Flywheel-based power generation system

Abstract

The battery is efficiently charged using electricity generated by effectively utilizing the rotational energy of the flywheel, which rotates due to inertia. [Solution] The system includes a rotating body 32 that contacts the outer circumference of the flywheel 12 and is rotated by the flywheel 12, a rotating body moving unit 34 that moves the rotating body 32 between a contact position in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel 12 and a retracted position away from the outer circumference, a generator 36 that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotating body 32, a charging device 38 connected to the generator 36, and a control unit 40 that controls the rotating body moving unit 34 to position the rotating body 32 in the retracted position when power is supplied to the motor 14 and to position the rotating body 32 in the contact position when power supply to the motor 14 is stopped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system using a flywheel.

Background Art

[0002] From the perspective of carbon neutrality, various technologies for generating electricity without using fossil fuels have been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a flywheel is connected to the shaft of a swing plate that is tilted by the passage of a vehicle, and electricity is generated by a generator using the rotation of the flywheel rotated by the tilting of the swing plate, and a battery (secondary battery) is charged with the generated electricity. A power supply device for a parking lot has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, since the flywheel is rotated by the kinetic energy of a swing plate that is tilted by the passage of a vehicle, the size and weight of the flywheel itself are limited. Therefore, the rotational energy of the flywheel is also small. In addition, since the time during which the flywheel rotates by inertia is short, the amount of electricity generated by the generator remains small. By the way, a mechanical press machine installed in a factory or the like is provided with a large flywheel having a diameter of about 2.5 m, for example. After the operation of the mechanical press machine is stopped and the power supply is cut off, the flywheel continues to rotate by inertia for about 10 minutes. Therefore, when the mechanical press machine is operated every day, considering it on an annual basis, the total amount of rotational energy of the flywheel generated each time the power supply of the mechanical press machine is cut off is a considerable amount. By effectively utilizing the rotational energy of such a large flywheel to generate electricity, a larger amount of power can be obtained compared to conventional technology, and batteries can be charged efficiently, which is desirable. This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a power generation system using a flywheel that is advantageous for efficiently charging a battery with electricity generated by effectively utilizing the rotational energy of a flywheel that rotates by inertia. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above objective, one embodiment of the present invention is a power generation system applied to a flywheel that is rotated by a motor and continues to rotate by inertia even after the power supply to the motor is stopped, comprising: a rotating body that contacts the outer circumference of the flywheel and is rotated by the flywheel; a rotating body moving unit that moves the rotating body between a contact position in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel and a retracted position away from the outer circumference; a generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotating body; a charging device connected to the generator; and a control unit that controls the rotating body moving unit to position the rotating body in the retracted position when power is supplied to the motor and to position the rotating body in the contact position when the power supply to the motor is stopped. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the flywheel comprises a disc portion that extends radially outward from the flywheel rotation axis and an annular flange portion provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion, the flange portion having an outer surface over which a belt is stretched between it and the output shaft of the motor and an inner surface located opposite to it, and the rotating body moving part moves the rotating body radially along the disc portion on the radial side of the disc portion within the radially inward side of the inner surface, brings the rotating body into contact with the inner surface at the contact position, and positions the rotating body away from the inner surface at the retracted position. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a drive rotating body is provided at a location separate from the rotating body and rotates coaxially with the rotating body and integrally with the rotating body, the generator includes a driven rotating body that generates electricity when rotated, and a power transmission member is attached to the drive rotating body and the driven rotating body to transmit the power of the drive rotating body to the driven rotating body. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating body and the driving rotating body are connected so as to be able to rotate integrally by a rotating body rotation shaft, the portion of the rotating body rotation shaft between the rotating body and the driving rotating body is rotatably supported by a bearing, the rotating body moving portion comprises an air cylinder having a piston rod that protrudes from a piston portion arranged in a cylinder body and moves in a direction toward and away from the inner circumferential surface of the flange portion, the bearing is supported at the tip of the piston rod, and the contact position of the rotating body is formed in a state intermediate between the extended state of the air cylinder, where the piston rod protrudes the furthest from the cylinder body, and the retracted state of the air cylinder, where the piston rod is most retracted into the cylinder body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a