Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a propulsion device, and more particularly, to a propulsion device, which can generate additional driving power necessary for traveling a car using waste driving power generated when the car travels. Background Art

[2] In general, in connection with cars mainly used as transportation means on the ground, there have been lots of technical attempts to improve performance of the cars and reduce a fuel consumption ratio. The technical attempts to improve performance and outward appearance (design) of the cars are in progress, but the technical attempts to reduce the fuel consumption ratio makes no progress.

[3] In the meantime, due to an increase of automatic transmission automobiles and an increase of the number of the cars by geometric progression, the fuel consumption ratio is on the continuous increase since the frequency of braking and the frequency of ac¬ celeration are continuously increased in the downtown. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a propulsion device, which includes a rotor rotating by rotating force of a constant velocity joint to provide additional driving power necessary for traveling a car so that the car maintains a traveling speed for a predetermined time period without a temporary speed lowering on an uphill road area, thereby reducing a fuel consumption ratio by reducing the frequency of manipulation of an acceleration pedal, the manipulation time period of the acceleration pedal and the frequency of speed change.

[5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a propulsion device, which includes a rotor connected to a motor shaft of a motor and rotating by rotating force of the motor shaft to provide additional driving power to the motor shaft, thereby increasing the rotating force of the motor shaft and reducing an the power consumption ratio. Technical Solution

[6] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a propulsion device comprising: a pair of support frames spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval; a rotor rotatably mounted on the support frames by a shaft; power transmission means connecting the rotor with rotating means rotated by receiving driving power from a power generator for transmitting rotating force of the rotating

means to the rotor; and tension adjusting means for adjusting tension force between the rotor and the rotating means.

[7] Furthermore, the support frame includes first and second support frames opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and each of the first and second support frames includes: a body having a coupling portion formed at the lower portion thereof to be coupled with an object and an open-type space portion formed at the upper portion thereof; and a cap coupled to the open-type space portion for covering the upper portion of the space portion.

[8] Moreover, height adjusting means is mounted on the support frame for supporting both ends of the shaft of the rotor and adjusting a height of the rotor.

[9] The height adjusting means includes: a shaft supporting part having a screw portion passing through the cap and a ring portion formed integrally with the lower end of the screw portion for supporting the end portion of the shaft which passes through the ring portion; and a height adjusting nut coupled to the screw portion exposed to the outside of the cap for adjusting a height of the shaft supporting part.

[10] The power transmission means includes belt pulleys respectively disposed on the rotor and on the rotary means(5), and a belt for connecting the belt pulleys with each other.

[11] The tension adjusting means includes the belt pulley into first and second belt pulleys, whereby the first belt pulley is formed integrally with the rotor, the second belt pulley is slidably mounted on the shaft in such a way that the second belt pulley is in close contact with the first belt pulley with uniform resilient force, and a spring is mounted at a side of the second belt pulley.

Advantageous Effects

[12] The propulsion device according to the present invention can increase propulsive force of the car since additional driving power is provided by the inertia of the rotor which is operated by waste driving power generated when the car travels, thereby reducing the number of times to manipulate the acceleration pedal, shortening the ma¬ nipulation time period of the acceleration pedal, and reducing the number of times to change speed.

[13] Moreover, the present invention can obtain economical benefits and protect natural environments by reducing the fuel consumption ratio and a discharge amount of exhaust fumes due to the reduction of the time period and the number of times to manipulate the acceleration pedal. Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] FIG. 1 is a view showing an installation state of a propulsion device according to the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the propulsion device according to the present invention; [16] FIG. 3 is a view showing an assembled state of the propulsion device according to the present invention;

[17] FIG. 4 is a view seen from an A direction of FIG. 3;

[18] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the propulsion device according to the present invention; [19] FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing an operation state of tension control means in the propulsion device according to the present invention; and [20] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the propulsion device is installed on a motor shaft.

[21] <Explanation of essential reference numerals in drawings>

[22] 1: engine chamber 2: constant velocity joint

[23] 3: side frame 4: cross member

[24] 5: rotating means 6: axle

[25] 7: motor shaft 10: support frame

[26] 11 : first support frame 20: rotor

[27] 21: second support frame 22: bearing

[28] 23: shaft 24: nut

[29] 30: power transmission means 31,32: belt pulley

[30] 32a: first belt pulley 32b: second belt pulley

[31] 33: belt 40: tension adjusting means

[32] 50: height adjusting means 51 : shaft supporting part

[33] 51a: screw portion 51b: ring portion

[34] 52: height adjusting nut 110,210: body

[35] 111,211: coupling part 112,212: space part

[36] 113,213: slot 130,140: cap

[37] 131,141: protrusion

Mode for the Invention [38] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [39] FIG. 1 is a view showing an installation state of a propulsion device according to the present invention. [40] First, the propulsion device of the present invention can be installed on a car or connected to a motor shaft 7 of a motor. Hereinafter, an embodiment where the propulsion device according to the present invention is installed on the car will be described.

[41] Referring to the drawing, the propulsion device according to the present invention must be installed at a location adjacent to a constant velocity joint 2 of a small-sized car or a propeller shaft (not shown) of a large-sized car, for instance, at a location where the propulsion device is not interfered by other components inside an engine chamber 1, since the propulsion device is connected to the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft. In more detail, it is preferable that the propulsion device is installed on a cross member 4 connecting a pair of side frames 3 with each other. However, the present invention is not restricted to the above, and it can be installed at any place if it can be connected to the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft.

[42] Meanwhile, the propulsion device may be also installed on an axle 6 as well as the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft.

[43] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the propulsion device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing an assembled state of the propulsion device according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view seen from an A direction of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the propulsion device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing an operation state of tension control means in the propulsion device according to the present invention.

[44] Referring to the drawings, the propulsion device according to the present invention includes a support frame 10 fixed inside an engine chamber 1 of a car.

[45] The support frame 10 includes first and second support frames 11 and 21 which have the same shape and are opposed to each other in a state where they are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. Each of the support frames 11 and 21 includes: a body 110 or 210 having a coupling portion 111 or 211 formed at the lower portion thereof to be coupled with an object (cross member) via a bolt and an open-type space portion 112 or 212 formed at the upper portion thereof; and a cap 130 or 140 coupled to the open-type space portion 112 or 212 for covering the upper portion of the space portion 112 or 212.

[46] At this time, the cap 130 or 140 or the body 110 or 210 has protrusions 131 or 141 and the body 110 or 210 or the cap 130 or 140 has slots 113 or 213 corresponding to the protrusions 131 or 141, so that the cap 130 or 140 and the body 110 and 210 are coupled with each other in such a way as to insert the protrusions 131 or 141 into the slots 113 or 213.

[47] The propulsion device according to the present invention further includes a rotor 20, which is rotatable between the first and second support frames 11 and 21.

[48] The rotor 20 includes a shaft 23 passing through the center thereof, a bearing 22 interposed between the inner periphery of the rotor 20 and the outer periphery of the shaft 23, whereby the rotor 20 is rotatable on the shaft 23.

[49] Furthermore, the shaft 23 has screw portions 23a formed at both ends thereof which

are exposed to the outside through the space portions 112 and 212 of the first and second support frames 11 and 21. The exposed portions of the screw portions 23a are coupled with nuts 24, whereby the shaft 23 is fixed to the support frame 10.

[50] The propulsion device of the present invention includes power transmission means

30 for transmitting rotating force of rotating means 5 to the rotor 20 by connecting the rotor 20 with the rotating means 5 rotated by receiving driving power from a power generator.

[51] Here, it is preferable that the rotating means 5 is a constant velocity joint 2 or a propeller shaft in the case where the propulsion device is mounted on the car. However, in the case where the propulsion device is mounted in a motor, it is preferable that the rotating means 5 is a motor shaft 7.

[52] The power transmission means 30 includes belt pulleys 32 and 31 respectively disposed on the rotor 20 and on the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft, and a belt 33 for connecting the belt pulleys 32 and 31 with each other.

[53] At this time, at least two or more belt pulleys 32 and 31 and the belts 33 are mounted in consideration of the connection strength. Moreover, the rotor 20 and the belt pulley 32 are formed integrally with each other, integrated with each other by welding, or combined via a bolt.

[54] Furthermore, the propulsion device according to the present invention includes height adjusting means 50 for varying positions of the rotor 20 and the belt pulley 32 located at the side of the rotor 20.

[55] The height adjusting means 50 includes: a shaft supporting part 51 having a screw portion 51a passing through the cap 130 or 140 and a ring portion 51b formed integrally with the lower end of the screw portion 51a for supporting the end portion of the shaft 23 which passes through the ring portion 51b; and a height adjusting nut 52 coupled to the screw portion 51a exposed to the outside of the cap 130 or 140 for adjusting a height of the shaft supporting part.

[56] The height adjusting means 50 is to adjust the height of the belt pulley 32 located at the side of the rotor 20. If the propulsion device is mounted on the cross member 4, since the propulsion device is inclinedly located higher than the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft, the belt pulley 32 mounted at the side of the rotor 20 is changed in position so as to adjust tension force of the belt 33.

[57] That is, when the belt pulley 32 is moved upwardly, since an interval between the belt pulley 32 mounted on the rotor 20 and the belt pulley 31 mounted on the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft becomes more distant, the belt 33 which connects the pulleys 31 and 32 with each other is in a tense state. On the contrary, when the belt pulley 32 is moved downwardly, the belt 33 is relaxed.

[58] The propulsion device of the present invention includes tension adjusting means 40

for adjusting tension force between the rotor 20 and the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft.

[59] That is, since the propulsion device is fixed on the cross member 4, and the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft and the axle 6 are always moved by vibration generated when the car travels, tension force of the belt 33 connecting the rotor 20 and the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft with each other becomes irregular, and if it is excessive, the belt 33 may be broken. Therefore, the present invention includes the tension adjusting means 40 to always keep a uniform tension force of the belt 33.

