Abstract:
A driving apparatus includes a rotatable disk. The rotatable disk has a first magnet alley including a plurality of first permanent magnets arranged along a periphery of the disk. A reciprocal device has a second magnet alley that includes a plurality of second permanent magnets in association with the first permanent magnets. Each second permanent magnet is movable between two positions to attract and repel each first permanent magnet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a driving apparatus utilizing permanent magnets. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Reciprocating engines mounted on cars and the like are known as one kind of driving apparatus. The reciprocating engine generally comprises a plurality of cylinders having a combustion chamber in which a reciprocating piston is provided. The piston is operatively connected to a crankshaft via a connecting rod. The crankshaft is in turn operatively connected to a drive shaft via a transmission or other transmitting mechanism so as to transmit a driving force to tires of the car. A mixture of gasoline and air is burned in the combustion chamber after injection of the gasoline and air into the combustion chamber so that force generated thereby reciprocates the piston so as to rotate the crankshaft. Torque of the crankshaft is in turn transmitted to the drive shaft. 
     However, known reciprocating engines combust gasoline so that noxious gas containing soot, nitrogen oxide and other components is released into the atmosphere. Environmental deterioration due to the noxious exhaust gas has been a serious problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide driving force without deteriorating the environment by utilizing attraction and repulsion of permanent magnets. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a driven member having a first permanent magnet and a movable member having a second permanent magnet are arranged in such a manner that the movable member reciprocates between attracting position in which both first and second permanent magnets are attracted to each other and a repelling position in which both first and second permanent magnets are repelled from each other. The driven member is driven by moving the movable member between the two positions. The driving force of the driven member created thereby is used as a source of mechanical power. In this arrangement, as the movable member reciprocates between the attracting and repelling positions, the first permanent magnet is attracted to or repelled from the second permanent magnet. The attractive and repulsive forces of these magnets are used to drive the driven member. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, a gap between one side of the first permanent magnet of the driven member and the same side of the second permanent magnet of the movable member differs from a gap between the other side of the first permanent magnet and the same side of the second permanent magnet. With this arrangement, attractive and repulsive forces formed between the first and second permanent magnets differ between the two sides of each magnet. This causes the driven member to be driven in a reliable manner. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, at least two sets of first and second permanent magnets are provided in such a manner that a permanent magnet having one polarity and another permanent magnet having the opposite polarity are alternately placed next to each other. With this arrangement, the entire attractive and repulsive forces for driving the driven member are increased with use of a plurality of sets of the permanent magnets. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the movable member is driven by a fluidic pressure of a fluidic cylinder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a rotating disk of the driving apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG.  4 ( a ) is a side view showing an arrangement of moving permanent magnets; 
     FIG.  4 ( b ) is a cross sectional view taken along the line  4   b — 4   b  of FIG.  4 ( a ); 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the moving permanent magnets; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view showing the first to fourth switching valve driving mechanisms; 
     FIG.  7 ( a ) is a plan view of a switching valve driving mechanism; 
     FIG.  7 ( b ) is another plan view of a switching valve driving mechanism; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a pneumatic circuit within the driving apparatus; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the permanent magnets; 
     FIG.  10 ( a ) is a schematic side view showing attraction between the stationary permanent magnet and the moving permanent magnets; 
     FIG.  10 ( b ) is a schematic view of FIG.  10 ( a ); 
     FIG.  11 ( a ) is a schematic side view showing repulsion and attraction between the stationary permanent magnet and the moving permanent magnets. 
