| abstract |
A wireless switch (100) is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter (102). The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element (202). A tritium light source (302) and photovoltaic device (304) are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source (402, 406, 408) and photovoltaic device (304) 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. |