Power generation equipment

Abstract

To provide a power generation device that can increase the number of buckets on the descending side as much as possible and efficiently supply water to each bucket. [Solution] A power generation device including a rotary transmission system and a generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotary transmission system, wherein the upper rotating shaft 11 and the lower rotating shaft are arranged substantially horizontally in the vertical direction, at least one rotating wheel 13, 14 is provided concentrically on each of these two rotating shafts, a transmission means 15 is endlessly connected between the opposing rotating wheels, and a plurality of buckets 1 are arranged and fixed at equal intervals on the transmission means and capable of receiving falling water, wherein, when viewed from the side, the upper edge of the front wall of the plurality of buckets is higher in the vertical direction than the upper edge of the rear wall, and the upper edge of the side wall has a predetermined angle with a virtual horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the rear wall. [Representative diagram] Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation device characterized by the shape of a bucket that receives falling water in a rotational conduction system to obtain rotational power.

Background Art

[0002] As a power generation device that utilizes falling water (hereinafter referred to as falling water), for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. This device includes a fluid conveyance path in which a large number of buckets are attached to an endless body wound around a sprocket fixed to a rotating shaft arranged in the vertical direction. Then, the upward buckets located near the upper sprocket sequentially receive the falling water from above, and the endless body is circulated and driven by the potential energy and kinetic energy of the falling water. The falling water stays in each bucket from the upper part to the lower end on the descending side of the bucket, so that the potential energy and kinetic energy of the falling water can be converted into rotational force.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, in a device such as Patent Document 1, in order to increase the rotational speed, it is necessary to increase the total weight of the water accumulated in a plurality of buckets on the descending side in the fluid conveyance path. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of buckets, or increase the distance between the upper and lower rotating shafts, or increase the volume of each bucket in the fluid conveyance path. However, if the distance between the upper and lower rotating shafts is increased or the volume of each bucket is increased, the size of the power generation device in the height direction and the horizontal direction cannot be avoided.

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the spacing between each bucket in the fluid transport path is large, and the number of buckets on the downward side of the fluid transport path is small. As a result, the total weight of water remaining in the buckets on the downward side cannot be increased, and consequently, the potential energy and kinetic energy of the falling water cannot be fully utilized, resulting in an inability to increase the rotational speed.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a power generation device that not only increases the number of downward-facing buckets as much as possible while keeping the power generation device itself compact, but also enables efficient water supply to each bucket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The aforementioned objective is achieved by a power generation device that, according to one aspect of the present invention, includes a rotational transmission system comprising an upper rotation shaft and a lower rotation shaft arranged substantially horizontally in the vertical direction, at least one rotating wheel concentrically provided on each of these two rotation shafts, a transmission means endlessly connected between the opposing rotating wheels, and a plurality of buckets arranged and fixed at equal intervals on the transmission means and capable of receiving falling water, and a power generation device that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotational transmission system, wherein the plurality of buckets consist of a rear wall on the transmission means side, a front wall, and two side walls arranged to connect both ends thereof, the openings formed at the upper edges of each wall are substantially rectangular in plan view, the upper edge of the front wall is located higher in the vertical direction than the upper edge of the rear wall when viewed from the side, and the upper edges of the side walls have a predetermined angle with a virtual horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the rear wall.

[0008] Preferably, each of the plurality of buckets is positioned and fixed to the transmission means so that they are close to each other, and when viewed from the front, the upper end of the front wall of each bucket covers the lower part of the bucket that follows in the direction of rotation. This maximizes the number of buckets attached to the transmission means, and as a result, the weight of water received by about half of the buckets on the descending side of the rotating transmission system increases, allowing for a higher rotational speed.

[0009] The aforementioned multiple buckets have similar shapes and can be roughly square, U-shaped, triangular, or fan-shaped in side view. Of these, a roughly triangular shape is preferred. This minimizes the air resistance experienced by each bucket when each bucket that has received falling water descends in the rotating transmission system, or when each bucket that has released water and become empty ascends.

