Lid opening / closing actuator

Abstract

To provide a lid opening / closing actuator capable of easily coping with various lid opening / closing patterns.SOLUTION: The lid opening / closing actuator includes a drive source configured to output a driving force, a driving force output part configured to output the driving force to an outside, a transmission mechanism constituting a transmission path configured to transmit the driving force output from the drive source from the drive source to the driving force output part, a lock part configured to lock and unlock a movement of a component of at least one of the transmission path and the driving force output part, and a housing configured to accommodate the drive source, a part of the driving force output part, the transmission mechanism, and the lock part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid opening / closing actuator that drives a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler opening or a charging opening. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a lid opening / closing actuator that drives the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port, a charging port, etc. of a vehicle, etc. (see Patent Document 1). This lid opening / closing actuator is equipped with a mechanism (locking mechanism) that locks and unlocks the movement of the lid when the lid is in a state where the lid covers the fuel filler port or the charging port (closed state).

[0003] 37 to 38B, the lock shaft 102 advances (protrudes: see FIG. 38A) from the housing 101 of the lid opening / closing actuator 100 and engages with an arm Ar extending from the lid R1, thereby locking the movement of the lid R1 (movement in the opening direction) and maintaining the closed state of the lid R. On the other hand, the lock shaft 102 retreats (retracts: see FIG. 38B) into the housing 101, releasing the engagement, thereby unlocking the movement of the lid R1 and allowing it to move in the opening direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-67035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, the locking mechanism of the lid opening / closing actuator 100 is configured so that the lock shaft 102 protruding from the housing 101 engages with the arm Ar extending from the lid R1 to lock it, so there are limitations to the movements of the lid that can be accommodated, i.e., the opening and closing patterns of the lid that can be accommodated.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lid opening / closing actuator that can easily accommodate various lid opening / closing patterns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The lid opening / closing actuator of the present invention is A lid opening / closing actuator that drives a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or a charging port, a drive source that outputs a drive force; a driving force output unit that outputs the driving force to the outside; a transmission mechanism that configures a transmission path that transmits the driving force output from the driving source from the driving source to the driving force output unit; a locking unit that locks and unlocks the movement of components of at least one of the transmission mechanism and the driving force output unit; The drive power source includes a housing that accommodates a part of the drive force output portion, the transmission mechanism, and the lock portion.

[0008] With this configuration, the locking section locks and unlocks the movement of the components within the housing, which reduces restrictions on the shape and movement of components such as the lid connected to the driving force output section, as well as restrictions on the placement location, making it easier to accommodate various lid opening and closing patterns.

[0009] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, the component has a rotation axis, and the component itself rotates around the rotation axis as a rotation center, thereby transmitting the driving force to the driving force output unit or outputting it to the outside, The locking portion may lock the rotation of the component by abutting against the component, and unlock the rotation of the component by moving away from the component.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the locking portion comes into contact with the component, the component is locked and cannot rotate, and when the locking portion moves away from the component, the component is unlocked and can rotate.

[0011] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, the component has an abutment surface that includes a direction in which the rotation shaft extends and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, or an abutment surface that is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft, the abutted surface moves in the rotation direction as the component rotates, The locking portion may lock the movement of the component by abutting against the abutted surface, and unlock the movement of the component by moving away from the abutted surface.

[0012] In this way, by making the contact portion of the component with the locking portion a surface (contacted surface), it is easy to ensure a contact area with the locking portion, and this makes it possible to firmly lock the movement of the component.

[0013] in this case, The rotating shaft has an abutment portion having a D-cut shape, the abutted surface is a plane included in the D-cut shape of the abutted portion, The locking portion may lock the rotation of the component by abutting the entire or partial abutment surface in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the rotation axis and along the abutment surface, and may unlock the rotation of the component by moving away from the abutment surface.

[0014] In this way, the locking portion abuts against the entire or partial surface in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the rotation axis and along the abutted surface, so that the locked state is maintained suitably regardless of whether the component rotates forward or backward.

[0015] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, The locking portion is a locking member that moves along a predetermined imaginary plane to lock and unlock the movement of the component; The locking mechanism may further include a drive member having an engaging portion that engages with the locking member, the drive member moving the locking member along the imaginary plane when the engaging portion moves along the imaginary plane.

[0016] In this way, by configuring the locking member and the engagement portion (the portion of the drive member that engages with the locking member) to move on the same imaginary plane, the configuration of the engagement point between the two members (locking member and drive member) can be simplified, and reliable locking and unlocking operations can be performed.

[0017] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, the locking portion has a biasing member that directly or indirectly biases the driving member, The driving member is When the component is locked, the locking member is moved by the biasing force of the biasing member; When the component is unlocked, the locking member may be moved by the driving force.

[0018] The locking mechanism can be simplified by using the biasing force of the biasing member to perform one of the locking and unlocking operations (locking operation). Furthermore, by using the biasing force for the locking operation, the position of the locking member in the locked state (locked position) is suitably maintained by the biasing force.

[0019] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, the driving force output portion has an output rotation shaft, the component is included in the transmission path, rotates around the output rotation shaft as a rotation center by the driving force transmitted through the transmission path, and has a pushing surface that moves in the rotation direction of the component as the component rotates, The pushing surface may push the driving member when moving in the rotational direction, thereby moving the locking member to the unlocking side.

[0020] According to this configuration, the locking member can be unlocked using the driving force transmitted from the driving source to the output rotary shaft.

[0021] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, the component has a retaining surface that comes into contact with the driving member after the driving member has been separated from the pressing surface when the component continues to rotate after the locking member has reached an unlocking position due to the pressing surface having moved to a predetermined first position in the rotational direction and the driving member has been separated from the pressing surface, The retaining surface may maintain the position of the drive member while in contact with the drive member.

[0022] With this configuration, when the component rotates, the drive member is pushed by the push surface until the push surface reaches the first position, and the lock member reaches the unlock position, but even if the component continues to rotate beyond that, the position of the drive member when the component is in the first position is maintained, thereby preventing the biasing force applied to the drive member from becoming too large.

[0023] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, The pushing surface may push and rotate the output rotation shaft after the component continues to rotate, passes the first position, and moves in the rotation direction to a predetermined second position.

[0024] With this configuration, the component moves the locking member to the unlocking side, and then transmits the driving force from the driving source to the rotating output shaft. That is, one part (component) can move the locking member to the unlocking side and transmit the driving force from the driving source to the rotating output shaft in sequence, with a time lag.

[0025] Further, in the lid opening / closing actuator, The locking portion may have an operating portion that protrudes from the housing to the outside and that can be operated to unlock the locking portion.

[0026] According to this configuration, the unlocking operation can be performed by operating the operating portion protruding from the housing (that is, manually). [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lid opening / closing actuator that can easily accommodate various lid opening / closing patterns. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a charging port of a vehicle in which a lid opening / closing actuator of a first embodiment is disposed, and the lid of the charging port. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the first embodiment with the housing open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transmission mechanism and an output rotary shaft provided in the cover opening / closing actuator of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the output rotating shaft. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third gear of the transmission mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the third gear seen from the second portion side. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a locking member provided in the locking portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a link member provided in the locking portion. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing a state in which the locking member is in the locked position. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a diagram for explaining the movement of the locking portion relative to the output rotation shaft, showing the state in which the locking member is at the locked position. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a diagram for explaining the movement of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the third gear abuts against the pressed surface of the output rotating shaft when the lid is opened. [Figure 14B] Figure 14B is a diagram for explaining the movement of the locking portion relative to the output rotating shaft, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the third gear abuts the pressed surface of the output rotating shaft when the lid is opened. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing a state in which the third gear drives the output rotating shaft when the lid is opened. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the third gear abuts the pressed surface of the output rotating shaft when the lid is closed. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the output rotation shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the locking member is moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the lid is closed. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the second embodiment with the housing open. [Figure 20A] FIG. 20A is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the locking member is in the locked position. [Figure 20B] FIG. 20B is a perspective view for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing a state in which the locking member is at the locking position. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the third gear abuts against the pressed surface of the output rotating shaft when the charging port cover is opened. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the third gear drives the output rotating shaft when the lid is opened. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the output rotating shaft, the third gear, and the locking part, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the third gear abuts the pressed surface of the output rotating shaft when the lid is closed. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the output rotation shaft, the third gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the locking member is moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the lid is closed. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a cover opening / closing actuator according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the third embodiment with the housing open. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the cover opening / closing actuator of the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an output rotation shaft provided in the cover opening / closing actuator of the third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIIII-XXVIIII in FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a drive gear provided in the cover opening / closing actuator of the third embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining an output gear provided in the cover opening / closing actuator of the third embodiment. [Figure 32A]FIG. 32A is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the locking member is in the locked position. [Figure 32B] FIG. 32B is a perspective view for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking portion, showing the locking member in the locked position. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking part, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the drive gear abuts against the pressed surface of the output gear when the charging port cover is opened. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking part, and shows the state in which the drive gear drives the output gear when the lid is opened. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotating shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking part, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the drive gear abuts the pressed surface of the output gear when the lid is closed. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a diagram for explaining the movements of the output rotation shaft, the drive gear, the output gear, and the locking portion, showing the state in which the locking member has moved to the unlocked position when the lid is closed. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a lid opening / closing unit in which a conventional lid opening / closing actuator is arranged. [Figure 38A] FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view of the lid opening and closing unit in a state where the lid is locked. [Figure 38B] FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view of the lid opening and closing unit in an unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The lid opening / closing actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as "actuator") according to this embodiment drives the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or a charging port provided on a vehicle, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 1, actuator 1 drives the opening and closing of lid R that opens and closes a charging port CP of the vehicle.

