Vehicle-mounted opening / closing mechanism drive system and power transmission system

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle opening / closing body drive device and a power transmission device that can suppress undesirable events caused by rotational fluctuations of rotating members due to load fluctuations. [Solution] The second power transmission mechanism of the power transmission device includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member having a first engaged portion which engages with a first engaging portion of the first rotating member when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotation direction and from which rotational power is transmitted, and a second engaged portion which engages with a second engaging portion of the first rotating member when the first rotating member rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction and from which rotational power is transmitted. The first rotating member rotates in the first rotation direction from a non-engaged position in which the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage and the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion do not engage, causing the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion to engage, and the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion to engage when the first rotating member rotates in the second rotation direction from the non-engaged position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle opening / closing body drive device and a power transmission device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicle opening / closing body drive device, an opening / closing drive device for a slide door that opens and closes by pulling the slide door with a linear member is known (Patent Document 1). The opening / closing drive device includes a winding member that partially winds a traction member, a drive source having a rotating portion, and a power transmission mechanism that includes a plurality of gears that mesh with each other and transmits the rotational power of the rotating portion to the winding member. Further, in the opening / closing drive device, a rotation sensor that detects the rotation of any rotating member interlocked with the rotating portion is provided, and based on the detection value of the rotation sensor, the rotation of the rotating portion, and thus the position and speed of the slide door, etc. are controlled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the opening / closing drive device, due to load fluctuations and the like accompanying the movement of the slide door, rotational fluctuations of the rotating member may occur. When the rotational fluctuations become large, rattling due to backlash may occur at the meshing portions of the plurality of gears of the power transmission mechanism. In that case, for example, the amplitude of the detection value of the rotation sensor that detects rotation becomes large, and the control accuracy of the rotating portion based on the detection value, and thus the control accuracy of the position and speed of the slide door, may decrease, or the noise during the operation of the power transmission mechanism may increase, etc., and there was a risk of such problems occurring.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a novel and improved vehicle opening / closing body drive device and power transmission device that can suppress the occurrence of undesirable events due to rotational fluctuations of the rotating member accompanying load fluctuations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle opening / closing body drive device of the present invention includes, for example, a drive source having a rotating part that rotates in one rotational direction and in a rotational direction opposite to that rotational direction; a first power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears that mesh and rotate with each other and transmit rotational power of the rotating part; an output rotating member that moves the vehicle opening / closing body by rotating with the rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism; and a second power transmission mechanism that transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the output rotating member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output rotating member to the first power transmission mechanism. The second power transmission mechanism comprises a first rotating member having a first engaging portion and receiving rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to rotate, and a second rotating member having a first engaged portion that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby receiving rotational power from the first engaging portion, wherein the first rotating member engages with the first engaged portion when it rotates in the first rotational direction from a non-engaged position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage.

[0007] Furthermore, the vehicle opening / closing body drive device of the present invention comprises, for example, a drive source having a rotating part that rotates in one rotational direction and in a rotational direction opposite to that rotational direction; a first power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears that mesh and rotate with each other and transmit rotational power from the rotating part; a winding member that partially winds a traction member that pulls the vehicle opening / closing body and rotates by rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, thereby pulling and moving the vehicle opening / closing body via the traction member, and switching the direction of movement of the vehicle opening / closing body according to its rotational direction; and a second power transmission mechanism that transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the winding member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the winding member to the first power transmission mechanism, wherein the second power transmission mechanism has a first engaging part and a second engaging part and rotates from the first power transmission mechanism The invention provides a first rotating member that rotates when power is transmitted to it, a second rotating member having a first rotating member that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the second engaging portion, wherein the first rotating member rotates in the first rotational direction from an unengaged position in which the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage and the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion do not engage, thereby engaging the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion, and the first rotating member rotates in the second rotational direction from the unengaged position, thereby engaging the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion.

[0008] The vehicle opening / closing body drive device may include the rotating part, a rotating member interposed between the rotating part and the second rotating member to transmit rotational power, or a rotation sensor that detects the rotation of a rotating member other than the second rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the rotating member.

[0009] In the vehicle opening / closing body drive device described above, the drive source is a brushless DC motor, a magnet is provided on the rotating part, and the rotation sensor may detect the rotation of the rotating part by detecting the magnetic field of the magnet.

[0010] The vehicle opening / closing body drive device may also include a biasing member that biases the first rotating member in the second rotation direction relative to the second rotating member so that the first rotating member moves from a first engagement position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion engage to the non-engaged position, and a biasing member that biases the first rotating member in the first rotation direction relative to the second rotating member so that the first rotating member moves from a second engagement position where the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion engage to the non-engaged position.

[0011] In the vehicle opening / closing drive device, the biasing member may be a torsion coil spring having a coil portion that is wound around the rotation axis of the first rotating member and extends in the axial direction of the rotation axis.

[0012] In the vehicle opening / closing body drive device, the second power transmission mechanism may have a first portion that extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotating member and is provided with one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, and a second portion that is aligned with the first portion in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis and is provided with the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

[0013] In the aforementioned vehicle opening / closing drive device, at least some of the gears among the plurality of gears may be made of synthetic resin material.

[0014] Furthermore, the power transmission device of the present invention comprises, for example, a first power transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears that mesh and rotate with each other and transmit rotational power; an output rotating member that rotates by the rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism; and a second power transmission mechanism that transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the output rotating member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output rotating member to the first power transmission mechanism, wherein the second power transmission mechanism comprises a first rotating member having a first engaging portion and rotating when rotational power is transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism; and a second rotating member having a first engaged portion that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the first engaging portion, wherein the first rotating member rotates in the first rotational direction from a non-engaged position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage, so that the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion engage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a novel and improved vehicle opening / closing body drive device and power transmission device that can suppress the occurrence of undesirable events due to rotational fluctuations of the rotating member accompanying load fluctuations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle opening / closing body drive device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view of a portion of the drive source, the first power transmission mechanism, and the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic exploded perspective view of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the operation of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device of the embodiment, and shows the state in which the first rotating member is in the disengaged position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the operation of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment, and shows a state in which the first rotating member rotates relative to the second rotating member in the clockwise direction from the state of FIG. 4 and they are engaged with each other. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the operation of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment, and shows a state in which the second rotating member rotates relative to the first rotating member in the clockwise direction from the state of FIG. 5 and the engagement between the first rotating member and the second rotating member is released. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the operation of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment, and shows a state in which the first rotating member rotates relative to the second rotating member in the counterclockwise direction from the state of FIG. 4 and they are engaged with each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the operation of the second power transmission mechanism included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment, and shows a state in which the second rotating member rotates relative to the first rotating member in the counterclockwise direction from the state of FIG. 7 and the engagement between the first rotating member and the second rotating member is released. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view of the circuit board included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary and schematic plan view of a part of the circuit board and the drive source included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exemplary and schematic plan view of a modified example of the second rotating member included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exemplary and schematic plan view of another modified example of the second rotating member included in the vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to the embodiment, which is different from FIG. 11.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments and modifications shown below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by such configurations, are examples. The present invention can also be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments and modifications. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configuration.

[0018] In this specification, ordinal numbers may be given for convenience in distinguishing directions, positions, members, mechanisms, etc. Also, ordinal numbers do not indicate priority or order, nor do they specify numbers.

[0019] [Opening and closing drive device] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an opening and closing drive device 100 that opens and closes a slide door (not shown) as a vehicle opening and closing body. The opening and closing drive device 100 includes a case 101 assembled from a plurality of divided bodies. Inside the case 101, as components of the opening and closing drive device 100, a drive source 10, a first power transmission mechanism 20, a second power transmission mechanism 30, and a circuit board 40 are housed. Also, a part of a cable 50A that pulls the slide door is housed inside the case 101. The cable 50A is partially wound around an output member 32A (32) of the second power transmission mechanism 30. The rotational power of the rotating part of the drive source 10 is transmitted to the second power transmission mechanism 30 via the first power transmission mechanism 20, and the output member 32 of the second power transmission mechanism 30 rotates. In this configuration, according to the switching of the rotational direction of the rotating part of the drive source 10, the rotational direction of the output member 32 is switched, whereby the directions D1, D2 in which the cable 50A is pulled are switched. The slide door is configured to open the door opening of the vehicle body when the cable 50A is pulled in one of the directions D1, D2, and to close the door opening when pulled in the other. The output member 32 is an example of a winding member and an output rotating member, and the cable 50A is an example of a pulling member.

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the drive source 10, the first power transmission mechanism 20, and the second power transmission mechanism 30. The first power transmission mechanism 20 and the second power transmission mechanism 30 are examples of power transmission devices.

[0021] The drive source 10 is, for example, a motor. The drive source 10 has a rotating part consisting of a shaft 11 and a pinion 12 provided on the shaft 11.

