Gear structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gear structure for a vehicle, the gear structure being provided with: a rotating member which is provided rotatably in a rotational direction on first gears that mesh with each other, and which rotates by being pressed by a tooth surface of a second gear when the rotating member meshes with the second gear; a sliding member connected to the rotating member so as to be movable in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first gear, the sliding member being pressed by the rotating member and sliding in the direction opposite to the rotation direction; and a protruding member provided so as to be rotatable in the rotational direction, the protruding member being pressed by the sliding member and protruding between tooth surfaces of the second gear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gear structure used in a small moving body. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-169152, a technique is described in which a scissor gear and a scissor spring are provided to reduce abnormal noise caused by gear looseness.

[0003] However, for a small moving body used in a low-speed region, in power transmission of a gear, it is desired to follow the speed according to an instruction indicated by a control device. However, in power transmission of a gear used in a low-speed region, when the rotation direction of the gear changes, idling of the gear caused by gear looseness occurs, resulting in deterioration of speed following according to the instruction. Therefore, there is room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gear structure that can improve speed following according to an instruction even when the rotation direction of the gear changes.

[0005] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a gear structure of the present disclosure is a gear structure of a vehicle, and the gear structure includes:

[0006] a rotating member that is rotatably provided on one of the meshing gears along the rotation direction and is pressed by the tooth surface of the other gear to rotate when meshing with the other gear;

[0007] a sliding member that is connected to the rotating member so as to be movable in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the one gear and is pressed by the rotating member to slide in a direction opposite to the rotation direction; and

[0008] a protruding member that is provided to be rotatable along the rotation direction and is pressed by the sliding member to protrude between the tooth surfaces of the other gear.

[0009] In addition, a gear structure of the present disclosure is a gear structure of a vehicle, and the gear structure includes:

[0010] a protrusion provided on one of the meshing gears and capable of protruding between the tooth surfaces meshing with the other gear; and

[0011] a valve device that supplies oil to the protrusion via a pipe and controls opening and closing of a hydraulic valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of the protrusion.

[0012] The valve device causes the protrusion to protrude when the other gear meshes with the one gear.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the following effect is achieved: even when the rotation direction of the gear changes, it is possible to improve the follow-up at the indicated speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a gear structure used in a small moving body according to Embodiment 1;

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the gear structure;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a gear structure used in a small moving body according to Embodiment 2;

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a first gear in a gear structure used in a small moving body according to Embodiment 2;

[0019] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the control unit according to Embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, a gear structure used in a small moving body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the constituent elements in the following embodiments include constituent elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or substantially the same constituent elements. In addition, the respective drawings referred to in the following description schematically show the shape, size, and positional relationship only to the extent that the content of the present disclosure can be understood. That is, the present disclosure is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in the respective drawings. I. Embodiment 1

[0021] Configuration of Gear Structure

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a gear structure used in a small moving body according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1The shown gear structure 1 is used for a vehicle of an electric small moving body. The gear structure 1 includes a first gear 10 and a second gear 20 that mesh with each other. The first gear 10 and the second gear 20 are respectively provided with teeth 11 and teeth 21 at a prescribed pitch width, and rotate in the same rotational direction A1 by the meshing of their respective teeth. It should be noted that, in Embodiment 1, the first gear 10 functions as one gear, and the second gear 20 functions as the other gear. In addition, either the first gear 10 or the second gear 20 is coupled to a shaft (not shown) connected to a drive system such as a motor (not shown). In addition, gear looseness refers to the wobbling that occurs when the teeth 11 of the first gear 10 mesh with the teeth 21 of the second gear 20.

[0023] The first gear 10 includes a rotating member 12, a sliding member 13, and a protruding member 14. The rotating member 12, the sliding member 13, and the protruding member 14 are provided on each of a plurality of teeth 11 provided at a prescribed pitch.

[0024] The cross-section of the rotating member 12 is substantially L-shaped, and is rotatably provided on the first gear 10 along the rotational direction A1 of the first gear 10. Specifically, the rotating member 12 is rotatably provided on the first gear 10 with the axis O1 as the rotation axis. And the rotating member 12 is provided on the tooth 11 side opposite to the rotational direction A1 of the first gear 10. When meshing with the teeth 21 of the second gear 20, the rotating member 12 is pressed by the tooth surface of the second gear 20 and rotates in the rotational direction A1.

[0025] The cross-section of the sliding member 13 is plate-shaped, and one side is connected to the rotating member 12 in a manner that can move in a direction opposite to the rotational direction A1 of the first gear 10. One side of the sliding member 13 is pressed by the rotating member 12 and slides (sliding movement) in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the first gear 10.

