POWER UNIT STRUCTURE

A power unit structure includes a driving shaft of a driving source, and a driven shaft interlocked with the driving shaft, the structure of a power unit further includes an auxiliary machinery driven by receiving a rotational motion of an output shaft which is one of the driving shaft and the driven shaft, an auxiliary machinery input shaft disposed coaxially with the output shaft is connected to the auxiliary machinery, and a connecting portion configured to integrally rotatably connect the auxiliary machinery input shaft is formed integrally with the output shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-008658, filed Jan. 24, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power unit structure.

Description of Related Art

In recent years, in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy, research and development has been underway to improve fuel consumption and contribute to energy efficiency.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2017-96390 discloses a power unit including a balancer shaft (driven shaft) driven via a chain from a crankshaft (driving shaft) of an engine (driving source). A driven sprocket is fixed to an end portion of the balancer shaft by a coaxial bolt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Incidentally, in the technology related to improvement of fuel consumption, when a power transmission element is separately provided on a rotary shaft, in addition to component tolerances of the rotary shaft and power transmission elements, there is also an assembly tolerance between the two components, which may cause the power transmission element to be shaken when the rotary shaft is driven.

An aspect of the present application is provided to contribute to suppression of vibrations and energy loss when auxiliary machinery is driven, and efficiency of energy, in a structure of a power unit to which auxiliary machinery driven by output of a driving source is connected.

A first aspect of the present invention is a power unit (20) structure including a driving shaft (22) of a driving source (21), and a driven shaft (30) interlocked with the driving shaft (22), the structure of a power unit further includes an auxiliary machinery (36) driven by receiving a rotational motion of an output shaft (30A) which is one of the driving shaft (22) and the driven shaft (30), an auxiliary machinery input shaft (34) disposed coaxially with the output shaft (30A) is connected to the auxiliary machinery (36), and a connecting portion (30f) configured to integrally rotatably connect the auxiliary machinery input shaft (34) is formed integrally with the output shaft (30A).

According to the configuration, since the connecting portion of the spline shaft or the like configured to connect the output shaft on the side of the driving source and the auxiliary machinery input shaft on the side of the auxiliary machinery are formed integrally with the output shaft, compared to a configuration in which a separate connecting portion is fixed to an output shaft by a bolt or the like, assembly tolerances between the output shaft and the connecting portion can be reduced. For this reason, a relative position shift between an axial center of the output shaft and an axial center of the auxiliary machinery input shaft can be minimized, and vibrations of the entire power unit and energy loss generated in driving the auxiliary machinery can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to improve comfort of equipment equipped with the power unit and reduce energy consumption of the driving source.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, an auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion (34f) corresponding to the connecting portion (30f) is formed integrally with the auxiliary machinery input shaft (34).

According to the configuration, since the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion configured to connect the output shaft on the side of the driving source is formed integrally with the auxiliary machinery input shaft, compared to a configuration in which a bolt or the like having an auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion is fixed to an auxiliary machinery input shaft, occurrence of assembly tolerance between the auxiliary machinery input shaft and the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion can be suppressed. For this reason, a relative position shift between the axial center of the output shaft and the axial center of the auxiliary machinery input shaft can be further minimized, and vibrations of the entire power unit and energy loss generated in driving the auxiliary machinery can be further minimized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the connecting portion (30f) and the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion (34f) are spline shafts (30f,34f) identical to each other, and include an integrated collar member (35) having a spline hole that crosses and engages with the connecting portion (30f) and the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion (34f).

According to the configuration, since the output shaft-side connecting portion and the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion are connected via the integrated collar member, this structure facilitates coaxial arrangement of the output shaft and the auxiliary machinery input shaft. For this reason, a relative position shift between the axial center of the output shaft and an axial center of the auxiliary machinery input shaft can be further minimized, and vibrations of the entire power unit and energy loss generated in driving the auxiliary machinery can be further minimized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the power unit (20) is mounted on a vehicle (1), and the auxiliary machinery (36) is a compressor (36) used in an air-conditioner of the vehicle (1).

According to the configuration, vibrations and energy loss in the driving path of the compressor used in the air-conditioner of the vehicle can be minimized, and comfort of the vehicle can be improved while improving cooling performance of the air-conditioner.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the driving source (21) is an internal combustion engine (21), the driven shaft (30) is a balancer shaft (30) configured to suppress vibrations of the driving source (21), and the balancer shaft (30) is used as the output shaft (30A).

According to the configuration, in addition to avoiding the configuration in which the connecting portion is provided on the crankshaft (driving shaft) of the internal combustion engine, vibrations caused by misalignment of the axial centers between the balancer shaft and the pulley shaft can be suppressed, and energy loss caused by driving the balancer shaft can be curbed as far as possible.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the auxiliary machinery (36) includes a main body input shaft (36a) disposed on a shaft separate from the output shaft (30A), a transmission mechanism (40) that is provided between the output shaft (30A) and the auxiliary machinery (36) and that includes the auxiliary machinery input shaft (34) which is configured to transmit a rotational motion of the output shaft (30A) to the main body input shaft (36a), and the transmission mechanism (40) includes a driving member (41) fixed to the auxiliary machinery input shaft (34), a driven member (42) fixed to the main body input shaft (36a), and an endless member (44) wrapped around the driving member (41) and the driven member (42). According to the configuration, in the configuration in which the output shaft on the side of the driving source and the main body input shaft of the auxiliary machinery are disposed as separate shafts and the auxiliary machinery input shaft is driven via the transmission mechanism, vibrations due to misalignment of the axial centers of the output shaft on the side of the driving source and the auxiliary machinery input shaft of the transmission mechanism can be minimized to suppress vibrations of the power transmission system via the transmission mechanism.

According to the aspects of the present invention, in the structure of the power unit to which the auxiliary machinery driven by output of the driving source is connected, vibrations and energy loss upon driving of the auxiliary machinery can be suppressed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, directions of forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, and the like in the following description are the same as those of a vehicle described below unless the context indicates otherwise. In addition, in appropriate places in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, and a line CL indicates a lateral center of the vehicle.

FIG.1is a left side view of a vehicle1of the embodiment.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view along line II-II inFIG.1(a cross-sectional view when a periphery of a power unit20is seen from a side in front of the vehicle).FIG.3is a perspective view of the power unit20of the embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the vehicle1is a four-wheeled vehicle in which, for example, three people can ride side by side. Reference signs J1, J2and J3in the drawings indicate occupants arranged from a left side in sequence. The vehicle1is a so-called side-by-side type multi utility vehicle (MUV) whose main purpose is, for example, driving on rough terrain or the like. Further, the vehicle1is not limited to the MUV.

A vehicle body11of the vehicle1includes a cabin12in which an occupant rides. The vehicle body11includes a front body13provided in front of the cabin12, a rear body14provided behind the cabin12, and a lower body12L provided below the cabin12. The vehicle body11includes vehicle body frame (not shown) that crosses over the front body13, the lower body12L and the rear body14.

A hood13ais disposed above the front body13. A cargo box14ais disposed above the rear body14. A rear seat14bis disposed in the cargo box14ato enable an occupant J4to get on the rear seat. The lower body12L constitutes a frame of a lower portion of the cabin12. A frame of an upper portion of the cabin12is constituted by a roll bar assembly (hereinafter, simply referred to as a roll bar)15. The upper portion of the cabin12has a boarding space K1defined by the roll bar15assembled in a frame shape.

A seat7having a seat body (seat cushion)7aand a backrest (seatback)7bis disposed in the boarding space K1. For example, each of the seat body7aand the backrest7bis integrally formed across seating positions for three people in a vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, a left seat in the vehicle width direction is a seat for a driver J1, and center and right seats in the vehicle width direction are seats for occupants J2and J3. A dashboard9is disposed with a foot space in front of the seat7. A steering wheel8is disposed on one side of the dashboard9in a leftward/rightward direction (a left side in the embodiment). Reference sign16in the drawings designates a seat undercover configured to cover a space below the seat7, and reference sign17designates a side door configured to open and close a side portion of the cabin12.

Referring also toFIG.3, the power unit20for vehicle traveling is mounted on the lower body12L. The power unit20is disposed to cross a front portion of the rear body14from below the seat7. The power unit20is disposed to overlap the vehicle lateral center CL.

The power unit20includes an engine (internal combustion engine)21that is a driving source. The engine21is a so-called vertical installation type in which an axial direction of a crankshaft22is a vehicle forward/rearward direction. Reference sign C1in the drawings designates a rotational center axis of the crankshaft22.

The engine21has a cylinder24erected on a crank case23. For example, the engine21has a plurality of cylinders arranged in the vehicle forward/rearward direction. A gearbox (not shown) is accommodated in the crank case23on one side in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle (in the embodiment, a right side). A distribution mechanism25(transfer) is disposed on an output part of the gearbox. Front and rear output shafts25aprotrude from the front and the rear of the distribution mechanism25. Reference sign C2in the drawings designates a rotational center axis of the front and rear output shafts25a.

The front and rear output shafts25aare disposed on one side (right side) in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle, and the crankshaft22is disposed on the other side (left side) in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle. Output of the power unit20is appropriately transmitted to left and right front wheels FW and left and right rear wheels RW via a propeller shaft, a differential mechanism, and the like, from the front and rear output shafts25a.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, a generator (auxiliary machinery, alternating current generator (ACG))26is disposed on an end portion of the engine21on one side in an axial direction of the crankshaft22(a front end portion in the embodiment). The generator26includes a generator case27fixed to the crank case23, a stator26bfixed into the generator case27, and a rotor26adisposed inside the stator26bcoaxially with the crankshaft22. The rotor26ais rotated and operated integrally with the crankshaft22. An aspect of the operation of the generator26is controlled by a control device (not shown). The generator26not only generates electricity in conjunction with the operation of the engine21, but also may generate assistance torque to assist in driving the engine21, or may be used as a starter motor.

A water pump28of a cooling device of the engine21is disposed on one side (front side) of the generator26in the axial direction. The water pump28includes a pump housing fixed to the generator case27, and a pump rotor disposed inside the pump housing coaxially with the crankshaft22. The pump rotor is rotated and operated integrally with the crankshaft22. Reference sign23ain the drawings designates a crankshaft support portion configured to support the crankshaft22in the crank case23, reference sign22adesignates a journal part supported by the crankshaft support portion23ain the crankshaft22via a metal (slide bearing)23b, and reference sign22bdesignates a pair of crank webs (crank arms) configured to support a crank pin22cin the crankshaft22.

The generator case27forms an appearance of the generator26. The generator case27includes a bottomed cylindrical case main body portion27acoaxial with the generator26, and an overhanging portion27boverhanging leftward from the case main body portion27ain the forward/rearward direction. The rotor26aand the stator26bin the generator case27are accommodated inside the case main body portion27a. The overhanging portion27bis disposed in front of a balancer shaft30(driven shaft), which will be described below.

The balancer shaft30is accommodated inside the crank case23on the other side of the vehicle in the leftward/forward direction (in the embodiment, a left side, a side opposite to the gearbox). The balancer shaft30is arranged in the axial direction parallel to the crankshaft22. Reference sign C3in the drawings designates a rotational center axis of the balancer shaft30, reference sign22ddesignates a balancer drive gear fixed to the crankshaft22, and reference sign31designates a balancer driven gear31fixed to the balancer shaft30.

The balancer drive gear22dand the balancer driven gear31are facing gears with the same diameter. The balancer shaft30rotates at the same speed as the crankshaft22. An end portion (front end portion) of the balancer shaft30on one side in the axial direction is disposed in the overhanging portion27bof the generator case27. The balancer shaft30is an example of an output shaft30A configured to output a driving force of an auxiliary machinery (a compressor36for an air-conditioner), which will be described below.

A pulley shaft34(auxiliary machinery input shaft) is disposed coaxially in front of the front end portion of the balancer shaft30. Reference sign C4in the drawings designates a rotational center axis of the pulley shaft34. The pulley shaft34is a shaft configured to support a drive pulley41(driving member) of a transmission mechanism40. The drive pulley41is integrally rotatably connected to the balancer shaft30via the pulley shaft34and a connecting structure50, which will be described below. The transmission mechanism40including the drive pulley41is interlocked with the crankshaft22to rotate and operate the compressor36.

The transmission mechanism40includes the drive pulley41, a driven pulley42(driven member), a tensioner pulley43, a transmission belt44(endless member), and a pulley case45.

The pulley case45includes a pulley base46and a pulley cover (not shown). For convenience of illustration, the pulley cover is not shown. The pulley base46has a right side portion fixed to the overhanging portion27bof the generator case27. The pulley base46is a support member configured to support a front end portion of the compressor36on the generator case27. A front end opening of the pulley base46is covered with the pulley cover from the front.

The drive pulley41and the driven pulley42have substantially the same diameter, and are arranged laterally in the forward/rearward direction (axial direction). The tensioner pulley43is disposed separately above a lateral intermediate portion of the drive pulley41and the driven pulley42when seen in the forward/rearward direction. The endless transmission belt44is wound to surround these pulleys from an outer circumferential side. The pulley case45that accommodates each pulley is formed in a triangular shape that follows a trajectory of the transmission belt44when seen in the forward/rearward direction.

A left side portion of the pulley case45overhangs further leftward from the overhanging portion27bof the generator case27when seen in the forward/rearward direction. The compressor36is disposed behind a left side portion of the pulley case45. The compressor36has a rotary shaft36a(main body input shaft) (seeFIG.2) parallel to the crankshaft22and the balancer shaft30in the axial direction. Reference sign C5in the drawings designates a rotational center axis of the rotary shaft36aof the compressor36in the drawings.

The compressor36is disposed behind the left side portion of the pulley case45. The compressor36is disposed coaxially with the driven pulley42of the transmission mechanism40. The compressor36is driven by rotational moving power transmitted to the driven pulley42. The compressor36is disposed to be arranged on a left side of the generator26. With this arrangement, compared to a configuration in which the compressor36is coaxially disposed in front of and connected to the balancer shaft30, an increase in size of the power unit20in the axial direction can be suppressed.

The compressor36has a bottomed cylindrical compressor case37that forms the appearance thereof. The compressor case37has a front end portion fixed to the left side portion of the pulley base46. While the compressor case37and the pulley base46are separated from each other in the embodiment, they may be configured integrally with each other.

The balancer drive gear22dis supported in front of the crankshaft support portion23aon the front side. A balancer shaft support portion23cis disposed on a left side of the crankshaft support portion23aso as to overlap the crankshaft support portion23aat a position in the axial direction. The balancer driven gear31is supported in front of the balancer shaft support portion23c. The balancer driven gear31meshes with the balancer drive gear22d. The crankshaft22drives the balancer shaft30via the balancer drive gear22dand the balancer driven gear31.

The balancer shaft30includes a weight support portion30bconfigured to support a balancer weight30b1, a journal part30ccontinuous with the front of the weight support portion30band supported by the balancer shaft support portion23cvia a ball bearing23d, a gear support portion30dcontinuous with the front of the journal part30cand includes a tapered portion30d1, a screw shaft30econtinuous with the front of the gear support portion30dand onto which a gear fixing nut30elis screwed, and a spline shaft30f(connecting portion) continuous with the front of the screw shaft30eand configured to connect the pulley shaft34.

The gear fixing nut30eltightens a collar portion31aformed on a center portion of the balancer driven gear31toward the tapered portion30dlof the gear support portion30d. The balancer shaft30is an integrated component with a plurality of shaft portions formed from the same member.

The pulley shaft34includes a pulley support portion34adisposed in front of the generator26in the axial direction and configured to support the drive pulley41, a screw shaft34bcontinuous with the front of the pulley support portion34aand onto which a pulley fixing nut34b1is screwed, a first shaft34ccontinuous with the rear of the pulley support portion34a, supported by the cover of the pulley case45via a ball bearing34cland with which a seal member34c2becomes in sliding contact, a second shaft34dcontinuous with the rear of the first shaft34cand having a diameter larger than that of the first shaft34c, a third shaft34econtinuous with the rear of the second shaft34d, supported by the overhanging portion27bof the generator case27via a ball bearing34eland having a diameter smaller than that of the first shaft34c, and a pulley-side spline shaft34f(auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion) continuous with the front of the third shaft34eand facing the spline shaft30fof the balancer shaft30in the axial direction.

A front end portion of the spline shaft30fof the balancer shaft30and a rear end portion of the pulley-side spline shaft34fface each other at an interval in the axial direction. The pulley shaft34is an integrated component with a plurality of shaft portions formed from the same member. For example, the pulley-side spline shaft34fis longer than the spline shaft30fof the balancer shaft30in the axial direction.

The spline shaft30fof the balancer shaft30and the pulley-side spline shaft34fof the pulley shaft34are disposed so as to overlap the generator26at a position in the axial direction. The spline shafts30fand34fare spline shafts having the same shape and the same size. A cylindrical collar member35is mounted to bridge both the spline shafts30fand34f. Spline holes corresponding to both the spline shafts30fand34fare formed in the inner circumferential portion of the collar member35. Both the spline shafts30fand34fare connected to be rotated integrally with the pulley shaft34and the balancer shaft30via the collar member35.

The collar member35and both the spline shafts30fand34fconstitute the connecting structure50that connect the pulley shaft34and the balancer shaft30to be rotatable integrally. The connecting structure50increases a degree of freedom in the assembly procedure of the compressor36and the transmission mechanism40, making it easier to assemble the power unit20.

FIG.5shows a connecting structure150of a comparative example with respect to the embodiment. In the connecting structure150of the comparative example, a spline shaft of the balancer shaft30is constituted by a member separated from the balancer shaft30. In the comparative example, the collar portion31aof the balancer driven gear31is fastened to the front end portion of the balancer shaft30by a bolt151other than a nut30el. According to this, the front end portion of the balancer shaft30does not have the screw shaft30eand the spline shaft30fof the embodiment, and instead has a screw hole152formed therein. A spline shaft153extending rearward from a head portion is formed integrally with the bolt151.

In such a configuration, since the balancer shaft30and the spline shaft153are separate bodies, there is an assembly tolerance between the two components in addition to the individual component tolerance of both components. For this reason, there is a possibility that the axial center of the spline shaft153may be misaligned or tilted. When the axial center of the spline shaft153is misaligned or tilted, shakes will occur in the drive pulley41when the compressor36is driven, leading to vibrations or energy loss of the entire power unit20.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the embodiment, since the balancer shaft30and the spline shaft30fare integrally formed of a single material, misalignment or the like of the axial center of the spline shaft30fis suppressed as much as possible, and occurrence of the vibrations or energy loss of the entire power unit20is minimized.

As described above, in the structure of the power unit20including the driving shaft (the crankshaft22) of the driving source (the engine21) and the driven shaft (the balancer shaft30) interlocked with the driving shaft, the power unit structure according to the embodiment includes the auxiliary machinery (the compressor36) driven by receiving a rotational motion of the output shaft30A which is the balancer shaft30as the output shaft30A, the auxiliary machinery input shaft (the pulley shaft34) disposed coaxially with the output shaft30A is connected to the compressor36, and the connecting portion (the spline shaft30f) configured to integrally rotatably connect the pulley shaft34is formed integrally with the output shaft30A.

According to the configuration, since the connecting portion such as the spline shaft30for the like configured to connect the output shaft30A on the side of the engine21and the pulley shaft34on the side of the compressor36is formed integrally with the output shaft30A, compared to the configuration in which the bolt or the like having the connecting portion is fixed to the output shaft30A, occurrence of the assembly tolerance between the output shaft30A and the connecting portion can be minimized. For this reason, a relative position shift between the axial center of the output shaft30A and the axial center of the pulley shaft34can be suppressed, and vibrations of the entire power unit20and energy loss occurred in driving the compressor36can be suppressed. As a result, the comfort of equipment equipped with the power unit20can be improved, and the energy consumption of the engine21can be reduced.

“Integral formation” in the embodiment means that it is formed integrally from a single material or multiple materials by molding, machining, or the like.

In the power unit structure, the auxiliary machinery-side connecting portion (the pulley-side spline shaft34f) corresponding to the spline shaft30fis formed integrally with the pulley shaft34.

According to the configuration, since the pulley-side spline shaft34fconfigured to connect the output shaft30A on the side of the engine21is formed integrally with the pulley shaft34, compared to the configuration in which the bolt or the like having the pulley-side spline shaft34fis fixed to the pulley shaft34, occurrence of the assembly tolerance between the pulley shaft34and the pulley-side spline shaft34fcan be minimized. For this reason, the relative position shift between the axial center of the output shaft30A and the axial center of the pulley shaft34can be minimized, and vibrations of the entire the power unit20and energy loss generated in driving the compressor36can be further minimized.

In the power unit structure, the spline shaft30fand the pulley-side spline shaft34fare mutually identical spline shaft, and include the integrated collar member35having a spline hole that bridges and engages the spline shaft30fand the pulley-side spline shaft34f.

According to the configuration, since the spline shaft30fon the side of the output shaft30A and the pulley-side spline shaft34fare connected via the integrated collar member35, it is easy to dispose the output shaft30A and the pulley shaft34coaxially. For this reason, the relative position shift between the axial center of the output shaft30A and the axial center of the pulley shaft34can be further minimized, and vibrations of the entire the power unit20and energy loss generated in driving the compressor36can be further minimized.

In the power unit structure, the power unit20is mounted on the vehicle1, and the auxiliary machinery is the compressor36used in an air-conditioner of the vehicle1. According to the configuration, vibrations and energy loss in the driving path of the compressor36used in the air-conditioner of the vehicle1can be minimized, and comfort of the vehicle1can be improved while improving cooling performance of the air-conditioner.

In the power unit structure, the balancer shaft30of the engine21is used as the output shaft30A.

According to the configuration, in addition to avoiding the configuration in which the connecting portion is provided on the crankshaft22(driving shaft) of the engine21, vibrations caused by misalignment of the axial centers between the balancer shaft30and the pulley shaft34can be suppressed, and energy loss caused by driving the balancer shaft30can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the power unit structure, the compressor36includes the main body input shaft (the rotary shaft36a) disposed on a shaft separate from the output shaft30A, the transmission mechanism40that is provided between the output shaft30A and the compressor36and that includes the pulley shaft34which is configured to transmit a rotational motion of the output shaft30A to the rotary shaft36a, and the transmission mechanism40includes the driving member (the drive pulley41) fixed to the pulley shaft34, the driven member (the driven pulley42) fixed to the main body input shaft, and the endless member (the transmission belt44) wrapped around the driving member and the driven member.

According to the configuration, in the configuration in which the output shaft30A on the side of the engine21and the rotary shaft36aof the compressor36are disposed on the separate shafts and the rotary shaft36ais driven via the transmission mechanism40, vibrations of the power transmission system via the transmission mechanism40can be minimized by suppressing vibrations due to misalignment by the axial centers of the output shaft30A on the side of the engine21and the pulley shaft34of the transmission mechanism40.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the driving source of the power unit is not limited to the engine (internal combustion engine) but may be an electric motor. In addition, the driving source may include at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.

The configuration is not limited to a configuration in which the driven shaft (the balancer shaft30) is used as an output shaft to drive the auxiliary machinery, but a configuration in which the driving shaft (the crankshaft22) is used as the output shaft to drive the auxiliary machinery is also possible. That is, any configuration is acceptable as long as one of the driving shaft and the driven shaft is used as an output shaft to drive the auxiliary machinery.

The driven shaft is not limited to the balancer shaft30but may be a transmission shaft of the gearbox, a cam shaft of a valve gear, or the like.

The auxiliary machinery is not limited to the compressor36for an air-conditioner, but for example, may be various types of oil pumps, cooling devices, electric motors, or the like.

The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the output shaft and the auxiliary machinery are connected in parallel but may be a configuration in which the output shaft and the auxiliary machinery are connected in series.

The connecting portion is not limited to the spline shaft but may be a spline hole, and further, may be a key, a key groove, a rectangular column, a rectangular hole, or the like.

For example, the present invention is not limited to application to vehicles with four wheels, but may also be applied to vehicles with two or three wheels (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel).

The present invention is not limited to application to vehicles, but may also be applied to various vehicles and moving objects, for example, various types of transportation equipment such as aircrafts and ships, as well as construction machinery and industrial machinery. Further, the present invention can be widely applied to equipment other than vehicles (for example, hand-powered lawn mowers, cleaning machines, or the like).