Motive power converting device

Abstract

This motive power converting device comprises a first input member (21a) that transmits a driving force to a first gear (G1), a second input member (21b) that transmits a driving force to a second gear (G2), a third gear (G3), a fourth gear (G4), an output member (41), a first one-way clutch (31), and a second one-way clutch (32), wherein: the first one-way clutch (31) is provided in a power transmission path between the third gear (G3) and the output member (41), and is configured to restrict relative rotation of a first rotation side (A2a) of the third gear (G3) relative to the output member (41) and to allow relative rotation of a second rotation side (A2b) thereof' and the second one-way clutch (32) is provided in a power transmission path between the fourth gear (G4) and the output member (41), and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the first rotation side (A2a) of the fourth gear (G4) relative to the output member (41) and to allow relative rotation of the second rotation side (A2b) thereof.

Description

Power conversion device

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion device that converts a driving force input as a reciprocating swing into a unidirectional rotational driving force and outputs the same.

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

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-018885

[0004] In the power conversion device of Patent Document 1, the left and right crank arms are connected by a belt to rotate the pedals in the opposite direction, and the driving force transmitted from the belt to the pedal pulley is converted into a unidirectional rotational driving force using a differential gear and a one-way clutch bearing. For this reason, the power conversion device of Patent Document 1 has a complex structure, which can lead to problems such as a large number of parts.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a power conversion device that can be easily made into a simple structure.

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

[0007] According to this configuration, because the first gear and the second gear rotate in opposite directions, when a state in which a driving force that rotates the first gear in one direction is input to the first input member and a state in which a driving force that rotates the second gear in the same direction is input to the second input member alternately occur, the first gear and the second gear are caused to oscillate back and forth by these driving forces, and the driving force of this reciprocating oscillation can be converted into a unidirectional rotational driving force of the output member via the third gear and the first one-way clutch and the fourth gear and the second one-way clutch and output. Therefore, it is easy to achieve a simple structure for a power conversion device that converts a driving force input as a reciprocating oscillation into a unidirectional rotational driving force for output.

[0008] 1 is a top view showing an example of a power conversion device in a state where the first gear rotates to the first input rotation side; FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of a power conversion device in a state where the first gear rotates to the second input rotation side; FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a vehicle equipped with the power conversion device of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of a power generation device equipped with the power conversion device.

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] Here, with respect to the shape of a member, the term "extending in a certain direction" does not necessarily mean that the extending direction of the member is parallel to the reference direction, but may also mean that the extending direction of the entire member or a part of the member intersects the reference direction. This term also includes a shape in which the extending direction of the entire member is within a predetermined range with respect to the reference direction, for example, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 20 degrees or less, 10 degrees or less, etc. Here, the extending direction of the first crank member 22a is defined as a first radial direction D1, and the extending direction of the second crank member 22b is defined as a second radial direction D2. In this embodiment, the first crank member 22a and the second crank member 22b are arranged so that there is a phase in which the first radial direction D1 and the second radial direction D2 are parallel to each other. However, the parallel phases do not necessarily have to exist.

[0015] The power conversion device 10 includes a pair of gears, a third gear G3 and a fourth gear G4, supported rotatably about a second axis A2. The second axis A2 intersects with the first axis A1 when viewed in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis A1. In the illustrated example, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 intersect with each other when viewed in the first direction. In this embodiment, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 intersect with each other. Here, one side of the direction of rotation about the first axis A1 is referred to as a first input rotation side A1a, and the other side is referred to as a second input rotation side A1b.

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

[0017] The number of teeth of the first gear G1 is the same as the number of teeth of the second gear G2. The number of teeth of the third gear G3 is the same as the number of teeth of the fourth gear G4. The number of teeth of the first gear G1 is greater than the number of teeth of the third gear G3. The number of teeth of the second gear G2 is greater than the number of teeth of the fourth gear G4. Examples of the first gear G1 to the fourth gear G4 include straight bevel gears, spiral bevel gears, face gears, hypoid gears (registered trademark), etc.

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] Here, "rotating integrally" refers to a state in which two members or two parts are connected so as to rotate at the same speed at all times, including a configuration in which two parts are integrally formed from the same member, and a configuration in which two separate members are connected so as to rotate integrally.

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

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

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

[0027] Here, the direction along the first axis A1 is referred to as the first axis direction B1, and the direction along the second axis A2 is referred to as the second axis direction B2. In addition, the side of the second axis direction B2 where the third gear G3 is disposed relative to the fourth gear G4 is referred to as the second axis direction first side B2a, and the opposite side is referred to as the second axis direction second side B2b.

