A variable stiffness connection mechanism and multi-floating wave energy power generation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a variable stiffness connection mechanism and a multi-floating wave energy power generation device, wherein the variable stiffness connection mechanism comprises two bases and a plurality of elastic origami structures; the two bases are arranged at intervals, and are respectively used to install wave energy power generation mechanisms, and each base is connected to a support shaft on one side close to the other base, and the adjacent ends of the two support shafts are universally connected; a plurality of elastic origami structures are located between the two bases, and are arranged at intervals around the two support shafts, and each elastic origami structure is respectively connected to the two bases, and has deformation capability along the arrangement direction of the two bases. This solution can reduce the vibration of the wave energy power generation mechanism caused by collision and ensure stability. It can also be applied to continuous dynamic motion, and its geometric design can complete elastic axial compliance, with very little fatigue loss under repeated motion, which not only reduces the weight of the material, but also reduces energy loss, and has good durability and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of wave energy power generation devices, and in particular to a variable stiffness connection mechanism and a multi-float wave energy power generation device. Background Art

[0002] Wave energy is a renewable clean energy that is easy to directly utilize and inexhaustible. It has the advantages of high energy density and wide distribution. Those who have seen the scene of waves hitting the coast know that there is a large amount of energy in the waves. They can cut cliffs into gravel and smash large ships. There is more than 3,000 kilowatts of energy on a one-meter-long wave crest. Wave energy power generation technology can use the potential energy of the up-and-down movement of waves and the impact force of the reciprocating movement to drive a generator to generate electricity. In winter when energy consumption is large, the available wave energy is also the largest, making it a very potential energy form.

[0003] For example, Patent CN108561260B discloses a controllable power double-vortex spring energy storage nodding duck wave energy collection and power generation device, which can capture scattered wave energy bidirectionally and store it in the vortex spring. The pure mechanical structure controls the energy storage and energy release power generation process, and outputs controllable power, which can greatly improve the energy conversion efficiency.

[0004] In application, multiple nodding duck wave energy collection and power generation devices are often connected in parallel through a flexible connection mechanism to generate electricity simultaneously. However, since the wave force fluctuates, the rough environment is destructive. In the traditional flexible connection technology, the device enters energy consumption in the weaker yield section under the action of waves, and the stronger yield section is in the elastic stage; in a rough environment, the weaker yield section of the connection part can still displace and continue to consume energy. If the stronger yield section reaches the ultimate stress, the weaker yield section will show fatigue failure, and the performance of the connection mechanism in the prior art needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a variable stiffness connection mechanism and a multi-float wave energy power generation device to solve the technical problem that in a rough environment in the prior art, when the stronger yield section of the flexible connection mechanism reaches the ultimate stress, the weaker yield section will show fatigue failure, and the performance of the flexible connection mechanism needs to be improved.

[0006] The present invention provides a variable stiffness connection mechanism, which includes:

[0007] Two bases, which are arranged at intervals and are respectively used to install wave energy power generation mechanisms. A support shaft is connected to one side of each base close to the other base, and the adjacent ends of the two support shafts are connected in a universal joint; and,

[0008] A plurality of elastic origami structures are located between the two bases and are spaced around the circumferences of the two support shafts. Each of the elastic origami structures is respectively connected to the two bases and has the ability to deform along the arrangement direction of the two bases.

[0009] Optionally, each of the elastic origami structures includes multiple sets of folding bodies. Each set of folding bodies includes a plurality of folding units. The plurality of folding units in each set are sequentially connected in a first direction, and two adjacent folding units in the same set are connected at an angle. Each of the folding units is parallel to the two adjacent folding units in the same set. The multiple sets of folding bodies are sequentially arranged in a second direction, and the folding units of two adjacent sets are connected at an angle. Each of the folding units is parallel to the two adjacent folding units of two adjacent sets;

[0010] Wherein, the first direction and the second direction are arranged at an angle, and the folding units at both ends in the second direction are respectively connected to the two bases.

[0011] Optionally, the variable stiffness connection mechanism further includes a plurality of tension springs. The plurality of tension springs are located between the two bases and are spaced along the circumferential direction of the support shaft. Both ends of each tension spring are respectively connected to the two bases.

[0012] Optionally, the folding units at both ends in the first direction of each set of folding bodies are connected to each other, so that the multiple sets of folding bodies of each elastic origami structure enclose a column shape;

[0013] The plurality of tension springs correspond to the plurality of elastic origami structures one by one, and each tension spring is located in the columnar cavity of the corresponding elastic origami structure.