[0010] Furthermore, when viewed from the side, the upper edge of the front wall of each bucket is positioned higher vertically than the upper edge of the rear wall, and a predetermined angle is formed between the upper edge of the side wall and a virtual horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the rear wall. This predetermined angle is not particularly limited, but can be set to approximately 30 degrees ± 10 degrees, taking into consideration the ease with which the falling water can be received into each bucket. By inclining the upper edge of the side wall leading to the upper edge of the front wall in this way, compared to the case where the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall are at the same height vertically without the aforementioned angle, when each bucket rotates along the rotating wheel concentrically provided on the lower rotating shaft, water is released, but some of the water in each bucket can be stored up to near the lowest point of the rotating wheel. As a result, a larger total weight of water remains in each bucket on the downward side of the rotational transmission system, which contributes to an increase in rotational speed.

[0011] Furthermore, depending on the direction, volume, and force of the falling water, splashes may occur on the front or inside of the bucket, scattering to the sides. For this reason, a pair of splash guards can be placed at both ends of the front wall, facing forward. These splash guards can consist of at least a plate-shaped member (first member) erected in a screen-like manner, substantially vertically from the wall surface of the front wall toward the front, so as to prevent water from scattering to the left and right in front of the bucket. It is even more preferable to have a substantially L-shape in plan view, further comprising a second member extending from each of the front edges of the plate-shaped member so as to face each other. By providing splash guards in this way, the splashed water can be supplied to the bucket that is ahead in the rotational direction of the rotational transmission system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The power generation device of this invention has a configuration in which the upper edge of the front wall is positioned higher vertically than the upper edge of the rear wall attached to the transmission means, and the upper edges of the sides are inclined at a predetermined angle. This allows the buckets on the downward side to efficiently receive falling water from above, increasing the total weight of water stored in each bucket and thereby obtaining a large rotational output. Furthermore, by providing the aforementioned splash prevention members in each bucket, falling water can be supplied to the buckets even more efficiently, which allows the rotational speed of the rotary transmission system to be increased, making it suitable for power generation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a bucket for a power generation device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a bucket for a power generation device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a rotary transmission system in the power generation device of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows another example of a rotary transmission system in the power generation device of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is an assembly diagram of the rotary transmission system. [Figure 6] Figure 3 shows another example of an assembly diagram for a rotational transmission system. [Figure 7] This figure shows one embodiment of the power generation device of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows another embodiment of the power generation device of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings. In each figure, components with the same reference numeral have the same or similar configuration.

[0015] First, the shape of an embodiment of the bucket, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described below. (Bucket) FIG. 1 shows an example of a bucket used in the power generation device of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the bucket 1 includes a rear wall 2 fixed to the conduction means 15, 15, a front wall 3, and side walls 4, 5 arranged to connect the left and right side edges thereof. At the lower part of the bucket 1, the front wall 3 and the rear wall 2 approach each other, and a closed bottom portion of the bucket 1 is formed. Here, the front wall 3 and the rear wall can also be integrally formed by bending. When the bucket 1 is viewed from either side, the bucket 1 has a substantially triangular shape. Note that the shape of the bucket 1 when viewed from the side is not limited to a substantially triangular shape, and may be, for example, a substantially U-shaped, substantially rectangular, or substantially fan-shaped. In these cases, the front wall 3 and the rear wall 2 are integrated, and this is formed by bending or curving, and side walls having a shape matching this (cross-sectional) shape can be connected when viewed from the side.

[0016] The rear wall 2, the front wall 3, and the side walls 4, 5 are plate-like bodies each having upper end edges 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a. The opening formed by these upper end edges 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. When the bucket 1 is viewed from the side, the upper end edge 3a is at a higher position in the vertical direction than the upper end edge 2a. Also, when a virtual horizontal line L passing through the upper end edge 2a is assumed, the angle formed by the upper end edge 4a (or 5a) and this virtual horizontal line L is set to about 30 degrees. However, it is not limited to this angle, and this angle can be appropriately set within a range of, for example, ±10 degrees.

[0017] A projecting piece 6 having the same width as the lower end edge of the rear wall 2 is provided at the bottom of the bucket 1. The projecting piece 6 may be an extension of the plate material of the rear wall 2, or may be joined to the lower end edge of the rear wall 2. This projecting piece 6 has the advantage that when the bucket 1 is folded back to the descending side by the upper rotating wheel 13, the falling water hits the front wall 6 and the water flowing along the wall surface 6 can be induced into the bucket 1 one step ahead in the rotating direction.