[0031] 2 and 3, this actuator 1 includes a drive unit 2 including a drive source 21 that outputs a drive force, a drive force output unit 3 that outputs the drive force to the outside, a transmission mechanism 4 that forms a transmission path Tr that transmits the drive force output from the drive source 21 from the drive unit 2 to the drive force output unit 3, a lock unit 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of components of at least one of the transmission mechanism 4 and the drive force output unit 3, and a housing 6 that accommodates the drive unit 2, a part of the drive force output unit 3, the transmission mechanism 4, and the lock unit 5. The drive source 21 in this embodiment is a motor, and the lock unit 5 locks and unlocks the movement of the components of the drive force output unit 3.

[0032] The drive unit 2 includes a motor 21 having an output shaft 21a, a worm gear 22 attached to the output shaft 21a of the motor 21, a magnet 23 attached to the output shaft 21a and rotating together with the output shaft 21a, and a sensor 24 that detects the amount of rotation of the output shaft 21a.

[0033] In this drive unit 2, the worm gear 22 is a gear that transmits the rotational power of the output shaft 21a to the transmission mechanism 4, and the sensor 24 detects the amount of rotation of the magnet 23 (output shaft 21a) by detecting changes in the magnetic field caused by the rotational movement of the magnet 23 attached to the output shaft 21a.

[0034] The driving force output unit 3 has a rotation axis (a center line C1 extending in a predetermined direction) and rotates around the rotation axis (center line C1) to output a driving force (rotational power output from the motor 21) to the outside of the housing 6. The driving force output unit 3 of this embodiment is formed by an output rotation shaft, and this output rotation shaft (driving force output unit) 3 has an abutment surface 321 that includes the extension direction of the center line C1 (output rotation shaft 3) and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, as also shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 . This abutment surface 321 is the surface with which the locking unit 5 (more specifically, the member 51 that constitutes the locking unit 5) abuts and moves away from (see FIGS. 13B and 14B ).

[0035] Specifically, the output rotating shaft 3 has an output shaft portion 31 extending in a predetermined direction, an abutted portion (abutted portion) 32 having an abutted surface 321, and a power receiving portion 33 that receives the driving force transmitted by the transmission mechanism 4. In the output rotating shaft 3 of this embodiment, the output shaft portion 31, the abutted portion 32, and the power receiving portion 33 are integral with each other.

[0036] The output shaft 31 is a shaft-shaped portion that extends from the housing 6 to the outside along a center line C1 that extends in a predetermined direction, and outputs a driving force (rotational power) by rotating about the center line C1. The output shaft 31 of this embodiment is prismatic (i.e., a columnar shape whose cross section perpendicular to the center line C1 is non-circular), more specifically, a quadrangular prismatic shape (see FIG. 6).

[0037] The abutted portion 32 is a portion having a D-cut shape, and the abutted surface 321 is a flat surface included in the D-cut shape. This abutted surface 321 moves in the rotation direction as the output rotating shaft (component) 3 rotates. Here, the D-cut shape is a D-shape whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the center line C1 is composed of arcs and straight lines (see FIG. 7), and the straight line portions in this cross-sectional shape are the abutted surface 321. Note that the D-cut shape includes a shape formed by a so-called D-cut and a shape similar to that when the D-cut is performed.

[0038] The power receiving portion 33 has a cylindrical main body 331 extending along the center line C1, and a pair of pressed portions 332 extending from the main body 331 to one side and the other side in the radial direction of the main body 331. Each pressed portion 332 has surfaces (pressed surfaces) 332a, 332b that are perpendicular to the circumferential direction at one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the main body 331, respectively (see FIG. 8).

[0039] The transmission mechanism 4 is composed of a plurality of gears, and the meshing of these gears forms the transmission path Tr. The transmission mechanism 4 of this embodiment is composed of three gears: a first gear 41 that meshes with the worm gear 22 of the drive unit 2; a third gear 43 that transmits driving force to the output rotation shaft 3; and a second gear 42 that meshes with both the first gear 41 and the third gear 43 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Each of the gears 41, 42, and 43 is arranged so that the rotation axis direction is parallel to the center line C1. The number and arrangement of the gears that make up the transmission mechanism 4 are not limited. The transmission mechanism 4 may also include components other than gears (such as a belt).

[0040] The first gear 41 and the second gear 42 in this embodiment are double gears. The large diameter gear portion 411 of the first gear 41 meshes with the worm gear 22 of the drive unit 2, and the small diameter gear portion 412 meshes with the large diameter gear portion 421 of the second gear 42. The small diameter gear portion 422 of the second gear 42 meshes with the third gear 43 (more specifically, the first portion 431 of the third gear 43).

[0041] 9 and 10, the third gear 43 has pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, and 435b that move in the rotational direction of the third gear 43 as the third gear 43 rotates with the driving force transmitted through the transmission path Tr. Specifically, the third gear 43 has a gear-shaped first portion 431 and a second portion 432 that is aligned with the first portion 431 in the rotational axis direction (the direction of the center line C1), and has a circular through-hole 433 in the center as viewed from the rotational axis direction, through which the output rotating shaft 3 (more specifically, the power receiving portion 33) is inserted.

[0042] The second portion 432 is integral with the first portion 431 and rotates together with the first portion 431. The second portion 432 has a pressing surface (pressing surface) 434a that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the third gear 43 about the output rotation shaft 3 to press (press) the lock portion 5 (more specifically, the link member 52) in the rotational direction. The second portion 432 also has pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, and 435b that move in conjunction with the rotation of the third gear 43 about the output rotation shaft 3 to press the output rotation shaft 3 (more specifically, the pressed surfaces 332a and 332b of the power receiving portion 33). The second portion 432 is disposed at the same position as the power receiving portion 33 of the output rotation shaft 3 in the direction of the center line C1. That is, the power receiving portion 33 is fitted into the second portion 432 in the direction of the center line C1.

[0043] Specifically, the second portion 432 is a portion that extends from the first portion 431 in the direction of the rotation axis (i.e., the center line C1) of the third gear 43 and also extends in the rotational direction, and when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, has a pair of fan-shaped portions 434, 435 that face each other across the diameter of the first portion 431, with the through hole 433 in between, and an arc-shaped connecting portion 436 that connects the pair of fan-shaped portions 434, 435.

[0044] Each of the fan-shaped portions 434, 435 has pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, 435b at both ends in the rotation direction. In the second portion 432 of this embodiment, the pressing surface 434a that presses the output rotating shaft 3 in one of the fan-shaped portions 434 also presses the link member 52. Each of these pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, 435b extends in a plane direction perpendicular to the rotation direction.

[0045] In addition, the outer surfaces (outer surfaces in the radial direction of the third gear 43) 434c, 435c of each fan-shaped portion 434, 435 and the outer surface (outer surface in the radial direction of the third gear 43) 436c of the connection portion 436 are connected in an arc shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, thereby forming a maintenance surface 432c that maintains the posture of the component part (link member) 52 of the locking portion 5.

[0046] Thus, the second portion 432 of the third gear 43 has pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, 435b and a retaining surface 432c.

[0047] The locking section 5 has a locking member 51 that can lock and unlock the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3, a linking member (driving member) 52 that moves the locking member 51, and a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the linking member 52 (see Figure 3).

[0048] The locking member 51 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by coming into contact with the output rotating shaft 3, and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the output rotating shaft 3.

[0049] In detail, the locking portion 5 locks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting against the abutment surface 321 of the abutment portion 32 on the output rotating shaft 3 (see Figures 13A and 13B), and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the abutment surface 321 (see Figures 14A and 14B).

[0050] More specifically, the locking member 51 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting the entire or partial area of ​​the abutted surface 321 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (center line C1) of the output rotating shaft 3 and along the abutted surface 321 (see Figure 13A), and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the abutted surface 321 (see Figure 14A).

[0051] 11, the locking member 51 includes a contact portion 511 that can come into contact with the output rotating shaft (component) 3, and a locking member side engaging portion 512 that engages with the link member 52. The locking member 51 of this embodiment includes an operating portion 513 that can operate the locking member 51.

[0052] The contact portion 511 is a portion extending in a predetermined direction. The contact portion 511 has a contact surface 511a that can come into contact with the contacted surface 321 of the output rotating shaft 3 (see FIG. 13A). The contact portion 511 of this embodiment is shaped like a rectangular pillar and includes the contact surface 511a on its circumferential surface.

