Generator and power supply module

Abstract

A generator 100 comprises: a holder 10 having a storage space 10a; magnetic members 14, 16 supported by the holder 10 in the storage space 10a; coils 18, 20 wound around the magnetic members 14, 16; and a magnet part 22 provided outside the coils 18, 20 so as to be separated from the magnetic members 14, 16 and the coils 18, 20 in the storage space 10a, and provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 46. The coils 18, 20 are arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 46.

Description

Generators and Power Modules

[0001] The present invention relates to a generator and a power module.

[0002] Various generators capable of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy have been proposed. For example, a rotary magnet generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an air-core coil, a rotating shaft that extends through the winding portion of the air-core coil, and a magnet fixed to the rotating shaft so as to be disposed within the air-core coil.

[0003] In the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the rotating shaft is rotated, the magnet rotates within the air-core coil, causing an induced current to flow in the air-core coil, thereby generating electricity.

[0004] The above-mentioned generator is used in a remote control device installed in, for example, a toilet, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. Specifically, the generator is incorporated into the remote control device so that operation of the remote control device rotates a rotating shaft to generate electricity. In such a remote control device, a signal can be transmitted to a device to be operated using the power generated by the generator when the user operates the control.

[0005] Patent No. 6647672

[0006] There is a demand for such generators to be miniaturized while maintaining the amount of power generation. In this regard, the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires magnets to be placed inside the air-core coils, making it difficult to miniaturize the air-core coils. This makes it difficult to reduce the dimensions of the generator in a direction parallel to the magnet's rotation axis. Furthermore, in the configuration of the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, taking into account leakage magnetic flux that affects the direction perpendicular to the magnet's rotation axis, it is necessary to ensure sufficient dimensions of the generator in a direction perpendicular to the magnet's rotation axis. In other words, with the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to reduce the dimensions both in the direction parallel to and perpendicular to the magnet's rotation axis.

[0007] In the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the magnet is disposed outside the air-core coil, which allows the air-core coil to be made smaller. This allows the generator to be smaller in size in the direction parallel to the magnet's rotation axis. However, this reduces the amount of power generated.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a generator and a power supply module that can be made smaller while still ensuring sufficient power generation.

[0009] (1) A generator according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a holder having a storage space; a magnetic member supported by the holder in the storage space; a coil wound around the magnetic member; and a magnet portion provided outside the coil in the storage space so as to be spaced apart from the magnetic member and the coil, and rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the coil is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0010] (2) The magnet portion may include a cylindrical magnet whose outer circumferential surface is magnetized with multiple poles and which is rotatable around the rotation axis.

[0011] (3) The magnet section includes a support member made of a magnetic material rotatably arranged around the rotation axis, and a plurality of magnets supported by the support member so as to be aligned along a direction around the rotation axis, each of the plurality of magnets having a magnetic pole surface facing outward in a radial direction of the rotation axis, and the polarities of the magnetic pole surfaces of adjacent magnets in a direction around the rotation axis may be different from each other.

[0012] (4) When viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the coil may be provided so as to extend in a radial direction of the rotation axis.

[0013] (5) When viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the coil may be provided so as to extend in a direction intersecting a radial direction of the rotation axis.

[0014] (6) The generator may include a plurality of the coils, and the plurality of coils may include a first coil arranged to extend in a radial direction of the rotation axis when viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, and a second coil arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the radial direction.

[0015] (7) The generator further includes a drive unit that drives the magnet unit to rotate, and the drive unit has: an operating member that is provided so that a portion thereof protrudes outside the holder and is capable of reciprocating linear motion in a first direction in which the portion is pushed into the holder and a second direction in which the portion is pushed out of the holder; a biasing member that biases the operating member in the second direction in the storage space; and a conversion unit that converts the linear motion of the operating member in the first direction in the storage space into rotational motion and transmits it to the magnet unit, and the conversion unit may include one or more gears that are rotatable around another rotation axis that is provided parallel to the rotation axis.

[0016] (8) The generator may be used in connection with a rectifier, and may include a first power storage unit electrically connectable to the rectifier and electrically connected in series with the coil.

[0017] (9) The first power storage unit may be a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor.

[0018] (10) A power supply module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the generator and a rectifier connected to the generator and rectifying an AC voltage output from the generator into a DC voltage.

[0019] (11) The power supply module may include a second power storage unit that stores the output voltage of the rectifier.