[0018] On the rear wall 2 or the rear wall 2 and the protruding piece 6, if necessary, a fixture (not shown) for fixing the bucket 1 to the conduction means 15 (described later) can be attached. This fixture can be appropriately selected from known fixtures according to the type of the conduction means 15 and used.

[0019] As the materials used for the rear wall 2, the front wall 3, the side walls 4 and 5, it is preferable that they can withstand the weight of the water filled in the bucket 1, have corrosion resistance, and further have rigidity that will not be deformed by the rotational drive in the rotational conduction system described later and the vibrations caused thereby. Specific examples of such materials include, for example, metal plates such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, and plates of metal alloys such as steel, stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and in addition, hard plastic plates and the like. Any of these materials can be suitably used. Even materials with poor corrosion resistance can be used by appropriately performing an anticorrosion treatment on the surface.

[0020] Also, the thicknesses of the rear wall 2, the front wall 3, the side walls 4 and 5 are not particularly limited, but if the thickness is increased, when the number of buckets attached to the rotational conduction system is large, the weight of the bucket itself will increase, so it is preferably set as thin as possible.

[0021] Figure 2 shows another example of the bucket used in the power generation device of the present invention. In the example shown in this figure, in order to prevent the splashing of the falling water to the side, the front wall 3 of the bucket 1 having the above-described components as they are is provided with water splash prevention members 7, 7 respectively. In the bucket 1 shown in Figure 2, the same components as those shown in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0022] The splash guards 7, 7 in the bucket 1 shown in Figure 2 have a roughly L-shaped cross-section, consisting of plate-like members (first members) 8, 8 erected in a screen-like manner from both the left and right edges of the front wall 3 toward the front, substantially perpendicular to the wall surface and flush with the outer surfaces of the respective side walls 4, 5, and second members 9, 9 extending toward each other from the respective front end edges of the plate-like members. Each splash guard 7 may be an extension of the side wall 4 or 5, or it may be fixed to the front wall 3 using fixing means such as welding. By providing splash guards 7, 7 at both the left and right ends of the front wall 3 in this way, there is an advantage in that water splashed from the front wall 3 or inside the bucket 1 can be prevented from scattering to the sides. Note that the splash guards 7, 7 are not limited to having the roughly L-shaped cross-section described above, and may consist only of the screen-like first members 8, 8.

[0023] (Power generator) Next, an embodiment of the power generation device of the present invention will be described, but before that, the rotational transmission system in the power generation device will be explained first. Figure 3 shows an example of a rotational transmission system, and Figure 4 shows another example of a rotational transmission system. Furthermore, Figure 5 shows an assembly diagram of an example of a rotational transmission system, and Figure 6 shows an assembly diagram of another example of a rotational transmission system. In all of these figures, the support legs and other components that support the rotational transmission system can be any known structure without limitation, so their illustration has been omitted.

[0024] The rotary transmission system 10 shown in Figure 3 comprises an upper rotary shaft 11 positioned approximately horizontally above and below the lower rotary shaft 12, two rotating wheels 13, 13 concentrically and symmetrically mounted on the upper rotary shaft 11, and two rotating wheels 14, 14 concentrically and symmetrically mounted on the lower rotary shaft 12, as shown in Figure 5. The rotating wheels 13, 13, 14, 14 are pulleys or sprockets of appropriate diameters. In the examples shown in these figures, the rotating wheels 13, 14 have the same diameter, but are not limited to this, and the rotating wheel 13 may have a diameter that is larger or smaller than that of the rotating wheel 14.

[0025] The upper and lower opposing rotating wheels 13 and 14, and the rotating wheels 13 and 14, respectively, each have transmission means 15, 15 wound endlessly around them. The transmission means 15, 15 transmit the rotation around the rotation axes 11 and 12 of the rotating wheels 13, 13 and 14, 14, and are configured so that the rotating wheels 13 and 14 each rotate at the same rotational speed. It goes without saying that if the diameter of the rotating wheel 14 is set to be different from that of the rotating wheel 13, the speeds of the rotating wheels 13 and 14 will change according to the diameter ratio. Here, if the rotating wheels 13 and 14 are pulleys, the transmission means 15, 15 are belts of appropriate shape and size, respectively, and if the rotating wheels 13 and 14 are sprockets, the transmission means 15, 15 are chains of appropriate size. Whether each of the transmission means 15 is a belt or a chain can be selected as appropriate.

