Rotating device

Abstract

In the rotating device, the motor (13) comprises a metal motor frame (24), and the motor frame (24) is provided with a flat-plate-shaped stator fixing part (24b) fixed on the stator (16); a flat-plate-shaped lead screw holding section (24c) for rotatably holding one end of the lead screw (14b); and a tabulate connection section (24d) that connects the stator fixing section (24b) and the screw holding section (24c). The thickness direction of the connection section (24d) coincides with the Z direction parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft (20). A motor frame (24) housed in the housing includes a flat-plate-shaped reinforcing portion (24e) that rises from the connection portion (24d) toward one side in the Z direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rotating device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, deceleration mechanisms for rotating the fins of small rockets, etc., were known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The deceleration mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes: a motor having a motor shaft with external threads formed on its surface; a nut component having internal threads that engage with the external threads of the motor shaft; an output shaft connected to the fins; and an arm connecting the nut component and the output shaft. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor shaft. In the deceleration mechanism described in Patent Document 1, when the motor shaft rotates and the nut component moves along the axial direction of the motor shaft, the arm rotates about the output shaft. When the arm rotates, the output shaft rotates.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-280965 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The inventors of this application have developed a rotation device for rotating a specified rotating object. The rotation device under development includes: a motor having a lead screw; a slider engaging with the lead screw and moving linearly along the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a connecting rod member with one end rotatably connected to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod member and engaging with the rotating object; and a housing that holds the output shaft so that it can rotate and houses the lead screw, slider, and connecting rod member, etc.

[0008] The inventors of this application are researching ways to thin the rotating device in the direction perpendicular to the lead screw's axis, i.e., the axial direction of the output shaft. To achieve this thinning, the housing housing the lead screw, slider, and connecting rod components needs to be thinned in that direction as well. However, thinning the housing in this direction reduces its strength, potentially decreasing the overall strength of the rotating device and making it more susceptible to damage.

[0009] Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide a rotating device comprising: a motor having a lead screw; a slider engaging with the lead screw; a connecting rod member rotatably connected at one end to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod member; and a housing that holds the output shaft so as to be rotatable and houses the lead screw, slider, and connecting rod member, etc., such that even if the housing is thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft, the reduction in the axial strength of the output shaft can be suppressed.

[0010] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a rotating device for rotating a predetermined rotating object, comprising: a motor having a lead screw; a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moving linearly along the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a connecting rod member rotatably connected at one end to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod member and engaging with the rotating object; and a housing that holds the output shaft rotatably and at least houses the lead screw, slider, and connecting rod member, wherein the axial direction of the lead screw is designated as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the first direction is designated as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is designated as a third direction. The output shaft is parallel to the second direction, and one end of the connecting rod component can rotate relative to the slider with the second direction as the rotation axis. The output shaft is positioned on the side of the third direction closer to the slider. The motor includes a metal motor frame, which has: a flat stator fixing part fixed to the stator of the motor; a flat lead screw holding part that holds the front end of the lead screw in a rotatable manner; and a flat connecting part that connects the stator fixing part and the lead screw holding part. The thickness direction of the connecting part is consistent with the second direction. The motor frame includes a flat reinforcing part that stands upright from the end of the connecting part on the other side of the third direction toward the side of the second direction.

[0012] In the rotating device of this aspect, the motor includes a metal motor frame having: a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the stator; a flat lead screw holding portion that holds one end of the lead screw so that it can rotate; and a flat connecting portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the lead screw holding portion, the thickness direction of the connecting portion being aligned with a second direction parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft. Furthermore, in this aspect, the motor frame housed within a housing includes a flat reinforcing portion that rises from the connecting portion towards the second direction.

[0013] Therefore, in this aspect, even if the housing is thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft parallel to the second direction, resulting in a decrease in the strength of the housing in the axial direction of the output shaft, the decrease in the strength of the housing in the axial direction of the output shaft can be compensated by the reinforcement formed in the motor frame. Therefore, in this aspect, even if the housing is thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft, the decrease in the strength of the rotating device in the axial direction of the output shaft can be suppressed.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, the rotating device includes: a motor having a lead screw; a slider engaging with the lead screw; a connecting rod member rotatably connected at one end to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod member; and a housing that holds the output shaft so as to be rotatable and houses the lead screw, slider, and connecting rod member, etc., such that even if the housing is thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft, the reduction in the strength of the rotating device in the axial direction of the output shaft can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the rotating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is represented from different directions Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the rotating device shown.

[0018] Figure 3 It is for supply Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the air outlet of a vehicle equipped with a rotating device.

[0019] Figure 4 It is for supply Figure 3 The diagram shows a vehicle dashboard assembled with an air outlet.

[0020] Figure 5 It is used for explanation Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air outlet shown.

[0021] Figure 6 From Figure 1 The diagram shown depicts a state where the rotating device has removed the second housing.

[0022] Figure 7 From Figure 1 The top view shown depicts the state of the rotating device without the second housing.

[0023] Figure 8 From Figure 1 The top view shown depicts the state of the rotating device without the second housing.

[0024] Figure 9 From Figure 1The rotating device shown is a bottom view with the first housing and motor frame removed.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 6 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the motor frame.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 The first housing shown is a perspective view.

[0027] Figure 12 yes Figure 1 The second shell shown is a perspective view.

[0028] Figure 13 It is Figure 1 The second housing shown and Figure 6 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the motor frame being pulled out.

[0029] Figure 14 From Figure 1 The EE direction indicates a side view of a portion of the housing.

[0030] Figure 15 yes Figure 6 The slider shown is viewed from below.

[0031] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A sectional view of section FF in the image.

[0032] Figure 17 It is Figure 6 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the slider, output shaft, and first connecting rod components extracted from the image.

[0033] Figure 18 yes Figure 6 The first and second linkage components are shown in a bottom view.

[0034] Figure 19 It is used for explanation Figure 8 A bottom view showing the linkage component in its extended state.

[0035] Figure 20 yes Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of the connecting rod component shown is a GG section.

[0036] Figure 21A and Figure 21B This is a top view illustrating the structure of a connecting rod component according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 22A and Figure 22B This is a top view illustrating the structure of a connecting rod component according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] (General structure of the rotating device)

[0040] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the rotating device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is represented from different directions Figure 1 The three-dimensional view of the rotating device 2 shown. Figure 3 It is for supply Figure 1 A perspective view of the vehicle air outlet 4 on which the rotating device 2 is installed. Figure 4 It is for supply Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the vehicle dashboard 7 assembled with the air outlet 4 shown. Figure 5 It is used for explanation Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air outlet shown. Figure 6 From Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the rotating device 2 with the second housing 31 removed.

[0041] The rotating device 2 in this embodiment is a device for rotating a predetermined rotating object. In this embodiment, the rotating object is the fins 5 and 6 (see [reference needed]) installed in the vehicle air outlet 4 for adjusting the airflow direction. Figure 5 ).like Figure 4 As shown, the air outlet 4 is assembled into the dashboard 7 of a car, forming the air outlet of the vehicle's air conditioning system. The frame 8 of the air outlet 4 houses a plurality of fins 5 arranged in the vertical direction and a plurality of fins 6 arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0042] A cover 9 covering the fins 5 and 6 is mounted on the frame 8. In the air outlet 4 assembled to the instrument panel 7, the cover 9 faces the interior of the vehicle. The fins 5 are rotatable in a horizontal direction. The fins 6 are rotatable in a vertical direction. Two rotating devices 2 are mounted on the air outlet 4. Specifically, the two rotating devices 2 are fixed to the frame 8. One of the rotating devices 2 rotates the multiple fins 5. The other rotating device 2 rotates the multiple fins 6.

[0043] The rotating device 2 in this embodiment is very thin. Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, by mounting the rotating device 2 along the side of the frame 8, so that the normal direction of the side of the frame 8 is aligned with the thickness direction of the rotating device 2, the amount of protrusion of the rotating device 2 from the frame 8 can be suppressed. A rotating shaft 10 connected to the rotating device 2 and connected to the fins 5 and 6 (see...) Figure 1 When the rotating shaft 10 rotates, fins 5 and 6 rotate.

[0044] The rotating device 2 includes a motor 13 as a drive source. The motor 13 is a stepper motor and includes: a rotor 15 having a rotating shaft 14 and a drive magnet; and a stator 16 having drive coils and disposed on the outer periphery of the drive magnet. The output-side portion of the rotating shaft 14 protrudes further outward than the stator 16. The portion of the rotating shaft 14 protruding beyond the stator 16 forms a lead screw 14b, the outer peripheral surface of which is threaded with a feed thread. In other words, the motor 13 includes a lead screw 14b. The rotation center of the lead screw 14b coincides with the rotation center of the rotor 15.

[0045] The rotating device 2 also includes a slider 18, which has a threaded portion 18b that engages with the lead screw 14b (see...). Figure 15 When the lead screw 14b rotates, the slider 18 moves linearly along the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The rotating device 2 also includes: a connecting rod component 19, one end of which is rotatably connected to the slider 18; an output shaft 20, which is formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod component 19 and engages with the rotating shaft 10; and a housing 21 that houses the rotor 15, stator 16, slider 18, and connecting rod component 19 of the lead screw 14b. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 10 is the engaging part that engages with the output shaft 20.

[0046] In the following description, the axial direction of the lead screw 14b (i.e., the axial direction of the rotor 15) is... Figure 1 The Y-direction in the equation is called the "left-right direction". The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction... Figure 1 The Z-direction in the equation is called the "vertical direction," which is perpendicular to both the horizontal and vertical directions. Figure 1 The X direction in the equation is called the "front-back direction". Furthermore, one side of the front-back direction... Figure 1 The X2 direction side in the equation is called the "rear" side, and the opposite side is... Figure 1 The X1 direction side in the equation is called the "front" side, and the side in the left and right directions is... Figure 1 The Y1 direction side in the equation is called the "right" side, and the opposite side is... Figure 1 The Y2 direction side in the equation is called the "left" side, and the side in the up and down direction is... Figure 1 The Z1 direction side in the equation is called the "upper" side, and the opposite side is... Figure 1 The Z2 direction side in the equation is called the "lower" side.

