WO2012140162A2

WO2012140162A2 - Device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy

Info

Publication number: WO2012140162A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/056716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Spreemann; Bernd Folkmer
Original assignee: Hahn-Schickard Gesellschaft Für Angewandte Forschung E. V.
Priority date: 2011-04-14
Filing date: 2012-04-12
Publication date: 2012-10-18
Also published as: DE102011007397B4; EP2697896A2; DE102011007397A1; WO2012140162A3

Abstract

A device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy which has a coil and an oscillating body with a first and a second oscillating mass. The first and second oscillating masses can move relative to one another between a first position, in which engagement sections of the first and second oscillating masses are engaged, and a second position, in which other engagement sections of the first and second oscillating masses are engaged. The oscillating body has a magnet and can be moved relative to the coil on a movement path between two reversal points, in order to induce a current in the coil. By means of the oscillating body, a magnetic flux through the coil is predefined, said flux having a first direction when the two oscillating masses are in the first position, and an opposing second direction when the two oscillating masses are in the second position. The device is configured in such a way that a reversal of the direction of movement of the oscillating body and a change in position of the two oscillating masses from the first position to the second position, or vice versa, take place at the reversal points.

Description

Device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy

description

The present invention relates to devices for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy using a coil and a flywheel body. Devices for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, or in particular for converting vibrations into electrical energy, are usually resonant spring-mass-damper systems. Such converters are also called vibration transducers. In these, the effect of the resonance is exploited in order to maximize the energy transfer of the vibration in the vibration transducer or to amplify the usually small vibration amplitudes into large internal Auslcnkungen the flywheel. However, if the vibration amplitude or the dimension of the exciting movement function is greater than the internal deflection of the vibration transducer, it is not advantageous to operate the vibration transducer at its resonance frequency. An exception to this is the operation of a transducer in the case of pulse excitation, in which a resonant transducer is deflected once and then oscillates at its resonance frequency. In practice, large-scale excitation functions are common, e.g. Human movement, positioning and robot systems, machine tools.

A mechanism for the effective conversion of kinetic energy in large-scale movements in electrical energy is from the company Seiko and is shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 shows a device 10 which has a flywheel body 1 1 with a flywheel. The flywheel 1 1 is rotatably mounted on an axis 14 and is located with a translation 16 which is connected on a drive side 16a with the flywheel 1 1 on the axis 14 in engagement. On a drive side 16a opposite output side 16b of the translation stage 16 is a rotor 18a with the translation stage 16 is engaged. This rotor 18a belongs to a generator 18.

The flywheel 1 1 can be excited by a movement which is significantly greater in its deflection than the inner deflection of the flywheel 11, for example, an arm movement, or by horizontal acceleration pulses, for example when starting or braking robot movements, to vibrate. Here, the flywheel body 1 1 rotates about the axis 14, so that the kinetic energy, for example, a straight line Movement is converted into rotor energy. The rotorial energy is transmitted to the generator 18 by means of the translation stage 16 and converted into electrical energy by inducing a current in a coil with a magnetic flux rotating rotor 18a in a magnetic field. With this induced current, for example, a wrist watch can be supplied with electrical energy by movement of the wrist joint. The energy conversion is largely based on a change in the gravitational direction, in principle, acceleration pulses, eg when starting or braking robot movements, can be used as long as it is horizontal movements, ie axis of rotation of the imbalance perpendicular to the acceleration of gravity, is.

T. v. Buren, G. Tröster describes an approach in which body movements are converted with conventional resonant vibration transducers in the design and optimization of a linear vibration-driven electromagnetic micro-power generator. With a prototype (~ 30cm ³ ) average power of about 50 μ ν could be achieved while running. In most cases, however, the voltages are less than 1 V, which causes significant losses due to the voltage rectification.

Another approach is based on a ball, which is located in a quadrilateral space bounded by piezoelectric bars and generates electrical energy when struck, although the achievable powers and voltages are below a technically relevant range. In contrast to the oscillatory systems mentioned above, EnOcean has developed a switch that generates electrical energy by achieving magnetic flux reversal in a coil by pressing a button. This system is force-controlled and can not be used to convert large-scale movements. However, it has the characteristic advantage that the electrical energy is available in a short pulse, but with high power and high voltage, whereas in vibration transducers the available voltage level usually drops very quickly below IV, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the overall system.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for converting kinetic energy, in particular as a result of large-scale movements or impulse excitations, into electrical energy with a high efficiency. This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

The present invention provides a device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, which has the following features: a spool, a flywheel having a first flywheel and a second flywheel, the first flywheel and the second flywheel being relatively engaged between a first position, in the engagement portions of the first and second flywheels, and a second position, in the other engagement portions the first and second flywheels are movable, the flywheel body having a magnet and movable relative to the coil on a trajectory between two points of reversal to induce a current in the coil, the flywheel causing a magnetic flux through the coil which has a first direction when the two flywheels are in the first position, and an opposite second direction when the two flywheels are in the second position, the device being designed such that at the reversal points a reversal of the direction of movement of the Swing body and one e position change of the two masses of the first to the second position or vice versa take place.