[0026] In the rotary transmission system 1 shown in Figure 3, as shown in the assembly diagram in Figure 5, one end of the upper rotary shaft 11 extends to the outside of the rotary wheel 13, and a rotating wheel 16 is concentrically mounted on this extension. Below this rotating wheel 16, a rotary shaft 19 is positioned parallel to the rotary shaft 11, and a rotating wheel 17, which has a relatively smaller diameter than the rotating wheel 16, is concentrically mounted on this rotary shaft 19. The rotating wheel 17 is in a positional relationship with the rotary shaft 16, and a transmission means 18 is wound around these rotating wheels 16 and 17, configured to transmit the rotation of the rotating wheel 16 to the rotating wheel 17. Furthermore, a rotating wheel 20 is attached to the rotary shaft 17, which engages with a rotating wheel 21 fitted onto the input shaft of the generator G, so that the generator G is driven by the rotation of the rotating wheel 16. To rotate the generator G at a predetermined rotational speed, a transmission mechanism combining a reduction gear (not shown) or another rotating wheel can be used as appropriate.

[0027] The rotating wheels 16 and 17 may be either sprockets or pulleys. If these rotating wheels 16 and 17 are sprockets, a chain is used as the transmission means 18, and if they are pulleys, a belt is used. In the latter case, it is necessary to adjust the belt tension so that there is no transmission loss due to slippage between these rotating wheels 16 and 17 and the transmission means 18. Furthermore, it is preferable that gears are used for the rotating wheels 20 and 21.

[0028] Furthermore, Figure 6 is an assembly diagram showing a modified example of Figure 5. In this example, the rotating wheel 21 attached to the input shaft of the generator G is pressed against the rotating wheel 17, and the generator G is driven by the rotation of the rotating wheel 17. Even in this example, it is necessary to minimize transmission loss due to slippage between the rotating wheel 21 and the rotating wheel 17. Note that the other components and materials are the same as in the example in Figure 5, so their explanation is omitted.

[0029] Returning to the example in Figure 3, 24 buckets 1, 1, ... shown in Figure 2 are fixed to the two transmission means 15, 15, with their openings facing the same direction and arranged approximately horizontally in the left-right direction at equal intervals. The number of buckets 1 attached to the transmission means 15, 15 is not limited to 24 and can be any number as appropriate. It should be noted that increasing the number of buckets 1 may increase the size of the rotary transmission system 10. There are no particular restrictions on the method of fixing the buckets 1, 1, ... to the two transmission means 15, 15, and can be appropriately selected and used from conventionally known jigs and methods. For example, if the transmission means 15 is a chain, fixing fittings can be attached to the chain at equal intervals, and multiple buckets 1, 1, ... can be fixed via these fixing fittings. Also, if the transmission means 15 is a belt, holes can be drilled in the belt at equal intervals, and fittings that fit the fittings attached to the buckets 1, 1, ... as needed can be attached to each of these holes to fix the buckets. Here, in order to allow the buckets 1, 1, ... to rotate smoothly around the outer circumference of the rotating wheels 13 and 14, if necessary, a cross-section can be interposed between each bucket 1 and the transmission means 15, 15 so that each bucket 1 does not come into direct contact with these rotating wheels 13 and 14.

[0030] The rotation of the rotary transmission system 1, caused by each bucket 1 receiving the falling water, is transmitted to a rotating wheel 16 positioned and fixed outside the rotary output shaft 11, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The rotating wheel 16 transmits its rotation to a rotating wheel 17, which is positioned concentrically with the shaft 19, via a transmission means 18. Furthermore, the rotation of the rotating wheel 17 is transmitted to a rotating wheel 21, which is rotatably in contact with it, via a rotating wheel 20, thereby driving the generator G and enabling power generation.

