# US 9,647,577 B2 · Power collector structure and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,647,577 B2 - Document ID: US9647577B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/821,295 - Filed: 2011-09-07 - Published: 2013-09-05 - Granted: 2017-05-09 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-07 - Assignees: Murata Electronics Oy - Applicants: Heikki Seppä - Inventors: Heikki Seppä - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9647577B2 ## CPC - H02N 2/18: producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators (for measurement devices G01) - A43B 3/38: with power sources - A43B 3/42: where power is generated by conversion of mechanical movement to electricity, e.g. by piezoelectric means - B60C 23/041: {Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel} - B60C 23/0411: {Piezoelectric generators} - H02N 2/22: {Methods relating to manufacturing, e.g. assembling, calibration} - H10N 30/306: {Cantilevers} - Y10T 29/42: Piezoelectric device making - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A power collector structure connected to a base is repetitively deformed or bent. The power collector structure is bar-like, and is connected to the base in an essentially rigid manner. A power collector for converting mechanical energy to electric power is connected to the power collector structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power collector structure connected to a base that is repetitively deformed or bent in rotational motion, wherein the power collector structure is bar-like, the power collector structure is connected only at one end of the bar-like structure to the base, the one end of the power collector structure is connected to the base in an essentially rigid manner, the power collector structure extends radially from the base, a power collector for converting mechanical energy to electric power is connected to a tip of the power collector structure, wherein the tip is opposite to the one end of the power collector structure connected to the base, and wherein the tip of the bar-like structure is configured to vibrate when the base is deformed or bent to produce the mechanical energy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the power collector structure is connected to the base so rigidly, that the intrinsic resonance frequency of the power collector structure determines the total resonance frequency to at least 50%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the power collector structure comprises an electromechanical converter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the base is the inner surface of the periphery of a car tire. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the base is a shoe or a part of it. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the power collector comprises bias means for providing a MEMS element with a bias voltage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The power collector structure according to claim 6, wherein the bias means for providing the bias voltage is implemented by means of a piezoelectric element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The power collector structure according to claim 6, wherein the bias means for providing the bias voltage is implemented by means of a suitable material couple. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein the power collector comprises a piezoelectric element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein gauging electronics are integrated in the power collector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The power collector structure according to claim 1, wherein transmission electronics are integrated in the power collector. ### Claim 12 A method for collecting power of a base that is repetitively deformed or bent in rotational motion, in which method a power collector structure is being used, said method comprising: connecting only one end of a bar-like power collector structure essentially rigidly to the base such that the power collector structure extends radially from the base; and converting mechanical energy to electric power by a power collector at another end of the power collector structure opposite to the one end, wherein the another end of the bar-like power collector structure is configured to vibrate when the base is deformed or bent to produce the mechanical energy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the power collector structure is so rigidly connected to the base that an intrinsic resonance frequency of the power collector structure determines a total resonance frequency to at least 50%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein an electromechanical converter is being used as the power collector structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein an inner surface of a periphery of a car tire is being used as the base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein, a shoe, or a part of it, is being used as the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein a MEMS element provided with a bias voltage is being used as the power collector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the bias voltage is implemented by a piezoelectric element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the bias voltage is implemented by a suitable material couple. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein a piezoelectric element is used as the power collector. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein gauging electronics are integrated in the power collector. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein transmission electronics are integrated in the power collector. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) A car tire, comprising a power collector structure according to claim 1. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A shoe, comprising a power collector structure according to claim 1. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) A roller structure, comprising a power collector structure according to claim 1. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) A method for manufacturing a power collector structure, comprising: forming the power collector structure by connecting to the power collector structure a part according to claim 1. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method according to claim 26, wherein the power structure comprises at least one of a car tire, a part of a car tire, a rim, a shoe, or a roller structure.