Embodiments of the invention provide a device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy that combines several advantages of known approaches. Embodiments of the invention allow the exploitation of excitations with large-scale movements, vibrations or pulses associated with a high overall system efficiency with a high voltage level.

For this purpose, in embodiments of the invention, a flywheel body, which is part of a spring-mass system, with a magnet, which dictates a magnetic flux through a coil, relative to the coil for swinging excited on a trajectory between two reversal points, wherein the direction of the magnetic flux is changed at the reversal points, so that thereby a current is induced in the coil.

The trajectory of the flywheel is limited in embodiments by two gefered stops at reversal points at which the movement of the example excited by a pulse flywheel is reversed so that it oscillates back and forth between the reversal points. Furthermore, the flywheel body is formed by two relatively movable flywheel masses, which are a first and a second To take a position. Through these positions, the direction of the magnetic flux of the flywheel body is defined so that the magnetic flux of the flywheel body in the first position has a first direction and in the second position has a second direction opposite to the first direction. The change in position of the two centrifugal masses to one another and thus also the change in the direction of the magnetic flux takes place at the reversal points.

In embodiments of the invention, a spring of a sprung stop acts on one of the two flywheels, while an inertia acts on the other flywheel in the opposite direction and so a position change of the two flywheel masses from the first to the second position or vice versa.

In embodiments of the invention takes place in the change in position of the centrifugal masses, a reversal of the direction of the magnetic flux, so that each time the direction of movement, a current pulse can be induced in the coil. This may cause voltage and power problems in converting kinetic energy, e.g. Vibration or pulses, can be reduced into electrical energy. In this way, devices according to embodiments of the present invention enable efficient conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Preferred embodiments of the present application will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 2a, 2b is a schematic representation of the two flywheel masses of Figure 1 in a first and a second position. Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a replacement model for the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4a - 4d is a schematic sectional view of a replacement model for another

Embodiment;

FIG. 5 is graphs illustrating adjustment parameters of sprung ones. FIG

Attacks at the reversal points; FIGS. 6a-6b are graphs in a device for illustrating the relationship between the excitation by a kinetic energy and the resulting electrical energy according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an energy converter according to the prior art

Technology.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2a and 2b, a device 20 for converting kinetic energy to electrical energy will now be described. It has a coil 26 and a flywheel 12, the latter comprising a first flywheel 28 and a second flywheel 30.

The flywheels 28 and 30 are movable relative to the spool 26 and to each other on a movement path 21 with two turning points 56a, 56b. For this purpose, the same according to the present embodiment, in each case rotatably mounted about an axis 22, so that in accordance with the present Ausführungsbei game, the movement path 21 corresponds to a circle segment whose two ends are defined by the reversal points 56 a and 56 b.

The movement of the flywheels 28 and 30 towards each other is restricted to positions between a first stable position 60 (FIG. 2a) therebetween in which engagement portions 62b, 64b, 66a and 68a of the first and second flywheels 28 and 30 are engaged and a second stable position 70 in which other engagement portions 62a, 64a, 66b and 68b of the first and second flywheels 28 and 30 are engaged.

The flywheel body 12 further includes a magnet 32 for inducing a current in the coil 26. Specifically, the flywheel 12 provides a magnetic flux through the coil 26 having a first direction 69 when the two flywheels 28, 30 are in the first position 60, and an opposite second direction 79 when the two flywheels 28 and 30 in the second position 70 are. The device 20 is designed such that at the reversal points 56a, 56b, a reversal of the direction of movement of the flywheel body 12 and a change in position of the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 from the first position 60 to the second position 70 or vice versa takes place, so that at each polarity reversal Current induction takes place and thereby a conversion of kinetic energy, which led to the movement of the flywheel body, takes place in electrical energy, as will be discussed in more detail below. To define the axis of rotation 22, the device 20 comprises a C-shaped frame 24 having an axially parallel portion 24a and two opposing portions 24b, 24c at opposite ends of the axially parallel portion 24a, between which the axis 22 extends. The definition of the axis could, of course, be different. In the present case, the frame 24 is divided into two parts, between which extends transversely to the axis 22, a board 25 having an opening 27 through which the axis 22 extends, and on which the fixed coil 26 is arranged, the is arranged about the axis of rotation 22 and through which the axis of rotation 22 extends. However, even the frame 24 and the axis 22 fixed support of the coil 26 is only exemplary and could also be designed differently. On the board 25, the contact of the coil 26 and thus the tapping of the electrical energy can take place.

