阅读说明：本技术 铰链装置和电力系统 (Hinge device and power system ) 是由 安倍秀明 于 2018-05-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供具备发电装置(3)、具有共同的基准轴的第一铰链部件(1)以及第二铰链部件(2)的铰链装置(10)。第一铰链部件(1)与第二铰链部件(2)以能够绕基准轴相对地旋转的方式且以第一铰链部件(1)和第二铰链部件(2)中的一方支承另一方的方式互相嵌合。发电装置(3)具备壳体和输入轴(31),发电装置(3)响应于输入轴(31)的旋转来产生电力。发电装置(3)的壳体以使发电装置(3)的输入轴(31)位于基准轴上的方式固定于第一铰链部件(1)。将发电装置(3)的输入轴(31)在绕基准轴的旋转方向上相对于第二铰链部件(2)而言进行约束,使得在第二铰链部件(2)绕基准轴进行了旋转时发电装置(3)的输入轴(31)进行与第二铰链部件(2)相同程度的旋转。(Provided is a hinge device (10) provided with a power generation device (3), a first hinge member (1) and a second hinge member (2) having a common reference axis. The first hinge member (1) and the second hinge member (2) are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a reference axis and so that one of the first hinge member (1) and the second hinge member (2) supports the other. The power generation device (3) is provided with a housing and an input shaft (31), and the power generation device (3) generates electric power in response to rotation of the input shaft (31). A housing of the power generator (3) is fixed to the first hinge member (1) such that an input shaft (31) of the power generator (3) is positioned on the reference shaft. The input shaft (31) of the power generation device (3) is constrained relative to the second hinge member (2) in the direction of rotation about the reference axis such that the input shaft (31) of the power generation device (3) rotates about the reference axis to the same extent as the second hinge member (2).)

1. A hinge device comprising a power generation device, a first hinge member and a second hinge member having a common reference axis,

the first hinge member and the second hinge member are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about the reference axis and so that one of the first hinge member and the second hinge member supports the other,

the power generation device is provided with a housing and an input shaft, the power generation device generates electric power in response to rotation of the input shaft,

the housing of the power generation device is fixed to the first hinge member such that the input shaft of the power generation device is positioned on the reference shaft,

the input shaft of the power generation device is constrained relative to the second hinge member in a rotational direction about the reference shaft such that the input shaft of the power generation device rotates to the same extent as the second hinge member when the second hinge member rotates about the reference shaft.

2. The hinge device of claim 1,

the first hinge member includes a through hole formed so that an input shaft of the power generator protrudes from the first hinge member toward the second hinge member at a position where the first hinge member and the second hinge member are fitted to each other,

the second hinge member is formed to have a recess for receiving an input shaft of the power generation device protruding through the through hole at a position where the first hinge member and the second hinge member are fitted to each other.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2,

the input shaft of the power generation device is provided with a notch on the side surface of the input shaft,

the input shaft of the power generator is restrained with respect to the second hinge member in a rotational direction about the reference shaft by a screw extending so as to penetrate the second hinge member from an outside of the second hinge member to the recess and come into contact with the notch in the recess.

4. The hinge device according to claim 2,

the input shaft of the power generation device and the recess of the second hinge member are formed in shapes complementary to each other when viewed from a point on the reference shaft.

5. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the first hinge member and the second hinge member are fitted to each other so as to be detachable from each other.

6. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the first hinge member includes a first portion and a second portion,

the second hinge member has a first end portion where it is fitted to a first portion of the first hinge member and a second end portion where it is fitted to a second portion of the first hinge member along the reference shaft,

the first and second portions of the first hinge member are coupled to each other.

7. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the power generation device is provided with:

a gear mechanism that transmits rotation of an input shaft of the power generation device at a predetermined step-up ratio; and

a generator that generates electrical power in response to rotation transmitted by the gear mechanism.

8. A power system is provided with:

the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;

a rectifier circuit that rectifies electric power generated by the power generation device of the hinge device;

a power storage circuit that stores energy of the electric power rectified by the rectifier circuit;

a control circuit that controls discharge of the electric storage circuit; and

a load device that consumes electric power of the electric storage circuit under the control of the control circuit.

9. The power system of claim 8,

at least 1 of the rectifier circuit, the power storage circuit, and the control circuit and the power generation device are disposed on a first hinge member of the hinge device.

10. The power system of claim 8,

at least 1 of the rectifier circuit, the power storage circuit, and the control circuit is disposed on a second hinge member of the hinge device.

11. The power system of claim 8,

one of the first hinge member and the second hinge member of the hinge device is fixed to a fixed object, and the other is fixed to an animal,

the weight of the animal is supported by the first hinge member, the second hinge member, and the fixture,

the power generation device generates power in response to rotation of the input shaft as the animatable object rotates relative to the fixture about the reference axis of the hinge device.

12. The power system of claim 11,

at least 1 of the rectifier circuit, the accumulator circuit, and the control circuit is disposed in the fixed object.

13. The power system of claim 11,

at least 1 of the rectifier circuit, the accumulator circuit, and the control circuit is disposed in the animal.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinge device provided with a power generation device and a power system including the hinge device.

Background

In recent years, the use of natural energy and various types of energy existing nearby has been actively promoted against the background of the depletion of fossil fuels and the prevention of global warming. As natural energy utilization, for example, power generation using a solar cell and a wind turbine generator is known. As the utilization of energy existing nearby, for example, there are known manual power generation using energy obtained from the user's living activities, vibration power generation using piezoelectric energy, power generation using electromagnetic waves such as broadcast waves, and the like. Harvesting and utilizing the Energy present at the side is of interest as "Energy harvesting".

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

As an example of manual power generation using energy obtained from the user's living activities, patent document 1 discloses embedding a power generation device in a sliding door or a revolving door. Patent document 1 mentions that the power generator is embedded in the hinge of the revolving door, but does not disclose a specific method for realizing the hinge in which the power generator is embedded. Therefore, it is desired to efficiently extract energy from the user's daily activities by fitting the power generator to the hinge to generate power.

The present disclosure provides a hinge device including a power generation device, that is, a hinge device capable of efficiently extracting energy from a user's life movement to generate power. The present disclosure also provides a power system including such a hinge device.

Means for solving the problems

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hinge device including a power generation device, and a first hinge member and a second hinge member having a common reference shaft, the first hinge member and the second hinge member being fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about the reference shaft and so that one of the first hinge member and the second hinge member supports the other, the power generation device including an input shaft for generating electric power in response to rotation of the input shaft, a housing of the power generation device being fixed to the first hinge member so that the input shaft of the power generation device is positioned on the reference shaft, the input shaft of the power generation device being constrained relative to the second hinge member in a rotational direction about the reference shaft such that the input shaft of the power generation device and the second hinge member are engaged with each other when the second hinge member is rotated about the reference shaft With the same degree of rotation.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge device including a power generation device, that is, a hinge device capable of efficiently extracting energy from a user's living activities and generating power, can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 including the gear mechanism G1 and the generator M1 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a first step of assembling the hinge device 10 of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a second step of assembling the hinge device 10 of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a third step of assembling the hinge device 10 of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a fourth step of assembling the hinge device 10 of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a first step of mounting the hinge device 10 of fig. 1 to a door including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a second step of mounting the hinge device 10 of fig. 1 to a door including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a third step of mounting the hinge device 10 of fig. 1 to a door including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22.

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the power system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the power system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a first step of assembling the hinge device 10A of the power system according to the first modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a second step of assembling the hinge device 10A of the power system according to the first modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a third step of assembling the hinge device 10A of the power system according to the first modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a fourth step of assembling the hinge device 10A of the power system according to the first modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a second modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a third modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a sixth modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a first step of assembling the hinge device 10B of the power system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a second step of assembling the hinge device 10B of the power system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a third step of assembling the hinge device 10B of the power system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a first step of mounting the hinge device 10B of fig. 18 to a door including a fixed object 21B and a movable object 22B.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a second step of mounting the hinge device 10B of fig. 18 to a door including a fixed object 21B and a movable object 22B.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a third step of mounting the hinge device 10B of fig. 18 to a door including a fixed object 21B and a movable object 22B.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to the first modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to a second modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to a third modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating operations of the 4 capacitors C1 to C4 in the power system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the 1 capacitor C1 in the power system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 32 is a graph showing the effective energy-versus-capacity characteristic of the power system according to the first example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 33 is a graph showing the effective energy-versus-capacity characteristic of the power system according to the second example of the third embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components.

A first embodiment.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a first embodiment. The power system of fig. 1 is embedded in, for example, a door or the like including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22.

