WO2009125328A1

WO2009125328A1 - A playground appliance comprising a motion-powered unit

Info

Publication number: WO2009125328A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/051418
Authority: WO
Inventors: Berent W. Meerbeek; Jonathan D. Mason
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2009-04-03
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

The invention relates to playground appliances equipped with one or more devices for outputting signals, such as a light signal, an audio signal, an odor signal or a vibration signal. The playground appliance moreover comprises means for converting motion into electricity, such as a dynamo, piezoelectric elements or induction means, so that the one or more devices for outputting signals may be powered by electricity produced by applying forces to the playground appliance during normal use thereof. Hereby, the playground appliance may be made more fun, more interactive, more supportive in the development of children and/or safer to use. The output signals of the playground appliance may stimulate children to engage in physical activity and thereby promote a healthier lifestyle.

Description

A playground appliance comprising a motion-powered unit

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a playground appliance. The invention also relates to the use of a motion-powered unit in a playground appliance, where said unit is arranged for outputting a signal, when powered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional playground equipment may be quickly perceived as boring by children. Especially for older children, playing on the playground may become repetitive and boring. Many children start playing computer games that are more dynamic and offer much more interactivity to the players. However, while playing computer games children are not physically active.

US 6 991 549 B 2 relates to play apparatus arranged to produce sounds when a moveable member of the apparatus is moved between a first position and a second position caused by the user's application of feree to the moveable member. Thus, the user may interact with the moveable member with the result that the moveable member changes position and a selected sound is thereby produced.

However, even more interactivity than disclosed in US 6 991 549 B2, between a user and a playground apparatus may be advantageous. Hence, an improved playground apparatus would be advantageous, and in particular more interaction would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a playground apparatus with improved interactivity. It may also be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an alternative playground apparatus providing interactivity with a user.

This object and other objects are obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a playground appliance comprising means for converting motion into electricity; and a unit arranged to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means for converting motion into electricity, wherein said unit comprises output means for providing an output signal upon powering of said unit, said output signal being one or more of the following: a sound signal, a visual signal, a vibration signal and an odor signal. Physical motion of the playground appliance or in relation to the playground appliance may be converted into electricity that can be used for powering one or more units producing output signals. A sound signal may comprise any audio signal, such as a tone, a part of a tune or a voice signal, e.g. a voice recording of a story. A visual signal may comprise a light signal, such as a bulb or a light emitting diode (LED) emitting light, or a more detailed signal on a kind of display. A vibration signal may be any motion or pulsation of the playground appliance or a part thereof, and an odor signal may comprise any smell or scent, whether fragrant or offensive.

A user's or a child's use of the playground appliance may be converted into electrical energy and used to power one or more units that may generate a stimulating output signal for enhancing the user's or the child's delight and joy of using the playground appliance. The units can be used to make the playground appliance more fun, more interactive, more supportive in the development of the users/children and/or safer.

The playground appliance according to the invention brings the interactivity and dynamics that units powered by electricity can offer to playground appliances and thus to a playground. Hereby the excitement of electronic games may be combined with the health benefits of outdoor, physical play. This can stimulate children to engage in physical activity and promotes healthier lifestyles. Furthermore, the playground appliance is sustainable and environmentally friendly, since it uses human motion to generate electricity rather than using electricity generated by burning fossil fuels.

According to another aspect of the invention, the playground appliance further comprises an energy storage arranged to store energy in the form of electricity, wherein an input of said energy storage being connected to the means for converting motion into electricity and an output of said energy storage is connected to the unit. Thereby, the unit may be powered by electricity from the energy storage. This renders it possible to e.g. accumulate energy during some time in order to power the unit subsequent to the application of motion to the playground appliance and/or to power an electricity demanding unit after generation and storage of sufficient electricity. The energy storage may be any appropriate means for storing energy, e.g. a storage battery, a rechargeable battery, an accumulator or an electrochemical cell.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the means for converting motion into electricity of the playground appliance are arranged to convert motion of a first element of the playground appliance in relation to a second element of the playground appliance into electricity. The term "an element of the playground appliance" is meant to denote any element within, being part of or being connected to the playground appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the means for converting motion into electricity are arranged to convert mechanical stress applied to a third element of the playground appliance into electricity. Hereby, the physical motion of or supplied to an element of the playground appliance as a result of the force applied to the element by a human is converted into electrical energy or electricity and is used to power the unit providing an output signal.

