Power generation module

Abstract

A power generation module (1) comprises: a rotating body (11) that rotates about the rotational axis (X); a frame body (12) that surrounds the periphery of the rotating body (11) in the radial direction; a first laminated body (20) that is positioned between the frame body (12) and the rotating body (11) in the radial direction; and a second laminated body (30) that is positioned between the first laminated body (20) and the rotating body (11) in the radial direction. The first laminated body (20) has a first base material (21) and a first electrode (22) positioned further outward than the first base material (21) in the radial direction. The second laminated body (30) has a second base material (31) and a second electrode (32) positioned further inward than the second base material (31) in the radial direction. In the radial direction, a gap (G) is formed between the first laminated body (20) and the second laminated body (30). The first laminated body (20) and the second laminated body (30) can make contact with each other and can be peeled off.

Description

Power generation module

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power generation modules.

[0002] In recent years, small unmanned helicopters (drones) have become known that are used for unmanned transport of small packages, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 1.) Patent Document 1 discloses a drone port system that allows multiple drones to be installed adjacent to each other without interfering with each other, and that can reliably transport and safely store packages even if the position of the packages transported by the drones changes.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-109574

[0004] When a rotating body, such as a drone's rotor blades, rotates, a swirling flow is generated. This swirling flow is a so-called carbon-neutral renewable energy source. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a demand for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by using so-called carbon-neutral renewable energy sources in order to reduce environmental impact.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a power generation module that can reduce the environmental load.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the following [1] to [6].

[0007] [1] A power generation module comprising: a rotor that rotates around a rotation axis; a frame that surrounds the rotor in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; a first stack that is attached to the frame and is located between the frame and the rotor in the radial direction; and a second stack that is attached to the frame and is located between the first stack and the rotor in the radial direction, wherein the first stack has a first base material and a first electrode that is located radially outward from the first base material, and the second stack has a second base material and a second electrode that is located radially inward from the second base material, a gap is formed between the first stack and the second stack in the radial direction, and the first stack and the second stack are contactable and separable.

[0008] [2] The power generation module according to [1], wherein the width of the gap is 0.01 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

[0009] [3] The power generation module according to [1] or [2], wherein one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes glass, and the other of the first substrate and the second substrate includes polyvinylidene fluoride or fluorinated polyethylene propylene.

[0010] [4] The power generation module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the thickness of the first base material is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and the thickness of the second base material is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less.

[0011] [5] The power generation module according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first electrode has a thickness of 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, and the second electrode has a thickness of 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less.

[0012] [6] The power generating module according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are flexible.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the environmental burden can be reduced.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a power generation module according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view (view along line II in Fig. 1) showing the power generation module according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the power generation module according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 1) showing the power generation module according to one embodiment.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams illustrating one embodiment. The following figures are schematic diagrams. Therefore, the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated for ease of understanding. Furthermore, appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept. In the following figures, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and some detailed descriptions may be omitted. Furthermore, the numerical values, such as dimensions, and material names of each component described in this specification are merely examples of an embodiment, and are not limited thereto and may be selected and used as appropriate. In this specification, terms specifying shapes or geometric conditions, such as parallel, orthogonal, and perpendicular, are interpreted not only strictly but also to include substantially the same state.

[0016] (Power Generation Module) First, an overview of a power generation module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the power generation module 1.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the power generation module 1 comprises a rotating body 11, a frame body 12 surrounding the rotating body 11, a first stack body 20 positioned between the frame body 12 and the rotating body 11, and a second stack body 30 positioned between the first stack body 20 and the rotating body 11.

[0018] Of these, the rotors 11 are configured to rotate around a rotation axis X. In this embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes four rotors 11 (first rotor 11a to fourth rotor 11d). In the example shown, each rotor 11 is configured with two rotors (propellers). The number of rotors 11 included in the power generation module 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more. The number of rotors constituting the rotors 11 may also be three or more.

[0019] The frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. As shown in Fig. 2 , the frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 so as to overlap the rotor blades that constitute the rotor 11 when viewed from the radial direction. In other words, the frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 in the direction of the rotation axis X so as to overlap the rotor blades that constitute the rotor 11.