[0014] Optionally, any two adjacent folding units are integrally connected, and / or, the folding unit is composed of a flexible support layer and plastic material layers respectively connected to both sides of the flexible support layer.

[0015] Optionally, the two plastic material layers are arranged in central symmetry.

[0016] Optionally, the material of the flexible support layer is polyethylene terephthalate, the material of the plastic material layer is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and the base is made of aluminum alloy.

[0017] Optionally, a universal coupling is rotatably connected between the two support shafts.

[0018] In addition, the present invention also provides a multi-float wave energy power generation device, and the multi-float wave energy power generation device includes:

[0019] A plurality of variable stiffness connection mechanisms as described in any one of the above; and,

[0020] A plurality of wave energy power generation mechanisms, which are arranged alternately with the plurality of variable rigid body connection mechanisms in sequence, wherein each of the wave energy power generation mechanisms is connected to the adjacent base.

[0021] Optionally, the wave energy power generation mechanism is a nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism. The main shaft of each nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism is rotatably connected to the adjacent base, and the orientations of the nodding duck type shells of each nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism are different in the initial position.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, in the variable stiffness connection mechanism provided by the present invention, a plurality of elastic origami structures are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the support shaft. Each support shaft can rotate relative to another support shaft in any direction, which limits the compression and extension of the elastic origami structure, so that the elastic origami structure changes within a certain range, realizing the stable connection of the wave energy power generation mechanism. On the one hand, it can play a buffering role based on the deformation ability of the elastic origami structure itself, reduce the vibration generated by the collision on the wave energy power generation mechanism, and ensure stability. On the other hand, when the two bases approach each other, an axial force is applied to the elastic origami structure, and the gap is changed by the relative compression inside the elastic origami structure, which is applicable to continuous dynamic motion, and its geometric design can complete elastic axial compliance, with extremely little fatigue loss under repeated motion, not only reducing the material weight but also reducing energy loss. At the same time, when the elastic origami structure is bent passively by the wave impact, it can also recover its original shape according to the crease texture; and within a certain bending range, the larger the cone angle, the stronger the stiffness, which is applicable to diverse climate and ocean current conditions, reduces the erosion and wear of the marine environment on the equipment, and enhances the durability and reliability of the equipment.

[0023] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to be able to understand the technical means of the present invention more clearly and implement it according to the content of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The specific implementation manners of the present invention are given in detail by the following embodiments and their accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention, form a part of this application, and the schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the variable stiffness connection mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the elastic origami structure in

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 2 A schematic diagram when the elastic origami structure is compressed in

[0028] Figure 4 is Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the folded body in

[0029] Figure 5 is Figure 2 A top view of the elastic origami structure in

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 2 A schematic diagram when the elastic origami structure is unfolded in

[0031] Figure 7 is Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the folding steps of the elastic origami structure in

[0032] Figure 8 is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the variable stiffness connection mechanism (when the elastic origami structure is not shown) in

[0033] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the multi-float wave energy power generation device provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 10 is Figure 9 A top view of the multi-float wave energy power generation device when placed on the sea surface in

[0035] Figure 11 is Figure 9 A side view of the multi-float wave energy power generation device when placed on the sea surface in

[0036] Figure 12 is Figure 9 A schematic internal structure diagram of the wave energy power generation mechanism in

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0038] 100, variable stiffness connection mechanism; 1, base; 11, support shaft; 12, universal coupling; 2, elastic origami structure; 21, folded body; 22, folding unit; 3, tension spring; 4, multi-float wave energy power generation device; 5, wave energy power generation mechanism; 51, housing; 52, main shaft; 521, driving gear; 53, outer swing shaft; 54, stepping bent rod; 55, secondary shaft; 551, transmission gear; 56, ratchet; 57, flange sleeve; 58, generator; 6, power storage mechanism. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings form a part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the principles of the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 , the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100 includes two bases 1 and a plurality of elastic origami structures 2; the two bases 1 are arranged at intervals and are respectively used to install the wave energy generation mechanism 5. One side of each base 1 close to the other base 1 is connected with a support shaft 11, and the adjacent ends of the two support shafts 11 are connected by a universal joint. Specifically, the adjacent ends of the two support shafts 11 are rotatably connected, and each support shaft 11 can rotate relative to the other support shaft 11 in any direction; a plurality of elastic origami structures 2 are located between the two bases 1 and are arranged at intervals around the circumferences of the two support shafts 11. Each elastic origami structure 2 is respectively connected to the two bases 1 and has the ability to deform along the arrangement direction of the two bases 1.

[0041] In the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100 provided by the present invention, a plurality of elastic origami structures 2 are arranged at intervals along the circumferences of the support shafts 11, and each support shaft 11 can rotate relative to the other support shaft 11 in any direction, which limits the compression and extension of the elastic origami structures 2, so that the elastic origami structures 2 change within a certain range, realizing the stable connection of the wave energy generation mechanism 5. And on the one hand, it can play a buffering role based on the deformation ability of the elastic origami structures 2 itself, reducing the vibration generated by the collision on the wave energy generation mechanism 5 and ensuring stability. On the other hand, when the two bases 1 approach each other, an axial force is applied to the elastic origami structures 2, and the internal relative compression of the elastic origami structures 2 changes the gap, which can be applied to continuous dynamic motion, and its geometric design can complete elastic axial compliance, with very little fatigue loss under repeated motion, not only reducing the material weight but also reducing energy loss. At the same time, when the elastic origami structures 2 are bent by the passive curvature under the impact of waves, they can also recover their original shapes according to the crease texture; and within a certain bending range, the larger the cone angle, the stronger the stiffness, which can be applied to changing climate and ocean current conditions, reducing the erosion and wear of the marine environment on the equipment and enhancing the durability and reliability of the equipment.

[0042] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the two support shafts 11 are connected by a universal coupling 12, so that each support shaft 11 can rotate relative to the other support shaft 11 in any direction, and the structure is simple and reliable. The specific structure of the universal coupling 12 is the prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0043] In addition, in this solution, to improve the reliability of the device, the elastic origami structures 2 are arranged in more than three groups. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the elastic origami structures are arranged in four groups. Correspondingly, refer to the attached Figure 8, there are four sets of tension springs 3. The specific number of the elastic origami structures 2 is also linearly related to the weight of the generator to be adapted. Moreover, the elastic origami structure 2 has the characteristics of deployability, multi-stability, flexibility, stretchability and adjustable stiffness. The more the number of them, the greater the axial bending toughness of the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100.

[0044] Further, please refer to Figures 2 to 6 , each elastic origami structure 2 includes multiple sets of folding bodies 21, each set of folding bodies 21 includes multiple folding units 22, the multiple folding units 22 of each set are sequentially connected in a first direction, and two adjacent folding units 22 in the same set are connected at an angle. Each folding unit 22 is parallel to the two adjacent folding units 22 in the same set. The multiple sets of folding bodies 21 are sequentially arranged in a second direction, and the folding units 22 of two adjacent sets are connected at an angle. Each folding unit 22 is parallel to the two folding units 22 of two adjacent sets; wherein, the first direction and the second direction are arranged at an angle, and the folding units 22 at both ends in the second direction are respectively connected to the two bases 1.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, when the elastic origami structure 2 is unfolded, each folding unit 22 is in the shape of a parallelogram, and the adjacent folding units 22 in the same set and the adjacent folding units 22 in different sets are respectively connected to their adjacent sides. In addition, in the attached drawing example, the first direction and the second direction are respectively shown as F1 and F2.

[0046] Further, the folding unit 22 is composed of a flexible support layer and plastic material layers respectively connected to both sides of the flexible support layer to form a three-layer composite structure. And the two plastic material layers are arranged in central symmetry. In this solution, in the three-layer composite structure, the middle layer is a continuous flexible support layer. Therefore, the plastic material layers on both sides can not only ensure the relatively stable shape of the whole three-layer composite structure, but also have a certain degree of deformation freedom under the action of the flexible support layer. Thus, when the distance between the flexible connection mechanisms changes under the impact of waves, the gap is changed by the relative compression inside the elastic origami structure 2.

[0047] Further, any two adjacent folding units 22 are integrally connected. That is to say, in this solution, when the elastic origami structure 2 is unfolded, it is in a paper-like shape as a whole, and there are multiple staggered creases formed thereon. The area surrounded by the adjacent multiple creases is the folding unit 22. Specifically, when the elastic origami structure 2 is unfolded, the folding units 22 formed between the creases form parallelograms. When the parallelograms are folded, they can flip up and down around the short-side creases. The shape between the creases in the folded state is a variable parallelogram. When folded and compressed, the angle between the long sides of two adjacent parallelograms becomes smaller, and the parallelogram flips from the vertical plane to the horizontal plane around the short side.

