Rotation transmission mechanism

Abstract

To provide a rotation transmission mechanism that converts a forward / reverse rotating motion into a continuous rotating motion in one direction.SOLUTION: A rotation transmission mechanism 100 includes: a first rotor 102 which is provided on a rotor rotating shaft 23 and rotates alternately in a forward rotating direction and a reverse rotating direction opposite to the forward rotating direction by way of a loop belt 16; a second rotor 114 which is fixed to the rotor rotating shaft 23 at a position aligned with the first rotor 102; and a third rotor 120 which moves in synchronization with the first rotor 102 and engages with the second rotor 114. The first rotor 102 includes a one-way clutch 112 which restricts rotation of the first rotor 102 with respect to the rotor rotating shaft 23 by being maintained in a locked state during rotation of the first rotor 102 in the forward rotating direction, and permits rotation of the first rotor 102 with respect to the rotor rotating shaft 23 by being maintained in an unlocked state during rotation of the first rotor 102 in the reverse rotating direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotation transmission mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] A rotation transmission mechanism is known in which a first rotor and a second rotor are arranged side by side on the same rotating shaft, the first rotor is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft and is provided with a driving force to rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction about the rotating shaft, the second rotor is fixed to the rotating shaft so as not to be rotatable, and when the first rotor rotates in the forward direction, the second rotor rotates in the same forward direction in synchronization with the first rotor, but when the first rotor rotates in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, the second rotor becomes free and does not rotate. Such a rotation transmission mechanism employs a so-called ratchet mechanism and is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-74922 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional rotation transmission mechanism equipped with the ratchet mechanism described above, when the first rotor is driven to rotate in the forward direction, the driving force of the first rotor is applied to the second rotor, forcing the second rotor to rotate in the forward direction. However, when the first rotor is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the driving force of the first rotor is not applied to the second rotor, and the second rotor is free to rotate. In other words, in the conventional rotation transmission mechanism, the second rotor only rotates in the forward direction when the first rotor rotates in the forward direction. When the first rotor alternates between the forward and reverse directions, the second rotor only rotates in the forward direction intermittently. In other words, the conventional rotation transmission mechanism is not configured to actively rotate the second rotor in the forward direction when the first rotor rotates in the reverse direction.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a rotation transmission mechanism configured so that even if one first rotating body rotates alternately in both the forward and reverse directions, the second rotating body always actively rotates continuously in the forward direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The rotation transmission mechanism of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application comprises: a first rotor (102) rotatably supported on a rotary shaft (23) and rotated alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by a driving means (16); a second rotating body (114) arranged alongside the first rotating body (102) and fixed to the rotating shaft (23), and having a first gear (116) formed around the entire periphery of the second rotating body (114); a third rotor (120) rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft (110) that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotor (102) around a rotation axis (23), and having a second gear (122) formed around the entire outer periphery thereof that meshes with the first gear (116) of the second rotor (114); a one-way clutch (112) that is provided on the first rotating body (102) and attached to the rotating body (23), that is maintained in a locked state when the first rotating body (102) rotates in the forward direction, thereby restricting the rotation of the first rotating body (102) relative to the rotating shaft (23), and that is maintained in an unlocked state when the first rotating body (102) rotates in the reverse direction, thereby allowing the rotation of the first rotating body (102) relative to the rotating shaft (23); When the first rotor (102) rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch (112) is maintained in a locked state, thereby causing the second rotor (114) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotor (102), When the first rotating body (102) rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch (112) is maintained in an unlocked state, causing the first rotating body (102) to rotate in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body (114), and the meshing of the first gear (116) and the second gear (122) causes the third rotating body (120) to rotate while moving around the second rotating body (114), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body (120) causes the second rotating body (114) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate in the forward direction.

[0007] According to the rotation transmission mechanism of the invention of claim 1, when the first rotating body rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch is maintained in a locked state, so the rotating shaft and the second rotating body fixed to the rotating shaft rotate in the forward direction. On the other hand, when the first rotating body rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch is maintained in an unlocked state, so the rotating shaft and the second rotating body are allowed to continue rotating in the forward direction even when the first rotating body rotates in the reverse direction. Furthermore, as the third rotating body rotates, a rotational inertia force is generated, which actively rotates the second rotating body and the rotating shaft in the forward direction. In other words, even when the first rotating body rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the rotating shaft can be rotated continuously and uninterruptedly in the forward direction.

[0008] The rotation transmission mechanism of the invention according to claim 2 of the present application comprises: a first rotor (152) rotatably mounted on a rotary shaft (23) and rotated alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by a driving means (16); a second rotor (164) arranged alongside the first rotor (152) and fixed to the rotary shaft (23), with a first gear (166) formed around the entire periphery of the second rotor (164); a third rotor (170) rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft (160) that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotor (152) around the rotation axis (23), and having a second gear (172) formed around the entire outer periphery thereof that meshes with the first gear (166) of the second rotor (164); a one-way clutch (176) that is provided on the third rotor (170) and attached to the exterior of the fulcrum shaft (160), that is maintained in a locked state during forward rotation of the first rotor (152) to restrict rotation of the third rotor (170) relative to the fulcrum shaft (160), and that is maintained in an unlocked state during reverse rotation of the first rotor (152) to allow rotation of the third rotor (170) relative to the fulcrum shaft (160); When the first rotor (152) rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch (176) is maintained in a locked state, causing the second rotor (164) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotor (152), When the first rotating body (152) rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch (176) is maintained in an unlocked state, causing the first rotating body (152) to rotate in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body (164), and the meshing of the first gear (166) and the second gear (172) causes the third rotating body (170) to rotate while moving around the second rotating body (164), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body (170) causes the second rotating body (164) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate in the forward direction.

[0009] According to the rotation transmission mechanism of the invention of claim 2, when the first rotor rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch is kept locked and the third rotor is stopped so that it cannot rotate about the fulcrum shaft, so the rotor shaft and the second rotor fixed to the rotor shaft rotate in the forward direction in synchronization with the first rotor. On the other hand, when the first rotor rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch is kept unlocked and the third rotor is free to rotate about the fulcrum shaft, so the rotor shaft and the second rotor are allowed to continue rotating in the forward direction, and the rotation of the third rotor generates a rotational inertia force, which actively rotates the second rotor and the rotor shaft in the forward direction. In other words, even when the first rotor rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the rotor shaft can rotate continuously and uninterruptedly in the forward direction.

[0010] The rotation transmission mechanism of the invention according to claim 3 of the present application comprises: The third rotating body (120 / 170) is a small-diameter pinion gear with a large diameter ratio to the second rotating body (114 / 164), When the first rotating body (102 / 152) rotates in the reverse direction, the third rotating body (120 / 170) rotates at high speed by meshing with the second rotating body (114 / 164) and moving around the second rotating body (114 / 164), and the rotational inertia force generated in this third rotating body (120 / 170) actively rotates the second rotating body (114 / 164) and the rotating shaft (23) in the forward direction.

[0011] According to the rotation transmission mechanism of the invention of claim 3, when the first rotating body rotates in the reverse direction, the third rotating body rotates at high speed, increasing the rotational inertia force generated in the third rotating body, and allowing the second rotating body and the rotating shaft to actively rotate in the forward direction.

[0012] The rotation transmission mechanism of the invention according to claim 4 of the present application comprises: The third rotor (120 / 170) is characterized in that a plurality of third rotors (120 / 170) are provided at predetermined intervals around the periphery of the second rotor (114 / 164).

[0013] According to the rotation transmission mechanism of the invention of claim 4, when the first rotating body rotates in the reverse direction, each of the multiple third rotating bodies rotates at high speed, and rotational inertia force is generated in each of the multiple third rotating bodies, so that the total rotational inertia force increases, and the second rotating body and the rotating shaft can be rotated continuously and actively in the forward direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the rotation transmission mechanism of the present invention, even if the first rotating body rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the second rotating body and the rotating shaft can always be driven to rotate continuously in the forward direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1A is an explanatory diagram showing a rotation transmission mechanism according to one embodiment of the first invention; FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1a-1a in FIG. 2 (a view seen from the sprocket side with the one-way clutch visible); and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1b-1b in FIG. 2 (a view seen from the side where the second rotating body and the third rotating body are arranged). [Figure 2] 1 is a view of a rotation transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the first invention, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor rotation shaft. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the operating state of a rotation transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the first invention, in which (a) shows a situation in which, when the first rotating body rotates in a first direction (forward direction), the one-way clutch is maintained in a locked state, causing the rotor rotating shaft to rotate in the forward direction together with the first rotating body, and (b) shows a situation in which, when the first rotating body rotates in a second direction (reverse direction) opposite to the first direction, the one-way clutch is maintained in an unlocked state, causing the rotor rotating shaft to rotate in the forward direction even when the first rotating body rotates in the reverse direction. [Figure 4] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a power generating device in which a rotation transmission mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention is implemented. [Figure 5] Regarding a power generating device that implements the rotation transmission mechanism of the first invention, (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the second coil spring is elongated and deformed, and the first coil spring is weakened and compressed and shortened by the second coil spring, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the first coil spring is elongated and deformed, and the second coil spring is weakened and compressed and shortened by the first coil spring. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the first to third partition walls are fitted into grooves in the front and rear walls of the sealed vessel and are movable in a power generator in which the rotation transmission mechanism of the first invention is implemented. [Figure 7] Regarding a power generation device that embodies the rotation transmission mechanism of the first invention, (a) is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the sealed vessel taken at the right side of the first partition wall, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view taken at the X-X line position of (a). [Figure 8]8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing a rotation transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the second invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8a-8a in FIG. 9, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8b-8b in FIG. 9 (a view seen from the side where the second rotating body and the third rotating body on which the one-way clutch is disposed are located). [Figure 9] 10 is a view of a rotation transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the second invention, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor rotation shaft. [Figure 10] Figures explaining the operating state of a rotation transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the second invention, where (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the one-way clutch is maintained in a locked state when the first rotating body rotates in a first direction (forward direction), causing the third rotating body to stop, and (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the one-way clutch is maintained in an unlocked state when the first rotating body rotates in a second direction (reverse direction) opposite to the first direction, causing the third rotating body to rotate about the fulcrum axis, and the rotational inertia force generated in the third rotating body causes the second rotating body and the rotor rotating shaft to rotate in the forward direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Next, the rotation transmission mechanism of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the rotation transmission mechanism will be described as being implemented in a power generation device. In the following embodiments, the left-right direction in FIG. 4 is the "left-right direction" of the power generation device CU, the direction horizontally perpendicular to this left-right direction is the "front-rear direction," and the directions perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction are the "up-down direction." Furthermore, the sizes and dimensions of each component illustrated in the following description are merely examples and are not limited to these. [Example]

