flywheel

Abstract

To rapidly reduce gyro effect.SOLUTION: A flywheel 100 includes an input rotor 2, an intermediate rotor 3, an inertia member 4, and a connecting member 5. The intermediate rotor 3 is arranged radially outside the input rotor 2. The intermediate rotor 3 is relatively rotatable with the input rotor 2. The inertia member 4 is arranged radially outside the intermediate rotor 2. The inertia member 4 is movable in a radial direction. The connecting member 5 includes a first attachment portion 51, a second attachment portion 52, and a third attachment portion 53. The first attachment portion 51 is turnably attached to the input rotor 2. The second attachment portion 52 is turnably attached to the inertia member 4. The third attachment portion 53 is attached to the intermediate rotor 3 movably in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flywheel.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to mount a flywheel in order to suppress the tipping of a bicycle or the swaying of a ship. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle in which a flywheel is attached inside a wheel. The flywheel is rotated by an electric motor. Due to the gyroscopic effect generated by the rotation of this flywheel, the posture of the bicycle during low-speed running is stabilized, and the tipping of the bicycle is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the speed of the bicycle increases and the posture of the bicycle becomes stable, the gyroscopic effect of the flywheel becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the electric motor is stopped to stop the rotation of the flywheel and reduce the gyroscopic effect. Here, the gyroscopic effect gradually decreases as the rotational speed of the flywheel decreases, but it is preferable to rapidly reduce the gyroscopic effect.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a flywheel capable of rapidly reducing the gyroscopic effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A flywheel according to the first embodiment comprises an input rotating body, an intermediate rotating body, an inertia member, and a connecting member. The input rotating body is configured to receive torque. The intermediate rotating body is positioned radially outward from the input rotating body. The intermediate rotating body is positioned to be rotatable relative to the input rotating body. The inertia member is positioned radially outward from the intermediate rotating body. The inertia member is positioned to be radially movable. The connecting member has a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a third mounting portion. The first mounting portion is pivotably attached to the input rotating body. The second mounting portion is pivotably attached to the inertia member. The third mounting portion is radially movable attached to the intermediate rotating body.

[0007] In the flywheel configured in this way, when not rotating, the third mounting portion is positioned in the rotational direction relative to the first mounting portion. When torque is applied to the input rotating body, the input rotating body rotates relative to the intermediate rotating body in the rotational direction. As a result, the first mounting portion approaches the third mounting portion in the circumferential direction, and the third mounting portion moves away from the first mounting portion in the radial direction. That is, the third mounting portion moves radially outward. As a result, the second mounting portion also moves radially outward, and the inertia member also moves radially outward. When the gyroscopic effect of the flywheel is no longer needed, the torque input to the input rotating body is stopped. As a result, the intermediate rotating body rotates faster than the input rotating body, and the intermediate rotating body rotates relative to the input rotating body in the rotational direction. As a result, the third mounting portion moves away from the first mounting portion in the circumferential direction, and the third mounting portion moves closer to the first mounting portion in the radial direction. That is, the third mounting portion moves radially inward. As the second mounting portion also moves radially inward, the inertia member also moves radially inward. As a result, the gyroscopic effect caused by the inertia member can be reduced. In this way, in addition to reducing the rotational speed of the flywheel, the diameter of the inertia member can be reduced, allowing for a rapid reduction of the gyroscopic effect.

[0008] The flywheel according to the second embodiment is configured as follows in the flywheel according to the first embodiment: The inertia member is annular.

[0009] The flywheel according to the third embodiment is configured as follows in the flywheel according to the first or second embodiment: The inertia member has a plurality of inertia components. The inertia member is configured to deform between an expanded state and a contracted state in which the diameter is smaller than that of the expanded state.

[0010] The flywheel according to the fourth embodiment is configured as follows in the flywheel according to the third embodiment: Each inertia component extends in the circumferential direction. Each inertia component has mounting holes that extend in the circumferential direction at both ends in the circumferential direction. Each inertia component is arranged such that the mounting holes overlap with the mounting holes of adjacent inertia components in an axial view. The inertia members have connecting members that connect adjacent inertia components. The connecting members are arranged to be circumferentially movable within the mounting holes of adjacent inertia components.

