Piezoelectric based pallet generator for device charging

A piezoelectric generator structure disposed between an upper platform and a lower platform that includes a lower piezoelectric pad, an upper piezoelectric pad, and a connecting shaft. The lower piezoelectric pad coupled to the upper piezoelectric pad via the connecting shaft, where the lower piezoelectric pad is configured to compress under a downward motion of the upper platform during a compression movement due to an additional load being applied to an existing load on a top surface of the upper platform, where the lower piezoelectric pad produces a first voltage due to the compression movement. The upper piezoelectric pad configured to compress under an upward motion of the upper platform during a rebound movement of the upper platform, where the upper piezoelectric pad produces a second voltage due to the rebound movement. The generator structure configured to provide the first and the second voltage to a coupled power storage unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to device charging and stabilization, and in particular, a piezoelectric based generator integrated into a pallet for device charging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, various companies utilize a wide range of devices that require electricity, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors with enabled Global Positioning System (GPS) to monitor a position and status of a shipment (e.g., server equipment) during transit between an origin location and a destination location. The status of the shipment is monitored by collecting various data during transit that includes shock, vibration, tilt, temperature, humidity, and light readings. For shipments with extensive transit times (e.g., ground shipments, weather related delays) the IoT sensors can experience a depletion of power reserves, thus resulting in missing data for the position and the status of the shipment.

SUMMARY

One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for a piezoelectric generator structure, the apparatus comprising the piezoelectric generator structure disposed between an upper platform and a lower platform, wherein the piezoelectric generator structure includes a lower piezoelectric pad, an upper piezoelectric pad, and a connecting shaft. The apparatus further comprising the lower piezoelectric pad mechanically and electrically coupled to the upper piezoelectric pad via the connecting shaft, wherein the lower piezoelectric pad is configured to compress under a downward motion of the upper platform during a compression movement due to an additional load being applied to an existing load on a top surface of the upper platform, wherein the lower piezoelectric pad produces a first voltage due to the compression movement. The apparatus further comprising the upper piezoelectric pad configured to compress under an upward motion of the upper platform during a rebound movement of the upper platform, wherein the upper piezoelectric pad produces a second voltage due to the rebound movement. The apparatus further comprising the generator structure configured to provide the first voltage and the second voltage to an electrically coupled power storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a piezoelectric generator structure integrated into a pallet, where the piezoelectric generator structure is disposed between an upper platform and a lower platform of the pallet. The piezoelectric generator structure utilizes additional forces (e.g., shock, vibration) applied to the upper platform which includes a previously applied load (i.e., shipment), to generate charge for one or more electronic devices associated with the pallet or the previously applied load. As the additional force is translated to the piezoelectric generator structure, energy is harvested and utilized to generate electrical power to charge a battery or capacitor for providing charge to the one or more electronic devices.

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of potential embodiments of the invention and may take various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments is also intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This description is intended to be interpreted merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the various aspects of the present disclosure. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosed structures and methods, as oriented in the drawing figures. Terms such as “above”, “overlying”, “atop”, “on top”, “positioned on” or “positioned atop” mean that a first element, such as a first structure or first member, is present on a second element, such as a second structure or second member, wherein intervening elements, such as an interface structure may be present between the first element and the second element. The term “direct contact” means that a first element, such as a first structure, and a second element, such as a second structure, are connected without any intermediary conducting, insulating or semiconductor layers at the interface of the two elements. The term substantially, or substantially similar, refer to instances in which the difference in length, height, or orientation convey no practical difference between the definite recitation (e.g. the phrase sans the substantially similar term), and the substantially similar variations. In one embodiment, substantial (and its derivatives) denote a difference by a generally accepted engineering or manufacturing tolerance for similar devices, up to, for example, 10% deviation in value or 10° deviation in angle.

FIG.1depicts a pallet with multiple integrated piezoelectric generator structures and electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Pallet100includes multiple piezoelectric generator structures102electrically coupled to an electronic device104, where each piezoelectric generator structure102is positioned at various points of pallet100. Electronic device104is electrically coupled to the multiple piezoelectric generator structures102utilizing one or more of cables, electrical contact pads, inductive charging, or other mediums for transferring electrical current. Pallet100includes upper platform106and lower platform108, where a lower surface of upper platform106is disposed on a top surface of supporting structures110and a lower surface of supporting structures110are disposed on a top surface of lower platform108. The combination of upper platform106, lower platform108, and support structures110form pallet100. In this embodiment, multiple piezoelectric generator structure102are positioned at various points on pallet100between supporting structures110and upper platform106. In other embodiments, a single piezoelectric generator structure102is positioned along at least a portion of a length of each supporting structure110to maximize an area of compression between supporting structure110and upper platform106. Supporting structure110can be a cushioning dampening material (e.g., foam, deformable plastic, corrugated cardboard), a solid material (e.g., wood, rigid plastic), or a combination of a solid material and a dampening material.

