Automatic Flywheel Starting With Speed-Responsive Drag Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flywheels, especially those used in large square balers, face difficulties in starting due to high inertia requirements, which lead to complex dual-mass flywheel structures and inefficiencies when using internal combustion engines with limited starting torque.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel with an automatic starting device that utilizes a drag torque transmission member to gradually accelerate the flywheel mass through friction, reducing the need for high starting torque and simplifying the structure by using radially movable masses and a hub to modulate friction force based on centrifugal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the flywheel inertia is increased to regularize operation and overcome thrust peaks, then the operation regularity improves, but the starting phase becomes more difficult and longer
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel is divided into two separate masses (first flywheel mass and second flywheel mass) that can rotate independently during the starting phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high total inertia for operation regularization and reduced starting difficulty, as each mass can be accelerated separately rather than requiring simultaneous acceleration of the entire flywheel inertia.
2Ease of operation
If a dual-mass flywheel is used to overcome starting difficulties, then the starting phase becomes easier, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A drag torque transmission member is introduced as an intermediary element between the drive shaft and the second flywheel mass. This member automatically transmits torque during the starting phase and disengages when the flywheel reaches operating speed, providing the benefits of dual-mass flywheels without requiring complex hydraulic controls or additional actuation systems.
3Power
If an automatic starting device with drag torque transmission is used, then the starting torque requirement is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drag torque transmission member is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the rotational speed differential between the drive shaft and the second flywheel mass. During starting, it automatically transmits torque; once the flywheel reaches operating speed, it automatically disengages without requiring external control systems, sensors, or actuators, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reduced starting torque requirements.
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 smooth start-up of machines with limited starting torque without overloading the power source, reducing the risk of engine shutdown and simplifying the flywheel design, allowing for efficient power transmission to variable loads.
Implementation Method 1
a drag torque transmission member for transmitting a drag torque from the automatic starting device to the flywheel mass
Implementation Method 2
The friction torque is a function of the centrifugal force that, due to the rotation of a drive shaft, acts on radially movable masses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
The flywheel (3) comprises a flywheel mass (5) and an automatic starting device (9) for driving into rotation the flywheel mass (5), coaxial with the flywheel mass (5), rotatable with respect to the flywheel mass, and adapted to be torsionally coupled to a motion input (7). The automatic starting device (9) comprises a drag torque transmission member for transmitting drag torque from the automatic starting device (9) to the flywheel mass (5), adapted to transmit a torque that increases as the angular speed of the automatic starting device increases.