2014年10月9日 星期四

腳底的能量(專利與產品)

這個技術反映出需求帶出科技的順序,當有需求,科技就順應而生。

愛踢足球的小朋友(概念上大概就是巴西了)想要無時無刻都擁有一顆球以及隨時隨地踢球,但到了晚上,一個足球場需要很大的能量來點燈,若沒有必要都會熄燈(這在許多公園籃球場也是這樣),特別在貧困的地方,結果如果你在動,能量因應而生,就是個最棒的解決方案之一。

之前看到新聞Nike展示可以隨著球員腳步點亮的技術,這就是將壓力轉換成電能而發光的技術,其實不難瞭解,只是其中產生了更多變化就是了。這個技術也可能是透過佈滿地板的壓力感測器反應而驅動發光。

(圖案來自:http://geekologie.com/2014/08/nike-creates-basketball-court-w-interact.php


案例:
PAVEGEN這個公司在媒體揭露可以吸收足球員腳底壓力而發電的技術,看穿了也不是多難的事,但是將一片片發電地板拼成一個球場就足以帶來人們(孩子們)的希望,我稱之為幸福創意,比如之前報導的「創意帶給人類幸福(http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2009/05/blog-post_08.html)」。

http://www.pavegen.com/

這裡有範例:
http://www.pavegen.com/projects/shell-football-pitch-rio-de-janeiro

當運動員踩在具有發電機的地板時,產生的壓力可以帶動其中轉子,轉換成電能能點亮在地板附近的發光元件。相關專利比如申請人為PaveGen的美國專利:US8736088

兩個獨立範圍可以看看,Claim 1界定一個可以轉換移動產生的動能為帶動發電機的轉子轉動的能量,之後就是界定這個能量轉換器的結構,有個圓盤,經壓力帶動而轉動。
下圖中,10是個可以推動而轉動的圓盤,其中連結元件12a, 12b, 12c與齒輪結構13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e就是可以帶動發電機的關鍵連接件,組合起來就是下圖的21。



1. A motion convertor for converting kinetic energy from the movement of traffic into rotational energy for operating a rotor of an electricity generator, the motion convertor comprising at least one engagement element and a disk rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, the engagement element being vertically linearly-displaceable relative to the rotatable disk, wherein the engagement element is rotatably mounted such that progressive substantially vertical displacement in a direction towards the rotatable disk causes engagement of the engagement element with the rotatable disk and rotation of the engagement element, thereby causing the rotatable disk to rotate.

Claim 14界定了一個地板單元,包括如claim 1的能量轉換器、電力產生器,以及可按壓的上表面(depressible upper surface)。
下圖的40就是一個地板單元,實施例顯示更為複雜的機構,有個彈性皮43、照明裝置42、推進板210,217a, 217b就是轉子,219是可以輸出能量的線圈。
14. A floor unit comprising an apparatus for harvesting kinetic energy, the floor unit comprising:
a motion convertor for converting kinetic energy from the movement of traffic into rotational energy for operating a rotor of an electricity generator, the motion convertor comprising at least one engagement element and a disk rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, the engagement element being vertically linearly-displaceable relative to the rotatable disk, wherein the engagement element is rotatably mounted such that progressive substantially vertical displacement in a direction towards the rotatable disk causes engagement of the engagement element with the rotatable disk and rotation of the engagement element, thereby causing the rotatable disk to rotate;
the electricity generator including the rotor which is rotatable by the rotatable disk of the motion convertor; and
a depressible upper surface, wherein depression of the depressible upper surface causes linear displacement of the engagement element of the motion convertor in a direction towards the rotatable disk of the motion convertor.

這個技術還有許多應用,如發電機、路燈發電機、計數器,還有互動式娛樂的應用,比如跳舞機:

其實在找相關技術時,也看到不少類似的專利,各有巧妙。

Ron

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