Damper device and refrigerator

Abstract

A damper device and a refrigerator capable of reducing noise generated by vibration of a damper device using a motor as a driving source. The damper device (1) has a frame (2) having an opening portion (20) opened and closed by a shutter (4), and a housing (3) in which a driving mechanism (6) is housed between the housing and a partition (23). The housing has a bottom portion (31) opposite to the partition (23) and a cylindrical portion (32). On the inner side of the cylindrical portion, a motor holding portion (36) surrounding the outer periphery of a motor (61) and a shaft support portion (35) disposed between the motor holding portion and a third side plate (323) are provided, and the damper device has a first rib (37) extending in a Z direction (second direction) between the motor holding portion and the shaft support portion, and a second rib (38) intersecting the first rib on both sides of the Z direction of the shaft support portion and connected to the third side plate (323) and the motor holding portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a damper device and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A damper device installed in the cold air passage of a refrigerator, etc., comprises: a frame (including an end plate and a main body) with an opening; a baffle rotatably supported on the frame; and a drive mechanism for driving the baffle. The drive mechanism is housed inside a housing component that is connected to a partition located at the end of the frame. The drive mechanism includes: a stepper motor disposed inside the housing component; and a gear train that transmits the rotation of the stepper motor to the baffle. A sector gear located at the last stage of the gear train is connected to the baffle. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-211195

[0004] In the damper device described in Patent Document 1, the drive mechanism is held inside the housing. When driving the damper device, if the vibration of the motor is easily transmitted to the housing, there is a problem of increased noise caused by the vibration. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the objective of the present invention is to reduce the noise caused by the vibration of damper devices that use motors as drive sources.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, the damper device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a frame having a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition disposed at an end of the frame portion; a baffle rotatably supported on the frame and for opening and closing the opening; a drive mechanism having a motor and an output component for transmitting rotation of the motor to the baffle; and a housing coupled to the partition and housing the drive mechanism between the housing and the partition, the housing comprising: a bottom opposite to the partition; a first side plate and a second side plate facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, with a first direction extending from the partition towards the bottom as one side; a third side plate and a fourth side plate connecting the first side plate and the second side plate, and... The output component is oriented upwards along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; a motor retainer protruding from the bottom towards the other side of the first direction between the first and second side plates and surrounding the outer periphery of the motor; a shaft support protruding from the bottom towards the other side of the first direction between the motor retainer and the third side plate and supporting the output component for rotation; a first rib extending along the second direction between the motor retainer and the shaft support and connecting to the first and second side plates; and a second rib extending along the third direction on both sides of the shaft support in the second direction, intersecting the first rib and connecting to the third side plate and the motor retainer.

[0007] In this invention, a motor holding portion, shaped to surround the outer periphery of the motor, is located inside the housing that houses the drive mechanism between the partition and the partition. Furthermore, between the shaft support portion supporting the output component and the motor holding portion, a first rib extending in a second direction intersects with a second rib extending in a third direction. The first rib connects opposing side plates to each other, and the second rib connects the motor holding portion to the side plates. Therefore, because the space within the housing is subdivided, the rigidity of the housing is increased, and the housing is less prone to vibration. Consequently, motor vibration is less likely to be transmitted to the housing, thus suppressing noise caused by housing vibration.

[0008] In this invention, a third rib is preferably provided, which extends along a third direction between the shaft support and the motor holding portion, and connects to both the motor holding portion and the shaft support. This connection between the shaft support and the motor holding portion allows for further subdivision of the space within the housing, thereby further improving the rigidity of the housing. Consequently, noise caused by housing vibration can be suppressed.

[0009] In this invention, it is preferable that the shaft support portion is connected to the third side plate. This further enhances the rigidity of the housing since the motor retaining portion is connected to the third side plate via the shaft support portion. Consequently, noise caused by housing vibration can be suppressed.

[0010] In this invention, it is preferable that the motor retaining portion is connected to both the first side plate and the second side plate. This improves the rigidity of the portion near the motor. Consequently, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the housing, thus suppressing noise caused by housing vibrations.

