Damper device

Abstract

To suppress load increase of assembly work associated with incorporation of a spring member for holding a baffle at a close position in a damper device for opening and closing an opening with the baffle.SOLUTION: A damper device 1 includes a gear mechanism 20 for rotating a first baffle 7 and a second baffle 8 on the basis of rotation of a motor 21. The gear mechanism 20 includes a spring member 50 for energizing a first output member 25 having a first output gear 46 and a second output member 26 having a second output gear 47 in a first rotation direction R1. The spring member 50 is installed between a case 11 and the first output member 25 and the second output member 26, and is housed in the case 11. In a state where the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are closed, the spring member 50 energizes the output members in a direction for closing the baffles (first rotation direction R1) and holds the baffles at close positions 7A, 8B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device that opens and closes an opening with a baffle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a damper device (cold air damper) used in a refrigerator. The damper devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a frame provided with an opening that constitutes part of a cold air passage, a baffle for opening and closing the opening, an output shaft connected to the baffle, a motor, and a gear mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the output shaft. The baffle has an elastic member such as polyurethane foam attached to the surface of the opening side of an opening plate that is larger in size than the opening, and the elastic member abuts against the edge of the opening to seal the opening.

[0003] The damper device in Patent Document 1 is a twin damper type device in which a first frame and a second frame are arranged on either side of a case that houses a motor and a gear mechanism, and the openings of each frame are opened and closed by baffles. The gear mechanism includes a first output gear that rotates integrally with a first output shaft that protrudes from the case toward the first frame, and a second output gear that rotates integrally with a second output shaft that protrudes from the case toward the second frame.

[0004] In the damper device of Patent Document 1, the first output gear and the second output gear each have a gear area formed in a part of the circumferential direction that meshes with a gear member on the motor side, and intermittent gear areas are formed on both sides of the gear area in the circumferential direction. When each baffle moves between the open position and the closed position, the gear area of ​​each output gear meshes with the gear member on the motor side, and the motor torque is transmitted to rotate the baffle. On the other hand, when the baffle is in the closed state, a structure is provided in which the gear member on the motor side engages with the intermittent gear area and is locked. Therefore, the opening is maintained in a state where it is closed by the baffle.

[0005] In the damper device of Patent Document 2, a torsion coil spring is disposed between the baffle and the frame. When the baffle is rotated in the opening direction, the output shaft is rotated by the motor torque against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring. When the baffle is closed, the opening is sealed by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-118194 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-200773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When adopting a structure in which the baffle is held in a closed state by the engagement of parts, as in Patent Document 1, if a force in the opening direction is applied to the baffle when the parts are engaged and locked, the output shaft may undergo plastic deformation, which may make it impossible to seal the opening.

[0008] In a structure in which a torsion coil spring is disposed between the frame and the baffle as in Patent Document 2, there is no need to lock components such as the output gear, and so there is little risk of the opening becoming unable to be sealed due to deformation of the components. However, when a torsion coil spring is disposed between the frame and the baffle, it is likely to come into contact with the worker's hands when installing the damper device into the refrigerator. As a result, the torsion coil spring is likely to fall off, and the assembly work is burdensome. In addition, when there are multiple openings as in Patent Document 1, a torsion coil spring needs to be installed for each baffle, and Furthermore, the burden of assembly work increases.

[0009] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a damper device that can suppress an increase in the load of assembly work associated with the incorporation of a spring member for holding a baffle in a closed position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the damper device of the present invention has a frame having an opening, a baffle that opens and closes the opening, a motor and a gear mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle, and a case that houses the motor and the gear mechanism, wherein the gear mechanism comprises a plurality of gears including an output gear that rotates integrally with an output shaft to which the baffle is connected, and a spring member that is arranged between the case and a rotating member on which one of the plurality of gears is provided, and is characterized in that when the rotation direction of the rotating member when the baffle rotates in a closing direction toward the opening is defined as a first rotation direction, the spring member biases the rotating member in the first rotation direction when the baffle has rotated to a closed position where it closes the opening.

[0011] According to the present invention, the spring member is installed so as to bias the components (rotating members) constituting the gear mechanism in the direction of closing the baffle (first rotation direction) when the baffle is closed. Therefore, the baffle can be held in the closed position and the opening can be sealed without engaging the components. If the components are not engaged, there is little risk of deformation or damage to the components due to external forces, and therefore there is little risk of the opening being unable to be sealed. In addition, since the spring member can be installed inside the case, not between the baffle and the frame, it is possible to prevent the spring member from being touched and falling off when handling the damper device. Therefore, an increase in the load of the assembly work can be suppressed.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that when the baffle rotates to the closed position, the teeth on the output gear and the teeth on the preceding gear that meshes with the output gear are disengaged. In this way, if the meshing is disengaged and the baffle is left unlocked when the baffle is closed, it is possible to prevent parts from being deformed or damaged even if an external force is applied to the baffle in the opening direction. This reduces the risk of the opening becoming unable to be sealed.

[0013] In the present invention, the rotating member is preferably an output member provided with the output gear. In this way, the baffle can be easily held in the closed position by directly biasing the parts that rotate integrally with the output shaft and the output gear with the spring member. In addition, since the output member is installed in a position close to the case, it is easy to ensure an installation space for the spring member between the output member and the case, and the spring member can be easily installed.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the spring member includes a coil portion wound around the rotating member, an arm portion extending from one end of the coil portion toward the outer periphery and supported by the case, and a locking portion provided at the other end of the coil portion and locked to the rotating member. By using a coil spring in this way, the spring member can be easily attached to the shaft of the rotating member. By installing it in this way, the spring member is less likely to come off and a stable biasing force can be applied.

