Bidirectional Rotation Motion Conversion Device for Unidirectional Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion transmission technologies fail to effectively convert bidirectional rotation motions around two shafts into a unidirectional rotation motion around a single axis, limiting their application in power production systems, especially in environmentally friendly and versatile energy harvesting scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A device that converts bidirectional rotation motions around two perpendicular shafts into a unidirectional rotation motion around a single axis using independent transmission means, such as one-way clutches and hydraulic drives, allowing for the integration of instability-inducing elements to generate continuous rotation in a single direction, suitable for power production systems that utilize environmental forces like fluid flows or human/vibrational inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional motion transmission technologies are used to convert rotation between two shafts, then rotation motion can be transmitted, but the output rotation direction cannot be controlled to be unidirectional
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism is divided into two independent transmission paths, each with its own unidirectional member. One path transmits rotation from the first shaft to the output shaft, while the other path transmits rotation from the second shaft to the output shaft. This segmentation allows each path to independently control rotation direction, achieving unidirectional output without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Unidirectional members (such as one-way clutches or overrunning clutches) are introduced as intermediary elements in each transmission path. These intermediaries allow rotation in one direction while blocking rotation in the opposite direction, enabling the output shaft to rotate unidirectionally even when input shafts rotate bidirectionally.
2Productivity
If turbine blades are used in water streams for power production, then energy can be harvested, but aquatic wildlife is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional turbine blades that rotate the shaft directly through fluid pressure, this invention uses a stationary or slowly rotating structure with protrusions that interact with the water flow to generate bidirectional rotation of input shafts. The unidirectional members then convert this bidirectional motion into unidirectional output rotation, eliminating the need for high-speed rotating blades that harm wildlife.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional direct mechanical turbine blade system is replaced with a system combining fluid-structure interaction (protrusions in water flow), bidirectional rotation mechanism, and unidirectional motion conversion. This substitution maintains energy harvesting capability while removing the harmful high-speed rotating blades.
3Productivity
If mechanical parts are immersed in water for power production, then energy conversion can occur, but corrosion of mechanical parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The critical mechanical components (output shaft, unidirectional members, transmission mechanism) are extracted from the water environment and placed in a protected housing. Only the protrusions that interact with water remain exposed, minimizing the surface area in contact with corrosive water while maintaining power conversion functionality.
4Productivity
If instability introducing means are added to enable continuous rotation, then power production becomes possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instability introducing means employs an asymmetric structure with protrusions of different sizes or shapes arranged asymmetrically on the input shafts. When these asymmetric structures interact with the water flow or other environmental forces, they generate bidirectional rotation due to the unequal distribution of forces, which then converts to unidirectional output rotation through the unidirectional members.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and environmentally friendly power production by converting various forms of bidirectional motion into unidirectional motion, reducing mechanical wear and allowing for compact, versatile energy harvesting in diverse applications, including water streams, air currents, and human vibrations, while minimizing harm to wildlife and facilitating maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The instability introducing means can take the form, for instance, of a shape having several faces, each face being in a different plane. The shape is thereafter attached to at least one of the two input shafts of the rotation motion converting device, and as stated earlier, the assembly is arranged into an environment, e.g. a fluid flow, acting on at least one of said faces of the shape. The action of the environment on at least one of said faces of the shape will result in the three-dimensional motion of the shape, and as a consequence a rotation motion, whether clockwise or anticlockwise, of at least one of the input shafts
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Device producing unidirectional rotation motion as output from any bidirectional rotation motion as input, comprising : - a first input rotation axis (1); - a second input rotation axis (2), orthogonal to the first input rotation axis (1); - an output rotation axis; transmission means (6A, 6B, 6C, 91, 9B, 9C) provided between the first input rotation axis and the output rotation axis and between the second input rotation axis and the output rotation axis, in order to convert a clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation motion on the first input rotation axis and/or on the second input rotation axis into a unidirectional rotation motion on the output rotation axis, characterized in that one of the first input rotation axes is the same as the output rotation axis.