Internal Combustion Engine Spring Energy Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in starting efficiently without relying on electric starters, which are space-, weight-, and cost-intensive, and existing systems often waste rotational energy during engine deactivation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring element that is tensioned during engine deactivation using rotational energy, with a locking device to secure and release the spring for efficient start-up, allowing the engine to begin operation without external electric assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric starter is used to start the internal combustion engine, then the engine can be reliably started, but the system becomes space-intensive, weight-intensive, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy electric starter motor from the starting system and replaces it with a lightweight spring element that stores rotational energy during engine operation and releases it during start-up. This removes the bulky electrical components while maintaining starting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-tensioned during engine operation using the engine's own rotational energy, storing energy in advance for the subsequent start-up event. This preliminary energy storage eliminates the need for a heavy electric starter that would need to deliver all starting energy at once.
2Ease of operation
If rotational energy is dissipated during engine deactivation, then the engine can be easily stopped, but energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful energy dissipation during engine coast-down into a beneficial energy storage opportunity. The spring element captures the rotational energy that would otherwise be wasted, transforming it into useful potential energy for the next start-up event.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the rotational energy during engine deactivation, the system recovers it by tensioning the spring element. This recovered energy is then reused for the subsequent start-up, creating a closed-loop energy recovery system.
3Weight of stationary object
If a spring element is added to store rotational energy, then the starting system becomes more compact and lightweight, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated with the existing flywheel and clutch assembly, merging the energy storage function with components that already exist in the transmission system. This consolidation adds minimal complexity while achieving significant weight reduction compared to a separate electric starter system.
4Loss of energy
If the spring element is tensioned during engine run-down, then energy is recovered and stored, but the engine start-up process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between different operational modes: during engine run-down, the spring is tensioned to store energy; during start-up, the spring releases energy to rotate the crankshaft. The clutch mechanism dynamically engages and disengages to control energy flow, allowing the same components to serve multiple functions throughout the engine cycle.
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 quick and efficient engine start-up using stored rotational energy, reducing the need for electric starters and minimizing energy loss, resulting in a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective system.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element 34, in particular designed as a torsion or rotation spring, which can rotate with the output shaft 24... the spring element 34 is to be tensioned during a run-down of the output shaft 24... by means of the rotational energy... converted into spring energy of the spring element 34
Implementation Method 2
the output shaft continues to rotate for a certain amount of time as a result of and despite the deactivation and in particular due to its mass inertia
Implementation Method 3
a locking device 36... by means of which the output shaft 24 can be secured against rotation... after the spring element 34 has been tensioned... the locking device enables the output shaft to be released as required for rotation
Implementation Method 4
the spring element provides a spring force by means of which, during a start of the initially deactivated internal combustion engine... the output shaft can be set in rotation... the rotation of the output shaft is effected by means of the spring force
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes an output shaft and a spring element which can rotate with the output shaft which is to be tensioned as a result of a deactivation of the internal combustion engine by a rotation of the output shaft, where a spring force can be provided by the spring element and where by the spring force the output shaft can be set into rotation in the event of a start following the deactivation. Via a locking device the output shaft is to be secured against a rotation after tensioning the spring element and while the spring element is tensioned. A blocking device can be shifted between a blocking state securing a first part of the spring element, which has a second part non-rotationally connected to the output shaft, against a rotation and a release state releasing the first part for a rotation.