm / rad, the natural frequency of walking power generator 100 can be set to around 1 Hz.

[0025] According to the first embodiment, the pendulum unit 110 is configured as an inverted type, and a first spring 130 and a second spring 132 are provided on the left and right sides of the pendulum unit 110. This allows the pendulum unit 110 to continuously swing back and forth between the first spring 130 and the second spring 132 in response to the user's movements, such as walking. Here, the spring constant is negative in the non-contact state and positive in the contact state, and the spring constant for one oscillation cycle is the average value between the non-contact state and the contact state. The average spring constant is smaller than the positive spring constant in the contact state. Therefore, even if the pendulum unit 110 is configured compactly, the natural period of the pendulum unit 110 can be approximately 1 second. Furthermore, the motion cycles of walking and jogging are slightly different, with the jogging motion cycle being shorter than the walking motion cycle. On the other hand, the external force associated with the motion is greater during jogging, resulting in a larger swing angle of the weight 114 and a longer contact state. Therefore, the average spring constant increases, shortening the natural period of pendulum unit 110 and matching it with the operating period of jogging. Therefore, even if the period differs depending on the user's state of motion, such as walking, it is possible to utilize resonance by matching that period with the period of pendulum unit 110, and it is possible to obtain larger power without increasing the size of the device compared to when pendulum unit 110 is configured as a gravity system.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by configuring the pendulum unit 110 as an inverted type, it is possible to effectively utilize the horizontal and vertical vibration external forces generated by walking or jogging. This allows for improved power generation efficiency compared to a power generation device that generates power by utilizing only one external vibration force, that is, the vertical direction.

[0027] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the walking power generator 200 uses an electromagnetic induction power generation system, which differs from the first embodiment's rotary power generation system, the walking power generator 100. Note that in the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations as the first embodiment will be described by quoting the description of the first embodiment, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0028] (Configuration example of walking power generation device 200) FIG. 2A is a plan view of a walking power generation device 200 according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the walking power generation device 200 taken along line AA' shown in FIG. 2A.

[0029] Walking power generation device 200 is an example of a walking device, and as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, it includes a base plate 202 that is rectangular in plan view, a first spring 230 that is an example of a first elastic member, a second spring 232 that is an example of a second elastic member, a pendulum unit 210, and a power generation unit 220.

[0030] First spring 230, second spring 232, pendulum unit 210, and power generator 220 are provided on the front surface side of base plate 202, and these components are covered by case 280 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 2B. A first mounting plate 240 that rises toward the front surface is fixed to the upper right side of base plate 202, and a second mounting plate 242 that rises toward the front surface is fixed to the upper left side of base plate 202.

[0031] First spring 230 is formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of first spring 230 is attached to the inner surface of first mounting plate 240, and the tip end of first spring 230 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the right side portion of magnet 214. When pendulum unit 210 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, the tip end of first spring 230 and the right end face of magnet 214 are separated by a gap g1. When magnet 214 rotates rightward θ1, the right end face of magnet 214 abuts against first spring 230, and first spring 230 expands and contracts in response to the biasing force of magnet 214.

[0032] Like first spring 230, second spring 232 is also formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of second spring 232 is attached to the inner surface of second mounting plate 242, and the tip end of second spring 232 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the left side portion of magnet 214. When pendulum unit 210 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, the tip end of second spring 232 and the left end face of magnet 214 are separated by a gap g2. When magnet 214 rotates leftward θ2, the left end face of magnet 214 abuts against second spring 232, and second spring 232 expands and contracts in response to the biasing force of magnet 214.

