Wheel generator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wheel generator, in particular a converter for generating electrical energy in a rolling wheel of a vehicle from deformation of the wheel tyre due to contact with the road, a system for generating electrical energy including said converter, and a vehicle or wheel including said system.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a wheel generator, specifically, to a converter for obtaining electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of a wheel tire due to contact with a road surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a converter having the configuration of the preamble of claim 1. The present invention also relates to a system for obtaining electrical energy, as well as a vehicle or wheel including such a system. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Vehicle tires, particularly pneumatic tires, are deformed when a load is applied within the area of the contact surface during the rolling process. In this process, the tire is bent and there is energy loss during power transmission due to heating. This effect is referred to as flexure. 【0003】 The force required to bend the tire is a major component of the rolling resistance and acts against the driving force of the vehicle. On the one hand, increased flexure thus directly causes an increase in the fuel consumption of the vehicle and may even reduce the service life of the tire. On the other hand, a specific deformation of the tire, and thus an increase in the contact area of the tire on the ground, is highly desirable for the purpose of increasing the traction coefficient of the vehicle and for the purpose of enhancing driving comfort. Therefore, typically, the air pressure within a pneumatic tire is set to strike a balance between flexure and vehicle traction. 【0004】 The energy loss due to tire flexure is one of the major components of the total energy loss within a vehicle, along with air resistance. Therefore, particularly in the field of electric vehicles, the development of systems for recovery (particularly energy recovery for powering a vehicle battery) based on utilizing the flexure of vehicle tires has attracted interest in recent years. 【0005】 Various methods and systems for obtaining energy on or within vehicle tires are known in the prior art, primarily for supplying electrical energy to various tire monitoring sensors, such as tire pressure sensors, which are located within the tires. 【0006】 Patent Document 1 therefore discloses a generator in a tire, in which, when in contact with the ground, a slight deformation and reduction of space occurring in the inner part of the tire between the wheel and the tire is used to generate reciprocating motion, which is activated to rotate the device. 【0007】 Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an energy converter that generates electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle by utilizing the elastic deformation of the wheel between the drive surface of the wheel and the central axis. This energy converter has a lever element with a protruding arm that is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis, and the lever element is positioned on the wheel of the vehicle such that the deformation of the tread toward the central axis of the wheel generates a force acting on the contact surface of the protruding arm, and the force acting on the contact surface causes rotational motion of the protruding arm in the pump rotation direction around the rotation axis. 【0008】 However, in transducers known in the prior art, direct contact with the wheel tire occurs between a lever or protruding arm that is rigidly connected to the rim. At higher speeds, perhaps with typical automobile tires at around 50 km / h or less, direct contact between the lever and the wheel tire has been shown to result in considerable heating of the tire material at the contact point, softening of the tire material, increased stickiness, damage to the wheel, and therefore ultimately failure of the generator. 【0009】 Patent Document 3 discloses a vehicle having a mechanical and preferably hydraulic pump inside the tire. As the tire rotates, the weight of the vehicle pumps water into a storage tank. The pressure in the storage tank is used to drive the vehicle directly or indirectly. The pump is driven by a bracket that holds rollers, which are inside the tire and in contact with specially designed beads. 【0010】 In all transducers known in the prior art, the lever element is further positioned at an angle far less than 45° to the inner surface of the tire. On the one hand, this reduces the force generated as a result of direct contact between the lever and the inner surface of the tire at the contact point. However, on the other hand, this reduces the effective displacement of the lever element, i.e., the range of angles they pass through during motion. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents] 【0011】 [Patent Document 1] International Patent No. WO2015 / 054763 A1 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. EP3540 921 A1 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Bill 2004 / 0130157 A1 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0012】 The object of the present invention is to provide a converter for obtaining electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of a wheel tire caused by contact with the road surface, which does not have the problems of the prior art and, in particular, ensures highly efficient and reliable operation even at higher speeds. [Means for solving the problem] 【0013】 This objective is achieved according to the present invention using a transducer for obtaining electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of a wheel tire caused by contact with the road surface, the transducer comprising: at least one lever element, which at its first end is rotatably housed and at its second end is configured to contact the inside of a wheel tire via at least one contact element such that the deformation of the wheel tire caused by contact with the road surface causes rotational motion of the lever element; a mechanical coupling element