Hypocycloid mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hypocycloid mechanism comprising a shaft (4), a large gear (7) rotatable around its center and coupled to the shaft (4), a small gear (8) parallel to the large gear (7), rotatably mounted on an axle, and passing eccentrically around the large gear (7), a cylinder (1) having a piston (2), a connecting rod (3) one end of which is connected to the piston (2) and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the small gear (8) so that the rotation of the large gear (7) and the small gear (8) is coupled to the reciprocating motion of the piston (2), and at least one bearing support fixing part (6) to which the large gear (7) is rotatably mounted. The present invention relates to a fixed portion (6) having an annular portion with internal teeth, a small gear (8) having external teeth that mesh with the internal teeth (6') of the fixed portion (6), a large gear (7) having external teeth and being rotatably mounted to the fixed portion (6) by a bearing (6"), wherein the teeth (6') of the fixed portion (6) extend over a portion of its thickness, the fixed portion also has a toothless surface having the bearing support portion over a portion of its thickness (6"), the large gear (7) has a toothless surface complementary to the bearing (6") of the fixed portion, and the large gear (7) is connected to the shaft (4) by its teeth (7'). The invention is characterized in that the connecting rod (3) has two arms (3a, 3b) extending from both sides of the gear assembly (7, 8), the first arm (3a) being connected to the small gear (8) at a first pivot point (O) on one side of the gear assembly (7, 8), the second arm (3b) being connected to the small gear (8) at a second pivot point (O') on the other side of the gear assembly (7, 8), and the orthogonal projection of the first point (O) on the plane of the large gear (7) is always equal to the perpendicular projection of the second point (O') on the same plane of the large gear (7). The invention also relates to engines and compressors having such a mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The object of the present invention is a hypocycloid mechanism comprising a shaft, a large gear rotatable around its center and coupled to the shaft, a small gear parallel to the large gear and rotatably attached to an axle and passing eccentrically through the large gear, a cylinder having a piston, a connecting rod with one side connected to the piston and the other side rotatably connected to the small gear such that the rotation of the large gear and the small gear is coupled to the reciprocating motion of the piston, and at least one bearing support fixing part to which the large gear is rotatably attached.

Background Art

[0002] A hypocycloid engine is an engine that uses a hypocycloid mechanism to convert reciprocating motion into rotational motion. This mechanism is an alternative to the combination of a crankshaft and a connecting rod used in most modern internal combustion engines. The other components of a hypocycloid engine remain essentially the same as those of a conventional piston engine.

[0003] The hypocycloid engine has important advantages. The hypocycloid engine is more economical than a conventional piston engine with a crankshaft and a connecting rod because much less energy is wasted due to the friction of the piston against the cylinder.

[0004] Engine designs incorporating hypocycloidal mechanisms are known from the latest technologies. One example is the so-called Wiseman engine (Priyesh Ray, Sangram Redkar. Analysis and simulation of Wiseman hypocycloidal engine. Cogent Engineering, 2014, 1, pp. 1-10.10.1080 / 23311916.2014.988402.hal-03029156; and Thomas Conner 'Critical Evaluation of a Hypocycloidal Wiseman Engine'; Arizona State University, 2011, Master's thesis).

[0005] From patent application PL408050A1, a hypocycloidal slider-crank mechanism is known, in which a main drive crankshaft is supported longitudinally within its body. The crank journals are connected via a crank beam to eccentric journals of a rotatable drum supported longitudinally along the device, and to crank journals of a synchronous crankshaft also supported longitudinally along the device. The crank beam is a divided element consisting of an upper crossbar and a lower crossbar connected to each other by bolts. The divided bore of the crankshaft beam houses a cup in which a plastic ring is positioned around it.

[0006] From the specification of Japanese Patent No. PL203459B1, a hypocycloidal mechanism is known, the body of which includes a crankshaft having a crank and a connecting rod, and a drive shaft bearing-supported on one axis and having a coaxial gear that cooperates with a gear of a rotatable drum having an eccentric hole. In these holes, a cylindrical bushing is set in the bearing, in which two semi-cylindrical parts having hemispherical recesses are arranged, and the spherical end of the crankshaft is positioned.

