FEATURE SWITCHES & RELAYS
ENERGY HARVESTING SWITCHES offer an alternative to wireless or battery powered devices
Energy Harvesting Switches offer maintenance free, simple to install, long lifetime alternative to conventional electro-mechanical types. Thomas Boethe, Product Manager for CHERRY investigates
from the patented Energy Harvesting Generator. This technology is then packaged and assembled, together with an operating mechanism, resulting in the raw form of the standard product – the generator. The Energy Harvesting Generator is available separately for OEM applications with or without the RF electronics and integrated into Cherry’s Energy Harvesting switch modules. It consists of a coil and a magnet block which is actuated when a mechanical force acts vertically on the end of the generator’s lever. A patented mechanism causes the magnetic block to move down abruptly (switching) and a positive pulse is created by reversing the polarity of the coil. When the lever is released, the system returns to the initial position (resetting) by means of the mechanism and a negative pulse is created. The energy produced is used to transmit a wireless signal indicating operation of the switch.
I
n our increasingly connected world, there is growing demand for low energy consumption,
simple to use flexible data transmission. Cherry has developed an innovative wireless and batteryless Energy Harvesting Technology which can provide cost effective switching solutions in a wide range of environments and applications - an energy harvesting switch which reacts to its environment without a need for energy. This solution developed by the company is based on the principle of Energy Harvesting and does not require any wires. Energy Harvesting can be described as an ‘operation without any auxiliary energy’. Instead of generating auxiliary energy through an integrated energy source or adding it via an external energy supply, energy that is available in the surrounding environment or that is acting on the system is converted. Therefore an Energy Harvester generally speaking is an energy converter. Energy Harvesting applications can be found
in almost every market sector, including industrial installations, building automation, smart home and medical. Designed for global use, the technology enables the company to offer an excellent alternative to wired or battery-powered solutions. Compatible with multiple wireless protocols, the products are suitable for global use across countless markets and applications. As there is no need to change or dispose of batteries, the solution is both environmentally friendly and maintenance-free. The company’s energy harvesting product portfolio includes a stand-alone generator and
24 SEPTEMBER 2015 | ELECTRONICS
a number of packaged switch variants including a rocker switch for actuation by hand and a snap-action switch for mechanical actuation by a machine or proximity switch. Wireless receivers to work with the company’s
switch modules are available as either a self- contained packaged module, or as an “RF stamp” for OEM use complete with wire antenna and without an enclosure. The receiver module has multiple output options (i.e. RS232 TTL) and is suitable for wall-mounting. Activating any switch variant provides data transfer via RF technology, eliminating the need for expensive and complex cabling and increasing flexibility of use. Flexible pairing allows the operation of several switches with one receiver and vice- versa. Each switch has a “Unique ID” providing clear identification when operating several switches at once. Up to three “telegrams” are sent per actuation, with pseudo- random timing to assure robust data transmission.
ENERGY HARVESTING GENERATOR TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW Based on the inductive principle, the direction change of the magnetic field in an inductive magnetic circuit transforms mechanical energy into the electrical energy required to send an RF signal
Figure 1:
Cherry has developed an innovative wireless and batteryless energy harvesting technology
“Key
benefits of using energy harvesting
powered switching systems include: wireless signal output, no power source or battery required, energy saving ...”
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER ELECTRONICS The initial energy pulse created provides the harvested electrical power output, which is then transformed and averaged over time by internal energy management components to create the supply voltage for the wireless transmitter. The small size, high efficiency and long life expectancy (up to 1,000,000 cycles) makes the product, in either form factor, ideal for installation in tight spaces without having to take in to consideration routine maintenance. In addition to pre-assembled switch modules for general HMI purposes, two switch modules have been designed specifically for building automation, a 1-way and a 2-way pushbutton. Key benefits of using energy harvesting powered switching systems include: wireless signal output, no power source or battery required, energy saving, low system installation and maintenance costs, flexible system design, long lifetime, simple installation, maintenance free and eco-friendly. Typical applications include: smart home light switch or handheld
controller, RF enabled bulb control, wall socket outlet or adapter control, window handle linked to room thermostat, building
and office automation, industrial control limit switch, control pedal, emergency stop actuator or machine remote control.
CHERRY Industrial Solutions
www.cherryswitches.com 01582 506140
/ ELECTRONICS
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