Patent Application
20160341381
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-101145, filed May 18, 2015. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to guidance apparatuses and guidance systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known an electric-power-generating floor material in which an electric-power-generating element configured to generate electric power utilizing pressure fluctuation is disposed within a panelized floor material. The electric-power-generating floor material is configured to generate electric power utilizing pressure (e.g., human body weight) applied to the floor material, to light a light source using the electric power (see e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-28627).
The Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-28627 proposes an evacuation guidance lighting system including a panel, which includes a light source and a piezoelectric sensor (electric-power-generating element), an electric power storage device configured to store electric power generated by the piezoelectric sensor, and a receiver configured to receive an emergency signal for the purpose of evacuating people to an evacuation site safely in evacuation guidance.
A guidance apparatus according to the present invention includes a panel, a flexible electric-power-generating element, and at least one light source. The panel is disposed on at least one of a floor at a predetermined region and a wall at a predetermined region in a passage. The flexible electric-power-generating element is disposed on an opposite side of the panel to a side to which external force is applied. The at least one light source is configured to be electrically coupled to the electric-power-generating element.
A guidance apparatus according to the present invention is disposed in a passage. The guidance apparatus includes a panel, an electric-power-generating element, and at least one light source; and, if necessary, further includes other members.
A place in which the guidance apparatus is disposed is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the place has a region to which external force is applied (e.g., a floor and a wall in the passage). Examples of the place include indoor passages and outdoor passages.
The present invention has an object to provide a guidance apparatus including an electric-power-generating element with high durability and configured to generate a large amount of electric power.
The present invention can provide a guidance apparatus including an electric-power-generating element with high durability and configured to generate a large amount of electric power.
Shape, structure, size, and material of the panel are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the panel can be disposed at a predetermined region (e.g., the floor and the wall in the passage).
The predetermined region is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. When the panel is disposed on the floor in the passage, a width of the predetermined region in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction on the passage is preferably approximately equal to a width of the passage, and a length of the predetermined region in the moving direction on the passage is preferably about 3 m. When the passage has a wall and the panel is disposed on the wall, a height of the predetermined region is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as a length of the predetermined region in the moving direction on the passage is about 3 m. The guidance apparatus is advantageously disposed at each predetermined region in the passage because even though the guidance apparatus at a region is damaged or failed after the guidance apparatus is disposed in the passage, only the guidance apparatus at the region has to be replaced.
The shape of the panel is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the shape include a circular plane, a rectangular plane, and a polygonal plane.
The structure of the panel is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the panel may be divided into a plurality of panels at the predetermined region.
The size of the panel is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the panel may be as large as the predetermined region or the panel is smaller than the predetermined region in order to dispose a plurality of panels at the predetermined region. When the panel is smaller than the predetermined region, size of the panel is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the panel preferably has the size of 25 cm×25 cm. When the panel has the size of 25 cm×25 cm, assuming that human has a shoe size of approximately 26 cm and a stride of 40 cm on average, the guidance apparatus can surely generate electric power because each foot is supposed to step on separate panels disposed on the floor.
The material of the panel is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the material include textiles (e.g., tatami mats and carpets), stone (e.g., tiles), resin materials, natural materials (e.g., wood), and elastic bodies (e.g., rubber).
Notably, the panel may be disposed in any arrangement, so long as the panel is disposed within the predetermined region. For example, a plurality of panels divided may be disposed with or without a gap. The gap is not particularly limited. For example, a plurality of panels may be disposed at equal intervals or a plurality of hexagonal panels are disposed within the predetermined region in order to achieve more sophisticated design.
The electric-power-generating element is disposed on an opposite side of the panel to a side to which pressing force against the panel is applied. The electric-power-generating element includes a first electrode, an intermediate layer, and a second electrode; and, if necessary, further includes other members. The first electrode, the intermediate layer, the second electrode are laminated in this order.
Material, shape, size, and structure of the first electrode and the second electrode are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The material, shape, size, and structure of the first electrode may be the same as or different from material, shape, size, and structure of the second electrode, but is preferably the same as material, shape, size, and structure of the second electrode.