The power system of fig. 1 includes a hinge device 10, a rectifier circuit 11, a power storage circuit 12, a control circuit 13, and a load device 14. The hinge device 10 includes a hinge member 1, a hinge member 2, and a power generator 3. The hinge part 1 is fixed to the fixture 21 by means of a plurality of screws 23. The hinge part 2 is fixed to the animal 22 by means of a plurality of screws 23. The power generation device 3 includes a gear mechanism G1 and a generator M1.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 including the gear mechanism G1 and the generator M1 of fig. 1. The gear mechanism G1 includes a housing 30a, an input shaft 31, and a plurality of gears inside. The generator M1 includes a housing 30b, an internal rotor and stator (not shown), and a gear 33 coupled to the rotor. Hereinafter, the cases 30a and 30b are collectively referred to as "case 30". The gear mechanism G1 transmits the rotation of the input shaft 31 to the gear 33 of the generator M1 at a prescribed step-up ratio. The generator M1 generates electric power in response to the rotation transmitted by the gear mechanism G1. Thus, the power generation device 3 generates electric power (voltage and current) in response to the rotation of the input shaft 31. The gear mechanism G1 may include a multi-stage planetary gear mechanism, for example. Thereby, the gear mechanism having a large speed-increasing ratio can be arranged and compactly embedded in the input shaft 31 of the generator M1. The gear mechanism G1 may have a cylindrical housing 30a, for example. The cylindrical housing 30 is adapted to fit the gear mechanism G1 into the hinge device. As described with reference to fig. 3 to 6, the input shaft 31 has a notch 32 on a side surface thereof to restrain the input shaft 31 with respect to the hinge member 2. The generator M1 may be a dc generator or an ac generator.

The action of the generator and the action of the motor are mutually reversible. Therefore, instead of the gear mechanism G1 and the generator M1 having a predetermined speed-increasing ratio, an electric motor and a gear mechanism having a predetermined speed-reducing ratio may be used. In this case, the gear mechanism transmits the rotation of the output shaft to the electric motor at a speed-increasing ratio that is the reciprocal of the speed-reducing ratio. The motor then generates electrical power in response to the rotation transmitted by the gear mechanism.

Fig. 3 to 6 are perspective views showing first to fourth steps of assembling the hinge device 10 of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the hinge member 1 has a cylindrical portion and a plate-like portion coupled to each other. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1 has a convex portion 1a for fitting to the hinge member 2 and a concave portion 1b (hollow portion) for housing the power generating device 3. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1 further includes a through hole 1c formed so that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the hinge member 1 toward the hinge member 2 at a position where the hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are fitted to each other. The plate-shaped portion of the hinge member 1 has a plurality of screw holes 1d for fixing the hinge member 1 to the fixture 21 by a plurality of screws 23. The hinge member 2 also has a cylindrical portion and a plate-like portion coupled to each other. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 2 has a recess 2a (hollow portion) into which the projection 1a of the hinge member 1 is fitted (inserted), and a screw hole 2b that penetrates the hinge member 2 from the outside of the hinge member 2 to the recess 2 a. The plate-shaped portion of the hinge member 2 has a plurality of screw holes 2c for fixing the hinge member 2 to the animal 22 by a plurality of screws 23.

As shown in fig. 4, the hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a common reference axis (indicated by a-a' line in fig. 3) and so that one of the hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 supports the other. Since the convex portion 1a of the hinge member 1 has a cylindrical outer periphery and the concave portion 2a of the hinge member 2 has a cylindrical inner periphery, the hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are rotatably fitted to each other. In the example of fig. 4, the hinge member 2 is disposed above the hinge member 1, and the hinge member 1 supports the hinge member 2. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1 has 2 portions, and the 2 portions have different outer diameters. Thereby, the weight of the hinge member 2 is applied to the hinge member 1 at a position where the lower end of the cylindrical portion of the hinge member 2 is in contact with the cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1. As shown in fig. 4, the power generator 3 is inserted into the recess 1b of the hinge member 1. The housing 30 of the power generator 3 is fixed to the hinge member 1 with an adhesive, a screw (not shown), or the like so that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is positioned on the reference shaft.

The hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 may have a shape other than a cylinder, for example, a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, another polygonal prism, or another polyhedral outline shape, at a position other than a position where they are rotatably fitted to each other (i.e., the convex portion 1a of the hinge member 1 and the concave portion 2a of the hinge member 2).

The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protruding through the through hole 1c is accommodated in the recess 2a of the hinge member 2. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is constrained relative to the hinge member 2 in the rotational direction about the reference axis such that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 rotates about the reference axis to the same extent as the hinge member 2 when the hinge member 2 rotates about the reference axis. As described with reference to fig. 2, the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 has a notch 32 on a side surface of the input shaft 31. Therefore, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, a screw 41 extending so as to penetrate the hinge member 2 from the outside of the hinge member 2 to the recess 2a and contact the notch 32 in the recess 2a is inserted through the screw hole 2b of the hinge member 2. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is constrained with respect to the hinge member 2 in the rotational direction about the reference axis by the screw 41.

The hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are fitted to each other, the housing 30 of the power generator 3 is fixed to the hinge member 1, and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2 by the screw 41, whereby the hinge device 10 is completed.

The hinge device 10 has the structure shown in fig. 3 to 6, and the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10. In the hinge device 10, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the through hole 1c, and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2 by the screw 41. Therefore, the rotation of the hinge member 2 can be transmitted to the power generation device 3 housed in the recess 1b of the hinge member 1. This realizes a structure in which the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10. Since the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10, the hinge device 10 having an excellent external shape can be provided.

Since the hinge member 1 supports the hinge member 2, the weight of the hinge member 2 and the movable object 22 is not applied to the power generation device 3. The screw 41 may restrict the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 with respect to the hinge member 2 not in the longitudinal direction of the reference shaft but at least in the rotational direction around the reference shaft. Therefore, when the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the through hole 1c and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2 by the screw 41, the weight of the hinge member 2 and the movable object 22 is not applied to the power generator 3. Since the weight of the hinge member 2 and the movable object 22 is not applied to the power generator 3, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to the power generator 3, and the power generator 3 can be operated with high reliability.

The hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are detachably fitted to each other by having the configurations shown in fig. 3 to 6. For example, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the through hole 1c, and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2 by the screw 41, whereby the hinge member 1 and the hinge member 2 are configured to be attachable to and detachable from each other. Therefore, the door including the fixed object 21 and the movable object 22 can be easily constructed using the hinge device 10.

In the present disclosure, the hinge member 1 that fixes the housing 30 of the power generation device 3 is also referred to as a "first hinge member", and the hinge member 2 that restrains the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 is also referred to as a "second hinge member". In addition, in the present disclosure, the "recess" includes a penetrating structure.

Fig. 7 to 9 are perspective views showing first to third steps of mounting the hinge device 10 of fig. 1 to a door including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22. Fig. 7 to 9 show a case where 2 hinge devices 10-1 and 10-2 configured similarly to the hinge device 10 of fig. 3 to 6 are attached to a door including a fixed object 21 and a movable object 22. The hinge device 10-1 includes hinge parts 1-1, 2-1 and a power generation device 3-1, and the hinge device 10-2 includes hinge parts 1-2, 2-2 and a power generation device 3-2.

As shown in fig. 7, the hinge parts 1-1, 1-2 are fixed to the fixture 21 by means of a plurality of screws 23. The hinge parts 2-1, 2-2 are also secured to the animal 22 by means of a plurality of screws (not shown). Then, the animals 22 can be attached to the fixed object 21 by fitting the hinge members 2-1, 2-2 to the hinge members 1-1, 1-2 so that the convex portions of the hinge members 1-1, 1-2 are inserted into the concave portions of the hinge members 2-1, 2-2. The hinge members 1-1 and 1-2 and the hinge members 2-1 and 2-2 are detachably fitted to each other by having the configurations shown in fig. 3 to 6. After the hinge parts 1-1, 1-2 are fixed to the fixture 21 and the hinge parts 2-1, 2-2 are fixed to the creature 22, the creature 22 is mounted to the fixture 21, whereby the construction of the door including the fixture 21 and the creature 22 can be easily performed.

Then, as shown in fig. 8, the input shaft of the power generation unit 3-1 is constrained with respect to the hinge member 2-1 by means of the screw 41-1, and the input shaft of the power generation unit 3-2 is constrained with respect to the hinge member 2-2 by means of the screw 41-2. At this time, the weight of the movable object 22 is supported by the hinge members 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 and the fixture 21. Since the weight of the animal 22 is not applied to the power generation devices 3-1 and 3-2, the power generation devices 3-1 and 3-2 can be operated with high reliability without applying an excessive mechanical load to the power generation devices 3-1 and 3-2.