[0017] (Regarding the first invention) 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a power generator CU equipped with a rotation transmission mechanism 100 according to the first invention. The power generator CU includes a first partition wall 4 provided so as to be able to reciprocate within a sealed vessel 1 having an internal space; a first coil spring 2 made of a shape memory alloy, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed vessel 1 and the other end of which is connected to the first partition wall 4, and which elongates and deforms when heated to a predetermined threshold temperature T or higher and weakens when cooled below the threshold temperature T; and a second coil spring 2 located on the opposite side of the first partition wall 4 from the first coil spring 2, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed vessel 1 and the other end of which is connected to the first partition wall 4. The power generating unit CU includes: a second coil spring 3 made of a shape memory alloy that expands and deforms when heated to a predetermined threshold temperature T or higher and weakens when cooled below the threshold temperature T; a loop belt (driving means) 16 connected to the first partition wall 4 and that moves back and forth as the first partition wall 4 moves back and forth; and a rotation transmission mechanism 100 according to the first invention, in which the loop belt 16 and a rotor rotation shaft (rotation shaft) 23 are linked and that converts the reciprocating movement of the loop belt 16 into rotation of the rotor rotation shaft 23 in one direction. As a result, the power generating unit CU is configured to alternately expand and deform the first coil spring 2 and weaken the second coil spring 3, and to weaken the first coil spring 2 and expand and deform the second coil spring 3, so that the first partition wall 4 moves back and forth and the loop belt 16 moves back and forth in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the first partition wall 4, and the rotation transmission mechanism 100 continuously rotates the rotor rotation shaft 23 in the same direction, thereby generating power with the generator 20.

[0018] That is, the power generating device CU of Figure 4 is located inside a sealed vessel 1, with a first partition wall 4 as the boundary, and a first coil spring 2 and a second coil spring 3 made of shape memory alloy attached to the left and right sides of this wall. These first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3 are alternately stretched and weakened by a small, high-performance electric heater (second temperature adjustment means) 8 that obtains electricity from a storage battery (battery) 27 installed on the upper surface of the top wall of the sealed vessel 1, an ultra-small, high-performance cooler (first temperature adjustment means) 9, a floor fan 28, and a ceiling fan 29. For example, when the contracted first coil spring 2 on the left side is heated and stretches to the right, the stretched second coil spring 3 on the right side is cooled and weakened, so it is compressed by the expanding first shape memory alloy coil spring 2 and shrinks. Furthermore, when the second coil spring 3 on the right side, which has been compressed, is heated and expands to the left, the first coil spring 2 on the left side, which has been expanded, is cooled and weakened, so it is compressed and contracted by the expanding second coil spring 3. These coil springs 2, 3 repeat a series of expansion and contraction operations, ultimately causing the rotor rotating shaft 23 to continuously rotate and generating electricity from the generator 20.

[0019] (Regarding sealed tank 1) First, we will describe the sealed vessel 1. As shown in Figure 4, the sealed vessel 1 is a rectangular box. The interior is divided into a first space R1 and a second space R2 by a first partition wall 4 slidably mounted within the sealed vessel 1, a second partition wall 5 slidably mounted on the first partition wall 4, and a third partition wall 6 slidably mounted within the sealed vessel 1 and in contact with the first partition wall 4. The sealed vessel 1 is a rectangular, insulated, hollow box consisting of front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom walls. While the size and materials can be selected arbitrarily, for the purposes of this discussion, we will assume that each wall is a 3-cm-thick box made of ultra-strong synthetic resin. For convenience of explanation, its volume is assumed to be 25 cm long (vertical width), 41.6 cm wide (horizontal width), and 24 cm deep (front-to-back width), corresponding to the maximum extension length of the shape memory alloy spring. A first partition wall 4 (e.g., 3 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 24 cm deep) is provided inside the sealed tank 1, dividing the interior of the sealed tank 1 into two left and right regions. This first partition wall 4 acts as a boundary, creating regions where the first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 expand and contract left and right. The same number of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 are attached, one on each side of the first partition wall 4, at the same horizontal position, and the other is attached to the left or right wall inside the sealed tank 1 at the same horizontal position so as to face the previously attached coil spring.

[0020] (Regarding each guide groove 60, 61, 62) As shown in Fig. 6, the sealed tank 1 has first to third guide grooves 60, 61, and 62 formed on the inner wall surfaces of the front and rear walls facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, extending horizontally in the left-to-right direction. The protrusion 4a formed at the front end of the first partition wall 4 fits almost tightly into the first guide groove 60 formed in the front wall, and the protrusion 4a formed at the rear end of the first partition wall 4 fits almost tightly into the first guide groove 60 formed in the rear wall. In other words, the first guide grooves 60, 60 enable the first partition wall 4, with its respective protrusions 4a, 4a at the front and rear ends fitted therein, to slide back and forth stably in the left-to-right direction. The front end of the second partition wall 5 fits almost tightly into the second guide groove 61 formed in the front wall, and the rear end of the second partition wall 5 fits almost tightly into the second guide groove 61 formed in the rear wall. That is, the second guide grooves 61, 61 allow the second partition wall 5, whose front and rear ends are fitted, to slide back and forth stably in the left-right direction. The front end of the third partition wall 6 fits almost tightly into the third guide groove 62 formed in the front wall, and the rear end of the third partition wall 6 fits almost tightly into the second guide groove 62 formed in the rear wall. That is, the third guide grooves 62, 62 allow the third partition wall 6, whose front and rear ends are fitted, to slide back and forth stably in the left-right direction. The first to third guide grooves 60, 61, 62 each have a depth of 1.0 cm from the inner surface of the front wall or rear wall.

[0021] (Coil springs 2 and 3) The first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are coil springs made of a shape memory alloy. For example, the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 have a wire diameter of 1.2 mm, an outer diameter of 20 mm, a total number of turns of 30 turns, and a shear strain of 1.0%. The first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are set to have a characteristic that when they reach a predetermined temperature (threshold temperature T) at which the generated force increases, they suddenly expand from their most compressed state (the length of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 in this state is, for example, 3.6 cm), and when they are cooled again below the predetermined temperature (threshold temperature T), their generated force decreases dramatically, causing them to weaken. As defined in this application, "weakening" means that when the shape memory alloy constituting the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 is cooled to a temperature below a predetermined threshold temperature T (a temperature lower than the threshold temperature T), the shape memory alloy does not actively undergo contraction deformation by itself, and when a force is applied to the spring from the axial direction, it is compressed with almost no resistance.

[0022] In the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, when a pair of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 is formed and extends in the left-right direction of the power generator unit CU and is arranged in series in the left-right direction, two pairs of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 are provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction, but the number of pairs of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 may be one pair or three or more pairs.

[0023] (About shape memory alloys) The shape memory alloy forming the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 of the embodiment has the following physical properties and characteristics. This shape memory alloy is made of Ti (titanium) and Ni (nickel), and has the physical property of expanding when heated and weakening when cooled. The shape memory alloy of the embodiment has a temperature rise operation completion temperature (Af point) set to 35°C or higher and a temperature fall operation completion temperature (Mf point) set to less than 35°C. Therefore, in the embodiment, the threshold temperature T is 35°C. Note that the threshold temperature T can be adjusted by adjusting the compounding ratio of Ti (titanium), Ni (nickel), etc. in the shape memory alloy. Note that the original size of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 is longer than the expanded state shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] The first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 made of such a shape memory alloy actively expand in the axial direction of the spring when the shape memory alloy is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and will expand even when an axial force is applied. On the other hand, when the shape memory alloy cools to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, it weakens and no longer actively expands or contracts in the axial direction of the spring, but will contract when an axial force is applied. Therefore, in the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 that are paired in series in the left-right direction, if the first coil spring 2 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T and the second coil spring 3 is cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, the first coil spring 2 expands and the second coil spring 3 is pushed by the first coil spring 2 and contracts. On the other hand, when the second coil spring 3 warms up to or above the threshold temperature T and the first coil spring 2 cools down to below the threshold temperature T, the second coil spring 3 expands and the first coil spring 2 is pushed by the second coil spring 3 and contracts.