suitable for transmitting the force generated due to the rotational motion of the lever element; and the force preferably transmitted by the mechanical coupling element to obtain electrical energy. The lever element comprises at least one generator configured to convert, wherein at a second end of the lever element, the contact element is rotatably housed within / in the lever element about an axis of rotation such that the contact element establishes contact between the lever element and the wheel tire, the axis of rotation of the contact element extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and the sum of the distance A of the pivot point N of the lever element (1) from the wheel center M and the contact point K of the contact element with the inside of the wheel tire, except in the case of multiple contact elements per lever element, the distance B from the contact point having the greatest distance from the pivot point N is within the range of ((A+B) / R)) with respect to the radius R inside the wheel tire. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. 【0014】 This invention is based on the recognition that, in the case of known generators, the lever or projection arm of the generator, which is rigidly connected to the rim, causes friction when they come into direct contact with the wheel tire, resulting in strong localized heating. The wheel tire, during its flexing motion, undergoes nonlinear motion relative to the rim; that is, starting from the rim as the reference frame, the movement of a given part of the wheel tire that contacts the road surface is not linear during the wheel rotation but circumscribing the surface. In the case of a lever or projection arm that is simply rotatably mounted, the relative motion of the corresponding contact surface of the wheel tire and the contacting lever or projection arm occurs as the wheel rotates, resulting in friction between them. The latter appears to lead to known generator failures, especially at higher speeds, and even at low speeds of around 50 km / h or more for typical automobile tires. Furthermore, the lever element is positioned at an angle far less than 45° with respect to the inner surface of the tire. On the one hand, this reduces the force and friction that would result from direct contact between the lever and the wheel tire at the contact point. However, on the other hand, this reduces the effective displacement of the lever element, i.e., the range of angles they pass through during motion. 【0015】 According to the present invention, and surprisingly, this problem can be solved by a combination of means, specifically, on the one hand, at least one contact element, typically a roller or a member of a roller (roller segment), which is rotatably housed at the second end of the lever element such that the contact element establishes contact between the lever element and the wheel tire, and the axis of rotation of the contact element extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The contact element is rotatably housed at the second end of the lever element around the axis of rotation, establishing contact between the lever element and the wheel tire. Thanks to its rotatable mounting, the relative motion between the wheel tire and the lever element can be compensated for through its own rolling motion, thus minimizing or preventing friction between the wheel tire and the lever element. On the other hand, the displacement of the lever elements, i.e., the angular range they pass through during motion, is considerably increased when the sum of (A+B), which is the distance A from the wheel center M to the pivot point N of the lever element and the contact point K of the contact element with the inside of the wheel tire, but B from the contact point with the greatest distance from pivot point N if there are multiple contact elements per lever element, is within the range of ((A+B) / R)) of 102% to 110% with respect to the radius R inside the wheel tire. This range of values ​​for (A+B) / R means a considerably more "extended" arrangement of the lever elements compared to the prior art, such that the lever elements are positioned almost perpendicular to the inside of the tire. This increases the force and relative motion between the wheel tire and the lever elements, but it only increases the angular range they pass through during their movement, which can ensure the effective driving of the generator, thus enabling high efficiency in the present. 【0016】 The present invention will be described in more detail based on more preferred embodiments. 【0017】 A transducer according to the present invention for obtaining electrical energy in a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of a wheel tire caused by contact with a road surface, wherein the wheel includes a wheel tire, which is typically filled with compressed air, the transducer includes at least one lever element, the at least one lever element being rotatably housed at its first end and configured at its second end to contact the inside of the wheel tire via at least one contact element such that the deformation of the wheel tire caused by contact with a road surface causes rotational motion of the lever element. 【0018】 The rotational motion of the lever element is typically understood as a partial rotation (pivot motion) of the lever element about an axis of rotation N at its first end. Thus, the lever element is specifically designed to detect the deformation of the wheel tire occurring in the area of ​​the contact surface by the contact element during the rolling process of a load wheel rolling on a substantially horizontal drive plane, and to convert these into rotational motion about an axis of rotation N at the first end of the lever element. Thus, the lever element does not directly contact the inside of the tire itself, but rather is in contact with it only through at least one contact element. According to one embodiment of the transducer, the contact element or lever element is configured such that the contact surface of the contact element of the lever element establishes contact with the inner surface of the wheel tire. 