Device and method for generating power

Abstract

The application relates to a device and to a method for generating power with an electric generator. In order to generate power by driving the drive shaft of an electric generator using particularly simple means, a device (1) is proposed that includes: an electric generator (5) which can be driven by a generator shaft (4); a drive wheel (2) which is operatively connected to the generator shaft (4) in such a way that rotation of the drive wheel (2) causes rotation of the generator shaft (4); a drive shaft (3) which is coupled, via a freewheel mechanism (15), to the drive wheel (2) in such a way that the drive shaft (3) drives the drive wheel (2) when the drive shaft (3) rotates in a driving direction (13); and a pulling means (16) for non-continuously acting on the drive shaft (3), the pulling means (16) being operatively connected to the drive shaft (3) in such a way that it drives the drive shaft (3) in its driving direction (13) when a pulling force acting in the pulling direction (17) acts on the pulling means (16).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device and method for generating electricity

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for generating electricity with an electric generator.

[0004] One object of the present invention is to generate electricity by driving the drive shaft of an electric generator using particularly simple means.

[0005] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1 or by a method according to claim 12.

[0006] The device according to the invention for generating electricity comprises an electric generator which can be driven by a generator shaft, a drive wheel which is operatively connected to the generator shaft such that a rotation of the drive wheel causes a rotation of the generator shaft, a drive shaft which is coupled to the drive wheel via a freewheel mechanism such that the drive shaft drives the drive wheel when the drive shaft rotates in a drive direction, and a traction element for the intermittent application of force to the drive shaft, wherein the traction element is operatively connected to the drive shaft such that it drives the drive shaft in its drive direction when a tensile force acting in the direction of tension acts on the traction element.

[0007] The inventive method for generating electricity comprises the following steps: a traction element for the intermittent application of force to a drive shaft drives this drive shaft in its driving direction when a tensile force acting in the direction of travel acts on the traction element; the drive shaft is coupled to a drive wheel via a freewheel mechanism.

[0008] The drive shaft drives the drive wheel when the drive shaft rotates in a driving direction; a rotation of the drive wheel causes a generator shaft to rotate; and the generator shaft drives an electric generator.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention can be described as follows. The traction element transmits the tractive force to the drive shaft, thus serving as a drive element for the intermittent application of force to the drive shaft. The torque M generated by the traction element is the product of the tractive force F and the radius r of the drive shaft. The drive shaft transmits this torque to the drive wheel via a freewheel clutch. This results in the conversion of a linear tractive motion of the traction element into a rotary motion of the drive wheel. The connection between the drive shaft and the drive wheel is achieved via a freewheel mechanism. This enables torque transmission in only one direction and thus prevents the drive wheel from rotating backward during the return of the traction element. The drive wheel drives the generator shaft directly or indirectly.

[0010] In this way, electricity can be generated with particularly simple means by driving the generator shaft of an electric generator. The device is characterized above all by its structural simplicity. The proposed power transmission technique can be implemented by a completely mechanical system without electronic control.

[0011] The intermittent application of force to the drive shaft results in a non-continuous, intermittent power transmission, in which the drive torque acts only temporarily. Since a traction element is used, a reciprocating motion occurs, so that it can be described as an oscillating drive, in which energy is introduced into the drive shaft in repeating cycles. The application of force to the drive shaft preferably occurs periodically.

[0012] Compared to continuous power transmission, this offers several advantages. Firstly, the intermittent application allows the use of irregular energy sources and / or intermittent power transmission mechanisms, such as a cable pull. Secondly, since the drive torque only acts in short intervals, the generated kinetic energy can be stored in a flywheel or in the system's inertia (energy buffering). In this way, a smooth motion can be achieved with little energy per impulse (low energy consumption) (smooth output torque curve). Because the components are subjected to cyclic loading instead of continuous loading, friction and wear are reduced compared to continuous drive systems. This extends the service life and allows for the use of less expensive materials.Finally, in this way the desired solution for power transmission can be achieved with the help of very simple mechanical, cost-effective and low-maintenance designs, since complex drive systems (e.g. gearboxes, couplings) are not absolutely necessary.

[0013] The invention is particularly advantageous for providing a power transmission that serves as the mechanical connection between a lever mechanism driven by a vertical rotor and an electric generator. In particular, the invention serves to provide a transmission gearbox as described in DE 10 2023 135 121 A1, see the element in Fig. 2, designated as "coupling gear 27" and shown with dashed lines, which is not described in detail therein and is connected to the generator shaft. When using the invention, even the slightest wind speeds are sufficient to drive the vertical rotor and enable continuous operation of the electric generator, which is useful for power generation.