[0025] The biggest issue with shape memory alloy springs is that distortion occurs when they expand and contract, reducing their effectiveness. In other words, the main cause of distortion in shape memory alloy springs is excessive stretching or contraction when they expand and contract. This is called distortion (1). Next is the deflection that occurs when a shape memory alloy spring expands. The longer the spring is, the more likely it is to bend, and the distortion caused by this deflection is called distortion (2). Thirdly, distortion occurs when a shape memory alloy spring does not expand and contract in the right time due to temperature, which is called distortion (3).

[0026] In contrast, in the power generation device of the embodiment, the CU is configured such that the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are arranged in the internal space of the sealed tank 1, which is a rectangular parallelepiped, and therefore it is possible to prevent the distortions (1) to (3) described above from occurring in the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3. First, regarding the distortion in (1), because the expansion and contraction of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 takes place within the internal space of the sealed tank 1, they are prevented from expanding or contracting excessively by the left and right walls of the sealed tank 1 and the first partition wall 4. For example, if the length when expanded is 35 cm and the length when contracted is 15 cm, the width will be 50 cm, but if the thickness of the first partition wall 4 to which the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are attached is 3 cm, then the sealed tank will have a width (distance between the left and right inner walls) of 53 cm. Next, regarding the distortion in (2), when the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are heated and stretched, the third partition wall 6 not only moves and supports the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 from below, rubbing against them lightly as they stretch, but also the first coil spring 2 or the second coil spring 3 fits into the spring distortion prevention groove 63 (semicircular groove 63 in Figures 6 and 7) formed on the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 as a spring distortion prevention part, causing the first coil spring 2 or the second coil spring 3 to stretch and contract, so that not only does no bending occur downward, but also no bending occurs to the left or right. Furthermore, with regard to the distortion of (3), when the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract within the internal space of the sealed tank 1, the warm air in the second space R2 and the cold air in the first space R1 are blocked by the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6, so there is extremely little mixing of the warm air and the cold air within the sealed tank 1. Furthermore, because the ceiling fan 29 rotates vigorously in the first space R1 and the floor fan 28 rotates vigorously in the second space R2, the temperature of the cold air in the first space R1 and the warm air in the second space R2 is almost perfectly controlled (the cold air in the first space R1 is kept at a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and the warm air in the second space R2 is kept at a temperature above the threshold temperature T), so the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract at the right time. Regarding the point mentioned above, since this is possible for the number of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 that fit within the range of the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6 of the sealed tank 1, it is possible to use a large number of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 simultaneously without distortion of (1) to (3).

[0027] (About partition walls) The sealed tank 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the first partition wall 4, second partition wall 5, and third partition wall 6 described above to divide the interior of the sealed tank 1 into a first space R1 and a second space R2. The first partition wall 4 divides the area inside the sealed tank 1 into left and right spaces. This first partition wall 4 stands vertically at equal positions, for example, 11 cm apart from the upper and lower inner walls of the sealed tank 1, and is provided with a protrusion 4a at the middle of the top and bottom, measuring, for example, 2 cm long, 1 cm wide, and 3 cm deep, that fits and slides in a first guide groove 60 on the inner walls of the front and rear walls, and moves left and right in response to the elongation and weakening of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3.

[0028] The second partition wall 5 moves horizontally and seamlessly with the first partition wall 4 directly above the vertically standing first partition wall 4, sliding left and right without any gap (at this time, the surface that contacts the sealed casing 1 slides into the second guide grooves 61 on the inner walls of the front and rear walls, for example, by 1 cm or more). The second partition wall 5 is a plate-like wall, for example, 3 cm long (thickness), 12.2 cm wide, and 26 cm deep. When the compressed first coil spring 2 on the left expands to the right, the second partition wall 5 moves, for example, 31.4 cm from left to right, covering the compressed second coil spring 3 on the right from above and leaving a gap of, for example, 30.4 cm above the expanded first coil spring 2 on the left. Conversely, when the compressed second coil spring 3 on the right side expands to the left, it moves, for example, 31.4 cm from right to left, covering the compressed first coil spring 2 on the left side from above and leaving a gap of, for example, 30.4 cm above the expanded second coil spring 3 on the right side. This second partition wall 5 must move integrally with the first partition wall 4, so it must be fixed to the first partition wall 4. Its position is fixed at an equal distance on both sides, with a 3 cm lateral margin at the top of the first partition wall 4 in the middle.

[0029] The third partition wall 6 faces the second partition wall 5 from below and slides horizontally from side to side directly below the first partition wall 4 without any gap (at this time, the surface that contacts the sealed container 1 fits into the third guide grooves 62 on the inner walls of the front and rear walls by 1 cm or more when sliding). The third partition wall 6 is a plate-like wall, for example, 3 cm long (thick), 39 cm wide, and 26 cm deep. When the compressed first coil spring 2 on the left side of the first partition wall 4 expands to the right, the third partition wall 6 slides under the first coil spring 2 expanding to the right, moving 4.6 cm from right to left and covering the expanded left first coil spring 2 from below while leaving a gap of, for example, 3.6 cm below the compressed (weakened) second coil spring 3 on the right side. Conversely, when the compressed second coil spring 3 on the right side expands to the left, the third partition wall 6 then moves from left to right, for example, by 4.6 cm, and covers the expanded second coil spring 3 on the right side from below in exactly the same manner as above, while creating a gap of, for example, 3.6 cm below the compressed (weakened) first coil spring 2 on the left side.

[0030] (Regarding spring distortion prevention groove 63) As shown in FIG. 7 , spring distortion prevention grooves 63 are provided on the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 at positions facing each of the first coil springs 2 and each of the second coil springs 3. These spring distortion prevention grooves 63 extend in the longitudinal direction of the first coil springs 2 and the second coil springs 3 and are formed as semicircular grooves recessed downward. When the first coil springs 2 and the second coil springs 3 are in an extended state (the state shown in FIG. 7( a)), the spring distortion prevention grooves 63 are provided so as to slide from below, intersecting the extension direction of the spiral first coil springs 2 and the second coil springs 3. When the first coil spring 2 is in an extended state, a portion of the lower portion of the first coil spring 2 fits into the spring distortion prevention groove 63, and when the second coil spring 3 is in an extended state, a portion of the lower portion of the second coil spring 3 fits into the spring distortion prevention groove 63. This can prevent the distortion (2) described in paragraph

[0025] from occurring. A thin plate 64 made of an aluminum alloy is provided on the concave surface of the spring distortion prevention groove 63, and the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract while contacting this thin plate 64.

[0031] The first partition wall 4, second partition wall 5, and third partition wall 6 are all partition walls that move simultaneously based on the power generated when the first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3 expand and contract. To ensure accurate movement, the mechanism shown in Figure 5 is required. The top (a) diagram of Figure 5 shows the first partition wall 4 moving from left to right. The slack in the string I that forms the loop is such that when the first partition wall 4 moves 31.4 cm from left to right, the second partition wall 5 also moves 31.4 cm from left to right, but the third partition wall 6 can only move 4.6 cm from right to left. This difference is 26.8 cm. Therefore, the string I that forms the loop must have a slack of 26.8 cm. This is exactly the same method when the second coil spring 3 expands from right to left, as shown in the bottom (b) diagram of Figure 5.

[0032] Next, we will explain how the first partition wall 4, second partition wall 5, and third partition wall 6 move in opposite directions. Here, the first partition wall 4 and second partition wall 5 are attached and move simultaneously in the same direction, so an explanatory diagram of the second partition wall 5 is omitted. In the drawing in the upper part of Figure 5 (a), the midpoint of the depth of the first partition wall 4 is set at A, 1 cm above the bottom of the left side of the wall, and at D (for example, 1 cm above the bottom) on the opposite side. The midpoint of the depth of the third partition wall 6 is also set at B and C, for example, 1 cm above the bottom of the wall, on the left and right sides of the wall, and a loop string is formed connecting the four points A, B, C, and D. In this case, A and D are fixed at points, and mini rollers are installed at B and C. Figure 5(a) shows that when the first partition wall 4 tries to move 31.4 cm from left to right, the third partition wall 6 tries to move 4.6 cm in the opposite direction, from right to left, due to the pull of the movement of fixed point A of string I.

[0033] Next, the bottom row (b) of Figure 5 shows the state when the first partition wall 4 attempts to move from right to left. This time, when the first partition wall 4 attempts to move 31.4 cm from right to left, the third partition wall 6 is pulled by the movement of fixed point D of string I and attempts to move 4.6 cm in the opposite direction, from left to right. When the second coil spring 3 stretches 31.4 cm from right to left, the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 also move 31.4 cm from right to left. At this time, the horizontal length of the third partition wall 6 is 39 cm, and it can only move 4.6 cm from left to right. This is due to the size of the third partition wall 6. The third partition wall 6 needs to completely cover the second coil spring 3 from below to insulate it from heat when it is fully extended, so it is large enough to accommodate the length of extension. The same is true when the first coil spring 2 is fully extended.