Examples of the material of the first electrode and the second electrode include metals, carbon-based conductive materials, and conductive rubber compositions.
Examples of the metal include gold, silver, copper, iron, aluminium, stainless, tantalum, nickel, and phosphor bronze.
Examples of the carbon-based conductive material include graphite, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes.
Examples of the conductive rubber composition include compositions which contain conductive fillers and rubber.
Examples of the conductive filler include carbon materials (e.g., Ketjen black, acetylene black, graphite, carbon fibers (CF), carbon nanofibers (CNF), and carbon nanotubes (CNT)), metal fillers (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, copper, iron, aluminium, and nickel), conductive polymeric materials (e.g., derivatives of polythiophene, polyacetylene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyparaphenylene, or polyparaphenylene vinylene; or these derivatives doped with dopants (e.g., anions or cations)), and ionic liquid. these may be used alone or in combination.
Examples of the rubber include silicone rubber, modified silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, chloroprene rubber, polysulfide rubber, urethane rubber, isobutyl rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, ethylene rubber, and natural rubber (latex). These may be used alone or in combination.
The first electrode and the second electrode may be in a sheet, film, thin film, woven, nonwoven, mesh, or sponge form. Notably, the first electrode and the second electrode may be nonwoven in which fibrous carbon materials are entangled.
Examples of the film include conductive films.
Examples of the conductive films include conductive films in which metallic foil is attached on polymeric films. The polymeric film may be commercially available products. Examples of the commercially available product include ALPET 9-100 and ALPET 25-25 (both products are of PANAC CO., LTD.).
The shape of the first electrode and the second electrode is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on shape of the electric-power-generating element.
The size of the first electrode and the second electrode is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on size of the electric-power-generating element.
Average thickness of the first electrode and the second electrode is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on structure of the electric-power-generating element, but is preferably in a range of from 0.01 μm through 1 mm, more preferably in a range of from 0.1 μm through 500 μm from the viewpoints of conductivity and flexibility. When the average thickness is 0.01 μm or more, mechanical strength is proper and conductivity is improved. When the average thickness is 1 mm or less, the electric-power-generating element can be deformed and electric-power-generating capacity is good.
The intermediate layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The intermediate layer is deformed by external force to generate electric power. The intermediate layer may or may not adhere to the first electrode and the second electrode.
Material, shape, size, and structure of the intermediate layer are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
Examples of the material of the intermediate layer include barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluororesin, rubber, and rubber compositions. Of these, preferable are the rubber and the rubber compositions because the rubber and the rubber compositions are easily deformed with low external force.
Examples of the rubber include silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluororubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, nitrile, polysulfide rubber, and natural rubber (latex). Of these, preferable is the silicone rubber from the viewpoint of high electric-power generating capacity.
The silicone rubber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the silicone rubber contains an organopolysiloxane bond.
Examples of the silicone rubber include dimethylsilicone rubber, methylphenylsilicone rubber, modified silicone rubber (e.g., acrylic modified rubber, alkyd modified rubber, ester modified rubber, and epoxy modified rubber). These may be used alone or in combination.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber can microscopically move in a direction parallel to a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode when the intermediate layer is pressed in a vertical direction.
Notably, the first electrode and the second electrode, and/or the intermediate layer made of the rubber may be movable. This enables the intermediate layer, which is at least partially made of the rubber, to move in the direction parallel to the surface of the first electrode and the surface of the second electrode even though the first electrode and the second electrode are secured to the intermediate layer made of the rubber at a peripheral portion, because the first electrode, the second electrode, and the intermediate layer made of the rubber each has flexibility.