Thereafter, as shown in fig. 9, when the user opens or closes the door, the movable object 22 rotates about the reference axis of the hinge device 10-1, 10-2 with respect to the fixed object 21. At this time, the power generation devices 3-1, 3-2 generate electric power in response to the rotation of the input shaft.

In order to attach the movable object 22 to the fixed object 21, 3 or more hinge devices 10 may be used. When the movable object 22 is attached to the fixed object 21 using a plurality of hinge devices, the hinge device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure including the power generation device 3 may be used in combination with a conventional hinge device that does not include a power generation device.

Referring again to fig. 1, the rectifier circuit 11 rectifies the electric power generated by the power generation device 3 of the hinge device 10. Even if the generator M1 is a dc generator, the rotation direction of the generator M1 when the door is opened and the rotation direction of the generator M1 when the door is closed are opposite to each other, and voltages having opposite polarities are generated, and therefore, it is necessary to perform rectification in order to store the generated electric power in a capacitor or a secondary battery. The power storage circuit 12 includes at least 1 capacitor for storing energy of the power rectified by the rectifier circuit 11. The control circuit 13 controls the discharge of the electric storage circuit 12. The load device 14 consumes the electric power of the power storage circuit 12 under the control of the control circuit 13. The load device 14 includes, for example, a lighting device and/or a communication device (wired or wireless).

In the power system of fig. 1, a force applied from the body of the user is input to the power generation device 3 of the hinge device 10 via the movable object 22 of the door. The fixed object 21 and the movable object 22 of the door, the hinge member 1 of the hinge device 10, the hinge member 2, and the power generator 3 convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The rectifier circuit 11, the storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 convert the electric energy into electric energy. The output of the power system of fig. 1 is the power consumption of the load device 14.

As shown in fig. 1, the rectifier circuit 11, the storage circuit 12, the control circuit 13, and the load device 14 are disposed on, for example, a fixed object 21.

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the power system according to the first embodiment. It is preferable if large electric power (energy) can be extracted from a very short operation of opening and closing the door once. Therefore, in the power system of fig. 10, 2 hinge devices (see fig. 9) each having a power generation device are provided at 2 positions of the door, and the generators of these power generation devices are connected in series and in cascade for use. Further, since the rotation direction of the generator at the time of opening the door is opposite to the rotation direction of the generator at the time of closing the door, and a voltage having an opposite polarity is generated, the generated power is efficiently extracted by performing voltage doubling rectification.

The power system of fig. 10 includes generators M1 and M2 included in the power generation devices of 2 hinge devices, respectively. In fig. 10, the rectifier circuit 11 includes 4 diodes D1 to D4. The storage circuit 12 includes 4 capacitors C1 to C4. The control circuit 13 includes capacitors C5 to C8, diodes D5 to D7, a coil L1, resistors R1 to R6, a variable resistor VR1, a transformer T1, and transistors TR1 to TR 5. The power system of fig. 10 includes a light-emitting diode 14a and a wireless transmitter 14b1 as components corresponding to the load device 14 of fig. 1. The wireless transmitter 14b1 is connected to the wireless receiver 14b2 in a manner enabling wireless communication.

The diodes D1, D2 and the capacitors C1, C2 constitute a voltage doubler rectifier circuit that performs voltage doubler rectification on the voltage generated by the generator M1. Similarly, the diodes D3 and D4 and the capacitors C3 and C4 constitute a voltage doubler rectifier circuit for voltage doubler rectifying the voltage generated by the generator M2. When a series of operations including movements in opposite directions are performed, such as opening and closing of a door, voltages of opposite polarities are generated at the time of opening the door and at the time of closing the door. The generated voltage is not full-wave rectified but double-voltage rectified, and thus the voltage accumulated through a series of operations can be 2 times that in the case of full-wave rectification. This allows the circuit of the subsequent stage of the power storage circuit 12 to operate at a high voltage, thereby improving the efficiency of the circuit of the subsequent stage. In addition, in the full-wave rectification, since the generated voltage can be obtained only to the same extent at the time of opening the door and at the time of closing the door, the stored energy cannot be increased even if the power generation time is extended by 2 times.

The capacitors C1 to C4 are, for example, electrolytic capacitors.

The output terminals of the generators M1, M2 are connected in cascade (also called series or cascade) with each other. In the case of supporting a heavy animal 22, multiple hinge devices are typically used. In the case of using 2 hinge devices, the power generation device can be embedded in 2 hinge devices. The output voltage is obtained by connecting in series a plurality of capacitors C1 to C4 charged with the voltage generated by the generators M1 and M2 of the power generation devices, and the sum of the voltages across the capacitors C1 to C4. This allows the circuit of the subsequent stage of the power storage circuit 12 to operate at a high voltage, thereby improving the efficiency of the circuit of the subsequent stage.

In the control circuit 13, the capacitors C5 to C7, the diode D5, the resistors R1 to R6, the transformer T1, and the transistors TR2 to TR5 constitute an inverter circuit 13 a. The inverter circuit 13a operates in a voltage resonance type and performs soft switching (zero voltage switching). The capacitor C5, the resistor R1, the variable resistor VR1, and the transistors TR1 to TR3 form a voltage setting circuit 13 b. The voltage setting circuit 13b sets a voltage range in which the power system operates, particularly a lower limit voltage of the output voltage of the power storage circuit 12, by the variable resistor VR1 and the transistor TR 1. When the voltage between the two ends of the capacitors C1 to C4 of the storage circuit 12 is equal to or lower than the lower limit voltage set by the voltage setting circuit 13b, the control circuit 13 stops the supply of electric power from the storage circuit 12 to the load device (light emitting diode 14 a). The capacitors C5 and C7, the resistors R1 to R3, R5, and R6, the transformer T1, and the transistors TR2, TR3, and TR5 form a constant current control circuit 13C. The constant current control circuit 13c is used to supply a constant current from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device (light emitting diode 14 a).

Generally, the theoretical efficiency of charging a capacitor when it is charged from a completely empty state is 50%. In addition, since the load device needs to be operated at a time point different from the time point of power generation, it is necessary to always store the minimum energy in the capacitor. When the load device is operated, a transistor or the like of the control circuit needs to have a minimum voltage at which the load device can be started. For this reason, the control circuit 13 sets a lower limit voltage for the power storage circuit 12. For example, the generated voltage (induced electromotive force, velocity electromotive force) at the time of power generation of 1 generator M1 is set to 12 (V). In this case, the capacitor C1 (capacity C) after power generation is performed for 1 second₁0.01F) voltage V₁At 10V, the energy of the capacitor C1 is 1/2 XC₁×V₁ ²0.5 (J). Thereafter, the control circuit 13 operates the load device 14 to reduce the voltage of the capacitor C1 to the minimum voltage V₀₁(1.5 (V) here), the energy remaining in the capacitor C1 was 1/2 XC₁×V₀₁ ²0.011 (J). Thus, the energy that can be utilized is about 0.49 (J). By setting the lower limit voltage in this way, the energy of the capacitors C1 to C4 can be fully utilized, and the load device 14 can be reliably operatedDo this.

The led 14a can achieve equivalent lighting effects with less power and a smaller device than incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Thus, the light emitting diode 14a is adapted to effectively utilize the limited energy in the power system to which the embodiments of the present disclosure relate. In addition, when the light emitting diode 14a is used as a load device, when a door, a hallway, a corridor door, or the like is opened or closed at night, an effect of assisting lighting with brightness to the extent that the light can be guided around the door (under feet, or the like) is obtained, and the light emitting diode can be safely and securely moved at night. In the case where the light emitting diode 14a is used as a load device, when an unauthorized person attempts to enter the device by opening or closing the door, the unauthorized person can be deterred and/or prevented from entering the device, similarly to the sensor lamp. In the case where the light emitting diode 14a is used as a load device, in a storage room or a warehouse (a storage room under a washbasin, an outdoor warehouse, or the like) which is not connected to a commercial power supply, when a door of the storage room or the warehouse is opened or closed, the storage room or the warehouse can be visually recognized for a fixed time, which is convenient.

In the present disclosure, the light emitting diode 14a is also referred to as "lighting device".

In addition, a monitoring function for grasping life activities of the elderly and the like can be realized by the wireless transmitter 14b1 and the wireless receiver 14b 2. For example, in the case where the wireless transmitter 14b1 is used as a load device, if the hinge device is fitted to the door of the toilet in advance, information such as the number of times of use of the toilet can be notified to a predetermined person by wireless communication. Particularly, the monitoring function is effective in the case where the elderly live separately from their families. In the case where the wireless transmitter 14b1 is used as a load device, when an unauthorized person attempts to enter a door such as a gate or entrance, the unauthorized person can notify a predetermined person of the entry through wireless communication, thereby being relieved.

