Bicycle pedal using non contact-type energy harvesting

Abstract

A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to the present invention may include: a pedal body connected to a drive shaft of a bicycle and having LED light source units provided on both sides; a power transmission module provided on the pedal body and transmitting the rotational force of the drive shaft; and a plurality of generating modules provided on one side relative to the drive shaft and connected to the power transmission module to generate electricity in a non-contact manner using the rotational force.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting, and more specifically, to a bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting in which a pedal body can emit light by generating power in a non-contact manner using a piezoelectric element during pedaling, thereby enabling easy identification of the bicycle from the front and rear at night. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, the number of bicycle users has been increasing explosively as the population using bicycles for exercise and leisure purposes has grown rapidly. Consequently, there is a growing trend of collisions between bicycles, as well as accidents involving bicycles against pedestrians or bicycles against vehicles, on bicycle paths.

[0003] While automobiles are equipped with lighting devices such as parking lights, daytime running lights, and taillights, bicycles inevitably lack such features; therefore, lighting devices such as headlights, safety lights, and taillights are essential to enable easy identification from the front and rear, especially at night.

[0004] However, a stable power configuration is required to operate such a lighting device configuration continuously. Various generator configurations related to bicycle pedals have been disclosed, and among them, the technology for generating electricity using piezoelectric elements is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1863065. This technology is structured such that a piezoelectric element layer is provided on the pedal, and when pedaling, the upper cover is pressed and slides downward, striking the piezoelectric element layer to generate electricity.

[0005] However, the method of applying direct impact to the piezoelectric element (Piezo or PZT) has problems such as concerns about reduced durability due to fatigue cracks, potentially low power generation efficiency, and causing an unfamiliar sensation to the user or generating unnecessary noise during pedaling. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention is proposed to solve the aforementioned problems and provides a bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting, wherein magnetic force interacts with a piezoelectric plate in a non-contact manner through a non-contact rotating part connected to a drive shaft to enable electricity generation, thereby minimizing durability degradation such as fatigue cracking and ensuring excellent power generation efficiency, significantly reducing user discomfort or unnecessary noise, and allowing the bicycle to be easily identified from the front and rear at night by emitting an LED light source in the pedal body with a relatively simple configuration and without a separate electrical storage device. means of solving the problem

[0007] A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose may include: a pedal body connected to a drive shaft of a bicycle and having LED light source units provided on both sides; a power transmission module provided on the pedal body and transmitting the rotational force of the drive shaft; and a plurality of generating modules provided on one side relative to the drive shaft and connected to the power transmission module to generate electricity in a non-contact manner using the rotational force.

[0008] The power transmission module may include a first gear provided on the drive shaft; and a second gear engaged between the generating module and the first gear to increase the rotational force of the drive shaft.

[0009] The number of gear rows of the first gear may be greater than the number of gear rows of the second gear.

[0010] The generating module may include: a piezoelectric element plate provided on the upper or lower surface of the pedal body; and a pivot bracket provided parallel to the rotation axis of the power transmission module, comprising a third gear portion that meshes with the second gear on one side in the longitudinal direction along the rotation axis, and a non-contact pivot portion formed to protrude at a certain angle along the circumference on the other side.

[0011] A first magnet is accommodated in the above-mentioned non-contact rotating part, and a second magnet is accommodated in the above-mentioned piezoelectric element plate, and the first and second magnets may be neodymium magnets.

[0012] One of the first magnets may have its upper surface positioned as the N pole, and the upper surface of an adjacent first magnet may be positioned as the S pole, so that the polarities of the first magnets can be alternately arranged.

[0013] The above non-contact rotating part may be formed to protrude at 90-degree intervals along the circumference.

[0014] The above bicycle may further include a capacitor that stores electricity produced by the generating module.

