Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This disclosure generally relates to power generators, and more particular to piezoelectric based power generators.
BACKGROUND
[002] Most electrically powered portable devices and vehicles require a source of power such as a battery. In general, replaceable batteries are commonly used as energy source in electronic devices. Further, the batteries are required to be charged using power supply sources as they have restricted operational duration. Power used for charging the batteries may be generated using polluting sources such as fossil fuels. Utilization of renewable and sustainable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power require enormous infrastructure right from production, storage and supply, making it very cumbersome. Therefore, the rigid characteristics of replaceable batteries limit the overall flexibility of the electrically powered devices and vehicles. Further, limited life of batteries and potential environmental pollution problems also do not conform to the principles of sustainable development.
[003] As a result, there is a requirement of environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources to power such electrically powered devices and vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] In an embodiment, a piezoelectric-based electricity generator for a vehicle is disclosed. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may include a cantilever film that may further include a first end and a second end. In an embodiment, the first end of the cantilever film may be fixedly attached to a rear wall of a cabin of the vehicle. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a first mount that may be mechanically coupled to a first side of a chassis of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first side may face towards the cabin. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a magnet fixedly attached to the first mount. In an embodiment, the second end of the cantilever film may be magnetically couplable to the magnet. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a piezoelectric material mechanically coupled though bonding on the first end of the cantilever film. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric material may be configured to generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film. In an embodiment, the cantilever film may be configured to vibrate in the vibrating state based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end of the cantilever film and the magnet during a movement of the vehicle.
[005] In another embodiment, a vehicle including a piezoelectric-based electricity generator is disclosed. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a cantilever film that may include a first end and a second end. In an embodiment, the first end of the cantilever film may be fixedly attached to a rear wall of a cabin of the vehicle. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a first mount that may be mechanically coupled to a first side of a chassis of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first side faces towards the cabin. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a magnet that may be fixedly attached to the first mount. In an embodiment, the second end of the cantilever film may be magnetically couplable to the magnet. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator may further include a piezoelectric material that may be mechanically coupled on the first end of the cantilever film. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric material may be configured to generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film. In an embodiment, the cantilever film may be configured to vibrate in the vibrating state based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end of the cantilever film and the magnet during a movement of the vehicle.
[006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a piezoelectric-based electricity generator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[009] FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator being coupled to a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[010] FIG. 3 illustrates a zoomed-in perspective view of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator being coupled to the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator being coupled to the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 5 illustrates a zoomed-in side view of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator being coupled to the vehicle as shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] The foregoing description has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its device or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
[014] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises… a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[015] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1-5.
[016] The objective of the present disclosure is to make vehicles self-powered by harvesting the energy from some vehicular movement. In general, electrically powered vehicles are partially or fully operated based on power supplied from batteries. In case of hybrid vehicle or IC-engine vehicles, partial or complete traction power is generated by using fossil fuel. Further, the batteries are required to be recharged using electricity that may have been generated using fossil fuels. In addition, the batteries being replaceable batteries are also not very environment friendly. Therefore, an electric vehicle may also be not fully environment friendly option until we make them self-powered.
[017] To this end, a piezoelectric-based electricity generator is disclosed for a vehicle. Referring now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view 100 of a piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 for a vehicle (not shown) is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 may include a cantilever film 104 having a first end 104A and a second end 104B. In an embodiment, the cantilever film 104 may be made of a magnetic material. In an embodiment, the magnetic material may include, but not limited to, iron, nickel, erbium, germanium, terbium, cobalt, neodymium, samarium, etc.
[018] As shown in FIG. 1, the piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 may further include a first mount 108, a magnet 110 and a piezoelectric material 112. The first end 104A of the cantilever film 104 may be fixedly attached to a movable portion of vehicle body (not shown) such as a rear wall of a cabin of the vehicle (described in greater detail below). In an embodiment, the first end 104A of the cantilever film 104 may be fixedly mounted on the movable portion of the vehicle body through a second mount 106. The first mount 108 may be mechanically coupled to a side of a chassis facing the movable portion of vehicle body of the vehicle (described in detail below). Further, the magnet 110 may be fixedly attached to the second mount 106. In an embodiment, the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 may be magnetically couplable to the magnet 110. In an embodiment, the magnet 110 may be a permanent magnet.
[019] The cantilever film 104 may further include a first flat surface 104C and a second flat surface 104D. The cantilever film 104 may be fixedly attached to the second mount 104 by fixedly attaching the first flat surface 104C towards the first end 104A of the cantilever film 106 to the second mount 104. In an embodiment, the first flat surface 104C may be fixedly attached to the second mount 104 using mechanical coupling such as, but not limited to, welding, soldering, brazing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding process, etc. The second flat surface 104D towards the first end 104A of the cantilever film 104, may be fixedly attached to the piezoelectric material 112 by using fixing mechanism such as, but not limited to, welding, soldering, brazing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding process, etc. In an embodiment, the cantilever film 104 may be of predefined thickness to allow the cantilever film 104 to vibrate when decoupled from the magnet 110. The piezoelectric material 112 may include, but is not limited to quartz crystal, lead zirconate titanate, barium titanate, Rochelle salt, lithium niobate, etc.
