Motor and valve drive device

Abstract

Motor (1), comprising: a rotor (7) in which a magnet (3) is attached to an outer circumference of a rotor base body (5), a support axis (9) which rotatably mounts the rotor (7) by means of the rotor base body (5), a first bearing section (11) which is provided at one end side in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) of the rotor (7) and is slidably in contact with the support axis (9), and a second bearing section (13) which is provided at the other end side in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) of the rotor (7) and is slidably in contact with the support axis (9), wherein the first bearing section (11) is displaceable in contact with the support axis (9) with a clearance set in relation to the support axis (9), the second bearing section (13) comprises an elastic bearing section (15) which, in a state elastically pressed against the support axis (9), is displaceable in contact with the support axis (9), and if, in the longitudinal direction of the support axis (9), the position of the first bearing section (11) is assumed to be a bearing section at one end side, and the elastic bearing section (15) is positioned as a bearing section at the other end side, characterized by the fact that the elastic bearing section (15) is formed by a plurality of elastic arm sections (49) extending from a base body (46) of the second bearing section (13) in a direction which is the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) and is a direction away from the first bearing section (11), the second bearing section (13) has a surrounding section (53) that surrounds the majority of elastic arm sections (49), and a front arm end position of each of the elastic arm sections (49) is lower than a height of the surrounding section (53), if a direction in which the elastic arm sections (49) extend is assumed to be the height direction, and, the surrounding section (53) of the second bearing section (13) on one side of the front arm end of the plurality of elastic arm sections (49) comprises a support section (57) which receives a preload force of an elastic element (55), wherein the elastic element (55) applies the preload force in a direction towards one end side.

Description

Technical field

[0001] At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a motor, in particular a motor comprising a bearing for rotatably mounting a rotor on a support axis (fixed axis), and furthermore to a valve drive device comprising the motor. State of the art

[0002] As an example of such a motor, the motor described in WO 2009 / 093443 A1 can be mentioned. In this motor, a rotor (20) is rotatably mounted on a support shaft (12) by means of bearing sections provided at three locations: a first bearing section (301) located at one end of the rotor (20), a third bearing section (35) located at the other end of the rotor (20), and a second bearing section (302) located between the first bearing section (301) and the third bearing section (35). The second bearing section (302) includes a preload section and is rotatably mounted with respect to the support shaft (12) by means of the preload section. Furthermore, a lubricant-filled space (S) is formed between the first bearing section (301) and the third bearing section (35), and the second bearing section (302) is arranged in the lubricant-filled space (S).

[0003] In the conventional motor, the rotor (20) is rotatably mounted on the support shaft (12) by means of three bearing sections: the first bearing section (301), the third bearing section (35), and the second bearing section (302), which is located between the first bearing section (301) and the third bearing section (35) and includes the preload section. Furthermore, a lubricant-filled chamber (S) is formed between the first bearing section (301) and the third bearing section (35). This design is intended to reduce noise caused by variations in clearance between the bearing sections (301, 35) and the support shaft (12).However, since the bearing sections are provided at three locations and, in addition, the second bearing section (302) comprising the preload section is located in the lubricant-filled space (S), the problem is that the bearing structure is complicated and not easy to manufacture.

[0004] Further state of the art is described in JP 5 395 676 B2 and JP 2013-207960 A. Explanation of the invention

[0005] It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a motor which, with a simple structure, can reduce noise caused by fluctuations in play between bearing sections and a support shaft.

[0006] To solve the above problem, a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention can comprise: a rotor in which a magnet is attached to an outer circumference of a rotor base body, a support shaft which rotatably mounts the rotor by means of the rotor base body, a first bearing section which is provided at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the support shaft of the rotor and is slidably in contact with the support shaft, and a second bearing section which is provided at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft of the rotor and is slidably in contact with the support shaft, wherein the first bearing section can be slidably in contact with the support shaft with a clearance set with respect to the support shaft, and the second bearing section can comprise an elastic bearing section which is slidably in contact with the support shaft in a state pressed elastically against the support shaft.And if, in the longitudinal direction of the support axis, the position of the first bearing section is assumed to be a bearing section at one end of the support axis, the elastic bearing section can be positioned as a bearing section at the other end of the support axis.

[0007] Here, the phrase "the elastic bearing section is positioned as a bearing section at the other end of the support axis" in the formulation "if in the longitudinal direction of the support axis a position of the first bearing section is assumed as a bearing section at one end of the support axis, the elastic bearing section is positioned as a bearing section at the other end of the support axis" means that outside the elastic bearing section, that is, on the opposite side of the first bearing section, no other bearing section with a similar structure to the first bearing section can be provided.

[0008] According to this design, the second bearing section can comprise the elastic bearing section, which, in a state elastically pressed against the support axis, is displaceably in contact with the support axis. If, in the longitudinal direction of the support axis, the position of the first bearing section is assumed to be that of a bearing section at one end of the support axis, the elastic bearing section can be that of a bearing section at the other end of the support axis. In other words, one end of the rotor can be held on the support axis by the first bearing section with the set clearance, and the other end of the rotor can be held by the elastic bearing section.Thus, by using a simple bearing structure in which one of the bearing sections is used as the elastic bearing section from the bearing sections at both ends of the rotor, fluctuations in the clearance between the bearing section and the support axis can be absorbed by elastic deformation of the elastic bearing section, and noise caused by vibration during rotation of the motor can also be reduced.