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

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a vehicle 60 equipped with the power conversion device 10. In FIG. 3, a portion of a body 61 of the vehicle 60 is cut away to show the power conversion device 10. The power conversion device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 60, which is equipped with wheels 66. Examples of the vehicle 60 include a two-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, a tracked bicycle, a water bicycle, an ice bicycle, a moped, and a motorcycle. In this embodiment, the vehicle 60 is a three-wheeled bicycle.

[0030] Here, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 60 is referred to as the front-to-rear direction X, the width direction of the vehicle 60 as the width direction Y, and the up-and-down direction of the vehicle 60 as the up-and-down direction Z. In this embodiment, the wheels 66 and the axles 65 are arranged in pairs spaced apart in the width direction Y of the vehicle 60. The first axial direction B1 described above is parallel to the width direction Y. The second axial direction B2 described above is parallel to the front-to-rear direction X. In this embodiment, both the first pedal 23a and the second pedal 23b are arranged so as to always be above the first axis A1 on the Z1 side.

[0031] Here, while the vehicle 60 is moving forward, the driving force transmitted from the output member 41 to the wheels 66 in a direction that accelerates the vehicle 60 is referred to as the acceleration driving force, and the driving force transmitted from the output member 41 to the wheels 66 in a direction that decelerates the vehicle 60 is referred to as the deceleration driving force.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0038] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power conversion device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 60. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the power conversion device 10 may be provided in a power generation device, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. The power generation device shown in Fig. 4 includes a speed increaser 71 and a rotating electric machine 72, and the driving force output from the output member 41 of the power conversion device 10 is input to the speed increaser 71.

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

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

[0041] (4) In the above embodiment, the first input member 21a includes the first crank member 22a and the first pedal 23a, and the second input member 21b includes the second crank member 22b and the second pedal 23b. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the first input member 21a may not include the first crank member 22a or the first pedal 23a. Furthermore, for example, the second input member 21b may not include the second crank member 22b or the second pedal 23b.

[0042] (5) In the above embodiment, the power conversion device 10 is described as including the power transmission mechanism 50 with the third one-way clutch 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the power transmission mechanism 50 does not need to include the third one-way clutch 51.

[0043] (6) In the above embodiment, the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 have an intersection and are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the first direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the second axis A2 and the first axis A1 do not have to have an intersection. Furthermore, for example, the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 do not have to be perpendicular to each other when viewed in the first direction. Furthermore, for example, the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 do not have to be perpendicular to each other when viewed in the first direction.

[0044] (7) In the above embodiment, the power conversion device 10 is described as including the first bearing 43, the second bearing 44, and the power transmission mechanism 50. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the power conversion device 10 may not include any or all of the first bearing 43, the second bearing 44, and the power transmission mechanism 50.

[0045] (8) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

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

[0047] In one aspect, the power conversion device (10) includes a first gear (G1) and a second gear (G2) that are a pair of gears supported to be rotatable around a first axis (A1), a third gear (G3) and a fourth gear (G4) that are a pair of gears supported to be rotatable around a second axis (A2) that intersects with the first axis (A1) when viewed in a first direction that is orthogonal to the first axis (A1), a first input member (21a) that transmits a driving force to the first gear (G1), and a second gear (G4) that is a pair of gears supported to be rotatable around a second axis (A2) that intersects with the first axis (A1) when viewed in a first direction that is orthogonal to the first axis (A1), a first input member (21a) that transmits a driving force to the first gear (G1), and a second input member (21b) that transmits a driving force to the second gear (G4). the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) are disposed on opposite sides of the second axis (A2) when viewed in the first direction, and the third gear (G3) is engaged with both the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2); The fourth gear (G4) is disposed on the opposite side of the third gear (G3) across the first axis (A1) when viewed in the first direction, and is engaged with both the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2). One side of the direction of rotation around the second axis (A2) is the first rotation side (A2a), and the other side is the second rotation side (A2b). The first one-way clutch (31) is provided in a power transmission path between the third gear (G3) and the output member (41), and the fourth gear (G4) is engaged with the third gear (G3) across the first axis (A1). The second one-way clutch (32) is provided in a power transmission path between the fourth gear (G4) and the output member (41) and is configured to restrict the relative rotation of the first rotation side (A2a) of the fourth gear (G4) with respect to the output member (41) and to allow the relative rotation of the second rotation side (A2b).

[0048] In this way, since the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) rotate in opposite directions, when a state in which a driving force rotating the first gear (G1) in one direction is input to the first input member (21 a) and a state in which a driving force rotating the second gear (G2) in the same direction is input to the second input member (21 b) alternately occur, the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) are reciprocally oscillated by these driving forces, and the driving force of the reciprocating oscillation can be converted into a unidirectional rotational driving force of the output member (41) and output via the third gear (G3) and the first one-way clutch (31) and the fourth gear (G4) and the second one-way clutch (32). Therefore, the power conversion device (10) that converts a driving force input as a reciprocating oscillation into a unidirectional rotational driving force and outputs it can be easily made into a simple structure.

