Foot-powered energy harvesting mechanisms for insoles and shoes
First Claim
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1. A portable electric power generator that converts linear mechanical motion into electric power, said portable generator comprising:
- a base;
an actuating member that is moveable between a stop position that is relatively away from the base and a compressed position that is relatively toward the base;
a biasing member that links the actuating member to the base and that biases the actuating member toward the stop position;
a drive link that travels in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of said actuating member;
at least one electrical generator;
a mechanical linkage that connects said drive link to said generator and that activates said generator in response to the travel of said drive link from a first position to a second position; and
a storage battery that is electrically connected to said generator and that stores electrical energy in response to the activation of said generator.
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Abstract
The energy harvesting mechanism solves the problem of running out of battery life in remote or inconvenient locations. This invention has been designed to harvest energy from the heel strike phase of walking. The invention involves a mechanism to convert linear to rotational motion, followed by a gear train and electric generator. Harvested energy is stored in a battery to power users'"'"' electronic devices.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A portable electric power generator that converts linear mechanical motion into electric power, said portable generator comprising:
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a base; an actuating member that is moveable between a stop position that is relatively away from the base and a compressed position that is relatively toward the base; a biasing member that links the actuating member to the base and that biases the actuating member toward the stop position; a drive link that travels in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of said actuating member; at least one electrical generator; a mechanical linkage that connects said drive link to said generator and that activates said generator in response to the travel of said drive link from a first position to a second position; and a storage battery that is electrically connected to said generator and that stores electrical energy in response to the activation of said generator.
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2. A portable electric power source that converts linear mechanical motion into electric power, said portable power source generator comprising:
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a base; an actuating member that is moveable between a stop position that is relatively away from said base and a compressed position that is relatively closer to said base than said stop position; a compressible member that links the actuating member to the base; a drive link that travels between first and second locations, the movement of said drive link defining a direction that is generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of said actuating member from said stop position toward said compressed position, the first location of said drive link corresponding to the stop position of said actuating member and the second location of said drive link corresponding to the compressed position of said actuating member; at least one electrical generator having an armature and a stator; a mechanical linkage that mechanically connects said drive link to the armature of said generator and that rotates said armature in response to the travel of said drive link from said first location to said second location; and a storage battery that is electrically connected to said armature and that stores electrical energy in response to the rotation of said armature. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification