Damper device

Abstract

To provide a damper device that does not require a spring member for preventing a baffle in a closed position from moving in an opening direction to be bridged between the baffle and a frame.SOLUTION: A first output mechanism 24 connected to a first baffle 7 comprises: a first output shaft component 31 comprising a first output shaft 23; a first output gear component 33 comprising a first output gear 32, and supporting the first output shaft component 31 rotatably about an axial line along an axial line L1 of the first output shaft 23; and a first spring member 34. The first output gear component 33 rotatably supports the first output shaft component 31 between a first rotational position 31A and a second rotational position separated from the first rotational position 31A in a second rotational direction R2. The first spring member 34 biases the first output shaft component 31 toward the first rotational position 31A. The second rotational direction R2 is a direction in which the first baffle 7 opens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a damper device used in a refrigerator. The damper device includes a frame having an opening that forms part of a cold air passage, a baffle for opening and closing the opening, and a drive mechanism for rotating the baffle between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that moves the baffle away from the opening. The damper device also includes a torsion coil spring disposed between the baffle and the frame. When rotating the baffle in the opening direction toward the open position, the drive mechanism drives the baffle against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring. When the baffle is disposed in the closed position, the baffle is pressed against the opening by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-200773 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring prevents the baffle from moving in the open direction when it is in the closed position. However, if the torsion coil spring is placed 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. Therefore, there is a possibility that the torsion coil spring may fall off.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a damper device that does not require a spring member to be placed between the frame and the baffle to prevent the baffle in the closed position from moving in the opening direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the damper device of the present invention includes a frame having an opening, a baffle that opens and closes the opening, and a drive mechanism that rotates the baffle between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that moves away from the opening, the drive mechanism including a drive source, a gear mechanism that transmits a drive force from the drive source, and an output mechanism having an output shaft connected to the baffle and an output gear that is coaxial with the output shaft and to which the drive force is transmitted from the gear mechanism, the output mechanism including an output shaft component member that includes the output shaft, and the output gear, and the output shaft component member is rotated along the axis of the output shaft. and a spring member stretched between the output shaft component and the output gear component, wherein when the rotation direction of the output shaft component about the axis when the baffle rotates in the closing direction from the open position toward the closed position is defined as a first rotation direction and the opposite direction is defined as a second rotation direction, the output gear component supports the output shaft component to be rotatable between a first rotation position about the axis and a second rotation position spaced apart from the first rotation position in the second rotation direction, and the spring member biases the output shaft component toward the first rotation position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the damper device with the baffle in a closed position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device with the baffle in the open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drive mechanism, the case, and the second frame. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the output mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first output mechanism as viewed from the first output shaft side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first output mechanism as seen from the first output gear side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the first output mechanism with the baffle in the closed position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first output mechanism with the baffle in the open position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism and the output mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism and the output mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the meshing between the second gear and the first output gear until the first baffle moves from the first open position to the first closed position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the drive mechanism housed in the case body. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of the drive mechanism. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the meshing of the second gear, the third gear, the first output gear, and the second output gear when the two baffles perform opening and closing operations. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator in which the damper device is incorporated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A damper device to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the damper device with the baffle in a closed position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device with the baffle in an open position. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device. As shown in FIG. 1, the damper device 1 includes a case 2 and a first frame 3 and a second frame 4 arranged on either side of the case 2. As shown in FIG. 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 also 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. As shown in FIG. 3, a drive mechanism 9 is housed in the case 2. The first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are driven to rotate about a predetermined axis L1 by the drive mechanism 9.

[0010] In the following description, the three mutually perpendicular directions are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. One side of the X-axis direction is referred to as the X1 direction, and the other side of the X-axis direction is referred to as the X2 direction. One side of the Y-axis direction is referred to as the Y1 direction, and the other side of the Y-axis direction is referred to as the Y2 direction. One side of the Z-axis direction is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the other side of the Z-axis direction is referred to as the Z2 direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the axial direction along the axis L1 is the X-axis direction.

[0011] The first frame 3 is disposed in the X1 direction of the case 2. The second frame 4 is disposed in the X2 direction of the case 2. The first opening 5 and the second opening 6 penetrate the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 in the Y-axis direction. The first baffle 7 rotates between a first closed position 7A standing in the Z1 direction and a first open position 7B leaning in the Y1 direction. The second baffle 8 rotates between a second closed position 8A standing in the Z1 direction and a second open position 8B leaning in the Y1 direction.

[0012] 2, each of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 includes a resin opening / closing plate 10 and a sheet-like elastic member 11 made of foamed polyurethane or the like attached to the opening / closing plate 10. The first baffle 7 seals the first opening 5 with the elastic member 11 contacting the edge of the first opening 5. The second baffle 8 seals the second opening 6 with the elastic member 11 contacting the edge of the second opening 6.

[0013] The damper device 1 is driven by the drive mechanism 9 to rotate the first baffle 7 in a first rotational direction R1 toward the first closed position 7A and in a second rotational direction R2 toward the first open position 7B, and to rotate the second baffle 8 in the first rotational direction R1 toward the second closed position 8A and in the second rotational direction R2 toward the second open position 8B. The damper device 1 is driven by the drive mechanism 9 to rotate the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in a predetermined order. 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, or a state in which one of the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 is open and the other is closed. In this embodiment, the rotation angle of the first baffle 7 when moving between the first closed position 7A and the first open position 7B is 90°. The second baffle 8 moves between the second closed position 8A and the second open position 8B through a rotation angle of 90°.

[0014] 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 relative 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 relative 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.

[0015] (case) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drive mechanism 9, case 2, and second frame. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case 2 includes a rectangular box-shaped case body 12 with its opening facing the X1 direction and a plate-like first partition wall 13 that closes the opening of the case body 12. The case body 12 includes a rectangular plate portion 14 facing the first partition wall 13 and a rectangular tube portion 15 extending from the outer periphery of the plate portion 14 in the X1 direction. The first partition wall 13 is assembled with a hook to close the end of the rectangular tube portion 15 from the X1 direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the first partition wall 13 is connected to the end of the first frame 3 in the X2 direction and is formed integrally with the first frame 3. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a flat plate 16 is placed on the X2-direction end face of the plate portion 14 of the case body 12. The flat plate 16 is placed on the plate portion 14 from the X2 direction using a hook. The flat plate 16 is connected to the end of the second frame 4 in the X1 direction and is formed integrally with the second frame 4.

[0016] A support shaft 17 protruding from the plate portion 14 in the X1 direction is provided inside the case body 12. A support shaft axis L2 of the support shaft 17 extends in the X-axis direction. The support shaft 17 rotatably supports some of the gears constituting the drive mechanism 9. Also provided inside the case body 12 are stopper portions 18 that restrict the rotation ranges of a first output gear 32 that rotates a first output shaft 23 connected to the first baffle 7 and a second output gear 36 that rotates a second output shaft 25 connected to the second baffle 8 in the drive mechanism 9. The first output gear abuts against the stopper portion 18 when the first baffle 7 reaches the open position. The second output gear abuts against the stopper portion 18 when the second baffle 8 reaches the open position. Details of the first output shaft 23, the first output gear 32, the second output shaft 25, and the second output gear 36 will be described later.

[0017] (Drive mechanism) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive mechanism 9 includes a drive source 20, an output mechanism 21, and a gear mechanism 22 that transmits the drive force of the drive source 20 to the output mechanism 21. The output mechanism 21 includes a first output mechanism 24 that includes a first output shaft 23 to which the first baffle 7 is connected, and a second output mechanism 26 that includes a second output shaft 25 to which the second baffle 8 is connected. The first output mechanism 24 and the second output mechanism 26 are coaxial and connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The gear mechanism 22 transmits the drive force of the drive source 20 to the first output mechanism 24 and the second output mechanism 26.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the first output shaft 23 of the first output mechanism 24 is provided in the first partition wall portion 13. The first output shaft 23 extends in the X1 direction toward the first opening 5 through a through hole 13a formed in the plate portion 14. A first baffle 7 is connected to the first output shaft 23. As shown in FIG. 4, a second output shaft 25 of the second output mechanism 26 passes through a through hole 14a formed in the plate portion 14 and a through hole 16a formed in the flat plate 16, and extends in the X2 direction toward the second opening 6. A second baffle 8 is connected to the second output shaft 25. An axis L1 is the axis of the first output shaft 23 and the second output shaft 25.

