Damper devices and refrigerators

Abstract

To provide a damper device using a motor as a driving source for reducing noise due to the vibration of the motor.SOLUTION: A damper device 1 includes a case 3 for storing a drive mechanism 6 between a frame 2 having an opening part 20 to be opened / closed by a baffle 4 and a partition wall plate 23 provided at the end of the frame 2, the case 3 including a bottom part 31 and a side plate part 32, and a motor holding part 36 provided inside the side plate part 32. A motor 61 includes a motor case 63 fitted to the inside of the motor holding part 36, and a motor plate 64 for blocking the end on the partition wall plate 23 side of the motor case 63. The motor 61 is positioned on the case 3 when a first protruding part 643 provided at the outer peripheral edge of the motor plate 64 is fitted to the case 3 and the first protruding part 643 is pressed to the case 3 side by a motor plate receiving part 29 protruding from the partition wall plate 23 to the case 3 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device and a refrigerator having a motor as a drive source.

Background Art

[0002] A damper device disposed in a cold air passage or the like of a refrigerator has a frame provided with an opening, a baffle rotatably supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism for driving the baffle. The drive mechanism is housed inside a case provided at an end of the frame. The drive mechanism includes a stepping motor disposed inside the case and a gear train that transmits the rotation of the stepping motor to the baffle. A sector gear provided at the final stage of the gear train is connected to the baffle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the damper device described in Patent Document 1, the drive mechanism is held inside the case. When driving the damper device, if the vibration of the motor is easily transmitted to the case, there is a problem that the noise due to the vibration becomes large.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce the noise caused by the vibration of a damper device using a motor as a drive source.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the damper device according to the present invention comprises a frame having a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition plate disposed at the end of the frame portion; a baffle rotatably supported by the frame and opening and closing the opening; a drive mechanism having a motor and an output member that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle; and a case coupled to the partition plate and housing the drive mechanism between itself and the partition plate, wherein the case has a bottom portion facing the partition plate, a side plate portion extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition plate, and inside the side plate portion extending from the bottom portion toward the front The motor comprises a motor holding portion extending toward the partition plate, a motor case fitted inside the motor holding portion, and a motor plate closing the end of the motor case on the partition plate side, the outer peripheral edge of the motor plate being provided with a first projection projecting toward the outer peripheral side of the motor case, the partition plate being provided with a motor plate receiving portion projecting toward the case side, the first projection fitting into a motor plate positioning portion provided on the case and being pressed toward the case side by the motor plate receiving portion.

[0007] In this invention, the outer peripheral end (first projection) of the motor plate that closes the end of the motor case is fitted into the case for positioning. Therefore, rattling of the motor inside the case can be suppressed. Furthermore, the first projection used for positioning the motor and the case is pressed against the case side by a projection (motor plate receiving portion) provided on the partition plate for positioning. This suppresses rattling of the motor between the case and the partition plate. As a result, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the case, and noise caused by case vibrations can be suppressed.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first protrusion is sandwiched between the tip of the motor plate receiving portion and the end face of the motor case. In this way, the end face of the motor case By pressing the first protrusion at the supported position, the motor case can be positioned by the pressing force from the motor plate support, making it easier to suppress rattling of the motor case. Therefore, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the case.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the partition plate is provided with a hook that extends along the outer circumferential surface of the side plate portion and engages with a projection provided on the outer circumferential surface. This allows the case and the partition plate to be elastically connected, thereby suppressing rattling between the case and the partition plate.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the frame and the case are made of resin. Since resin components are flexible, they can be joined elastically. Therefore, rattling between the case and the partition plate can be suppressed. In addition, complex shapes can be easily formed on the partition plate and the case, making it easy to manufacture the partition plate equipped with a motor plate receiving portion and the case equipped with a motor plate positioning portion.

[0011] In the present invention, when the direction in which the partition plate and the bottom portion face each other is defined as the first direction, it is preferable that the motor holder portion is provided with motor support ribs that protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the motor holder portion and extend in the first direction, and that the motor case is press-fitted into the inside of the motor holder portion and positioned in a direction intersecting the first direction by the motor support ribs. In this way, it is possible to suppress the motor from rattling relative to the case in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0012] In the present invention, the motor is provided with a terminal cover that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case, and a second projection is provided on the outer edge of the motor plate, positioned at the end of the terminal cover on the partition plate side, and the motor plate receiving portion preferably presses against the second projection and the first projection, respectively. In this way, multiple parts of the motor plate can be pressed and positioned, so the rattle of the motor can be further reduced. In addition, since the second projection provided to cover the terminal cover is used for positioning, the shape of the parts can be simplified.

[0013] In the present invention, when the direction in which the partition plate and the bottom portion face each other is defined as the first direction, the direction intersecting the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the direction intersecting both the first and second directions is defined as the third direction, it is preferable that the terminal cover protrudes from the motor case toward one side in the second direction, and the first protrusion is provided at two locations at both ends of the motor plate in the third direction. By pressing at three locations in this way, and having two of the three locations be at the outer peripheral ends on opposite sides in the radial direction, the rattle of the motor relative to the case can be further reduced.