[0009] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic bearing section is formed by a plurality of elastic arm sections which extend from a base body of the second bearing section in a direction which is the longitudinal direction of the support axis and a direction moving away from the first bearing section, and the plurality of elastic arm sections each comprise a contact section at a front end side of the elastic arm sections which is slidably in contact with the support axis.

[0010] According to the present embodiment, the elastic bearing section can comprise a contact section formed by a plurality of elastic arm sections extending in a direction away from the first bearing section and slidably in contact with the bearing axis at a front end face of the elastic arm sections. This structure of elastic arm sections simplifies the overall structure, thereby enabling the simple manufacture of the elastic bearing section that achieves the effects described above.

[0011] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, when the support shaft is inserted into an inner area surrounded by the majority of elastic arm sections, the majority of elastic arm sections are bent and deformed according to an outer diameter of the support shaft and pressed against the support shaft by a counterforce of this bending deformation.

[0012] According to the present embodiment, when the support axis is inserted into an inner area surrounded by multiple elastic arm sections, the elastic arm section can be bent and deformed according to the outer diameter of the support axis and pressed against the support axis by a counterforce of this deformation through bending. Therefore, assembly on the support axis can be easily carried out.

[0013] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the majority of elastic arm sections are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the support axis.

[0014] According to this design, an equal preload force of the elastic arm sections can be easily achieved.

[0015] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second bearing section comprises a surrounding section that surrounds the plurality of elastic arm sections, and a front arm end position of each of the elastic arm sections is lower than a height of the surrounding section if a direction in which the elastic arm sections extend is assumed to be the height direction.

[0016] According to the present embodiment, the front arm end position of the elastic arm sections can be lower than the height of the surrounding section if the direction in which the elastic arm sections extend is considered the vertical direction. This surrounding section can reduce the risk of unintentional damage to the elastic arm sections.

[0017] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second bearing section has a support section at the front end side of the plurality of elastic arm sections, which absorbs a preload force of the elastic element in the direction of one end side.

[0018] According to this design, the second bearing section can include the support section, which absorbs the preload force of the elastic element towards one end at the front arm end. Therefore, the elastic element can be easily installed, and movement of the rotor along the support axis can be reliably suppressed.

[0019] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic bearing section is in surface contact with the support axis.

[0020] According to this design, since the elastic bearing section is in surface contact with the support axis, the rotation of the rotor can be stabilized.

[0021] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second bearing section is formed separately from the rotor body and is designed such that it engages with the rotor body and rotates integrally with it. "Engaging" in this case is used to describe a structure by which integral rotation between the second bearing section and the rotor body can be achieved, and means, for example, an integral (or one-piece) design in the direction of rotation by engaging a protruding section in a recessed section, an integral design in the direction of rotation by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, an integral design in the direction of rotation by means of a press-fit structure, and the like.

[0022] According to the present embodiment, the second bearing section can be designed separately from the rotor base body and configured to engage with the rotor base body and rotate as a single unit with it. This allows the selection of a material suitable for use as an elastic bearing section, regardless of the rotor base body material, thus increasing the degree of freedom in material selection.

[0023] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of projecting sections are provided in the rotor body, which hold the second bearing section to be engaged.

[0024] Since, according to this design, the majority of the preceding sections can be provided for holding the second bearing section on the rotor body, the second bearing section to be engaged can be held firmly in place.

[0025] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, an outer circumferential surface of the base body of the second bearing section is designed in such a way as to position the second bearing section in relation to the rotor base body by contact with the majority of protruding sections.

[0026] According to this design, the position of the second bearing section relative to the rotor body can be determined when the outer circumferential surface of the base of the second bearing section comes into contact with the majority of the protruding sections. That is, the second bearing section can be designed to be positioned and fixed relative to the rotor body by contact with the protruding section. Thus, the separately formed second bearing section can be easily mounted to the rotor body.

[0027] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second bearing section is integrally (or in one piece) formed with the rotor base body and rotates in one piece with the rotor base body.

[0028] Since, according to this design, the second bearing section can be formed by integral shaping with the rotor body, an increase in the number of components can be avoided.

[0029] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a relief section is formed in a region of the rotor body which is opposite the support axis and lies between the first bearing section and the second bearing section, and which does not contact the support axis.

[0030] According to this design, by providing the relief section, an effect by which a fluctuation of the clearance between the bearing section and the support axis is absorbed by elastic deformation of the elastic bearing section, as well as an effect by which noise caused by the vibration during the rotation of the rotor is reduced, can be obtained even more effectively.

[0031] In a motor according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the support axis is fixed to the base of the motor on the side of the first bearing section in a rotationally fixed manner, and the other end of the support axis is not fixed in a direction of rotation on the side of the second bearing section.

[0032] According to the present design, it is possible to achieve an effective result by applying such a cantilevered support axis to a motor.

