US 11,913,532 B1
Domino-type torque generator
Chi Yin Mak, Hong Kong (HK)
Filed by Chi Yin Mak, Hong Kong (HK)
Filed on Jun. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/213,924.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/453,797, filed on Mar. 22, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/450,376, filed on Mar. 6, 2023.
Int. Cl. F16H 48/05 (2012.01); F16H 48/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/06 (2006.01); B60K 17/346 (2006.01); B60K 6/26 (2007.10); H02K 1/06 (2006.01); H02K 7/00 (2006.01); H02K 99/00 (2014.01); F16D 48/06 (2006.01); F16H 48/40 (2012.01); F16H 37/04 (2006.01); B60K 6/48 (2007.10); F16H 48/10 (2012.01); H02K 17/30 (2006.01); H02K 19/36 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 48/08 (2013.01) [F16H 37/04 (2013.01); F16H 48/05 (2013.01); F16H 48/06 (2013.01); F16H 48/40 (2013.01); B60K 6/26 (2013.01); B60K 17/346 (2013.01); B60K 2006/4833 (2013.01); F16H 48/10 (2013.01); F16H 2048/085 (2013.01); H02K 1/06 (2013.01); H02K 7/006 (2013.01); H02K 17/30 (2013.01); H02K 19/36 (2013.01); H02K 99/10 (2016.11)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
2. A domino-type torque generator, comprising:
a base member;
a plurality of toppling members pivotally connected to the base member, each of the plurality of toppling members being pivotable from an upright position to an inclined position or from the inclined position to an opposite inclined position, the plurality of toppling members being arranged successively and sequentially along at least one path, and so spaced apart from one another that when a first one of the plurality of toppling members topples from its upright position to its inclined position, following ones of the plurality of toppling members topple successively and sequentially from their upright position to their inclined position, until a last one of the plurality of toppling members topples from its upright position to its inclined position, thereby producing a domino effect;
a torque shaft fixedly connected to and extending transversely through a lower end portion of each of the plurality of toppling members, whereby toppling of each of the plurality of toppling members generates a torque on the torque shaft, the torque shaft defining a pivot axis about which each of the plurality of toppling members pivots, each torque shaft having a first section extending from a first side of the lower end portion of each of the plurality of toppling members, and an elongated second section extending from an opposite second side of the lower end portion of each of the plurality of toppling members, the first section and the elongated second section being pivotably mounted on the base member;
a pinion fixedly mounted at a free end of the elongated second section of the torque shaft of each of the plurality of toppling members;
a plurality of differential gear assemblies connected directly or indirectly to the pinions of the torque shafts of selected ones the plurality of toppling members, and served as a plurality of accumulators to accumulate torques generating on the torque shafts of the selected ones of the plurality of toppling members; and
a drive mechanism configured to repeatedly drive the plurality of toppling members to pivot from their upright position to their inclined position or from their inclined position to their opposite inclined position, and pivot from their inclined position to their upright position or from their opposite inclined position to their inclined position, thereby continuously toppling the plurality of toppling members, and continuously generating the torques.