[0015] In the present invention, the output shaft includes a first output shaft protruding from the case to one side in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the baffle, and a second output shaft protruding from the case to the other side in the axial direction, the baffle includes a first baffle connected to the first output shaft and a second baffle connected to the second output shaft, the frame includes, as the opening, a first opening opened and closed by the first baffle and a second opening opened and closed by the second baffle, and the rotating member includes a first output member provided with a first output gear that rotates integrally with the first output shaft, and a second output gear that rotates integrally with the second output shaft. and a second output member assembled to be rotatable relative to the first output member around the rotation axis, and the spring member preferably includes a first locking portion locked to the first output member, a second locking portion locked to the second output member, a supported portion supported by the case, a first elastically deforming portion connecting the supported portion and the first locking portion and biasing the first output member in the first rotation direction, and a second elastically deforming portion connecting the supported portion and the second locking portion and biasing the second output member in the first rotation direction. In this way, in a twin-damper type damper device having two baffles, one spring component can hold the two baffles in the closed position. This can reduce the load of the assembly work. In addition, since only one installation location is required, the structure can be simplified.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that when the first baffle rotates to a position that closes the first opening, the teeth on the first output gear disengage from the teeth on the front-stage gear that meshes with the first output gear, and when the second baffle rotates to a position that closes the second opening, the teeth on a portion of the second output gear in the circumferential direction disengage from the teeth on a portion of the front-stage gear that meshes with the second output gear. In this way, if the two baffles are disengaged and not locked when both are closed, it is possible to avoid deformation and damage of parts even if an external force is applied to each baffle. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of being unable to seal the opening.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first elastic deformation portion is a first coil portion wound around the first output member, the second elastic deformation portion is a second coil portion wound around the second output member, and the supported portion is an arm portion that connects an end portion of the first coil portion on the other side in the axial direction with an end portion of the second coil portion on one side in the axial direction, extends from the first coil portion and the second coil portion to the outer circumferential side, and is supported in the first rotation direction by the case. In this way, by using a coil spring in which two coil portions are connected by an arm portion, it is possible to easily attach the coil spring to the shaft portions of two output members arranged coaxially. In addition, it is only necessary to incorporate one part as a spring part, and it is only necessary to provide one support portion for supporting the arm portion in the case. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, and the load of the assembly work can be reduced.

[0018] In the present invention, the gear mechanism preferably includes a first gear to which the rotation of a motor pinion is transmitted, a second gear to which the rotation of the first gear is transmitted, and a third gear to which the rotation of the second gear is transmitted, the second gear has teeth in a part of its circumferential direction that mesh with the first output gear and a first protruding part protruding from a part of its circumferential direction of an end face on the other side of the axial direction, the third gear has teeth in a part of its circumferential direction that mesh with the second output gear and a second protruding part protruding from a part of its circumferential direction of an end face on one side of the axial direction, the second gear and the third gear are assembled such that the first protruding part and the second protruding part face each other in the circumferential direction, and the rotation of the second gear is transmitted to the third gear by the first protruding part pressing the second protruding part from one side in the circumferential direction or the other side in the circumferential direction. In this way, in a rotation position where the first protruding part and the second protruding part do not come into contact with each other, only the first output gear that meshes with the second gear can be rotated, and only the first baffle can be rotated. On the other hand, in the rotation position where the first convex portion and the second convex portion abut against each other, the second baffle can be rotated. Therefore, the first baffle and the second baffle can be driven in an order according to the angular positions of the first convex portion and the second convex portion. For example, the first baffle and the second baffle can be opened and closed in an order in which the first baffle opens and closes first, followed by the second baffle. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, a spring member is installed so as to bias the components (rotating members) constituting the gear mechanism in a direction to close the baffle (first rotation direction) when the baffle is in a closed state. Therefore, the baffle can be held in the closed position and the opening can be sealed without engaging the components with each other. If the components are not engaged with each other, there is little risk of deformation or damage to the components due to external forces, The risk of being unable to seal the opening is low. In addition, since the spring member can be installed inside the case, not between the baffle and the frame, it is possible to prevent the spring member from being touched and falling off when handling the damper device. Therefore, an increase in the load of the assembly work can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a damper device to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device of FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of a case body, a motor, and a gear mechanism as viewed from the X1 direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism as viewed from the X1 direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism as viewed from the X2 direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first rotating member incorporating a torque limiter. [Figure 7] 11 is an exploded perspective view of a first output member, a second rotating member, a second output member, a third rotating member, and a spring member as viewed from the X1 direction. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism with the second rotating member and the third rotating member disassembled, as viewed from the X2 direction. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the gear mechanism when the two baffles are opening. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the gear mechanism when the two baffles perform a closing operation. FIG. [Figure 11]2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator in which the damper device of FIG. 1 is incorporated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A damper device to which the present invention is applied will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the damper device 1 includes a drive device 2, and a first frame 3 and a second frame 4 arranged on either side of the drive device 2. The first frame 3 includes a rectangular first opening 5. The second frame 4 includes a rectangular second opening 6. The damper device 1 includes a first baffle 7 that opens and closes the first opening 5, and a second baffle 8 that opens and closes the second opening 6. The first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 rotate about a rotation axis L1 by the drive device 2.

[0023] In this specification, X, Y and Z are directions perpendicular to each other. One side of the X direction is designated as X1, the other side of the X direction is designated as X2, one side of the Y direction is designated as Y1, the other side of the Y direction is designated as Y2, one side of the Z direction is designated as Z1, and the other side of the Z direction is designated as Z2. As shown in FIG. 1, the axial direction along the rotation axis L1 of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 coincides with the X direction. One side of the axial direction coincides with the X1 direction, and the other side of the axial direction coincides with the X2 direction.

[0024] The first frame 3 is disposed on the X1 side of the drive unit 2. The second frame 4 is disposed on the X2 side of the drive unit 2. The first opening 5 and the second opening 6 penetrate the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 in the Y direction. The first baffle 7 rotates between a closed position 7A standing in the Z1 direction and an open position 7B tilted in the Y1 direction. The second baffle 8 rotates between a closed position 8A standing in the Z1 direction and an open position 8B tilted in the Y1 direction.

[0025] Each of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 includes a resin opening / closing plate and a sheet-like elastic member 9 made of polyurethane foam or the like attached to the opening / closing plate. The first baffle 7 seals the first opening 5 with the elastic member 9 contacting the edge of the first opening 5. The second baffle 8 seals the second opening 6 with the elastic member 9 contacting the edge of the second opening 6.

[0026] In the damper device 1, the first baffle 7 is rotated in a first rotation direction R1 toward the closed position 7A and in a second rotation direction R2 toward the open position 7B by the drive device 2. The baffle 8 is rotated in a first rotation direction R1 toward the closed position 8A and in a second rotation direction R2 toward the open position 8B. The damper device 1 rotates the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in a predetermined order by the driving device 2. As a result, the damper device 1 can be in a state in which both the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 are closed, a state in which both the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 are open, and a state in which one of the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 is open and the other is closed. For example, in this embodiment, when rotating in either the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2, the first baffle 7 is rotated first and the second baffle 8 is rotated later. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment in which the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are rotated in such an order.

