Distributer for motor components?

[kyazh]

I'm working on a project where I need to fit an electricity generating device (some type of motor) in a low profile enclosure (less than 1 inch thick). Below is a picture of a Radioshack Crank Radio taken apart. Inside, to the left you can see a metal cylinder. There's two half circle magnets attached to the inner circumference of the cylinder and the cylinder is spinning around a stator with coils.

The thickness of the stator + cylinder is about 1/2 inch.
If I removed the stator/cylinder combo from the Radio, soldered it to my own PCB and attached the crank directly to the cylinder without the gears, I would have a device that is about 3/4 inch thick. Perfect for my application.


Is there a distributor from which I could buy these types of parts? ... or are they custom made?

More Details:
The stator coils would solder onto my custom PCB with rectifying ckt + voltage regulator + charging ckt for a cell phone battery.

Thanks for reading!

 

[ccjersey]

The gears are probably necessary for any normal human to generate much electricity with this setup. Maybe you don't need much, but most folks get tired of cranking real fast.

the gear train might also help support the load cranking it places on the handle. If you don't like gears, then what about a belt?

 

[kyazh]

Thank you for the input. I have actually considered that factor, and since this will be attached to a mechanism that spins much faster than the human arm can crank, it will be OK. I counted about 20 rotations of the cylinder per one full handle crank rotation on the radio. I just want to know if there is say, a digikey for more mechanical stuff like this for me to order parts from . I would hope that these parts are regularly manufactured by someone ... (cylinder + stator with coils)

 

[waross]

These are probably mass produced in China or anther low labor cost exporting Nation.
If you are only making one or two units, look for crank operated LED flashlights.
Bicycle generators may be useful.
If you need a lot, consider designing your own. Increasing the diameter has functional advantages if possible.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[kyazh]

I c.. So it looks like I'm going to need to build my own mechanism for a prototype, then design one in say solidworks and have it fabricated for mass production (if it doesn't fail lol). I guess I'll be looking for magnetic wire and magnets on google.

Are there any good information sources for designing these types of generators that I could look at for info? Maybe some reference designs? I was hoping I wouldn't have to build my own (because of the extra work and im lazy lol) ... but looks like I don't have a choice. Any help would be appreciated. I need to crack open my physics books...