Rotating device

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotating device that can be miniaturized in the axial direction of the lead screw. [Solution] The rotating device has a projection 36j, a first wall portion 36p, and a second wall portion 36r formed on the case body for positioning the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The projection 36j is located on the X2 side of the stator 16. The first wall portion 36p and the second wall portion 36r are formed in a flat plate shape with the Y direction as the thickness direction, and are arranged with a gap in the Y direction and are located on the Y1 side of the stator 16. The second circuit board portion 27c of the circuit board 27, which is partially located on the X2 side of the stator 16, has a notch or hole formed therein for the projection 36j to engage with. The first circuit board portion 27b of the circuit board 27, which is located on the Y1 side of the stator 16, is located between the first wall portion 36p and the second wall portion 36r.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a speed reduction mechanism for rotating fins of a small rocket or the like has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The speed reduction mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes a motor having a motor shaft with a male thread formed on its surface, a nut member with an internal thread formed to engage with the male thread of the motor shaft, an output shaft to which the fins are connected, and an arm connecting the nut member and the output shaft. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the motor shaft. In the speed reduction mechanism described in Patent Document 1, when the motor shaft rotates and the nut member moves in the axial direction of the motor shaft, the arm rotates around the output shaft. Further, when the arm rotates, the output shaft rotates.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor of the present application has developed a rotating device for rotating a predetermined object to be rotated. The rotating device under development includes a motor having a lead screw, a slider that engages with the lead screw and linearly moves in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a link member whose one end is rotatably connected to the slider, an output shaft formed or fixed at the other end of the link member and engaged with an engaging portion of the object to be rotated, and a case body that houses the motor and the like. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0005] In the rotating device under development, the motor comprises a stator positioned on the axis of the lead screw and a flat circuit board for driving and controlling the motor. The inventors of the present invention have decided to position the circuit board in the rotating device under development such that its thickness direction is parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have decided to employ a circuit board in the rotating device under development that has a portion positioned on the outside of the stator in the axial direction of the lead screw and a portion positioned on one side of the stator in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft and the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0006] Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have decided to use the case body to position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft (i.e., perpendicular to the thickness direction of the circuit board) in the rotating device under development. Therefore, in the rotating device under development, it is necessary to use the case body to properly position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft. In addition, in the rotating device under development, miniaturization of the rotating device is required in the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rotating device that can be miniaturized in the axial direction of the lead screw, even if the circuit board of the motor, which is formed in the shape of a flat plate, is positioned outside the stator of the motor in the axial direction of the lead screw, and is positioned on one side of the stator in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft and the axial direction of the lead screw, and is positioned so that its thickness direction is parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft, by utilizing the case body to appropriately position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a rotating device according to one aspect of the present invention is a rotating device for rotating a predetermined object to be rotated, comprising: a motor having a lead screw; a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a link member whose one end is rotatably connected to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member and which engages with an engagement portion of the object to be rotated; and a case body that houses at least the motor. With the axial direction of the lead screw defined as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction as the second direction, the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the third direction, one side of the first direction as the fourth direction side, the other side of the first direction opposite to the fourth direction side as the fifth direction side, one side of the third direction as the sixth direction side, and the other side of the third direction opposite to the sixth direction side as the seventh direction side, the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction, and one end of the link member is rotatable relative to the slider with the second direction as the axial direction of rotation. The output shaft is positioned on the sixth direction side of the slider, and the motor comprises a stator positioned on the fourth direction side of the lead screw and a flat circuit board for driving and controlling the motor, the thickness direction of the circuit board is parallel to the second direction, the circuit board comprises a first circuit board portion positioned on the fourth direction side of the stator and a second circuit board portion connected to the first circuit board portion and partly positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator, the case body has projections, a first wall portion and a second wall portion formed for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, the projections are formed as projections rising in the second direction and positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator, the first wall portion and the second wall portion are formed as flat plates with the first direction as the thickness direction and are positioned with a gap in the first direction and positioned on the fourth direction side of the stator, the second circuit board portion has notches or holes formed for engagement of the projections, and the first circuit board portion is positioned between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0009] In this embodiment of the rotating device, the case body has a projection, a first wall, and a second wall formed thereon for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. In this embodiment, the projection is positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator, and the first and second walls are formed in a flat plate shape with the first direction as the thickness direction, and are positioned with a gap between them in the first direction and on the fourth direction side of the stator. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a notch or hole is formed in the second circuit board portion, which is partly positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator, for which the projection engages, and the first circuit board portion, which is positioned on the fourth direction side of the stator, is positioned between the first wall and the second wall.

[0010] Therefore, in this embodiment, the projection, first wall, and second wall formed on the case body can be used to appropriately position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft). Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first circuit board portion is positioned between the first wall and the second wall, the circuit board can be appropriately positioned in a direction perpendicular to the second direction even if the first circuit board portion does not have notches or holes like the second circuit board portion.

[0011] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since notches or holes do not need to be formed in the first circuit board portion, even if the width of the first circuit board portion in the first direction is narrowed, it is possible to ensure the strength of the first circuit board portion and prevent damage to the first circuit board portion. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to narrow the width of the first circuit board portion located on the fourth direction side of the stator in the first direction (i.e., the width in the axial direction of the lead screw). Therefore, in this embodiment, even if it is possible to appropriately position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft using the case body, it is possible to miniaturize the rotating device in the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0012] In this embodiment, since a portion of the second circuit board connected to the first circuit board is positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator, it becomes possible to make the width of the second circuit board in the first direction relatively wide. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if notches or holes are formed in the second circuit board, it becomes possible to ensure the strength of the second circuit board. For this reason, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to use notches or holes and protrusions as a configuration for positioning the circuit board in the area where the second circuit board is positioned, and as a result, it becomes possible to make the configuration for positioning the circuit board in the area where the second circuit board is positioned relatively simple. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, a rotating device comprises a motor having a lead screw, a slider that engages with the lead screw, a link member whose one end is rotatably connected to the slider, an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member, and a case body that houses the motor, and the motor's circuit board, which is formed in the shape of a flat plate, has a portion that is positioned outside the motor's stator in the axial direction of the lead screw and a portion that is positioned on one side of the stator in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft and the axial direction of the lead screw, and the thickness direction is arranged to be parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft, and even if it is possible to appropriately position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft by using the case body, it becomes possible to miniaturize the rotating device in the axial direction of the lead screw. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air outlet section for a vehicle to which the rotating device shown in Figure 1 is attached. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle dashboard into which the air vent shown in Figure 2 is incorporated. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the air outlet portion shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating device shown in FIG. 1 with the second case body removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rotating device shown in FIG. 1 with the second case body removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end portion on the fourth direction side of the rotating device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first case body shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second case body shown in FIG. 1.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (Schematic Configuration of the Rotating Device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotating device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air outlet portion 4 for a vehicle to which the rotating device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is attached. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dashboard 7 of a vehicle in which the air outlet portion 4 shown in FIG. 2 is incorporated. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the air outlet portion 4 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating device 2 shown in FIG. 1 with the second case body 37 removed.

[0017] The rotating device 2 of this embodiment is a device for rotating a predetermined object to be rotated. The object to be rotated in this embodiment is the fins 5 and 6 for adjusting the wind direction installed in the air outlet portion 4 for a vehicle (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet portion 4 is incorporated in, for example, the dashboard 7 of an automobile and constitutes the air outlet of an in-vehicle air conditioner. In the housing 8 of the air outlet portion 4, a plurality of fins 5 arranged in the vertical direction and a plurality of fins 6 arranged in the horizontal direction are accommodated.

[0018] A cover 9 covering the fins 5 and 6 is attached to the housing 8. At the air outlet portion 4 incorporated in the dashboard 7, the side of the cover 9 faces the interior side of the vehicle. The fin 5 is rotatable with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. The fin 6 is rotatable with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation. As shown in FIG. 2, two rotating devices 2 are attached to the air outlet portion 4. Specifically, two rotating devices 2 are fixed to the housing 8. One of the two rotating devices 2 rotates the plurality of fins 5. The other rotating device 2 rotates the plurality of fins 6.

[0019] The thickness of the rotating device 2 in this embodiment is reduced. For example, the thickness of the rotating device 2 is about 10 (mm). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, by attaching the rotating device 2 along the side surface of the housing 8 so that the direction of the normal line of the side surface of the housing 8 coincides with the thickness direction of the rotating device 2, it is possible to suppress the amount of protrusion of the rotating device 2 from the housing 8. A rotating shaft 10 (see FIG. 1) connected to the fins 5 and 6 is connected to the rotating device 2. When the rotating shaft 10 rotates, the fins 5 and 6 rotate.

[0020] The rotating device 2 includes a motor 13 as a drive source. The motor 13 is a stepping motor. The motor 13 includes a rotor 15 having a rotating shaft 14 and a drive magnet, and a stator 16 having a drive coil and disposed on the outer peripheral side of the drive magnet. The output side portion of the rotating shaft 14 protrudes to the output side from the stator 16. The portion of the rotating shaft 14 that protrudes from the stator 16 is a lead screw 14b having a feed screw formed on its outer peripheral surface. That is, the motor 13 includes a lead screw 14b. The center of rotation of the lead screw 14b coincides with the center of rotation of the rotor 15.

[0021] Furthermore, the rotating device 2 includes a slider 18 with a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw 14b. The slider 18 moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw 14b as the lead screw 14b rotates. The rotating device 2 also includes a link member 19 with one end rotatably connected to the slider 18, an output shaft 20 formed or fixed to the other end of the link member 19 and with which the rotating shaft 10 engages, and a case body 21 that houses at least the motor 13. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 10 is an engaging portion that engages with the output shaft 20.

[0022] In the following explanation, the Y direction in Figure 1, which is the axial direction of the lead screw 14b (i.e., the axial direction of the rotor 15), will be referred to as the "left-right direction," the Z direction in Figure 1, which is perpendicular to the left-right direction, will be referred to as the "up-down direction," and the X direction in Figure 1, which is perpendicular to both the left-right and up-down directions, will be referred to as the "front-back direction." Furthermore, one side of the front-back direction, the X2 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "rear" side, and the opposite side, the X1 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "front" side, one side of the left-right direction, the Y1 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "right" side, and the opposite side, the Y2 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "left" side, one side of the up-down direction, the Z1 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "up" side, and the opposite side, the Z2 direction in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "down" side.

[0023] In this configuration, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the first direction, which is the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The up-down direction (Z direction) is the second direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 14b, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first and second directions. Furthermore, the right side (Y1 direction side) is the fourth direction side, which is one side of the first direction, the left side (Y2 direction side) is the fifth direction side, which is the opposite side of the fourth direction, the rear side (X2 direction side) is the sixth direction side, which is one side of the third direction, and the front side (X1 direction side) is the seventh direction side, which is the opposite side of the sixth direction. The rotating device 2 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. The axial direction of the output shaft 20 is parallel to the up-down direction. The output shaft 20 is positioned behind the lead screw 14b and the slider 18.

[0024] (Motor configuration) Figure 6 is a plan view of the rotating device 2 shown in Figure 1 with the second case body 37 removed. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of section E in Figure 6.

[0025] As described above, the motor 13 is equipped with a lead screw 14b. The lead screw 14b protrudes to the left from the stator 16. That is, the stator 16 is located to the right of the lead screw 14b. When viewed from the left or right direction, the outer shape of the stator 16 is circular. A trapezoidal thread is formed on the outer surface of the lead screw 14b. The right end of the lead screw 14b is located to the right of the output shaft 20. The left end of the lead screw 14b is located to the left of the output shaft 20. Note that a square thread may also be formed on the outer surface of the lead screw 14b.

