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

Abstract

This power generation module (100) is characterized by comprising: a magnet unit (24) formed from a permanent magnet and provided inside a housing (20) such that the position of the magnet unit (24) relative to the housing (20) changes when an external force acts on the housing (20) due to any of shaking, vibration, shock, and inclination; and a power generation element (10) secured inside the housing (20) and formed from a magnetic core, a flux concentrator (13) formed from a soft magnetic body at both ends of the magnetic core in the longitudinal direction, and a coil that is wound around the magnetic core, wherein a voltage is generated in the coil in response to a change in a magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet unit (24) and the position of the power generation element (10) when the external force acts on the housing (20).

Description

Power generation modules, vibration, shock and tilt detection sensors, and marine sensors

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

[0002] When a magnetic material is magnetized under tension or with residual internal stress, the magnetic domain walls inside the magnetic material move all at once, causing the magnetization direction to reverse in an extremely short time. This is known as the large Barkhausen effect. When a pickup coil is wound around a magnetic material that exhibits the large Barkhausen effect, a pulse voltage can be generated in the pickup coil in response to the reversal of the magnetization direction of the magnetic material.

[0003] Based on the large Barkhausen effect, energy harvesting technology is known, which uses human activity (for example, walking) or machine vibrations as energy available in the environment to generate electricity.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a power generating element in which a magnetic field is changed by the reciprocating motion caused by the vibration of a magnet attached to a spring, causing magnetization reversal in a magnetic wire due to the large Barkhausen effect, and the resulting pulse voltage generated in a pickup coil wound around the magnetic wire charges a capacitor.

[0005] International Publication No. 2018 / 097110

[0006] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only guides a portion of the magnetic field lines generated from the magnet to the magnetic core, which has the problem that the efficiency of guiding the magnetic field lines generated from the magnet to the magnetic core is not good.

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

[0008] The power generation module of the present disclosure comprises a magnet section made of a permanent magnet and arranged within the housing so that its position relative to the housing changes when an external force acts on the housing, and a power generation element fixed within the housing and made of a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core, and is characterized in that when the external force acts on the housing, a voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet section and the position of the power generation element.

[0009] The vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor disclosed herein is characterized in that it rectifies and stores the electricity generated by the power generation module described in any one of claims 1 to 11, and uses the stored electricity to either transmit the occurrence of the external force via wireless communication or record it in non-volatile memory.

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

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

[0012] 3A is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power generation element used in the vibration power generation modules and vibration power generation devices according to embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6, and (b) is a side view thereof. (a) is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a power generation element different from the power generation element shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a side view thereof. (a) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic field lines in the power generation element, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic field lines when the magnetization direction of the magnet section is opposite to that of FIG. 3A. (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module according to embodiment 1. (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a magnetic flux density waveform in the magnet thickness direction. (d) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the displacement directions of a first magnet and a second magnet and the magnetic collector of the power generation element. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform generated by electromagnetic induction in a coil wound around an iron core not having the Large Barkhausen effect, and a voltage waveform due only to the Large Barkhausen effect; and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform generated in a coil by electromagnetic induction and the Large Barkhausen effect according to embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a power generation module using a power generation element having no magnetic collector. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module according to a modified example of embodiment 1. FIG. 1D is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor according to embodiment 2. FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module according to embodiment 3. FIG. 1F is a schematic diagram of a power generation module according to embodiment 4. FIG. 1G is a schematic diagram of a modified example of the power generation module according to embodiment 4. FIG. 1H is a schematic diagram of a power generation module according to embodiment 5. FIG. 1I is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module according to embodiment 6.

[0013] The power generation modules, vibration / impact / tilt detection sensors, and ocean sensors according to embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6 will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and the embodiments can be combined as appropriate and each embodiment can be modified as appropriate.

[0014] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power generating element 10 used in the power generating modules, power generating devices, and floor power generating devices according to embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 6, and Fig. 1(b) is a side view thereof. The power generating element 10 according to embodiments 1 and 2 has one or more composite magnetic wires that form a magnetic core 11 that generates a large Barkhausen effect. The power generating element 10 desirably has a magnetic collector (soft magnetic material) 13 that surrounds the outer periphery of the magnetic core 11. The magnetic collectors 13 are arranged at both ends of the magnetic core 11 as a first magnetic collector 13A and a second magnetic collector 13B, respectively, and a coil 12 is wound around the magnetic core 11. The soft magnetic material used for the magnetic collector 13 is preferably a steel material such as SS400 or S45C, a magnetic stainless steel material such as SUS430 or SUS440, or a high-permeability material such as permalloy or permendur, but any material with a magnetic permeability equal to or greater than that of air (a material with a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1) will do. The magnetic core 11 has a magnetostrictive effect, and expands and contracts due to magnetostriction in response to changes in the applied magnetic field.