[0019] (Drive source) The driving source 20 of the drive mechanism 9 is a geared motor. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the driving source 20 includes a motor main body 27, a motor output shaft 28 protruding from the motor main body 27 in the X1 direction, and a motor pinion 29 fixed to the motor output shaft 28. The motor main body 27 houses a motor and a reduction gear train that transmits the rotation of the motor to the motor output shaft 28. The driving source 20 rotates in forward and reverse directions.

[0020] (output mechanism) FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the output mechanism 21. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first output mechanism 24 when viewed from the first output shaft 23 side. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first output mechanism 24 when viewed from the opposite side of the first output shaft 23. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the first output mechanism 24 when viewed from the first output shaft 23 side. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first output mechanism 24 when the first baffle 7 is in the first closed position 7A. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the first output mechanism 24 when the first baffle 7 is in the first open position 7B.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, the first output mechanism 24 includes a first output shaft component 31 having the first output shaft 23. The first output mechanism 24 also includes a first output gear component 33 having a first output gear 32 and supporting the first output shaft component 31 rotatably about the axis of the first output shaft 23, and a first spring member 34 bridged between the first output shaft component 31 and the first output gear component 33. The first output gear component 33 supports the first output shaft component 31 rotatably between a first rotation position 31A about the axis (see FIG. 9) and a second rotation position 31B (see FIG. 10) spaced from the first rotation position 31A in a second rotation direction R2. The first spring member 34 biases the first output shaft component 31 toward the first rotation position 31A.

[0022] The second output mechanism 26 includes a second output shaft component 35 having a second output shaft 25. The second output mechanism 26 also includes a second output gear component 37 having a second output gear 36 and supporting the second output shaft component 35 rotatably about an axis along the axis L1 of the second output shaft 25, and a second spring member 38 spanning between the second output shaft component 35 and the second output gear component 37. The second output gear component 37 supports the second output shaft component 35 rotatably between a first rotation position about the axis and a second rotation position spaced from the first rotation position in a second rotation direction R2. The second spring member 38 biases the second output shaft component 35 toward the first rotation position. Here, the first output mechanism 24 and the second output mechanism 26 have corresponding configurations. Therefore, the first output mechanism 24 will be described in detail, and a detailed description of the second output mechanism 26 will be omitted.

[0023] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first output shaft component 31 includes a first disk portion 40, a first output shaft 23 protruding from the first disk portion 40 in the X1 direction, and a first shaft portion 41 protruding from the first disk portion 40 in the X2 direction. The first output shaft 23 includes a first connecting portion 42 at an end portion in the X1 direction, the first connecting portion 42 having parallel surfaces parallel to each other across the axis L1. The first output shaft 23 has a first connecting portion 42 connected to the first baffle 7. As shown in Figure 8, the first disk portion 40 includes a first protruding portion 43 protruding outward. The first shaft portion 41 has parallel surfaces parallel to each other across the axis L1. The first shaft portion 41 has an overall rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the axis L1.

[0024] The first output gear component 33 has a first cylindrical portion 45 and a portion of the first cylindrical portion 45 in the circumferential direction. 7, the first cylindrical portion 45 includes, from the X1 direction side toward the X2 direction, a first shaft support portion 46 and a first connecting portion 47 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first shaft support portion 46. The first shaft support portion 46 includes two first protrusions 48 that protrude toward the inner periphery at positions spaced 180° apart. The first connecting portion 47 has an inner diameter smaller than that of the first shaft support portion 46.

[0025] The first output shaft component 31 has its first shaft portion 41 inserted into the first shaft support portion 46 of the first output gear component 33. As a result, the first output shaft component 31 is supported by the first output gear component 33 in a state in which it can rotate between a first rotation position 31A (see FIG. 9) where the first shaft portion 41 abuts against the first protrusions 48 from the rear in the first rotation direction R1, and a second rotation position 31B (see FIG. 10) where the first shaft portion 41 abuts against the first protrusions 48 from the rear in the second rotation direction R2. In this embodiment, the angular range over which the first output shaft component 31 can rotate relative to the first output gear component 33 is 90°. This angular range is the same as the rotation angle of the first baffle 7 between the first closed position 7A and the first open position 7B. The angular range may be larger than the rotation angle of the first baffle 7 between the first closed position 7A and the first open position 7B.

[0026] The first spring member 34 is a coil spring. Both ends of the coil spring are provided with bent portions 34a that bend outward. The first spring member 34 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the first cylindrical portion 45 of the first output gear component 33. As shown in FIG. 9 , one bent portion 34a of the first spring member 34 abuts against the first protruding portion 43 of the first output shaft component 31 from the rear in the first rotational direction R1, and the other bent portion 34a abuts against the first output gear 32 from the rear in the second rotational direction R2. As a result, the first spring member 34 biases the first output shaft component 31 in the first rotational direction R1, pressing the first shaft portion 41 against the first protrusion 48 located forward in the first rotational direction R1. That is, the first spring member 34 presses the first output shaft component 31 to the first rotational position 31A. Therefore, when the first output gear component 33 rotates about its axis, the first output shaft component 31 rotates integrally with the first output gear component 33 while being pressed against the first rotation position 31A. Also, as shown in Fig. 10, when the first output shaft component 31 moves in the direction from the first rotation position 31A toward the second rotation position 31B, the first spring member 34 exerts a biasing force F in the direction returning the first output shaft component 31 to the first rotation position 31A.

[0027] 6, the second output gear component 37 of the second output mechanism 26 has a cylinder 49 protruding in the X2 direction as a second connecting portion. The cylinder 49 of the second output gear component 37 is inserted into the first connecting portion 47 of the first output gear component 33 from the X2 direction side. As a result, the second output mechanism 26 is supported by the first output mechanism 24 in a state where it can rotate about its axis.

[0028] (gear mechanism) FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism 22 and the output mechanism 21 as viewed from the X1 direction. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the gear mechanism 22 and the output mechanism 21 as viewed from the X2 direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the gear mechanism 22 includes a first gear 51 that meshes with the motor pinion 29, a second gear 52 to which the rotation of the first gear 51 is transmitted, a third gear 53 to which the rotation of the second gear 52 is transmitted, and a torque limiter 54. The first gear 51 is a transmission gear to which the rotation of the motor pinion 29 is transmitted. The second gear 52 is a first front-stage gear that meshes with the first output gear 32 of the first output mechanism 24. The third gear 53 is a second front-stage gear that meshes with the second output gear 36 of the second output mechanism 26. The second gear 52 and the third gear 53 are both missing-tooth gears. The second gear 52 and the third gear 53 are both made of resin. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the first gear 51, the second gear 52, and the third gear 53 are rotatably supported on the support shaft 17 of the case 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the second gear 52 and the third gear 53 are stacked in the X-axis direction. , and is supported by support shaft 17. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, second gear 52 is located in the X1 direction of third gear 53. As shown in FIG. 12, second gear 52 has a first protrusion 55 that protrudes from a part of the circumferential direction of a first opposing surface that faces third gear 53. As shown in FIG. 11, third gear 53 has a second protrusion 56 that protrudes from a part of the circumferential direction of a second opposing surface that faces second gear 52. When second gear 52 and third gear 53 are stacked, first protrusion 55 and second protrusion 56 face each other in the circumferential direction. The first protrusion 55 presses second protrusion 56 from one circumferential side or the other circumferential side, thereby transmitting the rotation of second gear 52 to third gear 53.

