A Novel Foot Power

Generator
EE4013 Presented by:
Paul Lennox
Martin Robichaud
Supervised by:
Dr. Sharaf

Presentation Layout

Summary
History & Background
Moving Platform
Generator
Charging Circuit & Source
Future Recommendations
Questions
2

Summary

Purpose is to
generate
electrical
energy from a
foot step.

Courtesy: www.3dcharacter.com

History & Background

Our project is based on a foot

generator designed by a group of
2nd year mechanical engineering
students.
Foot platform had already been
assembled.
A DC generator was their method
of producing electrical energy.
4

Platform & Generator

Courtesy: Floor Generator manual, ME2332, Winter 2004

Functional Diagram

Generator
Charger circuit
Source
Utility circuit

Moving Platform

Redesign or Reuse
Tested the prototype design with
pre-established requirements
We decided to build our own

Moving Platform Testing

Tests

Measured
or
Observed

Required

Average peak 2.4 V peak

voltage per
foot step

9.0 V peak

Platform
15 mm
vertical
displacement

Between 5 and
10 mm

Repeated foot Gears

strikes
cracked

No failures
8

Moving Platform Design

Goals: 15 mm displacement and

sturdy
Red = Frame

Green = Moving
Platform

Welding
Design

Moving Platform
Construction

The frame was welded by Mr. Oscar Robichaud.

The main construction was performed by Paul
and I.

10

Generator

Three methods were suggested

by our advisor.
Piezoelectric ceramics
DC generators
Variable reluctance coils

11

DC Generator Design

Decision: DC Generator
Two main concerns:
Gear Ratio
Total Voltage Rating of 9V
Restrictions:
Small Linear Vertical Movement
Upward and Downward Motion

12

DC Generator 1

Tamiya 72005 6-Speed Gearbox

Specifications:
RPM: 5040-6300
Rated: 3V
Amperage: 0.64A

13

DC Generator 2

Tamiya 70097 Twin-Motor Gearbox

Specifications:
RPM: 6990-9100
Rated: 3V
Amperage: 0.66A

14

Generator Mechanisms

3 Attempted Mechanisms
Air Pressure
Mechanical Arm
Mechanical Arm + One-Way Bearing

15

Mechanical Arm Design

Objectives:
Increase Linear
Motion

Red = Frame
Green = Moving
Platform

Interact with Shaft

Easy to adjust

16

Mechanical Arm

Problems:
Quick change in direction, hard on
gears
Change in direction of current,
requires H-Bridge
Unusable voltage in the upward
motion
Counterweights required due to motor
torque
17

One-Way Bearing

Solution: Add a one-way bearing

Benefits:

Eliminate H-Bridge requirement

Decrease Plate Resistance
Easier on Gears

18

Generator System

19

Generator Results

We do not have a digital photo of the

output yet. The output current and
maximum power will also be noted.
Tuesday afternoon.
Currently between 7-8Vpeak per step

20

Charging Circuit & Source

Two methods were suggested by

our advisor.
Sealed lead gel batteries
Not Expensive(5$)
Requires Charging Circuit
Super capacitor
Expensive(100$+)
No Charging Circuit Required
21

Sealed Lead Gel Battery

Specifications:
6V, 4Amp-Hours
Charging
Voltage
6.7-7.3 Volts

22

Charging Circuit Design

23

Charging Circuit Result

Digital Photo will be added Tuesday

afternoon

24

Charging Circuit
Modification

Voltage Regulator LM317T will be

replaced
An LDO Voltage Regulator, LM1117 will
be used in its place
Expected results:

0.5 Volt drop across the Voltage

Regulator, instead of the current 2.0 Volt
drop
25

Future Recommendations

Generator:

Piezoelectric Ceramics

Source:

Super Capacitor

26

Possible Future
Applications
Wave Generator

27

Conclusion

Our prototype demonstrates that a

floor generator can be done
A DC generator can illustrate the
concept, but the reliability and
durability are questionable
Newer technologies could make a very
reliable generator
28

Questions

29