Power generation equipment

Abstract

To provide a power generator equipped with a differential gear mechanism.SOLUTION: A power generator is equipped with a first generator generating power by rotating blades, a differential gear mechanism provided between the blades and the first generator, a first ring gear connected to the first generator, and a case rotated around a first shaft integrally with the first ring gear. The differential gear mechanism is equipped with a pinion shaft supporting a pair of pinion gears so as to rotate around a second shaft orthogonal to the first shaft. The differential gear mechanism is equipped with a first drive shaft that has a first side gear at one end and is connected with the blade at the other end. The differential gear mechanism is equipped with a second drive shaft that has a second side gear at one end and is equipped with an interference portion extending toward the pinion shaft at one end. In a direction of a third shaft orthogonal to the first shaft and the second shaft, the interference portion opposes to the pinion shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a power generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power generation device provided with a gear as a speed increaser.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A vehicle transaxle is provided with a motor and a differential gear mechanism for absorbing the rotational speed difference between a pair of axles. Here, consider the case of generating power with a motor by arranging a blade on one of the pair of axles of the vehicle transaxle. In this case, since the driving force is input only from one axle, the other axle rotates idly and the driving force is not transmitted to the motor. As a result, there is a problem that power cannot be generated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The technology disclosed herein is embodied in a power generation device. The power generation device comprises blades that rotate in response to a fluid flow. The power generation device comprises a first generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the blades. The power generation device comprises a differential gear mechanism provided between the blades and the first generator. The differential gear mechanism comprises a first ring gear connected to the first generator. The differential gear mechanism comprises a case that rotates integrally with the first ring gear around a first axis. The differential gear mechanism comprises a pinion shaft supported by the case and which rotatably supports a pair of pinion gears around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The differential gear mechanism comprises a first drive shaft arranged along the first axis, having a first side gear at one end that engages with a pair of pinion gears and to which the blades are connected at the other end. The differential gear mechanism comprises a second drive shaft arranged along the first axis, having a second side gear at one end that engages with a pair of pinion gears and is positioned opposite the first side gear. One end of the second drive shaft is provided with an interference portion that extends toward the pinion shaft. In the direction of the third axis, which is perpendicular to the first and second axes, the interference portion faces the pinion shaft.

[0006] The power generation device described herein is not limited in any particular form, as long as it is a device that generates electricity by rotating blades. The power generation device described herein is not limited to wind power generation devices, but may also be, for example, a hydroelectric power generation device. Furthermore, it is not limited to horizontal-axis type power generation devices, but may also be, for example, a vertical-axis type power generation device. According to the power generation device described above, the second drive shaft can be rotated integrally with the case by interference of the interfering part with the pinion shaft. Since the second drive shaft does not slip, the ring gear and the first drive shaft can be rotated integrally. The driving force input to the first drive shaft by the blades can be appropriately transmitted to the first generator. Power generation is possible in a power generation device equipped with a differential gear mechanism on the power transmission path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of wind power generation device 1. [Figure 2] A schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear mechanism 60 in Example 1. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear mechanism 60 in Example 1. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear mechanism 60 in Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In one embodiment of this technology, the interfering portion may comprise a first interfering portion and a second interfering portion that are opposite to each other. The pinion shaft may be located between the first interfering portion and the second interfering portion. With such a configuration, the interfering portion and the pinion shaft can be fitted together. This makes it possible to reliably rotate the case and the second drive shaft as a single unit.

[0009] In one embodiment of this technology, the distance between the first interference portion and the second interference portion in the direction of the third axis may increase as it approaches the tip of the interference portion. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of gaps between the first interference portion and the pinion shaft, and between the second interference portion and the pinion shaft. This makes it possible to prevent rattling during rotation of the second drive shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment of this technology, a planetary gear mechanism and a second generator may be further included. The planetary gear mechanism may include a sun gear, a second ring gear, and a planetary carrier. The sun gear may be connected to the first generator. The second ring gear may be connected to blades and the second generator. With such a configuration, a transaxle for a hybrid vehicle can be used as part of a power generation device. [Examples]

[0011] (Configuration of Wind Turbine 1) Referring to Figure 1, the wind power generation device 1 will be described. The wind power generation device 1 mainly consists of a hybrid unit 8, blades 52, and a power conditioner 54.