[0030] 11 and 12, the third gear 53 has a central hole 57 into which the support shaft 17 is inserted, and a plurality of tongue portions 58 extending in the direction of the axis L1 from the opening edge of the central hole 57. Each tongue portion 58 has a protrusion 58a that protrudes inward at its end in the X1 direction. When the support shaft 17 is inserted into the central hole 57, each of the plurality of tongue portions 58 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft 17 in a state of elastically deforming outward. In this example, the third gear 53 has three tongue portions 58 that surround the central hole 57 at equal angular intervals.

[0031] The first gear 51 is located on the opposite side of the second gear 52 from the third gear 53. The first gear 51 is rotatably supported on a support shaft 17. The driving force is transmitted from the first gear 51 to the second gear 52 via a torque limiter 54. The torque limiter 54 is provided coaxially with the first gear 51 and the second gear 52. The outer diameter of the first gear 51 is larger than the outer diameters of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54.

[0032] Here, the torque limiter 54 includes a cylindrical portion 60 (see FIG. 12) protruding in the X2 direction from the surface of the first gear 51 that faces the second gear 52, a cylindrical shaft portion 61 (see FIG. 11) protruding in the X1 direction from the opening edge of a center hole 57 in the second gear 52, into which the support shaft 17 is inserted, a cylindrical tubular member 62 that fits onto the outer periphery of the shaft portion 61, and a coil spring 63 wound around the outer periphery of the tubular member 62. The tubular member 62 has notches 64 at two circumferential positions on its end surface in the X2 direction. The tubular member 62 fits into two fitting protrusions 65 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 61 of the second gear 52. This allows the tubular member 62 to rotate integrally with the second gear 52.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 12 , the cylindrical portion 60 of the first gear 51 has a first slit 66 and a second slit 67, which are formed by cutting out a portion of the cylindrical portion 60 in the circumferential direction. The first slit 66 and the second slit 67 are located on opposite sides in the radial direction. The first slit 66 extends to the end of the cylindrical portion 60 in the X1 direction. The coil spring 63 has a first spring end 68 bent radially outward from the end in the X1 direction and a second spring end 69 bent radially outward from the end in the X2 direction. The first spring end 68 of the coil spring 63 is disposed in the first slit 66, and the second spring end 69 is disposed in the second slit 67. Here, as shown in FIG. 12 , the cylindrical portion 60 has a first abutment portion 70 that faces the first spring end 68 of the coil spring 63 from one side in the circumferential direction and a second abutment portion 71 that faces the second spring end 69 of the coil spring 63 from the other side in the circumferential direction. The first contact portion 70 is an edge portion of the first slit 66 in the CCW direction. The second contact portion 71 is an edge portion of the second slit 67 in the CW direction.

[0034] The first slits 66 and the second slits 67 are positioned at angular positions 180° apart and have the same circumferential width. Meanwhile, the first spring end 68 and the second spring end 69 of the coil spring 63 are positioned such that one is circumferentially shifted from the angular position 180° apart. Therefore, the circumferential distance between the first spring end 68 and the CCW edge of the first slit 66 (first abutment portion 70) is smaller than the circumferential distance between the first spring end 68 and the CW edge of the first slit 66. Furthermore, the circumferential distance between the second spring end 69 and the CW edge of the second slit 67 (second abutment portion 71) is smaller than the circumferential distance between the CCW edge of the second slit 67 and the second spring end 69.

[0035] The torque limiter 54 transmits rotation by the coil spring 63 tightening the tubular member 62 and rotating integrally with the tubular member 62. When the drive mechanism 9 rotates the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 in the closing direction (first rotation direction R1), it rotates the drive source 20 forward, causing the first gear 51 meshing with the motor pinion 29 to rotate in the CCW direction. As a result, the second abutment portion 71 provided on the cylindrical portion 60 presses the second spring end portion 69 in the CCW direction, so that the coil spring 63 and the tubular member 62 rotate integrally in the CCW direction, and the second gear 52 rotates in the CCW direction.

[0036] 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 drive source 20 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the first gear 51 in the CW direction. As a result, the first abutment portion 70 provided on the cylindrical portion 60 presses the first spring end portion 68 in the CW direction, so that the coil spring 63 and the cylindrical member 62 rotate integrally in the CW direction, and the second gear 52 rotates in the CW direction.

[0037] Here, when the second output gear 36 reaches a rotational angle position where the second baffle 8 is disposed in the second open position 8B, further rotation of the second output gear 36 is prevented by abutment with the stopper portion 18. In this case, rotation of the third gear 53 is prevented, and rotation of the second gear 52 is prevented by the first convex portion 55 and the second convex portion 56 abutting in the circumferential direction. Also, when the first output gear 32 reaches a rotational angle position where the first baffle 7 is disposed in the first open position 7B, further rotation of the first output gear 32 is prevented by abutment with the stopper portion 18. When rotation of the second gear 52 is prevented, the torque limiter 54 switches to a state where it does not transmit rotation.

[0038] That is, when rotation of the second gear 52 is blocked, the first spring end 68 of the coil spring 63 is pressed by the first abutment portion 70, or the second spring end 69 is pressed by the second abutment portion 71, of the torque limiter 54. At this time, the pressing force applied to the first spring end 68 or the second spring end 69 acts in a direction that causes the coil spring 63 to unwind. The specifications of the coil spring 63 are set so that the pressing force (rotational torque) applied to the first spring end 68 or the second spring end 69 when rotation of the second gear 52 is blocked is greater than the torque required to unwind the coil spring 63 (i.e., the holding torque that tightens the coil spring 63 against the tubular member 62 to prevent slippage). Therefore, when rotation of the second gear 52 is blocked, the coil spring 63 unwinds, and the torque limiter 54 switches to a state in which it does not transmit rotation. Here, when the torque limiter 54 is switched to a state where it does not transmit rotation, the first gear 51 does not transmit rotation and rotates idly, so that the geared motor serving as the drive source 20 does not lock up and does not lose synchronization.

[0039] (locking mechanism) Here, a first lock mechanism 75 is provided between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32, which prevents rotation of the first output gear 32 when the meshing between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 is released. In addition, a second lock mechanism 76 is provided between the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36, which prevents rotation of the second output gear 36 when the meshing between the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36 is released.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the second gear 52 is a missing-tooth gear. The second gear 52 includes a first tooth portion 78 and a first disk portion 79. The first disk portion 79 includes a first outer peripheral surface 79a located adjacent to the first tooth portion 78 in the circumferential direction and curved along the first tooth tip circle of the first tooth portion 78 on the outer circumferential side of the first tooth tip circle. The length of the first outer peripheral surface 79a in the X-axis direction is shorter than the tooth width of the first tooth portion 78, and the first disk portion 79 includes a first end surface 79b facing the X1 direction located midway along the first tooth portion 78 in the direction of the axis L1. In this embodiment, the second gear 52 includes the first disk portions 79 on both circumferential sides of the first tooth portion 78.

[0041] On the other hand, the first output gear 32 is a sector gear. The first circumferential end teeth 80 located at the circumferential ends of the first output gear 32 are notched at portions facing the first outer peripheral surface 79a. As shown in FIG. 12 , in this embodiment, each of the first circumferential end teeth 80 located at both circumferential ends of the first output gear 32 is notched. Here, the first circumferential end teeth 80 can enter the inner circumferential side of the first tip circle in the X1 direction of the first end face 79b. Furthermore, each of the first adjacent teeth 81 located adjacent to the first circumferential end teeth 80 on the first output gear 32 can abut against the first outer peripheral surface 79a when the first circumferential end teeth 80 enter the inner circumferential side of the first tip circle. The first disk portion 79 of the second gear 52 and the first circumferential end teeth 80 and first adjacent teeth 81 of the first output gear 32 constitute a first locking mechanism 75.