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

[0016] The flow of magnetic field lines 84 in the power generating element 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described using FIG. 3( a). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of magnetic field lines in the power generating element 10, showing the power generating element 10 and the magnet section 24 from a side view. FIG. 3( a) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic field lines in the power generating element. FIG. 3( b) is an explanatory diagram of the flow of magnetic field lines when the magnetization direction of the magnet section is opposite to that of FIG. 3( a). In FIG. 3( a), magnetic field lines 84 emerging from the magnetized surface 80 (north pole) of the magnet section 24 along the magnetization direction 82 enter the first magnetic collector 13A, pass through the magnetic core 11, and exit into the air from the second magnetic collector 13B. That is, the magnetic field lines 84 passing through the first magnetic collector 13A and the second magnetic collector 13B both point in the +Y direction. Note that some of the magnetic field lines 84 enter the magnetic core 11 directly.

[0017] Next, the flow of magnetic field lines 94 in the power generating element 10 in which the magnetization direction 92 of the magnet portion 24 is opposite to that shown in FIG. 3( a) will be described with reference to FIG. 3( b). In FIG. 3( b), the first magnetic collector 13A faces the magnetized surface 90 (south pole) of the magnet portion 24, which is the opposite of the case shown in FIG. 3( a). Therefore, the magnetic field lines 94 pass from the second magnetic collector 13B through the magnetic core 11 and then through the first magnetic collector 13A toward the magnetized surface 90 (south pole). In other words, the magnetic field lines 94 passing through the first magnetic collector 13A and the second magnetic collector 13B are both oriented in the −Y direction. Note that some of the magnetic field lines 84 enter the magnetic core 11 directly. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the magnetized surfaces 80, 90 of the magnet section 24 and the magnetic field collector 13 of the power generating element 10 face each other, and the magnetic field collector surfaces 13A, 13B are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the power generating element 10 (the direction of the magnetic field lines 84, 94 that contribute to power generation in the coil). As a result, the magnetic field lines 84, 94 emerging from the magnetized surfaces 80, 90 of the magnet section 24 enter the magnetic field collector 13 straight, travel almost straight through the magnetic core 11 in the power generating element 10, and emerge from the magnetic field collector 13 on the opposite side. This results in very little loss of the magnetic field lines 84, 94 emerging from the magnet section 24, making it possible to obtain the most efficient electromagnetic induction power generation.

[0018] First Embodiment Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module 100 according to a first embodiment. The power generation module 100 shown in Fig. 4 includes a magnet unit 24 consisting of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26 suspended from a central axis 21 of a cylindrical housing 20. The first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 are magnetized so that their magnetic poles are opposite to each other, as indicated by magnetic moments 25M and 26M, and so that magnetic field lines generated from each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 pass through the power generation element 10 along the magnetic core 11. Furthermore, by arranging the magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 so that they are aligned in the direction of relative displacement, most of the magnetic field lines are collected at the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic collector 13. One end and the other end of the central axis 21 are engaged with wall surfaces corresponding to the side surfaces of the cylindrical housing 20 so as to be able to swing. 4 , the magnet unit 24 oscillates to maintain a horizontal position due to the rotation of the central axis 21 and its own weight, and its position relative to the housing 20 changes. The power generation element 10 described above is provided on a weight 22 provided on the inside of the cylindrical side surface of the housing 20. The center of gravity of the power generation module 100 is set below the central axis 21 due to the mass of the weight 22. Therefore, when an external force such as shaking or vibration (impact) acts on the housing 20, the power generation module 100 oscillates in a rolling manner together with the housing 20, and returns to the state before the external force was applied while converging the oscillation in the manner of a tilting doll.

[0019] The power generation module 100 is configured so that, during the movement of the magnet section 24, there are two states: a first state in which the magnet collecting surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 face each other, and a second state in which the magnet collecting surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26 face each other. The polarity of the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 is opposite to the polarity of the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26. In the first state, the magnet collecting surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generation element 10 and the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 are close to each other with a small gap between them, i.e., the surfaces face each other, so that the magnetic flux of the first magnet 25 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generation element 10. In the second state, the magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic collector 13 of the power generating element 10 and the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26 are close to each other with a small gap between them, i.e., the surfaces face each other, allowing the magnetic flux of the second magnet 26 to be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generating element 10. Oscillating the housing 20 causes a relative displacement between the magnet section 24, which is arranged to maintain horizontality, and the power generating element 10. The magnetic flux collecting surface of the magnetic collector 13 of the power generating element 10 alternately faces the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 and the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26, which have opposite polarities. This relative displacement changes the magnetic field of the magnet section 24 acting on the power generating element 10. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction. In other words, when an external force such as vibration, impact, or tilt acts on the housing 20, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to a change in the magnetic field based on the relative displacement between the position of the magnet section 24 and the position of the power generating element 10.

[0020] The narrower the gap 29, which is the distance between the magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 and the magnet collector 13, the greater the magnetic force acting on the magnetic core 11, resulting in a higher power generation capacity. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the position [mm] of the first magnet 25 (or the second magnet 26) in the magnet moving direction and the magnetic flux density [mT] at a position spaced a gap G from the first magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 (or the second magnetized surface of the second magnet 26). FIG. 5 shows an example in which the length (i.e., width) of the magnet portion 24 in the moving direction D1 (i.e., the magnet moving direction) is a first length L1 = 10 mm. FIG. 5 also shows the magnetic flux density [mT] when the gap G, which is the distance from the magnet collecting surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generating element 10, is 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the narrower the gap G, the greater the magnetic force acting on the magnetic core 11, resulting in a higher power generation capacity. As shown in Figure 5, among the conditions where gap 29 is 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm, the magnetic flux density is maximum when gap 29 is 0.5 mm, but because a magnetic attraction force acts between first magnet 25 and second magnet 26 and magnetic collector 13, the minimum gap 29 that can actually be assembled is about 1 mm.

[0021] 5 shows that the magnetic flux density waveform in the magnet thickness direction, i.e., the direction of magnetic moment 25M or magnetic moment 26M, has two peaks. When gap 29 is 1 mm, the peak interval is approximately 6 mm, so the most efficient width of magnetic collector 13 is 6 mm. In order to obtain even more magnetic force when gap 29 is 1 mm, for example, by installing magnetic collector 13 with a width of approximately 8 mm, it becomes possible to collect even more magnetic lines of force 52 in magnetic core 11, and theoretically, approximately 90% of the magnetic flux of magnet portion 24 can be induced to magnetic core 11.

[0022] The width of the magnetic flux collector 13 in the power generating element 10 in the direction of relative displacement of its position with respect to the magnet section 24 when an external force acts on the housing 30 (the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 6 ) is approximately 60% of the width of the magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 of the magnet section 24 facing the magnetic flux collector 13 in the direction of relative displacement, with an upper limit of 80%. The magnet section 24 requires at least two magnets, the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, and the narrower the installation distance between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, the smaller the amount of magnet displacement required to generate power. If the width of the magnetic flux collector 13 in the direction of relative displacement is wide, the gap 38 between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 must be wide, and exceeding the above-mentioned most efficient width (6 mm) is disadvantageous in terms of magnet spacing. Therefore, in this embodiment, from the perspective of the balance between magnetic force and magnet spacing, the width of the magnetic flux collector 13 is preferably 60% of the width of the magnets, with an upper limit of 80%.

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

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 , a gap 38 is desirably provided between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. The gap 38 is made of a non-magnetic material, and the width of the gap 38 in the direction of relative displacement is desirably equal to or greater than the width of the magnetic collector 13 in the direction of relative displacement. The gap 38 may be an air gap, or may be filled with a non-magnetic material such as copper, aluminum, or synthetic resin. If the width of the magnetic collector 13 in the direction of relative displacement is wide, when the magnetic collector 13 straddles the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 due to relative displacement, the magnetic collector 13 will collect both the upward magnetic field lines 52 of the first magnet 25 and the downward magnetic field lines 52 of the second magnet 26. As a result, the upward magnetic field lines 52 and the downward magnetic field lines 52 cancel each other out within the magnetic core 11, resulting in a slower change in magnetic flux within the magnetic core 11. By providing a gap 38 between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 that is approximately the same as or larger than the width of the magnetic collector 13, as shown in Figure 6, the risk of the magnetic collector 13 straddling the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 is reduced, and the internal magnetic flux change of the magnetic core 11 can be increased.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the magnetic field collector 13 of the power generating element 10 faces the magnetized surface of each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26, and therefore most of the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 propagate to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic field collector 13 facing the magnetized surface. As a result, the magnetic field lines 52 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic field collector 13. The magnetic field lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 propagate along the magnetic core 11, penetrating the power generating element 10. When an external force acting on the housing 20 moves the magnet portion 24 in the displacement direction 50, the magnet facing the magnetic field collector 13 of the power generating element 10 is switched, for example, from the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, and the direction of the magnetic field lines 52 acting on the magnetic field collector 13 is reversed. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction.

[0026] 7A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform 140 generated by electromagnetic induction in a coil wound around an iron core that does not have the Large Barkhausen effect, and a voltage waveform 141 due to only the Large Barkhausen effect. The voltage waveform 140 generated in the coil wound around an iron core that does not have the Large Barkhausen effect in FIG. 7A has a wide pulse width and a large amount of generated charge, but a low peak voltage of about 5 V. The voltage waveform 141 due to only the Large Barkhausen effect has a high peak voltage of 15 to 20 V, but a narrow pulse width of about 80 μS or less and a small amount of charge.

