TWI853523B - Rectifying element and rectifying method for humidity variation battery - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly-efficient rectifying element and rectifying method used for humidity variation batteries utilizing humidity variation. The rectifying element used for humidity variation batteries utilizing humidity variation according to the present application includes a relay unit that reverses polarity by an opening-and-closing operation of a circuit contact, and provides a driving force for the opening-and-closing operation by humidity variation. The rectifying method for humidity variation batteries provides the driving force for the opening-and-closing operation by humidity variation in a rectifying element used for humidity variation batteries which contains a relay unit reversing polarity by the opening-and-closing operation of the circuit contact.

Description

Rectification element and rectification method for humidity-changing battery

The present invention relates to a rectifying element and rectifying method for a humidity-changing battery utilizing humidity changes.

Humidity-switching batteries are batteries that generate electricity mainly by utilizing the humidity changes in the atmosphere. They are composed of an open tank open to the atmosphere and a closed tank that is sealed, an ion exchange tank separating the two tanks, and electrodes. In addition, an aqueous electrolyte containing a deliquescent material is placed in the open tank and the closed tank, so that the concentration of the electrolyte in the open tank changes with the humidity in the air, and electricity is generated by the concentration difference between the open tank and the closed tank (Non-patent document 1).

Although there are new proposals for humidity-variable batteries, most proposals so far use sensors to detect humidity changes.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a moisture-sensitive condensation element having electrodes sandwiching the membrane on both sides of a fluororesin ion exchange membrane with the trade name Naflon N-110 manufactured by DuPont de Nemours, Inc. In this element, as the relative humidity in the atmosphere increases, the resistance value measured between the electrodes decreases monotonically, and the change between the resistance value at 100% humidity and the resistance value at condensation is rapid and large, so it can effectively operate as a switch-type element function.

[Prior Art Literature]

[Patent Literature]

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-14147

[Non-patent literature]

Non-patent document 1: "Energy harvesting by ambient humidity variation with continuous milliampere current output and energy storage", Y. Komazaki et al., Sustain. Energy Fuels, 2021,5, pp.3570-3577

Here, in order to use the humidity-variable battery as a power source, the low output voltage of about 150mV at most must be boosted. On the other hand, since the positive and negative polarities will be reversed due to the humidity, rectification must be performed before inputting to the boost circuit. However, passive semiconductor components such as diodes that have a voltage drop of several hundred mV even in the forward direction cannot be used for humidity-variable batteries with low output voltage. In addition, although there are boost circuits that can accept bipolar inputs, such boost circuits are less efficient than boost circuits with unipolar inputs, so they are not applicable.

The present invention is completed in view of the above-mentioned situation, and its purpose is to provide a high-efficiency rectifying element and rectifying method for a humidity-changing battery that utilizes humidity changes.

The rectifier element of the present invention is used for a humidity-variable battery utilizing humidity changes, and includes a relay section that reverses polarity by opening and closing a circuit contact, and the humidity-variable battery rectifier element provides driving force for the aforementioned opening and closing action by humidity changes.

Furthermore, the rectification method of the present invention is a rectification element for a humidity-variable battery including a relay section that reverses polarity by opening and closing a circuit contact, and provides a driving force for the aforementioned opening and closing action by humidity changes.

As described above, even a humidity-switching battery with a low output voltage can be used to construct a rectification circuit, and a high-efficiency rectification operation can be obtained without the need for a special drive source.

1: Rectifier element

2: Substrate

2’: Auxiliary substrate

3,3’,3”: Relay Department

11a,11b: Switch mounting substrate

12a: Reed switch (right side)

12b: Reed switch (left side)

13: Deformed components

13a: Plate body

13b: Moisture-sensitive materials

14: Permanent magnet

15,15’: Fixed table

16a,16b: Restriction components

19: Circuit

20: Humidity variable battery

21a: first electrode

21b: Second electrode

22a: Positive electrode

22b: Negative electrode

31: Rod

32: Rotating shaft

33: Deformed components

34: Extension spring

35: Deformed components

35a: Plate body

35b: Moisture-sensitive materials

41: Micro switch

41a: Actuating unit

51,52,53: Rectifier components

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a rectifier element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the top view (a) and A-A cross-sectional view (b) of the same rectifier element.