[0020] According to the present invention, the generator can be made smaller while still ensuring sufficient power generation.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the generator. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a drive unit as viewed from the bottom of the page in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of a generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the electrical connection relationship between a coil and a power storage unit. FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified example of a generator. FIG. 7 is a view showing another modified example of a generator. FIG. 8 is a view showing the configuration of a power supply module according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view showing the configuration of a power supply module according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of a power supply module according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a graph showing measurement results of the output voltages of the power supply modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. FIG. 12 is a view showing the configuration of a power supply module according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the voltage change rates of the power storage units of the power supply modules according to the first and fifth embodiments.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (First embodiment) (Configuration of generator) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the generator according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows the generator 100 with a cover 13 (described later) removed.

[0024] 1, the generator 100 according to this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped holder 10 having an internal storage space 10a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 10 has a storage section 12 having an opening 12a, and a lid 13 removably attached to the storage section 12 so as to close the opening 12a.

[0025] 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the housing 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a rectangular bottom 12b and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) walls 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f rising from the periphery (four sides in this embodiment) of the bottom 12b. In the following, to make it easier to understand the structure of the generator 100, the side of the lid 13 relative to the bottom 12b will be referred to as the upper side, and the side of the bottom 12b relative to the lid 13 will be referred to as the lower side.

[0026] In this embodiment, the holder 10 is made of a non-magnetic material. In this specification, the term "non-magnetic material" refers to a material that is not a ferromagnetic material, and includes paramagnetic materials, diamagnetic materials, and antiferromagnetic materials. In this embodiment, the holder 10 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0027] 2, the storage space 10a is provided with magnetic members 14, 16, coils 18, 20, a magnet unit 22, and a drive unit 24. The magnetic members 14, 16 are supported by a holder 10 (accommodation unit 12) in the storage space 10a. The magnetic members 14, 16 can be made of, for example, Ni—Zn-based or Mn—Zn-based soft ferrite having a spinel crystal structure.

[0028] The magnetic member 14 has a columnar portion 14a and a pair of flange portions 14b provided at both ends of the columnar portion 14a. In this embodiment, the columnar portion 14a has a cylindrical shape, and the flange portions 14b have a disk shape. A coil 18 is wound around the columnar portion 14a between the pair of flange portions 14b. The coil 18 is wound in a cylindrical shape around the outer periphery of the columnar portion 14a.

[0029] The magnetic member 16 has a similar configuration to the magnetic member 14, and includes a columnar portion 16a and a pair of flange portions 16b provided at both ends of the columnar portion 16a. A coil 20 is wound around the columnar portion 16a between the pair of flange portions 16b. The coil 20 is wound in a cylindrical shape around the outer periphery of the columnar portion 16a. Note that the magnetic members 14 and 16 are preferably solid, but may also be hollow. Although detailed description is omitted, known inductors or microinductors can be used as the magnetic members and the coils wound therearound.

[0030] In this embodiment, the coils 18 and 20 are electrically connected in series, for example, by a conductor (not shown in FIG. 2 ). Although not shown, the coils 18 and 20 are electrically connected to an external device, for example, via a rectifier or the like. This makes it possible to start the external device using the current generated in the coils 18 and 20. Note that the coils 18 and 20 do not necessarily have to be electrically connected.

[0031] The magnet portion 22 is provided outside the coils 18 and 20 so as to be spaced apart from the magnetic members 14 and 16 and the coils 18 and 20 in the storage space 10a. The drive unit 24 will be described below, followed by a detailed description of the magnet portion 22. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the drive unit 24 as viewed from the bottom of the page in FIG. 2 (the side of a first direction X1, which will be described later). Note that FIG. 3 does not illustrate the magnetic members 14 and 16, the coils 18 and 20, the magnet portion 22, a biasing member 28, which will be described later, and a locking portion 29, which will be described later. Also, FIG. 3 shows each part of the drive unit 24 in a simplified form.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive unit 24 has an operating member 26, a biasing member 28, and a conversion unit 30. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating member 26 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and one end 26a is provided so as to protrude outside the holder 10. As shown in Figure 2, the operating member 26 is provided so as to be able to move linearly back and forth in a first direction X1 and a second direction X2. The first direction X1 refers to the direction of movement of the operating member 26 when one end 26a of the operating member 26 is pushed into the holder 10, and the second direction X2 refers to the direction of movement of the operating member 26 when one end 26a is pushed out of the holder 10.

