JPS5948314B2 - solid phase heat engine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an in-phase heat engine that utilizes a shape memory alloy.

Conventional heat engines use a gas or liquid working substance to convert heat energy into mechanical energy.
However, the structure was complicated and it was impossible to reduce the size and weight of the device to some extent.

In addition, several solid-phase heat engines using shape memory alloys have been proposed, but they have complex structures and are difficult to control because the shape memory alloys are heated by fluid. There was a drawback.

The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and has an extremely simple structure and is capable of reducing size and weight.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-phase heat I engine that can drive a shape memory alloy by directly applying power H heat, which is the easiest to control.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which an engine body 1 rotatably supports a metal rotary shaft 2 via a bearing (not shown), and the outer circumference of the rotary shaft 2. On the side, an insulating cylinder 3 made of an electrically insulating material is attached to the rotating shaft 2.
It is fitted in one piece (it is fitted in such a way that it rotates twice).

The insulating cylinder 3 includes four driving parts 4. 5. 6. 7
are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insulating cylinder 3.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the driving parts 4 and 7 is made of six pairs of linear shape memory alloys 8 such as T i -N I alloys and a metal other than shape memory alloys. It is composed of a kick member 9 and a shape memory alloy biasing spring 10 made of a tension coil spring.

The shape memory alloy 8 of each village is made to remember its straight state by a predetermined shape memory treatment, and one end thereof is fixed to the outer periphery of the insulating tube 3 at equal angular intervals.

In addition, in order to ensure smooth rotation of the rotating shaft 2 when this engine is driven by the operation described later, the phase of the mounting position of the shape memory alloy 8 is adjusted between each of the driving parts 4 to 7. It is being shifted little by little.

Each of the kicking members 9 has a plate shape and is bent into an oval shape, and the peripheral edge of the distal end portion is shaped like an arc.

The rear ends of these kick members 9 are fixed to the other ends of the shape memory alloys 8 of each village.

Each of the springs 10 is interposed between the kicking member 9 and the outer periphery of the insulating cylinder 3, and moves the kicking member 9 closer to the insulating cylinder 3, in other words, bending each shape memory alloy 8 more greatly. It is biased in the direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, a slip ring 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insulating cylinder 3 between the driving parts 5 and 6.
is attached to this slot rough cutting ring 11,
The ends of one of the shape memory alloys 8 in each village on the insulating tube 3 side are electrically connected in common via a conductive wire 12 (shown only in FIG. 4).

Drive parts 4 and 5 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the left end of the insulating cylinder 3 in the drawing.
The first rotating side contacts 13 of the same number as the total number of pairs (12 pairs) of the shape memory alloy 8 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and these rotating side contacts 13 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A conductive wire 14 (shown only in FIG. 4) is attached to the end of three examples of insulating cylinders of the shape memory alloy 8 of each village on the side that is not connected to the conductive wire 12.
are connected to each other via.

Similarly, on the outer circumferential surface of the insulating cylinder 3 at the right end in the figure,
The same number of second rotating contacts 15 as the total number of pairs (12 pairs) of shape memory alloys 8 of the drive parts 6, 7 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and these rotating contacts 15 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Electricity is connected to the ends of the three insulating tubes of the shape memory alloy 8 of each village in parts 6 and 7, which are not connected to the conductive wire 12, through the conductive wire 16 (shown only in FIG. 4). connected.

Note that the rotating contacts 13 and 15 are shifted in phase from each other.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 1
The left end of the insulating tube 3 is penetrated by the left end of the insulating tube 3.
An annular fixed side contact support member 17 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 5, this fixed side contact support member 17 is attached with a first electrically conductive fixed side contact 18, and the tip of the fixed side contact 18 is connected to the rotation of the insulating cylinder 3. At the same time, each of the -th rotation side contacts 13 is sequentially contacted.

Further, an annular common contact support member 19 is attached to the center of the main body 1 so as to pass through the center of the insulating cylinder 3.

