Generator comprising rotation mechanism using air bubbles

Abstract

To provide a generator capable of rotating with a simple rotation mechanism.SOLUTION: A rotation mechanism comprises: a water tank 10 storing water 50; an air bubble supply pipe 11 that supplies air bubbles 12 into the water tank; a weight body 21 that moves up and down in the water with the buoyancy of the air bubbles; a disc 22 that moves up and down while overlapping the weight body; a plurality of support rod bodies 31 extending radially from the weight body; a parachute-shaped sheet member 32 supported by the support rod bodies; a stop plate 51 that regulates the elevation positions of the weight body and the disk; and a stop bar 511 protruding from the stop plate. When the air bubbles accumulate under the sheet member 32, the weight body and the disc rise with the buoyancy of the air bubbles, and the weight body stops rising when the tip of the stop bar comes into contact with the weight body, and the disc stops rising when it comes into contact with the stop plate. Therefore, the air bubbles escape from a passage hole formed in the weight body. The weight and the disc lose the buoyancy of the air bubbles and return to their original state. The repetitive motion of the weight body is converted into rotation of a gear 64 by link mechanisms 61, 62, 63, causing a rotational shaft of a generator 66 to rotate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a generator rotated by a rotation mechanism using air bubbles.

Background Art

[0002] In a generator, a coil formed by winding a conducting wire and a magnet are arranged in proximity, and by rotating the magnet with respect to the coil, or rotating the coil with respect to the magnet, an induced current is generated in the coil to perform power generation. In this way, when the magnetic flux linked to the coil changes with time, an electromotive force is generated in the coil.

[0003] In a conventional generator, in order to rotate the coil or the magnet, the rotation shaft of the generator is rotated at high speed by a gas or steam turbine, the rotation shaft is rotated at low speed by a waterwheel, or the rotation shaft is driven by a windmill (Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] However, when using natural energy such as wind power or hydraulic power, it is difficult to find a place where stable acquisition of natural energy is possible, and when using gas or steam, there are various problems in the process of obtaining them from fossil fuels and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a generator rotated using a simple rotation mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a generator equipped with a rotating mechanism that utilizes the buoyancy of bubbles. The rotating mechanism includes a container storing a liquid, a bubble supply pipe for supplying bubbles to the liquid, a disk-shaped weight provided with a bubble passage opening that moves up and down in the liquid at the central part of the container, a disk that closes the passage opening in a state of being stacked on the upper part of the weight and opens the passage opening in a state of being separated from the weight, a plurality of foldable support rods having one end locked to the side part of the weight, extending radially from the weight, and the other end locked to the inner surface of the container, a sheet member supported by the support rods and spreading in a parachute shape in the liquid, with the periphery of a central hole provided at the center thereof fixed to the weight, and a first link member for guiding the up and down movement of the weight to the outside of the container. The rotating shaft of the generator has a structure that is rotated via a link mechanism including the first link member.

[0008] In this rotating mechanism, the bubbles supplied into the liquid are collected in the center by the sheet member. When the buoyancy of the bubbles exceeds a predetermined value, the weight and the disk stacked thereon rise, and accordingly, the central portions of the support rods and the sheet member connected to the weight are pulled up. Even if the rise of the weight is suppressed, the disk further rises because it receives the buoyancy of the bubbles from the bubble passage opening of the weight. Along with this, the bubble passage opening is released, and the bubbles dissipate along it. Therefore, both the weight and the disk that have lost the buoyancy of the bubbles descend, and the disk returns to a state of closing the bubble passage opening of the weight. The weight and the disk repeat such a series of operations.

[0009] Also, in the present invention, a support column for restricting the moving direction of the weight and the disk and a stop plate fixed to the support column for determining the ascending position of the weight and the disk are arranged in the container. The stop plate is provided with a stop rod protruding downward. The disk having a through hole of the stop rod rises until it contacts the stop plate, and the weight having no through hole of the stop rod rises until it contacts the tip of the stop rod. Therefore, when the weight and the disk rise under the buoyancy of the bubbles, the disk separates from the weight, and the bubbles pass through the passage opening of the weight.

[0010] Further, the support rods and the first link member have a length variable mechanism for varying the length. Therefore, the hammer body can be smoothly lifted and lowered.

[0011] In addition, in the present invention, it is desirable that the hammer body and the disc are connected by a spring that exerts a gravitational force. Due to the action of this spring, when the hammer body descends, the disc quickly overlaps the hammer body and closes the bubble passage opening of the hammer body.

[0012] In addition, in the present invention, it is desirable that liquid passage holes are provided in a portion near the outer peripheral edge of the sheet member. When this liquid passage opening exists, when the sheet member moves with the up and down movement of the hammer body, the resistance received from the liquid is reduced.

[0013] In addition, in the present invention, the link mechanism has a function of converting a swinging motion into a rotational motion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a generator can be rotated using a simple rotation mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 shows an example of a generator provided with a rotation mechanism of the present invention. This rotation mechanism includes a water tank 10 storing water 50, a bubble supply pipe 11 for supplying bubbles 12 into the water tank 10, a weight 21 that moves up and down in the water by the buoyancy of the bubbles 12, a disk 22 that moves up and down overlapping the weight 21, and a plurality of support rods 31 having one end locked to the side of the weight 21 and extending radially from the weight 21. The other ends of the support rods 31 are attached to the inner wall of the water tank 10.