[0027] The damper device 1 is disposed, for example, inside a duct or the like that constitutes a cold air passage. Cold air flows through the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 from the side opposite to the side where the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are disposed with respect to the first opening 5 and the second opening 6. Cold air may also flow through the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 from the side where the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are disposed with respect to the first opening 5 and the second opening 6. Note that the passage in which the damper device 1 is incorporated may be a passage through which a medium other than cold air flows.

[0028] (Drive unit) The drive unit 2 includes a rectangular parallelepiped case 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the case 11 includes a rectangular case body 12 with an opening facing the X1 direction, and a plate-like first partition wall portion 13 that closes the opening of the case body 12. The case body 12 includes a rectangular plate-like second partition wall portion 15 disposed at an end in the X2 direction, and a square tube portion 16 extending in the X1 direction from the outer periphery of the second partition wall portion 15. The first partition wall portion 13 is assembled so as to close the end of the square tube portion 16 from the X1 direction by a hook (not shown). The first partition wall portion 13 is connected to the end of the first frame 3 in the X2 direction, and is formed integrally with the first frame 3. The case body 12 includes a second partition wall portion 15 connected to the end of the second frame 4 in the X1 direction, and is formed integrally with the second frame 4.

[0029] 2, the drive unit 2 includes a first output shaft 17 to which the first baffle 7 is connected, and a second output shaft 18 to which the second baffle 8 is connected. The first output shaft 17 passes through the first partition 13 and extends in the X1 direction toward the first opening 5. The second output shaft 18 passes through the second partition 15 and extends in the X2 direction toward the second opening 6. The first output shaft 17 and the second output shaft 18 are coaxially arranged with the rotation axis L1 as the center.

[0030] The drive device 2 includes a gear mechanism 20 and a motor 21 housed in the case 11. The gear mechanism 20 transmits the rotation of the motor 21 to the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 via the first output shaft 17 and the second output shaft 18. The motor 21 is a stepping motor that rotates in forward and reverse directions. For example, a servo motor can also be used as the motor 21. The first output shaft 17 and the second output shaft 18 are driven in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 around a rotation axis L1 based on the rotation of the motor 21.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the case body 12, the motor 21, and the gear mechanism 20 as viewed from the X1 direction. As shown in Fig. 2, a support shaft 19 protruding in the X1 direction from the second partition wall portion 15 is provided inside the case body 12. The support shaft 19 extends about a rotation axis L2 that is parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8. The support shaft 19 rotatably supports some of the multiple gears that make up the gear mechanism 20.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the motor 21 is disposed on the side of the case body 12 in the Z1 direction, and the gear mechanism 20 is disposed in the Z2 direction of the motor 21. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the gear mechanism 20 includes a motor pinion 24 fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 21, a plurality of gears rotatably supported on the support shaft 19 and rotating around the rotation axis line L2, and a plurality of gears disposed in the Z2 direction of the support shaft 19. The rotor shaft 14 includes a first output member 25 and a second output member 26 which are connected to each other and extend in the X direction. A first output shaft 17 is provided at the end of the first output member 25 in the X1 direction, and a second output shaft 18 is provided at the end of the second output member 26 in the X2 direction. Rotation is transmitted to the first output member 25 and the second output member 26 from a gear which rotates about a support shaft 19, as will be described later.

[0033] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism 20 as viewed from the X1 direction. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism 20 as viewed from the X2 direction. The gear mechanism 20 includes a torque limiter 30 incorporated in a plurality of gears that rotate about a support shaft 19. As will be described later, when the rotation of a gear (third gear 29) disposed between the torque limiter 30 and the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 is prevented by a stopper 62 provided on the case main body 12, the torque limiter 30 switches to a state in which it does not transmit rotation, thereby preventing the motor 21 from losing synchronization.

[0034] A spring member 50 is attached to the first output member 25 and the second output member 26. As described below, the spring member 50 urges the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in the closing direction (i.e., the first rotational direction R1) at the closed positions 7A and 8A to hold them at the closed positions 7A and 8A. The spring member 50 is installed between the case body 12 and the first output member 25 and the second output member 26.

[0035] 4 and 5, the gear mechanism 20 includes a first gear 27 meshing with the motor pinion 24, a second gear 28 to which the rotation of the first gear 27 is transmitted, and a third gear 29 to which the rotation of the second gear 28 is transmitted, as multiple gears rotatably supported on the support shaft 19. The rotation is transmitted from the first gear 27 to the second gear 28 via a torque limiter 30. Therefore, the first gear 27 is a front stage gear arranged in front of the torque limiter 30, and the second gear 28 is a rear stage gear arranged in the rear of the torque limiter 30.

[0036] 4 and 5, three components, a first rotating member 41 having a first gear 27, a second rotating member 42 having a second gear 28, and a third rotating member 43 having a third gear 29, are rotatably assembled to the support shaft 19 in the X direction in this order. The second rotating member 42 has a shaft portion 44 that protrudes in the X1 direction from an end face of the second gear 28 in the X1 direction. The torque limiter 30 has a cylindrical first tube portion 31 that fits on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 44, a coil spring 32 wound around the outer periphery of the first tube portion 31, and a cylindrical second tube portion 33 that surrounds the outer periphery of the coil spring 32 and extends in the X2 direction from an end face of the first gear 27 in the X2 direction.

[0037] The first cylindrical portion 31 of the torque limiter 30 rotates integrally with the second gear 28 (rear stage gear). In this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 31 is made of, for example, metal, and is a separate part from the first rotating member 41. The first cylindrical portion 31 is assembled to the second rotating member 42 so that a notch portion 34 provided on an end face in the X2 direction engages with a fitting protrusion portion 45 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 44. The first cylindrical portion 31 may be made of resin and formed integrally with the second gear 28. The second cylindrical portion 33 rotates integrally with the first gear 27 (front stage gear). The second cylindrical portion 33 is formed integrally with the first gear 27, and constitutes the first rotating member 41 together with the first gear 27.

[0038] 5, the second cylindrical portion 33 is provided with a first slit 35 and a second slit 36 ​​that are formed by cutting out a portion in the circumferential direction. The first slit 35 and the second slit 36 ​​are provided on opposite sides in the radial direction. The first slit 35 extends to the end of the second cylindrical portion 33 in the X1 direction. The coil spring 32 includes a first spring end 37 that is bent radially outward from the end in the X1 direction, and a second spring end 38 that is bent radially outward from the end in the X2 direction.