A common contact 20 is attached to the common contact support member 19, as shown in FIG. 6, and the tip of the common contact 20 is in sliding contact with the slip ring 11.

Further, an annular fixed side contact support member 21 is attached to the right end of the main body 1 so as to be penetrated by the right end of the insulating cylinder 3.

This fixed side contact support member 21 has a second fixed side contact (
(not shown) is attached, and the tip of the second fixed contact is brought into sliding contact with each of the second rotating contacts 15 in sequence as the insulating tube 3 rotates.

The first fixed contact 18 and the second fixed contact are connected to one output terminal of a power source (not shown), and the common contact 20 is connected to the other output terminal of the power source.

A kicked member supporting member 22 is attached to the main body 1. Four kicked members 23 made of a plate-like material are mounted on this supporting member 22 in parallel with the axis of the rotating shaft 2. It is rotatably supported around an axis.

However, the range in which the kicked member 23 can rotate is only from the bottom to the horizontal position, and cannot rotate further in the L direction.

A kicked member biasing spring 24 is interposed between each kicked member 23 and the main body 1, and this spring 24 biases the kicked member 23 toward a horizontal position. .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, FIG. 7 shows only a pair of shape memory alloys 8 and the movements of the alloys 8 and the rotating shaft 2.

Now, hypothetically, the shape memory alloy 8 in FIG.
If the rotating shaft 2 reaches the rotation angle shown in FIG. The first stationary side contact 18 is brought into contact with the contact that is connected.

Therefore, from the power source, the first fixed side contact 18, the contact 13, the conductor 14, one of the pair of shape memory alloys 8 shown in FIG. On the other hand, a current flows in the conductive path via the conductor 12, the slip ring 11 and the common contact 20.

Then, the shape memory alloy 8 generates heat due to Joule heat, and when the temperature exceeds a certain level, it returns to its memorized straight shape and begins to stretch against the spring 10 as shown in Figure 7.

When the shape memory alloy 8 in FIG. 7 further extends from the above state, the kicking member 9 hits the lower surface of the kicked member, which is biased to the horizontal position by the spring 24, as shown in C, and the kicked member 23 Press diagonally upward.

Then, due to the reaction force, the rotating shaft 2 and the insulating cylinder 3 move d
rotated clockwise as in

When the rotating shaft 2 is rotated to an angle at which the shape memory alloy 8 shown in FIG. 7 is fully extended, the first fixed side contact 18 is connected to the shape memory alloy 8 shown in FIG. It is separated from the first rotating side contact 13.

Therefore, the current supply to the shape memory alloy 8 in FIG. 7 is stopped, and the alloy 8 is cooled and is again largely bent by the force of the spring 10.

On the other hand, the first rotating contact 13 is connected to the shape memory alloy 8 in FIG. 7 to the first fixed contact 13 as described above.
Slightly before the rotational angle at which the drive section 6 or 7 is separated from the rotation angle, the pair of shape memory alloys 8 of the drive section 6 or 7 is now in the same state as in FIG. The second fixed side contact is brought into contact with the second rotating side contact 15 .

As a result, this pair of shape memory alloys 8 also performs the same operation as the pair of shape memory alloys 8 shown in FIG. 7, and rotates the rotating shaft 2 clockwise.

Subsequently, slightly before the rotation angle at which the second fixed side contact separates from the second rotating side contact 15, the drive unit 4 is turned again.
Or, the pair of shape memory alloys 8 of 5 enter the state shown in FIG. 7a, and thereafter perform the operation shown in FIG. 7 described above.

Thereafter, in the same manner, the first fixed side contact 18 and the second fixed side contact are sequentially contacted with each rotating side contact 13.15,
By sequentially energizing the pair of shape memory alloys 8 of each drive unit 4 to 7, the shape memory alloy 8 of each drive unit 4 to 7 sequentially presses the corresponding kicked member 23 via the kick member 9. As a result, the rotating shaft 2 is continuously rotated clockwise.

