Flywheel with Movable Weights for Rapid Inertia Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inertial motion machines for sport training and rehabilitation require cumbersome and slow adjustments to the moment of inertia, typically involving adding or removing weights or replacing the flywheel, leading to practical issues like loose elements and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel with a structural configuration that allows modification of the moment of inertia by varying the mass distribution within the wheel using moving coupling means, such as slots or threaded pins, enabling weights to be repositioned without adding or removing mass, thus allowing quick and simple adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If weights are added or removed to change moment of inertia, then the moment of inertia can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel incorporates movable weights that can be dynamically repositioned along the disk radius during operation. The weights are coupled to the disk through moving coupling means that allow radial movement, enabling the moment of inertia to be adjusted quickly by changing weight positions rather than adding or removing weights. This dynamic repositioning system resolves the contradiction by making the adjustment process fast and integrated into the existing flywheel structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If weights are added or removed to change moment of inertia, then the moment of inertia can be adjusted, but loose elements may be lost or cause practical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The weights are permanently integrated into the flywheel disk through moving coupling means such as slots, guides, or threaded pins that are part of the disk structure. Instead of using separate removable weights that can be lost, the weights are combined with the disk in a unified structure where they can move radially but remain securely attached. This merging eliminates the reliability issue of loose elements while preserving the ability to adjust moment of inertia.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flywheel is replaced to change moment of inertia, then the moment of inertia can be adjusted, but the process becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel is segmented into the disk and multiple independent weights that can be individually repositioned. Instead of replacing the entire flywheel assembly, the system divides the mass into separable components (weights) that can be moved independently along the disk. This segmentation allows simple adjustment by moving individual weights to different radial positions, making the operation easy and quick without requiring flywheel replacement.
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 rapid and practical configuration for different users and exercises, reducing the risk of loose elements and improving machine functionality, particularly in multi-user facilities by allowing seamless adaptation of the moment of inertia without weight changes.
Implementation Method 1
presenting a disk- or a wheel-shaped structure with a moment of inertia that, when rotating it around an axis, generates a rotational kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
vary the radius, that means, the gap to the centre of the disk, of a part or the full mass, without adding or removing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A flywheel for example to a sport training or a rehabilitation machine, is linked to a hauling cable through a system of pulleys, including, in a well-known way, at least a disk-shaped part (4) rotating about a central axis (5) and incorporates a series of weights (6) that, depending on their distribution and their own weight provide a given moment of inertia. Starting from this already known configuration, the flywheel (1) is distinguished in that it has a moving coupling means (7) that allows the variation of the position of the weights (6) on the disk (4) of the wheel and to modify the moment of inertia, without it being necessary to withdraw or replace any of the weights (6) or the disk (4).