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the same rectifier element.

Figure 4 is a top view showing the operation of the same rectifier element.

Figure 5 is a graph of the applied humidity change when connected to a humidity-changing battery (a) and a graph of the voltage before and after rectification (b).

FIG6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the structure of the relay section of the same rectifier element.

Figure 7 is a top view of a rectifier element of another embodiment.

Figure 8 is a top view of a rectifier element of another embodiment.

FIG9 is a top view of a rectifier element of another embodiment.

The following uses Figures 1 to 6 to illustrate a rectifier element for a humidity-variable battery and a rectifier method using the rectifier element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Implementation Example 1]

As shown in FIG1 , the rectifier element 1 includes a substrate 2 and a relay section 3 constructed thereon. As described later, the relay section 3 has a switching function (Switching) that reverses the polarity by opening and closing the circuit contacts.

The relay unit 3 includes: two switch mounting substrates 11a and 11b respectively mounted on the left and right sides of the substrate 2, two right-side reed switches 12a and left-side reed switches 12b respectively mounted on both sides, a deformable member 13 that changes shape with humidity changes, and a permanent magnet 14 mounted on the deformable member 13. The right-side reed switch 12a and the left-side reed switch 12b are circuit contacts that are mechanically opened and closed. The permanent magnet 14 strengthens the magnetic field near the circuit contact to close the circuit contact, and the permanent magnet 14 is removed to weaken the magnetic field to open the circuit contact. That is, the circuit can be switched by changing the magnetic field.

Referring to FIG. 2 , for the deformable member 13 , for example, a strip body including a plate body 13a and a moisture-sensitive material 13b can be used, wherein the plate body 13a is made of resin, and the moisture-sensitive material 13b is fixed to one main surface of the plate body 13a by coating. The moisture-sensitive material is a material that changes shape with humidity changes, expands when the humidity is high, and shrinks when the humidity is low. For such a moisture-sensitive material, for example, a mixture of silicone and lithium chloride can be used. For the plate body 13a , for example, a material that does not deform due to humidity, such as PET, can be used.

The deformable member 13 is fixed to the fixing table 15 with its base end side in the long side direction so that the normal of its main surface is oriented in the horizontal direction. Since the normal of the main surface of the plate-like body is oriented in the horizontal direction, it can be easily bent and deformed in the horizontal plane without bending and deforming in the vertical direction. Thus, the deformable member 13 is configured as a cantilever portion that maintains a height relative to the substrate 2 and extends approximately horizontally from the end of the base end side to the end of the front end side. Furthermore, the deformable member 13 is installed with a permanent magnet 14 near the end of the front end side, and is configured to be inserted between the two switch mounting substrates 11a and 11b. As for the permanent magnet 14, for example, when a neodymium magnet is used, it is preferable because the magnetic field can be greatly changed.

The deformable member 13 extends from the fixing platform 15 on the lower side of the paper toward the upper side of the paper and bends to the left. Furthermore, the moisture-sensitive material 13b is fixed to the plate 13a on the inner side of the bend, whereby the deformable member 13 can move the permanent magnet 14 at the end of the front end side to the right by stretching and deforming the bend through the moisture-sensitive material 13b that expands by absorbing moisture when the humidity is high and the plate 13a that maintains the original size. Furthermore, the deformable member 13 can move the permanent magnet 14 at the end of the front end side to the left by further bending and deforming the bend portion through the moisture-sensitive material 13b that shrinks by releasing moisture when the humidity is low and the plate 13a that maintains the original size. In particular, since the deformable member 13 is formed as a strip-shaped body made by bonding materials with different deformation amounts due to humidity changes, the deformation amount can be amplified and the movement amount of the permanent magnet 14 on the front end side can be increased.