[0039] 6 is a plan view of a first rotating member 41 incorporating the torque limiter 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the coil spring 32 has a first spring end 37 disposed in the first slit 35 and a second spring end 38 disposed in the second slit 36. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the torque limiter 30 includes a first contact portion 39 facing a first spring end 37 of the coil spring 32 from one circumferential side (CCW direction as viewed from the X2 direction), and a second contact portion 40 facing a second spring end 38 of the coil spring 32 from the other circumferential side (CW direction as viewed from the X2 direction). The first contact portion 39 is an edge portion on one circumferential side of the first slit 35. The second contact portion 40 is an edge portion on the other circumferential side of the second slit 36.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the first slit 35 and the second slit 36 ​​are disposed at angular positions 180 degrees apart, and have the same circumferential width. Meanwhile, the first spring end 37 and the second spring end 38 of the coil spring 32 are disposed at positions shifted in the circumferential direction from the angular positions 180 degrees apart. Therefore, the circumferential distance between the CCW edge (first abutment portion 39) of the first slit 35 and the first spring end 37 is smaller than the circumferential distance between the CW edge of the first slit 35 and the first spring end 37. Also, the circumferential distance between the CW edge (second abutment portion 40) of the second slit 36 ​​and the second spring end 38 is smaller than the circumferential distance between the CCW edge of the second slit 36 ​​and the second spring end 38.

[0041] The torque limiter 30 transmits rotation by the coil spring 32 tightening the first cylindrical portion 31 and rotating integrally with the first cylindrical portion 31. When the drive device 2 rotates the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in the closing direction (first rotation direction R1), the drive device 2 rotates the motor 21 forward and rotates the first gear 27 meshing with the motor pinion 24 in the CCW direction shown in Figures 5 and 6. As a result, the second abutment portion 40 provided on the second cylindrical portion 33 presses the second spring end portion 38 in the CCW direction, so that the coil spring 32 and the first cylindrical portion 31 rotate integrally in the CCW direction, and the second gear 28 rotates in the CCW direction.

[0042] On the other hand, when the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are rotated in the opening direction (second rotation direction R2), the motor 21 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the first gear 27 in the CW direction shown in Figures 5 and 6. As a result, the first abutment portion 39 provided on the second cylindrical portion 33 presses the first spring end portion 37 in the CW direction, so that the coil spring 32 and the first cylindrical portion 31 rotate integrally in the CW direction, and the second gear 28 rotates in the CW direction.

[0043] 5, the second gear 28 is provided with teeth 281 on a portion of its circumference. The first output gear 46 provided on the first output member 25 is disposed in the Z2 direction of the second gear 28. The first output gear 46 protrudes in a sector shape from the shaft portion of the first output member 25. When the second gear 28 is rotated to a position where the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 and the first output gear 46 mesh with each other and then the second gear 28 is further rotated, the rotation of the second gear 28 is transmitted to the first output member 25.

[0044] Similarly, the third gear 29 has teeth 291 on a portion of its circumference. The second output gear 47 provided on the second output member 26 is disposed in the Z2 direction of the third gear 29. The second output gear 47 protrudes in a sector shape from the shaft portion of the second output member 26. When the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 and the second output gear 47 mesh with each other and rotate, the rotation of the third gear 29 is transmitted to the second output member 26.

[0045] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first output member 25, the second rotating member 42, the second output member 26, the third rotating member 43, and the spring member 50, as viewed from the X1 direction. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism 20, in which the second rotating member 42 and the third rotating member 43 are disassembled, as viewed from the X2 direction. In FIG. 8, the spring member 50 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the second rotating member 42 has a sector-shaped first protrusion 48 protruding from the end face of the second gear 28 in the X2 direction. On the other hand, the third rotating member 42 has a sector-shaped second protrusion 49 protruding from the end face of the third gear 29 in the X1 direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second rotating member 42 and the third rotating member 43 are assembled such that the tip surface of the first convex portion 48 abuts against the end surface of the third gear 29 and the tip surface of the second convex portion 49 abuts against the end surface of the second gear 28, so that the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 face each other in the circumferential direction. It is being done.

[0046] As described above, the second gear 28 rotates in the CW and CCW directions by the rotation of the first gear 27 transmitted through the torque limiter 30. In a rotation position where the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 are not in contact with each other in the circumferential direction, the rotation of the second gear 28 is not transmitted to the third gear 29. When rotating the third gear 29, the second gear 28 is rotated to a position where the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction, and then is further rotated, thereby rotating the second gear 28 and the third gear 29 in the same direction.

[0047] (Stopper) As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the third rotating member 43 has a sector-shaped contact portion 61 protruding from the end face of the third gear 29 in the X2 direction. Therefore, the third gear 29 is a gear with a contact portion. When the third gear 29 rotates to a position where the contact portion 61 abuts against a stopper 62 provided on the case body 12, the gear mechanism 20 prevents the rotation of the third gear 29. In this embodiment, the third gear 29 abuts against the stopper 62 immediately after the second baffle 8 rotates to the open position 8B, and the rotation of the third gear 29 is prevented. As shown in Fig. 2, the stopper 62 protrudes from the second partition wall portion 15 of the case body 12 in the X1 direction. The stopper 62 is a sector-shaped protrusion disposed in the Z2 direction of the support shaft 19.

[0048] When the rotation of the third gear 29 is prevented, the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction, thereby preventing the rotation of the second gear 28. In this embodiment, when the rotation of the second gear 28 is prevented, the torque limiter 30 switches to a state in which it does not transmit rotation, as described below. Therefore, the first gear 27 does not transmit rotation and rotates freely, so that the motor 21 does not lock and does not step out.

[0049] When the abutted portion 61 abuts against the stopper 62 from one circumferential side or the other circumferential side, and the rotation of the second gear 28 is prevented, the first spring end 37 of the coil spring 32 is pressed by the first abutting portion 39, or the second spring end 38 is pressed by the second abutting portion 40 of the torque limiter 30. At this time, the pressing force applied to the first spring end 37 or the second spring end 38 acts in a direction in which the coil spring 32 unwinds. In the torque limiter 30, the specifications of the coil spring 32 are set so that the pressing force (rotational torque) applied to the first spring end 37 or the second spring end 38 when the rotation of the second gear 28 is prevented is greater than the torque required for the coil spring 32 to unwind (i.e., the holding torque for the coil spring 32 to tighten the first cylindrical portion 31 and hold it so as not to slip). Therefore, when the rotation of the second gear 28 (the rear gear disposed after the torque limiter 30) is prevented, the coil spring 32 unwinds, and the torque limiter 30 switches to a state in which it does not transmit rotation.

