KR102064906B1 - Energy harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is an energy harvester which converts vibrations into electric energy. The energy harvester comprises a first housing including a center axis coupled to pass through the inside, a coil unit fixed to the center axis, and a magnet unit for power generation separated by a predetermined distance in a direction parallel to the center axis, and generates electricity based on electromagnetic induction generated in accordance with relative displacement of the coil unit and the magnet unit for power generation. The magnet unit for power generation is formed of a modularization magnet unit including a plurality of unit magnets and a magnet fixing unit to which the unit magnet is inserted and fixed. A resonant frequency of the energy harvester is adjusted in accordance with polarity of the unit magnet, magnetic properties of the unit magnet, or whether the unit magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing unit.

Description

Energy harvester {ENERGY HARVESTER}

The present invention relates to an energy harvester.

Existing railway monitoring systems rely on wired sensor monitoring technology, limiting the reliability and stability of maintenance, maintenance and management. In particular, the trolley bogie and the traveling device has a problem that it is difficult to obtain real-time monitoring data on the main devices of the vehicle itself because of restrictions on the access to parts and the installation of a wired sensor.

For example, the conventional railroad monitoring system was able to diagnose the condition of a railroad car only in a limited installation position by diagnosing a failure according to the state sensing information detected through a sensor installed in a railroad facility on the ground (or maintenance window). Accordingly, the reliability of the diagnosis result is low, there is a limitation that only the diagnosis after the failure occurs can not be predicted and prevented through the real-time monitoring of the state of the railway vehicle.

In order to solve this problem, research is being conducted to combine a wireless sensor that monitors the operation status of each component of a railway vehicle. However, the wireless sensor has a poor power supply. Attempts have been made to add self-generating modules that perform self-generation.

One of the representative technologies of self-generating modules is energy harvesting technology. Energy harvesting technology is a technology that converts the energy discarded from the surroundings into electrical energy that can be harvested or scavenged.

Energy harvesting technology absorbs natural light energy, low temperature waste heat energy from human body or combustion engine, fine vibration energy of portable device mounting / attachment device, dissipation energy due to human physical activity, etc. Element), Electrochemical Reaction, DC / AC Generator, Piezoelectric Transducer, Capacitor Transducer Photovoltaic Cell, etc. can be used.

In general, the power levels available through energy harvesting techniques range from microwatts to milliwatts.

This energy harvesting technique can be applied to various fields. For example, it is possible to take advantage of the vibration generated in the railroad or vehicle running at high speed, and the state of various systems such as train operating system, high pressure system, traction system, braking system, auxiliary power supply, body electric device, etc. A wireless sensor for monitoring the data may be combined with a railroad vehicle, and sensed information may be transmitted through a wireless communication path.

On the other hand, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0024018 (name of the invention: energy harvester) discloses an energy harvester that converts into electrical energy using vibration energy transmitted from the outside.

The present application is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention to provide an energy harvester for improving the energy generation efficiency.

However, the technical problem to be achieved by the present embodiment is not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the energy harvester for converting the vibration according to the first aspect of the present application into electrical energy has a central axis coupled to penetrate through the inside, the coil portion and the central axis fixed to the central axis; A first housing including a power generation magnet unit spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a side-by-side direction, wherein the power generation unit generates electricity based on electromagnetic induction generated by a relative displacement of the coil unit and the power generation magnet unit; It consists of a modular magnet unit including a unit magnet and a magnet fixing portion to which the unit magnet is inserted and fixed, and the resonance frequency of the energy harvester depends on the polarity of the unit magnet, the magnetic characteristics of the unit magnet, or whether the unit magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing portion Is adjusted.

In addition, the energy harvester for converting the vibration according to the second aspect of the present application into electrical energy is a power generation magnet spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the direction parallel to the central axis, the coil portion fixed to the central axis and the central axis coupled to penetrate the inside A first housing comprising a portion; And magnetic springs respectively positioned on upper and lower portions of the first housing, wherein the magnetic springs generate electricity based on electromagnetic induction generated by a relative displacement of the coil part and the power generating magnet part, wherein the magnetic springs are formed of a plurality of unit magnets and units. The modular magnet part includes a magnet fixing part into which a magnet is inserted and fixed. The resonance frequency of the energy harvester is adjusted according to the polarity of the unit magnet, the magnetic characteristics of the unit magnet, or whether the magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part of the unit magnet.