The means for converting motion into electricity may comprise a dynamo, a piezoelectric generator or induction means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the unit of the playground appliance moreover comprises one or more of the following: a processor, a sensor, input means, a communication unit. Hereby, the interaction between the user and the playground appliance may be more lively and individual. The unit may e.g. comprise a biometric sensor or other input means in order to identify persons and it may be programmed to output an audio signal individualized to the specific person using or interacting with the playground appliance.

According to another aspect, the strength and/or the frequency of the output signal provided by the output means may depend on the frequency of the motion of the first element of the playground appliance in relation to the second element of the playground appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the strength and/or the frequency of the output signal provided by the output means may depend on the frequency and/or the strength of the mechanical stress applied to the third first element of the playground appliance. For example different colors or sounds may be output and/or different levels of outputting the output signals may be provided depending on the speed and/or strength of motion of the first element. Alternative, an output signal may be provided only after a predetermined threshold of e.g. frequency, amplitude and/or energy generated is reached or different colors/sounds depending on speed and/or strength of motion.

The playground appliance may be or comprise a swing, a seesaw, a carrousel, a teeter-totter, a chute, a slide, a climbing frame, a zip wire or a helter-skelter. However, the invention is not limited to these examples, but may be used in any playground appliance having a moveable member and/or a member to which a force is applied in normal use of the playground appliance. According to a further aspect, the invention is related to the use of a unit in a playground appliance, said playground appliance comprising means for converting motion into electricity; wherein said unit is arranged to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means for converting motion into electricity and wherein said unit comprises output means for providing an output signal upon powering of said unit, said output signal being one or more of the following: a sound signal, a visual signal, a vibration signal and an odor signal.

The different aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will now be explained, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, where Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a playground appliance according to the invention; and

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are representations of playground appliances according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the figures, like elements are denoted with like reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a playground appliance 100 according to the invention. The playground appliance 100 comprises means 120 for converting motion into electricity. Such means for converting motion into electricity may e.g. be a dynamo, a piezoelectric generator or induction means; however, the invention is not limited to these examples in that any means for converting physical motion into electricity may be used. The playground appliance 100 moreover comprises an electronic or electric unit 140 to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means 120 for converting motion into electricity. The unit 140 comprises output means 150 for providing an output signal upon powering of the unit 140, where the output signal is one or more of the following: a sound signal, a visual signal, a vibration signal and an odor signal.

A user may apply a force F to the means 120 of converting motion into electricity by applying a force F to a part of the playground appliance 100, which results in motion, either in motion of a first element of the playground appliance in relation to a second element thereof, or in motion of a third element of the playground, such as compression, expansion or extension of the third element. The mechanical energy of the motion of the playground appliance element is converted into electricity by component 120. The electricity may be used to power the unit 140 so as to output a signal by means of the output means 150 of the unit 140.

The physical motion of an element of the playground appliance or the physical motion in relation to the playground appliance as a result of the force applied to the appliance by a human is converted into electrical energy and used to power electronic units. There are several methods for harvesting energy using physical motion, such as piezoelectricity, dynamos, or inductive surfaces. Examples of playground appliances to which our invention can be applied are swings, seesaws, slides, climbing frames, zip wires, carousels, etc. The electronic or electric units can be used to make the playground appliance more fun, more interactive, more supportive in the development of the children, or safer. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternative playground appliance 101 according to the invention. The playground appliance 101 of figure 2 comprises means 120 for converting motion into electricity as well as a unit 140 arranged to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means 120 for converting motion into electricity, the unit 140 comprising output means 150, like the playground appliance 100 of figure 1. The means 120 and the unit 140 will therefore not be described in further detail again. The playground apparatus 101 of figure 2 further comprises an energy storage 130 arranged to store energy in the form of electricity. The energy storage 130 is arranged to make stored energy available as electric current. An input of said energy storage 130 is connected to the means 120 for converting motion into electricity and an output of the energy storage 130 is connected to the unit 140 arranged to be powered by electricity.