rotating body that contacts the outer circumference of a flywheel and is rotated by the flywheel, a rotating body moving unit that moves the rotating body between a contact position in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel and a retracted position away from the outer circumference, a generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotating body, a charging device connected to the generator, and a control unit that controls the rotating body moving unit to position the rotating body in the retracted position when power is supplied to the motor and to position the rotating body in the contact position when power supply to the motor is stopped. Therefore, when the mechanical press is stopped and the power supply to the motor is cut off, the rotating body rotates in contact with the outer circumference of the flange portion of the flywheel, which is rotating by inertia, and power is generated by the generator. Thus, in factories where mechanical presses are installed, a large amount of power can be generated from the rotational energy of the flywheel rotating by inertia. This is advantageous for efficiently charging batteries used in various battery-powered devices. Furthermore, when power is supplied to the motor that rotates the flywheel, the rotating body is in a retracted position and does not come into contact with the flywheel. Therefore, the rotational energy of the flywheel of the operating mechanical press is not reduced, and the operation of the mechanical press is not affected. Furthermore, if the flywheel comprises a disc portion and a flange portion provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion, and the flange portion has an outer surface on which the belt is stretched between it and the output shaft of the motor and an inner surface located opposite to it, and the rotating body moving part moves the rotating body radially along the disc portion on the radially inward side of the inner surface, bringing the rotating body into contact with the inner surface at the contact position and positioning the rotating body away from the inner surface at the retracted position, then the rotating body and the rotating body moving part that move to the contact position and the retracted position can be arranged using the dead space enclosed by the disc portion and flange portion of the flywheel, which is advantageous in making the power generation system more compact. Furthermore, by providing a drive rotating body that rotates coaxially with the rotating body at a location separate from the rotating body and rotates integrally with the rotating body, and a driven rotating body that generates electricity when the generator is rotated, and by attaching power transmission members to the drive rotating body and the driven rotating body to transmit the power of the drive rotating body to the driven rotating body, the rotational force of the flywheel obtained from the rotating body can be efficiently transmitted to the generator, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency of the generator. Furthermore, by using the biasing force of the compression coil spring to bring the rotating body at the contact position into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the flywheel flange, the rotating body rotates reliably and stably, which is advantageous for reliably and stably generating electricity with the generator. In addition, even if wear occurs on the outer circumference of the rotating body due to long-term use, the biasing force of the compression coil spring can ensure that the rotating body at the contact position is reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the flywheel flange, allowing the rotating body to rotate reliably and stably, which is advantageous for reliably and stably generating electricity with the generator over a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of a mechanical press machine to which a power generation system utilizing a flywheel according to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a power generation system using a flywheel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan cross-sectional view showing the state in which the rotating body is in contact with the power generation system using a flywheel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a power generation system using a flywheel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view of a power generation system using a flywheel according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a plan cross-sectional view showing the state in which the rotating body is in contact with the power generation system using a flywheel according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a plan cross-sectional view showing the state in which the rotating body is in the retracted position in a power generation system using a flywheel according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrations. This embodiment describes the case in which the power generation system using the flywheel of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the power generation system) is applied to the flywheel of a mechanical press machine. As shown in Figure 1, the mechanical press 10 is equipped with a steel flywheel 12. The mechanical press 10 performs press work by utilizing the rotational energy (rotational force) of the flywheel 12. The mechanical press 10 has multiple belts (V-belts) 18 mounted on a flywheel 12 and a motor pulley 16 on the output shaft of a motor 14. The flywheel 12 is rotated by the motor 14. In the mechanical press 10, the drive gear 20 of the flywheel rotation shaft 1202, which is located at the rotation center of the flywheel 12, meshes with the crank gear 22. Furthermore, in the mechanical press 10, the rotation of the flywheel 12 causes the crank gear 22 to rotate, which in turn causes the crank shaft 24 to rotate. The mechanical press machine 10 has an upper die 26A connected to the crank pin 2402 of the crankshaft 24 via a mechanical press mechanism such as a connecting rod (not shown). The mechanical press machine 10 performs press work on the workpiece 28 using this upper die 26A and a lower die 26B positioned opposite the upper die 26A.