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

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

[0051] In one aspect, the direction along the first axis (A1) is defined as a first axis direction (B1), and the output member (41) is formed in a shaft shape, passes through the third gear (G3) and the fourth gear (G4), and is disposed so as to have a portion sandwiched between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) in the first axis direction (B1), and the direction along the second axis (A2) is defined as a second axis direction (B2), and the output member (41) is formed in a shaft shape, passes through the third gear (G3) and the fourth gear (G4) in the second axis direction (B1), and is disposed so as to have a portion sandwiched between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2) in the first axis direction (B1), and is disposed so as to have a portion sandwiched between the fourth gear (G4) in the second axis direction (B2), and The side on which the third gear (G3) is arranged is the second axial first side (B2a), and the opposite side is the second axial second side (B2b), and the power conversion device (10) is provided with a first bearing (43) that supports a portion of the output member (41) that is closer to the second axial first side (B2a) than the third gear (G3), and a second bearing (44) that supports a portion of the output member (41) that is closer to the second axial second side (B2b) than the fourth gear (G4).

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

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

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

[0055] In one embodiment, the power conversion device (10) is mounted on a vehicle (60) having wheels (66), and further includes a power transmission mechanism (50) that transmits driving force between the output member (41) and the wheels (66), and the power transmission mechanism (50) includes a third one-way clutch (51), and is configured such that, while the vehicle (60) is moving forward, the driving force transmitted from the output member (41) to the wheels (66) in a direction that accelerates the vehicle (60) is an acceleration driving force, and the driving force transmitted from the output member (41) to the wheels (66) in a direction that decelerates the vehicle (60) is a deceleration driving force, and the third one-way clutch (51) transmits the acceleration driving force but does not transmit the deceleration driving force.

[0056] In this way, the acceleration driving force for accelerating the vehicle (60) while the vehicle (60) is moving forward can be appropriately transmitted to the wheels (66), and the vehicle (60) can be allowed to move forward by inertia even in a state where the driving force is not transmitted to the first input member (21 a) and the second input member (21 b), thereby facilitating efficient running of the vehicle (60).

[0057] It is sufficient for the power conversion device according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

[0058] 10: power conversion device, 21a: first input member, 21b: second input member, 22a: first crank member, 22b: second crank member, 23a: first pedal, 23b: second pedal, 31: first one-way clutch, 32: second one-way clutch, 41: output member, 43: first bearing, 44: second bearing, 50: power transmission mechanism, 51: third one-way clutch, 60: vehicle, 66: wheel, A1: first shaft center, A2: second shaft center, A2a: first rotation side, A2b: second rotation side, A5: first input shaft center, A6: second input shaft center, B1: first axial direction, B2: second axial direction, B2a: second axial direction first side, B2b: second axial direction second side, G1: first gear, G2: second gear, G3: third gear, G4: fourth gear

Claims

1. A first gear and a second gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a first axis, a third gear and a fourth gear, which are a pair of gears rotatably supported about a second axis that intersects the first axis in a view in a first direction orthogonal to the first axis, a first input member that transmits a driving force to the first gear, a second input member that transmits a driving force to the second gear, an output member rotatably supported about the second axis, a first one-way clutch, and a second one-way clutch, wherein the first gear and the second gear are arranged on opposite sides of each other with the second axis interposed therebetween in the view in the first direction, the third gear meshes with both the first gear and the second gear, the fourth gear is arranged on the opposite side of the third gear with the first axis interposed therebetween in the view in the first direction and meshes with both the first gear and the second gear, with one side of the direction of rotation about the second axis being defined as a first rotation side and the other side being defined as a second rotation side, the first one-way clutch is provided in a power transmission path between the third gear and the output member and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the third gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side, and the second one-way clutch is provided in a power transmission path between the fourth gear and the output member and is configured to restrict relative rotation of the fourth gear with respect to the output member on the first rotation side and allow relative rotation on the second rotation side. A power conversion device.

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

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

4. The first input member is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and includes a first crank member that is connected to rotate integrally with the first gear. A first input axis is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis in the first crank member, and a first pedal that is rotatably connected to the first crank member around the first input axis with respect to the first crank member. The second input member is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and includes a second crank member that is connected to rotate integrally with the second gear. A second input axis is set at a position spaced apart from the first axis in the second crank member, and a second pedal that is rotatably connected to the second crank member around the second input axis with respect to the second crank member. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

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

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