Spring drive device

Abstract

To cause a movable body to reciprocate by expanding and contracting deformation of a pair of coil springs formed of a shape memory alloy.SOLUTION: A spring drive device DU includes: a first partition wall 4 which may reciprocate; a first coil spring 2 connected to the first partition wall 4; and a second coil spring 3 which is located at the opposite side of the first coil spring 2 across the first partition wall 4 and connected to the first partition wall 4. Each coil spring 2, 3 is formed of a shape memory alloy, elongated when heated to a threshold temperature or higher, and weakened when cooled to a temperature lower than the threshold temperature. The spring drive device DU includes, on the same axis with each coil spring 2, 3, cylindrical case bodies 80 each of which may house the coil springs 2, 3 alternately as the first partition wall 4 slides. The cylindrical case body 80 is cooled to the temperature lower than the threshold temperature and cools the coil springs 2, 3 to the temperature lower than the threshold temperature rapidly and prevents occurrence of distortion of the coil springs 2, 3 when the coil springs 2, 3 heated to the threshold temperature or higher and elongated are housed therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring drive device having a pair of coil springs made of shape memory alloy. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as driving devices for reciprocating an object with a predetermined stroke amount, (1) driving devices equipped with a fluid pressure actuator as a driving source, (2) driving devices equipped with a motor as a driving source, (3) driving devices equipped with a spring as a driving source, and the like have been put into practical use. Of these, a spring driving device equipped with a spring as in (3) is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a power generating device, and a spring driving device equipped with a shape memory alloy spring as a driving source for the power generating device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-243456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The spring drive device for the power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 utilizes the expansion and contraction of a shape memory alloy spring, but this expansion and contraction is based on solar heat, the temperature difference between inside and outside a house, underground heat, thermal energy present in nature, and exhaust gases, making it a so-called expansion and contraction method that utilizes outside air temperature. This is a method that leaves temperature management to external factors, and there is no thought given to temperature control. If the expansion and contraction of a shape memory alloy spring is due to temperature differences, then the above-mentioned temperature utilization is left to chance, which could lead to distortions in the form of temperature instability in its use, and could result in a fundamental defect in the shape memory alloy spring, namely a lack of stability in its expansion and contraction.

[0005] Furthermore, the spring drive device of the generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates electricity by rotating a pinion gear as a single shape memory alloy spring attached to an inner shaft expands and deforms. However, because only one shape memory alloy spring is provided, even if the pinion gear can be actively rotated to generate electricity when the spring is heated above a threshold temperature and expands and deforms, the expanded spring does not actively contract and deform when cooled below the threshold temperature, making it impossible to actively adjust the rotation of the pinion gear. In other words, electricity can only be generated when the shape memory alloy spring expands and deforms, and the generator cannot be driven stably and continuously. Furthermore, because the temperature adjustment of the shape memory alloy spring depends on factors such as the outside temperature, the deformation of the spring cannot be appropriately adjusted, resulting in the disadvantage of being unable to generate stable and continuous electricity.

[0006] Furthermore, the biggest challenge in using shape memory alloy springs is the distortion that occurs during expansion and contraction, which reduces the effectiveness of the shape memory alloy spring. Therefore, the biggest challenge is to suppress this distortion. The main cause of distortion in shape memory alloy springs is excessive stretching or contraction during expansion and contraction. This is referred to as distortion (1). Next, there is the deflection that occurs when a shape memory alloy spring expands. The longer the spring's length, the more likely it is to bend due to its own weight. The distortion caused by this deflection is referred to as distortion (2). Third, there is the distortion that occurs when the shape memory alloy spring does not expand or contract in a timely manner due to temperature. This is referred to as distortion (3). The spring drive device in Patent Document 1 does not take any measures to suppress the distortions (1) to (3) above, which means it cannot efficiently utilize the properties of the shape memory alloy spring. It has also been pointed out that this shortens the repeated use life of each coil spring made of shape memory alloy.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a spring drive device that includes a pair of coil springs made of a shape memory alloy, and is configured to appropriately control the temperature of each coil spring to alternately expand and contract the coil springs, thereby appropriately moving a moving body connected to the coil springs back and forth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The spring drive device of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application comprises: a first partition wall (4) as a movable body provided so as to be capable of reciprocating within a sealed tank (1) having a space formed therein; a first coil spring (2) made of a shape memory alloy, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed tank (1) and the other end of which is connected to the first partition wall (4), which expands and deforms when heated above a predetermined threshold temperature (T) and weakens when cooled below the threshold temperature (T); a second coil spring (3) made of a shape memory alloy, the second coil spring (3) being positioned on the opposite side of the first partition wall (4) from the first coil spring (2) and coaxial with the first coil spring (2), one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed tank (1) and the other end of which is connected to the first partition wall (4), the second coil spring (3) being elongated and deformed when heated above a predetermined threshold temperature (T) and weakened when cooled below the threshold temperature (T); a cylindrical case body (80) that is provided coaxially with the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3), passes through the first partition wall (4), and can accommodate the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3) when they are elongated and deformed as the first partition wall (4) slides; The cylindrical case body (80) is cooled to a temperature below a threshold temperature (T), and the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3), which are heated to or above the threshold temperature (T) and elongated when positioned outside the cylindrical case body (80), are cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature (T) and weakened when housed within the cylindrical case body (80); The reciprocating movement of the first partition wall (4) is achieved by alternately extending and deforming the first coil spring (2) and weakening the second coil spring (3) and weakening the first coil spring (2) and extending and deforming the second coil spring (3).

[0009] According to the spring drive device of the invention of claim 1, by alternately repeating heating the first coil spring made of shape memory alloy to a threshold temperature or higher and cooling the second coil spring made of shape memory alloy to below the threshold temperature, and heating the second coil spring to a threshold temperature or higher and cooling the first coil spring to below the threshold temperature, the first partition wall, which is a moving body, can be continuously reciprocated.The first coil spring and second coil spring, which are heated to above the threshold temperature and undergo elongation deformation, are housed in a cylindrical case body cooled to below the threshold temperature, and therefore can be weakened by cooling below the threshold temperature after elongation deformation.