The power system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a playback device for audio guidance, a camera for capturing a digital image, and the like as components corresponding to the load device 14 in fig. 1.

The power system according to the first embodiment may include 3 or more power generation devices.

In the present disclosure, the wireless transmitter 14b1 is also referred to as a "communication device". The power system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a wired communication device instead of and/or in addition to the wireless transmitter.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the power system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 11 shows a scenario in which power generation is performed using energy obtained from a user's living activities and the power generated by the power generation is utilized. As shown in fig. 11 (a), for example, at night or in the dark, the user pulls the handle (door handle) of the animal 22 to open the door. As shown in fig. 11 (b) to 11 (c), while the movable object 22 is moving to open the door, the power generation devices of the hinge devices 10-1 and 10-2 generate electric power and store the energy of the generated electric power in the power storage circuit 12 (not shown in fig. 11). Similarly, as shown in fig. 11 (d), the power generators of the hinge devices 10-1 and 10-2 generate electric power and store the energy of the generated electric power in the power storage circuit 12 while the movable object 22 is moving so as to close the door. As shown in fig. 11 c, after 0.5 second, for example, from the start of opening the door by the user (i.e., from the start of power generation), the control circuit 13 (not shown in fig. 11) supplies the energy of the storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 to turn on the load device 14 (lighting device). As shown in fig. 11 (d), when the user closes the door and moves forward, the control circuit 13 supplies the energy of the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14, thereby illuminating forward and guiding the user's feet. The load device 14 is continuously lit for a period of time, for example, 5 seconds, during which the user is moving forward, and the user arrives at the destination (for example, the next door). As shown in fig. 11 (e), the control circuit 13 turns off the load device 14 after, for example, 5 seconds from the start of door opening.

The control circuit 13 may supply electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 simultaneously with the power generating operation of the power generator 3. The control circuit 13 may supply the electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the power generation operation of the power generator 3. The control circuit 13 may supply electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 independently of the power generation operation of the power generator 3. Therefore, the load device 14 can be operated at any time point including during, after, and before the operation of the power generation device 3, which is convenient and safe.

As described above, according to the power system of the first embodiment, since the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10, energy can be efficiently taken out from the user's life activities to generate power.

Fig. 12 to 15 are perspective views showing first to fourth steps of assembling the hinge device 10A of the power system according to the first modification of the first embodiment. The shape of the hinge member of the hinge device is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 3 to 6. As shown in fig. 12, the hinge member 1A has a convex portion 1Aa, a concave portion 1Ab, a through hole 1Ac, and a screw hole 1Ad corresponding to the convex portion 1A, the concave portion 1b, the through hole 1c, and the screw hole 1d of the hinge member 1 of fig. 3, respectively. The hinge member 2A has recesses 2Aa, 2Aaa, screw holes 2Ab, and screw holes 2Ac corresponding to the recesses 2A, the screw holes 2b, and the screw holes 2c of the hinge member 2 of fig. 3, respectively. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 2A has 2 recessed portions 2Aa, 2Aaa, and the 2 recessed portions 2Aa, 2Aaa have different inner diameters. Thus, the weight of the hinge member 2A is applied to the hinge member 1A at a position where the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1A is in contact with the upper end of the recess 2Aa of the hinge member 2A. The screw hole 2Ab penetrates the hinge member 2A from the outside of the hinge member 2A to the recess 2 Aaa. The subsequent assembly of the hinge device 10A is similar to the assembly of the hinge device 10 described with reference to fig. 4 to 6, as shown in fig. 13 to 15.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a second modification of the first embodiment. The hinge device 10 of fig. 16 is configured in the same manner as the hinge device 10 of fig. 1, but the hinge member 1 that fixes the housing 30 of the power generator 3 is disposed above the hinge member 2 that restrains the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3, and the hinge member 2 supports the hinge member 1. As described above, instead of the hinge member 1, the hinge member 2 may support the hinge member 1. Alternatively, the hinge member 1 for fixing the housing 30 of the power generator 3 may be fixed to the fixed object 22, and the hinge member 2 for restraining the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may be fixed to the fixed object 21.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a third modification of the first embodiment. The rectifier circuit 11, the storage circuit 12, the control circuit 13, and the load device 14 may be disposed on the movable body 22 as shown in fig. 17.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. At least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed on the hinge member 1 together with the power generator 3. In the example of fig. 18, the rectifier circuit 11 and the power storage circuit 12 are provided in a recess (hollow portion) of the hinge member 1 together with the power generation device 3, and the control circuit 13 and the load device 14 are disposed in the fixed object 21. According to the configuration of fig. 18, the appearance of the power system can be simplified and the appearance can be improved.

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment. At least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 is not limited to be disposed in the recess of the hinge member 1, and may be disposed in another position on the hinge member 1. In the example of fig. 19, the rectifier circuit 11 and the power storage circuit 12 are provided in the hinge member 1, and the control circuit 13 and the load device 14 are disposed in the fixed object 21. Even when the circuit component cannot be housed in the hinge member 1, the circuit component can be installed at any other place so as to match the user's use method and external shape.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a power system according to a sixth modification of the first embodiment. At least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed on the hinge member 2. In the example of fig. 20, the rectifier circuit 11 and the power storage circuit 12 are provided in the hinge member 2, and the control circuit 13 and the load device 14 are disposed in the movable body 22. A recess (hollow portion) may be provided in the hinge member 2, and at least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be provided in the recess. In this way, the rectifier circuit 11, the storage circuit 12, the control circuit 13, and the load device 14 can be arranged at a desired place in accordance with the usage method and the external shape of the user.

The hinge device and the power system according to the first embodiment are characterized by having the following configurations.

According to the hinge device of the first embodiment, the hinge device 10 is provided with the power generation device 3, and the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 having the common reference axis. The first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a reference axis and so that one of the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 supports the other. The power generation device 3 includes a housing 30 and an input shaft 31, and generates electric power in response to rotation of the input shaft 31. The housing 30 of the power generator 3 is fixed to the first hinge member 1 such that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is positioned on the reference shaft. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is constrained relative to the second hinge member 2 in the rotational direction about the reference axis such that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 rotates about the reference axis to the same extent as the second hinge member 2 when the second hinge member 2 rotates about the reference axis.

This makes it possible to provide the hinge device 10 including the power generation device 3, that is, the hinge device 10 capable of efficiently extracting energy from the user's life activities and generating power.

According to the hinge device of the first embodiment, the first hinge member 1 may include the through hole 1c formed so that the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 protrudes from the first hinge member 1 toward the second hinge member 2 at a position where the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 are fitted to each other. The second hinge member 2 is formed to have a recess 2a for accommodating the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 protruding through the through hole 1c at a position where the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 are fitted to each other.

Thus, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is projected from the through hole 1c and accommodated in the recess 2a, whereby the power generator 3 can be incorporated in the hinge device 10, and the rotation of the hinge member 2 can be transmitted to the power generator 3 fixed to the first hinge member 1.

According to the hinge device of the first embodiment, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have the notch 32 on the side surface of the input shaft 31. The input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 is restrained with respect to the second hinge member 2 in the rotational direction about the reference shaft by a screw 41 extending so as to penetrate the second hinge member 2 from the outside of the second hinge member 2 to the recess 2a and come into contact with the notch 32 in the recess 2 a.

Thus, when the second hinge member 2 is rotated about the reference axis, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is rotated to the same extent as the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is rotated about the second hinge member 2. The screw 41 may not restrict the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 with respect to the hinge member 2 in the longitudinal direction of the reference shaft. Therefore, when the hinge member 1 supports the hinge member 2, the weight of the hinge member 2 is not applied to the power generation device 3, and therefore, the power generation device 3 can be operated with high reliability without applying an excessive mechanical load to the power generation device 3.

According to the hinge device of the first embodiment, the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 may be detachably fitted to each other.

Thus, the door including the fixed object 21 and the movable object 22 can be easily constructed using the hinge device 10, for example.

According to the hinge device of the first embodiment, the power generation device 3 may include: a gear mechanism G1 that transmits rotation of the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 at a predetermined step-up ratio; and a generator M1 that generates electric power in response to the rotation transmitted by the gear mechanism G1.

Thus, the gear mechanism G1 can be used to efficiently generate electricity using energy obtained from the user's daily activities.

