Abstract:
A wireless switch includes a first energy harvester including a circuit, and a second energy harvester configured to open or close the circuit of the first energy harvester unit by an external operation. Hence, by using this approach, the wireless switch is able to operate without a requirement for providing a separate power supply.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2014-0115724 filed on Sep. 1, 2014, and 10-2015-0056483 filed on Apr. 22, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to a wireless switch including an energy harvester. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, a wireless lighting control system includes a lighting part in which a power module and a communications module are embedded, a wireless controller, a network device that connects the lighting part and the wireless controller, and an illumination sensor. 
         [0006]    However, since a separate wireless lighting controller and a separate network device are used in a current wireless lighting control system, a structure has become complicated and manufacturing costs have increased. 
         [0007]    It is potentially difficult to apply a wireless lighting control system in homes, offices, or the like, due to the problem as described above with respect to the approach of using a separate wireless lighting controller and a separate network device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0009]    An aspect of the present examples provides a wireless switch using an energy harvester. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present examples, a wireless switch includes a first energy harvester unit including an initially closed circuit, and a second energy harvester unit configured to open a closed circuit or close an open circuit of the first energy harvester unit by an external operation. 
         [0011]    In one general aspect, a wireless switch includes a first energy harvester including a circuit, and a second energy harvester configured to open the circuit of the first energy harvester or close the circuit of the first energy harvester device by an external operation. 
         [0012]    The wireless switch may further include an electricity storage device that accumulates energy generated by at least one of the first and second energy harvesters. 
         [0013]    The first energy harvester may have a magnetic induction type energy harvester structure. 
         [0014]    The first energy harvester may include a core member of which one side is open, a coil member formed on the core member, and a magnet member situated at one side of an open portion of the core member. 
         [0015]    The second energy harvester may have a piezoelectric type energy harvester structure. 
         [0016]    The second energy harvester may include a thin film member, a support member situated to support a center or an edge of the thin film member, a piezoelectric member situated on the thin film member, and a driving member situated on the thin film member and configured to press the edge or the center of the thin film member on a portion of the thin film member in which the driving member does not face the support member. 
         [0017]    The first energy harvester generates a voltage having a level lower than a level of a voltage generated by the second energy harvester. 
         [0018]    In another general aspect, a wireless switch includes a first energy harvester that includes an actuator that opens a closed circuit or closes an open circuit of the first energy harvester, and a second energy harvester that generates energy required to operate the actuator. 
         [0019]    The first energy harvester may include a core member of which one side is open, a coil member situated on the core member, and a magnet member situated at one side of an open portion of the core member. 
         [0020]    The actuator may be situated between the core member and the magnet member. 
         [0021]    The second energy harvester may include a thin film member, a support member situated to support a center or an edge of the thin film member, a piezoelectric member situated on the thin film member, and a driving member situated on the thin film member and configured to press the center or the edge of the thin film member on a portion of the thin film member in which the driving member does not face the support member. 
         [0022]    The second energy harvester may further include electrodes situated on the thin film member and connected to the piezoelectric member. 
         [0023]    The support member may be situated to support the edge of the thin film member. 
         [0024]    The driving member may be situated to press the center of the thin film member. 
         [0025]    The thin film member may have a circular or hemispherical shape. 
         [0026]    The thin film member may radially extend in different directions. 
