Upper Limb Energy Harvester With Helical Excitation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy harvesters struggle to effectively capture low-frequency kinetic energy from human bodies, resulting in low energy harvesting efficiency for wearable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A wearable human body upper limb kinetic energy harvester incorporating a gear drive mechanism, belt drive mechanism, and helically arranged unidirectional excitation mechanism to transform low-frequency kinetic signals into high-frequency signals, which are then converted into electric energy using a rotor power generation module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional energy harvesters are used, then the device structure is simple, but the energy harvesting efficiency is low due to inability to capture low-frequency kinetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvester is divided into multiple functional modules: a base, a cover plate, a gear drive mechanism (including driving gear, driven gear, and fixed gear), a belt drive mechanism, and a rotor power generation module. Each module performs a specific function in the energy conversion chain, allowing the system to efficiently capture low-frequency kinetic energy while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If gear drive mechanism and belt drive mechanism are added to transform low-frequency signals to high-frequency signals, then energy harvesting efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear drive mechanism and belt drive mechanism are designed to convert the periodic low-frequency movements of the human upper limb into high-frequency rotational motions. The driving gear engages with the driven gear through periodic meshing, and the belt transmits periodic motion to the rotor, enabling efficient energy harvesting from rhythmic human movements such as walking or arm swinging.
3Productivity
If fixed gear with tooth ratio greater than 1 is used, then frequency transformation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed gear is designed with a specific tooth ratio greater than 1 to achieve the desired frequency transformation from low-frequency limb movements to high-frequency rotor rotation. The gear teeth are precisely configured at the meshing interface to ensure reliable engagement and efficient energy transfer, while other parts of the mechanism can have more relaxed tolerances, allowing manufacturing precision to be concentrated where it is most critical.
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 harvester significantly improves energy harvesting efficiency by converting low-frequency human body movements into high-frequency signals, enabling effective power supply for wearable sensors and devices.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor mechanism of a rotor power generation module, and a limiting block which are coaxially and vertically spaced are connected to the high-speed shaft... a stator of the rotor power generation module is installed inside the base
Implementation Method 2
a spring sleeves the high-speed shaft between the rotor mechanism and the limiting block, upper and lower ends of the spring are respectively and fixedly connected with the rotor mechanism and the limiting block
Implementation Method 3
the outer layer may move up and down away from the rotor mechanism or make contact with the rotor mechanism, and drive the rotor mechanism to rotate under the action of force of friction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wearable human body upper limb kinetic energy harvester, including a base, a cover plate, a belt drive mechanism, a gear drive mechanism, a helically arranged unidirectional excitation mechanism, a fixed beam, and a rotor power generation module, wherein the cover plate is fixed to a top wall of the base, a high-speed shaft, a low-speed shaft, and a gear shaft of a fixed gear are sequentially spaced from left to right in a cavity between the base and the cover plate along a vertical direction, the helically arranged unidirectional excitation mechanism, and the rotor power generation module which are coaxially and vertically spaced are connected to the high-speed shaft, and upper and lower ends of a gear shaft of the low-speed shaft are respectively and fixedly connected with an inner ring of a bearing installed in the cover plate and the base.