【0019】 The lever element is rotatably mounted at its first end, preferably on the support structure or rim of the wheel. In principle, the direction of rotation N at the first end of the lever element can be any direction extending substantially parallel to its corresponding contact surface on the inside of the wheel tire, since the bending motion on the inside of the wheel tire, i.e., the movement toward the rim, can cause partial rotation of the lever element. In one preferred embodiment, the pivot point of the lever element extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. 【0020】 Within the scope of the present invention, substantially parallel means a deviation from parallel of preferably less than 10°, and more preferably less than 5°. 【0021】 In one preferred embodiment, the lever element is designed as a single piece. In this embodiment, it preferably supports one, and moreover, just one, contact element rotatably mounted thereto. In an alternative similar preferred embodiment, the lever element is formed of at least two members, i.e., at least two, preferably just two, members that are mechanically connected and preferably partially rotatable relative to each other. For example, the first member of the lever element forms the first end to which the lever element is rotatably mounted, and the second member constitutes the second end that supports the contact element. The partial rotatability of the first member relative to the second member allows the rotational movement (locking movement) of the lever element to be compensated for during contact of the contact element with the inside of the flexed tire, and at the same time, the contact of the contact element with the inside of the tire to be maintained. In this alternative embodiment, the lever element preferably supports at least two, and moreover, just two, contact elements rotatably mounted thereto, particularly on the second member. Particularly preferably, in an alternative embodiment, the lever element thus comprises a first member having a first end, and a second member constituting a holding element for at least two, preferably two, contact elements, and therefore preferably a rolling slide. The latter is configured such that both contact elements can simultaneously contact the inside of the wheel tire (the inner surface of the tire). In this way, the contact surface on the inside of the wheel tire is increased, and therefore the point force, and therefore the point load, on the wheel tire is reduced. The second member (hereinafter also referred to as the “slide”) is mounted on the lever element so as to be partially rotatable in such a way that when the lever element is “pulled out,” for example, from a stationary position, contact between all contact elements held by the slide and the wheel tire is enabled. In one preferred embodiment, the distance between the axes of rotation of the contact elements held by (each) slide is approximately equal to the distance between the axes of rotation of two adjacent contact elements of the second (directly) adjacent lever element when the contact elements are in contact with the inside of the wheel tire (±10%, preferably ±5%).For example, the distance between the axes of rotation of the second contact elements held by each of the slides of the preferably 8 or 12 lever elements is preferably approximately equal to (±10%, preferably ±5%) the distance between the axis of rotation of the contact element of the first slide and the axis of rotation of the nearest contact element of the (directly) adjacent slide. In other words, the angle β at which the two axes of rotation of the slide contact elements spread relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel is preferably approximately 360° / 2*n, where n is the number of lever elements or slides. The angle β at which the two axes of rotation of the slide contact elements spread relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel is therefore approximately (±10%, preferably ±5%) half of the angle α between the two lever elements. Angle α is the angle at which the axes of rotation of two adjacent lever elements (or the axis of rotation of the slide, if the lever elements are in the same position as shown in Figure 14) spread relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel. Angle α therefore corresponds to 360° / n, where n is the number of lever elements. In this embodiment, the force distribution is evenly distributed across the wheel tire (the inner surface of the tire) because the contact elements contact the wheel tire at approximately the same distance. With 12 lever elements and 2 rollers per slide, 24 contact elements that are spaced approximately evenly (±10%, preferably ±5%) apart are in contact with the inside of the tire (the angle β between each adjacent contact element, both of the two contact elements on one slide, and each of the adjacent contact elements on two adjacent slides is then approximately 15° (±10%, preferably ±5%)). The contact elements being spaced more or less evenly across the inside of the tire also results in a more uniform transfer of energy to the lever elements, as this means that in a typical bending deformation of, for example, an automobile or truck tire, at least two lever elements are always displaced simultaneously through their slides. 【0022】 In one embodiment, preferably two contact elements of the slide, preferably when they are designed as rollers, are surrounded or wrapped by a belt. The belt extends, for example, directly around both rollers or additionally around deflection rollers which are likewise arranged on the slide. The surrounded contact element, preferably the roller, contacts the inside of the tire via the belt. This increases the effective contact surface of the contact element with the inside of the tire and thus reduces the point load on the tire and thus the load. The belt is designed, for example, as a V-belt or multi-V-belt to prevent the roller from coming off. 【0023】 In one preferred embodiment, the converter has at least two, in particular at least 6 to 16, most preferably 8 to 12 lever elements which are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the axis of rotation of the wheel. 