The power system according to the first embodiment includes a hinge device 10, a rectifier circuit 11, a power storage circuit 12, a control circuit 13, and a load device 14. The rectifier circuit 11 rectifies the electric power generated by the power generation device 3 of the hinge device 10. The power storage circuit 12 stores energy of the electric power rectified by the rectifier circuit 11. The control circuit 13 controls the discharge of the electric storage circuit 12. The load device 14 consumes the electric power of the power storage circuit 12 under the control of the control circuit 13.

Thus, by using the rectifier circuit 11, the storage circuit 12, the control circuit 13, and the load device 14, it is possible to effectively use the power generated by the power generation using the energy obtained from the user's life activities, depending on the application of the load device 14.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, at least 1 of the power generation device 3, the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed in the first hinge member 1 of the hinge device 10.

This allows the components of the power system to be arranged with a high degree of freedom.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, at least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed in the second hinge member 2 of the hinge device 10.

This allows the components of the power system to be arranged with a high degree of freedom.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, one of the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 of the hinge device 10 may be fixed to the fixture 21, and the other may be fixed to the animal 22. The weight of the animal 22 is supported by the first hinge part 1, the second hinge part 2 and the fixture 21. When the movable object 22 rotates about the reference axis of the hinge device 10 relative to the fixed object 21, the power generation device 3 generates electric power in response to the rotation of the input shaft 31.

Accordingly, since the weight of the hinge member 2 and the movable object 22 is not applied to the power generator 3, the power generator 3 can be operated with high reliability without applying an excessive mechanical load to the power generator 3.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, at least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed on the fixed object 21.

This allows the components of the power system to be arranged with a high degree of freedom.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, at least 1 of the rectifier circuit 11, the power storage circuit 12, and the control circuit 13 may be disposed in the animal 22.

This allows the components of the power system to be arranged with a high degree of freedom.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, the power generation system may include a plurality of power generation devices 3 connected in cascade to each other.

This enables generation of a high voltage or a large current as compared with the case where a single power generation device 3 is provided.

According to the electric power system of the first embodiment, the storage circuit 12 may include a plurality of capacitors C1 to C4. The rectifier circuit 11 includes a voltage doubler rectifier circuit.

This makes it possible to make the voltage accumulated through a series of operations 2 times as large as that in the case of full-wave rectification. Therefore, the circuit of the subsequent stage of the power storage circuit 12 is operated at a high voltage, and the efficiency of the circuit of the subsequent stage can be improved.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, the control circuit 13 may supply power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 simultaneously with the power generation operation of the power generation device 3, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the power generation operation of the power generation device 3, or independently of the power generation operation of the power generation device 3.

This allows the load device 14 to be operated at any time including during, after, and before the operation of the power generation device 3. Therefore, the electric power generated by the power generation using the energy obtained from the user's living activities can be effectively used according to the use of the load device 14.

According to the electric power system of the first embodiment, the control circuit 13 may stop the supply of electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 when the voltage between the two ends of the capacitors C1 to C4 of the power storage circuit 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit voltage.

This makes it possible to utilize the energy of the capacitors C1 to C4 sufficiently, and to operate the load device 14 reliably.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, the load device 14 may include a lighting device.

Thus, the power system including the lighting device can be used for purposes such as lighting, threatening an unauthorized person, and preventing intrusion of an unauthorized person.

According to the power system of the first embodiment, the load device 14 may include a communication device.

Thus, the power system including the communication device can be used for purposes such as monitoring of the elderly and/or notification of the presence of an unauthorized person.

The hinge device according to the first embodiment can be applied to any structure using the hinge device, such as a door, a window, a door, a cover, and the like. All the effects described above can be obtained in the opening and closing operation of a gate, a swing door, and a single door in general homes, public facilities, and the like.

A second embodiment.

The shape of the hinge member of the hinge device is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 3 to 6 and 12 to 15. Next, a hinge device of a power system according to a second embodiment will be described.

Fig. 21 to 23 are perspective views showing first to third steps of assembling the hinge device 10B of the power system according to the second embodiment. The hinge device 10B includes a hinge member 1B1, a hinge member 1B2, a hinge member 2B, and the power generator 3.

As shown in fig. 21, the hinge member 1B1 has a cylindrical portion and a plate-like portion coupled to each other. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1B1 has a recess 1B1a for fitting with the hinge member 2B and a recess 1B1B for accommodating the power generation device 3. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1B1 further includes a through hole 1B1c formed so that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the hinge member 1B1 toward the hinge member 2B at a position where the hinge member 1B1 and the hinge member 2B are fitted to each other. The plate-shaped portion of the hinge member 1B1 has a plurality of screw holes 1B1d for fixing the hinge member 1B1 to the fixture by a plurality of screws, and a joining portion 1B1e including screw holes for joining the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 to each other. The hinge member 1B2 also has a cylindrical portion and a plate-like portion coupled to each other. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 1B2 has a recess 1B2a for fitting with the hinge member 2B. The plate-shaped portion of the hinge member 1B2 has a plurality of screw holes 1B2d for fixing the hinge member 1B2 to the fixture by a plurality of screws, and a joining portion 1B2e including screw holes for joining the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 to each other. The hinge member 2B also has a cylindrical portion and a plate-like portion coupled to each other. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 2B has a first end portion (lower end in fig. 21) and a second end portion (upper end in fig. 21) along a reference axis (indicated by line a-a' in fig. 21). The cylindrical portion of hinge member 2B has a convex portion 2Ba1 fitted to the concave portion 1B1a of hinge member 1B1 at the first end, and has a convex portion 2Ba2 fitted to the concave portion 1B2a of hinge member 1B2 at the second end. The cylindrical portion of the hinge member 2B has a recess 2Bb fitted to the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 at the first end. The plate-shaped portion of the hinge member 2B has a plurality of screw holes 2Bc for fixing the hinge member 2B to an animal by a plurality of screws.

Instead of the notch 32 shown in fig. 2, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have a projection 34 of a predetermined shape at its tip end so that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B in the rotational direction about the reference axis. In the example of fig. 21, the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 has a gear-shaped convex portion 34. The concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B is formed in a shape complementary to the convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 when viewed from a point on the reference axis.

As shown in fig. 22, the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 and the hinge member 2B are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a common reference axis and so that one of the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 and the hinge member 2B supports the other. The recess 1B1a of the hinge member 1B1 has a cylindrical inner periphery, and the projection 2Ba1 of the hinge member 2B has a cylindrical outer periphery, whereby the hinge member 1B1 and the hinge member 2B are rotatably fitted to each other. Similarly, the recess 1B2a of the hinge member 1B2 has a cylindrical inner periphery, and the projection 2Ba2 of the hinge member 2B has a cylindrical outer periphery, whereby the hinge member 1B2 and the hinge member 2B are rotatably fitted to each other. In the example of fig. 22, the hinge member 2B is disposed between the hinge members 1B1, 1B2, and the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 support the hinge member 2B. The hinge members 1B1, 1B2 are coupled to each other at the coupling portions 1B1e, 1B2e by screws 1B 3.

The hinge members 1B1, 1B2 and the hinge member 2B may have shapes other than a cylinder, for example, triangular columns, quadrangular columns, other polygonal columns or other polyhedral shapes, at positions other than the positions where they are rotatably fitted to each other (that is, the concave portion 1B1a of the hinge member 1B1, the concave portion 1B2a of the hinge member 1B2 and the convex portions 2Ba1, 2Ba2 of the hinge member 2B).

As shown in fig. 23, the power generator 3 is inserted into the recess 1B1B of the hinge member 1B 1. The housing 30 of the power generator 3 is fixed to the hinge member 1B1 with an adhesive, a screw (not shown), or the like so that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is positioned on the reference shaft. The concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B accommodates the convex portion 34 at the distal end of the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3, which protrudes through the through hole 1B1 c. Since the convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B have shapes complementary to each other, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B in the rotational direction about the reference axis. Therefore, when the hinge member 2B is rotated about the reference axis, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is rotated to the same extent as the hinge member 2B.

The hinge device 10B is completed by fitting the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 and the hinge member 2B to each other, fixing the housing 30 of the power generation device 3 to the hinge member 1B1, restraining the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 with respect to the hinge member 2B, and coupling the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 to each other with the screws 1B 3.

The hinge device 10B has the structure of fig. 21 to 23, and the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10B. In the hinge device 10B, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the through hole 1B1c, and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B by the convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B having shapes complementary to each other. Therefore, the rotation of the hinge member 2B can be transmitted to the power generation device 3 accommodated in the recess 1B1B of the hinge member 1B 1. This realizes a structure in which the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10B. Since the power generation device 3 is incorporated in the hinge device 10B, the hinge device 10B having an excellent external shape can be provided.

