Holding member, motor, and blower

Abstract

A holding member (40) for a bearing (24) that supports a shaft is provided with a main body section (11d) that spreads in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the bearing (24) and that includes a contact surface (53) that comes into contact with one end (D2) side in the axial direction, and a protruding section (41) that is formed radially outward of the contact surface (53) and holds the bearing (24). The protruding portion (41) has a base portion (42) protruding inward in the radial direction from a formation portion (11g) with respect to the main body portion (11d), and a holding portion (49) disposed on the other end (D1) side in the axial direction with respect to the base portion (42) and holding the bearing (24).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a retaining member for retaining a bearing, a motor to which the retaining member is applied, and a blower to which the motor is applied. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a motor, as a configuration of a bearing (for example, a ball bearing) that supports a rotating shaft (a shaft) that fixes a rotor, there is known a configuration in which, for example, a cylindrical cylinder portion is provided on an inner side of a ring-shaped core back portion of a stator core, and thereby the bearing is retained to an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion (for example, Patent Literature 1). In this configuration, a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the core back portion toward the radially inner side are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion, and thereby the cylinder portion is retained, and as a result, the bearing is fixed.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6693148 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the operation of the motor, vibration occurs in association with the rotation of the rotor, and this vibration is directly transmitted to the bearing. However, in a structure in which the bearing is retained to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical cylinder portion as in Patent Literature 1 described above, it is difficult to provide a vibration damping function for suppressing the vibration of the bearing on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion, and it is difficult to suppress the vibration of the bearing. In addition, in the case where the configuration for retaining the bearing is provided with a vibration damping function for suppressing the vibration of the bearing, it is preferable to secure a dimension in the axial direction so as to have a stroke width that absorbs the movement of the bearing in the radial direction. On the other hand, if the dimension in the axial direction is made long, the size of the motor becomes large. Therefore, in the configuration for retaining the bearing, there is room for improvement in suppressing the large size in the axial direction and having a sufficient vibration damping function. In addition, such a problem is not limited to the configuration for retaining the bearing that axially supports the shaft of the motor, and the same problem occurs in the configuration for retaining the bearing of various devices or apparatuses.

[0008] The retaining member, the motor, and the blower of the present application are proposed in view of such a problem, and one of the objects thereof is to have a vibration damping function while suppressing the large size in the axial direction. Note that the object is not limited to this, and an effect derived from each configuration shown in the detailed description below, which is not obtained by the conventional technology, is another object of the present application.

[0009] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0010] The holding member, the motor, and the blower of the present disclosure can be implemented as the following disclosed solutions (application examples) that solve at least a part of the above-described problems. Solutions 2 to 5 are each a solution that can be appropriately selected in addition, and is a solution that can be omitted. Each of the solutions 2 to 5 is not a solution that is essential to the present application, nor a solution of structure.

[0011] Solution 1. The holding member of the present disclosure is a holding member of a bearing that supports a shaft, in which the holding member has a main body portion that develops in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the bearing and includes an abutting surface that abuts against one end side in the axial direction and a protruding portion that is formed at a radially outer side than the abutting surface and holds the bearing, the protruding portion having a base portion that is provided protruding toward a radially inner side from a formation site of the main body portion and a holding portion that is disposed at the other end side in the axial direction with respect to the base portion and holds the bearing.

[0012] Solution 2. On the basis of the above-described solution 1, it is preferable that the protruding portion have a curved portion that is provided extending in a curved shape toward the radially inner side from a front end of the base portion and toward the other end side and is connected to the holding portion.

[0013] Solution 3. On the basis of the above-described solution 1 or 2, it is preferable that the holding portion have a column portion that is disposed along the axial direction and a protruding portion that is provided protruding toward the radially inner side from the column portion and has a prescribed width along a circumferential direction of the bearing, the protruding portion having a prescribed thickness along the axial direction that is in contact with an outer ring of the bearing, the prescribed thickness being smaller than a thickness in the axial direction of the outer ring, a center position in the axial direction of the protruding portion being disposed at the other end side of the column portion than a center position in the axial direction of the outer ring.

[0014] Solution 4. On the basis of any one of the above-described solutions 1 to 3, it is preferable that the protruding portion be disposed at a plurality of intervals along the circumferential direction of the bearing, the main body portion having a convex portion that is provided protruding toward the other end side from a surface of the other end side in the main body portion toward the other end side between the plurality of protruding portions, an end surface of the radially inner side of the convex portion being disposed at a radially outer side than an end surface of the radially inner side of the protruding portion in a state in which the bearing is held, and being disposed at a radially inner side than a displacement position of the end surface of the protruding portion in a state in which the protruding portion is maximally deformed toward the radially outer side.