【0024】 The lever element of the converter according to the invention includes at least one contact element. The lever element contacts the inside of the tire via the contact element such that deformation of the wheel tire due to contact with the road surface causes a (partial) rotational movement of the lever element. This means that the lever element has at least one contact element which is rotatably mounted in or on the lever element at a second end such that the contact element establishes contact between the lever element and the wheel tire. 【0025】 The lever element preferably does not directly contact the inside of the wheel tire at any position of its rotation around the rotation axis N at its first end (under normal operation), that is, the lever element does not touch the inside of the wheel tire. Rather, only the contact element contacts the inside of the wheel tire, that is, the contact element touches the inside of the wheel tire when the lever element is appropriately rotated around the rotation axis at its first end towards the tire surface (away from the rim). The rotation axis of the contact element is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. If there are two or more contact elements on the lever element, their rotation axes are parallel. The possibility that the contact element can be rotatably mounted on the lever element on the one hand and rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel on the other hand enables the relative movement between the wheel tire and the lever element to be compensated, and thus the friction between the wheel tire and the lever element to be minimized. The contact element is preferably substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to its rotation axis, at least in the region where it contacts the inside of the wheel tire with respect to its dimensions. In particular, the contact element is thus a roller or a partial roller (roller segment). The roller preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape (with the rotation axis of the contact element corresponding to the cylindrical axis) with a circular outwardly curved cylindrical outer surface (barrel-shaped roller). The typical preferred radius of the contact element, that is, preferably the roller radius, is such that the ratio of the radius of the contact element to the radius R of the inside of the wheel tire (around the center of the wheel) is within the range of 0.04 to 0.08, preferably 0.05 to 0.07. In particular, for automotive tires, a typical preferred roller radius is within the range of 18 mm to 30 mm. The contact element is preferably freely rotated with respect to its fulcrum, and in particular, freely rotated 360°. This means that the contact element can preferably freely rotate around the rotation axis, and around this rotation axis, the contact element is rotatably mounted or fixed completely in / on the lever element or the slide, especially around its own axis. This ensures a uniform contact of the contact element with the inside of the operating wheel tire even at higher speeds. 【0026】 According to one preferred embodiment, the ratio (A / R) of the distance A of the pivot point N of the lever element from the wheel center M to the inner radius R of the wheel tire is in the range of 0.55 to 0.60, preferably 0.56 to 0.59. 【0027】 According to one preferred embodiment, the ratio (B / R) of the distance B of the pivot point N of the lever element from the contact point K of the contact element with the inside of the wheel tire to the radius R of the inside of the wheel tire (in the case of multiple contact elements per lever element, the one having the greatest distance from the pivot point N) is in the range of 0.44 to 0.55, preferably 0.45 to 0.53, and particularly 0.46 to 0.50. 【0028】 In the transducer according to the present invention, a lever element rotatably housed at a first end can contact the inside of a wheel tire via at least one contact element. This means that the sum of the distance A from the wheel center M to the pivot point N of the lever element and the distance B from the contact point K of the contact element with the inside of the wheel tire to the pivot point N (in the case of multiple contact elements per lever element, the contact point having the greatest distance from the pivot point N) (A+B) is greater than the radius R inside the wheel tire. According to the present invention, the ratio of A+B to the radius R inside the wheel tire ((A+B) / R) is in the range of 102% to 110%, particularly 103% to 107%. 【0029】 In this specification, radius R always refers to the unloaded radius of the tire, from the center of the wheel to the inside of the wheel tire (the inner surface of the tire). The pivot point N of the lever element refers to the pivot point of the lever element at its first end. 【0030】 The transducer according to the present invention further includes a mechanical coupling element, which is configured and preferred to transmit the force generated due to the rotational motion of the lever elements to a generator. Typical preferred mechanical coupling elements are gears and axles, belts, chains, and the like. The mechanical coupling element preferably includes at least one ring, chain, or belt with internal or external teeth, in particular a toothed belt and / or a multi-V belt. The forces of all lever elements of the transducer are preferably transmitted to a common mechanical coupling element, e.g., at least one ring, chain, or belt with internal or external teeth, in particular a toothed belt and / or a multi-V belt. The latter mechanical coupling element is therefore in frictional connection with all lever elements of the transducer. This allows the generator to be driven more seamlessly. The mechanical coupling element is also preferably in frictional connection with all generators. By distributing the total energy generated by the lever elements to several generators, they operate seamlessly and allow for efficient energy recovery with minimal material input. 