Self-powered switch initiation system

• US 7,126,497 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Inventors: Thomas, Gregory A, Vazquez Carazo, Alfredo, Rogers, Glenn F. Jr., Face, Bradbury R.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US10/871,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 857 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/20, 331/155, 310/311, 310/36, 310/37, 310/800, 307/119, 29/253.5
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/112 Mechanical energy, e.g. vibration, piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/076 Key stroke generating power
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/965 Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94089 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making

Abstract

A self-powered switching system using electromechanical generators generates power for activation of a latching relay. The electromechanical generators comprise electroactive elements or magnetic based microgenerators that may be mechanically actuated to generate electrical power. The associated signal generation circuitry may be coupled to a transmitter or transceiver for sending and/or receiving RF signals to/from a receiver which actuates the latching relay. Power may be stored within the circuit using rechargeable batteries for powering or supplementing power to the transmitter or transceiver.

Claims

1. A self-powered switching system, comprising:

an electroactive transducer having first and second ends, said electroactive transducer comprising;

a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces and first and second ends;

a flexible substrate bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member;

said flexible substrate having first and second ends adjacent said first and second ends of said first electroactive member;

wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said electroactive transducer;

and wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to return to said first position from said second position upon release of said force from said electroactive transducer;

and wherein upon said deformation from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

and wherein upon said return from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a second voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

a mounting member for retaining said first end of said electroactive transducer;

said mounting member comprising at least one retaining means adjacent said first end of said flexible substrate of said first electroactive member;

mechanical deflection means for application of a force to said second end of said electroactive transducer, said mechanical deflection means being adapted to apply a force sufficient to deform said electroactive transducer from said first position to said second position, thereby generating a first voltage potential;

a first conductor electrically connected to said first electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a second conductor electrically connected to said second electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a rectifier having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said rectifier being electrically connected between said first and second conductors in parallel with said first and second electroded major faces of said electroactive transducer;

a voltage regulator having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said output side of said rectifier;

an encoder having an input and an output side, said output side of said voltage regulator being connected to said input side of said encoder;

said encoder being adapted to generate a coded waveform;

an output signal at said output side of said encoder being an electrical signal having said coded waveform;

first signal transmission means electrically connected to said output side of said encoder;

said first signal transmission means comprising a first radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to an antenna;

said radio-frequency generator subcircuit being adapted to generate a first radio-frequency signal modulated by said output signal of said encoder for transmission by said antenna;

signal reception means for receiving a first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means;

said signal reception means being adapted to generate a relay signal in response to said first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means; and

a relay device for operating an electrical appliance;

said relay device being in communication with said signal reception means;

said relay device having a plurality of positions, each of said positions in said plurality of positions corresponding to an operating mode of said electrical appliance

said relay device being adapted to change between a first position to a second position in said plurality of positions in response to said relay signal.

2. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1:

wherein said encoder is adapted to be programmable to generate a coded waveform, said coded waveform being selectable from at least 16-bit combinations of binary codes.

3. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1:

wherein upon said deformation and return between said first position and second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate an oscillating electrical potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face of said electroactive transducer.

4. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1, wherein said first signal reception means further comprises:

a memory for storage of said coded waveform modulated onto first radio-frequency signal by said encoder.

5. A self-powered switching system according to claim 4, wherein said first signal reception means further comprises:

comparator means electrically connected to said memory,

said comparator means being adapted to compare said coded waveform modulated onto said first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means to said coded waveform stored in said memory;

said comparator means being adapted to generate said relay signal in response to said first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means only when said coded waveform modulated onto said first signal matches said coded waveform stored in said memory.

6. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical deflection means further comprises:

a mechanical deflection bar operably connected to a mechanical deflection paddle, wherein application or removal of a force from said mechanical deflection bar causes a movement of said mechanical deflection paddle with respect to said second end of said electroactive transducer.

7. A self-powered switching system according to claim 6:

wherein said mechanical deflection paddle is adapted to deflect said second end of said electroactive transducer from said first position to said second position;

and wherein said mechanical deflection paddle is adapted to release said second end of said electroactive transducer at said second position;

and wherein said mechanical deflection paddle is adapted to move away from said second end of said electroactive transducer at said second position thereby allowing said second end of said electroactive transducer to return to said first position.

8. A self-powered switching system according to claim 6:

wherein said mechanical deflection bar is operably connected to said mechanical deflection paddle by means of a pair of counter-rotating levers;

said first counter-rotating lever being mechanically connected to said mechanical deflection bar, and rotatably connected to a fulcrum;

said second counter-rotating lever being mechanically connected to said mechanical deflection paddle, and rotatably connected to said fulcrum;

whereby angular movement of said first counter-rotating lever causes an opposite angular movement of said second counter-rotating lever.