[0027] 7(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform 142 generated in the coil 12 by electromagnetic induction and the large Barkhausen effect according to the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments. In the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments, a high voltage of approximately 20 to 25 V can be obtained by superimposing a voltage waveform with a significant peak voltage due to the large Barkhausen effect on a voltage waveform with a large amount of charge due to electromagnetic induction. Efficient charging of a capacitor requires both a potential difference and an electric charge, and the power generation devices according to the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments are suitable for charging a capacitor.

[0028] As described above, the power generation module 100 according to embodiment 1 can achieve carbon-neutral power generation without consuming fossil fuels by obtaining the electricity generated in the power generation element 10 due to external forces such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 20.

[0029] In the first embodiment, by hanging the magnet section 24 from the central axis 21 or the like, external forces such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 20 cause the housing 20 and the magnet section 24 to move differently, resulting in a relative displacement in the positional relationship between the magnet section 24 and the power generating element 10. Such relative displacement changes the magnetic field of the magnet section 24 acting on the power generating element 10, and a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction.

[0030] In the first embodiment, by providing a weight 22 below the housing 20, the cylindrical housing 20 is prevented from rolling endlessly, and the housing 20 can rise up like a tilting doll and return to its original position relative to the magnet. However, in this embodiment, the weight 22 is not necessarily required, and depending on the installation location, the housing 20 may be allowed to roll endlessly to repeatedly generate electricity.

[0031] In the first embodiment, one power generating element 10 is mounted on the weight 22, but this is not limiting. If there is room for mounting a plurality of power generating elements 10 on the weight 22, a plurality of power generating elements 10 may be mounted. Furthermore, the generated power is rectified and stored in a storage unit such as a capacitor, and the power stored in the storage unit can be used as a vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor that either transmits information about the occurrence of vibration, impact, or tilt of the casing via wireless communication or records the information in a non-volatile memory.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the power generating element 10 is provided with the magnetic collector 13 that efficiently guides the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24, but this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 8, the power generating element 10 may be configured with only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic collector 13. Also, the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic collector 13 may not face each other. Furthermore, the power generating element 10 may be configured without the magnetic core 11 and with only a soft magnetic material such as iron.

[0033] <<Modification of First Embodiment>> Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module 110 according to a modification of the first embodiment. The power generation module 110 shown in Fig. 9 includes a magnet unit 24 consisting of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26 suspended from the ceiling inside a spherical housing 37 by a support cord 23 such as a piano wire. As shown in Fig. 9 , the magnet unit 24 is arranged such that two first magnets 25 and two second magnets 26 are arranged in a lattice pattern, and the first magnets 25 and the second magnets 26 are diagonally aligned. When the housing 37 rolls in the direction indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 9 , the magnet unit 24 oscillates to maintain a horizontal position due to the suspension by the support cord 23 and its own weight. The power generation element 10 described above is provided on a weight 22 provided on the side of the housing 37 180° from the position where the support cord 23 is attached. When external shaking or vibration (impact) acts on the housing 37, the power generation module 100 sways as if rolling along with the housing 37, and the mass of the weight 22 causes the swaying to converge in the manner of a tilting doll, returning the module to its original state.

[0034] As described above, the power generation module 110 according to the modified example of embodiment 1 can achieve carbon-neutral power generation without consuming fossil fuels by obtaining the electricity generated in the power generation element 10 due to external forces such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 37.

[0035] Furthermore, in a modification of the first embodiment, the magnet unit 24 is suspended from the ceiling of the spherical housing 37 by the support cords 23. This causes the housing 37 and the magnet unit 24 to move differently due to external forces such as vibration, impact, or tilting of the housing 37, resulting in a relative displacement in the positional relationship between the magnet unit 24 and the power generating element 10. This relative displacement changes the magnetic field of the magnet unit 24 acting on the power generating element 10, and a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction. Specifically, if the magnet unit 24 in FIG. 9 is treated as four magnets, 25, 26, 27, and 28, the power generating element 10 faces the first magnet 25 in the initial position, and when swung leftward or rightward in the figure, the power generating element faces the second magnet 26. When swung toward the depth of the figure, the power generating element 10 faces the third magnet 27, rather than the first magnet 25 (the third magnet 27 has the same magnetization direction as the second magnet 26). When the housing 20 rotates around the central axis in the vertical direction in the figure, the magnet section 24 also rotates, and the power generating element 10 faces the first magnet 25, the second magnet 26, the fourth magnet 28, and the third magnet 27 in that order, and the magnetic poles on the magnetic collecting surface switch from downward to upward to downward to upward, generating electricity.