[0026] In addition to the rotor 15 and stator 16, the motor 13 includes a metal motor frame 24 fixed to the stator 16, a bearing 25 supporting the left end of the rotating shaft 14 (i.e., the output end of the lead screw 14b), a bearing supporting the right end of the rotating shaft 14, and a leaf spring 26 that biases the rotating shaft 14 to the left. The motor 13 also includes a flat circuit board 27 for driving and controlling the motor 13, a flexible printed circuit board 28 (hereinafter referred to as "FPC28") for electrically connecting the stator 16 and the circuit board 27, and a connector 29 mounted on the circuit board 27. Furthermore, the motor 13 includes a guide shaft 30 for guiding the slider 18 in the left-right direction.

[0027] The motor frame 24 is formed by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape into a predetermined shape. The motor frame 24 includes a flat stator fixing portion 24b fixed to the stator 16, a flat screw holding portion 24c that rotatably holds the tip (left end) of the lead screw 14b, and a flat connecting portion 24d that connects the stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c. The connecting portion 24d is formed as a flat plate with its thickness in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 24d is also formed as a long, narrow rectangular flat plate in the horizontal direction.

[0028] The stator fixing portion 24b rises upward from the right end of the connecting portion 24d. The screw holding portion 24c rises upward from the left end of the connecting portion 24d. The stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c are formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The lower end of the stator 16 is positioned below the lower surface of the connecting portion 24d. The screw holding portion 24c holds the bearing 25. That is, the screw holding portion 24c rotatably holds the left end of the lead screw 14b via the bearing 25. The left end face of the stator 16 is fixed to the stator fixing portion 24b. A through hole is formed in the stator fixing portion 24b in which a part of the rotating shaft 14 is positioned.

[0029] The motor frame 24 is housed in the case body 21. As described later, the case body 21 is composed of a first case body 36 and a second case body 37, which are divided vertically. The motor frame 24 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 36 and the second case body 37. In other words, the motor 13 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 36 and the second case body 37.

[0030] The guide shaft 30 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape with its axial direction running horizontally. The guide shaft 30 is positioned in front of the lead screw 14b. The right end of the guide shaft 30 is held by the stator fixing portion 24b. The left end of the guide shaft 30 is held by the screw holding portion 24c.

[0031] The circuit board 27 is a rigid substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate. The circuit board 27 is formed in a flat plate shape with the vertical direction as the thickness direction. That is, the thickness direction of the circuit board 27 is parallel to the vertical direction. The circuit board 27 is housed in the case body 21. The circuit board 27 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 36 and the second case body 37, which will be described later. The motor 13 in this embodiment is equipped with either a relatively small circuit board 27 (see Figures 5 and 6) or a relatively large circuit board 27 (see Figure 7). In the following description, when distinguishing between the two types of circuit boards 27 of different sizes, the relatively small circuit board 27 will be referred to as "circuit board 27A" and the relatively large circuit board 27 as "circuit board 27B".

[0032] The circuit board 27 comprises a first circuit board section 27b located to the right of the stator 16, and a second circuit board section 27c connected to the first circuit board section 27b and partially located behind the stator 16. The circuit board 27 in this embodiment is composed of the first circuit board section 27b and the second circuit board section 27c. The first circuit board section 27b of circuit board 27A and the first circuit board section 27b of circuit board 27B are formed to be the same shape. On the other hand, the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27B is larger than the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27A.

[0033] The first circuit board section 27b is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate with the front-to-back direction as the longer side. The front end of the first circuit board section 27b is positioned in front of the front end of the stator 16. The rear end of the first circuit board section 27b is positioned in front of the rear end of the stator 16. The width of the first circuit board section 27b in the left-to-right direction is narrow. For example, the width of the first circuit board section 27b in the left-to-right direction is about 5 mm.

[0034] The second circuit board section 27c is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate with the left-right direction as its longer side. The second circuit board section 27c is connected to the rear end of the first circuit board section 27b. The right end face of the first circuit board section 27b and the right end face of the second circuit board section 27c are arranged on the same plane. The width of the second circuit board section 27c in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the first circuit board section 27b in the left-right direction. The left portion of the second circuit board section 27c is located behind the stator 16.

[0035] The width of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27B in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27A in the left-right direction. The width of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27B in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27A in the front-rear direction. The left end of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27B is positioned slightly to the left of the left end of the stator 16. Relatively large electronic components 31, such as a drive IC (Integrated Circuit), are mounted on the upper surface of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27B (see Figure 7). On the other hand, no relatively large electronic components 31 are mounted on the upper surface of the second circuit board section 27c of circuit board 27A.

[0036] The second circuit board portion 27c has a notch 27d that cuts out from the right end face of the second circuit board portion 27c toward the left. The notch 27d penetrates the second circuit board portion 27c in the vertical direction. The notch 27d is formed at the right front end of the second circuit board portion 27c. When viewed from above, the shape of the notch 27d is U-shaped with an opening at the right end. The projection 36j formed on the case body 21, which will be described later, engages with the notch 27d. On the other hand, the first circuit board portion 27b does not have a notch like the notch 27d. In addition, the left rear corner of the second circuit board portion 27c of the circuit board 27B has a notch 27e that cuts out toward the front and right (see Figure 7).

[0037] The FPC28 comprises a first substrate portion 28b which is soldered and fixed to terminal pins 32 protruding rearward from the stator 16, and a second substrate portion 28c which is soldered and fixed to a second circuit board portion 27c. In other words, the FPC28 is connected to the second circuit board portion 27c. The FPC28 in this embodiment is composed of a first substrate portion 28b and a second substrate portion 28c. The first substrate portion 28b is formed in a rectangular shape with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction, and the second substrate portion 28c is formed in a rectangular shape with the up-to-down direction as the thickness direction.

[0038] A thin reinforcing plate 33 is fixed to the first substrate portion 28b. The left end of the first substrate portion 28b is held by the rear end of the stator fixing portion 24b. The second substrate portion 28c is connected to the right end of the first substrate portion 28b. The lower surface of the second substrate portion 28c is in contact with the upper surface of the second circuit board portion 27c. A hole 28d is formed at the right end of the second substrate portion 28c. The hole 28d is a round hole that penetrates the second substrate portion 28c in the vertical direction. A projection 36j, which will be described later, formed on the case body 21 engages with the hole 28d.