【0031】 In one preferred embodiment, the transducer is designed as a belt, particularly a V-belt, toothed belt, or multi-V-belt, and includes a mechanical coupling element that establishes frictional connections between all the generators, preferably three generators, and all the lever elements of the transducer, preferably eight, or particularly twelve. The belt is preferably guided alternately around each roller connected to the lever elements and alternately around the freewheel rollers (deflection rollers) or rollers connected to the generators (generator drive rollers). Alternatively, particularly preferably, the belt is guided across two rollers, each connected (directly) to an adjacent lever element, followed by a freewheel roller, or alternately across rollers connected to the generators. In the last embodiment, the belt thus most preferably extends across twelve rollers, three freewheel rollers, and three rollers connected to the generators, each connected to a lever element. 【0032】 Finally, the transducer according to the present invention includes a generator configured to convert a force obtained by the rotational motion of a lever element and preferably transmitted by a mechanical coupling element into electrical energy. In one preferred embodiment, the transducer has at least two, in particular at least 2 to 12, most preferably 3 to 8, for example, 3 or 4 generators, arranged rotationally symmetrically around the axis of rotation of the wheel. The number of lever elements is preferably a multiple of the number of generators. 【0033】 The generator rotor is typically driven via a mechanical coupling element, and the stator is connected to a wheel support element / rim. All generators are preferably driven simultaneously by mechanical coupling elements. 【0034】 Alternatively, the generator rotor is driven by a direct coupling with a lever element, for example, a freewheel clutch, or a connecting element attached to or coupled thereto, such as a connecting wheel, and the stator is connected to a support element / rim of the wheel. In this embodiment, the force of the lever element is transmitted simultaneously through mechanical coupling elements to all freewheel clutches of the lever element, and through these to the generators, preferably all generators, thereby driving them. 【0035】 To ensure that the generator is driven to a suitable speed even by, for example, a relatively small displacement of the lever element, and therefore a small movement of the mechanical coupling element, the transducer has a gearbox or transmission, preferably per generator, preferably via the mechanical coupling element, configured to bring about a specified transmission between the (partial) rotational motion of the lever element and the rotational motion of the generator rotor. For example, the gearbox and / or transmission is configured to bring about a transmission between the rotational motion of the lever element and the rotational motion of the rotor toward a higher rotor speed, in particular a transmission in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:10. In addition, or alternatively, the corresponding transmission is ensured by frictional connections between the lever element and the mechanical coupling element and / or between the mechanical coupling element and the generator. The corresponding suitable speed of the generator is preferably ensured solely by the transmission between the lever element and the mechanical coupling element and / or between the mechanical coupling element and the generator. 【0036】 To ensure seamless movement and thus power transmission to the mechanical coupling element, it is preferable that the lever element transmits force to the mechanical coupling element via a freewheel clutch, i.e., a clutch that depends on the direction of rotation. The transducer therefore preferably has one freewheel clutch per lever element, which is configured to couple according to the direction of rotation, i.e., to have a coupling direction and a freewheeling direction for resulting in operational coupling. Typically, the freewheel clutch is configured such that friction coupling occurs when the lever element moves toward the wheel's axis of rotation, and correspondingly, freewheeling occurs when the lever element moves away from the wheel's axis of rotation. The lever element, freewheel clutch, mechanical coupling element, and generator are preferably arranged and configured such that the rotational motion of the lever element is transmitted to the rotor of the generator via the freewheel clutch in the coupling direction through the mechanical coupling element, and converted into electrical energy by the generator. 【0037】 In a further preferred embodiment, the transducer according to the present invention has a biasing means for a lever element, in particular a spring, which biases the rotation of the lever element around a first end of the lever element using a force in the rotational motion of the lever element caused by the deformation of the wheel tire due to contact with the road surface, i.e., in the direction of rotation of the lever element toward the wheel's axis of rotation. The biasing means ensures that when the wheel is stationary or moving simply at a low speed, the lever element is not in contact with the wheel tire, i.e., the lever element remains in a "retracted" state. The latter makes it easier to repair the wheel and replace the tire on the wheel. To this end, the biasing means is appropriately configured such that, from a suitable rotational speed of the wheel, the movement of the lever element toward the wheel's axis of rotation is enabled (and thus the centrifugal force exceeds the biasing force), and the contact element of the lever element can make contact with the wheel tire. The biasing means is preferably configured such that, from a rotational speed of the wheel of at least 100 rpm, more preferably at least 120 rpm, the movement of the lever element toward the wheel's axis of rotation is enabled. A typical rotational speed is approximately 125 rpm, which corresponds to a speed of approximately 15 km / h (in a car). 