[0033] A valve actuator device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a base comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve seat surface, and in which an opening of the fluid inlet and / or the fluid outlet is open on the valve seat surface; a cover delimiting a valve chamber in which the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are connected between the valve seat surface and the cover; a valve body rotatably arranged in the valve chamber and having a contact surface that slides on the valve seat surface, and which switches a fluid flow channel by rotation; and a valve body drive mechanism for rotating the valve body about an axis orthogonal to the valve seat surface, wherein the valve body drive mechanism can rotate the valve body using a motor as a drive source as mentioned in the above embodiments.

[0034] According to this embodiment, in the valve drive device, which includes the valve body drive mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid, the valve body is rotated using the motor according to one of the previous embodiments as the drive source of the valve body drive mechanism, thereby achieving the effect of the above embodiments.

[0035] In a valve drive device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the support axis of the motor is fixed to the base on the side of the first bearing section in a rotationally fixed manner, the other end on the side of the second bearing section is not fixed in one direction of rotation, a pinion is arranged on one end side of the support axis and between the base and the rotor body, the pinion is attached to the side of the first bearing section of the rotor body in order to rotate integrally with the rotor, and the valve body is designed such that it rotates by means of a reduction gear which engages with the pinion.

[0036] According to this design, the valve body can be configured to rotate via the reduction gear, which engages with the pinion. This makes it possible to slow down and transmit the motor's rotation through the reduction gear. Compared to a direct-acting motor without a reduction mechanism, the magnet and motor sizes can also be kept smaller, and an increase in output torque can be expected.

[0037] In a valve drive device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, an elastic element, which applies a preload force to the rotor in the direction of the base, is arranged at the other end of the support axis in a state in which the preload force is exerted on the second bearing section.

[0038] According to this design, an elastic element, which applies a preload force to the rotor in the direction of the base, can be arranged at the other end of the support axis in a state where the preload force is exerted on the second bearing section. This reliably prevents movement of the rotor along the support axis.

[0039] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a motor which, with a simple structure, can reduce noise caused by fluctuations in clearance between a bearing section and a support axis, and a valve drive device comprising the motor can be provided. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] Embodiments are now described only by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are exemplary and not limiting and in which identical elements are numbered the same in several figures, wherein: Fig. 1 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a valve actuator device; Fig. 2 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective exploded view illustrating an internal structure of the valve drive device; Fig. 3 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view illustrating a partially cut-open valve drive device; Fig. 4 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a side sectional view illustrating a motor and the valve drive device; Fig. 5 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view illustrating a second bearing section; Fig. 6 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view in which, in a state in which a cover representing the valve drive device is removed, part of a rotor is illustrated by a fictitious outline and internal elements are illustrated by a solid line; Fig. Figure 7 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective exploded view illustrating a valve body drive mechanism; Fig. Figure 8 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between a base and a valve body; Fig. 9 shows at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view of the valve body from a lower side; Fig. 10 at least one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation angle (number of steps) of the valve body and an opening / closing operation of the valve body; and Fig. Figure 11 illustrates at least one embodiment of the present invention and is a sectional view showing a positional relationship between the valve body and a valve seat surface when the valve body is moved from a starting position according to a respective step in Fig. 10 is turned. Detailed description

[0041] In the following, a motor and a valve drive device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to in Fig. 1 to Fig. The 11 embodiments shown are examples and are described in detail based on their drawings. It should be noted that the following description first presents a schematic diagram of the engine according to the present embodiment and a schematic diagram of the valve drive assembly comprising the engine according to an embodiment based on Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 will be described. Following this, a specific design of the motor according to one embodiment, as well as its operation and effect based on, will be described. Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 described.

[0042] Next, a specific design of the valve actuator device according to the present embodiment will be described, based on Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 described, followed by an operating mode of the valve actuator device according to the present embodiment based on Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, focusing on a relationship between a rotation angle (number of steps) of a valve body and an opening / closing operation of the valve body, is described. The operation and effect of the valve actuator device according to the present embodiment are then explained. Finally, another embodiment of the present invention is briefly described, the construction of which differs in part from the present embodiment, which is constructed as previously mentioned. (1) Schematic diagram of the engine (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 4)

[0043] A motor (1) according to at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a rotor (7) in which a magnet (3) is attached to an outer circumference of a rotor base body (5), a support shaft (9) which rotatably supports the rotor (7) by means of the rotor base body (5), a first bearing section (11) which is provided at one end (A) in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the support shaft (9) of the rotor (7) and is slidably in contact with the support shaft (9), and a second bearing section (13) which is provided at another end (B) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support shaft (9) of the rotor (7) and is slidably in contact with the support shaft (9).Furthermore, the first bearing section (11) is displaceably in contact with the support axis (9) with a clearance set relative to the support axis (9), and the second bearing section (13) comprises an elastic bearing section (15) which, in a state where it is elastically pressed against the support axis (9), is displaceably in contact with the support axis (9). If, furthermore, in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9), the position of the first bearing section (11) is assumed to be a bearing section at one end (A), the elastic bearing section (15) is positioned as a bearing section at the other end (B).