[0011] The flywheel according to the fifth embodiment further comprises a regulating mechanism in addition to the flywheel according to any of the first to fourth embodiments. The regulating mechanism restricts the range of relative rotation between the input rotating body and the intermediate rotating body.

[0012] The sixth embodiment of the flywheel further comprises a biasing member in addition to the flywheel according to any of the first to fifth embodiments. The biasing member biases the intermediate rotating body in the rotational direction relative to the input rotating body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the gyroscopic effect can be reduced rapidly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] A front view showing the flywheel in a stationary state. [Figure 2] An enlarged view showing details of the flywheel regulation mechanism in a stationary state. [Figure 3] An enlarged view showing details of the flywheel regulating mechanism in operation. [Figure 4] Front view showing the flywheel in the operating state. [Figure 5] Front view showing the flywheel according to a modification. [Figure 6] Enlarged view showing the biasing member of the flywheel according to a modification. [Figure 7] Enlarged view showing the biasing member of the flywheel according to a modification.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the flywheel according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the axial direction is the direction in which the rotation axis O of the flywheel extends. The circumferential direction is the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O, and the radial direction is the radial direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O.

[0016] <Flywheel> FIG. 1 is a front view of the flywheel 100 in the stopped state. As shown in FIG. 1, the flywheel 100 has an input rotating body 2, an intermediate rotating body 3, an inertia member 4, and a plurality of connecting rods 5 (an example of a connecting member). The flywheel 100 is configured to rotate. The flywheel 100 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1. That is, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 is the rotation direction. Also, the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 is the reverse rotation direction. This flywheel 100 is installed in, for example, a bicycle or a ship.

[0017] <Input Rotating Body> The input rotating body 2 is arranged to be rotatable about the rotation axis O. The input rotating body 2 is cylindrical or cylindrical. The input rotating body 2 rotates when torque is input by an electric motor (not shown) or the like. The input rotating body 2 may be, for example, the rotor of an electric motor.

[0018] <Output Rotating Body> The intermediate rotating body 3 is annular. The intermediate rotating body 3 is arranged radially outside the input rotating body 2. That is, the input rotating body 2 is arranged within the opening of the intermediate rotating body 3. The intermediate rotating body 3 has a plurality of slits 31. Each slit 31 is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The slit 31 extends in the radial direction.

[0019] The intermediate rotating body 3 is arranged rotatably about the rotation axis O. The intermediate rotating body 3 is arranged to be relatively rotatable with respect to the input rotating body 2 within a predetermined range.

[0020] <Regulation mechanism> The range within which the intermediate rotating body 3 can rotate relative to the input rotating body 2 is regulated. That is, the flywheel 100 has a regulation mechanism 6. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the regulation mechanism 6. For ease of illustration, the description of members not related to the regulation mechanism 6 is omitted.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the input rotating body 2 has a plurality of notches 21 extending in the circumferential direction on its outer peripheral surface. The notch 21 is recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the input rotating body 2. Also, the input rotating body 2 has a first contact surface 22 and a second contact surface 23 at the circumferential ends of the notch 21. That is, the notch 21 is formed between the first contact surface 22 and the second contact surface 23. The first contact surface 22 faces the rotation direction. The second contact surface 23 faces the reverse rotation direction.

[0022] The intermediate rotating body 3 has a plurality of protrusions 32. Each protrusion 32 is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 32 protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate rotating body 3. The protrusion 32 is configured to contact the first contact surface 22 and the second contact surface 23.

[0023] The regulating mechanism 6 is composed of the first contact surface 22, the second contact surface 23, and the protruding portion 32. The regulating mechanism 6 is configured to restrict the range of relative rotation between the input rotating body 2 and the intermediate rotating body 3. In detail, the regulating mechanism 6 restricts the range of relative rotation between the input rotating body 2 and the intermediate rotating body 3 such that the second mounting portion 52, which will be described later, moves between an enlarged diameter position and a reduced diameter position.

