Vibration Energy Generator with Threshold Resilient Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromechanical generators face reduced operating lifetime due to excessive vibration amplitudes causing physical impacts and material degradation, especially in environments with unpredictable and intermittent shock forces, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a resilient device that limits oscillation amplitude by compressing between the mass and biasing device only when the amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold, acting as a compliant limiter to prevent power loss and material deformation, while maintaining efficiency within the designated amplitude range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mass is spaced further from the casing to accommodate large oscillation amplitudes, then the device can handle larger vibrations without impacts, but the device volume increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resilient device that dynamically adjusts the spacing between the mass and casing based on oscillation amplitude. During normal operation, the mass maintains close proximity to the casing for compact design. When large oscillations occur, the resilient device compresses to increase spacing and prevent impacts, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient device is positioned between the mass and casing to provide beforehand cushioning. This cushioning mechanism is pre-installed to protect the mass from impacting the casing during large oscillations, allowing the device to maintain a compact design while still protecting against damage when needed.
2Reliability
If the mass is spaced further from the casing to avoid impacts, then the device can handle larger vibrations, but the device weight increases due to more material
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient device provides dynamic spacing adjustment rather than requiring fixed increased spacing. This allows the device to maintain minimal spacing during normal operation (lightweight design) while automatically increasing spacing when large oscillations occur (damage prevention), thus resolving the weight versus reliability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spacing parameter dynamically based on oscillation conditions. During normal operation, spacing is minimal for lightweight design. When large oscillations are detected, the resilient device compresses to increase spacing and prevent impacts, resolving the contradiction between weight and damage prevention.
3Reliability
If the mass oscillates with excessively large amplitude, then the spring may be permanently damaged by exceeding the limit of proportionality, but limiting the amplitude requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient device is pre-positioned between the mass and casing to provide beforehand cushioning. When large oscillations occur, this device compresses to limit the mass's travel and prevent the spring from exceeding its elastic limit, thereby protecting spring durability without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient device acts as an intermediary element between the mass and casing. It mediates the interaction by compressing during large oscillations to limit amplitude and protect the spring, while remaining inactive during normal operation, thus adding minimal complexity while ensuring spring durability.
4Reliability
If a resilient device is added to limit oscillation amplitude, then the operating lifetime is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient device serves as a simple intermediary element that passively limits oscillation amplitude by compressing between the mass and casing when needed. This passive mechanism enhances operating lifetime without requiring complex active control systems, sensors, or power sources, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient device operates autonomously based on the mechanical conditions within the device. It automatically compresses to limit amplitude when large oscillations occur and remains inactive during normal operation, providing self-service protection that enhances reliability without adding complex control mechanisms.
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 solution effectively limits oscillation amplitude, enhancing the operating lifetime of electromechanical generators by preventing material damage and maintaining energy conversion efficiency, even in environments with severe shocks or varying vibration magnitudes.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient device (40, 60) disposed between one of the mass (10) and the body (20) and between the other of the mass (10) and the body (20), so that the mass (10) is permitted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body (20) with an oscillation amplitude no more than the predetermined threshold amplitude without the resilient device (40, 60) contacting the other of the mass (10) and the body (20)
Implementation Method 2
a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.