[0050] (Spring parts) As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the spring member 50 includes a first coil portion 51 wound around the first output member 25, a second coil portion 52 wound around the second output member 26, an arm portion 53 connected to the first coil portion 51 and the second coil portion 52 and supported by the case body 12, a first locking portion 54 engaged with the first output member 25, and a second locking portion 55 engaged with the second output member 26.

[0051] The arm portion 53 is made of a coil wire folded back into a U-shape, and extends from between the first coil portion 51 and the second coil portion 52 toward the outer periphery. The first locking portion 54 is bent in the X1 direction from the end of the first coil portion 51, and is locked to a base end of the sector-shaped first output gear 46 protruding from the shaft portion of the first output member 25. The second locking portion 55 is bent in the X2 direction from the end of the second coil portion 52, and is locked to a base end of the sector-shaped second output gear 47 protruding from the shaft portion of the second output member 26.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the arm 53 is a support 5 protruding in the Z1 direction from the case body 12. 6 in the first rotation direction R1 and in a direction in which rotation in the second rotation direction R2 is restricted. Therefore, the spring member is incorporated so as to urge the first output member 25, to which the first locking portion 54 is locked, in the first rotation direction R1, and to urge the second output member 26, to which the second locking portion 55 is locked, in the first rotation direction R1.

[0053] The spring member 50 exerts a biasing force on the first output member 25 and the second output member 26 in the first rotation direction R1 (i.e., the direction in which the baffles are closed) when the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are located at the closed positions 7A and 8A. In this embodiment, when the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 rotate to the closed positions 7A and 8A, the meshing between the first output member 25 and the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 is released, and the meshing between the second output member 26 and the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 is released. Therefore, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are held at the closed positions 7A and 8A by the biasing force of the spring member 50. When the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are rotated toward the open positions 7B and 8B, they are rotated against the biasing force of the spring member 50.

[0054] (Baffle operation) Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the gear mechanism 20 when the two baffles perform an opening operation. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the gear mechanism 20 when the two baffles perform a closing operation. The upper figures in Figs. 9 and 10 show plan views of the members that drive the first baffle 7 (first output member 25, second gear 28, first gear 27, and motor pinion 24). The lower figures in Figs. 9 and 10 show plan views of the members that drive the second baffle 8 (second output member 26 and third gear 29).

[0055] As shown in the upper diagrams of Figs. 9 and 10, the second gear 28 includes a toothless portion 282 formed on one circumferential side of the toothed portion 281, and a toothless portion 283 formed on the other circumferential side of the toothed portion 281. The outer peripheral surface of the toothless portion 282 coincides with the tip circle of the toothed portion 281. The outer peripheral surface of the toothless portion 283 coincides with the root circle of the toothed portion 281. As shown in the lower diagrams of Figs. 9 and 10, the third gear 29 includes a toothless portion 292 formed on one circumferential side of the toothed portion 291, and a toothless portion 293 formed on the other circumferential side of the toothed portion 291. The outer peripheral surface of the toothless portion 292 coincides with the tip circle of the toothed portion 291. The outer peripheral surface of the toothless portion 293 coincides with the root circle of the toothed portion 291.

[0056] 9, the operation of rotating the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in this order in the second rotation direction R2 and stopping them at the open positions 7B and 8B will be described. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotational positions of the gears change in the order of the origin position, the opening operation start position, the open-close position, and the open-open position.

[0057] In the home position, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are located at the closed positions 7A and 7B. The first output gear 46 and the second output gear are located at the closed positions 46A and 47A. The second gear 28 is located at the home position 28X. The third gear 29 is located at the first position 29A.

[0058] First, the motor 21 is driven to rotate the second gear 28 in the CW direction (see FIG. 5) to the first position 28A. At this time, the first output gear 46 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the toothless portion 283 of the second gear 28. This results in the opening operation start position shown in FIG. 9. The opening operation start position is a position where the second gear 28 and the third gear 29 rotate to a position immediately before meshing with the first output gear 46 and the second output gear 47 when rotating in the CW direction.

[0059] Next, the second gear 28 is further rotated in the CW direction to the second position 28B. This brings it into the open-close position shown in FIG. 9. At this time, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 meshes with the first output gear 46 and rotates in the CW direction, so that the first output gear 46 rotates in the second rotation direction R2. 4A, and then rotates to the open position 46B. As a result, the first baffle 7 rotates to the open position 7B, and immediately after this, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 and the first output gear 46 disengage from each other. During this operation, the first convex portion 48 of the second gear 28 does not press the second convex portion 49 of the third gear 29, so the third gear 29 does not rotate. Therefore, the second baffle 8 is stopped at the closed position 8A, and only the first baffle 7 rotates first from the closed position 7A to the open position 7B.

[0060] Next, the second gear 28 is further rotated in the CW direction to the third position 28C. During this time, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 and the first output gear 46 are disengaged, so the first output gear 46 does not rotate and slides on the outer circumferential surface of the toothless portion 282. Therefore, the first baffle 7 is stopped at the open position 7B. Meanwhile, in the middle of rotating from the second position 28B to the third position 28C, the first convex portion 48 of the second gear 28 abuts against the second convex portion 49 of the third gear 29 in the CW direction, and thereafter, the second gear 28 and the third gear 29 rotate. While the third gear 29 rotates from the first position 29A to the second position 29B, the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 and the second output gear 47 rotate in mesh with each other. The second output gear 47 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 to the open position 47B. This results in the open-open position shown in FIG. 9. The second baffle 8 rotates to the open position 8 B. Immediately after this, the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 and the second output gear 47 disengage from each other.

[0061] As described above, in the damper device 1, both the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in a closed state at the origin position and the opening operation start position. At the open-close position, the first baffle 7 is open and the second baffle 8 is in a closed state. At the open-open position, both the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in an open state. Here, at the open-open position, the abutment portion 61 (not shown) of the third gear 29 abuts against a stopper 62 (see FIG. 2) provided on the case 11. Therefore, the third gear 29 and the second gear 28 are prevented from rotating.

[0062] Next, referring to Fig. 10, the operation in which the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 rotate in this order in the first rotation direction R1 and stop at the closed positions 7A and 8A will be described. At this time, as shown in Fig. 10, the rotational positions of the gears change in the order of the closing operation start position, the closed-open position, and the origin position.