In particular, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2 , the switch mounting substrate 11a on the right side of the paper is mounted with two reed switches 12a, and the switch mounting substrate 11b on the left side of the paper is mounted with two reed switches 12b. Therefore, when the humidity is high, the permanent magnet 14 can be moved to the right to turn both the two reed switches 12a on the right side ON (conducting), and both the two reed switches 12b on the left side OFF (off). In contrast, when the humidity is low, the permanent magnet 14 can be moved to the left to turn both the two reed switches 12b on the left side ON, and both the two reed switches 12a on the right side OFF.

Here, the center sides of the right reed switch 12a and the left reed switch 12b are provided with limiting members 16a and 16b, respectively. The limiting members 16a and 16b are plate-shaped bodies made of non-magnetic materials such as resin, and are arranged to separate the permanent magnet 14 from the reed switch 12a and the reed switch 12b, respectively. In addition, the limiting members 16a and 16b limit the deformation amount of the deformable member 13 to less than a predetermined amount, prevent the permanent magnet 14 from excessively approaching the reed switch, and function as a movement limiting portion that limits the movement range of the permanent magnet 14. For example, when a 1mm thick acrylic plate is used for the limiting members 16a and 16b and the main surface is arranged to contact each reed switch, the distance between the permanent magnet 14 and the reed switch will be more than 1mm.

This can prevent the permanent magnet 14 from being attracted to the reed switch 12a or 12b and being unable to move. Here, the limiting member is not limited to the one that directly limits the movement range of the permanent magnet 14 as described above. For example, the end of the front end side of the deformable member 13 can be arranged closer to the base end side to limit the deformation amount of the deformable member 13. Here, arranging the permanent magnet 14 between the right reed switch 12a and the left reed switch 12b also helps to offset the attraction forces on the left and right to prevent adsorption on one side.

As shown in FIG3 , the relay section 3 of the rectifier element 1 has a circuit 19 composed of wiring. The circuit 19 has a first electrode 21a and a second electrode 21b on the input side and a positive electrode 22a and a negative electrode 22b on the output side. Here, one of the right-side reed switches 12a is connected to the first electrode 21a on the input side and the positive electrode 22a on the output side, and the other of the right-side reed switches 12a is connected to the second electrode 21b on the input side and the negative electrode 22b on the output side. Furthermore, one of the left reed switches 12b is connected to the first electrode 21a on the input side and the negative electrode 22b on the output side, and the other of the left reed switches 12b is connected to the second electrode 21b on the input side and the positive electrode 22a on the output side. Therefore, when the two right reed switches 12a are turned on, the first electrode 21a on the input side is connected to the positive electrode 22a on the output side, and the second electrode 21b on the input side is connected to the negative electrode 22b on the output side. In contrast, when the two reed switches 12b on the left side are turned on, the first electrode 21a on the input side is connected to the negative electrode 22b on the output side, and the second electrode 21b on the input side is connected to the positive electrode 22a on the output side. That is, by switching the reed switches that are turned on on the right and left sides, the polarity of the electrode on the input side can be replaced with the electrode on the output side. In this way, the relay unit 3 can reverse the polarity of the input side with respect to the output side by the opening and closing action of the circuit contacts caused by the mechanically opened and closed reed switches.

Furthermore, the rectifier element 1 is connected to a humidity-variable battery 20 for use. The humidity-variable battery 20 is a battery that generates electricity by utilizing humidity changes, and for example, the one disclosed in non-patent document 1 can be used.

The humidity variable battery 20 generates opposite electromotive forces in each case when the humidity is high and when the humidity is low. In response to this, the electrode of the humidity variable battery 20 that becomes the positive electrode at high humidity (negative electrode at low humidity) is connected to the first electrode 21a on the input side of the rectifier element 1, and the electrode of the humidity variable battery 20 that becomes the negative electrode at high humidity (positive electrode at low humidity) is connected to the second electrode 21b on the input side of the rectifier element 1.

Next, the operation of the rectifying element 1 accompanying the change of humidity and the rectification method using the rectifying element 1 are explained.