[0047] In this embodiment, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the axial direction of the lead screw 14b, i.e., the first direction. The up-down direction (Z direction) is the second direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The front-back direction (X direction) is the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The rotating device 2 is formed in a flat shape, with a thinner thickness in the up-down direction. The axial direction of the output shaft 20 is parallel to the up-down direction. The output shaft 20 is positioned rearward from the lead screw 14b and the slider 18.

[0048] (The structure of the motor)

[0049] Figure 7 and Figure 8 From Figure 1 The top view shown shows the state of the rotating device 2 with the second housing 31 removed. Figure 9 From Figure 1 The rotating device 2 shown is a bottom view with the first housing 30 and motor frame 24 removed. Figure 10 yes Figure 1 The three-dimensional view of the motor frame 24 shown.

[0050] As described above, the motor 13 includes a lead screw 14b. The lead screw 14b protrudes to the left from the stator 16. That is, the stator 16 is located to the right of the lead screw 14b. When viewed from the left and right, the stator 16 has a circular shape. A trapezoidal thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw 14b. The right end of the lead screw 14b is located to the right of the output shaft 20. The left end of the lead screw 14b is located to the left of the output shaft 20. A square thread may also be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw 14b.

[0051] In addition to the rotor 15 and the stator 16, the motor 13 also includes: a metal motor frame 24 fixed to the stator 16; a bearing 25 supporting the left end of the rotating shaft 14 (i.e., the output end of the lead screw 14b); a bearing supporting the right end of the rotating shaft 14; a leaf spring 26 that applies force to the left side of the rotating shaft 14; a flat circuit board 27 for driving and controlling the motor 13; and wires 28 connected to the circuit board 27.

[0052] The motor frame 24 is formed by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape into a predetermined shape. The motor frame 24 includes: a flat stator fixing portion 24b fixed to the stator 16; a flat lead screw holding portion 24c that holds the left end of the lead screw 14b, which forms the front end of the lead screw 14b, in a rotatable manner; and a flat connecting portion 24d connecting the stator fixing portion 24b and the lead screw holding portion 24c. The thickness direction of the connecting portion 24d is aligned with the vertical direction. The connecting portion 24d is formed as a rectangular flat plate that is elongated in the horizontal direction. The direction of the long side of the rectangular connecting portion 24d is aligned with the horizontal direction.

[0053] The stator fixing part 24b rises upward from the right end of the connecting part 24d. The lead screw holding part 24c rises upward from the left end of the connecting part 24d. The thickness direction of the stator fixing part 24b and the thickness direction of the lead screw holding part 24c are aligned with the left-right direction. The lead screw holding part 24c holds the bearing 25. That is, the lead screw holding part 24c holds the left end of the lead screw 14b so that it can rotate via the bearing 25. The left end face of the stator 16 is fixed to the stator fixing part 24b. The stator fixing part 24b has a through hole for the insertion of the rotating shaft 14.

[0054] The motor frame 24 also includes: a flat reinforcing portion 24e that rises upward from the front end of the connecting portion 24d; and a flat substrate fixing portion 24f for fixing the circuit board 27. The motor frame 24 of this embodiment is composed of a stator fixing portion 24b, a lead screw holding portion 24c, a connecting portion 24d, a reinforcing portion 24e, and a substrate fixing portion 24f. The substrate fixing portion 24f extends to the left from the rear end of the stator fixing portion 24b. The thickness direction of the substrate fixing portion 24f is consistent with the front-rear direction.

[0055] The motor frame 24 is formed with a reinforcing section 24e. The reinforcing section 24e rises vertically from the front end of the connecting section 24d. The thickness direction of the reinforcing section 24e is consistent with the front-rear direction. The reinforcing section 24e is formed into a rectangular plate that is elongated in the left-right direction. The direction of the long side of the rectangular reinforcing section 24e is consistent with the left-right direction. The right end of the reinforcing section 24e is positioned at the slider 18 when it is moved to the rightmost movement limit position (see...). Figure 8 The solid line in the middle is located on the right side of the right end. The left end of the reinforcing part 24e is positioned at the slider 18 (see the left side) when it is moved to the left limit position. Figure 8 The left end of the double-dotted line (in the image) is located on the left side.

[0056] The upper surface of the stator fixing part 24b is mostly a convex curved surface with an arc shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The upper end face of the lead screw holding part 24c and the upper end face of the reinforcing part 24e are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vertical width of the lead screw holding part 24c is equal to the vertical width of the reinforcing part 24e, and the upper end faces of the lead screw holding part 24c and the reinforcing part 24e are positioned at the same position in the vertical direction. The upper end of the stator fixing part 24b is positioned above the upper end face of the lead screw holding part 24c. The upper end of the stator fixing part 24b and the upper end of the stator 16 are positioned at the same position in the vertical direction. The lower end of the stator 16 is positioned below the lower surface of the connecting part 24d.

[0057] The motor frame 24 is housed within the housing 21. As described below, the housing 21 is composed of a first housing 30 and a second housing 31, which are divided vertically. The motor frame 24 is fixed to the housing 21 by being sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31. That is, the motor 13 is fixed to the housing 21 by being sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31. The connecting portion 24d is provided with positioning holes 24g and 24h for positioning the motor frame 24 relative to the housing 21 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 24d is provided with two positioning holes 24g and 24h.

[0058] Positioning hole 24g is a circular hole that penetrates the connecting portion 24d in the vertical direction. Positioning hole 24h is an elongated hole that penetrates the connecting portion 24d in the vertical direction. Positioning hole 24h is an elongated hole with the left-right direction as its long side. Positioning holes 24g and 24h are formed at the same position in the front-back direction. Positioning hole 24g is located to the left of the center of the connecting portion 24d in the left-right direction, and positioning hole 24h is located to the right of the center of the connecting portion 24d in the left-right direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, positioning holes 24g and 24h are positioned on the axis of the lead screw 14b.

[0059] The circuit board 27 is a rigid substrate such as a glass epoxy resin substrate. The circuit board 27 is formed into a rectangular flat plate. The thickness direction of the circuit board 27 is aligned with the front-to-back direction. That is, the thickness direction of the circuit board 27 is aligned with the front-to-back direction. The long side of the rectangular circuit board 27 is aligned with the left-to-right direction. The circuit board 27 is fixed to the substrate fixing part 24f by screws 29. The circuit board 27 is disposed on the rear side of the stator 16. The circuit board 27 is housed within the housing 21.

[0060] The vertical width of the circuit board 27 is less than or equal to the vertical width of the stator 16. In this embodiment, the vertical width of the circuit board 27 is narrower than the vertical width of the stator 16. The upper end face of the circuit board 27 is positioned lower than the upper end of the stator 16. The lower end face of the circuit board 27 is positioned at the same vertical position as the lower end of the stator 16. The right end face of the circuit board 27 is positioned to the right of the right end face of the stator 16. The wire 28 is soldered and fixed to the front surface of the right end face of the circuit board 27. The wire 28 extends from the circuit board 27 toward the front. The wire 28 is then bent to the right and extended to the right from the housing 21.

[0061] (Structure of the shell)

[0062] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the first housing 30 shown. Figure 12 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the second housing 31 shown. Figure 13 It is Figure 1 The second housing 31 shown and Figure 6 The motor frame 24 shown is a three-dimensional view with the frame pulled out. Figure 14 From Figure 1 The EE direction in the diagram represents a side view of a portion of housing 21.

[0063] The housing 21 is flat and thin in the vertical direction. The housing 21 is made of resin. As described above, the housing 21 houses the lead screw 14b, stator 16, slider 18, and connecting rod assembly 19, etc. The housing 21 includes: a housing portion 21b for housing the lead screw 14b, stator 16, slider 18, and connecting rod assembly 19, etc.; and two fixed portions 21c fixed to the frame 8 of the air outlet 4. The housing 21 of this embodiment is composed of the housing portion 21b and the two fixed portions 21c.

[0064] The storage section 21b is hollow. The upper and lower surfaces of the storage section 21b are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The sidewalls of the storage section 21b are plate-shaped. The storage section 21b includes: a first storage section 21d, which stores the motor 13 and the slider 18; and a second storage section 21e, which stores the connecting rod member 19. The storage section 21b is composed of the first storage section 21d and the second storage section 21e. The first storage section 21d forms the front portion of the housing 21. The second storage section 21e forms the rear portion of the housing 21. The front end of the second storage section 21e is connected to the rear end of the first storage section 21d.

[0065] When viewed from above, the second storage section 21e is a triangle whose width gradually narrows towards the rear when viewed from below. In other words, when viewed from above, the right side of the second storage section 21e tilts to the right as it moves towards the front. Similarly, the left side of the second storage section 21e tilts towards the front as it moves towards the front. Both the right and left sides of the second storage section 21e are parallel to the plane in the vertical direction.

[0066] In this embodiment, when viewed from above, the second storage portion 21e is an isosceles triangle whose width gradually narrows towards the rear when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the second storage portion 21e is an isosceles triangle with its base parallel to the left-right direction. The apex of the isosceles triangle-shaped second storage portion 21e constitutes the rear end of the housing 21.

