JP2010263750A - Power generation device using electric field responsive polymer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer, which efficiently converts kinetic energy in various motions of animal, plant, and structures into electric energy. <P>SOLUTION: The power generation device 300 uses an electric field responsive polymer which is made of an elastomer film 320 interposed between two soft electrodes 340 to generate an electromotive force by extensible action. The electric field responsive polymer is adhered to an elastic curing sheet 380 with tension thereto, thereby obtaining an electromotive force with small tension, and improving power generation efficiency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electroactive polymer having a dielectric elastomer as a main component, and more particularly, to an electric field responsiveness that efficiently converts kinetic energy from animals or plants or structures into electric energy. The present invention relates to a power generation device using a polymer.

  In the past decade, most researches on electric field responsive polymers made of dielectric elastomers have focused on actuators. When placed in a strong electric field, the dielectric elastomer contracts in the direction of the electric field and expands in a direction perpendicular to the electric field. This is due to the Coulomb force.

  Therefore, a capacitor having elasticity like rubber is formed by sandwiching a dielectric elastomer between two charged flexible electrodes. When a voltage is applied to this, a positive charge is stored in one electrode and a negative charge is stored in the opposite electrode. As a result, an attractive force is generated between the electrodes, and the dielectric elastomer is crushed by this force and expands in the surface direction. The use of this change as an actuator for a robot or the like has attracted attention (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  On the other hand, the present inventors obtained a novel idea that this material has remarkable performance in power generation and conducted earnest research and development, and it is difficult to realize it by existing power generation methods such as generators and solar cells. We have succeeded in developing a power generator that can be used even under conditions such as low frequency bands (eg, 0.3 Hz), non-constant frequency vibrations (vibrations with no fixed period), high loads, and high strokes (eg, patent documents). 3).

US Pat. No. 6,781,284 U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,086 JP 2008-141840 A

  A conventional power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer is configured by fixing the electric field responsive polymer to a support frame and displacing the center of the electric field responsive polymer in a direction perpendicular to the electric field responsive polymer. I was getting an electromotive force. Therefore, it has been difficult to efficiently convert kinetic energy of various movements from animals and plants and structures into electric energy.

  Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention, that is, the object of the present invention is to provide an electric field responsive polymer capable of efficiently converting kinetic energy of various movements from animals and plants and structures into electric energy. It is to provide a power generation device using the above.

  First, the invention according to claim 1 is a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer which is composed of an elastomer film sandwiched between two flexible electrodes and generates an electromotive force by an expansion and contraction operation. However, the said subject is solved by sticking in the state which applied the tension | tensile_strength to the curing sheet | seat which has elasticity.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1, wherein the electric field responsive polymer is sandwiched between two curing sheets, It solves the problem further.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric field responsive polymer is laminated in such a manner that the positive electrode overlaps inside. Thus, the above-described problem is further solved.

  Here, the electric field responsive polymer in the present invention can obtain an electromotive force from a mechanical deformation by an electrostrictive effect using a dielectric elastomer as a main component, or a mechanical driving force by applying a potential difference. This is a generic name for electroactive polymer (EAP). For example, a thin rubbery polymer (dielectric) made of acrylic resin or silicone resin developed at SRI International, based in California, USA EPAM (Electroactive Polymer Artificial Muscular) having a structure in which the electrode is sandwiched between flexible electrodes that can be expanded and contracted is commercially available.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an electric power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer that is composed of an elastomer film sandwiched between two flexible electrodes and generates an electromotive force by a stretching operation, the electric field responsive polymer is By attaching the elastic curing sheet in a tensioned state, it does not require a support frame for supporting the electric field responsive polymer, so it can be installed in various places, The degree of freedom in use is greatly improved.

  The electric field responsive polymer generates an electromotive force only when a certain level of tension is applied. However, according to the invention according to claim 1, the electric field responsive polymer is stuck in a state where tension is applied to the curing sheet. Therefore, an electromotive force can be obtained even with a small tension, and the power generation efficiency is improved.

