Lid opening / closing actuator

Abstract

The objective is to provide a lid opening / closing actuator that reduces the dimensions of the drive force output section in the direction of the output shaft. [Solution] The present invention comprises a drive force output unit that outputs driving force to the outside, and a housing, wherein the drive force output unit has a main shaft portion whose movement relative to the housing is restricted and which is rotatable, an output shaft portion that moves in the direction of the central axis with the rotation, and a guide portion that guides the output shaft portion, wherein the main shaft portion has an insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and which has a female thread on its inner circumferential surface, and a shaft-side engaging portion that engages with the guide portion on the outside of the insertion portion, wherein the guide portion has a guide-side engaging portion around the output shaft portion that engages with the shaft-side engaging portion, and one of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging projection and the other is an engaging groove, and the engaging groove has a straight portion extending in the direction of the central axis and a helical portion extending in the helical direction. It is characterized by the following:

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lid opening / closing actuator that opens and closes a lid for opening and closing a fuel filler port or a charging port has been known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, this lid opening / closing actuator 100 includes a motor 110 that outputs a driving force, and a driving force output unit 120 that outputs the driving force transmitted from the motor 110 to the outside.

[0004] The driving force output unit 120 has an output shaft portion 121 that extends in the direction of the central axis C and to which a lid is attached at the tip, a gear portion 124 that surrounds the output shaft portion 121, and a housing portion 125 that houses the output shaft portion 121.

[0005] The housing portion 125 is a bottomed cylindrical portion that extends in the direction of the central axis C, and as shown in FIG. 32, has a plurality of engaging protrusions 125b that are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface 125a.

[0006] Returning to FIGS. 30 and 32, the output shaft portion 121 has a male screw portion 122 formed with a male screw 122a on the outer peripheral surface, and a guided portion 123 that is disposed on the base end side of the male screw portion 122 and has an engaging groove 123a formed on the circumferential surface. The engaging protrusions 125b of the housing portion 125 are fitted into the engaging groove 123a of the guided portion 123 in a state where the output shaft portion 121 is housed in the housing portion 125.

[0007] As shown in Figure 33, the gear section 124 has a plurality of teeth 124a formed on its outer circumference and a cylindrical section 1241 extending in the direction of the central axis C in its central part. A female thread 1242 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical section 1241, which engages with the male thread 122a of the output shaft section 121. This gear section 124 meshes with a worm gear 112 attached to the output shaft 111 of the motor 110 and rotates around the central axis C by the driving force output from the motor 110.

[0008] In the lid opening / closing actuator 100 configured as described above, when the motor 110 rotates the gear portion 124 around the central axis C, the engaging projection 125b of the housing portion 125 fits into the engaging groove 123a of the guided portion 123, thereby restricting the rotation of the output shaft portion 121 around the central axis C. That is, the gear portion 124 rotates relative to the male screw portion 122 around the central axis C, causing the output shaft portion 121 to move in the direction of the central axis C.

[0009] As a result, the cover attached to the tip of the output shaft 121 moves in the direction of the central axis C, thereby opening and closing the fuel filler port or charging port. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10759290 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] In the above-described lid opening / closing actuator 100, the dimension of the male threaded portion 122 of the output shaft portion 121 (the portion that screws with the gear portion 124 when opening and closing the lid of the oil filler port or charging port) in the direction of the central axis C needs to be the same as the distance the lid moves in the direction of the central axis C when opening and closing the lid. Therefore, it was difficult to reduce the dimension of the drive force output portion 120 in the direction of the output shaft portion 121.

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a lid opening and closing actuator that reduces the dimensions in the direction of the output shaft of the driving force output section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The lid opening and closing actuator of the present invention is A lid opening / closing actuator for driving the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or charging port, A drive source that outputs driving force, A drive force output unit that outputs the aforementioned drive force to the outside, The system comprises the aforementioned drive source and a housing that accommodates a part of the drive force output unit, The aforementioned drive force output unit is A main shaft portion that extends along the central axis and rotates around the central axis by a driving force transmitted from the drive source while its movement in the axial direction relative to the housing is restricted, An output shaft portion moves in the direction of the central axis relative to the main shaft portion as the main shaft portion rotates, It has a guide portion that guides the movement of the output shaft portion, The main shaft portion has an insertion portion on its outer surface which has male threads formed thereon. The output shaft portion is, The insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and into which a female thread corresponding to the male thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface, It has a shaft-side engaging portion that is positioned radially outward of the insertion portion and engages with the guide portion, The guide portion is arranged around the output shaft portion and has a guide portion-side engaging portion that engages with the shaft portion-side engaging portion. One of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging projection that protrudes in the radial direction, and the other of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging groove into which the engaging projection fits. The engagement groove has a straight portion extending in the direction of the central axis and a helical portion extending in a helical direction with the central axis as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion toward the output shaft portion.

[0014] In this way, due to the driving force from the drive source, the main shaft portion rotates around the central axis, and the insertion amount (dimension in the central axis direction) of the portion inserted into the output shaft portion of the main shaft portion changes, so that the output shaft portion moves in the central axis direction, and the lid of the fuel filling port or the charging port is opened and closed. Therefore, in the state where the main shaft portion is inserted to the innermost position planned in the output shaft portion (that is, the state where the lid of the fuel filling port or the charging port is closed), the dimension in the direction of the output shaft portion of the driving force output portion (specifically, the main shaft portion and the output shaft portion) is suppressed.

[0015] Also, the lid opening and closing actuator of the present invention is a lid opening and closing actuator that opens and closes a lid for opening and closing a fuel filling port or a charging port, and includes a drive source that outputs a driving force, a driving force output portion that outputs the driving force to the outside, and a housing that houses a part of the drive source and the driving force output portion. The driving force output portion includes a main shaft portion that extends along the central axis and rotates around the central axis by the driving force transmitted from the drive source in a state where movement in the central axis direction with respect to the housing is restricted, an output shaft portion that moves in the central axis direction with respect to the main shaft portion as the main shaft portion rotates, and a guide portion that guides the movement of the output shaft portion. The output shaft portion has an insertion portion with a male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a shaft portion side engaging portion that is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction of the output shaft portion and engages with the guide portion. The main shaft portion has an inserted portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and a female thread corresponding to the male thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface. The guide portion has a guide portion side engaging portion that is disposed around the output shaft portion and engages with the shaft portion side engaging portion. One of the shaft portion side engaging portion and the guide portion side engaging portion is an engaging protrusion that protrudes in the radial direction, and the other of the shaft portion side engaging portion and the guide portion side engaging portion is an engaging groove into which the engaging protrusion fits. The engaging groove has, in the order from the main shaft portion toward the output shaft portion, a straight portion extending in the central axis direction and a spiral portion extending in a spiral direction having the central axis as the spiral center.

