Electric Damper Integrating Generator and Gear Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical dampers for oscillating mechanical systems, such as those in motor vehicles, have complex structural designs that hinder efficient energy recovery and adjustment of damping properties.
Innovation Solution
An electric damper with a generator driven by mass movement, featuring a stationary stator and a rotor that rotates relative to the stator, coupled with a gear system that allows for efficient energy conversion and damping adjustment, utilizing a compact cylindrical housing and various transmission types like planetary, stress wave, or cycloidal gears to achieve high gear ratios and power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a generator is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy for damping, then energy recovery is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the generator housing with the transmission housing into a single integrated unit. The generator is positioned such that its housing forms part of the transmission housing structure, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining energy recovery functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission housing serves multiple functions: it houses the transmission gears, provides structural support, and simultaneously serves as the generator housing. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while enabling energy recovery through the generator
2Power
If a high gear ratio is achieved through transmission gears, then power generation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into distinct gear elements (first gear element on the lever, second gear element on the rotor) with clear functional separation. This segmentation allows for optimized gear ratio design to achieve high power generation while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The first gear element acts as an intermediary between the lever movement and the second gear element. This intermediate gear element enables the transmission of motion with modified speed and torque characteristics, achieving the desired high gear ratio for improved power generation while distributing the transmission function across multiple elements
3Volume of moving object
If the generator housing is integrated with transmission housing, then space requirement is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The generator housing and transmission housing are merged into a single integrated housing structure. This consolidation reduces the total volume required for installation by eliminating gaps and separate mounting structures, while the integrated design allows for streamlined manufacturing processes for the unified housing component
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
The solution provides a structurally simple, compact, and efficient means to convert mechanical energy into electricity while allowing for adjustable damping, suitable for limited spaces like motor vehicle wheel housings, enhancing energy recovery and damping performance.
Implementation Method 1
electrical dampers, which use the principle of magnetic induction, have been proposed, which convert the mechanical energy extracted from the system by the mass movement into electrical energy via a generator
Implementation Method 2
the two transmission elements can be geared directly or indirectly. Therefore, if the gear is designed as a transmission gear, depending on the gear ratio, comparatively small movements of the first gear element can be converted into high speeds of the second gear element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Electric damper for damping the relative motion between a first mass and a second mass, comprising a generator which is driven by the motion of the masses and includes a stationary stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator, and a gear mechanism which is coupled to the generator. The motion of the masses causes at least one first gear element, which is directly connected to a lever element (13) that can be moved by the motion of the masses, to rotate, said first gear element being movingly coupled to at least one other gear element in such a way that the gear ratio is increased. The second gear element is movingly coupled to the rotor (6) of the generator (2) such that the rotor (6) rotates relative to the stator (5).