[0015] Solution 5. On the basis of the above-described solution 4, it is preferable that the convex portion have an inclined portion that is inclined toward the radially outer side from the end surface of the convex portion and toward the other end side.

[0016] Solution 6. The motor of this disclosure includes a housing using the retaining member described in any of Solutions 1 to 5 above; a stator housed in the housing; and a rotor arranged radially opposite to the stator, wherein the retaining member holds a bearing that supports a shaft rotating integrally with the rotor.

[0017] Option 7. The blower of this disclosure includes the motor described in Option 6 above; and an impeller fixed to the shaft.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to the retaining member, motor, and blower disclosed herein, the protrusion retains the bearing, thereby enabling it to have a vibration damping function while suppressing axial enlargement. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a blower equipped with the retaining member involved in the embodiment. Figure 2 (AA-direction sectional view).

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the blower casing.

[0022] Figure 3 This shows the application to Figure 2 A sectional perspective view of the structure of the retaining components of the outer shell.

[0023] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A sectional perspective view of the protruding part of the retaining component.

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the retaining components in the casing.

[0025] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the bottom of the outer shell. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The retaining member, motor, and blower as embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely illustrative and are not intended to exclude various modifications and technical applications not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. The structures of this embodiment can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, selections can be made as needed, or appropriate combinations can be made.

[0027] A retaining member is a component used to retain a bearing that supports a shaft. It has a main body with at least two portions: an abutting surface and a protrusion. The abutting surface is the portion that axially abuts against the bearing, and the protrusion is the portion that retains the bearing. The retaining member can be provided as a single component and assembled into other components, or it can be provided as part of a component. Furthermore, the type of bearing is not particularly limited; for example, it can be a rolling bearing (ball bearing, roller bearing, needle roller bearing) or a sliding bearing. In the following embodiment, as an example of a retaining member, a structure applied to the housing of a motor is shown, which retains a bearing disposed within the motor. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the motor is applied to a blower.

[0028] In the following description, the direction in which the motor's shaft (rotation shaft) extends (rotation shaft direction) is defined as axial, and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and away from the shaft, as well as the direction toward the shaft, are defined as radial. Furthermore, in the radial direction, the side facing the shaft is defined as the radially inner side, and its opposite side (the side away from the shaft) is defined as the radially outer side. The direction orthogonal to the axial direction and surrounding the shaft is defined as circumferential.

[0029] [1. Structure]

[0030] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a blower 1 equipped with the retaining member 40 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 (AA-direction sectional view). Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the blower housing 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as "housing 11") of the blower 1. Figure 1 As shown, the blower 1 of this embodiment has a motor 10 and an impeller 2 fixed to a shaft 21 of the motor 10, and is a blower that uses the rotation of the impeller 2 to transport gas (e.g., air). Figure 1 In the image, a portion of the motor 10 is shown using dashed lines.

[0031] The blower 1 includes the motor 10 described above, and a housing 11 that forms the enclosure for housing the impeller 2 and the motor 10. The motor 10 is the drive source for the impeller 2, and is, for example, an internal rotor type brushless motor. The motor 10 includes: a shaft 21 having a rotation center X, a rotor 20 that rotates integrally with the shaft 21, and a stator 30 located radially outward (hereinafter referred to as "outer side") of the rotor 20. The stator 30 is housed in the housing 11, and the rotor 20 is arranged radially (inner side in this embodiment) opposite the stator 30.

[0032] The rotor 20 has magnets 22 fixed to the shaft 21 and two balancers 23 sandwiching the magnets 22 in the axial direction, and is fixed to be rotatable with respect to the housing 11 and an end cover not shown by bearings 24 such as ball bearings. The stator 30 has a stator core 31 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11 and a coil 35 wound with respect to the stator core 31 via an insulating member 32. Note that the end cover is a cover member combined with the housing 11, which is fixed to one of the axial directions (the upper direction in Figure 1 the drawing) with respect to the housing 11. Hereinafter, the direction in which the end cover is attached to the housing 11 is referred to as the first axial direction Dl, and the direction opposite to the first axial direction Dl (the lower direction in Figure 1 the drawing) is referred to as the second axial direction D2.

[0033] An impeller 2 is fixed to one end portion of the shaft 21 in the second axial direction D2. The impeller 2 is an impeller for air supply, and is configured to include, for example, a disc-shaped base portion fixed to the shaft 21 and a plurality of fins provided in a radial manner on the disc surface of the base portion. When the motor 10 is operated and the shaft 21 is rotated, the impeller 2 rotates integrally with the shaft 21.

[0034] The housing 11 has a bottomed cylindrical portion 11A and a ring-shaped portion 11B as portions for housing the impeller 2 and the motor 10. The cylindrical portion 11A is a portion in which a configuration space of the motor 10 (i.e., the rotor 20 and the stator 30) is formed inside, and has a cylindrical side wall portion 11c and a bottom portion 11d that closes the end portion of the side wall portion 11c on the second axial direction D2 side. The side wall portion 11c is, for example, a cylindrical shape, and the bottom portion 11d is a surface portion (for example, a surface portion that is circular in shape when viewed from the axial direction) that develops in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The bottom portion 11d can also extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, as shown in Figure 1 , or can be a mortar shape that tilts toward the second axial direction D2 as it goes toward the radial inner side.

[0035] The ring-shaped portion 11B is a portion that is located outside the cylindrical portion 11A and forms a configuration space of the impeller 2 between the housing 11 and the end cover not shown. The ring-shaped portion 11B is continuously formed outward from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 11c of the cylindrical portion 11A. The upper end portion of the ring-shaped portion 11B functions as a flange portion 11f that extends outward from the side wall portion 11c. Note that the end cover can also be fixed to this flange portion 11f.

[0036] In addition, in the housing 11 of the present embodiment, a through-hole 55 through which the shaft 21 passes and a holding member 40 that holds the bearing 24 are provided at the bottom portion 11d of the cylindrical portion 11A. That is, the holding member 40 of the present embodiment is provided as a part of the housing 11. One end portion of the shaft 21 on the second axial direction D2 protrudes from the through-hole 55 toward the second axial direction D2 side of the housing 11, and the impeller 2 is fixed to the one end portion. A cover member is attached to the second axial direction D2 side of the housing 11.

[0037] In the present embodiment, an end cover and a cover member are assembled to the housing 11, thereby forming a casing of the blower 1. In other words, the housing 11 is one of the components that constitute the casing. The casing has a substantially circular appearance when viewed from the axial direction, and the impeller 2 and the motor 10 are arranged (accommodated) inside. The size of the casing of the blower 1 is set to be at least capable of housing the impeller 2 and the motor 10.

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view that shows the structure of the holding member 40 related to the present embodiment, and Figure 1 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the bearing 24 in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 4 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view that shows a protruding portion 41 (described later) of the holding member 40 of Figure 5 Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the holding member 40 in the housing 11 of Figure 6 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom portion 11d of the housing 11 of Figure 5 Figure 6 is a view that shows the back side of the holding member 40 shown in

[0039] As shown in Figures 1-3 , the holding member 40 has a function of holding the bearing 24, and includes a bottom portion 11d as a main body portion. As described above, the bottom portion 11d is a site that develops in a direction that intersects the axial direction, and is an example of the above-described main body portion. That is, in the present embodiment, the main body portion of the holding member 40 is provided as the bottom portion 11d that is a part of the cylindrical portion 11A, and is formed integrally with the housing 11.

[0040] The bottom portion 11d includes a bottom portion abutting surface 53 (abutting surface) that abuts against the bearing 24 from the second axial direction D2 side (one end side in the axial direction). As Figure 3 and Figure 5 ​​​​As shown, the bottom abutment surface 53 is a plane in the shape of an annulus with the through hole 55 as its center, facing the first axial D1 side (the other end side in the axial direction) of the bottom 11d. The bottom abutment surface 53 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The end face of the bearing 24 (e.g., the outer ring) on ​​the second axial D2 side abuts the bottom abutment surface 53.

[0041] It should be noted that the radially inner portion of the bottom abutment surface 53 has a stepped shape that descends one level towards the second axial direction D2. This portion of the bottom abutment surface 53 that descends one level around the through hole 55 is called the bottom non-abutment surface 56. The bottom non-abutment surface 56 also extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. However, the bottom non-abutment surface 56 does not abut against the bearing 24. The bottom non-abutment surface 56 is spaced apart from the end face of the bearing 24 (e.g., the inner ring) on ​​the second axial direction D2 side and faces that end face. Thus, the bottom non-abutment surface 56 does not hinder the rotation of the inner ring of the bearing 24.

[0042] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the bottom 11d includes a protrusion 41 formed radially outward from the bottom abutment surface 53. As described above, the protrusion 41 functions to retain the bearing 24 and is a portion that protrudes in a columnar shape relative to the bottom 11d, which is the main body, toward the first axial direction D1. In the retaining member 40 of this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 41 are formed radially outward from the bottom abutment surface 53 on the first axial direction D1 side of the bottom 11d. That is, the plurality of protrusions 41 function to retain the bearing 24, which is placed on the bottom abutment surface 53, from its radial outward side.