[0007] From the specification of patent application US20100031916A1, a hypocycloid motor assembly comprising a pinion shaft and an internally toothed gear is known, wherein the pinion shaft comprises a pinion shaft body having a longitudinal axis and defining an opening for receiving a drive shaft journal, and a cylinder piston journal substantially adjacent to the pinion shaft body, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pinion shaft body, and having a longitudinal axis laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the pinion shaft body, the cylinder piston journal being adapted to receive the drive shaft journal. The outer surface of the pinion shaft meshes with the teeth of the gear.

[0008] However, existing engine designs based on the cycloidal mechanism: -They are heavy, -They are large, -They all have the disadvantage of being heavier and larger if they are larger than a single-cylinder engine.

[0009] These drawbacks stem from the asymmetry of such an engine. It consists of two discs, a larger disc and a smaller disc, which rotate around their axes on shafts emanating from them on one side, and on the other side, there is a rotatably connected pin close to these shafts. The discs must be bulky and large in order to maintain sufficient rigidity in such an asymmetrical arrangement. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] Priyesh Ray,Sangram Redkar.Analysis and simulation of Wiseman hypocycloidal engine.Cogent Engineering,2014,1,pp.1-10.10.1080 / 23311916.2014.988402.hal-03029156 [Non-Patent Document 2] Thomas Conner 'Critical Evaluation of a Hypocycloidal Wiseman Engine;Arizona State ZUniversity,2011,Master's thesis [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention aims to eliminate the shortcomings of solutions from the latest technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention relates to a hypocycloid mechanism comprising: a shaft; a large gear rotatable around its center and coupled to the shaft; a small gear parallel to the large gear, rotatably mounted on an axle, and passing eccentrically over the large gear; a cylinder having a piston; a connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the piston and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the small gear, such that the rotations of the large gear and the small gear are coupled to the reciprocating motion of the piston; and at least one bearing support fixing part to which the large gear is rotatably mounted. The fixed part is an annular part with internal teeth, and the small gear has external teeth that mesh with the internal teeth of the fixed part. The large gear has external teeth and is rotatably mounted to the fixed part by a bearing support, and as a result, The teeth of the fixed portion extend over a portion of its thickness, and the fixed portion also has a toothless surface having a bearing support portion over a portion of its thickness. The large gear has a toothless surface that is complementary to the bearing support portion of the fixed part, The present invention relates to a hypocycloid mechanism characterized in that a large gear is coupled to a shaft by its teeth, and a connecting rod has two arms extending from both sides of the gear assembly, the first arm being coupled to a small gear at a first pivot point on one side of the gear assembly, and the second arm being coupled to a small gear at a second pivot point on the other side of the gear assembly, wherein the perpendicular projection of a first point on the plane of the large gear is always equal to the perpendicular projection of a second point on the same plane of the large gear.

[0013] Advantageously, the outer circumference of the small gear fits inside the large gear, and its teeth extend beyond the thickness of the large gear, thereby meshing with the internal teeth of the fixed part.

[0014] Advantageously, the small gear and the large gear lie in separate parallel planes.

[0015] Advantageously, the large gear is coupled to the shaft via a toothed gear or pinion shaft mounted on the shaft.

[0016] Advantageously, the mechanism has two fixed parts located on either side of the large gear.

[0017] More advantageously, on the opposite side of the large gear, the mechanism has a second small gear mounted on the same axle as the small gear, with a first arm of the connecting rod connected to the small gear at a first pivot point, and a second arm of the connecting rod connected to the small gear via the second small gear at a second pivot point.

[0018] Even more advantageously, the second small gear has external teeth that mesh with the internal teeth of the fixed part.

[0019] It is also advantageous for the mechanism to have a first counterweight on the large gear and a second counterweight on the small gear.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is an internal combustion engine having at least one such mechanism.

[0021] Advantageously, the engine is a hydrocarbon fuel combustion engine.

[0022] The object of the present invention is also a reciprocating compressor provided with such a mechanism.

[0023] In summary, the large gear is symmetrical and rotates on a bearing support near the outer periphery of this gear (not seated on the shaft); the small gear is also symmetrical and rotates on a shaft passing through the large gear; the connecting rod is bifurcated such that one arm passes through one side of both gears and the other arm passes through the other side of both gears; the large gear meshes with the engine shaft at its outer periphery.