[0033] The pendulum unit 210 includes an arm 212, a magnet 214, which is an example of an object, and a fulcrum 216. The arm 212 is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length and extends vertically or approximately vertically. The magnet 214 is formed, for example, of a cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped body having a predetermined mass, and is fixed to the upper end of the arm 212 with its axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm 212. In this embodiment, for example, the right side of the magnet 214 is the north pole and the left side of the magnet 214 is the south pole. Note that the polarity of the magnet 214 may be reversed. The fulcrum 216 is provided at the lower end of the arm 212 and supports the magnet 214 and the arm 212 so that they can rotate in the right direction θ1 and the left direction θ2 of the arrow. A hole 217 into which a fixed shaft 224 is fitted is formed in the fulcrum 216. With this configuration, in the pendulum unit 210 of this embodiment, the magnet 214, which is the mass, 4 constitutes an inverted pendulum located at the upper end side away from the fulcrum part 216 on the opposite side to a normal pendulum.

[0034] The power generating unit 220 has a first coil 226 and a second coil 228, and is configured as an electromagnetic induction type generator that generates an induced electromotive force based on a change in the magnetic field that accompanies the movement of the magnet 214 that is the weight of the pendulum unit 210.

[0035] The first coil 226 is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the first spring 230, and a base end of the first coil 226 is attached to the inner surface of the first mounting plate 240. The right end side of the magnet 214 is movably inserted inside the first coil 226. The first coil 226 is connected to the device to be charged 250 via wiring (not shown). In the first coil 226, an induced electromotive force is generated by a change in the magnetic field caused by the reciprocating movement of the magnet 214 in the left-right direction, and power is charged into the device to be charged 250. The device to be charged 250 includes a mobile battery and an information processing terminal equipped with a battery, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

[0036] The second coil 228 is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the second spring 232, and the base end of the second coil 228 is attached to the inner surface of the second mounting plate 242. The left end side of the magnet 214 is movably inserted inside the second coil 228. The second coil 228 is connected to the device to be charged 250 via wiring (not shown). The second coil 228 also generates an induced electromotive force due to a change in the magnetic field caused by the reciprocating movement of the magnet 214 in the left-right direction, and charges the device to be charged 250 with power.

[0037] In the present embodiment, magnet 214 is inserted into first coil 226 and second coil 228, but as long as it is possible to change the magnetic field passing through first coil 226 and second coil 228, magnet 214 may be arranged in the vicinity of first coil 226 and second coil 228. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which two generators are used, and the power generated in first coil 226 and the power generated in second coil 228 are charged into separate generators.

[0038] (Operation example of walking power generator 200) Next, an example of the operation of the walking power generation device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0039] When the user starts walking or running, the entire walking power generator 200 vibrates vertically (up and down), left and right, and horizontally (front and back). As the walking power generator 200 vibrates, the magnet 214 of the pendulum part 210 rotates left and right.

[0040] Specifically, when magnet 214 rotates in the right direction θ1, the right end side of magnet 214, which is the north pole, moves within first coil 226. As a result, the magnetic field within first coil 226 changes (for example, increases), generating an induced electromotive force (induced current). Furthermore, when the right end surface of magnet 214 abuts against first spring 230, first spring 230 compresses, and the resulting reaction force pushes magnet 214 back in the left direction θ2. In other words, the right end side of magnet 214 moves in a direction away from first coil 226. In this case, too, the magnetic field within first coil 226 changes (for example, decreases), generating an induced electromotive force. The induced electromotive force generated in first coil 226 is rectified by a rectifier circuit (not shown) and is converted into a DC voltage to charge device 250.

[0041] The magnet 214, pushed back by the first spring 230, rotates in the left direction θ2, and the left end side, which is the south pole, moves inside the second coil 228. This changes the magnetic field inside the second coil 228, generating an induced electromotive force. Furthermore, when the left end face of the magnet 214 abuts against the second spring 232, the second spring 232 compresses, and the resulting reaction force pushes the magnet 214 back in the right direction θ1. In other words, the left end side of the magnet 214 moves in a direction away from the inside of the second coil 228. In this case, too, the magnetic field in second coil 228 changes, generating an induced electromotive force. The induced electromotive force generated in second coil 228 is rectified by a rectifier circuit (not shown) and is converted into a DC voltage to charge charger 250.