[0020] 1 again, in this embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes four frame bodies 12 (first frame body 12a to fourth frame body 12d). In this case, the first frame body 12a surrounds the first rotating body 11a, the second frame body 12b surrounds the second rotating body 11b, the third frame body 12c surrounds the third rotating body 11c, and the fourth frame body 12d surrounds the fourth rotating body 11d. The number of frame bodies 12 included in the power generation module 1 may be one to three or less, or may be five or more.

[0021] Each rotating body 11 and each frame body 12 is connected to a main body 13. A control unit, a power supply, and the like (not shown) are provided inside the main body 13. In this embodiment, the rotating body 11, the frame body 12, and the main body 13 constitute the drone 10.

[0022] Next, the first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 will be described. The first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 are film-like members and have flexibility. In this case, the first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 have flexibility to the extent that they can flutter in the wind.

[0023] The first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12. The first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12 so as to be able to fluctuate due to a swirling flow, which will be described later. In the example shown, the first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12 via a jig 15. The first stack 20 may also be attached directly to the frame 12. The first stack 20 is located between the frame 12 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first stack 20 is attached to each frame 12 at a position where the distance from the center C of the main body 13 is greater than the distance from the rotation axis X of the rotor 11 to the center C. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first stack 20 attached to the first frame 12a is attached at a position where the distance L1 from the center C of the main body 13 is greater than the distance L2 from the rotation axis X of the first rotor 11a to the center C. This prevents the first stack 20 attached to the first frame 12a from being affected by the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the other rotors 11 (the second rotor 11b to the fourth rotor 11d). This enables stable power generation in the power generation module 1. Note that the distance L1 from the center C of the main body 13 is the distance from the center C of the main body 13 to the circumferential center of the first stack 20.

[0025] The length (circumferential distance) and width (distance in the direction of the rotation axis X) of the first stack 20 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the frame 12, etc. For example, the length of the first stack 20 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 150 mm, for example. The width of the first stack 20 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 35 mm, for example. The first stack 20 may be provided around the entire circumference of the frame 12.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the first stack 20 has a first substrate 21 and a first electrode 22 located radially outward (upper side in Fig. 4) from the first substrate 21. The first stack 20 may further have a first protective film 23 that covers the first electrode 22 from the radially outer side.

[0027] The first substrate 21 is a member for supporting the first electrode 22. The material constituting the first substrate 21 may be, for example, glass, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP), or the like. Alternatively, the material constituting the first substrate 21 may be, for example, a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polypropylene (PP), acrylic resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Mylar, polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0028] The thickness of the first substrate 21 may be 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, for example, 110 μm. When the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 10 μm or more, the first electrode 22 can be effectively supported, and when the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 50 μm or more, the first electrode 22 can be even more effectively supported. When the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 5000 μm or less, the flexibility of the first laminate 20 can be maintained well, and when the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 500 μm or less, the flexibility of the first laminate 20 can be even better maintained.

[0029] As described below, the first electrode 22 is a member for removing static electricity generated by peel charging. The material constituting the first electrode 22 may be, for example, a material containing silver, a silver alloy (an alloy of Ag, Pd, and Cu), copper, chromium, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. A lead wire (not shown) is connected to the first electrode 22, and the current generated by power generation is supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via the lead wire (not shown). The first electrode 22 may be formed on the first substrate 21 by, for example, sputtering, vapor deposition, or the like.

[0030] The thickness of the first electrode 22 may be 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, and may be 800 Å, for example. When the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 100 Å or more, current can be obtained efficiently, and when the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 200 Å or more, current can be obtained even more efficiently. When the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 5000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and when the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 3000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

[0031] The first protective film 23 is a film for protecting the first electrode 22. Covering the first electrode 22 from the radially outer side with the first protective film 23 can suppress oxidation and corrosion of the first electrode 22. The material for the first protective film 23 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin capable of providing a protective function. Examples of materials for the first protective film 23 include ionizing radiation-curable resins that are cured by exposure to ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet light or electron beams, and thermosetting resins that are cured by heating. Specifically, the material for the first protective film 23 is preferably a novolac resin, a polyolefin resin, a polyester resin, a urethane resin, a polyimide resin, an acrylic resin, or an epoxy resin. Among novolac resins, phenol novolac resin is preferred because it has excellent electrical properties and can suppress problems caused by charging. Among acrylic resins, trifunctional or higher acrylates such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate are preferred because they can enhance photocurability. As the epoxy-based resin, an epoxy acrylate resin having a fluorene structure is preferred. This is because it improves heat resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance. As the epoxy-based resin, a cardo epoxy resin is also preferred. This is because it can impart excellent transparency, heat resistance, surface hardness, and flatness. In addition to the above resins, the material constituting the first protective film 23 may also be a resin containing a polymerization initiator or various additives. The thickness of the first protective film 23 may be 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The first protective film 23 may be formed on the first electrode 22 by, for example, spin coating, bulk coating, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

