Micro-Power Generator Suitable for an Electronic Device, Electronic Device Comprising Such a Micro-Power Generator

Abstract

Provided is a micro-power generator suitable for a wearable, portable or moving electronic device, including a rotor wheel including a multipole magnetic array of a circular design, such as a multipole magnetic ring or disc, which multipole magnetic array has an inner radius r3 and an outer radius r4, at least one stator which is a multipole metal stator including at least one stator coil having a plurality of windings for producing an electric voltage, and a base plate onto which the rotor wheel and the stator are mounted. The at least one stator is fixedly connected to the base plate. The rotor wheel is pivotally connected to the base plate by a pivoting mechanism which allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about a pivot axis perpendicular to a first plane in which the rotor wheel extends, which pivot axis preferably has a concentric orientation to the rotor wheel. The rotor wheel is provided on one side of the base plate, and the rotor wheel has a centre of mass that has an eccentric position with respect to the pivot axis.

Claims

1. A micro-power generator suitable for a wearable, portable or moving electronic device, comprising: a rotor wheel comprising a multipole magnetic array of a circular design, such as a multipole magnetic ring or disc, which multipole magnetic array has an inner radius r3 and an outer radius r4, at least one stator which is a multipole metal stator comprising at least one stator coil having a plurality of windings for producing an electric voltage, a base plate onto which the rotor wheel and the stator are mounted, wherein: the at least one stator is fixedly connected to the base plate, the rotor wheel is pivotally connected to the base plate by a pivoting mechanism which allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about a pivot axis perpendicular to a first plane in which the rotor wheel extends, which pivot axis preferably has a concentric orientation to the rotor wheel, and wherein the rotor wheel is provided on one side of the base plate, and the rotor wheel has a centre of mass that has an eccentric position with respect to the pivot axis.

2. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein an angular section of the rotor wheel is provided with at least one body of mass, which body of mass is fixedly connected to the multipole magnetic array as an integral part of the rotor wheel, and which body of mass extends in a radial direction from the outer circumference of the multipole magnetic array.

3. The micro-power generator according to claim 2, wherein the angular section of the rotor wheel has a size which is determined by an angle theta which lies in the range of 60° and 300°, preferably of 90° and 180°, more preferably of 120° and 170°.

4. The micro-power generator according to claim 2, wherein the body of mass comprises a ring sector defined as an angular section of a ring that has a concentric orientation to the multipole magnetic array, wherein the ring sector has an outer radius r6, wherein r6 is larger than r4, and wherein the size of the angular section is determined by an angle theta which lies in the range of 60° and 300°, preferably of 90° and 180°, more preferably of 120° and 170°.

5. The micro-power generator according to claim 2, wherein the body of mass is connected to the multipole magnetic array by a substantially planar body which comprises either: a mounting bracket that is releasably attached onto the body of mass and the multipole magnetic array; or a disc portion that is fixedly attached to the body of mass and the multipole magnetic array.

6. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting mechanism is single sided such that it forms a single pivotal connection between the rotor wheel and the base plate.

7. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting mechanism for the rotor wheel comprises a central shaft which coincides with the pivot axis, and which central shaft is fixedly connected to the base plate.

8. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting mechanism for the rotor wheel comprises at least one friction reducing support element such as a bearing, which is mounted with a concentric orientation to the pivot axis, and preferably is mounted in the first plane and/or on one side of the first plane, wherein further preferably the at least one friction reducing support element is a bearing that is positioned within the inner radius r3, for instance within the inner circumference of the stator.

9. The micro-power generator according to claim 8, wherein the at least one friction reducing support is a bearing, which is connected to the base plate and to the multipole magnetic array, and is mounted radially beyond the inner radius r3 of the multipole magnetic array, and preferably radially beyond the outer radius r4 of the multipole magnetic array.

10. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the multipole magnetic array and the stator of annular shape are mounted in a concentric orientation to each other and to the pivot axis, and both extend in the first plane on one side of the base plate.

11. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the stator has an annular shape which is delimited by an inner radius r1 and an outer radius r2, and the inner radius r3 of the multipole magnetic array is larger than the outer radius r2 of the stator.

12. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the centre of mass of the rotor wheel has a distance dcm, measured from the pivot axis and in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis, which is equal to or larger than r3, preferably equal to or larger than (r3+r4)/2, and most preferably equal to or larger than r4.

13. The micro-power generator according to claim 2, wherein part of the body of mass is made from a metal having a density of 6000 kg/m3 or higher, and preferably is corrosion-resistant, such as Tungsten, brass and stainless steel.

14. The micro-power generator according to claim 2, wherein the body of mass has a weight ratio to the multipole magnetic ring or disc which is at least 1, preferably at least 2, and more preferably at least 4.

15. The micro-power generator according to claim 4, wherein the ring sector has a height equal to or larger than the height of the multipole magnetic ring or disc.

16. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the generator has a height of 2 up to 25 mm, and the rotor wheel has a diameter of 20 up to 100 mm, preferably 20 up to 35 mm.

17. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the multipole magnetic array preferably comprises 4 up to 100 magnetic poles, in particular 10 up to 60 magnetic poles.

18. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the stator coil is surrounded by an electromagnetic enclosure which interacts with the electromagnetic field of the rotor wheel in order to promote an induction effect in the windings of the stator coil.

19. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein a first end and an opposed second end of the stator coil or stator coils are electrically connectable to an electrical circuit of a device for which the micro-power generator is suitable.

20. The micro-power generator according to claim 1, comprising at least two stators, wherein one stator produces a signal having a shifted phase with respect to the signal of the other stator.

21. A device, such as a watch, in particular a smartwatch, a wearable sensor or a sensor on moving objects, wherein the device comprises an electrical circuit and at least one micro-power generator according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is connected to the micro-power generator.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the micro-power generator is configured to produce at least one signal related to the output of the generator, and wherein the electrical circuit of the device is powered by the micro-power generator and wherein the electrical circuit comprises a processor that is configured to, directly or indirectly, receive the at least one signal produced by the micro-power generator and uses the signal, preferably for creating functions within the device and/or preferably to transform the signal into an output signal representative for the movement of the rotor wheel of the micro-power generator and/or the related motion of the device and/or the object to which the device is attached.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the processor produces an output signal which is representative for the activity, (rotational) speed, (rotational) direction, acceleration, travelled distance, revolutions turned, (incremental)position of the device or the (living) object to which the device is attached.

24. The device according to claim 22, which comprises a preprogramed signal processor, in which preferably at least one cross-reference between at least one signal related characteristic and at least one output signal related characteristic are stored, wherein the processor is configured to transform at least one signal into at least one output signal by making use of said preprogramed signal processor.

25. The device according to claim 21, in combination with a location tracking device, to generate combined data of both devices.

26. An assembly of a device according to claim 21 and a location tracking device, which assembly is configured to generate combined data from both devices.

27. The assembly according to claim 26, which is a wearable device for humans or animals, or a device that is mountable onto a moving object, such as a wheel of a moving object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] The invention will be further illustrated by the appended drawings of several non-limitative examples of a micro-power generator according to the invention.

[0109] In the appended drawings:

[0110] FIG. 1A shows a top view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0111] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0112] FIG. 2A shows a top view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0113] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0114] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0115] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0116] FIG. 1A shows a top view of a micro-power generator 1 which is attached to a strap bracket 2 which is useful when the generator 1 forms an integral part of a wearable or portable device which is to be strapped to a user's wrist, an animal's neck, or to a part of a moving object.

[0117] The generator 1 is composed of a multipole magnetic ring 4 having an inner radius r3 and an outer radius r4, and a stator 6 of an annular shape which is delimited by an inner radius r1 and an outer radius r2. The radii r1, r2, r3 and r4 are defined with respect to centre point c of the generator.

[0118] The individual poles on the multipole magnetic ring 4 are arranged as alternating adjacent segments 5, 5′. The total number of individual poles is 40. The stator 6 contains 40 poles and the stator 6 contains a stator coil 7, of which the total number is 1460.

[0119] The stator 6 and multipole magnetic ring 4 are concentrically positioned to each other with respect to centre c, and substantially in coplanar orientation with each other. The stator is fixedly connected to an underlying base plate 10, of which a central part is visible. All elements of the generator 1 that are shown in FIGS. 1A/1B, are thus provided on one side of the base plate 10, i.e. the upper side of the base plate 10.

[0120] The multipole magnetic ring 4 is fixedly connected to a body of mass 12 which together form the rotor wheel 14. The rotor wheel 14 is pivotally connected to the base plate 10 by a pivoting mechanism in the form of a ball bearing 16 which allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about a pivot axis. This pivoting mechanism 16 is single sided such that it forms a single pivotal connection between the rotor wheel and the base plate.

[0121] The ball bearing 16 surrounds the outer radius r4 of the multipole magnetic ring 4. The pivot axis coincides with the centre c and has a perpendicular orientation to a first plane in which the rotor wheel 14 and the stator 6 are present. Due to the body of mass 12, the rotor wheel 14 as a whole has a centre of mass at the location 20 indicated by an x in the figure. The centre of mass 20 has a distance to centre c, which is about the value of r2 or r3. As such, the centre of mass 20 has an eccentric position with respect to the centre point c and hence with the pivot axis.

[0122] The body of mass 12 has the form of a ring sector 12 defined as an angular section of a ring that is in concentric position to the multipole magnetic ring 4, wherein the ring sector has an inner radius r5 and an outer radius r6 and wherein the size of the angular section is determined by an angle theta between lines R and R′ which is about 170°.