In this embodiment, electronic device104is integrated into pallet100, where electronic device104can be positioned at any location on pallet100, such that electronic device104does not interfere with a load placed on a top surface of upper platform106. In one example, electronic device104is positioned between upper platform106and lower platform108in a cavity of supporting structures110. In another example, electronic device104is positioned on a perimeter edge of upper platform106. Electronic device104represents any device (e.g., IoT device) with one or more integrated sensors capable of capturing data readings that include position, shock, vibration, tilt, temperature, humidity, light, and any other pertinent data for monitoring a shipment during transit between an origin location and a destination location. In this embodiment, each piezoelectric generator structure102includes a coupled power storage unit (e.g., battery, supercapacitor), where each piezoelectric generator structure102is capable of supplying power to electronic device104. Electronic device104includes an integrated power storage for primary power, where secondary power (e.g., backup power) for electronic device104is sourced from the power storage units coupled to piezoelectric generator structures102. Alternatively, each piezoelectric generator structure102directly provides charge to an integrated power storage of electronic device104.

FIG.2depicts a pallet with multiple integrated piezoelectric generator structures electrically coupled to an electronic device mounted to a shipment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, electronic device104is attachable to shipment200(e.g., server equipment), where shipment200is disposed on upper platform106of pallet100and electronic device is electrically coupled to the multiple piezoelectric generator structures102. A type and mounting location of electronic device104affixed to shipment200allows for shipment specific customization, where any type of electronic device104is capable of being electrically coupled to the multiple piezoelectric generator structures102for supplement power and charging capabilities. In other embodiment, the multiple piezoelectric generator structures102are electrically coupled to electronic device104and one or more other electrical devices (e.g., auxiliary fan, dehumidifier) to provide supplement power and charging capabilities.

In this embodiment, each supporting structure110includes dampening material204positioned between first solid material202and second solid material206. First solid material202is disposed on a top surface of lower platform108, dampening material204is disposed on a top surface of first solid material202, second solid material206is disposed on a top surface of dampening material204, and a bottom surface of upper platform106is disposed on a top surface of second solid material206. Damping material204provides a vertical movement (i.e., y-axis) of upper platform106with respect to lower platform108, where the vertical movement allows for each of the multiple piezoelectric generator structures102to generate power. In some embodiments, a deflection and rebound of upper platform106also provides a vertical movement with respect to lower platform108, where one or more piezoelectric pads of each piezoelectric generator structure102generates power.

FIG.3Adepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a load being applied to an upper platform of a pallet in a compression transition state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, piezoelectric generator structure102includes upper piezoelectric pad302and lower piezoelectric pad304, where connecting shaft306is disposed and slidable in an aperture of upper platform106. Connecting shaft306mechanically and electrically couples the upper piezoelectric pad302and lower piezoelectric pad304. Supporting structure110is disposed on a top surface of lower platform108, lower piezoelectric pad304is disposed on a top surface of supporting structure110, and upper platform106is disposed on a top surface of lower piezoelectric pad304. In this embodiment, supporting structure110is a solid material (e.g., wood, rigid plastic). As previously discussed, supporting structure110can be a cushioning dampening material (e.g., foam, deformable plastic, corrugated cardboard), a solid material, or a combination of a solid material and a dampening material. For example, supporting structure110can include a solid material disposed on a top surface of lower platform108, a dampening material disposed on a top surface of the solid material, and lower piezoelectric pad304disposed on a top surface of the dampening material. Upper piezoelectric pad302and lower piezoelectric pad304produce piezoelectricity which is an appearance of electrical potential (i.e., voltage) across the sides of crystal (e.g., quartz) of upper piezoelectric pad302and lower piezoelectric pad304when subjected to mechanical stress. The mechanical stress represents compression of upper piezoelectric pad302and lower piezoelectric pad304when an additional force applied (i.e., vibration, shock) to upper platform106due to movement during transit. In other embodiments, a third piezoelectric id disposed between supporting structure110and lower platform108.