[0032] 1 again, the second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12. This second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12 so as to be able to fluctuate due to a swirling flow, which will be described later. In the example shown, the second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12 via a jig 15. This second stack 30 is located between the first stack 20 and the rotating body 11 so as to face the first stack 20 in the radial direction. That is, the rotating body 11, the second stack 30, the first stack 20, and the frame 12 are arranged in this order from the radially inner side to the radially outer side.

[0033] The length (circumferential distance) and width (distance in the direction of the rotation axis X) of the second stack 30 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the frame 12, etc. In this case, the length and width of the second stack 30 may be equal to the length and width of the first stack 20. For example, the length of the second stack 30 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 150 mm, for example. The width of the second stack 30 may be 1 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 35 mm, for example. The second stack 30 may be provided around the entire circumference of the frame 12.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the second stack 30 has a second substrate 31 and a second electrode 32 located radially inward (lower side in Fig. 4) than the second substrate 31. The second stack 30 may further have a second protective film 33 that covers the second electrode 32 from the radially inner side.

[0035] The second substrate 31 is a member for supporting the second electrode 32. The material constituting the second substrate 31 may be, for example, glass, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP), or the like. Alternatively, the material constituting the second substrate 31 may be, for example, a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polypropylene (PP), acrylic resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Mylar, polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0036] Here, one of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 may include glass, and the other of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 may include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP). In this case, one substrate (e.g., the first substrate 21) is more likely to be positively charged, and the other substrate (e.g., the second substrate 31) is more likely to be negatively charged. This increases the amount of charge on the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31, thereby increasing the amount of power generated by the power generation module 1.

[0037] The thickness of the second substrate 31 may be 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and may be 100 μm or less, for example. When the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 10 μm or more, the second electrode 32 can be effectively supported, and when the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 50 μm or more, the second electrode 32 can be even more effectively supported. When the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 5000 μm or less, the flexibility of the second laminate 30 can be maintained well, and when the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 500 μm or less, the flexibility of the second laminate 30 can be even better maintained.

[0038] As described below, the second electrode 32 is a member for removing static electricity generated by peel charging. The material constituting the second electrode 32 may be, for example, a material containing silver, a silver alloy (an alloy of Ag, Pd, and Cu), copper, chromium, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. A lead wire (not shown) is connected to the second electrode 32, and the current generated by power generation is supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via the lead wire (not shown). The second electrode 32 may be formed on the second substrate 31 by, for example, sputtering, vapor deposition, or the like.

[0039] The thickness of the second electrode 32 may be 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, and may be 800 Å, for example. When the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 100 Å or more, current can be obtained efficiently, and when the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 200 Å or more, current can be obtained even more efficiently. When the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 5000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and when the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 3000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

[0040] The second protective film 33 is a film for protecting the second electrode 32. By covering the second electrode 32 from the radially inner side, the second protective film 33 can suppress oxidation and corrosion of the second electrode 32. The material for the second protective film 33 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin capable of providing a protective function. Examples of materials for the second protective film 33 include ionizing radiation-curable resins that are cured by exposure to ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet light or electron beams, and thermosetting resins that are cured by heating. Specifically, the material for the second protective film 33 is preferably a novolac resin, a polyolefin resin, a polyester resin, a urethane resin, a polyimide resin, an acrylic resin, or an epoxy resin. Among novolac resins, phenol novolac resin is preferred because it has excellent electrical properties and can suppress problems caused by charging. Among acrylic resins, trifunctional or higher acrylates such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate are preferred because they can enhance photocurability. As the epoxy-based resin, an epoxy acrylate resin having a fluorene structure is preferred. This is because it improves heat resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance. As the epoxy-based resin, a cardo epoxy resin is also preferred. This is because it can impart excellent transparency, heat resistance, surface hardness, and flatness. In addition to the above resins, the material constituting the second protective film 33 may also be a resin containing a polymerization initiator or various additives. The thickness of the second protective film 33 may be 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The second protective film 33 may be formed on the second electrode 32 by, for example, spin coating, bulk coating, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

