WO2001026204A1

WO2001026204A1 - Kinetomatic system

Info

Publication number: WO2001026204A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/003814
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Fagbola
Original assignee: John Fagbola
Priority date: 1999-10-04
Filing date: 2000-10-03
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Also published as: AU7543800A

Abstract

The kinetomatic system is a mechanical cum electrical system. It incorporates mechanical, electrical, and electronic actions for the generation, storage and transmission of electric current. The system comprises of gearing wheels that may be rotated by a crank (which may be slid or depressed). This action converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The system may also utilise a crankless movement, meaning that the first gearing wheel is constructed (see page 5 of diagrams) so that any object can be used to rotate it from the outside, for example, the thumb. At the heart of all these actions is the co-ordinating activity of the microprocessor.

Description

KINETOMATIC SYSTEM

This invention is a further development of previously submitted applications (GB9923432.0 and GB0003919.8) under the UK Patent filling applications. The invention relates to an electromechanical mechanism that combines mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. It replaces the conventional recharging of disposable or rechargeable batteries by generating enough power to drive a specified mechanism of specified power requirement. This system may be used repeatedly without the aid of an external electrical charging.

The usual conventional rechargeable batteries are by the application of external power supply. This could take hours before they are duly charged. This makes them to consume more power altogether. The kinetomatic system is quite unlike.

This current invention incorporates a new form of internal mechanical and electrical recharging instead of using the usual external main_fsupply. It can be incorporated into the framework of a gadget to work alongside conventional disposable or rechargeable dry cell, nickel-cadmium, and lithium batteries.

This system works through the incorporation of an external and internal mechanical movement. A mechanical movement is started from without the system but is mechanically linked into the system, leading to the generation of electric current, which is stored and transmitted, for use in and from the system. Simply put, this means of activating the system turns mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A permanent or removable external crank (sliding or depressing) is linked to a gearing wheel. Each forward movement of this crank causes the gearing wheel to turn. Then through a series of wheels and gears, the turning drives the dynamo (or generator). The resulting movement creates some electrical energy that goes through to the integrated circuit (i.c) and then to the rechargeable batteries or capacitor.

The system may also utilise a crankless movement; meaning that the first gearing wheel is constructed (see page 5 of diagrams) so that any object can be used to rotate it from the outside, for example, the thumb. When the power in the batteries or capacitor is about to run out, the microprocessor 'senses' this and may alert the system for the regeneration of energy.

Depending on the energy requirement, a mini transfoπner or stepper motor may be used to step up current generation. It should be noted, however, that the whole action of electricity generation, storage and use is best controlled by a microprocessor inside the system. In some cases, where the system is being built as part of a gadget, an external microprocessor may be employed as a substitute for the one inside the system.

Explanation of the Diagram for KMATIC III

Page 1 shows the longitudinal diagram of the KMATIC III. While on page 2, we have the cross sectional diagram of the same.

When the crank 6 is depressed at the top 7 until its top levels with top of casing 26. Spring 10, which is attached to crank at the lower end 24 and to the casing of the system at the upper end 25, is stretched. The depression of the crank causes a stretching of the spring forcing the crank to retrace until the 't' part 19 of crank is stopped at the underside of 26.

Each forward movement of crank causes the teeth 27 of crank to rotate wheel 1A. Wheel 1 A has a peπnanently attached gear 1 at its underside. The smaller gear 1 in turn drives a bigger wheel 2. As wheel 2 is driven, it does as a result, drives another gear 5 that has dynamo (or generator) 11 permanently attached to its body. In essence, the dynamo (or generator) is driven to generate current by the set of gearing wheels 1A and 1, 2, 5, or more.

The rotation of the dynamo (or generator) causes an electrical current to be generated via the coils 18 on the dynamo (or generator) with respect to the neighbouring permanent magnets 12, 12A, 12B, and 12C. The current may then be transported through the adjacent semiconductor 14 (or microchip) to the capacitors or rechargeable batteries 9 and 15.

It should be noted that at the underside of the system's casing, there is a small rectangularly shaped aperture/cleft 29 that allows the lower end of rod 23 of wheel 1 to move freely. The lack of this aperture/cleft can cause a back electromotive force if care is not taken. In essence, there is a resistance by wheel 1A when crank 6 is depressed at point 7. This resistance causes the rotation of 1A. But as crank 6 retraces, there is no resistance by wheel 1A again because of the freedom (or space) created by the aperture or cleft except when the crank is depressed again.

The purpose of the aperture/cleft 29 that allows the lower end of rod 23 of wheel 1 to move freely in an up and down movement but not sideways; its purpose is to prevent a reverse charging which can cause energy loss.

There is the possibility of the use of a rotary crank as in page 4, but it is less efficient in practicality. If this is utilised, the clockwise rotation of the crank generates an electromotive voltage in the generator, should it be rotated anti- clockwisely, there is no voltage generation. Any generated electrical energy is stored either in the capacitor or used in recharging the rechargeable cells. Another form of the system is the use of a sliding crank as in page 5. This is also efficient in practicality. Moving the Sliding from point A to point B causes the anticlockwise rotation of the first gearing wheel 1 A. The gearing system then turns kinetic energy into an electromotive voltage in the generator. But when the sliding crank is pushed back from point B to point A due to the action of the metallic spring attached to it, there is no movement of the gearing wheels due to aperture/cleft 29, hence generation of current. Any generated electrical energy is stored either in the capacitor or used in recharging the rechargeable cells.