[0042] The third gear 53 is a missing-tooth gear. The third gear 53 includes a second tooth portion 83 and a second disk portion 84. The second disk portion 84 includes a second outer peripheral surface 84a located adjacent to the second tooth portion 83 in the circumferential direction and curved along the second tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of the second tooth tip circle of the second tooth portion 83. The length of the second outer peripheral surface 84a in the axis L1 direction is shorter than the tooth width of the second tooth portion 83, and the second disk portion 84 includes a second end surface 84b facing the X1 direction located midway along the second tooth portion 83 in the axis L1 direction. In this embodiment, the third gear 53 includes the second disk portions 84 on both circumferential sides of the second tooth portion 83.

[0043] On the other hand, the second output gear 36 is a sector gear. The second circumferential end teeth 85 located at the circumferential ends of the second output gear 36 are notched at portions facing the second outer peripheral surface 84a. As shown in FIG. 12 , in this embodiment, the second circumferential end teeth 85 located at both circumferential ends of the second output gear 36 are notched. Here, the second circumferential end teeth 85 can enter the inner peripheral side of the second tooth tip circle in the X1 direction on the second end surface 84b. Furthermore, the second adjacent tooth 86 located next to the second circumferential end tooth 85 on the second output gear 36 can abut against the second outer peripheral surface 84a when the second circumferential end tooth 85 enters the inner peripheral side of the second tooth tip circle. The second disk portion 84 of the third gear 53 and the second circumferential end tooth 85 and second adjacent tooth 86 of the second output gear 36 constitute the second locking mechanism 76.

[0044] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the meshing between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 until the first baffle 7 moves from the first open position 7B to the first closed position 7A. Here, the first locking mechanism 75 and the second locking mechanism 76 have corresponding configurations. Therefore, the meshing state between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 in the first locking mechanism 75 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, and a description of the second locking mechanism 76 will be omitted.

[0045] The leftmost drawing in Fig. 13 is a plan view of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 when the first baffle 7 is in the open position. When the driving force of the driving source 20 is transmitted to the second gear 52 from this state, the second gear 52 rotates in the CCW direction. As a result, as shown in the second drawing from the left in Fig. 13, the teeth of the second gear 52 mesh with the first output gear 32, and the first output gear 32 rotates in the first rotational direction R1. Therefore, the first output shaft 23 rotates integrally with the first output gear 32 in the first rotational direction R1, and the first baffle 7 moves toward the first closed position 7A.

[0046] Thereafter, as shown in the third diagram from the left in FIG. 13, when the first baffle 7 moves to the first closed position 7A, the meshing between the first output gear 32 and the first tooth portion 78 is released. At this time, the first peripheral end tooth 80 of the first output gear 32 enters the inner periphery of the first tooth tip circle in the X1 direction of the first end face 79b, and the first adjacent tooth 81 abuts against the first outer peripheral face 79a, restricting the rotation of the first output gear 32. Therefore, even if the second gear 52 rotates after the first baffle 7 moves to the first closed position 7A and the meshing between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 is released, the first output gear 32 can be maintained in the position it was in when the meshing was released. In other words, after the meshing between the second gear 52 and the output gear is released, the first output gear 32 is locked and does not rotate. Here, as shown in the right end of FIG. 13, As shown in the figure located at the position, even if the second gear 52 subsequently rotates further in the CCW direction, the posture of the first output gear 32 does not change. In other words, even if the second gear 52 subsequently rotates further in the CCW direction, the first output gear 32 does not rotate.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second gear 52 has first disk portions 79 on both circumferential sides of the toothed portion. Furthermore, two first circumferential end teeth 80 located at both circumferential ends of the first output gear 32 are each notched. Therefore, even after the first baffle 7 reaches the first open position 7B and the meshing between the toothed portion of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 is disengaged, the first output gear 32 is maintained in the posture at the time of disengagement. That is, as shown in the leftmost drawing in FIG. 13 , when the meshing between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 is disengaged, the first circumferential end tooth 80 of the first output gear 32 enters the inner circumferential side of the first tip circle of the first end face 79b in the X1 direction, and the first adjacent tooth 81 abuts against the first outer peripheral face 79a, thereby restricting the rotation of the first output gear 32. Therefore, after the first baffle 7 moves to the first open position 7B and the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 are disengaged from each other, the second output gear 36 is placed in a locked state in which it does not rotate.

[0048] (Drive mechanism layout) Next, the layout of the drive mechanism 9 in the case 2 will be described. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the drive mechanism 9 housed in the case main body 12 as viewed from the X1 direction. FIG. 15 is a side view of the drive mechanism 9 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis L1 (Z1 direction). In this embodiment, the first gear 51 of the gear mechanism 22, which meshes with the motor pinion 29, has a larger outer diameter than the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54, which are coaxially arranged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54 overlap the first gear 51 when viewed from the X1 direction. In other words, the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54 are located inside the first gear 51 when viewed from the X1 direction. Furthermore, the motor main body 27 of the geared motor, which is the drive source 20, partially overlaps the first gear 51 when viewed from the axis L1 direction. The first output gear 32 and the second output gear 36 also partially overlap with the first gear 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis L1.

[0049] Furthermore, the drive source 20 (geared motor), the first output mechanism 24, and the second output mechanism 26 are located on one side (Z2 direction) of the support shaft 17 that supports the first gear 51, the second gear 52, and the third gear 53, in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1. An angle θ1 formed by a first imaginary line N1 that is perpendicular to the axis L1 and connects the rotation center axis of the motor output shaft 28 and the support shaft axis L2 of the support shaft 17, and a second imaginary line N2 that is perpendicular to the axis L1 and connects the support shaft axis L2 and the axis L1, is 90° or less. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 15, the motor main body 27 overlaps with the second gear 52, the first output gear 32, the third gear 53, and the second output gear 36 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis L1.

[0050] (Baffle operation) FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the meshing of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36 when the two baffles perform opening and closing operations. In FIG. 16, the center portion shows the open and closed states of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8. In this example, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are displaced in the order of closed-closed position, open-closed position, open-open position, and closed-open position. Among the figures outside the figures showing the states of the first baffle 7 and the second baffle, the upper figures show the meshing state of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32, and the lower figures show the meshing state of the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36. On the outer periphery of the closed-closed position, the diagram on the left shows the original positions of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36, and the diagram on the right shows the opening operation start positions of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36. On the outer periphery of the open-open position, the diagram on the right shows the opening operation end positions of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36, and the diagram on the left shows the closing operation start positions of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36.

[0051] In the home position, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are located at the first closed position 7A and the second closed position 8A, respectively. The first output gear 32 and the second output gear 36 are located at the closed position 32A and the closed position 36A, respectively.

[0052] When the drive source 20 is driven from the origin position to rotate the second gear 52 in the CW direction, and the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 are about to mesh, the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36 are positioned at the opening operation start position. At this time, the first output gear 32 slides on the first disk portion 79 of the second gear 52. Therefore, the first output gear 32 does not rotate from the closed position 32A. Furthermore, during this operation, the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 does not press against the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53, so the third gear 53 does not rotate.

[0053] Next, the second gear 52 is further rotated in the clockwise direction from the opening operation start position. At this time, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 meshes with the first output gear 32 and rotates in the clockwise direction. The first output gear 32 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 and reaches the open position 32B. This causes the first baffle 7 to rotate to the first open position 7B, and the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in their open-closed positions. Immediately after the first output gear 32 rotates to the open position 32B, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 disengages from the first output gear 32, locking the first output gear 32. The first output gear 32 also abuts against the stopper portion 18. During this operation, the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 does not press against the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53. Therefore, the third gear 53 does not rotate. Therefore, the second baffle 8 remains stationary at the second closed position 8A, and only the first baffle 7 rotates from the first closed position 7A to the first open position 7B.

[0054] Next, the second gear 52 is further rotated in the clockwise direction. During this rotation, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 disengages from the first output gear 32, and the first output gear 32 slides against the first disk portion 79. Therefore, the first baffle 7 remains stationary at the first open position 7B. Meanwhile, when the second gear 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 abuts against the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53 in the clockwise direction. Thereafter, the third gear 53 rotates together with the second gear 52. As a result, the second output gear 36 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 and reaches the open position 36B, and the second baffle 8 is positioned at the second open position 8B. Therefore, the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in the open-open position. Immediately after the second output gear 36 reaches the open position 36B, the second tooth portion 83 of the third gear 53 disengages from the second output gear 36, and the second output gear 36 enters a locked state. The second output gear 36 also abuts against the stopper portion 18. As a result, the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36 are positioned at the end of the opening operation.

[0055] Next, the drive source 20 is driven from the opening operation end position to rotate the second gear 52 in the CCW direction until the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 are about to mesh. This positions the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36 at the closing operation start position. At this time, the first output gear 32 slides on the first disk portion 79 of the second gear 52. Therefore, the first output gear 32 does not rotate from the open position 32B. Furthermore, during this operation, the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 does not press against the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53, so the third gear 53 does not rotate.

[0056] Here, the second gear 52 is further rotated in the CCW direction. At this time, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 meshes with the first output gear 32 and rotates in the CCW direction, so that the first output gear 32 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 and reaches the closed position 32A. As a result, the first baffle 7 rotates to the first closed position 7A, and the first baffle 7 and the second baffle 8 are in the closed-open position. Also, immediately after the first output gear 32 reaches the closed position 32A, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 The teeth 78 disengage from the first output gear 32, and the first output gear 32 enters a locked state. During this operation, the first protrusion 55 of the second gear 52 does not press against the second protrusion 56 of the third gear 53, so the third gear 53 does not rotate. Therefore, the second baffle 8 remains stopped in the second open position 8B.

[0057] Subsequently, when the second gear 52 is further rotated in the CCW direction, the second gear 52, the third gear 53, the first output gear 32, and the second output gear 36 return to their original positions. That is, while the second gear 52 is further rotated in the CCW direction, the first tooth portion 78 of the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 are no longer meshed with each other, so the first output gear 32 does not rotate but slides on the outer peripheral surface of the first disk portion 79. Therefore, the first baffle 7 is stopped at the first closed position 7A. On the other hand, when the second gear 52 is further rotated in the CCW direction, the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 abuts against the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53 in the CCW direction, so that the third gear 53 rotates in the CCW direction together with the second gear 52. During this time, the second teeth portion 83 of the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36 mesh with each other and rotate, so that the second output gear 36 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 and reaches the closed position 36A. Immediately after this, the second teeth portion 83 of the third gear 53 disengages from the second output gear 36, and the second output gear 36 enters a locked state.

[0058] (refrigerator) FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 100 incorporating the damper device of FIG. 1. 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. A damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied is disposed, for example, in a cold air intake 113 that connects the cold air duct 112 to 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, thereby adjusting the timing and amount of cold air supplied to the storage compartment 111.

[0059] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, the first output mechanism 24 includes a first output shaft 23 connected to the first baffle 7 and a first output gear 32 that is coaxial with the first output shaft 23 and to which driving force is transmitted from the gear mechanism 22. The first output mechanism 24 includes a first output shaft component 31 including the first output shaft 23, a first output gear component 33 including the first output gear 32 and supporting the first output shaft component 31 rotatably about an axis along the axis L1 of the first output shaft 23, and a first spring member 34 suspended between the first output shaft component 31 and the first output gear component 33. The first output gear component 33 supports the first output shaft component 31 rotatably between a first rotation position 31A about the axis of the first output shaft 23 and a second rotation position spaced from the first rotation position 31A in a second rotation direction R2. The first spring member 34 biases the first output shaft component 31 toward the first rotation position 31A. Therefore, when the driving force of the drive source 20 is transmitted to the first output gear 32, the first output shaft component 31 rotates integrally with the first output gear component 33 while being biased toward the first rotation position 31A of the first output gear component 33. Furthermore, when the first baffle 7 is disposed in the first closed position 7A, the biasing force of the first spring member 34 prevents the first output shaft component 31 from moving in the opening direction (toward the second rotation position). Here, the first spring member 34 is not stretched between the frame and the first baffle 7, and therefore is not in contact with the worker's hands when assembling the damper device into the refrigerator. Furthermore, because the first spring member 34 is not stretched between the first output mechanism 24 and the frame, there is no need to provide a structure for stretching the first spring member 34 across the frame.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first output shaft component 31 connected to the first baffle 7 is biased by the first spring member 34 toward the first rotational position 31A of the first output gear component 33. Therefore, when the first baffle 7 is disposed in the first closed position 7A, if the first baffle 7 is moved artificially in the opening direction, the first baffle 7 returns to the first closed position 7A.

[0061] In this embodiment, the angular range in which the first output shaft component 31 can rotate relative to the first output gear component 33 is equal to or greater than the rotation angle of the first baffle 7 between the first closed position 7A and the first open position 7B. In this embodiment, it is 90°. In this way, when the first baffle 7 is artificially moved in the opening direction, the first baffle 7 can be rotated to the first open position 7B.

[0062] In this embodiment, the output mechanism 21 includes a first output mechanism 24 including a first output shaft 23 protruding in the X1 direction and a first output gear 32 coaxial with the first output shaft 23, and a second output mechanism 26 including a second output shaft 25 protruding to the other side in the axis L1 direction and a second output gear 36 coaxial with the second output shaft 25. The gear mechanism 22 includes a second gear 52 meshing with the first output gear 32 and a third gear 53 meshing with the second output gear 36. The baffles include a first baffle 7 connected to the first output shaft 23 and a second baffle 8 connected to the second output shaft 25. The frame includes openings: a first opening opened and closed by the first baffle 7, and a second opening opened and closed by the second baffle 8. Therefore, a twin-damper damper device including two baffles can be configured.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first output gear 32 is a sector gear. The second gear 52 (second gear 52) is a missing-tooth gear and includes a first tooth portion 78 and a first disk portion 79 located adjacent to the first tooth portion 78 in the circumferential direction and having a first outer peripheral surface 79a that curves along the first tooth tip circle on the outer side of the first tooth portion 78. The length of the first outer peripheral surface 79a in the X-axis direction of the first disk portion 79 is shorter than the tooth width of the first tooth portion 78, and the first disk portion 79 includes a first end surface 79b facing the X1 direction at a position midway along the first tooth portion 78 in the axis L1 direction. A first circumferential end tooth 80 located at the end of the first output gear 32 in the circumferential direction is cut out at a portion facing the first outer peripheral surface 79a, so that the first end surface 79b can enter the inner peripheral side of the tip circle in the X1 direction. The first adjacent tooth 81 located next to the first circumferential end tooth 80 of the first output gear 32 can abut against the first outer peripheral surface 79a when the first circumferential end tooth 80 enters the inner circumferential side of the tooth tip circle. When the first output shaft 23 rotates due to the meshing between the first tooth portion 78 and the first output gear 32 and the first baffle 7 moves to the first closed position 7A where the first opening is closed, the meshing between the first output gear 32 and the first tooth portion 78 is released, the first circumferential end tooth 80 enters the inner circumferential side of the first tooth tip circle in the X1 direction of the first end face 79b, and the first adjacent tooth 81 abuts against the first outer peripheral surface 79a, thereby restricting the rotation of the first output gear 32. Therefore, after the first baffle 7 moves to the first closed position 7A and the meshing between the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 is disengaged, the first output gear 32 can be maintained in the position it was in when the meshing was disengaged. That is, after the second gear 52 and the first output gear 32 are disengaged from each other, the first output gear 32 can be placed in a locked state in which it does not rotate.