[0011] In this invention, it is preferable that the motor retaining portion is connected to the fourth side plate. This improves the rigidity of the portion near the motor. Consequently, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the housing, thus suppressing noise caused by housing vibrations.

[0012] In this invention, the bottom preferably comprises: a bottom plate that blocks the end of the motor holding portion opposite to the partition; and a partition plate that is connected to the motor holding portion, the first side plate, the second side plate, the third side plate, and the fourth side plate, and is located on the partition side relative to the bottom plate, with the first rib and the second rib protruding from the partition plate to the other side in the first direction. In this way, the portion of the motor holding portion offset from the bottom plate in the first direction is supported by the partition plate, thus increasing rigidity and making it difficult for motor vibrations to be transmitted. Therefore, noise caused by vibrations of the housing can be suppressed.

[0013] In this invention, the bottom preferably has a first outer surface rib and a second outer surface rib protruding from the partition plate toward one side in the first direction. The first outer surface rib extends along the second direction and connects with the first side plate and the second side plate. The second outer surface rib extends along the third direction and intersects with the first outer surface rib, and connects with the third side plate and the motor retaining part. In this way, by adopting a structure in which the bottom is divided by ribs, it is possible to achieve lightweight housing while ensuring the rigidity of the bottom.

[0014] The damper device of the present invention can be used in a refrigerator having a cooler and a storage compartment supplied with cold air generated by the cooler, the damper device being disposed at the cold air intake of the storage compartment.

[0015] In this invention, a motor holding portion, shaped to surround the outer periphery of the motor, is located inside the housing that houses the drive mechanism between the partition and the partition. Furthermore, between the shaft support portion supporting the output component and the motor holding portion, a first rib extending in a second direction intersects with a second rib extending in a third direction. The first rib connects opposing side plates to each other, and the second rib connects the motor holding portion to the side plates. Therefore, because the space within the housing is subdivided, the rigidity of the housing is increased, and the housing is less prone to vibration. Consequently, motor vibration is less likely to be transmitted to the housing, thus suppressing noise caused by housing vibration. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the damper device to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the direction opposite to the baffle. Figure 2 Viewed from the side of the baffle Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the damper device shown. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the damper device shown. Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the partition, drive mechanism and housing. Figure 5 This is an exploded 3D view of a gear-driven motor. Figure 6 These are top views of the housing and drive mechanism viewed from the partition side, and top views of the housing viewed from the partition side. Figure 7 It is a sectional perspective view of the shell (in) Figure 6 (b) Cross-sectional perspective view cut at position AA. Figure 8 It is a sectional perspective view of the shell (in) Figure 6 (b) Cross-sectional perspective view cut at the BB position. Figure 9 It has Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of a refrigerator with a damper device. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following description refers to the accompanying drawings of the refrigerator damper device to which the present invention is applied. In this specification, X, Y, and Z are mutually orthogonal directions. The direction along the rotation center axis L of the baffle 4 is defined as the X direction. The opening 20 of the baffle 4 faces the Z direction. The X direction is the first direction, the Z direction is the second direction, and the Y direction is the third direction. Furthermore, one side of the X direction is designated X1, the other side of the X direction is designated X2, one side of the Y direction is designated Y1, the other side of the Y direction is designated Y2, one side of the Z direction is designated Z1, and the other side of the Z direction is designated Z2.

[0018] (Overall structure) Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the damper device 1 using the present invention, viewed from the side opposite to the baffle 4. Figure 2 Viewed from the four sides of the baffle Figure 1 A perspective view of the damper device 1. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the damper device 1 shown. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the partition 23, the drive mechanism 6, and the housing 3. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the gear-driven motor 60. Figure 6(a) is a top view of the housing 3 and the drive mechanism 6 as seen from the side of the partition 23. Figure 6 (b) is a top view of the housing 3 as seen from the side of the partition 23. Figure 7 This is a sectional perspective view of shell 3 (in) Figure 6 (b) Cross-sectional perspective view cut at position AA. Figure 8 This is a sectional perspective view of shell 3 (in) Figure 6 (b) Cross-sectional perspective view cut at the BB position.

[0019] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the damper device 1 includes: a frame 2 having an opening 20 in the Z direction; a baffle 4 rotatably supported on the frame 2; and a housing 3 connected to the frame 2. The frame 2 and the housing 3 are made of resin. The baffle 4 rotates about a rotational axis L extending in the X direction, thereby opening and closing the opening 20.

[0020] The frame 2 includes: a frame portion 21 having an opening 20; a cylindrical main body portion 22 protruding from the outer edge of the frame portion 21 in the Z1 direction; and a partition 23 integrally formed with a side plate portion in the X1 direction of the main body portion 22. A housing 3 is positioned opposite the partition 23 in the X1 direction. The housing 3 and the partition 23 are joined by hooks 24 extending from the edge of the partition 23 in the X1 direction engaging with protrusions 30 formed on the side of the housing 3. The partition 23 and the housing 3 constitute a cuboid frame housing the drive mechanism 6 for the drive baffle 4.

[0021] The frame 2 has a side plate 25 disposed at the X2 side end of the frame portion 21 and opposite to the partition 23 in the X direction. Additionally, the frame 2 has a cylindrical sealing plate portion 26 that protrudes from the edge of the opening 20 toward the side where the baffle 4 is located (Z1 direction) at the frame portion 21. A heater (not shown) surrounding the sealing plate portion 26 is mounted on the frame portion 21. The damper device 1 heats up the heater by energizing it, thereby preventing the baffle 4 from becoming immobile due to icing.

[0022] The baffle 4 is rotatably supported between the partition 23 and the side plate 25. A cylindrical portion 41 protruding towards the X1 side and a cylindrical portion 42 protruding towards the X2 side are formed on the edge of the baffle 4 on the Y2 side. A connecting hole (not shown) is formed at the front end of the cylindrical portion 41, into which the front end of the shaft portion 691 of the output component 69 protruding from the shaft hole 27 through the partition 23 toward the baffle 4 is inserted. A shaft portion 44 is formed at the front end of the cylindrical portion 42, engaging with the shaft hole (not shown) formed in the side plate 25. Therefore, the baffle 4 is rotatably supported on the frame 2 about the axis of rotation L connecting the center of the shaft hole 27 of the partition 23 and the center of the shaft hole of the side plate 25.

[0023] The baffle 4 has: a resin-made opening / closing plate 45 larger than the opening 20; and a sheet-like elastic member 46 made of foamed polyurethane or the like, adhered to the surface of the opening / closing plate 45 on the side of the opening 20. The baffle 4 is driven by the drive mechanism 6 (described later) to rotate about the rotation center axis L, moving 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 contacts the sealing plate portion 26.

[0024] The damper device 1 is disposed, for example, inside a duct or the like that forming the air passage. Cold air flows through the opening 20 from the side opposite to the side where the baffle 4 is disposed relative to the opening 20. Cold air can also flow through the opening 20 from the side where the baffle 4 is disposed relative to the opening 20.

[0025] (Drive mechanism 6) like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the drive mechanism 6 is housed between the housing 3 and the partition 23. The drive mechanism 6 includes a geared motor 60 and an output component 69 driven by the geared motor 60. The output component 69 includes a shaft portion 691 that engages with a shaft support portion 35 provided on the housing 3; and a sector gear 692 extending radially from the shaft portion 691. The output component 69 is supported by the shaft support portion 35 of the housing 3 and is rotatable. As described above, the front end of the shaft portion 691 of the output component 69, extending in the X2 direction, passes through a shaft hole 27 provided on the partition 23 and is connected to the baffle 4.

[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, the geared motor 60 includes a motor 61 and a gear transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to an output component 69. The motor 61 includes: a bottomed cylindrical metal motor housing 63; an end plate 64 that blocks the open end of the motor housing 63; a cylindrical stator 65 disposed inside the motor housing 63; a rotor (not shown) disposed inside the stator 65; and a partition member 66 disposed between the end plate 64 and the stator 65. The motor housing 63, the rotor, and the stator 65 constitute a stepper motor 61.

