Modular Energy Infrastructure with Vertebral Column

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices that convert human physical activity into electrical energy are not scalable for collective energy production, lack compatibility with existing energy networks, and require energy storage solutions, limiting their contribution to green energy production.

Innovation Solution

A modular infrastructure with a synchronization module that allows multiple energy production devices to connect directly to a central electrical energy distribution column, enabling synchronization with external networks and eliminating the need for storage batteries, allowing for seamless energy injection and consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple individual energy production devices are used, then human activity can be harnessed to generate electrical energy, but the contribution to green energy production remains low and they cannot form a real power station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy production capacityVSAvoidability to cooperate with other devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual energy production devices into a unified infrastructure through a central distribution column. Each device connects to the column, allowing their energy outputs to be aggregated and distributed systematically, transforming isolated low-capacity devices into a collective power station capable of significant green energy production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution column serves multiple functions: it acts as a common connection point for all production devices, a synchronization reference for all inverters, and a distribution network for the generated energy. This multi-functional design enables the infrastructure to scale by simply adding more production devices without requiring additional infrastructure components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If devices are connected to form a power station, then energy production capacity increases, but compatibility with external networks and synchronization becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy production capacityVSAvoidsynchronization and network compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution column establishes a common electrical reference potential that all production devices share. By connecting all inverters to this common column, the system eliminates potential differences and synchronization issues between devices, allowing them to operate at the same electrical potential while maintaining simple individual connections to the external network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution column acts as an intermediary between the multiple production devices and the external electrical network. It mediates the connection by providing a standardized interface that simplifies network compatibility, isolating the complexity of coordinating multiple devices from the external network connection point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If energy storage devices like batteries are used, then energy can be stored for later use, but the system complexity and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy availability timeVSAvoidstorage system requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy storage function from the system by eliminating batteries and other storage devices. Instead of storing energy for later use, the system is designed to consume energy in real-time as it is produced, thereby removing the complexity, cost, and energy losses associated with storage devices while maintaining continuous energy availability through direct production-consumption coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If individual devices are designed independently, then device simplicity is maintained, but they cannot be directly connected to form a scalable infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice installation simplicityVSAvoidinfrastructure integration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The infrastructure is segmented into independent production devices that each connect to the common distribution column. This segmentation allows devices to be designed and installed independently with simple connections, while the column provides the integration framework that enables scalability. Each device remains operationally simple but gains infrastructure capability through its standardized connection to the column.

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

Enables the scalable combination of human-generated energy into a usable electrical energy source compatible with external networks, providing a flexible and efficient means to produce and utilize green energy without storage, enhancing energy production and consumption within buildings or external networks.

Implementation Method 1

document FR 2 969 422 describes a ground element generating electrical energy comprising a piezoelectric energy generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a treadmill comprising a belt connected to an alternator, itself connected to a storage battery. An animated being such as a human who jogs on the treadmill can therefore generate electrical energy, by rotating the belt, which itself drives the alternator in rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3146610B1Apparatus for producing electrical energy, infrastructure producing electrical energy comprising a plurality of such apparatus, and building equipped with such an infrastructure
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 ARNOULD CHRISTOPHE
  • EP3146610B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3146610B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3146610B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an infrastructure producing electrical energy comprising an electrical energy distribution column, termed a vertebral column (10) of the infrastructure suitable for conveying electrical energy to a network for using this energy; and at least one electrical energy production apparatus (24, 25) linked to said vertebral column (10) and suitable for injecting directly onto said vertebral column (10) at least part of the energy generated, said apparatus (24, 25) being configured to be able to produce electrical energy from a physical mechanical effort exerted by an animate being.