Vehicle Wheel Assembly With Selective Flywheel Coupling for Agility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in managing gyroscopic effects during turning, leading to reduced maneuverability and increased fuel consumption, and struggle to efficiently store and recover kinetic energy during braking, especially at high speeds and when stationary.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel assembly incorporating a further rotating member, such as a flywheel, connected via a transmission system that allows counter-rotation and braking, enabling the adjustment of gyroscopic forces and kinetic energy storage for subsequent use, thereby enhancing agility and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flywheel is connected coaxially to the vehicle wheel, then the gyroscopic stabilizing effect is enhanced, but the maneuverability of the vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connection between the flywheel and vehicle wheel selective rather than fixed. The flywheel is operatively connectable to the vehicle wheel through a transmission system with variable transmission ratios, allowing the gyroscopic effect to be dynamically adjusted. When high stability is needed, the flywheel connects with a higher transmission ratio; when maneuverability is needed, the connection is reduced or disconnected, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and maneuverability.
2Force
If the flywheel rotates at the same speed as the vehicle wheel, then the gyroscopic effect is maximized, but the kinetic energy recovery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a variable transmission ratio between the flywheel and vehicle wheel. This allows the rotational speed of the flywheel to be independently controlled relative to the vehicle wheel. During braking energy recovery, the transmission ratio can be adjusted to optimize the flywheel's rotational speed for maximum energy storage, rather than being constrained to match the wheel speed, thus resolving the contradiction between gyroscopic effect and energy recovery efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle mass is increased to improve stability, then the gyroscopic effect increases, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by using the flywheel as a movable mass that can be selectively engaged to provide gyroscopic stability. Instead of increasing the overall vehicle mass permanently, the flywheel acts as a temporary counterbalancing mass that can be operatively connected when stability is needed and disconnected when not needed, thus providing stability without the continuous fuel consumption penalty of increased vehicle mass.
4Productivity
If the flywheel is used for kinetic energy storage during braking, then the braking efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the multi-functionality principle by designing the flywheel system to serve multiple functions: it provides gyroscopic stability during vehicle operation, acts as a kinetic energy storage device during braking, and can potentially provide power assistance during acceleration. By integrating these functions into a single flywheel system with a variable transmission connection, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function, thus resolving the contradiction between braking efficiency and system complexity.
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 effectively mitigates the gyroscopic stabilizing effect, improves vehicle agility, and allows for efficient kinetic energy recovery and storage, even when the vehicle is stationary, thereby reducing fuel and electricity consumption and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a flywheel, which can be operatively connected to the vehicle wheel and is adapted to rotate by inertia
Implementation Method 2
The provision of at least one such in-wheel motor generates an increased gyroscopic effect which further reduces the maneuverability of the vehicle when turning
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1F
Figure 1G
AI summary
Assembly (1) comprising at least one vehicle wheel (2), adapted to rotate about a vehicle wheel axis (X2) and adapted to perform an at least rolling movement on a travel surface for the vehicle; - at least one flywheel (4), adapted to rotate about a flywheel axis (X4) which can be operatively connected to said at least one vehicle wheel (2), in such way the vehicle wheel (2) can transmit kinetic energy to the flywheel (4); at least one kinetic energy recovery device (10), operatively associated with said flywheel (4) and adapted to store the kinetic energy transmitted to said at flywheel (4), to make it available for subsequent uses; at least one clutch (8), adapted to connect and disconnect selectively and operatively said vehicle wheel (2) and said flywheel (4), in order to uncouple said flywheel (4) from said vehicle wheel (2), to allow said flywheel (4) to rotate due to inertia when the vehicle wheel (2) is stopped, and in such way to couple said vehicle wheel (2) when is standstill to said flywheel (4) rotating due to inertia, to transfer a start-up rotational motion from said flywheel (4) to said vehicle wheel (2).