[0022] [First power transmission mechanism] The first power transmission mechanism 20 has a gear component 21. The gear component 21 integrally includes a first gear 21a that meshes with the pinion 12 and has more teeth than the pinion 12, and a second gear 21b that has fewer teeth than the first gear 21a. The second gear 21b is provided on the input member 31 of the second power transmission mechanism 30 and meshes with a ring gear 31a that has more teeth than the second gear 21b. Thus, the first power transmission mechanism 20 has a pinion 12, a first gear 21a, a second gear 21b, and a ring gear 31a as a plurality of interlocking gears, and transmits the rotational power of the rotating part of the drive source 10 at a reduced speed to the input member 31 of the second power transmission mechanism 30. The first power transmission mechanism 20 may also be called a reduction mechanism. In this embodiment, the rotation centers of the multiple rotating bodies such as gears included in the first power transmission mechanism 20 are all aligned in the Z direction, but the configuration is not limited to this.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, gear-containing components such as the pinion 12, gear component 21, and input member 31 are made of a synthetic resin material such as polyacetal.

[0024] [Second power transmission mechanism] The second power transmission mechanism 30 transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism 20 to the output member 32 and also has a function to suppress the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output member 32 to the first power transmission mechanism 20.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the second power transmission mechanism 30. The second power transmission mechanism 30 includes an input member 31, an output member 32, and a coil spring 33. The input member 31 is provided rotatably about a rotation axis Ax along the Z direction. Also, the output member 32 is provided rotatably about the rotation axis Ax along the Z direction, that is, rotatably substantially coaxially with the input member 31. The rotation axis Ax may also be referred to as a rotation center or a central axis. The input member 31 rotates when rotational power is transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism 20. The output member 32 rotates in conjunction with the input member 31 while rotational power is transmitted from the input member 31. The input member 31 is an example of a first rotating member, and the output member 32 is an example of a second rotating member. Also, the coil spring 33 is an example of a biasing member. The function of the coil spring 33 will be described later.

[0026] The input member 31 has a disk-shaped middle wall 31b intersecting the Z direction and a cylindrical side wall 31c extending from the outer peripheral edge of the middle wall 31b in the opposite direction of the Z direction. The ring gear 31a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 31c. A substantially circular through-hole 31d penetrating in the Z direction is provided at the center of the middle wall 31b.

[0027] Also, three long holes 31e extending in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis Ax are provided in the middle wall 31b at a position between the through-hole 31d and the side wall 31c. The three long holes 31e all have the same shape, extend in the circumferential direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the circumferential direction) of the rotation axis Ax with a predetermined length in the radial direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the radial direction) of the rotation axis Ax, and are through-holes penetrating the middle wall 31b in the Z direction.

[0028] Furthermore, the input member 31 has three first protrusions 31f (not shown in Figure 3, see Figure 4) extending in the Z direction from the middle wall 31b. The input member 31 has three elongated holes 31e of the same shape, spaced 120° apart, and three first protrusions 31f of the same shape, spaced 120° apart. The input member 31 has a shape that is 3-fold rotationally symmetric, that is, a shape that becomes identical when rotated 120° around the rotation axis Ax. However, the input member 31 is not limited to this configuration, and the number of elongated holes 31e and first protrusions 31f may be 1, 2, or 4 or more, and may be different from each other. Also, the input member 31 does not have to have a shape that is n-fold rotationally symmetric (n: an integer of 2 or more).

[0029] The output member 32 has a disc-shaped top wall 32b that intersects the Z direction, and a cylindrical side wall 32c that extends from the outer edge of the top wall 32b in the opposite direction to the Z direction. A winding portion 32a for the cable 50A is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 32c. For example, a spiral groove is provided in the winding portion 32a. The cable 50A is wound in a state where it is partially housed in the groove of the winding portion 32a. When the output member 32 rotates clockwise in a plan view seen in the opposite direction to the Z direction (hereinafter simply referred to as a plan view), the cable 50A is pulled into the case 101 in Figure 1 in direction D1 and fed out in the opposite direction to direction D2. On the other hand, when the output member 32 rotates counterclockwise in the same plan view, the cable 50A is pulled into direction D2 in Figure 1 and fed out in the opposite direction to direction D1. The top wall 32b is provided with a cylindrical second projection 32d that protrudes from its central part in the opposite direction to the Z direction.

[0030] Furthermore, the top wall 32b is provided with three cylindrical third protrusions 32e projecting in the opposite direction to the Z direction at a position between the second protrusion 32d and the side wall 32c. All three third protrusions 32e have the same shape. At the end of each third protrusion 32e facing the opposite direction to the Z direction, there is a female screw hole extending in the Z direction. The three third protrusions 32e are spaced 120° apart. These three third protrusions 32e have a shape that is 3-fold rotationally symmetric, that is, they become identical when rotated 120° around the rotation axis Ax.