A mechanism by which the electric-power-generating element including the intermediate layer made of the rubber composition generates electric power has not been exactly clarified, but is presumed as follows. The intermediate layer adjacent to the electrode is moved in the direction parallel to the surface of the first electrode and the surface of the second electrode by the action of a load applied (e.g., external force or vibration) to be charged through a mechanism induced by frictional charging. Alternatively, charges are generated within the intermediate layer made of the rubber to cause a surface potential difference. As a result, the charges are moved so that the surface potential difference is zero, resulting in generating electric power.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber may contain a filler for the purpose of imparting various functions to the intermediate layer. Examples of the filler include titanium oxide, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, zinc oxide, silica, calcium carbonate, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, iron oxide, PTFE, mica, clay minerals, synthetic hydrotalcite, and metals. When piezoelectric fillers or polarized polymeric fillers are used, the intermediate layer is preferably polarized.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber preferably has hardness (JIS-A hardness) of less than 60°, more preferably 52° or less, particularly preferably 42° or less. When the hardness is less than 60°, the intermediate layer is not prevented from moving, leading to good electric power generation.
Average thickness of the intermediate layer made of the rubber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably in a range of from 1 μm through 10 mm, more preferably 50 μm through 200 μm from the viewpoint of deformation followability. When the average thickness falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can surely have a film forming property and is not prevented from deforming, leading to good electric power generation.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber preferably has an insulating property. The intermediate layer preferably has volume resistivity of 108 Ωcm or more, more preferably 1010 Ωcm or more.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber has a multi-layered structure.
Examples of a method for changing a moving length or surface hardness of the intermediate layer made of the rubber include surface modification treatments and inactivation treatments. The intermediate layer may be subjected to both or one of the treatments described above.
Examples of the surface modification treatment include plasma treatments, corona discharge treatments, electron beam irradiation treatments, ultraviolet irradiation treatments, ozone treatments, and radiation (X rays, α rays, β rays, γ rays, or neutron rays) irradiation treatments. Of these, preferable are the plasma treatments, the corona discharge treatments, and the electron beam irradiation treatments from the viewpoint of treatment velocity. However, the surface modification treatment is not limited thereto, so long as the treatment has a certain degree of irradiation energy and can modify the material of the intermediate layer.
In the case of the plasma treatment, for example, parallel-plate plasma generators, capacitively-coupled plasma generators, or inductively-coupled plasma generators can be used. Additionally, atmospheric pressure plasma generators can also be used. A plasma treatment method is preferably reduced-pressure plasma treatments from the viewpoint of durability.
Reaction pressure in the plasma treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably in a range of from 0.05 Pa through 100 Pa, more preferably in a range of from 1 Pa through 20 Pa.
A reaction atmosphere in the plasma treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, gases (e.g., inert gas, noble gas, and oxygen) are effective. Argon is preferable from the viewpoint of a long-lasting effect. In this case, oxygen partial pressure is preferably 5,000 ppm or less. When the oxygen partial pressure in the reaction atmosphere is 5,000 ppm or less, ozone can be prevented from generating, which can eliminate the need for ozone treatment devices.
Irradiated electric energy in the plasma treatment is defined as (output×irradiation time). The irradiated electric energy is preferably in a range of from 5 Wh through 200 Wh, more preferably in a range of from 10 Wh through 50 Wh. When the irradiated electric energy falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can attain an electric-power-generating function and can be prevented from deteriorating in durability due to excessive irradiation.
Applied energy (cumulative energy) in the corona discharge treatment is preferably in a range of from 6 J/cm2 through 300 J/cm2, more preferably in a range of from 12 J/cm2 through 60 J/cm2. When the applied energy falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can attain an electric-power-generating function and can be prevented from deteriorating in durability due to excessive irradiation.
Irradiation dose in the electron beam irradiation treatment is preferably 1 kGy or more, more preferably in a range of from 300 kGy through 10 MGy. When the irradiation dose falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can attain an electric-power-generating function and can be prevented from deteriorating in durability due to excessive irradiation.
A reaction atmosphere in the electron beam irradiation treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably filled with inert gases (e.g., argon, neon, helium, and nitrogen) so as to have the oxygen partial pressure of 5,000 ppm or less. When the oxygen partial pressure in the reaction atmosphere is 5,000 ppm or less, ozone can be prevented from generating, which can eliminate the need for ozone treatment devices.