[0067] Viewed from above, the first storage section 21d is a long, narrow rectangle. The right and left sides of the first storage section 21d are planes perpendicular to the left-right direction. The front side of the first storage section 21d is a plane perpendicular to the front-back direction. The reinforcing part 24e of the motor frame 24 housed in the housing 21 is positioned along the front wall of the first storage section 21d. The left side of the first storage section 21d is positioned at the same position as the left front end of the second storage section 21e in the left-right direction. The right side of the first storage section 21d is positioned to the right of the right front end of the second storage section 21e, and the right end of the first storage section 21d protrudes to the right of the second storage section 21e. The right end of the first storage section 21d, which protrudes to the right of the second storage section 21e, forms a third storage section 21f for housing the stator 16 and the circuit board 27.

[0068] The fixing portions 21c are disposed on both sides of the second storage portion 21e in the left-right direction. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the two fixing portions 21c are arranged symmetrically from left to right. The fixing portions 21c are formed into a flat plate with the thickness direction in the top-bottom direction. The thickness of the fixing portions 21c in the top-bottom direction is thinner than that of the storage portion 21b in the top-bottom direction. The upper surface of the fixing portions 21c is disposed below the upper surface of the storage portion 21b. The lower surface of the fixing portions 21c is disposed above the lower surface of the storage portion 21b.

[0069] The distance (vertical distance) between the upper surface of the storage portion 21b and the upper surface of the fixed portion 21c is equal to the distance (vertical distance) between the lower surface of the storage portion 21b and the lower surface of the fixed portion 21c. When viewed from above, the fixed portion 21c has a triangular shape that gradually widens as it faces the second storage portion 21e. The fixed portion 21c has a through hole 21g extending through it in the vertical direction. The fixed portion 21c is fixed to the frame 8 by screws inserted into the through hole 21g.

[0070] The housing 21 holds the output shaft 20 in a rotatable position. Specifically, the housing 21 holds the output shaft 20 in a rotatable position near the apex of the second receiving portion 21e. That is, the output shaft 20 is rotatably held at the center of the second receiving portion 21e in the left-right direction and at the rear end of the housing 21. In this embodiment, the housing 21 is a holding member that holds the output shaft 20 in a rotatable position (that is, holds the other end of the connecting rod member 19 in a rotatable position). When viewed from above, the two through holes 21g are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the second receiving portion 21e that passes through the axis of the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction.

[0071] The housing 21 is composed of a first housing 30 and a second housing 31, which are divided vertically. The first housing 30 forms the lower half of the housing 21 and has an opening on its upper side. The second housing 31 forms the upper half of the housing 21 and has an opening on its lower side. Figure 1 As shown, the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 are fixed to each other by screws 32. Specifically, the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 are fixed to each other by three screws 32.

[0072] Screws 32 are disposed at three locations: the apex of the second receiving portion 21e forming the rear end of the housing 21; the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e; ​​and the left front end of the second receiving portion 21e. That is, the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 are fixed to each other by the three locations: the apex of the second receiving portion 21e forming the rear end of the housing 21, the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e, and the left front end of the second receiving portion 21e.

[0073] The first housing 30 includes: a flat lower surface portion 30b forming the lower surface of the first housing 30; a side surface portion 30c forming the side surface of the first housing 30; and a fixed portion 30d forming the lower side portion of the fixed portion 21c. The thickness direction of the lower surface portion 30b is consistent with the vertical direction. The lower surface of the lower surface portion 30b is the lower surface of the receiving portion 21b. The side surface portion 30c rises upward from the outer peripheral end of the lower surface portion 30b. The fixed portion 30d is formed as a flat plate. The lower surface of the fixed portion 30d is positioned above the lower surface of the lower surface portion 30b.

[0074] A retaining hole 30e for holding the output shaft 20 is formed at the rear end of the lower surface portion 30b. The retaining hole 30e is a circular hole that penetrates the lower surface portion 30b in the vertical direction. A protruding rib 30f is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 30b, which can contact the connecting rod member 19 housed in the housing 21 from below. That is, the second housing portion 21e for housing the connecting rod member 19 is formed with the rib 30f, which can contact the connecting rod member 19 from below. In this embodiment, a rib 30f is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 30b. When viewed from the vertical direction, the rib 30f is an arc shape with the retaining hole 30e as the center of curvature. That is, when viewed from the vertical direction, the rib 30f is an arc shape with the output shaft 20 as the center of curvature.

[0075] Inside the first housing 30, a mounting recess 30g is formed for mounting the connecting portion 24d of the motor frame 24. The mounting recess 30g is formed at the front end of the lower surface portion 30b. The mounting recess 30g is recessed downward from the upper surface of the lower surface portion 30b. The depth of the mounting recess 30g is slightly shallower than the thickness of the connecting portion 24d. The lower surface of the connecting portion 24d contacts the bottom surface (upper surface) of the mounting recess 30g. Specifically, the entire lower surface of the connecting portion 24d contacts the bottom surface of the mounting recess 30g. That is, the connecting portion 24d contacts the first housing 30 from the upper side.

[0076] Multiple positioning protrusions 30h are formed on the bottom surface of the recess 30g, which are used to position the motor frame 24 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, two positioning protrusions 30h are formed. The positioning protrusions 30h are formed into cylindrical shapes that stand upright. The two positioning protrusions 30h are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction. The two positioning protrusions 30h are arranged with a gap in the left-right direction.

[0077] The positioning protrusion 30h is inserted into the positioning holes 24g and 24h of the motor frame 24. That is, the positioning protrusion 30h engages with the positioning holes 24g and 24h. As described above, when viewed from above, the positioning holes 24g and 24h are positioned on the axis of the lead screw 14b. Therefore, when viewed from above, the two positioning protrusions 30h are also positioned on the axis of the lead screw 14b.

[0078] The first housing 30 has a cylindrical screw mounting portion 30j. The inner circumferential surface of the screw mounting portion 30j has an internal thread that engages with the screw 32. The screw mounting portion 30j is formed in three locations: the apex of the second receiving portion 21e for mounting the screw 32; the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e; ​​and the left front end of the second receiving portion 21e. The screw mounting portion 30j rises upwards from the lower surface portion 30b and connects to the side surface portion 30c.

[0079] Two of the three screw mounting portions 30j have positioning protrusions 30k for positioning the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Specifically, the positioning protrusions 30k are formed on the screw mounting portion 30j located at the top corner of the second receiving portion 21e and on the screw mounting portion 30j located at the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e. That is, the first housing 30 has positioning protrusions 30k. The positioning protrusions 30k are formed in the shape of an annulus protruding upward from the upper end face of the screw mounting portion 30j.

[0080] A first limiting portion 30p is formed on the front side of the screw mounting portion 30j located at the right front end of the second storage portion 21e to limit the movement range of the slider 18 to the right. A second limiting portion 30r is formed on the front side of the screw mounting portion 30j located at the left front end of the second storage portion 21e to limit the movement range of the slider 18 to the left. That is, the first housing 30 has a first limiting portion 30p and a second limiting portion 30r. The first limiting portion 30p and the second limiting portion 30r stand upright from the lower surface portion 30b and are connected to the screw mounting portion 30j.

[0081] The slider 18 can contact the first limiting part 30p and the second limiting part 30r. The first limiting part 30p has a limiting part-side contact surface 30s that contacts the slider 18. Specifically, the limiting part-side contact surface 30s is formed on the left side of the first limiting part 30p. The limiting part-side contact surface 30s is a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. The second limiting part 30r has a limiting part-side contact surface 30t that contacts the slider 18. Specifically, the limiting part-side contact surface 30t is formed on the right side of the second limiting part 30r. The limiting part-side contact surface 30t is a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0082] An opening 30u is formed at the front right end of the lower surface portion 30b for the lower end of the stator 16 to be disposed thereon. The opening 30u is a rectangular quadrilateral hole that extends vertically through the lower surface portion 30b. An opening 30v is formed on the rear side of the opening 30u for the lower end of the circuit board 27 to be disposed thereon. The opening 30v is a rectangular quadrilateral hole that extends vertically through the lower surface portion 30b and is elongated horizontally. A notch 30w is formed at the right front end of the side surface portion 30c for leading the wire 28 to the outside of the housing 21.

[0083] A wire guide portion 30x is formed on the right side of the opening 30u, which guides the wire 28 in a serpentine manner from the circuit board 27 to the notch 30w. That is, the first housing 30 has a wire guide portion 30x. In this embodiment, two wire guide portions 30x are formed. The wire guide portion 30x is formed as a cylinder that rises upward from the lower surface portion 30b. The two wire guide portions 30x are arranged at the same position in the left-right direction and are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-back direction. After the wire 28 passes through the right side of the wire guide portion 30x arranged on the rear side, it passes through the left side of the wire guide portion 30x arranged on the front side, and then extends to the right from the notch 30w.

[0084] The second housing 31 includes: a flat upper surface portion 31b forming the upper surface of the second housing 31; a side surface portion 31c forming the side surface of the second housing 31; and a fixed portion 31d forming the upper part of the fixed portion 21c. The thickness direction of the upper surface portion 31b is consistent with the vertical direction. The upper surface of the upper surface portion 31b is the upper surface of the receiving portion 21b. The side surface portion 31c rises downward from the outer peripheral end of the upper surface portion 31b. The fixed portion 31d is formed as a flat plate. The upper surface of the fixed portion 31d is positioned lower than the upper surface of the upper surface portion 31b. The lower surface of the fixed portion 31d contacts the upper surface of the fixed portion 31d.

[0085] A retaining hole 31e for holding the output shaft 20 is formed at the rear end of the upper surface portion 31b. The retaining hole 31e is a circular hole that penetrates the upper surface portion 31b in the vertical direction. A protruding rib 31f is formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b, which can contact the connecting rod member 19 housed in the housing 21 from above. That is, the second housing portion 21e for housing the connecting rod member 19 is formed with rib 31f, which can contact the connecting rod member 19 from above. In this embodiment, two ribs 31f are formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b. When viewed from the vertical direction, the rib 31f is an arc shape with the retaining hole 31e as the center of curvature. That is, when viewed from the vertical direction, the rib 31f is an arc shape with the output shaft 20 as the center of curvature.

