Tire shape deformation potential energy recovery device

Abstract

This invention discloses a tire deformation potential energy recovery device, including a wheel hub, a deformation energy converter, a magnetic coupler, and a load. The deformation energy converter is fixed inside the wheel hub and hinged to several anchors on the inner circumference of the tire. The load is installed inside the wheel hub and is transmitted to the deformation energy converter via the magnetic coupler. By installing the deformation energy converter inside the wheel hub, this invention can convert the tire's deformation energy (essentially the elastic potential energy of the tire converted from vehicle power) into the kinetic energy of the tire ring gear, and then transmit it to the load outside the wheel hub via the magnetic coupler, thereby converting it into electrical energy or other forms of energy. By recovering a portion of the potential energy during the tire's rebound process, the overall proportion of potential energy dissipated as heat is reduced, thus achieving energy saving. Combined with existing kinetic energy recovery technologies for new energy vehicles, this can further reduce the vehicle's energy consumption level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle energy recovery technology, and in particular to a tire deformation potential energy recovery device. Background Technology

[0002] When a vehicle tire rotates, it deforms inward against the ground. The tire does work against the elastic force of its internal materials, converting the vehicle's kinetic and potential energy into the elastic potential energy of the tire material. Upon leaving the ground and returning to its original position, this potential energy is released, some of which is converted back into the vehicle's kinetic energy, while a larger portion is dissipated as heat. Theoretically, all of this potential energy can be converted back into kinetic energy. However, in reality, there is friction on the road surface, and the tire is not a perfectly ideal elastic body. Therefore, it cannot form an ideal, completely elastic system. Friction occurs when the tire rebounds; the greater the rebound force, the greater the friction, and the more potential energy is converted into heat. If some of this rebound potential energy could be recovered, reducing the overall proportion of potential energy converted into heat, a considerable amount of energy could be saved for the vehicle, thus achieving energy conservation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tire deformation potential energy recovery device to solve the technical problems in the background art mentioned above.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0005] A tire deformation potential energy recovery device includes a wheel hub, a deformation energy converter, a magnetic coupler, and a load; the deformation energy converter is fixed inside the wheel hub and hinged to several anchors on the inner circumference of the tire; the load is installed inside the wheel hub and is driven by the deformation energy converter through the magnetic coupler.

[0006] The deformation energy converter consists of an upper mounting ring, a lower mounting ring, and several conversion components arranged opposite to each other. Several sets of bidirectional bearings are installed at corresponding positions and angles on the upper and lower mounting rings. Each conversion component consists of a rotating shaft, a one-way bearing, a drive gear, a lever arm, and a flexible tie rod assembly. The two ends of the rotating shaft are fixed in the bidirectional bearings of the upper and lower mounting rings, respectively. A one-way bearing is installed on the rotating shaft, and the drive gear is fixed on the one-way bearing. A lever arm is installed on the rotating shaft below the one-way bearing, and a flexible tie rod is hinged to the end of the lever arm. A gear ring is installed inside the upper mounting ring, and the gear ring meshes with the drive gears of all conversion components, serving as the output port of the deformation energy converter.

[0007] Furthermore, the hub is a split type, divided into two parts radially and connected by bolts. The mating surfaces are sealed with rubber rings, and the part that isolates the magnetic coupler is made of non-ferromagnetic material.

[0008] Furthermore, a torsion spring is installed on the shaft below the lever arm. The bottom end of the torsion spring is inserted into the socket on the lower mounting ring for fixation, and the upper end extends horizontally to form a clip that engages with the front side of the lever arm. Limiting posts are installed on the lower mounting ring at the rear rotation position corresponding to each lever arm to limit the rear rotation position of the lever arm.

[0009] Furthermore, several sets of positioning holes are evenly opened on the deformation energy converter, and positioning screws are welded to the corresponding positions of the wheel hub. The positioning holes are inserted into the positioning screws to fix the deformation energy converter to the wheel hub.