[0017] Further, a sheet member 32 that spreads in a parachute shape is supported by the support rods 31. The periphery of the central hole of the sheet member 32 is fixed to the outer periphery of the weight 21. Inside the water tank 10, two support columns 41 for restricting the moving directions of the weight 21 and the disk 22 are erected, and a stop plate 51 for restricting the ascending positions of the weight 21 and the disk 22 is attached to the tips of the two support columns 41. The stop plate 51 is provided with a stop rod 511 protruding downward.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 6, the weight 21 is provided with an insertion hole 212 through which the support column 41 is inserted and a passage hole 213 for the bubbles 12. Further, the disk 22 is provided with an insertion hole 222 for the support column 41 and an insertion hole 223 for the stop rod 511.

[0019] Further, as will be described later, it is desirable to interpose a spring 23 that attracts the weight 21 and the disk 22 between the weight 21 and the disk 22. On the side of the weight 21 in contact with the spring 23 and the side of the disk 22 in contact with the spring 23, recesses 214 and 224 for embedding a part of the spring 23 are formed around the insertion hole 212 and the insertion hole 223. In a state where the disk 22 overlaps the weight 21, the spring 23 fits into these recesses 214 and 224, and the weight 21 and the disk 22 can maintain a state of contact.

[0020] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each support rod 31 that supports the sheet member 32 can be bent such that a second rod portion 312 locked to the inner wall side of the water tank 10 bends with respect to a first rod portion 311 locked to the weight body 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second rod portion 312 has a variable mechanism 313 capable of varying its length. FIG. 3(a) shows a state where the length is shortened, and (b) shows a state where the length is lengthened.

[0021] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a first link member 61 that transmits the up-and-down movement of the weight body 21 to the outside of the water tank 10 is locked to the weight body 21. The first link member 61 is led out from the water-tight hole 13 of the water tank 10 to the outside of the water tank 10. A variable mechanism similar to the variable mechanism 313 is provided in the portion of the first link member 61 inside the water tank 10 so that the position where the first link member 61 passes through the water-tight hole 13 always remains constant. Therefore, the length of the first link member 61 protruding from the water tank 10 is constant regardless of the angle of the first link member 61, and the end portion of the first link member 61 protruding from the water tank 10 moves along an arc of a circle as the weight body 21 moves up and down.

[0022] Air is sent in from the nozzle portion of the bubble supply pipe 11 led out outside the water tank 10 by a blower or the like, and it becomes bubbles 12 and is discharged into the water tank 10. The bubbles 12 discharged from the bubble supply pipe 11 rise in the water and gather at the central portion of the sheet member 32 that forms a "convex upward" conical shape, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] When the buoyancy of the bubbles 12 gathered at this central portion exceeds a predetermined value, the weight body 21 and the disk 22 begin to rise in the water, and accordingly, the side of the support rod 31, the sheet member 32, and the first link member 61 that is locked to the weight body 21 is pulled up.

[0024] At this time, the lengths of the support rod 31 and the first link member 61 inside the water tank 10 change depending on the rising position of the weight body 21. However, since the support rod 31 and the first link member 61 are provided with the variable mechanism 313, they can flexibly respond to the change in length.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a state in which the weight body 21 and the disk 22 have risen to positions restricted by the stop plate 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the weight body 21 without the insertion hole of the stop bar 511 stops rising with the tip of the stop bar 511 in contact.

[0026] On the other hand, the disk 22 having the insertion hole 223 of the stop bar 511 rises to a position where it contacts the stop plate 51 under the buoyancy of the bubble 12 that has risen through the bubble passage port 213 of the weight body 21. Therefore, the disk 22 that has blocked the bubble passage port 213 of the weight body 21 separates from the weight body 21, and the bubble passage port 213 is released. Thus, all the bubbles that have been pushing up the weight body 21 pass through the bubble passage port 213 and escape to the water surface. Therefore, the weight body 21 and the disk 22 that have lost the buoyancy of the bubbles descend in the water due to their own weights and return to the states shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0027] At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the weight body 21 and the disk 22 are connected by a spring 23 that pulls them together, the disk 22 can quickly overlap the weight body 21, closing the bubble passage port 213 of the weight body 21, and the cycle of the repetitive operation of the weight body 21 can be shortened.

[0028] In this way, in this rotation mechanism, the weight body 21 repeats the ascending and descending motions in the water due to the bubbles 12 discharged from the bubble supply pipe 11. Note that the discharge of the bubbles 12 from the bubble supply pipe 11 may be continuous or intermittent.