  Next, according to the invention according to claim 2, in the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1, the electric field responsive polymer is sandwiched between the two curing sheets. In addition, since the electric field responsive polymer can be held off from the outside air, the durability of the power generation device is improved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 3, in the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1 or 2, the electric field responsive polymer is divided into two sheets so that the positive electrode overlaps inside. Since the electric field responsive polymer is connected in parallel by being laminated, the power generation capacity can be doubled. In addition, since all the outer surfaces of the electric field responsive polymer become negative electrodes, an electric shock accident can be prevented.

The perspective view of the electric field responsive polymer of the conventional single layer structure. Sectional drawing in the II-II line of FIG. Sectional drawing of the electric field responsive polymer of the conventional multilayer structure. The front view of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. Sectional drawing of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the single layer structure of this invention. Sectional drawing of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the multilayer structure of this invention. The perspective view of the initial state of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of the drive state of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of the electric power generation device using the roll-shaped electric field responsive polymer of this invention. Sectional drawing in the XX of FIG. The perspective view of Example 1 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 2 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 3 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 4 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 5 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 6 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 7 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 8 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention. The perspective view of Example 9 of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of this invention.

  An electric power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer of the present invention is an electric power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer which is composed of an elastomer film sandwiched between two flexible electrodes and generates an electromotive force by a stretching operation. A high-performance polymer is attached to an elastic curing sheet with tension applied, and it can efficiently convert the kinetic energy of various movements from animals and plants and structures into electrical energy. Any specific embodiment may be used as long as it is anything.

  Note that a specific circuit configuration for obtaining an electromotive force from the electric field responsive polymer is described in detail in the above-described Patent Document 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  First, a power generation device using a conventional electric field responsive polymer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the electric power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the conventional multilayer structure.

  First, a power generation device using a conventional electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional power generation device 100 using the electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure has stretchability mainly composed of carbon black on both surfaces of an elastomer film 120 such as silicon or acrylic. An electrode 140 is joined. Further, a metal external extraction electrode 160 made of copper, aluminum or the like is joined to the electrode 140.

  An electromotive force can be obtained between the two external extraction electrodes 160 by extending and contracting the power generation device 100 having such a configuration in the longitudinal direction.

  Next, a power generation device using a conventional electric field responsive polymer having a multilayer structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional power generation device 200 using an electric field responsive polymer having a multilayer structure has stretchable electrodes 240 mainly composed of carbon black on both surfaces of an elastomer film 220 such as silicon or acrylic. It is joined. The electrodes 240 of the two elastomer films 220 are overlapped to join the two elastomer films 220.

  An electromotive force can be obtained between the outer external extraction electrode 262 and the central external extraction electrode 264 by extending and contracting the power generation device 200 having such a configuration in the longitudinal direction.

  Next, an embodiment of a power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a front view of a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer having a multilayer structure of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view when the power generation device of the present invention is in an initial state, and FIG. It is a perspective view when the electric power generation device of is in a drive state.

  First, a power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the power generation device 300 using the electric field responsive polymer having a single layer structure according to the present invention has stretchability mainly composed of carbon black on both surfaces of an elastomer film 320 such as silicon or acrylic. A certain electrode 340 is joined. Further, the electrode 340 is attached to a curing sheet 380 made of an elastomer such as silicon or acrylic in a state where tension is applied. The curing sheet 380 is provided so as to sandwich the electric field responsive polymer from both sides. A metal external extraction electrode 360 made of copper, aluminum, or the like is bonded to both ends of the electrode 340. Further, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the curing sheet 380 are fixed by electrode fixing portions 390 made of plastic or the like.

  An electromotive force can be obtained between the two external extraction electrodes 360 by extending and contracting the power generation device 300 having such a configuration in the longitudinal direction.

  Next, a power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer having a multilayer structure of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the power generation device 400 using the multilayered electric field responsive polymer of the present invention has stretchable electrodes 440 mainly composed of carbon black on both surfaces of an elastomer film 420 such as silicon or acrylic. Is glued. The electrodes 440 of the two elastomer films 420 are overlapped to join the two elastomer films 420. Further, the electrode 440 is attached to a curing sheet 480 made of an elastomer such as silicon or acrylic in a state where tension is applied. The curing sheet 480 is provided so as to sandwich the electric field responsive polymer from both sides. Metal external lead electrodes 462 and 464 made of copper, aluminum, or the like are joined to both ends of the electrode 440. Further, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the curing sheet 480 are fixed by electrode fixing portions 490 made of plastic or the like.