[0043] It should be noted that, with Figure 2 or Figure 3 Compared to the example shown, the surface abutting the end face of the bearing 24 on the second axial D2 side (one end side in the axial direction) can also be formed wider, extending radially outward beyond the range overlapping with the bearing 24 when viewed from the axial direction. In this case, the range overlapping with the bearing 24 when viewed from the axial direction can be represented as the bottom abutting surface 53. In this case, the statement "the protrusion 41 is formed radially outward beyond the bottom abutting surface 53" means "the protrusion 41 is formed radially outward beyond the range overlapping with the bearing 24 in the surface on the first axial D1 side of the bottom 11d". It should be noted that multiple protrusions 41 are similarly constructed; here, a structure in which three protrusions 41 are formed at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the bottom abutting surface 53 is shown. That is, in the retaining member 40 of this embodiment, the three protrusions 41 form a three-fold rotationally symmetrical shape.

[0044] Each protrusion 41 has a base 42 that protrudes radially inward from the forming portion relative to the bottom 11d, and a retaining portion 49 disposed relative to the base 42 on the first axial direction D1 side and retaining the outer ring of the bearing 24. The base 42 is the root side portion of the protrusion 41, and the retaining portion 49 is the front end side portion of the protrusion 41. In addition to the base 42 and the retaining portion 49 described above, each protrusion 41 in this embodiment also has a curved portion 43.

[0045] The base 42 protrudes radially inward from the portion where the protrusion 41 is continuously formed relative to the bottom 11d. In other words, the aforementioned forming portion can be considered the connecting portion of the protrusion 41 relative to the bottom 11d. At the bottom 11d, to ensure space for the base 42 to protrude radially inward, bottom notches 54 are formed at the locations where each protrusion 41 is formed. For example... Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, each bottom notch 54 is an opening (through hole) that penetrates the bottom 11d along the axial direction, forming a U-shape relative to the base 42, surrounding the radially inner side and the circumferential sides. It can also be said that the bottom notch 54 is outside the bottom non-abutting surface 56 and is formed between the bottom abutting surface 53 and the forming part of each protrusion 41.

[0046] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the surface (inner circumferential end face, hereinafter referred to as "bottom inward surface 11g") facing the rotation center X side in the bottom notch 54 is a curved surface facing the bearing 24 disposed radially inside it. Figure 4 As shown, each base 42 protrudes radially inward from the bottom inner surface 11g of each bottom notch 54. It should be noted that the bottom inner surface 11g is an example of the formation location of the base 42 relative to the bottom 11d.

[0047] The curved portion 43 is a portion extending radially inward and in a curved shape from the front end of the base 42 towards the first axial direction D1, and a retaining portion 49 is connected to its front end. In other words, the curved portion 43 is connected to both the base 42 and the retaining portion 49, and serves as the portion connecting the base 42 and the retaining portion 49. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the curved portion 43 is generally curved in an arc shape when viewed circumferentially, and the curved portion 43 is curved such that its center of curvature is located on the first axial direction D1 side further than the bottom 11d and radially outward from the holding portion 49. It should be noted that the plate thickness is approximately the same from the base 42 to the curved portion 43. The curved portion 43 is provided in a manner that allows the protrusion 41 to undergo elastic deformation.

[0048] The protrusion 41, having the aforementioned base 42, curved portion 43, and retaining portion 49 (described later), has a roughly L-shaped cross-section with chamfered corners when viewed circumferentially. Each protrusion 41 as a whole has a width along the circumference of the outer ring of the bearing 24, which is set to be greater than the radial dimension (thickness) of the protrusion 41. It should be noted that the protrusion 41 is formed, for example, of an elastic material such as resin. In this embodiment, the protrusion 41 is also integrally formed with the housing 11. That is, the housing 11 is also formed of an elastic material.

[0049] Next, the detailed structure of the retaining part 49 will be explained.

[0050] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the retaining part 49 has: a column portion 48 arranged along the axial direction, and a protrusion portion 44 protruding radially inward from the column portion 48. Figure 4 As shown, the column portion 48 is a columnar section extending axially, forming a shape with two corners extending axially from the cuboid shape chamfered into an R-shape. The chamfered corners are all located radially inward and are hereinafter referred to as "rounded corners 47". Rounded corners 47 are formed, for example, in the portion between the connection point with the base portion 42 (inner end) and the connection point with the protrusion 44 (lower end). By forming rounded corners 47 in the column portion 48, stress concentration in the protrusion 41 is suppressed, thereby increasing strength.

[0051] The protrusion 44 protrudes radially inward from the radially inner side of the column portion 48 at its end on the first axial direction D1 side. Furthermore, the protrusion 44 has a predetermined width along the circumferential direction of the bearing 24 and is configured to contact the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 24. The surface of the protrusion 44 facing the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 24 forms a retaining surface 45 relative to the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 24.

[0052] The retaining surface 45 of the protrusion 44 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 24 when the bearing 24 is disposed in the retaining member 40. This retaining surface 45 is preferably formed as an arc surface having the same curvature as the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 24. It should be noted that by making the circumferential dimension of the protrusion 44 wider to a predetermined width, the contact area with the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 24 is increased, thereby stably retaining the bearing 24.

