POWER GENERATING ELEMENT

• US 20160211778A1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tri-Force Management Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tri-Force Management Corporation
• Inventors: OKADA, Kazuhiro, ERA, Satoshi, OKADA, Miho
• Granted Patent: US 10,177,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/188 adapted for resonant operation
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/306 Cantilevers
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/88 Mounts; Supports; Enclosures; Casings

Abstract

The power generation efficiency is to be enhanced by converting vibration energy including various direction components into electric energy without waste. A cantilever structure is adopted, in which a first plate-like bridge portion (120) and a second plate-like bridge portion (130) extend in a shape of a letter U from a fixing-portion (110) fixed to the device housing (200) and a weight body (150) is connected to the end. On the upper surface of the cantilever structure, a common lower layer electrode (E00), a layered piezoelectric element (300) and discrete upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ez4) are formed. The upper layer electrodes (Ez1 to Ez4) disposed on a center line (Lx, Ly) of each plate-like bridge portion take out charge generated in the piezoelectric element (300) due to deflection caused by the Z-axis direction vibration of the weight body (150). The upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ex4, Ey1 to Ey4) disposed on both sides of the center line (Lx, Ly) of the plate-like bridge portion take out charge generated in the piezoelectric element (300) due to deflection caused by the X-axis or Y-axis direction vibration of the weight body (150).

Claims

1. A power generating element which converts vibration energy into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising:

a flexible plate-like bridge portion (20) which extends along a longitudinal direction axis (Y);

a weight body (30) which is connected to an end of the plate-like bridge portion;

a device housing (40) which houses the plate-like bridge portion and the weight body;

a fixing-portion (10) which fixes another end of the plate-like bridge portion to the device housing;

a lower layer electrode (E0) which is layered on a surface of the plate-like bridge portion;

a piezoelectric element (50) which is layered on a surface of the lower layer electrode;

a group of upper layer electrodes (E11, E13, E21, E23;

E31, E33) composed of a plurality of upper layer electrodes which are formed locally on a surface of the piezoelectric element; and

a power generating circuit (60) which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the upper layer electrodes and the lower layer electrode to take out electric power;

wherein

the weight body (30) is constituted so as to vibrate inside the device housing (40) due to deflection of the plate-like bridge portion (20) when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing (40) to vibrate,

the piezoelectric element (50) is apt to polarize in a thickness direction by application of stress which expands or contracts in a layer direction,

the group of upper layer electrodes (E11, E13, E21, E23;

E31, E33) is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a right side electrode (E11, E21;

E31) and a left side electrode (E13, E23;

E33), and each of the upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the longitudinal direction axis (Y) and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E0), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (50) therebetween,

when a center line (Y) along the longitudinal direction axis (Y) is defined at the plate-like bridge portion (20), the right side electrode (E11, E21;

E31) is arranged on one side of the center line (Y) and the left side electrode (E13, E23;

E33) is arranged on the other side of the center line (Y).

2. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E0) is formed on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20), and the piezoelectric element (50) is formed on an upper surface of the lower layer electrode (E0), and

the right side electrode (E21) and the left side electrode (E23) are formed on the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0) and the piezoelectric element (50).

3. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E0B) is formed not only on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (50B) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E0B), and

the right side electrode (E21B) and the left side electrode (E23B) are formed respectively on a side surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0B) and the piezoelectric element (50B).

4. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the lower layer electrode (EOC) is formed not only on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (50C) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (EOC), and

the right side electrode (E21C) and the left side electrode (E23C) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (EOC) and the piezoelectric element (50C).

5. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the group of upper layer electrodes (E11, E13, E21, E23) is provided with a group of weight body side electrodes (E11, E13) which is arranged in a vicinity of a connection portion of the plate-like bridge portion (20) with the weight body (30) and a group of fixing-portion side electrodes (E21, E23) which is arranged in a vicinity of a connection portion of the plate-like bridge portion (20) with the fixing-portion (10), and

the group of weight body side electrodes (E11, E13) and the group of fixing-portion side electrodes (E21, E23) are each provided with two types of upper layer electrodes which are composed of a right side electrode (E11, E21) and a left side electrode (E13, E23).

6. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the group of upper layer electrodes (E11 to E13, E21 to E23;

E31 to E33) is provided with a total of three types of upper layer electrodes such that a right side electrode (E11, E21;

E31), a left side electrode (E13, E23;

E33) and a central electrode (E12, E22;

E32),

each of the upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the longitudinal direction axis (Y) of the plate-like bridge portion (20) and is opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E0), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (50) therebetween, and

the central electrode (E12, E22;

E32) is arranged at a position of a center line (Y) along the longitudinal direction axis (Y) of the plate-like bridge portion (20), the right side electrode (E11, E21;

E31) is arranged on one side of the central electrode (E12, E22;

E32), and the left side electrode (E13, E23;

E33) is arranged on the other side of the central electrodes (E12, E22;

E32).

7. The power generating element according to claim 6, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E0) is formed on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) and the piezoelectric element (50) is formed on an upper surface of the lower layer electrode (E0), and

the central electrode (E22), the right side electrode (E21) and the left side electrode (E23) are formed on the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0) and the piezoelectric element (50).

8. The power generating element according to claim 6, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E0B) is formed not only on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (50B) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E0B),

the central electrode (E22B) is formed on the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0B) and the piezoelectric element (50B), and

the right side electrode (E21B) and the left side electrode (E23B) are formed respectively on a side surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0B) and the piezoelectric element (50B).

9. The power generating element according to claim 6, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E0C) is formed not only on an upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) but also on side surfaces thereof, and a piezoelectric element (50C) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E0C),

the central electrode (E22C) is formed on the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) through the lower layer electrode (E0C) and the piezoelectric element (50C), and

the right side electrode (E21C) and the left side electrode (E23C) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the plate-like bridge portion (20) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E0C) and the piezoelectric element (50C).

10. The power generating element according to claim 6, wherein

the group of upper layer electrodes (E11 to E13, E21 to E23) is provided with a group of weight body side electrodes (E11 to E13) which is arranged in a vicinity of a connection portion of the plate-like bridge portion (20) with the weight body (30) and a group of fixing-portion side electrodes (E21 to E23) which is arranged in a vicinity of a connection portion of the plate-like bridge portion (20) with the fixing-portion (10),

each of the group of weight body side electrodes (E11 to E13) and the group of fixing-portion side electrodes (E21 to E23) is provided with three types of upper layer electrodes such that a central electrode (E12, E22), a right side electrode (E11, E21) and a left side electrode (E13, E23).

43. The power generating element according to claim 1, wherein

the power generating circuit (60;

500) is provided with a capacitive element (CO, positive charge rectifier cells (D11(+) to D13(+);

Dx1(+) to Dx4(+), Dy1(+) to Dy4(+), Dz13(+), Dz24(+)) in which a direction moving from each of the upper layer electrodes to a positive electrode of the capacitive element is given as a forward direction so as to guide positive charge generated at each of the upper layer electrodes toward the positive electrode of the capacitive element, and negative charge rectifier cells (D11(−

) to D13(−

);

Dx1(−

) to Dx4(−

), Dy1(−

) to Dy4(−

), Dz13(−

), Dz24(−

)) in which a direction moving from a negative electrode of the capacitive element to each of the upper layer electrodes is given as a forward direction so as to guide negative charge generated at each of the upper layer electrodes toward the negative electrode of the capacitive element, thereby rectifying and supplying electric energy converted from vibration energy by using the capacitive element (CO.

11. A power generating element which converts vibration energy in respective coordinate directions of an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising:

a flexible first plate-like bridge portion (120) which extends along a first longitudinal direction axis (Ly) parallel to a Y-axis;

a flexible second plate-like bridge portion (130) which is directly or indirectly connected to the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and extends along a second longitudinal direction axis (Lx) parallel to an X-axis;

a weight body (150) which is directly or indirectly connected to the second plate-like bridge portion (130);

a device housing (200) which houses the first plate-like bridge portion (120), the second plate-like bridge portion (130) and the weight body (150);

a fixing-portion (110) which fixes an end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) to the device housing (200);

a lower layer electrode (E00) which is layered on a surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and on a surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130);