[0033] For example, when the generator 100 is incorporated into a remote control device, the operating member 26 is connected to an operating button of the remote control device via a connecting member. The operating member 26 is pushed into the holder 10 in conjunction with the operation of the operating button being pressed by a user of the remote control device.

[0034] 2, the biasing member 28 is sandwiched between the operating member 26 and the wall portion 12e. The biasing member 28 biases the operating member 26 in the second direction X2. In this embodiment, a coil spring is used as the biasing member 28. Note that in this embodiment, the biasing member 28 is prevented from falling off the holder 10 by a rack gear 32 (described later) that is integral with the operating member 26 and that is engaged with a locking portion 29 that protrudes upward from the bottom portion 12b.

[0035] 2 and 3 , the conversion unit 30 includes a rack gear 32 and a plurality of rotating members 34, 36, and 38. The rack gear 32 moves in the first direction X1 or the second direction X2 relative to the holder 10 in conjunction with movement of the operating member 26 in the first direction X1 or the second direction X2. In this embodiment, the rack gear 32 is integrally formed with the operating member 26.

[0036] The rotating member 34 is rotatably disposed about a rotation shaft 40 extending in the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 40 is supported by the holder 10. In this embodiment, the rotating member 34 includes a pinion gear 34a and a large gear 34b. The large gear 34b has a greater number of teeth than the pinion gear 34a. The pinion gear 34a is disposed to mesh with the rack gear 32. The pinion gear 34a and the large gear 34b rotate integrally about the rotation shaft 40. In this embodiment, the rotating member 34 is supported by the rotation shaft 40 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotation shaft 40. Note that it is sufficient for the rotating member 34 to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 40. Therefore, the rotating member 34 may be fixed to the rotation shaft 40, and the rotation shaft 40 may be rotatably supported by the holder 10.

[0037] The rotating member 36 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 42 extending in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the rotating member 36 is supported on the rotation shaft 42 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotation shaft 42. The rotation shaft 42 is supported by the holder 10. In this embodiment, the rotating member 36 includes a pinion gear 36a, a large gear 36b, and a transmission part 36c. The number of teeth of the pinion gear 36a is smaller than the number of teeth of the large gears 34b and 36b. The pinion gear 36a is arranged to mesh with the large gear 34b.

[0038] 3, the transmission portion 36c includes first ratchet teeth 37a and second ratchet teeth 37b. The first ratchet teeth 37a are provided to rotate integrally with the pinion gear 36a around the rotation shaft 42. In this embodiment, the first ratchet teeth 37a are formed integrally with the pinion gear 36a. The second ratchet teeth 37b are provided to rotate integrally with the large gear 36b around the rotation shaft 42. In this embodiment, the second ratchet teeth 37b are formed integrally with the large gear 36b.

[0039] The pinion gear 36a and the first ratchet teeth 37a are supported on the rotary shaft 42 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42. The pinion gear 36a and the first ratchet teeth 37a are biased toward the second ratchet teeth 37b (upward) by a biasing member 44. The biasing member 44 may be, for example, a coil spring.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the pinion gear 36a and the first ratchet teeth 37a rotate counterclockwise as viewed from above, the first ratchet teeth 37a and the second ratchet teeth 37b mesh with each other. As a result, rotation is transmitted from the pinion gear 36a to the large gear 36b via the transmission portion 36c, and the pinion gear 36a and the large gear 36b rotate integrally. In other words, when the pinion gear 36a rotates counterclockwise, rotation is transmitted from the pinion gear 36a to the large gear 36b by the transmission portion 36c.

[0041] On the other hand, when viewed from above, when the pinion gear 36a and the first ratchet teeth 37a rotate clockwise, the first ratchet teeth 37a do not mesh with the second ratchet teeth 37b. In this case, even if the pinion gear 36a and the first ratchet teeth 37a rotate, the second ratchet teeth 37b and the large gear 36b do not rotate. In other words, when the pinion gear 36a rotates clockwise, the transmission of rotation from the pinion gear 36a to the large gear 36b is blocked by the transmission part 36c. Note that the configuration of the transmission part 36c can be that of a known ratchet mechanism, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The rotating member 38 is rotatably mounted about a rotation shaft 46 extending in the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 46 is supported by the holder 10. In this embodiment, the rotating member 38 includes a gear 38a and a cylindrical mounting portion 38b. The gear 38a and the mounting portion 38b rotate integrally about the rotation shaft 46. In this embodiment, the rotating member 38 is supported by the rotation shaft 46 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotation shaft 46. The gear 38a is provided to mesh with the large gear 36b. The number of teeth of the gear 38a is smaller than the number of teeth of the large gear 36b. Note that, similar to the rotating member 34, the rotating member 38 may be fixed to the rotation shaft 46, and the rotation shaft 46 may be rotatably supported by the holder 10.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2 , the magnet unit 22 includes a support member 22a and a plurality of magnets 22b. The support member 22a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A through-hole is formed in the support member 22a, penetrating the support member 22a in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the support member 22a is fitted into and fixed to the mounting portion 38b of the rotating member 38. This allows the support member 22a to rotate integrally with the rotating member 38 around the rotation axis 46.

[0044] The multiple magnets 22b are supported by the support member 22a so as to be aligned in a direction around the rotation shaft 46 (the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 46). In this embodiment, a magnet 22b is supported on each of the four side surfaces of the support member 22a. In this embodiment, the support member 22a is made of a magnetic material. The magnets 22b are attracted to and supported by the support member 22a by the magnetic force generated by the magnets 22b.

[0045] When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 46, each of the multiple magnets 22b has a magnetic pole face facing outward in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 46. The polarities of the magnetic pole faces of adjacent magnets 22b around the rotation shaft 46 are different from each other. Note that each magnet 22b may be composed of multiple magnets. For example, each magnet 22b may be composed of two plate-shaped magnets. Note that the material of the magnets 22b is not particularly limited, but for example, an Nd—Fe—B sintered magnet can be used.

[0046] (Operation of Generator) In the following description, clockwise and counterclockwise refer to clockwise and counterclockwise directions when the generator 100 is viewed from above. With reference to Fig. 2, in this embodiment, when a user of the generator 100 presses one end 26a of the operating member 26 into the holder 10, the operating member 26 moves linearly in the first direction X1. The linear movement of the operating member 26 in the first direction X1 is transmitted to the rotating member 34 (pinion gear 34a) via the rack gear 32. As a result, the rotating member 34 rotates clockwise (first rotational movement).

[0047] When the first rotational motion is transmitted from the rotating member 34 (large gear 34b) to the pinion gear 36a of the rotating member 36, the pinion gear 36a rotates counterclockwise. As described above, the counterclockwise rotation of the pinion gear 36a is transmitted to the large gear 36b via the transmission portion 36c, causing the large gear 36b to rotate.

[0048] The rotation of the large gear 36b is transmitted to the magnet portion 22 via the rotating member 38, causing the magnet portion 22 to rotate. In this manner, in this embodiment, the magnet portion 22 can be rotated by pushing the operating member 26 into the holder 10. As the magnet portion 22 rotates, the direction of the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic members 14 and 16 changes. This causes an induced current to be generated in the coils 18 and 20. In other words, electricity is generated. In this embodiment, the magnet portion 22 and the coils 18 and 20 are arranged so that induced electromotive forces of the same phase are generated in the coils 18 and 20.

[0049] As described above, the operating member 26 is pushed in the second direction X2 by the biasing member 28. Therefore, when a user of the generator 100 pushes the operating member 26 (one end 26a) into the holder 10 and then releases the operating member 26, the operating member 26 moves linearly in the second direction X2. The linear movement of the operating member 26 in the second direction X2 is transmitted to the rotating member 34 (pinion gear 34a) via the rack gear 32. As a result, the rotating member 34 rotates counterclockwise (second rotational movement).

[0050] When the second rotational motion is transmitted from the rotating member 34 (pinion gear 34a) to the pinion gear 36a of the rotating member 36, the pinion gear 36a rotates clockwise. As described above, the clockwise rotation of the pinion gear 36a is not transmitted to the large gear 36b. Therefore, the magnet portion 22 does not rotate, and no power is generated.

[0051] (Effects of this embodiment) In the generator 100 according to this embodiment, the magnet portion 22 is provided outside the coils 18, 20 so as to be spaced apart from the coils 18, 20. In this case, the coils 18, 20 can be made smaller, and the length of the rotation shaft 46, which is the center of rotation of the magnet portion 22, can be shortened, compared to when a rotation shaft is provided so as to pass through the coils 18, 20 and a magnet is provided inside the coils 18, 20. This allows the generator 100 to be made smaller.

