Power generation apparatus and wireless switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10453634-B2
Application number	US-201715787898-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 19, 2017
Priority date	Dec 7, 2016
Publication date	Oct 22, 2019
Grant date	Oct 22, 2019

Abstract

A wireless switch includes a cover member, a button member, a first plunger, a second plunger, a trigger spring, a return spring, a shaft, a housing, and a power generation module. An intermediate member constituted of the first plunger, the second plunger, the trigger spring, the return spring, and the shaft is connected between the button member and the power generation module. The intermediate member prevents a position of the shaft making contact with the power generating shaft of the power generation module from changing, and causes stress to build up in the trigger spring, until a movement distance of the button member reaches a predetermined distance. The intermediate member releases the stress built up in the trigger spring and pushes the power generation shaft with the shaft using the released stress upon the movement distance of the button member reaching the predetermined distance.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A power generation apparatus comprising:
a button, mounted in a housing and configured to move in a first direction;
a power generation module comprising a power generating shaft that moves as the button moves, the power generation module configured to generate power by the movement of the power generating shaft; and
an intermediate member connected between the button and the power generating shaft, the intermediate member comprising:
a first biasing member;
a first plunger configured to contact a power generation module side of the button and to move in the first direction as the button moves in the first direction; and
a second plunger arranged between the first plunger and the power generation module and coupled to the power generating shaft, the second plunger configured to engage with the first biasing member and to move in the first direction, wherein
the intermediate member is configured such that:
a position of the second plunger is prevented from changing, causing stress to be built up in the first biasing member, until a movement distance of the button reaches a predetermined distance; and
in response to the movement distance of the button reaching the predetermined distance, the stress built up in the first biasing member is released, causing the second plunger to move toward the power generation module.

2. The power generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first biasing member comprises a trigger spring having a spiral shape, the trigger spring arranged on a power generation module side of the first plunger, one end of the trigger spring making contact with the first plunger and another end of the trigger spring making contact with the second plunger;
the second plunger is configured to rotate with the first direction serving as an axis of rotation; and
the second plunger comprises:
a groove, formed along a direction of the rotation, the groove configured such that a stopping member connected to the housing moves within the groove.

3. The power generation apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the intermediate member comprises a second biasing member arranged between the button and the housing, the second biasing member configured to bias in a second direction opposite from the first direction.

4. The power generation apparatus according to claim 3 ,
wherein the second biasing member comprises a return spring having a spiral shape.

5. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 4 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

6. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 3 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

7. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 2 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

8. The power generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the intermediate member comprises a second biasing member arranged between the button and the housing, the second biasing member configured to bias in a second direction opposite from the first direction.

9. The power generation apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second biasing member comprises a return spring having a spiral shape.

10. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 9 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

11. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 8 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

12. A wireless switch comprising:
the power generation apparatus according to claim 1 ; and
an RF module, connected to the power generation apparatus, configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation apparatus.

13. The wireless switch according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a notification unit configured to operate using power generated by the power generation apparatus,
wherein the RF module controls the notification unit in one or more notification states according to a strength or details of a reception state signal corresponding to the switch signal.

14. The wireless switch according to claim 13 , further comprising:
a storage unit configured to store power generated by the power generation apparatus,
wherein the RF module receives the reception state signal using power supplied from the storage unit.

15. The wireless switch according to claim 14 ,
wherein power for the notification unit is supplied by the storage unit.

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Marumo Katsuya
• Tamura Ken
• Tsukimori Kazuyuki
• Shiino Hiroshi
• Kawashima Yasushi
• Umeki Hajime
• Obata Junji
• Yano Keisuke

Classifications

• H01H13/22

  acting with snap action (depending upon deformation of elastic members H01H13/26) · CPC title

• H02K35/02

  with moving magnets and stationary coil systems · CPC title

• H01H2013/026

  with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons · CPC title

• H01H2239/076

  Key stroke generating power · CPC title

• G05G1/02 Primary

  Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons · CPC title