a piezoelectric element (300) which is layered on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00);

a group of upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ex4, Ey1 to Ey4) composed of a plurality of upper layer electrodes which are formed locally on a surface of the piezoelectric element (300); and

a power generating circuit (500) which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ex4, Ey1 to Ey4) and the lower layer electrode (E00) to take out electric power;

wherein

the fixing-portion (110) fixes a base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) to the device housing (200), a leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) is directly or indirectly connected to a base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and the weight body (150) is directly or indirectly connected to a leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130),

the weight body (150) is constituted so as to vibrate in a direction of each coordinate axis inside the device housing (200) due to deflection of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130), when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing (200) to vibrate,

the piezoelectric element (300) is apt to polarize in a thickness direction due to application of stress which expands or contracts in a layer direction,

the group of upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ex4, Ey1 to Ey4) is provided with a group of first upper layer electrodes (Ey1 to Ey4) which is formed on the surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300) and a group of second upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ex4) which is formed on the surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the group of first upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and a first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4), and each of the first upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the first longitudinal direction axis (Ly) and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween,

when a first center line (Ly) along the first longitudinal direction axis (Ly) is defined at the first plate-like bridge portion (120), the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) is arranged on one side of the first center line (Ly), and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) is arranged on the other side of the first center line (Ly),

the group of second upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and a second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4), and each of the second upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the second longitudinal direction axis (Lx) and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween,

when a second center line (Lx) along the second longitudinal direction axis (Lx) is defined at the second plate-like bridge portion (130), the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex2) is arranged on one side of the second center line (Lx), and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) is arranged on the other side of the second center line (Lx).

12. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) is connected to the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through an intermediate connection portion (125) so that the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) are arranged in an L-letter shape,

the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) is connected to a corner of the weight body (150) through a weight body connection portion (140) so that the weight body (150) is arranged beside the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and

a lower surface of the fixing-portion (110) is fixed to an upper surface of a bottom plate (200) of the device housing, and the first plate-like bridge portion (120), the second plate-like bridge portion (130) and the weight body (150) are in a suspended state of floating above the bottom plate (200) of the device housing, with no external force applied.

13. The power generating element according to claim 12, wherein

the intermediate connection portion (125I) is provided with an eaves structure portion (α

1) which projects outside from a side surface of the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120I) and an eaves structure portion (α

2) which projects outside from a side surface of the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130I), and

the weight body connection portion (140I) is provided with an eaves structure portion (α

3) which projects outside from a side surface of the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130I).

14. The power generating element according to claim 12, wherein

the fixing-portion (110) is constituted with a fixing-portion plate-like member (110) which extends along a fixing-portion longitudinal direction axis (L0) parallel to the X-axis, and the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) is fixed to one end of the fixing-portion plate-like member (110), and

a structure body which is constituted with the fixing-portion plate-like member (110), the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) is given as a U-letter shaped structure body so that a projection image on the XY plane assumes the U-letter shape, and the weight body (150) of plate-like is arranged in an internal domain surrounded by the U-letter shaped structure body.

15. The power generating element according to claim 12, wherein

the fixing-portion (110I) is constituted with an annular structure body (110I), and a first plate-like bridge portion (120I), a second plate-like bridge portion (130I) and a weight body (150I) are arranged in an internal domain surrounded by the annular structure body.

16. A power generating element, wherein

in order that roles of the fixing-portion and those of the weight body in the power generating element according to claim 15 are reversed, by which the annular structure body (110J) which has functioned as the fixing-portion in the power generating element of claim 15 is allowed to function as a weight body and a plate-like body (150J) which has functioned as the weight body in the power generating element of claim 15 is allowed to function as a fixing-portion, a lower surface of the plate-like body (150J) is fixed to an upper surface of a bottom plate (200J) of a device housing, and the annular structure body (110J) is in a suspended state of floating above the bottom plate (200J) of the device housing, with no external force applied.

17. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

a third plate-like bridge portion (140K) to a Kth plate-like bridge portion (where, K≧

3) are installed between the second plate-like bridge portion (130K) and the weight body (170K),

a leading end of an ith plate-like bridge portion (where, 1≦

i≦

K−

1) is directly or indirectly connected to a base end of an (i+l)th plate-like bridge portion, and a leading end of the Kth plate-like bridge portion is directly or indirectly connected to the weight body, and

a jth plate-like bridge portion (where, 1≦

j≦

K) extends along a jth longitudinal direction axis parallel to the Y-axis in case that j is an odd number, and it extends along a jth longitudinal direction axis parallel to the X-axis in case that j is an even number.

18. The power generating element according to claim 17, wherein

the leading end of the ith plate-like bridge portion (where, 1≦

i≦

K−

1) is connected to the base end of the (i+1)th plate-like bridge portion through an ith intermediate connection portion, and the leading end of the Kth plate-like bridge portion is connected to the weight body through the weight body connection portion, and

the ith intermediate connection portion is provided with an eaves structure portion which projects outside from a side surface of the leading end of the ith plate-like bridge portion, and the weight body connection portion is provided with an eaves structure portion which projects outside from a side surface of the leading end of the Kth plate-like bridge portion.

19. The power generating element according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein

a structure body from the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120K) to the leading end of the Kth plate-like bridge portion is given as a spiral channel and the weight body (170K) is arranged at a center position surrounded by the spiral channel.

20. The power generating element according to claim 17, wherein

a lower layer electrode (E00), a piezoelectric element (300) and a group of upper layer electrodes are also installed on surfaces of the third plate-like bridge portion (140K) to the Kth plate-like bridge portion, and a power generating circuit (500) takes out electric power also from charge generated from said upper layer electrodes and said lower layer electrode.

21. The power generating element according to claim 17, wherein

the fixing-portion (110K) is constituted with an annular structure body (110K), and the first plate-like bridge portion (120K) to the Kth plate-like bridge portion and the weight body (170K) are arranged inside an internal domain surrounded by the annular structure body.

22. A power generating element, wherein

in order that roles of the fixing-portion and those of the weight body in the power generating element according to claim 21 are reversed, by which the annular structure body (110K) which has functioned as the fixing-portion in the power generating element of claim 21 is allowed to function as a weight body and a plate-like body (170K) which has functioned as the weight body in the power generating element of claim 21 is allowed to function as a fixing-portion, a lower surface of the plate-like body (170K) is fixed to an upper surface of a bottom plate (200) of a device housing, and the annular structure body (110K) is in a suspended state of floating above the bottom plate (200) of the device housing, with no external force applied.

23. The power generating element according to any one of claim 11 te claim 22, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed on upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on an upper surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) are formed on the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) are formed on the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

24. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Et4) are formed respectively on a side surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) are formed respectively on a side surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

25. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

26. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

the group of first upper layer electrodes is provided with a group of first base end-side electrodes (Ey3, Ey4) arranged in a vicinity of the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and a group of first leading end-side electrodes (Ey1, Ey2) arranged in a vicinity of the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120),

the group of second upper layer electrodes is provided with a group of second base end-side electrodes (Ex3, Ex4) arranged in a vicinity of the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) and a group of second leading end-side electrodes (Ex1, Ex2) arranged in a vicinity of the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and

each of the group of first base end-side electrodes (Ey3, Ey4), the group of first leading end-side electrodes (Ey1, Ey2), the group of second base end-side electrodes (Ex3, Ex4) and the group of second leading end-side electrodes (Ex1, Ex2) is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a right side electrode and a left side electrode.

27. The power generating element according to claim 11,

the group of first upper layer electrodes is provided with a total of three types of upper layer electrodes such that a first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3), a first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) and also a first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4),

each of upper layer electrodes which constitutes the group of first upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along a first longitudinal direction axis (Ly) and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween,

the first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4) is arranged at a position of the center line (Ly) along the first longitudinal direction axis (Ly) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120), and the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) is arranged on one side of the first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4), and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) is arranged on the other side of the first central electrodes (Ez3, Ez4),

the group of second upper layer electrodes is provided with a total of three types of upper layer electrodes such that a second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3), a second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) and also a second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2),

each of upper layer electrodes which constitutes the group of second upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along a second longitudinal direction axis (Lx) and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween, and

the second central electrodes (Ez1, Ez2) are arranged at a position of the center line (Lx) along the longitudinal direction axis (Lx) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) is arranged on one side of the second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2), and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) is arranged on the other side of the second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2).

