Power conversion device

Abstract

To provide a power conversion device with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A power conversion device includes: a first input member 21a for transmitting drive force to a first gear G1; a second input member 21b for transmitting drive force to a second gear G2; a third gear G3; a fourth gear G4; an output member 41; a first one-way clutch 31; and a second one-way clutch 32. The first one-way clutch 31 is provided on a power transmission path between the third gear G3 and the output member 41, restricts a relative rotation of a first rotation side A2a of the third gear G3 with respect to the output member 41, and permits a relative rotation of a second rotation side A2b. The second one-way clutch 32 is provided on a power transmission path between the fourth gear G4 and the output member 41, restricts a relative rotation of the first rotation side A2a of the fourth gear G4 with respect to the output member 41, and permits a relative rotation of the second rotation side A2b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion device that converts a driving force input as a reciprocating swing into a one-way rotational driving force and outputs it.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-018885 (Patent Document 1) discloses a power conversion device that transmits the manual pedaling force applied to a pedal (18) to a pedal pulley (24) via a crank arm (21) and a belt (25), and then transmits it from the pedal pulley (24) to a rear wheel (19) which is a driving wheel via a differential gear unit (70). Further, in the differential gear unit (70), differential gears (65a, 65b) are held in a differential gear case (60) via one-way clutch bearings (66a, 66b), thereby realizing a structure that converts a driving force input as a reciprocating swing into a one-way rotational driving force.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the power conversion device of Patent Document 1, the left and right crank arms are connected by a belt for the reverse rotation of the pedal, and the driving force transmitted from this belt to the pedal pulley is converted into a one-way rotational driving force using a differential gear and one-way clutch bearings. Therefore, the power conversion device of Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure, and as a result, there are problems such as an easy increase in the number of parts.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to realize a power conversion device with a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power conversion device according to the present disclosure is a first gear and a second gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a first axis, a third gear and a fourth gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a second axis intersecting the first axis in a first direction view orthogonal to the first axis, a first input member that transmits a driving force to the first gear, a second input member that transmits a driving force to the second gear, an output member rotatably supported about the second axis, a first one-way clutch, a second one-way clutch, and includes the first gear and the second gear are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching the second axis in the first direction view, the third gear meshes with both the first gear and the second gear, the fourth gear is arranged on the opposite side of the third gear sandwiching the first axis in the first direction view, and meshes with both the first gear and the second gear, assuming one side of the direction of rotation about the second axis as a first rotation side and the other side as a second rotation side, the first one-way clutch is provided in the power transmission path between the third gear and the output member, and is configured to restrict the relative rotation of the third gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow the relative rotation on the second rotation side, the second one-way clutch is provided in the power transmission path between the fourth gear and the output member, and is configured to restrict the relative rotation of the fourth gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow the relative rotation on the second rotation side.

[0007] According to this configuration, since the first gear and the second gear rotate in opposite directions to each other, when a driving force for rotating the first gear to one side is input to the first input member and a driving force for rotating the second gear to the same side is input to the second input member alternately occur, the first gear and the second gear are reciprocally rocked by these driving forces, and the driving force of the reciprocal rocking can be converted into a rotational driving force in one direction of the output member and output via the third gear and the first one-way clutch and the fourth gear and the second one-way clutch. Therefore, it is easy to make the power conversion device that converts the driving force input as reciprocal rocking into a rotational driving force in one direction have a simple structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the power conversion device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top view of a power conversion device 10. The power conversion device 10 includes a first gear G1 and a second gear G2. The first gear G1 and the second gear G2 are a pair of gears rotatably supported around a first axis A1. The first gear G1 and the second gear G2 are supported by non-rotating members. Examples of the "non-rotating members" include a case, a housing, a frame, etc. The first gear G1 and the second gear G2 are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching a second axis A2 in a view from the first direction orthogonal to the first axis A1. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the vertical direction Z, but the first direction may be a direction different from the vertical direction Z.