Meanwhile, the wireless sensor device according to the third aspect of the present application includes an energy harvester and a communication module that receives energy converted from the energy harvester and transmits measured sensing information.

According to the aforementioned problem solving means of the present application, it is possible to easily change the magnetic characteristics of the magnetic spring or the power generating magnet used in the electromagnetic induction energy harvester of the energy harvester of the resonance frequency or energy harvester Tuning of damping characteristics is possible.

That is, in the process of applying an electromagnetic induction energy harvester to an actual object, when it is difficult to set a target resonance frequency, it is possible to tune the resonance frequency by conveniently adjusting the magnetic characteristics of the magnet spring or the power generating magnet.

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless sensor device according to an embodiment of the present application.
2 is a view for explaining the configuration of the energy harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an energy harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining the axial modular magnet portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view for explaining a radially modular magnet unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are views showing a modified embodiment of the unit magnet of the modular magnet unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for simplicity of explanation, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout this specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. do.

Throughout this specification, when a member is located “on” another member, this includes not only when one member is in contact with another member but also when another member exists between the two members.

Throughout this specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated. As used throughout this specification, the terms "about", "substantially", and the like, are used at, or in proximity to, the numerical values of the preparations and material tolerances inherent in the meanings indicated, and refer to the understanding herein. Accurate or absolute figures are used to assist in the prevention of unfair use by unscrupulous infringers. As used throughout this specification, the term "step to" or "step of" does not mean "step for."

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless sensor device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless sensor device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an energy harvester 100, a communication module 200, and a sensing module 300. At this time, the communication module 200 receives the converted electrical energy from the energy harvester 100 and transmits various sensing information measured through the sensing module 300. For example, vibration energy generated inside or outside may be converted into electrical energy using the energy harvester 100.

At this time, the source of vibration energy may be a mechanical component, a mechanical structure or a transportation machine (railroad car, automobile, aircraft, ship, etc.) and a rotating machine (motor, pump, plant, factory, reducer / accelerator, wind turbine blade, etc.). This may be included.

Hereinafter, the energy harvester 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

2 is a view for explaining the configuration of the energy harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the energy harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the energy harvester 100 of the present invention includes a central axis 120 coupled to penetrate the inside, a coil part 140 fixed to the central axis 120, and a central axis ( It includes a first housing 110 and a magnetic spring 150 located on the upper and lower portions of the first housing 110 and the first housing 110 including a power generation magnet portion 130 spaced by a predetermined distance in parallel with the 120, In addition, electricity may be generated based on electromagnetic induction generated by the relative displacement of the coil unit 140 and the magnet magnet 130 for power generation.

In this case, the power generation magnet unit 130 or the magnetic spring 150 is composed of a modular magnet unit 156 including a plurality of unit magnets 50 and a magnet fixing unit 60 into which the unit magnets 50 are inserted and fixed. The resonance frequency of the energy harvester 100 may be adjusted according to the polarity of the unit magnet 50, the magnetic characteristics of the unit magnet 50, or whether the unit magnet 50 is inserted into the magnet fixing part 60.

That is, since the energy harvester 100 of the present invention is composed of a modular magnet portion 156 that can change the three magnet characteristics of the power generation magnet portion 130 or the magnetic spring 150, the power generation magnet portion The magnet characteristic of the 130 or the magnetic spring 150 is conveniently adjusted to allow tuning to a desired resonance frequency of the user.

In addition, the conventional energy harvester is fixed in the ring-shaped integrated magnet and the strength of the magnet, it is possible to solve the problem that it is impossible to change the repulsive force characteristics by the magnetic spring and the damping characteristics by the magnet for power generation.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, the modular magnet unit 156 may be configured as one of a pair of magnetic springs 150 positioned above the first housing 110. At this time, the modular magnet portion 156 is a magnet fixing portion in which a groove is formed so as to correspond to the number and size of the plurality of unit magnets 50 and the unit magnets 50 arranged in a circle to face the other magnetic spring 150 60 may be included.

For example, the magnet fixing part 60 may be formed on the lower surface of the second housing 160 to be described later, and formed to correspond to the circular unit magnet 50, but wider than the area of the unit magnet 50. Can be formed.

For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the modular magnet unit 156 may be configured of one or more of the plurality of power generation magnet units 130 coupled along the inner circumferential surface of the first housing 110. . At this time, the modular magnet portion 156 is inserted and fixed in the groove of the magnet fixing portion 60 and the magnet fixing portion 60 coupled along the inner circumferential surface of the first housing 110, and the central axis 120 and It may include a plurality of unit magnets spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a parallel direction.