[0016] In this way, even in a configuration where the driving force from the drive source causes the main shaft portion to rotate around the central axis and the insertion amount (dimension in the central axis direction) of the portion of the output shaft portion inserted into the main shaft portion changes, thereby moving the output shaft portion in the central axis direction and opening and closing the lid of the fuel filler or the charging port, when the output shaft portion is inserted to the deepest position planned in the main shaft portion (that is, when the lid of the fuel filler or the charging port is closed), the dimension in the output shaft portion direction of the driving force output portion (specifically, the main shaft portion and the output shaft portion) is suppressed.

[0017] The lid opening and closing actuator includes a transmission mechanism that constitutes a transmission path for transmitting the driving force output from the drive source from the drive source to the driving force output portion, and a lock portion that locks and unlocks the movement of the components of the transmission mechanism. The housing may accommodate the transmission mechanism and the lock portion.

[0018] According to such a configuration, since the lock portion locks and unlocks the movement of the components within the housing, restrictions on the shape and movement of members such as the lid connected to the driving force output portion, and restrictions on the placement location are suppressed, and thereby it becomes easier to correspond to various lid opening and closing patterns.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lid opening and closing actuator with the dimension in the output shaft portion direction of the driving force output portion suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a view showing a charging port of a vehicle in which the lid opening and closing actuator according to the present embodiment is arranged and the lid of the charging port, and is a view showing a state where the lid is closed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the charging port and the lid of the vehicle on which the lid opening / closing actuator is located, and is a diagram showing the lid in the open position. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lid opening and closing actuator. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the housing of the lid opening / closing actuator in an open state. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the drive unit, transmission mechanism, and drive force output unit of the lid opening / closing actuator. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drive unit, the transmission mechanism, and the drive force output unit. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second gear of the transmission mechanism. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a view of the second gear from the second part side. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the third gear and rotating shaft of the transmission mechanism. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of position XX in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the XI-XI position in Figure 9. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a view of the third gear and the rotating shaft from the power receiving side in the direction of the second centerline. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of position XIII-XIII in Figure 9. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the locking member of the locking mechanism. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the link member of the locking mechanism. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the drive force output section at the position of the second centerline, showing the output shaft portion retracted into the housing. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the drive force output section at the position of the second centerline, showing the output shaft portion extending from the housing. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a view of the output shaft portion from the insertion portion side in the direction of the second centerline. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the position XIX-XIX in Figure 18. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the guide section of the drive force output unit. [Figure 21A] Figure 21A is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second gear, the third gear, the rotating shaft, and the locking mechanism, and shows the locking member in the locked position. [Figure 21B] Figure 21B is a diagram illustrating the movement of the locking part relative to the rotation axis, and shows the locking member in the locked position. [Figure 22A] Figure 22A is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second gear, the third gear, the rotating shaft, and the locking mechanism, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the second part of the second gear comes into contact with the pressed surface of the power receiving part of the third gear when the lid is opened. [Figure 22B] Figure 22B is a diagram illustrating the movement of the locking part relative to the rotating shaft, and shows the state when the pressing surface of the second part of the second gear comes into contact with the pressed surface of the power receiving part of the third gear when the lid is opened. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second gear, the third gear, the rotating shaft, and the locking mechanism, and shows the state in which the second gear drives the third gear when the lid is opened. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second gear, the third gear, the rotating shaft, and the locking part, and shows the state when the lid is closed and the pressing surface of the second part of the second gear comes into contact with the pressed surface of the power receiving part of the third gear. [Figure 25]Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second gear, the third gear, the rotating shaft, and the locking mechanism, and shows the state in which the locking member is moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the lid is closed. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a view of the lid, the charging port, and the lid opening / closing actuator from a direction perpendicular to the second centerline direction, showing the lid in a closed state. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a view of the lid, the charging port, and the lid opening / closing actuator from a direction perpendicular to the second centerline direction, showing the lid in a state where it has moved in the direction of the second centerline. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a view of the lid, the charging port, and the lid opening / closing actuator from a direction perpendicular to the second centerline direction, showing the lid in a state where it has rotated around the second centerline. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a driving force output unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a perspective view of a conventional lid opening and closing actuator. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the housing in the lid opening / closing actuator. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the housing section of the lid opening / closing actuator. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the gear section of the lid opening and closing actuator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 28.

[0022] The lid opening / closing actuator (hereinafter also simply referred to as "actuator") according to this embodiment drives the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or charging port provided on a vehicle or the like. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, actuator 1 drives the opening and closing of a lid R that opens and closes the charging port CP of the vehicle.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the actuator 1 comprises a drive unit 2 including a drive source 21 that outputs driving force, a drive force output unit 3 that outputs driving force to the outside, and a housing 6 that houses the drive unit 2 and a part of the drive force output unit 3. The actuator 1 also comprises a transmission mechanism 4 that constitutes a transmission path Tr that transmits the driving force output from the drive source 21 to the drive force output unit 3, and a locking unit 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of the components of the transmission mechanism 4. Thus, the housing 6 also houses the transmission mechanism 4 and the locking unit 5.

[0024] The drive unit 2 includes a motor (drive source) 21 having an output shaft 21a, a helical gear 22 attached to the output shaft 21a of the motor 21, a magnet 23 attached to the output shaft 21a and rotating together with the output shaft 21a, and a sensor 24 for detecting the amount of rotation of the output shaft 21a.

[0025] In this drive unit 2, the helical gear 22 is a gear that transmits the rotational power of the output shaft 21a to the transmission mechanism 4, and the sensor 24 detects the amount of rotation of the magnet 23 (output shaft 21a) by detecting the change in the magnetic field caused by the rotational motion of the magnet 23 attached to the output shaft 21a.

[0026] The transmission mechanism 4 includes multiple gears, and these gears mesh together to form the transmission path Tr described above. The transmission mechanism 4 in this embodiment includes four gears: a first gear 41 that meshes with the helical gear 22 of the drive unit 2, a second gear 42 that meshes with the first gear 41, a third gear 43 that rotates together with the second gear 42, and a fourth gear 44 that meshes with the third gear 43 (see Figures 4 to 6). These multiple gears 41 to 44 are arranged so that their rotation axis directions are parallel to each other. In the actuator 1 of this embodiment, the output shaft 21a of the motor 21 of the drive unit 2 is also arranged so that it is parallel to the rotation axis of each gear 41 to 44. The transmission mechanism 4 also includes a rotation axis 45 that rotates together with the third gear 43. The number and arrangement of gears constituting the transmission mechanism 4 are not limited. The transmission mechanism 4 may also include components other than gears (such as belts).