The first flywheel 28 has a first moment of inertia Ji, and the second flywheel 30, on which the magnet 32 is formed in the present case, has a second mass moment of inertia J ₂ .

As will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the first stable position 60 results in a magnetic flux having a first direction 69 and in the second position 70 a magnetic flux having a second opposite direction 79 through the Coil 26. Previously, however, the flywheels 28 and 30 are described in more detail.

In particular, the first flywheel 28 has a with respect to the axis 22 on a first side of the coil 26 arranged, from the axis 22 radially outwardly erstre- ckenden section 42 and one with respect to the axis 22 on a second side of the coil 26 of the axis 22 radially extending portion 44. Further, the flywheel 28 has a extending through the coil 26 section 40 which connects the two sections 42 and 44 together. The portion 42 is fork-shaped and around the two engagement portions 64a and 64b, which also extend radially outwardly and are spaced apart along the path of movement.

The second flywheel 30 includes the magnet 32 so that the magnet 32 is located between the engagement portions 64a and 64b. Its poles 32a and 32b are located along the movement path 21 opposite each other. Further, the second flywheel 30 has two radially extending from the axis 22 parts 34 and 36, between which two members 35 and 37 are mounted in the axial direction, between which the magnet 32 is held. The parts 34 and 36 are not shown in Figs. 2a and 2b to not to obstruct the view of the other components. The two members 35 and 37 thus define two engagement portions 62a and 62b located between the portions 64a and 64b and between which in turn the magnet 32 is located, and two engagement portions 68a and 68b between which a portion spaced from the axis 22 66 of section 44, which defines two access sections 66a and 66b.

The portion 42 of the first flywheel 28 is rotated relative to the portion 44 relative to the axis, that in the first position 60 at the level of the portion 42, the engagement portions 62 b and 64 b, namely the rear in the direction of movement A engagement portions, and at the height of the portion 44 two further engagement portions 66a and 68a, namely the front in the direction of movement A engagement portions, are engaged. In the second position 70, at the level of the portion 42, the engagement portions 62a and 64a of the flywheels 28 and 30, i. in the direction of movement B rear engagement portions, while at the level of the portion 44, the engagement portions 66b and 68b, i. the front in the direction of movement B engaging portions are engaged.

In the first position, the portion 42 is magnetically coupled via the engagement portions 62b and 64b to the first pole 32a of the magnet 32, and the portion 44 is magnetically coupled via the engagement portions 66a and 68a to the second magnetic pole 32b. As a result of the magnetic coupling of the two flywheel masses 28 and 30, a magnetic yoke is thus formed, so that a magnetic flux with a first direction 69 in the flywheel body 12 passes through the coil 26 at the first position 60. In the second position 70, the magnetic coupling of the portion 42 through the engagement portions 62a and 64a with the second magnetic pole 32b and the portion 44 through the engagement portions 66b and 68b with the first magnetic pole 32a, so that the magnetic flux is a second direction 79, the the magnetic flux direction 69 is opposite, in Magnetj och and thus the coil 26 passes. In order to allow the magnetic flux in the magnetic yoke of the flywheels 28 and 30, a magnetically conductive material, such. Steel or iron used for sections 40, 42 and 44 and for members 35 and 37. The parts 34 and 36 (unbalance plates), however, are not magnetically conductive or magnetically isolated, so that the magnetic flux is not short-circuited by these.

In this embodiment, the magnet 32 is further arranged such that it can exert a holding force F _M on the first flywheel 28 to fix the first position 60 or the second position 70. Furthermore, the section 42 of the first flywheel 28 has a Vorsprang 46a and 48b Vorsprang, with which the flywheel 12 or according to the present Ausführangsbeispiel the flywheel 28 on a spring 48a of a first spring stop 57a at the reversal point 56a of the movement path 21st or an opposing spring 48b of a second spring-loaded stop 57b at the other reversal point 56b of the movement path 21 strikes. The sprung stops 57a and 57b are arranged on the axis-parallel portion 24a of the frame 24 and are formed in the present embodiment by the springs 48a and 48b and two fixed stoppers 54a and 54b, respectively.