[0015] The above piezoelectric element plate can be made of one or more of PZT (Pb(Ti,Zr)O3), Ba2TiO4, BaTiO3, and ceramic materials. Effects of the invention

[0016] The bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to the present invention enables electricity generation by allowing magnetic force to interact with a piezoelectric plate in a non-contact manner through a non-contact rotating part connected to a drive shaft, thereby minimizing durability degradation such as fatigue cracks and ensuring excellent power generation efficiency. Additionally, it can significantly reduce the sense of unfamiliarity to the user or the generation of unnecessary noise, and allows the bicycle to be easily identified from the front and rear at night by emitting an LED light source in the pedal body without a separate electrical storage device and with a relatively simple configuration. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a bicycle pedal with the upper cover removed, using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the remaining parts of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention, excluding the upper cover. Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of line AA in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the BB line in Figure 4. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the bottom. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the actual lighting state of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] An embodiment of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention with the upper cover removed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the remaining part excluding the upper cover of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of line AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of line BB in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the bottom, and FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating the actual lighting state of a bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] A bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to an embodiment of the present invention may include, with reference mainly to FIGS. 1 to 4, a pedal body (200) connected to a driving shaft (100) of a bicycle and having LED light source units (210) provided on both sides; a power transmission module (300) provided on the pedal body (200) and transmitting the rotational force of the driving shaft (100); and a plurality of generating modules (400) provided on one side relative to the driving shaft (100) and connected to the power transmission module (300) to generate electricity in a non-contact manner using the rotational force.

[0021] The pedal body (200) may be arranged to rotate relative to the drive shaft (100).

[0022] As seen in FIG. 1, a drive lever (20) is connected to a drive sprocket (10), and a drive shaft (100) may be provided at the end of the drive lever (20). A pedal body (200) may be rotatably coupled to the drive shaft (100). Thus, when pedaling the bicycle, the drive shaft (100) is fixed to the drive lever (20), and the pedal body (200) may rotate relative to the drive shaft (100).

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the LED light source (210) may be provided on both sides of the pedal body (200). The LED light source (210) can emit light from an LED (211) using electricity produced by a generating module (400). The light emission form of the LED light source (210) can be of various types, and as shown in FIG. 8, it may have a sine wave form that vibrates up and down with a certain amplitude when viewed from the rear, so that the bicycle can be easily identified from the front and rear at night.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the power transmission module (300) may include a first gear (310) provided on the drive shaft (100); and a second gear (320) that is engaged between the generating module (400) and the first gear (310) to increase the rotational force of the drive shaft (100).

[0025] The number of gear rows of the first gear (310) may be greater than the number of gear rows of the second gear (320). In this embodiment, the gear row of the second gear (320) is structured to be approximately twice as large as that of the first gear (310), so that the rotational speed of the second gear (320) can be output at more than twice the rotational RPM of the drive shaft (100). Thus, the rotational force of the drive shaft (100) is transmitted, and the power transmission module (300) can increase the speed of the rotational force of the drive shaft (100) and transmit it.

[0026] Meanwhile, since lightweight design is a key factor for bicycles, it is difficult to install separate batteries or ESS, and heavy weight not only results in low power generation efficiency but also makes riding the bicycle difficult. This is no different even for electric bicycles.

[0027] Accordingly, the present embodiment discloses a semi-permanent generating module (400) using a piezoelectric element.

[0028] With reference mainly to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the generating module (400) may include a piezoelectric element plate (410) provided on the upper or lower surface of the pedal body (200); and a rotating bracket (420) provided parallel to the rotation axis of the power transmission module (300), and including a third gear part (421) that meshes with the second gear (320) on one side along the rotation axis in the longitudinal direction, and a non-contact rotating part (422) formed to protrude at a certain angle along the circumference on the other side.

[0029] The above piezoelectric element plate (410) may be provided in the form of a disc-shaped plate. The term "piezoelectric element" of the above piezoelectric element plate (410) refers to a material in which D and G values ​​are formed due to the distortion of PIEZO when mechanical pressure is applied from the outside, and an electromotive force is generated by a potential difference due to electric polarization. Materials such as PZT (Pb(Ti,Zr)O3), Ba2TiO4, BaTiO3, and ceramics are used.

[0030] These piezoelectric elements have the characteristic of generating an electrical signal, such as voltage, when a mechanical change is made to the material due to external forces, such as force or impact applied to the element itself. However, applying direct impact to these piezoelectric elements (Piezo or PZT) can lead to problems with reduced durability, such as the element breaking.

