Variable-Inertia Rotor for Vehicle Shaft Speed and Energy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transport vehicles experience high energy consumption and wear on the engine and braking system during deceleration and acceleration, contributing significantly to emissions and environmental impact, necessitating a solution to reduce these inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An actuating device coupled to a rotating shaft that varies its moment of inertia to manage rotational speed changes, using masses that move along the rotor body to adjust inertia based on vehicle conditions, reducing the work required by the engine and braking system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the accessory drive system remains engaged throughout the entire operating cycle, then the accessory is continuously driven, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily during phases when the accessory is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontinuous operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the accessory drive system dynamically controllable rather than statically engaged. The actuating device allows the drive connection to be selectively engaged or disengaged based on operational requirements, enabling the system to adapt its state (engaged/disengaged) according to real-time energy management needs while maintaining reliability when engagement is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the accessory drive system is disengaged to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but control precision and timing accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing advance control over the engagement and disengagement timing of the accessory drive system. The actuating device enables the control system to predeterminedly engage the drive connection before the accessory is needed and disengage it after use, ensuring precise timing control and avoiding abrupt transitions that would compromise control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a conventional accessory drive system is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to selectively engage and disengage the accessory load is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidselective engagement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the accessory drive system into separable components: the drive connection means and the actuating device. This segmentation allows the drive connection to be selectively made or broken based on operational needs, providing adaptability while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary actuating device that mediates between the power source and the accessory. This intermediary component enables selective engagement and disengagement of the accessory load without requiring complete system redesign, adding versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through a dedicated control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If the accessory drive connection is abruptly engaged or disengaged, then the system response is fast, but mechanical stress and shock loads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem response speedVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a damping element in the actuating device that absorbs and mitigates shock loads during engagement and disengagement transitions. This cushioning mechanism protects the drive system from mechanical stress while maintaining relatively fast response timing, as the damping action occurs during the transition phase rather than delaying the overall system response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4536516B1Actuating device which can be coupled to a rotating shaft, preferably of a motor transport vehicle, for the reduction of energy consumption, a vehicle with such an actuating device, and -method of use of such an actuating device

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MOTIVRA SRL

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Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an actuating device (1) which can be coupled to a rotating shaft, preferably of a motor transport vehicle, for the reduction of energy consumption, comprising a rotor body (2) adapted to rotate around its own axis of rotation (XI), the rotor body (2) being configured to be locked together with a rotating shaft (A), at least a first mass (3) and a second mass (4), each constrained to the rotor body (2) to move along a direction of movement (VI) transverse to the axis of rotation (XI) and movement means (5) operatively connected to each of the masses (3, 4) and adapted to move each of the masses (3, 4) along the direction of movement (VI) to vary the moment of inertia of the rotor body (2) in order to vary the angular speed of the rotating shaft (A).