The present invention is based on the polarity of the unit magnet 50, the magnetic properties of the unit magnet 50, or whether the magnet unit 130 or the magnetic spring 150 for the insertion of the unit magnet 50 into the magnet fixing portion 60 The resonance frequency can be adjusted by changing the magnetic properties of the.

4 is a view for explaining the axial modular magnet unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a view for explaining a radially modular magnet unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 6 and 7 FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a modified embodiment of a unit magnet of a modular magnet unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the modular magnet unit 156 whose magnet characteristics are changed will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

For example, the modular magnet unit 156 may have a second polarity (for example, opposite to the first polarity) when the first polarity (eg, N pole) of the plurality of unit magnets 50 is exposed to the outside. One or more unit magnets 50 may be inserted into the magnet fixing part 60 so that the S poles are exposed to the outside, thereby changing the polarity of the unit magnets 50.

Subsequently, one or more unit magnets 50 having grades different from those of the plurality of unit magnets 50 may be inserted into the magnet fixing part 60 to change the magnetic properties of the unit magnets 50. Here, different grades mean that the strength of the magnetic field is different. For example, N52 is a class of magnets with strong magnetic fields, and N32 is a class of magnets with weak magnetic fields.

Next, one or more unit magnets 50 of the plurality of unit magnets 50 are removed from the magnet holder 60, or one or more dummy magnets are inserted into the magnet holder 60 in place of the unit magnet 50. Thus, whether the unit magnet 50 is inserted into the magnet fixing unit 60 may be changed.

4 and 5, the modular magnet unit 156 is arranged such that the magnetic field direction of each unit magnet 50 is set in parallel with the central axis 120, or the magnetic field direction of the unit magnet is set in the radial direction. It may be arranged to.

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an axially modularized magnet portion 156. Here, the plurality of unit magnets 50 are disposed so that the S poles are exposed to the outside. In this case, for changing the magnet characteristics of the modular magnet unit 156, there is a method described below. First, one or more unit magnets 51s having different magnet grades from the plurality of unit magnets 50 are inserted into the magnet fixing part 60, or second, one or more unit magnets 50n changed to expose the N pole to the outside. 3, a simple magnetic body may be inserted instead of the one or more unit magnets 50 as the dummy magnet 50m, or fourth, the one or more unit magnets 50 may be removed 50b.

For example, FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the radially modular magnet portion 156, and FIG. 5A illustrates a plurality of unit magnets 50 coupled along the inner circumferential surface of the magnet fixing portion 60a. 5B illustrates a plurality of unit magnets 50 coupled along the outer circumferential surface of the magnet fixing part 60b.

Here, FIG. 5A illustrates the N poles of the plurality of unit magnets 50 to be exposed to the outside, and FIG. 5B illustrates the S poles of the plurality of unit magnets 50 to the outside. In this case, in order to change the magnet characteristics of the modular magnet unit 156, the following method may be used. First, the plurality of unit magnets 50 and one or more unit magnets 51n and 51s having different magnet grades are inserted into the magnet fixing parts 60a and 60b, or second, the S pole or the N pole is changed to be exposed to the outside. One or more unit magnets 50n and 50s may be inserted, or third, a simple magnetic body may be inserted as the dummy magnet 50m instead of one or more unit magnets 50.

Specifically, when the characteristic of the unit magnet 50 constituting the power generation magnet portion 130 is changed, the amplitude ratio with respect to the acceleration input is changed according to the change of the electromagnetic force constant (K), the energy harvester ( The resonance frequency (or natural frequency) of 100 may be adjusted.

When the characteristic of the unit magnet 50 constituting the magnetic spring 150 is changed, the repulsive force is changed according to the change of the spring constant k, so that the resonance frequency of the energy harvester 100 of the present invention can be adjusted. .

Equation 1 below represents the natural frequency, amplitude magnification, and attenuation ratio.

<Equation 1>

β = ω / ω _n , ω: input frequency, m: mass, b: coefficient of friction, k: spring constant, K: electromagnetic force constant, R: electrical resistance.

Therefore, the energy harvester 100 of the present invention is replaced by a modular magnet unit 156 that can easily change the size of the magnetic in the magnet generator 130 or the magnetic spring 150 for energy harvester ( The power generation efficiency can be improved by optimizing the resonance frequency and amplitude magnification of 100).

