United States Patent (19) (11 Patent Number: 4,751,486

Minato 45 Date of Patent: Jun. 14, 1988

(54) MAGNETIC ROTATION APPARATUS 57-34779 2/1982 Japan ................................... 335/254
57-149654 9/1982 Japan ................................... 335/254
76 Inventor: Kohei Minato, Dear City Akasaka 57-160375 10/1982 Japan ................................... 335/254
Hitotsugikan No. 303, 2-3, Akasaka
4-chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105, Primary Examiner-George Harris
Japan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brown, Martin, Haller &
Meador
21 Appl. No.: 42,432 57 ABSTRACT
22, PCT Filed: Jan. 22, 1987 The magnetic rotation apparatus of the present inven
86 PCT No.: PCT/P87/00039 tion has first and second rotors rotatably supported and
S371 Date: Apr. 24, 1987 juxtaposed. The first and second rotors are connected
so as to be rotatable in opposite directions in a cooperat
S 102(e) Date: Apr. 24, 1987 ing manner. A number of permanent magnets are ar
87 PCT Pub. No.: WO87/04576 ranged on a circumferential portion of the first rotor at
regular intervals, and just as many permanent magnets
PCT Pub. Date: Jul. 30, 1987 are arranged on a circumferential portion of the second
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data rotor at regular intervals. Each permanent magnet has
Jan. 24, 1986 JP Japan .................................. 61-13061
one magnetic polarity located radially outward from
the rotors, and has the other magnetic polarity located
51) Int. Cl* ............................................... HO1F 7/14 radially inward toward the rotors. The polarity of each
52 U.S. Cl. ..................................... 335/272; 310/156 permanent magnet, which is located radially outward
58) Field of Search ....................... 335/253, 254, 272; from the rotors, is identical. When the first and second
310/77, 156 rotors are rotated in a cooperating manner, the phase of
56) References Cited rotation of the permanent magnets of one rotor is
slightly advanced from that of the permanent magnets
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS of the other rotor. One of the permanent magnets of one
4,628,199 12/1986 Mueller et al. ................. 335/272 X rotor is replaced with the electromagnet. The radially
4,647,889 3/1987 Addis .............................. 335/254 X outward polarity of the electromagnet can be changed
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
by reversing the direction in which a current is supplied
to the electromagnet.
50-96740 8/1975 Japan ................................... 335/254
54-69707 6/1979 Japan ................. ... 335/254 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Jun. 14, 1988 Sheet 1 of 3 4,751.486
U.S. Patent Jun. 14, 1988 Sheet 2 of 3 4,751.486

SWITCHING
CRCUIT
U.S. Patent Jun. 14, 1988 Sheet 3 of 3 4,751.486
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means differs from an ordinary brake device which
MAGNETIC ROTATION APPARATUS forcibly stops a pair or rotors by using a frictional force.
In the brake device of this invention, by converting a
TECHNICAL FIELD magnetic repulsion force to a magnetic attraction force,
The present invention relates to a magnetic rotation the rotors can be braked in the state that the movement
apparatus in which a pair of rotors are rotated by utiliz of the rotors is reduced. Thus, the rotors can be stopped
ing a magnetic force. effectively.
BACKGROUND ART BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
O FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a
An electromotor is well known as a rotation appara
tus utilizing a magnetic force. For example, an AC magnetic rotation apparatus according to an embodi
electromotor comprises a rotor having a coil, a stator ment of the invention;
surrounding the rotor, and a plurality of electromag FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the relation
nets, disposed on the stator, for generating a rotating ship between the first and second rotors;
magnetic field. An electric power must be constantly 15 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a permanent magnet;
supplied to the electromagnets in order to generate the FIG. 4 shows an electromagnet, a permanent magnet
rotating magnetic field and keep the rotor rotating, i.e., cooperating with the electromagnet, and a driving cir
an external energy, or electric energy, is indispensable cuit the electromagnet; and
for the rotation of the rotor. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining how a pair of rotors
Under the circumstances, a magnetic rotation appara rotate.