[0031] Figure 4 shows another example of a rotary transmission system. In this example, an intermediate rotary shaft 20 and a rotating wheel 21 mounted concentrically thereto are provided between the upper and lower rotary shafts 11 and 12, and the transmission means 15 is configured to protrude outward (to the right in the figure). This increases the tension of the transmission means 15 and makes it easier for the downward-facing buckets 1, 1, ... between the rotating wheel 13 and the rotating wheel 21 to receive falling water.

[0032] Based on the above, an embodiment of the power generation device of the present invention shown in Figure 7 will be described. Note that the parts in Figure 7 that are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figures 3 to 6 have substantially the same configuration, so their explanation will be omitted. Also, as with Figures 3 and 4, support legs and other components that support the vertically arranged shafts have been omitted.

[0033] The power generation device of this embodiment includes a rotary transmission system 1 as shown in Figure 3, in which the rotating shafts 11 and 12 (rotating wheels 13 and 14) are arranged vertically. However, the positional relationship of the rotating shafts 11 and 12 (rotating wheels 13 and 14) does not necessarily have to be vertical, as long as the water falling by gravity can be collected by multiple buckets 1, 1, .... Therefore, the power generation device of this embodiment can be suitably used even in places such as rivers where there is a drop in elevation and water falls naturally.

[0034] The power generation device of this embodiment is equipped with a lower water tank 30 below the rotary transmission system 10 and an upper water tank 33 above it. A submersible pump 31 is installed in the lower water tank 30. The submersible pump 31 is driven according to the water level in the upper water tank 33 and pumps water W up from the lower water tank 30 through the lifting pipe 32, so that water W is stored in the upper water tank 33. By opening valve V1 at the outlet of the upper water tank 33, the water flows into the drain pipe 34. Valves V2 to V4 are provided in the drain pipe 34, and water can be dropped from three different positions above the rotary transmission system 10, and the falling water W is received by buckets 1 in the direction of drainage. It is not necessary to open all of valves V2 to V4, and one or two of the valves can be opened by opening or closing operations, taking into consideration the surrounding conditions of the power generation device 25. If valve V2 is opened and the other valves V3 and V4 are closed, the splash prevention members 17 of each bucket 1 can be effectively utilized, and the total weight of water W stored in the buckets 1, 1, ... on the lower side of the rotary transmission system 10 is relatively increased compared to when valve V3 or valve V4 is open, thereby contributing to the high-speed rotation of the rotary transmission system 10. Furthermore, if the water level in the upper tank 33 drops due to drainage, the submersible pump 31 can be operated to replenish water W in the upper tank 33.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the buckets 1, 1, ... which are initially facing downwards on the upward side, rotate on the rotating wheel 13. As they transition to the downward side with their openings facing upwards, the buckets 1 are configured to efficiently receive water. As a result, the falling water flows into the upward-facing buckets 1, filling them completely, and the rotary transmission system 10 circulates. As the rotary transmission system 10 rotates, water W flows sequentially into the subsequent buckets 1, 1, ... attached to the transmission means 15, causing each bucket 1 to descend full and rotate at high speed. At this time, since each bucket 1 is provided with splash-proof members 7, 7, it is possible to suppress water from splashing back and scattering to the side after hitting the inside of the bucket 1 or the front wall 3. The splash-proof members 7, 7 and the projection 6 efficiently supply the scattered water to the bucket 1 one position ahead in the direction of rotation.

[0036] As a result, the rotating wheel 16 attached to the shaft 11 also rotates, and consequently, the rotating wheel 17, which has a relatively smaller diameter than the rotating wheel 16, rotates at an even higher speed, driving the generator G connected to it and enabling power generation. If necessary, a reduction gear, a transmission mechanism consisting of a combination of different diameter gears, pulleys, or sprockets can be interposed as appropriate to achieve the desired rotational speed.

[0037] As explained above, by using a pumping system as in this embodiment, the water W that flows out from the bucket 1 at the lower part of the rotary transmission system 10 is discharged into the lower tank 30, and then supplied to the upper tank 33 by the submersible pump 31, and then supplied back to the rotary transmission system 10 via the drain pipe 34. Therefore, water can be recycled during power generation, which reduces water waste and necessitates less water replenishment.

