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Injection molded energy harvesting deviceInjection molded energy harvesting device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070188053, Injection molded energy harvesting device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to miniaturized electrical systems, and specifically to injection molded devices for harvesting energy. BACKGROUND [0002] The use of miniaturized electrical systems (microsystems) on the order of 1 cc has been proposed to provide distributed sensing capability. Microsystem sensors can be used to monitor various environmental and operational conditions and transmit signals back to a host receiver for many different applications, such as industrial monitoring, security applications, weather prediction, and so on. The design and implementation of such devices and systems requires overcoming several challenges, such as designing small and robust packaging and providing adequate transmitter power. A major consideration in designing such systems remains providing adequate electrical power, and for many microsystems, this challenge remains a significant obstacle. In general, current miniature battery technologies cannot store enough energy to power these systems for long periods of time, such as on the order of months. Another disadvantage of battery use is that many sensor applications involve harsh or limited access environments that can limit or disable battery performance and/or render battery maintenance virtually impossible. [0003] One approach to overcome the problem of providing enough battery power for microsystems is to extract energy from the surrounding environment. This approach, which is called energy harvesting (or scavenging) eliminates the need for an external or stored power supply, thus allowing a system to be made fully autonomous, that is, one that requires no external power connections or maintenance. As long as the source of environmental energy is available, an energy harvesting microsystem can remained fully powered, virtually non-stop, while providing information to the user. [0004] Several techniques have been proposed and developed to extract energy from the environment. The most common available sources of energy are vibration, temperature, and stress (pressure). In many environmental applications, vibration energy may be the most readily available and easiest to convert into electricity. In general, vibration energy can be converted into electrical energy using one of three techniques: electrostatic charge, magnetic fields, and piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric generation of electricity from vibration energy typically represents the most cost-effective approach, as the electrostatic and magnetic techniques usually require more extensive design, packaging, and integration work to adapt to particular applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: [0006] FIG. 1 illustrates vibration energy, such as in a rotating tire that can be used in an energy harvesting device according to an embodiment. [0007] FIG. 2A illustrates a piezoelectric bimorph for use in an energy harvesting device, according to an embodiment. [0008] FIG. 2B illustrates the piezoelectric bimorph of FIG. 2A under a transverse loading. [0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of manufacturing an injection molded energy harvesting device, according to an embodiment. [0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a piezoelectric element attached to a leadframe, under an embodiment. [0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an injection molded plastic body encasing the piezoelectric/leadframe structure of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment. [0012] FIG. 6A illustrates top view of an individual piezoelectric device formed by cutting the lead frame rails, under an embodiment. [0013] FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the piezoelectric device of FIG. 6A. [0014] FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the piezoelectric device of FIG. 6A. [0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a piezoelectric device with a proof mass attached, according to an embodiment. [0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a lead frame with a die paddle for use with a piezoelectric bender, according to an embodiment. [0017] FIG. 9 illustrates the sensor/transmitter circuit of an intelligent tire system for use with an injection molded energy harvesting device, under an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Embodiments of an injection molded energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric cantilever is produced via an injection molding method to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member, and a leadframe for electrical connection. The piezoelectric member is electrically attached to the leadframe with a standard connecting material. The entire assembly is then injection molded with plastic. The plastic encased piezoelectric member forms a cantilever that generates electricity in response to vibration exerted on the proof mass. Such a device can be used to provide power to sensor systems deployed in various vibration intensive environments, such as tire pressure monitoring systems, seismic systems, and the like. [0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are introduced to provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, embodiments of an injection molded energy harvesting device. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other components, systems, and so on. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown, or are not described in detail, to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed embodiments. [0020] Microsystem sensors can be used in a variety of different environments to provide signals that represent one or more characteristics or parameters of the environment being sensed. One critical consideration in the installation of Microsystems is providing power to the sensor. Many environments in which microsystem sensors are deployed either produce or are subject to vibrations. In one embodiment, an energy harvesting device uses vibration energy present in an environment being sensed to produce electricity to power the sensor. Continue reading about Injection molded energy harvesting device... Full patent description for Injection molded energy harvesting device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Injection molded energy harvesting device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Injection molded energy harvesting device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Piezoelectric/electrostrictive device Next Patent Application: Surface acoustic wave packages and methods of forming same Industry Class: Electrical generator or motor structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Injection molded energy harvesting device patent info. 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