Self-powered wireless switch

Abstract

A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vehicle system comprising: 
 a keyless entry pad on an exterior of a vehicle; and    a plurality of self-powered wireless switches connected to the keyless entry pad and actuated when a user presses the pad wherein each switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user.    
     
     
         2 . The vehicle system of  claim 1  wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric device.  
     
     
         3 . A vehicle system comprising: 
 an interior lock/unlock switch of a vehicle; and    a pair of self-powered wireless switches connected to the interior lock/unlock switch and actuated by the lock/unlock switch wherein each switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user.    
     
     
         4 . The vehicle system of  claim 3  wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric device.  
     
     
         5 . A vehicle system comprising: 
 a door handle of a vehicle; and    a self-powered wireless switch connected to the door handle and actuated by the door handle wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user.    
     
     
         6 . The vehicle system of  claim 5  wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric device.  
     
     
         7 . A vehicle system comprising: 
 an interior lock/unlock plunger of a vehicle; and    a pair of self-powered wireless switches connected to the interior lock/unlock plunger and actuated by the lock/unlock plunger wherein each switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user.    
     
     
         8 . The vehicle system of  claim 7  wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric device.  
     
     
         9 . A vehicle system comprising: 
 a remote keyless entry device having a button; and    a self-powered wireless switch connected to the button and actuated by the button wherein the switch includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvesting device arranged to produce electrical power for operation of the wireless transmitter upon actuation of the switch by the user.    
     
     
         10 . The vehicle system of  claim 9  wherein the energy harvesting device includes a piezoelectric device.