[0014] In the present invention, the motor holding portion comprises an arc portion along the outer circumferential surface of the motor case and a pair of connecting portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides of the terminal cover in the circumferential direction, and the motor plate positioning portion is preferably provided at a first connecting portion connecting the side plate portion and the arc portion on one side of the arc portion in the second direction, and at a second connecting portion connecting the side plate portion and the arc portion on the other side of the arc portion in the second direction. In this way, the side plate portion and the motor holding portion are connected by the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the pair of connecting portions, so that the rigidity of the case can be increased. Therefore, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the case, so noise caused by case vibrations can be suppressed.

[0015] The damper device according to the present invention can be used in a refrigerator, which has a cooling unit and a storage chamber supplied with cold air generated by the cooling unit, and the damper device is positioned at the cold air intake in the storage chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the present invention, the outer peripheral end portion (first protruding portion) of the motor plate that closes the end portion of the motor case is fitted into the case for positioning. Therefore, it is possible to suppress rattling of the motor inside the case. Further, the first protruding portion used for positioning the motor and the case is positioned by pressing it toward the case side by a protruding portion (motor plate receiving portion) provided on the partition plate. Thereby, it is possible to suppress rattling of the motor between the case and the partition plate. Therefore, since the vibration of the motor is hardly transmitted to the case, noise due to the vibration of the case can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the damper device to which the present invention is applied, seen from the side opposite to the baffle. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the damper device shown in FIG. 1, seen from the side of the baffle. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the damper device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the partition plate, the drive mechanism, and the case. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of the case and the drive mechanism seen from the side of the partition plate, and a plan view of the case with the drive mechanism removed, seen from the side of the partition plate. [Figure 7] It is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor and the case. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view showing the positions of the first guide surface and the second guide surface (a cross-sectional view cut at the A-A position in FIG. 7) and a side view of the geared motor. [Figure 9] It is an XZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate, the geared motor, and the case (a cross-sectional view cut at the B-B position in FIG. 6(a)). [Figure 10] It is a YZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate, the geared motor, and the case (a cross-sectional view cut at the C-C position in FIG. 9). [Figure 11] It is an explanatory view of a refrigerator provided with the damper device shown in FIG. 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a damper device for a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, XYZ are directions orthogonal to each other. The direction along the rotation axis L of the baffle is defined as the X direction. The opening opened and closed by the baffle faces the Z direction. The X direction is the first direction, the Y direction is the second direction, and the Z direction is the third direction. Also, one side in the X direction is denoted as X1, the other side in the X direction is denoted as X2, one side in the Y direction is denoted as Y1, the other side in the Y direction is denoted as Y2, one side in the Z direction is denoted as Z1, and the other side in the Z direction is denoted as Z2 for the description.

[0019] (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the side opposite to the baffle 4. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device 1 in FIG. 1, viewed from the side of the baffle 4. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the partition plate 23, the drive mechanism 6, and the case 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60. FIG. 6(a) is a plan view of the case 3 and the drive mechanism 6, viewed from the side of the partition plate 23. FIG. 6(b) is a plan view of the case 3 with the drive mechanism 6 removed, viewed from the side of the partition plate 23. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60 and the case 3.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the damper device 1 includes a frame 2 provided with an opening 20 that opens in the Z direction, a baffle 4 rotatably supported by the frame 2, and a case 3 coupled to the frame 2. The frame 2 and the case 3 are made of resin. The baffle 4 rotates around the rotation axis L extending in the X direction to open and close the opening 20.

[0021] The frame 2 includes a frame portion 21 provided with the opening 20, a cylindrical body portion 22 protruding in the Z1 direction from the outer edge of the frame portion 21, and a partition plate 2 in the side plate portion in the X1 direction of the body portion 22. The case 3 faces the partition plate 23 from the X1 direction. The case 3 and the partition plate 2 The baffle 4 is connected to the case 3 by engaging a hook 24 extending in the X1 direction from the edge of the partition plate 23 with a projection 30 formed on the side of the case 3. The partition plate 23 and the case 3 constitute a rectangular parallelepiped housing that houses the drive mechanism 6 that drives the baffle 4.

[0022] Frame 2 is positioned at the X2 end of the frame portion 21 and includes a side plate 25 facing the partition plate 23 in the X direction. Frame 2 also includes a sealing portion 10 that protrudes from the edge of the opening 20 toward the side where the baffle 4 is located (Z1 direction) in the frame portion 21. A heater (not shown) is attached to the frame portion 21, surrounding the sealing portion 10. The damper device 1 prevents the baffle 4 from becoming immobile due to freezing by energizing the heater and generating heat.