Listed below are the major parts of the KMATIC III System: (Pages 1 & 2)

Part i : gear at the underside of driving wheel 1. Part 1A: first gearing wheel driven by crank 6. Part 2: second wheel driven by 1, and driving 5. Part 3: screw used in binding wheel 2 and support 17 together, Part 4: dynamo (or generator) consisting of 1 1 , 18, 21 , and 22 with 12 and 12B.

Part 5 gear at the epicentre of dynamo (or generator), Part 6 crank. Part 7 crank top (upper part of crank). Part 8 aperture on system's casing which allows crank's movement, Part 9 capacitor or rechargeable cell, Part 10 metallic spring. Part 11 permanent magnets boimd to dynamo (or generator), Part 12 permanent magnet around dynamo (or generator) to create magnetic field.

Parts (12 A, 12B, 12C): just as in 12. Part 13 casing for system, Part 14 space for microprocessor, Part 15 space for rechargeable cell or capacitor. Part 16 screw used in binding wheel 1 A, gear 1 and support 23 together, Part 17 support for wheel 2. Part 18 coils on dynamo (or generator), Part 19 't' hand of crank 6. Part 20 teeth of crank 6. Part 21 commutator. Part 22 coil, linking commutator to dynamo (or generator), Part 23 support for gear 1 and wheel 1 A. Part 24 point to which spring is attached on the crank, Part 25 point to which spring is attached on the system's casing, Part 26 part of casing which prevents 't' part of crank from going further, Part 27 crank's teeth driving 1A. Part 28 furrow on crank (housing metallic spring 10). Part 29 rectangularly shaped aperture (or cleft) on casing, Part 30 sliding crank, similar in structure to crank (6) but without top (7) Page 3 shows the cross sectional diagram of system when wheels are being rotated through the movement of an ergonomically imbalance rotor. The whole action of movement is akin to the ones described above (as in diagrams on pages 1 and 2), except that there is neither crank nor spring.

Movement of rotor R is only by response to acceleration due to gravitation. This gravitational pull causes the rotor that has a permanently screwed gear A at its underside to move. This gear in turn causes wheel C to rotate. This action force a friction between wheel C and another gear D to move in opposite directions. As gear D rotates, dynamo (or generator) G rotates in the same direction as well thereby generating current with respect to the adjacently stationed permanent magnets E, E2, E3 and E4.

Generated current may then be transported tl rough the adjacent semiconductor M (or microchip) to the capacitors or rechargeable batteries.

Claims

1. A mechanism or system that operates by combining mechanical, electrical, and electronic actions to generate, store, and transfer electricity, through the mechanical activities of a crank or object of similar function, gearing wheels, gears, dynamo (or generator) turning kinetic energy into electrical energy.

2. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1) which is structurally designed to link up with a rechargeable battery, rechargeable batteries, or capacitor(s) with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

3. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1) which is technically designed to link up with a rechargeable battery, rechargeable batteries, or capacitor(s) with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

4. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1 ), (2), and (3) used as a battery-charging substitute utilising a crank or object of similar function, irrespective of its shape, size or capacity.

5. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) used as a battery substitute utilising a crank or object of similar function, irrespective of its shape, size or capacity.

6. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1 ), (2), and (3) permanently or temporarily linked to wheels or gearing wheels to move and rotate the generator at the slightest movement.

7. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) used as a battery charging substitute which uses a microprocessor inside the system that co-ordinates the generation, storage, and utilisation of the electricity it creates.

8. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) which uses an external microprocessor that co-ordinates the generation, storage, and utilisation of the electricity created by the system, where the system is being built as part of a gadget.

9. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) that uses a mechanically driven dynamo (or generator) to generate electricity for use as a battery-charging substitute.

10. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) used as a battery charging substitute that operates with a mini transformer or stepper motor to step up its current generation within or without the system.

11. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) which domiciles a capacitor that can be repeatedly charged when it runs out of energy.

12. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) with or without a casing which allows the depression and retraction of a crank or object of similar function, thereby spinning a wheel and or gearing wheels with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

13. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) having a retractable depressing crank or object of similar function, or object of similar function, with a set of teeth which can cause a wheel to spin with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

14. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) having a retractable sliding crank or object of similar function, or object of similar function, with a set of teeth which can cause a wheel to spin with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

15. A mechanism or system that operates by combining mechanical, electrical, and electronic actions to generate, store, and transfer electricity, through the mechanical activities gearing wheels that can be driven externally by any object to in turn drive other gears, dynamo (or generator) turning kinetic energy into electrical energy.

16. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) having a permanent or temporary crank or object of similar function, with the aim of turning mechanical energy into electrical energy.

17. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) utilising a retractable mechanism, such as a metallic spring, to aid the depression and retraction of the crank or object of similar function.

18. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) with an aperture or cleft underneath the supporting rod of wheel which is driven by the crank or object of similar function, for an easier movement of the wheel and the prevention of a reverse charging which can cause energy loss.

19. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in (1), (2), and (3) utilising a retractable mechanism, such as a metallic spring, fastened directly or indirectly onto the crank or object of similar function, to aid the depression and retraction of the crank or object of similar function.

20. A mechanical, electrical, and electronic mechanism or system as described in ( 1), (2), and (3) utilising a retractable mechanism, such as a metallic spring, fastened to the casing of the system or around the system and linked to the crank or object of similar function, to aid the depression and retraction of the crank or object of similar function.