[0086] The second housing 31 has through holes 31g and 31h for accommodating a portion of the screw 32. The through holes 31g and 31h are formed at three locations: the apex of the second receiving portion 21e for accommodating the screw 32; the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e; ​​and the left front end of the second receiving portion 21e. Of the three through holes 31g and 31h, two through holes 31g are positioning holes for inserting the positioning protrusion 30k of the first housing 30. The two through holes 31g are formed at the apex of the second receiving portion 21e and the right front end of the second receiving portion 21e.

[0087] As described above, the motor frame 24 is fixed to the housing 21 by being sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31. As described above, the lower surface of the connecting portion 24d of the motor frame 24 contacts the bottom surface of the placement recess 30g. The second housing 31 is formed with fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p that contact the motor frame 24 from above. The fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b.

[0088] In this embodiment, the second housing 31 is formed with: a fixing protrusion 31j that contacts the upper end face of the lead screw holding portion 24c; a fixing protrusion 31k that contacts the upper surface of the connecting portion 24d at the right end side; and a fixing protrusion 31p that contacts the upper end face of the reinforcing portion 24e (see [reference]). Figure 13 The lower end faces of the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixing protrusion 31j is formed at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The fixing protrusion 31j contacts a portion of the upper end face of the lead screw holding part 24c. The fixing protrusion 31p contacts the center portion of the reinforcing part 24e in the left-right direction.

[0089] Fixed protrusions 31k are formed at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Each fixed protrusion 31k contacts a portion of the upper surface of the connecting portion 24d. A portion of the lead screw 14b is positioned between the two fixed protrusions 31k. In other words, the two fixed protrusions 31k are positioned to clamp the lead screw 14b in the front-rear direction. The inner surface of each fixed protrusion 31k in the front-rear direction is a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The two fixed protrusions 31k are connected by a connecting protrusion 31i, which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b. The lower surface of the connecting protrusion 31i, when viewed from the left-right direction, is a concave surface forming an arc. The lower surface of the connecting protrusion 31i smoothly connects to the inner surfaces of the two fixed protrusions 31k in the front-rear direction. The connecting protrusion 31i is positioned above the lead screw 14b.

[0090] In this embodiment, the lower surface of the connecting portion 24d contacts the bottom surface of the placement recess 30g with a predetermined contact pressure, the fixing protrusion 31j contacts the upper end surface of the lead screw holding portion 24c with a predetermined contact pressure, the fixing protrusion 31k contacts the upper surface of the connecting portion 24d with a predetermined contact pressure, and the fixing protrusion 31p contacts the upper end surface of the reinforcing portion 24e with a predetermined contact pressure. Thus, the motor frame 24 is fixed to the housing 21 in a state of being sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31.

[0091] An opening 31u is formed at the front right end of the upper surface portion 31b, for the upper end of the stator 16 and the upper end of the stator fixing portion 24b. As described above, an opening 30u is formed at the front right end of the lower surface portion 30b, for the lower end of the stator 16. That is, openings 30u and 31u for a portion of the stator 16 are formed on both sides of the housing 21 in the vertical direction. The opening 31u is a rectangular quadrilateral hole that penetrates the upper surface portion 31b in the vertical direction. A substrate mounting recess 31v is formed on the rear side of the opening 31u, for the upper end of the circuit board 27. The substrate mounting recess 31v is an elongated rectangular recess that is recessed from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b upwards, and does not penetrate the upper surface portion 31b in the vertical direction.

[0092] As described above, a notch 30w is formed at the right front end of the side portion 30c of the first housing 30. No notch is formed at the right front end of the side portion 31c of the second housing 31. Therefore, when the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 are fixed together, the housing 21 will form an outlet hole 33 for leading the wire 28 to the outside of the housing 21 (see...). Figure 14 In other words, the housing 21 has a lead-out hole 33. The function of the wire guide 30x is to guide the wire 28 from the circuit board 27 to the lead-out hole 33 in a serpentine manner. A cylindrical guide holding part 31x is formed on the right side of the opening 31u, which is used to hold the upper end of the wire guide 30x.

[0093] The two fixing protrusions 31k and the connecting protrusion 31i are positioned to the right of the first limiting portion 30p of the first housing 30. The two fixing protrusions 31k and the connecting protrusion 31i are positioned to the left of the openings 30u, 30v, 31u and the outlet hole 33. The function of the two fixing protrusions 31k and the connecting protrusion 31i is to prevent foreign objects (dust) that enter the interior of the housing 21 through the openings 30u, 30v, 31u or the outlet hole 33 from entering the space inside the housing 21 for storing the slider 18 and the connecting rod component 19.

[0094] (Structure of the slider, output shaft, and connecting rod assembly)

[0095] Figure 15 yes Figure 6 The bottom view of slider 18 shown. Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A sectional view of section FF in the image. Figure 17 It is Figure 6 The three-dimensional view shows the slider 18, output shaft 20, and first connecting rod component 36 pulled out. Figure 18 yes Figure 1 The bottom view of the first link component 36 and the second link component 37 shown. Figure 19 It is used for explanation Figure 8A bottom view of the linkage component 19 in its extended state. Figure 20 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the GG section of the connecting rod component 19 shown. Figure 19 This indicates the state of the connecting rod component 19 when the slider 18 moves to the left limit position.

[0096] The slider 18 is disposed in the left-right direction between the stator fixing part 24b and the lead screw holding part 24c of the motor frame 24, and is disposed above the connecting part 24d and behind the reinforcing part 24e. The slider 18 is formed of resin. The slider 18 includes: a slider body part 18c that engages with the lead screw 14b; and a connecting part 18d that is connected to one end of the connecting rod member 19.

[0097] The slider body 18c is composed of a flat upper wall 18e disposed on the upper side of the lead screw 14b, a flat front wall 18f disposed on the front side of the lead screw 14b, and a flat rear wall 18g disposed on the rear side of the lead screw 14b. In other words, the slider body 18c covers a portion of the lead screw 14b from both sides in the front-back direction and from one side in the vertical direction.

[0098] The thickness direction of the upper wall portion 18e is consistent with the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the front wall portion 18f and the rear wall portion 18g is consistent with the front-rear direction. A threaded portion 18b is formed on the front surface of the rear wall portion 18g. The front surface of the rear wall portion 18g is a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The threaded portion 18b includes a plurality of thread teeth 18h, which are arranged along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the lead screw 14b. The thread teeth 18h are formed as straight lines that are slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction. That is, the threaded portion 18b is formed in a rack shape.

[0099] An upwardly projecting protrusion 18j is formed at both ends of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 18e in the front-rear direction. A downwardly projecting protrusion 18k is formed at the front end of the lower end face of the front wall portion 18f and the rear end of the lower end face of the rear wall portion 18g. The protrusions 18j and 18k are formed as straight lines that are longer in the left-right direction. The protrusion 18j can contact the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b of the second housing 31. The protrusion 18k can contact the upper surface of the connecting portion 24d of the motor frame 24. An elastic plate 18p is formed in the front wall portion 18f to suppress the wobbling of the slider 18 relative to the lead screw 14b. The elastic plate 18p is formed as a flat plate that stands upright from the lower end of the front wall portion 18f. The elastic plate 18p contacts the lead screw 14b from the front with a specified contact pressure.

[0100] The connecting portion 18d is disposed on the rear side of the slider body 18c. The connecting portion 18d consists of a base 18q extending rearward from the slider body 18c and a fixed shaft portion 18r serving as the rotation center of the connecting rod member 19 relative to the slider 18. The base 18q is formed into a flat plate shape connected to the lower end of the rear wall portion 18g. The thickness direction of the base 18q is consistent with the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the base 18q is approximately an isosceles triangle whose width in the horizontal direction gradually narrows towards the rear.

[0101] The fixed shaft portion 18r rises upward from the base portion 18q. That is, the root of the fixed shaft portion 18r is connected to the base portion 18q. The fixed shaft portion 18r is formed as a thick-walled cylindrical shape. The axial direction of the fixed shaft portion 18r is aligned with the vertical direction. That is, one end of the connecting rod member 19 can rotate relative to the slider 18 with the vertical direction as its rotation axis. The fixed shaft portion 18r is positioned approximately at the center of the base portion 18q in the front-rear direction. The fixed shaft portion 18r is also positioned at the center of the slider 18 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the base portion 18q is a shaft forming portion connected to the root of the fixed shaft portion 18r.

[0102] The right side of the front portion of the base 18q forms a slider-side contact surface 18s that can contact the limiting portion-side contact surface 30s of the housing 21. The left side of the front portion of the base 18q forms a slider-side contact surface 18t that can contact the limiting portion-side contact surface 30t of the housing 21. The slider-side contact surfaces 18s and 18t are planes perpendicular to the left-right direction. When the slider 18 moves to the right until the slider-side contact surface 18s contacts the limiting portion-side contact surface 30s, the slider 18 is positioned at the right-side movement limit position. When the slider 18 moves to the left until the slider-side contact surface 18t contacts the limiting portion-side contact surface 30t, the slider 18 is positioned at the left-side movement limit position.

[0103] Output shaft 20 is formed at the other end of connecting rod member 19. Specifically, output shaft 20 is integrally formed with the first connecting rod member 36 (described later) at another part of the first connecting rod member 36, which forms part of the connecting rod member 19. As described later, the first connecting rod member 36 is formed of resin, and output shaft 20 is also formed of resin. Output shaft 20 is formed as a cylinder with the vertical direction as its axial direction. Output shaft 20 includes: a lower shaft portion 20b inserted into a retaining hole 30e of the lower surface portion 30b; and an upper shaft portion 20c inserted into a retaining hole 31e of the upper surface portion 31b. The lower end face of the lower shaft portion 20b is positioned vertically at the same position as the lower surface of the lower surface portion 30b. The upper end face of the upper shaft portion 20c is positioned vertically at the same position as the upper surface of the upper surface portion 31b. That is, output shaft 20 does not protrude from the housing 21 outward in the vertical direction.