For example, referring to FIG. 6, the present invention may greatly change the resonance frequency by changing each unit magnet 50 symmetrically about a circle through the modular magnet unit 156. In more detail, six unit magnets 50 may be divided into one module A among all 12 unit magnets 50. Here, when the characteristic of the magnet is changed, the dummy magnet 50m included in one module A and the dummy magnet 50m included in the other module may be diagonally symmetrical. That is, a pair of diagonally symmetrical unit magnets 50 may be removed 50b from each module, changed into magnets 51s of different grades, and the magnets 50n changed such that the N poles are exposed to the outside. have.

As another example, referring to FIG. 7, the present invention may change the resonance frequency finely by setting the degree of change of the magnetic material not to be large through the modular magnet unit 156. More specifically, of the total 12 unit magnets 50, only a pair of unit magnets 50 that are diagonally symmetrical may be changed to unit magnets 51s having different grades.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3, the first housing 110 may have a predetermined space formed therein, and the magnet part 130 and the coil part 140 may be disposed in the predetermined space. For example, the first housing 110 may have a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 2, but this is not limited thereto.

The first housing 110 may be made of an elastic member having a predetermined elastic modulus or made of any one of ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic materials including diamagnetic and paramagnetic, but is not limited to the examples described.

For example, when the first housing 110 is formed of a nonmagnetic material, the first housing 110 is not magnetized from the magnetic material having the magnetic field. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent the magnetostriction phenomenon such as mechanical deformation occurs when the peripheral device made of ferromagnetic material under the magnetic field.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the energy harvester 100 may further include a second housing 160 having a predetermined space formed therein and a first housing 110 located therein.

The central shaft 120 may be fixed through the first housing 110.

In more detail, the through hole 111 may be formed in the first and second surfaces corresponding to each other in the first housing 110, and the central axis 120 may be inserted into the through hole 111. In addition, the bearing portion 112 is positioned between the through hole 111 and the central shaft 120, so that the first housing 110 can be smoothly translated in the vertical direction. In addition, both ends of the central shaft 120 may be fixed to inner surfaces of the second housing 160, respectively. In this case, the first surface may be a surface located at 12 o'clock in FIG. 3, and the second surface may be a surface located at 6 o'clock in FIG. 3.

The first housing 110 may translate along the central axis 120 by the vibration generated from the vibration source, thereby generating electrical energy by electromagnetic induction.

For example, the power generation magnet unit 130 may be coupled to an upper portion of the central magnet portion 131 and the central magnet portion 131 having a first polarity facing the central axis, and an upper magnet portion having a second polarity facing the central axis. 132, and a lower magnet part 133 coupled to a lower part of the central magnet part 131 and having a second polarity facing the central axis.

The coil unit 140 is located inside the first housing 110 and is fixed to the central axis 120. In addition, the coil unit 140 includes a bobbin 141 wound around the coil 142 and fixed to the central axis 120.

In addition, the coil part 140 may overlap the upper magnet part 132 and the central magnet part 131 or the lower magnet part 133 and the central magnet part 131 by the translational motion of the first housing 110. have. Here, the coil unit 140 and the upper magnet portion 132 and the central magnet portion 131 or the lower magnet portion 133 and the central magnet portion 131 overlap the process, that is to generate the induced electromotive force through the electromagnetic induction process Can be.

The bobbin 141 is wound around the coil 142 and has a web portion 141a fixed to the central axis 120, an upper flange portion 141b extending radially from an upper end portion of the web portion 141a, and a web portion ( It may include a lower flange portion 141c extending radially from the lower end of the 141a.

In addition, the magnetic spring 150 includes an upper magnetic spring 151 positioned on the upper portion of the first housing 110 and a lower magnetic spring 152 positioned on the lower portion of the first housing 110. The magnetic springs 151 and 152 may be magnetic pairs having the same magnetic poles on the surfaces facing each other. The magnetic poles on the opposite surfaces of the magnetic pairs all have the same magnetic poles as the N poles or all S poles, and thus can function as elastic bodies by repulsive force.

The above description of the present application is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present application. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present application is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present application.

