# US 2018/0026554 A1 · Piezoelectric generator, pushbutton, radio module and method for producing a piezoelectric generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0026554 A1 - Document ID: US20180026554A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/550,876 - Filed: 2016-02-13 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-13 - Assignees: Guenter BECKMANN - Applicants: Guenter BECKMANN - Inventors: Enrico BISCHUR; Norbert SCHWESINGER; Sandy ZAEHRINGER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180026554A1 ## CPC - H02N 2/181: {Circuits; Control arrangements or methods} - H02N 2/18: producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators (for measurement devices G01) - H02N 2/22: {Methods relating to manufacturing, e.g. assembling, calibration} - H10N 30/03: Assembling devices that include piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts - H10N 30/30: with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors - H10N 30/501: {having a non-rectangular cross-section in a plane parallel to the stacking direction, e.g. polygonal or trapezoidal in side view} - H10N 30/802: {Circuitry or processes for operating piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices not otherwise provided for, e.g. drive circuits} - H10N 30/857: Macromolecular compositions - H10N 30/871: {Single-layered electrodes of multilayer piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices, e.g. internal electrodes} - H10N 30/886: {Additional mechanical prestressing means, e.g. springs} - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A piezoelectric generator (1) is specified, comprising a deformation body (5), which spans a projection surface (6) and is embodied with a setpoint pressure surface (8) situated opposite the projection surface (6), wherein the projection surface (6) can be converted from a smaller projection surface (6) when not loaded under pressure into a larger projection surface (7) when pressure is applied to the setpoint pressure surface (8) substantially perpendicular to the projection surface (6), and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the setpoint pressure surface (8), wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly spans the projection surface (6), such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body (5), and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A piezoelectric generator (1) comprising a deformation body (5), which spans a projection surface and is embodied with a target pressure surface (8) situated opposite the projection surface, wherein the projection surface can be converted from a smaller projection surface (6), when not loaded under pressure, into a larger projection surface (7) when pressure is applied to the target pressure surface (8) substantially perpendicular to the projection surface (6), and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the target pressure surface (8), wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly overspans the projection surface (6), such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body (5), and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material, wherein the transducer element with the piezoelectric material with a planar polymer piezoelectric generator film (2) is designed to surround the deformation body (5) beyond the projection surface (6) of the deformation body (5). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) is made elongated and in the shape of a saddle roof when viewed in profile, and in particular is made of a hard plastic. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromechanical transducer element is wound as a sleeve (20) around the deformation body (5). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the planar polymer piezoelectric generator film (2) is made of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the piezoelectric generator film (2) is formed as a double layer, in particular multi-layered. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the piezoelectric generator film (22) is formed wound in a meander-shaped manner, wherein a first electrode (3) is connected to a first side in an electrically conductive manner and a second electrode (4) to a second side. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) comprises legs (11, 12) which are arranged at an angle and are foitiied connected to at least one flexible angle section, so that the legs (11, 12) can be pressed apart at least at the angle section upon application of pressure and in particular and at least the angle section of the deformation body (5) is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity by means of which the spring action of the defoituation body (5) can be produced. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) is designed in multiple parts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) has at least one angle hinge (10) with two legs, wherein in particular the angle hinge (10) comprises a spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the angle hinge (10) is formed with a maximum depth (T), which corresponds to a thickness (S) of the particular two legs (11, 12) when viewed in cross section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the angle hinge (10) is formed with a depth (T) that is greater than the thickness (S) of the particular two legs (11, 12) when viewed in cross section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of a first leg (11, 12) is made longer than that of the complementary second leg (11, 12). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5), when viewed in cross section, is made planar with a plurality of adjacently arranged angles in a concertina-like fashion and the projection surface (6) extends from one leg to the opposite last leg. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5), when viewed in cross section, is formed with an arcuate structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) is formed as two parts with a sliding structure that connects both parts, wherein, when viewed in profile, two ends of the two parts each have a wedge shape (11A, 12A), each of which rests complementary to one another as an oblique plane, so that in a compressed state the parts are pushed together, overlapping with the contact tips, when viewed in cross section, and in an expanded state can be formed with maximum contact and maximally pushed apart. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation body (5) is formed in three parts, wherein a central part, in particular a cylinder (14) when viewed in cross section, is arranged centrally and two planar parts are arranged on both sides to the cylinder, wherein the planar parts have inclined surfaces on which the third part can roll. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A pushbutton (23) with a piezoelectric generator (1) according to claim 1, with a housing (24) in which the piezoelectric generator (1) is placed and a button element (25), with which the target pressure surface (8) of the deformation body (5) can be acted upon mechanically by pressure. (figure to be drawn for this) ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A radio module with a mechanical pushbutton (23) according to claim 1, which comprises a piezoelectric generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a radio unit (26) with a control electronics unit, a rectifier unit, (27) and an energy storage unit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method for producing a piezoelectric generator (1), in particular according to claim 1, wherein a polymer piezoelectric generator film (2) as the transducer element with piezoelectric material is wound around a deformation body (5) with spring action to form a sleeve (20), wherein the deformation body (5) spans a projection surface and is formed with a target pressure surface (8) situated opposite the projection surface (6), wherein the projection surface can be converted from a smaller projection surface (6), when not loaded under pressure, into a larger projection surface (7) when pressure is applied to the target pressure surface (8) substantially perpendicular to the projection surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method for generating electrical energy by means of a piezoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric generator (1) is formed with a deformation body (5), which spans a projection surface and is embodied with a target pressure surface (8) situated opposite the projection surface, wherein the projection surface can be converted from a smaller projection surface (6), when not loaded under pressure, into a larger projection surface (7) when pressure is applied to the target pressure surface (8) substantially perpendicular to the projection surface (6), and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the target pressure surface (8), wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly overspans the projection surface, such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body (5), and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material, wherein the transducer element with piezoelectric material is formed completely or partly with a planar polymer piezoelectric generator film (2).