[0026] The protruding member 14 is provided so as to be able to rotate along the rotational direction. Specifically, the cross-section of the protruding member 14 is plate-shaped, and is rotatably provided on the tooth 11 of the first gear 10 with the axis O2 as the rotation axis. The lower end side of the protruding member 14 is pressed by the other side of the sliding member 13, and the upper end side protrudes between the tooth surfaces of the second gear 20.

[0027] Operation of the gear structure

[0028] Next, the operation of the above-described gear structure 1 will be described. Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the gear structure 1.

[0029] As Figure 2 shown, when meshing with the teeth 21 of the second gear 20, the rotating member 12 is pressed by the tooth surface of the second gear 20 and rotates in the rotational direction A1 ( Figure 2 upper diagram inFigure 2 as shown in the lower figure below). In this case, one side of the sliding member 13 is pressed by the rotating member 12 and slides in the direction B1 opposite to the rotation direction A1 of the first gear 10 ( Figure 2 from the upper figure above → Figure 2 to the lower figure below). Then, the lower end side of the protruding member 14 is pressed by the other side of the sliding member 13, and the upper end side protrudes between the tooth surfaces of the second gear 20 ( Figure 2 from the upper figure above → Figure 2 to the lower figure below). Thus, since the upper end side of the protruding member 14 protrudes between the tooth surfaces of the tooth 11 of the first gear 10 and the tooth 21 of the second gear 20, the gear structure 1 can compensate for gear looseness. Even when the rotation direction of the gear changes, the speed following according to the instruction can be improved.

[0030] According to the first embodiment described above, when meshing with the tooth 21 of the second gear 20, the rotating member 12 is pressed by the tooth surface of the second gear 20 in the rotation direction A1 and rotates. One side of the sliding member 13 is pressed by the rotating member 12 and slides in the direction B1 opposite to the rotation direction A1 of the first gear 10, and the lower end side of the protruding member 14 is pressed by the other side of the sliding member 13, and the upper end side protrudes between the tooth surfaces of the second gear 20. Therefore, gear looseness can be compensated for. Even when the rotation direction of the gear changes, the speed following according to the instruction can be improved.

[0031] In addition, according to the first embodiment, the lower end side of the protruding member 14 is pressed by the other side of the sliding member 13, and the upper end side protrudes between the tooth surfaces of the second gear 20 to eliminate the clearance. Thus, the impact sound when the tooth 11 of the first gear 10 meshes with the tooth 21 of the second gear 20 can be reduced. II. Second Embodiment

[0032] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, even when the rotation direction of the gear changes mechanically, the speed following according to the instruction can be improved. However, in the second embodiment, even when the rotation direction of the gear changes hydraulically, the speed following according to the instruction can be improved. Hereinafter, after explaining the schematic structure of the gear structure of the second embodiment, the operation of the gear structure of the second embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as those of the gear structure 1 of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic structure of the gear structure used in the small moving body of the second embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic structure of the first gear in the gear structure used in the small moving body of the second embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4The shown gear structure 1A has a first gear 10A in place of the first gear 10 of the above-described Embodiment 1.

[0034] The first gear 10A includes a first protrusion 30, a second protrusion 31, a first hydraulic valve 32, a first pipe 33, a second hydraulic valve 34, a second pipe 35, a pump 36, a detection unit 37, and a control unit 38.

[0035] The first protrusion 30 is provided on one side in the rotational direction of the tooth 11 and is connected to the pump 36 via the first pipe 33 and the first hydraulic valve 32. The first protrusion 30 includes a protruding member 301 that can protrude between the tooth surfaces meshing with the second gear 20, a housing portion 302 that houses the protruding member 301, a biasing member 303 such as a spring that biases the protruding member 301 toward the tooth surfaces, and oil 304 filled in the housing portion 302.

[0036] The second protrusion 31 is provided on the other side in the rotational direction of the tooth 11 and is connected to the pump 36 via the second pipe 35 and the second hydraulic valve 34. Similarly to the first protrusion 30, the second protrusion 31 includes a protruding member 301 that can protrude between the tooth surfaces meshing with the second gear 20, a housing portion 302 that houses the protruding member 301, a biasing member 303 such as a spring that biases the protruding member 301 toward the tooth surfaces, and oil 304 filled in the housing portion 302.

[0037] The first hydraulic valve 32 is connected to the first protrusion 30 and the pump 36 via the first pipe 33. The first hydraulic valve 32 opens and closes under the control of the control unit 38.

[0038] The second hydraulic valve 34 is connected to the second protrusion 31 and the pump 36 via the second pipe 35. The second hydraulic valve 34 opens and closes under the control of the control unit 38.

