A New Kind of Small Generator

Embedded inside the Heel of a Shoe

Kenji Watanabe*, Kazuya Nagano*, Toichi Kimoto**, Teruo Takahashii***
*Dept.of Electrical and Electronics Eng, Ehime Univ.,3, Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, JAPAN
Phone: +81-89-927-9767, Fax. +81-89-927-9790, E-mail; watanabe@ee.ehime-u.ac.jp
**Dept.of Electrical Eng, Nitta High school, 663, Yamanishi-cho, Matsuyama, 791-8026, JAPAN
Phone: +81-89-951-0188, Fax. +81-89-951-0190
***Hokuto Manufacturing Co.Ltd.,1-3-39, Shimoizumi-cho, Niihama, 792-0813, JAPAN
Phone: +81-89-745-3568, Fax. +81-897-45-2500 E-mail; kuro@hokuto-mfg.co.jp

Abstract - A new kind of small generator
which consists of two permanent magnetic
plates and two coils is proposed. The two
magnetic plates face each other and the coils
a re a rra n g ed b e tw een t h e m. S i n c e t h i s
generator is so small to be embedded inside the
heel of a shoe, it is named "heel generator".
T w o ma g n et i c p l a tes a r e p res s ed a n d
separated every step while a man walks. Then,
the number of flux linking through the coils
changes and the emf is induced in them. This
paper deals with the principle, the structure
and the basic characteristics of the heel
generator.
While a man walks, the magnetic plate A
mo ves u p a n d do wn every s tep . T h a t is ,
magnetic plate A goes nearest to magnetic plate
B when a foot touches the ground, and depart
farthest from it by repulsion force of magnets
when a foot lifts up from the :ground. Since the
linkage flux through the coil varies as the
distance between two magnetic plates changes,
the emf is induced in the coil [1] .

1. Introduction
Recently, the portable electronic equipments
like the telephones and the computers have Magnetic plate A
b een w i dely us ed. D u mp i ng their was te
Out put
b a t t e r i e s c a u s e s s e v e r e e n v i r o n me n t a l Terminals
problems. x
We propose a new kind of small generator
Magnetic plate B
which can be embedded inside the heel of a
shoe. As an application of this gererator, it Fig.1 Principle structure of a
develops the useful electric power to warm a small generator
foot while a man walks. The principle, the
fundamental structure and the basic
characteristics of the heel generator are On the other hand, the repulsion force
treated in this paper. between two magnets work as inner cushion of
a shoe. The cushion effect can be strengthened
2. Principle and by flowing the current in the coil.
fundamental structure
2.1 Generation of electrical power 2.2 Basic structure
The fundamental structure of a heel generator The fundamental structure of a proposed
is shown in Fig.1. Two magnetic plates face so generator is shown in Fig.2. The coils A and B
as to repel each other and a coil is placed in
the gap over the lower magnetic plate B at a
constant distance.

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