[0044] Furthermore, the support shaft (9), to which the rotor (7) is attached via the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13), can be fixed in a state in which one end (A) of the support shaft (9) is rotationally fixed (in a fixed state) to the disk-shaped base (2), as exemplified by the motor (1). On the other hand, the other end (B) of the support shaft (9) is fixed in a state not fixed in a direction of rotation (R) by being inserted into a recessed section (4a) formed in an upper plate of a cover (4) extending from a circumferential edge of the base (2) into Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 extends upwards.

[0045] Furthermore, a stator (17), comprising a stator core (18) and a coil (19), is arranged on an outer circumference of the rotor (7), with the cover (4) positioned between them. A housing (21), covering part of an upper surface and an outer circumferential surface of the stator (17), is provided as an example outside the stator (17). Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a pinion (25) comprises an engagement pawl (23) which, in an upper position, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 engages with a recessed engagement section (6) provided on the rotor body (5). The pinion (25) is designed such that it rotates integrally with the rotor (7) about the support axis (9) as its center of rotation by means of an engagement structure (22) that includes the recessed engagement section (6) and the engagement pawl (23). As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the pinion (25) is located below the rotor (7) and transmits a rotary motion generated by the motor (1) outwards. (2) Schematic structure of the valve actuator device (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 4)

[0046] A valve actuator device (31) according to the present embodiment comprises the base (2) which has a fluid inlet (33) and a valve seat (36) with a fluid outlet (35) and a valve seat surface (37) and in which an opening of the fluid inlet (33) and / or the fluid outlet (35) is open on the valve seat surface (37), the cover (4) which delimits a valve chamber (27) in which the fluid inlet (33) and the fluid outlet (35) are in communication between the valve seat surface (37) and the cover (4), and a contact surface (39) which is rotatably arranged in the valve chamber (27) and slides on the valve seat surface (37). Furthermore, a valve body (38) that switches a flow channel of a fluid (S) by rotation, and a valve body drive mechanism (41) for rotating the valve body (38) about an axis L1 orthogonal to the valve seat surface (37) are provided. Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) provided. The valve body drive mechanism (41) uses as its drive source the motor (1) according to the present embodiment, which comprises the rotor (7), the support shaft (9), the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13) mentioned above.

[0047] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the support axis (9) of the motor (1) extends from the center of the base (2), and in an outer region of the support axis (9) (e.g., relative to the support axis) the fluid inlet (33) and an opening (29) for attaching the valve seat (36) are formed. Two fluid outlets (35), that is, a first fluid outlet (35A) and a second fluid outlet (35B), are formed on the valve seat (36) attached to the opening (29). As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the fluid inlet (33), the first fluid outlet (35A) and the second fluid outlet (35B) are each connected to an inlet pipe (43) or two outlet pipes (45A, 45B) extending downwards. (3) Specific design of the engine (see FIG. 3 to FIG. 5)

[0048] In the present embodiment, the motor (1) is formed, for example, by a stepper motor. The second bearing section (13) of the motor (1) comprises, in an upper part as shown in the drawings, a cylindrical base body (46) in which, for example, a horizontally projecting flange section (47) is formed, and the elastic bearing section (15). In the elastic bearing section (15), a recessed section (48) of a predetermined depth is formed in the center of the base body (46). In addition, for example, three elastic arm sections (49) extend from a bottom surface of the recessed section (48) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) and in a direction away from the first bearing section (11) (upwards). Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) and thus form the elastic bearing section (15). The elastic arm sections (49) are each formed from a plate material which is curved in an arc shape around the axis L of the support axis (9), and the width dimension and the thickness of the plate material are dimensioned, for example, such that they are somewhat larger at a base side connected with the bottom surface of the recessed section (48) and somewhat smaller at a contact section (51) at a front arm end side which is slidably in contact with the support axis (9).

[0049] Furthermore, the diameter of an inner surface of the contact section (51) at the front end of the three elastic arm sections (49), before the support axis (9) is inserted, is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the support axis (9). Consequently, the three elastic arm sections (49) are designed such that when the support axis (9) is inserted into the inner surface surrounded by the three elastic arm sections (49), the contact section (51) contacts the outer diameter of the support axis (9), causing the elastic arm sections (49) to bend outwards in accordance with the outer diameter of the support axis (9). The opposing force of this bending deformation presses the contact section (51) against the support axis (9).Furthermore, the three elastic arm sections (49) are positioned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the support axis (9), and in the present embodiment, the three elastic arm sections (49) are provided at three points at equal intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction.

[0050] Furthermore, a surrounding section (53) is provided on an upper surface of the flange section (47) of the base body (46), which extends upwards along a circumferential surface of the recessed section (48) and surrounds the three elastic arm sections (49) from the outside. In addition, in the present embodiment, if a direction in which the elastic arm sections (49) extend is assumed to be the vertical direction, a height H1 at a front arm end position of the elastic arm section (49) is lower than a height H2 of the surrounding section (53).