[0036] The spherical housing 37 can roll two-dimensionally, including both the front-back and left-right directions, compared to the cylindrical housing 20, which rolls one-dimensionally, i.e., front-back or left-right. Furthermore, the magnet section 24 is configured with two first magnets 25 and two second magnets 26 arranged in a lattice pattern. Therefore, the magnetic field acting on the power generating element 10 due to relative displacement with respect to the magnet section 24 changes more complexly and more frequently than in the first embodiment, which uses the cylindrical housing 20. As a result, the power generating module 110 according to the modified example of the first embodiment can output generated pulses more frequently than the power generating module 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] In the modification of the first embodiment, one power generating element 10 is mounted on the weight 22, but this is not limiting. If there is room for mounting a plurality of power generating elements 10 on the weight 22, a plurality of power generating elements 10 may be mounted. In addition, the generated power is rectified and stored in a storage unit such as a capacitor, and the power stored in the storage unit can be used as a vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor that either transmits information about the occurrence of vibration, impact, or tilt of the housing via wireless communication or records the information in a non-volatile memory.

[0038] In the modification of the first embodiment, the power generating element 10 is provided with the magnetic collector 13 that efficiently guides the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24, but this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 8, the power generating element 10 may be configured with only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic collector 13. Also, the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic collector 13 may not face each other. Furthermore, the power generating element 10 may be configured without the magnetic core 11 and with only a soft magnetic material such as iron.

[0039] Second Embodiment Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor 200 according to a second embodiment. The power generation module 100 described above includes a power generation element 10 and a magnet section 24, and generates a voltage in the coil 12 due to a displacement of the magnet section 24 relative to the power generation element 10. The voltage generated in the coil 12 exhibits a positive / negative pulse shape as shown in Fig. 7(b), and is therefore full-wave rectified by a rectifier section 202. In the second embodiment, the rectifier section 202 may perform half-wave rectification instead of full-wave rectification. Furthermore, the power generation module 100 may be replaced by a power generation module 110 according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0040] The voltage full-wave rectified by the rectifier 202 is stored in the power storage unit 204. The power storage unit 204 is a rechargeable secondary battery, a capacitor, or the like. The waveform of the voltage output by the power generating element 10 exhibits a pulse shape with a prominent peak due to the Barkhausen effect. Therefore, if there is a risk that the voltage will exceed the allowable voltage for charging a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery, a capacitor is used for the power storage unit 204.

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

[0042] The sensor unit 212 is a sensor that detects vibration, impact, and tilt, but can also be used for the following purposes: When the sensor unit 212 is installed in a machine tool, it detects the temperature, humidity, acceleration, current, magnetic field, CO ２ When the sensor unit 212 is installed in a general environment such as a house, it can detect the temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, magnetic field, CO ２ The sensor unit 212 can be used as a sensor that detects the concentration, pH of water or soil, water level, soil moisture content, land inclination, acceleration (impact) due to earthquakes or the like, or the amount of solar radiation (on cloudy days). The sensor unit 212 may be supplied with power from the power storage unit 204. The sensor unit 212 can wirelessly transmit or record in non-volatile memory the acceleration and temperature data detected using the power stored in the power storage unit 204, thereby enabling the sensor to be used as a sensor that detects information on the surrounding environment, such as acceleration and temperature, when an external force related to shaking, vibration, impact, or tilt acts on the housing 20.

[0043] If the power load 210 to which power is supplied is a wireless transmitter, it transmits information acquired by the sensor unit 212 to another device such as an analyzer. If the power load 210 to which power is supplied is a non-volatile memory, it stores the information acquired by the sensor unit 212. The information detected by the sensor unit 212 and stored in the non-volatile memory is analyzed as appropriate by an analyzer or the like.

[0044] As described above, the vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor according to the second embodiment can realize a wire-free and battery-free vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor by wirelessly transmitting and recording in memory using the power generated in the power generating element 10 due to an external force such as vibration, impact, or tilt applied to the housing 20.

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

[0046] A magnet section 24 consisting of a first magnet 25 and a second magnet 26, each of which is a permanent magnet, is provided on the upper surface of the movable section 32. The magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 are attached to the movable section 32 so as to face the magnetized surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generating element 10. The magnetized surfaces of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26 face the magnet collector 13 with a gap 29 between them. A gap 38 is also provided between the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. The power generating module 100 is configured so that, during the movement of the magnet section 24, there are two states: a first state in which the magnetized surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generating element 10 faces the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25, and a second state in which the magnetized surface of the magnet collector 13 of the power generating element 10 faces the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26. The polarity of the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 is opposite to the polarity of the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26. In the first state, the magnetic collecting surface of the magnetic collector 13 of the power generating element 10 and the magnetized surface of the first magnet 25 are close to each other with a small gap between them, i.e., the surfaces face each other, so that the magnetic flux of the first magnet 25 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generating element 10. In addition, in the second state, the magnetic collecting surface of the magnetic collector 13 of the power generating element 10 and the magnetized surface of the second magnet 26 are close to each other with a small gap between them, i.e., the surfaces face each other, so that the magnetic flux of the second magnet 26 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 of the power generating element 10.

