Power generation device

A power generation device capable of achieving reduction in size and compactification, and increasing a change gear ratio is provided. In a power generation device 20 of a vehicle including a front wheel as a drive wheel and a rear wheel 13 as a driven wheel, a gear mechanism 30A as an input side gear mechanism in which a ring-shaped internal gear 37 is disposed coaxially with a sun gear 38 and a plurality of intermediate gears 36 are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear 37 and the sun gear 38 is fixed to the vehicle via a cylinder member 22 as a support shaft having an axis matched with an axis of a cup-shaped joint 51 as a rotation shaft of the rear wheel 13, the internal gear 37 of the gear mechanism 30A is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rear wheel 13, an output shaft 52 penetrating through the cylinder member 22 is fixed to the sun gear 38, and a power generator 53 is provided at the output shaft 52.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a power generation device that performs power generation by a power generator that is connected to a rotation shaft provided in each of various kinds of equipment, a vehicle or the like, via a gear mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been conventionally known a power generation device in which a pulley for an axle is provided at the axle of non-drive wheels of a vehicle as a rotation shaft, a pulley for a power generator is provided at a rotation shaft of the power generator provided in the vehicle, a belt is laid on the pulley for an axle and the pulley for a power generator, and electric power is generated by rotating the rotation shaft of the power generator with rotation of the non-drive wheel (refer to Patent Literature 1, for example).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1

Registered Utility Model Publication No. 3170663

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When the outside diameter ratio of the pulley for an axle and the pulley for a power generator is increased in order to increase the power generation capability of the power generator in Patent Literature 1, the outside diameter of the pulley for an axle is made larger than the pulley for a power generator, but since the space between the axle and the floor panel of the vehicle body is limited, increasing the outside diameter of the pulley for an axle is restricted. Further, a large space between the pulley for an axle and the pulley for a power generator is occupied by the belt.

The present invention is made in the light of the aforementioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a power generation device capable of achieving reduction in size and compactification, and increasing a change gear ratio.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention includes a rotation shaft that rotates by external power, wherein an input side gear mechanism in which a ring-shaped internal gear is disposed coaxially with a sun gear and a plurality of intermediate gears are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear and the sun gear is fixed to a fixed portion in a vicinity of the rotation shaft via a support shaft having an axis being matched with an axis of the rotation shaft, the internal gear of the input side gear mechanism is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rotation shaft, an output shaft that penetrates through the support shaft is fixed to the sun gear, and a power generator is provided at the output shaft.

According to the configuration, rotation of the rotation shaft is used, rotation of the rotation shaft can be accelerated to be outputted from the output shaft, and a power generation amount by the power generator can be increased. Further, power that is transmitted from the internal gear to the sun gear, or from the sun gear to the internal gear, via the plurality of intermediate gears can be divided among the plurality of intermediate gears, and the intermediate gears can be reduced in size, so that reduction in size and compactification of the gear mechanism can be achieved while torque that is transmitted is ensured.

Further, the present invention is a power generation device of a movable body including a drive wheel and a driven wheel, wherein an input side gear mechanism in which a ring-shaped internal gear is disposed coaxially with a sun gear and a plurality of intermediate gears are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear and the sun gear is fixed to the movable body via a support shaft having an axis being matched with an axis of a rotation shaft of the driven wheel, the internal gear of the input side gear mechanism is formed to be integrally rotatable with the driven wheel, an output shaft that penetrates through the support shaft is fixed to the sun gear, and a power generator is provided at the output shaft.

According to the configuration, the power which is transmitted from the internal gear to the sun gear or from the sun gear to the internal gear, via the plurality of intermediate gears can be divided among the plurality of intermediate gears, and the intermediate gears can be reduced in size, so that reduction in size and compactification of the gear mechanism, and reduction in size and compactification of the movable body by extension can be achieved while the torque that is transmitted is ensured.

Further, since the number of teeth of the sun gear is smaller than that of the internal gear, the rotation angle of the sun gear can be made larger than that of the internal gear, the rotation of the driven wheel can be accelerated to be outputted from the output shaft, and the power generation amount by the power generator can be increased.

In the above described configuration, an output side gear mechanism in which a ring-shaped internal gear is disposed coaxially with a sun gear and a plurality of intermediate gears are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear and the sun gear may be fixed to the support shaft, the output shaft may be fixed to the sun gear of the output side gear mechanism, an inner rotor of the power generator may be fixed onto the output shaft, and an outer rotor of the power generator that is disposed to surround the inner rotor may be fixed to the internal gear of the output side gear mechanism. According to the configuration, a number of relative rotations can be increased by rotating the inner rotor and the outer rotor in the opposite directions, and the power generation amount by the power generator can be increased more.

Further, in the above described configuration, the input side gear mechanism and the output side gear mechanism may be housed in gear boxes, and O-rings may be provided between a pair of side plates that configure each of the gear boxes and the internal gear, and an inside of each of the gear boxes may be sealed. According to the configuration, dust, muddy water, foreign matters and the like can be prevented from entering into the gear boxes.

Further, in the above described configuration, a rotor of the power generator may be fixed onto the output shaft, and a stator of the power generator that is disposed to surround the rotor may be fixed to the fixed portion. According to the configuration, electric power can be generated by the generator by rotating the rotor relatively to the stator. Further, since the stator is directly mounted to the fixed portion, the power generation device can be reduced in size and compactified more.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention includes the rotation shaft that rotates by external power, wherein the input side gear mechanism in which the ring-shaped internal gear is disposed coaxially with the sun gear and the plurality of intermediate gears are interposed in the ring-shaped space between the internal gear and the sun gear is fixed to the fixed portion in the vicinity of the rotation shaft via the support shaft having the axis being matched with the axis of the rotation shaft, the internal gear of the input side gear mechanism is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rotation shaft, the output shaft that penetrates through the support shaft is fixed to the sun gear, and the power generator is provided at the output shaft, so that rotation of the rotation shaft is used, the rotation of the rotation shaft can be accelerated to be outputted from the output shaft, and the power generation amount by the power generator can be increased. Further, the power which is transmitted from the internal gear to the sun gear or from the sun gear to the internal gear, via the plurality of intermediate gears can be divided among the plurality of intermediate gears, and the intermediate gears can be reduced in size, so that reduction in size and compactification of the gear mechanism can be achieved while the torque that is transmitted is ensured.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic view showing a vehicle10that is loaded with a power generation device20of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

The vehicle10includes a vehicle body11, front wheels12and12as a pair of left and right drive wheels and a pair of left and right rear wheels13and13as non-drive wheels, which are rotatably supported at the vehicle body11, a power unit14that drives the front wheels12and12, and a pair of left and right power generation devices20and20that are respectively connected to the rear wheels13and13. By connecting the power generation devices20respectively to the left and right rear wheels13and13in this way, it becomes possible to keep weight balance between left and right of the vehicle10, and equalize resistance at the time of the rear wheels13rotating between left and right.

The front wheels12and12are connected to a steering device (not illustrated) that is supported at the vehicle body11, and are steered to left and right by a steering operation of a driver who rides on the vehicle. The power unit14is composed of an engine or an electric motor, or the engine and the electric motor. In the case of the engine, a fuel tank that stores fuel for the engine is included, and in the case of the electric motor, a driving battery that drives the electric motor, and a charger that charges the driving battery are included. In either case of the engine and the electric motor, an auxiliary machinery battery that supplies electric power to an auxiliary component included in the vehicle may be loaded. Electric power that is generated in the power generation devices20and20are stored in the driving battery and the auxiliary machinery battery.

The power unit14is connected to the front wheels12and12directly or via a clutch and a transmission. The rear wheels13and13are rotatably supported at the vehicle body11via parts of the power generation devices20and20that will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2is a sectional view showing the power generation device20which is connected to the rear wheel13.

The power generation device20includes a fixed member21that is fixed to the vehicle body11(refer toFIG. 1) or configures a part of the vehicle body11, a cylinder member22that is mounted to the fixed member21, gear mechanisms30A and30B that are respectively mounted to both end portions of the cylinder member22, a cup-shaped joint51that connects each of one gear mechanism30A and the rear wheel13, an output shaft52that is laid into the two gear mechanisms30A and30B, and a power generator53that has the output shaft52as a rotation shaft and is provided at the other gear mechanism30B.

The fixed member21is composed of a pair of vertical plates24and24that are disposed by being separated in an axial direction of the cylinder member22, and a pair of lateral plates25and25that are mounted to end portions of the vertical plates24and24.

The cylinder member22penetrates through the vertical plates24and24of the fixed member21, and is mounted to the vertical plates24and24by welding.

The gear mechanisms30A and30B are transmission mechanisms that include a plurality of gears, and accelerate or decelerate outputs with respect to inputs, and reduction in size, reduction in weight and compactification are achieved by configurations of the gears.

The cut-shaped joint51is a member corresponding to an axle of the rear wheel13, and is formed into a cup shape with a center being recessed, an outer circumferential portion of the cup is mounted to an outer circumferential portion of the gear mechanism30A, and a bottom portion of the cup is mounted to a wheel13A that configures the rear wheel13with a plurality of bolts55and nuts56. Note that reference sign57denotes a brake disk that is mounted to the outer circumferential portion of the cup-shaped joint51with a plurality of bolts58, and is a component that is braked by a brake caliper that configures a disk brake not illustrated. As a material of the cut-shaped joint51, light metals such as an aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or alloys of these metals are preferable, in order to make the vehicle weight and the moment of inertia smaller.

As illustrated, the gear mechanism30A and the cup-shaped joint51are formed to be small so as to be inside the wheel13A of the rear wheel13and included in a width of the rear wheel13.

The output shaft52penetrates through the inside of the cylinder member22and is rotatably supported by the gear mechanisms30A and30B. The power generator53includes a cylindrical outer rotor61that is mounted to an outer circumferential portion of the gear mechanism30B, and an inner rotor63that is mounted to the output shaft52via a mounting tool62, and generates electric power by relative rotation of the outer rotor61and the inner rotor63.

The mounting tool62includes a joint member66that is mounted on one side surface of the inner rotor63with a plurality of bolts65, a connection pin67that penetrates through each of the joint member66and the output shaft52, and a split pin68that penetrates through a distal end portion of the connection pin67as a retainer for the connection pin67.

Since the gear mechanism30B and the power generator53are supported by the cylinder member22at one side, the support member can be decreased as compared with a case where the gear mechanism30B and the power generator53are supported at both sides, the weight, cost and a space of occupancy can be decreased.

Reference sign27in the drawing denotes a cover member that covers peripheries of the gear mechanism30B and the power generator53, and protects the power generator53from rainwater, muddy water, dust and the like that are spattered from road surfaces to the vehicle body. The cover member27is mounted to cover support members28and28that are mounted to a side surface of the vertical plate24of the fixed member21with bolts23and nuts26. The cover member27is composed of a cylindrical cover main body45that is mounted to the cover support members28and28, and a lid member48that are detachably mounted to the cover main body45with bolts46and nuts47. In the cover member27, a conducting wire insertion hole (not illustrated) for passing a conducting wire (not illustrated) that takes generated electric power to an outside from the power generator53is opened.

FIG. 3is an enlarged view of a main part of the power generation device20shown inFIG. 2, andFIG. 4is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV inFIG. 2.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the gear mechanism30A includes a side plate31that is mounted to an end portion of the cylinder member22by welding, a side plate32that is disposed by being separated to face the side plate31, a plurality of collars34that are respectively mounted to the side plates31and32with a plurality of bolts33, intermediate gears36that are rotatably supported by the respective collars34, a ring-shaped internal gear37that is disposed at outsides of the plurality of intermediate gears36to be meshed with the intermediate gears36, and a sun gear38that is meshed with the plurality of intermediate gears36and is spline-connected to the output shaft52.

The side plates31and32are disks, the output shaft52penetrates through one side plate31, and the other side plate32rotatably supports the distal end portion of the output shaft52via a ball bearing35.

In more detail, the side plate32integrally includes a cylinder portion32athat protrudes along the axial direction of the output shaft52. The cylinder portion32ahas the ball bearing35, a retaining ring44that retains the ball bearing35, and an oil seal54provided at an opening portion side of the cylinder portion32adisposed inside the cylinder portion32a.

The collar34is in a cylindrical shape, the bolt33penetrates through the side plates31and32and the collar34in a state where the collar34is sandwiched between the side plates31and32, and a nut41is screwed and connected to a distal end portion of the bolt33.

Since a plurality of intermediate gears36are provided, it becomes possible to transmit torque to the sun gear38from the internal gear37by dividing the torque among the plurality of intermediate gears36.

In the internal gear37, an outer circumferential portion of the cup-shaped joint51is fitted onto an outer circumferential portion of the internal gear37, and is mounted by welding. The outer circumferential portion of the internal gear37is located more outward in a radial direction than outer circumferential edges of the side plates31and32, and an outside diameter of the internal gear37is larger than outside diameters of the side plates31and32. Thereby, the cup-shaped joint51can be easily mounted to the outer circumferential portion of the internal gear37.

A ratio of the numbers of teeth of the internal gear37and the sun gear38is 2:1, for example, and when the internal gear37rotates, the rotation of the internal gear37is transmitted to the sun gear38via the plurality of intermediate gears36, and a rotation angle of the sun gear38is twice as large as a rotation angle of the internal gear37.

In the gear mechanism30A, in a state where the plurality of collars34are disposed between the pair of side plates31and32, the side plates31and32are fastened with the bolts33that penetrate through the side plates31and32and the plurality of collars34and nuts41that are screwed and connected to the bolts33. As a result, a distance between the side plates31and32is kept constant, a clearance between the intermediate gear36and the side plates31and32becomes constant, and rotation of the intermediate gear36can be stabilized. The collar34has a function of keeping the distance between the side plates31and32described above constant, and a function of rotatably supporting the intermediate gear36, and therefore, can reduce the number of components and reduce the cost.

The pair of side plates31and32configure a gear box42that houses the plurality of intermediate gears36, the internal gear37and the sun gear38.

In the internal gear37, side surfaces37aand37aare slidably supported by the pair of side plates31and32. Ring-shaped O-ring grooves31cand32care formed at an outer circumferential side of inner side surfaces31band32bof the side plates31and32, O-rings43are respectively disposed in the O-ring grooves31cand32c, and gaps between the side plates31and32and the internal gear37are sealed. By providing the O-rings43in this way, dust, mud, rainwater and the like can be prevented from entering into the gear box42, and influence of abrasion or the like of gear rotation support portions and gear meshing portions in the gear box42can be suppressed.

The output shaft52has a male spline52aformed at an end portion. The male spline52ais spline-connected to a female spline38athat is formed at the sun gear38, and power is transmitted from the sun gear38to the output shaft52.

The gear mechanism30B shown inFIG. 2have the same structure as the gear mechanism30A, and differs from the gear mechanism30A only in mounting orientation. By using the gear mechanisms30A and30B of the same structures in this way, the cost of the gear boxes42can be suppressed.

Although inFIG. 2, ball bearings35are provided at the respective side plates32of the gear mechanisms30A and30B, the present invention is not limited to this, the ball bearings35may be provided at the respective side plates31of the gear mechanisms30A and30B to support the output shaft52.

An operation of the gear mechanism30A described above will be described next.

When the internal gear37rotates as shown by arrow A inFIG. 4, the respective intermediate gears36rotate as shown by arrows B, and the sun gear38and the output shaft52integrally rotate as shown by arrow C. At this time, the sun gear38rotates in an opposite direction with respect to the internal gear37, and a rotation angle of the sun gear38is doubled with respect to the rotation angle of the internal gear37. For example, when the internal gear37rotates 360° (one rotation), the sun gear38rotates 720° (two rotations). As relative rotation, the sun gear38rotates 360+720=1080° with respect to the rotation angle of 360° of the internal gear37. In other words, the sun gear38makes three rotations with respect to the internal gear37while the internal gear37makes one rotation.

Further, in the gear mechanism30B shown inFIG. 2, the sun gear38rotates with the output shaft52, whereby rotation of the sun gear38is transmitted to the internal gear37via the plurality of intermediate gears36, and therefore, a transmission direction of torque becomes opposite from a transmission direction in the gear mechanism30A. However, since the ratio of the numbers of teeth of the internal gear37and the sun gear38of the gear mechanism30B are the same as that of the gear mechanism30A, and therefore, the numbers of relative rotations are the same.

An example in which the ratio of the number of teeth of the internal gear37and the sun gear38is made 2:1 in the gear mechanisms30A and30B is shown, but the ratio is not limited to this, and may be arbitrarily changed in accordance with specifications of the power generator53(refer toFIG. 2), a use situation of the driving battery, a use environment of the vehicle10(refer toFIG. 1) and the like.

Since torque that is transmitted from the internal gear37to the sun gear38is dispersed by the plurality (four) of intermediate gears36, the torque which is transmitted by the single intermediate gear36can be made smaller, and the intermediate gear36can be reduced in size by reducing the outside diameter and the width. If the intermediate gear36is reduced in size, the distance between the internal gear37and the sun gear38can be reduced, and the internal gear37can be reduced in diameter. As a result, reduction in size and compactification and reduction in weight of the gear mechanisms30A and30B (refer toFIG. 2for the gear mechanism30B) can be achieved. Note that the number of intermediate gears36is not limited to the above described number, but can be a plural number.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 4as above, in the power generation device20for the vehicle10as a moving body including the front wheels12and12as drive wheels and the rear wheels13and13as driven wheels, the gear mechanism30A as an input side gear mechanism in which the ring-shaped internal gear37is disposed coaxially with the sun gear38, and the plurality of intermediate gears36are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear37and the sun gear38, is fixed to the vehicle body11of the vehicle10via the cylinder member22as a support shaft having an axis matched with an axis of the cup-shaped joint51as the rotation shaft of the rear wheel13, the internal gear37of the gear mechanism30A is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rear wheel13, the output shaft52that penetrates through the cylinder member22is fixed to the sun gear38, and the power generator53is provided at the output shaft52.

According to the configuration, the power which is transmitted from the internal gear37to the sun gear38via the plurality of intermediate gears36, or from the sun gear38to the internal gear37(in the case of the gear mechanism30B) can be divided among the plurality of intermediate gears36, and the intermediate gears36can be reduced in size, and therefore, reduction in size and compactification of the gear mechanisms30A and30B, and reduction in size and compactification of the vehicle10by extension can be achieved while torque that is transmitted is ensured.

Further, since the number of teeth of the sun gear38is smaller than the number of teeth of the internal gear37, the rotation angle of the sun gear38can be made larger than the rotation angle of the internal gear37, power can be outputted from the output shaft52by accelerating rotation of the rear wheel13, and a power generation amount by the power generator53can be increased.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the gear mechanism30B as an output side gear mechanism in which the ring-shaped internal gear37is disposed coaxially with the sun gear38, and the plurality of intermediate gears36are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear37and the sun gear38is fixed to the cylinder member22, the output shaft52is fixed to the sun gear38of the gear mechanism30B, the inner rotor63of the power generator53is fixed onto the output shaft52, and the outer rotor61of the power generator53, which is disposed to surround the inner rotor63, is fixed to the internal gear37of the gear mechanism30B, so that a number of relative rotations can be increased by rotating the inner rotor63and the outer rotor61in opposite directions, and the power generation amount by the power generator53can be increased more.

Further, as shown inFIG. 3, the gear mechanism30A and the gear mechanism30B are respectively housed in the gear boxes42, the O-rings43are provided between the pair of side plates31and32that configure each of the gear boxes42, and the internal gear37, and the inside of each of the gear boxes42is sealed, so that dust, muddy water, foreign matters and the like can be prevented from entering into the gear boxes42.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5is a sectional view showing a second embodiment in which a power generation device20A is applied to a machine other than the vehicle10(refer toFIG. 1). The same components as in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 2will be assigned with the same reference signs, and explanation will be omitted.

In the power generation device20A, only a cup-shaped joint51A differs from the cup-shaped joint51of the power generation device20(refer toFIG. 2). That is, in the cup-shaped joint51A, the brake disk57that is mounted to the cup-shaped joint51A, the plurality of bolts58for mounting the brake disk57, a ring-shaped recessed portion in which the brake disk57is disposed, and female screws into which the bolts58are screwed are not provided.

The power generation device20A is connected to a rotation shaft16of each of various machines, devices and the like that are installed in plants or the like via a joint17, for example. The joint17is fastened to the rotation shaft16and the cup-shaped joint51A respectively with bolts18and nuts19.

By connecting the power generation device20A to the rotation shaft16of each of various devices in this way, the power generation device20A can be installed without occupying a large space, can respond to a large change speed ratio, and can increase the power generation amount of the power generator53.

Note that connection of the rotation shaft16and the power generation device20A is not limited to the above described joint17, but joint means of another mode may be used.

In the cover member27, an openable and closable opening may be provided to release heat that is accumulated inside to outside. Further, in a case of using the power generation device20A inside a plant or the like, the power generator53is protected from dust and the like with the cover member27, but in an environment with less dust and the like, the cover member27does not have to be provided.

As shown inFIG. 3,FIG. 4andFIG. 5as above, the gear mechanism30A including the rotation shaft16that rotates by external power, wherein the ring-shaped internal gear37is disposed coaxially with the sun gear38, and the plurality of intermediate gears36are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear37and the sun gear38is fixed to the fixed member21as a fixed portion in the vicinity of the rotation shaft16via the cylinder member22having the axis matched with an axis of the rotation shaft16, the internal gear37of the gear mechanism30A is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rotation shaft16, the output shaft52that penetrates through the cylinder member22is fixed to the sun gear38, and the power generator53is provided at the output shaft52.

According to the configuration, rotation of the rotation shaft16is used, the rotation of the rotation shaft16is accelerated and can be outputted from the output shaft52, and the power generation amount by the power generator53can be increased.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6is a sectional view showing a power generation device70of a third embodiment.

The same components as in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 2will be assigned with the same reference sings, and explanation will be omitted.

In the power generation device70, the gear mechanism30B is omitted, in contrast with the power generation device20(refer toFIG. 2) of the first embodiment. That is, the power generation device70includes a fixed member71that is fixed to the vehicle body11(refer toFIG. 1), or configures a part of the vehicle body11, a cylinder member72that is mounted to the fixed member71, the gear mechanism30A that is mounted to one end portion of the cylinder member72, an output shaft73that is mounted to the gear mechanism30A, and a power generator74that has the output shaft73as a rotation shaft and is mounted to the fixed member71.

The fixed member71is composed of a pair of vertical plates24and76that are mounted to the cylinder member72by being separated in an axial direction, and lateral plates25and25that are mounted to end portions of the vertical plates24and76. In the vertical plate76, a plurality of bolt insertion holes76ain which bolts77for mounting the power generator74are passed are opened.

The cylinder member72is configured by a small diameter portion72athat penetrates through the vertical plates24and76of the fixed member71and is mounted to the vertical plate24by welding, and a large diameter portion72bthat is integrally provided at one end portion of the small diameter portion72a.

The small diameter portion72ahas the other end portion mounted to the side plate31of the gear mechanism30A by welding.

The large diameter portion72bhas the ball bearing35that rotatably supports the output shaft73, the retaining ring44, and the oil seal54that is provided at an opening portion side of the large diameter portion72bdisposed inside of the large diameter portion72b.

The power generator74includes a cylindrical stator81that is mounted to the vertical plate76of the fixed member71with bolts77and nuts78, and the rotor63(that is, the inner rotor63) that is mounted to the output shaft73via the mounting tool62, and generates electric power by the rotor63rotating relatively to the stator81.

An end portion of the power generator74is covered with a cover member83, and the power generator74is protected from rainwater, muddy water, dust and the like. The cover member83is composed of a cylinder member84that is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the stator81, and a lid member87that is mounted to the cylinder member84with a plurality of bolts85and nuts86.

An operation of the power generation device70described above will be described next.

When the internal gear37rotates with the rear wheel13inFIG. 4andFIG. 6, the sun gear38and the output shaft73rotate via the respective intermediate gears36. When the ratio of the numbers of teeth of the internal gear37and the sun gear38is 2:1, the output shaft73makes two rotations when the rear wheel13and the internal gear37make one rotation. Since the stator81of the power generator74is fixed to the fixed member71, relative rotation of the rotor63of the power generator74, which is integrally provided at the output shaft73, and the stator81is two rotations.

The electric power generated by the power generator74is stored in the auxiliary machinery battery and the driving battery which are loaded on the vehicle10(refer toFIG. 1).

The power generation device70of the present embodiment may be connected to the rotation shaft16via the joint17as shown inFIG. 5by using the cup-shaped joint51A (refer toFIG. 5) instead of the cup-shaped joint51.

Although inFIG. 6, the ball bearing35is provided in the side plate32of the gear mechanism30A, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball bearing35may be provided in the side plate31of the gear mechanism30A to support the output shaft73.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 6as above, the rotor63of the power generator74is fixed onto the output shaft73of the power generation device70, and the stator81of the power generator74that is disposed to surround the rotor63is fixed to the fixed member71as the fixed portion, so that the rotor63is rotated with respect to the stator81and electric power can be generated by the power generator74. Further, since the stator81is directly mounted to the fixed member71, the power generation device70can be more reduced in size and compactified.

The aforementioned embodiments each illustrate only one aspect of the present invention, and modification and application can be made arbitrarily within the range without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above described embodiment, the power generation device of the present invention is applied to a four-wheeled vehicle with two front wheels and two rear wheels as the vehicle10as shown inFIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power generation device of the present invention may be applied to a tricycle and a bicycle as a vehicle.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the internal gear51of the gear mechanism30A is mounted to the wheel13A of the rear wheel13via the cup-shaped joint51, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the internal gear37may be directly mounted to the wheel13A with bolts and nuts. Thereby, the length in an axial direction of the power generation device can be reduced.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST