DESC:SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to an electric energy generation system and more particularly relates to the electric energy generation using a vertical movement of a suspension system.

Background of the invention:

The research about energy harvesting from vehicle suspension began more than ten years ago. The energy harvesting from vehicle suspensions has achieved great commercialization success in the last ten years.

In a vehicle, a suspension system is considered for improving vehicle ride comfortness by absorbing the undulations of road condition and ride pattern. These suspension are mounted physically at two places, one is fixed to vehicle body and second is connected to wheel of vehicle which is taking the road profile. Whenever the wheel observes the undulation of road and this movement is transferred to shock absorber, dampening effect observed and rider is kept comfortable to ride. It is mostly used as a ride comfort product and not otherwise.

Accordingly, there exists a need to utilize waste energy in the suspension system to generate electric energy.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to generate electric energy using vertical movements of a suspension system.

Another object of the present invention is to make effective utilization of waste activity of shock absorber movement.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a suspension system for generating the electric energy. The suspension system comprises a first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket, an inner tube, an outer tube, a generating motor and a rack and pinion mechanism. The first mounting bracket supports the inner tube and the second mounting bracket supports outer tube. The inner tube is placed inside the outer tube. The generating motor is mounted on the second bracket. The rack and pinion mechanism extends from the second bracket towards the first bracket.

In an operation, when the vehicle passes over an uneven road surface, a vertical movement of the shock absorber happens as per road and vehicle speed. Further, when the shock absorber gets compressed the vertical movement is transferred to the generating motor though the rack and pinion mechanism, then the generating motor rotates clockwise and generates electric energy. Next, when the shock absorber extends, this movement transferred to a generator shaft via a slip clutch mechanism. The generating motor rotates in clockwise direction and generates the electric energy. Further, the generating energy is feed to a filter circuit not shown to smoothen. Now, this smoothen energy is feed to a battery or other power circuits for use.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a suspension system, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows vertical movements of suspension system, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows cross section of second mounting bracket and drive, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electric energy generation system using an un-tapped waste activity of shock absorber movement. A suspension system of the present invention comprises a first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket, an inner tube, an outer tube, a generating motor and a rack and pinion mechanism.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and in the table below.

Component name: Component No:
Suspension System 100
First Mounting Bracket 10
Second Mounting Bracket 20
Inner Tube 30
Outer Tube 40
Generating Motor 50
Rack and Pinion Mechanism 60

Referring to the figures 1 to 3, there is shown a perspective view of a suspension system (100) for generating the electric energy (herein after referred as “the system (100)”), in accordance with the present invention. The system (100) comprises a first mounting bracket (10), a second mounting bracket (20), an inner tube (30), an outer tube (40), a generating motor (50) and a rack and pinion mechanism (60).

In an embodiment, the suspension system (100) is suspended between a vehicle wheel (not shown) and a vehicle body (not shown). The outer tube (40) having a bottom end connected to the vehicle wheel and the vehicle body sprung on an upper end of the inner tube (30).The inner tube (30)is mounted within the outer tube (40).

The first mounting bracket (10) arranged to support the inner tube (30) and the second mounting bracket (20) arranged to support the outer tube (40). The generating motor (50) is mounted on the second mounting bracket (20). The rack and pinion mechanism (60) extends from the second mounting bracket (20) towards the first mounting bracket (10) such that the rack and pinion mechanism (60) is operably connected with the generating motor (50). The generating motor (50) receives the movement of shock absorber compression through the rack and pinion mechanism (60).

Again, referring to the figures 1 to 3, in an operation, when the vehicle passes over an uneven road surface, a vertical movement of the suspension system (100)happens as per road and vehicle speed. Specifically, suspension vibration between the vehicle wheel and the vehicle body due to the uneven road surface causes upward and downward movement of the inner tube (30) within the outer tube (40). During compression, the vertical movement (downward movement) of the inner tube (30) is transferred to the generating motor (50) through the rack and pinion mechanism (60). Then, the generating motor (50) rotates clockwise and generates electric energy. Next, when the suspension system (100) extends (upward movement of the inner tube (30)), this movement transferred to a generator shaft via a slip clutch mechanism (not shown). The generating motor (50) rotates in clockwise direction and generates the electric energy. A filter circuit (not shown) is operably connected with the generating motor (50). Further, the generating energy is feed to the filter circuit to smoothen. Now, this smoothen energy is feed to a battery or other power circuits for use.

In an embodiment, the present invention effectively uses the suspension system (100) while on ride, and also seeks opportunities to extract any other way of benefit during the suspension operation. The most repetitive function of the suspension is reciprocating movement of one end of the suspension which is a best source of generating energy. A front fork (not shown) of a motorcycle is mounted with a mechanism to convert reciprocating motion to rotary motion and in-turn passing through the generator motor (50) to produce energy while this movement is continuously operated.

Advantages of the invention:

1. Road variations are used to generate energy.
2. Battery charging of conventional vehicle.
3. Utilization of energy to boost the mileage of electric vehicle.
4. Power can feed to other power circuit on the vehicle.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A suspension system (100) for generating electric energy, the suspension system (100)being suspended between a vehicle wheel and a vehicle body, the suspension system (100)comprising:
an outer tube (40) having a bottom end connected to the vehicle wheel;
an inner tube (30) having the vehicle body sprung on an upper end thereof and mounted within the outer tube(40), suspension vibration between the vehicle wheel and the vehicle body causing upward and downward movement of the inner tube (40) within the outer tube (30);
a first mounting bracket (10) arranged to support the inner tube (30);
a second mounting bracket (20) arranged to support the outer tube (40);
a generating motor (50) mounted on the second mounting bracket (20); and
a rack and pinion mechanism (60) extends from the second mounting bracket (20) towards the first mounting bracket (10) such that the rack and pinion mechanism (60) is operably connected with the generating motor (50).
wherein, during compression, vertical movement (downward movement) of the inner tube (30) is transferred to the generating motor (50) through the rack and pinion mechanism (60), then the generating motor (50) rotates clockwise and generates electric energy.

2. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filter circuit is operably connected with the generating motor (50) to smoothen the generating energy received therefrom for feeding the smoothen energy to a battery and other power circuits for use.

Dated this 29thday of June 2020

Madhavi Vajirakar
(Agent for Applicant) IN/PA-2337