     FIG.  11 ( b ) is a schematic plan view of FIG.  11 ( a ); 
     FIG.  12 ( a ) is a schematic side view showing repulsion between the stationary permanent magnet and the moving permanent magnets; 
     FIG.  12 ( b ) is a schematic plan view of FIG.  12 ( a ); 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , a vertical drive shaft  2  is rotatably supported on a frame  1 . A rotating disk  3 , serving as a driven member, formed of aluminum (non-magnetic material), is fixed around a middle portion of the drive shaft  2  so as to rotate with the drive shaft  2 . A plurality of stationary permanent magnets  4  (eight are used in this embodiment) are fixed around the circumference of the rotating disk  3  at regular intervals. Each magnet  4  has a cross section that forms a parallelogram, and the top and bottom surfaces thereof are slightly inclined relative to the planar top and bottom surfaces of the rotating disk  3 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the top surface of each stationary permanent magnet  4  has a polarity that is opposite to that of the bottom surface. The stationary permanent magnets  4  are alternately arranged along the circumference of the rotating disk  3  in such a manner that the polarity of one stationary magnet  4  is opposite to that of the next stationary magnet  4 . In other words, stationary magnets  4  having a top surface magnetized with south polarity and a bottom surface magnetized with north polarity and stationary magnets  4  having a top surface magnetized with north polarity and a bottom surface magnetized with south polarity are alternately arranged. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  4 ( a ) and  5 , first to eighth air cylinders S 1 -S 8  or fluidic cylinders, each having a rod  6  oriented radially toward the drive shaft  2 , are mounted on a supporting pillar  1   a  of the frame  1  via a mounting plate  5  at equal intervals. The first, third, fifth and seventh air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7  are hereinafter collectively referred as the odd-numbered air cylinders. Also, the second, fourth, sixth and eighth air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  are hereinafter collectively referred as the even-numbered air cylinders. A distal end of each rod  6  is attached to a connecting plate  7  from which moving shafts  7   a , which are located on upper and lower sides of the connecting plate  7 , are extended. Each moving shaft  7   a  is slidably supported through a bearing member  8  fixed on an inner surface of the supporting pillar  1   a . A distal end of each moving shaft  7   a  is fixed to a bracket  9  on which a corresponding upper or lower moving permanent magnet  10 , 11  is mounted. Compression springs  12  are placed on the moving shafts  7   a  between the connecting plate  7  and the bearing member  8  and also between the bearing member  8  and the bracket  9 . By extending or retracting the rod  6  of each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  in a radial direction of the rotating disk  3 , the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are moved forward or backward relative to the top and bottom surfaces of the stationary permanent magnet  4  respectively. 
     Also as shown in FIG.  4 ( b ), the bottom surface of the upper moving permanent magnet  10  and the top surface of the stationary permanent magnet  4  are not parallel to one another. Also, the top surface of the lower moving permanent magnet  11  and the top surface of the stationary permanent magnet  4  are not parallel to each other. That is, a gap K between the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper or lower moving permanent magnet  10 , 11  differs between the right and left sides (in FIG.  4 ( b )) (i.e., the leading and trailing sides) of the stationary permanent magnet  4 . Therefore, since the gaps K are not equal, the magnetic forces created between the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are unbalanced, and the rotating disk  3  begins to rotate due to a repulsive force. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the distal and proximal ends of the upper moving permanent magnets  10 , which are connected to the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8 , have south and north polarities, respectively, and the distal and proximal ends of the lower moving permanent magnet  11  have north and south polarities, respectively. The distal and proximal ends of the upper moving permanent magnets  10 , which are connected to the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7 , have north and south polarities, respectively, and the distal and proximal ends of the lower moving permanent magnet  11  have south and north polarities, respectively. That is, the distal and proximal ends of each upper and lower moving permanent magnet  10 , 11  associated with the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  have polarities that are opposite to that of the corresponding ends of the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  in the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4  are fixed to the frame  1  via a mount  13  near an upper end of the drive shaft  2 . Each switching valve V 1 -V 4  is provided with an actuating rod  14  that can extend or retract. First to fourth valve driving mechanisms M 1 -M 4  correspondingly face switching valves V 1 -V 4 , which are provided on the drive shaft  2  near its upper end. A rotating plate  15  having a square plan view is provided for each valve driving mechanism M 1 -M 4 . The plates are fixed to the shaft for integral rotation therewith. A roller  16  is mounted on each corner of the rotating plate  15  at equal distances from the center. The rollers  16  abut against the distal end of the actuating rod  14  of each switching valve V 1 -V 4 . 
