Triboelectric Energy Harvester with Segmented Protrusions

Solution Overview

Problem

Smartwatches require frequent charging or large-capacity batteries due to high power consumption, necessitating a solution for continuous power supply.

Innovation Solution

An energy harvester comprising a first and second charging member with protruding parts made of different materials, generating electrical energy through contact or gap changes between their side surfaces, utilizing triboelectrification principles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a smartwatch uses a large-capacity battery to continuously supply power, then the power supply duration is extended, but the device weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply durationVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic energy harvesting mechanism where protruding parts of different materials periodically contact and separate during wrist movement. This dynamic interaction continuously generates electrical energy through triboelectrification, converting mechanical motion from daily wear into usable power to extend operational duration without increasing battery capacity or device weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy harvesting system utilizes the natural motion of the user's wrist during normal wear to generate electrical energy. The protruding parts automatically contact and separate during movement, harvesting energy from the environment (mechanical motion) without requiring external power sources, additional battery capacity, or increasing device weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If a smartwatch uses a large-capacity battery to continuously supply power, then the power supply duration is extended, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply durationVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic energy harvesting mechanism where protruding parts of different materials periodically contact and separate during wrist movement. This dynamic interaction continuously generates electrical energy through triboelectrification, converting mechanical motion from daily wear into usable power to extend operational duration without increasing battery capacity or device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy harvesting system utilizes the natural motion of the user's wrist during normal wear to generate electrical energy. The protruding parts automatically contact and separate during movement, harvesting energy from the environment (mechanical motion) without requiring external power sources, additional battery capacity, or increasing device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If protruding parts of different materials are used to generate electrical energy through contact, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy harvesting efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charging members are segmented into multiple protruding parts made of different materials (e.g., conductive and dielectric materials). This segmentation creates multiple contact points that generate electrical energy through triboelectrification during movement, improving energy harvesting efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite material construction where protruding parts are made of different materials with complementary properties (conductive and dielectric). This material differentiation enhances the triboelectrification effect during contact, improving energy harvesting efficiency while the composite structure itself can be integrated into the device housing or charging components using standard manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Effectively converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, providing continuous power to portable devices by leveraging the contact or gap changes between the charging members.

Implementation Method 1

generating electrical energy through contact or gap changes between their side surfaces, utilizing triboelectrification principles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectrification: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10770637B2Energy harvester

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An energy harvest is disclosed. The disclosed energy harvest includes: a first charging member including a plurality of first protruding parts; and a second charging member including a plurality of second protruding parts arranged between the first protruding parts and including a material different from that of the first protruding parts. When at least one of the first and second charging members moves, side surfaces of the first protruding parts and side surfaces of the second protruding parts come into contact with each other, or gaps between the side surfaces of the first protruding parts and the side surfaces of the second protruding parts are changed. The energy harvest generates electrical energy from the contact or the gap change.