  An electromotive force can be obtained between the outer external extraction electrode 462 and the central external extraction electrode 464 by extending and contracting the power generation device 400 having such a configuration in the longitudinal direction.

  Next, a method for starting a power generation device using the above-described electric field responsive polymer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In order to start the power generation device 500 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a bias voltage is applied between two external extraction electrodes 560 and an electromotive force is boosted and supplied to a load. Circuit C is connected.

  And as shown in FIG. 8, an electromotive force is obtained by grasping the electrode fixing | fixed part 590 and extending and contracting an electric field responsive polymer.

  The power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the embodiment described above has a configuration in which an electric field responsive polymer is attached to a curing sheet mainly composed of a flexible elastomer, and bending motion of animals, plants, structures, etc. It is a power generation device that generates electricity by stretching the electric field responsive polymer using the above. In the case of power generation using an electric field responsive polymer, the electrode part is charged with a high voltage due to its characteristics, so it is necessary to cover the electric field responsive polymer with an insulator when attaching to animals and plants. In the power generation operation of the electric field responsive polymer, it is necessary to use a material and a structure that do not hinder the extension operation of the electric field responsive polymer.

  Conventionally, it has been necessary to fix the electric field responsive polymer with a mold material such as plastic, and at that time, it is necessary to fix the electric field responsive polymer in a stretched state to some extent. On the other hand, in the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to the present invention, a lightweight and flexible structure can be configured by using a curing sheet for fixing the electric field responsive polymer as a mold material. By covering the electrode part with an elastomer such as acrylic or silicon, the structure does not hinder movement even when attached to animals and plants, and the structure can efficiently convert kinetic energy into electrical energy.

  In the structure described above, an elastomer such as acrylic or silicon is used for the part that becomes the base material of the electric field responsive polymer, and the electric field responsiveness is improved by applying electrodes mainly composed of carbon black on both sides of the base part. Construct a molecule. In this case, in order to take out the electrode to the outside, a conductive material such as copper, silver, or gold is disposed on the electrode disposed on both sides of the elastomer to form an external extraction electrode. After the electrode configuration of the electric field responsive polymer, a curing sheet is provided on the electrode part. By using the same material as the base material used when configuring the electric field responsive polymer, the material used as the curing sheet can operate smoothly without hindering the stretching operation of the electric field responsive polymer. is there. It is also effective to use a silicon-based elastomer depending on the operating temperature range.

  Next, another embodiment of the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 9 and FIG.

  Here, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a power generation device using the roll-shaped electric field responsive polymer of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

  A power generation device using the roll-shaped electric field responsive polymer of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the power generation device 600 using the roll-shaped electric field responsive polymer of the present invention has an extensibility mainly composed of carbon black on both surfaces of an elastomer film 620 such as silicon or acrylic. An electrode 640 is bonded. Further, the electrode 640 is attached to a curing sheet 680 which is an elastomer such as silicon or acrylic in a state where tension is applied. The curing sheet 680 is provided so as to sandwich the electric field responsive polymer from both sides. A metal external extraction electrode 660 made of copper, aluminum, or the like is bonded to both ends of the electrode 640. Furthermore, a roll-shaped power generation device is configured by forming the electric field responsive polymer thus configured into a roll shape.

  By making the power generation device into a roll shape, there is no obstruction in the direction of deformation during power generation, so that power generation can be effectively performed by attaching it to a plant, such as a tree. The source of tree motion necessary for power generation is the wind. The direction of the tree varies depending on the growth of branches and trunks, but even when there is a breeze, trees can be used to generate power, especially for operations that do not have the direction of fluctuation. The reason for this is that most of the conventional wind power generation uses wind turbines to convert wind to rotary motion, such as converting rotational motion to electrical energy. There must be. However, in the case of a power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the present invention, it is possible to directly convert kinetic energy due to fluctuations of trees and the like into electrical energy, so that many can be arranged, Since the main material is an elastomer, for example, by arranging an electric field responsive polymer on a tree such as a fruit, branch breakage and the like are reduced. Rather than disrupting the natural environment as in conventional wind power generation, the power generation device can be installed while maintaining the natural state as it is, so the installation of the power generation device is environmentally friendly and without damaging the landscape. Is possible.

