Gear system

Abstract

To provide a gear mechanism that allows for greater flexibility in layout. [Solution] The positioner 1 of the embodiment comprises a base flange 2, a reduction gear 3 provided on the base flange 2, and an input unit 4 provided on the base flange 2 for inputting rotation to the reduction gear 3. The input unit 4 includes a support unit 41 fixed to the base flange 2 via a bolt 81. The base flange 2 has multiple female threaded portions 22 formed around an axis along a second direction to which the bolt 81 is fixed. The support unit 41 is fixed to the base flange 2 using any of the multiple female threaded portions 22 and the bolt 81.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a gear device, an input part and a speed reducer are provided on a base flange, and a device that inputs rotation from the input part to the speed reducer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The gear device is arranged such that, for example, the input shaft of the input part intersects the output shaft of the speed reducer. According to the gear device, by intersecting the input shaft with respect to the output shaft, it is possible to suppress the height in the output shaft direction and flatten it. This gear device is provided, for example, in a turntable device and is used as a positioner that drives the turntable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, the direction of the input shaft cannot be changed with respect to the base flange. For this reason, for example, when the gear device is provided in a turntable device, the degree of freedom in the layout of the gear device is limited, and there remains room for improvement from this perspective.

[0005] The present invention provides a gear device capable of increasing the degree of freedom in layout.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As means for solving the above problems, an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. A gear device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base flange, a reduction gear provided on the base flange, and an input unit provided on the base flange for inputting rotation to the reduction gear, wherein the input unit comprises a support unit fixed to the base flange via a fixing unit, an input shaft rotatably supported by the support unit around a first direction, and an input gear provided on the input shaft that rotates integrally with the input shaft, wherein the reduction gear comprises an output shaft whose axis of rotation is in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a gear mechanism that is driven by the rotation of the input gear and reduces the rotation of the input gear before transmitting it to the output shaft, wherein the base flange has a plurality of fixing holes formed around an axis along the second direction for which the fixing unit is fixed, and the support unit is fixed to the base flange using any of the plurality of fixing holes and the fixing unit.

[0007] With this configuration, the input shaft is supported in the support section so that it can rotate freely around the first direction. The rotation axis of the output shaft is positioned in a second direction that intersects the first direction. Therefore, for example, in the second direction, the input shaft can be positioned within the range of the output shaft. This reduces the height in the output axial direction of the gear mechanism, making the entire gear mechanism flatter.

[0008] Furthermore, multiple fixing holes are arranged in the base flange around an axis along the second direction. Fixing parts can be fixed to these multiple fixing holes. The fixing parts fix the support parts to the base flange. Therefore, it is possible to fix the fixing parts to the fixing holes while changing the orientation of the support parts around the axis along the second direction. This allows the support parts to be fixed in a state where their orientation has been changed relative to the base flange. Thus, with this gear system, the entire gear system can be flattened while changing the orientation of the support portion relative to the base flange for fixing. Therefore, the orientation of the input shaft can be changed, increasing the flexibility of the gear system layout. Consequently, the position of the input shaft can be changed to accommodate, for example, a turntable device, expanding its range of applications.

[0009] In the above configuration, the input unit includes an intermediate shaft rotatably supported by the support unit around an axis along the second direction, and an intermediate gear provided on the intermediate shaft that rotates integrally with the intermediate shaft and meshes with the input gear, and includes a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the intermediate shaft to the gear mechanism.

[0010] In the above configuration, the support portion comprises a bearing that rotatably supports the intermediate shaft and a bearing housing into which the outer circumferential surface of the bearing is fitted. The base flange has a housing fitting portion into which the outer circumferential surface of the bearing housing is fitted, and a plurality of fixing holes are formed around the housing fitting portion of the base flange.

[0011] In the above configuration, the base flange is provided with legs on its side, and these legs extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which the base flange extends.

[0012] In the above configuration, the leg portion is provided alongside the input portion, and the leg portion is provided with a leg portion recess to avoid interference with the input portion.

[0013] In the above configuration, the fixing portion is a bolt having a male threaded portion, the fixing hole is a female threaded portion formed in the base flange into which the male threaded portion is tightened, and the support portion has an insertion hole into which the bolt is inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The gear system described above can increase the degree of flexibility in layout. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a positioner (gear device) in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the positioner in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]It is a plan view showing a base flange in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a state where a support part in an embodiment of the present invention is arranged at a second support position. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a state where a support part in an embodiment of the present invention is arranged at a third support position.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiment, a positioner will be described as an example of a gear device. The positioner is used, for example, in a turntable device to drive the turntable. It is also possible to use the gear device in other equipment or the like.

