Vibration Energy Harvester Rectifier Circuit for Power Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration-driven energy harvesters face inefficiencies in power generation and supply, as the electromotive force generated is not effectively converted into a stable and efficient power supply for loads.

Innovation Solution

A power generator comprising a power generation element with a movable unit between two electrodes, each with a comb structure, and a conversion unit with multiple rectifying units that convert alternating current into direct current, ensuring efficient power supply by rectifying the alternating current generated by the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration-driven energy harvester uses fixed electrodes and movable electrodes with comb structure to generate electromotive force, then power generation capability is achieved, but the generated alternating current causes voltage instability and inefficient power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpower generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A rectifier circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the power generation element and the load. The rectifier circuit converts the alternating current generated by the vibration-driven energy harvester into direct current, thereby stabilizing the voltage and improving power supply reliability while maintaining power generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter of the generated current from alternating current to direct current through rectification. This parameter transformation stabilizes the voltage output and improves the efficiency of power supply to the load, resolving the contradiction between power supply stability and power generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables efficient power generation and supply by stabilizing the alternating current into direct current, improving power generation efficiency and preventing voltage instability, thus providing a reliable power source.

Implementation Method 1

an inductive charge of an electret changes in accordance with a change in an area in which a fixed electrode and a movable electrode face each other. This change in the inductive charge causes a change in a voltage between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, which generates an electromotive force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic induction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3863170A1Power generator and rectifier circuit
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 SAGINOMIYA SEISAKUSHO INC
  • EP3863170A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863170A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3863170A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A power generator includes: a power generation element that has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a movable unit provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, the movable unit having a third electrode facing the first electrode and a fourth electrode facing the second electrode, the power generation element generating an electric power due to a vibration; and a conversion unit that has a first rectifying unit provided between the first electrode and a first output unit, a second rectifying unit provided between the first electrode and a second output unit, a third rectifying unit provided between the second electrode and the first output unit, a fourth rectifying unit provided between the second electrode and the second output unit, a fifth rectifying unit provided between the movable unit and the first output unit, and a sixth rectifying unit provided between the movable unit and the second output unit, the conversion unit converting alternating current generated by the power generation element into direct current.