Description Technical Field

The invention relates to the energy generation modules used in machines operating with pressing force. The invention especially relates to the energy generation modules which generate electricity from the pressing force in the production machines operating with pressing force by making use of materials having piezoelectric characteristics.

State of the Art

Today, a great part of the production techniques involve molding process. Plastic injection, metal injection, plastic inflation and plastic forming methods can be given as example for these techniques. In all of these techniques, pressing force is used in molding. The pressing force which reaches very high levels occasionally in said methods require an even rate of energy and a great amount of this energy is spent for forming the product by applying pressure force on the product.

In the state of the art, although there are developments for reducing the energy losses in these types of machines, there is not a novelty regarding energy generation without requiring an additional force or energy other than the forces applied during molding by making use of only the molding forces or the energy spent during molding. Piezoelectric materials are promising materials that may be subjected to various developments with their capability of electricity generation under pressing force.

Piezoelectric characteristic: Some materials are capable of generating electricity field or electricity potential with the alteration of polarization density therein under mechanical pressure. If the material of this type, which is in crystal structure, does not have a short circuit condition, the applied pressure causes generation of voltage. The amount of the pressure applied is directly proportional with the electricity generated. This characteristic was discovered in 1880 by Pierre Curie. Quartz (Si02) BaTi03, PbZr03-PbTi03 alloy (PZT), (Pb, La)(Ti, Zr)03 alloy (PLZT) can be given as examples of widely used piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric materials are also crystals without central symmetry which can convert electrical effect also to mechanical magnitude. The piezoelectric materials used today in some fields are unable to provide the intended efficiency. The biggest problem here is that the applied force is not high and continuous. Thus, a continuous energy generation cannot be achieved. In order to do this, high levels of continuous force with uniform frequency is required.

As a result, the requirement for the energy generation modules which generate electricity from the pressing force in the production machines operating with pressing force by making use of piezoelectric materials, and the inadequacy of the existing solutions it is required to make a development in the related technical field.

Object of the Invention

The present invention relates to an energy generation module used in machines operating with pressing force, which meets the requirements mentioned above, eliminates all the disadvantages and introduces some advantages.

The main object of the energy generation module according to the invention is to provide generation of electrical energy by allowing the pressing force to affect on the piezoelectric material in techniques in which production is conducted with molding method. This way an alternative energy with stable and high amounts can be acquired. Moreover, by benefiting from the energy that remains idle during production, costs can be reduced. Moreover, as the electricity generated is a clean type of energy, the hazard caused on the environment is minimized.

In order to achieve said advantages in the most general sense, the invention comprises;

- piezoelectric material which converts the pressing force applied on itself to electrical magnitude,

- energy conversion module (1) comprising bottom electrode and top electrode, between which said piezoelectric material is located, which provide transfer of said pressing force to the piezoelectric material, and which provide collecting the electricity energy generated by said piezoelectric material and transferring the same outside.

The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood thanks to the figures below and the detailed description written with reference to those figures, therefore, the evaluation needs to be done by taking said figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Figures to Facilitate Understanding of the Invention

The present invention should be evaluated with the figures described below to ensure the best understanding of the embodiment and advantages together with the additional elements of the invention. Figure - 1 : Perspective view of the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 2: Perspective view of the disassembled state of the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 3a: Cross sectional view of the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 3b: Detailed view of the energy generation module according to the invention. (View of the Detail Y in Figure 3a)

Figure - 4: Perspective view of the energy conversion module comprised in the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 5: Perspective view of the disassembled state of the energy conversion module comprised in the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 6: Side view of the disassembled state of the energy conversion module comprised in the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 7a: Cross sectional view of the energy conversion module comprised in the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 7b: Detailed view of the energy conversion module comprised in the energy generation module according to the invention. (View of the Detail X in Figure 7a)

Figure - 8: Perspective view of the molds connected to the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 9: Perspective view of the disassembled state of the molds connected to the energy generation module according to the invention.

Figure - 10: Perspective view of the energy generation module according to the invention and the production machine to which the molds are connected.