[0104] An engagement hole 20d is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the output shaft 20 for engaging with the rotating shaft 10. That is, the output shaft 20 has an engagement hole 20d that extends through the output shaft 20 in the vertical direction and engages with the rotating shaft 10. When viewed from above, the engagement hole 20d is D-shaped. A recess 20f is formed in the planar portion 20e of the inner circumferential surface of the D-shaped engagement hole 20d to reduce thickness. The recess 20f is recessed towards the outer circumferential side of the output shaft 20. The recess 20f is formed as a square groove extending from the upper end face to the lower end face of the output shaft 20.

[0105] The rotating shaft 10 has a plane that contacts the flat portion 20e. That is, the rotating shaft 10 is D-shaped. In this embodiment, the flat portion 20e forms a positioning portion for positioning the rotating shaft 10 at a location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20. In other words, the output shaft 20 has a positioning portion for positioning the rotating shaft 10 at a location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20, and this positioning portion is formed within the engaging hole 20d.

[0106] The connecting rod component 19 is formed into an oblong block shape when viewed from above. The length of the connecting rod component 19 is relatively short. The connecting rod component 19 is flat and thin in the vertical direction. The connecting rod component 19 includes: a first connecting rod component 36 on which the output shaft 20 is formed; and a second connecting rod component 37 rotatably connected to the slider 18. In this embodiment, the connecting rod component 19 is composed of the first connecting rod component 36 and the second connecting rod component 37. The first connecting rod component 36 and the second connecting rod component 37 are formed of resin.

[0107] The second link component 37 is held movable by the first link component 36. If the connection between the second link component 37 and the slider 18 is defined as the slider connection portion 38, and an imaginary straight line VL connecting the center of the output shaft 20 and the center of the slider connection portion 38 is drawn when viewed from above (see...),... Figure 8 If the direction of the first link component 36 is set to the long side direction of the link component 19, then the second link component 37 can move linearly relative to the first link component 36 along the long side direction of the link component 19.

[0108] In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the long side and the vertical direction of the connecting rod member 19 is referred to as the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. Furthermore, the side of the connecting rod member 19 with the long side direction, i.e., the side of the slider connection portion 38, is referred to as the "long side direction side," and the opposite side, i.e., the output shaft 20 side, is referred to as the "other side of the long side direction." When the slider connection portion 38 is positioned in the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the connecting rod member 19 is retracted to its maximum extent (see...), Figure 6(etc.), the long side of the connecting rod component 19 is aligned with the front-to-back direction, the short side of the connecting rod component 19 is aligned with the left-to-right direction, one side of the long side is aligned with the front side, and the other side of the long side is aligned with the rear side.

[0109] The output shaft 20 is formed at the end of the first link member 36 on the other side of its long side. If the end of the first link member 36 forming the output shaft 20 is referred to as the link member end 36b, then the first link member 36 includes the link member end 36b and a link member base 36c connected to the long side of the link member end 36b. Furthermore, the first link member 36 includes flat blade portions 36d and 36e. When the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same left-right direction as the output shaft 20 and the link member 19 is maximally retracted, the blade portion 36d extends to the right and front from the link member base 36c, and the blade portion 36e extends to the left and front from the link member base 36c. In this embodiment, the first link member 36 is composed of the link member end 36b, the link member base 36c, and the blade portions 36d and 36e.

[0110] The connecting rod end 36b is cylindrical. The output shaft 20 is disposed on the inner circumference of the connecting rod end 36b. The lower end face of the connecting rod end 36b is a circular, flat annular plane 36f surrounding the lower shaft portion 20b (see...). Figure 18 The upper end face of the connecting rod component end 36b is a circular, flat annular plane 36g surrounding the upper shaft portion 20c (see...). Figure 17 The annular planes 36f and 36g are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the lower shaft portion 20b is positioned lower than the annular plane 36f, and the upper surface of the upper shaft portion 20c is positioned higher than the annular plane 36g.

[0111] The base 36c of the connecting rod component is generally rectangular in shape and thinner in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the base 36c of the connecting rod component is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the base 36c of the connecting rod component is positioned slightly above the annular plane 36f. The lower surface of the base 36c of the connecting rod component is positioned in the vertical direction at approximately the same position as the lower surface of the base 18q of the slider 18.

[0112] The first link member 36 has a guide groove 36h for guiding the second link member 37 along the long side of the link member 19. The guide groove 36h is located on one side of the long side of the end 36b of the link member. The guide groove 36h is formed at the center of the short side of the link member 19. The guide groove 36h is formed as a shallow square groove with openings at one end and the top of the first link member 36 along its long side. The bottom surface (top surface) of the guide groove 36h is a side surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The bottom surface of the guide groove 36h is located slightly below the upper surface of the base 18q of the slider 18. The two sides of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the link member 19 are planes perpendicular to the short side direction of the link member 19. The width of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the link member 19 is wider than the outer diameter of the fixed shaft portion 18r.

[0113] The guide groove 36h is mainly formed in the base 36c of the connecting rod member. The width of the base 36c of the connecting rod member 19 in the short side direction is greater than the width of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The upper surfaces of the base 36c of the connecting rod member 19 on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19 are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. These upper surfaces are positioned above the bottom surface of the guide groove 36h and below the annular plane 36g.

[0114] Blade portions 36d and 36e are formed as flat plates with their thickness along the vertical direction. The upper and lower surfaces of blade portions 36d and 36e are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The thickness of blade portion 36d is equal to the thickness of blade portion 36e. When viewed from the vertical direction, blade portions 36d and 36e are symmetrical about an imaginary line VL. Blade portions 36d and 36e are connected to the upper end of the connecting rod component base 36c.

[0115] The upper surfaces of blade portions 36d and 36e are disposed on the same plane as the upper surfaces of the connecting rod base 36c located on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the connecting rod 19. The upper surface of the connecting rod base 36c on the side of the connecting rod 19 that is closer to the guide groove 36h forms a plane with the upper surface of blade portion 36d. The upper surface of the connecting rod base 36c on the other side of the connecting rod 19 that is closer to the guide groove 36h forms a plane with the upper surface of blade portion 36e.

[0116] The lower surfaces of blade portions 36d and 36e are positioned above the lower surface of the base 36c of the connecting rod member. The lower surfaces of blade portions 36d and 36e are positioned slightly above the bottom surface of the guide groove 36h and the upper surface of the base 18q of the slider 18. The outer end faces of blade portions 36d and 36e in the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19 are planes perpendicular to the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The end faces of blade portions 36d and 36e in the long-side direction are planes perpendicular to the long-side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The inner end faces of blade portions 36d and 36e in the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19 are positioned on the long-side direction of the connecting rod member base 36c and form part of the side surface of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19.

[0117] When the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same left-right direction as the output shaft 20, the front portion of the blade portion 36d located in front of the connecting rod member base 36c has an inclined surface. This inclined surface connects the right end face and the front end face of the blade portion 36d. This inclined surface is inclined to the left as it moves forward. Similarly, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same left-right direction as the output shaft 20, the front portion of the blade portion 36e located in front of the connecting rod member base 36c has an inclined surface. This inclined surface connects the left end face and the front end face of the blade portion 36e. This inclined surface is inclined to the right as it moves forward.

[0118] The guide groove 36h on the short side of the connecting rod member 19 has two first contact portions 36j that contact the second connecting rod member 37. That is, the first connecting rod member 36 has two first contact portions 36j. Each first contact portion 36j includes blade portions 36d and 36e, and extends further along the long side than the base 36c of the connecting rod member. Furthermore, when the slider connection portion 38 is positioned in the same left-right direction as the output shaft 20 and the connecting rod member 19 is retracted to its maximum extent, the first contact portions 36j extend to both sides of the slider connection portion 38 in the left-right direction (see [reference]). Figure 7 ).

[0119] In this embodiment, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same horizontal direction as the output shaft 20 and the connecting rod member 19 is retracted to its maximum extent, the front end of the first contact portion 36j (i.e., the front end face of the blade portions 36d and 36e) is positioned further forward than the front end of the slider connecting portion 38. Furthermore, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same horizontal direction as the output shaft 20, a portion of the front end side of the first contact portion 36j (specifically, a portion of the front end side of the blade portions 36d and 36e) is positioned on the upper side of the base 18q of the slider 18.

[0120] The upper surface of the first contact portion 36j is a first contact surface 36k perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, a first contact surface 36k is formed on the first connecting rod member 36, which is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and facing upwards. One of the two first contact surfaces 36k is formed by the upper surface of the connecting rod member base 36c on the side of the connecting rod member 19 that is closer to the guide groove 36h and the upper surface of the blade portion 36d. The other first contact surface 36k is formed by the upper surface of the connecting rod member base 36c on the side of the connecting rod member 19 that is closer to the guide groove 36h and the upper surface of the blade portion 36e.

[0121] The base 36c of the connecting rod component has a recess 36p to prevent interference between the base 36c of the connecting rod component and the base 18q of the slider 18 when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same direction as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction. The recess 36p is recessed from one end face of the connecting rod component base 36c in the long side direction to the other side in the long side direction. That is, the recess 36p is recessed towards the output shaft 20. When viewed from above, the shape of the recess 36p is arc-shaped. On the end face of the connecting rod component base 36c in the long side direction, the width of the recess 36p in the short side direction of the connecting rod component 19 is approximately equal to the width of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the connecting rod component 19.