[0010] The spring drive device of the invention according to claim 2 of the present application is: The sealed tank (1) is provided with a first partition wall (4) that is slidably disposed therein, a second partition wall (5) that is fixed to the first partition wall (4) and slidably disposed therein, and a third partition wall (6) that is slidably disposed within the sealed tank (1) and comes into sliding contact with the bottom surface of the first partition wall (4), The inside of the sealed tank (1) is divided into a first space (R1) and a second space (R2) by a first partition wall (4), a second partition wall (5), and a third partition wall (6), The first space (R1) is maintained at a temperature lower than a threshold temperature (T) by the first temperature adjusting means (9), The second space (R2) is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a threshold temperature (T) by the second temperature adjusting means (8), The cylindrical case body (80) has an inner wall shape that is slightly wider than the outer diameters of the first coil spring and the second coil spring, is fixed to the third partition wall (6), and moves through the first partition wall (4) while facing the inside of the first space (R1). When the first partition wall (4) is moved to one side of the sealed tank (1), the stretched and deformed first coil spring (2) is accommodated in the cylindrical case body (80) in the first space (R1), and the weakened and compressed second coil spring (3) is positioned in the second space (R2). When the first partition wall (4) moves to the other side of the sealed tank (1), the stretched and deformed second coil spring (3) is accommodated in the cylindrical case body (80) in the first space (R1), and the weakened and compressed first coil spring (2) is positioned in the second space (R2).

[0011] According to the spring drive device of the invention of claim 2, the first temperature adjustment means and the second temperature adjustment means can appropriately adjust the temperatures of the first coil spring and the second coil spring made of shape memory alloy, and the first partition wall, which is the moving body, can be appropriately moved back and forth. Furthermore, because the cylindrical case body has an inner wall shape that is slightly wider than the outer diameters of the first coil spring and the second coil spring, the first coil spring and the second coil spring housed in the cylindrical case body are supported from the radial outside by the cylindrical case body when they undergo elongation deformation, and almost no distortion that would cause radial displacement occurs.

[0012] The spring drive device of the invention according to claim 3 of the present application is: A refrigerant (85) that does not freeze even when cooled to a temperature equal to or lower than the threshold temperature (T) is stored in a cylindrical case body (80) in a state cooled to a temperature equal to or lower than the threshold temperature (T), The first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3) are characterized in that they are immersed in the refrigerant (85) when housed in the cylindrical case body (80).

[0013] According to the spring drive device of claim 3, the first and second coil springs heated to above a threshold temperature and housed in a cylindrical case are immersed in a refrigerant housed in the cylindrical case and cooled to below the threshold temperature, and the entire outer surfaces of the springs come into contact with the refrigerant, rapidly cooling them below the threshold temperature and weakening them. This makes it possible to speed up the cycle of expansion and contraction of the first and second coil springs, and therefore the cycle of reciprocating movement of the first partition wall, which is the moving body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the spring drive device of the present invention, a pair of coil springs made of shape memory alloys are alternately expanded and contracted to allow a moving body to move back and forth stably and continuously. It is also expected that the repetitive life of each coil spring made of shape memory alloys will be extended. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a power generating device equipped with a spring drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the first partition wall moves toward the left wall side as the second coil spring expands and deforms, weakening the first coil spring and being compressed and shortened by the second coil spring, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the first partition wall moves toward the right wall side as the first coil spring expands and deforms, weakening the second coil spring and being compressed and shortened by the first coil spring. [Figure 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first to third partition walls are movably arranged by fitting into grooves in the front and rear walls of the sealed vessel, and each cylindrical case body can pass through the first partition wall. FIG. [Figure 4] 1(a) is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the sealed vessel taken along the vertical wall of the first partition wall, and FIG. 1(b) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the X-X line of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 5] FIG. 2(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical case body and a spring restricting member. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cylindrical case body attached to the third partition wall in a separated state. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating the operating state of the rotation transmission mechanism of FIG. 8, in which (a) shows a state in which the first rotating body rotates in a first direction, and (b) shows a state in which the first rotating body rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction. [Figure 10]1A is a rear view of the rotation transmission mechanism as seen from behind, and FIG. 1B is a view of the rotation transmission mechanism as seen from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor rotation shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Next, the spring drive device of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the spring drive device DU will be described as being implemented in a power generation device. In the following embodiments, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 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 exemplified in the following description are merely examples and are not limited to these. [Example]

[0017] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a power generating unit CU equipped with a spring drive unit DU. The power generating unit CU includes a generator 20, a rotation transmission mechanism 17 connected to the generator 20, a spring drive unit DU according to the embodiment, and a loop belt 16 connecting the spring drive unit DU and the rotation transmission mechanism 17. The loop belt 16 moves back and forth when driven by the spring drive unit DU, and the rotation transmission mechanism 17 converts the reciprocating movement of the loop belt 16 into continuous rotation in one direction, causing a rotor shaft 23 of the generator 20 to continuously rotate, thereby generating a predetermined amount of power in the generator 20.

[0018] (About the spring drive unit DU) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the spring drive device DU of this embodiment comprises a first partition wall (moving body) 4 that is provided so as to be able to move back and forth within a sealed vessel 1 having an internal space; a first coil spring 2 made of a shape memory alloy that has one end fixed to the inner wall of the sealed vessel 1 and the other end connected to the first partition wall 4, and that expands and deforms when heated above a predetermined threshold temperature T and weakens when cooled below the threshold temperature T; and a second coil spring 2 that is located on the opposite side of the first partition wall 4 from the first coil spring 2 and is coaxial with the first coil spring 2. The housing is composed of: a second coil spring 3 made of a shape memory alloy, which is positioned inside the sealed tank 1, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed tank 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 to below the threshold temperature T; and a cylindrical case body 80 which is disposed coaxially with the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, passes through the first partition wall 4, and can alternately house the first coil spring 2 or the second coil spring 3 as the first partition wall 4 slides. The cylindrical case body 80 is cooled to below the threshold temperature T, and the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, which are heated to above the threshold temperature T and elongate and deform when positioned outside the cylindrical case body 80, are cooled to below the threshold temperature T and weakened when housed within the cylindrical case body 80. As a result, the spring driving device DU is configured to cause the first partition wall 4 to move back and forth by alternately extending and deforming the first coil spring 2 and weakening the second coil spring 3, and weakening the first coil spring 2 and extending and deforming the second coil spring 3.

[0019] That is, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the spring drive unit DU installed in the power generation unit CU of Figure 1 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 the first partition wall 4. 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 receives electricity from a storage 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, an above-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 stretching first shape memory alloy coil spring 2 and contracts. Furthermore, when the compressed second coil spring 3 on the right side is heated and expands to the left, the expanded first coil spring 2 on the left side has cooled and weakened, so it is compressed and contracted by the expanding second coil spring 3. Therefore, the power generating unit CU is configured so that the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 of the spring drive unit DU repeat a series of expansion and contraction deformations, ultimately causing the rotor rotating shaft 23 to continuously rotate and resulting in power generation by the generator 20.

