FLYWHEEL

Abstract

A flywheel for example to a sport training or a rehabilitation machine, is linked to a hauling cable through a system of pulleys, including, in a well-known way, at least a disk-shaped part (4) rotating about a central axis (5) and incorporates a series of weights (6) that, depending on their distribution and their own weight provide a given moment of inertia. Starting from this already known configuration, the flywheel (1) is distinguished in that it has a moving coupling means (7) that allows the variation of the position of the weights (6) on the disk (4) of the wheel and to modify the moment of inertia, without it being necessary to withdraw or replace any of the weights (6) or the disk (4).

Claims

1. A flywheel including at least a disk-shaped part (4) rotating about a central axis (5) and a series of weights (6) which distribution with respect to the central axis (5) and weight provides a given moment of inertia, is characterized in that it in addition includes moving coupling means (7) that allow to vary the position of the said weights (6) on the disk (4) and to modify the moment of inertia.

2. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 1, characterized in that the moving coupling means (7) are structured to modify the coupling gap of the said weights (6) to the central axis (5) of the disk (4).

3. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 1, characterized in that the moving coupling means (7) are structured to vary the position of part of the weights (6) the disk (4) incorporates.

4. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 1, characterized in that the moving coupling means (7) are structured to vary the position of all the weights (6) the disk (4) incorporates.

5. The flywheel according to the claim 1, characterized in that the moving coupling means (7) include a series of slots (8) performed on the disk (4) in which the weights (6) can move to be fixed in different areas thereof and the said weights (6) showing a configuration adapted for the said travel and fixation in the said different areas (81) of the slots (8) without they have to be withdrawn.

6. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 5, characterized in that the slots (8) are radially performed on the disk (4) around its central axis (5).

7. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 5, characterized in that the slots (8) are through slots, in order they can be crossed by the weights (6).

8. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 5, characterized in that the slots (8) show a series of widenings (81) that mark, in points coinciding in all of them, the different weight (6) positioning areas.

9. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 7, characterized in that the weights (6) are constituted by two independent parts, a back part (61) and a front part (62) that are coupled by the respective back and front faces of the disk (4), inserted in the slots (8), through a connecting rod (63).

10. The flywheel Flywheel according to the claim 9, characterized in that the connecting rod (63) operates by threading for coupling between the two parts (61-62) forming the weights (6).

11. The flywheel according to the claim 9, characterized in that the connecting rod (63) shows two different diameters (one wider than the other) and incorporates a spring (64) so that when the weight (8) is pressed towards the disk this later can travel through the slots (8) from a widened area (81) to another and when it is no longer pressed, it remains locked in the widened area where it is located as the diameter of the rod is coincident with the diameter of the widened area.

12. The flywheel Flywheel according to claim 5, characterized in that the disk (4) has available several slots (8) equidistantly and radially spread around the central axis (5).

13. The flywheel Flywheel according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the slots (8) incorporates, at least one weight (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] To complement the description that is carried out and in order to assist to a best understanding of the characteristics of the invention, attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, is a set of drawings in which, for illustration and no limitation purpose, the following has been represented:

[0025] Figure number 1.—It shows an elevation view of the flywheel together with the parts composing the weights.

[0026] Figure number 2.—It shows an elevation view of the flywheel (without the parts composing the weights), showing the radial slots it incorporates to place the weights; and

[0027] Figure number 3.—It shows an elevation view of the parts composing the weights duly mounted.

[0028] Figure number 4.—It shows an elevation view of the parts composing the weights dismounted.

[0029] Figure number 5.—It shows a perspective view of the parts composing the weights dismounted.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] From the said figures, and according to the numbering chosen, a no limiting example of embodiment of the flywheel of the invention can be seen, which includes the parts and elements stated and described below.

[0031] Thus, as it is apparent in the said figures, the wheel (1) in question is designed to be incorporated for example to a sport training or rehabilitation machine, linked to a hauling cable through a system of pulley, including , in a well known way, at least a disk-shaped part (4) rotating about a central axis (5) and incorporates a series of weights (6) that, depending on their distribution and their own weight provide a given moment of inertia. Starting from this already known configuration the wheel (1) is distinguished in that it has moving coupling means (7) that allow to vary the position of the said weights (6) on the disk (4) of the wheel and to modify the moment of inertia, without it is necessary to withdraw or replace any of the weights (6) or the disk (4).

[0032] Preferably, the moving coupling means (7) allow to independently vary the gap between the weights (6) with respect to the central axis (5) of the disk (4). In general the weights have to be symmetrically located with respect to the central axis (5) in order the inertial movement is regular.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the moving coupling means (7) of the weights (6) to the disk (4) include a series of slots (8) performed in the disk (4) in which the weights (6) can be moved to be fixed on different areas of them and because of the fact that the weights (6) show a configuration that allows that an easy travel and their fixation in different areas of the slots (8) without they have to be withdrawn.

[0034] As apparent in the FIG. 2, the slots (8) that are radially arranged on the disk (4) around its central axis (5), are through slots, in order they can be crossed by the weights (6), and such slots showing a series of widenings (81) marking, in coinciding points in all of them, the different areas of weights positioning (6), allowing to carry out the travel of one or more weights (6) in each slot (8) of the disk (4) in a balanced way, to bring it more or less close to the said central axis (5) and this way modify the moment of inertia.

[0035] Meanwhile, the weights (6), as shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5, in the preferred embodiment are constituted by two independent parts, a back one (61) and a front one (62) that are coupled by the respective back and front sides of the disk (4), inserted in the slots (8), through a connecting rod (63) that allows such coupling, for example working through threading , resulting adapted to allow the travel of the weights (6) through the slots (8) to place them on the widening (81) sought without their withdrawal from them is necessary.

[0036] Also the connecting rod (63) shows two different diameters (one wider tan the other) and it incorporates a spring (64) so that when the weight (8) is pressed towards the disk this later can travel through the slots (8) from a widened area (81) to another and when the pressure on it is released it remains locked in the widened area where it is located when the diameter of the rod is coincident with the diameter of the widened area.

[0037] Advantageously, although without it means a limitation, the disk (4) has available several slots (8) spread equidistant and radial around the central axis (5) and, also in a preferred but not limiting way, each of the said slots (8) incorporates, at least a weight (6).

[0038] As it can be deducted, to modify the moment of inertia of this wheel (1) in the said machine, it will be sufficient to move the weights (6) and have them travelling through the related slots (8) of the disk (4) to bring them more or less close to the central axis (5) and, therefore without it is necessary to withdraw or change the disk.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, the moving coupling means (7) of the weights (6) to the disk (4) include a series of Z-shaped slots (8), and the weights remain fixed by a magnet. In this preferred embodiment there would be no widenings, and the disk would remain locked by each angle of the Z when it is subject to a centrifugal energy.

[0040] In another embodiment, the moving coupling means (7) of the weights (6) to the disk (4) include a series of threaded pins (8) radially located on the disk (4) in which the weights (6) incorporating an internal thread can move to be fixed in different areas thereof.

[0041] The nature of this invention being sufficiently disclosed, as well as the way of implementing it, it is not deemed necessary to provide a wider explanation in order that any expert on the matter understands its scope and the advantages arising from it, stating that, within its essence, it can be implemented with other embodiments different in details of the one disclosed for example purpose and which the protection sought also includes provided that the main principle is not altered, changed or modified.