Power generating device and switch

• US 9,106,110 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2013
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsuneyoshi, Nobutaka, Nagasaka, Minenori, Annen, Ryoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kenerly, Terrance
• Assistant Examiner(s): SINGH, ALEXANDER A
• Application Number:
  US13/861,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20130270943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 310/80, 310/20, 310/83, 310/99, 310/36, 310/15, 310/17, 310/117, 310/118, 310/121, 290/1.C, 290/1.E
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/16 Driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/06 Means for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/116 with gears
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level

Abstract

A power generating device includes a power generating part, a sliding member, first, second and third elastic parts, and a connecting member. When the sliding member is caused to move to a first storage completion position by an operation that causes the connecting member to rotate, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in a first direction by an elastic force stored in the second elastic part. The connecting member is caused to rotate by an elastic force stored in the third elastic part. When the sliding member is caused to move to a second storage completion position by the third elastic part, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in a second direction by an elastic force stored in the first elastic part.

Claims

1. A power generating device, comprising:

a case;

an operating member to be operated at a time of power generation;

a power generating part configured to cause an induced electromotive force to be generated in response to a driving of a driven part thereof;

a sliding member configured to move in first and second different directions in the case and to drive the driven part by moving in the first direction or the second direction;

a first elastic part configured to be caused to store an elastic force by a movement of the sliding member in the first direction;

a second elastic part configured to be caused to store an elastic force by a movement of the sliding member in the second direction;

a connecting member configured to be connected to and disconnected from the sliding member, and to cause the sliding member to move in the second direction and the first direction by rotating in a forward direction and a reverse direction, respectively, with the sliding member being connected thereto; and

a third elastic part connected to the connecting member and configured to be caused to store an elastic force by the connecting member rotating with the movement of the sliding member in the second direction,

wherein the connecting member is caused to rotate in the forward direction by an operation of the operating member, and when the sliding member is moved to a first storage completion position by the operation of the operating member, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in the first direction by the elastic force stored in the second elastic part, and

wherein the connecting member is caused to rotate in the reverse direction by the elastic force stored in the third elastic part, and when the sliding member is moved to a second storage completion position by the third elastic part, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in the second direction by the elastic force stored in the first elastic part.

2. The power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a connecting projection, and wherein the sliding member includes an engaging projection configured to engage with the connecting projection.

3. The power generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a toggle mechanism configured to transmit an operating force of the operating member to the connecting member.

4. The power generating device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a switch provided in the case and configured to be operated by the toggle mechanism when the sliding member reaches the first storage completion position.

5. The power generating device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a switch provided in the case and configured to be operated by the toggle mechanism when the sliding member reaches the second storage completion position.

6. A switch, comprising:

the power generating device as set forth in claim 1; and

an electronic circuit configured to operate with the induced electromotive force caused to be generated by the power generating device.