[0052] Furthermore, the coils 18, 20 are wound around the magnetic members 14, 16. In this case, the magnetic flux generated from the magnet portion 22 can be efficiently passed through the coils 18, 20, so that the amount of power generated in the coils 18, 20 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0053] Furthermore, the coils 18, 20 are arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 46. In other words, the portions of the magnetic members 14, 16 around which the coils 18, 20 are wound (in this embodiment, the columnar portions 14a, 16a) are arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 46. This allows magnetic flux to flow efficiently within the coils 18, 20 as the magnet portion 22 rotates around the rotation axis 46. As a result, induced current can be efficiently generated in the coils 18, 20.

[0054] As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the generator 100 while ensuring the amount of power generation.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation of the operating member 26 by a user of the generator 100 (for example, a user of a remote control device) can be converted into a rotational motion by the conversion unit 30, and the rotational motion can be accelerated and transmitted to the magnet unit 22. This allows for efficient power generation.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple gears of the conversion unit 30 can be supported by another rotation shaft that is arranged parallel to the rotation shaft 46 that is the rotation center of the magnet unit 22. Specifically, the pinion 34a and the large gear 34b are supported by the rotation shaft 40, and the pinion 36a and the large gear 36b are supported by the rotation shaft 42. In this case, the gears 34a, 34b, 36a, and 36b that constitute the speed-increasing mechanism for rotating the magnet unit 22 at high speed can be arranged to be aligned with the magnet unit 22 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 46. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient amount of power generation while reducing the thickness of the generator 100.

[0057] In the generator 100 according to this embodiment, the magnet section 22 is provided so as to be spaced apart from the magnetic members 14, 16. In this case, by ensuring an appropriate distance between the magnet section 22 and the magnetic members 14, 16, it is possible to reduce the torque required to rotate the magnet section 22. This allows for more efficient power generation.

[0058] Second Embodiment Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of a generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, a generator 101 according to this embodiment differs from the generator 100 according to the first embodiment in that the generator 101 further includes a power storage unit 23.

[0059] The power storage unit 23 is supported by the holder 10 (accommodating unit 12) in the storage space 10a. The power storage unit 23 is configured to be chargeable and dischargeable. For example, a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor can be used as the power storage unit 23. In this embodiment, the power storage unit 23 corresponds to the first power storage unit.

[0060] In this embodiment, the coil 18, the coil 20, and the power storage unit 23 are electrically connected in series by conductors (not shown in FIG. 4 ). FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the coil 18, the coil 20, and the power storage unit 23. Note that FIG. 5 shows a case where a secondary battery (e.g., a lithium ion secondary battery) is used as the power storage unit 23, but as described above, an electric double layer capacitor may be used instead of the secondary battery.

[0061] 5, the generator 101 according to this embodiment is used as a power supply module 200 by connecting it to a processing unit 60, for example. The processing unit 60 is connected to an external device (a target to which power is supplied), not shown. For example, when the power supply module 200 is incorporated into a remote control device, the processing unit 60 is electrically connected to a signal transmission unit of the remote control device and supplies power to the signal transmission unit for transmitting a wireless signal.

[0062] In this embodiment, the processing unit 60 converts the AC voltage output from the generator 101 into a DC voltage and outputs it to an external device. Specifically, the processing unit 60 includes a rectifier 62 and a power storage unit 64. The rectifier 62 converts the AC voltage output from the generator 100 into a DC voltage and outputs it. In this embodiment, a diode bridge circuit is used as the rectifier 62. The power storage unit 64 stores the output voltage of the rectifier 62. A known capacitor (e.g., an electrolytic capacitor) can be used as the power storage unit 64. In this embodiment, the power storage unit 64 corresponds to a second power storage unit. The voltage stored in the power storage unit 64 can be output from terminals t1 and t2.

[0063] In the generator 101 according to this embodiment, the power storage unit 23 can be electrically connected to the rectifier 62 of the processing unit 60, and is electrically connected in series with the coils 18, 20. In this case, the generator 101 can add a bias voltage from the power storage unit 23 to the induced electromotive force generated in the coils 18, 20 and output the result to the rectifier 62. This allows the generator 101 to supply higher power to an external device.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, the power storage unit 23 is configured to be chargeable and dischargeable, and therefore, the power storage unit 23 can be charged using the induced electromotive force generated in the coils 18 and 20. This makes it possible to suppress a drop in the bias voltage caused by the power storage unit 23. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously and stably supply high power from the generator 101 to an external device.