The springs 48a and 48b are thus positioned on the frame 24 at the height of the second portion 42 in this Ausführangsbeispiel and thus represent two reversal points 56a and 56b for the flywheel 12. The spring rate of the springs 48a and 48b and the points of engagement of the springs 48a and 48b on the movement path 21, on which the flywheel 28, the springs 48a and 48b begins to touch and compress, are variable via an adjusting screw 50. Furthermore, the positions of the fixed stops 54a and 54b on the movement path 21 can be varied by means of two adjusting screws 52a and 52b. Here, it is advantageous that the spring-mass system, formed by the flywheel body 12 and the springs 48a and 48b, by means of the adjustable sprung stops 57a and 57b to a certain excitation x (t) out, for example, an acceleration or vibration, can be optimized, with which the entire device 20 and the frame 24 from the outside, for example statistically most often moved. Having described the structure of the device of FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b above, its operation will be described below.

The device 20 can be excited in this Ausführangsbeispiel by an external excitation x (t) by kinetic energy to vibrate, so that the flywheel body 12 is deflected, for example, in the direction A in the excitation x (t) shown by way of example. As a result of the deflection of the flywheel body 12 on the movement path 21, this is moved to the first reversal point 56a and reversed in its direction of movement by the first spring-loaded stop 57a. The reversal of the direction of movement, for example at the reversal point 56a from movement A to movement B, is effected by the kinetic energy of the flywheel body 12 via the first projection 46a and with the aid of the engagement sections 62a, 64a, 62b, 64b, 66a and 68a the first spring 48a is transmitted and there is cached as potential energy. By means of the cached potential energy, the first flywheel 28 is accelerated directly by the spring force Fp over the projection 46a in the direction B and the second flywheel 30 via the engagement portions 62a, 64a, 62b, 64b, 66b and 68b of the two flywheel masses and / or by a Momentum at the engagement portions 62a and 64a, and 66b and 68b between the first and second flywheels 28 and 30. By the acceleration, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, so that the flywheel 12 in the direction B to the second turning point 56b, which also a Has sprung stop, is deflected. At this second stop 56b, in turn, a reversal of the movement, from direction B in the direction A, of the flywheel body 12 takes place.

When the flywheel 12 is reversed, forces are exerted on the flywheel 12, which overcome the holding force FM, by means of which the flywheels 28 and 30 are held in the first 60 or second position 70, so that a position change, for example a first position 60, according to FIG. 2a, to a second position 70, according to FIG. 2b.

In the energy transfer of the kinetic energy into potential energy at the reversal point 56a, the first flywheel 28 is decelerated via the projection 46a by means of the spring force Fp, the second flywheel 30 moving on the movement path 21 in the direction A due to its inertia and the inertia force Fj generated thereby and thus the engagement on the rear engaging portions 62b, 64b, 66a and 68a is released when the spring force F _{F is} greater than the maximum holding force FM of the magnet 32 and the amount of the holding force FM is smaller than the amount of the inertia force F _{T of} the zvvei - Flywheel 30, which acts opposite to the holding force FM. As a result, the second flywheel 30 releases from engagement with the first flywheel 28 and performs a relative movement with respect to the same, so that a position change from the first position 60 results in the second position 70. By the same position change, the direction of the magnetic flux from the first direction 69 to the second opposite direction 79 is reversed, so that a current is induced in the coil due to the flux change. This current is approximately to be described as a current pulse, since it is concentrated on a very short time. The advantage here is a generally high voltage level for the device 20, which enables efficient energy conversion.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 4a-4d, a further exemplary embodiment will be explained with reference to a simplified substitute mode, which differs from that explained above in that the springs 48a or 48b are not dependent on the flywheel 28, but on the other hand. which act on the flywheel 30. In order to produce the transferability of the simplified substitute model of FIGS. 4a-4d to the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, a simplified substitute model 1 of the described exemplary embodiment, which is shown in FIG , Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, explained.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified substitute model of the device 20 for illustrating the forces acting on the flywheels 28 and 30. The flywheel body 12 is here shown to be translationally mounted in the frame 24, wherein the bearing may just as well be rotor-like as described with respect to FIG has been. The latter has a translationally movable first carriage with a mass ml which corresponds in force and engagement to the first flywheel 28 and a second carriage enclosed by the first carriage and having a mass m2 which corresponds to the second flywheel 30 of FIG. 1 and FIG 2 corresponds to. Analogous to the flywheels 28 and 30 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the two cars are movable relative to each other, wherein the first carriage limits the second carriage in its movement. These two flywheels (carriages) move on a (here simplified) trajectory 82 between the two reversal points 56a and 56b, which are realized by the sprung stops 57a and 57b and the two springs 48a and 48b with a spring rate k.