28. The power generating element according to claim 27, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed on upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on an upper surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4), the first right side electrode (Ey1,Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) are formed on the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2), the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) are formed on the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

29. The power generating element according to claim 27, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) are formed respectively on a side surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4) is formed on the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) are formed respectively on a side surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2) is formed on the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

30. The power generating element according to claim 27, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first right side electrode (Ey1, Ey3) and the first left side electrode (Ey2, Ey4) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the first central electrode (Ez3, Ez4) is formed on the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the second right side electrode (Ex1, Ex3) and the second left side electrode (Ex2, Ex4) is formed respectively from the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second central electrode (Ez1, Ez2) is formed on the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

31. The power generating element according to claim 27, wherein

the group of first upper layer electrodes is provided with a group of first base end-side electrodes (Ey3, Ey4, Ez4) arranged in a vicinity of the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120) and a group of first leading end-side electrodes (Ey1, Ey2, Ez3) arranged in a vicinity of the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120),

the group of second upper layer electrodes is provided with a group of second base end-side electrodes (Ex3, Ex4, Ez2) arranged in a vicinity of the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130) and a group of second leading end-side electrodes (Ex1, Ex2, Ez1) arranged in a vicinity of the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130), and each of the group of first base end-side electrodes (Ey3, Ey4, Ez4), the group of first leading end-side electrodes (Ey1, Ey2, Ez3), the group of second base end-side electrodes (Ex3, Ex4, Ez2), and the group of second leading end-side electrodes (Ex1, Ex2, Ez1) is provided with three types of upper layer electrode composed of a central electrode, a right side electrode and a left side electrode.

40. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

a stopper projection (110N5, 110N6;

110Q6, 110Q7) projecting in a direction to the weight body (150N;

150Q) is installed at the fixing-portion (110N;

110Q),

a stopper groove (150NS;

150QS) which houses a leading end of the stopper projection is installed on the weight body (150N;

150Q), and

the leading end of the stopper projection is in a state of being fitted into the stopper groove, with a predetermined void area maintained between an external surface of the leading end of the stopper projection (110N6;

110Q7) and an inner surface of the stopper groove (150NS;

150QS).

41. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system in which an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis are orthogonal to each other is used as the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system.

42. The power generating element according to claim 11, wherein

a three-dimensional non-orthogonal coordinate system in which at least an X-axis and a Y-axis are not orthogonal to each other is used as the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system.

47. A power generating device (1000) which is provided with a plurality of power generating elements (100A to 100D) according to claim 41, thereby supplying to an outside electric power which is taken out by an individual power generating elements.

48. The power generating device (1000) according to claim 47, wherein

one or some of power generating elements (100A to 100D) are arranged so as to be different in direction of the X-axis or direction of the Y-axis or both directions thereof from the other power generating elements in the power generating device.

49. The power generating device (1000) according to claim 48, wherein

four sets of power generating elements are provided and the direction of the X-axis and the direction of the Y-axis of a first power generating element (100A) are given as references, a second power generating element (100B) is arranged in a direction at which the direction of the Y-axis is reversed, a third power generating element (100D) is arranged in a direction at which the direction of the X-axis is reversed, and a fourth power generating element (100C) is arranged in a direction at which both the direction of the X-axis and the direction of the Y-axis are reversed.

50. The power generating device (2000) according to claim 47, wherein

each of weight bodies (150E to 150H) of the plurality of power generating elements (100E to 100H) is provided with a resonance frequency different from each other.

51. The power generating device (2000) according to claim 50, wherein

the weight bodies (150E to 150H) are set so as to be different from each other in area of a projection image on the XY plane, or they are set so as to be different in thickness in a direction of a Z-axis, or both of them are set, by which the weight bodies (150E to 150H) of the plurality of power generating elements (100E to 100H) are set so as to be different in mass from each other.