[0034] When the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract, the air temperature in the second space R2 inside the rectangular parallelepiped sealed tank 1 must always be maintained at or above a predetermined threshold temperature T, and the air temperature in the first space R1 inside the sealed tank 1 must always be maintained below the predetermined threshold temperature T; therefore, the sealed tank 1 must be sealed. Furthermore, because it is desirable that the air in the first space R1 and the air in the second space R2 do not leak into the other space, the walls separating the two spaces R1 and R2 must also ensure airtightness. Furthermore, the first partition wall 4, the second partition wall 5, and the third partition wall 6 move in response to the expansion and contraction of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, and are required to efficiently heat and cool the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, so three walls are required. That is, in the power generator CU of the embodiment, the first space R1 of the sealed vessel 1 is maintained at a temperature below the threshold temperature T by an ultra-compact, high-performance chiller (first temperature adjustment means) 9 and a ceiling fan 29, and the second space R2 is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T by a small, high-performance electric heater (second temperature adjustment means) 8 and an above-floor fan 28. When the first partition wall 4 is moved to one side (left) of the sealed vessel 1 (the state shown in the upper part (a) of FIG. 5 ), the stretched and deformed second coil spring 3 is located in the first space R1, and the weakened, compressed, and shrunk first coil spring 2 is located in the second space R2. As a result, the second coil spring 3, which has been stretched and deformed due to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, is instantly cooled below the threshold temperature T by being located in the cooled first space R1, and is thereby weakened and compressed so that it can be shrunk. On the other hand, the first coil spring 2, which has been cooled below the threshold temperature T and weakened and compressed, is instantly heated above the threshold temperature T by being positioned in the warm second space R2, causing it to expand and deform.

[0035] Furthermore, when the first partition wall 4 is moved to the other side (right side) of the sealed tank 1 (the state shown in the lower part (b) of Figure 5), the first coil spring 2, which has been stretched and deformed, is located in the first space R1. As a result, the first coil spring 2, which has been stretched and deformed due to being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, is instantly cooled below the threshold temperature T by being located in the cold first space R1, thereby weakening and compressing, and becoming able to contract. On the other hand, the second coil spring 3, which has been cooled below the threshold temperature T, weakening and compressing, and becoming able to contract, is instantly heated above the threshold temperature T by being located in the warm second space R2, thereby becoming able to stretch and deform.

[0036] Therefore, the first coil spring 2 is continuously switched from the extended deformation state to the weakened state and from the weakened state to the extended deformation state, and the second coil spring 3 is continuously switched from the weakened state to the extended deformation state and from the extended deformation state to the weakened state. This causes the first partition wall 4 to move back and forth between the position shown in the upper part (a) of Figure 5 and the position shown in the lower part (b) of Figure 5.

[0037] (Regarding temperature adjustment) Next, we will explain the electric heater (second temperature control means) 8 that heats the air in the second space R2 of the sealed tank 1 and the cooler (first temperature control means) 9 that cools the air in the first space R1. First, the electric heater 8 is attached to the center of the upper surface (inner surface) of the bottom wall of the sealed tank 1 and is located within the second space R2. The electric heater 8 is a heater that automatically maintains the set temperature once it is set. The electric heater 8 constantly heats the second space R2 (the sealed space formed by the inner bottom wall of the sealed tank 1 and the three walls, the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6). The switches for the floor fan 28 and the electric heater 8 are always kept on (this ensures that warm air is constantly blowing into the second space R2). The sealed tank 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature within the second space R2, and the operation of the electric heater 8 is controlled based on the temperature detected by this temperature sensor.

[0038] The chiller 9 is attached to the center of the lower surface (inner surface) of the upper wall of the sealed tank 1 and is located within the first space R1. The chiller 9 is a cooler that automatically maintains the set temperature once it has been set. The chiller 9 constantly cools the first space R1 (the sealed space formed by the inner wall of the ceiling of the sealed tank 1 and the three walls of the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6). The ceiling fan 29 and the chiller 9 are always switched on (this ensures that cool air is constantly blowing into the first space R1). The sealed tank 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature within the first space R1, and the operation of the chiller 9 is controlled based on the temperature detected by this temperature sensor.

[0039] (Regarding round-trip transportation) Next, the loop belt 16, which serves as a reciprocating means, will be described. As can be seen from Figure 4, the loop belt 16 is a belt formed by integrating a chain-like belt 15 with ordinary belts 14 (14A, 14B) connected to both ends of the chain-like belt 15. The loop belt 16 has ordinary belts 14A, 14B wound around loop rollers 11, 13, with one (left) ordinary belt 14A passing through a hole in the left wall of the sealed tank 1, entering the sealed tank 1 and connected to the left side of the first partition wall 4, and the other (right) ordinary belt 14B passing through a hole in the right wall of the sealed tank 1, entering the sealed tank 1 and connected to the right side of the first partition wall 4, forming a loop. The ordinary belts 14A, 14B of the loop belt 16 are attached to the front-to-rear centers of the left and right walls of the first partition wall 4, at the same horizontal position aligned with the first and second coil springs 2, 3, with the first partition wall 4 in between. In this way, the loop belt 16 attached to the first partition wall 4 will continue to move left and right in accordance with the continuous reciprocating movement of the first partition wall 4 in the left-right direction due to the expansion and contraction deformation of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3.

[0040] Continuing the explanation of Figure 4, the normal belt 14A of the loop belt 16 fixed to the left side of the first partition wall 4 passes through a hole in the left wall of the sealed tank 1 (positioned in the same horizontal position as the attachment position to the opposing first partition wall 4) and is wound around a loop roller 13 installed on the outside of the left wall of the sealed tank 1. Similarly, the normal belt 14B of the loop belt 16 fixed to the right side of the first partition wall 4 passes through a hole in the right wall of the sealed tank 1 (positioned in the same horizontal position as the attachment position to the opposing first partition wall 4) and is wound around a loop roller 11 installed on the outside of the right wall of the sealed tank 1. Then, the chain-like belt 15 connected to each of the normal belts 14A and 14B pulled out to the outside of the sealed tank 1 is curvedly engaged with the first rotor 102 of the rotation transmission mechanism 100 according to the first invention, which is installed connected to the rotor rotation shaft 23.

[0041] In other words, when the first partition wall 4 moves to the right as a result of the first coil spring 2 being deformed to expand and the second coil spring 3 being weakened and compressed and contracted, the normal belt 14A of the loop belt 16 is pulled to the right, causing the chain-like belt 15 to move counterclockwise (moves left) in FIG. 4. Also, when the second coil spring 3 is deformed to expand and the first coil spring 2 being weakened and compressed and contracted, the first partition wall 4 moves to the left as a result of the second coil spring 3 being deformed to expand and the first coil spring 2 being weakened and compressed and contracted, the normal belt 14B of the loop belt 16 is pulled to the left, causing the chain-like belt 15 to move clockwise (moves right) in FIG. 4. Therefore, by alternately expanding and deforming the first coil spring 2 and weakening the second coil spring 3 and weakening the first coil spring 2 and expanding and deforming the second coil spring 3, the first partition wall 4 continuously reciprocates, causing the loop belt 16 to continuously and alternately move leftward and rightward.

[0042] (Regarding the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention) Next, a description will be given of the rotation transmission mechanism 100 according to the first aspect of the invention. In the description of the rotation transmission mechanism 100, the "forward rotation direction" of the rotor rotating shaft 23, first rotating body 102, and second rotating body 114 refers to counterclockwise rotation in Figures 1(a) and 3(a) and clockwise rotation in Figure 1(b), and the "reverse rotation direction" refers to clockwise rotation in Figures 1(a) and 3(a) and counterclockwise rotation in Figure 1(b).

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention comprises: a first rotating body 102 rotatably mounted on a rotor rotating shaft (rotating shaft) 23, which rotates alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction due to the reciprocating movement (leftward movement and rightward movement) of a loop belt 16 functioning as a drive means; a second rotating body 114 arranged alongside the first rotating body 102 and fixed to the rotor rotating shaft 23, which has a first gear 116 formed around the entire circumference of its outer periphery; a third rotating body 120 rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft 110 which moves in sync with the direction in which the first rotating body 102 rotates around the rotor rotating shaft 23, and which has a second gear 122 formed around the entire circumference of its outer periphery that meshes with the first gear 116 of the second rotating body 114; and a one-way clutch 112 mounted on the first rotating body 102 and fitted to the rotor rotating body 23. The one-way clutch 112 is configured so that when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction, it is maintained in a locked state that prevents the first rotating body 102 from rotating relative to the rotor rotating shaft 23 (see Figure 3(a)), and when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction, it is maintained in an unlocked state that allows the first rotating body 102 to rotate freely relative to the rotor rotating shaft 23 (see Figure 3(b)).

[0044] The rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention configured in this manner is structured so that when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1(a)), the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in a locked state, causing the second rotating body 114 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotating body 102. On the other hand, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 1(a)), the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in an unlocked state, allowing the second rotating body 114 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction even when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction. When the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 114 and rotor rotating shaft 23 rotate in the forward direction, the meshing of the first gear 116 and the second gear 122 causes the third rotating body 120 to rotate around the fulcrum axis 110 while moving around the second rotating body 114 (rotating counterclockwise in Figure 1 (b)), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body 120 actively rotates the second rotating body 114 and rotor rotating shaft 23 in the forward direction.

[0045] (Regarding the first rotating body 102) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first rotating body 102 has a shape in which two disk portions with different outer diameters are connected side by side with an appropriate gap between them. The first rotating body 102 has a sprocket portion 104 with a predetermined outer diameter and a disk portion 106 with an outer diameter larger than that of the sprocket portion 104. A one-way clutch mounting hole 108 for mounting a one-way clutch 112 is formed in the center between the sprocket portion 104 and the disk portion 106, penetrating both portions in the thickness direction. The first rotating body 102, with the one-way clutch 112 mounted in the one-way clutch mounting hole 108, is attached to the rotor rotating shaft 23 by inserting the rotor rotating shaft 23 axially into an insertion hole in an inner ring 112b of the one-way clutch 112. The inner ring 112b of the one-way clutch 112 is mounted on the rotor rotating shaft 23 so as not to rotate circumferentially around the rotor rotating shaft 23.