tus, which employs permanent magnets in lieu of elec
tromagnets and can rotate a rotor only by a magnetic BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE
force of the permanent magnets, is highly desirable. INVENTION
The present application proposes a magnetic rotation FIG. 1 shows a magnetic rotation apparatus embody
apparatus which comprises a pair of rotors rotatable in 25 ing the present invention. The magnetic rotation appa
opposite directions in a cooperating manner, and a plu ratus has frame 1. Frame 1 is provided with a pair of
rality of permanent magnets stationarily arranged at rotation shafts 2 which extend vertically and in parallel
regular intervals on the peripheral portion of each ro to each other. Shafts 2 are located at a predetermined
tor. One end portion of each permanent magnet of both distance from each other. Upper and lower ends of each
rotors, which has the same polarity, is located radially 30 shaft 2 are rotationally supported on frame 1 via bearing
outward of the rotors. When the two rotors are rotated 3.
in a cooperating fashion, a permanent magnet on one First rotor 4a is mounted on one of rotation shafts 2,
rotor and a corresponding permanent magnet on the second rotor 4b is mounted on the other rotation shaft 2.
other, which form a pair, approach and move away First and second rotors 4a and 4b are arranged on the
from each other periodically. In this case, the phase of 35 same level. Rotors 4a and 4b have similar structures.
rotation of the magnet on one rotor advances a little For example, each rotor 4a (4b) comprises two ring
from that of the corresponding magnet on the other shaped plates 5 which are spaced apart from each other
rotor. When the paired permanent magnets approach in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 2.
each other, magnetic repulsion causes one rotor to ro
tate. The rotation of one rotor is transmitted to the Gears 6a and 6b made of synthetic resin are, as coop
other rotor to rotate the same. In this manner, other erating means, attached to lower surfaces of first and
pairs of magnets on both rotors sequentially approach second rotors 4a and 4b. The diameters of gears 6a and
each other, and magnetic repulsion occurs incessantly. 6b are identical but larger than those of rotors 4a and 4b.
As a result, the rotors continue to rotate. Gears 6a and 6b mesh with each other. First and second
In the above apparatus, in order to stop the rotation 45 rotors 4a and 4b are thus rotatable in opposite directions
of the rotors, a brake device is required. If an ordinary in a cooperating manner. In FIG. 1, reference numeral
brake device is mounted on the magnetic rotation appa 7 indicates support arms for supporting first and second
ratus, the entire structure of the apparatus becomes rotors 4a and 4b.
complex, and a driving source for the brake device must For example, 16 magnets are arranged at regular
be provided separately. 50 intervals on a peripheral portion of first rotor 4a. These
The present invention has been developed in consid magnets are secured between two ring-shaped plates 5.
eration of the above circumstances, and its object is to In this embodiment, among the 16 magnets, one is elec
provide a magnetic rotation apparatus including a brake tromagnet 9a (see FIG. 2), and the others are permanent
device for suitably stopping the rotation of rotors. magnets 8a, FIG. 2 shows only some of permanent
55 magnets 8a,
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 3, permanent magnet 8a comprises
The magnetic rotation apparatus of the present inven case 10, and a plurality of rod-like ferromagnetic mem
tion is provided with magnetic force conversion means bers 11 housed in case 10. Ferromagnetic member 11 is,
which is substituted for at least one pair of permanent for example, a ferrite magnet. Ferromagnetic members
magnets of the paired rotors. In a normal state, the 60 11 of each permanent magnet 8a are arranged such that
magnetic force conversion means causes a magnetic ferromagnetic members 11 have the same polarity at
repulsion, as in the other pairs of permanent magnets. one end. In first rotor 4a, for example, an N-polarity end
When it is intended for the rotors to stop, the magnetic portion of each permanent magnet 8a faces radially
force conversion means causes a magnetic attraction outward, and an S-polarity end portion of magnet 8a
force. Since a magnetic attraction force can be pro 65 faces radially inward. As shown in FIG. 2, when each
duced between the rotors at any time, the magnetic permanent magnet 8a is located between two shafts 2,
attraction force serves to stop the rotors. The brake angle C formed by longitudinal axis A of magnet 8a and
device constituted by the magnetic force conversion imaginary line B connecting two shafts 2 is, for exam
 4,751,486
3 4.