[0024] When the intermediate rotating body 3 rotates in the rotational direction relative to the input rotating body 2, the protruding portion 32 comes into contact with the second contact surface 23, restricting further relative rotation. Also, as shown in Figure 3, when the input rotating body 2 rotates in the rotational direction relative to the intermediate rotating body 3, the first contact surface 22 comes into contact with the protruding portion 32, restricting further relative rotation.

[0025] <Inertia component> As shown in Figure 1, the inertia member 4 is annular. The inertia member 4 is positioned radially outward relative to the intermediate rotating body 3. That is, the intermediate rotating body 3 is positioned within the opening of the inertia member 4. The inertia member 4 is positioned to be radially movable. The inertia member 4 is positioned to be rotatable about the rotation axis O. The inertia member 4 is positioned to be rotatable relative to the input rotating body 2.

[0026] The inertia member 4 has a plurality of inertia components 41 and a plurality of coupling pins 42 (an example of coupling components). In this embodiment, the inertia member 4 has four inertia components 41. Each inertia component 41 is arc-shaped. Each inertia component 41 is arranged in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, both ends of each inertia component 41 overlap with the ends of adjacent inertia components 41 in an axial view.

[0027] The inertia component 41 extends in the circumferential direction. The inertia component 41 has mounting holes 43 at both ends in the circumferential direction. The mounting holes 43 extend in the circumferential direction. The mounting holes 43 of the inertia component 41 overlap with the mounting holes 43 of the adjacent inertia component 41 in an axial view.

[0028] The coupling pin 42 connects adjacent inertia components 41. In detail, the coupling pin 42 is inserted into two mounting holes 43 that overlap in an axial view. The coupling pin 42 is circumferentially movable within these mounting holes 43. The coupling pin 42 extends axially. Both ends of the coupling pin 42 are larger than the width of the mounting holes 43 to prevent them from coming out of the mounting holes 43.

[0029] The inertia member 4 is configured to deform between a contracted state and an expanded state. Figure 1 shows the inertia member 4 in the contracted state. On the other hand, Figure 4 shows the inertia member 4 in the expanded state. The inertia member 4 in the contracted state has a smaller diameter than the inertia member 4 in the expanded state.

[0030] <Connecting Rod> As shown in Figure 1, the connecting rod 5 is attached to the input rotating body 2, the intermediate rotating body 3, and the inertia member 4. In detail, the connecting rod 5 has a first mounting portion 51, a second mounting portion 52, and a third mounting portion 53. The first mounting portion 51 and the second mounting portion 52 are located at both ends of the connecting rod 5. The third mounting portion 53 is located between the first mounting portion 51 and the second mounting portion 52.

[0031] The first mounting portion 51 is rotatably attached to the input rotating body 2. Therefore, the connecting rod 5 is rotatable around the first mounting portion 51. For example, the first mounting portion 51 has a through hole or recess, and a protrusion such as a pin extending from the input rotating body 2 is rotatably inserted into the through hole or recess. Alternatively, the first mounting portion 51 has a protrusion such as a pin, and this protrusion is rotatably inserted into a recess or through hole formed in the input rotating body 2. The first mounting portion 51 is positioned away from the axis of rotation O.

[0032] The second mounting portion 52 is pivotably attached to the inertia member 4. Therefore, the connecting rod 5 is rotatable around the second mounting portion 52. For example, the second mounting portion 52 has a through hole or recess, and a protrusion such as a pin extending from the inertia member 4 is rotatably inserted into the through hole or recess. Alternatively, the second mounting portion 52 has a protrusion such as a pin, and this protrusion is rotatably inserted into a recess or through hole formed in the inertia member 4.