[020] The piezoelectric material 112 mechanically coupled to the first end 104A of the cantilever film 104 may generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film 104. In an embodiment, the cantilever film 104 may vibrate in the vibrating state based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 and the magnet 110 during a movement of the vehicle. In an embodiment, when the first flat surface 104C towards the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104, is magnetically coupled to the magnet 110, it may be in a non-deformed shape. However, when the first flat surface 104C towards the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 decouples from the magnet 110 during a vehicular movement, the cantilever film 104 deforms in shape. Accordingly, the piezoelectric material 112 attached to the second flat surface 104D towards the first end 104A also deforms in shape. In an embodiment, vehicular movement may include, but is not limited to, a relative movement of the movable portion of the vehicle body in relation to the chassis of the vehicle (as described in detail below).
[021] Each instance of the cantilever film 104 getting magnetically decoupled from the magnet 110 after being magnetically coupled may account for a cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling. It is to be noted that, the decoupling of the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 from the magnet 110 may cause the cantilever film 104 to vibrate and deform in shape causing the piezoelectric material 112, coupled on the first end 104A of the cantilever film 104, to deform and generate electrical charge. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric material 112 may be electrically coupled to a rechargeable battery that may be charged by the electrical energy harvested from the piezoelectric material 112. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material 112 may be electrically coupled to a sensor or a device in the vehicle that may be powered based on the electrical power harvested from the piezoelectric material 112. It is to be noted that, the first mount 108 and the second mount 106 may be made of an insulating material to avoid loss of electrical power generated by the piezoelectric material 112.
[022] FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view 200 of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 being coupled to a vehicle 202, in accordance with some embodiments. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 may be mounted to a vehicle 202 by mounting the first mount 108 to the chassis 206 of the vehicle 202 and mounting the second mount 106 to a rear wall 206 of a cabin 204 of the vehicle 202. It is to be noted that, in one embodiment, the cabin 204 may be attributed as the movable portion of vehicle body that may move in relation to the chassis 206 during the movement of the vehicle 202. In alternate embodiment, the movable portion of vehicle body, may include, but not limited to, trolley, van, etc. that may move in relation to the chassis 202 during the movement of the vehicle 202. In some embodiment, the relative movement between the movable portion of vehicle body and the chassis 206 may be caused during movements, such as loading, unloading, transportation, etc.
[023] In an exemplary scenario, during the movement of the vehicle 202 the cabin 204 of the vehicle 202 may move in a downward direction toward the chassis 206 of the vehicle 202, thereby decreasing a distance between the cabin 204 of the vehicle 202 and the chassis 206 making the cantilever film 104 to decouple from the magnet 110. Alternately, the distance between the chassis 206 and the cabin 204 may increase due to upward movement of the cabin 204 with respect to chassis 206 during the movement of the vehicle 202, thereby making the cantilever film 104 to decouple from the magnet 110. The cantilever film 104 may couple to the magnet 110 again in case of no relative movement between the cabin 204 and the chassis 206. Each cycle of the magnetic coupling and the magnetic decoupling may generate a mechanical stress on the cantilever film 104 thereby making the cantilever film 104 to vibrate and making the piezoelectric material 112 to vibrate. The kinetic energy or mechanical energy in the piezoelectric material 112 may be converted into the electrical energy due to crystal deformation. Accordingly, the cantilever film 104 may vibrate and making the piezoelectric material 112 may get deformed during the decoupling of the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 from the magnet 110 thereby produce electricity.
[024] Referring now to FIG. 3, a zoomed-in perspective view 300 of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 being coupled to the vehicle 202 of FIG. 2 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[025] As shown in FIG. 3, the first mount 108 may be mechanically coupled to a first side 302 of a chassis 206 of the vehicle 202. The first side 302 of the chassis 206 may face towards the movable portion of vehicle body such as cabin 204. The piezoelectric material 112 may generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film 106 when the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 decouples from the magnet 110 due to a relative movement of the cabin 204 with respect to the chassis 206 of the vehicle 202. Accordingly, the cantilever film 104 may deform in shape making the piezoelectric material 112 to deform in turn and generate electrical power. Accordingly, based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end 104B of the cantilever film 106 and the magnet 110 during a movement of the vehicle 202, the piezoelectric material 112 may generate electrical power.
[026] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view 400 of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 being coupled to the vehicle 202 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[027] FIG. 5 illustrates a zoomed-in side view 500 of the piezoelectric-based electricity generator 102 being coupled to the vehicle 202 as shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, the first mount 108 and the second mount 106 may be mounted on the chassis 206 and the cabin 204 respectively, such that the cantilever film 104 is parallel to the real wall 208 of the cabin 204 when in non-vibrating state. Accordingly, the first mount 108 and the second mount 106 may be mounted perpendicular to a length of the chassis 202 and in line with each other such that the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 is parallel and not deformed in shape in a non-vibrating state. Accordingly, in a non-vibrating state, the second end 104B of the cantilever film 104 may be magnetically coupled to the magnet 110 and not deformed in shape. Further, the first mount 108 and the second mount 106 may be mounted on the chassis 206 and the cabin 204 respectively such that they are separated by a distance of about equal to a length of the cantilever film 104.
[028] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[029] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[030] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
[031] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:CLAIMS
I/We claim:
1. A piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) for a vehicle (202), comprising:
a cantilever film (104) comprising a first end (104A) and a second end (104B),
wherein the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104) is fixedly attached to a rear wall (208) of a cabin (204) of the vehicle (202);
a first mount (108) mechanically coupled to a first side (302) of a chassis (206) of the vehicle (202),
wherein the first side (302) faces towards the cabin (204);
a magnet (110) fixedly attached to the first mount (108),
wherein the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) is magnetically couplable to the magnet(110) ; and
a piezoelectric material (108) mechanically coupled on the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104),
wherein the piezoelectric material (112) is configured to generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film (104), and
wherein the cantilever film (104) is configured to vibrate in the vibrating state based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) and the magnet (110) during a movement of the vehicle (202).

2. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the vehicle (202) comprises a relative movement of the cabin (204) with respect to the chassis (206).

3. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cantilever film (104) is made of a magnetic material.

4. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104) is fixedly mounted on the rear wall (208) of the cabin (204) through an insulating second mount (106).

5. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first mount (108) is perpendicular to a length of the chassis (206) and in line with the insulating second mount (106) in order to support the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) in a non-vibrating state via the magnetic coupling.

6. The piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first mount (108) and the second mount (106) are placed at a distance about equal to a length of the cantilever film (104).

7. A vehicle (202), comprising:
a piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102), wherein the piezoelectric-based electricity generator (102) comprises:
a cantilever film (104) comprising a first end (104A) and a second end (104B),
wherein the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104) is fixedly attached to a rear wall (208)) of a cabin (204) of the vehicle (202);
a first mount (108) mechanically coupled to a first side (302) of a chassis (206) of the vehicle (202),
wherein the first side (302) faces towards the cabin (204);
a magnet (110) fixedly attached to the first mount (108),
wherein the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) is magnetically couplable to the magnet (110); and
a piezoelectric material (112) mechanically coupled on the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104),
wherein the piezoelectric material (112) is configured to generate electrical power in a vibrating state of the cantilever film (104), and
wherein the cantilever film (104) is configured to vibrate in the vibrating state based on at least one cycle of a magnetic decoupling and a magnetic coupling between the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) and the magnet (110) during a movement of the vehicle (202).

8. The vehicle (202) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a battery electrically coupled to the piezoelectric material (112) to store the electrical power generated by the piezoelectric material (112).

9. The vehicle (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement of the vehicle (202) comprises a relative movement of the cabin (204) with respect to the chassis (206).

10. The vehicle (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cantilever film (104) is made of a magnetic material.

11. The vehicle (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first end (104A) of the cantilever film (104) is fixedly mounted on the rear wall (208) of the cabin (204) through an insulating second mount (106).

12. The vehicle (202) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first mount (108) is perpendicular to a length of the chassis (206) and in line with the insulating second mount (106) in order to support the second end (104B) of the cantilever film (104) in a non-vibrating state via the magnetic coupling.

13. The vehicle (402) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first mount (108) and the second mount (106) are placed at a distance about equal to a length of the cantilever film (104).