ple, set to 30°C. On the other hand, electromagnet 9a is, The circumferential length of reflection plate 16 is
as shown in FIG. 4, constituted by U-shaped iron core equal to that of the above-mentioned first region. When
12, and coil 13 wound around core 12. Electromagnet magnets 9a and 9b enter the first region, first sensor 15
9a is arranged such that both N- and S-polarity end is turned on, and when they leave the first region, first
portions face radially outward of first rotor 4a, and the 5 sensor 15 is turned off. When drive circuit 14 receives a
above-mentioned angle C is formed, similarly to the signal from first sensor 15, it excites electromagnet 9a
case of permanent magnet 8a. such that both polarities of electromagnet 9a corre
The same number of permanent magnets (8b,9b) as spond to those of permanent magnet 9b of second rotor
the total number of all permanent magnets and electro 4b.
magnet (8a,9a) of first rotor 4a are secured on a periph 10 Drive circuit 14 is electrically connected to switching
eral portion of second rotor 4b at regular intervals. In circuit 17. When brake switch 18 is operated, switching
FIG. 2, when first and second rotors 4a and 4b are circuit 17 reverses the direction in which an electric
rotated in opposite directions, each permanent magnet current is supplied to electromagnet 9a. When the cur
of second rotor 4b periodically moves toward and away rent supplying direction of drive circuit 14 is reversed,
from the corresponding one of the magnets (8a,9a) of 15 drive circuit 14 excites electromagnet 9a only in a time
first rotor 4a. period in which drive circuit 14 receives a signal from
The permanent magnets (8b,9b) of second rotor 4b second sensor 19. Second sensor 19 has a structure simi
will now be described in greater detail. Permanent mag lar to that of first sensor 15, and is attached to frame 1
nets 8b of second rotor 4b, which periodically move so as to be located closer to the center of rotor 4a than
toward and away from permanent magnets 8a of first 20 first sensor 15. Reflection plate 20, which corresponds
rotor 4a in accordance with the rotation of rotors 4a to the position of second sensor 19, is formed integral to
and 4b, have a structure similar to that of permanent an inner edge portion of reflection plate 16. As shown in
magnets 8a of first rotor 4a. The polarity of that end FIG. 2, compared to reflection plate 16, reflection plate
portion of each permanent magnet 8b which is located 20 extends in rotational direction of first rotor 4a, indi
radially outward from second rotor 4b, is identical with 25
that of the end portion of each permanent magnet 8a of cated by the arrow.
The operation of the above-described magnetic rota
first rotor 4a. That is, the radially outward portion of tion apparatus will now be explained with reference to
each permanent magnet 8b has an N-polarity. FIG. 5.
Permanent magnet 9b of second rotor 4b, which peri
odically moves toward and away from electromagnet 30 byIn01,FIG. and
5, rotation shaft 2 of first rotor 4a is denoted
rotation shaft 2 of second rotor 4b is denoted
9a of first rotor 4a, has a structure shown in FIG. 4. by 02. Only the radially outward polarity, that is, N
Permanent magnet 9b has a structure similar to that of polarity, of the magnets of rotors 4a and 4b is shown, for
permanent magnets 8a. Both polarities of electromagnet the
9a face radially outward from first rotor 4a. Permanent and sake of convenience. Although electromagnet 9a
magnet 9b has two different polarities which face radi 35 radially outward,magnet
permanent
only
9b have both polarities located
the N-polarity thereof is shown.
ally outward from second rotor 4b and correspond to When first and second rotors 4a and 4b are put in a
both polarities of electromagnet 9a.
As shown in FIG. 2, when each permanent magnet permanent magnet of second rotor 4b ispole
position shown in FIG. 5, magnetic Nb1 of one
8b,9b is located between two rotation shafts 2, angle E connecting shafts 01 and 02. In this case, polarityinNa1
located a line
of
formed by longitudinal axis D of the magnet (8b,9b) and first
imaginary line B connecting two shafts 2 is, for exam little advanced from polarity Nb1 in the rotational dia
rotor 4a, which is paired with polarity Nb1, is
ple, set to 56' C. In addition, when rotors 4a and 4b are rection of first rotor 4a. For example, as shown in FIG.