[0031] Accordingly, a second magnet (411) is provided in the central part of the piezoelectric element plate (410), and can induce shaking or self-vibration of the piezoelectric element due to non-contact interaction (attraction or repulsion) with the first magnet (423) of the non-contact rotating part (422) described later. Through this, electricity can be generated in the piezoelectric element plate (410).

[0032] Meanwhile, although the present embodiment describes a configuration in which a piezoelectric element plate (410) is provided only on the upper surface of the pedal body (200), depending on the required voltage capacity, a piezoelectric element plate (410) may be installed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the pedal body (200), or two or more piezoelectric element plates (410) may be arranged side by side on one surface of the pedal body (200). As such, the number or arrangement of the piezoelectric element plates (410) may be set differently and will fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] In addition, two or more second magnets (411) may be installed on a single piezoelectric element plate (41). In this case, the magnetic force is increased, and the power generation efficiency may be increased.

[0034] The above-mentioned pivot bracket (420) is arranged parallel to the pivot axis of the power transmission module (300) and may include a third gear part (421) that meshes with the second gear (320) on one side along the pivot axis in the longitudinal direction, and a non-contact pivot part (422) that is formed to protrude at a certain angle along the circumference on the other side.

[0035] The third gear section (421) is arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the power transmission module (300), and on one side along the rotational axis in the longitudinal direction, it is a part that meshes with the second gear (320). Accordingly, the third gear section (421) can rotate by receiving the increased rotational speed of the second gear (320). Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the gear ratio of the second gear (320) and the third gear section (421) is approximately 1 to 1, but the gear ratio of the third gear section (421) can be lowered to further increase the rotational speed of the non-contact rotating section (422).

[0036] A first magnet (423) is accommodated in the above-mentioned non-contact rotating part (422), and the first magnet (423) may be a neodymium magnet. The upper surface of one of the first magnets (423) of the above-mentioned non-contact rotating part (422) may be arranged as the N pole, and the upper surface of an adjacent first magnet (423) may be arranged as the S pole, so that the polarities of the first magnets (423) may be arranged alternately.

[0037] In this embodiment, the non-contact rotating part (422) may be formed protruding at 90-degree intervals along the circumference. Alternatively, the angle at which the non-contact rotating part (422) is formed protrudes may be varied so that six protrusions are formed at 60-degree intervals, or eight protrusions are formed at 45-degree intervals. The difference in the number of protrusions may be set differently depending on the required power generation capacity or the degree of vibration of the piezoelectric element plate (410).

[0038] In this way, magnetic force interacts with the piezoelectric element plate (410) in a non-contact manner through the non-contact rotating part (422) connected to the drive shaft (100), so that electricity generation is possible, thereby minimizing the decrease in durability such as fatigue cracks.

[0039] Meanwhile, the bicycle may further include a battery (not shown) provided therein to store electricity produced by the generating module (400).

[0040] In this way, magnetic force interacts with the piezoelectric element plate (410) in a non-contact manner through the non-contact rotating part (422) connected to the drive shaft (100), thereby enabling electricity generation. This minimizes the decrease in durability, such as fatigue cracks, enables self-generation, and allows for semi-permanent electricity generation, so that the LED (211) on the pedal can be driven at all times. Additionally, the bicycle can be easily identified from the front and rear at night with a relatively simple configuration and without a separate electrical storage device.

[0041] Hereinafter, the development process and lighting conditions will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0042] When pedaling, the pedal body (200) rotates relative to the drive shaft (100). At this time, the power transmission module (300) connected to the drive shaft (100) operates.

[0043] That is, the first gear (310) coupled to the drive shaft (100) rotates, and the second gear (320) meshed with it rotates. At this time, because the gear train of the second gear (320) is relatively smaller than that of the first gear (310), the rotational speed of the second gear (320) is increased compared to the rotational speed of the drive shaft (100).

[0044] Next, the third gear (421) receives a rotational speed similar to that of the second gear (320), and the rotating bracket (420) rotates itself at a speed increased compared to the first gear (310).