[0042] In the second embodiment, when the user is walking or running, the pendulum unit 210 continuously moves back and forth between the first spring 230 and the second spring 232 due to its inverted and unstable nature. This allows the first coil 226 and the second coil 228, located on the left and right, to alternately generate positive and negative voltages due to electromagnetic induction caused by changes in the magnetic field. Furthermore, as described above, even when the pendulum unit 110 is compactly configured, the natural period of the pendulum unit 110 can be approximately one second. Even if the motion period differs slightly between walking and jogging, the natural period of the pendulum unit 110 changes depending on the magnitude of the external force and matches the motion period. Therefore, even if the period differs depending on the user's physical state, such as walking, by matching the period with the period of the pendulum unit 210, resonance can be utilized. This allows for greater power to be obtained without increasing the device size compared to when the pendulum unit 210 is configured as a gravity system.

[0043] <Third embodiment> The walking power generator 300 of the third embodiment differs from the walking power generator 100 of the first embodiment in that it has two power generation units. Note that in the third embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those of the first embodiment will be explained by quoting the explanations of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0044] (Configuration example of walking power generator 300) FIG. 3A is a plan view of a walking power generation device 300 according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the walking power generation device 300 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0045] Walking power generation device 300 is an example of a walking device, and as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, it includes base plate 302 that is rectangular in plan view, first spring 330 which is an example of a first elastic member, second spring 332 which is an example of a second elastic member, pendulum unit 310, power generation units 320A and 320B, first rotation mechanism 360A, and second rotation mechanism 360B.

[0046] First spring 330, second spring 332, pendulum part 310, first rotation mechanism 360A, and second rotation mechanism 360B are provided on the front surface side of base plate 302, and these components are covered by case 380 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 3B. First mounting plate 340, which rises toward the front surface, is fixed to the upper right side of base plate 302, and second mounting plate 342, which also rises toward the front surface, is fixed to the upper left side of base plate 302.

[0047] First spring 330 is formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of first spring 330 is attached to the inner surface of first mounting plate 340, and the tip end of first spring 330 is located to the right of weight 314. When pendulum unit 310 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, there is a gap g1 between the tip end of first spring 330 and the right end face of weight 314. When weight 314 rotates rightward θ1, first spring 330 is pressed by the right end face of weight 314 and expands and contracts in response to the biasing force of weight 314.

[0048] Like first spring 330, second spring 332 is also formed, for example, by a compression spring and has a predetermined spring constant k. The base end of second spring 332 is attached to the inner surface of second mounting plate 342, and the tip end of second spring 332 is located to the left of weight 314. When pendulum unit 310 is stationary at the neutral point in the vertical direction, there is a gap g2 between the tip end of second spring 332 and the left end face of weight 314. When weight 314 rotates leftward θ2, second spring 332 is pressed by the left end face of weight 314 and expands or contracts in response to the biasing force of weight 314.

[0049] Pendulum unit 310 includes arm 312, weight 314 (an example of an object), and fulcrum 316. Arm 312 is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length and extending vertically or approximately vertically. Weight 314 is, for example, a cylinder or rectangular parallelepiped having a predetermined mass, and is fixed to the upper end of arm 312 with its axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of arm 312. Fulcrum 316 is provided at the lower end of arm 312 and supports weight 314 and arm 312 so that they can rotate clockwise (θ1) and counterclockwise (θ2). Fulcrum 316 has hole 317 into which fixed shaft 324 is fitted. With this configuration, pendulum unit 310 of this embodiment forms an inverted pendulum in which weight 314 (a mass) is located at the upper end away from fulcrum 316, which is the opposite side to a normal pendulum.

[0050] The power generation unit 320A is paired with a first rotation mechanism 360A, and the power generation unit 320B is paired with a second rotation mechanism 360B.

[0051] The first rotation mechanism 360A is disposed to the right of the pendulum unit 310 and includes a first arm 362A and a first fulcrum 366A. The first arm 362A is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length and extends vertically or approximately vertically. The upper end of the first arm 362A is fixed to the tip of the first spring 330. The first fulcrum 366A is provided at the lower end of the first arm 362A and supports the first arm 362A to be rotatable in the right direction θ1 and the left direction θ2. A first hole 367A is formed in the first fulcrum 366A, into which an input shaft 324A of the power generation unit 320A (described later) is fitted.

[0052] The second rotation mechanism 360B is disposed to the left of the pendulum unit 310 and includes a second arm 362B and a second fulcrum 366B. The second arm 362B is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length and extends vertically or approximately vertically. The upper end of the second arm 362B is fixed to the tip of the second spring 332. The second fulcrum 366B is provided at the lower end of the second arm 362B and rotatably supports the second arm 362B. A second hole 367B is formed in the second fulcrum 366B, into which an input shaft 324B of the power generation unit 320B (described later) is fitted.

[0053] Power generation units 320A and 320B are fixed to the rear surface of base plate 302. Power generation units 320A and 320B are rotary generators, and are configured, for example, with two geared generators, one for first rotation mechanism 360A and one for second rotation mechanism 360B. Power generation unit 320A has an input shaft 324A attached to a first fulcrum 366A of first rotation mechanism 360A. Power generation unit 320B has an input shaft 324B attached to a second fulcrum 366B of second rotation mechanism 360B.

[0054] Input shaft 324A provided in power generation unit 320A penetrates base plate 302 from the rear surface to the front surface, and its tip is fitted into first hole 367A of first rotation mechanism 360A. As a result, input shaft 324A of power generation unit 320A rotates back and forth integrally with first fulcrum portion 366A of first rotation mechanism 360A as pendulum portion 310 rotates left and right.

[0055] Similarly, input shaft 324B provided in power generation unit 320B penetrates base plate 302 from the rear surface side to the front surface side, and its tip side is fitted into second hole 367B of second rotation mechanism 360B. As a result, input shaft 324B of power generation unit 320B rotates back and forth integrally with second fulcrum portion 366B of second rotation mechanism 360B as pendulum portion 310 rotates left and right.

[0056] The power generating units 320A and 320B generate electricity in their respective geared generators by the reciprocating rotation of the input shafts 324A and 324B. The electric machine is connected to the device to be charged 350, and generates electric power and charges the device to be charged 350. The device to be charged 350 includes, for example, a mobile battery and an information processing terminal equipped with a battery, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

[0057] (Operation example of walking power generator 300) Next, an example of the operation of the walking power generator 300 according to the third embodiment during power generation will be described. Since the weight 314 of the pendulum part 310 is unstable at the neutral point, it remains stationary in contact with the first spring 330 on the right side or the second spring 332 on the left side when no external force is acting on it.

[0058] When the user starts walking or running, the entire walking power generator 300 vibrates in the vertical direction (up and down), left and right directions, and horizontal directions (front and back directions). As a result, the pendulum unit 310 is in an unstable state, and an external vibration force is applied to the pendulum unit 310, causing the weight 314 of the pendulum unit 310 to rotate left and right.

[0059] Specifically, when weight 314 rotates in the right direction θ1, the right end surface of weight 314 abuts against the tip of first arm 362A of first rotation mechanism 360A, and first arm 362A and first spring 330 rotate in the right direction θ1. This causes first spring 330 to compress, and the reaction force (elastic force) pushes first arm 362A and first spring 330 back in the left direction θ2.

[0060] The first arm 362A, pushed back by the first spring 330, rotates leftward in the direction θ2, and the weight 314 in contact with the first arm 362A also rotates leftward in the direction θ2. As a result, in the first rotation mechanism 360A, the input shaft 324A of the power generation unit 320A rotates back and forth about its axis, driving the geared generator and converting kinetic energy into power, which is electrical energy. The generated positive and negative voltages are rectified by a rectifier circuit (not shown) and are converted into DC voltages that are charged to the device to be charged 350.

[0061] Furthermore, when weight 314 rotates leftward θ2, the left end surface of weight 314 abuts against the tip of second arm 362B, causing second arm 362B and second spring 332 to rotate leftward θ2. This causes second spring 332 to compress, and the reaction force (elastic force) pushes second arm 362B and second spring 332 back rightward θ1.

[0062] The second arm 362B, pushed back by the second spring 332, rotates to the right in the direction θ1, and the weight 314 abutting against the second arm 362B also rotates to the right in the direction θ1. As a result, in the second rotation mechanism 360B, the input shaft 324B of the power generation unit 320B rotates back and forth around its axis, driving the geared generator and converting kinetic energy into power, which is electrical energy. The generated positive and negative voltages are rectified by a rectifier circuit (not shown) and charged as DC voltage to the device to be charged 350.

[0063] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, power generation is performed at two locations, the first rotation mechanism 360A and the second rotation mechanism 360B, thereby further improving power generation efficiency. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the fixed shaft 324 supporting the pendulum part 310 may be configured as the rotating shaft (input shaft) of a geared generator, thereby generating power at three locations. In this case, it is possible to further improve power generation efficiency compared to when power generation is performed at two locations.

[0064] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment differs from the pendulum unit 110 of the first embodiment in that the arm and weight constituting the pendulum unit 410 are integrally configured. The walking power generator 400 of this embodiment differs from the walking power generator 100 of the first embodiment only in the shapes of the arm 112 and weight 114 of the pendulum part 110, and the rest of the configuration and operation are the same. Therefore, the explanation of the first embodiment will be cited to omit redundant explanations, and only the different components will be explained.

[0065] (Configuration example of walking power generation device 400) FIG. 4A is a plan view of a walking power generation device 400 according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the walking power generation device 400 shown in FIG. 4A.

[0066] Walking power generator 400 is an example of a walking device. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , it includes a base plate 402 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, a pendulum unit 410, a power generator 420, a first spring 430 as an example of a first elastic member, a second spring 432 as an example of a second elastic member, a first mounting plate 440, and a second mounting plate 442. Pendulum unit 410, first spring 430, and second spring 432 are provided on the front surface of base plate 402, and these components are covered by a case 480 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4B . In this embodiment, pendulum unit 410 includes a weight arm 414, which is an integrated weight and arm, and a fulcrum unit 416. By increasing the overall mass of weight arm 414 and distributing more of the mass toward the tip end away from fulcrum unit 416, the moment of inertia of pendulum unit 410 can be increased, resulting in increased power generation. Furthermore, a charger 450 such as a mobile battery is connected to the walking power generation device 400, and the device is used by the user as a so-called walking power generation battery.

[0067] Furthermore, the center of gravity C1 of pendulum unit 410 is offset by a mm from the center of rotation C2, which is the center of input shaft 424, in the direction opposite to the user's traveling direction D. That is, in walking power generator 400, pendulum unit 410 has an asymmetric structure in which the center of gravity C1 and center of rotation C2 of pendulum unit 410 do not coincide.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a method for attaching walking power generator 400 to the outer surface of a user's thigh 500. In this embodiment, walking power generator 400 can be detachably attached to the user's thigh 500 using attachment means 600, such as a belt or band. The axis S2 of pendulum unit 410 of walking power generator 400 is tilted by an attachment angle θ in the direction of travel D relative to the axis S1 of thigh 500, and weight arm 414 is attached to the user's thigh 500 so that it extends approximately vertically. This is because the thigh generally tilts by a predetermined angle in the direction of travel D relative to the vertical during walking, and this tilt by the attachment angle θ is required to correct this. Furthermore, by offsetting the center of gravity C1 and center of rotation C2 of pendulum unit 410 by approximately 3 to 4 mm, stable reciprocating motion of pendulum unit 410 can be achieved.

