A method for generating power using a power generation mechanism,
- the power generation mechanism comprising:
- a first movable member supported by a first center shaft rotatably about the first center shaft, the first movable member comprising a first gear comprising:
- a first transmission core;
- and
- a first tooth formed on a part of the first transmission core;
- a second movable member supported by a second center shaft rotatably about the second center shaft, the second movable member comprising a second gear comprising:
- a second transmission core;
- and
- a second tooth formed on a part of the second transmission core;
- a twisted coil spring comprising:
- a first wound part wound around the first center shaft, one end of the first wound part comprising a free end, another end of the first wound part being connected to at least one of the first movable member, the first center shaft, and the second wound part, the first wound part being twisted with initial elastic energy ie1 applied to the first wound part as measured without any force transmitted from outside the power generation mechanism;
- and
- a second wound part wound around the first center shaft in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first wound part is wound, one end of the second wound part comprising a free end, another end of the second wound part being connected to at least one of the first movable member, the first center shaft, and the first wound part, the second wound part being twisted with initial elastic energy ie2 applied to the second wound part as measured without any force transmitted from outside the power generation mechanism, an absolute value of the initial elastic energy ie2 being equal to an absolute value of the initial elastic energy ie1;
- a power generator;
- and
- a housing,
- the method comprising:
- turning the second movable member by a predetermined amount by applying a force to the second movable member from outside the power generation mechanism through the second center shaft so as to bring the first tooth of the first movable member and the second tooth of the second movable member into engagement with each other, making the first movable member and the second movable member move together to turn the first movable member by the predetermined amount,
- by thus turning the first movable member by the predetermined amount, making the free end of the first wound part contact the housing and be prevented from moving so as to make the first wound part twisted with elastic energy ie12 accumulating on the first wound part,
- after the first movable member has been turned by the predetermined amount, disengaging the first tooth of the first movable member and the second tooth of the second movable member from each other to cause the elastic energy ie12 to turn the first movable member in an opposite direction by the predetermined amount so as to cause the first center shaft to turn so that turning of the first center shaft is transmitted to a shaft of the power generator, causing the shaft of the power generator to turn so that the power generator generates power, and
- by thus turning the first center shaft, making the free end of the second wound part contact the housing and be prevented from moving so as to cause the initial elastic energy ie1 and the initial elastic energy ie2 to turn the first center shaft.