[0020] (Regarding sealed tank 1) First, we will describe the sealed vessel 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sealed vessel 1 is a rectangular box. Inside the sealed vessel 1, there is a slidable first partition wall 4, a slidable second partition wall 5 fixed to the first partition wall 4, and a slidable third partition wall 6 within the sealed vessel 1, contacting the first partition wall 4. These divide the interior of the sealed vessel 1 into a first space R1 and a second space R2. 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, each wall is assumed to be 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., 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 24 cm deep) is provided inside the sealed tank 1, dividing the interior of the tank 1 into two left and right areas. This first partition wall 4 acts as a boundary, creating an area 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 either the left or right wall inside the sealed tank 1 at the same horizontal position (on the same axis) as the previously attached coil spring so as to face the respective coil spring.

[0021] (Regarding each guide groove 60, 61, 62) As shown in Fig. 3, 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 in the left and right direction in a stable manner. 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 third 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 in the left and right direction in a stable manner. 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.

[0022] (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 (spring diameter) of 20 mm, an inner diameter of 17.6 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.

[0023] In the embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 4(a), 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 generating unit CU and is arranged in series (on the same axis) in the left-right direction, two pairs of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 are provided with a gap in the front-rear direction. However, the number of pairs of first coil springs 2 and second coil springs 3 may be one pair or three or more pairs. Note that spring receiving members 72, 72 that contact the left ends of each of the first coil springs 2, 2 are provided on the inner surface of the left wall of the sealed layer 1, and spring receiving members 72, 72 that contact the right ends of each of the second coil springs 3, 3 are provided on the inner surface of the right wall of the sealed layer 1 (Figures 2, 4(a), and 5).

[0024] (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 properties of expanding when heated and weakening when cooled. The shape memory alloy of the embodiment has a temperature rise operation completion temperature (Af point) of 35°C or higher and a temperature fall operation completion temperature (Mf point) of 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 Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

[0025] 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 does not actively expand or contract 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 on the same axis, 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 will expand and the second coil spring 3 will be pushed by the first coil spring 2 and contract. 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.

[0026] 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).

[0027] In contrast, in the spring drive device DU of the power generation unit CU of the embodiment, 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 in paragraph

[0006] 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 of (2), when the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are heated and stretched, they are housed inside the cylindrical case body 80 provided in the third partition wall 6, and are supported radially outward by the inner wall surface of the cylindrical case body 80, so that not only do they not bend downward, but they also do not bend 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).

[0028] (Regarding the first partition wall 4) The first partition wall 4 divides the interior of the previously described sealed tank 1 into left and right regions. 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 in height, 1 cm in width, and 3 cm in depth, 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.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4(a), the first partition wall 4 is provided with insertion portions 65, 65 that open on the left and right sides of the first partition wall 4 at positions that align with the ends of the pair of first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3. The height of each insertion portion 65, 65 is slightly greater than the height dimension of the corresponding cylindrical case body 80, and the width of each insertion portion 65, 65 is slightly greater than the front-to-rear width dimension of the corresponding cylindrical case body 80. In addition, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 5 to 7, the first partition wall 4 is provided with spring restricting members 67, 67 at positions that face the left and right openings of the insertion portions 65, 65. 6, each spring restraining member 67 is composed of a circular abutting portion 68 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the corresponding first coil spring 2 or second coil spring 3 (17.6 mm in the embodiment as described above) and smaller than the opening height and opening width of the insertion portions 65, 65 (the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first coil spring 2 or second coil spring 3 (20 mm in the embodiment as described above)), and a support rod portion 69 extending upward from the upper edge of the corresponding abutting portion 68. Each spring restraining member 67 is attached to the first partition wall 4 by fixing the support rod portion 69 to the side surface of the first partition wall 4 with the abutting portion positioned in the opening of the insertion portions 65, 65.

[0030] The left spring restricting member 67 facing the left opening of each of the insertion portions 65, 65 has an abutting portion 68 that abuts against the right end of the first coil spring 2, and the right spring restricting member 67 facing the right opening of each of the insertion portions 65, 65 has an abutting portion 68 that abuts against the left end of the second coil spring 3. The abutting portion 68 and support rod portion 69 of the left spring restricting member 67 face the left opening of each of the insertion portions 65, 65, forming an inverted C-shaped insertion hole 70 through which the cylindrical case body 80 can be inserted, and the abutting portion 68 and support rod portion 69 of the right spring restricting member 67 face the right opening of each of the insertion portions 65, 65, forming an inverted C-shaped insertion hole 70 through which the cylindrical case body 80 can be inserted. That is, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, with each spring regulating member 67, 67 facing the insertion portions 65, 65, the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 are restricted from moving through the first partition wall 4 by the abutment portion 68, and the cylindrical case body 80 is allowed to move through the first partition wall 4 via the insertion holes 70, 70.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] (Regarding the case body installation section 63) 4, on the upper surface of the third partition wall 6, case body installation sections 63 for fixing and installing case body fixing sections 82 of the cylindrical case body 80 are provided at positions facing each of the first coil springs 2 and each of the second coil springs 3. The case body installation sections 63 are formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the first coil springs 2 and the second coil springs 3.

[0034] (Regarding the cylindrical case body 80) As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 , the cylindrical case body 80 is a cylindrical member of a predetermined length that is open at both longitudinal ends, and has a slit 81 formed at the top that is open at both longitudinal ends and both inside and outside and extends along the longitudinal direction. The cylindrical case body 80 of the embodiment is a long member with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, its length is set to be approximately the same as the left-right length of the third partition wall 6, and its wall thickness is set to be 1 mm or less. The outer diameter of the cylindrical case body 80 is set to be smaller than the width and height of the insertion portion 65 formed in the first partition wall 4, so that the cylindrical case body 80 can be inserted and moved axially through the insertion portion 65. The cylindrical case body 80 is also formed with an inner wall shape that is slightly wider than the outer diameter (20 mm in the embodiment) of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3. That is, the cylindrical case body 80 has a circular inner wall shape, and its inner diameter is set to be slightly larger (e.g., 20.5 mm) than the outer diameter (20 mm) of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, allowing the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 to move axially and enter the interior through openings at the longitudinal ends. Note that the cylindrical case body 80 allows the abutment portion 68 of the spring restricting member 67 to pass through the openings at the longitudinal ends and move longitudinally inside the cylindrical case body 80. Furthermore, the opening width of the slit 81 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical case body 80 is set to be equal to or larger than the width of the support rod portion 69 of the spring restricting members 67, 67, allowing the support rod portion 69 to move longitudinally within the cylindrical case body 80. Such a cylindrical case body 80 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, and has the strength to support the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, as well as the property of being easily cooled.