[0046] A plurality of teeth 105, which mesh with the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16, are formed around the entire circumference of the outer edge of the sprocket portion 104. The disk portion 106 has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 114 (described later). Furthermore, on the end face of the disk portion 106 opposite the sprocket portion 104, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fulcrum shafts 110 are provided at equal intervals (120° intervals in this embodiment) around the circumferential direction, on a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the one-way clutch mounting hole 108. These fulcrum shafts 110 extend horizontally in the opposite direction from the sprocket portion 104. When the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction, each fulcrum shaft 110 moves around the second rotating body 114 in the reverse direction, centered on the rotor rotation axis 23. A third rotating body 120 is rotatably attached to each fulcrum shaft 110 via a standard bearing.

[0047] (About One-Way Clutch 112) In the first aspect of the invention, for example, a roller clutch type is used as the one-way clutch 112, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 3. This one-way clutch 112 is composed of an outer ring 112a, an inner ring 112b, a plurality of rollers 112c, and a spring 112d. When the outer ring 112a rotates in one direction (as shown in Figure 3(a)), the one-way clutch 112 is locked and the rollers 112c transmit power to the inner ring 112b, and when the outer ring 112a rotates in the opposite direction (as shown in Figure 3(b)), the one-way clutch 112 is unlocked and the rollers 112c move away from the inner ring 112b, thereby cutting off power to the inner ring 112b. The outer diameter of the outer periphery of the outer ring 112a is sized to fit closely against the inner circumferential surface of the one-way clutch mounting hole 108 provided in the first rotating body 102, and the inner diameter of the inner surface of the inner ring 112b is set to fit closely against the outer circumferential surface of the rotor rotating shaft 23.

[0048] The one-way clutch 112 configured in this manner is mounted in the one-way clutch mounting hole 108 of the first rotating body 102 in the orientation shown in Figures 1(a) and 2, and is fitted onto the rotor rotating shaft 23, thereby supporting the first rotating body 102 with respect to the rotor rotating shaft 23. As a result, the outer ring 112a of the one-way clutch 112 is in close contact with the first rotating body 102 without slipping in the circumferential direction, and the inner ring 112b of the one-way clutch 112 is in close contact with the rotor rotating shaft 23 without slipping in the circumferential direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the first rotating body 102 attempts to rotate in the forward direction, the outer ring 112a also attempts to rotate in the forward direction, so that the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in a locked state, and the inner ring 112b is driven to rotate in the forward direction via the rollers 112c, causing the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the first rotating body 102 starts to rotate in the reverse direction, the outer ring 112a rotates in the reverse direction, causing the one-way clutch 112 to enter an unlocked state, and the inner ring 112b becomes free relative to the outer ring 112a. Therefore, even if the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotor rotating shaft 23 does not rotate in the reverse direction.

[0049] (Regarding the second rotating body 114) As shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 2, the second rotating body 114 is formed in a disk shape with a thickness similar to that of the disk portion 106 of the first rotating body 102, and has an insertion hole 118 formed in its center in the thickness direction, through which the rotor rotation shaft 23 is inserted. The second rotating body 114 is fixedly attached to the rotor rotation shaft 23 by inserting the rotor rotation shaft 23 into the insertion hole 118, and is unable to freely rotate relative to the rotor rotation shaft 23. In other words, the second rotating body 114 always rotates in the forward direction together with the rotor rotation shaft 23. A first gear 116 consisting of a plurality of teeth and having a predetermined module is formed around the entire outer periphery of the second rotating body 114, and the second rotating body 114 is a so-called spur gear. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the second rotating body 114 is smaller than the outer diameter of the disc portion 106 of the first rotating body 102, and is also smaller than the diameter of an imaginary circle connecting the three fulcrum shafts 110 provided on the disc portion 106. Therefore, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 114, the fulcrum shafts 110 move in a circular pattern outside the first gear 116 of the second rotating body 114.

[0050] (Regarding the third rotating body 120) A third rotor 120 is rotatably attached to each fulcrum shaft 110. Each third rotor 120 has a second gear 122 formed around the entire periphery. The second gear 122 has teeth with the same module as the teeth of the first gear 116 provided on the second rotor 114, and this second gear 122 is configured to constantly mesh with the first gear 116. Each third rotor 120 is a so-called pinion gear whose outer diameter is set to be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the second rotor 114, and the diameter ratio to the second rotor 114 is set to approximately 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 (for example, a diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm). Therefore, when the third rotor 120 is attached to the fulcrum shaft 110, the second gear 122 is constantly meshed with the first gear 116, and when the third rotor 120 rotates around the fulcrum shaft 110, it is constantly meshed with the second rotor 114. For this reason, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 114 rotates in the forward direction, each third rotating body 120 rotates at high speed while moving around the second rotating body 114. Each third rotating body 120 is made of a material with a high specific gravity, and rotational inertia force is generated as the rotating body rotates, with the rotational inertia force increasing as the rotational speed increases. Here, each third rotating body 120 is preferably made of an iron metal such as steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, or cast iron.

[0051] (Applying Rotational Force in the Forward Rotation Direction of the Second Rotating Body 114 by the Third Rotating Body 120) As described above, each third rotating body 120 is made of a material with a high specific gravity. Therefore, in FIG. 1(b), when it rotates leftward at high speed around the fulcrum shaft 110, a rotational inertia force is generated, causing the third rotating body 120 itself to rotate left. Then, when the rotational inertia force is generated by the left rotation at high speed, each tooth of the second gear 122 of each third rotating body 120 generates a force that kicks out each tooth of the meshing second gear 122. In other words, each tooth of the second gear 122 of each third rotating body 120 continuously kicks out each tooth of the first gear 116 of the second rotating body 114, thereby applying a rotational force to the second rotating body 114 in the forward rotation direction (rightward in FIG. 1(b)). In other words, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 114, the high speed rotation of each third rotating body 120 imparts a rotational force in the forward direction to the second rotating body 114, thereby actively rotating the second rotating body 114 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 in the forward direction.

[0052] (When the first rotating body 102 rotates in the normal direction) In the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention configured as described above, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves leftward, the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction, and at this time the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in a locked state. As a result, the rotor rotating shaft 23 is forcibly rotated in the forward direction at the same rotational speed as the first rotating body 102 in synchronization with the first rotating body 102. Meanwhile, the second rotating body 114 fixed to the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates in the forward direction in synchronization with the first rotating body 102, so no difference in rotation occurs between the first rotating body 102 and the second rotating body 114, and therefore each third rotating body 120 is held stationary and does not rotate.

[0053] (When the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction) On the other hand, in the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention, as shown in FIG. 3( b), when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves rightward, the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction, and at this time the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in an unlocked state. As a result, even if the rotation of the first rotating body 102 switches from the forward direction to the reverse direction while the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the second rotating body 114 are rotating in the forward direction, the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the second rotating body 114 continue to rotate in the forward direction. When the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 114 rotates in the forward direction, each third rotating body 120 meshing with the second rotating body 114 rotates counterclockwise at high speed in FIG. 1( b), and a rotational inertia force generated in each third rotating body 120 imparts a rotational force in the forward direction to the second rotating body 114. As a result, when the first rotating body 102 is rotating in the reverse direction, the rotational inertia force of each third rotating body 120 causes the second rotating body 114 to actively rotate in the forward direction, making it possible to continuously rotate the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which this second rotating body 114 is fixed in the forward direction.

[0054] Thus, in the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction, the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously and forcibly in the forward direction, and when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotational inertia force of each third rotating body 120 causes the second rotating body 114 to rotate continuously and actively in the forward direction, and the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which this second rotating body 114 is fixed is always driven to rotate continuously and continuously in one direction in the forward direction. In other words, even if the first rotating body 102 rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the second rotating body 114 always rotates continuously in one direction in the forward direction, and the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously and continuously in one direction in the forward direction, making it possible to realize continuous and uninterrupted power generation by the generator 20.

[0055] (Regarding generator 20) The generator 20 used is a known one that is already in practical use, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. As shown in Fig. 4, the generator 20 is composed of a rotor rotating shaft 23, a rotor 21 fixed to the rotor rotating shaft 23, and a coil layer 19 that surrounds the rotor 21 and is installed on a bearing 26 that is fixed to the rotor rotating shaft 23. This structure is the same as that of a bicycle magnet generator, and when the rotor 21, which is the magnet layer, rotates, electricity is generated in the coil layer 19 that surrounds it.

[0056] (Function of the Example) The power generator CU equipped with the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention configured as above will now be described as to how it actually operates to generate power.

[0057] In its initial state (non-operating state), the power generator CU is in the state shown in FIG. 5(a), for example. That is, the first coil spring 2 is compressed, and the second coil spring 3 is expanded. As a result, the first partition wall 4 is stopped in a position close to the left wall of the sealed vessel 1, and the second partition wall 5 is stopped in a position where it is in contact with the left wall. Furthermore, the third partition wall 6 is stopped in a position where it is in contact with the right wall. The expanded second coil spring 3 is located in the first space R1 of the sealed vessel 1, and the compressed first coil spring 2 is located in the second space R2. Note that in the initial state, the first space R1 and the second space R2 are both maintained at temperatures below the threshold temperature T, the second coil spring 3 remains expanded and weakened, and the first coil spring 2 remains compressed and weakened, and no force is generated to expand the first coil spring 2 or the second coil spring 3.

