Detachable Engine-Generator Units for Reduced Maintenance Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
When there is an abnormality in an internal combustion engine or during maintenance, the activity of a movable body is halted, necessitating prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
A movable body design incorporating an electric power generating unit with an internal combustion engine and electric power generator, supported by a detachable and attachable structural body, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement, and a maintenance method that involves detaching and attaching maintained units to facilitate quick restarts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal combustion engine and electric power generator are integrated as a fixed unit, then the power generation system is stable and reliable, but maintenance requires prolonged downtime and halts activity
Solution Approach 1:
The power generation system is segmented into modular units, each comprising an internal combustion engine and electric power generator integrated on a common support structural body. These modular units can be independently detached and replaced, allowing maintenance of individual units without halting the entire power generation system. The movable body is equipped with multiple power generation units, enabling redundancy during maintenance operations.
2Productivity
If the power generation unit is designed for easy detachment and replacement, then maintenance time is reduced and activity restart is facilitated, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structural body is pre-designed with attachment and detachment mechanisms that simplify the connection and separation processes. Fastening and release structures are prepared in advance, allowing quick interchange of power generation units without complex assembly procedures. This preliminary design of the structural interface reduces maintenance time while controlling complexity through standardization.
3Reliability
If multiple power generation units are installed for redundancy, then continuous operation during maintenance is enabled, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power generation units are designed with identical or standardized configurations, allowing them to perform the same function interchangeably. This universality enables any unit to replace any other unit during maintenance operations. The standardized design reduces the overall space required compared to having different specialized components, while maintaining the capability for continuous operation through unit substitution.
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
Facilitates quick restart of the movable body's activity by enabling easy maintenance and replacement of the power generating units, reducing downtime and ensuring continuous operation even with unit abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
an electric power generator that generates the electric power by an output of the internal combustion engine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A movable body includes: a rotating body that generates advancing power; a movable body main body that rotatably supports the rotating body; an electric motor that is supplied with electric power to rotate the rotating body; and at least one electric power generating unit including an internal combustion engine, an electric power generator that generates the electric power by an output of the internal combustion engine, and a support structural body that supports the internal combustion engine and the electric power generator and is attachable to and detachable from the movable body main body while keeping supporting both of the internal combustion engine and the electric power generator.