         [0027]    Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a front diagram of a wireless switch according to an example. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a configuration diagram of a wireless switch according to an example. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a configuration diagram of an energy harvester according to an example. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a configuration diagram of an energy harvester according to another example. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a configuration diagram of a second energy harvester unit according to an example. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is an operation state diagram of the second energy harvester unit illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram of a second energy harvester unit according to another example. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional diagram of the second energy harvester unit taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a plan diagram of a second energy harvester unit according to another example. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a plan diagram of the second energy harvester unit according to another example. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of functions and constructions that are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
         [0040]    The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the full scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0041]    A wireless switch according to an example is described with reference to the example of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    A wireless switch  1  is installed in an area in which a user is able to easily operate the wireless switch  1 . For example, the wireless switch  1  is installed on a wall surface, or the like. However, this is only an example, and in other examples the wireless switch  1  is installed in other places. The wireless switch  1  transmits control signals operating a device disposed at a far-away distance from the wireless switch  1 . For example, the wireless switch  1  transmits different wireless signals depending on switching operations of the user so as to control an on/off operation of a lighting device situated on a ceiling. This is only an example, and a lighting device whose operation is controlled by the wireless switch  1  is potentially situated in other locations than a ceiling. However, a long-distance device controlled by the wireless switch  1  is not limited to the lighting device. As alternative examples, the wireless switch  1  potentially controls an air conditioning unit, a sound system, or the like. For example, these devices are also optionally situated on a ceiling. However, these are only examples, and other appropriate devices are controlled by the wireless switch  1  in other examples, and the other appropriate devices are situated on a ceiling or another appropriate location. 
         [0043]    A main configuration of the wireless switch according to the example is described with reference to the example of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]    The wireless switch  1 , according to the example of  FIG. 2 , includes an energy harvester  10 , a rectifier  20 , a capacitor  30 , a converter  40 , and a wireless transmission module  50 . 
         [0045]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , the energy harvester  10  provides driving energy required to operate the wireless switch  1 . For example, the energy harvester  10  provides power required to operate the wireless transmission module  50 . 
         [0046]    The rectifier  20  converts the energy or current generated by the energy harvester  10 . For example, the rectifier  20  converts an alternating current or pulsed current generated from the energy harvester  10  into direct current. 
         [0047]    The capacitor  30  stores the energy generated from the energy harvester  10 . For example, the capacitor  30  accumulates the current generated from the energy harvester  10  so that the amplitude of the current is sufficient to operate the wireless transmission module  50 . 
         [0048]    The converter  40  converts a voltage generated by the capacitor  30  into a voltage suitable for the wireless transmission module  50 . For example, the converter  40  is a DC/DC converter converting a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage. 
         [0049]    The wireless transmission module  50  transmits wireless signals. For example, the wireless transmission module  50  transmits the wireless signals when input power of the energy harvester  10  is transferred through the rectifier  20  and the converter  40 . 
         [0050]    The wireless transmission module  50  controls an external electronic device. For example, the wireless transmission module  50  transmits wireless signals turning on/off a light emitting diode (LED) lamp installed at a far-away distance. 
         [0051]    The wireless switch  1  configured as described above controls an external electronic device without a separate driving power. Therefore, the wireless switch  1  according to the present example is installed to thereby be used in a place where power connection is difficult or complicated, and is thus hard to access physically. 
         [0052]    The energy harvester according to the example is described further with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    The energy harvester  10  includes a first energy harvester unit  100  and a second energy harvester unit  200 . However, a configuration of the energy harvester  10  is not limited to the above-mentioned units. Thus, the energy harvester  10  optionally includes appropriate additional components that aid in its operation. For example, the energy harvester  10  further includes an electricity storage unit  300 . 
         [0054]    In an example, the energy harvester  10  has a serial structure. For example, in the energy harvester  10 , the first energy harvester unit  100  and the second energy harvester unit  200  are connected in series. In the energy harvester  10  configured as described above, the second energy harvester unit  200  provides driving force for the first energy harvester unit  100 . However, a structure of the energy harvester  10  is not limited thereto. For example, the structure of the energy harvester  10  is potentially changed so that the first energy harvester unit  100  provides driving force of the second energy harvester unit  200 . 
         [0055]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the first energy harvester unit  100  generates a substantially low voltage. For example, the first energy harvester unit  100  is a magnetic induction type energy harvester. The first energy harvester unit  100  configured as described above is advantageous for generating energy required to drive a small sized electronic component. 
         [0056]    For example, the first energy harvester unit  100  includes a core member  110 , a coil member  120 , and a magnet member  130 . The core member  110 , the coil member  120 , and the magnet member  130  constitute a closed circuit. For example, the core member  110 , the coil member  120 , and the magnet member  130  constitute a circuit forming a predetermined magnetic field. 
