Piezoelectric power generator for a portable power supply unit and portable electronic device equipped with same

• US 5,751,091 A
• Filed: 01/31/1996
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Osamu, Nagasaka, Eiichi, Hashimoto, Yasuharu, Miyazaki, Hajime, Funasaka, Tsukasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Budd, Mark O.
• Application Number:
  US08/594,566
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 310/330-332, 310/339, 310/319, 310/321, 310/800
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/306 Cantilevers

Abstract

A power generator is provided and includes a piezoelectric transducer which generates electric power upon application of a strain. The power generator includes a vibrating arm having a sandwich structure wherein a support layer is held between at least two piezoelectric portions. The vibrating arm is wider on the support end than at a free end. The piezoelectric portions are extended to a root portion of the vibrating arm so that strain energy may efficiently be converted into electric energy. The piezoelectric portions each have a laminated structure so that piezoelectric power generator having the electromotive voltage and the capacitance optimum for charging may be realized.

Claims

1. A portable power supply unit having a piezoelectric power generator, comprising:

two vibrating arms each having a free end being able to freely vibrate and a support end for supporting said free end, coupling member for coupling said support ends of said two vibrating arms, at least two piezoelectric portions disposed on each of said vibrating arms with a support layer disposed therebetween, each vibrating arm including at least one electrode covering at least parts of each of said piezoelectric portions or a respective vibrating arm, each of said vibrating arms including a power generating, section capable of outputting an alternating current through said electrodes;

a vibration applying mechanism for imparting displacements to said vibrating arms to cause a first of said two vibrating arms to move in a direction opposite to the other, said vibration applying mechanism comprising a hitting portion for striking said one free end of said two vibrating arms in a direction toward the other vibrating arm and a wall portion against which said other free end of the vibrating arm strikes when a hit is applied to said one vibrating arm so that said two vibrating arms are vibrated by being sandwiched between said hitting portion and said wall portion;

rectifying device coupled to said power generator, for rectifying the alternating current output from said power generator; and

an electric condensing device, coupled to said rectifying device, for accumulating a rectified current.

2. The portable power supply unit of claim 1, wherein said hitting portion of said vibration applying mechanism includes a weight in the form of a pendulum, said pendulum including a head portion, said head portion striking against one of said vibrating arms with motion from said pendulum.

3. A portable power supply unit having a piezoelectric power generator, comprising:

two vibrating arms each having a free end being able to freely vibrate and a support end for supporting said free end, coupling member for coupling said support ends of said two vibrating arms, said two vibrating arms being supported such that said two vibrating arms and coupling member act in unison to move like a pendulum, at least two piezoelectric portions disposed on each of said vibrating arms with a support layer disposed therebetween, each vibrating arm including at least one electrode covering at least parts of each of said piezoelectric portions or a respective vibrating arm, each of said vibrating arms including a power generating section capable of outputting an alternating current through said electrodes;

a vibration applying mechanism for imparting displacements to said vibrating arms to cause a first of said two vibrating arms to move in a direction opposite to the other, said vibration applying mechanism including a wall portion, said free end of one of said vibrating arms striking against said wall portion to create vibrations, said vibrations being applied to said two vibrating arms when said vibrating arms are moved relative to said wall and said free end of at least one of said vibrating arms strikes against said wall portion;

a rectifying device coupled to said power generator, for rectifying the alternating current output from said power generator; and

an electric condensing device, coupled to said rectifying device, for accumulating a rectified current.

4. A portable power supply unit having a piezoelectric power generator, comprising:

two vibrating arms each having a free end being able to freely vibrate and a support end for supporting said free end, coupling member for coupling said support ends of said two vibrating arms, at least two piezoelectric portions disposed on each of said vibrating arms with a support layer disposed therebetween, each vibrating arm including at least one electrode covering at least parts of each of said piezoelectric portions or a respective vibrating arm, each of said vibrating arms including a power generating section capable of outputting an alternating current through said electrodes;

a vibration applying mechanism for imparting displacements to said vibrating arms to cause a first of said two vibrating arms to move in a direction opposite to the other, said vibration applying mechanism including a hitting portion for striking against substantially the center of said coupling member so that vibrations are applied to said two vibrating arms when said hitting portion strikes against said coupling member;

a rectifying device coupled to said power generator, for rectifying the alternating current output from said power generator; and

an electric condensing device, coupled to said rectifying device, for accumulating a rectified current.