[0011] Here, the direction along the first axis A1 is defined as the first axis direction B1. In this embodiment, the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 are arranged such that their gear teeth face each other in the first axis direction B1, but they do not necessarily have to face each other in the first axis direction B1.

[0012] The power conversion device 10 includes a first input member 21a that transmits a driving force to the first gear G1. The first input member 21a includes a first crank member 22a arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis A1. The first crank member 22a is connected so as to rotate integrally with the first gear G1. A first input axis A5 is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis A1 in the first crank member 22a. The first input member 21a includes a first pedal 23a. The first pedal 23a is connected to the first crank member 22a so as to be rotatable about the first input axis A5 with respect to the first crank member 22a. In this embodiment, the first axis A1 and the first input axis A5 are parallel, but they do not necessarily have to be parallel.

[0013] The power conversion device 10 includes a second input member 21b that transmits a driving force to the second gear G2. The second input member 21b includes a second crank member 22b arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis A1. The second crank member 22b is connected so as to rotate integrally with the second gear G2. A second input axis A6 is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis A1 in the second crank member 22b. The second input member 21b includes a second pedal 23b. The second pedal 23b is connected to the second crank member 22b so as to be rotatable about the second input axis A6 with respect to the second crank member 22b. In this embodiment, the first axis A1 and the second input axis A6 are parallel, but they do not necessarily have to be parallel.

[0014] Here, regarding the shape of the member, the phrase "extending in a certain direction" means that, taking the said direction as the reference direction, the extending direction of the member is not limited to a shape parallel to the reference direction, and the extending direction of the whole or a part of the member may be a direction intersecting the reference direction. It also includes the concept of a shape where the extending direction of the whole member is within a predetermined range, for example, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 20 degrees or less, 10 degrees or less, etc., with respect to the reference direction. Here, the extending direction of the first crank member 22a is defined as the first radial direction D1, and the extending direction of the second crank member 22b is defined as the second radial direction D2. In the present embodiment, the first crank member 22a and the second crank member 22b are arranged such that there is a phase where the first radial direction D1 and the second radial direction D2 are parallel to each other, but it is not necessary for there to be a parallel phase.

[0015] The power conversion device 10 includes a third gear G3 and a fourth gear G4, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported around the second axis A2. The second axis A2 intersects the first axis A1 in a view in the first direction orthogonal to the first axis A1. In the illustrated example, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 are orthogonal in a view in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 have an intersection point. Here, one side of the direction of rotation around the first axis A1 is defined as the first input rotation side A1a, and the other side is defined as the second input rotation side A1b.

[0016] The third gear G3 meshes with both the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The fourth gear G4 meshes with both the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The second gear G2 is arranged on the opposite side of the first gear G1 across the second axis A2 in a view in the first direction. The fourth gear G4 is arranged on the opposite side of the third gear G3 across the first axis A1 in a view in the first direction. Here, the direction along the second axis A2 is defined as the second axial direction B2. One side of the direction of rotation around the second axis A2 is defined as the first rotation side A2a, and the other side is defined as the second rotation side A2b.

[0017] The number of teeth of the first gear G1 is the same as that of the second gear G2. The number of teeth of the third gear G3 is the same as that of the fourth gear G4. The number of teeth of the first gear G1 is larger than that of the third gear G3. The number of teeth of the second gear G2 is larger than that of the fourth gear G4. Examples of the first gear G1 to the fourth gear G4 include spur gears, helical spur gears, face gears, hypoid gears (registered trademark), and the like.

[0018] The power conversion device 10 includes a first one-way clutch 31, a second one-way clutch 32, and an output member 41 rotatably supported around a third axis A3. Here, one side of the direction of rotation around the third axis A3 is defined as a first output rotation side A3a, and the other side is defined as a second output rotation side A3b. In the present embodiment, the second axis A2 and the third axis A3 are parallel when viewed in the first direction, but they do not have to be parallel. In the illustrated example, the second axis A2 and the third axis A3 are the same axis. Therefore, the first rotation side A2a and the first output rotation side A3a are the same, and the second rotation side A2b and the second output rotation side A3b are the same.