         [0057]    The core member  110  has a shape in which one side is open. For example, the core member  110  may have a ‘         ’ shape. However, the shape of the core member  110  is not limited thereto, and other appropriate differently shaped core members  110  are used in other examples. 
         [0058]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the coil member  120  is disposed on the core member  110 . For example, the coil member  120  is disposed at a bisection point of the core member  110 . The coil member  120  is provided in plural, in that multiple coils are included that are coiled around the core member  110 . For example, two or more coil members  120  are wound around the core member  110 . 
         [0059]    The magnet member  130  is disposed so that the first energy harvester unit  100  forms a closed circuit. As an example, the magnet member  130  is disposed at one side of the open portion of the core member  110 . As another example, the magnet member  130  is disposed to have one side connected to the core member  110  and the other side connected to an actuator  140 . 
         [0060]    For example, the magnet member  130  disposed as described above generates a predetermined magnetic field through an interaction with the coil member  120 . 
         [0061]    The first energy harvester unit  100  includes the actuator  140 . For example, the first energy harvester unit  100  includes the actuator  140  for selectively separating the magnet member  130  from the core member  110 . 
         [0062]    In an example, the actuator  140  includes a piezoelectric element. A piezoelectric element uses the piezoelectric effect to convert a mechanical force into electric energy. For example, the actuator  140  uses characteristics of the piezoelectric element. In an inactivation state, the actuator  140  maintains the first energy harvester unit  100  in a closed circuit state, and in an activation state, the actuator  140  maintains the first energy harvester unit  100  in an open circuit state. However, the actuator potentially operates in the opposite manner. In such an example, in the activation state, the actuator  140  maintains the first energy harvester unit  100  in the closed circuit state, and in the inactivation state, the actuator  140  maintains the first energy harvester unit  100  in the open circuit state. 
         [0063]    The first energy harvester unit  100  configured as described above generates energy when the first energy harvester unit  100  is converted from the closed circuit state into the open circuit state. Here, the generated energy is used as driving energy of the wireless transmission module as described above. 
         [0064]    However, in the example of  FIG. 3 , by contrast to the first energy harvester unit  100 , the second energy harvester unit  200  generates a substantially high voltage. For example, the second energy harvester unit  200  is a piezoelectric type energy harvester. The second energy harvester unit  200  as describe above is suitable for providing a strong driving force. 
         [0065]    In an example, the second energy harvester unit  200  enables energy generation by the first energy harvester unit  100 . For example, the second energy harvester unit  200  changes the closed circuit state of the first energy harvester unit  100 . For example, the second energy harvester unit  200  activates the actuator  140  to change the closed circuit state of the first energy harvester unit  100  into the open circuit state. 
         [0066]    In this example, the second energy harvester unit  200  is connected to the actuator  140  of the first energy harvester unit  100  to operate the actuator  140 . For example, the second energy harvester unit  200  generates energy required to operate the actuator  140 . 
         [0067]    Thus, the second energy harvester unit  200  changes a switching operation of the user into energy. For example, the second energy harvester unit  200  includes a piezoelectric member capable of converting the switching operation of the user into energy. 
         [0068]    The electricity storage unit  300  is disposed between the first and second energy harvester units  100  and  200  and accumulates energy generated from the second energy harvester unit  200 . 
         [0069]    In the energy harvester  10  configured as described above, since a configuration converting the switching operation of the user into energy and a configuration generating energy required in the wireless transmission module are separated from each other, operational reliability of the wireless switch is improved. 
         [0070]    Hereinafter, an energy harvester according to another example is described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0071]    The energy harvester  10  according to the present example is distinguished from the energy harvester according to the example described above by a structure in which an actuator  140  is situated. For example, in the example of  FIG. 4 , the actuator  140  is situated between a core member  110  and a magnet member  130 . As the actuator  140  configured as described above is potentially extended or contracted in a left and right direction, based on  FIG. 4 , the actuator connects the core member  110  and the magnet member  130  to each other or separates the core member  110  and the magnet member  130  from each other. 