[0069] (Examples of power generation results during each exercise by the walking power generator 400) Next, the power generation results when the walking power generation device 400 according to the fourth embodiment is attached to the user's legs and the user exercises, such as walking, will be described.

[0070] 5, the mounting angle θ is set to approximately 5 degrees and the offset a is set to 3.5 mm. If the walking power generator 400 is designed to fit in a pocket of the user's clothing, and the mounting angle θ is set to approximately 0 degrees, the offset a should be set to a larger value.

[0071] FIG. 6A is a graph showing the output waveform of the power generator 420 of the walking power generator 400 when the user is walking. FIG. 6B is a graph showing the output waveform of the power generator 420 of the walking power generator 400 when the user is brisk walking. FIG. 6C is a graph showing the output waveform of the power generator 420 of the walking power generator 400 when the user is jogging. Note that FIG. 6 In FIGS. 6A to 6C, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6A, when walking, the vibration period of the walking power generator 400 is approximately 1 second, i.e., the vibration frequency is approximately 1 Hz, which matches the vibration period of an average person walking. As a result, the vibration period of the walking power generator 400 resonates with the vibration period of the user's walking, increasing the generated power. For example, the power generated when walking was 0.00407 W.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6B, when walking quickly, the vibration period of walking power generator 400 is shorter than approximately 1 second. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6C, when jogging, the vibration period of walking power generator 400 is even shorter than when walking quickly. In these cases, when walking quickly or jogging, the foot pace (number of steps per minute) becomes faster, and the vibration period of the external force based on the user's movement and applied to pendulum unit 410 becomes shorter. However, the stride length becomes larger accordingly, and the external force applied to pendulum unit 410 of walking power generator 400 also becomes larger.

[0074] On the other hand, in the inverted pendulum section 410, when the external force of vibration increases, the vibration and amplitude of the pendulum section 410 also increase, and the time that the weight arm 414 is in contact with the left and right first spring 430 and second spring 432 also becomes longer. Here, the average spring constant per vibration cycle is the average value of spring constant A, which is the spring constant while the weight arm 414 is not in contact with the first spring 430, etc. and takes a negative value, and spring constant B, which is the spring constant while the weight arm 414 is in contact with the first spring 430, etc. and takes a positive value.

[0075] During brisk walking and jogging, the time that weight arm 414 is in contact with first spring 430 and other components is longer, increasing the proportion of spring constant B. This increases the average spring constant, shortening the natural vibration period of pendulum unit 410 of walking-powered power generator 400. This results in the vibration period of the pendulum unit 410 of walking-powered power generator 400 roughly matching the vibration period of an average person during brisk walking and jogging. As a result, even during brisk walking and jogging, the vibration period of walking-powered power generator 400 can track the vibration period of these movements, maintaining a resonant state and generating large amounts of power. For example, the power generated during brisk walking was 0.00572 W, and the power generated during jogging was 0.00707 W.

[0076] Note that the walking power generators 100, 200, and 300 other than the walking power generator 400 of the fourth embodiment can also achieve results similar to those shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. In the fourth embodiment, the walking power generator 400 is attached to the user's thigh 500 in order to increase the vibration of the pendulum unit 410, but this is not limiting. For example, the walking power generator 400 may be placed in the user's trouser or jacket pocket, or may be attached to the user's arm. Even in this case, vertical and horizontal vibrations are generated in the walking power generator 400 due to the user's walking or other movements, so a predetermined amount of power can be obtained.

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0078] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the power generated by the power generation unit 120 etc. is charged to the charger 150 etc. provided on the back surface of the base plate 102 etc., but a battery or an information processing terminal with a built-in battery such as a smartphone may be configured as the weight 114 of the pendulum unit 110. Specifically, in the walking power generator 400 shown in FIG. 4A, the weight arm 414 is configured as a battery, and the power generated by the power generation unit 420 by the rotation of the pendulum unit 410 is charged to the battery functioning as the weight. In this case, the weight can also be used as a charger, so the installation The device can be made smaller and lighter.