[0019] The first one-way clutch 31 is provided in the power transmission path between the third gear G3 and the output member 41. The first one-way clutch 31 is configured to rotate the output member 41 in the first output rotation side A3a when the third gear G3 rotates in the first rotation side A2a, and to idle the third gear G3 with respect to the output member 41 when the third gear G3 rotates in the second rotation side A2b. In the present embodiment, the first one-way clutch 31 is configured to restrict the relative rotation of the third gear G3 on the first rotation side A2a with respect to the output member 41 and to allow the relative rotation on the second rotation side A2b.

[0020] The second one-way clutch 32 is provided in the power transmission path between the fourth gear G4 and the output member 41. The second one-way clutch 32 is configured to rotate the output member 41 in the first output rotation direction A3a when the fourth gear G4 rotates in the first rotation direction A2a, and to allow the fourth gear G4 to idle relative to the output member 41 when the fourth gear G4 rotates in the second rotation direction A2b. In the present embodiment, the second one-way clutch 32 is configured to restrict the relative rotation of the fourth gear G4 in the first rotation direction A2a with respect to the output member 41 and to allow the relative rotation in the second rotation direction A2b.

[0021] The third gear G3 is connected so as to rotate integrally with a first outer ring support portion 35 that supports one of the outer ring or the inner ring of the first one-way clutch 31. The other of the outer ring or the inner ring of the first one-way clutch 31 is supported by the output member 41. In the illustrated example, the first outer ring support portion 35 is a cylindrical member, and the outer ring of the first one-way clutch 31 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

[0022] The fourth gear G4 is connected so as to rotate integrally with a second outer ring support portion 36 that supports one of the outer ring or the inner ring of the second one-way clutch 32. The other of the outer ring or the inner ring of the second one-way clutch 32 is supported by the output member 41. In the illustrated example, the second outer ring support portion 36 is a cylindrical member, and the outer ring of the second one-way clutch 32 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

[0023] Here, "rotate integrally" means a state in which two members or two portions are connected so as to always rotate at the same speed. This includes a configuration in which two portions are integrally formed by the same member, and a configuration in which two members that are separate from each other are connected so as to rotate integrally.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the first gear G1 rotates on the first input rotation side A1a, the third gear G3 rotates on the first rotation side A2a, and the fourth gear G4 rotates on the second rotation side A2b. The first one-way clutch 31 is configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the first rotation side A2a of the third gear G3 to the output member 41. The second one-way clutch 32 is configured not to transmit the rotational driving force of the second rotation side A2b of the fourth gear G4 to the output member 41. When the third gear G3 rotates on the first rotation side A2a, even if the fourth gear G4 rotates on the second rotation side A2b, the output member 41 rotates on the first output rotation side A3a (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the first rotation side A2a). When the fourth gear G4 rotates on the second rotation side A2b, the second gear G2, the second crank member 22b, and the second pedal 23b rotate on the second input rotation side A1b.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the second gear G2 rotates on the first input rotation side A1a, the third gear G3 rotates on the second rotation side A2b, and the fourth gear G4 rotates on the first rotation side A2a. The first one-way clutch 31 is configured not to transmit the rotational driving force of the second rotation side A2b of the third gear G3 to the output member 41. The second one-way clutch 32 is configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the first rotation side A2a of the fourth gear G4 to the output member 41. When the fourth gear G4 rotates on the first rotation side A2a, even if the third gear G3 rotates on the second rotation side A2b, the output member 41 rotates on the first output rotation side A3a (in the example shown in FIG. 2, the first rotation side A2a). When the third gear G3 rotates on the second rotation side A2b, the first gear G1, the first crank member 22a, and the first pedal 23a rotate on the second input rotation side A1b.