[0029] Also, in this rotation mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is desirable to provide water passage holes 321 in a portion near the outer peripheral edge of the sheet member 32. When these water passage ports 321 exist, when the sheet member 32 moves with the up and down movement of the weight body 21, the resistance received from the water is reduced, enabling a smooth operation.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one end of the second link member 62 is connected to the end portion of the first link member 61, one end of which is connected to the weight body 21, and is led out from the water tank 10. The other end of the second link member 62 is connected to the other end of the third link member 63, one end of which is fixed to the rotating shaft of the large-diameter gear 64. Further, a small-diameter gear 65 meshes with the large-diameter gear 64, and this small-diameter gear 65 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the generator 66.

[0031] In this configuration, as described above, the length of the portion of the first link member 61 led out from the watertight hole 13 of the water tank 10 is constant. Also, since the position of the watertight hole 13 and the center position of the large-diameter gear 64 are fixed respectively, the distance from the watertight hole 13 to the center of the large-diameter gear 64 is constant. Therefore, assuming that the portion from the watertight hole 13 to the center of the large-diameter gear 64 is the fourth link member 67, as shown in FIG. 7, the portion of the first link member 61 led out from the watertight hole 13 of the water tank 10 (=a), the second link member 62 (=b), the third link member 63 (=c) and the fourth link member 67 (=d) constitute a four-bar link mechanism.

[0032] In this four-bar link mechanism, d is a fixed link (a link that is fixed and does not move), a is a driving link (a link that gives power to the mechanism), c is a follower link (a link that outputs the motion of the mechanism to the outside), and b is an intermediate link (a link that transmits and converts motion between the driving link and the follower link). In a four-bar link mechanism, it is known that by appropriately setting the length of each link, the rocking motion of the driving link can be converted into the rotational motion of the follower link (for example, refer to "Mechanical Elements Learned from the Basics" by Keyence Corporation, p. 86). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, using the four-bar link mechanism, the rocking motion of the first link member 61 (link a) can be converted into the rotational motion of the third link member 63 (link c), and the large-diameter gear 64 can be rotated. When the large-diameter gear 64 rotates, the small-diameter gear 65 meshing with it rotates, and the generator 66 rotates at a high speed.

[0033] In this way, the generator of the present invention is rotated by the rotational motion converted from the rocking motion in the rotation mechanism to continue power generation.

[0034] Here, the case where the rocking motion is converted into a rotational motion by a four-bar link mechanism has been described, but conversion into a rotational motion may also be performed using other mechanisms.

[0035] Also, here, the case where one first link member 61 is connected to the weight body 21 to cause power generation in one generator 66 has been described, but it is also possible to connect a plurality of first link members 61 to the weight body 21 radially to cause power generation in a plurality of generators simultaneously.

Industrial Applicability

[0036] The generator provided with the rotation mechanism of the present invention can be used in various industrial fields, and can also be used as a learning material or the like in an educational site.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 10 Water tank 11 Bubble supply pipe 12 Bubbles 13 Watertight hole 21 Weight body 212 Insertion hole 213 Bubble passage port 214 Concave portion 22 Disk 222 Support column insertion hole 223 Stop bar insertion hole 224 Concave portion 23 Spring 31 Support rod body 311 First rod body portion 312 Second rod body portion 313 Variable mechanism 32 Sheet member 321 Water passage hole 41 Support column 50 Water 51 Stop plate 511 Stop bar 61 First link member 62 Second link member 63 Third link member 64 Large-diameter gear 65 Small-diameter gear 66 Generator 67 Fourth link member

Claims

1. A generator equipped with a rotating mechanism that utilizes the buoyancy of bubbles, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a container storing a liquid, a bubble supply pipe for supplying the bubbles to the liquid, a disk-shaped weight provided with a passage opening for the bubbles and moving up and down in the liquid at the central part of the container, a disk that closes the passage opening in a state of being stacked on the upper part of the weight and opens the passage opening in a state of being separated from the weight, a plurality of foldable support rods having one end locked to the side part of the weight, extending radially from the weight, and the other end locked to the inner surface of the container, a sheet member supported by the support rods and spreading in a parachute shape in the liquid, with the periphery of a central hole provided at the center fixed to the weight, a first link member for guiding the up and down movement of the weight to the outside of the container, and the rotating shaft of the generator is rotated via a link mechanism including the first link member.

2. The generator according to claim 1, wherein when the bubbles supplied from the bubble supply pipe gather at the central part of the sheet member and the buoyancy of the bubbles rises to a predetermined value or more, the weight rises, and the disk separates from the weight, so that the bubbles pass through the passage opening of the weight, and when the buoyancy of the bubbles drops to a predetermined value or less, the weight descends.

3. The generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the container, a support column for restricting the moving direction of the weight and the disk, and a stop plate fixed to the support column and defining the rising positions of the weight and the disk are arranged, the stop plate is provided with a stop rod protruding downward, the disk having a through hole of the stop rod rises until it contacts the stop plate, and the weight not having the through hole of the stop rod rises until it contacts the tip of the stop rod.

4. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support rods and the first link member have a length variable mechanism for varying the length.

5. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the weight and the disk are connected by a spring that exerts an attractive force.

6. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein liquid passage holes are provided in a portion near the outer peripheral edge of the sheet member.

7. The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A generator in which the link mechanism has a function of converting a swinging motion into a rotational motion.

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