[0014] Due to its relatively simple construction, the invention is particularly advantageous for generating electricity in private households.

[0015] However, the application of the invention is not limited to wind power-driven systems. The invention provides a universally applicable power transmission system that enables efficient generator operation for electricity generation with minimal energy input. In particular, comparatively high torques can be generated at the generator shaft to drive the power generator.

[0016] Any power source capable of applying a sufficient tractive force to the traction element in the direction of travel can be used to generate electricity, especially if a periodically acting tractive force can be provided in this way. For example, with the application of suitable transmission or coupling mechanisms, energy from water can be used to apply a tractive force to the traction element instead of wind power. This includes hydropower (by utilizing the potential or kinetic energy of water), tidal power (by utilizing the flow of water between high and low tide), or wave energy (by utilizing the movement of waves in the sea). Even the slightest water movements are sufficient to operate the generator.In both wind and hydropower-driven systems, lever devices and / or power converters are advantageously used to maximize the drive torque applied to the generator shaft. With wind and hydropower, the available rotational speeds are usually low; therefore, the primary goal is to maximize torque in order to operate the generator efficiently. Mechanical power converters serve to translate the low rotational speed into the most usable torque profile.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims or become apparent from the following description and / or the accompanying figures. The advantages and embodiments explained below in connection with the device also apply analogously to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive wheel is designed as a disc, wheel or drum and is mounted on a shaft using suitable bearings (e.g. ball or slide bearings).

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft serves as a receiving shaft for the traction element.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is designed as a cylindrical shaft with a suitable surface for receiving the traction element (e.g., rope winding).

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is, in particular, a cylindrical winding shaft. According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element can be unwound from the drive shaft, wherein unwinding the traction element from the drive shaft causes a rotation of the drive shaft in its drive direction (pulling off the traction element as drive).

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element can be wound onto the drive shaft (return of the traction element), whereby winding the traction element onto the drive shaft causes a rotation of the drive shaft against the direction of drive.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, however, when the drive shaft is rotated against the direction of drive, the freewheel mechanism prevents the drive wheel from rotating in the direction of drive. In other words, the drive wheel only moves in a single direction of rotation, the direction of drive, even though the traction element moves in two directions (unwinding, winding). Put another way, the direction of rotation of the drive wheel does not reverse. Instead, a continuous rotation of the drive wheel in the same direction is achieved.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, an automatic traction element retraction is provided. This is preferably implemented with the aid of a retraction mechanism via a retraction weight, i.e., utilizing potential energy, resulting in an advantageous constant retraction force. In a simple embodiment, the traction element is connected to a retraction weight which is lifted from the drive shaft as the traction element unwinds. Due to gravity, the retraction weight pulls the traction element back and winds it onto the drive shaft as soon as no more tensile force acting on the traction element in the direction of travel is present.

[0025] Alternative methods for retracting the traction element are conceivable, which also function without a motor, particularly using spring force. In the simplest case, a tension spring is tensioned as the traction element unwinds. As soon as no tensile force acting in the direction of pull is exerted on the traction element, the spring pulls the traction element back onto the drive shaft.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element is rigidly connected to the drive shaft. This ensures reliable power transmission and at the same time guarantees dependable operation.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return of the traction element is mechanically decoupled from the drive wheel by means of the freewheel mechanism. In this way, the return does not actively contribute to the drive and therefore provides no torque for driving the drive wheel. In other words, the drive shaft is decoupled from the drive wheel during the return phase, causing the drive wheel to rotate exclusively in a single direction. Thus, there is only one-sided torque utilization, solely from the traction movement, not from the rewinding.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the freewheel mechanism is designed as a freewheel clutch. Connecting the drive wheel to the drive shaft in this way represents a technically simple, robust, and low-wear solution. When the traction element is returned to its resting position, the freewheel decouples the drive shaft from the drive wheel, eliminating reverse torque, and allowing the drive wheel to rotate freely in the direction of travel. Alternatively, the freewheel mechanism can also be designed using a slip clutch, which transmits torque only in a specific direction of traction.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive wheel is designed as a flywheel (rotating mass). This ensures that the drive wheel continues to rotate continuously in the same direction, i.e., does not come to a standstill, even when no torque is transmitted from the drive shaft to the drive wheel. A constant rotational speed of the drive wheel is desired.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element is a rope. The resulting system can then be described as a rotary direct drive by rope traction. Preferably, high-strength ropes, e.g., made of steel or synthetic fibers, with suitable length and flexibility are used.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one moving element that can be driven to perform a periodic linear movement. This moving element primarily serves to apply a tensile force to the traction element in a simple manner.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element is actuated by at least one moving element that is operatively connected to the traction element such that a movement of the moving element in a first direction of movement unwinds (pulls off) the traction element from the drive shaft. Preferably, the moving element is also operatively connected to the traction element such that a movement of the moving element in a second direction of movement, opposite to the first direction of movement, allows the traction element to wind itself onto the drive shaft.

