Power generation device for mobile body

• US 10,075,103 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2014
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National University Corporation Hiroshima University, Toyoda Iron Works Company Limited
• Original Assignee: National University Corporation Hiroshima University, Toyoda Iron Works Company Limited
• Inventors: Takao, Hidenobu, Sone, Yasuhiro, Mutsuda, Hidemi, Tanaka, Yoshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenau, Derek
• Application Number:
  US15/031,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20160268932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 310339
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/52 Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles cooling aspects B60K11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/525 Radiator grilles
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 5/00 Other wind motors controlling thereof F03D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/185 using fluid streams
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/304 Beam type
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/88 Mounts; Supports; Enclosures; Casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/70 Wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

A power generation device for a mobile body includes power generating units and a holding member. Each power generating unit includes an elastically deformable base member and a piezoelectric film, which are laminated alternately. The holding member holds the power generating units. Each power generating unit has an elongated flat-plate shape. Opposite ends of the power generating unit in a longitudinal direction are held by the holding member such that the power generating unit is in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the external fluid. A fixing member is provided at each of the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of each power generating unit. The power generating units are arranged in the holding member via the fixing members to pivot in accordance with the flow of the external fluid.

Claims

1. A power generation device for a mobile body that generates power based on a relative flow of an external fluid when the mobile body travels, the device comprising:

a plurality of flat-plate shaped power generating units, each of which includes an elastically deformable flat-plate shaped base member and a piezoelectric film, wherein the base member and the piezoelectric film are laminated alternately, and when the base member is elastically deformed in a thickness direction by a flow of the external fluid, the piezoelectric film is warped to generate power; and

a holding member, which is arranged in the mobile body, wherein the power generating units are arranged in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the external fluid and spaced apart, and the holding member holds the power generating units at a position where the external fluid flows such that flat surfaces of flat-plate shapes of the power generating units are oriented to be substantially parallel with the flow direction of the external fluid, wherein

each power generating unit has an elongated flat-plate shape,

opposite ends of the power generating unit in a longitudinal direction are held by the holding member such that the power generating unit is in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the external fluid,

a fixing member is provided at each of the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of each power generating unit,

the power generating units are arranged in the holding member via the fixing members to pivot in accordance with the flow of the external fluid, and

with respect to a width direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a part in the opposite ends of the elongated flat-plate shape in the longitudinal direction that is located on an upstream side in the flow direction of the external fluid is fixed to the fixing member, and a part that is located on a downstream side is movable in a thickness direction and relative to the fixing member.

2. The power generation device for a mobile body according to claim 1, wherein

the holding member has a rectangular frame-like shape as viewed from a front of the mobile body, and

the holding member holds the power generating units such that the longitudinal direction of the mobile body agrees with the flow direction of the external fluid.

3. The power generation device for a mobile body according to claim 1, wherein

the mobile body is a vehicle with a front grille having substantially horizontal lateral fins or substantially vertical fins,

the power generation device is arranged rearward of the front grille,

the power generating units are oriented such that the flat surfaces are substantially parallel with the fins,

as viewed from the front of the vehicle, opposite ends of the power generating units in a direction parallel with the fins are held by the holding member, and

the power generating units generate power by being deformed by a flow of the outside air that is drawn in through clearances of the fins.

4. The power generation device for a mobile body according to claim 3, wherein, in a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, each fin has an inclined portion, wherein a distance between the inclined portion and a center of the power generation device decreases toward a rear end of the vehicle.