[0009] The flywheel 12 is large, for example, with a diameter of about 2.5m, and continues to rotate by inertia for about 10 minutes even after the power supply to the motor 14 is cut off following the end of operation of the mechanical press machine 10. The mechanical press machine 10 is equipped with a clutch 30 between the flywheel 12 and the drive gear 20. After the power supply to the motor 14 is stopped, the clutch 30 disconnects the power transmission path between the flywheel 12 and the drive gear 20. As shown in Figure 3, the flywheel 12 comprises a disc portion 1210 that extends radially outward from the flywheel rotation axis 1202, and an annular flange portion 1212 provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion 1210. As shown in FIG. 1, the flange portion 1212 has an outer peripheral surface 1214 around which a belt 18 is mounted between the output shaft of the motor 14 and the motor pulley 16, and an inner peripheral surface 1216 shown in FIG. 2 located on the opposite side thereof.

[0010] In the present embodiment, the power generation system 100 using the flywheel 12 includes a rotating body 32, a rotating body moving portion 34, a generator 36, a charging device 38, and a control portion 40, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating body 32 contacts the outer peripheral portion of the flywheel 12 and is rotated by the flywheel 12. In the present embodiment, the rotating body 32 contacts the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12 and is rotated by the flywheel 12. The rotating body 32 is composed of a rotating body disk portion 3202 made of steel and an annular contact portion 3204. The contact portion 3204 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body disk portion 3202 and contacts the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212. When the contact portion 3204 is rotated by the flywheel 12, it is made of a member that does not wear the flywheel 12, has a large coefficient of friction with respect to the inner peripheral surface 1216, efficiently transmits the rotational force of the flywheel 12, and has excellent wear resistance. Various conventionally known materials can be used as such a member. For example, using hard urethane is advantageous for manufacturing the rotating body 32 at a low cost. A rotating body rotating shaft 3206 projects from the center of the rotating body disk portion 3202. At the longitudinal end portion of the rotating body rotating shaft 3206, a driving rotating body 42 that can rotate integrally with the rotating body rotating shaft 3206 is attached. The intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the rotating body rotating shaft 3206 is supported by a bearing 44. That is, the driving rotating body 42 rotates integrally with the rotating body 32 coaxially with the rotating body 32 at a location separated from the rotating body 32.

[0011] The rotating body moving portion 34 moves the rotating body 32 between a contact position where the rotating body 32 contacts the outer peripheral portion of the flywheel 12 shown in FIG. 3 and a retracted position away from the outer peripheral portion (not shown). The rotating body moving part 34 moves the rotating body 32 radially of the disk part 1210 of the flywheel 12 along the disk part 1210 inside the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating body moving part 34 brings the rotating body 32 into contact with the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212 of the flywheel 12 at the contact position. Furthermore, the rotating body moving part 34 moves the rotating body 32 to a position away from the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212 of the flywheel 12 at the retracted position. In the present embodiment, the rotating body moving part 34 includes an air cylinder 46. The air cylinder 46 includes a cylinder main body 4602 that constitutes an air cylinder chamber, and a piston rod 4606 that protrudes from a piston part 4604 disposed in the cylinder main body 4602 and moves in a direction of approaching and separating from the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the tip 4606A of the piston rod 4606 supports the bearing 44. Also, the base end 4606B of the piston rod 4606 is connected to the piston part 4604. By supplying and discharging air to and from the air cylinder chamber, the piston part 4604 reciprocates on the axis of the cylinder main body 4602 within the cylinder main body 4602. Due to the reciprocating movement of the piston part 4604, the piston rod 4606 forms an extended state of the air cylinder 46 in which the piston rod 4606 protrudes most from the cylinder main body 4602, and a contracted state of the air cylinder 46 in which the piston rod 4606 is most immersed in the cylinder main body 4602. When the air cylinder 46 is in the contracted state, the rotating body 32 is located at a retracted position away from the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212 of the flywheel 12. When the air cylinder 46 extends toward the extended state, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating body 32 is located at a contact position where it contacts the inner peripheral surface 1216 of the flange part 1212 of the flywheel 12 by the pressing force of the air cylinder 46. In this case, the air cylinder 46 does not reach its extended state; that is, the piston rod 4606 retains some stroke. Therefore, the contact position of the rotating body 32 is formed in a state intermediate between the extended state of the air cylinder 46 and the retracted state of the air cylinder 46. Therefore, at the contact position, the rotating body 32 is constantly biased against the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12 by the pressing force of the air cylinder 46.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, the generator 36 generates electricity by the rotation of the rotating body 32. As shown in Figure 2, the generator 36 is equipped with a driven rotating body 54 that generates electricity when rotated. A power transmission member 56 is attached to the driving rotating body 42 and the driven rotating body 54 to transmit power from the driving rotating body 42 to the driven rotating body 54. In addition, various conventionally known components such as belt pulley mechanisms, chain sprocket mechanisms, and gear mechanisms can be used for the drive rotating body 42, the driven rotating body 54, and the power transmission member 56. In this embodiment, a belt pulley mechanism is used for the drive rotating body 42, the driven rotating body 54, and the power transmission member 56. Therefore, pulleys 58 are used for both the driving rotating body 42 and the driven rotating body 54. In addition, a belt (V-belt) 60 is used for the power transmission member 56. Furthermore, when the flywheel 12 is viewed from the front, the extension direction of the belt 60 and the axial direction of the air cylinder 46 intersect in such a way that the belt 60 and the air cylinder 46 do not interfere with each other. This reduces the width of the system in the axial direction of the flywheel 12.