[0033] According to a

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, a functional body is provided that is able to perform the function of actuating the traction element primarily due to its weight. For example, the moving element can be designed as a weight body movable on an inclined plane, to which the traction element is attached. Alternatively, the moving element can be a functional body that is able to perform the function of actuating the traction element independently of its weight. For example, the moving element could be the end of a gravity pendulum to which the traction element is attached.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, a wind-powered vertical rotor, a drive shaft driven by the vertical rotor, and a movable lever assembly are provided, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the lever assembly for driving the lever assembly, wherein the lever assembly is operatively connected to the generator shaft for driving the generator shaft, wherein the operative connection between the lever assembly and the generator shaft is realized using the drive wheel, the drive shaft, and the traction element, wherein the lever assembly comprises a lever linkage, which lever linkage is designed such that it can fully perform a pendulum movement between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the drive shaft and to the generator shaft.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one movement element is operatively connected to the lever linkage, wherein the movement element is designed such that it fully performs a periodic linear movement when the lever device is moved, and wherein the operative connection between the lever device and the generator shaft is established using this movement element.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the traction element is operated automatically in a repeating sequence (cycle) without requiring manual intervention or external control. In other words, the system operates autonomously according to a defined sequence. The entire movement sequence repeats cyclically without manual intervention.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the operative connection between the drive wheel and the generator shaft is provided by connecting the drive wheel to the generator shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. In this way, the drive wheel acts directly on the generator shaft.

[0039] Alternatively, the operative connection of the drive wheel with the generator shaft is provided by the drive wheel being operatively connected to a transmission wheel, which is non-rotatably connected to the generator shaft, by forming a transmission gear.

[0040] Which of these two variants is used depends primarily on the design of the electric generator (slow-speed, high-speed). The invention can also be used to drive non-grid-synchronous, variable-speed generators. According to one embodiment of the invention, a single drive shaft is provided, resulting in a particularly simple design. In an alternative embodiment, a second drive shaft is provided on the side of the drive wheel opposite the first drive shaft. According to one embodiment, this second drive shaft is designed such that it transmits torque to the drive wheel during the period in which no torque is transmitted to the drive wheel from the first drive shaft. In this way, the two drive shafts act alternately.

[0041] (Alternating) to the drive wheel. By alternately pulling two traction elements attached to opposing drive shafts, the drive wheel is continuously rotated in one direction. The retraction of the respective traction elements also occurs alternately. According to an alternative design, the second drive shaft is configured so that torque is transmitted to the drive wheel simultaneously (synchronously) from both drive shafts. By simultaneously pulling both traction elements attached to opposing drive shafts, the drive wheel is continuously rotated in one direction. The retraction of the respective traction elements also occurs synchronously. In these designs, two drive shafts are provided, each with a wound rope that is unwound in defined cycles. Both drive shafts are connected to the drive wheel via freewheel mechanisms.Each drive shaft is assigned a freewheel mechanism in such a way that torque is only transmitted to the drive wheel in one direction.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, a moving element actuates a further lever device serving to actuate the drive shaft. The moving element, particularly during rolling down an inclined plane, acts on the end of a lever arm of a single-sided lever, causing it to pivot downwards. A pull is exerted on the traction element attached to this lever arm, causing the traction element to unwind from the drive shaft.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, particularly during rolling down an inclined plane, the traction element is directly acted upon in such a way that this actuation shortens the free length of the traction element in such a manner that a pull is exerted on the traction element, causing the traction element to unwind from the drive shaft.