52. The power generating device (2000) according to claim 50, wherein

the first plate-like bridge portion or the second plate-like bridge portion or both of them of each of the plurality of power generating elements are set so as to be mutually different in area of a projection image on the XY plane, or they are set so as to be mutually different in thickness in a direction of a Z-axis, or both of them are set, by which the weight bodies (150E to 150H) of the plurality of power generating elements (100E to 100H) are mutually different in resonance frequency.

32. A power generating element which converts vibration energy in respective coordinate directions of an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising:

a flexible first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and a flexible second plate-like bridge portion (130P);

a weight body (150P) which is directly or indirectly connected to a leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and a leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P);

a device housing which houses the first plate-like bridge portion (120P), the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) and the weight body (150P);

a fixing-portion (110P) which fixes a base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and a base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) to the device housing;

a lower layer electrode (E00) which is layered on a surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and on a surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P);

a piezoelectric element (300) which is layered on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00);

a group of upper layer electrodes (Ex11 to Ex14, Ey11 to Ey14) composed of a plurality of upper layer electrodes which are formed locally on a surface of the piezoelectric element (300); and

a power generating circuit which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the upper layer electrodes (Ex11 to Ex14, Ey11 to Ey14) and the lower layer electrode (E00) to take out electric power;

wherein

the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) are connected to a same starting portion (110P5) of the fixing-portion (110P),

a leading end vicinity (121P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) extends in a direction parallel to the X-axis, a base end vicinity (123P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) extends in a direction parallel to the Y-axis, and an intermediate portion (122P) between the leading end vicinity of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the base end vicinity thereof is curved or bent,

a leading end vicinity (131P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) extends in a direction parallel to the Y-axis, a base end vicinity (133P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) extends in a direction parallel to the X-axis, and an intermediate portion (132P) between the leading end vicinity of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) and the base end vicinity thereof is curved or bent,

the weight body (150P) is constituted so as to vibrate in a direction of each coordinate axis inside the device housing due to deflection of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing to vibrate,

the piezoelectric element (300) is apt to polarize in a thickness direction due to application of stress which expands or contracts in a layer direction,

the group of upper layer electrodes is provided with a group of first leading end-side upper layer electrodes (Ex11, Ex12) which is formed on a surface of the leading end vicinity (121P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), a group of first base end-side upper layer electrodes (Ey11, Ey12) which is formed on a surface of the base end vicinity (123P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), a group of second leading end-side upper layer electrodes (Ey13, Ey14) which is formed on a surface of the leading end vicinity (131P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and a group of second base end-side upper layer electrodes (Ex13, Ex14) which is formed on a surface of the base end vicinity (133P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300),

the group of first leading end-side upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a first leading end-side right side electrode (Ex11) and a first leading end-side left side electrode (Ex12), each of these upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along a direction of the X-axis and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween, when a first leading end-side center line (L1) parallel to the X-axis is defined at the leading end vicinity (121P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P), the first leading end-side right side electrode (Ex11) is arranged on one side of the first leading end-side center line (L1), and the first leading end-side left side electrode (Ex12) is arranged on the other side of the first leading end-side center line (L1),

the group of first base end-side upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a first base end-side right side electrode (Ey11) and a first base end-side left side electrode (Ey12), each of these upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the direction of the Y-axis and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween, when a first base end-side center line (L2) parallel to the Y-axis is defined at the base end vicinity (123P) of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P), the first base end-side right side electrode (Ey11) is arranged on one side of the first base end-side center line (L2), and the first base end-side left side electrode (Ey12) is arranged on the other side of the first base end-side center line (L2),

the group of second leading end-side upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a second leading end-side right side electrode (Ey13) and a second leading end-side left side electrode (Ey14), each of these upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along a direction of the Y-axis and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween, when a second leading end-side center line (L3) parallel to the Y-axis is defined at the leading end vicinity (131P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), the second leading end-side right side electrode (Ey13) is arranged on one side of the second leading end-side center line (L3), and the second leading end-side left side electrode (Ey14) is arranged on the other side of the second leading end-side center line (L3), and

the group of second base end-side upper layer electrodes is provided with two types of upper layer electrodes composed of a second base end-side right side electrode (Ex13) and a second base end-side left side electrode (Ex14), each of these upper layer electrodes is arranged so as to extend along the direction of the X-axis and opposed to a predetermined domain of the lower layer electrode (E00), facing each other with the piezoelectric element (300) therebetween, when a second base end-side center line (L4) parallel to the X-axis is defined at the base end vicinity (133P) of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), the second base end-side right side electrode (Ex13) is arranged on one side of the second base end-side center line (L4), and the second base end-side left side electrode (Ex14) is arranged on the other side of the second base end-side center line (L4).