[0023] The baffle 4 is rotatably supported between the partition plate 23 and the side plate 25. The edge of the baffle 4 on the Y2 side has a cylindrical portion 41 projecting towards the X1 side and a cylindrical portion 42 projecting towards the X2 side. At the tip of the cylindrical portion 41, there is a connecting hole (not shown) into which the tip of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69, which protrudes toward the baffle 4 from a shaft hole 27 that penetrates the partition plate 23, fits. At the tip of the cylindrical portion 42, there is a shaft portion 44 that fits into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the side plate 25. Thus, the baffle 4 is rotatably supported on the frame 2 with the axis of rotation L being the axis connecting the center of the shaft hole 27 in the partition plate 23 and the center of the shaft hole in the side plate 25.

[0024] The baffle 4 has a resin opening / closing plate 45 that is larger than the opening 20, and a sheet-like elastic member 46 made of foamed polyurethane or the like that is attached to the surface of the opening / closing plate 45 that faces the opening 20. The baffle 4 is driven by a drive mechanism 6, which will be described later, to rotate around the rotation axis L and move to a closed position that closes the opening 20 and an open position that opens the opening 20. In the closed position, the elastic member 46 is in contact with the seal portion 10.

[0025] The damper device 1 is placed, for example, inside a duct or the like that constitutes a cold air passage. Cold air flows through the opening 20 from the side opposite to the side where the baffle 4 is located relative to the opening 20. Cold air may also flow through the opening 20 from the side where the baffle 4 is located relative to the opening 20.

[0026] (Drive mechanism) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drive mechanism 6 is housed between the case 3 and the partition plate 23. The drive mechanism 6 comprises a geared motor 60 and an output member 69 driven by the geared motor 60. The output member 69 comprises a shaft portion 691 that fits into a shaft support portion 35 provided in the case 3, and a sector gear 692 that protrudes radially from the shaft portion 691. The output member 69 is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 35 of the case 3. As described above, the tip of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69 extends in the X2 direction and passes through a shaft hole 27 provided in the partition plate 23, connecting to the baffle 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the geared motor 60 comprises a motor 61 and a gear transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to an output member 69. The motor 61 comprises a bottomed cylindrical metal motor case 63, a metal motor plate 64 that closes the open end of the motor case 63, a cylindrical stator 65 positioned inside the motor case 63, a rotor 71 (see Figure 9) positioned inside the stator 65, and a partition member 66 positioned between the motor plate 64 and the stator 65. The motor case 63, rotor 71, and stator 65 constitute the motor 61, which is a stepping motor.

[0028] The gear transmission mechanism 62 comprises a gear train 621 consisting of multiple gears positioned between the partition member 66 and the motor plate 64, and an output wheel 622 driven via the gear train 621. The rotation of the rotor 71 is reduced by the gear train 621 and transmitted to the output wheel 622. The output wheel 622 has a gear 623 that meshes with the last gear of the gear train 621, and a gear 623 that moves in the X2 direction from the center of the gear 623. It has a shaft portion 624 extending in the direction and a gear 625 connected to the tip of the shaft portion 624 that protrudes in the X2 direction, passing through a shaft support portion 641 provided on the motor plate 64. The gear 625 meshes with the sector gear 692 of the output member 69.

[0029] The stator 65 comprises a stator coil 651, an insulator 652 around which the stator coil 651 is wound, and an inner stator core 653 (see Figure 9) placed over the insulator 652. In this embodiment, the motor case 63 also serves as the outer stator core of the stator 65. On the outer circumference of the rotor 71, pole teeth (not shown) formed by cutting and bending the bottom plate 631 of the motor case 63 and pole teeth 654 (see Figure 8) formed on the inner stator core 653 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the motor case 63 comprises a circular bottom plate 631 and a cylindrical portion 632 extending in the X direction from the outer edge of the bottom plate 631. A terminal block 67, integrally formed with an insulator 652, is positioned in a notch 633, which is a large cutout in the Y1 side edge of the cylindrical portion 632 extending close to the bottom plate 631. A terminal cover 68 covering the terminal block 67 is fixed to the motor case 63. The terminal cover 68 protrudes in the Y1 direction from the notch 633 of the motor case 63. Multiple connector terminals 70 are held in the terminal block 67. The multiple connector terminals 70 are bent in the X1 direction on the radially outer side of the terminal block 67 and extend in the X1 direction in the gap between the terminal block 67 and the terminal cover 68. The stator coil 651 is electrically connected to the connector terminals 70.

[0031] The motor plate 64 comprises a circular plate body 642 on which a shaft support portion 641 is formed, two first protrusions 643 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Z1 and Z2 sides, a second protrusion 644 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Y1 side, and a third protrusion 645 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Y2 side of the shaft support portion 641. The second protrusion 644 is positioned in a notch 633 of the motor case 63 and covers the terminal cover 68. The two first protrusions 643 and the third protrusion 645 each fit into recesses 634 provided at the open end of the cylindrical portion 632. The motor plate 64 is fixed to the motor case 63 by crimping the outer edge of the plate body 642 with the open end of the cylindrical portion 632.