Figure - 11 : Side view of the energy generation module according to the invention and the production machine to which the molds are connected.

Part References

1 Energy conversion module 1.1 Bottom insulation plate

1.2 Bottom electrode

1.2.1 Bottom electrode connection

1.2.2 Bottom electrode piezoelectric material slot

1.3 Inner insulation plate

1.4 Piezoelectric material

1.5 Top electrode

1.5.1 Top electrode connection

1.5.2 Top electrode piezoelectric material slot

1.6 Top insulation plate

1.7 Insulating connection bolt

1.8 Insulating connection nut

1.9 Connection hole

2 Energy generation module

2.1 Machine connection plate

2.1.1 Energy conversion module slot

2.1.2 Machine connection holes

2.2 Mold connection plate

2.2.1 Mold connection holes

2.3 Connection columns

2.4 Connection bolts

2.5 Connection nuts

2.6 Connection gaps

2.7 Mold connection gaps

2.8 Column holes

3 Primary mold

4 Secondary mold

5 Production machine

5.1 Primary plate

5.2 Secondary plate

6 Cable

Detailed Description of the Invention In this detailed description, the energy generation module (2) according to the invention is described with examples only for the subject to be understood better without any limiting effect. Structure:

In Figure 1, 2, 3a and 3b, the perspective, perspective in a disassembled state, cross sectional and detailed views of the energy generation module (2) according to the invention are given respectively. Energy generation module (2) basically consists of energy conversion module (1), machine connection plate (2.1), mold connection plate (2.2), connection columns (2.3), connection bolts (2.4), and connection nuts (2.5). Energy conversion module (1) is placed into the energy conversion module slot (2.1.1) located on the machine connection plate (2.1) and mold connection plate (2.2) in a manner to be properly fit in between. Connection columns (2.3) are fitted inside the column holes (2.8) located on the machine connection plate (2.1) and the machine connection plate (2.2). Connection bolts (2.4) pass through the connection gaps (2.6) located again on the machine connection plate (2.1) and the mold connection plate (2.2), and keep the energy generation module (2) by means of the connection nuts (2.5). In Figure 4, 5, 6, 7a and 3b, the perspective, perspective in a disassembled state, side view in a disassembled state, cross sectional and detailed views of the energy conversion module (1) located in the energy generation module (2) according to the invention are given respectively. Piezoelectric material (1.4) is located in the inner section of the energy conversion module (1). These are located in the bottom electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.2.2) and the top electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.5.2) formed respectively on the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) that they face one another. Between the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) there is also the inner insulation plate (1.3) which is made of an insulating material and which provides insulation between the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5). The middle section of the inner insulation plate (1.3) has a gapped structure which allows positioning of the piezoelectric material (1.4) and prevents the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) from contacting each other. The bottom insulation plate (1.1) and the top insulation plate (1.6) are located respectively on the external surfaces of the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) and they provide insulation of the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) against the external environment. Connection holes (1.9) are formed on the bottom insulation plate (1.1), the bottom electrode (1.2), the inner insulation plate (1.3), the top electrode (1.5) and the top insulation plate (1.6) and insulating connection bolts (1.7) fit into these. Insulating connection nuts (1.8) are located on one side of the insulating connection bolts (1.7). Bottom electrode connection (1.2.1) is formed on the bottom electrode (1.2) in a manner to extrude from the structure. Likewise, top electrode connection (1.5.1) is formed on the top electrode (1.5) in a manner to extrude from the structure. Bottom electrode connection (1.2.1) and the top electrode connection (1.5.1) are in contact with the cables (6). The mold connection gaps (2.7) located on the machine connection plate (2.1) and the mold connection plate (2.2) provide connection of the energy generation module (2) to the primary plate (5.1) and the secondary plate (5.2) without requiring machine connection holes (2.1.2), and at the same time, they allow extrusion of the bottom electrode connection (1.2.1) and the top electrode connection (1.5.1).