9. A self-powered switching system according to claim 7:

wherein said mechanical deflection paddle has a plurality of surfaces, each of said plurality of surfaces being adapted to contact and deflect said second end of said electroactive transducer between said first and second positions;

and wherein each of said surfaces in said plurality of surfaces has a curved edge contacting said second end of said electroactive transducer;

and wherein a contact area between said curved edge and said second end of said electroactive transducer is at a maximum at said first position, and wherein said contact area between said curved edge and said second end of said electroactive transducer is at a minimum at said second position.

10. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1, further comprising:

electrical energy storage means electrically connected between said rectifier and said first signal transmission means;

wherein said electrical energy storage means is adapted to store at least a portion of a rectified voltage output of said rectifier;

and wherein said electrical energy storage means has an output voltage adapted to supplement an electrical input to said first signal transmission means.

15. A self-powered switching system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a casing for containing said electroactive transducer, said mounting means, said mechanical deflection means, said first and second conductors, said rectifier, said voltage regulator, said encoder, said first signal transmission means and said antenna;

said casing comprising first, second, third and fourth side walls and top and base walls;

wherein the materials of construction of said casing are selected from the group comprising plastics, metals and combinations thereof.

16. A self-powered switching system according to claim 15:

wherein at least a portion of said base wall in proximity to said antenna comprises a metallic shield.

17. A self-powered switching system according to claim 15:

wherein said antenna is rigidly affixed to said casing.

11. A self-powered switching system, comprising:

an electroactive transducer having first and second ends, said electroactive transducer comprising;

a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces and first and second ends;

a flexible substrate bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member;

said flexible substrate having first and second ends adjacent said first and second ends of said first electroactive member;

wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said electroactive transducer;

and wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to return to said first position from said second position upon release of said force from said electroactive transducer;

and wherein upon said deformation from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

and wherein upon said return from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a second voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

a mounting member for retaining said first end of said electroactive transducer;

said mounting member comprising at least one retaining means adjacent said first end of said flexible substrate of said first electroactive member;

mechanical deflection means for application of a force to said second end of said electroactive transducer, said mechanical deflection means being adapted to apply a force sufficient to deform said electroactive transducer from said first position to said second position, thereby generating a first voltage potential;

a first conductor electrically connected to said first electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a second conductor electrically connected to said second electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a rectifier having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said rectifier being electrically connected between said first and second conductors in parallel with said first and second electroded major faces of said electroactive transducer;

a voltage regulator having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said output side of said rectifier;

an encoder having an input and an output side, said output side of said voltage regulator being connected to said input side of said encoder;

said encoder being adapted to generate a first coded waveform;

an output signal at said output side of said encoder being an electrical signal having said first coded waveform;

a first transceiver electrically connected to said output side of said encoder;

said first transceiver comprising a first radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to a first antenna;

said first transceiver comprising a first radio frequency receiver connected to said first antenna;

said first radio-frequency generator subcircuit being adapted to generate a first radio-frequency signal modulated by said output signal of said encoder for transmission by said first antenna;

a second transceiver for receiving said first radio-frequency signal transmitted by said first transceiver;

said second transceiver comprising a second radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to a second antenna;

said second transceiver comprising a second radio frequency receiver connected to said second antenna;

said second transceiver being adapted to generate a relay signal in response to said first radio frequency signal transmitted by said first transceiver; and

a relay device for operating an electrical appliance;

said relay device being in communication with said second transceiver;

said relay device having a plurality of positions, each of said positions in said plurality of positions corresponding to an operating mode of said electrical appliance

said relay device being adapted to change between a first position to a second position in said plurality of positions in response to said relay signal.

12. A self-powered switching system according to claim 11 wherein said second transceiver further comprises:

a first memory for storage of a second coded waveform; and

first comparator means electrically connected to said first memory,

said first comparator means being adapted to compare said first coded waveform modulated onto said first signal transmitted by said first transceiver to said second coded waveform stored in said first memory;

said first comparator means being adapted to generate said relay signal in response to said first signal transmitted by said first tranceiver only when said first coded waveform modulated onto said first signal matches said second coded waveform stored in said memory.

13. A self-powered switching system according to claim 11 wherein said first transceiver further comprises:

a second memory for storage of a third coded waveform; and

second comparator means electrically connected to said second memory,

and wherein said second transceiver is adapted to generate a second radio frequency signal modulated with a fourth coded waveform when said relay device changes from one position to another position in said plurality of positions;

and wherein said second comparator means is adapted to compare said fourth coded waveform modulated onto second radio frequency signal transmitted by said second transceiver to said fourth coded waveform stored in said second memory;

and wherein said second comparator means is adapted to generate a shutoff signal in response to said second radio frequency signal transmitted by said second tranceiver;

and wherein said first transceiver is adapted to discontinue transmitting said first radio frequency signal upon receipt of said shutoff signal from said comparator.

14. A self-powered switching system according to claim 11, further comprising:

electrical energy storage means electrically connected between said rectifier and said first transceiver;

wherein said electrical energy storage means is adapted to store at least a portion of a rectified voltage output of said rectifier;

and wherein said electrical energy storage means has an output voltage adapted to supplement an electrical input to said first transceiver.