[0010] Furthermore, a positioning groove extends from the outer circumferential surface of the upper side of the gear ring, and multiple limiting bearings are evenly fixed on the upper mounting ring. The limiting bearings are all embedded in the positioning groove and roll, thereby completing the fixing and positioning of the gear ring. A notch is opened on the outside of the positioning groove for embedding the limiting bearings into the positioning groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the magnetic coupler consists of an inner magnetic ring, an outer magnetic ring, and a load positioning ring. The inner circumference of the gear ring is densely covered with strong magnets to form the outer magnetic ring. The inner circumference of the inner magnetic ring is fixed to the load positioning ring by a bearing ring. The load positioning ring is fixed to the hub by bolts.

[0012] Furthermore, the load is a generator, whose rotor is vertically welded to the outer side of the inner magnetic ring. The top of the load positioning ring is detachably fixed to the stator bracket, which fixes the stator around the rotor. A sealing cover is installed on the side of the hub where the generator is mounted, and the vehicle's half-shaft is fixed to the other side of the hub.

[0013] Furthermore, the mating surface of one half of the wheel hub is open, while the mating surface of the other half is closed. The half-shaft flange and the screw holes for fixing the load positioning ring are both located on the closed mating surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the flexible tie rod assembly consists of a steel wire rope and rivets fixed at both ends. Each rivet has a pin hole, and both the anchor and the lever arm are equipped with pins. The rivets, anchor, and lever arm are hinged by a pin connection.

[0015] Furthermore, the anchor is bonded to the circumference of the tire or embedded inside the tire.

[0016] The advantages of this invention are:

[0017] This invention converts the tire's deformation energy (essentially the tire's elastic potential energy converted from vehicle power) into the kinetic energy of the gear ring by installing a deformation energy converter inside the wheel hub. This energy is then transferred to the load outside the wheel hub via a magnetic coupler, thereby converting it into electrical energy or other forms of energy. By recovering some of the potential energy during the tire's rebound process, the overall proportion of potential energy dissipated as heat is reduced, thus achieving energy conservation. When combined with existing kinetic energy recovery technologies for new energy vehicles, the energy consumption level of the vehicle can be further reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure for installing a deformation energy converter;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the diagram;

[0022] Figure 5 A 3D schematic diagram of the conversion components;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the gear ring.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the inner magnetic ring;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the inner magnetic ring.

[0026] In the diagram: 1-Hub, 11-Half-shaft flange, 12-Positioning screw, 2-Deformation energy converter, 21-Upper mounting ring, 22-Lower mounting ring, 23-Double-direction bearing, 24-Conversion assembly, 241-Shaft, 242-One-way bearing, 243-Drive gear, 244-Lever arm, 245-Flexible tie rod assembly, 2451-Wire rope, 2453-Rivet head, 246-Anchor seat, 247-Pin, 25-Torsion spring, 26-Limiting post, 27-Limiting bearing, 3-Gear ring, 31-Limiting groove, 32-Notch, 33-Strong magnet, 4-Inner magnetic ring, 41-Bearing ring, 42-Load positioning ring, 5-Generator, 51-Rotor, 52-Stator, 53-Stator bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these descriptions are for the purpose of aiding understanding the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0028] As shown in the figure:

[0029] A tire deformation potential energy recovery device includes a wheel hub (1), a deformation energy converter (2), a magnetic coupler, and a load; the deformation energy converter (2) is fixed inside the wheel hub (1) and hinged to several anchors (246) on the inner circumference of the tire; the load is installed inside the wheel hub (1) and is driven by the deformation energy converter (2) through the magnetic coupler.

[0030] The deformation energy converter (2) consists of an upper mounting ring (21), a lower mounting ring (22) arranged opposite to each other, and several conversion components (24). Several sets of bidirectional bearings (23) are installed at corresponding positions and angles on the upper mounting ring (21) and the lower mounting ring (22).