[0026] The output member 41 is formed in a shaft shape and penetrates the third gear G3 and the fourth gear G4. The third gear G3 is disposed between the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 in the first axial direction B1. The fourth gear G4 is disposed between the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 in the first axial direction B1. The output member 41 is disposed so as to have a portion sandwiched between the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 in the first axial direction B1.

[0027] Here, the direction along the first axis center A1 is defined as the first axis direction B1, and the direction along the second axis center A2 is defined as the second axis direction B2. Also, the side on which the third gear G3 is arranged with respect to the fourth gear G4 in the second axis direction B2 is defined as the first side B2a in the second axis direction, and the opposite side is defined as the second side B2b in the second axis direction.

[0028] The power conversion device 10 includes a first bearing 43. The first bearing 43 supports a portion of the output member 41 on the first side B2a in the second axis direction, which is closer to the second axis direction than the third gear G3. The power conversion device 10 includes a second bearing 44. The second bearing 44 supports a portion of the output member 41 on the second side B2b in the second axis direction, which is farther from the second axis direction than the fourth gear G4.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a vehicle 60 on which the power conversion device 10 is mounted. In FIG. 3, a part of the vehicle body 61 of the vehicle 60 is cut away to show the power conversion device 10. The power conversion device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 60 provided with wheels 66. Examples of the vehicle 60 include motorcycles, four-wheel vehicles, rail bicycles, water bicycles, ice bicycles, motorized bicycles, and motorcycles. In this embodiment, the vehicle 60 is a three-wheeled bicycle.

[0030] Here, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 60 is defined as the front-rear direction X, the width direction of the vehicle 60 is defined as the width direction Y, and the vertical direction of the vehicle 60 is defined as the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the wheels 66 and the axles 65 are arranged in a pair at intervals in the width direction Y of the vehicle 60. The above-mentioned first axis direction B1 is parallel to the width direction Y. The above-mentioned second axis direction B2 is parallel to the front-rear direction X. In this embodiment, both the first pedal 23a and the second pedal 23b are arranged so as to be always on the upper side Z1 with respect to the first axis center A1.

[0031] Here, during the forward movement of the vehicle 60, the driving force transmitted from the output member 41 to the wheels 66 in the direction of accelerating the vehicle 60 is defined as the accelerating driving force, and the driving force transmitted from the output member 41 to the wheels 66 in the direction of decelerating the vehicle 60 is defined as the decelerating driving force.

[0032] The power transmission device 10 includes a power transmission mechanism 50 that transmits driving force between the output member 41 and the wheels 66. The power transmission mechanism 50 includes a third one-way clutch 51. The third one-way clutch 51 is configured to transmit the acceleration driving force and not transmit the deceleration driving force. In the present embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force to the rear wheels 66.

[0033] The power transmission mechanism 50 includes a fifth gear G5 and a sixth gear G6 that meshes with the fifth gear G5. The fifth gear G5 is configured to transmit at least the acceleration driving force from the output member 41. In the present embodiment, the fifth gear G5 and the output member 41 are connected so as to rotate integrally, but they do not have to rotate integrally. In the illustrated example, the output member 41 and the fifth gear G5 are connected via an intermediate shaft member 42.

[0034] The sixth gear G6 transmits the acceleration driving force to the wheels 66 via the axle 65. The sixth gear G6 is disposed between a pair of axles 65 in the vehicle width direction Y of the vehicle 60. The wheel 66 and the axle 65 rotate around the fourth axis A4. The sixth gear G6 rotates around the fourth axis A4. In the present embodiment, the third one-way clutch 51 is provided in the power transmission path between the sixth gear G6 and the axle 65. In the illustrated example, the third one-way clutch 51 is provided in each of the power transmission path between the sixth gear G6 and one axle 65 and the power transmission path between the sixth gear G6 and the other axle 65. In the present embodiment, the fourth axis A4 is parallel to the first axis A1, but it does not have to be parallel.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 50 is configured such that when the first pedal 23a is separated from the seat 67 of the vehicle 60 and the first gear G1 rotates to the first input rotation side A1a, the vehicle 60 moves forward. The first crank member 22a is arranged such that when the first pedal 23a approaches the seat 67 of the vehicle 60, the first gear G1 rotates to the second input rotation side A1b.