[0051] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an elastic element (55), which is formed, for example, by a spring washer such as a leaf spring between the second bearing section (13) and an inner surface of the upper plate of the cover (4), attached in a compressed manner. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, an upper surface of the surrounding section (53) of the second bearing section (13) forms a support section (57) against which the elastic element (55) abuts. The support section (57) absorbs a preload force of the elastic element (55) in the direction of one end A and thus prevents the second bearing section (13) from tearing out upwards or moving.

[0052] The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the contact section (51) at the front end of the three elastic arm sections (49) is further adjusted such that it essentially corresponds to the radius of curvature of the outer diameter of the support axis (9) that is in contact with the contact section (51). Thus, the elastic bearing section (15) is designed to be in surface contact with the support axis (9). Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second bearing section (13) is formed from an element separate from the rotor base body (5) and is designed to engage with the rotor base body (5) and rotate as a unit. That is, the second bearing section (13) is designed to rotate as a unit with the rotor base body (5) when the base body (46) of the second bearing section (13) is inserted into and engaged with a recessed section (8) formed in the rotor base body (5).

[0053] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as in Fig. 5 shown, on an inner circumferential surface of the recessed section (8) of the rotor base body (5), a plurality of circumferentially spaced projecting sections (59) are provided which, in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface of the base body (46) of the second bearing section (13) to be engaged, hold the second bearing section (13) and position the second bearing section (13) in relation to the rotor base body (5) (bring the second bearing section 13 into a fixed state).Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a relief section (61) is provided in an area facing the outer circumferential surface of the support axis (9) of the rotor base body (5), that is, in an area between the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13), the inner diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13), so that contact with the support axis (9) is avoided.

[0054] According to the motor (1) constructed in this manner, by reducing the number of components by decreasing the three conventionally provided bearing sections to two, the motor (1) can be provided with a simpler structure. Furthermore, the amplitude of the vibration generated during operation of the motor (1) of the rotor (7) and the support shaft (9) tends to be greater at the other end B of the support shaft (9), which is not subject to any mechanical clamping force, than at the one end A of the support shaft (9), which is attached to the base (2). In the present embodiment, the second bearing section (13) is provided at the other end B of the support shaft (9). This second bearing section includes the elastic bearing section (15), which reduces the amplitude of the vibration at the other end B of the support shaft (9) through the action of the elastic arm section (49).The elastic bearing section (15) of the second bearing section (13) reduces the clearance between the first bearing section (11) and the support axis (9) and further reduces the vibrations generated between the rotor (7) and the support axis (9) by fluctuations in clearance and makes it possible to reduce noise generated by the vibration. (4) Specific design of the valve actuator device (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9)

[0055] The valve actuator device (31) according to the present embodiment is used, for example, to adjust the supply quantity of a coolant (fluid) S for cooling the interior of a refrigerator. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the valve actuation device (31) comprises a valve body (63) in which the motor (1), the base (2), the cover (4), the valve seat (36), the valve body (38), and the valve body actuation mechanism (41) are housed, the single inlet pipe (43), and the two outlet pipes (45A, 45B) extending parallel from the valve body (63). The valve body (63) further comprises a connection (not shown) for providing an electrical connection to an externally provided control device and a mounting plate (65) for installing the valve actuation device (31) in the refrigerator or the like.

[0056] Inside the valve body (63), for example, as mentioned above, the disc-shaped base (2) and the cover (4) covering the base (2) are provided, the cover (4) being made of a non-magnetic material (for example, stainless steel) and having a stepped cup shape with a larger diameter at the bottom and a smaller diameter at the top. An interior sealed by the base (2) and the cover (4) also forms the valve chamber (27). Furthermore, the opening (29) is formed in the base (2), and the opening (29) is used for mounting the valve seat (36). Additionally, an annular stepped section (67) is formed on an outer circumferential edge of the base (2), and a flanged section (4b), formed on an outer circumferential edge of an open bottom portion of the cover (4), engages with and is attached to the stepped section (67).

[0057] The valve seat (36) is, for example, a stepped cylindrical element with a small diameter in the upper region and a large diameter in the lower region, and two fluid outlets (35A, 35B) are formed on the valve seat (36) and penetrate it in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9). A flat upper surface of the valve seat (36) forms the valve seat surface (37), and the two outlet pipes (45A, 45B) are each attached to the fluid outlets (35A, 35B) from below.

[0058] Furthermore, a mounting shaft (69) extends in the center of the valve seat (36), parallel to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) that intersects the valve seat surface (37). An upper end of the mounting shaft (69) is held, for example, by a support plate (not shown) located in the valve chamber (27). It should be noted that the axis L1 of the mounting shaft (69) is parallel to the axis L of the support axis (9) and is positioned near the outer circumference of the base (2) at a fixed distance from the outer circumference. The disc-shaped valve body (38) is rotatably attached to the mounting shaft (69). The valve body (38) is mounted on the valve seat surface (37) in a position that allows it to rotate about the axis (L1) of the mounting shaft (69).