First, when the humidity changes from low to high, the first electrode 21a connected to the input side of the humidity changing battery 20 in the rectifying element 1 receives a positive electromotive force, while the second electrode 21b receives a negative electromotive force. Furthermore, when the humidity is high, as described above, the deformable member 13 deforms in a bending and stretching manner to move the permanent magnet 14 at the front end to the right. In this way, the two reed switches 12a on the right side are turned ON by the permanent magnet 14, and the two reed switches 12b on the left side are turned OFF. As a result, the first electrode 21a on the input side is connected to the positive electrode 22a on the output side, and the second electrode 21b on the input side is connected to the negative electrode 22b on the output side. In this way, the humidity-changing battery 20 and the rectifying element 1 are connected so that the positive side of the electromotive force output by the humidity-changing battery 20 corresponds to the positive electrode 22a on the output side, and the negative side of the electromotive force corresponds to the negative electrode 22b on the output side.

On the other hand, when the humidity changes from high humidity to low humidity, the first electrode 21a connected to the input side of the humidity changing battery 20 in the rectifying element 1 receives a negative electromotive force, while the second electrode 21b receives a positive electromotive force. Furthermore, when the humidity is low, as described above, the deformable member 13 deforms so that the bent portion is further bent, and the permanent magnet 14 at the front end moves to the left. In this way, the two reed switches 12a on the right side are turned OFF by the permanent magnet 14, and the two reed switches 12b on the left side are turned ON. As a result, the first electrode 21a on the input side is connected to the negative electrode 22b on the output side, and the second electrode 21b on the input side is connected to the positive electrode 22a on the output side. In this way, the humidity-changing battery 20 and the rectifying element 1 are connected so that the positive side of the electromotive force output by the humidity-changing battery 20 corresponds to the positive electrode 22a on the output side, and the negative side of the electromotive force corresponds to the negative electrode 22b on the output side.

In this way, the rectifying element 1 can mechanically open and close the circuit contacts of the reed switches 12a and 12b by the driving force obtained from the deformable member 13 accompanying the change in humidity, and the polarity of the relay part 3 can be reversed by the switching action. In this way, the polarity can be switched and rectified so that the positive and negative sides of the electromotive force output by the humidity variable battery 20 can be connected to the same output side electrode respectively regardless of whether the humidity is high or low.

Generally speaking, the output voltage of humidity-variable batteries is low, and passive semiconductor elements such as diodes cannot be used as rectifying elements for humidity-variable batteries. In contrast, according to the rectifying element 1 of this embodiment, since the driving force obtained by humidity changes and the circuit contacts that are mechanically opened and closed are used, the rectifying action of the rectifying element for humidity-variable batteries can be obtained without a special driving source.

As shown in FIG4 , according to the actual rectifier element 1, it can be observed that the permanent magnet 14 moves to the left when the humidity is 30% (same figure (a)); moves to the center when the humidity is 60% (same figure (b)); and moves to the right when the humidity is 75% (same figure (c)). In addition, when the permanent magnet 14 moves to the left, the two reed switches 12b on the left become ON (same figure (a), the left circuit is conductive); when it moves to the center, the reed switches 12a and 12b both become OFF (same figure (b), the circuits on both sides are not conductive); when it moves to the right, the two reed switches 12a on the right become ON (same figure (c), the right circuit is conductive). Here, as shown in Figure (b), by setting the reed switches on both sides to the OFF state by default, it is possible to prevent the situation where both sides are turned ON during left-right switching and rectification fails.

As shown in Figure 5, the rectifying element 1 is connected to the humidity-changing battery 20, and the same humidity change is applied to both. For example, when the two are placed in a constant temperature and humidity tank and the humidity is alternately set to 40% and 80% every four hours (refer to the same figure (a)), the voltage on the input side of the rectifying element 1 (the output voltage of the humidity-changing battery 20, the line segment shown as "before rectification") corresponds to the positive-negative reversal every four hours, and the voltage on the output side of the rectifying element 1 (the line segment shown as "after rectification") is always positive (≧0) (refer to the same figure (b)), thereby confirming that the output from the humidity-changing battery 20 can be rectified.

Here, as shown in FIG6 , the structure of the relay unit 3 can also be changed. For example, an auxiliary substrate 2' is provided parallel to the substrate 2 and is combined so as to maintain the spacing between them by limiting members 16a and 16b, and one of the reed switches 12a and 12b is installed on both the auxiliary substrate 2' and the substrate 2. As a result, the relay unit 3' obtained in this way has the same configuration as the relay unit 3 and can obtain the same rectifying element.

Next, Figures 7 to 9 are used to illustrate the rectifier elements of other embodiments of the present invention.

[Example 2]

As shown in FIG. 7 , the rectifying element 51 uses a rotatable rod 31 with one end supported by a shaft and a permanent magnet 14 mounted on the other end to move the permanent magnet 14. Here, the rod 31 can rotate around the rotating shaft 32 without being deformed. However, if it is configured to rotate in a horizontal plane, the movement of the permanent magnet 14 is less likely to be affected by gravity and is preferred. A deformable member 33 and a tension spring 34 having a rope shape or a belt shape are mounted at a predetermined distance from the rotating shaft 32 of the rod 31. The ends of the deformable member 33 and the tension spring 34 are fixed on the substrate 2 so that the deformable member 33 pulls the rod 31 to the left and the tension spring 34 pulls the rod 31 to the right, and the pulling of each other is balanced. As for the deformable member 33, similarly to the above, a moisture-sensitive material, such as a nylon film, can be used that expands at high humidity and contracts at low humidity. Thus, at high humidity, the deformable member 33 stretches to rotate the rod 31 clockwise, causing the permanent magnet 14 to move to the right. In contrast, at low humidity, the deformable member 33 contracts to rotate the rod 31 counterclockwise, causing the permanent magnet 14 to move to the left. That is, the deformable member 33 and the tension spring 34 are used as the driving source of the rod 31. Other than that, it is the same as the above-mentioned rectifying element 1.

According to the above-mentioned rectifying element 51, the rectifying action of the humidity variable battery can also be obtained. Here, according to the installation position of the deformable member 33, the magnification of the movement amount of the permanent magnet 14 relative to the deformation amount of the deformable member 33 can be adjusted. That is, when the predetermined distance from the rotating shaft 32 is shortened, the magnification becomes larger, and when the predetermined distance is lengthened, the magnification becomes smaller.

[Implementation Example 3]

As shown in FIG8 , the rectifying element 52 does not use a permanent magnet but obtains the same function as the relay unit 3 by using a micro switch 41 of a double pole double throw (double circuit and double contact). The rod 31 and its driving source are the same as those described above, but do not have a permanent magnet. In addition, the actuator 41a of the micro switch 41 is arranged on the right side of the front end of the rod 31, and is pressed when the front end of the rod 31 moves to the right side at high humidity. The actuator 41a is, for example, a pin, and switches the circuit contacts when pressed and when not pressed. According to this rectifying element 52, the rectifying action of the humidity variable battery can be obtained in the same manner as described above.

[Implementation Example 4]

As shown in FIG9 , the rectifier element 53 is different from the rectifier element 1 in the method of driving the permanent magnet 14. The rectifier element 53 is a deformable member 35 with a two-end support structure instead of a cantilever type deformable member. The deformable member 35 is a strip-shaped body with both ends fixed to the fixing table 15' arranged above and below the paper surface, and the moisture-sensitive material 35b is fixed to the main surface of one side of the plate body 35a. The plate body 35a is fixed to the fixing table 15' with both ends facing the left and right directions respectively, and the moisture-sensitive material 35b is fixed to the main surface on the left side of the paper surface.

