Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Battery-Free Wireless Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless lighting control systems require battery replacement, which is inconvenient and limits user convenience, especially in scenarios where manual manipulation is necessary for turning lighting devices on or off.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric energy harvester generates power from external forces applied to a pressing member, which is used to drive a wireless switch's transmitting module, allowing for wireless control of lighting devices without a separate battery, and also adjusts light intensity based on the magnitude and duration of the applied force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a battery is embedded in the transmitting unit of the remote control device, then the wireless switch can operate continuously, but the battery needs to be periodically replaced which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting unit harvests mechanical energy from user pressing operations to generate and store electrical energy in a capacitor, enabling the device to power itself without requiring external battery replacement. The piezoelectric element converts mechanical pressing force directly into electrical energy that charges the capacitor, creating a self-sustaining power system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical energy storage system (battery) with a mechanical energy harvesting system using piezoelectric elements. The mechanical pressing action on the switch directly generates electrical energy through the piezoelectric effect, substituting the need for chemical battery energy storage.
2Power
If the piezoelectric element is positioned close to the magnet, then more power can be generated, but the magnet may interfere with the elastic deformation of the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator serves as an intermediary component positioned between the magnet and the piezoelectric element. It allows the magnetic field to pass through and influence the piezoelectric element for power generation while preventing direct physical contact that would interfere with the elastic deformation of the plate and potential magnetic attraction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the magnetic component and the piezoelectric component with an insulator barrier, allowing their functions to be independent yet cooperative. The magnet generates magnetic field influence while the piezoelectric element responds to mechanical deformation, with the insulator enabling both functions to coexist without interference.
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 system provides a battery-free solution for controlling lighting devices, enhancing user convenience by using piezoelectric energy harvesting to power the wireless switch and adjust light intensity dynamically, improving durability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element situated on the plate
Implementation Method 2
a magnet situated to be spaced apart from the plate... allow a magnetic force of the magnet to have an influence on the plate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a piezoelectric energy harvester and a wireless switch including a piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester uses energy generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester as driving power, thereby transmitting communications signals to an external lighting device using this driving power. Furthermore, the piezoelectric energy harvester generates power having different magnitudes depending on magnitudes of external force applied to a pressing member by a user or duration of the external force. A transmitting module of the wireless switch transmits signals that may adjust intensity of light to the external lighting device depending on the magnitudes of the generated power.