[0035] 4 and 7 , the cylindrical case body 80 configured as described above is aligned with the case body installation portion 63 provided on the third partition wall 6 and fixed to the third partition wall 6 by the case body fixing portions 82, 82. The axis of the cylindrical case body 80 fixed to the case body installation portion 63 coincides with the axis passing through the centers of the pair of first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3 and also coincides with the sliding direction of the first partition wall 4 and the third partition wall 6. As a result, when the first partition wall 4 slides, the first coil spring 2 moves into the cylindrical case body 80 through the opening at the left end of the cylindrical case body 80 in the longitudinal direction, and the second coil spring 3 moves into the cylindrical case body 80 through the opening at the right end of the cylindrical case body 80 in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] When the first coil spring 2 is in an expanded state (the state shown in FIG. 2(b)) and when the second coil spring 3 is in an expanded state (the state shown in FIG. 2(a)), the inner wall of the cylindrical case body 80 can come into contact with the spiral first coil spring 2 and the spiral second coil spring 3 from the outside in the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the spiral first coil spring 2 and the spiral second coil spring 3. When the first coil spring 2 is in an expanded state, the entire outer periphery of the first coil spring 2 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the cylindrical case body 80, preventing the center of the first coil spring 2 from being displaced in the radial direction and causing distortion of the spring 2. When the second coil spring 3 is in an expanded state, the entire outer periphery of the second coil spring 3 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the cylindrical case body 80, preventing the center of the second coil spring 3 from being displaced in the radial direction and causing distortion of the spring 3. As a result, the cylindrical case body 80 has the function of preventing the distortion (2) described in paragraph

[0027] from occurring in the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3.

[0037] (Regarding Refrigerant 85) In the spring drive device DU of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a refrigerant 85 is housed inside a cylindrical case body 80. This refrigerant 85 is in a gel state with a predetermined viscosity at room temperature and has physical properties that allow the predetermined viscosity to be maintained in a temperature range of, for example, −20°C to 60°C. That is, the refrigerant 85 does not freeze when cooled to −20°C, and its viscosity does not decrease like water when heated to 60°C. Although such refrigerant 85 is housed in the cylindrical case body 80 and cooled to the same degree as the cooled cylindrical case body 80, in the spring drive device DU of the embodiment, the cooling temperature of the cylindrical case body 80 is set higher than the −20°C described above, and the refrigerant 85 does not freeze and maintains the predetermined viscosity.

[0038] Therefore, when the cylindrical case body 80 and the refrigerant 85 housed within the cylindrical case body 80 are cooled to below the threshold temperature T and the first coil spring 2 that has been heated to above the threshold temperature T and has been elongated is housed within the cylindrical case body 80, the entire first coil spring 2 is immersed in the refrigerant 85 and the entire outer surface of the first coil spring 2 comes into contact with the refrigerant 85, so the first coil spring 2 is rapidly cooled to below the threshold temperature T and weakening is promoted. Also, when the cylindrical case body 80 and the refrigerant 85 housed within the cylindrical case body 80 are cooled to below the threshold temperature T and the second coil spring 3 that has been heated to above the threshold temperature T and has been elongated is housed within the cylindrical case body 80, the entire second coil spring 3 is immersed in the refrigerant 85 and the entire outer surface of the second coil spring 3 comes into contact with the refrigerant 85, so the second coil spring 3 is rapidly cooled to below the threshold temperature T and weakening is promoted.

[0039] 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. For these partition walls to move accurately, the mechanism shown in Figure 2 is required. Figure 2(a) 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 needs to move 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 26.8 cm of slack. This is exactly the same method when the second coil spring 3 expands from right to left, as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0040] 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 of Figure 2(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 2(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.

[0041] Next, Figure 2(b) 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 attempts to move 4.6 cm in the opposite direction, from left to right, due to the pull of the movement of fixed point D of string I. When the second coil spring 3 extends 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 extension length. The same is true when the first coil spring 2 is fully extended.

[0042] 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 spring drive device DU of the power generation unit CU of the embodiment, the first space R1 of the sealed tank 1 is maintained at a temperature below the threshold temperature T by an ultra-compact, high-performance cooler (first temperature adjustment means) 9 and a ceiling fan 29, and the second space R2 is maintained at a temperature above the threshold temperature T by a small, high-performance electric heater (second temperature adjustment means) 8 and an above-floor fan 28.

[0043] As a result, in the spring drive device DU, when the first partition wall 4 is moved to one side (left side) within the sealed tank 1 (the state shown in FIG. 2(a)), the second coil spring 3, which has been stretched and deformed, moves to the right of the first partition wall 4 and is housed in the cylindrical case body 80 located in the first space R1, and the first coil spring 2, which has been weakened and compressed, is located in the second space R2. As a result, the second coil spring 3, which has been stretched and deformed due to being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, is housed in the cooled cylindrical case body 80 within the cooled first space R1 and is instantly cooled to below the threshold temperature T, thereby becoming weakened, compressed, and able to shrink. On the other hand, the first coil spring 2, which has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T and has been weakened, compressed, and shrunk, is instantly heated to above the threshold temperature T by being located within the warm second space R2, thereby becoming stretched and deformed.

[0044] Furthermore, in the spring drive device DU, when the first partition wall 4 has moved to the other side (right side) within the sealed tank 1 (the state shown in FIG. 2(b)), the first coil spring 2, which has been stretched and deformed, has moved to the left of the first partition wall 4 and is housed in the cylindrical case body 80 located in the first space R1, and the second coil spring 3, which has been weakened and compressed, is located in the second space R2. 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 housed in the cooled cylindrical case body 80 within the cooled first space R1 and is instantly cooled to below the threshold temperature T, thereby becoming weakened, compressed, and able to shrink. Meanwhile, the second coil spring 3, which has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T and has been weakened, compressed, and shrunk, is instantly heated to above the threshold temperature T by being located within the warm second space R2, thereby becoming stretched and deformed.

[0045] Therefore, the spring drive device DU continuously switches the first coil spring 2 from the extended deformation state to the weakened state and from the weakened state to the extended deformation state, and continuously switches the second coil spring 3 from the weakened state to the extended deformation state and from the extended deformation state to the weakened state. As a result, the first partition wall 4 continuously repeats reciprocating movement between the position shown in Figure 2(a) and the position shown in Figure 2(b).

