Metodología TRIZ aplicada al análisis y desarrollo de sistemas de aprovechamiento de energía biomecánica stars

Abstract

This study continues the work begun in the year 2007 with the Project for Research and Technological Development "Walking energy " ordered to the University of La Rioja by the company Cauchos Ruiz Alejos, SA, and carried out by several members of the research team "Modelling, simulation and optimization of industrial electrical systems" and "integrated design group", departments of Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of La Rioja under the direction of one of the directors of this thesis. The author of this thesis was hired to participate as a researcher in that project. The study describes the different existing options for taking advance of the energy that is not used while walking, and therefore is wasted. After choosing the most suitable option a new device was developed and patented. This device generated enough electricity to charge mobile phones or other similar electronic devices, using the movements and forces made by the human body while walking. In a second phase, thanks to the experience and knowledge acquired during the development of the first device, a second, different device was designed and patented, based on the same theoretical basis of exploiting the energy generated while walking, but in this case that energy was used to regulate the temperature inside the shoe, by heating or cooling the shoe. Taking as a starting point the design process of these devices, the author, along with the directors of the thesis, considered the need to continue the line of this project, now with a more academic approach, seeking on the one hand improve the results of research studies developed, and on the other hand, demonstrate the functionality of such devices, analyzing the impact generated on the environment and compared with those from other existing commercial devices. To search for improvements in the studied devices, the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TIPS) was used, which is a problem-solving methodology and invention that applies the concept of innovation to develop solutions for technical and scientific problems, taking advantage of existing knowledge in other fields for innovative solutions to problems. To find and compare the environmental impact caused by the tested devices the methodology of life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been used, which evaluates all aspects of the production and use of the device, from resource use and environmental emissions from extraction and processing of raw materials to disposal when no longer in use. The LCA of the device shows a negative environmental impact (it is beneficial for the environment), to replace the use of other elements that can do the same work as batteries and cells for their highly polluting chemicals.