[0024] As a result, the overall arrangement need not be so "solid" and heavy because of its rigidity. Further, in a variant having a second small gear, the system is symmetrical, thereby further improving its rigidity. Further, several systems which are the object of the present invention can be connected to a common motor shaft. [[ID=,13]]

[0025] The subject matter of the present invention is shown in the embodiments of the figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a schematic view from two sides of the mechanism according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the schematic operation of the mechanism according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a schematic view of a motor provided with four mechanisms according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of the mechanism according to the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing another embodiment of the mechanism according to the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] As can be seen from the figure, in one embodiment, the hypocycloid mechanism shaft 4, and It is rotatable around its center, and a large gear 7 is coupled to shaft 4, A small gear 8 is parallel to the large gear 7, rotatably mounted on the axle, and passes eccentrically around the large gear 7. A cylinder 1 having a piston 2, A connecting rod 3 is provided, with one end connected to the piston 2 and the other end rotatably connected to the small gear 8, so that the rotation of the large gear 7 and the small gear 8 is coupled to the reciprocating motion of the piston 2. The large gear 7 includes at least one bearing support fixing part 6 to which it is rotatably mounted.

[0028] The fixed part 6 is an annular part with internal teeth, and the small gear 8 has external teeth that mesh with the internal teeth 6' of the fixed part 6. The large gear 7 has external teeth and is rotatably mounted on the fixed part 6 by the bearing support part 6, and as a result, The teeth 6' of the fixed portion 6 extend over a portion of its thickness, and the fixed portion also has a toothless surface having a bearing support portion 6' over a portion of its thickness. The large gear 7 has a toothless surface that is complementary to the bearing support portion 6" of the fixed part. The large gear 7 is connected to the shaft 4 by its teeth 7'. The connecting rod 3 has two arms 3a and 3b extending from both sides of the gear assemblies 7 and 8, the first arm 3a being connected to the small gear 8 at a first pivot point O on one side of the gear assemblies 7 and 8, and the second arm being connected to the small gear 8 at a second pivot point O' on the other side of the gear assemblies 7 and 8, such that the perpendicular projection of the first point O on the plane of the large gear 7 is always equal to the perpendicular projection of the second point O' on the same plane of the large gear 7.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the small gear 8 is located on one side of the large gear 7. The small gear 8 rotates on an axle that passes eccentrically through the large gear 7 and meshes with the fixed part 6. The small gear 8 is connected to the arm 3a of the connecting rod at a first pivot point O, and on the other side of the large gear 7, it is connected to the arm 3b of the connecting rod at a second pivot point O' via the axle of the small gear 8 and additional connecting elements. Furthermore, the small gear 8 has a counterweight 8', and each of the connecting elements also has a counterweight.

[0030] Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment in which the entire mechanism is symmetrical with respect to the plane of the large gear 7. A small gear 8 located on one side of the large gear 7 corresponds to a symmetrical second small gear 8a on the other side of the large gear 7. The small gears 8 and 8a mesh with the stationary part 6, and are connected to connecting rod arms 3a and 3b at pivot points O and O', and are connected to the counterweight 8''. The symmetry of the gear 7 with respect to the plane is an advantageous feature of the mechanism. This feature limits the stresses that occur in the components of the mechanism.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the mechanism is also symmetrical with respect to the plane of the large gear 7. The outer circumference of the small gear 8 fits inside the large gear 7, and its teeth 8' extend beyond the thickness of the large gear 7 in part, thereby meshing with the internal teeth (6') of the fixed portion 6. In such an embodiment, the small gear 8 rolls within the circumference of the large gear 7, and only one or more of its protruding toothed portions mesh with the teeth 6' of the fixed portion 6.

[0032] As can be seen from Figures 1, 4, and 5, in certain advantageous embodiments, the large gear 7 can be coupled to the shaft 4 via a gear or pinion shaft 5 mounted on the shaft 4.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism has two fixed parts 6 located on either side of the large gear 7. The figure shows a modified example having two fixed parts 6, but it is clear that there may be only one such part that meshes with the small gear 8 and is supported relative to the large gear 7.

[0034] In a similarly advantageous embodiment, the mechanism has a first counterweight 7'' on the large gear 7 and a second counterweight 8'' on the small gear 8. The counterweights are shown in the drawings in all embodiments but are not necessary for the operation of the mechanism.