[0046] (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.

[0047] 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 ceiling wall of the sealed tank 1 and the three walls, the first to third partition walls 4, 5, and 6), and constantly cools the cylindrical case body 80 and refrigerant 85 located within the first space R1 to below a threshold temperature T. The ceiling fan 29 and the chiller 9 are constantly switched on (this ensures that cool air is constantly blowing within the first space R1). A temperature sensor (not shown) is installed in the sealed tank 1 to detect 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.

[0048] (About Loop Belt 16) As can be seen in Figure 1, the loop belt 16 is an integrated belt consisting of a chain-like belt 15 and 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 and 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 across the first partition wall 4. 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.

[0049] 1, 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 at 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 at 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 drawn out to the outside of the sealed tank 1 is curvedly engaged with the first rotor 41 of the rotation transmission mechanism 17 installed and connected to the rotor rotation shaft 23.

[0050] 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 leftward) in FIG. 1. 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 rightward) in FIG. 1. 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.

[0051] (About the rotation transmission mechanism) 1, 8, 9, and 10, rotation transmission mechanism 17 includes a first rotor 41 rotatably mounted on rotor shaft 23 and rotated alternately in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by loop belt 16, which functions as a drive means; a second rotor 48 fixed to rotor shaft 23 alongside first rotor 41 and having a protruding claw 47 and a rack gear 43 on its outer periphery; a lever 42 swingably mounted on a fulcrum shaft 49 fixed to first rotor 41 and capable of hooking onto the protruding claw 47 of second rotor 48; and a pinion gear 44 rotatably mounted on lever 42 and capable of meshing with rack gear 43. Lever 42 is constantly pushed by a torsion spring (biasing means) 50 so that it either hooks onto the protruding claw 47 of rack gear 43 or meshes with rack gear 43. When the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction, the pinion gear 44 gets caught on the protruding claw portion 47, causing the second rotating body 48 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate in the same forward direction as the first rotating body 41. On the other hand, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, the pinion gear 44 meshing with the rack gear 43 rotates, and the rotation of this pinion gear 44 causes the second rotating body 48 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 to rotate in the forward direction. In other words, the first rotating body 41 rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, but the second rotating body 48 and the rotor rotating shaft 23 are configured to always rotate continuously in one direction, the forward direction.

[0052] 9, the rotation transmission mechanism 17 includes a lever 42 that rotates the rotor rotation shaft (rotation shaft) 23 in one direction when the loop belt 16 moves in a first direction (FIG. 9(a)), and a pinion gear 44 that rotates the rotor rotation shaft 23 in the same direction when the loop belt 16 moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction (FIG. 9(b)). Note that in the following description of the rotation transmission mechanism 17, the left rotation of the first rotor 41 and the second rotor 48 in FIG. 9 is defined as the forward rotation direction, and the right rotation is defined as the reverse rotation direction.

[0053] A plurality of protruding claws 47 are provided at predetermined intervals around the rotor rotation axis 23 on the outer periphery of the second rotating body 48, and rack gears 43 are provided between each of the protruding claws 47. A plurality of levers 42, each with a pinion gear 44, are provided on the first rotating body 41 so as to surround the second rotating body 48. Therefore, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction, each pinion gear 44 is caught by the protruding claws 47, and when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, each pinion gear 44 sequentially meshes with each rack gear 43 and rotates simultaneously and continuously, and the rotational inertia force generated when each pinion gear 44 rotates causes the second rotating body 48 to rotate in the forward direction. This will be explained in detail below.

[0054] (Regarding the first rotating body 41) As shown in FIG. 10( a), the first rotor 41 is formed in a disk shape, with a hole 46 formed in the center thereof in the thickness direction, through which the rotor shaft 23 is inserted. The first rotor 41 is attached to the rotor shaft 23 by inserting the rotor shaft 23 into the hole 46. However, before attaching the first rotor 41, as shown in FIG. 10( b), a bearing 55 is attached and fixed to the rotor shaft 23 in contact with the second rotor 48 fixed to the rotor shaft 23. The first rotor 41 is then attached to the bearing 55, allowing it to rotate freely relative to the rotor shaft 23. In other words, the first rotor 41 can rotate smoothly in the forward or reverse direction regardless of the rotation direction of the rotor shaft 23. Furthermore, teeth 40 that mesh with the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 are formed around the entire outer periphery of the first rotor 41, making the first rotor 41 a so-called sprocket. Furthermore, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fulcrum shafts 49 are provided at required intervals in the circumferential direction on the side surface of a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the hole 46 on the end face of the first rotor 41. A lever 42 is attached to the fulcrum shafts 49 so as to be able to swing.

[0055] (About lever 42) Each lever 42 is swingably attached to three fulcrum shafts 49 provided on the end face of the first rotor 41. As shown in FIG. 8 , each lever 42 is a seesaw type lever formed in a generally V-shape, with a hole for inserting the fulcrum shaft 49 penetrating the thickness direction at a bent portion located in the middle of the longitudinal direction. The lever 42 is attached to the fulcrum shaft 49 by inserting the fulcrum shaft 49 into the hole, and the position of one tip end 42a and the other tip end 42b changes so that they move toward and away from the outer edge of the second rotor 48. That is, when one tip end 42a approaches the outer edge of the second rotor 48, the other tip end 42b moves away from the outer edge of the second rotor 48, and when the other tip end 42b approaches the outer edge of the second rotor 48, the lever 42 swings so that one tip end 42a moves away from the outer edge of the second rotor 48. Pinion gears 44, 44 are rotatably attached to one end 42a and the other end 42b of the lever 42. That is, two pinion gears 44, 44 are attached to one lever 42.

[0056] (About Torsion Spring 50) A torsion spring 50 serving as a biasing means is attached to each fulcrum shaft 49. The torsion spring 50 has an annular portion attached to the fulcrum shaft 49 and two legs extending from the annular portion, with the tip of one leg fixed to the end face of the first rotating body 41 and the tip of the other leg fixed to the lever 42. The other leg of the torsion spring 50, which is fixed to the lever 42, constantly pushes the lever 42 in a direction in which one tip 42a of the lever 42 approaches the outer edge of the second rotating body 48. Therefore, as the lever 42 swings, at least one of the pinion gears 44, 44 attached to the lever 42 comes into contact with the protruding claw portion 47 or the rack gear 43 of the second rotating body 48. Here, the pushing force of the torsion spring 50 is set to a strength that allows the posture of the lever 42 to change so that, when the pinion gear 44 of the lever 42 is positioned at the protruding claw portion 47 provided on the outer edge of the second rotating body 48, one tip end 42a of the lever 42 moves away from the outer edge of the second rotating body 48 and the other tip end 42b moves closer to the outer edge of the second rotating body 48.