[0032] (case) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, case 3 has a bottom portion 31 that faces the partition plate 23 from the opposite side (X1 direction) from the frame portion 21, and a rectangular tubular side plate portion 32 that protrudes from the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23 (X2 direction). When viewed from the X direction, the bottom portion 31 and the side plate portion 32 are rectangles with the longer side extending in the Y direction and the shorter side extending in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 3, the side plate portion 32 has a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 that face each other in the Z direction, and a third side plate 323 and a fourth side plate 324 that face each other in the Y direction. The third side plate 323 connects the Y2 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The fourth side plate 324 connects the Y1 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The projections 30 that engage with the hooks 24 of the partition plate 23 are formed on the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322.

[0033] Case 3 is provided with a connector insertion opening 33 that exposes the connector terminals 70 of the motor 61 facing away from the partition plate 23. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connector insertion opening 33 has a structure in which the corner where the fourth side plate 324 and the bottom 31 connect is cut out. By inserting the mating connector into the connector insertion opening 33, the connector terminals 70 of the motor 61 can be connected to the external wiring connected to the mating connector, thereby supplying a drive signal to the motor 61.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the case 3 includes a cylindrical boss portion 34 that extends in the Z direction along the inner surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The boss portion 34 extends in the X2 direction from the bottom portion 31. It protrudes and is connected to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. When joining the partition plate 23 and the case 3, the protrusion 28 (see Figure 4) that protrudes from the partition plate 23 in the X1 direction fits into the boss portion 34.

[0035] Case 3 includes a cylindrical shaft support portion 35 and a motor holder portion 36 located inside the side plate portion 32. The shaft support portion 35 and the motor holder portion 36 protrude from the bottom portion 31 toward the side where the partition plate 23 is located (X2 direction). As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the shaft support portion 35 and the motor holder portion 36 are located in the center of Case 3 in the Z direction. The shaft support portion 35 is located at the end of Case 3 toward the third side plate 323 (Y2 direction). The motor holder portion 36 is located at the end of Case 3 toward the fourth side plate 324.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 7, the motor holder 36 comprises an arc portion 361 surrounding the outer circumference of the motor case 63 and a pair of connecting portions 362 surrounding both sides of the terminal cover 68 in the circumferential direction. The arc portion 361 has a cutout in the area where the terminal cover 68 is placed (the Y1 side portion). The pair of connecting portions 362 extend in the Y1 direction from both sides of the cutout in the arc portion 361 and connect to both sides of the connector insertion opening 33 in the fourth side plate 324 in the circumferential direction (see Figure 6(b)).

[0037] As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 7, the case 3 is provided with a first connecting portion 325 that protrudes inward (towards Z2) from the first side plate 321, and a second connecting portion 326 that protrudes inward (towards Z1) from the second side plate 322, and the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 are connected to the arc portion 361. At the circumferential center of the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326, a groove portion 327 is provided that penetrates the arc portion 361 radially and opens to the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the motor holder portion 36 has an arc portion 361 whose height in the X direction is lower than that of the side plate portion 32. The first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 are each provided with a pair of positioning ribs 50 that project in the X2 direction from the upper end surface (end surface in the X2 direction) of the arc portion 361 on both sides of the groove portion 327 in the circumferential direction. The positioning rib 50 provided on the first connecting portion 325 projects in the Z2 direction from the first side plate 321 and extends to the position of the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361. The positioning rib 50 provided on the second connecting portion 326 projects in the Z1 direction from the second side plate 322 and extends to the position of the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6(a), at the first connection portion 325 and the second connection portion 326, the first projection 643 of the motor plate 64 is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50. In other words, the pair of positioning ribs 50 are motor plate positioning portions that position the motor plate 64 relative to the case 3 in the circumferential direction of the geared motor 60.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, the upper end surface 51 (end surface in the X2 direction) of each positioning rib 50 lies on the same plane as the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. Also, the side end surface 52 of each positioning rib 50 lies on the same plane as the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361. Each of the four positioning ribs 50 has a first guide surface 53 that is beveled at the corner where the upper end surface 51 and the side end surface 52 connect. The first guide surface 53 is an inclined surface that slopes toward the side of the bottom plate 311 (X1 side) as it moves toward the side of the side end surface 52 (inner circumferential side of the arc portion 361). The four first guide surfaces 53 are located on the X2 side of the arc portion 361 and are distributed circumferentially along the arc portion 361.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the pair of connecting portions 362 in the motor holding portion 36 have a height in the X direction that is greater than the arc portion 361. The upper end surface 54 of each connecting portion 362 is located on the X1 side than the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The connecting portion 362 is on the side surface 5 of the terminal cover 68. The second guide surface 56 is provided, which is a diagonally cut-out corner where 5 and the upper end surface 54 connect. The second guide surface 56 is an inclined surface that slopes toward the bottom plate 311 side (X1 side) as it approaches the terminal cover 68 side. Therefore, the two second guide surfaces 56 provided on the pair of connecting parts 362 are inclined in opposite directions and face each other in the Z direction. Since the upper end surface 54 of the connecting part 362 is at a lower position (X1 side) than the upper end surface 51 of the positioning rib on which the first guide surface 53 is provided, the second guide surface 56 is located closer to the bottom 31 side (X1 side) than the first guide surface 53.