[0059] As in Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, an upper surface of the valve body (38) is a connecting section and a lower surface of the valve body (38) is a contact surface, resulting in a different shape for both. In particular, in the present embodiment, the upper surface is circular, and the lower surface is fan-shaped, with a portion of the circular shape (for example, an area of ​​approximately 160°) cut out. A fan-shaped bottom surface of the valve body (38) forms the contact surface (39) that is in contact with the valve seat surface (37), and this fan-shaped section is a closed region C of the valve body (38), and the remaining cut-out section is an open region O. Additionally, a throttle opening (71) for fine-tuning the flow rate of the coolant S is formed in the closed region C of the valve body (38).

[0060] The valve body drive mechanism (41) uses the motor (1) as a drive source and comprises, on the side of one end (A) of the support shaft (9) of the motor (1), for example, the pinion (25) rotating as an integral part with the rotor body (5), a reduction gear (73) engaging with the pinion (25), and also the valve body (38). It should be noted that the reduction gear (73) has a larger diameter and a greater number of teeth than the pinion (25), so that the reduction mechanism is formed by the reduction gear (73) and the pinion (25).

[0061] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the present embodiment further includes a rotor step loss suppression mechanism (75) as a mechanism for reducing impact noise that occurs when the valve body (38) returns to its starting position. For example, the rotor step loss suppression mechanism (75) comprises a lever (77) provided on the reduction gear (73) and pivoting about a pivot axis L2, four projecting sections (79) extending, for example, above the pinion (25) parallel to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9), and a preload spring (81), for example, a torsion coil spring, which preloads the lever (77) to press it against the side of the pinion (25).

[0062] Furthermore, a toothless section (83) is formed in the reduction gear (73) in a region where the lever (77) is mounted. When the toothless section (83) and the pinion (25) are opposite each other, the pinion (25) rotates freely, thus preventing its rotation from being transmitted to the reduction gear (73). That is, even if the pinion continues to rotate as one unit with the rotor (7), this rotation occurs freely due to the presence of the toothless section (83) and is not transmitted to the reduction gear (73). During this free rotation, the projecting section (79), located above the pinion (25), pushes the lever (77) against the spring force of the preload spring (81) and returns it, allowing the rotation of the pinion (25) to continue without any loss of position.When the pinion for the opening / closing operation of the valve body (38) is rotated in the opposite direction to the previously mentioned direction (forward rotation), the protruding section (79) first abuts a contactable section of the lever (77), thereby depressing the lever (77) and consequently causing the reduction gear (73) to begin rotating. The pinion (25) then enters a positional relationship in which it is opposite and engages with a toothed section (other than the toothless section (83) of the reduction gear (73), and power is subsequently transmitted from the pinion (25), causing the reduction gear (73) to rotate. This performs the opening / closing operation of the valve body (38). Furthermore, a recessed-protruding engagement structure (not shown) for one-piece engagement (orconnection) of the reduction gear (73) and the valve body (38) is provided. (5) Operating mode of the valve actuator device (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11)

[0063] Next, an operating mode of the valve actuator according to the present embodiment, which is constructed as described above, is described, focusing on a relationship between a rotation angle (number of steps) of the valve body (38) and the opening / closing process of the valve body (38). When electrical energy is supplied to the motor (1), which serves as the drive source for the valve actuator (31), and a current is supplied to the coil (19) in a specific direction, the rotor (7) begins to rotate in the forward direction. The rotation of the rotor (7) is transmitted to the pinion (25) located below the first bearing section (11) via the rotor body (5).

[0064] The rotation of the pinion (25) is slowed down and transmitted to the reduction gear (73), which engages with the pinion (25), and is then transmitted to the valve body (38), which rotates as a unit with the reduction gear (73). The relationship between the rotation angle (number of steps) of the valve body (38) and the opening / closing process of the valve body (38) is shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows. Initially, in a state where the valve body (38) is in a starting position, the positional relationship between the valve body (38) and the valve seat surface (37) is as shown in Figure 10. Fig. 11 shown, and the first fluid outlet (35A) and the second fluid outlet (35B) of the valve seat surface (37) are both open.

[0065] Therefore, the coolant S flows from the fluid inlet (33) through the inlet pipe (43) into the valve chamber (27), flows through the two fluid outlets (35A, 35B) and the two outlet pipes (45A, 45B), and a certain flow rate of the coolant S is supplied to a cooling line of the refrigerator. It should be noted that this condition also continues in a position in step 1 where the Fig. 11 shown valve bodies (38) were rotated from the starting position (step S0) in the forward direction of rotation.

[0066] In the position in step 2, into which the valve body (38) is removed from the Fig. When the valve body (38) is rotated in the forward direction from the initial position shown in Figure 11, the first fluid outlet (35A) remains open, but a large part of the second fluid outlet (35B) is closed by the contact surface (39) of the valve body (38). However, since the throttle opening (71) formed in the valve body (38) is connected to the second fluid outlet (35B) in this position, the coolant S, whose flow rate is limited by passing through the throttle opening (71), flows into the second fluid outlet (35B).