100: energy harvester
110: first housing 111: through hole
112: bearing part
120: central axis
130: magnet
131: central magnet portion 132: upper magnet portion
133: the lower magnet
140: coil part
141 bobbin 141a web part
141b: upper flange portion 141c: lower flange portion
142: coil
151,152: Magnetic Spring
153,154: Elastic Structure
160: second housing

Claims (15)

In an energy harvester that converts vibrations into electrical energy,
A first housing including a central axis coupled to penetrate the inside, a coil part fixed to the central axis, and a power generation magnet part spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a direction parallel to the central axis,
Generates electricity based on electromagnetic induction generated by the relative displacement of the coil unit and the magnet for generating power;
The magnet for power generation is composed of a modular magnet portion including a plurality of unit magnets and a magnet fixing portion formed with a groove so that the unit magnet is inserted and fixed,
The modular magnet unit
When the first polarities of the plurality of unit magnets are exposed to the outside, one or more unit magnets are inserted into the magnet fixing part such that the second polarities are exposed to the outside, so that the polarities of the unit magnets are changed,
At least one unit magnet having a grade different from that of the plurality of unit magnets is inserted into the magnet fixing part such that the magnetic properties of the unit magnet are changed,
One or more unit magnets of the plurality of unit magnets are removed from the magnet fixing unit,
At least one dummy magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part in place of the unit magnet, and whether the unit magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part is changed, and the polarity of the unit magnet, the magnetic property of the unit magnet, or the The resonance frequency of the energy harvester is adjusted according to whether or not the unit magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part.
In the case of the power generation magnet part, the magnet fixing part of the modular magnet part is coupled along the inner circumferential surface of the first housing, and the magnetic field direction of the plurality of unit magnets inserted and fixed in the groove of the magnet fixing part is the central axis. Wherein the energy harvester is disposed radially relative to the energy harvester. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a magnetic spring located on the upper and lower portions of the first housing, respectively,
The magnetic spring is composed of the modular magnet portion, energy harvester. delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
When the characteristic of the unit magnet constituting the power generation magnet portion is changed, the amplitude frequency with respect to the acceleration input is changed according to the change of the electromagnetic force constant, the resonance frequency is adjusted, energy harvester. The method of claim 2,
And a second housing having a predetermined space formed therein so that the first housing is located. In the magnetic spring, magnet fixing portions of the modular magnet part are formed on upper and lower surfaces of the second housing. And the magnetic field direction of the plurality of unit magnets inserted into and fixed in the groove of the magnet fixing part is set in a direction parallel to the central axis. In an energy harvester that converts vibrations into electrical energy,
A first housing including a central axis coupled to penetrate the inside, a coil part fixed to the central axis, and a power generation magnet part spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a direction parallel to the central axis;
Magnetic springs positioned above and below the first housing, respectively;
A second housing having a predetermined space formed therein so that the first housing is located,
Generates electricity based on electromagnetic induction generated by the relative displacement of the coil unit and the magnet for generating power;
The magnetic spring is composed of a modular magnet portion including a plurality of unit magnets and a magnet fixing portion formed with a groove for inserting and fixing the unit magnets,
The modular magnet unit
When the first polarities of the plurality of unit magnets are exposed to the outside, one or more unit magnets are inserted into the magnet fixing part such that the second polarities are exposed to the outside, so that the polarities of the unit magnets are changed,
At least one unit magnet having a grade different from that of the plurality of unit magnets is inserted into the magnet fixing part such that the magnetic properties of the unit magnet are changed,
One or more unit magnets of the plurality of unit magnets are removed from the magnet fixing unit,
At least one dummy magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part in place of the unit magnet, thereby changing whether the unit magnet is inserted into the magnet fixing part,
The resonance frequency of the energy harvester is adjusted according to the polarity of the unit magnets, the magnetic characteristics of the unit magnets or whether the unit magnets are inserted into the magnet fixing unit.
In the case of the magnetic spring, the magnet fixing portion of the modular magnet portion is formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the second housing,
And the magnetic field direction of the plurality of unit magnets inserted into and fixed in the groove of the magnet fixing part is set in a direction parallel to the central axis. The method of claim 8,
The energy generating magnet portion is composed of the modular magnet portion, energy harvester. delete delete delete The method of claim 8,
When the characteristic of the unit magnet constituting the magnetic spring is changed, the repulsive force is changed by changing the spring constant, the resonance frequency is adjusted, energy harvester. The method of claim 9,
In the case of the power generation magnet part, the magnet fixing part of the modular magnet part is coupled along the inner circumferential surface of the first housing, and the magnetic field direction of the plurality of unit magnets inserted and fixed in the groove of the magnet fixing part is the central axis. Wherein the energy harvester is disposed radially relative to the energy harvester. In the wireless sensor device,
The energy harvester according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6 to 9, 13 and 14, and
And a communication module receiving the converted energy from the energy harvester and transmitting the measured sensing information.

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