33. The power generating element according to claim 32, wherein

an intermediate connection portion (140P) is provided which is connected to both the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), and the weight body (150P) is connected to the intermediate connection portion (140P), and

a lower surface of the fixing-portion (110P) is fixed to an upper surface of a bottom plate (200) of the device housing, and the first plate-like bridge portion (120P), the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), the intermediate connection portion (140P) and the weight body (150P) are in a suspended state of floating above the bottom plate (200) of the device housing, with no external force applied.

34. The power generating element according to claim 33, wherein

the intermediate connection portion (140P) is provided with eaves structure portions (a11, a12) which project laterally to both sides from side surfaces of the leading end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and eaves structure portions (a13, a14) which project laterally to both sides from side surfaces of the leading end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), and

the fixing-portion (110P) is provided with eaves structure portions (α

21, α

22) which project laterally to both sides from side surfaces of the base end of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and eaves structure portions (α

23, α

24) which project laterally to both sides from side surfaces of the base end of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P).

35. The power generating element according to claim 32, wherein

the fixing-portion (110P) is constituted with an annular structure body (110P) so that the first plate-like bridge portion (120P), the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) and the weight body (150P) are arranged in an internal domain surrounded by the annular structure body, and the weight body (150P) is arranged inside a domain, a periphery of which is surrounded by the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130P).

36. A power generating element, wherein

in order that roles of the fixing-portion and those of the weight body in the power generating element according to claim 35 are reversed, by which the annular structure body (110P) which has functioned as the fixing-portion in the power generating element of claim 35 is allowed to function as a weight body and a plate-like body (150P) which has functioned as the weight body in the power generating element of claim 35 is allowed to function as a fixing-portion, a lower surface of the plate-like body (150P) is fixed to an upper surface of a bottom plate (200) of a device housing, and the annular structure body (110P) is in a suspended state of floating above the bottom plate (200) of the device housing, with no external force applied.

37. The power generating element according to claim 32, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed on upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130P), and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on an upper surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first leading end-side right side electrode (Ex11), the first leading end-side left side electrode (Ex12), the first base end-side right side electrode (Ey11) and the first base end-side left side electrode (Ey12) are formed on the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second leading end-side right side electrode (Ey13), the second leading end-side left side electrode (Ey14), the second base end-side right side electrode (Ex13) and the second base end-side left side electrode (Ex14) are formed on the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

38. The power generating element according to claim 32, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first leading end-side right side electrode (Ex11), the first leading end-side left side electrode (Ex12), the first base end-side right side electrode (Ey11) and the first base end-side left side electrode (Ey12) are formed respectively on a side surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and the second leading end-side right side electrode (Ey13), the second leading end-side left side electrode (Ey14), the second base end-side right side electrode (Ex13) and the second base end-side left side electrode (Ex14) are formed respectively on a side surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

39. The power generating element according to claim 32, wherein

the lower layer electrode (E00) is formed not only on the upper surfaces of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) and the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) but also on side surfaces thereof, and the piezoelectric element (300) is formed on a surface of the lower layer electrode (E00),

the first leading end-side right side electrode (Ex11), the first leading end-side left side electrode (Ex12), the first base end-side right side electrode (Ey11) and the first base end-side left side electrode (Ey12) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the first plate-like bridge portion (120P) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300), and

the second leading end-side right side electrode (Ey13), the second leading end-side left side electrode (Ey14), the second base end-side right side electrode (Ex13) and the second base end-side left side electrode (Ex14) are formed respectively from the upper surface of the second plate-like bridge portion (130P) to a side surface thereof through the lower layer electrode (E00) and the piezoelectric element (300).