Thus, the deformable member 35 is formed by the moisture-sensitive material 35b that expands by absorbing moisture when the humidity is high and the plate 35a that maintains the original size, so that the moisture-sensitive material 35b moves outward, that is, the curve that bulges toward the left side of the paper surface. Thus, the permanent magnet 14 moves to the left and the two reed switches 12b on the left side are turned on. In contrast, the deformable member 35 is formed by the moisture-sensitive material 35b that shrinks by releasing moisture when the humidity is low and the plate 35a that maintains the original size, so that the moisture-sensitive material 35b moves inward, that is, the curve that bulges toward the right side of the paper surface. Thereby, the permanent magnet 14 moves to the right and the two reed switches 12a on the right side are turned on. According to the above-mentioned rectifying element 53, the rectifying action of the humidity variable battery can be obtained in the same manner as described above. Here, since the movement direction of the permanent magnet of the rectifying element 53 at high humidity and low humidity is opposite to that of the rectifying element 1, it is connected to the humidity variable battery 20 with opposite polarity.

[Implementation Example 5]

It is also possible to use an element that greatly changes the resistance value according to humidity changes to replace the above-mentioned reed switch and micro switch. For example, the switching element disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-345551 can be used. This switching element has a dry-wet layer in the gap between comb-shaped electrodes. This dry-wet layer is a conductive material and a hygroscopic material with an intermediate space dispersed in a polymer resin, and the resistance changes greatly with the change of humidity. In this way, the circuit contact can be opened and closed without mechanical action, and the same switching function as the above-mentioned relay part 3 can be given.

The above has described the representative embodiments and variations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variations. A person with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field should be able to consider various alternative embodiments and variations without departing from the gist of the present invention or the scope of the patent application.

1: Rectifier element

2: Substrate

3: Relay Department

11a,11b: Switch mounting substrate

12a: Reed switch (right side)

12b: Reed switch (left side)

13: Deformed components

14: Permanent magnet

15: Fixed table

16a,16b: Restriction components

Claims (9)

A rectifier element for a humidity variable battery is used to generate opposite electromotive forces in high humidity and low humidity by utilizing humidity changes. The rectifier element for a humidity variable battery comprises: a relay part that reverses polarity by the opening and closing action of a circuit contact, a permanent magnet or a rod that is rotatable and supported at one end, which switches the above-mentioned opening and closing action by movement, and a deformable member that changes shape with the above-mentioned humidity change, and the above-mentioned opening and closing action is switched by the rotatable front end of the above-mentioned permanent magnet or the above-mentioned rod moving due to the change in shape of the above-mentioned deformable member. A rectifier element for a humidity-variable battery as described in claim 1, wherein the circuit contacts are mechanically opened and closed. The rectifier element for a humidity-variable battery as described in claim 2, wherein the deformable component is made of a humidity-sensitive material, and the humidity-sensitive material changes shape by expanding and contracting due to humidity changes. The rectifier element for the humidity-variable battery as described in claim 3 has a cantilever portion, which amplifies the deformation of the humidity-sensitive material caused by the change in humidity. The rectifier element for the humidity-variable battery as described in claim 4 has a movement limiting portion, which limits the deformation amount to less than a predetermined amount. A rectifying method for a humidity-variable battery is used for a humidity-variable battery that utilizes humidity variation to generate opposite electromotive forces in each case when the humidity is high and when the humidity is low. The rectifying method for a humidity-variable battery comprises: a relay section that reverses polarity by the opening and closing action of a circuit contact, a permanent magnet or a rod that is rotatable with one end supported by a shaft that switches the aforementioned opening and closing action by movement, and a deformable member that changes shape with the aforementioned humidity variation. The rotatable front end of the aforementioned permanent magnet or the aforementioned rod moves due to the change in shape of the aforementioned deformable member to switch the aforementioned opening and closing action. A rectification method for a humidity-variable battery as described in claim 6, wherein the circuit contacts are mechanically opened and closed. The rectification method for a humidity-variable battery as described in claim 7, wherein the deformable component is made of a humidity-sensitive material, and the humidity-sensitive material changes shape by expanding and contracting due to humidity changes. A rectifying method for a humidity-variable battery as described in claim 8, wherein the rectifying element for the humidity-variable battery has a cantilever portion, and the cantilever portion amplifies the deformation of the humidity-sensitive material caused by the change in humidity.

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