[0053] The locking member side engaging portion 512 is a portion that engages with the link member 52, and is connected to the abutting portion 511. The locking member side engaging portion 512 has a through-hole 512a that penetrates in the direction of the center line C1. The locking member side engaging portion 512 of this embodiment is frame-shaped when viewed from the direction of the center line C1, and more specifically, is rectangular frame-shaped (see FIG. 13A).

[0054] The operating portion 513 is a portion that extends from the locking member side engaging portion 512 to the opposite side to the abutting portion 511. The operating portion 513 protrudes to the outside from the housing 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0055] The locking member 51 configured as described above is disposed in the housing 6 so as to be capable of reciprocating along an imaginary plane S perpendicular to the center line C1. Note that the imaginary plane S in this embodiment is a plane that is imaginary and located at the same position as a plane that guides the locking member 51 when the locking member 51 moves (reciprocates) within the housing 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 13A).

[0056] The link member 52 has a link member side engaging portion (engaging portion) 522 that engages with the lock member 51, and the movement of the link member side engaging portion 522 along an imaginary plane S causes the lock member 51 to move along the imaginary plane S.

[0057] Specifically, as also shown in FIG. 12, the link member 52 has a link member rotation axis 521 extending in the direction of the center line C1, a link member side engaging portion 522 that engages with the lock member side engaging portion 512 of the lock member 51, and a pressed portion 523 that is pressed against the pressing surface 434b of the third gear 43.

[0058] The link member rotation shaft 521 is a portion where the link member 52 is held in the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around the link member rotation shaft 521. The link member rotation shaft 521 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the center line C1.

[0059] The link member side engaging portion 522 has an extending portion 5221 extending from the link member rotation shaft 521 in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the center line C1, and an inserting portion 5222 extending from the extending portion 5221 in the direction of the center line C1.

[0060] The extension portion 5221 extends from the link member rotation shaft 521 to the lock member side engagement portion 512 of the lock member 51 (more specifically, the through hole 512a) when viewed from the direction of the center line C1.

[0061] The insertion portion 5222 extends from the tip of the extension portion 5221 to the inside of the through-hole 512a of the locking member side engagement portion 512. The insertion portion 5222 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the center line C1.

[0062] The pressed portion 523 is a portion that extends from the link member rotation shaft 521 in a direction that is perpendicular to the center line C1 and intersects with the extension portion 5221. More specifically, the pressed portion 523 extends from the link member rotation shaft 521 so as to be located on the third gear 43 side with respect to the link member side engaging portion 522 when viewed from the direction of the center line C1 (see FIG. 13A).

[0063] The biasing member 53 biases the link member 52 in a direction in which the pressed portion 523 moves toward the third gear when the link member 52 rotates around the link member rotation shaft 521. The biasing member 53 of this embodiment is a so-called torsion coil spring.

[0064] Next, the operation of the actuator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0065] When the lid R of the charging port CP is closed, the locking member 51 is located at the lock position P1 (the position shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B), and the abutting surface 511a of the abutting portion 511 of the locking member 51 abuts (contacts) the abutted surface 321 of the abutted portion 32 of the output rotating shaft 3. At this time, the abutting surface 511a of the abutting portion 511 is in contact (abuts) with the abutted surface 321 over the entire area or partially in contact (abuts) with the abutted surface 321 in the reciprocating direction α1 of the locking member 51 (a direction perpendicular to the direction of the center line C1 and along the abutted surface 321). In this state (locked state), the locking member 51 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3, and the lid R cannot be opened.

[0066] From this state, in order to open the lid R, the motor 21 of the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1 is driven, and the driving force (rotational driving force) output from the motor 21 is transmitted to the output rotating shaft 3 through the transmission mechanism 4. Specifically, the driving force output from the motor 21 is transmitted in this order to the worm gear 22 attached to the output shaft 21a of the motor 21, the first gear 41, the second gear 42, and the third gear 43.

[0067] 13A and 14A, the third gear 43 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates clockwise (see arrow α2 in FIG. 13A). At this time, the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 to rotate to a pressing surface contact position P11 (a position where the pressing surface 434a contacts the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52). As the third gear 43 continues to rotate from this pressing surface contact position P11, the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 presses the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 in the rotation direction of the third gear 43.

[0068] When pressed by this pressing surface 434a, the pressed portion 523 rotates around the link member rotation axis 521 (see arrow α3 in FIG. 14A), and as the link member 52 rotates, the insertion portion 5222 of the link member side engaging portion 522 presses the lock member side engaging portion 512 of the lock member 51 in the rotation direction of the link member 52. This causes the lock member 51 to slide to the unlock position P2 (the position shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B) (see arrow α4 in FIG. 14A).

[0069] When the locking member 51 reaches the unlock position P2, the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 reaches the pressing surface separation position P12, and as the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 moves away from the pressing surface 434a and comes into contact with the retaining surface 432c of the second portion 432 of the third gear 43 (see FIG. 14A). In this state where the pressed portion 523 is in contact with the retaining surface 432c of the third gear 43, the attitude (position in the rotational direction) of the link member 52 is maintained even if the third gear 43 continues to rotate.

[0070] Then, when the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a of the second portion 432 to rotate to the opening direction abutment position P13, the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portions 332 (more specifically, pressed surfaces 332a) of the power receiving portion 33 on the output rotating shaft 3 (see Figure 14A).

[0071] As the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a of the second portion 432 press the pressed surfaces 332a of the power receiving portion 33, causing the output rotation shaft 3 to rotate around the center line C1 along with the rotation of the third gear 43.

[0072] As a result, the output shaft portion 31 of the output rotary shaft 3 rotates around the center line C1 (see arrow α5 in FIG. 15), and along with this rotation, the cover R of the charging port CP opens.

[0073] On the other hand, when the lid R of the charging port CP is closed from an open state, the motor 21 of the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1 rotates in the opposite direction to when the lid R is opened, and this reverse rotational driving force is transmitted to the output rotating shaft 3 via the transmission mechanism 4.

[0074] In the example shown in Fig. 16, the third gear 43 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates counterclockwise (see arrow α6 in Fig. 16). At this time, when the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b of the second portion 432 to rotate to the closing direction abutment position P14, the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portion 332 (more specifically, the pressed surface 332b) of the power receiving portion 33 of the output rotating shaft 3 (see Fig. 16). In addition, because the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 abuts against the maintaining surface 432c of the second portion 432, the locking member 51 is located at the unlock position P2.

[0075] As the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b of the second portion 432 press the pressed surfaces 332b of the power receiving portion 33, causing the output rotating shaft 3 to rotate around the center line C1 along with the rotation of the third gear 43 (more specifically, it rotates in the opposite direction to when the lid R opens: see arrow α7 in Figure 16).

[0076] As a result, output shaft portion 31 of output rotating shaft 3 rotates around center line C1 (rotates in the same direction as third gear 43), and this rotation closes lid R of charging port CP. Then, at the timing when lid R of charging port CP is closed, pressing surface 434a of second portion 432 reaches pressing surface separation position P12, and as third gear 43 continues to rotate, pressed portion 523 of link member 52 moves away from maintaining surface 432c.

[0077] In this way, when the pressed portion 523 moves away from the retaining surface 432c of the second portion 432 as the third gear 43 rotates, the link member 52 is biased by the biasing member 53 and therefore rotates around the link member rotation axis 521 (see arrow α8 in FIG. 17 ). With this rotation, the insertion portion 5222 of the link member side engaging portion 522 presses the lock member side engaging portion 512 of the lock member 51 in the rotation direction of the link member 52. As a result, the lock member 51 slides to the lock position P1 (see arrow α9 in FIG. 17 ), and the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 is locked (i.e., the abutting surface 511a of the abutting portion 511 abuts (contacts) the abutted surface 321 of the abutted portion 32). Therefore, even if an attempt is made to move the lid R in the opening direction to open it, the lid R will not move.

[0078] In the actuator 1 of this embodiment, if the lid R of the charging port CP needs to be opened by hand when the locking member 51 is in the locked position P1 (locked state), the operating portion 513 of the locking member 51, which protrudes outward from the housing 6, is pulled in a direction away from the housing 6, causing the locking member 51 to move from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2 against the biasing force of the biasing member 53, and this causes the output rotating shaft 3 to become rotatable (unlocked state), making it possible to open the lid R of the charging port CP.

[0079] The above-described actuator 1 is an actuator 1 that drives the opening and closing of the lid R that opens and closes the charging port CP, and includes a motor (driving source) 21 that outputs driving force, an output rotating shaft (driving force output unit) 3 that outputs the driving force to the outside, a transmission mechanism 4 that forms a transmission path Tr that transmits the driving force output from the motor 21 from the motor 21 to the output rotating shaft 3, a locking unit 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of at least one of the components of the transmission mechanism 4 and the output rotating shaft 3 (in this embodiment, the output rotating shaft 3), and a housing 6 that accommodates the motor 21, parts 32 and 33 of the output rotating shaft 3, the transmission mechanism 4, and the locking unit 5.

[0080] With this configuration, the locking section 5 locks and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft (component) 3 within the housing 6, which reduces restrictions on the shape and movement of components such as the lid R connected to the output rotating shaft 3, as well as restrictions on the placement location, making it easier to accommodate various lid opening and closing patterns.

[0081] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3 has a center line (rotation axis) C1 extending in a predetermined direction, and the output rotating shaft 3 itself rotates around the center line C1 as the center of rotation, thereby outputting a driving force to the outside of the housing 6, and the locking portion 5 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting against the output rotating shaft 3, and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the output rotating shaft 3.

[0082] According to this configuration, when the locking portion 5 abuts against the output rotating shaft 3 (in this embodiment, the abutment surface 321 of the abutment portion 32), the output rotating shaft 3 is locked and cannot rotate, and when the locking portion 5 moves away from the output rotating shaft 3, the output rotating shaft 3 is unlocked and can rotate.

[0083] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3 has an abutment surface 321 that includes the extension direction of the center line (rotation axis) C1 and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, the abutment surface 321 moves in the rotational direction as the output rotating shaft 3 rotates, and the locking portion 5 locks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting against the abutment surface 321 (see FIGS. 13A and 13B), and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the abutment surface 321 (see FIGS. 14A and 14B). In this way, by making the abutment portion of the output rotating shaft 3 that abuts against the locking portion 5 a surface (abutment surface 321), it is easy to ensure a contact area with the locking portion 5, and thereby the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 can be firmly locked.

[0084] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft 3 has a contacted portion (contacted portion) 32 having a D-cut shape, and the contacted surface 321 is a flat surface included in the D-cut shape of the contacted portion 32 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). The locking portion 5 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by contacting the entire or partial area of ​​the contacted surface 321 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the center line (rotation axis) C1 and along the contacted surface 321 (see FIG. 13A). The locking portion 5 unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the contacted surface 321 (see FIG. 14A). In this way, the locking portion 5 contacts the entire or partial area of ​​the contacted surface 321 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the center line C1 and along the contacted surface 321, so that the locked state is suitably maintained regardless of whether the output rotating shaft 3 rotates forward or backward.

[0085] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the locking section 5 includes a locking member 51 that moves along a predetermined imaginary plane S to lock and unlock the movement of the output rotation shaft (component) 3, and a link member (driving member) 52 that has a link member side engaging portion (engaging portion) 522 that engages with the locking member 51, and moves the locking member 51 along the imaginary plane S as the link member side engaging portion 522 moves along the imaginary plane S. In this way, by configuring the locking member 51 and the link member side engaging portion (the portion of the link member 52 that engages with the locking member 51) 522 to move on the same imaginary plane S (in other words, moving along the same imaginary plane S), the configuration of the engagement points 512, 522 of the two members (locking member 51 and link member 52) can be simplified, and reliable locking and unlocking operations can be performed.

[0086] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the locking section 5 has a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the link member (driving member) 52, and when the output rotating shaft (component) 3 is locked, the link member 52 moves the locking member 51 by the biasing force of the biasing member 53, and when the output rotating shaft 3 is unlocked, the link member 52 moves the locking member 51 by the driving force transmitted from the motor (driving source) 21. In this way, by performing one of the locking and unlocking operations (the locking operation in this embodiment) by the biasing force of the biasing member 53 in the locking section 5, it is possible to simplify the configuration. Furthermore, by using the biasing force for the locking operation, the position (locked position) P1 of the locking member 51 in the locked state is suitably maintained by the biasing force.

[0087] In addition, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the driving force output section that outputs the driving force from the motor 21 to the outside is configured by the output rotating shaft 3, and the third gear (component) 43 is included in the transmission path Tr and rotates around the output rotating shaft 3 as a rotation center by the driving force transmitted through the transmission path Tr, and has a pressing surface (pressing surface) 434a that moves in the rotation direction of the third gear 43 as the third gear 43 rotates. When the pressing surface 434a moves in the rotation direction, it presses the link member (driving member) 52, thereby moving the locking member 51 to the unlock side (see FIGS. 13A and 14A). With this configuration, the locking member 51 can be unlocked using the driving force transmitted from the motor (driving source) 21 to the output rotating shaft 3.

[0088] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the third gear (component) 43 has a retaining surface 432c, and this retaining surface 432c is a surface that comes into contact with the link member 52 after separation when the third gear 43 continues to rotate even after the lock member 51 reaches the unlock position and the link member (drive member) 52 separates from the pressing surface 434a as a result of the pressing surface (pressing surface) 434a moving in the rotational direction to a pressing surface separation position (predetermined first position) P12. Then, while the retaining surface 432c is in contact with the link member 52, it maintains the position (posture) of the link member 52 (see FIGS. 13A, 14A, and 15).

[0089] According to this configuration, when the third gear 43 rotates, the link member 52 is pressed by the pressing surface 434a until the pressing surface 434a reaches the pressing surface separation position P12, and the locking member 51 reaches the unlock position P2. However, even if the third gear 43 continues to rotate further, the position (posture) of the link member 52 when the third gear 43 is at the pressing surface separation position P12 is maintained, thereby preventing the biasing force applied to the link member 52 (the biasing force by the biasing member 53) from becoming too large.

[0090] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the pressing surface 434a presses and rotates the output rotating shaft 3 after the third gear (component) 43 continues to rotate and passes through the pressing surface separation position (first position) P12, moving in the rotational direction to the opening direction abutment position (predetermined second position) P13.

[0091] According to this configuration, after the locking member 51 is moved to the unlocking side by the third gear 43, the driving force from the motor (driving source) 21 is transmitted to the rotating output shaft 3. That is, one component (third gear) 43 can sequentially move the locking member 51 to the unlocking side and transmit the driving force from the motor 21 to the rotating output shaft 3 with a time lag (specifically, the time it takes for the pressing surface 434a to move from the pressing surface separation position P12 to the opening direction abutment position P13).

[0092] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the locking unit 5 has an operating portion 513 that protrudes outward from the housing 6 and that can be used to unlock the locking unit 5. This allows the unlocking operation to be performed by operating the operating portion 513 that protrudes from the housing 6 (i.e., manually). In particular, when a linking member 52 is used in the locking unit 5, the biasing force of the biasing member 52 only needs to be strong enough to hold the linking member 52 in the locked position. This allows the operating load for manually operating the linking member 52 to be reduced when a manual unlocking operation is required.

[0093] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 24. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted, and only the different components will be described in detail.

[0094] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the lid opening / closing actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as "actuator") 1A of this embodiment, like the actuator 1 of the first embodiment, comprises a drive unit 2 including a drive source such as a motor, an output rotating shaft (drive force output unit) 3, a transmission mechanism 4 that forms a transmission path Tr, a lock unit 5, and a housing 6.

[0095] 20A and 20B, the output rotating shaft 3 has an output shaft portion 31, an abutment portion 32 having an abutment surface 321, and a power receiving portion 33 having pressed surfaces 332a and 332b. The power receiving portion 33 has a main body 331 and a pair of pressed portions 332. Note that in FIG. 20B, the third gear 43 is removed to make the configuration easier to see.

[0096] The transmission mechanism 4 has a plurality of gears including a third gear 43 and transmits the driving force output from the drive unit 2 to the output rotation shaft 3.

[0097] The third gear 43 has a first portion 431, a second portion 432, and a through hole 433. The second portion 432 has a pair of fan-shaped portions 434, 435 and a connecting portion 436 connecting these fan-shaped portions 434, 435. The second portion 432 also has pressing surfaces 434a, 434b, 435a, 435b, and a retaining surface 432c.

[0098] The locking portion 5 includes a locking member 51A, a link member (driving member) 52, and a biasing member 53.

[0099] The locking member 51A has an abutting portion 511 having an abutting surface 511a and a locking member side engaging portion 512 having a through hole 512a. That is, the locking member 51A of this embodiment does not have an operating portion 513 like the locking member 51 of the first embodiment.

[0100] The link member 52 has a link member rotation shaft 521 , a link member side engaging portion 522 having an extending portion 5221 and an inserting portion 5222 , and a pressed portion 523 .

[0101] Next, the operation of the actuator 1A according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0102] In the actuator 1A of this embodiment, when the lid of the charging port is closed, the locking member 51A is located at the lock position P1 (the position shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B), and the abutting portion 511 (abutting surface 511a) of the locking member 51A abuts (contacts) the abutted surface 321 of the rotating output shaft 3. As a result, the locking member 51A locks the rotation of the rotating output shaft 3, and the lid of the charging port cannot be opened.

[0103] From this state, in order to open the cover, the drive unit 2 of the actuator 1A is driven, and the drive force (rotational drive force) output from the drive unit 2 is transmitted to the output rotation shaft 3 via the transmission mechanism 4.