         [0072]    The second energy harvester unit according to the example is further described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0073]    The second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the example, includes a thin film member  210 , a support member  220  supporting the thin film member  210 , a piezoelectric member  230  provided on the thin film member  210 , an upper electrode  240  provided on one surface of the piezoelectric member  230 , a lower electrode  250  provided on the other surface of the piezoelectric member  230 , and a driving member  260  generating displacement in the thin film member  210 . 
         [0074]    For example, the thin film member  210  is formed in a plate shape, has elasticity, and is supported by the support member  220 . 
         [0075]    The support member  220  is disposed on a central portion of a lower surface of the thin film member  210  to support the thin film member  210 . Therefore, when external force is applied to one side and the other side of the thin film member  210  based on the support member  220 , displacement is generated in portions of the thin film member  210  to which external power is applied. 
         [0076]    The piezoelectric member  230  is provided on the thin film member  210 . Therefore, when displacement is generated in the thin film member  210 , displacement is also generated in the piezoelectric member  230 , and thus a piezoelectric effect generating a potential difference is generated. 
         [0077]    For example, when a displacement is generated in the thin film member  210 , a displacement is also generated in the piezoelectric member  230  provided on the thin film member  210 , and thus electrical polarization occurs in the piezoelectric member  230 . Therefore, voltage is generated in the upper electrode  240  provided on one surface of the piezoelectric member  230 , and an output current generated by the voltage is used as driving power of the wireless transmission module  50 . 
         [0078]    In examples, the piezoelectric member  230  is formed of lead zirconate titanate, barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), lead titanate (PbTiO 3 ), lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ), silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), or the like. However, these are only example materials, and the piezoelectric member  230  is optionally formed of other appropriate potential materials. 
         [0079]    For example, the lower electrode  250  is provided in order to generate a potential difference and is provided on the other surface of the piezoelectric member  230  so as to correspond to the upper electrode  240 . 
         [0080]    An operational state of the second energy harvester unit is further described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0081]    When the user presses the driving member  260  of the second energy harvester unit  200 , external force is applied to one side and the other side of the thin film member  210  corresponding to the driving member  260 , and thus displacement is generated in the one side and the other side of the thin film member  210 . 
         [0082]    Thus, when a displacement is generated in one side and the other side of the thin film member  210  based on the support member  220 , a displacement is also generated in one side and the other side of the piezoelectric member  230  in response thereto. As a result, a voltage is generated in the upper electrode  240  disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric member  230 . 
         [0083]    In a case in which both sides of the thin film member  210  are displaced as described above, a displacement distance is relatively small and a voltage equal to or larger than that in a case of displacing only one of both sides of the thin film member  210  is obtained, and thus impacts applied to the thin film member  210  are minimized. 
         [0084]    Therefore, the second energy harvester unit, according to the present examples, decreases a lifetime shortening phenomenon that occurs due to damage to the thin film member. 
         [0085]    The voltage generated in the upper electrode  240  is used as a driving power of the wireless transmission module  50 , and the wireless transmission module  50  transfers wireless communications signals to an external electronic device, depending on a displacement of the thin film member by the driving member. 
         [0086]    Next, a second energy harvester unit according to another example is described. For reference, hereinafter, components that are the same as those in the above-mentioned example are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will be omitted for brevity. 
         [0087]    The second energy harvester unit according to another example is described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0088]    The second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the present example, is distinguished from the second energy harvester unit according to the examples described above by aspects of a shape of a thin film member  210 . For example, the thin film member  210  according to the present example has a hemispherical shape. 
         [0089]    In an example, the thin film member  210  having the shape as described above has excellent restoring force. 
         [0090]    As an example, the thin film member  210  is rapidly restored to an original state after a pressing operation of the user. As another example, the thin film member  210  constantly maintains an original state even after the user frequently uses a wireless switch. 
         [0091]    Therefore, it is effective to use the second energy harvester unit  200  according to the present example in a place and a use case in which a switch is frequently used. 
         [0092]    The second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the present example, is distinguished from the second energy harvester unit according to the example described above by a shape of a support member  220 . For example, the support member  220 , according to the present example, is formed to be elongated in a ring shape along an edge of the hemispherical thin film member  210 . 