[0044] Exemplary versions of the invention are explained in more detail below. The single figure shows a device according to the invention for generating electricity with a lever mechanism for driving moving elements, which, via a traction element, non-continuously actuate a drive shaft for driving a drive wheel, which drive wheel serves to actuate a generator shaft of an electric generator with a drive torque.

[0045] The figure does not show the invention to scale, but only schematically and with its essential components. Identical reference symbols correspond to elements with the same or comparable function.

[0046] Not shown in the figure are support, bearing, holding, and load-bearing structures for individual components of the device. Such structures, as well as suitable coupling and adjusting means, are familiar to those skilled in the art, so they need not be discussed further here. The device 1 according to the invention for generating electricity comprises an electric generator 5, which can be driven by a generator shaft 4, and a drive wheel 2, which is operatively connected to the generator shaft 4 such that rotation of the drive wheel 2 causes rotation of the generator shaft 4. The drive wheel 2 is designed in the form of a flywheel with a weight of 1 to 10 kg and is mounted in a suitable manner.

[0047] The device 1 further comprises a drive shaft 3, which is coupled to the drive wheel 2 via a freewheel mechanism. The coupling is such that the drive shaft 3 drives the drive wheel 2 when the drive shaft 3 rotates in a drive direction 13, and such that the drive shaft 3 does not drive the drive wheel 2 when the drive shaft 3 rotates against the drive direction 13.

[0048] The device 1 further comprises a traction element 16 for the intermittent, periodic application of force to the drive shaft 3. The traction element 16 is a rope, which is preferably inelastic. The rope 16 is operatively connected to the drive shaft 3 such that it drives the drive shaft 3 in the drive direction 13 when a tensile force acting in the direction of pull 17 is applied to the rope 16. In other words, the rope 16 transmits the tensile force to the drive shaft 3. The torque M generated by the rope 16 is the product of the tensile force F and the radius r of the drive shaft 3. The rope 16 is rigidly connected to the drive shaft 3. The drive shaft 3 is designed as a cylindrical shaft with a suitable surface for receiving the rope, i.e., for winding the rope 16 onto it. The drive shaft 3 serves as a receiving shaft for the rope 16 and thus as a winding shaft.The rope 16 can be unwound from the drive shaft 3, whereby unwinding the rope 16 from the drive shaft 3 causes the drive shaft 3 to rotate in its drive direction 13. Unwinding (pulling off) the rope 16 drives the drive shaft 3. The rope 16 can then be rewound onto the drive shaft 3. This rewinding onto the drive shaft 3 (returning the rope) causes the drive shaft 3 to rotate in the opposite direction to the drive direction 13.

[0049] The rope retraction is automatic, i.e., utilizing potential energy. A retraction weight 14 attached to the rope 16 is lifted in the opposite direction of the retraction 26 as the rope 16 unwinds from the drive shaft 3. As soon as there is no longer a tensile force acting on the rope 16 in the direction of pull 17, the retraction weight 14 moves in the direction of pull 26 due to gravity and pulls the rope 16 back, thereby winding it onto the drive shaft 3.

[0050] The freewheel mechanism is a freewheel clutch 15. In this way, the torque transmission only takes place in one direction and a reverse rotation of the drive wheel 2 during the return of the rope 16 is prevented.

[0051] The basic process of power transmission for driving generator 5 can be described as follows: The rope 16 applies intermittent force to the drive shaft 3 and drives the drive shaft 3 in its direction 13 when a tensile force acting in the direction 17 is applied to the rope 16. The drive shaft 3, coupled to the drive wheel 2 via the freewheel clutch 15, drives the drive wheel 2 when the drive shaft 3 rotates in the direction 13. Rotation of the drive wheel 2 causes the generator shaft 4 to rotate. The generator shaft 4 drives the electric generator 5. In this way, a fully mechanical system without electronic control is provided for operating the generator 5.

[0052] In the example described here, generator 5 is a power generator with a rated speed of 1500 rpm. In this case, the drive wheel 2 does not act directly on the generator shaft 4. Instead, the drive wheel 2 is operatively connected to a transmission wheel 18 on the generator shaft 4 via a transmission gear 20. The transmission gear 20 is shown here as an example of a belt drive, which transmits the torque from the drive wheel 2 to the transmission wheel 18 via a belt 19. The transmission wheel 18 is fixedly connected to the generator shaft 4.