[0027] The gear transmission mechanism 62 includes: a gear train 621 composed of multiple gears disposed between the separator 66 and the end plate 64; and an output wheel 622 driven via the gear train 621. The rotation of the rotor is slowed down by the gear train 621 and transmitted to the output wheel 622. The output wheel 622 has: a gear 623 that meshes with the final stage gear of the gear train 621; a shaft 624 that extends from the center of the gear 623 in the X2 direction; and a gear 625 (see reference). Figure 2It is connected to the front end of the shaft portion 624, which protrudes in the X2 direction through the shaft support portion 641 provided on the end plate 64. The gear 625 meshes with the sector gear 692 of the output component 69.

[0028] The motor 61 includes: a terminal block 67 disposed in a cutout 631 of the motor housing 63; and a terminal cover 68 covering the terminal block 67. The terminal block 67 is disposed radially outside an insulator 652 on which a stator coil 651 is wound, and is integrally formed with the insulator 652. A plurality of connector terminals 70 are held on the terminal block 67. The plurality of connector terminals 70 are bent radially outside the terminal block 67 in the X1 direction 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.

[0029] (case) The housing 3 has: a bottom 31, which faces the partition 23 from the opposite side (X1 direction) of the frame portion 21; and a cylindrical portion 32, which protrudes from the bottom 31 toward the partition 23 side (X2 direction). When viewed from the X direction, the bottom 31 and the cylindrical portion 32 are quadrilaterals with their long sides extending along the Y direction and their short sides extending along the Z direction. Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, the cylindrical portion 32 has: a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 opposite to each other in the Z direction; and a third side plate 323 and a fourth side plate 324 opposite to each other in the Y direction. The third side plate 323 connects to the Y2 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The fourth side plate 324 connects to the Y1 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. A protrusion 30 that engages with the hook 24 of the partition 23 is formed on the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322.

[0030] A connector insertion port 33 is provided on the housing 3, which exposes the connector terminals 70 of the motor 61 towards the side opposite to the partition 23. For example... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the connector insertion port 33 is a structure in which the corner connecting the fourth side plate 324 and the bottom 31 is cut off. If the other side connector is inserted into the connector insertion port 33, the connector terminal 70 of the motor 61 can be connected to the external wiring connected to the other side connector, and the drive signal can be provided to the motor 61.

[0031] like Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, the housing 3 has a cylindrical boss 34 extending in the Z direction along the inner surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The boss 34 protrudes from the bottom 31 in the X2 direction and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. When the partition 23 and the housing 3 are combined, a protrusion 28 protruding from the partition 23 in the X1 direction (see reference) Figure 4It fits into the boss portion 34.

[0032] The housing 3 includes a cylindrical shaft support 35 and a motor holding part 36 disposed inside the cylindrical portion 32. The shaft support 35 and the motor holding part 36 protrude from the bottom 31 toward the side where the partition plate 23 is located (X2 direction). The shaft support 35 and the motor holding part 36 are disposed at the center in the Z direction of the housing 3. The shaft support 35 is disposed at the end of the housing 3 on the third side plate 323 side (Y2 side). The motor holding part 36 is disposed at the end of the housing 3 on the fourth side plate 324 side.

[0033] like Figure 6 of (a), Figure 6 As shown in (b), the motor holding portion 36 includes: an arcuate portion 361 surrounding the outer periphery of the motor housing 63; and a pair of straight portions 362 surrounding the circumferential sides of the terminal cover 68. The pair of straight portions 362 extend from the notches of the arcuate portion 361 in the Y1 direction and connect to the circumferential sides of the connector insertion port 33 of the fourth side plate 324. The arcuate portion 361 is connected to the inner surface of the first side plate 321 and the inner surface of the second side plate 322.

[0034] When assembling the gear-driven motor 60 into the housing 3, as follows Figure 6 As shown in (a), a motor housing 63 is disposed inside the generally cylindrical motor holding portion 36. Ribs 363 extending in the Z direction are formed on the inner surface of the arcuate portion 361 of the motor holding portion 36 (see reference). Figure 8 The outer peripheral surface of the motor housing 63 contacts the front end of the rib 363 and is gently pressed into the inner side of the motor retaining part 36.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, a pressing part 29 is provided on the partition 23, which protrudes in the X1 direction from a position opposite to the end plate 64 of the gear motor 60. When the partition 23 is combined with the housing 3, the pressing part 29 abuts against the end plate 64 of the gear motor 60 from the X2 side.

[0036] (Reinforcing structure of the shell) On the inner side of the housing 3, as described above, a generally cylindrical rib shape is provided as the motor holding part 36. Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, the motor retaining part 36 is disposed at the end of the fourth side plate 324 of the housing 3, and separates from the third side plate 323. Therefore, a first rib 37 extending in the Z direction, a second rib 38 extending in the Y direction, and a third rib 39 are disposed between the motor retaining part 36 and the third side plate 323, thereby providing a rib-based reinforcing structure. The first rib 37, the second rib 38, and the third rib 39 protrude from the bottom 31 of the housing 3 in the X2 direction. The front ends of the first rib 37, the second rib 38, and the third rib 39 are located further X1 than the front end of the shaft support part 35 (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0037] A first rib 37 is disposed between the motor retaining portion 36 and the shaft support portion 35, and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. A second rib 38 is disposed at two locations on the Z1 and Z2 sides of the shaft support portion 35, intersecting with the first rib 37. The two second ribs 38 are respectively connected to the motor retaining portion 36 and the third side plate 323. A third rib 39 extends along the Y direction between the motor retaining portion 36 and the shaft support portion 35, connecting the two portions. The shaft support portion 35 is connected to the third side plate 323 via a fourth rib 40 extending to the opposite side of the third rib 39.

[0038] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the bottom 31 of the housing 3 includes: a base plate 311 that blocks the end of the motor holding portion 36 in the X1 direction; and a partition plate 312 located on the side of the partition plate 23 (X2 side) relative to the base plate 311. In this embodiment, the partition plate 312 is located approximately at the center of the housing 3 in the X direction. The base plate 311 and the partition plate 312 are plate-shaped with the X direction as the normal direction. The partition plate 312 connects the outer side of the motor holding portion 36 and the inner side of the cylindrical portion 32 (first side plate 321, second side plate 322, third side plate 323, and fourth side plate 324). Therefore, on the outer periphery of the motor holding portion 36, the space for housing the drive mechanism 6 is separated from the external 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.

[0039] The bottom 31 of the housing 3 is reinforced by a first outer surface rib 313 and a second outer surface rib 314 protruding from the partition plate 312 in the X1 direction. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the first outer surface rib 313 extends along the Z direction between the motor holding part 36 and the third side plate 323, and connects with the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second outer surface rib 314 extends along the Y direction and intersects with the first outer surface rib 313. Three second outer surface ribs 314 are arranged at equal intervals, connecting the motor holding part 36 and the third side plate 323. The front end faces of the first outer surface rib 313 and the second outer surface rib 314 in the X1 direction, the front end face of the cylindrical part 32 in the X1 direction, and the bottom plate 311 are located on the same plane.

[0040] (refrigerator) Figure 9 It has Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the refrigerator 100 with the damper device 1 shown. Figure 9In the refrigerator 100 shown, the refrigerator body 110 includes multiple storage compartments 111 and cold air ducts 112 that supply cold air to the multiple storage compartments 111. A damper device 1, incorporating the present invention, is provided at the cold air intake 113 connecting the cold air ducts 112 and the storage compartments 111. Furthermore, the refrigerator body 110 includes a cooler 114 that generates cold air, a fan 115 disposed within the cold air ducts 112, and a control device 120. The control device 120 controls the opening and closing of the damper device 1 based on signals from sensors (not shown) installed in the storage compartments 111, thereby adjusting the timing and amount of cold air supplied to the storage compartments 111.

[0041] (The main effects of this implementation method) As described above, the damper device 1 of this embodiment includes: a frame 2 having a frame portion 21 surrounding the opening 20 and a partition 23 disposed at the end of the frame portion 21; a baffle 4 rotatably supported on the frame 2 for opening and closing the opening 20; a drive mechanism 6 having a motor 61 and an output component 69 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 61 to the baffle 4; and a housing 3 connected to the partition 23, wherein the drive mechanism 6 is housed between the housing and the partition 23. The housing 3 includes: a bottom 31, which is opposite to the partition 23 in the X direction (first direction); a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322, which are opposite to each other in the Z direction (second direction); a third side plate 323 and a fourth side plate 324, which connect the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322 and are opposite to each other in the Y direction (third direction); a motor holding part 36, which protrudes from the bottom 31 in the X2 direction (first direction) between the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322 and surrounds the outer periphery of the motor 61; and a shaft support part 35, which protrudes from the bottom 31 in the X2 direction (first direction) between the motor holding part 36 and the third side plate 323 and supports the output member 69 so that it can rotate. Furthermore, the housing 3 includes: a first rib 37 that extends along the Z direction (second direction) between the motor holding portion 36 and the shaft support portion 35 and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322; and a second rib 38 that extends along the Y direction (third direction) on both sides of the shaft support portion 35 in the Z direction and intersects with the first rib 37, and connects to the third side plate 323 and the motor holding portion 36.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the drive mechanism 6 is housed inside the housing 3, which is connected to the partition 23 of the frame 2, the motor 61 is held in a generally cylindrical rib-shaped motor holding portion 36 surrounding the outer periphery of the motor 61. Furthermore, between the shaft support portion 35 supporting the output member 69 and the motor holding portion 36, a first rib 37 extending in the Z direction (second direction) and a second rib 38 extending in the Y direction (third direction) intersect. The first rib 37 connects the opposing first side plate 321 and second side plate 322, and the second rib 38 connects the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323. Therefore, the space within the housing 3 is subdivided, the rigidity of the housing 3 is increased, and thus, the housing 3 is less prone to vibration, and the vibration of the motor 61 is less likely to be transmitted to the housing 3. Therefore, noise caused by the vibration of the housing 3 can be suppressed.

[0043] In addition to the first rib 37 and the second rib 38 described above, the housing 3 of this embodiment also has a third rib 39 extending in the Y direction (third direction) between the shaft support portion 35 and the motor holding portion 36, thus connecting the motor holding portion 36 to the shaft support portion 35. Furthermore, a fourth rib 40 is provided to connect the shaft support portion 35 and the third side plate 323, connecting the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323 via the shaft support portion 35. Therefore, the rigidity of the portion of the housing 3 supporting the motor 61 and the output component 69 is increased, thus reducing the likelihood of vibration in the housing 3. Therefore, noise caused by vibration of the housing 3 can be suppressed.

[0044] In the housing 3 of this embodiment, the motor holding part 36 is connected to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322, and the motor holding part 36 is also connected to the fourth side plate 324. Therefore, the part near the motor 61 has high rigidity, and the vibration of the motor 61 is not easily transmitted to the housing 3. Thus, noise caused by the vibration of the housing 3 can be suppressed.

[0045] The bottom 31 of the housing 3 in this embodiment includes: a bottom plate 311 that blocks the end of the motor holding portion 36 on the X1 side (opposite to the partition 23); and a partition plate 312 that is connected to the motor holding portion 36, the first side plate 321, the second side plate 322, the third side plate 323, and the fourth side plate 324, and is located on the X2 side (partition 23 side) relative to the bottom plate 311. A first rib 37 and a second rib 38 protrude from the partition plate 312 in the X2 direction (first direction). Therefore, the portion of the motor holding portion 36 that is offset from the bottom plate 311 in the X2 direction (first direction) is supported by the partition plate 312, resulting in high rigidity of the motor holding portion 36 and making it less prone to vibration. Consequently, vibrations of the motor 61 are less likely to be transmitted to the housing 3, thus suppressing noise caused by vibrations of the housing 3.

[0046] In this embodiment, the bottom 31 has a first outer surface rib 313 and a second outer surface rib 314 protruding from the partition plate 312 in the X1 direction. The first outer surface rib 313 extends in the Z direction and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322, and the second outer surface rib 314 extends in the Y direction and intersects with the partition plate 312, and connects to the third side plate 323 and the motor holding part 36. In this way, by adopting a structure in which the bottom 31 is divided by ribs, the rigidity of the bottom 31 can be ensured while the housing 3 is lightweight.

[0047] The damper device 1 of this embodiment can be used in a refrigerator 100, which has a cooler 114 and a storage compartment 111 supplied with cold air generated by the cooler 114. The damper device 1 is disposed at the cold air intake 113 of the storage compartment 111.