Note that due to an operational error of the shape memory alloy 8, the memory alloy 8 may stretch before the kicking member 9 passes the side of the corresponding kicked member 23 and reaches below the kicked member 23. The front kicking member 9 may come into contact with the upper surface of the kicked member 23.

In such a case, if the kicked member 23 is fixed to the main body 1, the kicking member 9 will get caught on the -L surface of the kicked member 23, and the rotating shaft 2 will stop.

However, in this engine, the kick member 9 can rotate downward, so if the above situation occurs,
The kicked member 23 rotates downward as shown in FIG. 8 against the spring 24 (the force of the spring 24 is set relatively weak), and the kicking member 9 is moved in the direction F of the kicked member 23. Since the rotational shaft 2 is released, the rotating shaft 2 does not stop.

Then, after the kicking member 9 escapes below the kicked member 23, the kicked member 23 returns to the horizontal position by the force of the spring 24, so that subsequent operations will not be hindered.

In the present invention, the kicking member 9 as in the embodiment described above may not be provided, and the shape memory alloy may directly press the kicked portion.

However, if the kick member 9 as in the above embodiment is provided,
The force when a shape memory alloy stretches to return to its shape is
The torque can be efficiently converted into torque for rotating the rotating shaft 2.

Further, the shape memory alloys may not necessarily be combined in pairs as in the above embodiments, but may be operated individually one by one.

However, if there are variations in the shape memory properties of each shape memory alloy, there is a risk that the smoothness of rotation of the rotating shaft will be adversely affected. By allowing the memory alloys to operate simultaneously, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of the variation in characteristics.

Further, as the shape memory alloy according to the present invention, the above-mentioned T i
-In addition to Ni alloy, Cu-Zn, Cu-Zn-Al
, Cu-Zn-Ga, Cu-Zn-8n, Cu-
Zn-3i, Cu-Al-Ni, Cu-Au-Z
n, Au-Cd, Ag-Cd, N1-Ti-X (
It goes without saying that various shape memory alloys such as X is a third element), N i -A I, and Fe-Pt can be used.

As described above, the solid phase heat engine according to the present invention has (a) a simple structure and is easy to reduce in size and weight;

(b) Since the shape memory alloy is heated by direct electrical current, control is very easy.

This provides an excellent effect.

.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the in-phase heat engine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a new view (fixed 4 is a perspective view showing the rotating shaft and parts attached to the rotating shaft in the above embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 1. A cross-sectional view, FIG. 6 is a new view taken along the line ■--■ in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are operation explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the embodiment. 1... Body, 2... Rotating shaft, 8...
... Shape memory alloy, 9 ... Kick member, 10
...Shape memory alloy biasing spring, 12...
Conductor, 13... First rotating side contact, 14...
...Conducting wire, 15...Second rotation side contact, 16
...Conductor, 18...First fixed side contact, 23...Kicked member, 24...
Kicked member biasing spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A main body, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the main body, a kicked member rotatably supported by the main body within a certain range, and a kick member that is moved to a rotational limit position of the kicked member. a kick member biasing spring that biases the kicked member toward the body; a stationary contact that is attached to the main body and connected to a power source; a plurality of rotating side contacts which are brought into contact with the fixed side contacts in sequence; and a plurality of shape memory alloys each having one end attached to the rotating shaft and electrically connected to each of the rotating side contacts; and a shape memory alloy biasing spring interposed between the rotating shaft and the shape memory alloy and biasing the shape memory alloy in a direction to deform the shape memory alloy from the memorized shape, the fixed side contact is brought into contact with one of the rotating side contacts, a corresponding one of the plurality of shape memory alloys is energized from the power source via the fixed side and rotating side contacts that are in contact with each other, The shape memory alloy is heated and attempts to return to the memorized shape, causing the kicked member to be pushed directly at the other end of the shape memory alloy or via a kicking member attached to the other end. An in-phase heat engine characterized by pushing the kick member in a direction that does not resist the biasing spring.