Electromechanical Generator with Double-Ended Spring Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical generators, particularly those with cantilever beams, face issues of low electrical power output and narrow operating bandwidth due to non-linear motion and difficulty in controlling the mass for optimal natural frequency, leading to reduced magnetic coupling and inefficient conversion of mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical generator design featuring a housing with a movably mounted magnet assembly and a biasing device, such as compression springs, that ensures linear motion and prevents non-axial movement, allowing for maximized magnetic coupling and increased moving mass, thereby enhancing electrical output and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cantilever beam is used as the spring in a magnet-coil generator, then the device structure is simple, but the motion is non-linear and magnetic coupling is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional cantilever beam configuration by using a double-ended spring mounted between two fixed points, with the magnet assembly positioned at the center. This inversion provides linear bidirectional motion that optimizes magnetic coupling between the magnet and coil, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standard spring components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the mass on the cantilever beam is carefully controlled to match the designed natural frequency, then the resonant frequency is optimized, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the spring-mass system by using a double-ended spring configuration with the magnet assembly at the center. This allows the natural frequency to be determined by standard spring constants and mass values, eliminating the need for complex custom-machined masses while maintaining precise frequency control through conventional component selection.
3Power
If excess mass is added to the spring-mass combination to increase output electrical power, then the electrical power output increases, but the structure becomes less compact and controlling natural frequency becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the mass with the magnet assembly itself, where the magnet assembly serves as both the magnetic source and the inertial mass. This integration allows excess mass to be added to the magnet assembly without requiring separate mass components, maintaining structural compactness while increasing electrical power output through the enhanced spring-mass effect.
4Power
If the device is designed for narrow resonant bandwidth around nominal natural frequency, then the magnetic coupling is maximized at resonance, but the electrical output is too low for practical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic optimization by using a double-ended spring system that can be tuned to broaden the resonant bandwidth while maintaining strong magnetic coupling at resonance. The linear bidirectional motion of the magnet assembly enhances electromagnetic induction across a wider frequency range, increasing electrical output for practical applications while preserving peak coupling efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves higher electrical output and broader operating bandwidth, enabling efficient conversion of mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, with the ability to operate effectively in various orientations and environments, including potentially flammable ones, while simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the coil being disposed in the gap, and a biasing device mounted between the housing and the magnet assembly... the magnet assembly movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along an axis
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical generator comprising an electromechanical device for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical device comprising a housing, an electrically conductive coil fixedly mounted in the housing, a magnet assembly movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along an axis, the magnet assembly having a pair of opposed polar surfaces defining a gap therebetween, the coil being disposed in the gap, and a biasing device mounted between the housing and the magnet assembly, the biasing device biasing the magnet assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central position.