[0036] In this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 50 is configured such that when the second pedal 23b moves away from the seat 67 of the vehicle 60 and the second gear G2 rotates to the first input rotation side A1a, the vehicle 60 moves forward. The second crank member 22b is arranged such that when the second pedal 23b approaches the seat 67 of the vehicle 60, the second gear G2 rotates to the second input rotation side A1b.

[0037] 〔Other Embodiments〕 Next, other embodiments of the power conversion device 10 will be described.

[0038] (1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the power conversion device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 60 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the power conversion device 10 may be provided in a power generation device. The power generation device shown in FIG. 4 includes a speed increaser 71 and a rotary electric machine 72, and the driving force output from the output member 41 of the power conversion device 10 is input to the speed increaser 71.

[0039] (2) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the number of teeth of the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 is larger than the number of teeth of the third gear G3 and the fourth gear G4 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the number of teeth of the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 may be the same as or less than the number of teeth of the third gear G3 and the fourth gear G4. Also, for example, the number of teeth of the first gear G1 and the number of teeth of the second gear G2 may be different. Also, for example, the number of teeth of the third gear G3 and the number of teeth of the fourth gear G4 may be different.

[0040] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the output member 41 passes through the third gear G3 and the fourth gear G4 and has a portion sandwiched between the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 in the first axial direction B1 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the output member 41 may have a configuration that passes through only one of the third gear G3 and the fourth gear G4. Further, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a first one-way clutch 31 is provided between the gear meshing with the third gear G3 and the output member 41. Further, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a second one-way clutch 32 is provided between the gear meshing with the fourth gear G4 and the output member 41. Further, for example, the output member 41 may not have a portion sandwiched between the first gear G1 and the second gear G2 in the first axial direction B1.

[0041] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first input member 21a includes the first crank member 22a and the first pedal 23a, and the second input member 21b includes the second crank member 22b and the second pedal 23b has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the first input member 21a may have a configuration that does not include the first crank member 22a or the first pedal 23a. Further, for example, the second input member 21b may have a configuration that does not include the second crank member 22b or the second pedal 23b.

[0042] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the power conversion device 10 includes the power transmission mechanism 50 having the third one-way clutch 51 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the power transmission mechanism 50 may not include the third one-way clutch 51.

[0043] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 have an intersection point and are orthogonal in the view in the first direction has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 may not have an intersection point. Further, for example, the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 may not be orthogonal in the view in the first direction. Further, for example, the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 may not be orthogonal.

[0044] (7) In the above-described embodiment, in this embodiment, the configuration in which the power conversion device 10 includes the first bearing 43, the second bearing 44, and the power transmission mechanism 50 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the power conversion device 10 may not include any or all of the first bearing 43, the second bearing 44, and the power transmission mechanism 50.

[0045] (8) In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can also be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations as well, all the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be appropriately made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0046] Summary of the above embodiment Hereinafter, the power conversion device according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0047] In one aspect, a power conversion device (10) includes a first gear (G1) and a second gear (G2) which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a first axis (A1), a third gear (G3) and a fourth gear (G4) which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a second axis (A2) intersecting the first axis (A1) in a first direction view orthogonal to the first axis (A1), a first input member (21a) for transmitting a driving force to the first gear (G1), a second input member (21b) for transmitting a driving force to the second gear (G2), an output member (41) rotatably supported about the second axis (A2), a first one-way clutch (31), and a second one-way clutch (32). The first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching the second axis (A2) in a first direction view. The third gear (G3) meshes with both the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2). The fourth gear (G4) is arranged on the opposite side of the third gear (G3) sandwiching the first axis (A1) in a first direction view and meshes with both the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2). Regarding one side of the direction of rotation about the second axis (A2) as a first rotation side (A2a) and the other side as a second rotation side (A2b), the first one-way clutch (31) is provided in the power transmission path between the third gear (G3) and the output member (41), and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the third gear (G3) with respect to the output member (41) on the first rotation side (A2a) and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side (A2b). The second one-way clutch (32) is provided in the power transmission path between the fourth gear (G4) and the output member (41), and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the fourth gear (G4) with respect to the output member (41) on the first rotation side (A2a) and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side (A2b).