[0031] With the three third projections 32e passing through the elongated hole 31e, a ring plate 32g is attached to the ends of the three third projections 32e in opposite directions in the Z direction by screws 32h. That is, the screws 32h pass through through holes provided in the ring plate 32g and are tightened into the female screw holes of the third projections 32e, thereby integrating the ring plate 32g with the three third projections 32e. As a result, the input member 31 and the output member 32 are assembled with the middle wall 31b of the input member 31 sandwiched between the top wall 32b, side walls 32c, and the body of the output member 32 having the third projections 32e and the ring plate 32g.

[0032] Furthermore, the output member 32 has a fourth projection 32f extending from the top wall 32b in the opposite direction to the Z direction. In this embodiment, a cylindrical rib is provided connecting the base portions of the three third projections 32e, and the fourth projection 32f is provided as the portion between two recesses provided in the rib. This configuration improves the rigidity of the third projections 32e and the fourth projection 32f. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the fourth projection 32f may be provided independently of the third projections 32e and the rib.

[0033] The coil spring 33 has a coil portion 33a that extends in the Z direction, i.e., the axial direction of the rotation axis Ax (hereinafter simply referred to as the axial direction), formed by winding a wire made of, for example, spring steel around the rotation axis Ax. The ends 33b1 and 33b2 of the wire protrude radially outward from the coil portion 33a by a predetermined length at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. The coil spring 33 is mounted on the second projection 32d of the output member 32 with the coil portion 33a loosely wound around the outer circumferential surface of the second projection 32d with a small gap between them. The outer circumferential surface of the second projection 32d functions as a retaining part that holds the coil spring 33 in a predetermined position, i.e., in a position where the coil portion 33a extends spirally with the rotation axis Ax as approximately the center.

[0034] Figure 4 is a plan view of the input member 31 and a portion of the output member 32, viewed in opposite directions along the Z-axis. The input member 31, the output member 32, and the coil spring 33 are assembled to the state shown in Figure 4. The state shown in Figure 4 is a free state in which no rotational power or rotational load is input to the input member 31 or the output member 32.

[0035] In the state shown in Figure 4, the second power transmission mechanism 30 is configured such that the first projection 31f of the input member 31 and the fourth projection 32f of the output member 32 are adjacent to each other in the radial direction, and the ends 33b1 and 33b2 of the coil spring 33 sandwich the first projection 31f and the fourth projection 32f. In this state, the ends 33b1 and 33b2 of the coil spring 33 are either in contact with or facing both the first projection 31f and the fourth projection 32f with a gap between them. In this embodiment, the fourth projection 32f is located radially outward of the first projection 31f, but this is not limited to this configuration, and the fourth projection 32f may be located radially inward of the first projection 31f.

[0036] Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 4, the second power transmission mechanism 30 is configured such that the third projection 32e of the output member 32 is located approximately in the center of the circumferential direction of the elongated hole 31e of the input member 31 into which it is inserted. In this embodiment, as described above, the elongated hole 31e and the third projection 32e each have a shape that is rotationally symmetrical three times, and the shape of the details is the same. Therefore, for simplicity, in Figure 4, reference numerals are assigned to each part of the elongated hole 31e and the third projection 32e only for the configuration in the lower right of Figure 4 (elongated hole 31ea and third projection 32ea).

[0037] In the state shown in Figure 4, the input member 31 and the output member 32 are not engaged in any part in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in this state, the rotational power transmitted to the input member 31 is not transmitted to the output member 32. The state shown in Figure 4 can also be called the disengaged state. The relative position of the input member 31 to the output member 32 in Figure 4 is an example of the disengaged position.

[0038] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the input member 31 has rotated clockwise relative to the output member 32 from the state shown in Figure 4. In the state shown in Figure 5, the counterclockwise end 31e2 of each elongated hole 31e contacts the counterclockwise end 32e2 of each third projection 32e, and as the input member 31 rotates clockwise, the end 31e2 presses against the end 32e2, and the rotational power of the input member 31 is transmitted to the output member 32. The end 31e2 is the edge of the elongated hole 31e, and the end 32e2 is the side surface of the third projection 32e. Figure 5 shows the engaged state in which the input member 31 (its end 31e2) and the output member 32 (its end 32e2) engage when the input member 31 rotates clockwise, and rotational power is transmitted from the input member 31 to the output member 32. The relative position of the input member 31 with respect to the output member 32 in Figure 5 is an example of the first engagement position. The clockwise direction is an example of the first rotation direction, the end portion 31e2 is an example of the first engagement portion, and the end portion 32e2 is an example of the first engaged portion.