[0064] The second output gear 36 is a sector gear. The third gear 53 (third gear 53) is a missing-tooth gear and includes a second tooth portion 83 and a second disk portion 84 located adjacent to the second tooth portion 83 in the circumferential direction and including a second outer peripheral surface 84a that curves along the second tooth tip circle on the outer side of the second tooth portion 83. The second disk portion 84 has a length of the second outer peripheral surface 84a in the axis L1 direction that is shorter than the tooth width of the second tooth portion 83, and includes a second end surface 84b facing the X1 direction at a position midway along the second tooth portion 83 in the axis L1 direction. A second circumferential end tooth 85 located at an end of the second output gear 36 in the circumferential direction has a portion facing the second outer peripheral surface 84a cut out so that the second end surface 84b can enter the inner peripheral side of the tip circle in the X1 direction. The second adjacent tooth 86 located next to the second circumferential end tooth 85 on the second output gear 36 can come into contact with the second outer peripheral surface 84a when the second circumferential end tooth 85 enters the inner peripheral side of the tooth tip circle. When the second output shaft 25 rotates due to the meshing between the second tooth portion 83 and the second output gear 36 and the second baffle 8 moves to the second closing position where it closes the second opening, the meshing between the second output gear 36 and the second tooth portion 83 is released, and the second circumferential end tooth 85 moves to the second closing position. The second adjacent tooth 86 enters the inner peripheral side of the second tip circle in the X1 direction at the second end face 84b, and abuts against the second outer peripheral face 84a, restricting rotation of the second output gear 36. Therefore, after the second baffle 8 moves to the second closed position and the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36 are disengaged, the second output gear 36 can be maintained in the posture it had at the time of disengagement. In other words, after the third gear 53 and the second output gear 36 are disengaged, the second output gear 36 can be brought into a locked state in which it does not rotate.

[0065] In this embodiment, the gear mechanism 22 is accommodated in a case 2. The second gear 52 and the third gear 53 are stacked along the axis L1 and rotatably supported on a support shaft 17 that protrudes from the case 2 along the axis L1. The second gear 52 has a first protrusion 55 that protrudes from a portion of the circumferential direction of a first opposing surface that faces the third gear 53. The third gear 53 has a second protrusion 56 that protrudes from a portion of the circumferential direction of a second opposing surface that faces the second gear 52. The first protrusion 55 and the second protrusion 56 face each other in the circumferential direction, and the first protrusion 55 presses the second protrusion 56 from one side in the circumferential direction or the other side in the circumferential direction, thereby transmitting the rotation of the second gear 52 to the third gear 53. Therefore, a driving force can be transmitted between the second gear 52 and the third gear 53, which are stacked along the axis L1.

[0066] In this embodiment, the third gear 53 is made of resin and includes a central hole 57 into which the spindle 17 is inserted, and a plurality of tongue portions 58 extending in the direction of the axis L1 from the opening edge of the central hole 57. When the spindle 17 is inserted into the central hole 57, each of the plurality of tongue portions 58 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the spindle 17 in a state of being elastically deformed outward. Therefore, when the first convex portion 55 of the second gear 52 is not pressing the second convex portion 56 of the third gear 53, the load caused by each of the plurality of tongue portions 58 contacting the outer circumferential surface of the spindle 17 can prevent or suppress the third gear 53 from rotating together with the second gear 52.

[0067] In this embodiment, the gear mechanism 22 includes a first gear 51 (transmission gear) to which the driving force of the driving source 20 is transmitted, and a torque limiter 54. The rotation of the first gear 51 is transmitted to the second gear 52 via the torque limiter 54. Therefore, when the rotation of the first output gear 32 connected to the first baffle 7 and the second output gear 36 connected to the second baffle 8 is restricted by the stoppers, if the driving source 20 is driven, the transmission of the driving force of the driving source 20 is blocked by the torque limiter 54. This prevents the geared motor of the driving source 20 from losing synchronization.

[0068] In this embodiment, the drive source 20 is a geared motor including a motor main body 27, a motor output shaft 28 protruding from the motor main body 27 in the direction of the axis L1, and a motor pinion 29 attached to the motor output shaft 28. The first gear 51 meshes with the motor pinion 29 and is rotatably supported on the support shaft 17 on the side of the second gear 52 opposite the third gear 53. The torque limiter 54 is provided coaxially with the first gear 51 and the second gear 52. The outer diameter of the first gear 51 is larger than the outer diameters of the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54. The second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the torque limiter 54 are located inside the first gear 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis L1. The motor main body 27 partially overlaps with the first gear 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis L1. The drive source 20 and the output mechanism 21 are located on one side of the support shaft 17 in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1. A first imaginary line connecting the rotation center axis of the motor output shaft 28 and the support shaft axis L2 of the support shaft 17, which is perpendicular to the axis L1, and a second imaginary line connecting the support shaft axis L2 and the axis L1, which is perpendicular to the axis L1, intersect at an angle of 90° or less. Because the outer diameter of the first gear 51 meshing with the motor pinion 29 is larger than that of the other gears, it is easy to increase the torque transmitted to the first output gear 32 and the second output gear 36. This makes it easy to adopt a small geared motor. The drive source 20 and the output mechanism 21 are located on one side of the support shaft 17 in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1. A first imaginary line connecting the rotation center axis of the motor output shaft 28 and the support shaft axis L2 of the support shaft 17, which is perpendicular to the axis L1, and a second imaginary line connecting the support shaft axis L2 and the axis L1, which is perpendicular to the axis L1, intersect at an angle of 90° or less. and a second imaginary line connecting the first and second output shafts 23 intersect at an angle of 90° or less. Therefore, it is easy to configure the drive mechanism 9 compactly in the direction in which the motor output shaft 28 and the first output shaft 23 are arranged.

[0069] In this embodiment, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis L1, the motor main body 27 overlaps with the second gear 52, the first output gear 32, the third gear 53, and the second output gear 36. Therefore, the drive mechanism 9 can be configured compactly in the direction of the axis L1.

[0070] (Other embodiments) In this embodiment, when the first baffle 7 is disposed in the first closed position 7A, the first output shaft component 31 may move away from the first rotational position 31A in the second rotational direction R2. Furthermore, when the second baffle 8 is disposed in the second closed position, the second output shaft component 35 may move away from the first rotational position 31A in the second rotational direction R2. In this manner, when the first baffle 7 is disposed in the first closed position 7A, the first spring member 34 biases the first output shaft component 31 in the first rotational direction R1. Therefore, in the first closed position 7A, the first baffle 7 is pressed against the first opening. Furthermore, when the second baffle 8 is disposed in the second closed position, the second spring member 38 biases the second output shaft component 35 in the first rotational direction R1. Therefore, in the second closed position, the second baffle 8 is pressed against the second opening.

[0071] The above embodiment is a twin-damper type damper device in which two baffles open and close two openings, but this embodiment can be applied to a damper device in which one baffle opens and closes one opening. In addition, the following embodiments can be adopted as examples of this embodiment.

[0072] (1) A frame having an opening, a baffle that opens and closes the opening, and a drive mechanism that rotates the baffle between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that is spaced apart from the opening, the drive mechanism includes a drive source, a gear mechanism that transmits a drive force from the drive source, and an output mechanism that has an output shaft that is connected to the baffle and an output gear that is coaxial with the output shaft and to which the drive force is transmitted from the gear mechanism, the output mechanism comprises: an output shaft component including the output shaft; an output gear component including the output gear and supporting the output shaft component rotatably about an axis along the axis of the output shaft; and a spring member stretched between the output shaft component and the output gear component; When the rotation direction of the output shaft component about the axis when the baffle rotates in the closing direction from the open position toward the closed position is defined as a first rotation direction, and the opposite direction is defined as a second rotation direction, the output gear component supports the output shaft component rotatably between a first rotation position about the axis and a second rotation position that is spaced from the first rotation position in the second rotation direction, The damper device is characterized in that the spring member biases the output shaft component toward the first rotation position.

[0073] (2) In the damper device described above in (1), when the baffle is positioned in the closed position, the output shaft component is spaced from the first rotational position in the second rotational direction, and the spring member biases the output shaft component in the first rotational direction.

[0074] (3) In the damper device described above in (1) or (2), the angular range in which the output shaft component can rotate relative to the output gear component is equal to or greater than the rotation angle through which the baffle rotates between the closed position and the open position.