[0014] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the power generation system 100. As shown in Figure 4, the charging device 38 is configured to be connectable to a battery 52, which is provided separately from the power generation system 100. The charging device 38 charges the battery 52 by supplying power generated by the generator 36. The charging device 38 controls the charging process so that the charging current, charging voltage, and charging power supplied to the battery 52 are appropriate.

[0015] The control unit 40 controls the rotating body movement unit 34 to position the rotating body 32 in a retracted position when power is supplied to the motor 14, and to position the rotating body 32 in a contact position when power supply to the motor 14 is stopped. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 receives a status signal from the mechanical press 10 indicating whether the mechanical press 10 is operating and power is being supplied to the motor 14 (power supply state) or whether the mechanical press 10 has stopped operating and power is not being supplied to the motor 14 (power supply stop state). Based on this, the control unit 40 performs the above-mentioned control.

[0016] Next, the operation of the power generation system 100 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mechanical press machine 10 is already in operation and the flywheel 12 is being rotated by the motor 14. In this case, the control unit 40 receives a status signal indicating the power supply status from the mechanical press machine 10, and therefore positions the rotating body 32 in the retracted position using the air cylinder 46. The rotating body 32 is separated from the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 and has stopped rotating. As a result, the generator 36 has stopped generating power.

[0017] When the operation of the mechanical press machine 10 is stopped, the control unit 40 receives a status signal indicating that the power supply from the mechanical press machine 10 has been stopped. The control unit 40 then controls the air cylinder 46 to move the rotating body 32 from the retracted position to the contact position shown in Figure 3. As a result, the rotating body 32 rotates in contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which rotates by inertia. The generator 36 starts generating power when the rotation of the rotating body 32 is transmitted from the driving rotating body 42 to the driven rotating body 54 via the power transmission member 56. In this case, the air cylinder 46 constantly biases the rotating body 32 toward the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flywheel 12. As a result, the rotating body 32 is reliably and stably in contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which rotates by inertia. The charging device 38 starts charging the battery 52 when the generator 36 starts generating power. The generator 36 generates electricity and supplies charging power to the battery 52 while the flywheel 12 is rotating by inertia, for example for about 10 minutes. As a result, the battery 52 is charged. Eventually, when the rotation of the flywheel 12 stops, the generator 36 stops generating power. As a result, the charging device 38 also stops charging the battery 52. Furthermore, when the mechanical press machine 10 is started again, the control unit 40 receives a status signal indicating the power supply status from the mechanical press machine 10. As a result, the control unit 40 moves the rotating body 32 from the contact position shown in Figure 3 to the retracted position using the air cylinder 46. The generator 36 also stops generating power. And the charging device 38 stops charging the battery 52.