Further, since the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 support the hinge member 2B, the weight of the hinge member 2B is not applied to the power generation device 3. The convex portion 34 of the power generation unit 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B having shapes complementary to each other may restrain the input shaft 31 of the power generation unit 3 with respect to the hinge member 2B at least in the rotational direction around the reference axis, without restraining with respect to the hinge member 2B in the longitudinal direction of the reference axis. Therefore, when the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 protrudes from the through hole 1B1c and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B by the convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B having shapes complementary to each other, a configuration can be achieved in which the weight of the hinge member 2B (and the later-described movable body 22B) is not applied to the power generator 3. Since the weight of the hinge member 2B (and the movable body 22B) is not applied to the power generator 3, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to the power generator 3, and the power generator 3 can be operated with high reliability.

The hinge members 1B1, 1B2 and the hinge member 2B are configured integrally with each other so as to be rotatable with respect to each other, by having the configurations shown in fig. 21 to 23. Therefore, the door including the fixed object and the movable object can be easily constructed using the hinge device 10B.

In the present disclosure, the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 are also referred to as "first hinge members", and the hinge member 2B is also referred to as "second hinge members". In addition, in the present disclosure, the hinge member 1B1 is also referred to as "a first part of the first hinge member", and the hinge member 1B2 is also referred to as "a second part of the first hinge member".

Fig. 24 to 26 are perspective views showing first to third steps of mounting the hinge device 10B of fig. 18 to a door including a fixed object 21B and a movable object 22B. As shown in fig. 24, the fixture 21B has a recess 21Ba that accommodates the hinge device 10B. In the recess 21Ba of the fixture 21B, the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 are fixed to the fixture 21B by a plurality of screws (not shown). The hinge part 2B is also fixed to the animal 22B by means of a plurality of screws 23. As shown in fig. 25, after the hinge members 1B1, 1B2 are fixed to the fixture 21B, the recess 21Ba of the fixture 21B may be covered with the cover 21 Bb. Thereafter, as shown in fig. 26, when the user opens or closes the door, the movable object 22B rotates about the reference axis of the hinge device 10B with respect to the fixed object 21B. At this time, the power generation device 3 generates electric power in response to the rotation of the input shaft.

The shapes of the convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B, which are complementary to each other, are not limited to the gear shape, and may be any other shapes as long as the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 can be restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to the first modification of the second embodiment. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have a triangular projection 34A, and the hinge member 2B may have a complementary triangular recess 2 BbA.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to a second modification of the second embodiment. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have a quadrangular projection 34B, and the hinge member 2B may have a complementary quadrangular recess 2 BbB.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power generation device 3 and the hinge member 2B according to a third modification of the second embodiment. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have a cross-shaped projection 34C, and the hinge member 2B may have a complementary cross-shaped recess 2 BbC.

The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may have a recess of a predetermined shape, and the recess 2Bb of the hinge member 2B may have a projection of a complementary shape.

The hinge device according to the second embodiment is characterized by having the following configuration.

According to the hinge device of the second embodiment, the input shaft of the power generator 3 and the recess of the hinge member 2B are formed in shapes complementary to each other when viewed from a point on the reference shaft.

Thus, when the second hinge member 2B is rotated about the reference axis, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 rotates by the same degree as the second hinge member 2B. The convex portion 34 of the power generator 3 and the concave portion 2Bb of the hinge member 2B having shapes complementary to each other may restrain the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 with respect to the hinge member 2B not in the longitudinal direction of the reference shaft. Therefore, when the hinge members 1B1 and 1B12 support the hinge member 2B, the weight of the hinge member 2B is not applied to the power generation device 3, and therefore, the power generation device 3 can be operated with high reliability without applying an excessive mechanical load to the power generation device 3.

According to the hinge device according to the second embodiment, the hinge members 1B1 and 1B2 may include the first part (hinge member 1B1) and the second part (hinge member 1B 2). The hinge member 2B has a first end portion and a second end portion along the reference shaft, and is fitted to the hinge member 1B1 at the first end portion and is fitted to the hinge member 1B2 at the second end portion. The hinge members 1B1, 1B2 are coupled to each other.

Thus, the hinge device 10B can be used to easily construct, for example, a door including a fixed object and a movable object.

In the second embodiment, the power generation device 3 may be provided in addition to or instead of the hinge member 1B 2.

The first embodiment may be combined with the second embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, instead of the notch 32 and the screw 41, the tip end of the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 and the recess 2a of the hinge member 2 may be formed in shapes complementary to each other. In the second embodiment, the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 may be restrained with respect to the hinge member 2B by the screw 41 penetrating the hinge member 2B. Various methods of restraining the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 with respect to the hinge member 2B can be selected according to the application and the size. In the first embodiment, the hinge member 1 may have a recess for fitting to the hinge member 2, and the hinge member 2 may have a projection for fitting to the hinge member 1. In the second embodiment, at least one of the hinge members 1B1 and 1B2 may have a convex portion for fitting to the hinge member 2B, and the hinge member 2B may have a corresponding concave portion.

A third embodiment.

When the capacity of the capacitor of the power storage circuit 12 is small, the capacitor is immediately fully charged, and a part of the generated electric power may be wasted. In addition, when the capacity of the capacitor of the electric storage circuit 12 is large, the size and cost increase. In a power generation system including the power generation device 3, the rectifier circuit 11, and the storage circuit 12, it is an important problem to determine the capacity of the capacitor of the storage circuit 12 in consideration of various requirements. Therefore, it is desired to easily determine the optimum or near-optimum capacity of a capacitor and to provide a power system including such a capacitor.

In the third embodiment, a power system is provided that includes a capacitor having a capacity determined so as not to increase excessively in size and cost and so as not to waste electric power generated by power generation.

In the power system according to each embodiment of the present disclosure, it is considered to be efficient that the electric power generation device 3 can generate as large a voltage as possible when mechanical energy is input at a small angular velocity as slow as possible. Thus, the following exemplifies the case where the gear mechanism G1 having a high step-up ratio is used in combination with the generator M1 having a high rated output voltage.

The simulation performed by the present inventors is explained below.

In the simulation, a planetary gear mechanism with a reduction ratio of 1/G1/242 was connected to a planetary gear mechanism with a rated input voltage V_mA combination of 24(V) micro motors is used as the power generation device 3. In this case, it is necessary to obtain a large speed electromotive force (voltage at the output terminal of the generator) when rotating the input shaft at a slow small angular speed. Here, nma (rpm) is the rotation speed of the output shaft of the motor in the no-load state. Nda (rpm) is the rotational speed of the output shaft of the gear mechanism at no load. The no-load rotation speed nda (rpm) when the voltage 24(V) was applied to the motor was 28 (rpm). From this, it is found thatThe motor is used as a design value required for the generator.

First, calculation of the back electromotive voltage constant Ked (V/(rad/s)) will be described. The back electromotive voltage constant Ked is an important index indicating the voltage at the output terminal of the power generator 3 according to the rotation speed of the input shaft of the power generator 3. The larger the back electromotive voltage constant Ked, the slower the turning operation is, the larger the voltage output is obtained. The units are expressed by an SI (international) unit system. When the rotation speed Nda of the output shaft of the gear mechanism at no load is 28(rpm) converted to SI unit, the rotational angular velocity ω da (rad/s) of the following equation is obtained.

ωda＝28×2×π/60＝2.932(rad/s)

Therefore, the counter electromotive voltage constant Ked of the gear mechanism and the motor is expressed by the following equation.

Ked＝24/(28×2×π/60)

＝24/2.932

＝8.185(V/(rad/s))

As a reference value, a back electromotive voltage constant Kem (V/(rad/s)) of only the motor excluding the gear mechanism is expressed by the following equation.

Kem＝Ked/G

＝24/(28×2×π/60)/242

＝0.03382(V/(rad/s))

Next, the output voltage E of the power generator 3 will be explained_mAnd (V) calculating.

In the case where the motor and the gear mechanism described above are used as the power generation device 3, the gear mechanism has a speed-increasing ratio G of 242. Here, the input shaft of the gear mechanism is given a rotational torque Td. The angular velocity ω d (rad/s) of rotation at this time is based on the duration t(s) of one opening or closing operation of the door and the angle θ d of rotation_d(deg) was obtained. When t is 1(s), theta d_dWhen θ d is 90 (deg), ω d (rad/s) is obtained by the following equation, in accordance with θ d being 90 × pi/180 pi/2 (rad).

ωd＝(π/2)/1＝1.571(rad/s)

For reference, the rotational angular velocity ω m (rad/s) of only the motor excluding the gear mechanism is expressed by the following equation.

