Self-powered energy harvesting switch and method for harvesting energy

• US 20140353135A1
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting BV (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Erdmann, Bozena, Van Es, Arthur Robert, De Wit, Bas Willibrord, Lelkens, Armand Michel Marie, Tolhuizen, Ludovicus Marinus Gerardus Maria, Van Der Horst, Adrianus Johannes Josephus
• Granted Patent: US 9,779,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/518
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/076 Key stroke generating power
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/032 using RFID technology in switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/052 Controlling, signalling or testing correct functioning of a switch see also H01H2300/056 - H01H2300/066 and H01H11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2201/18 Machines moving with multiple degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/00 Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with generators H02K7/00, e.g. H02K7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A switch device (10) and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device (10), wherein the switch device (10) is provided with a drive unit (120) interacting with an actuation device operable by a user, and with a moving device (130) configured to be set in motion by the drive unit (120), and with an energy harvester (132, 140, 140a) for providing energy to the switch device (10) in dependence on a motion of the moving device (130), such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device (10). The moving device (130) is configured to be repeatedly repositioned in relation to a defined zero position, as long as it has kinetic energy, in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy harvester (132, 140, 140a). Such an electromechanical device for generating energy can ensure wireless operation of the switch device (10) without the need of batteries or any other kind of power supply.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising:

a) a drive unit configured to interact with an actuation device operable by external force and provided at the switch device;

b) a moving device configured to be set in motion by the drive unit;

c) an energy harvester coupled with the moving device;

d) a position return device coupled with the moving device; and

e) wherein the moving device is configured to be repositioned by the position return device in relation to a defined zero position,

wherein the switch device further comprises

a sensor configured to detect an actuation of the actuation device and to differentiate between rotational actuation around an actuation axis and a translational actuation along the actuation axis;

the switch being adapted to transmit different control signals corresponding respectively to the rotational actuation and the translational actuation;

the switch comprising a blocking device arranged to prevent rotation of the actuation device when the actutation device is operated along the translational direction.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation device is operable in both rotational direction around an actuation axis, wherein the drive unit engages with the moving device in the same way.

4. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation device is provided with a screw thread configured to connect the drive unit with the actuation device.

5. The switch device according to claim 4, wherein the actuation device is provided with a shaft which extends along an actuation axis of the actuation device and which is movably arranged within a corpus of the switch device, and wherein an elastic element is provided at the shaft between the actuation device and the corpus.

6. The switch device according to claim 5, wherein the actuation device is elastically arranged within a corpus of the switch device, and wherein a blocking element is provided at the actuation device.

8. The switch device according to claim 6, wherein the moving device is provided with at least one protrusion which is configured to engage in recess portions of the drive unit.

9. The switch device according to claim 8, wherein the position return device coupled to the moving device is composed of one or several mechanical elements.

10. The switch device according to claim 9, wherein the energy harvester is composed of a magnetic block arranged at the moving device and at least one conducting element with respect to which the moving device moves.

11. The switch device according to claim 10, wherein the moving device is supported in guidance which extent orthogonal to a rotation axis of the drive unit, and the energy harvester is composed of a rack portion provided on the moving device.

3. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)