[0063] The closing operation start position in Fig. 10 is a position where the second gear 28 is rotated in the CCW direction from the open-open position in Fig. 9 and stopped at the second position 28B. The closing operation start position is a position where the second gear 28 and the third gear 29 rotate in the CCW direction to a position immediately before meshing with the first output gear 46 and the second output gear 47.

[0064] Next, the second gear 28 is further rotated in the CCW direction to the first position 28A. This results in the closed-open position shown in FIG. 10. At this time, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 mesh with the first output gear 46 and rotate in the CCW direction, so that the first output gear 46 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 and rotates to the closed position 46A. This causes the first baffle 7 to rotate to the closed position 7A, and immediately after this, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 and the first output gear 46 are disengaged. In this operation, the first convex portion 48 of the second gear 28 does not press the second convex portion 49 of the third gear 29, so the third gear 29 does not rotate. Therefore, the second baffle 8 is stopped at the open position 8B, and only the first baffle 7 rotates first from the open position 7B to the closed position 7A.

[0065] Next, the second gear 28 is further rotated in the CCW direction to the origin position 28X. During this time, the teeth 281 of the second gear 28 and the first output gear 46 are no longer meshed, so the first output gear 46 does not rotate and slides on the outer circumferential surface of the toothless portion 283 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the first baffle 7 is stopped at the closed position 7A. Meanwhile, during the rotation from the second position 28B to the origin position 28X, the first convex portion 48 of the second gear 28 abuts against the second convex portion 49 of the third gear 29 in the CCW direction, so that the third gear 29 rotates together with the second gear 28 from the second position 29B to the first position 29A. During this time, the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 and the second output gear 47 Since the second output gear 47 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 to the closed position 47A, the second output gear 47 reaches the original position shown in Fig. 10. The second baffle 8 rotates to the closed position 8A. Immediately after this, the teeth 291 of the third gear 29 and the second output gear 47 disengage from each other.

[0066] As described above, in the damper device 1, at the closing operation start position, both the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in an open state. In the closed-open position, the first baffle 7 is closed and the second baffle 8 is in an open state. In the original position, both the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in a closed state. Therefore, the damper device 1 can put the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in a state where both are open, a state where both are closed, or a state where one is open and the other is closed.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first output gear 46 and the second output gear 47 disengage from the toothed portion 281 of the second gear 28 and from the toothed portion 291 of the third gear 29 immediately after rotating to the closed position 46A, 47A and immediately after rotating to the open position 46B, 47B. The second gear 28 has toothless portions 282, 283 formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the toothed portion 281, and the third gear 29 has toothless portions 292, 293 formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the toothed portion 291. Therefore, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are urged in the first rotation direction R1 by the urging force of the spring member 50 in the closed position 46A, 47A as described above, and are held in the closed position 7A, 8A.

[0068] (refrigerator) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 100 in which the damper device of FIG. 1 is incorporated. In the refrigerator 100, a refrigerator body 110 includes a plurality of storage compartments 111 and a cold air duct 112 that supplies cold air to the plurality of storage compartments 111. The damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied is disposed, for example, in a cold air intake 113 that communicates the cold air duct 112 with the storage compartments 111, and opens and closes the cold air intake 113. The refrigerator body 110 also includes a cooler 114 that generates cold air, a fan 115 that is disposed in the cold air duct 112, and a control device 120. The control device 120 controls the opening and closing operation of the damper device 1 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided in the storage compartment 111, and adjusts the supply timing and supply amount of cold air to the storage compartment 111.

[0069] (Action and effect) As described above, the damper device 1 of this embodiment includes a frame (first frame 3, second frame 4) in which the openings (first opening 5, second opening 6) are provided, baffles (first baffle 7, second baffle 8) that open and close the openings (first opening 5, second opening 6), a motor 21, a gear mechanism 20 that transmits the rotation of the motor 21 to the baffles (first baffle 7, second baffle 8), and a case 11 that accommodates the motor 21 and the gear mechanism 20. The gear mechanism 20 includes a plurality of gears including an output gear (first output gear 46, second output gear 47) that rotates integrally with an output shaft (first output shaft 17, second output shaft 18) to which the baffles (first baffle 7, second baffle 8) are connected, and a spring member 50 that is disposed between the case 11 and a rotating member (first output member 25, second output member 26) on which one of the plurality of gears is provided. If the rotational direction of the first output member 25 when the first baffle 7 rotates in the closing direction toward the first opening 5, and the rotational direction of the second output member 26 when the second baffle 8 rotates in the closing direction toward the second opening 6 are defined as a first rotational direction R1, the spring member 50 urges the first output member 25 and the second output member 26 in the first rotational direction R1 when the first baffle 7 rotates to a closed position 7A that closes the first opening 5 and the second baffle 8 rotates to a closed position 8A that closes the second opening 6.

[0070] According to the present invention, a rotating member (first output) having one of the gears constituting the gear mechanism 20 is The spring member 50 is installed so as to bias the baffle (first baffle 7, second baffle 8) in a direction to close the baffle (first rotation direction R1) when the baffle (first baffle 7, second baffle 8) is closed. Therefore, the baffle can be held in the closed position (closed positions 7A, 8A) and the opening can be sealed without engaging the parts. By making the structure such that the parts do not need to be engaged with each other, it is possible to avoid deformation and damage of the parts at the engaged portion even if an external force in the opening direction is applied to the baffle. Therefore, there is little risk that the opening cannot be sealed. In addition, there is no need to install the spring member 50 between the baffle and the frame (first frame 3, second frame 4) outside the case 11, and the spring member 50 can be accommodated inside the case 11, so that it is possible to prevent the spring member 50 from being touched and falling off when handling the damper device 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load of the assembly work.

[0071] In this embodiment, when the baffle (first baffle 7, second baffle 8) rotates to the closed position 7A, 8A, the teeth on the output gear (first output gear 46, second output gear 47) and the teeth 281, 291 on the front gear (second gear 28, third gear 29) that mesh with the output gear are disengaged. In this way, if the meshing is disengaged and the parts on the baffle side are not locked when the baffle is closed, it is possible to avoid deformation and damage to the parts even if an external force in the opening direction is applied to the baffle. Therefore, there is little risk that the opening cannot be sealed. In addition, since the spring member 50 can be installed inside the case 11, not between the baffle and the frame, it is possible to prevent the spring member 50 from being touched and falling off when handling the damper device 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load of the assembly work.

[0072] In this embodiment, the rotating members are output members (first output member 25, second output member 26) provided with an output gear. In this way, the parts that rotate integrally with the output shaft and the output gear are directly biased by the spring member 50, making it easy to hold the baffle in the closed position. In addition, since the output member is installed in a position close to the case 11, it is easy to ensure an installation space for the spring member 50 between the output member and the case 11, and the spring member 50 can be easily incorporated.