[0065] Although detailed description is omitted, the above-described generator 100 may be connected to the processing unit 60 and used as a power supply module.

[0066] (Modifications) In the above-described embodiment, the multiple coils 18, 20 are provided to extend in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the rotating shaft 46 when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 46, but some or all of the multiple coils may be provided to extend in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 46. For example, as in a generator 100 shown in Fig. 6, the coil 18 may be provided to extend in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 46. The same applies to the above-described generator 101.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the magnet unit 22 is positioned between the coil 18 and the coil 20, but the arrangement of the coils 18, 20 and the magnet unit 22 is not limited to the above example. For example, the coils 18, 20 may be arranged side by side. When multiple coils are provided, the multiple coils may be arranged so that the axial directions of the multiple coils extend parallel to each other when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis of the magnet unit, or may be arranged so that the axial directions of the multiple coils extend in directions that intersect each other.

[0068] The coil for generating the induced current may be provided so as to extend in any direction as viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 46. Therefore, the axial direction of the coil may be curved in an arc as viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 46.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the generator is described as including two magnetic members 14, 16 and two coils 18, 20. However, the number of magnetic members and coils is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. When three or more coils are provided in the generator 101 described above, the three or more coils are preferably connected in series. Furthermore, in the generator 101 described above, the power storage unit 23 is disposed in the electrical path between the coil 18 and the rectifier 62. However, the power storage unit 23 may be disposed in the electrical path between the coil 20 and the rectifier 62, or may be disposed in the electrical path between the coil 18 and the coil 20.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the linear motion of the operating member 26 is transmitted to the magnet section 22 by multiple gears in the conversion section 30, but the number and arrangement of the gears in the conversion section 30 are not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of the coils, etc.

[0071] The configuration of the magnet portion 22 is not limited to the above example. The magnet portion 22 may be configured so that different magnetic poles alternate along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 46 on its outer periphery. Therefore, for example, as in the generator 100 shown in FIG. 7 , a cylindrical magnet with a multi-pole magnetized outer periphery may be used as the magnet portion 22. The same applies to the generator 101 described above. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the magnet portion 22 has a configuration in which the outer periphery is magnetized with two poles along the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the magnet portion 22 can be rotated around the rotating shaft 46 by fixing the magnet portion 22 to the mounting portion 38b of the rotating member 38, similar to the support member 22a described above.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 60 is provided outside the holder 10, but the generator (coil and first power storage unit) and the processing unit (rectifier and second power storage unit) may be provided within a common holder. Note that the processing unit does not necessarily have to include the second power storage unit.

[0073] The effects of the generator according to the second embodiment will be described below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0074] (Experiment 1) In Example 1, power was generated using power supply module 200 having the configuration shown in Figure 5, and the output voltage output from terminals t1 and t2 was measured. Specifically, the pressing speed of operating member 26 (see Figure 4) of generator 101 was changed to investigate changes in the voltage output from terminals t1 and t2. In addition, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, power supply modules 210 (Example 2), 220 (Example 3), and 230 (Example 4) were fabricated with different generator configurations, and the output voltages were measured in the same manner as for power supply module 200 of Example 1.

[0075] A power supply module 210 of a second embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from the power supply module 200 of the first embodiment in that the generator 110 does not include the power storage unit 23. A power supply module 220 of a third embodiment shown in Fig. 9 differs from the power supply module 200 of the first embodiment in that the power storage unit 23 is connected in parallel to the coils 18 and 20 in the generator 120. A power supply module 230 of a fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 10 differs from the power supply module 200 of the first embodiment in that the outputs of the coils 18 and 20 in the generator 130 are connected to a rectifier 66, and the power storage unit 23 is connected in parallel to the rectifier 66. The rectifier 66 is configured by a diode bridge circuit, similar to the rectifier 62.

[0076] The measurement results are shown in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, the power supply module 210 of Example 1 was able to output a high voltage regardless of the pressing speed. This result confirmed that the generator 101 in which the power storage unit 23 is connected in series with the coils 18 and 20 can supply a higher voltage from the generator 101 to an external device even if the pressing speed of the operating member 26 is slow and the rotation speed of the magnet unit 22 is slow.