[0058] When the main switch (not shown) of the power generator CU, which is initially stopped, is turned on, electricity is supplied from the pre-charged storage battery 27 to the electric heater 8, the chiller 9, the floor fan 28, and the ceiling fan 29. As a result, the air in the first space R1 of the sealed tank 1 is convected by the ceiling fan 29 and gradually cooled by the chiller 9. After a required time, the air in the first space R1 becomes cool air that has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and the entire first space R1 is maintained at a temperature below the threshold temperature T. Meanwhile, the air in the second space R2 of the sealed tank 1 is convected by the floor fan 28 and gradually warmed by the electric heater 8. After a required time, the air in the second space R2 becomes warm air that has been heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and the entire second space R2 is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T.

[0059] When the first space R1 in the sealed vessel 1 is cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, the second coil spring 3 that was located in the expanded first space R1 is maintained in a cooled state below the threshold temperature T, and is maintained in a weakened state without generating any expansion force. On the other hand, when the second space R2 in the sealed vessel 1 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, the first coil spring 2 that was located in the second space R2 in a contracted and weakened state is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and begins to generate an expansion force.

[0060] This weakens the second coil spring 3, allowing it to contract, thereby enabling the first coil spring 2 to expand. The expansion deformation of the first coil spring 2 and the accompanying compression deformation of the second coil spring 3 push the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to the right, causing the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to slide to the right along the first and second guide grooves 60, 61.

[0061] As the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 slide rightward along the guide grooves 60 and 61, the third partition wall 6 remains in contact with the right wall of the sealed tub 1 until the string I forming the loop is stretched. After the string I is stretched, the third partition wall 6 moves leftward along the third guide groove 62. The first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 stop when the second partition wall 5 comes into contact with the right wall of the sealed tub 1, and the third partition wall 6 stops when it comes into contact with the left wall of the sealed tub 1. This substantially maintains the partitioning of the first space R1 and the second space R2 by the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6.

[0062] When the second partition wall 5 comes into contact with the right wall of the sealed vessel 1 and the third partition wall 6 comes into contact with the left wall of the sealed vessel 1 (FIG. 5(b)), the first coil spring 2, which had been heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, is now located in the first space R1, which has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and is therefore rapidly cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T and weakened. On the other hand, the second coil spring 3, which had been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, is now located in the second space R2, which has been heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and is therefore rapidly heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and begins to generate an elongating force.

[0063] This weakens the first coil spring 2, allowing it to contract, thereby allowing the second coil spring 3 to expand. The expansion deformation of the second coil spring 3 and the resulting compression deformation of the first coil spring 2 push the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to the left, causing the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to slide leftward along the first and second guide grooves 60, 61.

[0064] As the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 slide leftward along the guide grooves 60 and 61, the third partition wall 6 remains in contact with the left wall of the sealed tub 1 until the string I forming the loop is stretched. After the string I is stretched, the third partition wall 6 moves rightward along the third guide groove 62. The first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 stop when the second partition wall 5 comes into contact with the left wall of the sealed tub 1, and the third partition wall 6 stops when it comes into contact with the right wall of the sealed tub 1. This substantially maintains the partitioning of the first space R1 and the second space R2 by the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6.

[0065] Therefore, by maintaining the temperature within the first space R1 of the sealed tank 1 at a temperature below the threshold temperature T and maintaining the temperature within the second space R2 at a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, the power generation unit CU causes the first coil spring 2 to be continuously extended and the second coil spring 3 to be continuously compressed, and the second coil spring 3 to be continuously extended and compressed, thereby causing the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to be continuously and alternately moved back and forth in the left and right directions within the sealed tank 1.

[0066] When the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand or contract, the lower portions of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are substantially fitted into the corresponding spring distortion prevention grooves 63, 63 on the lower side, so that the intermediate portions of the coil springs 2 and 3 are prevented from bending downward, forward, or backward, which intersects with the direction of expansion and contraction. Therefore, the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand or contract in a state in which the occurrence of distortion (2) described in paragraph

[0025] is prevented.

[0067] As the first partition wall 4 slides back and forth in the left-right direction due to the alternate expansion and contraction deformation of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, the loop belt 16 connected to the first partition wall 4 and wound around the loop rollers 11, 13 moves counterclockwise and clockwise, and the chain-like belt 15 alternately and continuously moves leftward and rightward. That is, when the first partition wall 4 slides rightward within the sealed tank 1, the loop belt 16 moves counterclockwise (moves left), and when the first partition wall 4 slides leftward within the sealed tank 1, the loop belt 16 moves clockwise (moves right).

[0068] As the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves leftward and rightward, in the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention provided on the rotor rotation shaft 23 of the generator 20, the first rotating body 102, around which the loop belt 16 is wound around a sprocket portion 104, continuously alternates between rotating in a forward direction and rotating in a reverse direction about the rotor rotation shaft 23. That is, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the loop belt 16 moves counterclockwise, the first rotating body 102 rotates in a forward direction (counterclockwise), and as shown in Figure 3(b), when the loop belt 16 moves clockwise, the first rotating body 102 rotates in a reverse direction (clockwise).

[0069] In the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention, when the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction in conjunction with the leftward movement of the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 ( FIG. 3( a) ), the one-way clutch 112 is maintained in a locked state, forcing the rotor rotation shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction. Note that as the rotor rotation shaft 23 rotates in the forward direction, the second rotating body 114 fixed to the rotor rotation shaft 23 rotates in the forward direction in synchronization with the first rotating body 102. Since the first rotating body 102 and the second rotating body 114 rotate in synchronization in the forward direction (since there is no difference in rotation between the first rotating body 102 and the second rotating body 114), each third rotating body 120 is held stationary and does not rotate relative to the fulcrum shaft 114.

[0070] On the other hand, when the first rotating body 102 rotates from the forward direction to the reverse direction as the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves to the right (FIG. 3(b)), the one-way clutch 112 remains unlocked, allowing the first rotating body 102 to rotate in the reverse direction even when the rotor rotation shaft 23 is rotating in the forward direction. The first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 114, which is fixed to the rotor rotation shaft 23 and rotating in the forward direction. Each third rotating body 120 attached to the disk portion 106 of the first rotating body 102 rotating in the reverse direction rotates at high speed while moving circumferentially around the second rotating body 114, which rotates in the forward direction together with the rotor rotation shaft 23, because the second gear 122 is engaged with the first gear 116 (FIG. 1(b)), and a rotational inertia force is generated in each third rotating body 120. The rotational inertia force of each third rotating body 120 maintains the positive rotation of the second rotating body 114 in the forward direction, causing the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which the second rotating body 114 is fixed to rotate positively in the forward direction.

[0071] That is, in the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention, the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously and continuously in only one direction, the forward direction, both while the first rotating body 102 rotates in the forward direction and while the first rotating body 102 rotates in the reverse direction. And because the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously and continuously in the forward direction, the generator 20 is continuously driven and continuous power generation is performed.

[0072] A portion of the electricity generated by the operation of the generator 20 is supplied to the storage battery 27, and the storage battery 27 is constantly charged while the power generator CU is operating. As a result, the supply of electricity to the electric heater 8, the cooler 9, the floor fan 28, and the ceiling fan 29 is not interrupted while the power generator CU is operating, the temperature of the first space R1 and the second space R2 of the sealed tank 1 is appropriately managed, and the first and second coil springs 2, 3 are alternately expanded and contracted appropriately, resulting in appropriate continuous power generation by the generator 20.

[0073] In this way, the power generator CU equipped with the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention maintains the first space R1 of the sealed vessel 1 at a temperature below the threshold temperature T and the second space R2 at a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, thereby generating continuous expansion and contraction deformation of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, which allows the generator 20 to operate continuously via the loop belt 16 and the rotation transmission mechanism 100, thereby enabling stable and continuous power generation. In particular, since the temperatures of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 can be appropriately adjusted, the first partition wall 4 and the loop belt 16 can be appropriately and continuously reciprocated, thereby allowing the generator 20 to be driven stably and continuously. Furthermore, the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention can appropriately convert the reciprocating movement of the loop belt 16 into continuous (continuous) rotation of the rotor rotation shaft 23 in the same direction. Furthermore, since the occurrence of strain when the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are deformed as they expand and contract can be restricted, it is expected that the repeated use life of each of the coil springs 2 and 3 will be extended.

[0074] (Regarding the second invention) The rotation transmission mechanism to which the present application is directed is not limited to the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention described above, and can be modified into various configurations. FIGS. 8 to 10 show a rotation transmission mechanism 150 according to a second invention, and this rotation transmission mechanism 150 can also be implemented in the power generator CU described above. The rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention will be described below. In the description of the rotation transmission mechanism 150, the "forward rotation direction" of the rotor rotating shaft 23, first rotating body 152, and second rotating body 164 is counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 8(a) and clockwise rotation in FIG. 8(b), and the "reverse direction" is clockwise rotation in FIG. 8(a) and counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 8(b).