         [0093]    The support member  220  having the shape as described above is advantageous for stably supporting the hemispherical thin film member  210 . 
         [0094]    The second energy harvester unit  200  configured as described above obtains significant piezoelectric energy by a single switching operation. 
         [0095]    As an example, a piezoelectric member  230  generates piezoelectric energy when the thin film member  210  is deformed from a state in which the thin film member  210  has a convex upward shape to a state in which the thin film member  210  has a concave downward shape. As another example, the piezoelectric member  230  generates piezoelectric energy when the thin film member  210  is restored from the state in which the thin film member  210  has a concave downward shape to the state in which the thin film member  210  has a convex upward shape. 
         [0096]    Therefore, the second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the present example, generates a significant amount of energy by a single operation. 
         [0097]    A second energy harvester unit according to another example is described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0098]    The second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the present example, is distinguished from the second energy harvester units according to the examples described above by a shape of a thin film member  210 . For example, the thin film member  210 , according to the present example, has a circular shape. 
         [0099]    In this example, a piezoelectric member  230  extends from the center of the thin film member  210  in a radial direction. For example, a diameter of the thin film member  210  and a length of the piezoelectric member  230  are chosen to be the same as each other. 
         [0100]    Support members  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226  support only portions of the thin film member  210 . For example, the support members  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226  are disposed on portions of the thin film member in which end portions of the piezoelectric member  230  are positioned. 
         [0101]    Since the thin film member  210  and the piezoelectric member  230  have a plate shape, the second energy harvester unit  200  configured as described above are easily manufactured. 
         [0102]    A second energy harvester unit according to another example is described further with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0103]    The second energy harvester unit  200 , according to the present example, is distinguished from the second energy harvester units according to the examples described above by a shape of a thin film member  210 . 
         [0104]    The thin film member  210 , according to the present example, is radially extended in relation to a driving member  260 . As an example, the thin film member  210  is extended in eight directions in relation to the driving member  260 . As another example, the thin film member  210  is extended in six directions in relation to the driving member  260 . 
         [0105]    Support members  220  are disposed on ends of the thin film member  210 , respectively. As an example, the support members  220  are disposed on distal ends of the thin film member  210  respectively extended in several directions. In this case, the number of support members  220  is the same as the number of extended branches of the thin film member  210 . As another example, the support members  220  connect all of the distal ends of the thin film member  210  respectively extended in several directions to each other. In an example, the support member  220  has a circular shape having a diameter equal to the maximum length of the thin film member  210 . 
         [0106]    A piezoelectric member  230  is formed on the thin film member  210 . As an example, the piezoelectric member  230  is separately formed on the thin film member  210  respectively extended in several directions. As another example, the piezoelectric member  230  is selectively formed on portions of the thin film member  210  respectively extended in several directions. 
         [0107]    In the second energy harvester unit  200  configured as described above, since spaces for a plurality of piezoelectric members  230  are formed in the thin film member  210 , the number of piezoelectric members  230  formed on the thin film member  210  is easily adjusted depending on a magnitude of piezoelectric energy to be required. 
         [0108]    As set forth above, according to examples in the present disclosure, a wireless switch that does not require a separate power supply is provided. 
         [0109]    Unless indicated otherwise, a statement that a first layer is “on” a second layer or a substrate is to be interpreted as covering both a case where the first layer directly contacts the second layer or the substrate, and a case where one or more other layers are disposed between the first layer and the second layer or the substrate. 
         [0110]    Words describing relative spatial relationships, such as “below”, “beneath”, “under”, “lower”, “bottom”, “above”, “over”, “upper”, “top”, “left”, and “right”, may be used to conveniently describe spatial relationships of one device or elements with other devices or elements. Such words are to be interpreted as encompassing a device oriented as illustrated in the drawings, and in other orientations in use or operation. For example, an example in which a device includes a second layer disposed above a first layer based on the orientation of the device illustrated in the drawings also encompasses the device when the device is flipped upside down in use or operation. 
         [0111]    While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.