[0048] Specifically, the material of the flexible support layer is polyethylene terephthalate, the material of the plastic material layer is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and the base 1 is made of aluminum alloy to reduce the weight of the overall structure and facilitate floating on the water surface.

[0049] It should be noted that, please refer to Figure 7 , in this embodiment, the folding steps of the elastic origami structure 2 are as follows:

[0050] (1) Take a narrow strip of a certain width on the elastic origami structure 2 in the shape of a paper before folding, fold it inward once, after folding, take a narrow strip of the same width and fold it outward once, repeat the above operations, and finally fold it into a narrow strip shape. After unfolding, obvious inward and outward alternating creases are formed;

[0051] (2) Fold the corners of the narrow strip formed in the previous step inward so that the short side coincides with the long side, and the angle between the crease and the long side is 45°. Repeat it once outward in the reverse direction to form a mutually perpendicular crease. After fully unfolding, it can be found that the creases on each small narrow strip are perpendicular in turn, and the adjacent two creases and the boundary form an isosceles right triangle;

[0052] (3) Squeeze and fold the triangle in the previous step downward along the crease. After folding and compressing, the shape of the upper part of the small narrow strip changes from a square to a triangle;

[0053] (4) Fold the small narrow strip formed in the previous step inward along the direction parallel to the hypotenuse of the triangle so that the lower right side of the triangle coincides with the long side. Repeat the above step and fold it outward once, and two perpendicular creases appear. After fully unfolding, new creases appear below the previous creases;

[0054] (5) Squeeze and fold the upper part along the crease in the opposite direction of the third step;

[0055] (6) Repeat steps (4) and (5) until the folding is finally completed.

[0056] Furthermore, please refer to Figure 8 , the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of tension springs 3. The plurality of tension springs 3 are located between the two bases 1 and are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the support shaft 11. The two ends of each tension spring 3 are respectively connected to the two bases 1. In this way, the stiffness of the mechanism under a fixed diameter can be ensured by means of the tension springs, so that the mechanism has a certain shape stability.

[0057] Furthermore, the folding units 22 at both ends of each set of folding bodies 21 in the first direction are connected to each other, so that multiple sets of folding bodies 21 of each elastic origami structure 2 enclose a column shape; a plurality of tension springs 3 correspond to the plurality of elastic origami structures 2 one by one, and each tension spring 3 is located in the columnar cavity of the corresponding elastic origami structure 2. In this embodiment, the elastic origami structure 2 is arranged in a column shape to improve its stable supporting ability for the two bases 1, and at the same time ensure its stable switching between compression and extension. At the same time, each elastic origami structure 2 is arranged around the outer periphery of the corresponding tension spring 3, further reducing the risk of misalignment deformation of the elastic origami structure 2 and improving the stability.

[0058] In addition, please refer to Figures 10 to 12 , the present invention further provides a multi-floating-body wave energy power generation device 4, which includes a plurality of variable stiffness connection mechanisms 100 and a plurality of wave energy power generation mechanisms 5; the plurality of wave energy power generation mechanisms 5 and the plurality of variable-rigidity connection mechanisms are arranged alternately in sequence, wherein each wave energy power generation mechanism 5 is connected to the adjacent base 1. It should be noted that the detailed structure of the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100 of the multi-floating-body wave energy power generation device 4 can refer to the embodiment of the above variable stiffness connection mechanism 100, which will not be elaborated here; since the above variable stiffness connection mechanism 100 is used in the multi-floating-body wave energy power generation device 4 of the present invention, therefore, the embodiment of the multi-floating-body wave energy power generation device 4 of the present invention includes all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments of the variable stiffness connection mechanism 100, and the achieved technical effects are also exactly the same, which will not be elaborated here.

[0059] Further, the wave energy power generation mechanism 5 is a nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism 5, the main shaft 52 of each nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism 5 is rotatably connected to the adjacent base 1, and the orientations of the nodding duck type outer shells 51 of each nodding duck type wave energy power generation mechanism 5 are different in the initial position. In this embodiment, the multi-floating-body wave energy power generation device 4 includes a plurality of generator sets, which are arranged in a floating and staggered manner. Different from the rigid structure of the traditional wave energy conversion device, this device is composed of a plurality of wave energy generator sets connected, and wave energy conversion is carried out simultaneously at multiple different frequencies in the swaying direction.