[0075] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention comprises: a first rotating body 152 rotatably mounted on the rotor rotation shaft (rotation shaft) 23, which rotates alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction due to the reciprocating movement (leftward movement and rightward movement) of the loop belt 16 functioning as a drive means; a second rotating body 164 arranged alongside the first rotating body 152 and fixed to the rotor rotation shaft 23, which has a first gear 166 formed around the entire circumference of its outer periphery; a third rotating body 170 rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft 160 which moves in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotating body 152 around the rotor rotation shaft 23, and which has a second gear 172 formed around the entire circumference of its outer periphery that meshes with the first gear 166 of the second rotating body 164; and a one-way clutch 176 mounted on the third rotating body 170 and fitted to the exterior of the fulcrum shaft 160. The one-way clutch 176 functions to maintain a locked state that restricts (disables) rotation of the third rotating body 170 relative to the fulcrum shaft 160 when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the forward direction (see Figure 10(a)), and to maintain an unlocked state that allows (freely allows) rotation of the third rotating body 170 relative to the fulcrum shaft 160 when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction opposite to the forward rotation direction (see Figure 10(b)).

[0076] In the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention configured in this manner, when the first rotor 152 rotates in the forward direction, one-way clutch 176 is maintained in a locked state, restricting rotation of the third rotor 170 relative to the fulcrum shaft 160, and the second gear 172 of the stopped third rotor 170 meshes with the first gear 166 of the second rotor 164, causing the second rotor 164 and the rotor rotation shaft 23 to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotor 152. On the other hand, when the first rotor 152 rotates in the reverse direction, one-way clutch 176 is maintained in an unlocked state, allowing the third rotor 170 to rotate freely relative to the fulcrum shaft 160, and allowing the second rotor 164 and the rotor rotation shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction even when the first rotor 152 rotates in the reverse direction. When the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 164 and rotor rotating shaft 23 rotate in the forward direction, the meshing of the first gear 166 and the second gear 172 causes each third rotating body 170 to rotate around the fulcrum shaft 160 while moving around the second rotating body 164 (rotating counterclockwise in Figure 8 (b)), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body 170 causes the second rotating body 164 and rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction.

[0077] (Regarding the first rotating body 152) As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first rotor 152 has basically the same configuration as the first rotor 102 of the first invention. It has a shape in which two disks with different outer diameters are connected side by side at an appropriate interval. It has a sprocket portion 154 with a predetermined outer diameter and a disk portion 156 with an outer diameter larger than that of the sprocket portion 154. A bearing mounting hole 158 for mounting a standard-type bearing 162 is formed in the center between the sprocket portion 154 and the disk portion 156, penetrating both portions in the thickness direction. The first rotor 152, with the bearing 162 mounted in the bearing mounting hole 158, is attached to the rotor shaft 23 by inserting the rotor shaft 23 axially into an insertion hole in the inner ring of the bearing 162. The inner ring of the bearing 162 is mounted on the rotor shaft 23 so as not to rotate circumferentially around the rotor shaft 23.

[0078] A plurality of teeth 155, which mesh with the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16, are formed around the entire circumference of the outer edge of the sprocket portion 154. The disk portion 156 has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of a second rotor 164 (described later) (FIG. 8(b)). Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 9, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fulcrum shafts 160 are provided on the end face of the disk portion 156 opposite the sprocket portion 154, at positions on a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the bearing mounting hole 158, i.e., at equal intervals (120° intervals in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction. The fulcrum shafts 160 move around the second rotor 164 in the reverse direction in synchronization with each other, centered on the rotor rotation axis 23, when the first rotor 152 rotates in the reverse direction. A third rotor 170 is attached to each fulcrum shaft 160 via a one-way clutch 176 (FIGS. 8(b) and 10).

[0079] (Regarding the second rotating body 164) As shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 9, the second rotating body 164 is formed in a disk shape with a thickness similar to that of the disk portion 156 of the first rotating body 152, and has an insertion hole 168 formed in its center in the thickness direction, through which the rotor rotation shaft 23 is inserted. The second rotating body 164 is fixedly attached to the rotor rotation shaft 23 by inserting the rotor rotation shaft 23 into the insertion hole 168, and is unable to freely rotate relative to the rotor rotation shaft 23. In other words, the second rotating body 164 always rotates in the forward direction together with the rotor rotation shaft 23. A first gear 166 of a predetermined module and consisting of a plurality of teeth is formed around the entire outer periphery of the second rotating body 164, and the second rotating body 164 is a so-called spur gear. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the second rotating body 164 is smaller than the outer diameter of the disc portion 156 of the first rotating body 152, and is also smaller than the diameter of an imaginary circle connecting the three fulcrum shafts 160 provided on the disc portion 156. Therefore, when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 164, the fulcrum shafts 160 move in a circular pattern outside the first gear 166 of the second rotating body 164.

[0080] (Regarding the third rotating body 170) As shown in FIGS. 8(b), 9, and 10, a third rotor 170 is attached to each fulcrum shaft 160 so as to be rotatable in one direction (leftward in FIG. 8(b)) (counterclockwise rotation). Each third rotor 170 has a second gear 172 formed around the entire outer periphery. The second gear 172 has teeth with the same module as the teeth of the first gear 166 provided on the second rotor 164. The second gear 172 is configured to constantly mesh with the first gear 166. Each third rotor 170 is a so-called pinion gear whose outer diameter is set to be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the second rotor 164. The diameter ratio is set to about 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 (for example, a diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm). When attached to the fulcrum shaft 160, the second gear 172 constantly meshes with the first gear 166, and when rotating around the fulcrum shaft 160, it constantly meshes with the second rotor 164. For this reason, when the first rotor 152 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotor 164 rotates in the forward direction, each third rotor 170 rotates at high speed while moving around the second rotor 164. Each third rotor 170 is made of a material with a high specific gravity, and rotational inertia is generated as the rotor rotates, with the rotational inertia increasing as the rotational speed increases. Here, each third rotor 170 is preferably made of an iron metal such as steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, or cast iron.

[0081] (About the one-way clutch 176) In the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention, for example, a roller clutch type is used as the one-way clutch 176 attached to the third rotating body 170, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b). This one-way clutch 176 is composed of an outer ring 176a, an inner ring 176b, multiple rollers 176c, and a spring 176d. When the outer ring 176a rotates in one direction (as shown in Figure 10(a)), the one-way clutch 176 is locked and the rollers 176c transmit power to the inner ring 176b. When the outer ring 176a rotates in the opposite direction (as shown in Figure 10(b)), the one-way clutch 176 is unlocked and the rollers 176c move away from the inner ring 176b, thereby cutting off power to the inner ring 176b. The outer diameter of the outer periphery of the outer ring 176a is sized to fit closely against the inner circumferential surface of the one-way clutch mounting hole 174 provided in the third rotating body 170, and the inner diameter of the inner surface of the inner ring 176b is set to fit closely against the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft 160.

[0082] The one-way clutch 176 configured in this manner is attached to the one-way clutch attachment hole 174 of the third rotor 170 in the orientation shown in FIGS. 8(b), 10(a), and 10(b), and is fitted onto the support shaft 160, thereby supporting the third rotor 170 relative to the support shaft 160. As a result, the outer ring 176a of the one-way clutch 176 is in close contact with the third rotor 170 without slipping in the circumferential direction, and the inner ring 176b of the one-way clutch 176 is in close contact with the support shaft 160 without slipping in the circumferential direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(a), when the third rotor 170 attempts to rotate clockwise, the outer ring 176a attempts to rotate clockwise, so the one-way clutch 176 is maintained in a locked state. Furthermore, because the inner ring 176b is stopped by the support shaft 160, the outer ring 176a is also stopped and unrotatable via the rollers 176c, thereby restricting the third rotor 170 from rotating clockwise. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10(b), when the third rotating body 170 attempts to rotate in the left direction, the outer ring 176a attempts to rotate in the opposite direction to the left, so the one-way clutch 176 is maintained in an unlocked state, the outer ring 176a becomes free relative to the inner ring 176b, and the third rotating body 170 is allowed to rotate in the left direction.

[0083] (Applying Rotational Force in the Forward Rotation Direction to the Second Rotating Body 164 by Each Third Rotating Body 170) As described above, each third rotating body 170 is made of a material with a high specific gravity. Therefore, when the third rotating body 170 rotates left at high speed in FIG. 10(b), a rotational inertia force is generated, causing the third rotating body 170 itself to rotate left. Then, when the rotational inertia force is generated by the left rotation at high speed, a force is generated in each tooth of the second gear 172 of each third rotating body 170 that kicks out each tooth of the meshing second gear 172. In other words, the teeth of the second gear 172 of each third rotating body 170 continuously kick out each tooth of the first gear 166 of the second rotating body 164, thereby applying a rotational force in the forward direction (rightward in FIG. 8(b)) to the second rotating body 164. In other words, when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 164, the high speed rotation of each third rotating body 170 imparts a rotational force in the forward direction to the second rotating body 164, thereby actively rotating the second rotating body 164 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 in the forward direction.

[0084] (When the first rotor 152 rotates in the normal direction) 8(a), when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves leftward, the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention having such a configuration causes the first rotating body 152 to rotate in the forward direction (left direction), and at this time the one-way clutch 176 is maintained in a locked state, and each of the third rotating bodies 170 is held stopped and unable to rotate relative to the support shaft 160. As a result, each of the third rotating bodies 170 is held stopped and the second rotating body 164 is locked to the first rotating body 152, so the rotor rotating shaft 23 is forced to rotate in the forward direction in synchronization with the first rotating body 152 at the same rotational speed.

