Magnetostriction element and magnetostriction-type vibration powered generator using same

Abstract

A magnetostriction-type vibration powered generator including a power generating section and a frame joined to the power generating section. The power generating section includes a diaphragm formed of non-magnetic material and disposed at a first end of the power generating section, a magnetostriction element disposed at a second end of the power generating section; and a coil wrapped around the magnetostriction element along the longitudinal direction. The frame includes a frame body formed of a magnetic material and joined to a second end of the power generating section. A magnet is provided on the frame body so as to face the magnetostriction element of the power generating section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetostriction-type vibration powered generator comprising a power generating section, and a frame joined to the power generating section,
 the power generating section having a first end and a second end, and including:
 a diaphragm formed of a non-magnetic material and disposed at the first end of the power generating section; 
 a magnetostriction element disposed at the second end of the power generating section, the magnetostriction element comprising a magnetostrictive material that is a monocrystalline alloy represented by the following formula (1),
   Fe (100-α-β)  Ga α X β ,   Formula (1)
 
 
   
       wherein α and β represent Ga content (at %) and X content (at %), respectively, X is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Cu, and C, and the formula satisfies 5≤α≤40, and 0≤β≤1,
 the magnetostriction element having a longitudinal direction along which the magnetostriction element extends between opposing first and second ends, 
 the magnetostriction element having a <100> crystal orientation of the monocrystalline alloy along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, and having a Ga concentration gradient that decreases in a direction from the second end to the first end disposed at the second end of the power generating section; and
 a coil wrapped around the magnetostriction element along the longitudinal direction, 
 
 the frame having a first end and a second end, and including: 
 a frame body formed of a magnetic material and joined to the second end of the power generating section at the first end of the frame, the frame body extending between the first end and the second end of the frame; and 
 a magnet provided on the frame body so as to face the magnetostriction element of the power generating section, 
 the magnetostriction element being disposed in such an orientation that the direction from the second end to the first end of the power generating section corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the magnetostriction element, and that the magnetostriction element joins the diaphragm at the first end of the magnetostriction element. 
 
     
     
         2 . The magnetostriction-type vibration powered generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the power generating section and the frame have a C-shape as a whole. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetostriction-type vibration powered generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is provided on the frame body so as to face the magnetostriction element at the first end of the magnetostriction element.