[0053] The actuation of the traction element 16 is effected by a motion element 23, which can be driven to execute a periodic linear movement. The motion element 23 is operatively connected to the rope 16 such that a movement of the motion element 23 in a first direction of movement 21 unwinds (pulls off) the rope 16 from the drive shaft 3, while a movement of the motion element 23 in a second direction of movement 22 opposite to the first direction of movement 21 allows the rope 16 to wind itself onto the drive shaft 3.

[0054] The moving element 23 is driven by a lever linkage 7, which is designed in the manner of an inverted pendulum. The lever linkage 7 is part of a movable lever assembly 6, which is movable in two directions. The lever linkage 7 enables an oscillatory movement of the lever assembly 6 about the lever pivot point 9. The lever assembly 6 can be driven by a drive shaft (not shown) which is operatively connected to the lever assembly 6. The drive shaft can be driven by a wind-powered vertical rotor (not shown).

[0055] The lever linkage 7 is designed such that it includes a lever arm 8 to form a two-sided lever. The lever arm

[0056] 8 is mounted in a fixed bearing which forms the pivot point

[0057] 9 of the lever arm 8 forms . The force arm 11 is operatively connected to the first drive shaft 3 and the load arm 12 is operatively connected to the generator shaft 4.

[0058] The lever linkage 7 is designed in such a way that it can fully perform a pendulum movement 10 between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the functional connection to the wind-powered drive shaft on the one hand and to the generator shaft 4 on the other.

[0059] The arrangement described above for driving the motion elements 23, including the vertical rotor and drive shaft, is described and illustrated in DE 10 2023 135 121 A1. Not shown in Fig. 1A are the additional weights described in DE 10 2023 135 121 A1 and designated there by reference numerals 13, 14, 15, which are shown in Fig. 1.

[0060] The motion element 23 is operatively connected to the lever linkage 7 by means of a connecting element 25, for example in the form of a pull rope, to the lever linkage 7 at a distance from the pivot point 9 of the lever arm 8. The motion element 23 is designed such that it performs a periodic linear motion when the lever assembly 6 is moved. Using the motion element 23, an operative connection is established between the

[0061] Lever device 6 and generator shaft 4 manufactured.

[0062] The motion element 23 is designed as a weight movable on an inclined plane 24. Advantageously, the motion element 23 is provided with rollers or other suitable means to minimize the friction occurring during the process. Alternatively, the motion element 23 itself is a rolling body. For example, a suitably held car tire or the like can be used as a simple motion element 23.

[0063] Preferably, as shown, two opposing motion elements 23, 23' are provided as weight and counterweight of the same size, such that the weights are moved along the track with minimal force depending on the pendulum position. The two motion elements 23, 23' form a motion element functional unit for acting on the traction element 16 in the direction of travel 17. The motion elements 23, 23' run on two opposing, i.e., mirror-image, inclined, identical inclined planes 24, 24', corresponding to the direction of the pendulum motion 10.When the lever linkage 7 moves into the first pendulum position (shown in the figure), one moving element 23 is pulled up the inclined plane 24, while the other moving element 23' moves down the inclined plane 24'; when the lever linkage 7 moves in the opposite direction to the second pendulum position, the moving elements 23 and 23' move in exactly the opposite direction. The position of the lever linkage 7 in the second pendulum position is indicated by dashed lines in the figure. The rope 16 is thus automatically pulled in the direction of pull 17 and then released in a repeating sequence, so that it moves in the opposite direction to the direction of pull 17 (return), without requiring any manual intervention or external control.

[0064] As a result, the wind-powered lever device 6 is operatively connected to the generator shaft 4 in order to drive it, the operative connection between lever device 6 and generator shaft 4 being established using the movement element 23, the traction element (rope 16), the drive shaft 3 and the drive wheel.

[0065] 2 is realized. The traction element (rope 16) and drive shaft form the components.

[0066] 3 and drive wheel 2 the transmission or coupling gear described in DE 10 2023 135 121 Al and provided there with reference numeral 27 with change of motion form .

[0067] In a real-world example, the rotation of the vertical rotor 2, even at low wind speeds of approximately 5 km / h, causes the moving element 23 to move back and forth by 10 cm in each direction, with a drive shaft 3 having a diameter of 30 mm. This results in a rotational speed of 30 rpm for a drive wheel 2 weighing up to 10 kg. With the aid of the transmission gearbox 20, the generator shaft 4 then reaches a rotational speed of 1500 rpm.