[0122] The second link member 37 is disposed above the first link member 36. The length of the second link member 37 along the long side of the link member 19 is less than the length of the first link member 36 along the long side of the link member 19. The width of the second link member 37 along the short side of the link member 19 is less than the width of the first link member 36 along the short side of the link member 19. That is, the width of the first link member 36 along the short side of the link member 19 is wider than the width of the second link member 37 along the short side of the link member 19. The width of the end of the second link member 37 along the long side of the link member 19 gradually narrows towards the long side.

[0123] The upper surface of the second link member 37 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface of the second link member 37 is positioned slightly lower than the annular plane 36g of the first link member 36. The second link member 37 consists of a link member base 37b and two second contact portions 37c. The link member base 37b is generally rectangular and thinner in the vertical direction. The second contact portions 37c contact the first contact portion 36j of the first link member 36 from above. In other words, the second link member 37 has second contact portions 37c that contact the first contact portion 36j from above. The second contact portions 37c extend from the link member base 37b towards both sides of the short side of the link member 19.

[0124] Both vertical surfaces of the connecting rod base 37b and both vertical surfaces of the second contact portion 37c are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the second contact portion 37c is positioned above the lower surface of the connecting rod base 37b. The upper surfaces of the connecting rod base 37b and the second contact portion 37c are arranged on the same plane, forming a plane that constitutes the upper surface of the second connecting rod 37.

[0125] An insertion hole 37d is formed at the end of the base 37b of the connecting rod member along its long side, into which the fixed shaft portion 18r of the slider 18 is inserted. The insertion hole 37d is a circular hole that passes through the second connecting rod member 37 in the vertical direction. The slider connecting portion 38 is composed of the fixed shaft portion 18r and the insertion hole 37d. The end of the second connecting rod member 37 along its long side (i.e., one end of the connecting rod member 19) is connected to the slider 18 at the rear side of the lead screw 14b. The second connecting rod member 37 is positioned higher than the base 18q of the slider 18. The upper end face of the fixed shaft portion 18r is positioned in the vertical direction at approximately the same position as the upper surface of the second connecting rod member 37.

[0126] A portion of the base 37b of the connecting rod member is disposed below the lower surface of the second contact portion 37c, forming a guide protrusion 37e, which is disposed in the guide groove 36h. That is, the second connecting rod member 37 has a guide protrusion 37e that engages with the guide groove 36h. In this embodiment, the guide groove 36h and the guide protrusion 37e constitute a guide portion 39, which guides the second connecting rod member 37 relative to the first connecting rod member 36 along the long side direction of the connecting rod member 19 (see [link]). Figure 20 In other words, the connecting rod member 19 has a guide portion 39. The two sides of the guide protrusion 37e in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19 are planes perpendicular to the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The guide protrusion 37e has a recessed portion 37f that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the connecting rod member base 37b.

[0127] The second contact portion 37c is disposed on both sides of the guide protrusion 37e in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The first contact portion 36j is disposed on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. That is, the first contact portion 36j and the second contact portion 37c are disposed on both sides of the guide portion 39 in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The end face on the other side in the long side direction of the second contact portion 37c is a plane perpendicular to the long side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The outer end face of the second contact portion 37c in the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19 is a plane perpendicular to the short side direction of the connecting rod member 19.

[0128] The lower surface of the second contact portion 37c forms a second contact surface 37g that contacts the first contact surface 36k. That is, the second contact portion 37c has a second contact surface 37g, which is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and contacts the first contact surface 36k. In this embodiment, even when the slider 18 moves to its left-right movement limit and the connecting rod member 19 extends to its maximum extent, the second contact portion 37c still contacts the first contact portion 36j from above (see...). Figure 8 and Figure 19 At this time, the contact area between the second contact portion 37c and the first contact portion 36j is relatively large.

[0129] The base 37b of the connecting rod member has a second recess 37h, which is used to prevent interference between the connecting rod member end 36b of the first connecting rod member 36 (i.e., the end of the first connecting rod member 36 on the output shaft 20 side) and the base 37b of the connecting rod member when the slider connecting part 38 is positioned in the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction. The second recess 37h is recessed from the end face on the other side of the connecting rod member base 37b in the long side direction. That is, the second recess 37h is recessed towards the slider connecting part 38. When viewed from the top and bottom direction, the shape of the second recess 37h is arc-shaped.

[0130] As described above, the outer end face of the second contact portion 37c in the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19 is a plane perpendicular to the short-side direction of the connecting rod member 19. The other end face of the second contact portion 37c in the long-side direction is a plane perpendicular to the long-side direction of the connecting rod member 19. Therefore, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction, the left-right end faces of the second contact portion 37c (specifically, the right end face of the second contact portion 37c positioned on the right and the left end face of the second contact portion 37c positioned on the left) are perpendicular to the left-right direction, and the other end face of the second contact portion 37c in the long-side direction is perpendicular to the front-back direction. In other words, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned in the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction, the right rear corner of the second contact portion 37c and the left rear corner of the second contact portion 37c are angled.

[0131] In the rotating device 2, when the motor 13 drives the lead screw 14b to rotate, the slider 18 moves left and right along the lead screw 14b. When the slider 18 moves left and right, the connecting rod assembly 19 rotates about the output shaft 20 as its center of rotation. When the connecting rod assembly 19 rotates, the second connecting rod assembly 37 moves relative to the first connecting rod assembly 36 along the long side of the connecting rod assembly 19, thereby extending and retracting the connecting rod assembly 19. When the connecting rod assembly 19 rotates, the output shaft 20 also rotates. When the output shaft 20 rotates, the rotating shaft 10 rotates.

[0132] In this embodiment, the distance the slider 18 moves from a position in the left-right direction where it is positioned at the same location as the output shaft 20 until the slider-side contact surface 18s of the slider 18 contacts the limiting side contact surface 30s of the housing 21 is equal to the distance the slider 18 moves from a position in the left-right direction where it is positioned at the same location as the output shaft 20 until the slider-side contact surface 18t of the slider 18 contacts the limiting side contact surface 30t of the housing 21. When the slider 18 moves from a state where the slider-side contact surface 18s and the limiting side contact surface 30s are in contact to a state where the slider-side contact surface 18t and the limiting side contact surface 30t are in contact, the connecting rod member 19 and the output shaft 20 rotate, for example, by 90°.

[0133] In this embodiment, when the slider-side contact surface 18s contacts the limiting-side contact surface 30s, the output shaft 20 is positioned at a predetermined reference position in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20. That is, when the slider 18 contacts the first limiting part 30p, the output shaft 20 is positioned at a reference position in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20. In this embodiment, when the output shaft 20 is positioned at the reference position in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20, viewed from above, as... Figure 8 As shown, the planar portion 20e of the output shaft 20 is tilted 45° clockwise relative to the front-back direction. That is, in this embodiment, when viewed from above, the position of the output shaft 20 when the planar portion 20e of the output shaft 20 is tilted 45° clockwise relative to the front-back direction is the reference position of the output shaft 20 in the circumferential direction.

[0134] (Thickness of the casing and rotating mechanism)

[0135] As described above, openings 30u and 31u are formed on both vertical surfaces of the housing 21 for a portion of the stator 16 to be disposed thereon. In this embodiment, the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction is less than or equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction is equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the stator 16 is disposed at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper surface of the housing 21 (i.e., the upper surface of the upper surface portion 31b), and the lower end of the stator 16 is disposed at the same position in the vertical direction as the lower surface of the housing 21 (i.e., the lower surface of the lower surface portion 30b) (see [reference]). Figure 14 ).

[0136] As described above, an opening 30v is formed on the lower surface of the housing 21 for a portion of the circuit board 27 to be disposed thereon, and the lower end face of the circuit board 27 is disposed at the same position as the lower end of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. As described above, the output shaft 20 does not protrude outward from the housing 21 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no structure that protrudes outward from both sides of the housing 21 in the vertical direction (i.e., both sides of the storage portion 21b in the vertical direction).

[0137] Therefore, in this embodiment, the two sides of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. The thickness of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction is equal to the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction. That is, the thickness of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction is equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. The thickness of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction is 11 mm or less. For example, the thickness of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction is about 10 mm.

[0138] (Main effects of this implementation method)

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the motor 13 includes a metal motor frame 24, which has a stator fixing portion 24b, a lead screw holding portion 24c, and a connecting portion 24d. The thickness direction of the connecting portion 24d is aligned with the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the motor frame 24 housed in the housing 21 includes a flat reinforcing portion 24e that extends upward from the connecting portion 24d.

[0140] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the housing 21 is thinner in the vertical direction, resulting in a decrease in its strength in the vertical direction, the reduction in strength can be compensated by the reinforcement 24e formed on the motor frame 24. Thus, in this embodiment, even if the housing 21 is thinner in the vertical direction, a decrease in the strength of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction can be suppressed. Specifically, in this embodiment, the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction is less than or equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction, making the housing 21 thinner and thus more prone to a decrease in strength in the vertical direction. However, in this embodiment, even if the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction is less than or equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction, a decrease in the strength of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction can be suppressed.

[0141] In this embodiment, the right end of the reinforcing part 24e is positioned to the right of the right end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the rightmost position, and the left end of the reinforcing part 24e is positioned to the left of the left end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the leftmost position. That is, in this embodiment, the width of the reinforcing part 24e in the left-right direction is larger. Therefore, in this embodiment, the strength of the reinforcing part 24e can be improved. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the housing 21 is thinner in the vertical direction, the reduction in strength of the rotating device 2 in the vertical direction can be effectively suppressed by the action of the reinforcing part 24e.