[0027] The first gear 41 is a two-stage gear. The large-diameter gear portion 411 of the first gear 41 meshes with the helical gear 22 of the drive unit 2, and the small-diameter gear portion 412 meshes with the second gear 42.

[0028] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second gear 42 is positioned to rotate relative to the rotating shaft 45 with the rotating shaft 45 inserted through the center of the second gear 42. The second gear 42 has pressing surfaces 424a, 424b, 425a, and 425b that move in the direction of rotation of the second gear 42 as the second gear 42 rotates. Specifically, the second gear 42 has a gear-shaped first portion 421 and a second portion 422 aligned with the first portion 421 in the direction in which the rotating shaft 45 extends (first centerline C1 direction), and has a circular through-hole 423 in the center as viewed from the first centerline C1 direction through which the rotating shaft 45 is inserted.

[0029] The second part 422 is integrated with the first part 421 and rotates together with the first part 421. This second part 422 has a pressing surface 424a that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the second gear 42 around its rotation axis 45, thereby pressing (pushing) the locking part 5 (specifically, the link member 52) in the rotational direction. The second part 422 also has pressing surfaces 424a, 424b, 425a, and 425b that move in conjunction with the rotation of the second gear 42 around its rotation axis 45, thereby pressing the third gear 43 (specifically, the pressed surfaces 436a and 436b of the pressed part 436). This second part 422 is positioned in the same location as the power receiving part 435 of the third gear 43 in the direction of the first centerline C1. That is, in the direction of the first centerline C1, the power receiving part 435 is fitted into the second part 422 (see Figure 21A).

[0030] Specifically, the second portion 422 is a portion that extends from the first portion 421 in the direction of the first centerline C1 and also in the rotational direction, and has a pair of fan-shaped portions 424 and 425 that face each other across the through hole 423 in the diametrical direction of the first portion 421 when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1, and an arc-shaped connecting portion 426 that connects the pair of fan-shaped portions 424 and 425.

[0031] Each fan-shaped portion 424, 425 has pressing surfaces 424a, 424b, 425a, 425b at both ends in the direction of rotation. In the second portion 422 of this embodiment, the pressing surface 424a that presses the third gear 43 on one fan-shaped portion 424 also presses the link member 52. These pressing surfaces 424a, 424b, 425a, 425b extend in a plane direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer surfaces 424c and 425c of each fan-shaped portion 424 and 425 (outer surfaces in the radial direction of the second gear 42) and the outer surface 426c of the connecting portion 426 (outer surface in the radial direction of the second gear 42) are connected in an arc shape when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1, thereby forming a maintenance surface 422c that maintains the posture of the component (link member) 52 of the locking portion 5 (see Figure 8).

[0033] Thus, in the second gear 42, the second portion 422 has pressing surfaces 424a, 424b, 425a, 425b and a retaining surface 422c.

[0034] The rotating shaft 45 rotates together with the third gear 43 with the first centerline C1 as the center of rotation. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the rotating shaft 45 has a contact surface 471 that includes the direction in which the first centerline C1 extends and the direction perpendicular to said extending direction. This contact surface 471 is the surface to which the locking portion 5 (more specifically, the members 51 that constitute the locking portion 5) comes into contact and separates (see Figures 21B and 22B).

[0035] Specifically, the rotating shaft 45 has a cylindrical shaft body 46 extending in the direction of the first centerline C1, a contact portion 47 having a contact surface 471, and a gear engaging portion 48 that engages with the third gear 43. This rotating shaft 45 is held in the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around the first centerline C1. In the rotating shaft 45 of this embodiment, the shaft body 46, the contact portion 47, and the gear engaging portion 48 are integrated.

[0036] The contact portion 47 is a part having a D-cut shape, and the contact surface 471 is a plane included in the D-cut shape. This contact surface 471 moves in the rotational direction as the rotation of the rotation axis 45 occurs. Here, the D-cut shape is a D-shape in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first center line C1 is composed of an arc and a straight line (see Figure 10), and the straight portion of this cross-sectional shape is the contact surface 471. Note that the D-cut shape includes shapes formed by so-called D-cuts and shapes similar to those that have been D-cut.

[0037] The gear engagement portion 48 is the part that engages with the third gear 43 in order to rotate together with the third gear 43. The gear engagement portion 48 in this embodiment has a plurality of engagement pieces 481 (three in the example shown in Figure 11) that extend radially from the shaft body 46. These plurality of engagement pieces 481 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the shaft body 46. More specifically, the plurality of engagement pieces 481 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each engagement piece 481 in this embodiment is a prismatic shape with a square cross-section.

[0038] The third gear 43 transmits the driving force to the fourth gear 44, which meshes with the third gear 43, when the driving force is transmitted through the second portion 422 of the second gear 42. Specifically, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the third gear 43 has a gear portion 431 having a gear shape that meshes with the fourth gear 44, and a power receiving portion 435 aligned with the gear portion 431 in the direction of the first centerline C1, and also has a circular through hole 430 in the center through which the rotating shaft 45 is inserted.

[0039] The gear section 431 has multiple engagement grooves 432 extending radially from the through hole 430 to the shaft body 46 (the number of grooves corresponds to the number of engagement pieces 481 of the gear engagement section 48) (see Figure 11). These multiple engagement grooves 432 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the shaft body 46 and each has a shape into which an engagement piece 481 fits. The engagement of these engagement grooves 432 and engagement pieces 481 causes the third gear 43 and the rotating shaft 45 to rotate together around the first centerline C1.

[0040] The power receiving section 435 has a pair of pressed portions 436 that extend in the direction of the first centerline C1 from opposing positions on either side of the through hole 430 in the gear section 431.

[0041] Each pressed portion 436 has surfaces (pressed surfaces) 436a and 436b perpendicular to the circumferential direction at one end and the other end of the shaft body 46 in the circumferential direction (see Figures 12 and 13). Each pressed portion 436 is a fan-shaped portion when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1, and its radial size corresponds to the fan-shaped portions 424 and 425 in the second portion 422 of the second gear 42.

[0042] This power receiving section 435 is positioned in the same location as the second part 422 of the second gear 42 in the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0043] The fourth gear 44 is a two-stage gear. The large-diameter gear portion 441 of this fourth gear 44 meshes with the gear portion 431 of the third gear 43, and the small-diameter gear portion 442 meshes with the corresponding gear or gear portion 312 of the driving force output unit 3.

[0044] The locking section 5 includes a locking member 51 that can lock and unlock the rotation of the rotating shaft 45 (fourth gear 44), a link member 52 that moves the locking member 51, and a biasing member 53 that directly or indirectly biases the link member 52 (see Figure 6).

[0045] The locking member 51 locks the rotation of the rotating shaft 45 by contacting it, and unlocks the rotation of the rotating shaft 45 by moving away from it.

[0046] More specifically, the locking part 5 locks the movement of the rotating shaft 45 (fourth gear 44) by contacting the contact surface 471 of the contacted part 47 on the rotating shaft 45 (see Figures 21A and 21B), and unlocks the movement of the rotating shaft 45 (fourth gear 44) by moving away from the contact surface 471 (see Figures 22A and 22B).

[0047] More specifically, the locking member 51 locks the rotation of the rotating shaft 45 (fourth gear 44) by making contact with the entire or partial surface 471 in a direction perpendicular to the first centerline C1 and along the surface 471 (see Figure 21A), and unlocks the rotation of the rotating shaft 45 (fourth gear 44) by moving away from the surface 471 (see Figure 22A).

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the locking member 51 includes a contact portion 511 that can contact the rotating shaft 45 and a locking member-side engaging portion 512 that engages with the link member 52. The locking member 51 in this embodiment includes an operating portion 513 that can operate the locking member 51.

[0049] The contact portion 511 is a part that extends in a predetermined direction. This contact portion 511 has a contact surface 511a that can contact the contact surface 471 of the rotating shaft 45 (see Figures 5 and 14). In this embodiment, the contact portion 511 is prismatic in shape and includes the contact surface 511a on its circumferential surface.

[0050] The locking member-side engaging portion 512 is the part that engages with the link member 52 and is connected to the contact portion 511. This locking member-side engaging portion 512 has a through hole 512a that penetrates in the direction of the first centerline C1. In this embodiment, the locking member-side engaging portion 512 is frame-shaped when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1, and more specifically, it is rectangular in shape (see Figure 21B).

[0051] The operating portion 513 is the part that extends from the locking member-side engaging portion 512 to the opposite side of the contact portion 511. This operating portion 513 protrudes outward from the housing 6 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0052] The locking member 51, configured as described above, is arranged in the housing 6 so as to be able to reciprocate along a virtual plane S perpendicular to the first centerline C1. In this embodiment, the virtual plane S is a plane that is virtually located at the same position as the surface that guides the locking member 51 when it moves (reciprocates) within the housing 6 (see Figures 21A and 22A).

[0053] The link member 52 has a link member-side engaging portion (engaging portion) 522 that engages with the locking member 51 (see Figures 21A and 22A), and the movement of the link member-side engaging portion 522 along the virtual plane S causes the locking member 51 to move along the virtual plane S.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the link member 52 has a link member rotation axis 521 extending in the direction of the first centerline C1, a link member side engaging portion 522 that engages with the lock member side engaging portion 512 of the lock member 51, and a pressed portion 523 that is pressed against the pressing surface 424a of the second gear 42.

[0055] The link member rotation axis 521 is the part in which the link member 52 is held in the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around the link member rotation axis 521. In this embodiment, the link member rotation axis 521 is cylindrical and extends in the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0056] The link member side engaging portion 522 has an extended portion 5221 extending from the link member rotation axis 521 in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the first centerline C1, and a link insertion portion 5222 extending from the extended portion 5221 in the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0057] The extension 5221 extends from the link member rotation axis 521 to the lock member side engaging portion 512 (specifically, the through hole 512a) of the lock member 51, when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0058] The link insertion portion 5222 extends from the tip of the extension portion 5221 into the through hole 512a of the lock member side engaging portion 512. In this embodiment, the link insertion portion 5222 is cylindrical and extends in the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0059] The pressed portion 523 is the part that extends from the link member rotation axis 521 in a direction perpendicular to the first centerline C1 and intersecting the extended portion 5221. More specifically, the pressed portion 523 extends from the link member rotation axis 521 so as to be located on the second gear 42 side relative to the link member side engaging portion 522 when viewed from the direction of the first centerline C1 (see Figure 21A). Furthermore, the pressed portion 523 extends between the first portion 421 of the second gear 42 and the gear portion 431 of the third gear 43 in the direction of the first centerline C1.

[0060] The biasing member 53 biases the link member 52 so that the pressed portion 523 in rotation around the link member rotation axis 521 faces toward the second gear. The biasing member 53 in this embodiment is a so-called torsion coil spring.

[0061] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the drive force output unit 3 includes a main shaft portion 31 that extends along the second centerline C2 (central axis) and rotates around the second centerline C2 by a drive force transmitted from the drive unit 2 (drive source 21) while its movement in the direction of the second centerline C2 relative to the housing 6 is restricted; an output shaft portion 32 that moves in the direction of the second centerline C2 relative to the main shaft portion 31 as the main shaft portion 31 rotates; and a guide portion 33 that guides the movement of the output shaft portion 32. In this embodiment of the actuator 1, the second centerline C2 is parallel to the first centerline C1.

[0062] The main shaft portion 31 includes an insertion portion 311 that is inserted into the output shaft portion 32, a gear portion 312 that receives driving force from the transmission mechanism 4, and a position regulating portion 313 that restricts the position of the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2 by engaging with the housing 6. These insertion portion 311, gear portion 312, and position regulating portion 313 are arranged in order in the direction of the second centerline C2.

[0063] The insertion portion 311 extends in the direction of the second centerline C2 and has a male thread on the outer circumferential surface of the portion (male thread portion) 311a including the tip. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 311 extends from the gear portion 312.

[0064] The gear portion 312 is a gear-shaped part with the second centerline C2 as its center of rotation, and meshes with the downstream gear (in this embodiment, the small-diameter gear portion 442 of the fourth gear 44) among the multiple gears that make up the transmission mechanism 4. The diameter of the gear portion 312 is larger than the diameter of the insertion portion 311.

[0065] The position regulating portion 313 engages with the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around the second centerline C2. In this embodiment, the position regulating portion 313 has a cylindrical portion 3131 extending from the gear portion 312 in the direction of the second centerline C2, and a flange-shaped portion 3132 extending radially from the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 3131.

[0066] This position restricting portion 313 is held by a retaining portion 61 formed in the housing 6 at a position corresponding to the position restricting portion 313.

[0067] The holding portion 61 surrounds the housing space S1 in which the position restricting portion 313 is housed. This housing space S1 has a shape corresponding to the position restricting portion 313. The holding portion 61 also has a plate-shaped portion 611 that extends in a plane direction perpendicular to the second centerline C2 between the gear portion 312 and the flange-shaped portion 3132, and this plate-shaped portion 611 has an insertion hole 612 at a position intersecting the second centerline C2 through which the cylindrical portion 3131 is inserted.

[0068] The holding portion 61 accommodates the position restricting portion 313 in the housing space S1, thereby allowing the position restricting portion 313 (main shaft portion 31) to rotate around the second centerline C2 while restricting its movement in the direction of the second centerline C2.