[0075] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), the output gear is a sector gear, In the gear mechanism, the front gear that meshes with the output gear is a missing tooth gear, and has a tooth portion and a disk portion having an outer peripheral surface curved along the tip circle of the tooth portion at a position adjacent to the tooth portion in the circumferential direction and on the outer peripheral side of the tip circle of the tooth portion, the disk portion has an outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the tooth portion, and an end surface facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the tooth portion in the axial direction, a peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the output gear has a portion facing the outer peripheral surface cut out, and one side of the end surface in the axial direction can enter an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, an adjacent tooth located adjacent to the peripheral end tooth of the output gear can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface when the peripheral end tooth enters an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, When the output shaft rotates due to the meshing of the toothed portion with the output gear and the baffle moves to the closed position, the meshing between the output gear and the toothed portion is released, the peripheral end teeth enter the inner side of the tooth tip circle on one side of the axial direction on the end face, and the adjacent teeth abut against the outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting the rotation of the output gear.

[0076] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, the output mechanism includes a first output mechanism including a first output shaft protruding to one side in the axial direction and a first output gear coaxial with the first output shaft, and a second output mechanism including a second output shaft protruding to the other side in the axial direction and a second output gear coaxial with the second output shaft, the gear mechanism includes a first front stage gear that meshes with the first output gear and a second front stage gear that meshes with the second output gear, The baffles include a first baffle connected to the first output shaft and a second baffle connected to the second output shaft, The damper device is characterized in that the frame has, as the openings, 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.

[0077] (6) In the above (5), the first output gear is a sector gear, the first front stage gear is a missing-tooth gear and includes a first tooth portion and a first disk portion having a first outer peripheral surface that is positioned adjacent to the first tooth portion in the circumferential direction and curves along the first tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of a first tooth tip circle of the first tooth portion, the first disk portion has a first outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the first tooth portion, and a first end face facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the first tooth portion in the axial direction; a first peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the first output gear has a portion facing the first outer peripheral surface cut out, and is capable of entering an inner peripheral side of the tooth tip circle on one side of the first end surface in the axial direction, a first adjacent tooth located adjacent to the first circumferential end tooth on the first output gear can come into contact with the first outer peripheral surface when the first circumferential end tooth enters an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, When the first output shaft rotates due to the meshing between the first tooth portion and the first output gear and the first baffle moves to a first closed position where it closes the first opening, the meshing between the first output gear and the first tooth portion is released, the first peripheral end tooth enters the inner peripheral side of the first tooth tip circle on one side of the first end face in the axial direction, and the first adjacent tooth abuts on the first outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting the rotation of the first output gear, the second output gear is a sector gear, the second front stage gear is a missing-tooth gear and includes a second tooth portion; and a second disk portion having a second outer peripheral surface that is positioned adjacent to the second tooth portion in the circumferential direction and curves along the second tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of a second tooth tip circle of the second tooth portion, the second disk portion has a second outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the second tooth portion, and a second end surface facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the second tooth portion in the axial direction, a second peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the second output gear has a portion facing the second outer peripheral surface cut out, and is capable of entering an inner peripheral side of the tip circle on one side of the second end surface in the axial direction, a second adjacent tooth located adjacent to the second circumferential end tooth on the second output gear can come into contact with the second outer peripheral surface when the second circumferential end tooth enters the inner peripheral side of the tip circle, When the second output shaft rotates due to the meshing of the second tooth portion with the second output gear and the second baffle moves to a second closed position where it closes the second opening, the meshing of the second output gear with the second tooth portion is released, the second peripheral end tooth advances to the inner peripheral side of the second tooth tip circle on one side of the second end face in the axial direction, and the second adjacent tooth abuts against the second outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting the rotation of the second output gear.

[0078] (7) In the above (5) or (6), a case is provided to house the gear mechanism, the first front gear and the second front gear are rotatably supported by a support shaft that protrudes from the case in the axial direction while being stacked in the axial direction, the first front gear includes a first protrusion protruding from a circumferential portion of a first opposing surface that faces the second front gear, the second front gear includes a second protrusion protruding from a part of a circumferential direction of a second opposing surface that faces the first front gear, the first protrusion and the second protrusion face each other in the circumferential direction, A damper device characterized in that the rotation of the first front gear is transmitted to the second front gear by the first convex portion pressing the second convex portion from one circumferential side or the other circumferential side.

[0079] (8) In the above (7), the second front gear is made of resin and includes a center hole into which the support shaft is inserted and a plurality of tongue portions extending in the axial direction from an opening edge portion of the center hole, A damper device characterized in that, when the support shaft is inserted into the central hole, each of the plurality of tongue portions contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft while elastically deforming outward.

[0080] (9) In the above (7), the gear mechanism includes a transmission gear to which the driving force of the driving source is transmitted, and a torque limiter, and the rotation of the transmission gear is transmitted to the first front gear via the torque limiter.

[0081] (10) In the above (9), the driving source is a geared motor including a motor main body, a motor output shaft protruding from the motor main body in the axial direction, and a motor pinion attached to the motor output shaft, the transmission gear meshes with the motor pinion and is rotatably supported by the support shaft on the side of the first front stage gear opposite to the second front stage gear, the torque limiter is provided coaxially with the transmission gear and the first front stage gear, an outer diameter of the transmission gear is larger than an outer diameter of the first front stage gear, an outer diameter of the second front stage gear, and an outer diameter of the torque limiter; the first front gear, the second front gear, and the torque limiter are located inside the transmission gear when viewed from the axial direction, the motor main body partially overlaps with the transmission gear when viewed from the axial direction, the drive source and the output mechanism are located on one side of the support shaft in a direction perpendicular to the axis, A damper device characterized in that a first imaginary line that is perpendicular to the axis and connects the rotation center axis of the motor output shaft and the support shaft axis of the support shaft, and a second imaginary line that is perpendicular to the axis and connects the support shaft axis and the axis, intersect at an intersection angle of 90° or less.

[0082] (11) In the above (10), the motor body is When the first front-stage gear, the first output gear, the second front-stage gear, and the second output gear overlap, the damper device is characterized in that: [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...damper device, 2...case, 3...first frame, 4...second frame, 5...first opening, 6...second opening, 7...first baffle, 7A...first closed position, 7B...first open position, 8...second baffle, 8A...second closed position, 8B...second open position, 9...drive mechanism, 10...opening / closing plate, 11...elastic member, 12...case body, 13...first partition wall portion, 13a...through hole, 14...plate portion, 14a...through hole, 15...rectangular tube portion, 16...flat plate, 16a...through hole, 17...support shaft, 18...stopper portion, 20...drive source, 21...output mechanism, 22...gear mechanism, 23...first output shaft, 24...first Output mechanism, 25...second output shaft, 26...second output mechanism, 27...motor main body, 28...motor output shaft, 29...motor pinion, 31...first output shaft constituent member, 31A...first rotation position, 31B...second rotation position, 32...first output gear, 32A...closed position, 32B...open position, 33...first output gear constituent member, 34...first spring member, 34a...bent portion, 35...second output shaft constituent member, 36...second output gear, 36A...closed position, 36B...open position, 37...second output gear constituent member, 38...second spring member, 40...first disk portion, 41...first shaft portion, 42...first connecting portion, 43...first protruding portion, 45...first cylindrical portion, 46...first shaft support portion, 47...first connecting portion, 48...first protrusion, 49...cylinder, 51...first gear, 52...second gear, 53...third gear, 54...torque limiter, 55...first convex portion, 56...second convex portion, 57...center hole, 58...tongue portion, 58a...projection portion, 60...cylindrical portion, 61...shaft portion, 62...tubular member, 64...notch portion, 65...fitting projection portion, 66...first slit, 67...second slit, 68...first spring end portion, 69...second spring end portion, 70...first abutment portion, 71...second abutment portion, 75...first locking mechanism, 76...second locking mechanism structure, 78...first tooth portion, 79...first disk portion, 79a...first outer peripheral surface, 79b...first end surface, 80...first circumferential end tooth, 81...first adjacent tooth, 83...second tooth portion, 84...second disk portion, 84a...second outer peripheral surface, 84b...second end surface, 85...second circumferential end tooth, 86...second adjacent tooth, 100...refrigerator, 110...refrigerator body, 111...storage compartment, 112...cold air duct, 113...cold air intake, 114...cooler, 115...fan, 120...control device, L1...axis, L2...spindle axis, N1...first imaginary line, N2...second imaginary line, R1...first direction of rotation, R2...second direction of rotation