[0104] 20A and 21, the third gear 43 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates clockwise (see arrow α11 in FIG. 20A). At this time, the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 to rotate to a pressing surface abutment position P11. As the third gear 43 continues to rotate from this pressing surface abutment position P11, the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 presses the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 in the rotation direction of the third gear 43.

[0105] When pressed portion 523 is pressed by pressing surface 434a in this manner, link member 52 rotates around link member rotation axis 521 (see arrow α12 in FIG. 21), and insertion portion 5222 of link member side engaging portion 522 presses lock member side engaging portion 512 of lock member 51A. As a result, lock member 51A slides to unlock position P2 (position shown in FIG. 21) (see arrow α13 in FIG. 21).

[0106] When the locking member 51A reaches the unlock position P2, the pressing surface 434a of the second portion 432 reaches the pressing surface separation position P12, and as the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 moves away from the pressing surface 434a and comes into contact with the maintaining surface 432c of the second portion 432 (see FIG. 21). In this state in which the pressed portion 523 is in contact with the maintaining surface 432c of the third gear 43, the attitude (position in the rotational direction) of the link member 52 is maintained even if the third gear 43 continues to rotate.

[0107] Then, when the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a of the second portion 432 to rotate to the opening direction abutment position P13, the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portions 332 (more specifically, the pressed surfaces 332a) of the output rotating shaft 3 (see Figure 21).

[0108] As the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 434a, 435a of the second portion 432 press the pressed surfaces 332a of the power receiving portion 33, causing the output rotating shaft 3 to rotate around the center line C1 along with the rotation of the third gear 43 (see arrow α14 in Figure 22), and the lid of the charging port opens.

[0109] On the other hand, when the lid of the charging port is closed from an open state, the driving source of the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1A outputs a rotational driving force that is reverse to when the lid is opened, and this reverse driving force is transmitted to the output rotating shaft 3 via the transmission mechanism 4.

[0110] 23, the third gear 43 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates counterclockwise (see arrow α15 in FIG. 23). At this time, when the rotation of the third gear 43 causes the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b of the second part 432 to rotate to the closing direction abutment position P14, the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portion 332 (more specifically, the pressed surface 332b) of the output rotating shaft 3 (see FIG. 23).

[0111] As the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 434b, 435b of the second portion 432 press the pressed surfaces 332b of the power receiving portion 33, causing the output rotating shaft 3 to also rotate around the center line C1 (more specifically, rotating in the opposite direction to when the lid opens: see arrow α16 in Figure 24), and the lid of the charging port closes.

[0112] When the lid of this charging port is closed, the pressing surface 434a of the second part 432 reaches the pressing surface separation position P12, and as the third gear 43 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 separates from the maintaining surface 432c, and the link member 52 rotates around the link member rotation axis 521 due to the force of the biasing member 53 (see arrow α17 in Figure 24).

[0113] As a result of this rotation, the link member 52 pushes the lock member 51A, causing the lock member 51A to slide to the lock position P1 (see arrow α18 in FIG. 24), and the rotation of the output rotation shaft 3 is locked.

[0114] The above-described actuator 1A is an actuator 1A that drives the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a charging port, and includes a drive source that outputs drive force, an output rotating shaft (drive force output unit) 3 that outputs the drive force to the outside, a transmission mechanism 4 that forms a transmission path Tr that transmits the drive force output from the drive source from the drive source to the output rotating shaft 3, a locking unit 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of at least one of the components of the transmission mechanism 4 and the output rotating shaft 3 (in this embodiment, the output rotating shaft 3), and a housing 6 that accommodates the drive source, parts 32, 33 of the output rotating shaft 3, the transmission mechanism 4, and the locking unit 5.

[0115] With this configuration, the locking section 5 locks and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft (component) 3 within the housing 6, which reduces restrictions on the shape and movement of components such as lids connected to the output rotating shaft 3, as well as restrictions on their placement location, making it easier to accommodate various lid opening and closing patterns.

[0116] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3 has a center line (rotation axis) C1 extending in a predetermined direction, and the output rotating shaft 3 itself rotates around the center line C1 as the center of rotation, thereby outputting a driving force to the outside of the housing 6, and the locking portion 5 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting against the output rotating shaft 3, and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the output rotating shaft 3.

[0117] According to this configuration, when the locking portion 5 abuts against the output rotating shaft 3 (in this embodiment, the abutment surface 321 of the abutment portion 32), the output rotating shaft 3 is locked and cannot rotate, and when the locking portion 5 moves away from the output rotating shaft 3, the output rotating shaft 3 is unlocked and can rotate.

[0118] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3 has an abutment surface 321 that includes the extension direction of the center line (rotation axis) C1 and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, and the abutment surface 321 moves in the rotational direction as the output rotating shaft 3 rotates, and the locking portion 5 locks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by abutting against the abutment surface 321 (see FIGS. 20A and 20B), and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the abutment surface 321 (see FIG. 21). In this way, by making the abutment portion of the output rotating shaft 3 that abuts against the locking portion 5 a surface (abutment surface 321), it is easy to ensure a contact area with the locking portion 5, and this makes it possible to firmly lock the movement of the output rotating shaft 3.

[0119] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft 3 has a contacted portion (contacted portion) 32 having a D-cut shape, and the contacted surface 321 is a flat surface included in the D-cut shape of the contacted portion 32. The locking portion 5 locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by contacting the entire or partial area of ​​the contacted surface 321 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the center line (rotation axis) C1 extends and along the contacted surface 321 (see FIG. 20A ), and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3 by moving away from the contacted surface 321 (see FIG. 21 ). In this way, the locking portion 5 contacts the entire or partial area of ​​the contacted surface 321 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the center line C1 extends and along the contacted surface 321, so that the locked state is suitably maintained regardless of whether the output rotating shaft 3 rotates forward or backward.

[0120] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the locking section 5 includes a locking member 51A that moves along a predetermined imaginary plane S to lock and unlock the movement of the output rotation shaft (component) 3, and a link member (driving member) 52 that has a link member side engaging portion (engaging portion) 522 that engages with the locking member 51A, and moves the locking member 51A along the imaginary plane S as the link member side engaging portion 522 moves along the imaginary plane S. In this way, by configuring the locking member 51A and the link member side engaging portion (the portion of the link member 52 that engages with the locking member 51A) 522 to move on the same imaginary plane S (in other words, moving along the same imaginary plane S), the configuration of the engagement points 512, 522 of the two members (locking member 51A and link member 52) can be simplified, and the locking operation and unlocking operation can be performed reliably.

[0121] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the locking section 5 has a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the link member (driving member) 52, and when the output rotating shaft (component) 3 is locked, the link member 52 moves the locking member 51A by the biasing force of the biasing member 53, and when the output rotating shaft 3 is unlocked, the link member 52 moves the locking member 51A by the driving force transmitted from the motor (driving source) 21. In this way, by performing one of the locking and unlocking operations (the locking operation in this embodiment) by the biasing force of the biasing member 53 in the locking section 5, the configuration can be simplified. Furthermore, by using the biasing force for the locking operation, the position (locked position) P1 of the locking member 51A in the locked state is suitably maintained by the biasing force.

[0122] In the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the driving force output section that outputs the driving force from the driving source to the outside is configured by the output rotating shaft 3, and the third gear (component) 43 is included in the transmission path Tr and rotates around the output rotating shaft 3 as a rotation center by the driving force transmitted through the transmission path Tr. The third gear 43 has a pressing surface (pressing surface) 434a that moves in the rotational direction of the third gear 43 as the third gear 43 rotates. When the pressing surface 434a moves in the rotational direction, it presses the link member (driving member) 52, thereby moving the locking member 51A to the unlock side (see FIGS. 20A and 21). With this configuration, the locking member 51A can be unlocked using the driving force transmitted from the driving source to the output rotating shaft 3.

[0123] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the third gear (component) 43 has a retaining surface 432c, and this retaining surface 432c is a surface that comes into contact with the link member 52 after separation when the third gear 43 continues to rotate after the lock member 51A reaches the unlock position P2 and the link member (drive member) 52 separates from the pressing surface 434a as a result of the pressing surface (pressing surface) 434a moving in the rotational direction to the pressing surface separation position (predetermined first position) P12. Then, the retaining surface 432c maintains the position (posture) of the link member 52 while in contact with the link member 52 (see FIGS. 20A, 21, and 22).

[0124] According to this configuration, when the third gear 43 rotates, the link member 52 is pressed by the pressing surface 434a until the pressing surface 434a reaches the pressing surface separation position P12, and the locking member 51A reaches the unlock position P2. However, even if the third gear 43 continues to rotate further, the position (posture) of the link member 52 when the third gear 43 is at the pressing surface separation position P12 is maintained, thereby preventing the biasing force applied to the link member 52 (the biasing force by the biasing member 53) from becoming too large.

[0125] Furthermore, in the actuator 1A of this embodiment, the pressing surface 434a presses and rotates the output rotating shaft 3 after the third gear (component) 43 continues to rotate, passes the pressing surface separation position (first position) P12, and moves in the rotational direction to the opening direction abutment position (predetermined second position) P13.