[0048] In this way, since the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) rotate in opposite directions, when a driving force for rotating the first gear (G1) in one direction is input to the first input member (21a) and a driving force for rotating the second gear (G2) in the same direction is input to the second input member (21b) alternately occur, the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) are reciprocally rocked by these driving forces, and the driving force of the reciprocal rocking is converted into a rotational driving force in one direction of the output member (41) via the third gear (G3) and the first one-way clutch (31) and the fourth gear (G4) and the second one-way clutch (32), and output. Therefore, it is easy to make the power conversion device (10) that converts the driving force input as reciprocal rocking into a rotational driving force in one direction have a simple structure.

[0049] As one aspect, the number of teeth of the first gear (G1) is the same as the number of teeth of the second gear (G2), the number of teeth of the third gear (G3) is the same as the number of teeth of the fourth gear (G4), and the number of teeth of the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) is larger than the number of teeth of the third gear (G3) and the fourth gear (G4).

[0050] In this way, the rotation of the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) can be speeded up and transmitted to the output member (41).

[0051] As one aspect, with the direction along the first axis (A1) being the first axial direction (B1), the output member (41) is formed in a shaft shape, penetrates the third gear (G3) and the fourth gear (G4), and is arranged so as to have a portion sandwiched between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) in the first axial direction (B1). With the direction along the second axis (A2) being the second axial direction (B2), the side where the third gear (G3) is arranged with respect to the fourth gear (G4) in the second axial direction (B2) is the first side in the second axial direction (B2a), and the opposite side is the second side in the second axial direction (B2b). The power conversion device (10) includes a first bearing (43) that supports a portion of the output member (41) on the first side in the second axial direction (B2a) with respect to the third gear (G3), and a second bearing (44) that supports a portion of the output member (41) on the second side in the second axial direction (B2b) with respect to the fourth gear (G4).

[0052] In this way, the output member (41) can be appropriately supported, and the third gear (G3) and the fourth gear (G4) can be appropriately supported by the output member (41).

[0053] In one aspect, the first input member (21a) is arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis (A1), and includes a first crank member (22a) connected to rotate integrally with the first gear (G1), and a first input axis (A5) is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis (A1) in the first crank member (22a), and a first pedal (23a) connected to the first crank member (22a) so as to be rotatable about the first input axis (A5) relative to the first crank member (22a). The second input member (21b) is arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis (A1), and includes a second crank member (22b) connected to rotate integrally with the second gear (G2), and a second input axis (A6) is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis (A1) in the second crank member (22b), and a second pedal (23b) connected to the second crank member (22b) so as to be rotatable about the second input axis (A6) relative to the second crank member (22b).

[0054] In this way, when the first pedal (23a) is pushed and the first gear (G1) rotates to one side, the second gear (G2) rotates to the opposite side and the second pedal (23b) returns. When the second pedal (23b) is pushed and the second gear (G2) rotates to one side, the first gear (G1) rotates to the opposite side and the first pedal (23a) returns. Thus, the reciprocating operation (pedaling) of the pedal by human power can be converted into a rotational driving force in one direction of the output member (41) and output.

[0055] In one aspect, a power conversion device (10) is mounted on a vehicle (60) equipped with wheels (66), and further includes a power transmission mechanism (50) that transmits driving force between an output member (41) and the wheels (66). The power transmission mechanism (50) includes a third one-way clutch (51). During forward movement of the vehicle (60), the driving force transmitted from the output member (41) to the wheels (66) in the direction of accelerating the vehicle (60) is defined as the accelerating driving force, and the driving force transmitted from the output member (41) to the wheels (66) in the direction of decelerating the vehicle (60) is defined as the decelerating driving force. The third one-way clutch (51) is configured to transmit the accelerating driving force and not transmit the decelerating driving force.