[0053] Furthermore, the corner of the protrusion 44 on the first axial D1 side and radially inward is chamfered. As a result, an inclined surface 46 is formed between the end face of the protrusion 44 on the first axial D1 side and the retaining surface 45. This inclined surface 46 has its normal pointing towards the first axial D1 side and radially inward, and is curved in an arc shape when viewed axially. The inclined surface 46 functions as a guide when the bearing 24 is held by the retaining member 40 and inserted between the plurality of protrusions 41 from the first axial D1 side. This improves the workability of assembling the bearing 24.

[0054] As described above, the protrusion 44 is provided at the end of the column portion 48 on the first axial D1 side, but the axial length of the protrusion 44 is set such that it does not reach the edge of the outer ring of the bearing 24 on the second axial D2 side when the bearing 24 is held by the retaining member 40. In other words, the edge of the protrusion 44 on the second axial D2 side is located closer to the first axial D1 side than the edge of the outer ring on the second axial D2 side, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the protrusion 44 does not interfere with the edge of the outer ring on the second axial D2 side. That is, the axial length of the protrusion 44 is set such that the outer ring of the bearing 24 protrudes further towards the second axial D2 side than the protrusion 44.

[0055] If the construction of such a protrusion 44 is described in another way, the protrusion 44 has a predetermined thickness (predetermined axial thickness) along the axial direction, which is less than the axial thickness of the outer ring of the bearing 24. Furthermore, the axial center of the protrusion 44 with this predetermined thickness is located on the first axial D1 side of the column portion 48, closer to the axial center of the outer ring. Thus, on the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring, there is a portion on the second axial D2 side that does not contact the retaining surface 45 of the protrusion 44.

[0056] Finally, the structure of the bottom 11d, which forms the main body, will be explained. For example... Figure 1 as well as Figure 5 As shown, in the retaining member 40 of this embodiment, multiple protrusions 41 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the bearing 24, and a convex portion 50 is provided between two adjacent protrusions 41 in the circumferential direction. The convex portion 50 is a portion that protrudes from the first axial direction D1 side of the bottom 11d towards the first axial direction D1 side, and is located radially outward from the bottom abutment surface 53 of the bottom 11d, such as... Figure 1 As shown, for example, it extends to a radial position where it does not interfere with the insulating member 32. The protrusion 50 is provided to suppress damage to the protrusion 41 in case of excessive displacement of the bearing 24 due to vibration during the rotation of the motor 10.

[0057] In the retaining member 40 of the present embodiment, the protrusion 50 has a plate shape (block shape) in which a rectangle having a long side arranged in the radial direction is protruding toward the first axial direction D1 on the surface of the bottom portion 11d on the first axial direction D1 side. Further, base portions 50a are formed adjacently on both sides in the circumferential direction of the protrusion 50. The base portions 50a are in a columnar shape formed so that a fan shape formed by removing portions in which the through hole 55, the bottom portion abutting surface 53, and the bottom portion non-abutting surface 56 are formed from a fan shape centered on the rotation center X when viewed from the axial direction protrudes toward the first axial direction D1 from the bottom portion 11d. The dimension of the base portions 50a in the axial direction is formed to be shorter than the dimension of the protrusion 50 in the axial direction. The base portions 50a can be formed integrally with the protrusion 50. By sandwiching the protrusion 50 from both sides in the circumferential direction by the base portions 50a, the strength of the protrusion 50 can be improved.

[0058] The end surface on the radially inner side in the protrusion 50 is referred to as a limit surface 52. The limit surface 52 can also include the end surface on the radially inner side of the base portion 50a. The limit surface 52 is provided at a position radially inward of the retaining surface 45 (end surface on the radially inner side) of the protrusion portion 41 in a state in which the bearing 24 is retained. Thus, interference of the bearing 24 with the protrusion 50 in a state in which the bearing 24 is retained by the protrusion portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0059] Further, the limit surface 52 is provided at a position radially inward of the displacement position of the end surface on the radially inner side of the protrusion portion 41 in a state in which the protrusion portion 41 is maximally deformed radially outward. Thus, in the case where the bearing 24 excessively displaces due to vibration at the time of rotation of the motor 10 or the like, the limit surface 52 of the base portion 50a abuts against the bearing 24 before the protrusion portion 41 is damaged, and thus damage to the protrusion portion 41 can be suppressed. Further, in the case where the limit surface 52 includes the end surface on the radially inner side of the base portion 50a, the limit surface 52 has a fan shape when viewed from the radially inner side. That is, the limit surface 52 can also include an end surface newly formed by the base portion 50a being provided adjacently to the protrusion 50. Thus, even in the case where the bearing 24 is displaced from the rotation center X in a direction other than the direction in which the protrusion 50 is formed, the bearing 24 can abut against the limit surface 52 of the base portion 50a. In this respect as well, damage to the protrusion portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0060] Further, the convex portion 50 has an inclined portion 51 inclined from an end surface on the radially inner side thereof toward the radially outer side and toward the first axial direction Dl side. The inclined portion 51 of the present embodiment is formed on the end surface on the radially inner side of the convex portion 50. The inclined portion 51 functions as a guide for inserting the bearing 24 between the plurality of protruding portions 41 when the bearing 24 is assembled to the retaining member 40 by being inserted from the first axial direction Dl side. Thus, when the bearing 24 is assembled to the retaining member 40, the bearing 24 is guided between the plurality of protruding portions 41 by each inclined portion 51, and deformation of the protruding portions 41 due to contact of the bearing 24 with the protruding portions 41 can be suppressed, so that the quality and performance of the protruding portions 41 can be maintained.