     Also, as shown in FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ), rotating plates  15  of the first and third valve driving mechanisms M 1 ,M 3  are fixed at positions that are rotated 45 degrees from the positions of rotating plates  15  of the second and fourth valve driving mechanisms M 2 , M 4 . As the drive shaft  2  rotates, the rotating plates  15  of the first and third valve driving mechanisms M 1 , M 3  and the rotating plates  15  of the second and fourth valve driving mechanisms M 2 , M 4  rotate while keeping this relationship. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, each of the first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4  has five ports and can be switched between two positions, i.e., intake and discharge positions (in FIG. 8, all valves V 1 -V 4  are positioned in the discharge position). Each switching valve V 1 -V 4  is provided with a spring  17  that presses the switching valve V 1 -V 4  into the discharge position. The spring force of the spring  17  presses the actuating rod  14  toward its extended position. The first and third switching valves V 1 , V 3  normally take a position that is opposite to that of the second and fourth switching valves V 2 , V 4 . The first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4  are respectively communicated with a main tank  19  containing compressed air via an air supply line  18 . 
     The main tank  19  communicates with a reserve tank  20  that supplies air into the main tank  19  if the internal pressure of the main tank  19  drops. The reserve tank  20  communicates with a discharge line  26  connected with the first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4 . Both the main tank  19  and the reserve tank  20  are connected with a manual air pump  21 . A valve  22  for closing and opening the air supply line  18  and a pressure-reducing valve  23  for adjusting the pressure of air supplied from the main tank  19  are placed in the air supply line  18 . The switching speed of the first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4  can be increased by adjusting the pressure-reducing valve  23  so as to increase the air pressure supplied to the switching valves V 1 -V 4 . In so doing, the rotational speed of the rotating disk  3  can be increased. 
     The first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4  communicate with each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  via the first to fourth air lines E 1 -E 4 . The first and third air lines E 1 ,E 3  communicate with first cylinder chambers  24  (located at the piston rod side of the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7 ) and second cylinder chambers  25  (located at the piston head side of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8 ). The second and fourth air lines E 2 ,E 4  communicate with the second cylinder chambers  25  of the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7  and also the first cylinder chambers  24  of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8 . 
     In the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7 , the rods  6  are extended, by supplying air into the second cylinder chambers  25  via the second and fourth air lines E 2 ,E 4 , and, at the same time, discharging air from the first cylinder chambers  24  via the first and third air lines E 1 ,E 3 . in the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8 , the rods  6  are extended by supplying air into the second cylinder chamber  25  via the first and third air lines E 1 ,E 3 , and, at the same time, discharging air from the first cylinder chambers  24  via the second and fourth air lines E 2 ,E 4 . 
     Operation of the driving apparatus configured as above are hereinafter described. 
     First, operation of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  is described. 
     Prior to operation, the actuating rods  14  of the first and third switching valves V 1 ,V 3  are engaged with the rollers  16  of the first and third valve driving mechanisms M 1 ,M 3  (see FIG.  7 ( a )), and the actuating rods  14  of the second and fourth switching valves V 2 ,V 4  are not engaged with the rollers  16  of the second and fourth valve driving mechanisms M 2 ,M 4  (see FIG.  7 ( b )). In this state, the rods  6  of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  are in the retracted position as shown in FIGS.  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ). The stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are attracted each other by magnetic forces. That is, sides of the magnets  4 , 10 , 11  having opposite polarities are in close proximity to one another, which results in attraction. 
     If the valve  22  is opened in this state, air is supplied from the main tank  19  into each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  via the first and third air lines E 1 ,E 3 . At the same time, air contained in each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  is discharged into the reserve tank through the second and fourth air lines E 2 ,E 4  and the discharge line  26 . 
     Therefore, the rods  6  of only the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  are simultaneously extended. 
     Therefore, as shown in FIGS.  11 ( a ) and  11 ( b ), the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are placed in close proximity so that they repel each other. That is, the sides of the magnets  4 , 10 , 11  having like polarities are in close proximity to one another, which results in repulsion. As shown in FIG.  11 ( b ), the rotating disk  3  is rotated by this repulsion in a direction of the arrow A. The next stationary permanent magnet  4 , which has opposite polarity, comes close to the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  after the rotating disk  3  rotates a predetermined amount. The polarities of this stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are opposite to each other so that they are attracted each other so as to further rotate the rotating disk  3 . 
