1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a micro-motion generator apparatus that can be attached to an object that experiences frequent movements. For example, a person or animal, a vehicle such as a car or boat, a recreational device such as a ball or racket, etc. The apparatus will generate an electric current to power a load device, for example an LED on the object in response to the movements of the object.
2. Description of the Related Art
Articles of clothing, for example shoes have been modified with electrical devices that flash or light up in response to movements of the shoe by the person wearing the shoe, or by impact of a shoe sole on a surface during walking or running. Lights have been provided on the shoe as decorations for the shoe and/or as a safety feature that makes the wearer of the shoe more visible. Electronic devices of this type are often powered by a small battery also carried by the article of clothing. The battery could be replaceable, or rechargeable. Still other electronic devices of this type include small electric generators that generate an electric current to power the light or other load device on the article of clothing in response to the movement of the article of clothing.
Prior art electronic devices used on articles of clothing have been disadvantaged in that their constructions significantly increase the costs involved in manufacturing the article of clothing, which in turn results in an increased cost to the consumer. Additionally, the constructions of some electrical devices employed on articles such as clothing are complex and include many different components. Each component presents a possibility of where the electrical device could fail, resulting in the dissatisfaction of the purchaser.
What is needed to overcome the shortcomings of prior art electrical devices employed on objects that experience frequent movements, such as an article of clothing is an apparatus that has a simplified construction with few component parts that operate together in a very simple way to produce an electric current to power an electric load of the apparatus, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the apparatus and reducing the possibility of the apparatus failing.
The micro-motion generator apparatus of the present invention overcomes the above described disadvantages associated with prior art electronic devices employed on objects that move, such as clothing. The generator apparatus of the invention produces an electric current that powers a load device. The apparatus has a small number of component parts that are simply assembled together and function together to produce an electric current to power the load device on the object on which the apparatus is used.
The component parts of the apparatus are constructed with dimensions that enable the apparatus to be made a part of an object, for example an article of clothing such as a shoe, an armband, a headband, a shirt, etc. The component parts are also constructed of materials having sufficient structural strength for their intended functions while limiting the weight of the component parts so that the apparatus on the particular object does not interfere with the movement of the object. Although the apparatus is described herein as being used on an article of clothing, this should not be interpreted as limiting. The apparatus may be used on any object that experiences frequent movements.
The micro-motion generator apparatus is centered around a micro generator assembly. The generator assembly includes a cylindrical sealed chamber having opposite first and second ends. Although a cylindrical chamber is preferred, the chamber can have any configuration that allows for a coil of wire being wrapped around the chamber as will be described. A spherical permanent magnet is contained in the chamber interior. The magnet diameter dimension is smaller than the chamber interior diameter dimension so that the magnet is free to move linearly through the length of the chamber between the chamber first and second ends, and in rotation around an interior surface of the chamber. Although a spherical magnet is preferred, the magnet can have other configurations so long as the dimensions of the magnet allow it to freely move around the interior of the chamber. A length of wire is wrapped in a coil around the outside of the chamber. The linear reciprocating movements of the magnet through the chamber interior and the rotational movements of the magnet around the interior surface of the chamber in response to movements of the chamber induce an electric current in the coil. The opposite ends of the coil are connected to an electric load device, for example and LED.
The generator assembly and the load device are positioned on an object that experiences frequent movements, for example a person or animal, a vehicle such as a car or boat, a recreational device such as a ball, racket or toy, etc. As an example only, the apparatus is described as used on an article of clothing. The generator assembly is positioned on the article of clothing where the generator assembly will be subjected to movements of the person wearing the article of clothing. For example, the generator assembly could be positioned in a shoe sole. Walking or running strides of a person wearing the shoe result in movements of the generator assembly. The movements of the generator assembly result in reciprocating movements of the magnet in the chamber and rotation of the magnet around the interior surface of the chamber. The movements of the magnet induce a current in the coil that powers the load device on the article of clothing.
In a further embodiment of the micro-motion generator apparatus, the apparatus is also centered around a micro generator assembly that includes a cylindrical sealed chamber having opposite first and second ends. A cylindrical permanent magnet is contained in the chamber. The magnet engages in a sliding, sealing engagement with an interior surface of the chamber. The sliding engagement enables the magnet to freely linearly reciprocate through the interior of the chamber between the chamber first and second ends. A length of wire is wrapped in a coil around the outside of the chamber. The reciprocating movement of the magnet through the chamber induces an electric current in the coil. The opposite ends of the wire coil are connected to an electrical load device, for example an LED.