[0061] Further, an auxiliary protrusion 57 is formed on the radially outer side of each protruding portion 41, which is provided protruding toward the first axial direction Dl side from a surface on the first axial direction Dl side of the bottom portion lid. Figure 3 As shown, the auxiliary protrusion 57 is, for example, provided extending from a position on the radially outer side than the bottom inner surface 1 lg of the bottom portion lid to a position on the radially inner surface of the cylindrical portion 11A. Note that, in the present embodiment, the illustration of the auxiliary protrusion 57 is omitted. Figure 4 The auxiliary protrusion 57 can have a block shape in which a rectangle having a long side arranged in the radial direction is protruded toward the first axial direction Dl side on a surface on the first axial direction Dl side of the bottom portion lid. With the auxiliary protrusion 57, the rigidity of the bottom portion lid can be increased, so that the strength of the bottom portion lid, which is reduced due to the formation of the bottom portion notch 54, can be compensated for.

[0062] [2. Effects]

[0063] (1) In the retaining member 40 described above, the main body portion (the bottom portion lid in the present embodiment) has the protruding portion 41 formed at a position on the radially outer side than the bottom portion abutting surface 53 abutting against the second axial direction D2 side of the bearing 24 and retaining the bearing 24. Further, the protruding portion 41 has the base portion 42 and the retaining portion 49 retaining the bearing 24.

[0064] The base portion 42 of the protruding portion 41 is provided protruding toward the radially inner side from a position of formation with respect to the bottom portion lid lid, and the bearing 24 is retained by the retaining portion 49 arranged on the first axial direction Dl side with respect to the base portion 42. Thus, according to the retaining member 40, the dimension in the axial direction of the protruding portion 41 becomes a length obtained by adding the dimensions in the axial direction of the base portion 42 and the retaining portion 49, that is, a length from the lower end of the base portion 42 to the front end of the retaining portion 49. Thus, the dimension in the axial direction of the protruding portion 41 can be ensured to be long in accordance with the amount of the length of the base portion 42. The bearing 24 is retained by the protruding portion 41 thus configured, and the bearing 24 can be retained while the large size in the axial direction is suppressed.

[0065] In addition, by lengthening the protruding portion 41 to have a length obtained by adding the base portion 42 and the holding portion 49, stress applied to the protruding portion 41 due to displacement of the bearing 24 caused by vibration or the like at the time of rotation of the motor 10 can be dispersed. Thus, the strength of the protruding portion 41 can be improved, and the protruding portion 41 can have a higher vibration damping function.

[0066] In addition, by protruding the base portion 42 from the position at which the bottom portion 11d is formed (for example, the bottom portion inner face 11g) to the radially inner side, the protruding portion 41 can have a length obtained by adding the base portion 42 and the holding portion 49. That is, in the holding member 40 described above, the dimension of the protruding portion 41 in the axial direction can be shortened compared to a configuration (comparative example) that does not have the base portion 42 described above, and thus the housing 11 and the motor 10 can be made thinner (smaller) in the axial direction.

[0067] In addition, in the holding member 40 of the present embodiment, by forming the protruding portion 41 using an elastic member, the vibration damping effect can be improved.

[0068] (2) In the holding member 40 described above, the protruding portion 41 has a curved portion 43 that is curved and extends from the leading end of the base portion 42 to the radially inner side and to the first axial direction D1 side, and is connected to the holding portion 49. Thus, even if the bearing 24 is displaced due to vibration at the time of rotation of the motor 10, the curved portion 43 is elastically deformed, and thus stress received by the protruding portion 41 from the bearing 24 can be dispersed.