[0045] In this process, the non-contact rotating part (422) rotates, the first magnet (423) rotates, and the second magnet (411) interacts with it, causing an attractive or repulsive force to act, thereby vibrating the piezoelectric element plate (410) up and down and generating electricity.

[0046] To explain this in more detail, when the second magnet (411) is positioned as the N pole on the plate surface of the piezoelectric element plate (410) and the non-contact rotating part (422) on the left side of FIG. 6 rotates counterclockwise, if the first magnet (423) that first meets the second magnet (411) is the N pole, a repulsive force acts so that the piezoelectric element plate (410) is slightly pushed upward.

[0047] Next, when the first magnet (423) approaches, the upper surface of the alternately arranged first magnet (423) is the S pole, and an attractive force acts with the N pole of the piezoelectric element plate (410), causing the piezoelectric element plate (410) to be pulled slightly downward. In this way, as the non-contact rotating part (422) rotates once, the polarity of the first magnet (423) arranged at 90-degree intervals changes alternately, and electricity is generated as the piezoelectric element plate (410) is subjected to vibration accompanied by two vertical amplitudes.

[0048] The generated electricity turns on the LED (211) of the LED light source (210) to illuminate both sides of the pedal body (200).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, compared to a conventional fixed taillight, the LED light source (210) attached to the pedal can emit light while moving up / down during the pedaling process, so it can have excellent visibility.

[0050] Through this step configuration, magnetic force interacts with the piezoelectric element plate (410) in a non-contact manner via the non-contact rotating part (422) connected to the drive shaft (100), thereby enabling electricity generation. This minimizes the deterioration of durability, such as fatigue cracks, and allows for excellent power generation efficiency. Additionally, the user's sense of unfamiliarity or the generation of unnecessary noise can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, with a relatively simple configuration and without a separate electrical storage device, the LED (211) light source of the pedal body (200) can be illuminated, allowing the bicycle to be easily identified from the front and rear at night.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments, the scope of the invention is not limited to specific embodiments and should be interpreted by the appended claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0052] 10: Drive sprocket 20: Drive lever 100 : Drive shaft 200 : Pedal body 210 : LED light source 211 : LED 300: Power transmission module 310: First gear 320: 2nd Gear 400: Generating Module 410: Piezoelectric element plate 411: Second magnet 420: Rotating bracket 421: Third gear part 422: Non-contact rotating part 423: First magnet

Claims

Claim 1 A pedal body connected to a drive shaft of a bicycle and having LED light source units provided on both sides; a power transmission module provided on the pedal body and transmitting the rotational force of the drive shaft; and a plurality of generating modules provided on one side relative to the drive shaft and connected to the power transmission module to generate electricity in a non-contact manner using the rotational force, wherein the power transmission module includes a first gear provided on the drive shaft; and a second gear meshed between the generating module and the first gear to increase the rotational force of the drive shaft, wherein the generating module includes a piezoelectric element plate provided on the upper or lower surface of the pedal body and provided in the form of a disc-shaped plate type; A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting, comprising a pivot bracket arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the power transmission module, and including a third gear portion that meshes with the second gear on one side in the longitudinal direction along the rotational axis, and a non-contact pivot portion formed protruding at a certain angle along the circumference on the other side, wherein a first magnet is accommodated in the non-contact pivot portion and a second magnet is accommodated in the piezoelectric element plate, and wherein the first and second magnets are neodymium magnets. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of gear trains of the first gear is greater than the number of gear trains of the second gear. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface of one of the first magnets is positioned as the N pole, and the upper surface of an adjacent first magnet is positioned as the S pole, so that the polarities of the first magnets are alternately arranged. Claim 7 A bicycle pedal using energy harvesting according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-contact rotating part is formed to protrude at 90-degree intervals along the circumference. Claim 8 A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to claim 1, further comprising a capacitor provided in the bicycle to store electricity produced by the generating module. Claim 9 A bicycle pedal utilizing energy harvesting according to claim 1, characterized in that the piezoelectric element plate is made of one or more of PZT (Pb(Ti,Zr)O3), Ba2TiO4, BaTiO3, and ceramic materials.

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