[0047] In the third embodiment, the magnetic field collector 13 of the power generating element 10 faces the magnetized surface of each of the first magnet 25 and the second magnet 26. This causes most of the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 to propagate to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic field collector 13 facing the magnetized surface. As a result, the magnetic field lines 52 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic field collector 13. The magnetic field lines 52 generated from the first magnet 25 or the second magnet 26 then propagate along the magnetic core 11, penetrating the power generating element 10. When an external force acting on the housing 30 moves the magnet portion 24 in the displacement direction 50, the magnet facing the magnetic field collector 13 of the power generating element 10 is switched, for example, from the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, and the direction of the magnetic field lines 52 acting on the magnetic field collector 13 is reversed. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction.

[0048] When an external force such as vibration, impact, or tilt acts on the housing 30, the linear bearing 33 causes the movable part 32 to move in the direction of the double arrow relative to the fixed part 31 fixed to the housing 30. As a result, the magnet of the magnet part 24 facing the magnetic collector 13 of the power generating element 10 switches from the first magnet 25 to the second magnet 26, or from the second magnet 26 to the first magnet 25, reversing the magnetic field applied to the magnetic core 11 of the power generating element 10. This reversal of the magnetic field causes the large Barkhausen effect, in which the magnetization direction inside the magnetic core 11 is reversed, and electromagnetic induction occurs in the coil 12, generating a pulse voltage with a waveform as shown in FIG. 7B in the coil 12 wound around the power generating element 10.

[0049] When the housing 30 tilts relative to the ground, the movable part 32 smoothly displaces relative to the housing 30 using a linear bearing 33 or the like, and the generated electricity is rectified and stored in a storage unit such as a capacitor.The electricity stored in the storage unit can then be used as a vibration, impact, and tilt detection sensor that either transmits information via wireless communication or records the information in non-volatile memory when vibration, impact, or tilt has occurred in the housing.

[0050] As described above, according to the power generation module 120 of the third embodiment, in addition to the magnetization reversal in the magnetic core 11 due to the large Barkhausen effect, the magnetic core 11 is actively utilized as an electromagnetic induction core, and the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24 are guided to the magnetic core 11 via the magnetic collector 13. As a result, the amount of power generation can be increased by maximizing the electromagnetic induction component in addition to the large Barkhausen effect.

[0051] In the power generation module 120 according to embodiment 3, the magnet section 24 is supported by the linear bearings 33, and therefore the position of the magnet section 24 relative to the power generation element 10 can be smoothly displaced without friction when an external force is applied due to tilting or the like to the housing 30. As a result, when tilting occurs in the housing 30, the magnet section 24 moves smoothly on the linear bearing due to its own weight, and even a slight tilt causes a relative displacement between the magnet section 24 and the power generation element 10. A change in the magnetic field due to such relative displacement can generate a voltage in the coil 12 of the power generation element 10 due to electromagnetic induction and the large Barkhausen effect.

[0052] In the third embodiment, one power generating element 10 is mounted inside the housing 30, but this is not limiting. If there is room inside the housing 30 to mount a plurality of power generating elements 10, a plurality of power generating elements 10 may be mounted. Furthermore, the power obtained by the power generating module 120 may be used for the vibration / impact / tilt detection sensor 200 shown in FIG. 10 .

[0053] In the third embodiment, the power generating element 10 is provided with the magnetic collector 13 that efficiently guides the magnetic field lines 52 generated from the magnet portion 24, but this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 8, the power generating element 10 may be configured with only the magnetic core 11 and the coil 12 without the magnetic collector 13. Also, the magnetized surface of the magnet portion 24 and the magnetic collector 13 may not face each other. Furthermore, the power generating element 10 may be configured without the magnetic core 11 and with only a soft magnetic material such as iron.

[0054] Next, we will explain embodiment 4. Embodiment 4 can be configured in two ways, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, depending on the magnetization directions 430, 432 of magnet 410. Figure 12 shows a case where magnetization direction 430 of magnet 410 is the longitudinal direction, and Figure 13 shows a case where magnetization direction 432 of magnet 410 is the thickness direction of magnet 410.