[0048] (Other implementation methods) The above embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto. Various modifications can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the position of the partition plate 312 in the X direction in the bottom 31 of the housing 3 can be appropriately changed. In addition, the damper device 1 in the above embodiments is for a refrigerator, but is not necessarily limited to damper devices for refrigerators. Symbol Explanation

[0049] 1…Damper device; 2…Frame; 3…House; 4…Baffle; 6…Drive mechanism; 20…Opening; 21…Frame; 22…Main body; 23…Partition; 24…Hook; 25…Side plate; 26…Sealing plate; 27…Shaft hole; 28…Protrusion; 29…Pressing part; 30…Protrusion; 31…Bottom; 32…Cylinder; 33…Connector insertion port; 34…Boss; 35…Shaft support; 36…Motor holding part; 37…First rib; 38…Second rib; 39…Third rib; 40…Fourth rib; 41, 42…Cylindrical part; 44…Shaft; 45…Opening and closing plate; 46…Elastic component; 60…Gear-driven motor; 61…Motor; 62…Gear transmission mechanism; 63…Motor housing; 64…End plate; 65…Stator; 66…Separating component; 67…Terminal block; 68…End Sub-cover; 69…output component; 70…connector terminal; 100…refrigerator; 110…refrigerator body; 111…storage compartment; 112…cold air duct; 113…cold air intake; 114…cooler; 115…fan; 120…control device; 311…base plate; 312…partition plate; 313…first outer surface rib; 314…second outer surface rib; 321…first side plate; 322…second side plate; 323…third side plate; 324…fourth side plate; 361…arc section; 362…straight section; 363…rib; 621…gear train; 622…output wheel; 623…gear; 624…shaft section; 625…gear; 641…shaft support section; 651…stator coil; 652…insulator; 691…shaft section; 692…sector gear; L…rotation center axis.

Claims

1. A damper device, characterized in that, have: A frame having a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition disposed at an end of the frame portion; A baffle that is rotatably supported on the frame and opens and closes the opening; A drive mechanism comprising a motor and an output component that transmits rotation of the motor to the baffle; and A housing, which is combined with the partition, and the drive mechanism is housed between the housing and the partition. The housing includes: The bottom, which is opposite to the partition; A first side plate and a second side plate, wherein the first side plate and the second side plate are opposite each other in a second direction that intersects the first direction, with the direction from the partition toward the bottom as one side; The third and fourth side plates connect the first and second side plates and are facing each other upwards at a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction. A motor retaining portion that protrudes from the bottom toward the other side in the first direction between the first side plate and the second side plate, and surrounds the outer periphery of the motor; A shaft support portion that protrudes from the bottom toward the other side in the first direction between the motor retaining portion and the third side plate, and supports the output component so that it can rotate; A first rib extends along the second direction between the motor retaining portion and the shaft support portion and connects to the first side plate and the second side plate; as well as The second rib extends along the third direction on both sides of the shaft support in the second direction and intersects with the first rib, and is connected to the third side plate and the motor retaining part. The bottom has: A base plate that blocks the end of the motor retainer opposite to the partition; and A partition plate, which is connected to the motor holding part, the first side plate, the second side plate, the third side plate, and the fourth side plate, and is located on the partition plate side relative to the bottom plate. The first rib and the second rib protrude from the partition plate to the other side in the first direction.

2. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a third rib that extends along the third direction between the shaft support and the motor retainer and is connected to the motor retainer and the shaft support.

3. The damper device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The shaft support is connected to the third side plate.

4. The damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The motor retaining part is connected to the first side plate and the second side plate.

5. The damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The motor retainer is connected to the fourth side plate.

6. The damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The bottom has a first outer surface rib and a second outer surface rib protruding from the partition plate toward the first direction. The first outer surface rib extends along the second direction and connects with the first side plate and the second side plate. The second outer surface rib extends along the third direction and intersects with the first outer surface rib, and is connected to the third side plate and the motor retaining part.

7. A refrigerator comprising a damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It has a cooling unit and a storage room supplied with cold air generated by the cooling unit. The damper device is located at the cold air intake of the storage compartment.

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