[0126] According to this configuration, after the locking member 51A is moved to the unlock side by the third gear 43, the driving force from the motor (driving source) 21 is transmitted to the rotating output shaft 3. That is, one component (third gear) 43 can sequentially move the locking member 51A to the unlock side and transmit the driving force from the driving source to the rotating output shaft 3 with a time lag (specifically, the time it takes for the pressing surface 434a to move from the pressing surface separation position P12 to the opening direction abutment position P13).

[0127] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 36. The same reference numerals will be used for configurations similar to those of the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted. Only the different configurations will be described in detail.

[0128] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the lid opening / closing actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as "actuator") 1B of this embodiment, like the actuators 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, comprises a drive unit 2 including a drive source such as a motor, an output rotating shaft (drive force output unit) 3B, a transmission mechanism 4B that forms a transmission path Tr, a lock unit 5B, and a housing 6.

[0129] Like the rotating output shaft 3 of the first and second embodiments, the rotating output shaft 3B has a rotation axis (center line C1 extending in a predetermined direction) and rotates around the rotation axis (center line C1) to output a driving force (rotational power output from a power source) to the outside of the housing 6. As shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, the rotating output shaft 3B has an abutment surface 321B that is perpendicular to the direction of rotation about the center line C1. The abutment surface 321B is the surface with which the locking portion 5B (more specifically, the member 55 that constitutes the locking portion 5B) abuts and moves away from (see FIGS. 32A and 33).

[0130] Specifically, the rotating output shaft 3B has an output shaft portion 31B extending in a predetermined direction, an abutted portion (abutted portion) 32B having an abutted surface 321B, and a power receiving portion 33B that receives the driving force transmitted by the transmission mechanism 4B. In the rotating output shaft 3B of this embodiment, the output shaft portion 31B, the abutted portion 32B, and the power receiving portion 33B are integral with each other, as in the rotating output shaft 3 of the first and second embodiments.

[0131] The output shaft portion 31B is an axial portion extending along a center line C1 extending in a predetermined direction, and the cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the center line C1) of the portion extending from the housing 6 to the outside is star-shaped (non-circular) (see Figure 27).

[0132] The abutment portion 32B is a portion located between the output shaft portion 31B and the power receiving portion 33B in the direction of the center line C1, and the abutment surface 321B of this abutment portion 32B moves in the rotational direction as the output rotating shaft (component) 3B rotates.

[0133] The abutted surface 321B is located radially outward of the output shaft portion 31B when viewed from the center line C1 direction, and extends in the radial direction of the output shaft portion 31B (see FIGS. 29 and 32A). In this embodiment, the abutted surface 321B is one of two surfaces 321B, 322B that constitute an L-shaped recess 320B that is recessed radially inward of the output shaft portion 31B when the abutted portion 32B is viewed from the center line C1 direction (the surface extending in the radial direction of the output shaft portion 31B).

[0134] The power receiving portion 33B has a gear shape with the center line C1 as the center of rotation, and is in mesh with an output gear 46 that is arranged at the most downstream position (the most downstream position of the transmission path Tr) among the multiple members that make up the transmission mechanism 4B.

[0135] The transmission mechanism 4B is composed of multiple members including gears, and these multiple members engage with each other to transmit the driving force, thereby forming the transmission path Tr. In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 4B is composed of an output gear 46 that is located at the most downstream position of the transmission path Tr, a drive gear 45 that can drive the lock unit 5B, and at least one (multiple in this embodiment) transmission gears 40 that transmit the driving force output from the drive unit 2 to the drive gear 45 (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

[0136] The drive gear 45 drives the lock portion 5B using the drive force transmitted from the drive portion 2 through the transmission gear 40, and transmits the drive force to the output gear 46. As shown in Figure 30, the drive gear 45 has pressing surfaces 454a, 454b, 455a, and 455b that move in the rotational direction of the drive gear 45 as the drive gear 45 rotates.

[0137] The drive gear 45 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the third gear 43 of the first and second embodiments. That is, the drive gear 45 has a gear-shaped first portion 451 that meshes with the adjacent transmission gear 40 and a second portion 452 that is aligned with the first portion 451 in the rotation axis direction (the direction of the center line C1), and also has a circular through-hole 453 in the center, through which the rotation shaft 61 extending from the housing 6 in the direction of the center line C1 is inserted.

[0138] The second portion 452 is integral with the first portion 451 and rotates together with the first portion 451. The second portion 452 has a pressing surface (pressing surface) 454a that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the drive gear 45 about the rotation shaft 61 to press (pushes) the lock portion 5B (more specifically, the lock member 55) in the rotational direction. The second portion 452 also has pressing surfaces 454a, 454b, 455a, and 455b that move in conjunction with the rotation of the drive gear 45 about the rotation shaft 61 to press the output gear 46 (more specifically, pressed surfaces 464a and 464b of the fourth portion 462: see FIG. 31 ).

[0139] Specifically, the second portion 452 has a pair of fan-shaped portions 454, 455 that face each other across the through hole 453 in the radial direction of the first portion 451 when viewed from the direction of the rotation shaft 61, and an arc-shaped connecting portion 456 that connects the pair of fan-shaped portions 454, 455. The second portion 452 also has an arc-shaped retaining surface 452c, viewed from the direction of the rotation shaft 61, on the radial outer side of the drive gear 45. The second portion 452 of this embodiment also has a ridge-like extension portion 457 that extends from the fan-shaped portion 455 along the first portion 451.

[0140] Each of the fan-shaped portions 454, 455 has pressing surfaces 454a, 454b, 455a, 455b at both ends in the rotation direction. In the second portion 452 of the present embodiment, similar to the second portion 432 of the first and second embodiments, the pressing surface 454a that presses the output gear 46 in one of the fan-shaped portions 454 also presses the locking member 55. Each of these pressing surfaces 454a, 454b, 455a, 455b extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the rotation direction.

[0141] The output gear 46 transmits (outputs) the driving force transmitted from the drive gear 45 to the output rotation shaft 3B. Similar to the drive gear 45, the output gear 46 rotates around the rotation shaft 61 extending from the housing 6.

[0142] Specifically, as shown in Figure 31, the output gear 46 has a third portion 461 having a gear shape that meshes with the power receiving portion 33B of the output rotating shaft 3B, and a fourth portion 462 that is aligned with the third portion 461 in the direction of the rotating shaft 61 (direction of the center line C1), and also has a circular through hole 460 in the center through which the rotating shaft 61 is inserted.

[0143] The fourth portion 462 has a cylindrical portion 463 extending along the rotation shaft 61, and a pair of pressed portions 464 extending from the cylindrical portion 463 to one side and the other side in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 463. Each pressed portion 464 has surfaces (pressed surfaces) 464a, 464b that are perpendicular to the circumferential direction at one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 463, respectively (see FIG. 31 ). The fourth portion 462 is disposed at the same position as the second portion 452 of the drive gear 45 in the direction of the rotation shaft 61. That is, the fourth portion 462 is fitted into the second portion 452 of the drive gear 45 in the direction of the rotation shaft 61.

[0144] The locking portion 5B has a locking member (driving member) 55 that can lock and unlock the rotation of the output rotation shaft 3B, and a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the locking member 55 (see FIG. 27).

[0145] The locking member 55 locks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3B by abutting against the abutment surface 321B of the abutment portion 32B on the output rotating shaft 3B (see Figures 32A and 32B), and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3B by moving away from the abutment surface 321B (see Figure 33).

[0146] Specifically, the locking member 55 has a locking member rotation shaft 551 extending in the direction of the center line C1, a contact portion 552 that can contact the output rotation shaft (component) 3B, and a pressed portion 553 that is pressed by the pressing surface 454b of the drive gear 45.

[0147] The locking member rotation shaft 551 is a portion that holds the locking member 55 in the housing 6 so that the locking member 55 is rotatable around the locking member rotation shaft 551. The locking member rotation shaft 551 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of the center line C1.

[0148] The contact portion 552 is a portion that extends from the locking member rotation shaft 551 in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the direction of the center line C1. The contact portion 552 has a contact surface 552a that can come into contact with the contacted surface 321B of the output rotation shaft 3B (see FIG. 27). The contact portion 552 of this embodiment has the contact surface 552a at its tip.

[0149] The pressed portion 553 extends from the lock member rotation shaft 551 toward the drive gear 45 when viewed from the direction of the center line C1 (see FIG. 33).

[0150] The biasing member 53 biases the locking member 55 in a direction in which the abutting portion 552, when rotating around the locking member rotation shaft 551, moves toward the inside of the recess 320B (the recess formed by the abutted surface 321B and the surface 322B) of the output rotation shaft 3B. The biasing member 53 of this embodiment is a so-called torsion coil spring.