[0067] If the valve body (38) continues to rotate in the forward direction and out of the in Fig. Once the starting position shown in 11 is reached after rotation in step S3, the position of the throttle opening (71) and the second fluid outlet (35B) deviates, causing the first fluid outlet (35A) to be open and the second fluid outlet (35B) to be closed. As the valve body (38) continues to rotate in the forward direction and exits the position shown in Fig. Once the starting position shown in Figure 11 has been reached after rotation, and the position in step S4 has been reached, the position of the throttle opening (71) and the first fluid outlet (35A) now coincide, allowing the coolant S, whose flow rate is limited by passing through the throttle opening (71), to flow into the first fluid outlet (35A). It should be noted that the second fluid outlet (35B) remains closed.

[0068] If the valve body (38) continues to rotate in the forward direction and out of the in Fig. After rotation, the starting position shown in Figure 11 reaches the position in step S5. The positions of the throttle opening (71) and the first fluid outlet (35A) then deviate, resulting in both the first fluid outlet (35A) and the second fluid outlet (35B) being closed. When the valve body (38) rotates in the forward direction and exits the position shown in Figure 11, the valve body (38) is closed. Fig. Once the starting position shown in Figure 11 has been reached after rotation, and finally the position in step S6 is reached, the second fluid outlet (35B), which was closed by the contact surface (39) of the valve body (38), is open, and the first fluid outlet (35A) remains closed. Thus, a serial opening / closing process by the valve body (38) is completed.

[0069] If the valve body (38) is removed from the Fig. Once the starting position shown in 11 has been reached after rotation in the forward direction, the direction of rotation of the motor (1) is reversed and the valve body (38) is rotated in the opposite direction. Then, when the valve body (38) reaches the position shown in Fig. When the starting position shown in Figure 11 is returned and, in addition, the valve body (38) is rotated in the opposite direction, the pinion (25) is opposite the toothless section (83) of the reduction gear (73), and the engagement of the two is disengaged. Thereupon, the previously mentioned rotor step loss suppression mechanism (75) reduces the impact when the valve body (38) returns to its starting position, thus suppressing noise. When the motor (1) is rotated in the forward direction, the power is then transmitted via the rotor step loss suppression mechanism (75) to the reduction gear (73), causing it to rotate, and the pinion (25) and the reduction gear (73) return to the engaged state. Fig. 11 back.

[0070] According to the valve drive device (31) designed as described above in the present embodiment, a valve drive device (31) can be provided which includes the motor (1) which has a simple design and generates only low vibration during its operation. The vibration of the motor (1) is also transmitted to the valve body drive mechanism (41) via the second bearing section (13), the rotor (7), the first bearing section (11) and the pinion (25), but due to the motor (1) causing only low vibration, smooth, quiet valve operation of the valve body (38) can be achieved. [Other embodiments]

[0071] The motor (1) and the valve drive device (31) according to the present invention essentially have the configuration described above according to at least one embodiment, but a modification or omission and the like of a part of the configuration is of course possible within the scope of the invention of the present application.

[0072] For example, the number of elastic arm sections (49), although three in the embodiment described above, can also be two, four, or more. Furthermore, the elastic bearing section (15) can be made of a different component than the elastic arm section (49) (for example, an elastically deformable synthetic rubber, polyurethane rubber, and the like). Although the second bearing section (13) and the rotor base body (5) consist of separate elements in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to form the second bearing section (13) and the rotor base body (5) as an integral part.

[0073] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13) are applied to the cantilevered support axis (9), but the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13) can also be applied to a doubly supported support axis (9). In the embodiment described above, a design is used in which the fluid outlet (35) is provided at the valve seat surface (37), but a design can also be used in which the fluid inlet (33) is provided at the valve seat surface (37) and the fluid outlet (35) is provided in another part of the base (2).

[0074] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a reduction system configuration is used in which the power of the motor (1) is reduced and transferred to the valve body (38) using the pinion (25) and the reduction gear (73) as a valve body drive mechanism (41), but it is also possible to omit the pinion (25) and the reduction gear (73) and to use a direct-acting valve body drive mechanism (41) in which the rotation of the rotor (7) is transferred directly to the valve body (38). Reference symbol list 1 engine, 2 Base, 3 magnets, 4 Cover, 4a In-depth section, 4b Flange section, 5 rotor base bodies, 6 Deepened intervention section, 7 Rotor, 8 In-depth section, 9. Support axle, 11 First camp section, 13 Second camp section, 15 Elastic bearing section, 17 Stator, 18 stator cores, 19 coils, 21 cases, 22 Intervention structure, 23 Interlocking handles, 25 sprockets, 27 Valve chamber, 29 Opening, 31 Valve actuator device, 33 Fluid inlet, 35 Fluid outlet, 36 Valve seat, 37 Valve seat surface, 38 valve bodies, 39 contact area, 41 Valve body drive mechanism, 43 Inlet pipe, 45 Outlet pipe, 46 basic shapes, 47 Flange section, 48 Deepened section, 49 Elastic arm section, 51 Contact section, 53 Surrounding section, 55 Elastic element, 57 Support section, 59 Foreground section, 61 Relief section, 63 Valve bodies, 65 Mounting plate, 67 Stepped section, 69 Mounting shaft, 71 Throttle opening, 73 reduction gears, 75 Rotor step loss suppression mechanism, 77 locking levers, 79 Foreground section, 81 Preload spring, 83 Toothless section, Z longitudinal direction, A one end, B other end, R direction of rotation, S Fluid (coolant), L axis (axis of rotation), H height, C Closed area, O Open area