[0068] The application of the motion elements 23, 23' for actuating the traction element (rope) need not be limited exclusively to a method on inclined planes 24, 24'. In other embodiments of the invention, motion elements 23, 23' are also used for actuating further lever devices and / or force converters.

[0069] The use of a [missing word] has proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0070] The moving element 23 serves to actuate a further lever device. This allows particularly high torques to be generated for driving the power generator 5. An embodiment of the invention in which a further lever device is used is described below (not illustrated).

[0071] A first motion element 23, arranged on an inclined plane 24, preferably being one motion element of a pair of motion elements moving in opposite directions on inclined planes 24, 24' of the same inclination as previously described, acts on the end of the lever arm of a single-sided lever (not shown) arranged appropriately with respect to the inclined plane as it rolls down the inclined plane 24. By acting on the lever arm with the motion element, the lever arm pivots downwards, thereby applying a tensile force to the rope 16, which is attached to the lever arm for this purpose. By appropriately selecting the attachment point of the rope 16 on the lever arm, the tensile force in the direction of pull 17 can be maximized.Subsequently, due to the reversal movement of the lever mechanism 6, the first moving element 23 is pulled upwards on the inclined plane 24, while at the same time the second moving element 23' rolls down its assigned inclined plane 24', the first moving element 23 lifts off the lever arm, thereby releasing it. Under the action of the return weight 14 attached to the drive shaft 3, which moves the drive shaft 3 in the opposite direction to the drive direction 13, a rope retraction now takes place.

[0072] In a further embodiment of the invention, the use of an additional lever device is omitted. Instead, the rope 16 is acted upon directly. For this purpose, the rope is guided over a deflection pulley suitably arranged between the drive shaft 3 and the inclined plane 24 and is fixed in the upper region of the inclined plane 24 (not illustrated). When a first moving element 23 arranged on the inclined plane 24, preferably one moving element of a pair of moving elements that run in opposite directions on inclined planes 24, 24' of the same inclination, as described above, rolls onto the rope 16 while rolling down the inclined plane 24, the free length of the rope 16 between the moving element 23 and the deflection pulley is shortened, which corresponds to a pulling movement of the rope 16 in the direction of pull 17.Subsequently, due to the reversal movement of the lever mechanism 6, the first moving element 23 is pulled upwards on the inclined plane 24, while simultaneously the second moving element 23' rolls down its assigned inclined plane 24'. The first moving element 23 then unwinds from the rope 16 and releases it. Under the action of the return weight 14 attached to the drive shaft 3, which moves the drive shaft 3 in the opposite direction to the drive direction 13, the rope is retracted. The arrangement of the deflection pulley is preferably fixed in space, but can also be modified to further optimize power transmission. Instead of a deflection pulley, another device (e.g., a rope eye or the like) can be used, as long as it fulfills the function of changing the direction of the rope without changing its length.Alternatively, the drive shaft 3 itself can also serve as a deflection device; in other words, the rope 16 runs directly from the deflection pulley 3 to a rope attachment point on the inclined plane 24, which is chosen such that the moving element 23 winds onto the rope 16 when rolling down the inclined plane 24.

[0073] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the two opposing motion elements 23, 23' of the motion element pair, which run on inclined planes 24, 24' of the same inclination, are formed by wheels connected to one another by means of a common connecting element 25. In this way, it can be ensured with particularly simple means that the spatial arrangement of both motion elements 23, 23' relative to each other is always the same. A particularly simple and inexpensive way of providing such a motion element pair is to use a two-wheeler, wherein the two-wheeler frame, which is directly or indirectly connected to the load arm 12, serves as the connecting element 25 and each of the two wheels serves as one of the motion elements 23, 23'.

[0074] Notwithstanding the previously described embodiments, the drive of the moving elements 23 need not be effected by the described lever device 6, nor does the drive need to be wind-powered. Instead, another suitable drive can also be used to drive the number of moving elements 23.

[0075] Likewise, the use of one or more moving elements 23, whose functionality is determined exclusively or essentially by their own weight, is not strictly necessary; alternatively, one or more moving elements 23 can also be used whose functionality for driving the traction element 16 does not depend, or does not depend essentially, on their own weight. For example, the end of a lever arm can also serve directly as a moving element, i.e., for driving the traction element. Thus, for example, the traction element can be directly connected to the lever arm. If the traction element is connected to the lever arm via an additional connecting element, such as a rope, a pulley, or the like, the drive of the traction element (e.g., the lever device 6) and the traction element 16 can advantageously be arranged separately from one another.