rotated in opposite directions, as shown by arrows, the
magnets (8a,9a) of first rotor 4a move a little ahead of 5, an
magnetic pole Na1 is advanced from polarity Nb1 by
angle of X". Polarities Na1 and Nb1 exert repulsion
the corresponding permanent magnets (8b,9b) of second 45 force F1 upon each other along line L. Supposing that
rotor 4b, in a region in which both magnets (8a,9a, an angle, formed by line M, which is drawn from shaft
8b,9b) approach one another. In other words, the phase 01 perpendicularly to line L, and the line connecting
of rotation of the magnets (8a,9a) of first rotor 4a ad shafts 01 and 02 is represented by Y, and that the length
vances by a predetermined angle in relation to the per of line K is represented by R, torques Ta1 and Tb1
manent magnets (8b,9b) of second rotor 4b. 50
As shown in FIG. 4, electromagnet 9a of first rotor caused by repulsion force F1 to rotate first and second
4a is electrically connected to drive circuit 14. Drive rotors 4a and 4b can be given by:
circuit 14 includes a power source for supplying an
electric current to coil 13 of electromagnet 9a. While
rotors 4a and 4b rotate, drive circuit turns on electro 55 Tb1=F1...Rcos Y
magnet 9a upon receiving a signal from first sensor 15
only when electromagnet 9a and permanent magnet 9b Since cos (Y-X)) cos Y, Ta1dTb1.
are in a first region in which they periodically approach As shown in FIG. 5, since magnetic pole Na1 is ad
each other. First sensor 15 is an optical sensor compris vanced from magnetic pole Nb1 by angle X, first rotor
ing a light-emitting element and a light-receiving ele 60 4a receives a greater torque than second rotor 4b. Thus,
ment. As shown in FIG. 1, first sensor 15 is attached to first rotor 4a forwardly rotates in the direction of the
a portion of frame 1 above first rotor 4a, First sensor 15 arrow in FIG. 5.
emits light in a downward direction. The light is re Mention is now made of paired magnets of rotors 4a
flected by reflection plate 16 projecting radially inward and 4b in the vicinity of magnetic poles Na1 and Nb1.
from the inner edge of first rotor 4a. First sensor 15 65 Magnetic poles Nan and Nan-1 of first rotor 4a are
receives the reflected light, and feeds a signal to drive advanced ahead of magnetic pole Nal in the rotational
circuit 14. Thus, drive circuit 14 turns on electromagnet direction. Magnetic poles Nan and Nan-1 receive a
9a, torque produced by a repulsion force acting between
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magnetic poles Nan and Nan-1 and corresponding nism for a magnetic rotation apparatus can be obtained
magnetic poles Nbn and Nbn-1. In FIG. 5, magnetic without having to make the entire structure of the appa
poles Nan and Nan-1 receive a smaller torque, as they ratus complex.
rotate farther from the location of magnetic pole Nai. It The present invention is not restricted to the above
is well known that a torque of first rotor 4a, which is embodiment. With the exception of the paired electro
caused by a repulsion force acting on magnetic poles magnet and permanent magnet, all permanent magnets
Nan and Nan-1, is decreased in inverse proportion to of the rotors are arranged such that their end portions of
the square of the distance between paired magnetic the same polarity face radially outward from the rotors.
poles Na and Nb. However, it is possible that the polarities of the radially
Magnetic poles Na2 and Na3, behind magnetic pole 10 outward end portions of the permanent magnets are
Na1, receive a torque which tends to rotate rotor 4a in alternately changed. Namely, it should suffice if the
the reverse direction. This torque is considered to be polarities of the radially outward end portions of the
counterbalanced with the torque acting on magnetic first rotor are identical to those of the corresponding
poles Nan and Nan-1. radially outward end portions of the second rotor. The
In FIG. 5, attention should be paid to the region of 15 magnets may have different magnetic forces. Further
magnetic poles Na1 and Na2. As first rotor 4a for more, an electric power for exciting the electromagnet
wardly rotates, the direction in which a torque applies can be derived from the rotation of the rotors or from
to magnetic pole Na2, is changed from the reverse di the revolving magnetic field of the permanent magnet.
rection to the forward direction, before magnetic pole Angles C and E are not restricted to 30 and 56.
Na2 reaches the position of magnetic pole Na1. The They may be freely determined in consideration of the
torque for forwardly rotating rotor 4a is larger than that strength of the magnetic force of the permanent mag
for reversely rotating rotor 4a. Therefore, first rotor 4a net, a minimum distance between adjacent magnets,
is easily rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 2. angle x, and the like. The number of magnets of the
Second rotor 4b is considered to receive a torque in a rotor is also freely chosen.
direction reverse to the direction shown in FIG. 2, as 25
seen from the description of first rotor 4a. It is obvious Industrial Applicability
that second rotor 4b receives a maximum torque at the As described above, the magnetic rotation apparatus
position of magnetic pole Nb1. As seen from the above of the present invention can be used as a driving source
formula, torque Tb applied to second rotor 4b in a in place of an electric motor, and as an electric genera
direction reverse to that denoted by the arrow is smaller 30
tor.