[0069] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the output shaft portion 32 includes an output shaft body 321 extending in the direction of the second centerline C2, an insertion portion 322 into which the insertion portion 311 of the main shaft portion 31 is inserted, and an engagement projection (shaft-side engagement portion) 323 positioned radially outward of the insertion portion 322 and engaging with the guide portion 33.

[0070] The output shaft body 321 is a cylindrical portion extending in the direction of the second centerline C2. A cover R is connected to the tip of this output shaft body 321 (see Figures 27 and 28). The outer diameter of the output shaft body 321 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 311 of the main shaft 31.

[0071] The insertion portion 322 is a hole into which the insertion portion 311 of the main shaft portion 31 is inserted, and extends in the direction of the second centerline C2. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 322 is a circular hole when viewed from the direction of the second centerline C2, and has an internal thread on its inner surface. This internal thread has a shape that corresponds to (screws into) the male thread of the insertion portion 311.

[0072] The engaging projection 323 is a portion that protrudes radially from the output shaft body 321. In this embodiment, the output shaft body 321 has multiple (three in the example shown in Figure 18) engaging projections 323. These multiple engaging projections 323 are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the output shaft body 321 at the same position in the direction of the second centerline C2, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In the output shaft 32 of this embodiment, the multiple engaging projections 323 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0073] As shown in Figure 20, the guide portion 33 is arranged around the output shaft portion 32 and has an engagement groove (guide portion side engagement portion) 332 into which the engagement projection 323 fits. Specifically, the guide portion 33 has a guide portion body 331 arranged around the output shaft portion 32 and an engagement groove 332 arranged on the guide portion body 331 facing the output shaft portion body 321.

[0074] The guide body 331 is a part or component that surrounds the output shaft portion 32. In this embodiment, the guide body 331 is cylindrical, more specifically cylindrical, and is formed by a part of the housing 6. This guide body 331 has an inner circumferential surface 331a that is aligned with the outer circumferential surface of the output shaft portion 32 (output shaft body 321).

[0075] The engagement grooves 332 are located on the inner circumferential surface 331a of the guide body 331, and guide the movement of the output shaft 32 by moving along the engagement grooves 332 with the engagement projections 323 of the output shaft 32 fitted into them. In this embodiment, multiple engagement grooves 332 (a number corresponding to the number of engagement projections of the output shaft) are located on the inner circumferential surface 331a of the guide body 331.

[0076] Each engagement groove 332 has a straight portion 3321 extending in the direction of the second centerline C2 and a helical portion 3322 extending in a helical direction with the second centerline C2 as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion 31 toward the output shaft portion 32 (see Figure 20).

[0077] Next, we will explain the operation of actuator 1.

[0078] When the cover R of the charging port CP is closed, the locking member 51 is in the locked position P1 (the position shown in Figures 21A and 21B), so that the contact surface 511a of the contact portion 511 of the locking member 51 is in contact with the contact surface 471 of the contact portion 47 on the rotating shaft 45 to which the fourth gear 44 is fixed. At this time, the contact surface 511a of the contact portion 511 is in contact with the contact surface 471 over its entire area, or partially in contact with it, in the direction α1 of the reciprocating motion of the locking member 51 (a direction perpendicular to the first centerline C1 direction and along the contact surface 471). In this state (locked state), the locking member 51 locks the rotation of the rotating shaft 45, so the cover R does not open (does not move).

[0079] From this state, in order to open the lid R, the motor 21 of the drive unit 2 is driven in the actuator 1, and the driving force (rotational driving force) output from the motor 21 is transmitted to the driving force output unit 3 through the transmission mechanism 4. Specifically, the driving force output from the motor 21 is transmitted in order to the helical gear 22 attached to the output shaft 21a of the motor 21, the first gear 41, the second gear 42, the third gear 43, and the fourth gear 44.

[0080] When the driving force is transmitted from the first gear 41 to the fourth gear 44, the second gear 42, to which the driving force has been transmitted, rotates around the first centerline C1 in the example shown in Figures 21A and 22A (see arrow α2 in Figure 21A). At this time, the rotation axis 45 and the third gear 43 remain stationary (i.e., do not rotate), while the second gear 42 rotates around the rotation axis 45.

[0081] Then, as the second gear 42 rotates, the pressing surface 424a of the second part 422 rotates to the pressing surface contact position (the position where the pressing surface 424a contacts the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52) P11. From this pressing surface contact position P11, the second gear 42 continues to rotate, causing the pressing surface 424a of the second part 422 to push the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 in the direction of rotation of the second gear 42.

[0082] When pressed by this pressing surface 424a, the pressed portion 523 rotates around the link member rotation axis 521 (see arrow α3 in Figure 22A), and as the link member 52 rotates, the link insertion portion 5222 of the link member side engaging portion 522 pushes the lock member side engaging portion 512 of the lock member 51 in the direction of rotation of the link member 52. As a result, the lock member 51 slides to the unlock position P2 (the position shown in Figures 22A and 22B) (see arrow α4 in Figure 22A).

[0083] When the locking member 51 reaches the unlocked position P2, the pressing surface 424a of the second portion 422 moves to the position P12 where it is separated from the pressing surface. As the second gear 42 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 moves away from the pressing surface 424a and comes into contact with the retaining surface 422c of the second portion 422 on the second gear 42 (see Figure 22A). In this state where the pressed portion 523 is in contact with the retaining surface 422c of the second gear 42, the posture (position in the rotational direction) of the link member 52 is maintained even if the second gear 42 continues to rotate.

[0084] Then, as the second gear 42 rotates, the pressing surfaces 424a and 425a of the second part 422 rotate to the open contact position P13, and each pressing surface 424a and 425a makes surface contact (abuts) with each pressed part 436 (more specifically, the pressed surface 436a) of the power receiving part 435 of the third gear 43 (see Figure 22A).

[0085] As the second gear 42 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 424a and 425a of the second part 422 press against the pressed surfaces 436a of the power receiving part 435, causing the third gear 43 to rotate around the first centerline C1 along with the rotation of the second gear 42 (see arrow α5 in Figure 23). At this time, since the rotating shaft 45 is engaged with the third gear 43 by the gear engaging part 48 (engaging piece 481: see Figure 11), the rotating shaft 45 also rotates around the first centerline C1 together with the third gear 43.

[0086] As the third gear 43 rotates together with the second gear 42, the fourth gear 44, which meshes with the third gear 43, also rotates. This transmits the driving force from the drive unit 2 to the driving force output unit 3 (in detail, the gear section 312 of the main shaft section 31: see Figure 16), that is, the main shaft section 31 rotates around the second centerline C2.