  Hereinafter, power generation examples using a power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 19, the member indicated by E is a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of power generation using stretching motion from the feet, collars, and torso of a pet such as a dog. The generated energy can be used as a light source for night walks such as LEDs, or as a GPS transmitter used for searching when a pet is missing or as a power source for its communication equipment.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of power generation using the bending motion of a human foot joint. The generated energy can be used as an auxiliary light source for night walks such as LEDs and an auxiliary power source for portable devices.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of power generation using the bending motion of a human arm joint. The generated energy can be used as an auxiliary light source for night walks such as LEDs and an auxiliary power source for portable devices.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of power generation using dynamic kinetic energy of birds and the like. The generated energy can be used as a power source for communication devices that transmits physical condition management information, feeding information, and the like, and a power source for communication devices that performs habitat management.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of power generation in which a power generation device using a sheet-shaped or roll-shaped electric field-responsive polymer is installed on a tree branch or trunk. In the past, it was necessary to carry out large-scale civil engineering work such as cutting down the forest and constructing a power plant by generating power using the fluctuations and shaking of the branches and trunks of trees and forests. By arranging this power generation device on a large scale, it is possible to obtain a completely clean power plant without cutting trees or the like. Moreover, it is possible to prevent trees such as fruits from being broken by strong winds such as typhoons, and the generated electric energy can be used for power supply assistance when spraying agricultural chemicals or watering.

  FIG. 16 is an example of power generation in which the power generation device of the present invention is arranged in a structure such as a building. Power is generated using fluctuations and vibrations of high-rise buildings such as buildings. The generated electric energy can be used as a backup auxiliary power source for buildings and the like and a part of auxiliary power.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of power generation in which the power generation device of the present invention is arranged on a pier. Power generation is performed using fluctuation and vibration of the pier. The generated electrical energy can be used as a power source for bridge pier lights and display boards.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of power generation using expansion and contraction of an aircraft, a railway, or the like. The power generation device of the present invention is arranged in an aircraft or railroad body, and power is generated by utilizing expansion and contraction of the body due to changes in atmospheric pressure. The generated electric energy can be used as a backup auxiliary power source for aircraft and railways or as a partial auxiliary for electric power used.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of power generation using vibration of an automobile. The power generation device of the present invention is arranged in a suspension mechanism of an automobile, and power is generated using vibrations of the automobile. The generated electrical energy can be used as a part of the power used in the automobile.

  As described above, the power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer of the present invention has a simple configuration, requires almost no maintenance, and can be used in various conditions and various fields for generating power with a slow stroke. In addition to power generation using natural energy such as wave power, hydraulic power, wind power, etc., for example, power remote control integrated power source for wireless remote control for electric / electronic equipment control, kinetic energy accompanying operation of electric / electronic equipment Power generation device using a power supply using a shape change of a strap connected to a portable electronic device, a power generation device using a swing of a tree trunk or a branch, a power generation device using a gas pressure such as exhaust gas, a water pressure such as drainage The power generator used, a device that generates power by vibration or impact generated when the vehicle travels, a device that generates power by human power as an emergency power source, Device for generating the pressure changes occurring in a narrow space, such as in tunnels, such device that generates electricity by movement of people and animals by placing the garment, the availability of its industry is extremely high.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, E ... Power generation device 120, 220, 320, 420, 620 ... Elastomer membrane 140, 240, 340, 440 ... Electrode 160, 262, 264, 360 , 462, 464, 560, 660... External extraction electrodes 380, 480, 680... Curing sheets 390, 490, 590.

Claims (3)

In a power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer composed of an elastomer film sandwiched between two flexible electrodes and generating an electromotive force by an expansion and contraction operation,
A power generation device using an electric field responsive polymer, wherein the electric field responsive polymer is attached in a state where tension is applied to a curing sheet having elasticity.   The power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1, wherein the electric field responsive polymer is sandwiched between two curing sheets.   3. The power generation device using the electric field responsive polymer according to claim 1, wherein two of the electric field responsive polymers are laminated so that the positive electrodes overlap inside.

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