Energy supply

Abstract

Apparatus for providing electrical energy, in particular for providing electrical energy from a heat flow originating from an electric motor, including a first component part, a second component part, wherein a Peltier element is arranged between the first component part and the second component part, said Peltier element being at least partially surrounded by a layer of insulation provided between the first component part and the second component part, with the result that the Peltier element forms a thermal bridge between the first and the second component parts, and wherein the first and the second component parts are selected from the following group: gear mechanism, motor and adapter plate.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing electrical energy, in particular for providing electrical energy from a heat flow originating from an electric motor, comprising a first component part, a second component part, wherein a Peltier element is arranged between the first component part and the second component part, said Peltier element being at least partially surrounded by a layer of insulation provided between the first component part and the second component part, such that the Peltier element forms a thermal bridge between the first and the second component parts, and wherein the first and the second component parts are selected from the following group: gear mechanism, motor (16) and adapter plate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second component parts are different.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second component part is an adapter plate arranged between a motor and a gear mechanism.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer of insulation has a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the material of at least one of a housing of the first component part and a housing of the second component part.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer of insulation has a thermal conductivity of at most 25 W/(m*K).

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein supports and/or spacer sleeves are provided between the first component part and the second component part.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heat-conducting film and/or a layer of heat-conducting paste is provided in each case between the first component part and/or the second component part, on the one hand, and the Peltier element, on the other hand.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer of insulation comprises cavities.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an energy store connected to the Peltier element.

10. System for detecting at least one measured variable of a gear mechanism comprising an apparatus according to claim 1 and at least one sensor for detecting the at least one measured variable, wherein the sensor is connected to the Peltier element for the purpose of supplying energy to the sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Typical exemplary embodiments are shown in the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a typical embodiment of a layer of insulation in a schematic plan view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further typical embodiment of the apparatus in a schematic sectional view; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows the embodiment from FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view with the section being rotated with respect to the section in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(6) Typical exemplary embodiments will be described below, wherein sometimes the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar parts, sometimes even for a plurality of different embodiments. In principle, the application is not restricted to the different embodiments, but rather the scope is defined by the claims. Sometimes, individual parts are explained purely in connection with one figure and if these parts are illustrated in further figures they are not necessarily described once again.

(7) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a typical embodiment of the invention in a cross-sectional view. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a gear mechanism 17 (for example SP100 gear mechanism by WITTENSTEIN SE). A 3.7 mm-thick layer of insulation 2 consisting of Bakelite (plate PF 1110) with the same outer diameter as the drive flange of the gear mechanism 17 has been installed between an adapter plate 11 and the drive flange of the gear mechanism 17.

(8) The layer of insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/(mK). The motor 16 and the gear mechanism 17 each have a housing consisting of steel with a thermal conductivity of approximately 40 to 60 W/(mK). The adapter plate 11 is produced from aluminum with a thermal conductivity of approximately 200 W/(mK).

(9) FIG. 1 furthermore shows a motor 16 which heats up during operation. The motor has an output shaft or shaft 13, on which a receptacle 15 is fastened by means of a hub or clamping hub or clamping ring 14. The torque of the motor is fed to the gear mechanism 17 via the receptacle 15.

(10) The layer of insulation 2 has a centrally arranged bushing, through which the shaft 13 and the receptacle 15 are guided.

(11) The layer of insulation 2 has an inner diameter which represents an intermediate size between the inner dimensions of the adapter plate 11 and the inner dimensions of the drive flange of the gear mechanism 17. A Peltier element 1 which is 15×15 mm in size and has a thickness of 3.3 mm is arranged in a cutout provided in the outer diameter of the layer of insulation 2.

(12) Two elastic heat-conducting films 18 on both sides of the Peltier element 1 ensure good thermal contact between the Peltier element 1 and the adapter plate and between the Peltier element 1 and the drive flange of the gear mechanism 17. The heat-conducting films 18 are therefore arranged in each case between the Peltier element 1 and the adapter plate 11 and the gear mechanism 17.

(13) Owing to heat-conducting films on both sides of the Peltier element, the risk of mechanical damage to the Peltier element during contact-pressure is reduced. The heat-conducting films distribute the contact-pressure which is produced when the gear mechanism and the adapter plate are fitted on the motor substantially uniformly over the entire Peltier element.

(14) In the case of typical heating of the adapter plate, for example by a motor and the function of the gear mechanism as heat sink, a temperature difference of several kelvin is formed between the adapter plate and the drive flange of the gear mechanism, as a result of which an electrical voltage is produced between the contacts of the Peltier element (for example 100 mV). Therefore, energy can be supplied by a voltage transformer to electronics in the case of an average electrical power of less than approximately 100 mW, i.e. for example a sensor and a data detection or data transmission unit.

(15) In the embodiment in FIG. 1, an energy store (not shown in FIG. 1) is connected to the Peltier element 1 in order to ensure a supply of energy to a sensor (not shown in FIG. 1). The sensor is designed to measure a temperature of the gear mechanism and to transmit this wirelessly to a receiver. The energy required for this purpose is provided to the sensor by the Peltier element 1.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a typical embodiment of a layer of insulation 2 in a schematic plan view. The layer of insulation 2 has a central circular bushing for a shaft 13 and a receptacle 15. Four further bores 22 specify the pattern of holes for fastening to the gear mechanism.

(17) Furthermore, the layer of insulation 2 has a cutout at the outer rim, said cutout substantially corresponding to the size of a Peltier element to be arranged there (not shown in FIG. 2; see FIG. 1). The compressive stresses between the adapter plate and the motor or between the adapter plate and the gear mechanism are absorbed by the layer of insulation 2 consisting of plastic.

(18) In further embodiments, the compressive stresses in the layer of insulation are absorbed by spacer sleeves, with the result that an insulating plate consisting of plastic or other materials can be dispensed with, if appropriate. Owing to the small cross section of a spacer sleeve and of the insulation through air in the remaining region, the heat flow occurring through the spacer sleeves is little enough for it be possible for sufficient heat to still be converted into electrical energy via the Peltier element.

(19) FIG. 3 shows a further typical embodiment of the apparatus in a schematic sectional view, and FIG. 4 shows the embodiment from FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view, with the section being rotated with respect to the section in FIG. 3.

(20) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 will be explained together. Features which have already been explained in connection with FIG. 1 and are present in similar or identical form in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are sometimes not described again.

(21) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show schematically, in two cross sections, an embodiment which has spacer sleeves 3 in order to provide a layer of insulation which consists substantially of air between an adapter plate 11 and a gear mechanism 17.

(22) The adapter plate 11 and the gear mechanism 17 are held together by means of a plurality of fastening screws 4 (only two fasting screws 4 are shown in FIG. 3), and a compressive force is built up on the spacer sleeves 3 so that a stable connection between the adapter plate 11 and the gear mechanism 17 is produced.

(23) Only two spacer sleeves 3 are shown in the schematic cross section in FIG. 4. The embodiment in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, however, has additional spacer sleeves and fastening screws 4 over the circumference.

(24) Some of the heat transported from a motor 16 via the adapter plate 11 to the gear mechanism 17 can be used by the Peltier element 1 arranged between the adapter plate 11 and the gear mechanism 17.

(25) The invention is not restricted to the above-described exemplary embodiments; for example, a second Peltier element can also be provided or additional electrical energy is made available using other sources. The scope of the invention is instead defined by the claims.