[0087] When the main shaft portion 31 rotates (i.e., the insertion portion 311 of the main shaft portion 31 rotates within the insertion portion 322 of the output shaft portion 32), the male thread of the insertion portion 311 and the female thread of the insertion portion 322 engage, and each engaging projection 323 of the output shaft portion 32 fits into the corresponding engaging groove 332 (straight portion 3321: see Figure 20) of the guide portion 33, so that the output shaft portion 32 moves away from the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2 while its rotation around the second centerline C2 is restricted (see Figures 16 and 17).

[0088] As a result, the cover R connected to the tip of the output shaft 32 moves in the direction of the second centerline C2 (i.e., moves away from the charging port CP: see Figures 26 and 27).

[0089] Furthermore, as the main shaft portion 31 continues to rotate around the second centerline C2, the engaging projection 323, which had been moving within the straight portion 3321 of the engaging groove 332, reaches the helical portion 3322. Subsequently, as it moves within the helical portion 3322, the output shaft portion 32 rotates around the second centerline C2 while moving away from the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2.

[0090] As a result, the cover R connected to the tip of the output shaft 32 rotates around the second centerline C2 while moving away from the charging port CP in the direction of the second centerline C2 (see Figures 27, 28, and 2), and the cover R of the charging port CP opens.

[0091] On the other hand, when the cover R of the charging port CP is closed from an open state, the motor 21 of the drive unit 2 in the actuator 1 rotates in the opposite direction to when the cover R is opened, and this reverse rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive force output unit 3 through the transmission mechanism 4.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 24, the second gear 42, to which the driving force is transmitted, rotates counterclockwise (see arrow α6 in Figure 24). At this time, as the second gear 42 rotates, the pressing surfaces 424b and 425b of the second part 422 rotate to the closed contact position P14, and the pressing surfaces 424b and 425b make surface contact (abut) with the pressed portion 436 (specifically, the pressed surface 436b) of the power receiving portion 435 of the third gear 43 (see Figure 24). Also, since the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 is in contact with the retaining surface 422c of the second part 422, the locking member 51 is in the unlocked position P2.

[0093] As the second gear 42 continues to rotate, the pressing surfaces 424b and 425b of the second part 422 press against the pressed surfaces 436b of the power receiving part 435, causing the third gear 43 to rotate around the first centerline C1 along with the rotation of the second gear 42 (in detail, it rotates in the opposite direction to when the lid R opens: see arrow α7 in Figure 24).

[0094] In this way, the third gear 43 rotates together with the second gear 42, causing the fourth gear 44 to rotate as well, thereby transmitting the driving force from the drive unit 2 to the driving force output unit 3.

[0095] This transmission of driving force causes the main shaft portion 31 to rotate, and the output shaft portion 32 moves toward the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2. However, as each engaging projection 323 moves within the helical portion 3322 of the engaging groove 332, the output shaft portion 32 rotates around the second centerline C2 while moving toward the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2.

[0096] As a result, the cover R rotates around the second centerline C2 while approaching the charging port CP in the direction of the second centerline C2 (see Figures 2, 28, and 27).

[0097] Furthermore, as the main shaft portion 31 continues to rotate around the second centerline C2, the engaging projection 323, which had been moving within the helical portion 3322 of the engaging groove 332, reaches the straight portion 3321. Subsequently, as it moves within the straight portion 3321, the output shaft portion 32 moves toward the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2, while its rotation around the second centerline C2 is restricted (Figures 27 and 26).

[0098] As a result, the cover R moves in the direction of the second centerline C2, blocking (closing) the charging port CP (see Figures 1 and 26).

[0099] Then, when the cover R of the charging port CP closes, the pressing surface 424a of the second part 422 moves to the position P12 apart from the pressing surface, and as the second gear 42 continues to rotate, the pressed portion 523 of the link member 52 moves away from the retaining surface 422c.

[0100] Thus, as the second gear 42 rotates, the pressed portion 523 separates from the retaining surface 422c of the second portion 422. The link member 52, being biased by the biasing member 53, rotates around the link member rotation axis 521 (see arrow α8 in Figure 25). As this rotation progresses, the link insertion portion 5222 of the link member side engaging portion 522 pushes the locking member side engaging portion 512 of the locking member 51 in the rotational direction of the link member 52. As a result, the locking member 51 slides to the locked position P1 (see arrow α9 in Figure 25), and the rotation of the rotation axis 45 (third gear 43) is locked (i.e., the contact surface 511a of the contact portion 511 contacts the contact surface 471 of the contacted portion 47). Therefore, even if one tries to move the lid R in the opening direction to open it, it will not move.

[0101] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, if the cover R of the charging port CP needs to be opened by hand when the locking member 51 is in the locked position P1 (locked state), the operating portion 513 of the locking member 51, which protrudes outward from the housing 6, is pulled away from the housing 6. This causes the locking member 51 to move from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2 against the biasing force of the biasing member 53. As a result, the rotating shaft 45 becomes rotatable (unlocked state), making it possible to open the cover R of the charging port CP.

[0102] The actuator 1 described above is an actuator 1 that drives the opening and closing of a cover R that opens and closes a charging port CP, and comprises a drive source 21 that outputs a driving force, a drive force output unit 3 that outputs the driving force to the outside, and a housing 6 that houses the drive source 21 and a part of the drive force output unit 3. The drive force output unit 3 has a main shaft portion 31 that extends along a second centerline (central axis) C2 and rotates around the second centerline C2 by a driving force transmitted from the drive source 21 while its movement in the direction of the second centerline C2 (central axis direction) relative to the housing 6 is restricted, an output shaft portion 32 that moves in the direction of the second centerline C2 relative to the main shaft portion 31 as the main shaft portion 31 rotates, and a guide portion 33 that guides the movement of the output shaft portion 32. Furthermore, the main shaft portion 31 has an insertion portion 311 with a male thread formed on its outer circumference, and the output shaft portion 32 has an insertion portion 322 into which the insertion portion 311 is inserted and which has a female thread formed on its inner circumference that corresponds to the male thread of the insertion portion 311, and an engagement projection (shaft portion side engagement portion) 323 arranged radially outside the insertion portion 322 and engaging with the guide portion 33, and the guide portion 33 has an engagement groove (guide portion side engagement portion) 332 arranged around the output shaft portion 32 and engaging with the engagement projection 323, and the engagement groove 332 has a straight portion 3321 extending in the direction of the second center line C2 (central axis direction) and a helical portion 3322 extending in a helical direction with the second center line C2 as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion 31 toward the output shaft portion 32.