Ultraviolet in the ultraviolet irradiation treatment preferably has a wavelength in a range of from 200 nm through 365 nm, more preferably in a range of from 240 nm through 320 nm.
Cumulative dose in the ultraviolet irradiation treatment is preferably in a range of from 5 J/cm2 through 500 J/cm2, more preferably in a range of from 50 J/cm2 through 400 J/cm2. When the cumulative dose falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can attain an electric-power-generating function and can be prevented from deteriorating in durability due to excessive irradiation.
A reaction atmosphere in the ultraviolet irradiation treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably filled with inert gases (e.g., argon, neon, helium, and nitrogen) so as to have the oxygen partial pressure of 5,000 ppm or less. When the oxygen partial pressure in the reaction atmosphere is 5,000 ppm or less, ozone can be prevented from generating, which can eliminate the need for ozone treatment devices.
In the related art, it has been proposed to generate active groups through excitation or oxidation by the plasma treatment, the corona discharge treatment, the ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or the electron beam irradiation treatment, for the purpose of enhancing adhesion force between layers. However, this method can be applied to only between layers. On the contrary, it has been found that it is not preferable to apply this method to the outermost surface from the viewpoint of reduced releasability. Additionally, in this method, reactive groups (hydroxyl groups) are effectively introduced by allowing to react under an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Thus, this method is essentially different from the surface modification treatment according to the present invention.
The surface modification treatment is performed under an oxygen-poor reaction environment at reduced pressure (e.g., plasma treatment). Therefore, re-crosslinking and re-bonding at the surface are accelerated to improve durability due to “increased Si—O bonds having high bonding energy,” and to improve releasability due to “densification due to increased cross-linking density.” Notably, some active groups are generated, but the active groups are inactivated by treating with a coupling agent or by air drying.
A surface treated layer obtained by the surface treatment preferably has average thickness in a range of from 0.01 μm through 50 μm, more preferably in a range of from 0.01 μm through 20.0 μm. When the average thickness falls within the preferable range, the intermediate layer can attain an electric-power-generating function and can be prevented from increasing in hardness or from decreasing in amount of electric power generation.
A surface of the intermediate layer made of the rubber may be appropriately subjected to an inactivation treatment using various materials.
The inactivation treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the surface of the intermediate layer made of the rubber is inactivated. For example, an inactivating agent may be applied onto the surface of the intermediate layer. The term inactivation means rendering the surface of the intermediate layer made of the rubber less susceptible to chemical reactions by allowing active groups (e.g., —OH groups), which are generated through excitation or oxidation by, for example, the plasma treatment, the corona discharge treatment, the ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or the electron beam irradiation treatment, to react with the inactivating agent to decrease surface activity of the intermediate layer made of the rubber.
Examples of the inactivating agent include amorphous resins and coupling agents.
Examples of the amorphous resin include resin containing a perfluoropolyether structure in a main chain.
Examples of the coupling agent include metal alkoxides and metal-alkoxide containing solutions. Examples of the metal alkoxide include compounds represented by General Formula (1) described below, partially hydrolyzed polycondensates (the degree of polymerization: from 2 through 10) of the compounds, or mixtures of the compounds:
R1(4-n)Si(OR2)n General Formula (1).
In the General Formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently denotes straight-chained or branched alkyl groups having from 1 through 10 carbon atoms, alkylpolyether chains, or aryl groups; and n denotes an integer in a range of from 2 through 4.
Specific examples of the compound represented by the General Formula (1) include dimethyldimethoxysilane, diethyldiethoxysilane, diethyldimethoxysilane, diethyldiethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, diphenyldiethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, and tetrapropoxysilane. Particularly preferable is tetraethoxysilane from the viewpoint of durability.
In the General Formula (1), R1 may be fluoroalkyl groups, as well as fluoroalkylacrylate groups which are bound via oxygen or perfluoropolyether groups. Particularly preferable is the perfluoropolyether group from the viewpoint of flexibility and durability.