than torque Ta1 applied to first rotor 4a in the forward I claim:
direction. The rotation of first rotor 4a is transmitted to
second rotor 4b through gears 6a and 6b. By determin 1. A magnetic rotation apparatus comprising:
ing the relationship between the strengths of torques a first rotor which is rotatably supported;
Tai and Tb1, second rotor 4b is thus rotated in a direc 35 a second rotor which is rotatably supported, and
tion reverse to the rotational direction of first rotor 4a, juxtaposed with said first rotor;
against the torque applied to second rotor in the direc cooperating means for enabling said first and second
tion. As a result, first and second rotors 4a and 4b are rotors to rotate in opposite directions; and
kept rotating, since a torque for rotating rotors 4a and magnet elements arranged at regular intervals on the
4b in a cooperating manner is produced each time mag peripheral portion of each of said first and second
netic poles Na of first rotor 4a pass across the line con rotors, the number of the magnet elements ar
necting shafts 01 and 02. ranged on the first rotor being equal to that of the
In a diagram shown in the right part of FIG. 5, a solid magnet elements on the second rotor,
line indicates a torque applied to first rotor 4a, and a characterized in
broken line indicates a torque applied to second rotor 45 that each magnet element has at least one magnetic
4b. The ordinate indicates a distance between each mag pole located radially outward from each rotor,
netic pole and the line connecting shafts 01 and 02 of that, when the first and second rotors are rotated in a
rotors 4a and 4b. The first region in which electromag cooperating manner, any one of the magnets of the
net 9a of first rotor 4a is turned on is set in a range of Z first rotor, and any of the magnets of the second
during which a torque is applied to first rotor 4a in the 50 rotor, which constitute a pair, move such that their
forward direction. magnetic poles having the same polarity approach
In order to stop the cooperative rotation of rotors 4a and move away from each other periodically;
and 4b, brake switch is turned on to operate switching that one of the paired magnet elements has a phase of
circuit 17. Thus, the direction in which drive circuit 14 rotation a little advanced from that of the other;
supplies a current to electromagnet 9a is reversed. The 55 that, when the paired magnet elements approach each
polarities of electromagnet 9a are reversed. The torque other, a magnetic repulsion force is produced to
applied to electromagnet 9a in the forward direction is exert a torque to the first rotor in one direction, and
stopped. When electromagnet 9a approaches perma the torque of the first rotor is transmitted to the
nent magnet 9b, a magnetic attraction force is produced. second rotor through said cooperating means, thus
As a result, the rotation of rotors 4a and 4b is effectively 60 allowing the second rotor to rotate against a torque
slowed down and stopped. Since the second region, in applied to the second rotor due to said magnetic
which electromagnet 9a is excited, is larger than the repulsion force; and
first region, a large braking force can be obtained from that one of at least a pair of magnet elements is pro
a magnetic attraction force. vided with magnetic force switching means for
In the above embodiment, since electromagnet 9a is 65 changing the polarity of said one magnet element.
excited only in a specific region, a large electric power 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
is not required. In addition, since electromagnet 9a cooperating means is a pair of intermeshing gears pro
rotates and brakes rotors 4a and 4b, a braking mecha vided on the first and second rotors.
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3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said electromagnet, said two polarities of the electromagnet
magnetic force switching means comprises an electro being opposite to each other.
magnet, which is one of a pair of magnet elements, 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each
exciting means for exciting said electromagnet, and permanent magnet of both rotors, excluding the perma
switching means for changing the polarity of said elec 5
ment magnet paired with the electromagnet, has one
tromagnet by changing the current supply direction of magnetic polarity located radially outward from the
the exciting means, all magnet elements excluding said rotors and the other magnetic polarity located radially
electromagnet being permanent magnets. inward toward the rotors.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
electromagnet of one rotor has two magnetic polarities 10 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each
located radially outward from said one rotor, and the permanent magnet of both rotors, excluding the perma
magnet element of the other rotor, which is paired with nent magnet paired with the electromagnet, has the
said electromagnet, has two magnetic polarities which same magnetic polarity located radially outward from
are located radially outward from said other rotor so as the rotors.
to correspond to said two magnetic polarities of the

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