[0103] Thus, the driving force from the drive source 21 causes the main shaft portion 31 to rotate around the second centerline C2, changing the insertion amount (dimension in the direction of the second centerline C2) of the portion of the main shaft portion 31 inserted into the output shaft portion 32. As a result, the output shaft portion 32 moves in the direction of the second centerline C2, and the cover R of the charging port CP opens and closes. Therefore, when the main shaft portion 31 is inserted to the furthest planned position in the output shaft portion 32 (i.e., when the cover R of the charging port CP is closed), the dimension of the drive force output portion 3 (specifically, the main shaft portion 31 and the output shaft portion 32) in the direction of the output shaft portion 32 (in the direction of the second centerline C2) is suppressed.

[0104] Furthermore, because the insertion portion 322 of the output shaft portion 32 has a larger diameter (in the direction perpendicular to the second centerline C2) than the insertion portion 311 of the main shaft portion 31, when a user of a vehicle or the like directly rotates the lid (LID) R of the open charging port CP by hand around the second centerline C2 (for example, when a user operates the operating portion 513 to unlock it in an emergency, or when a user moves the lid R slightly in the closing direction and then uses the movement of the lid R as a trigger to start driving the drive source 21), it can be operated with light force. In other words, it is easier to generate operating torque for the lid opening / closing actuator 1.

[0105] Furthermore, in the actuator 1 of this embodiment, both ends of the main shaft portion 31 in the direction of the second centerline C2 (the end on the insertion portion 311 side and the end on the position regulating portion 313 side) are held by the housing 6 (holding portion 61) and the output shaft portion 32, so that the main shaft portion 31 rotates stably around the second centerline C2, and as a result the operation of the actuator 1 (the forward and backward movement of the output shaft portion 32) is stabilized.

[0106] Furthermore, the actuator 1 of this embodiment includes a transmission mechanism 4 that constitutes a transmission path Tr that transmits the driving force output from the drive source 21 to the driving force output unit 3, and a locking unit 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of the rotating shaft (component) 45 of the transmission mechanism 4, and the housing 6 also houses the transmission mechanism 4 and the locking unit 5.

[0107] With this configuration, since the locking unit 5 locks and unlocks the movement of the rotating shaft 45 within the housing 6, restrictions on the shape and movement of components such as the lid R connected to the drive force output unit 3, as well as constraints on their placement, are suppressed, thereby making it easier to accommodate various lid opening and closing patterns.

[0108] It should be noted that the lid opening and closing actuator of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0109] The lid opening / closing actuator 1 in the above embodiment drives a lid R that opens and closes a charging port CP of a vehicle, etc., but is not limited to this configuration. The lid opening / closing actuator 1 may also drive a lid R that opens and closes a fuel filler port of a vehicle, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, although the lid opening / closing actuator 1 of the above embodiment is equipped with a transmission mechanism 4 between the drive unit 2 and the drive force output unit 3, it is not limited to this configuration. The lid opening / closing actuator 1 may also have a configuration without the transmission mechanism 4. In this case, for example, a worm gear attached to the output shaft 21a of the motor (drive source) 21 directly meshes with the gear portion 312 of the main shaft portion 31 of the drive force output unit 3, thereby directly transmitting the drive force output from the drive unit 2 to the drive force output unit 3.

[0111] Furthermore, although the lid opening / closing actuator 1 in the above embodiment is equipped with a locking part 5 that locks and unlocks the movement of the rotating shaft (component) 45 of the transmission mechanism 4, it is not limited to this configuration. The lid opening / closing actuator 1 may also be configured without the locking part 5.

[0112] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuator 1 of the above embodiment, the guide portion 33 of the drive force output portion 3 utilizes a part of the housing 6, but the configuration is not limited to this. The guide portion 33 may be made of a different material from the housing 6.

[0113] Furthermore, although the guide body 331 of the guide portion 33 in the above embodiment (i.e., the portion where the guide portion-side engaging portion (engagement groove) 332 is located) surrounds the entire circumferential area of ​​the output shaft portion 32, the configuration is not limited to this. The guide body 331 only needs to be located in a part of the circumferential area of ​​the output shaft portion 32 (i.e., at least the region in the circumferential direction where the guide portion-side engaging portion 332 is located).

[0114] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuator 1 of the above embodiment, the shaft-side engaging portion of the output shaft portion 32, which is the engagement portion with the guide portion 33, is an engaging projection 323 that protrudes radially, and the guide portion-side engaging portion of the guide portion 33, which is the engagement portion with the output shaft portion 32, is an engaging groove 332 into which the engaging projection 323 fits, but the configuration is not limited to this. The output shaft portion 32 may have an engaging groove 332 and the guide portion 33 may have an engaging projection 323. That is, one of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide portion-side engaging portion may be an engaging projection 323 that protrudes radially, and the other of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide portion-side engaging portion may be an engaging groove 332 into which the engaging projection 323 fits. Alternatively, the output shaft portion 32 may have an engaging projection 323 and an engaging groove 332, and the guide portion 33 may have an engaging groove 332 into which the engaging projection 323 of the output shaft portion 32 fits, and an engaging projection 323 that fits into the engaging groove 332 of the output shaft portion 32.

[0115] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing actuator 1 of the above embodiment, a part of the main shaft portion 31 (insertion portion) 311 is inserted into the output shaft portion 32, but the configuration is not limited to this. A configuration in which a part of the output shaft portion 32 is inserted into the main shaft portion 31 is also possible. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0116] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 29, the lid opening / closing actuator 1A is a lid opening / closing actuator 1A that drives the opening and closing of a lid R that opens and closes the fuel filler port or charging port CP, and comprises a drive source 21 that outputs a driving force, a drive force output unit 3A that outputs the driving force to the outside, and a housing 6 that houses the drive source 21 and a part of the drive force output unit 3A. The drive force output unit 3A has a main shaft portion 31A that extends along the second centerline (central axis) C2 and rotates around the second centerline C2 by the driving force transmitted from the drive source 21 while its movement in the direction of the second centerline C2 relative to the housing 6 is restricted, an output shaft portion 32A that moves in the direction of the second centerline C2 relative to the main shaft portion 31A as the main shaft portion 31A rotates, and a guide portion 33 that guides the movement of the output shaft portion 32A. Furthermore, the output shaft portion 32A has an insertion portion 325A with a male thread formed on its outer circumference and a shaft-side engaging portion that is located radially outside the output shaft portion 32 and engages with the guide portion 33. The main shaft portion 31A has an insertion portion 315A into which the insertion portion 325A is inserted and which has a female thread corresponding to the male thread formed on its inner circumference. The guide portion 33 is located around the output shaft portion 32A and has a guide-side engaging portion that engages with the shaft-side engaging portion. Furthermore, one of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion (in the example shown in Figure 29, the shaft-side engaging portion) is an engaging projection 323 that protrudes radially, and the other of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion (in the example shown in Figure 29, the guide-side engaging portion) is an engaging groove 332 into which the engaging projection fits. The engaging groove 332 has a straight portion 3321 extending in the direction of the second centerline C2 and a helical portion 3322 extending in a helical direction with the second centerline C2 as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion 31A toward the output shaft portion 32A. Note that in Figure 29, the engaging groove 332 is schematically shown, so the helical portion 3322 is also depicted as extending straight along the second centerline C2, but in reality, the helical portion 3322 is a helical groove with the second centerline C2 as the helical center.