[0035] The principle of this mechanism is shown in Figure 2. The piston 2 is coupled to the motion of the connecting rod 3. The motion of the connecting rod 3 is coupled to the motion of the first point O of the small gear 8 (the axle to which this gear is connected to the connecting rod 3). The motion of the first point O of the small gear 8 is converted into the motion of the axle of the small gear 8 around the axle of the large gear 7 when it meshes with the fixed annular part 6 of the motor. The rotation of the large gear 7 is coupled to the rotation of the shaft 4.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an internal combustion engine according to the present invention. The engine shown in this figure includes four hypocycloidal mechanisms according to the present invention, but it is clear that it may include any number of hypocycloidal mechanisms suitable for the engine's application. The engine may be equipped with any variation of the mechanisms of the embodiments described above. In an advantageous embodiment, the engine is a hydrocarbon fuel combustion engine.

[0037] This mechanism can also be used in a reciprocating compressor (not shown), which is the subject of the present invention. In such an application, the piston 2 can draw gas into the cylinder 1 at a lower pressure through one cylinder valve and push the gas into the outer container at a higher pressure through a second cylinder valve. The compressor may include any of the modifications of the embodiments described above.

[0038] Clearly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the features set forth in the claims can be combined in any way appropriate for a particular application of the solution.

Claims

1. Hypocycloid mechanism, Shaft (4) and It is rotatable around its center and has a large gear (7) coupled to the shaft (4), A small gear (8) is parallel to the large gear (7), rotatably mounted on the axle, and the axle passes eccentrically over the large gear (7), A cylinder (1) having a piston (2), A connecting rod (3) is provided, with one end connected to the piston (2) and the other end rotatably connected to the small gear (8), so that the rotation of the large gear (7) and the small gear (8) is coupled to the reciprocating motion of the piston (2). The large gear (7) is rotatably mounted on at least one bearing support fixing part (6), The fixed portion (6) constitutes an annular portion with internal teeth, the small gear (8) has external teeth and meshes with the internal teeth (6') of the fixed portion (6), the large gear (7) has external teeth and is rotatably mounted on the fixed portion (6) by a bearing (6"), as a result the teeth (6') of the fixed portion (6) extend over a portion of its thickness, the fixed portion also has a toothless surface having the bearing support portion over a portion of its thickness (6"), the large gear (7) has a toothless surface complementary to the bearing support portion (6") of the fixed portion, and the large gear (7) is front A hypocycloid mechanism characterized by being coupled to a shaft (4), the connecting rod (3) having two arms (3a, 3b) extending on both sides of the gear assembly (7, 8), the first arm (3a) being connected to the small gear (8) at a first pivot point (O) on one side of the gear assembly (7, 8), the second arm (3b) being connected to the small gear (8) at a second pivot point (O') on the other side of the gear assembly (7, 8), and the perpendicular projection of the first point (O) on the plane of the large gear (7) being always equal to the perpendicular projection of the second point (O') on the same plane of the large gear (7).

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer circumference of the small gear (8) fits inside the large gear (7), and a portion of its teeth (8') extends beyond the thickness of the large gear (7), thereby allowing the teeth (8') to mesh with the internal teeth (6') of the fixed part (6).

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the small gear (8) and the large gear (7) are located in separate parallel planes.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the large gear (7) is coupled to the shaft (4) via a toothed gear or pinion shaft (5) attached to the shaft (4).

5. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two fixed parts (6) located on both sides of the large gear (7).

6. The mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that a second small gear (8a) is mounted on the same axle as the small gear (8) on the opposite side of the large gear (7), the first arm (3a) of the connecting rod (3) is connected to the small gear (8) at the first pivot point (O), and the second arm (3b) of the connecting rod (3) is connected to the small gear (8) via the second small gear (8a) at the second pivot point (O').

7. The mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the second small gear (8a) has external teeth and meshes with the internal teeth (6') of the fixed part (6).

8. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the large gear (7) has a first counterweight (7") and the small gear (8) has a second counterweight (8").

9. An internal combustion engine characterized by comprising at least one mechanism described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The internal combustion engine according to claim 9, characterized in that it is a hydrocarbon fuel combustion engine.

11. A reciprocating compressor characterized by comprising the mechanism described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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