【0038】 To prevent the force acting on the lever element from damaging the transducer or its components due to excessive impact and / or excessive deformation of the wheel tread, a corresponding protective mechanism, in particular an overload protection device, is preferably provided. Preferably, the freewheel clutch, the clutch in or against the mechanical coupling element, and / or the clutch against the generator are safety clutches with overload protection, thereby allowing rotation without effective coupling when a specified maximum force is exceeded. 【0039】 The present invention further relates to a system for obtaining electrical energy in a rolling wheel of a vehicle from deformation of a wheel tire caused by contact with a road surface, including a converter and support structure as described above, with a support element / wheel rim. In one preferred embodiment, the lever element including the contact element does not protrude above the rim flange, i.e., above the outer surface of the cylinder defined by the rim flange. 【0040】 In one embodiment, the system has a transducer and a support structure as described above, the support structure is typically configured to hold the energy transducer in a fixed position around the central axis of the wheel. In particular, the support structure is designed as the rim of the wheel itself or integrated therein, or the system has a rim (specially provided to be combined with the support structure) configured to receive the support structure in a fixed manner. The rim is preferably designed as a single member. 【0041】 According to a further embodiment, the system has a multi-component rim that simplifies the installation of a transducer or support structure within the wheel. For example, the multi-component rim is designed as a two-component rim with a rim well and a rim sleeve, or as a three-component rim with a rim well, a rim sleeve, and a rim star. In this case, the transducer or support structure and the multi-component rim are configured such that, for example, the transducer or support structure is mounted on the rim well of the multi-component rim. 【0042】 Finally, the present invention relates to a land vehicle, preferably an automobile or a tanker truck, or a wheel, including a system as described above. 【0043】 The present invention will now be described based on the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0044】 [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of the converter according to the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a schematic side view of the converter according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of the converter according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of the converter according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an isometric view of a lever element that includes a contact element. [Figure 6] This is an isometric view of a lever element that includes a contact element. [Figure 7] This is an isometric view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has a lever element with a contact element with a rim with a tire. [Figure 8] This is an isometric view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has a lever element with a contact element with a rim with a tire. [Figure 9] This is an isometric view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has lever elements, each with two contact elements. [Figure 10] This is an isometric view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has lever elements, each with two contact elements. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates the ratio of the distance from the wheel center M and the contact point K to the axis of rotation N of the lever element. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates three embodiments of the lever element. [Figure 13] This is a schematic side view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has lever elements, each with two contact elements. [Figure 14] This is a schematic side view of a transducer according to the present invention, which has lever elements, each with two contact elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0045】 A transducer according to the present invention, including a contact element 2, in this case a lever element 1 including a roller, is shown in Figure 1. Deformation of the tire 8 due to contact with the road surface causes the lever element, located inside the tire 8 in the area of ​​contact with the road surface via the contact element, to partially rotate around its first end around a pivot axis, as shown in the lower part of Figure 1. The resulting force is transmitted to the generator 5 via a freewheel clutch 3 and a mechanical coupling element 4, which are designed here as a free-floating central ring with internal teeth. The generated electrical energy is supplied into the vehicle by a controller 6 via a connection 9 for electrical output. Typical connections according to the present invention are wire, sliding contacts (brushes), or electromagnetic transmissions. The lever element 1 is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rim 7. 【0046】 An alternative transducer according to the present invention, including a contact element 2, in this case a lever element 1 including a roller, is shown in Figure 2. The deformation of the tire 8 due to contact with the road surface causes the lever element, located inside the tire 8 in the area of ​​contact with the road surface via the contact element, to partially rotate around its first end around its axis of rotation, as shown in the lower part of Figure 2. The resulting force is transmitted directly to the generator 5 via the freewheel clutch 3 on one hand, and to the other freewheel clutch and generator via the mechanical coupling element 4. The generated electrical energy is supplied into the vehicle by the controller 6 via a connection 9 for electrical output. The lever element 1 is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rim 7. 