[0038] Figure 8 shows another embodiment (modified version) of the power generation device of the present invention. In this modified version, an intermediate tank 35 is provided at an arbitrary position midway between the lower tank 30 and the upper tank 33 in the vertical direction, and water W is supplied to this tank 35 from the lower tank 30 through a pumping pipe 32. A submersible pump 36 is installed in the intermediate tank 35, and when it operates, the water W in the intermediate tank 35 is supplied to the upper tank 33 through a pumping pipe 37. The other components are the same as in the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0039] As shown in the modified example in Figure 8, by providing an intermediate water tank 35, the submersible pumps 31 and 36 can be made with relatively smaller heads than those in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, which has the advantage of making maintenance easier.

[0040] Furthermore, the power generation device utilizing falling water according to this invention can be used not only as a pumped-water type as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, but may also be configured to be installed in locations where abundant natural falling water can be obtained from above at all times, such as in rivers, irrigation canals, and drainage channels, where there is a difference in elevation.

[0041] While examples of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is clear that different embodiments can be constructed without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment other than those specified in the attached claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0042] According to this invention, a power generation device can be obtained that does not require a large installation space, can operate 24 hours a day, is inexpensive, and has excellent power generation efficiency. Therefore, it can be installed in buildings such as ordinary houses, apartment buildings, or office buildings, or in vacant lots in settlements, and used as a power source to supply electricity to residences within buildings or settlements. Furthermore, it is expected that an even larger amount of power can be obtained by combining this power generation device with, for example, a wind power generation device or a solar power generation device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1 bucket 2 Rear wall 2a Upper edge 3 Front wall 3a Upper edge 4, 5 side wall 4a, 4a upper edge 6 protrusion 7. Splash guard 8. First Member 9. Second Member 10 Rotational transmission systems 11 Upper rotation axis 12 Lower part of the rotation axis 13, 14 Rotating wheels 15. Transmission means G Generator

Claims

1. An upper rotation axis and a lower rotation axis are arranged almost horizontally vertically, Each of these two rotating axes is provided with at least one rotating wheel concentrically, A transmission means endlessly connected between the opposing rotating wheels, A rotating transmission system including a plurality of buckets arranged and fixed at equal intervals to the transmission means and capable of receiving falling water, and A power generation device including a generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the said rotary transmission system, The power generation device is characterized in that the plurality of buckets consist of a rear wall on the transmission means side, a front wall, and two side walls arranged to connect both ends thereof, the openings formed at the upper edges of each wall are substantially rectangular in plan view, the upper edge of the front wall is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the upper edge of the rear wall when viewed from the side, and the upper edges of the side walls have a predetermined angle with a virtual horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the rear wall.

2. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of buckets is arranged in close proximity such that, when viewed from the front, the upper end of the front wall covers the lower part of the bucket that follows in the rotational direction.

3. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of buckets has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the side.

4. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is 30 degrees ± 10 degrees.

5. The power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pair of splash-proof members are arranged at both left and right ends of the front wall, respectively, extending forward from the front wall substantially perpendicular to it.

6. The power generation device according to claim 5, wherein the splash-proof member has a substantially L-shape in plan view, comprising a first member extending outward from the wall surface of the front wall and substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the side wall, and second members extending from each of the front edges of the first member so as to face each other.

7. A bucket attached to a transmission means in a power generation device and capable of receiving falling water, comprising a rear wall, a front wall, and two side walls positioned substantially perpendicular to both ends thereof, wherein the openings formed by the upper edges of each wall are substantially rectangular in plan view, the upper edge of the front wall is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the upper edge of the rear wall when viewed from the side, and the upper edges of the side walls are at a predetermined angle with a virtual horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the rear wall.

8. The bucket according to claim 7, having a substantially triangular shape in side view.

9. The bucket according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined angle is 30 degrees ± 10 degrees.

10. The bucket according to claim 7, wherein a pair of splash-proof members are positioned and fixed toward the front at both left and right ends of the front wall.

11. The bucket according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the splash-proof member has a substantially V-shape in plan view, comprising a first member extending substantially perpendicularly from the wall surface of the front wall toward the front and flush with the wall surface of the side wall, and second members extending from each of the front edges thereof so as to face each other.

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