Claims

1. a frame having an opening, a baffle that opens and closes the opening, and a drive mechanism that rotates the baffle between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that is spaced apart from the opening, the drive mechanism includes a drive source, a gear mechanism that transmits a drive force from the drive source, and an output mechanism that has an output shaft that is connected to the baffle and an output gear that is coaxial with the output shaft and to which the drive force is transmitted from the gear mechanism, the output mechanism comprises: an output shaft component including the output shaft; an output gear component including the output gear and supporting the output shaft component rotatably about an axis along the axis of the output shaft; and a spring member stretched between the output shaft component and the output gear component; When the rotation direction of the output shaft component about the axis when the baffle rotates in the closing direction from the open position toward the closed position is defined as a first rotation direction, and the opposite direction is defined as a second rotation direction, the output gear component supports the output shaft component rotatably between a first rotation position about the axis and a second rotation position that is spaced apart from the first rotation position in the second rotation direction, The damper device is characterized in that the spring member biases the output shaft component toward the first rotation position.

2. 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein when the baffle is disposed in the closed position, the output shaft component is spaced from the first rotational position in the second rotational direction, and the spring member urges the output shaft component in the first rotational direction.

3. 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the angular range in which the output shaft component can rotate relative to the output gear component is equal to or greater than the rotation angle through which the baffle rotates between the closed position and the open position.

4. the output gear is a sector gear, In the gear mechanism, the front stage gear that meshes with the output gear is a missing-tooth gear, and includes: a tooth portion; and a disk portion that is located adjacent to the tooth portion in the circumferential direction and has an outer peripheral surface that curves along the tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of the tooth tip circle of the tooth portion, the disk portion has an outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the tooth portion, and an end surface facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the tooth portion in the axial direction, a peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the output gear has a portion facing the outer peripheral surface cut out, and one side of the end surface in the axial direction can enter an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, an adjacent tooth located adjacent to the peripheral end tooth of the output gear can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface when the peripheral end tooth enters an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein when the output shaft rotates due to the meshing of the toothed portion with the output gear and the baffle moves to the closed position, the meshing of the output gear with the toothed portion is released, the peripheral end teeth enter the inner peripheral side of the tooth tip circle on one side of the axial direction on the end face, and the adjacent teeth abut against the outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting rotation of the output gear.

5. the output mechanism includes a first output mechanism including a first output shaft protruding to one side in the axial direction and a first output gear coaxial with the first output shaft, and a second output mechanism including a second output shaft protruding to the other side in the axial direction and a second output gear coaxial with the second output shaft, the gear mechanism includes a first front stage gear that meshes with the first output gear and a second front stage gear that meshes with the second output gear, The baffle includes a first baffle connected to the first output shaft and a second baffle connected to the second output shaft. a second baffle connected to the first baffle; The damper device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame has, as the openings, 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.

6. the first output gear is a sector gear, the first front stage gear is a missing-tooth gear and includes: a first tooth portion; and a first disk portion having a first outer peripheral surface that is positioned adjacent to the first tooth portion in the circumferential direction and curves along the first tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of a first tooth tip circle of the first tooth portion; the first disk portion has a first outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the first tooth portion, and a first end surface facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the first tooth portion in the axial direction, a first peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the first output gear has a portion facing the first outer peripheral surface cut out, and is capable of entering an inner peripheral side of the tip circle on one side of the first end surface in the axial direction, a first adjacent tooth located adjacent to the first circumferential end tooth on the first output gear can come into contact with the first outer peripheral surface when the first circumferential end tooth enters an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, when the first output shaft rotates due to the meshing of the first tooth portion with the first output gear and the first baffle moves to a first closed position where it closes the first opening, the meshing of the first output gear with the first tooth portion is released, the first peripheral end tooth enters the inner peripheral side of the first tooth tip circle on one side of the first end face in the axial direction, and the first adjacent tooth abuts on the first outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting the rotation of the first output gear, the second output gear is a sector gear, the second front stage gear is a missing-tooth gear and includes a second tooth portion; and a second disk portion having a second outer peripheral surface that is positioned adjacent to the second tooth portion in the circumferential direction and curves along the second tooth tip circle on the outer circumferential side of a second tooth tip circle of the second tooth portion, the second disk portion has a second outer peripheral surface whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a tooth width of the second tooth portion, and a second end surface facing one side in the axial direction at a position midway along the second tooth portion in the axial direction, a second peripheral end tooth located at an end in the circumferential direction of the second output gear has a portion facing the second outer peripheral surface cut out, and is capable of entering an inner peripheral side of the tip circle on one side of the second end surface in the axial direction, a second adjacent tooth located adjacent to the second circumferential end tooth on the second output gear can come into contact with the second outer peripheral surface when the second circumferential end tooth enters an inner peripheral side of the tip circle, 6. The damper device according to claim 5, wherein when the second output shaft rotates due to the meshing of the second tooth portion with the second output gear and the second baffle moves to a second closed position where it closes the second opening, the meshing of the second output gear with the second tooth portion is released, the second peripheral end tooth enters the inner peripheral side of the second tooth tip circle on one side of the second end face in the axial direction, and the second adjacent tooth abuts against the second outer peripheral surface, thereby restricting rotation of the second output gear.

7. a case that houses the gear mechanism, the first front gear and the second front gear are rotatably supported by a support shaft that protrudes from the case in the axial direction while being stacked in the axial direction, the first front gear includes a first protrusion protruding from a circumferential portion of a first opposing surface that faces the second front gear, the second front gear includes a second protrusion protruding from a circumferential portion of a second opposing surface that faces the first front gear, the first protrusion and the second protrusion face each other in the circumferential direction, The first protrusion presses the second protrusion from one circumferential side or the other circumferential side, thereby transmitting the rotation of the first front gear to the second front gear. The damper device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the second front gear is made of resin and includes a center hole into which the support shaft is inserted, and a plurality of tongue portions extending in the axial direction from an opening edge portion of the center hole, The damper device according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of tongue portions contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft in a state of elastic deformation toward the outer periphery when the support shaft is inserted into the central hole.

9. the gear mechanism includes a transmission gear to which the driving force of the drive source is transmitted, and a torque limiter, 8. The damper device according to claim 7, wherein the rotation of the transmission gear is transmitted to the first front gear via the torque limiter.

10. the drive source is a geared motor including a motor main body, a motor output shaft protruding from the motor main body in the axial direction, and a motor pinion attached to the motor output shaft, the transmission gear meshes with the motor pinion and is rotatably supported by the support shaft on a side of the first front stage gear opposite to the second front stage gear, the torque limiter is provided coaxially with the transmission gear and the first front stage gear, an outer diameter of the transmission gear is larger than an outer diameter of the first front stage gear, an outer diameter of the second front stage gear, and an outer diameter of the torque limiter; the first front stage gear, the second front stage gear, and the torque limiter are located inside the transmission gear when viewed from the axial direction, the motor main body partially overlaps with the transmission gear when viewed from the axial direction, the drive source and the output mechanism are located on one side of the support shaft in a direction perpendicular to the axis, The damper device according to claim 9, characterized in that a first imaginary line connecting the rotation center axis of the motor output shaft and the support shaft axis of the support shaft, which is perpendicular to the axis, and a second imaginary line connecting the support shaft axis and the axis, which is perpendicular to the axis, intersect at an angle of 90° or less.

11. The damper device according to claim 10, characterized in that the motor main body overlaps with the first front stage gear, the first output gear, the second front stage gear, and the second output gear when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis.

Images