[0151] Next, the operation of the actuator 1B according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0152] When the lid of the charging port is closed, the tip of contact portion 552 of locking member 55 is located at lock position P3 (the position shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B), and contact surface 552a of contact portion 552 of locking member 55 is in contact (surface contact) with contacted surface 321B of contacted portion 32B of output rotating shaft 3B. In this state (locked state), locking member 55 locks the rotation of output rotating shaft 3B, and the lid of the charging port cannot be opened.

[0153] From this state, in order to open the cover, the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1B is driven, and the drive force (rotational drive force) output from the drive unit 2 is transmitted to the drive gear 45 via the transmission gear 40 that constitutes the transmission mechanism 4B.

[0154] 32A and 33, the drive gear 45 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates counterclockwise (see arrow α21 in FIG. 32A). This rotation of the drive gear 45 causes the pressing surface 454a of the second portion 452 to rotate to a pressing surface contact position P21 (a position where the pressing surface 454a contacts the pressed portion 553 of the locking member 55). As the drive gear 45 continues to rotate from this pressing surface contact position P21, the pressing surface 454a of the second portion 452 presses the pressed portion 553 of the locking member 55 in the rotation direction of the drive gear 45.

[0155] When pressed by this pressing surface 454a, the locking member 55 rotates around the locking member rotation axis 551 against the biasing force of the biasing member 53 (see arrow α22 in Figure 32A), and in conjunction with this rotation, the abutment portion 552 also rotates, causing the tip of the abutment portion 552 to move (rotate) to the unlock position P4 (the position shown in Figure 33).

[0156] When the tip of the abutting portion 552 of the locking member 55 reaches the unlock position P4, the pressing surface 454a of the second portion 452 becomes the pressing surface separation position P22, and as the drive gear 45 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 553 of the locking member 55 moves away from the pressing surface 454a and comes into contact with the retaining surface 452c of the second portion 452 of the drive gear 45 (see FIG. 33). In this state where the pressed portion 553 is in contact with the retaining surface 452c of the drive gear 45, the attitude (position in the rotational direction) of the locking member 55 is maintained even if the drive gear 45 continues to rotate.

[0157] Then, when the rotation of the drive gear 45 causes the pressing surfaces 454a, 455a of the second portion 452 to rotate to the opening direction abutment position P23, the pressing surfaces 454a, 455a come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portions 464 (more specifically, the pressed surfaces 464a) of the fourth portion 462 of the output gear 46 (see Figure 33).

[0158] As the drive gear 45 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 454a, 455a of the second portion 452 press the pressed surfaces 464a of the fourth portion 462, causing the fourth portion 462 (i.e., the output gear 46) to rotate around the rotation axis 61 along with the rotation of the drive gear 45 (see arrow α23 in Figure 34).

[0159] Since the gear-shaped third portion 461 of the output gear 46 is engaged with the gear-shaped power receiving portion 33B of the output rotating shaft 3B, when the output gear 46 rotates, the output rotating shaft 3B rotates around the center line C1 (see arrow α24 in Figure 34).

[0160] As a result, the output shaft portion 31B of the output rotating shaft 3B rotates around the center line C1, and the cover of the charging port opens in conjunction with this rotation.

[0161] On the other hand, when the lid of the charging port is closed from an open state, a rotational driving force in the opposite direction to when the lid is opened is output from the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1B, and this reverse rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive gear 45 via the transmission gear 40 of the transmission mechanism 4B.

[0162] In the example shown in Fig. 35, the drive gear 45 to which this reverse rotational driving force is transmitted rotates clockwise (see arrow α25 in Fig. 35). At this time, when the rotation of the drive gear 45 rotates the pressing surfaces 454b, 455b of the second portion 452 to the closing direction abutment position P24, the pressing surfaces 454b, 455b come into surface contact (abutment) with the pressed portion 464 (more specifically, the pressed surface 464b) of the fourth portion 462 (see Fig. 35). Furthermore, because the pressed portion 553 of the locking member 55 abuts against the maintaining surface 452c of the second portion 452, the tip of the abutment portion 552 of the locking member 55 is at the unlock position P4.

[0163] As the drive gear 45 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 454b, 455b of the second portion 452 press against the pressed surfaces 464b of the fourth portion 462, causing the output gear 46 to rotate around the rotation axis 61 along with the rotation of the drive gear 45 (more specifically, in the opposite direction to when the lid is opened) (see arrow α26 in Figure 36).

[0164] This rotation of output gear 46 causes output rotating shaft 3B to rotate about center line C1 (see arrow α27 in FIG. 36), and this rotation closes the lid of the charging port. Then, at the timing when the lid of the charging port is closed, pressing surface 454a of second portion 452 reaches pressing surface separation position P22 (see FIG. 35), and pressed portion 553 of locking member 55 moves away from maintaining surface 452c.

[0165] In this way, when the pressed portion 553 moves away from the maintaining surface 452c of the second portion 452, the locking member 55 rotates around the locking member rotation axis 551 (see arrow α27 in Figure 36) because it is biased by the biasing member 53. As a result, the tip of the abutting portion 552 of the locking member 55 moves to the lock position P3, and the rotation of the output rotation axis 3B is locked (i.e., the abutting surface 552a of the abutting portion 552 abuts (is in surface contact with) the abutted surface 321B of the abutted portion 32B), and the lid will not move even if you try to move it in the opening direction to open it.

[0166] The above-described actuator 1B is an actuator 1B that drives the opening and closing of the lid that opens and closes the charging port, and includes a drive source that outputs drive force, an output rotating shaft (drive force output unit) 3B that outputs the drive force to the outside, a transmission mechanism 4B that forms a transmission path Tr that transmits the drive force output from the drive source from the drive source to the output rotating shaft 3B, a locking unit 5B that locks and unlocks the movement of at least one of the components of the transmission mechanism 4B and the output rotating shaft 3B (in this embodiment, the output rotating shaft 3B), and a housing 6 that accommodates the drive source, parts 32B, 33B of the output rotating shaft 3B, the transmission mechanism 4B, and the locking unit 5B.

[0167] With this configuration, the locking section 5B locks and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft (component) 3B within the housing 6, thereby minimizing restrictions on the shape and movement of components such as lids connected to the output rotating shaft 3B, as well as restrictions on their placement location, making it easier to accommodate various lid opening and closing patterns.

[0168] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3B has a center line (rotation axis) C1 extending in a predetermined direction, and the output rotating shaft 3B itself rotates around the center line C1 as the center of rotation, thereby outputting a driving force to the outside of the housing 6, and the locking portion 5B locks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3B by abutting against the output rotating shaft 3B, and unlocks the rotation of the output rotating shaft 3B by moving away from the output rotating shaft 3B.

[0169] According to this configuration, when the locking portion 5B abuts against the output rotating shaft 3B (in this embodiment, the abutment surface 321B of the abutment portion 32B), the output rotating shaft 3B is locked and cannot rotate, and when the locking portion 5B moves away from the output rotating shaft 3B, the output rotating shaft 3B is unlocked and can rotate.

[0170] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the output rotating shaft (component) 3B has an abutment surface 321B that is perpendicular to the direction of rotation about the center line C1, and the abutment surface 321B moves in the rotational direction as the output rotating shaft 3B rotates. The locking portion 5B locks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3B by abutting against the abutment surface 321B (see FIGS. 32A and 32B), and unlocks the movement of the output rotating shaft 3B by moving away from the abutment surface 321B (see FIG. 33). In this way, by making the abutment portion of the output rotating shaft 3B that abuts against the locking portion 5B a surface (the abutment surface 321B), it is easy to ensure a contact area with the locking portion 5B, and this makes it possible to firmly lock the movement of the output rotating shaft 3B.

[0171] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the locking section 5B has a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the locking member (driving member) 55. When the output rotating shaft (component) 3B is locked, the locking member 55 is biased toward the locked position P3 by the biasing force of the biasing member 53, and when the output rotating shaft 3B is unlocked, the locking member 55 is moved (rotated) by the driving force transmitted from the drive source. In this way, by performing one of the locking and unlocking operations of the locking section 5B (the locking operation in this embodiment) by the biasing force of the biasing member 53, the configuration can be simplified. Furthermore, by using the biasing force for the locking operation, the position (locked position) P3 of the locking member 55 in the locked state is suitably maintained by the biasing force.

[0172] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the driving force output section that outputs the driving force from the driving source to the outside is configured by the output rotating shaft 3B, and the drive gear (component) 45 is included in the transmission path Tr and rotates around the rotation axis 61 by the driving force transmitted through the transmission path Tr, and has a pressing surface (pressing surface) 454a that moves in the rotational direction of the drive gear 45 as the drive gear 45 rotates. When the pressing surface 454a moves in the rotational direction, it presses the locking member (driving member) 55, thereby moving the locking member 55 to the unlock side (see FIGS. 32A and 33). With this configuration, the locking member 55 can be unlocked using the driving force transmitted from the driving source to the output rotating shaft 3B.

