Wireless switch with multipolar electromagnetic generator

• US 8,665,042 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2012
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EcoHarvester, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EcoHarvester, Inc.
• Inventors: Takahashi, Eri, Roundy, Shadrach Joseph, Tola, Jeffry, Bircumshaw, Brian L., Carl, Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): Talpalatski, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US13/659,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 310/15, 335/207
• US Class Current: 335/207
• 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 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/04 with moving coil systems and stationary magnets

Abstract

A wireless switch comprises a mechanical oscillator, a mechanical impulse deliverer, a first array of magnets positioned on a planar surface, a first conductor, and a power management circuit. The mechanical impulse deliverer delivers a mechanical impulse to the mechanical oscillator when the wireless switch is switched. The first array comprises a one dimensional or two dimensional array of magnets. The first conductor comprises a first serpentine conductor. The power management circuit provides DC power as a result of relative motion due to the mechanical oscillator between the first array of magnets and the first conductor.

Claims

1. A wireless switch comprising:

a mechanical oscillator;

a mechanical impulse deliverer, wherein the mechanical impulse deliverer delivers a mechanical impulse to the mechanical oscillator;

a first array of magnets positioned on a planar surface, wherein the first array comprises an array of magnets, wherein one magnet is in direct contact with another magnet; and

a first conductor,

wherein the first conductor offers an area to a magnetic flux that results in a generation of power in the event that there is relative motion between the first conductor(s) and the array of magnets;

wherein the first conductor includes two conductors wired in series each being in parallel with each other on a single layer of a multilayer printed circuit board; and

wherein the two conductors are arranged in a serpentine pattern including a plurality of right angle turns.

2. A wireless switch as in claim 1, wherein the first array of magnets comprises a sheet magnet with alternating poles in one dimension or two dimensions.

3. A wireless switch as in claim 1, wherein the first conductor comprises a plurality of serpentines on a single layer of a multilayer printed circuit board.

4. A wireless switch as in claim 1, further comprising a second conductor, wherein the second conductor comprises a second serpentine conductor, and wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are on opposite sides of the first array of magnets.

5. A wireless switch as in claim 1, further comprising a second array of magnets, and wherein the first array of magnets and the second array of magnets are on opposite sides of the first conductor.

6. A wireless switch as in claim 1, wherein the relative motion comprises motion parallel to the planar surface.

7. A wireless switch as in claim 1, wherein the relative motion comprises motion perpendicular to the planar surface.

8. A wireless switch as in claim 1, wherein the mechanical oscillator is preloaded.

9. A wireless switch as in claim 6, wherein the preloading uses a spring or a flexure mechanism.

10. A wireless switch as in claim 9, wherein a mechanical impulse deliverer further loads the spring or the flexure mechanism and causes a release of a proof mass of the mechanical oscillator.

11. A wireless switch as in claim 10, wherein the mechanical impulse deliverer comprises one of the following:

a rotary dial, a lever, a push button, or a toggle switch.

12. A wireless switch as in claim 9, wherein a catch or a ratchet catches the proof mass such that the spring or the flexure mechanism is preloaded again after one or more oscillations of the mechanical oscillator.

13. A method of wireless switching comprising:

providing DC power as a result of relative motion due to a mechanical oscillator between a first array of magnets and a first conductor,

wherein one magnet is in direct contact with another magnet;

wherein the mechanical oscillator oscillates as a result of a mechanical impulse delivered from switching a wireless switch;

wherein the first conductor includes two conductors wired in series each being in parallel with each other on a single layer of a multilayer printed circuit board; and

wherein the two conductors are arranged in a serpentine pattern including a plurality of right angle turns.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the first array of magnets comprises a sheet magnet with alternating poles in one dimension or two dimensions.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the first conductor comprises a plurality of serpentines on a single layer of a multilayer printed circuit board.

16. A method as in claim 13, further comprising a second conductor, wherein the second conductor comprises a second serpentine conductor, and wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are on opposite sides of the first array of magnets.

17. A method as in claim 13, further comprising a second array of magnets, wherein the first array of magnets and the second array of magnets are on opposite sides of the first conductor.

18. A method as in claim 13, wherein the relative motion comprises motion parallel to the planar surface.

19. A method as in claim 13, wherein the relative motion comprises motion perpendicular to the planar surface.

20. A method as in claim 13, wherein the mechanical oscillator is preloaded.

21. A method as in claim 18, wherein the preloading uses a spring or a flexure mechanism.

22. A method as in claim 21, wherein a mechanical impulse deliverer further loads the spring or the flexure mechanism and causes a release of a proof mass of the mechanical oscillator.

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein the mechanical impulse deliverer comprises one of the following:

a rotary dial, a lever, a push button, or a toggle switch.

24. A method as in claim 21, wherein a catch or a ratchet catches the proof mass such that the spring or the flexure mechanism is preloaded again after one or more oscillations of the mechanical oscillator.