[0076] All features described in the text, the following claims, and the drawings can be essential to the invention, either individually or in any combination. Each of these features or combinations of features can constitute an independent invention, the right to claim which is expressly reserved.

[0077] When specifying a combination of features defining an invention, individual features from the description of an exemplary embodiment do not necessarily have to be combined with one or more or all other features specified in the description of that exemplary embodiment; in this respect, every subcombination of features of one or more exemplary embodiments is expressly disclosed.

[0078] Furthermore, tangible features of the device can be reformulated and used as process features, and vice versa. Features reformulated in this way are implicitly disclosed.

[0079] Reference character list

[0080] 1 Device

[0081] 2 drive wheel

[0082] 3 Drive shaft

[0083] 4 Generator shaft

[0084] 5 Generator

[0085] 6 Lever device

[0086] 7 Lever linkage Lever arm

[0087] Lever pivot point pendulum motion force arm

[0088] Load arm

[0089] Drive direction, return weight, freewheel clutch, traction element, rope, pull direction, gear wheel, belt, transmission, first direction of movement, second direction of movement, learning movement, inclined plane

[0090] Connection element return direction

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for generating electricity, - with an electric generator (5) which can be driven by a generator shaft (4), - with a drive wheel (2) which is operatively connected to the generator shaft (4) such that a rotation of the drive wheel (2) causes a rotation of the generator shaft (4), - with a drive shaft (3) which has a freewheel mechanism (15) is coupled to the drive wheel (2) in such a way that the drive shaft (3) drives the drive wheel (2) when the drive shaft (3) rotates in a drive direction (13), - with a traction element (16) for the non-continuous application of force to the drive shaft (3), wherein the traction element (16) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (3) in such a way that it drives the drive shaft (3) in its driving direction (13) when a tensile force acting in the direction of pull (17) is applied to the traction element (16) works.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the traction element (16) can be unwound from the drive shaft (3), wherein an unwinding of the traction element (16) from the drive shaft (3) causes a rotation of the drive shaft (3) in its drive direction (13), and wherein the traction element (16) can be wound onto the drive shaft (3).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein a return weight (14) is provided for the return of the traction element (16).

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the return of the traction element (16) is mechanically decoupled from the drive wheel (3) by means of the freewheel mechanism (15).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the traction element (16) is a rope.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive wheel (2) is designed as a flywheel.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, with a periodically movable, in particular linearly movable, movement element (23) for actuating the traction element (16), which movement element (23) is in operative connection with the traction element (16) such that a movement of the movement element (23) in a first direction of movement (21) unwinds the traction element (16) from the drive shaft (3).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, comprising a movable lever device (6) , wherein the lever device (6) is operatively connected to the generator shaft (4) for driving it, wherein the operative connection between the lever device and the generator shaft (4) is established using the movement element (23) , the traction element (16) , the drive shaft (3) and the drive wheel (2), and wherein the movement element (23) is operatively connected to the lever device (6) in such a way that it performs a periodic linear movement when the lever device (6) is moved.

9. Device according to claim 8, comprising a wind-powered vertical rotor, comprising a drive shaft which can be driven by the vertical rotor, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the lever device (6) for driving it, and wherein the lever device (6) comprises a lever linkage (7) which lever linkage (7) is designed in such a way that it can perform a pendulum movement between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the drive shaft and to the generator shaft (4).

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operative connection of the drive wheel (2) with the generator shaft (4) is provided by the fact that the drive wheel (2) is operatively connected to a transmission wheel (18) forming a transmission gear (20) which is non-rotatably connected to the generator shaft (4).

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a second drive shaft attached to the side of the drive wheel (2) opposite a first drive shaft (3) such that a torque is transmitted from the second drive shaft to the drive wheel (2) during a period in which no torque is transmitted from the first drive shaft (3) to the drive wheel (2).

12. Method for generating electricity, comprising the following steps: - a traction element (16) for the non-continuous application of force to a drive shaft (3) drives this drive shaft (3) in its driving direction (13) when a tensile force acting in the direction of pull (17) acts on the traction element (16), - the drive shaft (3) coupled to a drive wheel (2) via a freewheel mechanism (15) drives the drive wheel (2) when the drive shaft (3) rotates in the drive direction (13), - turning the drive wheel (2) causes a generator shaft (4) to turn , - the generator shaft (4) drives an electric generator (5).

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