Again, a user may apply a force F to the means 120 of converting motion into electricity by applying a force F to a part of the playground appliance 100, which results in motion, either in motion of a first element of the playground appliance in relation to a second element thereof, or in motion of a third element of the playground, such as compression, expansion or extension of the third element. The mechanical energy of the motion of the playground appliance element is converted into electricity by component 120.

The generated electricity is buffered in component 130. The electricity stored in component 130 may be used to power the unit 140 so as to output a signal by means of the output means 150 of the unit 140. Figure 3 is a representation of playground appliance 102 according to the invention. The playground appliance in figure 3 is a carousel 102. The carousel comprises four seats 30 each arranged for supporting a person, preferably a child. During use or play, one or more persons seated at the carousel 102 may bring the carousel 102 into rotation around a vertical axis 35 of the carousel 102 by applying a physical force. Such application of a physical force may be kicking or setting off in relation to the supporting surface on which the playground appliance stands, typically the ground. Alternatively, the application of physical forces may be carried out by a person pushing the carousel 102 or indirectly by pushing a person seated on a seat 30 of the carousel 102. A dynamo 120 is integrated in the center of the carousel 102. The dynamo 120 consists of a static coil in the centre and rotating magnets in the outer periphery of the carousel 102. The same principle is used as in hub dynamos for bicycles, but rotated 90 degrees so that the axis of the dynamo is substantially coincident with the vertical axis 35. As soon as a person applies a physical force in order to make the carousel move, e.g. by pushing the seats 30 of the carousel 102, the support to which the seats 30 are attached start rotating around the axis 35. The part or element of the carousel comprising the magnets rotates as well, whereas the part with coil remains static. During rotation, electromagnetism creates electricity, which is buffered in a battery (not shown in the figure). From the battery, the electricity is transferred via a wire to several electronic units. For example, to an audio output device 140 and low power lights (e.g. LEDs) 141. The audio device 140 could play a song or tell a story. The speed of playback could depend on the speed of rotation. If the seats 30 rotate very fast, the audio playback will be fast as well. The LEDs 141 could show lights in different colors depending on the speed of rotation of the carousel 102.