[0039] Connector 29 is mounted on the first circuit board section 27b. Specifically, connector 29 is mounted on the upper surface of the first circuit board section 27b. Connector 29 is housed in the case body 21. The socket 29b of connector 29 faces to the right. The mating connector 34 is inserted into connector 29 from the right side. Lead wires (not shown) are attached to the mating connector 34. These lead wires are routed out from the mating connector 34 toward the right.

[0040] (Construction of the case) Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the right end of the rotating device 2 shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first case body 36 shown in Figure 1. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second case body 37 shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating device 2 as seen from the FF direction in Figure 7.

[0041] The case body 21 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. The case body 21 is made of resin. In addition to the motor 13, the case body 21 houses the slider 18 and the link member 19. The case body 21 has a housing section 21b in which the motor 13, slider 18 and link member 19 etc. are housed, and three fixing sections 21c that are fixed to the housing 8 of the air outlet section 4 (see Figure 1). The case body 21 in this embodiment is composed of the housing section 21b and the three fixing sections 21c.

[0042] The housing section 21b is formed in a hollow shape. The housing section 21b consists of a first housing section 21d that houses the lead screw 14b and slider 18, a second housing section 21e that houses the stator 16 and circuit board 27, and a third housing section 21f that houses the link member 19. The third housing section 21f is located behind the first housing section 21d. The second housing section 21e is located to the right of the first housing section 21d and the third housing section 21f.

[0043] When viewed from above, the outer shape of the first housing section 21d is an elongated rectangle with the left-right direction as the longer side. When viewed from above, the outer shape of the second housing section 21e is a rectangle with the front-back direction as the longer side. When viewed from above, the outer shape of the third housing section 21f is an isosceles trapezoid shape, with the width in the left-right direction gradually narrowing towards the rear. The fixed portion 21c is located on the front side of the first housing section 21d and on both sides of the third housing section 21f in the left-right direction. The fixed portion 21c is formed in a flat plate shape with the vertical direction as the thickness direction.

[0044] The case body 21 rotatably holds the output shaft 20. Specifically, the case body 21 rotatably holds the output shaft 20 near the rear end of the third housing section 21f. The case body 21 comprises a first case body 36 and a second case body 37, which are divided vertically. In this embodiment, the case body 21 is composed of the first case body 36 and the second case body 37. The first case body 36 constitutes the lower half of the case body 21, and the upper side of the first case body 36 is open. The second case body 37 constitutes the upper half of the case body 21, and the lower side of the second case body 37 is open. The first case body 36 and the second case body 37 are fixed to each other by a snap fit.

[0045] The first case body 36 comprises a flat lower surface portion 36b that forms the lower surface of the storage section 21b, and a side surface portion 36c that forms the lower part of the side surface of the storage section 21b. The lower surface portion 36b is formed in a flat shape with the vertical direction being the thickness direction. The side surface portion 36c includes a right side surface portion 36d that forms the right side of the first case body 36. The right side surface portion 36d is formed in a flat shape with the horizontal direction being the thickness direction. The right side surface portion 36d forms the lower part of the right side of the second storage section 21e.

[0046] A retaining hole 36e for holding the output shaft 20 is formed at the rear end of the lower surface portion 36b. A protruding rib 36f is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 36b, which can contact the link member 19 housed in the case body 21 from below. A recess 36g for positioning the connection portion 24d of the motor frame 24 is formed at the front end of the lower surface portion 36b. The lower surface of the connection portion 24d is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 36g. An opening 36h for positioning the lower end of the stator 16 is formed at the right front end of the lower surface portion 36b.

[0047] The first case body 36 has projections (bosses) 36j, 36k and a wall portion 36p formed thereon for positioning the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the front portion of the right side portion 36d is a wall portion 36r for positioning the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the case body 21 has projections 36j, 36k and wall portions 36p, 36r formed thereon. In this embodiment, projection 36k is the second projection. Also, in this embodiment, wall portion 36p is the first wall portion, and wall portion 36r is the second wall portion.

[0048] As described above, the right side portion 36d is formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction, and the wall portion 36r is formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The wall portion 36p is formed to the right of the opening 36h. The wall portion 36p is formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The wall portions 36p and 36r rise upward from the upper surface of the lower surface portion 36b. The wall portions 36p and 36r are spaced apart in the left-right direction and face each other in the left-right direction. The wall portion 36r is positioned to the right of the wall portion 36p. The wall portion 36p is formed to the right of the opening 36h where the lower end of the stator 16 is located, and the wall portions 36p and 36r are positioned to the right of the stator 16.

[0049] The protrusions 36j and 36k rise upward from the upper surface of the lower surface portion 36b. That is, the protrusions 36j and 36k rise in the vertical direction. The protrusions 36j and 36k are formed in a cylindrical shape. The protrusions 36j and 36k are located behind the walls 36p and 36r. Also, the protrusions 36j and 36k are located behind the stator 16. The protrusions 36j and 36k are located inside the second housing portion 21e. The protrusion 36j is located at the right end of the second housing portion 21e. Also, the protrusion 36j is located at the midpoint of the second housing portion 21e in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the protrusion 36j is located between the wall portion 36p and the wall portion 36r. The protrusion 36k is located at the left rear end of the second housing portion 21e.

[0050] As described above, the circuit board 27 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 36 and the second case body 37. The first case body 36 has a restricting surface 36s formed thereon, which is a first restricting surface that contacts the circuit board 27 and restricts the downward movement of the circuit board 27. The restricting surface 36s is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The restricting surface 36s is in contact with the lower surface of the circuit board 27. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the convex portion 36t that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lower surface portion 36b is the restricting surface 36s. The convex portion 36t is composed of a first convex portion 36u formed in a rectangular ring shape and located in the rear part inside the second housing portion 21e, a linear second convex portion 36v extending forward from the right front end of the first convex portion 36u, and a third convex portion 36w extending to the left from the midpoint of the second convex portion 36v in the front-rear direction.