     As the rotating disk  3  rotates, the actuating rods  14  of the first and third switching valves V 1 ,V 3  are moved away from the rollers  16  of the first and third valve driving mechanisms M 1 ,M 3 , and the actuating rods  14  of the second and fourth switching valves V 2 ,V 4  engage the rollers  16  of the second and fourth valve driving mechanisms M 2 ,M 4 . Air in the main tank  19  is then supplied to each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  via the second and fourth air lines E 2 ,E 4 . Also, air contained in each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  is discharged via the first and third air lines E 1 ,E 3  and the discharge line  26 . Therefore, all rods  6  of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  retract simultaneously. At the same time, all rods  6  of the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7  are simultaneously extended. 
     As shown in FIGS.  12 ( a ) and  12 ( b ), the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are placed in close proximity so that they repel each other due to their magnetic force. That is the sides of the magnets  4 , 10 , 11  having like polarities are in close proximity, which results in repulsion. The rotating disk  3  is rotated by this repulsion in the direction of the arrow A of FIG.  11 ( b ). By repeating the same procedure described above, the rotating disk  3  is rotated continuously. The torque of the rotating disk  3  is transmitted to the drive shaft  2  as a driving force. 
     The rods  6  of the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7  are retracted when the rods  6  of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  are extended. Also, the rods  6  of the odd-numbered air cylinders S 1 ,S 3 ,S 5 ,S 7  are extended when the rods  6  of the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8  are retracted. The rotating disk  3  is continuously rotated in the direction of the arrow A as shown in FIG.  11 ( b ) as a result of the repeating attraction and repulsion of the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  produced in the same manner as described above in reference to the even-numbered air cylinders S 2 ,S 4 ,S 6 ,S 8 . 
     The present invention has following advantages (1)-(7). 
     (1) The drive shaft  2  is rotated by rotating the rotating disk  3  which in turn is rotated by the attractive and repulsive forces created between the stationary permanent magnets  4  provided on the rotating disk  3  and the upper and lower permanent magnets  10 , 11 . The attractive and repulsive forces are created by moving the upper and lower permanent magnets  10 , 11  forward and backward relative to the stationary permanent magnets  4  using the rods  6  of air cylinders S 1 -S 8 . As a result, unlike a reciprocating engine, noxious exhaust gas containing soot, nitrogen oxide and others will not be released into the atmosphere since gasoline fuel is not used. Therefore, deterioration of the environment due to the noxious exhaust gas is prevented. 
     (2) Gaps K between the stationary permanent magnets  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  differ between the leading and trailing sides of the stationary permanent magnets  4  since the stationary permanent magnets  4  are inclined relative to the top and bottom surfaces of the rotating disk  3 . Therefore, the magnetic forces between the stationary permanent magnets  4  and the both upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are unbalanced when the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are placed in close proximity of the stationary permanent magnets  4 . As a result, the rotating disk  3  is smoothly and reliably rotated. 
     (3) In comparison to a driving apparatus comprising only one set of the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11 , the driving apparatus of the present invention can create stronger magnetic force and higher torque with use of a plurality of sets of the stationary permanent magnets  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11 . 
     (4) Attractive and repulsive forces are balanced throughout the rotating disk  3  since a plurality of the stationary permanent magnets  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are provided on the same circumference at the equal intervals. As a result, the torque of the rotating disk  3  does not dramatically fluctuate, and the rotating disk  3  is rotated smoothly. 
     (5) Higher rotational speeds of the rotating disk  3  can be achieved in comparison to a motor driven apparatus comprised of gear and ring mechanisms and the like since the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  can be moved quickly by switching only the first to fourth switching valves V 1 -V 4 . This quick switch is accomplished by using the air cylinders S 1 -S 8  to move the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11 . Assembly of parts of the driving apparatus in accordance with the present invention is relatively easy since mounting of only commercially available ready-made air cylinders S 1 -S 8  are required so that the amount of the assembly work is reduced. 
     (6) Instead of using an electric powered compressor or the like, the manual air pump  21  is used for supplying air into the main tank  19  and the reserve tank  20  for actuating each air cylinder S 1 -S 8 . Therefore, running cost of each air cylinder S 1 -S 8  is relatively low. 