[0079] In addition to walking, brisk walking, and jogging, examples of exercise include any exercise that has a motion cycle of approximately 1 Hz, similar to walking, and includes, for example, dancing, which satisfies the above-mentioned motion cycle condition.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a gap is provided between weight 114 and first spring 130, and between weight 114 and second spring 132. However, if weight 114 can move back and forth in the left-right direction, the natural period may be set to approximately 1 second by configuring weight 114 and first spring 130 and second spring 132 without a gap and by reducing the spring constant of each spring.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the charger-receiving device 150, 250, 350, 450 is attached to the back surface of the base plate 102, 202, 302, 402, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the walking power generator 100, 200, 300, 400 and the charger-receiving device 150, 250, 350, 450 may be electrically connected using a cable or the like, and power generated by the walking power generator 100 or the like may be charged to the charger-receiving device 150 or the like via the cable or the like. Furthermore, power generated by the walking power generator 100, 200, 300, 400 may be transmitted to the charger-receiving device 150, 250, 350, 450 using a known wireless power supply method for charging. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100, 200, 300, 400 Walking Power Generator (Power Generator) 110,210,310,410 Pendulum section 120, 220, 320A, 320B, 420 Power Generation Unit 124, 324A, 324B, 424 Input shaft (generator section) 150,250,350,450 Charged device 130, 230, 330, 430 First spring (first elastic member) 132, 232, 332, 432 Second spring (second elastic member) 226 First coil (power generating section) 228 Second coil (power generating section) 360A First rotation mechanism 360B Second rotation mechanism

Claims

1. a pendulum unit including an arm extending in a vertical or substantially vertical direction, an object provided at an upper end of the arm, and a fulcrum provided at a lower end of the arm and rotatably supporting the object; a first elastic member that is provided so that one side surface of the object of the pendulum portion can come into contact with the first elastic member; a second elastic member that is provided so that the other side surface of the object of the pendulum portion can come into contact with the second elastic member; a power generating unit that generates electric power when the object of the pendulum unit rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member; a rotation mechanism including an arm extending in a vertical direction or a substantially vertical direction and provided between the object of the pendulum section and the first elastic member or the second elastic member, and a fulcrum portion provided on a lower end side of the arm and rotatably supporting the arm; Equipped with The power generation unit is The arm includes an input shaft attached to the fulcrum of the pivot mechanism, and the object pivots between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, causing the arm to pivot. The input shaft attached to the fulcrum rotates, generating electricity. Power generation equipment.

2. The power generation unit is an input shaft attached to the fulcrum portion of the pendulum portion, When the object of the pendulum portion rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, the input shaft rotates together with the fulcrum portion, thereby generating electricity. The power generating device according to claim 1 .

3. the object includes a magnet; The power generation unit is a first coil into which one side portion of the magnet can be inserted and which is provided surrounding an outer periphery of the first elastic member; a second coil into which the other side portion of the magnet can be inserted and which is provided surrounding the outer periphery of the second elastic member, The first coil and the second coil generate electric power when the magnet of the pendulum part rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member and the magnetic field in the first coil and the second coil changes. The power generating device according to claim 1 .

4. In the pendulum section, the center of gravity of the pendulum section is offset from the rotation center of the fulcrum section in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the user. The power generating device according to claim 1 .

5. The rotation of the pendulum part is generated by the user walking or running. The power generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A pendulum unit having an arm extending in a vertical or approximately vertical direction, an object provided on the upper end side of the arm, and a fulcrum portion provided on the lower end side of the arm and rotatably supporting the object; a first elastic member that is provided so that one side surface of the object of the pendulum portion can come into contact with the first elastic member; a second elastic member that is provided so that the other side surface of the object of the pendulum portion can come into contact with the second elastic member; a power generating unit that generates electricity when the object of the pendulum unit rotates between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, The pendulum unit is attached to the user's thigh in a state where the axis of the arm is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the thigh in the direction of travel of the user. How to install the generator.

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