[0031] The conversion component (24) consists of a rotating shaft (241), a one-way bearing (242), a drive gear (243), a lever arm (244), and a flexible tie rod assembly (245). The two ends of the rotating shaft (241) are fixed in the double-direction bearings (23) of the upper mounting ring (21) and the lower mounting ring (22), respectively. The one-way bearing (242) is installed on the rotating shaft (241), and the drive gear (243) is fixed on the one-way bearing (242). The lever arm (244) is installed on the rotating shaft (241) on the lower side of the one-way bearing (242), and the flexible tie rod assembly (245) is hinged at the end of the lever arm (244). A gear ring (3) is installed inside the upper mounting ring (21), and the gear ring (3) meshes with the drive gears (243) of all the conversion components (24) to serve as the output port of the deformation energy converter (2).

[0032] The hub (1) is a split type, divided into two parts radially and connected by bolts. The mating surfaces are sealed with rubber rings. The part of the hub (1) that isolates the magnetic coupler is made of non-ferromagnetic material, so as to avoid affecting the operation of the magnetic coupler. The hub (1) is split type, firstly for the installation of deformation energy converter (2), and secondly for the connection between the flexible tie rod assembly (245) of the deformation energy converter (2) and the anchor (246), which requires an open space. If an integrated hub (1) is used, it is impossible to connect the anchor (246) and the flexible tie rod assembly (245).

[0033] During installation, the deformation energy converter (2) is first installed in the half of the hub (1) that is closed at the mating surface. Several sets of positioning holes can be evenly opened on the deformation energy converter (2). Positioning screws (12) are welded to the corresponding positions on the hub (1). The positioning holes are inserted into the positioning screws (12) to fix the deformation energy converter (2) to the hub (1). Then, the gear ring (3) is installed. In order to facilitate the positioning of the gear ring (3), a positioning groove (31) extends from the outer circumferential surface of the upper side of the gear ring (3). Multiple limit bearings (27) are evenly fixed on the upper mounting ring (21). The limit bearings (27) are all embedded in the positioning groove (31) and roll, thereby After completing the fixing and positioning of the gear ring (3), when installing the gear ring (3), first mesh the gear ring (3) with the drive gear (243), and then install the limit bearings (27) one by one. A notch (32) needs to be opened on the outside of the positioning groove (31) to embed the limit bearing (27) into the positioning groove (31). (The notch (32) is used when the mounting shaft of the limit bearing (27) is fixed to the upper positioning ring. If the mounting shaft of the limit bearing (27) and the upper positioning ring are detachable, such as threaded connection, the limit bearing (27) can be embedded first and then its mounting shaft can be fixed. However, it is recommended that the mounting shaft be fixed by welding.)

[0034] After the gear ring (3) is installed, the flexible tie rod assembly (245) of the conversion component (24) needs to be hinged to the anchor (246) on the inner circumference of the tire one by one. Since it is located on the inner side of the tire, in order to reduce the connection difficulty, the present invention optimizes the structure of the anchor (246) and the flexible tie rod assembly (245). The flexible tie rod assembly (245) consists of a steel wire rope (2451) and rivets (2453) fixed at both ends. The rivets (2453) are all provided with pin holes. The anchor (246) and the lever arm (244) are both provided with pin shafts (247). The rivets (2453), the anchor (246), and the lever arm (244) are hinged by pin connection. The anchor (246) can be fixed by bonding to the circumference of the tire or embedding it into the tire.

[0035] After all the flexible tie rod assemblies (245) are connected to the anchor (246), the other half of the wheel hub (1) is assembled, and then the tire is fully embedded in the wheel hub (1). Then the tire is inflated (a valve is installed on one half of the wheel hub (1). The valve is not shown in the figure. This is existing technology and does not affect the understanding and implementation of this solution). Then the magnetic coupler and load are installed.