[0051] The protrusions 36j and 36k are located at the right front corner and the left rear corner of the first convex portion 36u, which is formed in a square ring shape. The second convex portion 36v is located between the wall portion 36p and the wall portion 36r in the left-right direction. The second convex portion 36v extends to the front end of the second housing portion 21e. The left end of the third convex portion 36w is connected to the rear end of the wall portion 36p.

[0052] The first circuit board portion 27b of the circuit board 27 housed in the second housing portion 21e is positioned between the wall portion 36p and the wall portion 36r. The projection 36j is fitted into the notch 27d of the second circuit board portion 27c of the circuit board 27 housed in the second housing portion 21e. That is, the projection 36j engages with the notch 27d formed at the right front end of the second circuit board portion 27c, and the projection 36j engages with the right front end of the second circuit board portion 27c. In addition, the projection 36j engages with the hole 28d formed in the second substrate portion 28c of the FPC 28.

[0053] When circuit board 27 is circuit board 27B, the projection 36k is positioned in the notch 27e formed at the left rear end of the second circuit board portion 27c (see Figure 7). That is, the projection 36k engages with the left rear end of the second circuit board portion 27c of circuit board 27B. On the other hand, when circuit board 27 is circuit board 27A, the projection 36k does not engage with the second circuit board portion 27c (see Figure 6).

[0054] As described above, the socket 29b of the connector 29 mounted on the first circuit board section 27b faces to the right. The wall section 36r has a connector opening 36x formed therein to expose the socket 29b to the outside of the case body 21. The connector opening 36x is cut out from the upper end of the wall section 36r downwards. The connector opening 36x penetrates the wall section 36r in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the outer shape of the connector 29 is larger than the outer shape of the connector opening 36x.

[0055] The second case body 37 comprises a flat upper surface portion 37b that constitutes the upper surface of the housing portion 21b, and a side portion 37c that constitutes the upper part of the side surface of the housing portion 21b. The upper surface portion 37b is formed in a flat shape with the vertical direction as the thickness direction. A retaining hole 37e for holding the output shaft 20 is formed at the rear end of the upper surface portion 37b. A protruding rib 37f is formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 37b that can contact the link member 19 housed in the case body 21 from above. An opening 37h is formed at the right front end of the upper surface portion 37b, where the upper end of the stator 16 and the upper end of the stator fixing portion 24b are positioned.

[0056] The second case body 37 has a cylindrical section 37j with a projection 36j positioned on its inner circumference and a cylindrical section 37k with a projection 36k positioned on its inner circumference. The cylindrical sections 37j and 37k are formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper section 37b. The cylindrical sections 37j and 37k are formed to be the same shape. The projection 36j is fitted into the cylindrical section 37j. The projection 36k is fitted into the cylindrical section 37k.

[0057] Furthermore, the second case body 37 has a restricting surface 37s formed thereon, which serves as a second restricting surface that restricts the upward movement of the circuit board 27. The restricting surface 37s is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the restricting surface 37s is composed of the lower surface of the convex portion 37t (see Figure 10), which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 37b and is positioned in front of the connector 29, and the end faces of the cylindrical portions 37j and 37k (specifically, the lower end faces of the cylindrical portions 37j and 37k). That is, the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j constitutes a part of the restricting surface 37s. The end face of the cylindrical portion 37k also constitutes a part of the restricting surface 37s. The restricting surface 37s is positioned above the circuit board 27.

[0058] The lower surface of the protrusion 37t is in contact with the upper surface of the first circuit board portion 27b, restricting the upward movement of the first circuit board portion 27b. The end face of the cylindrical portion 37j is in contact with the upper surface of the second board portion 28c, which overlaps the second circuit board portion 27c from above, restricting the upward movement of the second circuit board portion 27c and the second board portion 28c. In other words, the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j restricts the upward movement of the FPC 28. Furthermore, if the circuit board 27 is circuit board 27B, the end face of the cylindrical portion 37k is in contact with the upper surface of the second circuit board portion 27c, restricting the upward movement of the second circuit board portion 27c.

[0059] Furthermore, the second case body 37 has a retaining portion 37p formed therein to prevent the mating connector 34, which is inserted into the connector 29, from coming loose from the connector 29. The retaining portion 37p is a flat, elastic piece that extends to the right. The right end (tip) of the retaining portion 37p has a contact portion that contacts the mating connector 34 from the right side. In other words, the retaining portion 37p is formed in a hook shape. As described above, the first case body 36 and the second case body 37 are fixed to each other by a snap fit. The second case body 37 has a plurality of elastically deformable engaging pieces 37r formed therein that snap-fit ​​into the first case body 36.

[0060] (Configuration of slider, output shaft, and link member) The slider 18 is positioned between the stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c of the motor frame 24 in the left-right direction, and is also positioned above the connecting portion 24d. The slider 18 consists of a slider body portion 18c that engages with the lead screw 14b and the guide shaft 30, and a connecting portion 18d to which one end of the link member 19 is connected. The connecting portion 18d is positioned behind the slider body portion 18c. The connecting portion 18d includes a fixed shaft portion 18r which serves as the pivot point of the link member 19 relative to the slider 18. The axial direction of the fixed shaft portion 18r coincides with the vertical direction. That is, one end of the link member 19 is rotatable relative to the slider 18 with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation.

[0061] The output shaft 20 is formed at the other end of the link member 19. The output shaft 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the vertical direction. The lower end of the output shaft 20 is inserted into the retaining hole 36e of the lower surface portion 36b. The upper end of the output shaft 20 is inserted into the retaining hole 37e of the upper surface portion 37b. The inner circumferential surface of the output shaft 20 has a cross-shaped engagement hole 20b into which the pivot shaft 10 engages.

[0062] The link member 19 is formed in a block shape that has an oval shape when viewed from above. The length of the link member 19 is relatively short. In addition, the link member 19 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. The link member 19 comprises a first link member 40 on which the output shaft 20 is formed, and a second link member 41 that is rotatably connected to the slider 18. In this embodiment, the link member 19 is composed of the first link member 40 and the second link member 41.