A first fluid bladder communicates with the first end of the chamber. A second fluid bladder communicates with the second end of the chamber. Compressing the first fluid bladder causes fluid to move from the bladder and into the chamber at the chamber first end, where the fluid forces the magnet to move through the chamber to the chamber second end. This movement of the magnet in turn causes fluid to be pushed from the chamber second end and into the second bladder. Compressing the second bladder causes fluid to move from the second bladder and into the chamber at the chamber second end. Fluid entering the chamber at the chamber second end pushes the magnet through the chamber to the chamber first end. This movement of the magnet causes fluid to exit from the chamber first end and flow into the first bladder.
The generator assembly, the load device, the first bladder and the second bladder are positioned on an object that experiences frequent movements, such as an article of clothing. The apparatus is positioned on the article where the first and second bladders will be alternately subjected to forces resulting from the movements of a person wearing the article. For example, the generator assembly, the first bladder and the second bladder could be positioned in a shoe sole with the first bladder positioned toward the heel of the shoe and the second bladder positioned toward the toe of the shoe. The load device would be positioned on the exterior of the shoe. Walking or running strides of a person wearing the shoe would result in the first bladder being compressed by the person's heel on the initial foot fall of the stride, and then subsequently the second bladder being compressed by the ball of the person's foot with the heel of the person's foot being raised from the first bladder as the person completes the foot stride. These repeated movements of the person's foot would cause the magnet to reciprocate in the chamber and induce a current in the coil that powers the load device.
As described above, the micro-motion generator apparatus provides an inexpensively manufactured and efficiently assembled and operated generator assembly that could be provided on an object that experiences frequent movements, to power a load device on the object in response to movements of the object.
Further objects and features of the present invention are set forth in the following drawing figures and the following detailed description.
These basic component parts are constructed with dimensions that would enable the apparatus of the invention to be made a part of an object or used on an object such as those discussed above. Additionally, the component parts are constructed of materials having sufficient structural strength for their intended functions while limiting the weight of the component parts so that the apparatus on the particular object does not interfere with the movements of the object. Although the apparatus is described herein as being used on an article of clothing, this should not be interpreted as limiting. The apparatus may be used on any object that experiences frequent movements or vibrations. Although an LED is described as the load device 18, other types of devices could be used in the apparatus such as an output power plug connectable to a personal electronic device, or some other electric load device.
The generator assembly 16 includes a sealed chamber having a cylindrical sidewall 24 with a center axis 26 that defines mutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the apparatus. Although a cylindrical chamber is preferred, the chamber can have any configuration that allows for coils of wire to be wrapped around the chamber as will be described. The sidewall 24 has a smooth cylindrical interior surface 28 surrounding an interior volume of the chamber and a radially opposite cylindrical exterior surface 32. The interior 28 and exterior 32 surfaces extend axially between opposite first 34 and second 36 end edges of the sidewall.
A first end wall formed as a flat circular disc 38 is secured to the sidewall first end edge 34. The disc 38 seals closed the chamber sidewall 24 at the first end edge. The disc 38 is coaxial with the sidewall 24 and extends radially outwardly from the sidewall center axis 26 to an outer circular edge 42 of the disc.
A second end wall formed as a flat circular disc 44 is secured to the sidewall second end edge 36. The second disc 44 seals closed the chamber interior volume at the second end edge 36 of the sidewall. The second disc 44 is substantially the same size as the first disc 38 and is coaxial with the first disc. The second disc 44 extends radially outwardly from the sidewall center axis 26 to an outer circular edge 46 of the second disc. Although the first and second circular discs are described, other configurations of end walls could be secured to the axially opposite end edges of the sidewall.
At least one length of wire having opposite first 56 and second 58 ends is wrapped in coils 62 around the exterior surface 32 of the chamber sidewall 24. In the illustrative embodiment, the wire is 40 to 43 gauge and is wrapped in 1,000 to 8,000 coils 62 around the chamber sidewall 24. The wire coils 62 extend between the first 38 and second 42 circular discs. Other numbers of coils and gauge of wire could be used based on the intended functioning of the apparatus. The first 56 and second 58 ends of the wire length extend radially outwardly from the coils 62.