[0069] (3) In the holding member 40 described above, the holding portion 49 has a column portion 48 that is arranged along the axial direction, and a protruding portion 44 that is protrudingly provided from the column portion 48 to the radially inner side and has a prescribed width along the circumferential direction of the outer ring. In addition, the protruding portion 44 has a prescribed thickness along the axial direction that is in contact with the outer circumferential face of the outer ring, and the prescribed thickness is smaller than the thickness in the axial direction of the outer ring, and the center position of the protruding portion in the axial direction is arranged at a position closer to the first axial direction D1 side of the column portion 48 than the center position in the axial direction of the outer ring.

[0070] Thus, even if the protruding portion 41 is deflected in the case where the bearing 24 is displaced due to vibration at the time of rotation of the motor 10, the line contact position of the protruding portion 41 with the bearing 24 is fixed, and thus the contact state of the protruding portion 41 with the bearing 24 can be maintained. Thus, even if the bearing 24 is displaced due to vibration at the time of rotation of the motor 10, the effective length of the protruding portion 41 that functions as a spring (elastic body) is fixed when the entire protruding portion 41 functions as the spring. Thus, an arbitrary effective length (for example, a dimension in the axial direction of the protruding portion 41 that is sufficient to ensure a vibration damping function) can be ensured in advance.

[0071] (4) In the above-described retaining member 40, the protruding portions 41 are provided at a plurality of positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the bearing 24, and the bottom portion lid is provided with a protrusion 50 protruding from a surface of the bottom portion lid 1 Id on the first axial Dl side toward the first axial Dl side between the plurality of protruding portions 41. Also, a stop surface 52 (radially inner end surface) of the protrusion 50 is provided at a position radially outward of the stop surface 52 of the protruding portion 41 in the state in which the bearing 24 is retained. With this structure, interference between the bearing 24 in the state of being retained by the protruding portion 41 and the protrusion 50 can be suppressed.

[0072] In addition, the stop surface 52 of the protrusion 50 is provided at a position inward of the displacement position of the end surface of the protruding portion 41 on the radially inner side in the state in which the protruding portion 41 has been deformed to the maximum on the radially outer side. Thus, in the case where the bearing 24 is excessively displaced due to vibration at the time of rotation of the motor 10 or the like, the bearing 24 comes into abutment with the stop surface 52 of the protrusion 50 before the protruding portion 41 is damaged, and thus damage to the protruding portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0073] (5) In the above-described retaining member 40, the protrusion 50 has an inclined portion 51 inclined toward the radially outer side and toward the first axial Dl side from the radially inner end surface of the protrusion 50. This inclined portion 51 functions as a guide when the bearing 24 is assembled to the retaining member 40. Thus, when the bearing 24 is assembled to the retaining member 40, deformation of the protruding portion 41 due to contact between the bearing 24 and the protruding portion 41 can be suppressed, and thus performance variation of the protruding portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0074] (6) According to the motor 10 including the housing 11 to which the above-described retaining member 40 is applied, the stator 30 housed in the housing 11, and the rotor 20 disposed in opposition to the stator 30 in the radial direction, at least the same effects as those described in the above-described (1) can be obtained. In addition, if the motor 10 including the housing 11 having the structures described in the above-described (2) to (5) is adopted, the same effects as those described in (2) to (5) can also be obtained.

[0075] (7) Also, according to the blower 1 including the motor 10 having the housing 11 to which the above-described retaining member 40 is applied and the impeller 2 fixed to the shaft 21 of the motor 10, at least the same effects as those described in the above-described (1) can be obtained. Note that, by the blower 1 including the retaining member 40 having the structures described in the above-described (2) to (5), the same effects as those described in the above-described (2) to (5) can also be obtained.

[0076] [3. Others]

[0077] The above-described holding member 40, motor 10, and blower 1 are examples and are not limited to the above-described structure. For example, the number of protrusions 41 formed in the bottom portion 11d is not limited to three and can be two or more, and various modifications can be made and applied.

[0078] Similarly, the number of protrusions 50 formed in the bottom portion 11d is not limited to three and can be two or more, and various modifications can be made and applied. In addition, the shape of the protrusions 50 is not limited to the above-described structure. For example, at least a portion of the portion in which the base 50a is formed in the above-described structure can be replaced with the protrusions 50. In addition, the inclination angle of the inclined portions 51 formed in the protrusions 50 can be appropriately modified and applied. For example, the inclination angle of the inclined portions 51 can be set to 45°. In addition, the inclination angle can be set in consideration of the ease of assembly when the bearing 24 is assembled to the holding member 40. Furthermore, the inclination angle can be set in consideration of the assembly force required to guide the bearing 24 between the plurality of protrusions 41 using the respective inclined portions 51. Note that the protrusions 50 can be omitted.

[0079] In addition, the curvature of the curved portion 43 can be appropriately modified and applied. In addition, the curved portion 43 can be omitted from the protrusions 41. In this case, the holding portion 49 is continuously formed from the front end of the base portion 42, but even in this case, the above-described effect of (1) can be obtained.