Examples of the metal alkoxide include vinylsilanes [e.g., vinyltris(β-methoxyethoxy)silane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and vinyltrimethoxysilane], acrylic silanes [e.g., γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane], epoxysilanes [e.g., β-(3,4-epoxycyclohexl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane], amino silanes [N-β(aminoethyl) γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β(aminoethyl) γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and N-phenyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane].
In the metal alkoxide, metal atoms other than Si (e.g., Ti, Sn, Al, and Zr) may be used alone or in combination.
The inactivation treatment may be performed by subjecting a precursor of the intermediate layer made of the rubber to the surface modification treatment and then impregnating a surface of the precursor of the intermediate layer made of the rubber with the inactivating agent through, for example, coating or dipping.
When silicone rubber is used as the precursor of the intermediate layer made of the rubber, the inactivation treatment may be performed by subjecting the precursor to the surface modification treatment and then leaving to stand in the air to air-dry.
The other members are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the other members include sealing layers.
The sealing layer may be disposed on opposite surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode to surfaces facing the intermediate layer.
The sealing layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the sealing layers include cellophane tapes.
The intermediate layer made of the rubber preferably has no initial surface potential in a standing state.
Notably, the initial surface potential in a standing state can be measured under the measurement condition described below. The phrase “no initial surface potential” means the initial surface potential of ±10 V or less when the initial surface potential is measured under the measurement conditions described below.
Pretreatment: Leaving to stand for 24 hours under an atmosphere of a temperature of 30° C. and relative humidity of 40%, and then charge elimination for 60 seconds using SJ-F300 (product of KEYENCE CORPORATION).
Device: TRECK Model 344
Measurement probe: 6000B-7C
Measurement distance: 2 mm
Measurement spot diameter: 10 mm
The light source may be a single light source or a group of light sources including a plurality of light sources, so long as the light source is electrically coupled to the electric-power-generating element and can emit light with electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element. Shape, configuration, size, type, and disposed position of the light source are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The shape of the light source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The configuration of the light source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the light source may be a light emitting diode (LED) array including a plurality of LEDs, that is, the group of light sources including the plurality of light sources.
A configuration of the LED array is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the configuration include a configuration in which the LEDs are disposed in a row, a configuration in which the LEDs are disposed in a plurality of rows, and a configuration in which the LEDs are nested.
The configuration in which the LEDs are arranged in a row is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the configurations include a configuration including a first group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to the same direction as the moving direction on the passage and the second group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage and a configuration including a first group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage and a second group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to the same direction as the moving direction on the passage. In the case of a LED array in which both of the first group of light sources and the second group of light sources are obliquely disposed, people can be guided according to a color of light emitted from the LEDs by allowing LEDs of the first group of light sources to emit light having a different color from a color of light emitted from LEDs of the second group of light sources. For example, in the case where a color of light emitted from a group of light sources which are disposed obliquely toward an opposite direction to the moving direction is green, and a color of light emitted from of a group of light sources which are disposed obliquely toward the same direction as the moving direction is red, people can recognize green light when the people face the moving direction and people can recognize red light when the people face the opposite direction to the moving direction.
The configuration in which the LEDs are disposed in a plurality of rows is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the configuration include a configuration in which the LEDs are disposed in two rows and a configuration in which the plurality of LEDs are disposed so as to form a sign (e.g., arrow) or a design.
Examples of the configuration in which the LEDs are disposed in two rows include a configuration in which a group of light sources in one row (which may be referred to as a third group of light sources) are coupled to the electric-power-generating element in the guidance apparatus which is different from the guidance apparatus coupled to a group of light sources in the other row (which may be referred to as a fourth group of light sources); a configuration including the first group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to the same direction as the moving direction on the passage and the second group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage; and a configuration including the first group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage and the second group of light sources which are disposed obliquely to the same direction as the moving direction on the passage.
The configuration in which the plurality of LEDs are disposed so as to form a sign (e.g., arrow) or a design is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the LEDs are preferably disposed at a position where people can easily recognize light emitted from the LEDs (e.g., an upper surface of the panel).
The size of the light source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The type of the light source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the light source may be the LEDs, light bulbs, and fluorescent lamps.
The disposed position of the light source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the light source may be disposed anywhere on a peripheral edge of the panel, an upper surface of the panel, the wall adjacent to the guidance apparatus, and the ceiling in the passage. In the case where the light source is disposed anywhere on the peripheral edge of the panel, for example, the light source may be disposed on the peripheral edge so that the peripheral edge is in parallel to the moving direction on the passage when the guidance apparatus is disposed.
The other members are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the other members include lower floor materials disposed under the electric-power-generating element and relay boards configured to relay wires coupled to the electric-power-generating element.
Shape, structure, size, and material of the lower floor material are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the lower floor material is disposed under the electric-power-generating element.
The shape of the lower floor material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the lower floor material may has the same shape as the predetermined region or as the panel.
The structure of the lower floor material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The size of the lower floor material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the lower floor material may be as large as the panel or may have the size of 25 cm×25 cm, depending on the size of the panel.
The material of the lower floor material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the lower floor material can preferably secure and protect the electric-power-generating element using elastic bodies such as synthetic resin and rubber.
Shape, structure, size, and disposed position of the relay board are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the relay board can relay the wires coupled to the electric-power-generating element.
The shape of the relay board is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The structure of the relay board is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, commercially available relay boards may be used.
The size of the relay board is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably small as possible because the relay board only has to relay the wires.
The disposed position of the relay board is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the relay board may be disposed between the electric-power-generating element and the light source.
The guidance system includes the guidance apparatus according to the present invention; and, if necessary, further includes transmitters, acoustic devices, and further other devices.
Shape, structure, size, and disposed position of the transmitter are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the transmitter can be coupled to the electric-power-generating element to transmit any data to other devices and other systems using electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element.
The shape of the transmitter is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The structure of the transmitter is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the transmitter can transmit any data to the other devices and the other systems using electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element.
The size of the transmitter is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The disposed position of the transmitter is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the transmitter may be disposed under the LED array included in the guidance apparatus.
Examples of the transmitter include a transmitter configured to transmit data, which informs that electric power is generated, to an emergency system using the electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element, the emergency system being configured to create, based on the data, evacuation data informing the presence of a person in the guidance apparatus where electric power is generated; and a transmitter configured to transmit data, which informs that electric power is generated, to a decorative system using the electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element, the decorative system being configured to control, based on the data, to decorate adjacent to the guidance apparatus where electric power is generated.
Shape, structure, size, and disposed position of the acoustic device are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the acoustic device can be coupled to the electric-power-generating element to make a sound using electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element.
The shape, structure, and size of the acoustic device are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The disposed position of the acoustic device is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the acoustic device may be disposed under the LED array included in the guidance apparatus or adjacent to the guidance apparatus.
In the case where the guidance system includes the acoustic device, when the guidance apparatus generates electric power, the light source in the guidance apparatus emits light and, at the same time, the acoustic device can make sound effects or evacuation announcements synchronized with the light. For example, a highly decorative guidance system can be made by expressing a water surface of a river using the plurality of light sources and making sound effects as if people are walking on the water surface.
The other devices are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the other devices include electric power storage devices included in the guidance system including at least one of the transmitter and the acoustic device.
Shape, structure, size, and disposed position of the electric power storage device are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, so long as the electric power storage device can be coupled to the electric-power-generating element in the guidance apparatus to store electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element. For example, the electric power storage device may be batteries.
The shape, structure, and size of the electric power storage device are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The disposed position of the electric power storage device is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the electric power storage device may be disposed under the light source included in the guidance apparatus.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described referring to drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Notably, referential numerals such as “1” in each drawing denote the same one as each other.
As illustrated in
In this embodiment, as illustrated in
The electric-power-generating element 30 is disposed under each panel 20 as illustrated in
In this embodiment, the lower floor material 40 is disposed under the electric-power-generating element 30 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Notably, the LED array 50 is disposed lateral to the panel 20 in
As illustrated in
For example, when the LED array 50 is formed by the LEDs 52 disposed in two rows, the extending length of the panel 20 is preferably 1 m or more but 3 m or less in the moving direction.