[0012] First, let's explain the hybrid unit 8. As shown in Figure 1, the wind power generation device 1 of this embodiment uses a hybrid unit 8 designed for hybrid vehicles. The hybrid unit 8 is a power unit connected to the wheels in a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid unit 8 mainly consists of a transaxle 6 and a power control unit 7. The hybrid unit 8 can be new or used.

[0013] The transaxle 6 mainly comprises a first motor generator 12, a second motor generator 14, a planetary gear mechanism 16, and a differential gear mechanism 60. The planetary gear mechanism 16 is located between the engine shaft 10a and the first motor generator 12. One end of the engine shaft 10a is connected to the first motor generator 12 via the planetary gear mechanism 16. Nothing is connected to the other end of the engine shaft 10a. The first motor generator 12 is a motor generator with a lower rated output and lower starting torque than the second motor generator 14.

[0014] The planetary gear mechanism 16 includes a sun gear 16s, a plurality of planetary gears 16p, a planetary carrier 16c, and a ring gear 16u. The sun gear 16s is connected to the first motor generator 12. The plurality of planetary gears 16p are arranged around the sun gear 16s and are engaged with the sun gear 16s. The planetary carrier 16c rotatably supports the plurality of planetary gears 16p and is connected to the engine shaft 10a. The ring gear 16u is located around the plurality of planetary gears 16p and is engaged with the plurality of planetary gears 16p. The ring gear 16u is connected to the second motor generator 14 via a first reduction mechanism 18. The ring gear 16u is also connected to the ring gear 63 of the differential gear mechanism 60 via a second reduction mechanism 20.

[0015] The differential gear mechanism 60 is connected to a first drive shaft 61 and a second drive shaft 62. A blade 52 is connected to the outer end 61EO of the first drive shaft 61. On the other hand, nothing is connected to the outer end 62EO of the second drive shaft 62. The blade 52 is configured to be rotatable by the flow of fluid. A reduction gear, speed increaser, or transmission may be provided between the first drive shaft 61 and the blade 52 as needed. The specific configuration of the differential gear mechanism 60 will be described later.

[0016] The power control unit 7 is integrated with the transaxle 6. The power control unit 7 comprises a first inverter 26, a second inverter 28, a DC-DC converter 30, and a control unit 31 for controlling these. The control unit 31 may be a PCU (Power Control Unit). The first inverter 26 is electrically connected to the first motor generator 12. The second inverter 28 is electrically connected to the second motor generator 14.

[0017] The DC-DC converter 30 is electrically connected to the first motor generator 12 via the first inverter 26 and to the second motor generator 14 via the second inverter 28. A power conditioner 54 is also electrically connected to the power control unit 7. The power conditioner 54 is interposed between the external power grid 100 and the power control unit 7. The power generated by the first motor generator 12 and the second motor generator 14 is supplied to the power conditioner 54 via the power control unit 7. The power conditioner 54 can supply the generated power to the external power grid 100 by connecting to the external power grid 100.

[0018] As described above, a structure is realized in which the first motor generator 12 is connected to the sun gear 16s and the second motor generator 14 and the blade 52 are connected to the ring gear 16u. In such a structure, the ratio between the rotational speed of the second motor generator 14 and the rotational speed of the blade 52 is fixed. On the other hand, the ratio between the rotational speed of the first motor generator 12 and the rotational speed of the blade 52 is adjustable.

[0019] (Configuration of Differential Gear Mechanism 60) Figs. 2 and 3 show schematic cross-sectional views of the differential gear mechanism 60 in the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken by a plane including the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken by a plane including the first axis AX1 and the third axis AX3 and perpendicular to the second axis AX2.

[0020] The differential gear mechanism 60 includes a first drive shaft 61, a second drive shaft 62, a ring gear 63, a first side gear 64, a second side gear 65, a pair of pinion gears 66 and 67, a differential case 68, and a pinion shaft 69. The differential case 68 houses the first side gear 64, the second side gear 65, the pinion gears 66 and 67, and the pinion shaft 69. Further, a ring gear 63 is disposed on the outer periphery of the differential case 68. That is, the differential case 68 is integrally formed with the ring gear 63. The differential case 68 rotates integrally with the ring gear 63 about the first axis AX1.

[0021] The pinion gears 66 and 67 are supported in the differential case 68 by the pinion shaft 69. The pinion gears 66 and 67 are rotatable about the second axis AX2 which is the rotation axis of the pinion shaft 69. The second axis AX2 is orthogonal to the first axis AX1. The first side gear 64 and the second side gear 65 are disposed opposite to each other with the pinion shaft 69 interposed therebetween and engage with the pair of pinion gears 66 and 67. That is, the pinion gears 66 and 67 connect the pair of first side gear 64 and second side gear 65 to each other.

[0022] The first drive shaft 61 is arranged along the first axis AX1 and is rotatable about the first axis AX1. The inner end portion 61e of the first drive shaft 61 is inserted into the shaft hole 64h of the first side gear 64 and is fixed to the first side gear 64. The inner end portion 61e does not protrude from the inner end portion 64e of the first side gear 64.

[0023] The second drive shaft 62 is arranged along the first axis AX1 and is rotatable about the first axis AX1. The inner end portion 62e of the second drive shaft 62 passes through the shaft hole 65h of the second side gear 65 and is fixed to the second side gear 65.

[0024] The inner end portion 62e of the second drive shaft 62 is provided with a first interference portion 62i1 and a second interference portion 62i2 extending toward the pinion shaft 69 (see FIG. 3). The first interference portion 62i1 and the second interference portion 62i2 protrude from the inner end portion 65e of the second side gear 65 toward the pinion shaft 69 side (+x direction side). The first interference portion 62i1 and the second interference portion 62i2 face each other, and a U-shaped groove portion TR is formed therebetween. The groove portion TR extends in the y direction parallel to the second axis AX2.

[0025] Here, we define a third axis AX3, which is an axis perpendicular to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. The width W1 of the groove TR in the direction of the third axis AX3 is approximately equal to the diameter D1 of the pinion shaft 69. The pinion shaft 69 is fitted into the groove TR. As a result, the pinion shaft 69 is positioned between the first interference portion 62i1 and the second interference portion 62i2. In other words, in the direction of the third axis AX3, the first interference portion 62i1 and the second interference portion 62i2 face the pinion shaft 69. This allows the driving force input from the first drive shaft 61 to the differential case 68 to be transmitted to the second drive shaft 62 via the fitting structure between the pinion shaft 69 and the groove TR. The width W1 can be appropriately determined considering the fitting tolerance between the groove TR and the pinion shaft 69.

[0026] (effect) Let me explain the problem. The transaxle 6 for the vehicle is equipped with a differential gear mechanism 60. Now, let's consider the case where power is generated by the first motor generator 12 by arranging the blades 52 on the first drive shaft 61. In this case, since the driving force is input to the differential gear mechanism 60 only from the first drive shaft 61, the second drive shaft 62 slips, and the driving force is not transmitted to the first motor generator 12. As a result, there is a problem in that power cannot be generated. Therefore, in the wind power generation device 1 of this embodiment, the first interference part 62i1 and the second interference part 62i2 formed on the inner end 62e of the second drive shaft 62 can be fitted with the pinion shaft 69. This allows the second drive shaft 62 and the differential case 68 to rotate together. The driving force input to the first drive shaft 61 does not cause the second drive shaft 62 to slip. It becomes possible to appropriately transmit the driving force input to the first drive shaft 61 by the blades 52 to the first motor generator 12. In a wind power generation device 1 equipped with a differential gear mechanism 60 on the power transmission path, it becomes possible to generate electricity.

[0027] (Manufacturing method for wind power generation device 1) First, prepare the hybrid unit 8 without the first drive shaft 61 and the second drive shaft 62. Insert the inner end 61e of the first drive shaft 61 into the shaft hole 64h of the first side gear 64 (see Figures 2 and 3). Note that the first drive shaft 61 does not need to have the first interference part 62i1 or the second interference part 62i2, so a conventional drive shaft can be reused.

[0028] The inner end 62e of the second drive shaft 62 is inserted through the shaft hole 65h of the second side gear 65. Then, the groove TR formed on the inner end 62e is fitted onto the pinion shaft 69. Finally, the wind power generation device 1 is completed by appropriately connecting the power conditioner 54 and blades 52.