【0047】 An alternative transducer according to the present invention, including a contact element 2, in this case a lever element 1 including a roller, is shown in Figure 3. The deformation of the tire 8 due to contact with the road surface causes the lever element, located inside the tire 8 in the area of ​​contact with the road surface via the contact element, to partially rotate around its first end around its axis of rotation, as shown in the lower part of Figure 3. The resulting force is transmitted on one hand to the generator 5 via the freewheel clutch 3 and the connecting wheel 10 with external teeth, and on the other hand to the other freewheel clutch and generator via the mechanical coupling element 4. The generated electrical energy is supplied into the vehicle by the controller 6 via a connection 9 for electrical output. The lever element 1 is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rim 7. 【0048】 An alternative transducer according to the present invention, including a contact element 2, in this case a lever element 1 including a roller, is shown in Figure 4. The deformation of the tire 8 due to contact with the road surface causes the lever element, located inside the tire 8 in the area of ​​contact with the road surface via the contact element, to partially rotate around its first end around its axis of rotation, as shown in the lower part of Figure 4. The resulting force is transmitted on one hand to the generator 5 via the freewheel clutch 3 and the connecting wheel 11 with internal teeth, and on the other hand to the other freewheel clutch and generator via the mechanical coupling element 4. The generated electrical energy is supplied into the vehicle by the controller 6 via a connection 9 for electrical output. The lever element 1 is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rim 7. 【0049】 Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the lever element 1 with a contact element 2, which in this case is designed as a roller. Force is transmitted to the gear via the axle at the first end of the lever element. The gear transmits the force to the mechanical coupling element and possibly directly to the generator (not shown). A freewheel clutch 3 transmits the movement of the lever element in only one direction, and an overload protection device 12 ensures that excessive force is not transmitted. 【0050】 Figure 6 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the lever element 1 with a contact element 2, which in this case is designed as a roller. Force is transmitted to the gear via the axle at the first end of the lever element. The gear transmits the force to the mechanical coupling element and possibly directly to a generator (not shown). A freewheel clutch 3 transmits the movement of the lever element in only one direction, and an overload protection device 12 ensures that excessive force is not transmitted. A spring is used as a biasing element 13. 【0051】 Figure 7 shows a transducer according to the present invention integrated into a wheel with a tire 8. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having a contact element 2 in a retracted state, i.e., in tight contact with the base of the rim 7. A mechanical coupling element 4 is designed as a toothed belt and connects all the drive shafts of the lever elements 1 as well as the drive shaft for a generator (not shown). 【0052】 Figure 8 shows a transducer according to the present invention integrated into a wheel with a tire 8. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having an extended contact element 2, i.e., folded away from the rim 7, as shown in Figure 7, however, due to the effect of centrifugal force at a sufficiently high rotational speed of the wheel, for example. In this state, the contact elements 2 are in contact with the inside of the tire 8. The bending motion of the tire due to contact with the road surface causes the corresponding rotational motion of the lever elements. A mechanical coupling element 4 is designed as a toothed belt and connects all the drive shafts of the lever elements 1 as well as the drive shaft for a generator (not shown). 【0053】 Figure 9 shows the transducer according to the present invention integrated into the wheel. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having two contact elements 2 in the retracted state as shown in Figure 7, i.e., in close contact with the base of the rim 7. 【0054】 Figure 10 shows a transducer according to the present invention integrated into the wheel. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having two contact elements 2 in an extended state (as shown in Figure 8), i.e., folded away from the rim, due to the effects of centrifugal force at a sufficiently high rotational speed of the wheel, as shown in Figure 9. In this state, the contact elements 2 are in contact with the inside of the tire. The bending motion of the tire due to contact with the road surface causes a corresponding rotational motion of the lever elements. 【0055】 Figure 11 illustrates length A as the distance of the lever element to its pivot point N from the wheel center M, and length B as the distance of the lever element to its pivot point N from the contact point K. The latter is the maximum distance of the contact element from its pivot point N to the inside of the wheel tire. 【0056】 Figure 12 details three embodiments of the lever element 1 with contact elements 2, which are designed here as rollers. In Embodiment A, the lever element 1 supports rollers as contact elements 2. In Embodiment B, the lever element 1 supports a slide 14 (second member) that supports two rollers as contact elements 2. In Embodiment C, the lever element 1 also supports a slide 14 (second member) that supports two rollers as contact elements 2. In Embodiment C, the two rollers as contact elements 2 are surrounded by a belt 15, which is also guided over another roller (not shown) mounted on the slide. 【0057】 Figure 13 shows a transducer according to the present invention integrated into a wheel with a tire. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having two contact elements 2 mounted within a slide 14. The lever elements are shown in a retracted state, i.e., in tight contact with the base of the rim 7. A mechanical coupling element 4 is designed as a toothed belt and connects all the drive shafts of the lever elements 1 as well as the drive shaft for the generator 5. The toothed belt extends alternately over the lever element drive rollers 18 and either the deflection rollers 16 or the generator drive rollers 17. The generator 5 is driven by the generator drive rollers 17, again via the belt. 