[0041] In this power generation module 1, a gap G is formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 in the radial direction. As a result, a circumferentially directed flow of swirling air generated by the rotation of the rotor 11 passes through the gap G. The first stack 20 and the second stack 30 can come into contact with each other and can also be separated from each other. As a result, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 fluctuate due to the swirling air passing through the gap G, causing the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 to repeatedly come into contact with each other and separate from each other. As a result, when the second stack 30 is separated from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to separation charging. In this embodiment, the generated static electricity is supplied from the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via lead wires (not shown).

[0042] The width W of the gap G (radial distance, see Figure 4) may be 0.01 mm or more and 100 mm or less. When the gap G is 0.01 mm or more, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 that come into contact with each other are more likely to separate. Furthermore, when the gap G is 100 mm or less, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 are more likely to come into contact with each other when a swirling flow is generated as the rotor 11 rotates. Note that the width W of the gap G is the width of the gap G when the rotor 11 is not rotating. Furthermore, the width W of the gap G is the width at one end in the circumferential direction (the end upstream in the rotation direction of the rotor 11).

[0043] As described above, the power generation module 1 is suitable for use as a generator that generates electricity using, for example, a swirling flow of the rotor 11. For example, when generating electricity using the power generation module 1, the rotor 11 is first rotated. This generates a swirling flow along the inner surface (the radially inner surface) of the frame 12. Of the generated swirling flow, a flow that travels circumferentially passes through the gap G formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30. At this time, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 are caused to fluctuate due to the swirling flow. This causes the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 to repeatedly contact and separate. Therefore, when the second stack 30 separates from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to separation charging. The generated static electricity is then supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via lead wires (not shown). In this way, the power generation module 1 generates electricity using the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes the rotor 11 that rotates about the rotation axis X, the frame 12 that surrounds the rotor 11 in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X, the first stack 20 that is attached to the frame 12 and positioned between the frame 12 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction, and the second stack 30 that is attached to the frame 12 and positioned between the first stack 20 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction. The first stack 20 includes a first substrate 21 and a first electrode 22 that is positioned radially outward from the first substrate 21. The second stack 30 includes a second substrate 31 and a second electrode 32 that is positioned radially inward from the second substrate 31. A gap G is formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 in the radial direction. As a result, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 repeatedly come into contact with and separate from each other due to the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11. Therefore, when the second stack 30 is separated from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to the separation electrification. As a result, the power generation module 1 can generate power using the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11.

[0045] As described above, the power generation module 1 according to this embodiment can generate electricity using a swirling flow, which is a carbon-neutral renewable energy source, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This reduces the environmental impact. Furthermore, the renewable energy used for power generation is a swirling flow that travels in the circumferential direction. This prevents a decrease in the performance of the drone 10, such as its speed.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the drone 10 is configured by the rotor 11, the frame 12, and the main body 13. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The power generation module 1 according to the present disclosure can be effectively applied to a rotary machine including a rotor capable of generating a swirling flow and a frame surrounding the rotor.

[0047] It is also possible to combine the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications as needed, or to delete some of the components disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

Claims

1. A power generation module comprising: a rotor that rotates around a rotation axis; a frame that surrounds the rotor in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; a first stack that is attached to the frame and is located between the frame and the rotor in the radial direction; and a second stack that is attached to the frame and is located between the first stack and the rotor in the radial direction, wherein the first stack has a first base material and a first electrode that is located radially outward from the first base material, and the second stack has a second base material and a second electrode that is located radially inward from the second base material, a gap is formed between the first stack and the second stack in the radial direction, and the first stack and the second stack are contactable and separable.

2. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the width of the gap is 0.01 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

3. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes glass, and the other of the first substrate and the second substrate includes polyvinylidene fluoride or fluorinated polyethylene propylene.

4. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first substrate is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and the thickness of the second substrate is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less.

5. The power generating module according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first electrode is 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, and the thickness of the second electrode is 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less.

6. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are flexible.

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