A magnet 64 is received in the chamber sidewall 24. The magnet 64 is a permanent magnet having a spherical shaped exterior surface. Although a spherical magnet is preferred, the magnet could have other configurations so long as the magnet is dimensioned to freely move around and through the interior volume of the chamber. As seen in
The electric load device 18 is electrically connected between the first 56 and second 58 ends of the length of wire as represented in
A first, flat annular flange 138 projects radially outwardly from the sidewall first end edge 134 to a circular outer edge 142 of the flange. A radial groove 144 is formed in the axially outer surface of the flange 138. The groove 144 extends from the first end edge 134 of the fluid chamber sidewall 124 to the outer edge of the flange. The groove 144 forms a fluid flow path from the interior volume of the fluid chamber sidewall 124 across the flange 138 to the flange outer edge 142.
A second, flat annular flange 148 projects radially outwardly from the sidewall second end edge 136 to a circular outer edge 152 of the second flange. A radial groove 154 is formed in the axially outer surface of the second flange 148. The groove 154 extends from the second end edge 136 of the fluid chamber sidewall 124 to the outer edge 152 of the flange. The groove 154 forms a fluid flow path from the interior volume of the fluid chamber sidewall 124 across the flange 148 to the flange outer edge 152.
At least one length of wire having opposite first 156 and second 158 ends is wrapped in a coil 162 around the exterior surface 132 of the fluid chamber sidewall 124. The wire coil 162 extends between the first 138 and second 148 annular flanges. The first 156 and second 158 ends of the wire length extend radially outwardly from the coil 162 with the wire first end 156 adjacent the first annular flange 138 and the wire second end 158 adjacent the second annular flange 148. The ends of the wire can exit the coil as needed for the application. The above describes a preferred mode.
A magnet 164 is received in the fluid chamber sidewall 124. The magnet can also be seen in
The electric load device 114 is electrically connected between the first 156 and second 158 ends of the length of wire as represented in
Referring to
The second fluid bladder 122 is constructed as a mirror image of the first bladder 116. The second bladder 122 also includes at least one fluid tight flexible and resilient film or sheet 88 that surrounds the interior volume of the bladder. In the drawing figures the sheet 188 is shown having the general configuration of a rectangular block. As with the first bladder 16, the second bladder could have a different configuration. An open cell foam block 192 is contained in the interior volume of the second bladder sheet 188. Again however, the foam block 192 could be eliminated from the bladder 122. The open cell foam block 192 also has a curved side 194 that fits against the side of the generator assembly 112 as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6-8 illustrate the assembly of the generator assembly 112, the first fluid tight bladder 116 and the second fluid tight bladder 122 in forming the micro-motion generator apparatus of the invention and the positioning of the apparatus in a shoe sole 196. The shoe sole 196 is only one example of an article, such as an article of clothing with which the apparatus may be used.
When the generator assembly 112, the load device 114, the first bladder 116 and the second bladder 122 are positioned in the shoe sole 196, the bladders will be alternately subjected to compression forces resulting from the movements of a person wearing the shoe. With the first bladder 116 positioned toward the heel 198 of the shoe and the second bladder 122 positioned toward the toe 202 of the shoe, a walking or running stride of a person wearing the shoe will alternately compress the two fluid bladders. The first bladder 116 would be compressed by the person's heel on the initial footfall of a stride, and then subsequently the second bladder 122 would be compressed by the ball of the person's foot with the heel of the person's foot being raised from the first bladder 116 as the person completes the stride. These repeated movements of the person's foot would cause the magnet 164 to reciprocate in the chamber sidewall 124 and induce an electric current in the wire coil 162 that powers the load device 114.
As described above, the micro-motion generator apparatus provides an inexpensively manufactured and efficiently assembled and operated generator assembly that could be provided on an article, such as an article of clothing to power a load device on the article of clothing in response to movements of the person wearing the article of clothing.
As various modifications could be made in the construction of the apparatus herein described and illustrated and its method of use without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional patent application No. 61/506,088, filed on Jul. 9, 2011.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US12/45966 | 7/9/2012 | WO | 00 | 3/14/2014 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61506088 | Jul 2011 | US |