[0123] As such, the rotor wheel extends in a first plane which is a horizontal plane that intersects the multipole magnetic ring 4.

[0124] In FIG. 1B, the parts already described in respect of FIG. 1A, are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0125] FIG. 1B further shows the pivot axis p which intersects the centre point c of the generator, and the ball bearing 16 which contains an inner race 24 that is fixed onto the rotor wheel 14, and an outer race 22 which is fixed onto the base plate 10. The ball bearing 16 thus effectively allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about the pivot axis P.

[0126] The ring sector 12 includes a vertical part 26 which determines the height of the ring sector 12 and which part 26 extends over a same angular section as the ring sector 12. By virtue of inner race 24, the ring sector 12 is fixedly connected to the multipole ring 4, and provided as a radial extension beyond the outer radius r4 of the multipole ring 4.

[0127] FIG. 2A shows a micro-power generator 1, which contains a multipole magnetic ring 4 and a stator 6, having similar properties as the multipole magnetic ring 4 and a stator 6 shown in FIG. 1A, except where stated otherwise below.

[0128] A body of mass 27 includes on the upper side a disc portion that is fixedly attached to a ring sector 28 (not visible, see FIG. 2B) and to the multipole magnetic ring 4, which elements together form the rotor wheel 14. The disc portion is an angular section of a disc that has a concentric orientation to the stator 6. The size of the disc portion is determined by an angle theta between lines R and R′ which is about 170°. Due to the body of mass 27, the rotor wheel 14 as a whole has a centre of mass at the location 20 indicated by an x in the figure. The centre of mass 20 of the rotor wheel thus has an eccentric position with respect to the centre point c and hence with the pivot axis.

[0129] The rotor wheel 14 is pivotally connected to the base plate 10 (not visible, see FIG. 2B) by a pivoting mechanism in the form of a ball bearing 16 which allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about the pivot axis P of the ball bearing 16. The ball bearing 16 is mounted within the inner radius r1 of the stator 6 and connected to the base plate by a central shaft (not visible).

[0130] In FIG. 2B, the parts already described in respect of FIG. 2A, are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0131] FIG. 2B further shows the body of mass 27 including a ring sector 28 which extends over a same angular section as the disc portion which forms the top part of the body of mass 27. Onto base plate 10 a central shaft 30 is fixedly connected which extends along the pivot axis P. On the outside of shaft 30 is a bearing 16 provided with an inner race fixedly connected to the shaft. The outer race of the bearing 16 is fixedly connected onto the body of mass 30. The ball bearing 16 thus effectively allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about the pivot axis P. This pivoting mechanism 16 is single sided such that it forms a single pivotal connection between the rotor wheel and the base plate.

[0132] FIG. 3A shows a micro-power generator 1, which contains a multipole magnetic ring 4 and a stator 6, having similar properties as the multipole magnetic ring 4 and a stator 6 shown in FIG. 2A, except where stated otherwise below.

[0133] A mounting bracket 40 is clamped by virtue of arms 42 onto both the multipole magnetic ring 4 and the ring sector 52 which assembled together form a rotor wheel 14. The ring sector 52 functions herein as a body of mass. The inner arms 44 are clamped onto an outer race 48 of a ball bearing which further comprises an inner race 50 that is fixed onto a central shaft 52 that is connected onto the base plate 10.

[0134] The ring sector 52 has the size of an angular section of a ring of about 120°. Due to the ring sector 52, the rotor wheel 14 as a whole has a centre of mass which has an eccentric position with respect to the pivot axis.

[0135] In FIG. 3B, the parts already described in respect of FIG. 3A, are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0136] FIG. 3B further shows the pivot axis P of the ball bearing 54; the central shaft 52 connected to the inner race 50 of the ball bearing, and the outer race of the ball bearing 48 connected to the clamping arms 44 of the mounting bracket 40. The ball bearing 54 thus effectively allows for a rotation of the rotor wheel about the pivot axis P. The pivoting mechanism based on ball bearing 54 and central shaft 52 is single sided such that it forms a single pivotal connection between the rotor wheel and the base plate.

[0137] The central shaft 52 aligns and fixes both the rotor wheel (inner race 50 of ball bearing) and the stator 6 to the base plate base plate 10. The alignment is based on form fits of the central shaft 52, the stator 6 and the ball bearing inner race 50. The fixation is achieved by riveting the top and bottom end of the shaft. Other methods for fixation could be used like gluing, (laser) welding, screwing or bending.

[0138] It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiment examples presented and described here, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the appended claims, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. It is conceivable that various inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the embodiment variants described above may be combined completely or partially without departing from the inventive concepts described in the appended claims.

[0139] The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent specification mean not only “comprise”, but also the expressions “include”, “consist essentially of”, “formed by”, and conjugations thereof.