Electric power generator

• US 7,525,205 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Honma, Kazunari, Hirano, Hitoshi, Mabuchi, Katsuji, Murayama, Yoshiki, Matsubara, Naoteru, Miyamoto, Hideaki, Izumi, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks; Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/829,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20080048521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0488 Movement sensor, e.g. for sensing angular speed, acceleration or centripetal force
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 1/08 with conductive charge carrier, i.e. capacitor machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 19/01 characterised by the use of electrets

Abstract

An electric power generator capable of using external vibrations in various directions to generate power. A fixed substrate having a surface with a plurality of electret electrodes and a movable substrate having a surface with a movable electrode are spaced from each other. The fixed substrate is fixed in the electric power generator. Spring driving bodies support the movable substrate so that the movable substrate elastically moves in any direction within an XY plane when receiving external vibrations.

Claims

1. An electric power generator comprising:

a first electrode; and

a second electrode spaced from the first electrode;

wherein at least either one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a film for carrying charge, and at least either one of the first electrode and the second electrode is movable along a first axis on a plane and along a second axis on the plane differing from the first axis.

2. The electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein an overlapping area of the first electrode and the second electrode is changed when at least either one of the first electrode and the second electrode moves.

3. The electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each include a plurality of linear or undulated strips.

4. The electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each include a plurality of zigzagged strips.

5. The electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each include a plurality of concentric strips.

6. The electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each include a plurality of pads laid out in a two-dimensional array.

7. The electric power generator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fixed substrate including the first electrode;

a movable substrate facing toward the fixed substrate and including the second electrode; and

an elastic member connected to the movable substrate for supporting the movable substrate and the second electrode in a manner enabling elastic movement along the first and second axes.

8. An electric device comprising:

a plurality of electronic components; and

the electric power generator according to claim 1 for generating power to partially or entirely activate the electronic components.

9. The electric device according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is a wireless communication device for generating and outputting a wireless signal.

10. The electric device according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is a wireless communication device for receiving and processing a wireless signal.

11. The electric device according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is a sensor.

12. The electric device according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is installed in a vehicle and generates power from vibrations of the vehicle.

13. The electric device according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of electric components include at least one of:

a sensor portion for detecting at least one of tire air pressure, in-tire temperature, in-tire acceleration, tire vibration, and tire rotation speed;

a processor portion for processing an electric signal;

a transmitter portion for transmitting a wireless signal;

a receiver portion for receiving a wireless signal; and

a memory portion for storing data.

14. The electric device according to claim 12, wherein the electric device is an in-vehicle network system.

15. The electric device according to claim 12, wherein the electric device transmits and receives information with a base station of a traffic information network system.

16. A communication device comprising:

the electric power generator according to claim 1, wherein the electric power generator is attached to a tire or a wheel for a tire of a vehicle.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein:

the communication device detects at least one of tire air pressure, in-tire temperature, in-tire acceleration, tire vibration, and tire rotation speed;

the communication device performs wireless communication to output a result of the detection; and

the electric power generator generates operational power partially or entirely required by the communication device.

18. An in-vehicle wireless device for an electronic license plate system comprising:

the electric power generator according to claim 1.

19. The in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 18, further comprising:

a memory portion;

a processor portion; and

a transmitter portion;

wherein the electric power generator generates power for operating at least one of the memory portion, the processor portion, and the transmitter portion.