[0033] The second mounting portion 52 moves between a contracted position and an expanded diameter position with respect to the first mounting portion 51. In Figure 1, the second mounting portion 52 is in the contracted diameter position. When the second mounting portion 52 is in the contracted diameter position, it is positioned in the rotational direction relative to the first mounting portion 51. When the second mounting portion 52 is in the contracted diameter position, the inertia member 4 is in a contracted state.

[0034] Figure 4 is a front view showing the flywheel in operation. In Figure 4, the second mounting portion 52 is in the expanded diameter position. When the second mounting portion 52 is in the expanded diameter position, the circumferential distance between the second mounting portion 52 and the first mounting portion 51 is smaller compared to when the second mounting portion 52 is in the reduced diameter position. That is, the circumferential distance between the second mounting portion 52 and the first mounting portion 51 in the expanded diameter position is smaller than the circumferential distance between the second mounting portion 52 and the first mounting portion 51 in the reduced diameter position. Preferably, the second mounting portion 52 is positioned to overlap with the first mounting portion 51 in a radial view. In this way, when the second mounting portion 52 is in the expanded diameter position, the circumferential distance between the second mounting portion 52 and the first mounting portion 51 is smaller compared to when the second mounting portion 52 is in the reduced diameter position, so the radial distance between the second mounting portion 52 and the first mounting portion 51 is larger. That is, the second mounting portion 52 moves radially outward. As a result, the inertia member 4 to which the second mounting portion 52 is attached also moves radially outward, and the inertia member 4 becomes expanded.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the third mounting portion 53 is attached to the intermediate rotating body 3 so as to be radially movable. That is, the third mounting portion 53 is radially movable relative to the intermediate rotating body 3, while rotating integrally with the intermediate rotating body 3. Specifically, the third mounting portion 53 has a protrusion such as a pin that extends in the axial direction. This protrusion is positioned within the slit 31 of the intermediate rotating body 3. The protrusion of the third mounting portion 53 can move radially within the slit 31.

[0036] <Operation> When torque is applied to the input rotating body 2 from an electric motor or the like, the input rotating body 2 rotates in the rotational direction. Here, the input rotating body 2 rotates relative to the intermediate rotating body 3 in the rotational direction. As a result, the first mounting portion 51 of the connecting rod 5 approaches the third mounting portion 53 in the circumferential direction, and the third mounting portion 53 moves away from the first mounting portion 51 in the radial direction. That is, the third mounting portion 53 moves radially outward within the slit 31. Accordingly, the second mounting portion 52 moves closer to the first mounting portion 51 in the circumferential direction and moves away from the first mounting portion 51 in the radial direction. That is, the second mounting portion 52 moves from a reduced diameter position to an expanded diameter position.

[0037] As a result, as shown in Figure 4, each inertia component 41 moves radially outward and moves circumferentially away from each other. That is, the inertia member 4 moves radially outward and deforms into an expanded state. At this time, the first mounting portion 51, the third mounting portion 53, and the second mounting portion 52 are aligned along the radial direction. That is, the connecting rod 5 extends radially. When the first contact surface 22 of the input rotating body 2 comes into contact with the protrusion 32 of the intermediate rotating body 3, the input rotating body 2 rotates integrally with the intermediate rotating body 3 and the inertia member 4.

[0038] Next, when the gyroscopic effect of the flywheel 100 is no longer needed, the torque output from the electric motor is stopped. As a result, the rotational speed of the input rotating body 2 decreases, the intermediate rotating body 3 rotates faster than the input rotating body 2, and the intermediate rotating body 3 rotates relative to the input rotating body 2 in the rotational direction. Consequently, the third mounting portion 53 moves away from the first mounting portion 51 in the circumferential direction and closer to the first mounting portion 51 in the radial direction. That is, the third mounting portion 53 moves radially inward within the slit 31. Along with this, the second mounting portion 52 moves away from the first mounting portion 51 in the circumferential direction and closer to the first mounting portion 51 in the radial direction. That is, the second mounting portion 52 moves from an expanded diameter position to a reduced diameter position.