[0036] To simplify the structure, the magnetic coupler in this invention consists of an inner magnetic ring (4), an outer magnetic ring, and a load positioning ring (42). The inner circumferential surface of the gear ring (3) is densely covered with strong magnets (33) to form the outer magnetic ring. The inner circumference of the inner magnetic ring (4) is fixed to the load positioning ring (42) by a bearing ring (41). The load positioning ring (42) is fixed to the hub (1) by bolts. Considering that the installation of the half shaft requires a flange, the mating surface of one half of the hub (1) can be opened (leaving only the steel ring for installing the bolts), and the mating surface of the other half of the hub (1) can be closed. The half shaft flange (11) and the screw hole for fixing the load positioning ring (42) are both located on the closed mating surface.

[0037] Working principle: When the tire rotates, the contact patch deforms inward. The tire does work against the elastic force of the internal material, and the vehicle's kinetic and potential energy are converted into the elastic potential energy of the tire material, thus generating elastic potential energy. After leaving the ground, the tire recovers, releasing potential energy. Some of this potential energy is converted back into the vehicle's kinetic energy, while a larger portion is converted into heat and dissipated. When the tire rebounds, it generates friction with the ground. The greater the rebound force, the greater the friction, and the more potential energy is converted into heat. This invention recovers a portion of the potential energy during the tire's rebound process, thus reducing the overall proportion of potential energy dissipated as heat, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0038] In this invention, at the position where the tire is compressed and deformed, the corresponding flexible tie rod assembly (245) pushes back inward. The pushing action drives the rotating shaft (241) to rotate clockwise through the lever arm (244). At this time, the inner ring of the one-way bearing (242) runs clockwise, and the one-way bearing (242) rotates in the forward direction. Therefore, the one-way bearing (242) operates normally, and the movement of the rotating shaft (241) will not affect the free movement of the drive gear (243) and will not cause interference to the drive gear (243) and the gear ring (3).

[0039] During the deformation position recovery process, the flexible tie rod assembly (245) pulls the arm (244) outward, and the shaft (241) rotates counterclockwise. At this time, the inner ring of the one-way bearing (242) runs counterclockwise, the one-way bearing (242) is in reverse, and the one-way bearing (242) is in a locked state. The movement of the shaft (241) will cause the drive gear (243) to run counterclockwise, and the drive gear (243) will drive the gear ring (3) to run clockwise. By continuously providing driving force, the gear ring (3) is kept rotating continuously.

[0040] As an optimized design, a torsion spring (25) is installed on the rotating shaft (241) of the present invention below the lever arm (244). The bottom end of the torsion spring (25) is inserted into the insertion hole on the lower mounting ring (22) for fixation, and the upper end extends horizontally outward to clamp the front side of the lever arm (244). The advantage of this design is that during the inward retraction process, the torsion spring (25) ensures that the retraction action is clockwise. This is one of its functions. It also allows the flexible pull rod assembly (245) to maintain an angle with the lever arm (244) when it is pulled outward. As long as it deviates from the balance position, the retraction will naturally only proceed in the counterclockwise direction. Combined with the torsion spring (25), the direction of retraction can be ensured to be stable. Of course, the torsion spring (25) also has the most important function. Since it is a flexible pull rod, it will deform under pressure, so the lever arm (244) does not deform during the retraction process. It can rotate to the maximum working angle, and the torsion spring (25) can pull the lever arm (244) back, thereby ensuring that it returns to the maximum working angle that can be achieved under the current deformation. However, the angle of the lever arm (244) back rotation cannot be unlimited. Otherwise, when the tire deformation is too large, such as when encountering a bump or a pit, the lever arm (244) will cross the rear balance position and cause jamming and other problems when pulling back, which will damage the equipment. Therefore, a limiting post (26) can be installed on the lower mounting ring (22) corresponding to the rear rotation position of each lever arm (244) to limit the rear rotation position of the lever arm (244). The present invention uses a flexible tie rod assembly (245). When the lever arm (244) rotates to the limiting post (26), it can reduce the remaining deformation through its own elastic bending, thereby avoiding the situation of breaking itself or damaging the tire.

[0041] As an implementation scheme, the load adopts a generator (5) (other existing equipment that can convert the rotational kinetic energy into other energy or uses can replace the generator (5), including pneumatic loads or hydraulic loads, etc.), and its rotor (51) can be vertically welded to the outer side of the inner magnetic ring (4). The top of the load positioning ring (42) is detachably fixed to the stator bracket (53), and the stator (52) is fixed around the rotor (51) by the stator bracket (53). A sealing cover is installed on one side of the hub (1) where the generator (5) is installed (since this generator (5) is split, it needs to be sealed. Whether a sealing cover is needed depends on the working conditions of the load). The half shaft of the vehicle can be fixed to the other side of the hub (1).

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and these variations still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tire deformation potential energy recovery device, characterized in that: It includes a wheel hub, a deformation energy converter, a magnetic coupler, and a load; the deformation energy converter is fixed inside the wheel hub and hinged to several anchors on the inner circumference of the tire; the load is installed inside the wheel hub and is driven by the deformation energy converter through the magnetic coupler. The deformation energy converter consists of an upper mounting ring, a lower mounting ring, and several conversion components arranged opposite to each other. Several sets of bidirectional bearings are installed at corresponding positions and angles on the upper and lower mounting rings. Each conversion component consists of a rotating shaft, a one-way bearing, a drive gear, a lever arm, and a flexible tie rod assembly. The two ends of the rotating shaft are fixed in the bidirectional bearings of the upper and lower mounting rings, respectively. A one-way bearing is installed on the rotating shaft, and the drive gear is fixed on the one-way bearing. A lever arm is installed on the rotating shaft below the one-way bearing, and a flexible tie rod is hinged to the end of the lever arm. A gear ring is installed inside the upper mounting ring, and the gear ring meshes with the drive gears of all conversion components, serving as the output port of the deformation energy converter. The hub is a split type, divided into two parts radially and connected by bolts. The mating surfaces are sealed by rubber rings, and the part that isolates the magnetic coupler is made of non-ferromagnetic material.

2. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A torsion spring is threaded through the shaft below the lever arm. The bottom end of the torsion spring is inserted into the insertion hole on the lower mounting ring for fixation, and the upper end extends horizontally out to form a locking head that engages with the front side of the lever arm. Limiting posts are installed on the lower mounting ring corresponding to the rear rotation position of each lever arm to limit the rear rotation position of the lever arm.

3. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deformation energy converter has several sets of positioning holes evenly distributed on it. Positioning screws are welded to the corresponding positions on the wheel hub. The positioning holes are inserted into the positioning screws to fix the deformation energy converter to the wheel hub.

4. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning groove extends from the outer circumferential surface of the upper side of the gear ring. Multiple limiting bearings are evenly fixed on the upper mounting ring. The limiting bearings are all embedded in the positioning groove and roll, thereby completing the fixing and positioning of the gear ring. A notch is opened on the outside of the positioning groove for embedding the limiting bearings into the positioning groove.

5. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic coupler consists of an inner magnetic ring, an outer magnetic ring, and a load positioning ring. The outer magnetic ring is formed by densely arranged strong magnets on the inner circumference of the gear ring. The inner circumference of the inner magnetic ring is fixed to the load positioning ring by a bearing ring. The load positioning ring is fixed to the hub by bolts.

6. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The load is a generator, whose rotor is vertically welded to the outer side of the inner magnetic ring. The top of the load positioning ring is detachably fixed to the stator bracket, which fixes the stator around the rotor. A sealing cover is installed on the side of the hub where the generator is mounted, and the half-shaft of the vehicle is fixed to the other side of the hub.

7. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The mating surface of one half of the hub is open, while the mating surface of the other half is closed. The half-shaft flange and the screw hole for fixing the load positioning ring are both located on the closed mating surface.

8. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The flexible tie rod assembly consists of a steel wire rope and rivets fixed at both ends. Each rivet has a pin hole, and both the anchor and the lever arm are equipped with pins. The rivets, anchor, and lever arm are hinged by a pin connection.

9. The tire deformation potential energy recovery device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The anchor is bonded to the circumference of the tire or embedded inside the tire.

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