[0142] In this embodiment, the motor frame 24 is fixed to the housing 21 by being sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, screws for fixing the motor frame 24 to the housing 21 are not required. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotating device 2 can be further thinned in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when fixing the motor frame 24 to the housing 21, it is only necessary to sandwich the motor frame 24 between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31, so a simple structure can be used to fix the motor frame 24 to the housing 21.

[0143] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 24d contacts the lower surface portion 30b of the first housing 30 from above, and the second housing 31 has fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p that contact the motor frame 24 from above. Therefore, in this embodiment, the motor frame 24 can be directly pressed against the lower surface portion 30b by means of the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p. Thus, in this embodiment, the motor frame 24 can be securely fixed to the housing 21.

[0144] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second housing 31 is provided with: a fixing protrusion 31j that contacts the upper end face of the lead screw holding portion 24c; a fixing protrusion 31k that contacts the upper surface of the connecting portion 24d at its right end; and a fixing protrusion 31p that contacts the upper end face of the reinforcing portion 24e. Therefore, the motor frame 24 can be pressed against the lower surface portion 30b in a balanced manner using the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p. Thus, in this embodiment, the motor frame 24 can be more securely fixed to the housing 21.

[0145] In this embodiment, a positioning protrusion 30h for positioning the motor frame 24 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is formed on the first housing 30, and positioning holes 24g and 24h that engage with the positioning protrusion 30h are formed on the connecting portion 24d. Therefore, in this embodiment, the motor frame 24 can be positioned relative to the first housing 30 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction before it is clamped between the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 and fixed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operation of fixing the motor frame 24 to the housing 21 can be performed easily.

[0146] In this embodiment, when viewed from the vertical direction, the positioning protrusion 30h and positioning holes 24g and 24h are arranged on the axis of the lead screw 14b. Therefore, in this embodiment, the relative positional accuracy of the lead screw 14b relative to the housing 21 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction can be improved. Therefore, in this embodiment, the relative positional accuracy of the output shaft 20, which is held rotatably by the housing 21, and the lead screw 14b in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction can be improved.

[0147] In this embodiment, a recessed portion 30g is formed inside the lower portion of the first housing 30 constituting the housing 21, recessed downwards for the connection portion 24d to be disposed. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the motor 13 includes the motor frame 24, the rotating device 2 can be made thinner in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the connection portion 24d is disposed within the recessed portion 30g, even if the recessed portion 30g is formed inside the first housing 30, the metal connection portion 24d can compensate for any reduction in strength in the portion of the first housing 30 where the recessed portion 30g is formed.

[0148] (Example of a modified connecting rod component)

[0149] Figure 21A , Figure 21B and Figure 22A , Figure 22B This is a top view illustrating the structure of the connecting rod component 19 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21A , Figure 21B and Figure 22A , Figure 22B In this context, structures identical to those in the above embodiments are represented by the same symbols. Figure 21A , Figure 21B and Figure 22A , Figure 22B In this version, the substrate fixing part 24f and the circuit board 27 are omitted.

[0150] In the above embodiments, it is also possible to... Figure 21AAs shown, one end of a first link member 36, which has an output shaft 20 at the other end, is connected to the other end of a second link member 37, whose other end is rotatably connected to a slider 18, so that they can rotate relative to each other. In this case, for example, a fixed shaft 49 is fixed to one end of the first link member 36, and a through hole for the fixed shaft 49 to be inserted is formed at the other end of the second link member 37.

[0151] In the above embodiments, it is also possible to... Figure 21B As shown, the linkage component 19 is composed of a single part. In this case, for example, a compression coil spring 48 is arranged between the reinforcing portion 24e of the motor frame 24 and the front side portion of the housing 21 to apply force to the motor 13 to the rearward side. The motor 13 is also held by the housing 21 so that it can move in the front-rear direction.

[0152] Furthermore, when the linkage component 19 is composed of a single part, the motor 13 may also be unable to move in the forward and backward direction. In this case, for example, as... Figure 22A and Figure 22B As shown, an elongated insertion hole 19b for inserting the fixed shaft portion 18r is formed at one end of the connecting rod member 19. In this case, compared to the embodiment described above, the fixed shaft portion 18r is positioned further rearward, and the base portion 18q is longer in the front-rear direction.

[0153] (Other implementation methods)

[0154] The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the right end of the reinforcing part 24e can be positioned to the left of the right end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the right movement limit position, or it can be positioned at the same position in the left-right direction as the right end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the right movement limit position. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the left end of the reinforcing part 24e can be positioned to the right of the left end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the left movement limit position, or it can be positioned at the same position in the left-right direction as the left end of the slider 18 when it is moved to the left movement limit position.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the two ends of the stator 16 in the vertical direction can be planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the shape of the stator 16 when viewed from the left-right direction can also be a roughly elliptical shape with straight ends in the vertical direction. Even in this case, for example, the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction is equal to the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the thickness of the housing 21 in the vertical direction can be greater than the width of the stator 16 in the vertical direction. In this case, for example, the housing 21 may not form at least one of the openings 30u and 31u.

[0157] In the above embodiment, the vertical width of the reinforcing portion 24e can be wider or narrower than the vertical width of the lead screw holding portion 24c. In the above embodiment, multiple reinforcing portions 24e arranged at intervals in the left-right direction may also be formed on the motor frame 24. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as long as the motor frame 24 can be securely fixed to the housing 21, the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p can contact any position on the motor frame 24. In the above embodiment, as long as the motor frame 24 can be securely fixed to the housing 21, for example, any one of the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p may not be provided.

[0158] In the above embodiments, the motor frame 24 can be fixed to the housing 21 by pressing (e.g., slightly pressing) at least one of the first housing 30 and the second housing 31. The motor frame 24 can also be fixed to the housing 21 by riveting to the first housing 30 or the second housing 31, such as by heat riveting. In these cases, the fixing protrusions 31j, 31k, and 31p are not required. Even in this case, screws for fixing the motor frame 24 to the housing 21 are not required, thus allowing the rotating device 2 to be further thinned in the vertical direction.

[0159] In the above embodiment, the output shaft 20, which is separately formed from the first connecting rod member 36, may also be fixed to the other end of the first connecting rod member 36. In the above embodiment, the output shaft 20 may be formed as a cylinder. In this case, the output shaft 20 protrudes from both sides or one side of the housing 21 in the vertical direction. In this case, for example, a key-shaped protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 20 as a positioning part for positioning the rotating shaft 10 at a location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 20. The rotating shaft 10 is formed as a cylinder, for example, and a recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10 that engages with the protrusion.

[0160] In the above embodiment, a fixed shaft portion serving as the rotation center of the connecting rod member 19 relative to the slider 18 may be formed on the second connecting rod member 37, and an insertion hole for inserting the fixed shaft portion may be formed on the slider 18. In this case, the slider connection portion 38 is constituted by the fixed shaft portion formed on the second connecting rod member 37 and the insertion hole formed on the slider 18. In the above embodiment, the end of the second connecting rod member 37 on one side in the long direction may also be connected to the slider 18 on the upper side of the lead screw 14b. In this case, the slider body portion 18c has a fixed shaft portion 18r. In this case, the base portion 18q is not required.

[0161] In the above embodiment, the slider body 18c can be formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, the slider body 18c can be a cylindrical nut component. In this case, a helical internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the slider body 18c as the threaded portion 18b. In the above embodiment, a part of the rotating shaft 14 forms a lead screw 14b, but the lead screw 14b, which is separately formed from the rotating shaft 14, can also be fixed to the rotating shaft 14. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first housing 30 and the second housing 31 can be fixed to each other by a snap-fit.

[0162] In the above embodiment, when viewed from above, the positioning protrusion 30h and positioning holes 24g, 24h can be positioned off-center from the axis of the lead screw 14b. In the above embodiment, the first housing 30 may not have a mounting recess 30g. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the motor 13 can be a motor other than a stepper motor. In the above embodiment, the rotating device 2 can rotate any rotating object except for the fins 5, 6 used for adjusting airflow direction.

[0163] (Structure of this technology)

[0164] This technology can be implemented using the following structure.

[0165] (1) A rotating device for rotating a specified rotating object. The motor includes: a lead screw; a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly along the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a connecting rod assembly having one end rotatably connected to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the connecting rod assembly and engaging with a portion of the rotating object; and a housing that holds the output shaft rotatable and at least houses the lead screw, the slider, and the connecting rod assembly. The axial direction of the lead screw is defined as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is defined as the third direction. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction. One end of the connecting rod component can rotate relative to the slider with the second direction as the axis of rotation. The output shaft is positioned on the third-direction side relative to the slider. The motor includes a metal motor frame having: a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the stator of the motor; a flat lead screw holding portion that holds the front end of the lead screw in a rotatable manner; and a flat connecting portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the lead screw holding portion. The thickness direction of the connecting portion is consistent with the second direction. The motor frame includes a flat reinforcing section that rises from the end of the connecting portion on the side opposite to the third direction toward the second direction.

[0166] (2) The rotating device according to (1), wherein, The motor frame has a reinforcing section. One end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned closer to one side of the slider in the first direction than when the slider is moved to the limit position in the first direction. The other end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned on the other side of the first direction than the other end of the slider in the first direction when it is moved to the limit position of movement on the other side of the first direction.

[0167] (3) The rotating device according to (1) or (2), wherein, The stator is housed within the casing. The housing has openings on both sides in the second direction for a portion of the stator to be disposed thereon. The thickness of the housing in the second direction is less than the width of the stator in the second direction.

[0168] (4) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein, The housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in the second direction. The motor frame is fixed to the housing by clamping it between the first housing and the second housing in the second direction, or by pressing it into at least one of the first housing and the second housing, or by riveting it to the first housing or the second housing.

[0169] (5) The rotating device according to (4), wherein, The motor frame is secured to the housing by being clamped between the first housing and the second housing in the second direction.