[0173] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the drive gear (component) 45 has a retaining surface 452c, and this retaining surface 452c is a surface that comes into contact with the locking member 55 after separation when the locking member (drive member) 55 continues to rotate after the pressing surface (pressing surface) 454a has moved in the rotational direction to a pressing surface separation position (predetermined first position) P22, causing the locking member 55 to reach the unlock position P4 and separate from the pressing surface 454a. The retaining surface 452c maintains the position (posture) of the locking member 55 while in contact with the locking member 55 (see FIGS. 32A, 33, and 34).

[0174] According to this configuration, when the drive gear 45 rotates, the locking member 55 is pressed by the pressing surface 454a until the pressing surface 454a reaches the pressing surface separation position P22, and the tip of the abutment portion 552 reaches the unlock position P4. However, even if the drive gear 45 continues to rotate beyond this, the position (posture) of the locking member 55 when the drive gear 45 is at the pressing surface separation position P22 is maintained, thereby preventing the biasing force applied to the locking member 55 (the biasing force by the biasing member 53) from becoming too large.

[0175] Furthermore, in the actuator 1B of this embodiment, the pressing surface 454a presses and rotates the output rotating shaft 3B after the drive gear (component) 45 continues to rotate, passes the pressing surface separation position (first position) P22, and moves in the rotational direction to the opening direction abutment position (predetermined second position) P23.

[0176] According to this configuration, the driving force from the driving source is transmitted to the rotating output shaft 3B after the tip of the contact portion 552 of the locking member 55 is moved to the unlock position P4 by the driving gear 45. That is, one component (driving gear) 45 can sequentially move the tip of the contact portion 552 of the locking member 55 to the unlock side and transmit the driving force from the driving source to the rotating output shaft 3B with a time lag (specifically, the time it takes for the pressing surface 454a to move from the pressing surface separation position P22 to the opening direction contact position P23).

[0177] The cover opening / closing actuator of the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0178] In the lid opening / closing actuators 1, 1A, and 1B of the first to third embodiments described above, the driving force output unit 3 is configured from a single component (an output rotating shaft), but is not limited to this configuration. The driving force output unit 3 may be configured from a plurality of components. Furthermore, the driving force output unit 3 rotates around the center line C1 to output the driving force output from the driving force output unit 3 to the outside of the lid opening / closing actuators 1, 1A, and 1B, but is not limited to this configuration and may be configured to open and close a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or charging port of a vehicle, etc.

[0179] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuators 1, 1A, 1B of the first to third embodiments, the locking portions 5, 5B abut against the abutted portions 32, 32B of the rotating output shafts 3, 3B to lock the rotation of the rotating output shafts 3, 3B, and move away from the abutted portions 32, 32B to unlock the rotation of the rotating output shafts 3, 3B, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any configuration may be used as long as the locking portions 5, 5B are configured to lock and unlock the movement of at least one of the components of the transmission mechanisms 4, 4B and the driving force output portion 3.

[0180] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuators 1, 1A, 1B of the first to third embodiments, the locking portions 5, 5B (more specifically, the locking members 51, 51A, 55) come into contact with the abutted surfaces 321, 321B of the abutted portions 32, 32B to lock the movement of the component (the output rotating shafts 3, 3B in the examples of the first and second embodiments) having the abutted portions 32, 32B, but this configuration is not limiting. The locking portion 5 may also be configured to lock the movement of the component having the abutted portions 32, 32B by making surface contact with the abutted portions 32, 32B.

[0181] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuators 1, 1A, 1B of the first to third embodiments, one component (third gear 43, drive gear 45) drives (operates) the locking units 5, 5B and the drive force output unit 3, i.e., one drive source 21 drives (operates) the locking units 5, 5B and the drive force output unit 3, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the actuators may be configured to include a first drive source that drives the locking units 5, 5B and a second drive source that drives the drive force output unit 3, as well as a first transmission mechanism that transmits drive force from the first drive source to the locking units 5, 5B and a second transmission mechanism that transmits drive force from the second drive source to the drive force output unit 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 1, 1A, 1B... Lid opening / closing actuator, 2... Drive unit, 21... Motor (drive source), 21a... Output shaft, 22... Worm gear, 23... Magnet, 24... Sensor, 3, 3B... Output rotating shaft (driving force output unit, component), 31, 31B... Output shaft portion, 32, 32B... Contacted portion (contacted part), 320B... Recess, 321, 321B... Contacted surface, 33, 33B... Power receiving portion, 331... Main body, 332... Pressed portion, 332a... Pressed surface, 332b... Pressed surface, 4, 4B... Transmission mechanism, 40... Transmission gear, 41... First gear, 411... Large diameter gear portion, 412... Small Diameter gear portion, 42... second gear, 421... large diameter gear portion, 422... small diameter gear portion, 43... third gear, 431... first portion, 432... second portion, 432c... retaining surface, 433... through hole, 434, 435... sector-shaped portion, 434a, 434b, 435a, 435b... pressing surface, 434c, 435c... outer surface of sector-shaped portion, 436... connection portion, 436c... outer surface of connection portion, 45... drive gear, 451... first portion, 452... second portion, 452c... retaining surface, 453... through hole, 454, 455... sector-shaped portion, 454a, 454b, 455a, 455b... pressing surface, 456... connection portion, 457...extension portion, 46...output gear, 460...through hole, 461...third portion, 462...fourth portion, 463...cylindrical portion, 464...pressed portion, 464a, 464b...pressed surface, 5, 5B...lock portion, 51, 51A...lock member, 511...contact portion, 511a...contact surface, 512...lock member side engaging portion, 512a...through hole, 513...operation portion, 52...link member (driving member), 521...link member rotating shaft, 522...link member side engaging portion (engaging portion), 5221...extension portion, 5222...insertion portion, 523...pressed portion, 53...biasing member, 55...lock member (driving member) , 551...locking member rotation axis, 552...contact portion, 552a...contact surface, 553...pressed portion, 6...housing, 61...rotation axis, 100...lid opening / closing actuator, 101...housing, 102...lock shaft, Ar...arm, C1...center line (rotation axis), CP...charging port, P1, P3...lock position, P2, P4...unlock position, P11, P21...pressing surface contact position, P12, P22...pressing surface separation position (first position), P13, P23...opening direction contact position (second position), P14, P24...closing direction contact position, R, R1...lid, S...imaginary plane, Tr...transmission path

Claims

1. A lid opening / closing actuator that drives a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or a charging port, a drive source that outputs a drive force; a driving force output unit that outputs the driving force to the outside; a transmission mechanism that configures a transmission path that transmits the driving force output from the driving source from the driving source to the driving force output unit; a locking unit that locks and unlocks the movement of components of at least one of the transmission mechanism and the driving force output unit; A lid opening / closing actuator comprising: a housing that accommodates the drive source, a part of the drive force output portion, the transmission mechanism, and the lock portion.

2. the component has a rotation axis, and the component itself rotates around the rotation axis as a rotation center, thereby transmitting the driving force to the driving force output unit or outputting it to the outside, The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion locks the rotation of the component by abutting against the component, and unlocks the rotation of the component by moving away from the component.

3. the component has an abutment surface that includes a direction in which the rotation shaft extends and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, or a abutment surface that is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft, the abutted surface moves in the rotation direction as the component rotates, The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 2 , wherein the locking portion locks the movement of the component by abutting against the abutted surface, and unlocks the movement of the component by moving away from the abutted surface.

4. the rotating shaft has an abutment portion having a D-cut shape, the abutted surface is a plane included in the D-cut shape of the abutted portion, 4. The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion locks the rotation of the component by contacting the entire or partial abutment surface in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the rotation axis and along the abutment surface, and unlocks the rotation of the component by moving away from the abutment surface.

5. The locking portion is a locking member that moves along a predetermined imaginary plane to lock and unlock the movement of the component; 2. The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive member having an engaging portion that engages with said locking member, said engaging portion moving along said imaginary plane to move said locking member along said imaginary plane.

6. the locking portion has a biasing member that directly or indirectly biases the driving member, The driving member is When the component is locked, the locking member is moved by the biasing force of the biasing member; The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 5 , wherein the locking member is moved by the driving force when the component is unlocked.

7. the driving force output portion has an output rotation shaft, the component is included in the transmission path, rotates around the output rotation shaft as a rotation center by the driving force transmitted through the transmission path, and has a pushing surface that moves in the rotation direction of the component as the component rotates, The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the pushing surface pushes the driving member when moving in the rotational direction, thereby moving the locking member to the unlocking side.

8. the component has a retaining surface that comes into contact with the driving member after the driving member has been separated from the pressing surface when the component continues to rotate after the locking member has reached an unlocking position due to the pressing surface having moved to a predetermined first position in the rotational direction and the driving member has been separated from the pressing surface, The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 7 , wherein the maintaining surface maintains the position of the drive member while in contact with the drive member.

9. The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 8 , wherein the pushing surface pushes and rotates the output rotating shaft after the component continues to rotate, passes the first position, and moves in the rotation direction to a predetermined second position.

10. 10. The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion has an operating portion that protrudes from the housing to the outside and that can be operated to unlock the locking portion.

Images