Claims

[1] Engine (1), comprising: a rotor (7) in which a magnet (3) is attached to an outer circumference of a rotor base body (5), a support shaft (9) which rotatably supports the rotor (7) by means of the rotor base body (5), a first bearing portion (11) provided at one end side in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the support shaft (9) of the rotor (7) and slidably in contact with the support shaft (9), and a second bearing portion (13) provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support shaft (9) of the rotor (7) and slidably in contact with the support shaft (9), wherein the first bearing section (11) is displaceably in contact with the support shaft (9) with a play adjusted with respect to the support shaft (9), the second bearing portion (13) comprises an elastic bearing portion (15) which, in a state elastically pressed against the support shaft (9), is displaceable in contact with the support shaft (9), and when in the longitudinal direction of the support axis (9) a position of the first bearing section (11) is assumed to be a bearing section on one end side, the elastic bearing section (15) is positioned as a bearing section on the other end side, characterized by , that the elastic bearing section (15) is formed by a plurality of elastic arm sections (49) which extend from a base body (46) of the second bearing section (13) in a direction which is the longitudinal direction (Z) of the support axis (9) and a direction away from the first bearing section (11), the second bearing portion (13) has a surrounding portion (53) surrounding the plurality of elastic arm portions (49), and a front arm end position of each of the elastic arm portions (49) is lower than a height of the surrounding portion (53) when a direction in which the elastic arm portions (49) extend is assumed to be a height direction, and, the surrounding portion (53) of the second bearing portion (13) on one side of the front arm end of the plurality of elastic arm portions (49) comprises a support portion (57) which receives a biasing force of an elastic member (55), the elastic member (55) applying the biasing force in a direction toward the one end side. [2] Engine according to claim 1, characterized by that the plurality of elastic arm portions (49) each comprise, on the side of the front arm end thereof, a contact portion (51) which is slidably in contact with the support shaft (9). [3] Engine according to claim 2, characterized bythat when the support shaft (9) is inserted into an inner region surrounded by the plurality of elastic arm sections (49), the plurality of elastic arm sections (15) are bent and deformed according to an outer diameter of the support shaft (9) and are pressed against the support shaft (9) by a counterforce of this bending deformation. [4] Engine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the plurality of elastic arm portions (49) are positioned at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the support axis (9). [5] Engine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the elastic bearing section (15) is in surface contact with the support axis (9). [6] Engine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the second bearing section (13) is formed separately from the rotor base body (5) and is constructed in such a way as to engage with the rotor base body (5) and to rotate integrally with the rotor base body (5). [7] Engine according to claim 6, characterized by that a plurality of projecting sections (59) are provided in the rotor base body (5) which hold the second bearing section (13) to be engaged. [8] Engine according to claim 7, characterized by that an outer peripheral surface of the base body (46) of the second bearing portion (13) is designed to position the second bearing portion (13) with respect to the rotor base body (5) by contact with the plurality of projecting portions (59), in particular to bring the second bearing portion (13) into a fixed state. [9] Engine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the second bearing section (13) is formed in one piece with the rotor base body (5) and rotates in one piece with the rotor base body (5). [10] Engine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by in that in a region of the rotor base body (5) which faces the support axis (9) and lies between the first bearing section (11) and the second bearing section (13), a relief section (61) is formed which does not contact the support axis (9). [11] Engine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that in the supporting axis (9) one end on the side of the first bearing section (11) is non-rotatably attached to the base (2) of the motor (1) and the other end on the side of the second bearing portion (13) is not fixed in one direction of rotation. [12] Valve drive device (31) comprising: a base (2) comprising a fluid inlet (33), a fluid outlet (35A, 35B) and a valve seat surface (37), and in which an opening of the fluid inlet (33) and / or the fluid outlet (35A, 35B) is open on the valve seat surface (37), a cover (4) defining a valve chamber (27) in which the fluid inlet (33) and the fluid outlet (35A, 35B) communicate between the valve seat surface (37) and the cover (4), a valve body (38) which is rotatably arranged in the valve chamber (27) and has a contact surface (39) which slides on the valve seat surface (37) and which switches a flow channel of the fluid by rotating, and a valve body drive mechanism (41) for rotating the valve body (38) about an axis orthogonal to the valve seat surface (37), characterized by , that the valve body drive mechanism (41) rotates the valve body (38) using the motor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as a drive source. [13] Valve drive device according to claim 12, characterized by , that in the supporting shaft (9) of the motor (1) one end on the side of the first bearing section (11) is non-rotatably attached to the base (2), the other end on the side of the second bearing section (13) is not fixed in one direction of rotation, a pinion (25) is arranged on one end side of the support shaft (9) and between the base (2) and the rotor body (5), the pinion (25) is mounted on the side of the first bearing portion (11) of the rotor base body (5) to rotate integrally with the rotor, and the valve body (38) is designed to rotate via a reduction gear (73) which engages with the pinion (25).

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