Energy harvesting device
The present invention relates to a very simple and robust wireless batteryless device ( 100 ) for harvesting energy. The actuation upon button pressure/release results in a rotation of a first member ( 1 ) around its central axis ( 11 ) leading to a move of an element ( 3 ), which is loosely fixed at the first member ( 1 ) from a pivot point ( 14 ), and a rotation around the central axis ( 11 ) of the second member ( 2 ) to which a generator axis of an energy harvester is coupled, the rotation axis of the generator being coincident with the central axis ( 11 ). Upon full pressure/release, the element ( 3 ) is forced to rotate around the pivot point ( 14 ), allowing a vertically raised pin ( 22 ) of the second member ( 2 ) to disengage a recessed area ( 31, 32 ) at each end of a slot ( 30 ) of the element ( 3 ) and the second member ( 2 ) to rotate to its rest position.
1. A wireless energy-harvesting device comprising:
a first member adapted to rotate around a central axis;
a second member, mounted above the first member, and adapted to rotate around the central axis of the first member from a first end of the second member;
an element, being loosely fixed at a portion of a second end of the first member at a pivot point, and having a slot formed through the element and a laterally raised portion, each end of the slot including a first and second recessed area, respectively;
a first spring coupled to a portion of a first end of the first member;
a second spring coupled to a portion of the first end of the second member;
a first stop and a second stop facing the first stop, the first stop arranged to allow for the laterally raised portion of the element to rest against itself;
a third stop and a fourth stop facing the third stop, arranged in a configuration to limit an angular motion of the first member and;
a button, wherein the angular movement of the first end of the first member is induced by a pressure of the button and/or a release of the pressed button;
wherein:
a second end of the second member has a vertically raised pin;
a generator axis of an energy harvester is coupled to the second member such that the rotation axis of the generator is coincident with the central axis;
the vertically raised pin is adapted to engage the slot of the element.
2. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 1 , wherein the angular movement of the first end of the first member upon pressure of the button is in a direction for which the first spring starts elastically to deform.
3. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 1 , wherein the angular movement of the first end of the first member upon release of the button is in a direction for which the second spring starts elastically to deform.
4. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the second member around the central axis of the first member in the same direction as the movement direction of the element is induced by the vertically raised pin of the second member when engaging the first recessed area, upon pressure of the button.
5. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 4 , wherein the laterally raised portion of the element leans against the first stop when the button is nearly fully pressed.
6. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 4 , wherein, upon full pressure of the button, the element is forced to rotate around the portion of the second end of the first member at which the element is fixed on a pivot point, in such a manner that the vertically raised pin can disengage the first recessed area for then engaging the second recessed area.
7. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the second member around the central axis of the first member in the same direction as the movement direction of the element is induced by the vertically raised pin of the second member when engaging the second recessed area, upon release of the button.
8. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the laterally raised portion of the element leans against the second stop when the button is nearly fully released.
9. The wireless energy-harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein, upon full release of the button, the element is forced to rotate around the portion of the second end of the first member at which the element is fixed on a pivot point, in such a manner that the vertically raised pin can disengage the second recessed area for then engaging the first recessed area.