[0042] (Positioning of the geared motor relative to the case) Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the positions of the first guide surface 53 and the second guide surface 56 (a cross-sectional view cut at position AA in Figure 7) and a side view of the geared motor 60. In this embodiment, the geared motor 60 is assembled to the case 3 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 8. As described above, the height in the X direction of the arc portion 361 into which the motor case 63 fits is lower than that of the side plate portion 32, and the first guide surface 53 is provided above the open end of the arc portion 361 (on the X2 side) (see Figures 7 and 8). Therefore, the bottom of the motor case 63 hits the first guide surface 53 before it hits the upper end surface of the arc portion 361. Once the bottom of the motor case 63 hits the first guide surface 53, the corner where the bottom plate 631 and the cylindrical portion 632 of the motor case 63 are connected can slide along the first guide surface 53. As a result, the motor case 63 moves toward the center of the arc section 361, and the bottom of the motor case 63 is dropped inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom surface of the terminal cover 68 is located X2 side further than the bottom surface of the motor case 63. Therefore, when assembling the geared motor 60 into the case 3, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 does not come into contact with the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor case 63 always comes into contact with the first guide surface 53. Consequently, as described above, the motor case 63 can be guided by the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor case 63 can be dropped inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0044] Next, as the bottom of the motor case 63 moves in the X1 direction inside the four positioning ribs 50, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 comes into contact with the second guide surface 56, which is located at a lower position (on the X1 side) than the first guide surface 53. By sliding the corner where the bottom plate 681 and the circumferential side plate 682 of the terminal cover 68 connect along the second guide surface 56, the terminal cover 68 moves toward the space between the pair of connecting parts 362. At this time, the motor case 63 rotates in the circumferential direction with its X1 end inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0045] Once the terminal cover 68 reaches a position where it can enter between the pair of connection parts 362 in the X1 direction by the second guide surface 56, the motor case 63 is further lowered in the X1 direction inside the four positioning ribs 50 while the terminal cover 68 is lowered between the pair of connection parts 362. This allows the motor case 63 to be lowered inside the arc portion 361 while being guided by the positioning ribs 50.

[0046] Thus, in this embodiment, the first guide surface 53 guides the motor case 63 to the center of the arc portion 361, and then the second guide surface 56 guides the terminal cover 68 between the pair of connecting portions 362. This allows the motor case 63 and terminal cover 68 to be easily dropped into the inside of the motor holding portion 36.

[0047] As shown in Figures 6(b) and 7, motor support ribs 363 extending in the Z direction are formed on the inner surface of the arc portion 361 of the motor holding portion 36. In this embodiment, motor support ribs 363 are arranged at four locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The motor case 63 is lightly press-fitted into the inside of the arc portion 361, with its outer circumferential surface in contact with the tips of the motor support ribs 363. The motor support ribs 363 do not extend to the upper end of the arc portion 361. Therefore, when inserting the bottom of the motor case 63 into the inside of the upper end portion of the arc portion 361, it does not come into contact with the motor support ribs 363, making it easy. It can be inserted.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the motor plate 64 that closes the open end of the motor case 63 has two first protrusions 643 that protrude outward from the outer circumference of the motor case 63, as described above. As shown in Figure 6(a), the first protrusion 643 on the Z1 side fits between a pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the first connection part 325. The first protrusion 643 on the Z2 side fits between a pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the second connection part 326. In other words, the pair of positioning ribs 50 function as motor plate positioning parts that position the motor plate 64 relative to the case 3 in the circumferential direction of the geared motor 60.

[0049] The geared motor 60 is positioned in the Y and Z directions relative to the case 3 by lightly press-fitting the motor case 63 into the inside of the arc portion 361 while crushing the tip of the motor support rib 363. In addition, the circumferential positioning relative to the case 3 is achieved by fitting the first protrusion 643 of the motor plate 64 between the pair of positioning ribs 50.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the partition plate 23 is provided with three motor plate receiving portions 29 that protrude in the X1 direction from positions facing the motor plate 64 of the geared motor 60. When the partition plate 23 and the case 3 are connected, the motor plate receiving portions 29 contact the motor plate 64 from the X2 side and press against the motor plate 64. This positions the geared motor 60 in the X direction.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, each of the three motor plate support portions 29 is equipped with a pressing portion 291 that extends linearly along the outer edge of the partition plate 23 and a reinforcing portion 292 that protrudes from the side surface of the pressing portion 291. A step is provided between the tip surface of the reinforcing portion 292 and the tip surface of the pressing portion 291, so that the tip surface of the reinforcing portion 292 does not come into contact with the motor plate 64.