Figure 4 is a representation of an alternative playground 103 appliance according to the invention. The playground appliance in figure 4 is a slide 103. The slide has a ladder 41 to be used for climbing to the top of the slide, a supporting surface 42 over which the user may slide when using the slide as well safety part 43 in the form of a border or rim. Typically, a slide comprises a safety rim or border 43 on both sides of the supporting surface 42; however, in figure 4 only one such safety rim or border 43 is shown. The slide moreover comprises a number tiles of piezoelectric elements 121 arranged on the supporting surface 42. The piezoelectric elements may e.g. be made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The piezoelectric elements 121 are arranged within the supporting surface 42 such that the surface of the piezoelectric elements 121 are flush with the surface of the supporting surface 42, so that a user using the slide will experience a even surface of the supporting surface 42. When a user slides over the supporting surface 42, he/she will move across the piezoelectric elements 121 and thus compress each piezoelectric element 121 due to the force applied to each of them. Due to the piezoelectricity of the elements 121, electricity is generated as a user presses down or compresses each element 121 when sliding over it. The impact of users as they move over the pressure points will generate electricity, which is stored in the battery (not shown in figure 4). The electricity is transferred via a wire (not shown) to power lights 141, e.g. LEDs, that are attached to the slide and audio output devices 140. The lights 141 may light up in different colors as the users use the slide, while the audio output devices 140 may play sounds. Figure 5 is a representation of yet an alternative playground 104 appliance according to the invention. The playground appliance in figure 5 is a see-saw or a rocking horse 104. The rocking horse 104 comprises a seat area 51 arranged to support a user or a child using the rocking horse 104. The rocking horse moreover comprises a handle 52 which the user or child may grip when using the rocking horse 104. Integrated within the rocking horse 104 are means for converting motion into electricity in the form of a coil of wire 12b and a magnet 12a, in the form of a ball, arranged within the coil of wire 12b. Of course, any appropriate shape of the magnet 12a may be used, such as a bar, a cube, a cylinder, etc. The size and shape of the magnet 12a is adapted to the size of the coil of wire 12b, so that the magnet 12a may move within the coil of wire 12b. The theories of Faraday's Laws of Induction, where a change in a magnetic field surrounding a coil of wire will induce a voltage, elucidates how a motion of the rocking horse 104 may be converted into electricity. When the user or child is using the rocking horse 104 and thereby rock, shake or move it, the magnet 12a will move within the coil of wire 12b and thus induce a voltage and energy to power output devices, e.g. in the form of LEDs 141 and audio device 140.

It should be noted that the units arranged to be powered by electricity may be any electric or electronic units arranged to provide an output signal upon supply of electricity, such as any light source, audio output device, loudspeaker, amplification means, display, sensor, processor, odor outputting means, vibration means, communication unit, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that the term "electricity" is meant to cover any electric current, i.e. a movement or flow of electrically charged particles, any electric field and any electric potential.

Even though the present invention relates to playground appliances or a unit used within a playground appliance, the invention is not intended to be limited to appliances situated within a playground; the invention is merely related to playground appliances suited for being situated within a playground. They may be situated within any recreational area, e.g. a playground, a schoolyard, a park or a private garden, etc.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to "a", "an", "first", "second" etc. do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) comprising: means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity; and a unit (140; 141) arranged to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity, wherein said unit (140; 141) comprises output means (150; 151) for providing an output signal upon powering of said unit (140; 141), said output signal being one or more of the following: a sound signal, a visual signal, a vibration signal and an odor signal.

2. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to claim 1, further comprising an energy storage (130) arranged to store energy in the form of electricity, wherein an input of said energy storage (130) being connected to said means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity and an output of said energy storage (130) is connected to the unit (140; 141).

3. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity are arranged to convert motion of a first element of the playground appliance in relation to a second element of the playground appliance into electricity.

4. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for converting motion into electricity are arranged to convert mechanical stress applied to a third element of the playground appliance into electricity.

5. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for converting motion into electricity comprises a dynamo, a piezoelectric generator or induction means.

6. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said unit (140; 141) moreover comprises one or more of the following: a processor, a sensor, input means, a communication unit.

7. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the strength and/or the frequency of the output signal provided by the output means (140; 141) depend(s) on the frequency of the motion of the first element of the playground appliance in relation to the second element of the playground appliance.

8. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 4 to 7, wherein the strength and/or the frequency of the output signal provided by the output means (140; 141) depend(s) on the frequency and/or the strength of the mechanical stress applied to the third first element of the playground appliance.

9. A playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the playground appliance comprises a swing, a seesaw, a carrousel, a teeter-totter, a chute, a slide, a climbing frame, a zip wire, or a helter-skelter.

10. Use of a unit (140; 141) in a playground appliance (100; 101; 102; 103; 104), said playground appliance (100) comprising means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity; wherein said unit (140; 141) is arranged to be powered by electricity generated by activation of said means (120; 121; 122) for converting motion into electricity and wherein said unit (140; 141) comprises output means (150; 151) for providing an output signal upon powering of said unit (140; 141), said output signal being one or more of the following: a sound signal, a visual signal, a vibration signal and an odor signal.