     (7) The rotating disk  3  can be effectively rotated with a little magnetic force since the rotating disk  3  is made of non-magnetic, light weight aluminum. 
     The present invention can be modified as follows. 
     (a) In the above embodiment, the rotating disk  3  is rotated by moving the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  forward and backward relative to the stationary permanent magnets  4 . This embodiment can be modified to form an arrangement shown in FIG. 13. A plurality of rods  32  are slidably supported through a supporting plate  31  placed on a top of a frame  30 . A lower end of each reciprocating rod  32  is coupled with a crankpin of a crankshaft  35 . Mounting plate  33  is fixed on each upper end of the rod  32 . Stationary permanent magnets  4   a - 4   f  moving in pairs are fixed on upper surfaces of the corresponding mounting plates  33 . Permanent magnets  34   a - 34   f  are moved reciprocally forward and backward relative to corresponding stationary permanent magnets  4   a - 4   f  in pairs. By continuously moving pairs of the moving permanent magnets  34   a , 34   b ; 34   c , 34   d ; 34   e , 34   f  toward and away from corresponding pairs of stationary permanent magnets  4   a , 4   b ; 4   c , 4   d ; 4   e , 4   f  at different timings, the moving permanent magnets  34   a , 34   b ; 34   c , 34   d ; 34   e , 34   f  and the corresponding stationary permanent magnets  4   a , 4   b ; 4   c , 4   d ; 4   e , 4   f  are repeatedly attracted to and repelled from each other. As a result, each rod  32  moves upward and downward so as to rotate the crankshaft  34  continuously. 
     (b) The upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  may be inclined relative to the stationary permanent magnet  4  instead of inclining the stationary permanent magnet  4  relative to the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11 . 
     (c) Also, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, either the upper or the lower moving permanent magnet  10 , 11  can be eliminated. In so doing, only either the upper or lower moving permanent magnet  10 , 11  is moved forward and backward relative to the corresponding upper or lower surface of the stationary permanent magnet  4 . 
     (d) Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the air cylinders S 1 -S 8  are used to move the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11 . Hydraulic cylinders can be utilized in place of the air cylinders S 1 -S 8 . 
     (e) In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first to fourth valve driving mechanisms M 1 -M 4  and the drive shaft  2  can also be made of aluminum. With this arrangement, the rotating disk  3  can be more effectively rotated. Also, the rotating disk  3  can be made of synthetic resin that is lighter than aluminum. 
     (f) In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the manual air pump  21  is used to supply air into the main tank  19 . A compressor operated with power supplied from a solar battery can be used in place of the air pump  21 . 
     (g) An air pressure intensifier can be used in place of the compressor or the air pump  21 . With this arrangement, exhaust pressure of the reserve tank  20  can be utilized. 
     (h) Instead of utilizing a plurality of sets of the stationary permanent magnets  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  along a circumference of the rotating disk  3  as shown in the above embodiment, only one set of the stationary permanent magnets  4  and one set of the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  may be utilized. 
     (i) In the above embodiment of FIG. 1, only one rotating disk  3  is fixed on the drive shaft  2 . However, the frame  1  may be elongated in the axial direction so as to provide a plurality of rotating disks  3  with stationary permanent magnets  4  along the drive shaft  2 . As the number of rotating disks  3  is increased, the corresponding number of air cylinders S 1 -S 8  having the rods  6  with the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  are further provided. With this arrangement, the rotational speed and torque of the drive shaft  2  can be increased since a plurality of the rotating disks  3  are used for rotating the drive shaft  2 . 
     (j) In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an interval T 1  between respective two stationary permanent magnets  4  is longer than the width T 2  of the upper and lower permanent magnets  10 ,  11  (i.e., T 1 &gt;T 2 ). This length relationship can be switched in such a way that the interval T 1  is shorter than the width T 2  of the upper and lower permanent magnets  10 , 11  (i.e., T 1 &lt;T 2 ). With this arrangement, attraction and repulsion between the stationary permanent magnet  4  and the upper and lower moving permanent magnets  10 , 11  occur nearly simultaneously. Therefore, the rotating disk  3  can be more smoothly rotated.