[0055] 12 shows a configuration example in which the magnetized surface 410A of the magnet 410 and the magnetization surface 110A of the power generating element 150 do not face each other. Utilizing the property that magnetic field lines are incident perpendicularly on the surface of a magnetic material, the magnetization surfaces 110A and 110B are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (direction in which the magnetic field lines flow) of the magnetic core 111, and the magnetic field lines incident on the magnetization surface 110A are guided almost straight into the magnetic core 111. The magnetization direction of the magnet 410 is the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in the figure), and the left side of the magnet 410 becomes the magnetized surface 410A with the north pole. The magnetic field lines 420 emerging from the magnetized surface 410A go around the periphery of the magnet 410 and enter the south pole of the magnetized surface 410B. At this time, power generating element 150 is located above magnet 410, and the magnetic field lines circling around magnet 410 are collected by magnetism collecting surface 110A and take a path that passes through magnetic core 111 from magnetism collecting surface 110B to magnetized surface 410B of magnet 410. In this case, only a portion of the magnetic field lines emanating from magnetized surface 410A are collected by magnetism collecting body 112 and guided to power generating element 150, resulting in lower electromagnetic induction efficiency compared to embodiment 1. However, if the power consumption of the power load connected to the power generating device according to embodiment 3 is significantly reduced to obtain power that is operable even with the inefficient electromagnetic induction component, there is the advantage of a high degree of freedom in the placement of the power generating element relative to magnet 410.

[0056] 13 shows a modification of Embodiment 3 in which magnetism collecting surface 110A of power generating element 150 is configured as a side surface of magnetism collector 112, so that the magnetized surface of magnet 410 faces magnetism collecting surface 110A of power generating element 150. The magnetization direction of magnet 410 is the thickness direction (the vertical direction in the figure), with magnetism collecting surface 410A with a north pole on the upper left surface of magnet 410 and magnetism collecting surface 410B with a south pole on the upper right surface of magnet 410. Magnetic field lines 422 emitted from magnetism surface 410A are concentrated by magnetism collecting surface 110A on the side surface of magnetism collector 112, and travel a path through magnetic core 111 from magnetism collecting surface 110B to magnetized surface 410B of magnet 410.

[0057] In this case, there are two issues: Issue (1): Because the longitudinal directions of the magnetic field collecting surface 110A and the magnetic core 111 (the direction of the magnetic field lines that contribute to power generation in the coil) are parallel, the magnetic field lines entering from the magnetic field collecting surface 110A must be guided into the magnetic core 111 so as to bend at approximately 90 degrees. As a result, some of the magnetic field lines do not bend completely within the magnetic field collecting body 112, and instead travel straight and leak out into the air (shown by the dashed lines in the figure), which reduces the efficiency of electromagnetic induction. Issue (2): When multiple composite magnetic wires are bundled together in the magnetic core 111 as shown in Figure 1, the magnetic field lines of the composite magnetic wires closer to the magnet 410 tend to penetrate easily, while the magnetic field lines of the composite magnetic wires farther from the magnet 410 tend not to penetrate easily, which causes variations in the internal magnetic flux among the multiple composite magnetic wires and reduces the efficiency of electromagnetic induction.

[0058] In addition, when magnetized surface 410A of magnet 410 and magnetization surface 110A of power generating element 150 face each other and magnetization surface 110A is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of power generating element 150 (the direction of the magnetic field lines that contribute to power generation in the coil), as in embodiment 1, the magnetic field lines emitted from magnetized surface 410A of magnet 410 enter magnetization surface 110A straight, travel almost straight through power generating element 150, and exit from magnetization surface 110B on the opposite side. This results in very little loss of the magnetic field lines emitted from magnet 410, and is a desirable configuration that enables the most efficient electromagnetic induction power generation.

[0059] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a power generation module according to the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 14, a power generation element 150 uses a composite magnetic wire that generates a large Barkhausen effect as a magnetic core 111 around which a coil 160 is wound, but differs from the power generation element 10 shown in Fig. 1 in that no magnetic collector 112 is used.

[0060] In this configuration, since the magnetic collector 112 is not provided, the power generation efficiency is even lower than that of FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 . However, if the power consumption of the power load connected to the power generation device of embodiment 4 can be made very small to obtain power that is sufficient to operate even with inefficient electromagnetic induction components, the number of components can be reduced and the power generation module can be constructed inexpensively.

[0061] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation module 130 according to a sixth embodiment. The configuration of the power generation module 130 shown in Fig. 15 differs from that of the first embodiment in that the power generation module 100 according to the first embodiment floats on the seawater surface 300 and sways due to wave force (for example, force due to the up and down movement of waves). However, other matters and configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] When the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment is subjected to swaying and vibration (impact) caused by wave force on the housing 20, it sways in a rolling manner together with the housing 20, and returns to its original state while the mass of the weight 22 causes the swinging to converge in the manner of a tilting doll. However, in this embodiment, the weight 22 is not necessarily required, and depending on the installation location, it may be configured so that power generation is repeated by the housing 20 rolling endlessly.

[0063] The swinging of the housing 20 causes a relative displacement, which is a change in the relative position between the magnet section 24, which is provided to maintain a horizontal position, and the power generating element 10. This relative displacement changes the magnetic field of the magnet section 24 acting on the power generating element 10. As a result, a voltage is generated in the coil 12 due to the large Barkhausen effect and electromagnetic induction.