【0058】 Figure 14 shows a transducer according to the present invention integrated into a wheel with a tire 8. The transducer includes a set of lever elements 1, each having two contact elements 2 mounted within a slide 14. Angle α is the angle at which the axes of rotation of two adjacent lever elements (or, as shown in the figure, the axis of rotation of the slide if the lever elements are in the same position) spread relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel. Angle α therefore corresponds to 360° / n, where n is the number of lever elements. Angle β is the angle at which the two axes of rotation of the contact elements of the slide spread relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel. However, the lever elements 1 are in an extended state, i.e., folded away from the rim 7, due to the effect of centrifugal force at a sufficiently high degree of rotation of the wheel, for example, as shown in Figure 7. In this state, the contact elements 2 are in contact with the inside of the tire 8. The bending motion of the tire due to contact with the road surface causes the corresponding rotational motion of the lever elements. The mechanical coupling element 4 is designed as a toothed belt and connects all the drive shafts of the lever element 1 as well as the drive shaft for the generator 5. The toothed belt alternately extends over the lever element drive rollers 18, as well as either the deflection rollers 16 or the generator drive rollers 17. The generator 5 is driven by the generator drive rollers 17, also via the belt. [Explanation of symbols] 【0059】 1 Lever element 2 Contact elements 3. Freewheel clutch 4 Mechanical coupling elements 5 Generators 6. Controller 7 rims 8 tires 9. Connections for electrical output 10 Connecting gear with external teeth 11 Connecting gear with internal teeth 12. Overload protection device 13. Encouraging Factors 14 slides 15 Belt on contact element 16 Deflection rollers 17 Generator-driven roller 18 Lever element drive roller

Claims

[Claim 1] A converter for obtaining electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of the wheel tire caused by contact with the road surface, a) At least one lever element (1), wherein at its first end it is rotatably housed and at its second end it is configured to contact the inside of the wheel tire via at least one contact element (2) such that deformation of the wheel tire due to contact with the road surface causes rotational motion of the lever element, b) A mechanical coupling element (4) suitable for transmitting the force generated due to the rotational motion of the lever element (1), c) including at least one generator (5) configured to convert the transmitted force into electrical energy, Here, at the second end of the lever element (1), the contact element (2) is rotatably housed in the lever element around its axis of rotation so as to establish contact between the lever element and the wheel tire, the axis of rotation of the contact element (2) extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and the sum of the distance A from the center M of the wheel to the pivot point N of the lever element (1) and the contact point K of the contact element with the inside of the wheel tire, provided that if there are multiple contact elements per lever element, the distance B from the contact point having the greatest distance from the pivot point N is within the range of ((A+B) / R)) of the radius R inside the wheel tire. The generator (5) is characterized by being configured to convert the force transmitted by the mechanical coupling element (4) into electrical energy. The aforementioned converter. [Claim 2] The transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element (2) has a shape that is substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to rotation about its pivot point. [Claim 3] The transducer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (2) is freely rotated about its pivot point with respect to rotation. [Claim 4] The transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact element (2) is freely rotated 360° around its pivot point with respect to rotation. [Claim 5] The transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivot point N of the lever element (1) extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. [Claim 6] The transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by having at least two lever elements (1) arranged rotationally symmetrically around the axis of rotation of the wheel. [Claim 7] The converter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by having at least two generators (5) arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rotation axis of the wheel. [Claim 8] The transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lever element (1) transmits force to the mechanical coupling element (4) via a freewheel clutch (3). [Claim 9] The transducer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that all lever elements (1) transmit force to a common mechanical coupling element (4). [Claim 10] The mechanical coupling element (4) is configured to transmit the force acting on the lever element (1) to all generators (5), as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The converter described. [Claim 11] The mechanical coupling element (4) is a ring, chain, or belt having teeth on its outer or inner surface, or the converter according to any one of claims 1 to 10. [Claim 12] The converter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a biasing means for a lever element (1) that biases the rotation of the lever element (1) around a first end using the force in the rotational motion of the lever element caused by the deformation of the wheel tire due to contact with the road surface. [Claim 13] A system for obtaining electrical energy within a rolling wheel of a vehicle from the deformation of a wheel tire caused by contact with a road surface, the system comprising a converter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a wheel rim as a support structure. [Claim 14] A vehicle or wheel comprising the system described in claim 13.

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