[0063] The second link member 41 is movably held by the first link member 40. The connection between the second link member 41 and the slider 18 is defined as the slider connection portion 42. When viewed from above, if the direction of the imaginary straight line VL (see Figure 6) connecting the center of the output shaft 20 and the center of the slider connection portion 42 is defined as the longitudinal direction of the link member 19, then the second link member 41 is linearly movable relative to the first link member 40 in the longitudinal direction of the link member 19.

[0064] In the rotating device 2, when the motor 13 is driven and the lead screw 14b rotates, the slider 18 moves left and right along the lead screw 14b and the guide shaft 30. As the slider 18 moves left and right, the link member 19 rotates around the output shaft 20 as the pivot point. When the link member 19 rotates, the second link member 41 moves relative to the first link member 40 in the longitudinal direction of the link member 19, causing the link member 19 to extend or retract. Also, when the link member 19 rotates, the output shaft 20 rotates as well. When the output shaft 20 rotates, the pivot shaft 10 rotates. The output shaft 20 can rotate, for example, up to 90°.

[0065] (Main effects of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, the case body 21 has projections 36j and walls 36p and 36r formed thereon for positioning the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the projection 36j is positioned behind the stator 16, and the walls 36p and 36r, which are formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction, are positioned with a gap between them in the left-right direction and are located to the right of the stator 16. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a notch 27d is formed in the second circuit board portion 27c into which the projection 36j engages, and the first circuit board portion 27b is positioned between the walls 36p and 36r. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately position the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction by utilizing the projection 36j and the walls 36p and 36r.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first circuit board portion 27b is positioned between the wall portion 36p and the wall portion 36r, it is possible to appropriately position the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction even if a notch like the notch 27d is not formed in the first circuit board portion 27b. Also, in this embodiment, since no notch is formed in the first circuit board portion 27b, it is possible to ensure the strength of the first circuit board portion 27b and prevent damage to the first circuit board portion 27b even if the width of the first circuit board portion 27b in the left-right direction is narrowed. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to narrow the width of the first circuit board portion 27b, which is positioned on the right side of the stator 16, in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if it is possible to appropriately position the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction using the case body 21, it is possible to miniaturize the rotating device 2 in the left-right direction.

[0067] In this embodiment, a portion of the second circuit board portion 27c is positioned behind the stator 16, and the width of the second circuit board portion 27c in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the first circuit board portion 27b in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if a notch 27d is formed in the second circuit board portion 27c, it is possible to ensure the strength of the second circuit board portion 27c. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the notch 27d and the projection 36j can be used as a configuration for positioning the circuit board 27 in the portion where the second circuit board portion 27c is positioned. As a result, the configuration for positioning the circuit board 27 in the portion where the second circuit board portion 27c is positioned can be made relatively simple.

[0068] In this embodiment, a portion of the second circuit board section 27c is positioned on the rear side of the stator 16, which is the side where the output shaft 20 is located, and the projection 36j is positioned further back than the stator 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared to the case where a portion of the second circuit board section 27c is positioned on the front side and the projection 36j is positioned on the front side of the stator 16, it is possible to miniaturize the rotating device 2 in the front-rear direction.

[0069] In this embodiment, the socket 29b of the connector 29 mounted on the first circuit board portion 27b faces to the right. Also, in this embodiment, when viewed from the left or right direction, the outer shape of the connector 29 is larger than the outer shape of the connector opening 36x formed in the wall portion 36r located to the right of the connector 29. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wall portion 36p can receive the force acting on the circuit board 27 when the mating connector 34 is inserted into the connector 29, and the wall portion 36r can receive the force acting on the circuit board 27 when the mating connector 34 is pulled out from the connector 29. Thus, in this embodiment, damage to the circuit board 27 caused by the attachment and detachment of the mating connector 34 is prevented, while the mating connector 34 can be easily attached to and detached from the connector 29.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first case body 36 has a restricting surface 36s that contacts the circuit board 27 and restricts the downward movement of the circuit board 27. In addition, in this embodiment, the second case body 37 has a cylindrical portion 37j with a projection 36j positioned on its inner circumference, and the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j constitutes part of the restricting surface 37s that restricts the upward movement of the circuit board 27. Therefore, in this embodiment, by utilizing the cylindrical portion 37j formed on the second case body 37, it is possible to prevent the second case body 37 from shifting relative to the first case body 36 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and to position the circuit board 27 in the vertical direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, the FPC 28 has a hole 28d into which a projection 36j engages. Therefore, in this embodiment, the projection 36j used to position the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction can be used to prevent displacement of the FPC 28 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j restricts the upward movement of the FPC 28, so the cylindrical portion 37j used to position the circuit board 27 in the vertical direction can be used to position the FPC 28 in the vertical direction.

[0072] In this embodiment, a projection 36k is formed on the first case body 36. When the circuit board 27 is circuit board 27B, projection 36j engages with the right front end of the second circuit board portion 27c, and projection 36k engages with the left rear end of the second circuit board portion 27c. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the outer shape of the second circuit board portion 27c is relatively large, it becomes possible to appropriately position the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0073] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without altering the essence of the invention.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, a hole may be formed in the second circuit board portion 27c instead of a notch 27d, into which a projection 36j engages. In this case, the hole is a round hole that penetrates the second circuit board portion 27c in the vertical direction. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a notch may be formed in the second substrate portion 28c instead of a hole 28d, into which a projection 36j engages. In this case, the notch is formed, for example, from the right end face of the second substrate portion 28c toward the left. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second substrate portion 28c does not need to have a hole 28d or a notch formed therein.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, a first wall portion and a second wall portion for positioning the circuit board 27 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction may be formed on the second case body 37. In this case, the first case body 36 does not have walls 36p and 36r formed on it. Also, in the above-described embodiment, if the circuit board 27B can be appropriately positioned in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the first case body 36 does not need to have a projection 36k formed on it. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the projection 36j may be located to the left of the wall portion 36p.

[0076] In the above-described configuration, when viewed from the left or right, the outer shape of the connector 29 and the outer shape of the connector opening 36x may be equal, or the outer shape of the connector 29 may be smaller than the outer shape of the connector opening 36x. Also, in the above-described configuration, the insertion port 29b of the connector 29 may face the rear or front, or face the top or bottom. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the motor 13 may be provided with lead wires connected to the circuit board 27 instead of the connector 29. In this case, the lead wires are, for example, soldered and fixed to the right end of the circuit board 27 and extended outwards from the case body 21 toward the right.