[0057] (About pinion gear 44) Each pinion gear 44, 44 attached to one end 42a and the other end 42b of each lever 42 has teeth of the same module formed on the entire outer periphery as the teeth of the rack gear 43 provided on the second rotor 48, so that it can mesh with this rack gear 43. Since each pinion gear 44 is desired to rotate at high speed, a small diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 20 mm is used. Furthermore, each pinion gear 44 is made of a material with a high specific gravity so that the rotational inertia force increases according to the rotational speed. Here, each pinion gear 44 is preferably made of an ferrous metal such as steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, or cast iron.

[0058] (Regarding the second rotating body 48) As shown in FIG. 10 , the second rotor 48 is formed in a plate shape with a thickness similar to that of the first rotor 41. A hole 46, through which the rotor shaft 23 is inserted, is formed in the center of the second rotor 48 in the thickness direction. The rotor shaft 23 is inserted into the hole 46, so that the second rotor 48 is fixed to the rotor shaft 23 and cannot freely rotate relative to the rotor shaft 23. In other words, the second rotor 48 always rotates together with the rotor shaft 23 in the forward rotation direction. The outer periphery of the second rotor 48 is provided with a plurality of (nine in this embodiment) protruding claws 47 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The portions between the protruding claws 47 are concavely curved portions that are relatively recessed in the radial direction. Each concave curved portion between the protruding claws 47 has a recess 51 formed on one side of the protruding claw 47 (forward rotation direction), and a gently sloping concave curve on the other side of the protruding claw 47 (reverse rotation direction).

[0059] (Regarding the recess 51) As shown in FIG. 9 , each recess 51 is configured to receive the pinion gear 44 provided on one end 42 a of the lever 42. The pinion gear 44 provided on the other end 42 b of the lever 42 does not receive the recess 51. As is clear from FIG. 8 , each recess 51 opens toward the reverse direction of the second rotor 48 and has an undercut shape with a concave arc that is recessed toward the forward rotation direction of the second rotor 48. Each recess 51 is formed with a shape and size that allows the pinion gear 44 provided on one end 42 a of the lever 42 provided on the first rotor 41 to receive the pinion gear 44. As a result, when the first rotor 41 rotates in the forward rotation direction relative to the second rotor 48, the pinion gear 44 provided on one end 42 a of the lever 42 moves toward the recess 51 and receives the pinion gear 44. In a state where the pinion gear 44 is fitted in the recess 51 (FIG. 9(a)), the rotation of the first rotor 41 in the forward direction is restricted from becoming faster than the rotation of the second rotor 48 in the forward direction, and the second rotor 48 and the first rotor 41 can rotate in sync in the forward direction. In addition, in a state where the pinion gear 44 is fitted in the recess 51, when the first rotor 41 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the second rotor 48, the pinion gear 44 comes out of the recess 51 in the reverse direction, and the first rotor 41 can rotate in the reverse direction.

[0060] (Regarding rack gear 43) Each rack gear 43 has the same tooth row as the module of the pinion gear 44 provided on each lever 42, and the pinion gear 44 can mesh with it. The rack gear 43 is formed on a concave curved portion between each of the protruding claw portions 47 on the outer circumferential surface of the second rotor 48. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , depending on the relative positional relationship between the first rotor 41 and the second rotor 48, when the pinion gear 44 provided on one end 42a of the lever 42 meshes with the rack gear 43 of the second rotor 48, the pinion gear 44 provided on the other end 42b moves away from the second rotor 48. When the pinion gear 44 provided on one end 42a of the lever 42 is positioned at the protruding claw portion 47 of the second rotor 48, the posture of the lever 42 changes, and the pinion gear 44 provided on the other end 42b moves closer to the second rotor 48 and meshes with the rack gear 43. Furthermore, when the pinion gear 44 provided on the other tip 42b of the lever 42 is positioned at the protruding claw portion 47 of the second rotating body 48, the posture of the lever 42 is changed, and the pinion gear 44 provided on one tip 42a approaches the second rotating body 48 and comes into mesh with the rack gear 43. When the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise) relative to the second rotating body 48 while meshed with the rack gear 43, each pinion gear 44 rotates clockwise in FIG. 9(b).

[0061] (Regarding the application of rotational force in the forward direction to the second rotating body 48 by the pinion gear 44) As described above, each pinion gear 44 is made of a material with a high specific gravity, and therefore generates a rotational inertia force when rotated clockwise at high speed in FIG. 9(b). When rotational inertia force is generated in each pinion gear 44 by rotating clockwise at high speed, a force is generated in each pinion gear 44 that kicks out the teeth of the meshing rack gear 43. In other words, when each pinion gear 44 kicks out the rack gear 43, a rotation in the forward direction (counterclockwise rotation) is imparted to the second rotating body 48. In other words, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise rotation) relative to the second rotating body 48, a force is generated in each pinion gear 44 that causes the teeth of each pinion gear 44 to kick out the teeth of the rack gear 43, thereby rotating the second rotating body 48 in the forward direction (counterclockwise rotation).

[0062] In the rotation transmission mechanism 17 configured as described above, the first rotating body 41 rotatably mounted on the rotor rotation shaft 23 and the second rotating body 48 fixed to the rotor rotation shaft 23 are adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the rotor rotation shaft 23. The first rotating body 41 continuously rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions relative to the rotor rotation shaft 23 in conjunction with the leftward and rightward movement of the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16.

[0063] (When the first rotor 41 rotates in the normal direction) In the rotation transmission mechanism 17 configured as above, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves leftward, the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise), and the pinion gear 44 provided at one end 42a of each lever 42, pressed by the torsion spring 50, fits into the recess 51 of the second rotating body 48. The pinion gear 44 fitted into the recess 51 cannot come out of the recess 51 while the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction. As a result, the second rotating body 48 is pushed by the first rotating body 41 rotating in the forward direction, and rotates in sync at the same rotational speed in the forward direction, and the rotor rotation shaft 23 to which the second rotating body 48 is fixed continuously rotates in one direction (forward direction).

