An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a central mast, an electrically conductive coil assembly fixedly mounted to the mast, a mount for the coil assembly, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted to the mast for vibrational motion along an axis, wherein the magnetic core assembly comprises: an outer core, comprising a one-piece tubular body, which encloses the electrically conductive coil assembly side, first and second end cores magnetically coupled to the outer core at respective first and second ends of the outer core, the first and second end cores extending radially inwardly and enclosing respective first and second opposite edges of the coil assembly, and first and second magnets spaced along the axis, contacting and being magnetically coupled to the respective first and second end cores, and defining therebetween a gap in the magnetic core assembly through which the mount extends.

An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a central mast, an electrically conductive coil assembly fixedly mounted to the mast, a mount for the coil assembly, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted to the mast for vibrational motion along an axis, wherein the magnetic core assembly comprises: an outer core, comprising a one-piece tubular body, which encloses the electrically conductive coil assembly side, first and second end cores magnetically coupled to the outer core at respective first and second ends of the outer core, the first and second end cores extending radially inwardly and enclosing respective first and second opposite edges of the coil assembly, and first and second magnets spaced along the axis, contacting and being magnetically coupled to the respective first and second end cores, and defining therebetween a gap in the magnetic core assembly through which the mount extends.

An energy harvester includes an elongated tubular casing extending around a longitudinal axis between opposed first and second ends. A body is arranged in the casing. A helical electrical winding is wound around the longitudinal axis. The body is arranged to move along the longitudinal axis with alternate motion away from the first end towards the second end and away from the second end towards the first end. As a result of this alternate motion, an electromotive force is produced in the at least one helical electrical winding. Furthermore, at least one of the first and second ends includes a piezoelectric transducer that is configured to co-operate in a kinetic energy transfer relationship with the at least one body to generate an electric voltage as a result of the at least one body reaching, in the alternate motion, an end-of-travel position towards the piezoelectric transducer.

An energy harvester includes an elongated tubular casing extending around a longitudinal axis between opposed first and second ends. A body is arranged in the casing. A helical electrical winding is wound around the longitudinal axis. The body is arranged to move along the longitudinal axis with alternate motion away from the first end towards the second end and away from the second end towards the first end. As a result of this alternate motion, an electromotive force is produced in the at least one helical electrical winding. Furthermore, at least one of the first and second ends includes a piezoelectric transducer that is configured to co-operate in a kinetic energy transfer relationship with the at least one body to generate an electric voltage as a result of the at least one body reaching, in the alternate motion, an end-of-travel position towards the piezoelectric transducer.

A sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes an energy harvester configured to generate electric energy, a monitoring circuit, a sensor, a communication circuit, and at least one processor configured to obtain information indicating a magnitude of the generated electric energy via the monitoring circuit, obtain a sensing value via the sensor, and transmit the sensing value and the information indicating the magnitude of the generated electric energy via the communication circuit to the other electronic device.

Electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, comprising: a central mast, an electrically conductive coil assembly mounted to the mast, a mount for the coil assembly, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted to the mast for vibrational motion along an axis, a biasing device mounted between the mast and the core assembly and comprising a pair of first and second plate springs, each having an inner edge respectively fitted to first and second opposite ends of the mast and an outer edge fitted to the magnetic core assembly, each of the plate springs comprising a spring member comprising an inner portion substantially orthogonal to the axis and including the respective inner edge, and a cylindrical outer portion substantially parallel to the axis and including the respective outer edge, the spring member being a folded sheet spring and the inner and outer portions are connected by a fold.

Electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, comprising: a central mast, an electrically conductive coil assembly mounted to the mast, a mount for the coil assembly, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted to the mast for vibrational motion along an axis, a biasing device mounted between the mast and the core assembly and comprising a pair of first and second plate springs, each having an inner edge respectively fitted to first and second opposite ends of the mast and an outer edge fitted to the magnetic core assembly, each of the plate springs comprising a spring member comprising an inner portion substantially orthogonal to the axis and including the respective inner edge, and a cylindrical outer portion substantially parallel to the axis and including the respective outer edge, the spring member being a folded sheet spring and the inner and outer portions are connected by a fold.

An electromagnetic device for converting input mechanical energy into output electrical energy, including a movable element that is able to make a vibratory mechanical movement, a vibration source configured to actuate the vibratory mechanical movement of the movable element, a coil, a magnetic circuit passing through the coil, the coil being configured to generate the output electrical energy when the movable element is making its vibratory mechanical movement, a permanent magnet arranged in the magnetic circuit and able to generate a magnetic flux, referred to as the total magnetic flux (Fm_T), in the magnetic circuit.

An electromagnetic device for converting input mechanical energy into output electrical energy, including a movable element that is able to make a vibratory mechanical movement, a vibration source configured to actuate the vibratory mechanical movement of the movable element, a coil, a magnetic circuit passing through the coil, the coil being configured to generate the output electrical energy when the movable element is making its vibratory mechanical movement, a permanent magnet arranged in the magnetic circuit and able to generate a magnetic flux, referred to as the total magnetic flux (Fm_T), in the magnetic circuit.

A vibration generator includes a housing; a vibrator; an elastic member that connects the housing and the vibrator; and a driver that causes the vibrator to vibrate. The elastic member includes a housing connection portion that is connected to the housing, a vibrator support portion that supports the vibrator, and a spring portion that connects the housing connection portion and the vibrator support portion. The housing connection portion and the vibrator support portion are in the same plane. The spring portion is formed so as to be approximately perpendicular to the housing connection portion and the vibrator support portion.