[0077] In the above-described configuration, the circuit board 27 may be fixed by directly soldering it to the terminal pins 32. In this case, the FPC 28 is not required. Also, in the above-described configuration, one end of the first link member 40, on which the output shaft 20 is formed at the other end, and the other end of the second link member 41, on which one end is rotatably connected to the slider 18, may be connected so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. Also, in the above-described configuration, the link member 19 may be composed of a single component.

[0078] In the above-described configuration, a portion of the second circuit board portion 27c may be positioned in front of the stator 16. In this case, the protrusions 36j and 36k are positioned in front of the stator 16. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, only the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j may be the restricting surface 37s, or the end face of the cylindrical portion 37j may not be the restricting surface 37s. Moreover, in the above-described configuration, the output shaft 20, which is formed separately from the first link member 40, may be fixed to the other end of the first link member 40.

[0079] In the above-described configuration, a portion of the rotating shaft 14 is the lead screw 14b, but the lead screw 14b may be formed separately from the rotating shaft 14 and fixed to the rotating shaft 14. Also, in the above-described configuration, the motor 13 may be a motor other than a stepping motor. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the rotating device 2 may rotate objects other than the wind direction adjustment fins 5 and 6.

[0080] (Configuration of this technology) Furthermore, this technology can be configured as follows: (1) A rotating device for rotating a predetermined object to be rotated, The device comprises a motor having a lead screw, a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a link member with one end rotatably connected to the slider, an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which the engaging portion of the object to be rotated engages, and a case body that houses at least the motor. If we define the axial direction of the lead screw as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction as the second direction, the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the third direction, one side of the first direction as the fourth direction side, the other side of the first direction opposite to the fourth direction side as the fifth direction side, one side of the third direction as the sixth direction side, and the other side of the third direction opposite to the sixth direction side as the seventh direction side, The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction. One end of the link member is rotatable with respect to the slider, with the second direction as the axis of rotation. The output shaft is positioned on the sixth side of the slider, The motor comprises a stator positioned on the fourth side of the lead screw and a flat circuit board for driving and controlling the motor. The thickness direction of the circuit board is parallel to the second direction. The circuit board comprises a first circuit board portion located on the fourth direction side of the stator, and a second circuit board portion connected to the first circuit board portion and a portion of which is located on the sixth direction side or the seventh direction side of the stator. The case body has a projection, a first wall portion, and a second wall portion formed thereon for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. The projection is formed as a projection rising in the second direction and is positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are formed in a flat plate shape with the first direction as the thickness direction, are arranged with a gap between them in the first direction, and are positioned on the fourth direction side of the stator. The second circuit board portion has a notch or hole formed in it that the projection engages with. The rotating device is characterized in that the first circuit board portion is arranged between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. (2) A portion of the second circuit board is arranged on the sixth direction side of the stator, The rotating device according to (1), characterized in that the projection is located on the side of the sixth direction relative to the stator. (3) The rotating device according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the projection is positioned between the first wall and the second wall when viewed from the third direction. (4) The motor is mounted on the first circuit board and includes a connector housed in the case body, The second wall portion is positioned on the fourth side of the first wall portion, The connector's socket faces the fourth direction, The second wall portion has a connector opening formed therein, which exposes the connector socket to the outside of the case body. The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that, when viewed from the first direction, the outer shape of the connector is larger than the outer shape of the opening for the connector. (5) The case body comprises a first case body and a second case body that are divided in the second direction, The first case body has the projection formed thereon, and a first restricting surface formed thereon that contacts the circuit board and restricts the movement of the circuit board to one side in the second direction. The second case body has a cylindrical portion formed thereon on the inner circumference side of the projection, and a second restricting surface formed thereon that restricts the movement of the circuit board to the other side in the second direction. The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that the end face of the cylindrical portion constitutes at least a part of the second restricting surface. (6) The motor includes a flexible printed circuit board that electrically connects the stator and the circuit board, The flexible printed circuit board is connected to the second circuit board section, The flexible printed circuit board has a notch or hole formed in it that the projection engages with. The rotating device according to (5), characterized in that the end face of the cylindrical portion restricts the movement of the flexible printed circuit board to the other side in the second direction. (7) The case body has a second projection formed thereon for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, The projection engages with the end of the second circuit board portion on the fourth direction and the end on the seventh direction, The rotating device according to (2), characterized in that the second projection is formed as a projection rising in the second direction and engages with the end of the second circuit board portion on the fifth direction side and the sixth direction side. (8) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that the object to be rotated is a fin for adjusting the air direction installed in an air outlet for a vehicle.

[0081] In this technology, it is preferable that a portion of the second circuit board is located on the sixth direction side of the stator, and that the projection is located on the sixth direction side of the stator. In this technology, the output shaft is located on the sixth direction side of the slider that engages with the lead screw, and the output shaft is located on the sixth direction side of the stator, which is located on the fourth direction side of the lead screw. Therefore, with this configuration, a portion of the second circuit board is located on the seventh direction side of the stator, which is the side of the stator where the output shaft is not located, and the projection is located on the seventh direction side of the stator, making it possible to miniaturize the rotating device in the third direction compared to the case where the projection is located on the seventh direction side of the stator.

[0082] In this technology, for example, the projection is positioned between the first wall and the second wall when viewed from a third direction.

[0083] In this technology, the motor is mounted on a first circuit board and includes a connector housed in a case. The second wall is positioned on the fourth side of the first wall, and the connector's socket faces the fourth side. The second wall has a connector opening to expose the connector's socket to the outside of the case. When viewed from the first direction, it is preferable that the outer shape of the connector is larger than the outer shape of the connector opening.

[0084] With this configuration, the first wall can receive the force acting on the circuit board when the mating connector is inserted into the connector, and the second wall can receive the force acting on the circuit board when the mating connector is pulled out from the connector. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily attach and detach the mating connector to the connector while preventing damage to the circuit board caused by the attachment and detachment of the mating connector.