[0052] Figure 9 is an XZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate 23, geared motor 60, and case 3 (a cross-sectional view cut at position BB in Figure 6(a)). Figure 10 is a YZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate 23, geared motor 60, and case 3 (a cross-sectional view cut at position CC in Figure 9). As shown in Figure 10, the three motor plate support portions 29 press against the two first protrusions 643 and one second protrusion 644 provided on the motor plate 64. The two motor plate support portions 29 that press against the first protrusions 643 have pressing portions 291 that extend in the Y direction. The motor plate support portion 29 that presses against the second protrusion 644 has a pressing portion 291 that extends in the Z direction and presses against the circumferential center of the second protrusion 644.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, the motor plate receiving portion 29 is positioned so that the X2-side end face of the motor case 63 and the pressing portion 291 face each other in the X direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 643 is sandwiched between the motor plate receiving portion 29 and the X2-side end face of the motor case 63, and the motor case 63 is pressed via the first protrusion 643.

[0054] (Case reinforcement structure) The motor holder 36 is located at the end of the case 3 on the fourth side plate 324 side and is connected to the first side plate 321, the second side plate 322, and the fourth side plate 324, but is separated from the third side plate 323. Therefore, a first rib 37 extending in the Z direction and a second rib 38 and a third rib 39 extending in the Y direction are arranged between the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323, providing a reinforcing structure with ribs.

[0055] The first rib 37 connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second rib 38 is positioned at two locations on the Z1 and Z2 sides of the shaft support portion 35 and intersects with the first rib 37. The two second ribs 38 connect to the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323, respectively. The third rib Rib 39 extends in the Y direction between the motor holder 36 and the shaft support 35, connecting the motor holder 36 and the shaft support 35. The shaft support 35 is connected to the third side plate 323 via a fourth rib 40 that extends on the opposite side from the third rib 39.

[0056] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the bottom 31 of case 3 includes a bottom plate 311 that closes the X1 end of the motor holder 36, and a partition plate 312 located on the partition plate 23 side (X2 side) relative to the bottom plate 311. As shown in Figure 10, the partition plate 312 is located approximately in the center of case 3 in the X direction. The bottom plate 311 and the partition plate 312 are plate-shaped with the X direction as their normal direction. The partition plate 312 connects the outer surface of the motor holder 36 to the inner surface of the side plate 32 (first side plate 321, second side plate 322, third side plate 323, fourth side plate 324). Therefore, on the outer periphery side of the motor holder 36, the space housing the drive mechanism 6 is partitioned from the outside space by the partition plate 312. The first rib 37, the second rib 38, the third rib 39, and the fourth rib 40 are connected to the partition plate 312 and protrude from the partition plate 312 in the X2 direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the bottom 31 of case 3 is reinforced by a first outer rib 313 and a second outer rib 314 that protrude from the partition plate 312 in the X1 direction. The first outer rib 313 extends in the Z direction between the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323 and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second outer rib 314 extends in the Y direction and intersects with the first outer rib 313. Three second outer ribs 314 are arranged at equal intervals and connect the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323. 2 The leading edge of the outer rib 314 in the X1 direction, the leading edge of the side plate portion 32 in the X1 direction, and the bottom plate 311 are located on the same plane.

[0058] (refrigerator) Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator 100 equipped with the damper device 1 shown in Figure 1. In the refrigerator 100 shown in Figure 11, the refrigerator body 110 is equipped with a plurality of storage compartments 111 and a cold air duct 112 that supplies cold air to the plurality of storage compartments 111. A damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied is provided at a cold air intake 113 that connects the cold air duct 112 and the storage compartments 111. The refrigerator body 110 is also equipped with a cooling unit 114 that generates cold air, a fan 115 located in the cold air duct 112, and a control device 120. The control device 120 controls the opening and closing operation of the damper device 1 based on signals from a sensor (not shown) provided in the storage compartment 111, thereby adjusting the timing and amount of cold air supplied to the storage compartments 111.

[0059] (Main effects and benefits of this form) As described above, the damper device 1 of this embodiment includes a frame 2 having a frame portion 21 surrounding an opening 20 and a partition plate 23 positioned at the end of the frame portion 21; a drive mechanism 6 rotatably supported by the frame 2 and opening and closing the opening 20, a motor 61 and an output member 69 that transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to the baffle 4; and a case 3 coupled to the partition plate 23 and housing the drive mechanism 6 between itself and the partition plate 23. The case 3 includes a bottom portion 31 facing the partition plate 23, a side plate portion 32 extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23, and a motor holding portion 36 extending from the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23 inside the side plate portion 32. The geared motor 60 includes a motor case 63 fitted inside the motor holding portion 36 and a motor plate 64 that closes the end of the motor case 63 on the partition plate 23 side. A first projection 643 is provided on the outer edge of the motor plate 64, projecting outward toward the outer edge of the motor case 63. The partition plate 23 includes a motor plate receiving portion 29 that projects toward the case 3. The geared motor 60 is positioned within the case 3 by the first projection 643 fitting between a pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the case 3, and by the first projection 643 being pressed toward the case 3 by the motor plate receiving portion 29.

