Magnetostrictive Vibration Power Generator Solid Material Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration power generators using magnetostrictive materials face limitations in power generation capacity and stability due to nonuniformity in the quality of the base material, leading to unstable power generation characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A vibration power generator is developed by bonding a solid soft magnetic material with a solid magnetostrictive material, utilizing the inverse magnetostriction effect to enhance power generation capacity and stability, with the magnetostrictive material made of Fe—Co based alloys or Ni—Fe based alloys, and the soft magnetic material made of pure iron or Ni, to facilitate efficient energy conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If epoxy resin is poured around the wire rod to form a composite material, then power generation capacity increases, but nonuniformity in base material quality causes unstable power generation characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidstability of power generation characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the base material from liquid (epoxy resin) to solid (metal material), and changes the shape of the magnetostrictive material from wire rod to plate shape. These parameter changes eliminate nonuniformity issues while maintaining high power generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by bonding solid base material and solid magnetostrictive material together. This composite approach allows both materials to maintain their solid-state advantages while working synergistically to produce stable, high-capacity power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the vibration member is designed with conventional shapes, then manufacturing is simplified, but power generation capacity improvement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of vibration member designVSAvoidpower generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional wire rod magnetostrictive materials to two-dimensional plate-shaped magnetostrictive materials. This dimensional change significantly increases the active material volume and improves power generation capacity while keeping the overall structure simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If solid materials are bonded together, then nonuniformity is prevented and power generation characteristics stabilize, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of power generation characteristicsVSAvoidcomplexity of bonding solid materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vibration member into distinct functional segments: solid base material and solid magnetostrictive material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and bonded together, ensuring uniformity and stability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves increased power generation capacity and stable power generation characteristics by leveraging the synergistic effects of the soft magnetic and magnetostrictive materials, preventing nonuniformity and improving energy conversion efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The vibration power generator is configured to generate power by means of the inverse magnetostriction effect of the magnetostrictive material produced when the magnetostrictive material vibrates together with the vibration member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInverse magnetostriction effect: Magnetostriction

Implementation Method 2

using magnetization change resulting from this inverse magnetostriction effect, the magnetization of the soft magnetic material can also be changed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Data Source

PatentUS11131588B2Energy converter, vibration power generator, force sensor device, and actuator

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 TOHOKU STEEL CO LTD

AI summary

An energy converter is formed by bonding a solid soft magnetic material and a solid magnetostrictive material. A vibration power generator is configured to generate power by means of the inverse magnetostriction effect of the magnetostrictive material produced by the vibration of a vibration unit configured using the energy converter. A force sensor device includes a force detection unit that detects magnetization change resulting from the inverse magnetostriction effect of the magnetostrictive material produced when a sensor unit configured using the energy converter deforms, and determines force acting on the sensor unit on the basis of the detected magnetization change. An actuator is configured to vibrate the vibration unit configured using the energy converter by means of the magnetostriction effect of the magnetostrictive material.