[0077] (Experiment 2) Power generation was repeatedly performed using the power supply module 200 of Example 1, and the voltage change rate of the power storage unit 23 was measured. Specifically, the operating member 26 (see FIG. 4 ) of the generator 101 was repeatedly pressed, and the voltage of the power storage unit 23 was measured every 10 presses (power generation count). Also, as shown in FIG. 12 , a power supply module 240 was fabricated as Example 5, with a modified generator and processing unit configuration, and the voltage of the power storage unit 23 was measured in the same manner as the power supply module 200 of Example 1. Note that the power supply module 240 shown in FIG. 12 differs from the power supply module 200 of Example 1 in that the generator 110 does not include the power storage unit 23 and that the power storage unit 23 is connected in series to the output of the rectifier 62 in the processing unit 61.

[0078] The measurement results are shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 also shows the rate of change in voltage of the power storage unit 23 for each number of power generation cycles, relative to the voltage of the power storage unit 23 when the number of power generation cycles of each power source module 200, 240 is 0. For example, a voltage drop rate of -1.0% means that the voltage of the power storage unit 23 has become 99.0% of the voltage when the number of power generation cycles is 0.

[0079] 13, it was confirmed that by connecting the coils 18, 20 and the power storage unit 23 in series on the input side of the rectifier 62, it is possible to suppress a voltage drop in the power storage unit 23 compared to when the power storage unit 23 is arranged on the output side of the rectifier 62. In other words, it was confirmed that the generator 101 of the power supply module 200 of Example 1 can suppress a drop in the bias voltage caused by the power storage unit 23, and that a high voltage can be continuously and stably supplied from the generator 101 to an external device.

[0080] According to the present invention, the generator can be made smaller while still ensuring sufficient power generation.

[0081] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Holder 14, 16 Magnetic member 18, 20 Coil 22 Magnet section 23 Power storage section 24 Drive section 26 Operation member 28 Urging member 30 Conversion section 60 Processing section 62 Rectifier 64 Power storage section 100, 101, 110, 120, 130 Generator 200, 210, 220, 230, 240 Power supply module

Claims

1. A generator comprising: a holder having a storage space; a magnetic member supported by the holder in the storage space; a coil wound around the magnetic member; and a magnet portion provided outside the coil in the storage space so as to be spaced apart from the magnetic member and the coil and rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the coil is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

2. The generator according to claim 1, wherein the magnet section includes a cylindrical magnet whose outer circumferential surface is magnetized with multiple poles and which is provided rotatably around the rotation axis.

3. A generator as described in claim 1, wherein the magnet section includes a support member made of a magnetic material rotatably arranged around the rotation axis, and a plurality of magnets supported by the support member so as to be aligned along a direction around the rotation axis, each of the plurality of magnets having a magnetic pole face facing outward in a radial direction of the rotation axis, and the polarities of the magnetic pole faces of adjacent magnets in a direction around the rotation axis are different from each other.

4. A generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coils are arranged to extend in a radial direction of the rotation axis when viewed in a direction along the rotation axis.

5. A generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the coil is provided so as to extend in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the rotation axis.

6. A generator as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of said coils, said plurality of coils including a first coil arranged to extend in a radial direction of said rotation axis when viewed in a direction along said rotation axis, and a second coil arranged to extend in a direction intersecting said radial direction.

7. A generator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a drive unit that drives the magnet unit to rotate, the drive unit having: an operating member, a portion of which is arranged to protrude outside the holder and is capable of linear reciprocating motion in a first direction in which the portion is pushed into the holder and a second direction in which the portion is pushed out of the holder; a biasing member that biases the operating member in the second direction in the storage space; and a conversion unit that converts the linear motion of the operating member in the first direction in the storage space into rotational motion and transmits it to the magnet unit, the conversion unit including one or more gears that are rotatable around another rotation axis that is arranged parallel to the rotation axis.

8. A generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is used in connection with a rectifier, and which comprises a first storage unit electrically connectable to the rectifier and electrically connected in series with the coil.

9. The generator according to claim 8, wherein the first power storage unit is a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor.

10. A power supply module comprising: a generator according to claim 8; and a rectifier connected to said generator for rectifying an AC voltage output from said generator into a DC voltage.

11. The power supply module according to claim 10, further comprising a second storage unit that stores the output voltage of the rectifier.

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