[0060] In this embodiment, in the damper device 1 that houses the drive mechanism 6 between the case 3 and the partition plate 23, the motor constituting the drive mechanism 6 is between the motor case 63 and the motor plate 64 A geared motor 60 is used, which houses a rotor 7, a stator 65, and a gear train 621. The case 3 housing the geared motor 60 has a pair of positioning ribs 50 that protrude from the inner surface of the case 3 toward the motor holding part 36, and the outer peripheral end (first protrusion 643) of the motor plate 64 can be fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50 to position it. Therefore, rattling of the geared motor 60 inside the case 3 can be suppressed. In addition, the first protrusion 643 used to position the geared motor 60 between the case 3 is pressed toward the case 3 by a protrusion (motor plate receiving part 29) provided on the partition plate 23 to position it toward the case 3. This suppresses rattling of the geared motor 60 between the case 3 and the partition plate 23. Therefore, vibrations of the geared motor 60 are less likely to be transmitted to the case 3, and noise caused by vibrations of the case 3 can be suppressed.

[0061] Note that the motor plate positioning section may have a different configuration from this embodiment. For example, a notch may be provided by cutting out the upper end surface of the arc portion 361 at a position different in the circumferential direction from the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326, and the first protruding portion 643 may be fitted into this notch.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 643 is sandwiched between the tip of the motor plate support portion 29 and the end face of the motor case 63. By pressing the first protrusion 643 at a position supported by the end face of the motor case 63 in this way, the motor case 63 can be positioned by the pressing force from the motor plate support portion 29, and rattling of the motor case 63 is easily suppressed. Consequently, vibrations from the geared motor 60 are less likely to be transmitted to the case 3.

[0063] In this embodiment, the partition plate 23 is provided with a hook 24 that extends along the outer circumferential surface of the side plate portion 32 and engages with a projection 30 provided on the outer circumferential surface. This allows the partition plate 23 and the case 3 to be elastically connected, thereby suppressing rattling between the case 3 and the partition plate 23.

[0064] In this embodiment, the frame 2 and case 3 are made of resin. Since resin components are flexible, they can be joined elastically. Therefore, rattling between the case 3 and the partition plate 23 can be suppressed. In addition, complex shapes can be easily formed on the partition plate 23 and case 3, making it easy to manufacture the partition plate 23 equipped with the motor plate receiving portion 29 and the case 3 equipped with the positioning rib 50 (motor plate positioning portion).

[0065] In this embodiment, the motor support rib 363 is provided, protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the motor holding portion 36 and extending in the X direction (first direction). The motor case 63 is press-fitted into the inside of the motor holding portion 36 and is positioned in the Y and Z directions (i.e., directions intersecting the X direction) by the motor support rib 363. Therefore, rattling of the geared motor 60 in the Y and Z directions relative to the case 3 can be suppressed.

[0066] In this embodiment, the geared motor 60 is equipped with a terminal cover 68 that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case 63. A second projection 644 is provided on the outer edge of the motor plate 64, positioned at the end of the terminal cover 68 on the partition plate 23 side. The motor plate receiving portion 29 presses against both the second projection 644 and the first projection 643. By pressing and positioning multiple parts of the motor plate 64 in this way, the rattle of the geared motor 60 can be further reduced. In addition, since the second projection 644, which is provided to cover the terminal cover 68, is used for positioning, the shape of the parts can be simplified.

[0067] In this embodiment, the terminal cover 68 protrudes from the motor case 63 in the Y1 direction (one side of the second direction), and the first protrusions 643 are provided at two locations on both ends of the motor plate 64 in the Z direction (third direction). In this way, by pressing at three locations, and having two of the three locations be on the outer peripheral ends on opposite sides in the radial direction, the motor plate 64 can be stably positioned. This can reduce the rattle of the geared motor 60 relative to the S3.

[0068] In this embodiment, the motor holding portion 36 comprises an arc portion 361 along the outer circumferential surface of the motor case 63 and a pair of connecting portions 362 connecting the arc portion 361 and the side plate portion 32 on both sides in the circumferential direction of the terminal cover 68. A pair of positioning ribs 50, which function as motor plate positioning portions, are provided at the first connecting portion 325 connecting the first side plate 321 and the arc portion 361 on the Z1 side of the arc portion 361, and at the second connecting portion 326 connecting the second side plate 322 and the arc portion 361 on the Z2 side of the arc portion. By connecting the side plate portion 32 and the motor holding portion 36 by the first connecting portion 325, the second connecting portion 326, and the pair of connecting portions 362 in this way, the rigidity of the case 3 can be increased. Therefore, vibrations from the geared motor 60 are less likely to be transmitted to the case 3, and noise caused by vibrations of the case 3 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the structure that increases the rigidity of case 3 (first connection part 325, second connection part 326) is also used as a positioning part, the structure of case 3 can be simplified.

[0069] The damper device 1 according to this embodiment can be used in a refrigerator 100, which has a cooling unit 114 and a storage chamber 111 to which cold air generated by the cooling unit 114 is supplied, and the damper device 1 is positioned at the cold air intake 113 in the storage chamber 111.