[0039] Figure 6 shows the state in which the output member 32 has rotated relative to the input member 31 in a clockwise direction in a plan view, from the state shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, in this state, since the end 31e2 and the end 32e2 are separated from each other, no rotational power is transmitted between the input member 31 and the output member 32.

[0040] The transition from the state in Figure 5 to the state in Figure 6 can occur, for example, when the load on the sliding door transitions from a high state to a low state. If the opening / closing drive device 100 does not have a second power transmission mechanism 30, the load fluctuation of the sliding door will be transmitted to the first power transmission mechanism 20 and then to the drive source 10 as a rotational fluctuation of the rotating member. If a rotation sensor is used to detect the rotation of the rotating part of the drive source 10 or one of the rotating members of the gears included in the first power transmission mechanism 20 in order to calculate the amount of movement and speed of the sliding door, the detected value of the rotation sensor will include fluctuations in the value associated with the rotational fluctuation. In that case, when controlling the sliding door by controlling the rotation of the drive source 10 based on the detected value, there is a risk that the controlled amount, i.e., the position and speed of movement of the sliding door, may hunt or overshoot. In addition, since there is backlash between the multiple gears included in the first power transmission mechanism 20, the rotational fluctuation due to the load fluctuation of the sliding door may be a cause of gear noise. In this embodiment, the opening / closing drive device 100 is equipped with a second power transmission mechanism 30. When the input member 31 rotates clockwise, even if rotational fluctuations occur in the output member 32 (winding member) due to load fluctuations associated with the movement of the sliding door, the system transitions from the state shown in Figure 5 to the state shown in Figure 6, and rotational fluctuations are no longer transmitted from the output member 32 to the input member 31. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the input member 31 rotates clockwise, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the aforementioned undesirable events when load fluctuations occur due to the movement of the sliding door.

[0041] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the case where the input member 31 rotates clockwise in a plan view. In contrast, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the case where the input member 31 rotates counterclockwise in the same plan view.

[0042] In other words, Figure 7 shows the state in which the input member 31 has rotated counterclockwise relative to the output member 32 from the state in Figure 4, in a plan view. In the state of Figure 7, the clockwise end 31e1 of each elongated hole 31e is in contact with the clockwise end 32e1 of each third projection 32e, and as the input member 31 rotates counterclockwise, the end 31e1 presses against the end 32e1, and the rotational power of the input member 31 is transmitted to the output member 32. The end 31e1 is the edge of the elongated hole 31e, and the end 32e1 is the side surface of the third projection 32e. Figure 7 shows the engaged state in which the input member 31 (its end 31e1) and the output member 32 (its end 32e1) engage when the input member 31 rotates counterclockwise, and rotational power is transmitted from the input member 31 to the output member 32. The relative position of the input member 31 with respect to the output member 32 in Figure 7 is an example of a second engagement position. The counterclockwise direction is an example of a second rotation direction, the end portion 31e1 is an example of a second engagement portion, and the end portion 32e1 is an example of a second engaged portion.

[0043] Figure 8 shows the state in which the output member 32 has rotated relative to the input member 31 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view, from the state shown in Figure 7. In this state, since the ends 31e1 and 32e1 are separated from each other, no rotational power is transmitted between the input member 31 and the output member 32.

[0044] The transition from the state in Figure 7 to the state in Figure 8 can occur, for example, when the load on the sliding door transitions from a high state to a low state. In this embodiment, the opening and closing drive device 100 is equipped with a second power transmission mechanism 30, and when the input member 31 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, even if rotational fluctuations occur in the output member 32 (winding member) due to load fluctuations associated with the movement of the sliding door, the state transitions from the state in Figure 7 to the state in Figure 8, and rotational fluctuations are no longer transmitted from the output member 32 to the input member 31.

[0045] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the input member 31 rotates clockwise and when it rotates counterclockwise, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of undesirable events such as a decrease in control accuracy and noise, which occur when load fluctuations occur due to the movement of the sliding door.

[0046] The coil spring 33 functions as a torsion coil spring. In the state shown in Figure 4, the coil spring 33 is either in a substantially free state or in a state where the amount of elastic deformation from the free state is smaller than in the states shown in Figures 5 and 7. When the input member 31 rotates clockwise relative to the output member 32 from the state shown in Figure 4 to the state shown in Figure 5, the circumferential distance between the ends 33b1 and 33b2 of the coil spring 33 increases. At this time, the coil spring 33 biases the input member 31 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the output member 32, from the first engagement position (position in Figure 5) where the ends 32e2 and 31e2 engage, to the non-engagement position (position in Figure 4). On the other hand, when the input member 31 rotates counterclockwise relative to the output member 32 from the state shown in Figure 4 to the state shown in Figure 7, the circumferential distance between the ends 33b1 and 33b2 of the coil spring 33 increases. In this case, the coil spring 33 biases the input member 31 in a clockwise direction so that it moves from the second engagement position (position in Figure 7) where the ends 32e1 and 31e1 engage relative to the output member 32, to the disengaged position (position in Figure 4). In other words, the coil spring 33 has the function of maintaining the input member 31 in the disengaged position relative to the output member 32.

[0047] Furthermore, the coil spring 33 can suppress the relative angle difference between the input member 31 and the output member 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as the relative angle difference) from the state in Figure 5 to the state in Figure 4, and can also suppress the relative angle difference from the state in Figure 7 to the state in Figure 4, and to the state in Figure 5.

[0048] Furthermore, as is clear from comparing Figure 5 and Figure 7, the coil spring 33 twists similarly as the circumferential distance between the same ends 33b1 and 33b2 increases, regardless of the rotational direction of the input member 31. In other words, the coil spring 33 provides a biasing torque to the input member 31 and the output member 32 that reduces the relative angular difference, regardless of the rotational direction of the input member 31, and the biasing torque increases in proportion to the relative angular difference (absolute value). To put it another way, the characteristics of the biasing torque by the coil spring 33 with respect to the absolute value of the relative angular difference in this embodiment are the same regardless of the rotational direction of the input member 31.

[0049] Furthermore, in the second power transmission mechanism 30 of this embodiment, an elongated hole 31e is provided in the middle wall 31b of the input member 31, and a part of the edge of the elongated hole 31e includes an end 31e2 as a first engaging part and an end 31e1 as a second engaging part. Also, the side surface of the third projection 32e of the output member 32, which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ax, includes an end 32e2 as a first engaged part and an end 32e1 as a second engaged part. In this configuration, the third projection 32e is an example of a first part, and the middle wall 31b is an example of a second part that is aligned circumferentially with the third projection 32e. However, the second power transmission mechanism 30 is not limited to this configuration, and the input member 31 may have a projection including a first engaging part and a second engaging part as a first part, or the output member may have a wall portion that intersects with the rotation axis Ax as a second part, and an elongated hole forming an edge that becomes the first engaged part and the second engaged part may be provided in the wall portion. Alternatively, instead of an elongated hole, a notch or the like that is open radially outward may be provided.

[0050] [Rotation sensor] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the circuit board 40. Figure 10 is a plan view in the Z direction of the shaft 11 and the permanent magnet array 13 provided on the rotor, which are the rotating parts of the drive source 10, as well as a part of the circuit board 40.

[0051] In this embodiment, the drive source 10 is, for example, a brushless DC motor. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the circuit board 40 is provided with a plurality of rotation sensors 41 for detecting the rotation of the rotating part. The rotation sensors 41 are, for example, Hall elements that detect a magnetic field (magnetic flux density). The rotation sensors 41 are provided on the rotating part of the drive source 10 and are positioned so as to face the permanent magnet array 13, in which the north poles and south poles are arranged alternately in the circumferential and radial directions, with a gap in the opposite direction to the Z direction.

[0052] The circuit board 40 is mounted with electronic and electrical components (not shown) that constitute the control circuit. The control circuit can control the rotational position and rotational speed of the rotating part, and consequently the movement position and movement speed of the sliding door, based on the value detected by the rotation sensor 41. As described above, in this embodiment, the opening and closing drive device 100 is equipped with a second power transmission mechanism 30 that does not transmit the rotational fluctuations of the output member 32 due to load fluctuations of the sliding door to the input member 31. Therefore, fluctuations in the detected value of the rotation sensor 41 due to such rotational fluctuations are less likely to occur. Thus, the control accuracy of the sliding door by the control circuit can be improved compared to the case without the second power transmission mechanism 30. In this embodiment, the rotation sensor 41 detects the rotation of the rotating part of the drive source 10, but is not limited to this. For example, the rotation sensor 41 may detect the rotation of a rotating member interposed between the rotating part and the output member 32 to transmit rotational power, i.e., a gear component 21 or an input member 31. Furthermore, the rotation sensor 41 may detect the rotation of another rotating member (excluding the output member 32) that rotates in conjunction with the gear component 21 or the input member 31 via gears, belts, etc. Also, the rotation sensor 41 may be a sensor other than a Hall element.