[0018] Thus, the operation of the power generation system 100 is performed each time the mechanical press machine 10 is started and stopped. When the battery 52 is fully charged (charging is complete), the charging device 38 displays a completion of charging using an indicator provided on the machine. When the operator sees the indicator showing that charging is complete, they remove the fully charged battery 52 from the charging device 38 and install another battery 52 that needs charging into the charging device 38. Then, the worker transports the fully charged battery 52 to the location where the battery-powered equipment (not shown) is installed, and then attaches the battery 52 to the battery-powered equipment. Battery 52 supplies power to battery-powered devices, enabling them to be used.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the system includes a rotating body 32 that contacts the outer circumference of the flywheel 12 and is rotated by the flywheel 12, a rotating body moving unit 34 that moves the rotating body 32 between a contact position in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel 12 and a retracted position away from the outer circumference, a generator 36 that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotating body 32, a charging device 38 connected to the generator 36, and a control unit 40 that controls the rotating body moving unit 34 to position the rotating body 32 in the retracted position when power is supplied to the motor 14 and to position the rotating body 32 in the contact position when power supply to the motor 14 is stopped. Therefore, when the operation of the mechanical press machine 10 is stopped and the power supply to the motor 14 is cut off, the rotating body 32 comes into contact with the outer circumference (inner circumference 1216 in this embodiment) of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which is rotating by inertia, and rotates. This causes the generator 36 to start generating electricity. If a mechanical press machine 10 is operated daily in a factory or similar facility, the total amount of rotational energy generated by the inertia of the flywheel 12 each time the mechanical press machine 10 is stopped, when considered over a year, will be considerable. Therefore, in a factory where a mechanical press machine 10 is installed, a large amount of electricity can be generated from the rotational energy of the flywheel 12, which rotates due to inertia. This is advantageous for efficiently charging batteries 52 used in various battery-powered devices. Furthermore, when power is supplied to the motor 14 that rotates the flywheel 12, the rotating body 32 is in a retracted position and does not come into contact with the flywheel 12. Therefore, the rotational energy of the flywheel 12 of the operating mechanical press 10 is not reduced, and the operation of the operating mechanical press 10 is not affected.

[0020] In this embodiment, the flywheel 12 comprises a disc portion 1210 that extends radially outward from the axis of rotation, and an annular flange portion 1212 provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion 1210. The flange portion 1212 has an outer surface 1214 on which the belt 18 is mounted between it and the output shaft of the motor 14, and an inner surface 1216 located opposite to it. The rotating body moving unit 34 moves the rotating body 32 radially along the disc portion 1210 on the radially inward side of the inner surface 1216, bringing the rotating body 32 into contact with the inner surface 1216 at the contact position, and positioning the rotating body 32 away from the inner surface 1216 at the retracted position. Therefore, the rotating body 32 and the rotating body moving part 34, which are moved to the contact position and the retracted position, can be arranged using the dead space surrounded by the disc portion 1210 and the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which is advantageous in making the power generation system 100 more compact. Although the explanation described uses an air cylinder 46 as the rotating body movement unit 34, various conventionally known actuators such as hydraulic cylinders and electric cylinders can be used instead of the air cylinder 46. However, using an air cylinder 46 as the rotating body movement unit 34 is advantageous in terms of miniaturization and cost reduction. Furthermore, the contact points of the rotating body 32 with the flywheel 12 may be the outer circumferential surface 1214 of the disc portion 1210 or the flange portion 1212, or the side surface of the flange portion 1212. However, if the contact points of the rotating body 32 with the flywheel 12 are made on the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212, as in the embodiment, the rotating body 32 and the rotating body moving portion 34 can be arranged using the dead space surrounded by the disc portion 1210 and the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which is advantageous in making the power generation system 100 more compact.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a drive rotating body 42 is provided that rotates coaxially with the rotating body 32 at a location separate from the rotating body 32 and rotates integrally with the rotating body 32, and a driven rotating body 54 is provided that generates electricity when the generator 36 is rotated, and a power transmission member 56 is attached to the drive rotating body 42 and the driven rotating body 54 to transmit the power of the drive rotating body 42 to the driven rotating body 54. Therefore, the rotational force of the flywheel 12 obtained from the rotating body 32 can be efficiently transmitted to the generator 36, which is advantageous in increasing the power generation efficiency of the generator 36.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the biasing force of the air cylinder 46 ensures that the rotating body 32, positioned at the contact point, is reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12. As a result, the rotating body 32 rotates reliably and stably, which is advantageous for ensuring reliable and stable power generation by the generator 36. Furthermore, while wear may occur on the outer circumference of the rotating body 32 that contacts the flywheel 12 due to prolonged use, even if such wear occurs on the outer circumference of the rotating body 32, the biasing force of the air cylinder 46 ensures that the rotating body 32, positioned at the contact point, can be reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, thereby ensuring that the rotating body 32 can rotate reliably and stably. Therefore, this is advantageous in ensuring that power generation by the generator 36 is carried out reliably and stably over a long period of time.