[60] The tension adjusting means 40 includes first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b.

The first belt pulley 32a is formed integrally with the rotor 20, and the second belt pulley 32b is slidably mounted on the shaft 23 in such a way that the second belt pulley 32b is in close contact with the first belt pulley 32a with uniform resilient force, and at the same time, a spring 34 is mounted at a side of the second belt pulley 32b.

[61] Additionally, to restrict the spring 34, a restrictive plate (which has no reference numeral in the drawings) or a restrictive pin (which has no reference numeral in the drawings) may be disposed on the shaft 23. The restrictive plate or the restrictive pin is spaced apart from the second belt pulley 32b at a predetermined interval.

[62] The second belt pulley 32b is always in contact with the first belt pulley 32a by the spring 34 with the uniform resilient force, and at this time, the belt 33 encloses the first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b.

[63] Therefore, if the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft is moved and the distance between the rotor 20 and the constant joint 2 or the propeller shaft is varied, the first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b become more distant from each other and the belt 33 goes in a space formed between the first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b when the tension force is increased, but the belt 33 goes out from the space formed between the first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b when the tension force is reduced, whereby the tension force of the belt 33 can be adjusted properly.

[64] That is, if the tension force is increased, the second belt pulley 32b is moved while compressing the spring 34 when the belt 33 goes between the first and second belt pulleys 32a and 32b. On the contrary, if the tension force is reduced, the compressed spring 34 is restored to its original state, and the second belt pulley 32b is returned to its original position, whereby the belt 33 is exposed to the outside again.

[65] Meanwhile, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the propulsion device is installed on the motor shaft of the motor. The car can obtain the same effects by installing the propulsion device of the present invention in the same way as the above description.

[66] That is, the belt pulley 32 of the rotor 20 and the belt pulley 31 mounted on the

motor shaft 7 are connected with each other via the belt 33, and the rotor 20 is rotated by the rotating force of the motor shaft 7.

[67] Therefore, the motor shaft 7 receives additional driving power by the inertia of the rotor 20, and so, the power consumption ratio can be reduced as much as the additional driving power.

[68] The operation of the propulsion device of the present invention will be described as follows.

[69] When the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft is rotated during traveling of the car, the rotor 20 connected to the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft via the belt 33 and the belt pulleys 31 and 33 are rotated simultaneously.

[70] In such propulsion device, the weight of the rotor 20 acts to the constant velocity joint 2 or the propeller shaft as load at the time of the initial traveling of the car, and so, the fuel consumption ratio is temporarily increased, but remarkably reduced as time goes by.

[71] For an example, in order for a driver to stop the traveling car after seeing a stop signal, the driver generally steps a brake pedal lightly to travel the car in a low speed after recognizing the stop signal, but steps the brake pedal strongly at the final stop point to completely stop the car.

[72] At this time, the traveling force of the car from the time when the driver steps the brake pedal to the time when the car arrives the final stop point is controlled by a traveling inertia of the car. So, since the car may stop before the car arrives the final stop point, the driver has to step an acceleration pedal at least once in order to prevent the stop of the car before the car arrives the final stop point.

[73] However, due to the inertia increase by the rotor 20, the propulsion device according to the present invention can reduce the fuel consumption ration, since it is not necessary that the driver steps the acceleration pedal or the number of times of the acceleration pedal stepping is remarkably reduced when the car stops.

[74] That is, when the driver steps the brake pedal lightly in order to stop the car, the traveling speed of the car is remarkably reduced, but the car travels slowly since the traveling inertia remains more or less. If the inertia of the rotor 20 which tends to con¬ tinuously rotate is added to the traveling inertia, the car adopting the propulsion device of the present invention can travel farther than the conventional car (during the slow traveling for stopping).

[75] For another example, the conventional car can go up a sloping road only when the driver shifts a gear into a low speed stage on an uphill road area and steps the ac¬ celeration pedal strongly. However, the car adopting the propulsion device of the present invention can travels a predetermined distance by the inertia of the rotor 20 even though the driver does not step the acceleration pedal strongly and shift the gear

into the low speed stage, so that the number of times to step the acceleration pedal is reduced and there is no need to change the speed.

[76] As you can see from the above examples, the propulsion device according to the present invention can remarkably reduce the fuel consumption ratio and a discharge amount of exhaust fumes, since it can reduce the number of time to manipulate the ac¬ celeration pedal, shorten the manipulation time period and does not need the change of speed. Therefore, the propulsion device of the present invention can solve the economical problem and the environmental pollution problem at the same time. Industrial Applicability

[77] As described above, in the above embodiment, the propulsion device of the present invention is applied to the car and the motor, but the present invention is not restricted to the above. The present invention can be applied to all rotating means such as a shaft rotated by receiving driving power from a power generator, and obtains the same effects.