Connecting shaft306includes top end308to secure cap310and upper piezoelectric pad302, where upper piezoelectric pad302is disposed on a top surface of upper platform106, cap310is disposed on a top surface of upper piezoelectric pad302, and top end308secures the assembly of piezoelectric generator structure102. Cap310secures upper piezoelectric pad302to upper platform106, where an upward motion of upper platform106compresses upper piezoelectric pad302. Though the illustrated embodiment includes upper piezoelectric pad302for generating additional power, upper piezoelectric pad302is not necessary and represents an additional source for producing charge in a rebound state of piezoelectric generator structure102, discussed in further detail with regards toFIGS.3A and4D. The compression transition state represents a load that is experiencing an additional force being applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, where lower piezoelectric pad304compresses and upper platform106moves in a downward direct relative to lower platform108. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is created while transitioning from the initial state to the compression transition state, where lower piezoelectric pad304experiences mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.3Bdepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a load being applied to an upper platform of a pallet in a rebound transition state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rebound state represents a load that is no longer experiencing the effects of the additional force that was applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, where lower piezoelectric pad304rebounds to the initial state. In this embodiment, piezoelectric generator structure102utilizes upper piezoelectric pad302which exploits the upward directional movement (i.e., +y-axis) of upper platform106relative to lower platform108during the rebound movement. As upper platform106moves in the upward direction, upper piezoelectric pad302is compressed between a top surface of upper platform106and cap310, where top end318of connecting shaft306limits movement of cap310. As previously mentioned above, upper piezoelectric pad302is not necessary and represents an additional source for producing charge in a rebound state of piezoelectric generator structure102. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is further created while completing the transition to the rebound state by compressing upper piezoelectric pad302, where upper piezoelectric pad302experiences mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.4Adepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a damper in a compression transition state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The compression transition state represents a load that is experiencing an additional force being applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, where dampener404compresses and upper platform106moves in a downward direct relative to lower platform108. As dampener404compresses, upper platform106travels partial distance402in the down direction (i.e., −y-axis), while providing mechanical stress to lower piezoelectric pad304. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is created while transitioning from the initial state to the compression transition state, where lower piezoelectric pad304experiences mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.4Bdepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a damper in a compressed state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The compressed state represents a load that is experiencing an additional force being applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, where dampener404reaches maximum compression due to the additional force. As dampener404compresses, upper platform106travels compressed distance406in the down direction (i.e., −y-axis) relative to lower platform108. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is further created while transitioning between the transition compression state to the compressed state, where lower piezoelectric pad304experiences further mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.4Cdepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a damper in a rebound transition state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rebound transition state represents a load that is no longer experiencing the effects of the additional force that was applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, resulting in dampener404transitioning back to the initial state. As dampener404rebounds, upper platform106travels partial rebound distance408in the upward direction (i.e., +y-axis) relative to lower platform108. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is further created while transitioning between the compressed state to the rebound transition state, where lower piezoelectric pad304no longer experiences mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.4Ddepicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a damper in a rebound state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rebound state represents a load that is no longer experiencing the effects of the additional force that was applied to a top surface of upper platform106due to movement during transit, where dampener404has fully rebounded to the initial state. In this embodiment, piezoelectric generator structure102utilizes upper piezoelectric pad302which exploits the upward directional movement (i.e., +y-axis) of upper platform106relative to lower platform108during the rebound movement of dampener404. As upper platform106moves in the upward direction, upper piezoelectric pad302is compressed between a top surface of upper platform106and cap310, where top end308limits movement of cap310. As previously mentioned above, upper piezoelectric pad302is not necessary and represents an additional source for producing charge in a rebound state of piezoelectric generator structure102. Voltage indicator312illustrates that voltage is further created while completing the transition to the rebound state by compressing upper piezoelectric pad302, where upper piezoelectric pad302experiences mechanical stress due to compression.

FIG.5depicts a piezoelectric generator structure with a curved piezoelectric pad and a load being applied to an upper platform of a pallet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, piezoelectric generator structure102includes upper piezoelectric pad302and curved piezoelectric pad502, where connecting shaft306is disposed and slidable in an aperture of upper platform106. Curved piezoelectric pad502can be utilized for lighter loads applied to a top surface of upper platform106. Connecting shaft306mechanically and electrically couples the upper piezoelectric pad302and curved piezoelectric pad502. Supporting structure110is disposed on a top surface of lower platform108, curved piezoelectric pad502is disposed on a top surface of supporting structure110, and upper platform106is disposed on a top surface of lower piezoelectric pad304. Upper piezoelectric pad302and curved piezoelectric pad502produce piezoelectricity which is an appearance of electrical potential (i.e., voltage) across the sides of crystal (e.g., quartz) of upper piezoelectric pad302and curved piezoelectric pad502when subjected to mechanical stress. The mechanical stress represents compression of upper piezoelectric pad302and curved piezoelectric pad502when an additional force applied (i.e., vibration, shock) to upper platform106due to movement during transit.

Connecting shaft306includes top end308to secure cap310and upper piezoelectric pad302, where upper piezoelectric pad302is disposed on a top surface of upper platform106, cap310is disposed on a top surface of upper piezoelectric pad302, and top end308secures the assembly of piezoelectric generator structure102. Cap310secures upper piezoelectric pad302to upper platform106, where an upward motion of upper platform106compresses upper piezoelectric pad302. In this embodiment, curved piezoelectric pad502is coupled to a shape-memory alloy (e.g., copper-aluminum-nickel, nickel-titanium), where the shape-memory alloy dictates a shape of curved piezoelectric pad502. For example, in a heated initial state the shape-memory alloy is flat and in a cold final state the shape-memory alloy provides a curved shape to curved piezoelectric pad502.