On the second flywheel 30, the magnet 32 is provided with the two poles 32a and 32b, which simultaneously form here the engagement portions 62a and 62b and can be engaged with the engagement portions 64a and 64b of the second flywheel 30, respectively. The magnet 32 fixes, by means of the magnetic holding force FM, the first position 60 or the second position 70 of the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 relative to one another.

At the reversal points 56a and 56b, the reversal of the direction of movement and the change in position from the first position 60, in which the engagement portions 62b and 64b are engaged, to the position 70 where the engagement portions 62a and 64a are engaged are analogous to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4a now shows a schematic representation of a replacement model of an alternative exemplary embodiment with the flywheel body 12, which is shown as being movable in a translatory movement path between the reversal points 56a and 56b analogously to FIG. 3, but structurally as in FIG. 1, FIG. 2a and Fig. 2b can be shown rotorically mounted. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the spring-loaded stops 57a and 57b or two springs 48a and 48b do not act on the first flywheel 28 but on the second flywheel 30. The spring 48a on the flywheel Return point 56a and the spring 48b at the reversal point 56b are in this case designed such that they can act on the second flywheel 30. In Fig. 4a, the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 are respectively in the middle of the trajectory 82 between the two reversal points 56a and 56b and not in engagement with each other. Incidentally, the construction shown can refer to FIG. 3 or refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to the construction shown there.

The two positions 60 and 70 of the flywheels 28 and 30 to each other, which adjust depending on their direction of movement, in contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 are opposite. That is, the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 have a second position 70 in a movement in the direction A, namely a front position in the direction of movement, and a movement in the direction B, a first in the direction of movement forward position 60. The acting forces at the position change at the engaging portions 62a and 64a and at the engaging portions 62b and 64b for this embodiment are discussed in more detail in Figs. 4c and 4d. In this representation, in addition, a damping d _e between the first and second flywheel mass 28 and 30 and a damping d _m that acts on the swing body 12 and d _m i, is attenuated by said first flywheel mass 28 from the damping components, and d _m2 , with which the second flywheel 30 is damped, composed, shown. The attenuation of the first and second flywheels 28 and 30 symbolizes the energy extraction in the conversion of the kinetic energy in e- lectric energy by the induction of a current in the coil 26 and / or the energy loss, which is caused for example by friction. 4b shows a graph of the holding force F _M as a function of the absolute position x _t - x _{2 of} the flywheel body 12, where xi (t) describes the position of the first flywheel 28 and x ₂ (t) describes the position of the second flywheel 30 , At the zero point of the diagram, both flywheels 28 and 30 are located in the middle of the trajectory 82 between the two turning points 56a and 56b, as shown in Fig. 4a. In the area between 108a and 108b, the flywheels are engaged with the spring 48a and 48b, respectively. The flywheel body 12 is located below the position 108a in the position change of the first position 60 to the second position 70 and above the position 108b in the position change from the second position 70 to the first position 60th

It can be seen that in the region between the positions 108a and 108b, in which the two masses of inertia are fixed either in the first position 60 or in the second position 70, no holding force FM acts, since in this region the two momentum masses Move sen 28 and 30 parallel on the trajectory and no further force acts on one of the two flywheel masses. About 28 and 30 outside the range of 108a to 108b move the two flywheel masses as a result of spring force Fp by the spring 48a or 48b, and as a result of an inertial force F r which acts against the spring force F _F, relative to each other, so that the retaining force F _M increases. This increases in its amount to the maximum, which is smaller than the acting inertial force Fx or spring force Fp at which the engagement of the Eingri receiving sections dissolves and the change in position occurs, so that the holding force FM abruptly drops to zero. Fig. 4c shows the device of FIG. 4a, which is in the second position 70 shortly before the Stel change in position at the reversal point 56 a. In the first position 70, the engagement portion 64a of the first flywheel 28 is engaged with the engagement portion 62a of the second flywheel 30. On the second flywheel 30, the spring force FF of the spring 48a counteracts the inertia force Fj of the first flywheel 28, so that the engagement on the engagement portions 62a and 64a is released when the spring force FF is greater than the holding force FM between the engagement portions 62a and 64a and when holding force F _M is greater in magnitude than the opposite inertia force ¥ j acting on the first flywheel 28. Upon release of the engagement of the engagement portions 62a and 64a, the two flywheels 28 and 30 move relative to each other so that the positional change occurs.