[0064] (When the first rotor 41 rotates in the reverse direction) 9(b), in the rotation transmission mechanism 17, when the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves to the right, the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction (rotates right), and the pinion gear 44 provided at one end 42a of each lever 42 pressed by the torsion spring 50 comes into mesh with the rack gear 43 of the second rotating body 48. Then, as the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction (rotates right) relative to the second rotating body 48, each pinion gear 44 meshing with the rack gear 43 rotates right at high speed, and the rack gear 43 is kicked out by each pinion gear 44 rotating at high speed. Furthermore, when the pinion gear 44 provided at one tip 42a of the lever 42 is positioned at the protruding claw portion 47 during the process of the first rotating body 41 rotating in the reverse direction relative to the second rotating body 48, the posture of the lever 42 is changed, causing the pinion gear 44 provided at the other tip 42b to mesh with the rack gear 43 and rotate at high speed. As a result, the second rotating body 48 on which the rack gear 43 is formed rotates in the forward direction due to the rotational inertia force of the pinion gears 44, 44, and the rotor rotation shaft 23 to which this second rotating body 48 is fixed rotates continuously in one direction (forward direction).

[0065] In this way, in the rotation transmission mechanism 17 of the embodiment, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction, the second rotating body 48 rotates continuously in the forward direction, and when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, the second rotating body 48 rotates continuously in the forward direction, so that the rotor rotating shaft 23 to which the second rotating body 48 is fixed always rotates continuously (continuously) in one direction, in the forward direction. In other words, even if the first rotating body 41 rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions, the second rotating body 48 always rotates continuously in one direction, in the forward direction, and the rotor rotating shaft 23 also rotates continuously in one direction, in the forward direction, so that the generator 20 can generate electricity continuously.

[0066] (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. 1, 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.

[0067] (Function of the Example) The following describes how the power generating unit CU equipped with the spring drive unit DU configured as above actually operates to generate power.

[0068] In the initial state (non-operating state) of the power generator CU, the spring drive device DU is in the state shown in FIG. 2(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 contacting the left wall. Furthermore, the third partition wall 6 is stopped in a position contacting the right wall. The expanded second coil spring 3 is housed in a cylindrical case body 80 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, both the first space R1 and the second space R2 are 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] When the first space R1 in the sealed tank 1 is cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, the cylindrical case body 80 and the refrigerant 85 housed in the cylindrical case body 80 are cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and the second coil spring 3 housed in the cylindrical case body 80 in an extended state is maintained in a cooled state below the threshold temperature T, and maintained in an extended and weakened state. On the other hand, when the second space R2 in the sealed tank 1 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, the first coil spring 2, which was positioned in the second space R2 in a compressed and weakened state, is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, and begins to generate an extending force.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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. In addition, each cylindrical case body 80, 80 fixed to the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 moves relatively from the right side to the left side of the first partition wall 4 through the insertion holes 70, 70 defined in the insertion portions 65, 65 formed in the first partition wall 4.

[0073] When the second partition wall 5 comes into contact with the right wall of the sealed tank 1 and the third partition wall 6 comes into contact with the left wall of the sealed tank 1 (FIG. 2(b)), the first coil spring 2, which has been heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature T, is located in the first space R1, which has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and is housed in the cylindrical case body 80, which has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and is entirely immersed in the refrigerant 85, 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 has been cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature T, is 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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. In addition, each cylindrical case body 80, 80 fixed to the upper surface of the third partition wall 6 moves relatively from the left side to the right side of the first partition wall 4 through insertion holes 70, 70 defined in the insertion portions 65, 65 formed in the first partition wall 4.

[0076] Therefore, the spring drive device DU of the power generation unit CU of the embodiment maintains the temperature within the first space R1 of the sealed tank 1 at a temperature below the threshold temperature T, and maintains the temperature within the second space R2 at a temperature above the threshold temperature T, so that extension deformation of the first coil spring 2 and compression deformation of the second coil spring 3, and extension deformation of the second coil spring 3 and compression deformation of the first coil spring 2, occur alternately and continuously, thereby causing the first partition wall 4 and the second partition wall 5 to move back and forth alternately and continuously in the left and right directions within the sealed tank 1.

[0077] When the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract, they come into contact with the inner wall surface of the cylindrical case body 80, which restricts the intermediate portions of these coil springs 2, 3 from bending downward, forward, and backward in the radial direction intersecting the expansion and contraction direction. Therefore, the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 expand and contract while restricting the occurrence of the distortion (2) described in paragraph

[0027] .

[0078] 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).

[0079] As the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16 moves leftward and rightward, the first rotating body 41 around which the loop belt 16 is wound continuously and alternately rotates in the forward direction and the reverse direction around the rotor rotating shaft 23 in the rotation transmission mechanism 17 provided on the rotor rotating shaft 23 of the generator 20. That is, when the loop belt 16 moves counterclockwise, the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction, which is a counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 9(a), and when the loop belt 16 moves clockwise, the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, which is a clockwise rotation in FIG. 9(b).

[0080] Here, in the rotation transmission mechanism 17, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction in association with the leftward movement of the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16, the pinion gear 44 provided at one end 42a of each lever 42 provided on the first rotating body 41 fits into one of the recesses 51 provided on the second rotating body 48. As a result, the second rotating body 48 is pushed by the first rotating body 41 and rotates in the forward direction at the same rotational speed as the first rotating body 41, causing the rotor rotation shaft 23 to which the second rotating body 48 is fixed to rotate in the forward direction.

[0081] On the other hand, when the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction in association with the rightward movement of the chain-like belt 15 of the loop belt 16, either the pinion gear 44 provided at one end 42a of each lever 42 provided on the first rotating body 41 or the pinion gear 44 provided at the other end 42b of each lever 42 provided on the first rotating body 41 meshes with the rack gear 43 provided on the second rotating body 48. Then, as the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, the second rotating body 48 rotates in the forward direction relative to the first rotating body 41, and at this time, each pinion gear 44 meshing with the rack gear 43 rotates at high speed, generating a rotational inertia force. As a result, each rack gear 43 meshing with the pinion gear 44 rotates at high speed, pushing the second rotating body 48 in the forward rotation direction, and therefore the second rotating body 48 is maintained rotating in the forward rotation direction.

[0082] That is, in the rotation transmission mechanism 17, the second rotating body 48 rotates continuously in the forward direction (rotates continuously in one direction) both while the first rotating body 41 rotates in the forward direction and while the first rotating body 41 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the rotor rotating shaft 23 rotates continuously in one direction. The continuous rotation of the rotor rotating shaft 23 in one direction drives the generator 20 continuously, and continuous power generation is performed.

[0083] A portion of the electricity generated by the operation of the generator 20 is supplied to the storage battery 27 of the spring drive device DU, and the storage battery 27 is constantly charged while the 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 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 and continuous power generation by the generator 20.

[0084] The spring drive device DU implemented in the power generator CU as described above 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 causing the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 to continuously expand and contract. This allows the generator 20 to continuously operate via the loop belt 16 and the rotation transmission mechanism 17, 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 enabling the generator 20 to be stably and continuously driven. Furthermore, the rotation transmission mechanism 17 can appropriately convert the reciprocating movement of the loop belt 16 into continuous rotation of the rotor rotation shaft 23 in the same direction.

[0085] Furthermore, because drive unit DU can use cylindrical case body 80 to restrict the occurrence of distortion when expanding and contracting first coil spring 2 and second coil spring 3 are deformed, it is expected that the repeated use life of each coil spring 2, 3 will be extended. Furthermore, because cylindrical case body 80 and refrigerant 85 housed within cylindrical case body 80 are cooled to below threshold temperature T, when first coil spring 2 or second coil spring 3 that has been heated to or above threshold temperature T and expanded and deformed is housed within cylindrical case body 80, it will be immersed in refrigerant 85 in its entirety, and the first coil spring 2 or second coil spring 3 can be rapidly cooled to below threshold temperature T, thereby weakening it.

[0086] (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 spring drive unit DU 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 of the spring drive device DU is not limited to two pairs as shown in the embodiment, but may be one pair, or may be three or more pairs. (3) The shape memory alloy forming the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 of the spring driving device DU is not limited to the physical properties exemplified in the examples, and shape memory alloys with various physical properties can be used. (4) The installation mode of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 of the spring drive device DU 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 sliding movement form of the third partition wall 6 of the spring drive device DU is not limited to the linked structure using the string I, and a fluid pressure actuator, a motor, or the like may be used as the actuation source. (6) In the examples, the cylindrical case body 80 is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape with an inner wall shape that is slightly larger in diameter than the outer diameter dimensions of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3, but the cylindrical case body 80 is not limited to a cylinder. For example, the cylindrical case body 80 may be in the form of a square tube with a cross section that is a polygon of at least one side, such as a triangle, provided that the inner wall shape is formed to be slightly wider than the outer diameters of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3. Even in such a square tube shape, distortion of the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 can be prevented by appropriately setting the inner wall shape and dimensions. (7) The refrigerant 85 may not be stored inside the cylindrical case body 80 . (8) In a configuration in which the refrigerant 85 is not stored inside the cylindrical case body 80, the wall portion may be provided with a number of openings or slits to increase the ventilation efficiency of the cold air in the first space R1. Also, the cylindrical case body 80 may be provided with protruding ribs or the like to increase the surface area and increase the efficiency of heat exchange with the cold air in the first space R1. (9) In the spring restricting member 67, the contact plate 68 with which the first coil spring 2 and the second coil spring 3 come into contact is not limited to a circular shape, but may be rod-shaped, polygonal, elliptical, or the like. (10) The generator 20 is not limited to the structure shown in the embodiment, and various known forms can be adopted. (11) The rotation transmission mechanism 17 may be configured such that a speed increasing mechanism is provided between the rotor rotating shaft 23 and the generator 20 to increase the rotation speed of the generator 20 to be faster than the rotation speed of the rotor rotating shaft 23 . (12) In the embodiment, the spring drive device DU is embodied in the power generator CU, but the spring drive device DU is not limited to this and can be embodied in various machines, units, devices, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Closed tank 2. First coil spring 3 Second coil spring 4. First partition wall (moving body) 5 Second partition wall 6 Third Partition Wall 8. Electric heater (second temperature control means) 9 Cooler (first temperature adjustment means) 80 Cylindrical case body 85 Refrigerant R1 First space R2 2nd space T threshold temperature

Claims

1. a first partition wall (4) as a movable body provided so as to be capable of reciprocating within a sealed tank (1) having a space formed therein; a first coil spring (2) made of a shape memory alloy, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the sealed tank (1) and the other end of which is connected to the first partition wall (4), which expands and deforms when heated above a predetermined threshold temperature (T) and weakens when cooled below the threshold temperature (T); a second coil spring (3) made of a shape memory alloy, which is positioned on the opposite side of the first partition wall (4) from the first coil spring (2) and coaxial with the first coil spring (2), has one end fixed to the inner wall of the sealed tank (1) and the other end 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); a cylindrical case body (80) that is provided coaxially with the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3), that passes through the first partition wall (4), and that can accommodate the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3) when they are elongated and deformed as the first partition wall (4) slides; The cylindrical case body (80) is cooled to a temperature below a threshold temperature (T), and the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3), which are heated to or above the threshold temperature (T) and elongated when positioned outside the cylindrical case body (80), are cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature (T) and weakened when housed within the cylindrical case body (80); The reciprocating movement of the first partition wall (4) is realized 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). A spring drive device characterized by:

2. The sealed tank (1) is provided with a first partition wall (4) that is slidably disposed therein, a second partition wall (5) that is fixed to the first partition wall (4) and is slidably disposed therein, and a third partition wall (6) that is slidably disposed within the sealed tank (1) and is in sliding contact with the bottom surface of the first partition wall (4), The inside of the sealed tank (1) is divided into a first space (R1) and a second space (R2) by a first partition wall (4), a second partition wall (5), and a third partition wall (6), The first space (R1) is maintained at a temperature lower than a threshold temperature (T) by a first temperature adjusting means (9), The second space (R2) is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a threshold temperature (T) by a second temperature adjusting means (8), The cylindrical case body (80) has an inner wall shape that is slightly wider than the outer diameters of the first coil spring and the second coil spring, is fixed to the third partition wall (6), and moves through the first partition wall (4) while facing the first space (R1). When the first partition wall (4) is moved to one side of the sealed tank (1), the stretched and deformed first coil spring (2) is accommodated in the cylindrical case body (80) in the first space (R1), and the weakened and compressed second coil spring (3) is positioned in the second space (R2).

2. The spring drive device according to claim 1, wherein, when the first partition wall (4) is moved to the other side of the sealed tank (1), the stretched second coil spring (3) is housed in the cylindrical case body (80) within the first space (R1), and the weakened and compressed first coil spring (2) is positioned in the second space (R2).

3. A refrigerant (85) that does not freeze even when cooled to a temperature equal to or lower than the threshold temperature (T) is stored in a cylindrical case body (80) in a state cooled to a temperature equal to or lower than the threshold temperature (T), 3. The spring drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first coil spring (2) and the second coil spring (3) are configured to be immersed in the refrigerant (85) when housed in the cylindrical case body (80).

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