[0073] In this embodiment, the spring member 50 includes coil portions (first coil portion 51, second coil portion 52) wound around the rotating members (first output member 25, second output member 26), arm portions 53 extending from one end of each coil portion toward the outer periphery and supported by the case 11, and locking portions (first locking portion 54, second locking portion 55) provided at the other end of each coil portion and locked to the rotating members. In this manner, by using the coil spring 32, it is possible to easily attach the spring member 50 to the shaft portion of the rotating member. By installing it in this manner, the spring member 50 is less likely to come off, and a stable biasing force can be applied.

[0074] In this embodiment, the output shaft includes a first output shaft 17 protruding from the case 11 to one side (X1 direction) in the axial direction along the rotation axis L1 of the baffle, and a second output shaft 18 protruding from the case 11 to the other side (X2 direction) in the axial direction. The baffle includes a first baffle 7 connected to the first output shaft 17 and a second baffle 8 connected to the second output shaft 18. The frame (first frame 3, second frame 4) includes, as openings, a first opening 5 opened and closed by the first baffle 7 and a second opening 6 opened and closed by the second baffle 8. The rotating member includes a first output member 25 provided with a first output gear 46 that rotates integrally with the first output shaft 17, and a second output member 26 provided with a second output gear 47 that rotates integrally with the second output shaft 18 and assembled to be relatively rotatable with the first output member 25 around the rotation axis L1. The spring member 50 includes a first locking portion 54 locked to the first output member 25, a second locking portion 55 locked to the second output member 26, a supported portion (arm portion 53) supported by the case 11, a first elastically deforming portion (first coil portion 51) connecting the supported portion (arm portion 53) and the first locking portion 54 and biasing the first output member 25 in the first rotation direction R1, and a second elastically deforming portion (second coil portion 52) connecting the supported portion (arm portion 53) and the second locking portion 55 and biasing the second output member 26 in the first rotation direction R1. This forms a twin-axis spring having two baffles. In the damper type damper device 1, two baffles can be held in the closed position with one part. Therefore, the load of the assembly work can be reduced. In addition, since only one installation location is required, the structure can be simplified.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the first baffle 7 rotates to a position that closes the first opening 5, the teeth on the first output gear 46 disengage from the teeth on the front gear that meshes with the first output gear 46, and when the second baffle 8 rotates to a position that closes the second opening 6, the teeth on a part of the second output gear 47 disengage from the teeth on a part of the front gear that meshes with the second output gear 47. In this way, if the two baffles are disengaged and not locked when both are closed, it is possible to avoid deformation and damage of the parts even if an external force is applied to each baffle. Therefore, there is little risk that the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 will not be able to be sealed.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first elastic deformation portion is a first coil portion 51 wound around the first output member 25, the second elastic deformation portion is a second coil portion 52 wound around the second output member 26, and the supported portion is an arm portion 53 that connects an end portion of the first coil portion 51 on the other side in the axial direction (X2 direction) with an end portion of the second coil portion 52 on one side in the axial direction (X1 direction), extends from the first coil portion 51 and the second coil portion 52 to the outer periphery side, and is supported by the case 11 from the second rotation direction R2. In this way, by using a coil spring 32 in a shape in which two coil portions are connected by the arm portion 53, it can be easily attached to the shaft portions of two output members arranged coaxially. In addition, it is only necessary to incorporate one part as the spring member 50, and it is only necessary to provide one support portion for supporting the arm portion 53 in the case 11. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, and the load of the assembly work can be reduced.

[0077] In this embodiment, the gear mechanism 20 includes a first gear 27 to which the rotation of the motor pinion 24 is transmitted, a second gear 28 to which the rotation of the first gear 27 is transmitted, and a third gear 29 to which the rotation of the second gear 28 is transmitted. The second gear 28 includes teeth that mesh with the first output gear 46 on a part of its circumferential direction, and a first protrusion 48 that protrudes from a part of its circumferential direction of an end face on the other side in the axial direction (X2 direction). The third gear 29 includes teeth that mesh with the second output gear 47 on a part of its circumferential direction, and a second protrusion 49 that protrudes from a part of its circumferential direction of an end face on one side in the axial direction (X1 direction). The second gear 28 and the third gear 29 are assembled such that the first protrusion 48 and the second protrusion 49 face each other in the circumferential direction. The first convex portion 48 presses the second convex portion 49 from one side in the circumferential direction or the other side in the circumferential direction, whereby the rotation of the second gear 28 is transmitted to the third gear 29. In this way, in a rotation position where the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 are not in contact with each other, only the first output gear 46 meshing with the second gear 28 can be rotated, and only the first baffle 7 can be rotated. On the other hand, in a rotation position where the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49 are in contact with each other, the second baffle 8 can be rotated. Thus, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 can be driven in an order according to the angular positions of the first convex portion 48 and the second convex portion 49. For example, the opening and closing operations of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 can both be performed in an order where the first baffle 7 is first and the second baffle 8 is second.

[0078] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the spring member 50 is incorporated into a twin damper type damper device 1 that opens and closes two openings with two baffles, but the present invention can be applied to a damper device that opens and closes one opening with one baffle. Also, the spring member 50 that applies a biasing force to hold the baffle in the closed position may be attached to a rotating member that includes a gear in the previous stage (on the motor 21 side) of the rotating member (first output member 25, second output member 26) on which the output gear is provided. Furthermore, the spring member 50 is not limited to a coil spring, and the elastic deformation portion may be in a form different from the coil portion. And, as described below, the respective configurations of the above embodiment can be appropriately combined, and some may be omitted. That is, the embodiment of the present invention As an embodiment, the following forms can be adopted.

[0079] (1) A damper device comprising: a frame having an opening; a baffle that opens and closes the opening; a motor and a gear mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle; and a case that houses the motor and the gear mechanism, wherein the gear mechanism comprises a plurality of gears including an output gear that rotates integrally with an output shaft to which the baffle is connected; and a spring member that is disposed between the case and a rotating member on which one of the plurality of gears is mounted, wherein when the rotation direction of the rotating member when the baffle rotates in the closing direction toward the opening is defined as a first rotation direction, the spring member biases the rotating member in the first rotation direction when the baffle has rotated to a closed position that closes the opening.