[0085] (When the first rotor 152 rotates in the reverse direction) 8(a), when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves to the right, the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction (rightward), and at this time the one-way clutch 176 is maintained in an unlocked state, so the first rotating body 152 rotating in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 164 are unlocked. As a result, when the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the second rotating body 164 are rotating in the forward direction, even if the rotation of the first rotating body 152 switches to the reverse direction, the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the second rotating body 164 are maintained rotating in the forward direction. When the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction and the second rotating body 164 rotates in the forward direction, each third rotating body 170 meshing with the second rotating body 164 rotates left at high speed in Figure 8 (b), and the rotational inertia force generated in each third rotating body 170 causes the second rotating body 164 to actively rotate in the forward direction, making it possible to continuously rotate the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which this second rotating body 164 is fixed in the forward direction.

[0086] In this way, in the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention, when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the forward direction, the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously and forcibly in the forward direction, and when the first rotating body 152 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotational inertia force of each third rotating body 170 causes the second rotating body 164 to rotate continuously and actively in the forward direction, so that the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which this second rotating body 164 is fixed is always continuously and continuously driven to rotate in one direction in the forward direction. In other words, even if the first rotating body 152 rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the second rotating body 164 always continuously rotates in one direction in the forward direction, and the rotor rotating shaft 23 also continuously rotates in one direction in the forward direction, so that the rotor rotating shaft 23 continuously rotates in one direction in the forward direction, thereby enabling the generator 20 to generate electricity continuously and uninterruptedly. Therefore, the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention can achieve the same effects as those achieved by the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention.

[0087] (Example of change) (1) In the embodiment, specific dimensions and sizes of each component of the power generation unit CU and each component of the rotation transmission mechanisms 100 and 150 are shown, but these dimensions and sizes are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate. (2) The number of pairs of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 is not limited to two pairs as shown in the embodiment, but may be one pair or three or more pairs. (3) The shape memory alloy forming each of the coil springs 2, 3 is not limited to the physical properties exemplified in the embodiment, and shape memory alloys with various physical properties can be used. (4) The installation mode of the pair of first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3 is not limited to horizontal, but may be vertical or inclined at a required angle, provided that the internal structure of the sealed tank 1 is changed. (5) The rotation transmission mechanism is not limited to the configurations of the examples exemplified as the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention and the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention, but may be configured to convert reciprocating movement into rotational movement in one direction. (6) In the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention and the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention, three third rotating bodies 120, 170 are arranged at equal intervals of 120 degrees, but the number of third rotating bodies 120, 170 may be two, four, or more. For example, a large number of third rotating bodies 120, 170 may be arranged around the second rotating bodies 114, 164, closely spaced around the entire circumference with almost no gaps between adjacent third rotating bodies 120, 170. If the number of third rotating bodies 120, 170 arranged is increased, and each third rotating body 120, 170 rotates at high speed when the first rotating bodies 102, 152 rotate in the reverse direction, a rotational inertia force is generated in each third rotating body 120, 170, increasing the force rotating the second rotating bodies 114, 164 in the forward direction, which in turn increases the force rotating the rotor rotating shaft 23 in the forward direction, allowing the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate continuously and actively, and allowing the generator 20 to generate electricity appropriately. (7) The one-way clutches 112, 176 are not limited to the roller clutch type illustrated in the embodiment, but various types such as a ball clutch type can be implemented. (8) The third partition wall 6 may be configured to slide using a fluid pressure actuator or a motor that is controlled by the operation of the fluid pressure actuator or a motor. In this case, the connecting structure using the string I can be omitted. (9) The reciprocating means 16 is not limited to the loop belt having the chain-like belt shown in the embodiment. For example, if the first rotating body 102, 152 of the rotation transmission mechanism 100, 150 is a toothed pulley having teeth on the entire outer circumference, the reciprocating means 16 can be a toothed belt having teeth formed on the inner circumference that mesh with the teeth of the first rotating body 152. (10) The reciprocating means 16 may be in the form of an elongated rack gear that does not elastically deform, with one end in the longitudinal direction fixed to the first partition wall 4 and extending outward from an opening in the wall of the sealing layer 1, and may reciprocate in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the first partition wall 4. In this form, the first rotors 102, 152 of the rotation transmission mechanisms 100, 150 are spur gears (spur gears) that mesh with the rack gear of the reciprocating means 16 that extends outward from the sealing layer 1, and the first rotors 102, 152 mesh with the reciprocating means 16. Even in this form, the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating means 16 in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the first partition wall 4 causes the first rotors 102, 152 of the rotation transmission mechanisms 100, 150 to rotate reciprocally in the forward and reverse directions, thereby achieving the same effect as in the embodiment. (11) The spring distortion prevention groove 63 as a spring distortion prevention portion provided on the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 is not limited to the groove shape illustrated in the drawings and the above embodiment. For example, instead of providing a groove along the spring on the upper surface of the third partition wall 6, two protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 may be provided on both sides of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 in the short direction. The spring distortion prevention groove 63 as a spring distortion prevention portion in this modified example surrounds the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 by the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 and the outer surfaces of the two protrusions, thereby preventing distortion of these springs 2 and 3. (12) The generator 20 is not limited to the structure shown in the embodiment, and various known forms can be adopted. (13) In the rotation transmission mechanism 100 of the first invention and the rotation transmission mechanism 150 of the second invention, a speed increasing mechanism may be provided between the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the generator 20 to increase the rotation speed of the generator 20 beyond the rotation speed of the rotor rotating shaft 23. [Industrial Applicability]

[0088] If the power generation unit CU can be constructed in an extremely compact manner and generate more than 10 kW of electricity, it may be possible to mount this power generation unit CU in a car and realize the dream of an electric vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 16 Loop belt (drive means) 23 Rotor shaft (rotating shaft) 102 / 152 First rotating body 110 / 160 fulcrum axis 112 / 176 One-way clutch 114 / 164 Second rotating body 116 / 166 1st gear 120 / 170 Third rotating body 122 / 172 2nd gear

Claims

1. a first rotor (102) rotatably supported on a rotary shaft (23) and rotated alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by a driving means (16); a second rotating body (114) arranged alongside the first rotating body (102) and fixed to the rotating shaft (23), and having a first gear (116) formed around the entire periphery of the second rotating body (114); a third rotor (120) rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft (110) that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotor (102) around a rotation axis (23), and having a second gear (122) formed around the entire periphery of the outer periphery that meshes with the first gear (116) of the second rotor (114); a one-way clutch (112) that is provided on the first rotor (102) and attached to the rotor (23), and that is maintained in a locked state when the first rotor (102) rotates in the forward direction, thereby restricting the rotation of the first rotor (102) relative to the rotary shaft (23), and that is maintained in an unlocked state when the first rotor (102) rotates in the reverse direction, thereby allowing the rotation of the first rotor (102) relative to the rotary shaft (23); When the first rotor (102) rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch (112) is maintained in a locked state, causing the second rotor (114) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotor (102), When the first rotating body (102) rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch (112) is maintained in an unlocked state, causing the first rotating body (102) to rotate in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body (114), and the meshing of the first gear (116) and the second gear (122) causes the third rotating body (120) to rotate while moving around the second rotating body (114), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body (120) rotates the second rotating body (114) and the rotating shaft (23) in the forward direction.

2. a first rotor (152) rotatably mounted on a rotary shaft (23) and rotated alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by a driving means (16); a second rotating body (164) arranged alongside the first rotating body (152) and fixed to the rotating shaft (23), and having a first gear (166) formed around the entire periphery of the second rotating body (164); a third rotor (170) rotatably mounted on a fulcrum shaft (160) that moves synchronously with the rotation of the first rotor (152) around the rotation axis (23), and having a second gear (172) formed around the entire outer periphery thereof that meshes with the first gear (166) of the second rotor (164); a one-way clutch (176) that is provided on the third rotor (170) and attached to the exterior of the fulcrum shaft (160), that is maintained in a locked state during forward rotation of the first rotor (152) to restrict rotation of the third rotor (170) relative to the fulcrum shaft (160), and that is maintained in an unlocked state during reverse rotation of the first rotor (152) to allow rotation of the third rotor (170) relative to the fulcrum shaft (160); When the first rotor (152) rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutch (176) is maintained in a locked state, causing the second rotor (164) and the rotating shaft (23) to rotate synchronously in the same forward direction as the first rotor (152), When the first rotating body (152) rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch (176) is maintained in an unlocked state, causing the first rotating body (152) to rotate in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body (164), and the meshing of the first gear (166) and the second gear (172) causes the third rotating body (170) to rotate while moving around the second rotating body (164), and the rotational inertia force of this third rotating body (170) rotates the second rotating body (164) and the rotating shaft (23) in the forward direction.

3. The third rotating body (120 / 170) is a small-diameter pinion gear having a large diameter ratio to the second rotating body (114 / 164), 3. The rotation transmission mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the first rotating body (102 / 152) rotates in the reverse direction, the third rotating body (120 / 170) rotates at high speed by meshing with the second rotating body (114 / 164) and moving around the second rotating body (114 / 164), and the rotational inertia force generated in this third rotating body (120 / 170) actively rotates the second rotating body (114 / 164) and the rotating shaft (23) in the forward direction.

4. 4. The rotation transmission mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of third rotors (120 / 170) are provided around the second rotor (114 / 164) at predetermined intervals.

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