[0053] [Differentiation] Figure 11 is a perspective view of an modified output member 32B(32). In this example, the output member 32B, which is a winding member, is provided with a gear 32i that meshes with the toothed belt 50B, which is a traction member. Figure 12 is a perspective view of another modified output member 32C(32). In this example, the output member 32C is provided with a gear 32j, and the winding member is another rotating member (not shown) having a gear that meshes with the gear 32j. Thus, the output member 32 and the winding member may be different parts. The same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained with the modified forms in Figures 11 and 12.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the second power transmission mechanism 30 transmits the rotational power of the drive source 10 from the first power transmission mechanism 20 to the output member 32 (winding member), and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output member 32 to the first power transmission mechanism 20. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress undesirable events such as the amplitude of the fluctuation of the detected value of the rotation sensor 41 becoming large, which worsens the control accuracy of the sliding door based on the detected value, or the transmission of rotational fluctuations to the first power transmission mechanism 20 causing noise due to backlash.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation sensor 41 detects the rotation of the rotating part of the drive source 10, or a rotating member such as a gear component 21 or input member 31 interposed between the rotating part and the output member 32 to transmit rotational power, or a rotating member other than the output member 32 that rotates in conjunction with the rotating part. With this configuration, even if rotational fluctuations occur in the output member 32 due to load fluctuations of the sliding door, the rotation sensor 41 is less likely to experience fluctuations in the detected value due to these rotational fluctuations. Therefore, the control accuracy of the sliding door by the control circuit based on the detected value of the rotation sensor 41 can be further improved.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drive source 10 is a brushless DC motor, and the rotation sensor 41 detects the magnetic field of a permanent magnet array 13 (magnet) provided on the rotating part of the drive source 10. With this configuration, a configuration that detects the rotation of a rotating part that is less affected by the rotational fluctuations of the output member 32 can be realized with a relatively compact configuration.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the coil spring 33 biases the input member 31 so that it moves from the first engagement position to the disengagement position, and also biases the input member 31 so that it moves from the second engagement position to the disengagement position. With this configuration, the opening / closing drive device 100 can be made more compact compared to a configuration in which a biasing member that biases from the first engagement position to the disengagement position and a biasing member that biases from the second engagement position to the disengagement position are provided separately.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the coil spring 33 (biasing member) is a torsion coil spring having a coil portion 33a extending in the axial direction of the rotation axis Ax. With this configuration, the radial size of the biasing member can be made smaller, thereby suppressing the radial enlargement of the opening / closing drive device 100 including the biasing member.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second power transmission mechanism 30 has a third projection 32e (first portion) with ends 32e1 and 32e2, and a middle wall 31b (second portion) which is aligned circumferentially with the third projection 32e and has ends 31e1 and 31e2. With this configuration, a non-engagement position is provided between the first engagement position and the second engagement position of the input member 31, and a predetermined angular difference is provided between the non-engagement position and the first engagement position and the second engagement position, respectively, and this can be realized with a relatively simple configuration.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least some of the gears, such as the pinion 12, the first gear 21a, the second gear 21b, and the ring gear 31a, are made of synthetic resin material. This configuration makes it more difficult for rotational fluctuations to be transmitted, thus allowing for lower rigidity and strength of the gears. As a result, some of the gears can be made of synthetic resin material, which offers advantages such as making the opening / closing drive device 100 lighter and further reducing gear noise.

[0061] Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, each configuration, shape, and other specifications (structure, type, orientation, model, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, the case in which the opening / closing drive device opens and closes a sliding door as a vehicle opening / closing body was illustrated, but it is not limited to this, and the opening / closing drive device may open and close a door other than a sliding door (swing door, hinged door, etc.) as a vehicle opening / closing body. Furthermore, the opening / closing drive device (power transmission device) may not have a second engaging part and a second engaged part, and may be configured to suppress the transmission of load fluctuations to the input side only in one rotational direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10…Drive source (brushless DC motor) 11…Shaft (rotating part) 12... Pinion (rotating part) 13…Permanent magnet array (magnets, rotating parts) 20…First power transmission mechanism (power transmission device) 21... Gear components (rotating parts) 21a...First gear 21b... Second gear 30…Second power transmission mechanism (power transmission device) 31…Input member (first rotating member) 31a... Ring gear 31b…Middle wall (second part) 31c…Side wall 31d...Through hole 31e...long hole 31e1...End part (second engagement part) 31e2...End part (first engagement part) 31ea…long hole 31f…first protrusion 32, 32A, 32B, 32C... Output members (second rotating member, winding member, output rotating member) 32a...winding section 32b…Ceiling wall 32c…Side wall 32d…Second protrusion 32e...Third protrusion (first part) 32e1...End part (second engaged part) 32e2...End part (first engaged part) 32ea…Third protrusion 32f...Fourth protrusion 32g... Ring plate 32h... screw 32i...Gear 32j...Gear 33... Coil spring (torsion coil spring) 33a... Coil section 33b1...end 33b2...end 40... Circuit board 41... Rotation sensor 50A…Cable (traction component) 50B...Toothed belt (traction member) 100…Opening / closing drive device 101... Case Ax... axis of rotation D1…direction D2…direction