[0064] The electricity generated by the power generation module 130 can be used to power marine sensors for measuring seawater temperature, outside air temperature, or current speed, and the data detected by the marine sensors can be transmitted wirelessly or recorded in non-volatile memory.

[0065] Furthermore, carbon-neutral offshore power generation without consuming fossil fuels can be realized by obtaining the power generated in the power generating element 10 by wave force applied to the housing 20 from the power generated by the power generating module 130. Furthermore, by using the power generated by the power generating module 130 according to the sixth embodiment in ships that do not essentially have power sources, such as sailing ships like yachts, buoys, or lighthouses installed on the coasts of remote islands, the power can be utilized as an emergency power source for transponders on sailing ships, buoys, and lighthouses.

[0066] As described above, the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment makes it possible to acquire various types of ocean data, such as seawater temperature, outside air temperature, or tidal current speed, without wiring or batteries. Conventionally, when observing by distributing a large number of ocean sensors over a wide area, battery replacement for the ocean sensors has been a bottleneck, but the power generation module 130 according to the sixth embodiment makes it possible to observe the ocean at multiple locations over a wide area without maintenance.

[0067] In the sixth embodiment, the power generating module 130 similar to that of the first embodiment is used as the ocean sensor, but this is not limiting. The power generating module 110 according to a modified example of the first embodiment or the power generating module 120 according to the third embodiment may also be used.

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

Claims

1. A power generation module comprising: a magnet unit made of a permanent magnet, disposed within a housing so that its position relative to the housing changes when an external force acts on the housing; and a power generation element fixed within the housing and made of a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core; wherein when the external force acts on the housing, a voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in the magnetic field caused by the relative displacement between the position of the magnet unit and the position of the power generation element.

2. The power generating module according to claim 1, wherein the housing is either cylindrical or spherical, the magnet part is provided so as to be able to swing freely relative to the housing, and a voltage is generated in the coil due to a change in the magnetic field caused by the relative displacement between the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generating element caused by the housing swinging due to the external force.

3. The power generation module according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing has a weight at the bottom thereof, so that the center of gravity is located below the central axis of either the cylindrical or spherical shape, the power generation element is fixed on the weight, and when the external force acts on the housing, the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generation element are displaced relative to each other, and then the power generation module returns to the state before the external force acts, following the center of gravity.

4. The power generation module according to claim 2 or 3, which is installed on the sea surface and generates voltage due to the relative displacement between the position of the magnet part and the position of the power generation element caused by the up and down movement of waves.

5. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the magnet section is attached to the inner wall of the housing via a linear bearing so that the permanent magnet faces the power generation element, and when the external force acts on the housing, the linear bearing causes a relative displacement between the position of the magnet section and the position of the power generation element.

6. The power generating module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power generating element has magnetic collectors made of soft magnetic material at both ends of the magnetic core in the longitudinal direction.

7. The power generation module according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the magnet section comprises a first magnet and a second magnet as the permanent magnets, the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetized so that their magnetic poles are opposite to each other and the magnetic lines of force generated from each of the first magnet and the second magnet pass through the power generation element along the magnetic core, and the magnetized surfaces of the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged so as to align in accordance with the direction of the relative displacement, thereby causing the magnetic lines of force to be collected at the magnetic core via the magnetic collector.

8. The power generating module according to claim 7, characterized in that there is a non-magnetic gap between the first magnet and the second magnet, said gap being equal to or larger than the width of the magnetic collector in the direction of said relative displacement.

9. The power generation module described in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the width of the magnetic collector in the direction of relative displacement is 60 to 80% of the width of the magnetized surface of the magnet part facing the magnetic collector in the direction of relative displacement.

10. The power generating module according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the magnetic core and magnetic collector are integrally formed into a bobbin shape.

11. A power generating module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the magnetic core is made of one or more composite magnetic wires that produce the large Barkhausen effect.

12. A vibration, impact, and tilt detection sensor characterized by rectifying and storing the electricity generated by the power generation module described in any one of claims 1 to 11, and using the stored electricity to either transmit the occurrence of the external force via wireless communication or record the occurrence in non-volatile memory.

13. The vibration, shock and tilt detection sensor according to claim 12, further comprising a sensor unit that detects either acceleration or air temperature using the stored power, and that either transmits the information detected by the sensor unit via wireless communication or records it in non-volatile memory.

14. A tilt detection sensor that uses the power generated by the power generation module described in claim 5, characterized in that when the housing is tilted relative to the ground, the magnet part is smoothly displaced relative to the power generation element by the linear bearing, and the electric power generated is used to either transmit via wireless communication that the housing has tilted relative to the ground, or record the information in non-volatile memory.

15. An ocean sensor characterized by using the power generated by the power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to drive a sensor that detects one of seawater temperature, outside air temperature, and tidal current speed, and transmitting the obtained data via wireless communication or recording it in non-volatile memory.

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