ωm＝G×ωd＝380.2(rad/s)

Here, since Ked is 8.185(V/(rad/s)), the output voltage E of the power generator 3 is obtained by the following equation_m(V)。

E_m(V)＝Ked×ωd＝8.185×1.571＝12.86

That is, in the case where the door is opened at a fixed speed of 90 degrees during 1 second, the voltage (speed electromotive force) generated at the output terminal of the power generation device 3 is 12.86 (V).

Next, the operation of the rectifier circuit 11 and the power storage circuit 12 will be described. Hereinafter, the rectifier circuit 11 and the storage circuit 12 have the configuration of fig. 10.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating operations of the 4 capacitors C1 to C4 in the power system according to the third embodiment. As described above, the voltages generated by the 2 generators M1 and M2 are rectified by multiplying the voltages, and the capacitors C1 to C4 charged with the voltages generated by the generators M1 and M2 are connected in cascade. At this time, the electric energy that can be stored by the operation of opening and closing the door once was examined.

E_m1、E_m2Representing the output voltages of the generators M1, M2, respectively. R_m1、R_m2Representing the resistance of the windings of the generators M1, M2. C₁～C₄The capacitance values of the capacitors C1-C4 are shown. V₁～V₄The voltages stored in the capacitors C1 to C4. V_oIs the voltage between 2 terminals of 4 capacitors C1-C4 connected in cascade. Here, the voltage E_m1、E_m2The waveform of (b) shows a square wave (ac voltage waveform) generated by the opening and closing operation of the gate. Voltage V_oIs shown in relation to the resistance R_m1、R_m2And capacity C₁～C₄The time constant of (d) corresponds to a temporal change in the storage voltage. In the embodiment, the energy stored until the voltages at both ends of the capacitors C1 to C4 become zero is not completely used up, but the voltage V at which the voltage of 1 capacitor is lower than the predetermined threshold value is set to be a voltage V₀₁(V) when the supply of electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 is stopped. Thus, the voltage at the time of charging 1 capacitor is changed to the lower limit voltage (initial voltage) V₀₁(V) state and voltage reaching V at the end of door opening/closing operation₁The state of (3) is repeated.

Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the 1 capacitor C1 in the power system according to the third embodiment. Referring to fig. 31, the operation of accumulating the electric power generated by 1 generator M1 in 1 capacitor C1 when the door is opened is analyzed. In the embodiment, this operation is a basic unit, and when the door is opened and closed once in the electric power system including the 2 generators M1, M2, the amount of electricity stored is 4 times the basic unit.

In fig. 31, the voltage V across the capacitor C1 is represented by the following equation₁(V)。

[ numerical formula 1]

Here, V is as described above₀₁(V) is the value of the lower limit voltage of the capacitor C1. Tau is₁Is based on the capacity C of the capacitor C1₁And resistance R of generator M1_m1Time constant τ of₁＝C₁R_m1。

Therefore, the maximum energy W that can be stored in the capacitor C1 is expressed by the following equation_E1M(J)。

[ numerical formula 2]

The effective energy W that can be supplied from the capacitor C1 to the load device 14 is expressed by the following equation_E1(J)。

[ numerical formula 3]

Here, as an example of calculation, V is set₀₁＝1.5(V)、C₁＝0.01(F)、R_m1＝60(Ω)、t＝1(s)、E_m112.86 (V). In this case, the voltage across the capacitor C1 is V₁10.712 (V). The maximum energy that can be stored in the capacitor C1 is W_E1M0.5738 (J). The effective energy that can be supplied from the capacitor C1 to the load device 14 is W_E1＝0.5625(J)。

Next, the energy that can be stored in the capacitors C1 to C4 in fig. 30 as a whole is calculated. Here, as a condition, V is set₁＝V₂＝V₃＝V₄And V₀₁＝V₀₂＝V₀₃＝V₀₄. At this time, the following equation was obtained.

V_o＝V₁+V₂+V₃+V₄＝4V₁＝42.8(V)

V_o1＝V₀₁+V₀₂+V₀₃+V₀₄＝4V₁＝6(V)

As a condition, C is set₁＝C₂＝C₃＝C₄. Total capacity C of capacitors C1-C4_oWith C_o＝(1/4)C₁And (4) showing. The total accumulated energy W of the capacitors C1-C4_EM(J) Represented by the following formula.

W_EM＝4·W_E1M＝2C₁V₁ ²＝2.295(J)

The effective energy W of the capacitors C1-C4 is represented by the following equation_EE(J)。

[ numerical formula 4]

Effective energy W_EEFor example, 2.25 (J).

The average output power P from the generators M1, M2 is expressed by the following equation_EM(W)。

P_EM＝W_EM/(2t)＝2.295/(2·1)＝1.147(W)

From the above example, it can be confirmed that the power system according to the embodiment has power generation performance exceeding 1(W) and 1 (J).

Next, characteristics when several parameters are changed are calculated using the above-described relational expressions with respect to the effective energy that can be used in the capacitors C1 to C4.

Fig. 32 is a graph showing the effective energy-versus-capacity characteristic of the power system according to the first example of the third embodiment. Fig. 33 is a graph showing the effective energy-versus-capacity characteristic of the power system according to the second example of the third embodiment.

In the embodiments of fig. 32 and 33, the following common parameters are set.

Duration of one opening movement of the door: t 1(s)

Duration of one closing action of the door: t 1(s)

Angle of door opening and closing: 90 degree (rotation)

Rated input voltage of motor: v_m＝24(V)

Resistance of the winding of the motor: r_m1＝R_m2＝60(Ω)

Capacities of capacitors C1 to C4: variable

Lower limit voltage of each capacitor C1 to C4: v₀₁＝V₀₂＝V₀₃＝V₀₄＝1.5(V)

In the embodiment of fig. 32, the following parameters are set.

Step-up ratio of the gear mechanism: 242G ═ G

Counter electromotive voltage constant of each power generation device: ked 8.185(V/(rad/s))

Speed electromotive force: e_m1＝E_m2＝12.857(V)

In the embodiment of fig. 33, the following parameters are set.

Step-up ratio of the gear mechanism: g-107

Counter electromotive voltage constant of each power generation device: ked 3.62(V/(rad/s))

Speed electromotive force: e_m1＝E_m2＝5.69(V)

Under these conditions, as shown in fig. 32 and 33, the effective energy-to-capacity characteristic calculated as the upper limit effective energy that can be stored in the capacitors C1 to C4 with respect to the total capacity of the capacitors C1 to C4 is calculated.

As is clear from fig. 32 and 33, even if the capacitance of each of the capacitors C1 to C4 is increased, the available energy that can be used reaches the upper limit at a certain capacitance. In addition, it is clear that the effective energy has a peak in the case of fig. 32. When fig. 32 is compared with fig. 33, the effective energy reaches the maximum value at a capacity of about 15 mF. Can be based on the output voltage E of the power generation device_m1、E_m1Is identical in each case in fig. 32 and 33 and there is a resistance R of the windings of the generators M1, M2_m1、R_m2To illustrate the presence of this maximum. From this characteristic, it is understood that the effective energy becomes a peak at a capacity of about 15 mF. Thus, it is known that even if a capacitor having a larger capacity than this is used, there is only a disadvantage of an increase in size and cost. When the capacitances of the capacitors C1 to C4 gradually increase and the effective energy approaches the peak value, the capacitance Cp at this time is determined as the energy maximized capacitance. In the power system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is found that maximum or near-maximum performance can be obtained while being small and low-cost if the energy maximizing capacity Cp is selected as a design value.

The capacitance of the capacitors C1-C4 does not necessarily need to exactly coincide with the peak of the effective energy. For example, when the effective energy has a clear peak as shown in fig. 32, any one of capacities in a capacity range of 90% (10% lower) to 80% (20% lower) of the effective energy of the peak with respect to a strict peak determined by an experiment may be selected. The capacity ranges from a capacity Cps1 lower than the energy maximized capacity Cp giving a strict peak to a capacity Cps2 higher than the energy maximized capacity Cp. The reason why the capacities Cps1 and Cps2 are selected to be 90% to 80% of the peak value of the effective energy is because the range level of the variation of the general components is considered.

As shown in fig. 33, even if the capacitances of the capacitors C1 to C4 are further increased, the magnitude of the effective energy after reaching the strict peak determined by the experiment is almost constant with respect to the peak. In this case, any capacity in a range having capacity Cps1 (capacity smaller than energy maximizing capacity Cp) that is 90% (10% lower) to 80% (20% lower) of the effective energy of the peak value with respect to energy maximizing capacity Cp giving the strict peak value as the lower limit and capacity Cp2 that is 2 times energy maximizing capacity Cp as the upper limit may be selected. Here, the reason why the upper limit of the range is 2 times the energy maximizing capacity Cp is that the size of the capacitor is close to 2 times and the price is increased accordingly, and therefore, it is considered that the upper limit can be set to 2 times as large as a power system provided with a small size and a low cost.