[0056] In this way, the accelerating driving force for accelerating the vehicle (60) during forward movement of the vehicle (60) can be appropriately transmitted to the wheels (66), and even when no driving force is transmitted to the first input member (21a) and the second input member (21b), it is possible to allow the vehicle (60) to move forward by inertia. Therefore, it becomes easy to efficiently run the vehicle (60).

[0057] The power conversion device according to the present disclosure only needs to be able to achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0058] 10: Power conversion device, 21a: First input member, 21b: Second input member, 22a: First crank member, 22b: Second crank member, 23a: First pedal, 23b: Second pedal, 31: First one-way clutch, 32: Second one-way clutch, 41: Output member, 43: First bearing, 44: Second bearing, 50: Power transmission mechanism, 51: Third one-way clutch, 60: Vehicle, 66: Wheels, A1: First axis center, A2: Second axis center, A2a: First rotation side, A2b: Second rotation side, A5: First input axis center, A6: Second input axis center, B1: First axis direction, B2: Second axis direction, B2a: First side of the second axis direction, B2b: Second side of the second axis direction, G1: First gear, G2: Second gear, G3: Third gear, G4: Fourth gear

Claims

1. A first gear and a second gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a first axis; A third gear and a fourth gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a second axis that intersects the first axis in a view from a first direction orthogonal to the first axis; A first input member that transmits a driving force to the first gear; A second input member that transmits a driving force to the second gear; An output member rotatably supported about the second axis; A first one-way clutch; A second one-way clutch; Comprising: The first gear and the second gear are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching the second axis in the view from the first direction; The third gear meshes with both the first gear and the second gear; The fourth gear is arranged on the opposite side of the third gear across the first axis in the view from the first direction, and meshes with both the first gear and the second gear; Regarding one side of the direction of rotation about the second axis as a first rotation side and the other side as a second rotation side, The first one-way clutch is provided in a power transmission path between the third gear and the output member, and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the third gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side; The second one-way clutch is provided in a power transmission path between the fourth gear and the output member, and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the fourth gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side, a power conversion device.

2. The number of teeth of the first gear is the same as the number of teeth of the second gear; The number of teeth of the third gear is the same as the number of teeth of the fourth gear; The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the number of teeth of the first gear and the second gear is larger than the number of teeth of the third gear and the fourth gear.

3. Regarding the direction along the first axis as a first axial direction, The output member is formed in a shaft shape, penetrates the third gear and the fourth gear, and is arranged so as to have a portion sandwiched between the first gear and the second gear in the first axial direction; Regarding the direction along the second axis as a second axial direction, regarding the side where the third gear is arranged with respect to the fourth gear in the second axial direction as a first side in the second axial direction and the opposite side as a second side in the second axial direction, A first bearing that supports a portion of the output member on the first side in the second axial direction relative to the third gear, and a second bearing that supports a portion of the output member on the second side in the second axial direction relative to the fourth gear; The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The first input member is arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, and a first crank member connected to rotate integrally with the first gear; a first input axis is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis in the first crank member, and a first pedal rotatably connected to the first crank member about the first input axis with respect to the first crank member. The second input member is arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, and a second crank member connected to rotate integrally with the second gear; a second input axis is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis in the second crank member, and a second pedal rotatably connected to the second crank member about the second input axis with respect to the second crank member. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. Mounted on a vehicle equipped with wheels Further comprising a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force between the output member and the wheels The power transmission mechanism includes a third one-way clutch During forward movement of the vehicle, the driving force transmitted from the output member to the wheels in the direction of accelerating the vehicle is defined as an accelerating driving force, and the driving force transmitted from the output member to the wheels in the direction of decelerating the vehicle is defined as a decelerating driving force. The third one-way clutch is configured to transmit the accelerating driving force and not transmit the decelerating driving force. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

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