44. A power generating element which converts vibration energy into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising:

a flexible bridge portion (20) which extends along a longitudinal direction axis (Y);

a weight body (30) which is connected to an end of the bridge portion;

a device housing (40) which houses the bridge portion and the weight body;

a fixing-portion (10) which fixes another end of the bridge portion to the device housing;

a piezoelectric element (50) which is fixed at a predetermined position on a surface of the bridge portion; and

a power generating circuit (60) which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the piezoelectric element to take out electric power;

wherein

the weight body (30) is constituted so as to vibrate inside the device housing (40) due to deflection of the bridge portion (20), when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing (40) to vibrate, and

the piezoelectric element (50) is arranged at a position on a surface of the bridge portion (20) at which expansion/contraction deformation occurs resulting from the vibration, said position deviating from a center line (Y) along the longitudinal direction axis (Y), thereby generating charge on the basis of the expansion/contraction deformation.

45. A power generating element which converts vibration energy into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising:

a flexible first bridge portion (120) which extends along a first longitudinal direction axis (Ly);

a flexible second bridge portion (130) which is directly or indirectly connected to the bridge portion (120) and extends along a second longitudinal direction axis (Lx);

a weight body (150) which is directly or indirectly connected to the second bridge portion (130);

a device housing (200) which houses the first bridge portion (120), the second bridge portion (130) and the weight body (150);

a fixing-portion (110) which fixes an end of the first bridge portion (120) to the device housing (200);

a piezoelectric element (300) which is fixed at a predetermined position on a surface of each of the first bridge portion (120) and the second bridge portion (130), and

a power generating circuit (500) which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the piezoelectric element (300) to take out electric power;

wherein

the fixing-portion (110) fixes a base end of the first bridge portion (120) to the device housing (200), a leading end of the first bridge portion (120) is directly or indirectly connected to a base end of the second bridge portion (130), and the weight body (150) is directly or indirectly connected to a leading end of the second bridge portion (130),

the weight body (150) is constituted so as to vibrate inside the device housing (200) due to deflection of the first bridge portion (120) and the second bridge portion (130) when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing (200) to vibrate, and

the piezoelectric element (300) is arranged at a position at which expansion/contraction deformation occurs resulting from the vibration, on the surface of each of the first bridge portion (120) and the second bridge portion (130), thereby generating charge on the basis of the expansion/contraction deformation.

46. A power generating element which converts vibration energy into electric energy to generate electric power,

the power generating element, comprising;

a flexible first bridge portion (120P) and a flexible second bridge portion (130P);

a weight body (150P) which is directly or indirectly connected to both a leading end of the first bridge portion (120P) and a leading end of the second bridge portion (130P);

a device housing (200) which houses the first bridge portion (120P), the second bridge portion (130P) and the weight body (150P);

a fixing-portion (110P) which fixes a base end of the first bridge portion (120P) and a base end of the second bridge portion (130P) to the device housing (200);

a piezoelectric element (300) which is fixed at a predetermined position on the surface of each of the first bridge portion (120P) and the second bridge portion (130P); and

a power generating circuit which rectifies current produced on the basis of charge generated at the piezoelectric element (300) to take out electric power;

wherein

the base end of the first bridge portion (120P) and the base end of the second bridge portion (130P) are connected to a same starting portion (110P5) of the fixing-portion (110P), an intermediate portion (122P) between a leading end vicinity (121P) of the first bridge portion (120P) and a base end vicinity (123P) thereof is curved or bent, and an intermediate portion (132P) between a leading end vicinity (131P) of the second bridge portion (130P) and a base end vicinity (133P) thereof is curved or bent,

the weight body (150P) is constituted so as to vibrate inside the device housing (200) due to deflection of the first bridge portion (120P) and the second bridge portion (130P) when there is applied an external force which causes the device housing (200) to vibrate, and

the piezoelectric element (300) is arranged at a position at which expansion/contraction deformation occurs resulting from the vibration, on the surface of each of the first bridge portion (120) and the second bridge portion (130), thereby generating charge on the basis of the expansion/contraction deformation.