[0039] As a result, as shown in Figure 1, each inertia component 41 moves radially inward and moves closer to each other in the circumferential direction. That is, the inertia members 4 move radially inward and deform into a contracted state. At this time, the connecting rod 5 changes from a radially extended state to a state inclined in the rotational direction around the first mounting portion 51. Then, when the protruding portion 32 of the intermediate rotating body 3 comes into contact with the second contact surface 23, the intermediate rotating body 3 rotates integrally with the input rotating body 2.

[0040] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the following modifications can basically be applied simultaneously.

[0041] (a) In the above embodiment, the inertia member 4 was formed in an annular shape, but it does not have to be annular. For example, the inertia member 4 may have only one inertia component 41.

[0042] (b) The flywheel 100 may further include a biasing member. The biasing member is configured to bias the intermediate rotating body 3 in the rotational direction relative to the input rotating body 2. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the flywheel 100 may have a torsion spring 7a as a biasing member. The torsion spring 7a has a first arm portion 71 attached to the input rotating body 2, a second arm portion 72 attached to the third mounting portion 53 of the connecting rod 5, and a spring portion 73 attached to the first mounting portion 51 of the connecting rod 5. The torsion spring 7a biases the connecting rod 5 in the rotational direction around the first mounting portion 51. That is, the intermediate rotating body 3 is biased in the rotational direction relative to the input rotating body 2. This makes it possible to suppress abrupt deformation when the inertia member 4 deforms from a contracted state to an expanded state. In addition, the contracted state of the inertia member 4 can be maintained when the flywheel 100 is not operating.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the flywheel 100 may have a coil spring 7b as a biasing member. The coil spring 7b is positioned within the notch 21 of the input rotating body 2. The coil spring 7b is also positioned between the first contact surface 22 and the protrusion 32. As a result, the coil spring 7b biases the intermediate rotating body 3 in the rotational direction relative to the input rotating body 2.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the coil spring 7b may be placed inside the slit 31. In this case, the coil spring 7b biases the third mounting portion 53 of the connecting rod 5 radially inward. As a result, the third mounting portion 53 of the connecting rod 5 presses the intermediate rotating body 3 in the rotational direction. Consequently, the coil spring 7b biases the intermediate rotating body 3 relative to the input rotating body 2 in the rotational direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 2: Input Rotation Body 3: Intermediate rotating body 4: Inertia component 41: Inertia parts 42: Coupling pin 43: Mounting hole 5: Connecting rod 51: First mounting section 52: Second mounting section 53: Third mounting section 6: Regulatory mechanisms 7a: Torsion spring 7b: Coil spring 100: Flywheel

Claims

1. An input rotating body configured to receive torque, An intermediate rotating body is positioned radially outward from the input rotating body and is arranged to be rotatable relative to the input rotating body, An inertia member is positioned radially outward from the intermediate rotating body and is arranged to be radially movable, A connecting member having a first mounting portion that is rotatably attached to the input rotating body, a second mounting portion that is rotatably attached to the inertia member, and a third mounting portion that is radially movable to the intermediate rotating body, A flywheel equipped with a flywheel.

2. The inertia member is annular. The flywheel according to claim 1.

3. The inertia member is, It has multiple inertia components, It is configured to deform between an expanded state and a contracted state in which the diameter is smaller than that of the expanded state. The flywheel according to claim 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned inertia components is: Extending in the circumferential direction, It has mounting holes that extend in the circumferential direction at both ends in the circumferential direction, The mounting holes are arranged so as to overlap with the mounting holes of the adjacent inertia part in an axial view. The inertia member has a connecting member that connects adjacent inertia components. The connecting member is arranged to be circumferentially movable within each mounting hole of the adjacent inertia part. The flywheel according to claim 3.

5. The system further includes a regulating mechanism for restricting the range of relative rotation between the input rotating body and the intermediate rotating body. The flywheel according to claim 1.

6. The intermediate rotating body is further provided with a biasing member that biases the input rotating body in the rotational direction, The flywheel according to claim 1.

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