[0029] By preparing a second drive shaft 62 having a first interference portion 62i1 and a second interference portion 62i2 formed on its inner end 62e, and simply inserting it into the differential gear mechanism 60, the second drive shaft 62 can be fixed to the differential case 68. Only the second drive shaft 62 needs to be processed, and no special processing is required on the differential gear mechanism 60. Since disassembly and modification of the hybrid unit 8 can be eliminated, the existing hybrid unit 8 can be reused as is. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the wind power generation device 1. [Examples]

[0030] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the differential gear mechanism 260 in Embodiment 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same location as in Figure 3. The differential gear mechanism 260 of Embodiment 2 (Figure 4) has different shapes for the first interference portion 262i1 and the second interference portion 262i2 compared to the differential gear mechanism 60 of Embodiment 1 (Figure 3). Parts common to Embodiments 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation is omitted.

[0031] The first interference portion 262i1 has an inner wall IW1 that faces the pinion shaft 69 and is parallel to the second axis AX2. The inner wall IW1 has a taper such that the thickness of the first interference portion 262i1 in the direction of the third axis AX3 decreases towards the tip side (+x direction side) of the first interference portion 262i1. Similarly, the second interference portion 262i2 has an inner wall IW2 that faces the pinion shaft 69 and is parallel to the second axis AX2. The inner wall IW2 has a taper such that the thickness of the second interference portion 262i2 in the direction of the third axis AX3 decreases towards the tip side (+x direction side) of the second interference portion 262i2. As a result, the distance between the first interference portion 262i1, the second interference portion 262i2, and the third axis AX3 increases towards the tip side (+x direction side) of the interference portion.

[0032] The inner walls IW1 and IW2 are in line contact with the pinion shaft 69. The second drive shaft 62 may be pressed against the pinion shaft 69 by a spring mechanism or the like (not shown).

[0033] (effect) By simply inserting the second drive shaft 62 to its limit in the +x direction, the tapered structure allows the inner walls IW1 and IW2 to make self-aligned line contact with the pinion shaft 69. This eliminates the gap between the first interference portion 262i1 and the pinion shaft 69, and the gap between the second interference portion 262i2 and the pinion shaft 69. This makes it possible to prevent rattling of the second drive shaft 62 during rotation.

[0034] Although embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself.

[0035] (modified version) In the technical concept of this specification, the second drive shaft 62 only needs to have an interference portion that faces the pinion shaft 69 in the direction of the third axis AX3. Therefore, the form in which the inner end 62e of the second drive shaft 62 and the pinion shaft 69 interfere is not limited to fitting and may be various. For example, one of the first interference portion 62i1 and the second interference portion 62i2 may not be present. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1: Wind turbine 6: Transaxle 7: Power control unit 8: Hybrid unit 12: First motor generator 14: Second motor generator 16: Planetary gear mechanism 52: Blade 60: Differential gear mechanism 61: First drive shaft 62: Second drive shaft 62i1: First interference part 62i2: Second interference part 63: Ring gear 64: First side gear 65: Second side gear 66, 67: Pinion gear 68: Differential case 69: Pinion shaft AX1: First shaft AX2: Second shaft AX3: Third shaft

Claims

1. A blade that rotates in response to the flow of fluid, A first generator that generates electricity by the rotation of the blade, A differential gear mechanism is provided between the blade and the first generator, Equipped with, The differential gear mechanism is A first ring gear connected to the first generator, A case that rotates integrally with the first ring gear around the first axis, A pinion shaft, supported by the aforementioned case and capable of rotatably supporting a pair of pinion gears around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, A first drive shaft is arranged along the first axis, having a first side gear at one end that engages with the pair of pinion gears, and the blades connected to the other end. A second drive shaft is arranged along the first axis and has a second side gear at one end that engages with the pair of pinion gears and is positioned opposite the first side gear, It has, The first end of the second drive shaft is provided with an interference portion that extends toward the pinion shaft. In the direction of the third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes, the interfering portion faces the pinion shaft. Due to the interference between the aforementioned interfering portion and the pinion shaft, the second drive shaft rotates integrally with the case. A power generator.

2. The aforementioned interference portion comprises a first interference portion and a second interference portion that are facing each other. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the pinion shaft is located between the first interference portion and the second interference portion.

3. The power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the first interference portion and the second interference portion in the direction of the third axis increases as it approaches the tip of the interference portion.

4. It further includes a planetary gear mechanism and a second generator, The aforementioned planetary gear mechanism comprises a sun gear, a second ring gear, and a planetary carrier. The first generator is connected to the sun gear. The power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blade and the second generator are connected to the second ring gear.

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