FIG. 4 d shows the device according to FIG. 4 a in the first position 60 after the position change at the reversal point 56 a. In the first position 60, the engagement portions 62b of the second flywheel 30 and 64b of the first flywheel 28 is engaged.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4a - 4d, then, the change of the direction of movement of the flywheel body 12 is carried by the second flywheel 30 is reversed by means of the spring 48a in its movement and 28 fTnahmeabschnitten the first flywheel mass by means of the magnetically tables retaining force F _M between the Eingri 62a and 64a and / or by means of an impulse force between the engagement portions 62b and 64b is reversed from the second flywheel 30 to the first flywheel 28 in its movement. 5a shows a schematic diagram of the spring force FF as a function of a deflection angle φ for a device 20 for the embodiment of FIG. 1. In this diagram, three parallel, linear characteristics for different spring engagement points are shown. A graph 112 shows a characteristic with an early engagement point the trajectory 21 of the sprung stop 57a and 57b, respectively, while a graph 114 represents a late point of engagement on the trajectory 2 Id. Consequently, an early point of engagement can shift the reversal points 56a and 56b on the path of movement if the holding force F and the mass moments of inertia Ji and J ₂ are dimensioned accordingly. The maximum deflection angle φ on the trajectory is limited by the fixed stop 54 a or 54 b, which is shown by the line 116. Referring to FIG. 1, the point of engagement of the springs 48a and 48b, respectively, may be varied via the adjustment screw 50. Fig. 5b shows the spring force FF as a function of the deflection angle φ for three different positions of the fixed stop 54 and 54b, referring to Fig. 1. Here, a line 118 represents an early stop position on the trajectory 2 Idar and a line 122 a late one Lifting point on the trajectory. It can be seen that the spring force F _f , which acts on the flywheel body 12, increases linearly as a function of the deflection angle φ until the flywheel body 12 strikes the fixed stop 54 a or 54 b, represented by the lines 118 and 122, respectively. where the power grows to infinity. In the case of the fixed stops 54 and 54b, the positional change of the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 takes place at the latest as long as the inertia force ¥ j of the second flywheel mass 86 is greater than the holding force F _M between the flywheel masses 84 and 86. Referring to FIG 54a and 54b are varied via the adjusting screws 52a and 52b, respectively.

Fig. 5c shows the spring force F _F in function of the deflection angle φ for three different spring rates k. A graph 124 illustrates an increase in the spring rate k of the springs 48a and 48b relative to a graph 126. This spring rate k is adjustable, for example, by means of a bias or a varying number of cantilevers. Referring to FIG. 1, for the springs 48a and 48b, respectively, via the adjusting screw 50, the spring hardness k can be varied by the bias voltage. About these three settings, adjustment of the spring engagement points, adjustment of the position of the stop and the adjustment of the spring rate k, the characteristic of the sprung stop 56a and 56b and thus the vibration behavior of 12, for example, be adapted so that when excited as many contacts with the Turning points 56a and 56b are made possible. In this case, a maximum number of S ungs ungs changes and changes in the magnetic flow direction can be achieved, which positively affects the efficiency of the device. 6a shows a schematic illustration of an excitation function y (t) of an exemplary robot motion profile for a device 20 for simulation purposes. Here, the deflection of the device 20 is plotted over time. In this excitation function y (t), the device 20 is deflected once by about 40 cm and thus excited to vibrate.

FIG. 6b shows a calculated vibration behavior of the device 20 as a consequence of the excitation function y (t) described with reference to FIG. 6a. As a result of a deflection with excitation function y (t), the flywheel body 12 has a vibration behavior with a total of eleven contact changes at the reversal points or eleven position changes, in which a current pulse is in each case induced in the coil. The duration in which the current pulse is induced varies over the oscillation.

This vibration behavior determined by means of a simulation confirms the applicability of the above exemplary embodiment. The current pulses are estimated at about 10 mW for about 10 ms. The converted energy is hereby concentrated on a very short time. This can reduce voltage and power problems.

Having described the structure of the present invention in the foregoing, alternative embodiments of the invention will be explained below.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a device would also be conceivable in which the projection 46a or 46b is not formed in the second section 42 on the flywheel 28, but in the third section 44 on the flywheel 28, in which case the sprung stops 57a or 57b, formed by the springs 48a and 48b and the stop 54a and 54b, respectively, would be provided on the gegenüberl laying side of the frame 24.