[0080] In addition, the holding surface 45 of the protrusion portion 44 can be processed or the like for improving the friction. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 46 of the protrusion portion 44 can be appropriately modified and applied. Note that the rounded portion 47 can be omitted from the column portion 48 of the holding portion 49, and the protrusion portion 44 can be provided at the same position as the edge portion on the first axial direction D1 side of the outer ring of the bearing 24 or can be provided so as to slightly protrude.

[0081] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the holding member 40 is applied to a configuration in which the bearing 24 on the second axial direction D2 side of the bearing 24 provided in the motor 10 is held is shown, but this is not limiting. For the bearing provided in the motor 10 at a position on the first axial direction D1 side of the magnet 22, the holding member can be held by a holding member of the same configuration.

[0082] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the holding member 40 is configured as a portion of the housing 11 (the bottom portion 11d), but the structure of the holding member 40 is not limited to this. The holding member 40 can be provided separately from the bottom portion 11d, and the holding member 40 can be assembled to the housing 11 by rear installation to be integrated with the housing 11.

[0083] In addition, the type of the motor 10 is not limited to the inner rotor type brushless motor, and the structure of the holding member 40 described above can be applied to an outer rotor type motor or a motor with a brush.

[0084] The application object of the holding member 40 described above is not limited to a motor, and can be applied to a device other than a motor.

[0085] The housing 11 to which the holding member 40 described above is applied can also be applied to a device other than the blower 1. For example, the structure of the holding member 40 described above can be applied to any device in which a housing is required to be thin in the axial direction (small in size). As an example of an object other than the blower 1, a resin gear box can be listed.

[0086] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1 blower

[0088] 10 motor

[0089] 11 blower housing (housing)

[0090] 11d bottom portion (main body portion)

[0091] 11g bottom portion inner surface (formation site)

[0092] 21 shaft

[0093] 24 bearing

[0094] 30 stator

[0095] 40 holding member

[0096] 41 protruding portion

[0097] 42 base portion

[0098] 43 bent portion

[0099] 44 protruding portion

[0100] 45 holding surface

[0101] 48 column portion

[0102] 49 holding portion

[0103] 50 convex portion

[0104] 51 inclined portion

[0105] 52 stop surface

[0106] 53 bottom portion abutting surface (abutting surface)

[0107] 54 bottom portion notch

[0108] 55 through hole

[0109] 56 bottom non-contact surface

[0110] X rotation center

Claims

1. A retaining member that is a retaining member of a bearing that shaft supports a shaft, characterized by comprising: a main body portion that develops in a direction intersecting with a shaft direction of the bearing and includes an abutting surface that abuts against one end side in the shaft direction and a protruding portion that is formed at a radially outer side than the abutting surface and retains the bearing, the protruding portion having a base portion that is provided protruding toward a radially inner side from a formation site of the main body portion and a retaining portion that is disposed at the other end side in the shaft direction with respect to the base portion and retains the bearing.

2. The retaining member according to claim 1, characterized in that the protruding portion has a curved portion that is provided extending in a curved shape toward the radially inner side and toward the other end side from a front end of the base portion and is connected to the retaining portion.

3. The retaining member according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining portion has a column portion that is disposed along the shaft direction and a protruding portion that is provided protruding toward the radially inner side from the column portion and has a prescribed width along a circumferential direction of the bearing, the protruding portion has a prescribed thickness along the shaft direction that is in contact with an outer ring of the bearing, the prescribed thickness being smaller than a thickness in the shaft direction of the outer ring, and a center position in the shaft direction of the protruding portion is disposed at the other end side of the column portion than a center position in the shaft direction of the outer ring.

4. The retaining member according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the protruding portions are disposed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the bearing, the main body portion has a convex portion that is provided protruding toward the other end side from a surface of the other end side in the main body portion toward the other end side between the plurality of protruding portions, an end surface of the radially inner side of the convex portion is disposed at a radially outer side than an end surface of the radially inner side of the protruding portion in a state where the bearing is retained, and is disposed at a radially inner side than a displacement position of the end surface of the protruding portion in a state where the protruding portion is maximally deformed toward the radially outer side.

5. The retaining member according to claim 4, characterized in that the convex portion has an inclined portion that is inclined toward the radially outer side and toward the other end side from the end surface of the convex portion.

6. A motor, characterized by comprising: a housing to which the retaining member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is applied; a stator housed in the housing; and a rotor disposed in opposition to the stator in a radial direction, the retaining member retaining a bearing that shaft supports a shaft that rotates integrally with the rotor.

7. A blower, characterized by comprising: the motor according to claim 6; and an impeller fixed to the shaft. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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