Inline Pendulum Generator for Battery-Free Wireless Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electromagnetic energy harvesting generators for low power output struggle to efficiently convert mechanical motion into electrical energy, particularly in designs that rely on the principles of Faraday and Lenz's laws, without effectively utilizing the dynamic interactions of magnetic fields and oscillating pendulums.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electromagnetic energy harvesting generator that utilizes a freely oscillating pendulum with a disposed magnet, where the magnetic field of the moving pendulum interacts with a stationary magnet within a coil, inducing electrical potential by cutting through the coil wire, and incorporates principles from Faraday's and Lenz's laws, as well as Lagrangian Mechanics and Chaos Theory for scalable power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional electromagnetic induction principles are used in energy harvesting generators, then electrical energy can be generated from mechanical motion, but the conversion efficiency remains low and power output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a double pendulum mechanism with two independent oscillating masses that can move dynamically in different directions and phases. This dynamic configuration allows the system to harvest energy from complex, multi-directional vibrations more effectively than traditional single-degree-of-freedom systems, thereby improving power output while maintaining efficient energy conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes two separate magnets with potentially different magnetic field strengths, polarities, and oscillation parameters. By independently tuning the oscillation frequencies, amplitudes, and phases of the two pendulum masses, the system can optimize electromagnetic induction conditions to maximize electrical energy generation efficiency and power output across varying input vibration conditions
2Power
If a simple pendulum with single magnet is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the generated electrical power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two pendulum masses with magnets into a single integrated double pendulum system that shares common support structures and housing. This merging approach allows the system to generate higher electrical power through combined electromagnetic induction from both oscillating magnets while maintaining relatively simple device architecture and minimizing the increase in structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The double pendulum system serves multiple functions: it harvests energy from multi-directional vibrations, generates electrical power through dual magnet interaction with the coil, and can operate effectively across a broader range of frequency and amplitude conditions. This multi-functionality increases power generation capability without proportionally increasing device complexity
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
This solution enables the generation of electrical energy through the interaction of magnetic fields and pendulum motion, producing scalable and efficient power output by leveraging the principles of electromagnetic induction and complex oscillations, addressing the inefficiencies in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The action of the moving pendulum causes the pendulum magnet's lines of flux to cut through the coil wire and produces, by Faraday's and Lenz's Law, an electrical potential between the terminal wires of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is of energy harvesting generators producing power to electrical loads by a novel method of the inline triggering of a horizontal pendulum that vertically oscillates for an established time duration. The horizontal pendulum component has disposed and fixed, a magnet whose travel is under the direct influence of the motion of the pendulum component. This oscillation of the pendulum and its disposed magnet is situated proximal to an electrical coil that has disposed a magnet enclosure with a disposed magnet that is in the center of the coil arrangement. The instant triggering is accomplished by a novel trigger whose end has a first trigger tooth that upon an external applied force comes in contact with a second trigger tooth that forces the pendulum downward beyond it release position to allow the pendulum and magnet to freely oscillate. Converse action occurs when the triggering force is instantly removed.