Likewise, it would be analogous to the embodiment in Fig. 4 conceivable that the spring-loaded stoppers 56 a and 56 b not on the flywheel 28, but on the flywheel 30 for reversing the direction of movement of the flywheel body 12 and the Stel ment change the two flywheels 28 and 30 acts in In this case, the two flywheel masses 28 and 30 at the first reversal point 56a would change from the second position 70 according to FIG. 2b to the first position 60 according to FIG. 2a and change at the second reversal point 56b from the first position 60 to the second position 70 , At the same time, a reversal of the magnetic flux direction would also take place at the reversal points in this exemplary embodiment, whereby at the reversal point 56a the flux would reverse from the second direction to the opposite first direction and the magnetic field would be reversed. would reverse at the second reversal point 56b from the first to the opposite second direction. In this embodiment, the sprung stoppers 57a, 57b would be respectively positioned on the track 24 so that they act, for example, on one of the parts 34 or 36 of the flywheel 30 or directly on the flywheel 30.

Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the device 20 instead of the adjusting screws 52a and 52b for the stop and instead of the adjustment screw 50 for the spring rate k and the point of engagement of the springs 48a and 48b only two spring-loaded stops or springs with fixed parameters for engagement points, stop and spring hardness k would be provided.

A further alternative embodiment would be that the springs 48a and 48b could be formed on the flywheel body 12 instead of the frame 24.

Instead of the spring-loaded stops 57a and 57b formed in the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 by means of two springs 48a and 48b, they could alternatively be designed with only one spring which defines the two reversal points 56a and 56b on the movement path 21.

Another conceivable alternative with respect to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 would be to completely dispense with the sprung stops 57a and 57b or the springs 48a and 48b at the reversal points 56a and 56b and a leg spring arranged on the axle 22 Torsion is provided to provide, so that it is in engagement with either the flywheel 28 and / or the flywheel 30 and causes the reversal of the flywheel body 12 at the Umkchrpunkten and / or the change in position of the flywheels 28 and 30 triggers.

Contrary to the description, the illustrated frame 24 may alternatively be realized by a one-piece construction. It is also possible that the flywheel 28 and the flywheel 30 could consist of individual components.

Another alternative embodiment would be to attach one of the two masses 28 or 30 directly on the axis 22 and the axis 22 to store rotor 24 in the frame, while the other flywheel 28 or 30 is rotatably mounted on the axis 22 to a relative movement of the to allow two flywheels 28 and 30. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable with respect to the embodiment described in Fig. 1 that the second flywheel 30 partially by means of the holding force FM between the engagement portions 64b first flywheel 28 and 62b of the second flywheel 30 in the position change first position 60 in second position 70 in direction B. or the engagement portions 62a of the second flywheel 30 and 64a first flywheel 20 are accelerated in the position change second position 70 in the first position 60 in the direction A.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flywheel body 12 may be replaced by various forms of excitation, such as e.g. a vibration, an acceleration, a momentum or a weight force with kinetic energy is excitable. Here, any direction of force is possible, which is not parallel to the axis 22. With regard to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it would alternatively also be conceivable for the magnet 32 to be formed on the first flywheel 28 instead of the second flywheel 30, so that the direction of the magnetic Flow in a first position 60 of the two masses 28 and 30 to each other has a first direction 69 and in a second position of the two masses to each other an opposite second direction 79 has. In this alternative, the magnet 32 can also fix the first or second position by its holding force or magnetic force.

Alternatively, it would also be conceivable in the present invention that the flywheel body 12 and thus the flywheels 28 and 30 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 instead of on a rotor orbit about an axis 22 on a translational, straight trajectory 21 with two reversal points Ausschwingen be excited, as described schematically in the replacement model of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

It should also be noted in the embodiments of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 that instead of the pressure-loaded springs 48 a and 48 b also claimed to train springs between the reversal point 56 a and 56 b to the reversal or could be used to the change in position of the two masses 28 and 30 to each other, for example, if they were attached between the flywheel body 12 and the frame 24.

Claims

claims

A device (20) for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, comprising: a coil (26); a flywheel body (12) having a first flywheel mass (28) and a second flywheel mass (30) disposed relative to each other between a first position (60) in the engagement portions (62b, 64b, 66a, 68a) of the first and second flywheels (28 , 30) are engaged, and a second position (70) in which other engagement portions (62a, 64a, 66b, 68b) of the first and second flywheels (28, 30) are engaged, wherein the flywheel body (12 ) has a magnet (32) and is movable relative to the coil (26) on a trajectory (21) having two points of reversal (56a, 56b) for inducing a current in the coil (26), the flywheel having a magnetic flux by the spool (26) having a first direction (69) when the two flywheel masses (28, 30) are in the first position (60) and an opposite second direction (79) when the two flywheel masses (28 , 30) in the second position (70), wherein the device (20) so outg is located that at the reversal points (56 a, 56 b), a reversal of the direction of movement of the flywheel body (12) and a change in position of the two flywheel masses (28, 30) from the first position (60) to the second position (70) or vice versa takes place.

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the turning points (56a, 56b) the reversal of the direction of movement is effected by spring force.

Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at the reversal points (56a, 56b) in each case a sprung stop (57a, 57b) is provided.

Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at the reversal points (56 a, 56 b) forces are exerted on the flywheel (12), the holding force by which the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the first (60) or second Position (70) be overcome, so that the position change of the two flywheel masses (28, 30) takes place.

Device according to claim 4, wherein the first (28) and / or second flywheel (30) comprises the magnet (32), and wherein the holding force has a magnetic force.

Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first flywheel (28) has two engagement portions (62a, 62b), one of which is a front engagement portion in the direction of movement and a rear engagement portion in the direction of movement, each one of the Eingri ffnahmeabschnitte ( 62a, 62b) is in engagement with the second flywheel mass (30) when the flywheels (28, 30) are in the first (60) or second position (70).

Device according to claim 6, wherein at the reversal points (56a, 56b) in each case a spring-loaded stop (57a, 57b) is provided, wherein the first flywheel (28) on the sprung stop (57a, 57b) meets, while the second flywheel ( 30) is in engagement with the rear engagement portion (64b) in the direction of movement, so that due to an inertia force acting on the second flywheel (30) and / or a spring force effecting the sprung stop (57a, 57b) the second flywheel mass (30) of the rear engaging portion (64b) is released and brought into engagement with the front engaging portion (64a).

Device according to Claim 6, in which a spring-loaded stop (57a, 57b) is provided at the points of reversal (56a, 56b), the second flywheel (30) meeting the sprung stop (57a, 57b), while the second flywheel (56) 30) is in engagement with the front in the direction of movement engaging portion (64 a), so that due to a spring force caused by the sprung stop (57 a, 57 b) and / or acting on the first flywheel (28) inertial force second flywheel (30) is released from the front engaging portion (64a) and brought into engagement with the rear engaging portion (64b).

9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein one of the flywheels (28, 30) is driven by the spring force and the other of the flywheel masses

(28, 30) drives.

10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a position of a spring (48 a, 48 b) of the sprung stop (57 a, 57 b) on the movement path (21) and / or a spring stiffness of the spring (48 a, 48 b) are adjustable ,

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the movement path (21) of the flywheel body (12) rotatably about a rotation axis (22).

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coil (26) about the axis of rotation (22) of the flywheel body (12) is arranged.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first flywheel (28) extending through the coil (26) extending first portion (40), one on a first side of the coil (26) of the first portion (40 ) second section (42) and a third section (44) extending from the first section (40) on a second side of the coil (26), the second flywheel (30) comprising the magnet (26) with a first pole (32a) and a second pole (32b), wherein the second portion (42) of the first flywheel (28) with the first pole (32a) of the magnet (32) and the third portion (44) of the first flywheel

(28) are coupled to the second pole (32b) of the magnet (32) when the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the first position (60), and wherein the second portion (42) of the first flywheel (28) the second pole (32b) of the magnet (32) and the third portion (44) of the first flywheel (28) are coupled to the first pole (32a) of the magnet (32) when the flywheels (28, 30) in the second Position (70) are, so that the first (28) and the second flywheel (30) form a magnetic yoke whose flow direction (69, 79) can be switched.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the second section (42) of the first flywheel (28) has two engagement sections (64a, 64b) spaced apart along the movement path (21) for the second flywheel (30), between which Part of the second flywheel (30) is arranged, wherein the second flywheel body (30) in engagement with one of the along the movement path (21) spaced-apart engagement portions (64b), when the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the first position (60 ) are in engagement with the other of the engaging portions (64a) spaced apart along the path of travel (21) when the flywheels (28, 30) are in the second position (70).

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the magnet (32) between the spaced-apart engagement portions (64 a, 64 b) is arranged and a holding force for holding the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the first (60) or second position (70) supplies.

16. The device according to spoke 14 or 15, wherein the second flywheel body (30) has two along the movement path (21) spaced from each other further engagement portions (68 a, 68 b) for the first flywheel body (28), between which a part of the third section ( 44) of the first flywheel (28), wherein the first flywheel (28) is in engagement with one of the two along the movement path (21) spaced from each other engagement portions (68 a) when the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the first Position (60) are, and in engagement with the other of the along the trajectory (21) spaced from each other further Aufhämämeabschnitte (68b), when the flywheel masses (28, 30) in the second position (70).

17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the flywheel masses (28, 30) are mounted on a rotation axis (22) such that they are rotatable against each other between the first position (60) and the second position (70), wherein the coil (26) is disposed about the axis of rotation (22). Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, in which the centrifugal masses 30) can be excited from the outside by an acceleration or a vibration.