[0085] In this technology, the case body comprises a first case body and a second case body divided in a second direction. The first case body has a projection and a first restricting surface that contacts the circuit board and restricts the movement of the circuit board to one side in the second direction. The second case body has a cylindrical portion with the projection on its inner circumference and a second restricting surface that restricts the movement of the circuit board to the other side in the second direction. Preferably, the end face of the cylindrical portion constitutes at least a part of the second restricting surface. With this configuration, it becomes possible to prevent the second case body from shifting relative to the first case body in a direction perpendicular to the second direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft) by utilizing the cylindrical portion formed in the second case body, and to position the circuit board in the second direction.

[0086] In this technology, the motor includes a flexible printed circuit board that electrically connects the stator and the circuit board, the flexible printed circuit board is connected to a second circuit board section, the flexible printed circuit board has notches or holes formed in it into which the protrusions engage, and the end face of the cylindrical section preferably restricts the movement of the flexible printed circuit board to the other side in the second direction.

[0087] With this configuration, since the flexible printed circuit board has notches or holes formed in it that engage with the protrusions, it becomes possible to prevent the flexible printed circuit board from shifting in a direction perpendicular to the second direction by utilizing the protrusions for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the end face of the cylindrical part restricts the movement of the flexible printed circuit board to the other side of the second direction, it becomes possible to position the flexible printed circuit board in the second direction by utilizing the cylindrical part for positioning the circuit board in the second direction.

[0088] In this technology, the case body is formed with a second projection for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and it is preferable that the projection engages with the fourth and seventh direction ends of the second circuit board portion, and that the second projection is formed as a projection rising in the second direction and engages with the fifth and sixth direction ends of the second circuit board portion. With this configuration, even if the outer shape of the second circuit board portion is relatively large, it becomes possible to properly position the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft).

[0089] In this technology, for example, the object to be rotated is a fin used to adjust the airflow direction, which is installed in the air outlet of a vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 2 Rotating mechanism 4. Air outlet section 5, 6 Fins (Rotating object) 10. Rotating shaft (engaging part) 13 Motors 14b Lead Screw 16 staters 18 Slider 19 Link members 20 Output shaft 21 Case Body 27(27A, 27B) Circuit board 27b 1st circuit board section 27c 2nd circuit board section 27d Notch 28 FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) 28d hole 29 Connectors 29b Outlet 36. Case 1 36j Protrusion 36k protrusion (second protrusion) 36p wall (1st wall) 36r wall (second wall) 36s Regulatory surface (First regulatory surface) 36x connector openings 37. Case 2 37j cylinder part 37s Regulatory surface (Second regulatory surface) X 3rd direction X1 The other side of the third direction, the seventh direction X2 One side of the third direction, side of the sixth direction Y Lead screw axial direction, first direction Y1 One side in the first direction, and the fourth direction Y2: The other side of the first direction, the fifth direction Z 2nd direction

Claims

1. A rotating device for rotating a predetermined object to be rotated, The device comprises a motor having a lead screw, a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a link member with one end rotatably connected to the slider, an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which the engaging portion of the object to be rotated engages, and a case body that houses at least the motor. If we define the axial direction of the lead screw as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction as the second direction, the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the third direction, one side of the first direction as the fourth direction side, the other side of the first direction opposite to the fourth direction side as the fifth direction side, one side of the third direction as the sixth direction side, and the other side of the third direction opposite to the sixth direction side as the seventh direction side, The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction. One end of the link member is rotatable with respect to the slider, with the second direction as the axis of rotation. The output shaft is positioned on the sixth side of the slider, The motor comprises a stator positioned on the fourth side of the lead screw and a flat circuit board for driving and controlling the motor. The thickness direction of the circuit board is parallel to the second direction. The circuit board comprises a first circuit board portion located on the fourth direction side of the stator, and a second circuit board portion connected to the first circuit board portion and partly located on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator. The case body has a projection, a first wall portion, and a second wall portion formed thereon for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. The projection is formed in the shape of a projection rising in the second direction and is positioned on the sixth or seventh direction side of the stator. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are formed in a flat plate shape with the first direction as the thickness direction, are arranged with a gap between them in the first direction, and are positioned on the fourth direction side of the stator. The second circuit board portion has a notch or hole formed in it that the projection engages with. The rotating device is characterized in that the first circuit board portion is arranged between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

2. A portion of the second circuit board is arranged on the sixth direction side of the stator, The rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection is positioned on the sixth direction side of the stator.

3. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projection is positioned between the first wall and the second wall when viewed from the third direction.

4. The motor is mounted on the first circuit board and includes a connector housed in the case body. The second wall portion is positioned on the fourth side of the first wall portion, The connector's socket faces the fourth direction, The second wall portion has a connector opening formed therein, which exposes the connector socket to the outside of the case body. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when viewed from the first direction, the outer shape of the connector is larger than the outer shape of the opening for the connector.

5. The case body comprises a first case body and a second case body that are divided in the second direction. The first case body has the projection formed thereon, and a first restricting surface formed thereon that contacts the circuit board and restricts the movement of the circuit board to one side in the second direction. The second case body has a cylindrical portion formed thereon on the inner circumference side of the projection, and a second restricting surface formed thereon that restricts the movement of the circuit board to the other side in the second direction. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end face of the cylindrical portion constitutes at least a part of the second restricting surface.

6. The motor includes a flexible printed circuit board that electrically connects the stator and the circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board is connected to the second circuit board section, The flexible printed circuit board has a notch or hole formed in it that the projection engages with. The rotating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end face of the cylindrical portion restricts the movement of the flexible printed circuit board to the other side in the second direction.

7. The case body has a second projection formed thereon for positioning the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. The projection engages with the end of the second circuit board portion on the fourth direction and the seventh direction, The rotating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second projection is formed as a projection rising in the second direction and engages with the end of the second circuit board portion on the fifth direction and the sixth direction side.

8. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the object to be rotated is a fin for adjusting the air direction installed in an air outlet for a vehicle.

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