Self-powered wireless switch

A vehicle system comprising:

• an interior lock/unlock switch of a vehicle;
• and
• a pair of self-powered wireless switches connected to the interior lock/unlock switch and actuated by the lock/unlock switch wherein each switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein each switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter.

A vehicle system comprising:

• a door handle of a vehicle;
• and
• a self-powered wireless switch connected to the door handle and actuated by the door handle wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein the switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter.

A vehicle system comprising:

• an interior lock/unlock plunger of a vehicle;
• and
• a pair of self-powered wireless switches connected to the interior lock/unlock plunger and actuated by the lock/unlock plunger wherein each switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein each switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter.

A vehicle system comprising:

• a remote keyless entry device having a button;
• and
• a self-powered wireless switch connected to the button and actuated by the button wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein each switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first device operable by a user to wirelessly send signals to a second device;
• and
• a self-powered wireless switch embodied in the first device and actuated when the user operates the first device wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein the switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter wherein a capacitance of the piezoelectric element and an inductance of the electric circuit have a resonate frequency substantially equal to a mechanical resonate frequency of the piezoelectric element, the wireless transmitter operating to wirelessly send a signal to the second device.

A system comprising:

• a switch device operable by a user to wirelessly send signals to an electric socket having a receiver for receiving signals;
• and
• a self-powered wireless switch embodied in the switch device and actuated when the user operates the switch device wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user, wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric element arranged to be distressed upon actuation of the switch, and wherein the switch further includes an electric circuit including a matching wound step down transformer coupling the piezoelectric element to a rectifier connected to a capacitor to allow the piezoelectric element to resonate and the capacitor to receive the harvested energy and supply electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter wherein a capacitance of the piezoelectric element and an inductance of the electric circuit have a resonate frequency substantially equal to a mechanical resonate frequency of the piezoelectric element, the wireless transmitter operating to wirelessly send a signal to the electric socket and the electric socket providing a powered output in response to receiving the signal.