[0039] The pump 36 supplies oil 304 to the first protrusion 30 via the first hydraulic valve 32 and the first pipe 33 and supplies oil 304 to the second protrusion 31 via the second hydraulic valve 34 and the second pipe 35 under the control of the control unit 38.

[0040] The detection unit 37 detects the rotational speed of at least one of the first gear 10A and the second gear 20 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 38. Specifically, the detection unit 37 is composed of a resolver or the like that detects the rotational angle of a drive unit such as a motor (not shown).

[0041] Based on the detection result of the detection unit 37, the control unit 38 controls the first hydraulic valve 32, the second hydraulic valve 34, and the pump 36. When the tooth 21 of the second gear 20 meshes with the tooth 11 of the first gear 10A, the first protrusion 30 or the second protrusion 31 protrudes and bulges between the tooth surfaces meshing with the second gear 20. Moreover, based on the detection result of the detection unit 37, the control unit 38 controls the first hydraulic valve 32, the second hydraulic valve 34, and the pump 36. By reducing the hydraulic pressure of the first protrusion 30 or the second protrusion 31, it contracts to the natural length by the force of the biasing member 303, so that the protruding member 301 retracts from between the tooth surfaces meshing with the second gear 20. It should be noted that in the second embodiment, the first hydraulic valve 32, the first pipe 33, the second hydraulic valve 34, the second pipe 35, the pump 36, the detection unit 37, and the control unit 38 function as the valve device 100.

[0042] Processing performed by the control unit

[0043] Next, the processing executed by the control unit 38 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing executed by the control unit 38. It should be noted that the following processing executed by the control unit 38 is executed at a cycle faster than the instruction for indicating the moving direction of the miniaturized moving body.

[0044] As Figure 5 shown, based on the detection result of the detection unit 37, the control unit 38 determines whether the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is positive ( Figure 3 rotation direction A1) (S101). When the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is positive (S101: Yes), the first hydraulic valve 32 is operated (S102). Thereby, even when the first gear 10A rotates in the actual rotation direction, gear looseness can be compensated, and following at the indicated speed can be improved. After S102, the control unit 38 ends this processing.

[0045] In S101, when the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is not positive (S101: No), the control unit 38 proceeds to S103.

[0046] Next, based on the detection result of the detection unit 37, the control unit 38 determines whether the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is negative ( Figure 3 the opposite direction of the rotation direction A1) (S103). When the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is negative (S103: Yes), the second hydraulic valve 34 is operated (S104). Thereby, even when the first gear 10A rotates in the direction opposite to the actual rotation direction, gear looseness can be compensated, and following at the indicated speed can be improved. After S104, the control unit 38 ends this processing.

[0047] In S103, when the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A is negative (S103: No), this process is ended.

[0048] According to the second embodiment described above, the control unit 38 determines the actual rotation direction of the first gear 10A based on the detection result of the detection unit 37. Based on this determination result, the first hydraulic valve 32 or the second hydraulic valve 34 is operated. Therefore, even when the rotation direction of the first gear 10A changes, gear looseness can be compensated, and following the indicated speed can be improved.

[0049] Other embodiments

[0050] Those skilled in the art can easily derive further effects and modification examples. The broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Therefore, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0051] As described above, several embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments that are representative of the manner described in the disclosure of the present invention and that can be variously modified and improved based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A gear structure, which is a gear structure of a vehicle, wherein, The gear structure includes: A rotating member, which is rotatably provided on one of the meshing gears along the rotation direction, and when meshing with the other gear, the rotating member is pressed by the tooth surface of the other gear and rotates; A sliding member, which is connected to the rotating member in a manner that it can move in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the one gear, and is pressed by the rotating member to slide in a direction opposite to the rotation direction; And A protruding member, which is arranged to be able to rotate along the rotation direction and is pressed by the sliding member to protrude between the tooth surfaces of the other gear.

2. The gear structure according to claim 1, wherein The rotating member, the sliding member and the protruding member are respectively provided on each tooth of the one gear.

3. A gear structure, which is the gear structure of a vehicle, wherein, The gear structure includes: A protruding portion, which is provided on one of the meshing gears and can protrude between the tooth surfaces meshing with the other gear; And A valve device, which supplies oil to the protruding portion via a pipe and controls the opening and closing of a hydraulic valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of the protruding portion, The valve device causes the protruding portion to protrude when the other gear meshes with the one gear.

4. The gear structure according to claim 3, wherein The gear structure further includes a detection portion for detecting the rotation direction of the one gear, The protruding portion is provided on each tooth of the one gear, The valve device controls the opening and closing of the hydraulic valve based on the detection result of the detection portion.

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