[0070] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the damper device 1 in the above-described embodiment is for a refrigerator, the present invention is not limited to damper devices used in refrigerators. Furthermore, the motor constituting the drive mechanism 6 may be configured such that the gear train 621 is located outside the motor case 63 and motor plate 64. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1...Damper device, 2...Frame, 3...Case, 4...Baffle, 6...Drive mechanism, 10...Seal part, 20...Opening, 21...Frame part, 22...Body part, 23...Bulkhead plate, 24...Hook, 25...Side plate, 27...Shaft hole, 28...Protrusion, 29...Motor plate receiving part, 30...Protrusion, 31...Bottom part, 32...Side plate part, 33...Connector insertion port, 34...Boss part, 35...Shaft support part, 36...Motor holding part, 37...First rib, 38...Second rib, 39...Third rib, 40...Fourth rib, 41 42...Cylindrical part, 44...Shaft part, 45...Opening / closing plate, 46...Elastic member, 50...Positioning rib, 51...Upper end face, 52...Side end face, 53...First guide surface, 54...Upper end face, 55...Side surface, 56...Second guide surface, 60...Geared motor, 61...Motor, 62...Gear transmission mechanism, 63...Motor case, 64...Motor plate, 65...Stator, 66...Partition member, 67...Terminal block, 68...Terminal cover, 69...Output member, 70...Connector terminal, 71...Rotor, 100...Refrigerator, 110...Refrigerator body, 111...Storage compartment, 112...Cold air duct, 113...Cold air intake, 114...Cooling unit, 115...Fan, 120...Control device, 291...Pressing part, 292...Reinforcement part, 311...Bottom plate, 312...Partition plate, 313...First outer rib, 314...Second outer rib, 321...First side plate, 322...Second side plate, 323...Third side plate, 324...Fourth side plate, 325...First connection part, 326...Second connection part, 327...Groove part, 361...Arc part, 362...Connection part, 363...Motor support rib, 621...Gear train, 622...Output wheel, 623...Gear, 624...Shaft section, 625...Gear, 631...Bottom plate, 632...Cylinder section, 634...Recess, 641...Shaft support section, 642...Plate body, 643...First protrusion, 644...Second protrusion, 645...Third protrusion, 651...Stator coil, 652...Insulator, 653...Inner stator core, 654...Poles, 681...Bottom plate, 682...Side plate, 691...Shaft section, 692...Second-section gear, L...Rotation axis

Claims

1. A frame comprising a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition plate positioned at the end of the frame portion, A baffle rotatably supported on the frame and opening and closing the opening, A drive mechanism comprising a motor and an output member that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle, It has a case that is coupled to the partition plate and houses the drive mechanism between it and the partition plate, The case comprises a bottom portion facing the partition plate, a side plate portion extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition plate, and a motor holding portion extending from the bottom portion toward the partition plate on the inside of the side plate portion. The motor comprises a motor case that fits inside the motor holding portion and a motor plate that closes the end of the motor case on the partition plate side. The outer edge of the motor plate is provided with a first projection that protrudes toward the outer edge of the motor case. The partition plate is provided with a motor plate receiving portion that protrudes toward the case side. The first protrusion fits into the motor plate positioning portion provided on the case and is pressed toward the case by the motor plate receiving portion. The motor is equipped with a terminal cover that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case. The outer edge of the motor plate is provided with a second projection located at the end of the terminal cover on the partition plate side. The damper device is characterized in that the motor plate receiving portion presses against the second protrusion and the first protrusion, respectively.

2. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first protrusion is sandwiched between the tip of the motor plate receiving portion and the end face of the motor case.

3. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition plate is provided with a hook that extends along the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion and engages with a projection provided on the outer peripheral surface.

4. The damper device according to claim 3, characterized in that the frame and the case are made of resin.

5. When the direction in which the partition plate and the bottom portion face each other is defined as the first direction, The motor holding portion is provided with motor support ribs that protrude from the inner circumferential surface and extend in the first direction, The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor case is press-fitted into the inside of the motor holding portion and positioned by the motor receiving rib in a direction intersecting the first direction.

6. When the direction in which the partition plate and the bottom portion face each other is defined as the first direction, the direction intersecting the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the direction intersecting both the first and second directions is defined as the third direction, The terminal cover protrudes from the motor case toward one side in the second direction, The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first protrusions are provided at two locations on both ends of the motor plate in the third direction.

7. The motor holding portion comprises an arc portion along the outer circumferential surface of the motor case and a pair of connecting portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides in the circumferential direction of the terminal cover. The damper device according to claim 6, characterized in that the motor plate positioning portion is provided at a first connecting portion that connects the side plate portion and the arc portion on one side of the arc portion in the second direction, and at a second connecting portion that connects the side plate portion and the arc portion on the other side of the arc portion in the second direction.

8. A refrigerator equipped with a damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It has a cooling unit and a storage room to which the cold air generated by the cooling unit is supplied, The refrigerator is characterized in that the damper device is positioned at the cold air intake in the storage chamber.

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