As illustrated in
The amounts of electric power generation were measured using an oscilloscope (input impedance: 1 MΩ) when a SUS ball (R-2F, 200 g) was dropped down from a height of 50 mm. Notably, the ceramic electric-power-generating element was K7520BS3 (product of THRIVE). The K7520BS3 was used with a protective stopper structure so as not to be broken.
As illustrated in
As such, the use of the flexible electric-power-generating element 30 eliminates the need for a protective mechanism in the electric-power-generating element 30 itself, as well as an electric power storage device because the amount of electric power generation is increased. Additionally, the need to switch between charge and discharge modes of an electric power storage mechanism in the electric power storage device is eliminated, so that the need for a device and mechanism for sensing an emergency are also eliminated, resulting in the guidance apparatus 10 with a simplified structure. There is no knowing what will happen in an emergency. Therefore, when a device with a complex structure is used, a portion of the device may fail to function. However, the guidance apparatus 10 according to the present invention has a simple structure, so that the apparatus can prevent the risk as described above. As a result, reliable, inexpensive guidance apparatuses can be provided.
Notably, the guidance apparatus 10 according to the present invention may include a rectifier circuit configured to rectify electric power generated by the electric-power-generating element 30. The rectifier circuit may be disposed in each electric-power-generating element 30 or at a coupling port to the LED array 50.
Additionally, as a reference,
The durability tests were performed by repeatedly applying a load of pressure of 50 N and displacement of 4 mm at 10 Hz (10 times per second) using a probe having a diameter of 10 mm without the protective mechanism.
As the flexible electric-power-generating element used in the guidance apparatus according to the present invention, an electric-power-generating element including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an intermediate layer (conductive fabric SUI-10-70 (product of SEIREN Co., Ltd.)) was used. This electric-power-generating element was subjected to an insulation treatment by wrapping the intermediate layer with a PET film (T type LUMILAR (product of PANAC CO., LTD.)) together with the electrodes.
The electric-power-generating element used in the guidance apparatus according to the present invention was decreased in output by only less than 10% even after the electric-power-generating element was subjected to the test of three million times, as illustrated in
On the other hand, the electric-power-generating element K7520BS3 (product of THRIVE) was gradually decreased in output from the beginning of the test when the K7520BS3 was subjected to the durability test in the same manner as described above. After the test of about 500 thousand times, the test was terminated because a lead wire extended from the electric-power-generating element was cut. At this time point, the output was decreased by about 10% relative to the beginning of the test. Although a new lead wire was coupled to the electrode and the amount of electric power generation was measured again, the output remained lower by about 10% than the output at the beginning of the test.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Wiring in a guidance apparatus which is formed by adding a relay board to the guidance apparatus illustrated in
As illustrated in
The wiring described above enables the LED to light whenever any pressure is applied anywhere on the guidance apparatus 10.
Notably, when the LED array 50 is extended in the moving direction as illustrated in
A specific method for lightning LEDs will now be described referring to
The LEDs 52 may be arranged in the LED array 50 as illustrated in
One exemplary wiring of the guidance apparatus 10 illustrated in
As illustrated in
When the guidance apparatus 10 is disposed only on a floor in the passage, people may not recognize a LED array 50M, which is disposed at a low level in the passage, in a crowd because the LED array is hidden behind forward walkers. However, in the crowd, pressure is applied to an increased area of the electric-power-generating element 30 to increase the amount of electric power generation. Therefore, when a LED array 50N is disposed on the ceiling as illustrated in
The LED array 50M disposed at the low level may be coupled to the LED array 50N disposed on the ceiling in parallel via a switch. The LED array 50N disposed on the ceiling is normally turned off so as to light only the LED array 50M disposed at the low level. When the amount of electric power generation is increased beyond a threshold value, the switch is turned on to supply a current to the LED array 50N disposed on the ceiling.
A guidance system according to the present invention will now be described referring to
As illustrated in
The electric power storage device 200 is configured to store electric power generated by the guidance apparatus 10.
The transmitter 300 is configured to transmit a signal to another device (not illustrated) using the electric power generated by the guidance apparatus 10.
The acoustic device 400 is configured to make a sound using the electric power generated by the guidance apparatus 10.
The guidance system 100 according to the present invention includes the guidance apparatus 10, so that the electric power storage device 200 can store electric power using the electric power generated by the guidance apparatus 10. When the guidance apparatus 10 is disposed on the floor in the passage, the presence of a person who is passing through the passage can be recognized by a signal transmitted from the transmitter 300. By disposing the guidance apparatus 10 in the guidance system 100 on the floor of a region to be decorated, sound effects may be made in response to pressure applied to the guidance apparatus 10 by a walker.
Aspects of the present invention are, for example, as follows.
<1> A guidance apparatus including:
a panel configured to be disposed on at least one of a floor on a predetermined region and a wall on a predetermined region in a passage;
an electric-power-generating element configured to be disposed on an opposite side of the panel to a side to which external force is applied, the electric-power-generating element having flexibility; and
at least one light source configured to be electrically coupled to the electric-power-generating element.
<2> The guidance apparatus according to <1>,
wherein the electric-power-generating element includes a first electrode, an intermediate layer, and a second electrode, the intermediate layer being between the first electrode and the second electrode, and
wherein the intermediate layer includes silicone rubber.
<3> The guidance apparatus according to <1> or <2>,
wherein the panel is divided into a plurality of panels.
<4> The guidance apparatus according to <3>,
wherein each of the plurality of panels has a size of 25 cm×25 cm.
<5> The guidance apparatus according to <3> or <4>,
wherein the electric-power-generating element is disposed on a back side of each of the plurality of panels.
<6> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <5>,
wherein the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources, and
wherein the plurality of light sources are disposed in parallel to and in contact with sides of a peripheral edge of the panel on the predetermined region, the sides being in parallel to a moving direction on the passage.
<7> The guidance apparatus according to <6>,
wherein the plurality of light sources are disposed for a length from 1.5 times through 2 times as long as a length of the region in a length direction of the plurality of panels on the region, the length direction being in parallel to the moving direction on the passage.
<8> The guidance apparatus according to <6> or <7>,
wherein the plurality of light sources include a first group of light sources and a second group of light sources,
wherein the first group of light sources are disposed obliquely to a same direction as the moving direction on the passage and the second group of light sources are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage, or
wherein the first group of light sources are disposed obliquely to an opposite direction to the moving direction on the passage and the second group of light sources are disposed obliquely to a same direction as the moving direction on the passage.
<9> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8>,
wherein the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources, and the plurality of light sources include at least one light source disposed on at least one of the floor and the wall, and at least one light source disposed on a ceiling.
<10> A guidance system including
the guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9>.
<11> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9>,
wherein the at least one light source is at least one light emitting diode (LED).
<12> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9>,
wherein the at least one light source forms a LED array including a plurality of LEDs.
<13> The guidance apparatus according to <11> or <12>,
wherein the LEDs emit light of green, red, white, or blue.
<14> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9> and <11> to <13>,
wherein a lower floor material is disposed under the electric-power-generating element.
<15> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9> and <11> to <14>,
wherein the panel includes a tatami mat, a textile, stone, a resin material, a natural material, or an elastic body.
<16> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9> and <11> to <15>,
wherein the passage is an indoor passage.
<17> The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9> and <11> to <16>,
wherein the passage is an outdoor passage.
<18> The guidance system according to <10>,
wherein the guidance system includes an electric power storage device.
<19> The guidance system according to <10>,
wherein the guidance system includes a transmitter.
<20> The guidance system according to <10>,
wherein the guidance system includes an acoustic device.
The guidance apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9> and <11> to <17> and the guidance system according to any one of <10> and <18> to <20> aim to solve the above existing problems and achieve the following object. That is, the guidance apparatus and the guidance system have an object to provide a guidance apparatus and a guidance system including an electric-power-generating element with high durability without being broken, the electric-power-generating element being configured to generate a large amount of electric power.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-101145 | May 2015 | JP | national |