[0023] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5-7. In the following embodiments, parts and components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. The descriptions will focus on the differences. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the rotating body moving part 54 differs from that of the rotating body moving part 34 in the first embodiment, but other aspects are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0024] Similar to the first embodiment, the rotating body movement unit 54 moves the rotating body 32 between a contact position in which it is in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel 12, as shown in Figure 6, and a retracted position away from the outer circumference, as shown in Figure 7. The rotating body movement section 54 is composed of an air cylinder 56, a housing 48, a connecting rod 50, and a compression coil spring 52. The air cylinder 56 is equipped with a piston rod 5602 that extends and retracts along the disc portion 1210 of the flywheel 12. The housing 48 is cylindrical and is located at the tip of the piston rod 5602.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, one end 5002 of the connecting rod 50 in the longitudinal direction supports the bearing 44. The other end 5004 of the connecting rod 50 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a piston. The other end 5004 is disposed within the housing 48 so as to be movable along the axis of the piston rod 5602 between the front end of the housing 48 on the side of the rotating body's rotating shaft 3206 and the tip surface 5604 of the piston rod. The compression coil spring 52 is provided within the housing 48 between the tip surface 5604 of the piston rod and the other end 5004 of the connecting rod 50, and constantly biases the other end 5004 towards the front of the housing 48. As shown in Figure 7, the piston rod 5602 is retracted in the retracted position. The other longitudinal end 5004 of the connecting rod 50 is in contact with the front wall of the housing 48 due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52. The rotating body 32 is located away from the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12. As shown in Figure 6, the piston rod 5602 is extended at the contact position. The compression coil spring 52 is compressed by the other longitudinal end 5004 of the connecting rod 50 and the tip surface 5604 of the piston rod. The rotating body 32 contacts the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12 due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52.

[0026] Therefore, in the power generation system 100 according to the second embodiment, the rotating body 32 and the drive rotating body 42 are connected by a rotating body rotation shaft 3206 so that they can rotate together as a single unit. The rotating shaft 3206 between the rotating body 32 and the drive rotating body 42 is rotatably supported by a bearing 44. The rotating body moving section 54 includes an air cylinder 56 in which a piston rod 5602 extends and retracts along a disc section 1210, a housing 48 provided at the tip of the piston rod 5602, and a connecting rod 50 in which one end 5002 supports a bearing 44 and the other end 5004 is supported within the housing 48. The other end 5004 of the connecting rod 50 is movably disposed between the front of the housing 48 on the rotating shaft 3206 side and the piston rod tip surface 5604. Within the housing 48, a compression coil spring 52 is provided between the tip surface 5604 of the piston rod and the other end 5004 of the connecting rod 50, constantly biasing the other end 5004 of the connecting rod 50 towards the front of the housing 48.

[0027] Next, I will explain how it works. When the operation of the mechanical press machine 10 is stopped, the control unit 40 receives a status signal indicating that the power supply from the mechanical press machine 10 has been stopped. The control unit 40 then controls the air cylinder 56 to move the rotating body 32 from the retracted position shown in Figure 7 to the contact position shown in Figure 6. As a result, the rotating body 32 rotates in contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which rotates by inertia. The generator 36 starts generating power when the rotation of the rotating body 32 is transmitted from the driving rotating body 42 to the driven rotating body 54 via the power transmission member 56. In this case, the compression coil spring 52 disposed inside the housing 48 constantly biases the connecting rod 50 toward the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flywheel 12. The rotating body 32 is reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, which rotates by inertia, via the connecting rod 50. The charging device 38 starts charging the battery 52 when the generator 36 starts generating power. Eventually, when the rotation of the flywheel 12 stops, the generator 36 stops generating power. As a result, the charging device 38 also stops charging the battery 52. Furthermore, when the mechanical press machine 10 is started again, the control unit 40 receives a status signal indicating the power supply status from the mechanical press machine 10. As a result, the control unit 40 moves the rotating body 32 from the contact position shown in Figure 6 to the retracted position shown in Figure 7 using the air cylinder 56. The generator 36 also stops generating power. The charging device 38 stops charging the battery 52.