Claims

1. A drive source having a rotating part that rotates in one direction and in the opposite direction to that direction, A first power transmission mechanism having multiple gears that mesh and rotate with each other and transmitting rotational power to the rotating part, An output rotating member that moves a vehicle opening / closing body by rotating with rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, A second power transmission mechanism transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the output rotating member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output rotating member to the first power transmission mechanism, Equipped with, The second power transmission mechanism is, A first rotating member having a first engagement portion and rotating when rotational power is transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, A second rotating member having a first engaged portion that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the first engaging portion, It has, A vehicle opening / closing body drive device, wherein the first rotating member rotates in the first rotational direction from a non-engaged position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage, thereby engaging the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion.

2. A drive source having a rotating part that rotates in one direction and in the opposite direction to that direction, A first power transmission mechanism having multiple gears that mesh and rotate with each other and transmitting rotational power to the rotating part, A towing member for pulling a vehicle opening / closing body is partially wound and rotates by rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, thereby pulling and moving the vehicle opening / closing body via the towing member, and a winding member which switches the direction of movement of the vehicle opening / closing body according to the direction of rotation, A second power transmission mechanism transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the winding member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the winding member to the first power transmission mechanism, Equipped with, The second power transmission mechanism is, A first rotating member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, which rotates when rotational power is transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, A second rotating member having a first engaged portion that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the second engaging portion, It has, The first rotating member rotates in the first rotational direction from a non-engaged position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are not engaged and the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion are not engaged, thereby engaging the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion. A vehicle opening / closing body drive device, wherein the first rotating member rotates from the non-engaged position in the second rotational direction, causing the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion to engage.

3. The vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to claim 2, further comprising the rotating part, a rotating member interposed between the rotating part and the second rotating member to transmit rotational power, or a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of a rotating member other than the second rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the rotating member.

4. The aforementioned drive source is a brushless DC motor, A magnet is provided on the rotating part. The vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation sensor detects the rotation of the rotating part by detecting the magnetic field of the magnet.

5. The vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to claim 2, further comprising a biasing member that biases the first rotating member in the second rotational direction relative to the second rotating member such that the first rotating member moves from a first engagement position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion engage towards the non-engaged position, and a biasing member that biases the first rotating member in the first rotational direction relative to the second rotating member such that the first rotating member moves from a second engagement position where the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion engage towards the non-engaged position.

6. The vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to claim 5, wherein the biasing member is a torsion coil spring having a coil portion wound around the rotation axis of the first rotating member and extending in the axial direction of the rotation axis.

7. The second power transmission mechanism is, A first portion extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotating member, on which one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion is provided, A second portion is provided with the first portion, which is aligned in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis, and which is the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion. A vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, having the following:

8. The vehicle opening / closing body drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the gears among the plurality of gears are made of a synthetic resin material.

9. A first power transmission mechanism having multiple gears that mesh and rotate with each other to transmit rotational power, An output rotating member that rotates by the rotational power transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, A second power transmission mechanism transmits rotational power from the first power transmission mechanism to the output rotating member and suppresses the transmission of rotational fluctuations from the output rotating member to the first power transmission mechanism, Equipped with, The second power transmission mechanism is, A first rotating member having a first engagement portion and rotating when rotational power is transmitted from the first power transmission mechanism, A second rotating member having a first engaged portion that rotates substantially coaxially with the first rotating member and engages with the first engaging portion when the first rotating member rotates in a first rotational direction, thereby transmitting rotational power from the first engaging portion, It has, A power transmission device in which the first rotating member rotates in the first rotational direction from a non-engaged position where the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion do not engage, thereby engaging the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion.

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