As described above, according to the electric power system of the third embodiment, since the capacitor capable of substantially maximizing the stored energy can be stored, the load device can be operated by maximally utilizing the generated electric power. Further, according to the power system of the third embodiment, the maximum energy can be stored and utilized while using the smallest and low-cost capacitor, and therefore, the power generation system can be made small and low-cost.

In the above description, the effective energy-to-capacity characteristic indicating the upper limit effective energy that can be stored in the power storage circuit 12 with respect to the capacity of the power storage circuit 12 is calculated. However, instead of the effective energy-to-capacity characteristic, an energy-to-capacity characteristic indicating the upper limit of the energy that can be stored in the power storage circuit 12 with respect to the capacity of the power storage circuit 12 may be calculated. In the case of calculating the energy-versus-capacity characteristic, the capacity at or near the energy maximizing capacity, which is the capacity that maximizes the upper limit energy in the energy-versus-capacity characteristic, can be set as the capacity of the power storage circuit 12.

The power generation system and the power system according to the third embodiment are characterized by having the following configurations.

According to a power generation system of a third embodiment, the power generation system includes: at least 1 power generation device 3 that generates electric power in response to rotation of the input shaft 31; and an electric storage circuit 12 including at least 1 capacitor C1 to C4 for storing energy of electric power generated by the power generation device 3. The storage circuit 12 has an energy maximizing capacity, which represents a capacity that maximizes the upper limit energy in the energy-versus-capacity characteristic calculated as the upper limit energy that can be stored in the storage circuit 12 with respect to the capacity of the storage circuit 12, or a capacity near the energy maximizing capacity. The energy-versus-capacity characteristic is calculated based on the capacity of the storage circuit 12, the electromotive force of the power generator 3, the internal resistance of the power generator 3, and the duration of one power generation operation by the power generator 3.

Thus, it is possible to provide a power generation system including a capacitor having a capacity determined so as not to excessively increase the size and cost and to prevent waste of power generated by power generation.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the storage circuit 12 may have any capacity within a range in which the upper limit energy is equal to or larger than a predetermined value near the maximum value in the energy-to-capacity characteristic.

This can maximize or nearly maximize the upper limit energy in the energy-to-capacity characteristic while using a small-sized and low-cost capacitor.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the storage circuit 12 may have any capacity within a range in which the upper limit energy is equal to or larger than a predetermined value out of 80% to 90% of the maximum value in the energy-to-capacity characteristic.

Thus, the upper limit energy can be made almost maximum in the energy-to-capacity characteristic in consideration of the range level of variation of general components while using a small-sized and low-cost capacitor.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power storage circuit 12 may have any capacity within a range in which the upper limit energy is equal to or higher than a predetermined value in the vicinity of the maximum value in the energy-to-capacity characteristic, and the range has a lower limit of a capacity smaller than the energy maximizing capacity and an upper limit of a capacity obtained by multiplying the energy maximizing capacity by a predetermined coefficient larger than 1.

Thus, while a small and low-cost capacitor is used, the upper limit energy can be made almost maximum in the energy-to-capacity characteristic while suppressing the increase in the size and price of the capacitor within a tolerable range.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power storage circuit 12 may have any capacity within a range in which the upper limit energy is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in 80% to 90% of the maximum value in the energy-to-capacity characteristic, and the range has a lower limit of a capacity smaller than the energy maximizing capacity and an upper limit of a capacity 2 times the energy maximizing capacity.

This makes it possible to maximize or nearly maximize the upper limit energy in the energy-to-capacity characteristic while suppressing the increase in size and price of the capacitor within a tolerable range, while using a small-sized and low-cost capacitor.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the energy-to-capacity characteristic can be expressed by the following equation.

[ numerical formula 5]

Here, C₁Is the capacity of the capacitor C1 of the storage circuit 12. V₀₁Is the lower limit voltage of the capacitor C1. E_m1Is the electromotive force of the power generation device 3. t is the duration of one power generation operation by the power generator 3. Tau is₁Is based on the capacity C of the capacitor C1₁And the time constant of the internal resistance of the power generation device 3.

Thereby, the energy maximizing capacity can be calculated based on the energy versus capacity characteristic.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power generation device 3 may include: a gear mechanism G1 that transmits rotation of the input shaft 31 of the power generation device 3 at a predetermined step-up ratio; and a generator M1 that generates electric power in response to the rotation transmitted by the gear mechanism G1.

This enables the gear mechanism G1 to efficiently generate power using energy obtained from the user's life.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power generation system may include a plurality of power generation devices 3 connected in cascade to each other.

This enables generation of a high voltage or a large current as compared with the case where a single power generation device 3 is provided.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power generation system may further include a rectifier circuit 11, and the rectifier circuit 11 may rectify the power generated by the power generation device 3. The power storage circuit 12 stores energy of electric power generated by the power generation device 3 and rectified by the rectifier circuit 11.

This allows the power generator 3 to generate ac power and store the ac power in the power storage circuit 12.

In the power generation system according to the third embodiment, the power storage circuit 12 may include a plurality of capacitors C1 to C4. The rectifier circuit 11 includes a voltage doubler rectifier circuit.

This makes it possible to make the voltage accumulated through a series of operations 2 times as large as that in the case of full-wave rectification. Therefore, the circuit of the subsequent stage of the power storage circuit 12 can be operated at a high voltage, and the efficiency of the circuit of the subsequent stage can be improved.

According to the power generation system of the third embodiment, the power generation system may further include the hinge device 10, and the hinge device 10 may include the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 having the common reference axis. The first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 are fitted to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a reference axis and so that one of the first hinge member 1 and the second hinge member 2 supports the other. The housing 30 of the power generator 3 is fixed to the first hinge member 1 such that the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is positioned on the reference shaft. The input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 is constrained with respect to the second hinge member 2 in the rotational direction about the reference axis, and the input shaft 31 of the power generator 3 rotates to the same extent as the second hinge member 2 when the second hinge member 2 rotates about the reference axis.

This makes it possible to provide the hinge device 10 including the power generation device 3, that is, the hinge device 10 capable of efficiently extracting energy from the user's life activities and generating power.

According to a third embodiment, the power system includes: a power generation system; a control circuit 13 that controls discharge of the power storage circuit 12 of the power generation system; and a load device 14 that consumes the electric power of the electric storage circuit 12 under the control of the control circuit 13.

Thus, the control circuit 13 and the load device 14 can be used to effectively use the power generated by the power generation using the energy obtained from the user's life activities, depending on the use of the load device 14.

According to the power system of the third embodiment, the control circuit 13 may supply power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 simultaneously with the power generation operation of the power generation device 3, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the power generation operation of the power generation device 3, or independently of the power generation operation of the power generation device 3.

This makes it possible to operate the load device 14 at any time including during, after, and before the operation of the power generation device 3. Therefore, the electric power generated by the power generation using the energy obtained from the user's living activities can be effectively used according to the use of the load device 14.

According to the electric power system of the third embodiment, the control circuit 13 may stop the supply of electric power from the power storage circuit 12 to the load device 14 when the voltage between the two ends of the capacitors C1 to C4 of the power storage circuit 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit voltage.

This makes it possible to utilize the energy of the capacitors C1 to C4 sufficiently, and to operate the load device 14 reliably.

According to the power system of the third embodiment, the load device 14 may include a lighting device.

Thus, the power system including the lighting device can be used for purposes such as lighting, threatening an unauthorized person, and preventing intrusion of an unauthorized person.

According to the power system of the third embodiment, the load device 14 may include a communication device.

Thus, the power system including the communication device can be used for purposes such as monitoring of the elderly and/or notification of the presence of an unauthorized person.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 1-1, 1-2, 1A, 1B1, 1B 2: a hinge member (first hinge member); 2. 2-1, 2-2, 2A, 2B: a hinge member (second hinge member); 3: a power generation device; 10. 10-1, 10-2, 10A, 10B: a hinge device; 11: a rectifying circuit; 12: an electric storage circuit; 13: a control circuit; 14: a load device; 14 a: light emitting diodes (lighting devices); 14b 1: a wireless transmitter (communication device); 14b 2: a wireless receiver; 21. 21B: fixing a fixture; 22. 22B: can be an animal; 30a, 30 b: a housing; 31: an input shaft; 32: a notch; 33: a gear; 34. 34A to 34C: a convex portion; 41: a screw; C1-C4: a capacitor; D1-D4: a diode; g1: a gear mechanism; m1, M2: an electric generator.