[0028] In this second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 ensures that the rotating body 32, which is located at the contact position, can be reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12. As a result, the rotating body 32 rotates reliably and stably, which is advantageous for ensuring reliable and stable power generation by the generator 36. Furthermore, while wear may occur on the outer circumference of the rotating body 32 that contacts the flywheel 12 due to prolonged use, even if such wear occurs on the outer circumference of the rotating body 32, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 ensures that the rotating body 32, positioned at the contact point, can be reliably and stably brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 1216 of the flange portion 1212 of the flywheel 12, thereby ensuring that the rotating body 32 can rotate reliably and stably. Therefore, this is advantageous in ensuring that power generation by the generator 36 is carried out reliably and stably over a long period of time. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 100 power generation systems 10 Mechanical press 12 Flywheel 1202 Flywheel rotation shaft 1210 Disc section 1212 Flange section 1214 Outer surface 1216 Inner surface 14 motors 16 Motor Pulley 18 belts 20 drive gears 22 Crank Gear 24 Crank Axle 2402 Crankpin 26A upper mold 26B Lower mold 28 Work 30 Clutch 32. Solids of revolution 3202 Rotating disc section 3204 Contact area 3206 Rotating body rotation axis 34 Rotating body moving part 36 Generators 38 Charging device 40 Control Unit 42. Driven rotating body 44 bearings 46 Air Cylinder 4602 Cylinder body 4602 4604 Piston section 4606 Piston Rod 4606A Tip 4606B Proximal end 48 Housing 50 connecting rods 5002 One end 5004 Other end 52 Compression coil springs 54 Driven Rotating Body 56 Power transmission member 58 Pulley 50 belts 52 batteries 54 Rotating body moving part 56 Air Cylinder 5602 Piston Rod 5604 Piston rod tip surface

Claims

1. A power generation system applied to a flywheel that is rotated by a motor and continues to rotate by inertia even after the power supply to the motor is stopped, A rotating body that contacts the outer circumference of the flywheel and is rotated by the flywheel, A rotating body moving unit moves the rotating body between a contact position in contact with the outer circumference of the flywheel and a retracted position away from the outer circumference, A generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the aforementioned rotating body, A charging device connected to the aforementioned generator, A control unit controls the rotating body movement section to position the rotating body in the retracted position when power is supplied to the motor, and to position the rotating body in the contact position when power supply to the motor is stopped. A power generation system utilizing a flywheel, characterized by having the following features.

2. The flywheel comprises a disc portion that extends radially outward from the flywheel rotation axis and an annular flange portion provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion. The flange portion has an outer circumferential surface on which the belt is stretched between it and the output shaft of the motor, and an inner circumferential surface located opposite to it. The rotating body moving part moves the rotating body along the disc portion in the radial direction of the disc portion on the radially inward side of the inner circumferential surface, brings the rotating body into contact with the inner circumferential surface at the contact position, and positions the rotating body away from the inner circumferential surface at the retracted position. A power generation system utilizing a flywheel as described in item 1.

3. A drive rotating body is provided at a location separate from the aforementioned rotating body, and rotates coaxially with the aforementioned rotating body and integrally with the aforementioned rotating body. The aforementioned generator includes a driven rotating body that generates electricity when rotated, A power transmission member is attached to the driving rotating body and the driven rotating body to transmit power from the driving rotating body to the driven rotating body. A power generation system utilizing a flywheel as described in item 2.

4. The aforementioned rotating body and the aforementioned driving rotating body are connected by a rotating shaft so as to be able to rotate together as one unit. The portion of the rotating body's rotation axis between the rotating body and the drive rotating body is rotatably supported by a bearing. The rotating body moving part comprises an air cylinder having a piston rod that protrudes from a piston portion arranged in the cylinder body and moves in a direction toward and away from the inner circumferential surface of the flange portion. The bearing is supported at the tip of the piston rod. The contact position of the rotating body is formed in a state intermediate between the extended state of the air cylinder, where the piston rod protrudes most from the cylinder body, and the retracted state of the air cylinder, where the piston rod is most retracted into the cylinder body. A power generation system utilizing a flywheel as described in item 3.

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