[0080] (2) A damper device as described above in (1), characterized in that when the baffle rotates to the closed position, the teeth on the output gear disengage from the teeth on the preceding gear that meshes with the output gear.

[0081] (3) The damper device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the rotating member is an output member provided with an output gear.

[0082] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, the spring member comprises a coil portion wound around the rotating member, an arm portion extending from one end of the coil portion toward the outer periphery and supported by the case, and a locking portion provided at the other end of the coil portion and locked to the rotating member.

[0083] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, a first output section includes, as output shafts, a first output shaft protruding from the case to one side in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the baffle, and a second output shaft protruding from the case to the other side in the axial direction, as baffles, a first baffle connected to the first output shaft, and a second baffle connected to the second output shaft, as openings of the frame, a first opening opened and closed by the first baffle, and a second opening opened and closed by the second baffle, as a rotating member, the first output section is provided with a first output gear rotating integrally with the first output shaft. and a second output member having a second output gear which rotates integrally with the second output shaft and which is assembled to be rotatable relative to the first output member (25) about the rotation axis line, wherein the spring member comprises a first locking portion locked to the first output member (25), a second locking portion locked to the second output member, a supported portion supported by the case, a first elastic deformation portion connecting the supported portion and the first locking portion and urging the first output member in a first rotation direction, and a second elastic deformation portion connecting the supported portion and the second locking portion and urging the second output member in the first rotation direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] Reference Signs List 1...damper device, 2...drive device, 3...first frame, 4...second frame, 5...first opening, 6...second opening, 7...first baffle, 7A...closed position, 7B...open position, 8...second baffle, 8A...closed position, 8B...open position, 9...elastic member, 11...case, 12...case body, 13...first partition wall portion, 15...second partition wall portion, 16...rectangular tube portion, 17...first output shaft, 18...second output shaft, 19...support shaft, 20...gear mechanism, 21...motor, 24...motor pinion, 25...first output member, 26...second output member, 27...first gear, 28...second gear, 28A...first position, 28B...second position, 28C...third position, 28X... Home position, 29...third gear, 29A...first position, 29B...second position, 30...torque limiter, 31...first cylindrical portion, 32...coil spring, 33...second cylindrical portion, 34...notch portion, 35...first slit, 36...second slit, 37...first spring end, 38...second spring end, 39...first contact portion, 40...second contact portion, 41...first rotating member, 42...second rotating member, 43...third rotating member, 44...shaft portion, 45...engaging convex portion, 46...first output gear, 46A...closed position, 46B...open position, 47...second output gear, 47A...closed position, 47B...open position, 48...first convex portion, 49...second convex portion, 50...spring member, 51...first coil coil portion, 52...second coil portion, 53...arm portion, 54...first engaging portion, 55...second engaging portion, 56...support portion, 61...contact portion, 62...stopper, 100...refrigerator, 110...refrigerator body, 111...storage compartment, 112...cold air duct, 113...cold air intake, 114...cooler, 115...fan, 120...control device, 281...toothed portion, 282, 283...toothless portion, 291...toothed portion, 292, 293...toothless portion, L1, L2...rotation axis, R1...first rotation direction, R2...second rotation direction

Claims

1. a frame having an opening, a baffle for opening and closing the opening, a motor and a gear mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the baffle, and a case for accommodating the motor and the gear mechanism; the gear mechanism includes a plurality of gears including an output gear that rotates integrally with an output shaft to which the baffle is connected, and a spring member that is disposed between the case and a rotating member on which one of the plurality of gears is provided, When the rotation direction of the rotating member when the baffle rotates in the closing direction toward the opening is defined as a first rotation direction, The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member biases the rotating member in the first rotational direction when the baffle is rotated to a closed position that closes the opening.

2. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the baffle rotates to the closed position, the teeth on the output gear disengage from the teeth on a preceding gear that meshes with the output gear.

3. The damper device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is an output member provided with the output gear.

4. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring member comprises a coil portion wound around the rotating member, an arm portion extending from one end of the coil portion toward the outer periphery and supported by the case, and a locking portion provided at the other end of the coil portion and engaged with the rotating member.

5. The output shaft includes a first output shaft protruding from the case to one side in an axial direction along a rotation axis of the baffle, and a second output shaft protruding from the case to the other side in the axial direction, The baffle includes a first baffle connected to the first output shaft and a second baffle connected to the second output shaft, the frame includes, as the opening, a first opening that is opened and closed by the first baffle and a second opening that is opened and closed by the second baffle; The rotating member includes: a first output member provided with a first output gear that rotates integrally with the first output shaft; a second output member assembled to be relatively rotatable with the first output member about the rotation axis, the second output member being provided with a second output gear that rotates integrally with the second output shaft; The spring member is a first engaging portion that is engaged with the first output member; a second engaging portion that is engaged with the second output member; A supported portion supported by the case; a first elastically deformable portion that connects the supported portion and the first engaging portion and biases the first output member in the first rotational direction; The damper device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second elastically deformable portion that connects the supported portion and the second engaging portion and biases the second output member in the first rotational direction.

6. When the first baffle rotates to a position that closes the first opening, the teeth of the first output gear and the teeth of the preceding gear that meshes with the first output gear are disengaged from each other, The damper device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the second baffle rotates to a position that closes the second opening, the teeth of the second output gear disengage from the teeth of a preceding gear that meshes with the second output gear.

7. the first elastic deformation portion is a first coil portion wound around the first output member, the second elastic deformation portion is a second coil portion wound around the second output member, The damper device as described in claim 5, characterized in that the supported portion is an arm portion that connects an end portion on the other side of the axial direction of the first coil portion and an end portion on one side of the axial direction of the second coil portion, extends radially outward from the first coil portion and the second coil portion, and is supported in the first rotational direction by the case.

8. The gear mechanism includes: a first gear to which rotation of a motor pinion is transmitted, a second gear to which rotation of the first gear is transmitted, and a third gear to which rotation of the second gear is transmitted, the second gear includes a tooth portion that meshes with the first output gear at a part in a circumferential direction, and a first protrusion that protrudes from a part in a circumferential direction of an end face on the other side in the axial direction, the third gear includes a tooth portion that meshes with the second output gear at a part in a circumferential direction, and a second protrusion that protrudes from a part in a circumferential direction of an end face on one side in the axial direction, The damper device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second gear and the third gear are assembled so that the first convex portion and the second convex portion face each other in the circumferential direction, and the first convex portion presses the second convex portion from one circumferential side or the other circumferential side, thereby transmitting rotation of the second gear to the third gear.

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