Automatic Starting Flywheel With Speed-Rising Friction Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large flywheels required for machines like square balers face difficulties in starting due to high inertia, which complicates the operation and requires oversized engines for sufficient starting torque, leading to complex dual-mass flywheel solutions that are not always efficient.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel with an automatic starting device that uses 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 reduce speed variations, 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 at different speeds. This segmentation allows the first mass to be accelerated quickly by the engine while the second mass accelerates more gradually through friction, resolving the contradiction between needing high inertia for operation regularity and requiring easy starting
Solution Approach 2:
A friction surface acts as an intermediary between the two flywheel masses, transferring torque gradually from the first mass to the second mass. This intermediary mechanism allows the second mass to be accelerated smoothly without requiring high starting torque from the engine, while still providing the inertia benefits during operation
2Power
If an oversized internal combustion engine is used to provide sufficient starting torque, then the starting capability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flywheel into two masses with different acceleration characteristics, the system allows a smaller, more appropriately-sized engine to start the first mass quickly while the second mass follows gradually through friction, eliminating the need for an oversized engine
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coupling between the two flywheel masses enables the system to self-regulate the torque transfer during starting. The first mass automatically transfers energy to the second mass through friction without requiring additional control systems or oversized engine capacity
3Ease of operation
If a dual-mass flywheel with hydraulic control is used to overcome starting difficulties, then the starting phase improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic control systems with a simpler friction-based coupling mechanism. The two flywheel masses are connected through a friction surface that automatically engages and disengages based on relative motion, eliminating the need for hydraulic actuators and complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coupling between the two masses is self-regulating - it automatically engages when the masses rotate at different speeds and slips when they synchronize, without requiring external control systems. This self-service mechanism dramatically simplifies the overall device 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
Enables smooth start-up of machines with limited starting torque from the power source, reducing the risk of power source shutdown and simplifying the flywheel structure while maintaining 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, adapted to transmit a torque that increases with the angular speed of the automatic starting device
Implementation Method 2
The automatic starting device comprises a drag torque transmission member for transmitting a drag torque from the automatic starting device to the flywheel mass
Implementation Method 3
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
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.