[0060] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the nodding duck wave energy generating mechanism 5 includes a housing 51, a main shaft 52, an outer swing shaft 53, a stepping bent rod 54, a secondary shaft 55, a ratchet 56 and a generator 58. One end of the main shaft 52 is rotatably connected to the base 1, and a driving gear 521 is provided thereon. The secondary shaft 55 is arranged corresponding to the main shaft 52 and is rotatably installed on the inner wall of the housing 51, and a transmission gear 551 is provided thereon. The transmission gear 551 meshes with the driving gear 521. The ratchet 56 is installed on the main shaft 52, the outer swing shaft 53 is installed on the inner wall of the housing 51 and corresponds to the main shaft 52. One end of the stepping bent rod 54 is installed on the outer swing shaft 53, and the other end extends into the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 56. When the outer swing shaft 53 floats up and down with the waves in the housing 51, it can move synchronously, so as to drive the ratchet 56 to rotate by the electric stepping bent rod 54, and then make the main shaft 52 and the secondary shaft 55 rotate in sequence to realize the power generation of the generator 58. In addition, the support shaft 11 and the base 1 are connected by a flange sleeve 57. The multi-float wave energy generating device 4 further includes a power storage mechanism 6, and the power storage mechanism 6 collects the electric energy of the generator sets on both sides and each part.

[0061] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A variable stiffness connection mechanism, characterized in that: It includes: Two bases are arranged at intervals and are used to install wave energy power generation mechanisms respectively. A support shaft is connected to one side of each base close to the other base, and adjacent ends of the two support shafts are universally connected; and, A plurality of elastic origami structures are located between the two bases and are arranged at intervals around the two support shafts, each of the elastic origami structures is connected to the two bases respectively and has a deformation capability along the arrangement direction of the two bases; Wherein, each of the elastic origami structures comprises a plurality of groups of folding bodies, each group of the folding bodies comprises a plurality of folding units, the plurality of folding units in each group are sequentially connected along a first direction, and two adjacent folding units in the same group are connected at an angle, and each folding unit is located in parallel with two adjacent folding units in the same group, and the plurality of groups of folding bodies are sequentially arranged along a second direction, and the folding units of two adjacent groups are connected at an angle, and each folding unit is located in parallel with two adjacent groups; Wherein, the first direction and the second direction are arranged at an angle, and the folding units located at two ends of the second direction are respectively connected to two bases; The variable stiffness connection mechanism further includes a plurality of tension springs, the plurality of tension springs being located between the two bases and spaced apart along the circumference of the support shaft, and the two ends of each tension spring being respectively connected to the two bases; The folding units at both ends of each group of the folding bodies in the first direction are connected to each other, so that the multiple groups of the folding bodies of each elastic origami structure are arranged in a column shape; The plurality of tension springs correspond one-to-one to the plurality of elastic origami structures, and each tension spring is located in a columnar cavity of a corresponding elastic origami structure.

2. The variable stiffness connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Any two adjacent folding units are connected as one body, and / or the folding unit is composed of a flexible supporting layer and plastic material layers respectively connected to two sides of the flexible supporting layer.

3. The variable stiffness connection mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two plastic material layers are arranged centrally and symmetrically.

4. The variable stiffness connection mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material of the flexible support layer is polyethylene terephthalate, the material of the plastic material layer is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and the base is made of aluminum alloy.

5. The variable stiffness connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A universal coupling is rotatably connected between the two support shafts.

6. A multi-floating wave energy power generation device, characterized in that: It includes: A plurality of variable stiffness connection mechanisms as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5; as well as, A plurality of wave energy power generation mechanisms and a plurality of the variable rigid body connection mechanisms are arranged alternately in sequence, wherein each of the wave energy power generation mechanisms is connected to an adjacent base.

7. The multi-floating wave energy power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The wave energy power generation mechanism is a nodding duck wave energy power generation mechanism, the main shaft of each nodding duck wave energy power generation mechanism is rotatably connected to the adjacent base, and the nodding duck shell of each nodding duck wave energy power generation mechanism has a different orientation in the initial position.

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