[0117] Thus, even in a configuration where the main shaft portion 31 rotates around the second centerline C2 due to the driving force from the drive source 21, and the insertion amount (dimension in the direction of the second centerline C2) of the portion of the output shaft portion 32 inserted into the main shaft portion 31 changes, causing the output shaft portion 32 to move in the direction of the second centerline C2 and the cover R of the oil filler port or charging port CP to open and close, when the output shaft portion 32 is inserted to the furthest planned position in the main shaft portion 31 (i.e., when the cover R of the oil filler port or charging port CP is closed), the dimension of the driving force output portion 3A (specifically, the main shaft portion 31A and the output shaft portion 32A) in the direction of the second centerline C2 (output shaft portion direction) is suppressed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 1, 1A…Lid opening / closing actuator, 2…Drive unit, 21…Motor (drive source), 21a…Output shaft, 22…Helical gear, 23…Magnet, 24…Sensor, 3, 3A…Drive force output unit, 31, 31A…Main shaft unit, 311…Insertion unit, 312…Gear unit, 313…Position regulating unit, 3131…Cylindrical part, 3132…Flange-shaped part, 315A…Inserted part, 32, 32A…Output shaft unit, 321…Output shaft unit body, 322…Inserted part, 323…Engaging projection (shaft side engaging part), 325A…Insertion unit, 33…Guide unit, 331…Guide unit body, 331a…Inner circumferential surface, 332…Engaging groove (Guide part side engaging part), 3321...straight part, 3322...spiral part, 4...transmission mechanism, 41...first gear, 411...large diameter gear part, 412...small diameter gear part, 42...second gear, 421...first part, 422...second part, 422c...maintaining surface, 423...through hole, 424...fan-shaped part, 424a...pressing surface, 424a, 424b...pressing surface, 426...connecting part, 43...third gear, 430...through hole, 431...gear part, 432...engaging groove, 435...power receiving part, 436...pressed part, 436a, 436b...pressed surface, 44...fourth gear, 441...large diameter gear part, 442...small diameter gear part ,45...rotating shaft, 46...shaft body, 47...contacted part, 471...contacted surface, 48...gear engaging part, 481...engaging piece, 5...locking part, 51...locking member, 511...contacting part, 511a...contacting surface, 512...locking member side engaging part, 512a...through hole, 513...operating part, 52...link member, 521...link member rotating shaft, 522...link member side engaging part, 5221...extended part, 5222...link insertion part, 523...pressed part, 53...biasing member, 6...housing, 61...holding part, 611...plate-shaped part, 612...through hole, 100...lid opening / closing actuator, 110...motor, 111…Output shaft, 112…Worm gear, 120…Drive force output section, 121…Output shaft section, 122…Male thread section, 123…Guided section, 123a…Engagement groove, 124…Gear section, 124a…Teeth, 1241…Cylindrical section, 125…Housing section, 125a…Inner circumferential surface, 125b…Engagement projection, C…Center axis, C1…First centerline, C2…Second centerline, CP…Charging port, P1…Locked position, P2…Unlocked position, P11…Pressing surface contact position, P12…Pressing surface separation position, P13…Opening direction contact position, P14…Closing direction contact position, R…Lid, S…Virtual plane, S1…Housing space, Tr…Transmission path

Claims

1. A lid opening / closing actuator for driving the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or charging port, A drive source that outputs driving force, A drive force output unit that outputs the aforementioned drive force to the outside, The system comprises the aforementioned drive source and a housing that accommodates a part of the drive force output unit, The aforementioned drive force output unit is A main shaft portion that extends along the central axis and rotates around the central axis by a driving force transmitted from the drive source while its movement in the axial direction relative to the housing is restricted, An output shaft portion moves in the direction of the central axis relative to the main shaft portion as the main shaft portion rotates, It has a guide portion that guides the movement of the output shaft portion, The main shaft portion has an insertion portion on its outer surface which has male threads formed thereon. The output shaft portion is, The insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and into which a female thread corresponding to the male thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface, It has a shaft-side engaging portion that is positioned radially outward of the insertion portion and engages with the guide portion, The guide portion is arranged around the output shaft portion and has a guide portion-side engaging portion that engages with the shaft portion-side engaging portion. One of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging projection that protrudes in the radial direction, and the other of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging groove into which the engaging projection fits. A lid opening and closing actuator, wherein the engagement groove has a straight portion extending in the direction of the central axis and a helical portion extending in a helical direction with the central axis as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion toward the output shaft portion.

2. A lid opening / closing actuator for driving the opening and closing of a lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or charging port, A drive source that outputs driving force, A drive force output unit that outputs the aforementioned drive force to the outside, The system comprises the aforementioned drive source and a housing that accommodates a part of the drive force output unit, The aforementioned drive force output unit is A main shaft portion that extends along the central axis and rotates around the central axis by a driving force transmitted from the drive source while its movement in the axial direction relative to the housing is restricted, An output shaft portion moves in the direction of the central axis relative to the main shaft portion as the main shaft portion rotates, It has a guide portion that guides the movement of the output shaft portion, The output shaft portion is, An insertion part with male threads formed on its outer surface, It has a shaft-side engaging portion that is positioned radially outward from the output shaft portion and engages with the guide portion, The main shaft portion has an insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and into which an internal thread corresponding to the male thread is formed on its inner circumferential surface. The guide portion is arranged around the output shaft portion and has a guide portion-side engaging portion that engages with the shaft portion-side engaging portion. One of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging projection that protrudes in the radial direction, and the other of the shaft-side engaging portion and the guide-side engaging portion is an engaging groove into which the engaging projection fits. A lid opening and closing actuator, wherein the engagement groove has a straight portion extending in the direction of the central axis and a helical portion extending in a helical direction with the central axis as the helical center, in order from the main shaft portion toward the output shaft portion.

3. A transmission mechanism that constitutes a transmission path for transmitting the driving force output from the drive source to the driving force output unit, The transmission mechanism includes a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the movement of its components, The lid opening / closing actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing accommodates the transmission mechanism and the locking part.

Images