Energy generation module (2) is located in the pressing points in the production machine (5) it will be used in. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the energy generation module (2) is located between the primary mold (3) and the secondary molds (4), and the primary plate (5.1) and the secondary plates (5) on the production machine. In Figure 8 and 9, the perspective and perspective in a disassembled state views of the primary mold (3) and the secondary mold (4) connected to the energy generation module (2) according to the invention are given respectively. In Figure 10 and 11 , perspective and side views of the production machine (5) having the energy generation module (2) are given respectively. The connection of the energy generation module (2) with the primary mold (3), secondary mold (4), primary plate (5.1) and the secondary plate (5.2) is provided by means of the machine connection holes (2.1.2), mold connection holes (2.2.1) and the connection gaps (2.6), and the connection bolts (2.4) and connection nuts (2.5) located therein. A preferred embodiment of the invention there are connection columns (2.3) in which the energy generation module (2) is located and guided, and these fit into the column holes (2.8) located on the machine connection plate (2.1) and the mold connection plate (2.2).

Assembly:

In the first phase of the assembly, the energy conversion module (1) is created. While creating the energy conversion module (1), first the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) are taken and positioned in parallel with each other in a manner that the inner insulation plate (1.3) is located between them and that the bottom electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.2.2) and the top electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.5.2) face each other. Piezoelectric material (1.4) is placed inside the bottom electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.2.2) and the top electrode piezoelectric material slot (1.5.2). Bottom insulation plate (1.1) and the top insulation plate (1.6) are placed in a manner to face the back sections of the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) respectively and by passing the insulating connection bolts (1.7) through the connection holes (1.9) and tightening the insulating connection nuts (1.8) the assembly of the energy conversion module (1) is realized.

In the second phase of the assembly, the energy generation module (2) is created. While creating the energy generation module (2), first the machine connection plate (2.1) and the mold connection plate (2.2) are placed in a manner that the mold connection gaps (2.7) face each other. Energy conversion module (1) is placed into the machine connection plate (2.1) and the mold connection plate (2.2) in a manner to fit into the energy conversion module slot (2.1.1) designed for itself. Connection columns (2.3) are passed through the column holes (2.8) and by passing the connection bolts (2.4) through the connection gaps (2.6) and tightening the connection nuts (2.5) the assembly of the energy generation module (2) is completed.

Finally in the energy generation module (2), the assembly of which is completed, the primary mold (3) is connected to an energy generation module (2) in mold connection holes (2.2.1) and the secondary mold (4) is connected to the other energy generation module (2) in mold connection holes (2.2.1). The energy generation module (2), to which the primary mold (3) is connected, is connected to the primary plate (5.1) through the machine connection holes (2.1.2) or the mold connection gaps (2.7). The energy generation module (2), to which the secondary mold (4) is connected, is connected to the secondary plate (5.2) through the machine connection holes (2.1.2) or the mold connection gaps (2.7). Energy transfer cables (6) are connected to the bottom electrode connection (1.2.1) and the top electrode connection (1.5.1) of the energy generation modules (2) in which the primary mold (3) and the secondary mold (4) are located.

Operation:

The pressure force formed when the production machine (5) is operated is first transmitted to the primary plate (5.1) and the secondary plate (5.2) and then to the primary mold (3) and the secondary mold (4) over the energy generation module (2). Meanwhile, the piezoelectric material (1.4) inside the energy generation module (2) which is subjected to pressing force shortens elastically and changes shape due to the effect of the pressing force. The electrical load or the electrical potential created between the two ends of the piezoelectric material (1.4) which occurs due to this shape changing is transferred to the bottom electrode connection (1.2.1) and the top electrode connection (1.5.1) via the bottom electrode (1.2) and the top electrode (1.5) and again to the intended location via the cables (6) connected to these sections and thereby energy formed is provided to be used. When the pressing force is eliminated, the piezoelectric materials (1.4) located inside the energy generation module (2) also get free from the pressing force and return to their original state. This way, every time the pressing force is applied this process is repeated and by making use of the energy used during production, energy generation also from the energy generation module (2) is achieved. The energy generated from the energy generation module (2) is provided only from the energy spent for production and does not require an additional energy source.