[0170] (6) The rotating device according to (5), wherein, The first housing constitutes the other side portion of the housing in the second direction. The connecting portion contacts the first housing from one side in the second direction. The second housing has a fixed protrusion that contacts the motor frame from one side in the second direction.

[0171] (7) The rotating device according to (6), wherein, The stator fixing part rises from one end of the connecting part in the first direction toward one side in the second direction. The lead screw retaining part stands upright from the end of the connecting part on the other side in the first direction toward one side in the second direction. The second housing has the following features: a fixing protrusion that contacts one end face of the lead screw holding portion in the second direction; a fixing protrusion that contacts one side of the connecting portion in the first direction and one side of the connecting portion in the second direction; and a fixing protrusion that contacts one end face of the reinforcing portion in the second direction.

[0172] (8) The rotating device according to (6) or (7), wherein, The first housing has a plurality of positioning protrusions for positioning the motor frame in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. The connecting portion has a positioning hole that engages with the positioning protrusion.

[0173] (9) The rotating device according to (8), wherein, When viewed from the second direction, the positioning protrusion and the positioning hole are arranged on the axis of the lead screw.

[0174] (10) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein, The housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in the second direction. The first housing constitutes the other side portion of the housing in the second direction. A configuration recess is formed inside the first housing, which is recessed toward the other side in the second direction and is configured for the connecting portion.

[0175] (11) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein, The rotating object is a fin installed at the air outlet of the vehicle for adjusting the airflow direction.

[0176] In this technology, for example, the motor frame is formed with a reinforcing portion. One end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned closer to one end of the slider in the first direction than when the slider is moved to its maximum movement position in the first direction. The other end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned closer to the other end of the slider in the first direction than when the slider is moved to its maximum movement position in the other direction. In this case, the width of the reinforcing portion in the first direction can be increased, thereby improving the strength of the reinforcing portion. Therefore, even if the housing is thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft, the reduction in the strength of the rotating device in the axial direction of the output shaft can be effectively suppressed by the action of the reinforcing portion.

[0177] In this technology, for example, the stator is housed in a housing, and openings for a portion of the stator are formed on both sides of the housing in the second direction. The thickness of the housing in the second direction is less than the width of the stator in the second direction. In this case, since the thickness of the housing in the second direction is less than the width of the stator in the second direction, the thickness of the housing in the axial direction of the output shaft becomes thinner, and the strength of the housing in the axial direction of the output shaft is more easily reduced. However, in this technology, even in this case, the reduction in the strength of the rotating device in the axial direction of the output shaft can be suppressed.

[0178] In this technology, the housing is preferably composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in a second direction. The motor frame is fixed to the housing by being sandwiched between the first and second housings in the second direction, or by pressing into at least one of the first and second housings, or by riveting to the first or second housing. This configuration eliminates the need for screws to fix the motor frame to the housing. Therefore, the rotating device can be further thinned in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0179] In this technology, the motor frame is preferably fixed to the housing by being clamped between the first and second housings in a second direction. With this configuration, when fixing the motor frame to the housing, it is only necessary to clamp the motor frame between the first and second housings. Therefore, the motor frame can be fixed to the housing with a simple structure.

[0180] In this technology, the first housing preferably constitutes the other side of the housing in the second direction, the connecting portion contacts the first housing from one side in the second direction, and the second housing has a fixing protrusion that contacts the motor frame from one side in the second direction. With this configuration, the motor frame can be directly pressed against the first housing by the fixing protrusion formed in the second housing. Therefore, the motor frame can be firmly fixed to the housing.

[0181] In this technology, it is preferable that the stator fixing part rises from one end of the connecting part in the first direction toward one side in the second direction, and the lead screw holding part rises from the other end of the connecting part in the first direction toward one side in the second direction. The second housing is formed with: a fixing protrusion that contacts the end face of one side of the lead screw holding part in the second direction; a fixing protrusion that contacts the face of one side of the connecting part in the first direction and one side of the connecting part in the second direction; and a fixing protrusion that contacts the end face of one side of the reinforcing part in the second direction. With this configuration, the motor frame can be pressed onto the first housing in a well-balanced manner by the fixing protrusion. Therefore, the motor frame can be more securely fixed to the housing.

[0182] In this technology, the first housing preferably has multiple positioning protrusions for positioning the motor frame in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and the connecting portion has positioning holes that engage with the positioning protrusions. With this configuration, the motor frame can be positioned relative to the first housing in a direction perpendicular to the second direction before it is clamped between and fixed to the first and second housings. Therefore, the operation of fixing the motor frame to the housing can be performed easily.

[0183] In this technology, it is preferable that the positioning protrusion and the positioning hole are arranged on the axis of the lead screw when viewed from the second direction. This configuration improves the relative positional accuracy of the lead screw relative to the housing in the direction perpendicular to the second direction. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy of the output shaft, which is held rotatable by the housing, and the lead screw in the direction perpendicular to the second direction can be improved.

[0184] In this technology, the housing is preferably composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in a second direction. The first housing constitutes the other side portion of the housing in the second direction. A recess is formed inside the first housing, which is recessed towards the other side in the second direction and is used for the connection portion. With this configuration, the connection portion is disposed within the recessed portion towards the other side in the second direction, so even if the motor includes a motor frame, the rotating device can be made thinner in the second direction. Furthermore, with this configuration, the connection portion is disposed within the recess, so even if the recess is formed inside the first housing, the reduced strength of the portion of the first housing where the recess is formed can be compensated by the metal connection portion.

[0185] For example, in this technology, the rotating object is a fin installed at the air outlet of a vehicle for adjusting the airflow direction.

[0186] Symbol Explanation

[0187] 2. Rotating device

[0188] 4. Air outlet

[0189] 5, 6 Fins (for rotating objects)

[0190] 10 Rotating shaft (locking part)

[0191] 13 motors

[0192] 14b lead screw

[0193] 16 stators

[0194] 18 sliders

[0195] 18b Threaded section

[0196] 19. Connecting rod assembly

[0197] 20 Output shaft

[0198] 21. Shell

[0199] 24 Motor Frame

[0200] 24b Stator fixing part

[0201] 24c Lead Screw Holding Section

[0202] 24d connecting part

[0203] 24e Reinforced Department

[0204] 24g, 24h positioning holes

[0205] 30 First shell

[0206] 30g equipped with concave part

[0207] 30h positioning protrusion

[0208] 30u, 31u opening

[0209] 31 Second shell

[0210] 31j, 31k, 31p fixed protrusions

[0211] X Third Direction

[0212] X1 The other side of the third direction

[0213] X2 One side of the third direction

[0214] The axial direction and first direction of the Y-screw

[0215] Y1 One side of the first direction

[0216] Y2, the other side of the first direction

[0217] Z Second Direction

[0218] Z1 One side of the second direction

[0219] Z2, the other side of the second direction.

Claims

1. A rotating device for rotating a predetermined rotating object, characterized in that, include : Motor, which has a lead screw; slider, which has a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly along the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; A linkage component, one end of which is rotatably connected to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the linkage component and engaging with a locking portion of the rotating object; and a housing that holds the output shaft rotatable and at least houses the lead screw, the slider, and the linkage component. The axial direction of the lead screw is defined as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is defined as the third direction. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction. One end of the connecting rod component can rotate relative to the slider with the second direction as the axis of rotation. The output shaft is positioned on the third-direction side relative to the slider. The motor includes a metal motor frame having: a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the stator of the motor; a flat lead screw holding portion that holds the front end of the lead screw in a rotatable manner; and a flat connecting portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the lead screw holding portion. The thickness direction of the connecting portion is consistent with the second direction. The motor frame includes a flat reinforcing section that rises from the end of the connecting portion on the side opposite to the third direction toward the second direction.

2. The rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor frame has a reinforcing section. One end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned closer to one side of the slider in the first direction than when the slider is moved to the limit position in the first direction. The other end of the reinforcing portion in the first direction is positioned on the other side of the first direction than the other end of the slider in the first direction when it is moved to the limit position of movement on the other side of the first direction.

3. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The stator is housed within the casing. The housing has openings on both sides in the second direction for a portion of the stator to be disposed thereon. The thickness of the housing in the second direction is less than the width of the stator in the second direction.

4. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in the second direction. The motor frame is fixed to the housing by clamping it between the first housing and the second housing in the second direction, or by pressing it into at least one of the first housing and the second housing, or by riveting it to the first housing or the second housing.

5. The rotating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The motor frame is secured to the housing by being clamped between the first housing and the second housing in the second direction.

6. The rotating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first housing constitutes the other side portion of the housing in the second direction. The connecting portion contacts the first housing from one side in the second direction. The second housing has a fixed protrusion that contacts the motor frame from one side in the second direction.

7. The rotating device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The stator fixing part rises from one end of the connecting part in the first direction toward one side in the second direction. The lead screw retaining part stands upright from the end of the connecting part on the other side in the first direction toward one side in the second direction. The second housing has the following features: a fixing protrusion that contacts one end face of the lead screw holding portion in the second direction; a fixing protrusion that contacts one side of the connecting portion in the first direction and one side of the connecting portion in the second direction; and a fixing protrusion that contacts one end face of the reinforcing portion in the second direction.

8. The rotating device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first housing has a plurality of positioning protrusions for positioning the motor frame in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. The connecting portion has a positioning hole that engages with the positioning protrusion.

9. The rotating device according to claim 8, characterized in that, When viewed from the second direction, the positioning protrusion and the positioning hole are arranged on the axis of the lead screw.

10. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing divided in the second direction. The first housing constitutes the other side portion of the housing in the second direction. A configuration recess is formed inside the first housing, which is recessed toward the other side in the second direction and is configured for the connecting portion.

11. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rotating object is a fin installed at the air outlet of the vehicle for adjusting the airflow direction.

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