[0017] <Positioner> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a positioner (gear device) in an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the positioner of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the positioner 1 includes a base flange 2, a speed reducer 3 provided side by side with the base flange 2, an input part 4, and legs 5. Hereinafter, the arrangement direction of the speed reducer 3, the input part 4, and the legs 5 will be referred to as the direction of the axis O1 of the input part 4. The direction of the axis O1 will be described as the first direction A. The direction of the axis O2 of the speed reducer 3 will be described as the second direction B. The first direction A and the second direction B are orthogonal. In the first direction A, the input part 4 side will be described as the front and the speed reducer 3 side as the rear. These expressions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the mounting posture of the positioner 1. The same applies to the directions defined below.

[0018] <Base Flange> FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a base flange in an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base flange 2 forms the base of the positioner 1. The base flange 2 has a base body 11 and a casing 12 provided on the base body 11. Hereinafter, in the second direction B, the side of the casing 12 will be described as the upper side and the side of the base body 11 will be described as the lower side.

[0019] The base body 11 is disposed at the lower part of the positioner 1. The base body 11 is formed in a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction extends along the first direction A as viewed from the second direction B. The base body 11 houses a transmission mechanism 46 of the input unit 4 to be described later. A first attachment portion 14 is provided at the rear portion 11a of the base body 11. The first attachment portions 14 are disposed on both sides of the base body 11 that are orthogonal to the first direction A. A second attachment portion 15 is provided at the front portion 11b of the base body 11. The second attachment portions 15 are disposed on both sides that are orthogonal to the first direction A. The first attachment portions 14 on both sides are fixed to the base of the turntable device by bolts (not shown) inserted into the attachment holes 14a, for example. The second attachment portions 15 on both sides are fixed to the base of the turntable device by bolts (not shown) inserted into the attachment holes 15a, for example.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a gear housing recess 17 is formed in most of the lower surface of the front portion 11b of the base body 11. The gear housing recess 17 is formed in a stepped shape. That is, the gear housing recess 17 has a first housing recess 17a facing the lower surface of the base body 11 and a second housing recess 17c formed via a step portion 17b on the upper surface of the first housing recess 17a, and the opening area of the second housing recess 17c is smaller than the opening area of the first housing recess 17a. The first housing recess 17a and the second housing recess 17c are connected. The first housing recess 17a is formed in a circular shape as viewed from the second direction B.

[0021] A lid portion 18 constituting the base body 11 is fitted and fixed in the first housing recess 17a. Thereby, the lower opening of the gear housing recess 17 is blocked. A housing recess 21 is formed in the radial center of the lid portion 18. The axis O3 of the housing recess 21 is coaxial with the intermediate axis 44, which will be described later. The axis O3 extends along the second direction B.

[0022] The housing recess 21 has its lower end closed by the bottom 21a. The housing recess 21 has its upper end open onto the lid 18. In other words, the housing recess 21 is formed in a bag shape with its lower end closed by the bottom 21a and its upper end open onto the lid 18. The peripheral wall of the housing recess 21 is formed in an arc shape. The housing recess 21 is provided with a bearing 19 for rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft 44, which will be described later.

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a housing fitting portion 23 is formed on the front part 11b of the base body 11, coaxially with the housing recess 21 and penetrating in the second direction B. The housing fitting portion 23 is circular in shape when viewed from the second direction B. The bearing housing 54 of the input portion 4, which will be described later, is fitted into the housing fitting portion 23 from above.

[0024] Multiple fixing holes 22 are formed on the upper surface of the front portion 11b of the base body 11, around the housing fitting portion 23. More specifically, the multiple fixing holes 22 are arranged around the housing fitting portion 23 (axis O3) on the front portion 11b of the base body 11. The multiple fixing holes 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The multiple fixing holes 22 are formed along the second direction B. In this embodiment, for example, four fixing holes 22 are described as an example, but the number of fixing holes 22 can be arbitrarily selected. The fixing holes 22 are, for example, female threaded portions that open on the front portion 11b. Hereinafter, the fixing holes 22 may be referred to as "female threaded portions 22". The lower end of the female threaded portion 22 is formed in such a way that it does not penetrate to the inside of the base body 11. That is, the female threaded portion 22 is a bag-shaped female thread that opens on the front portion 11b.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the casing 12 has multiple bolt insertion holes 12b formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, penetrating along the second direction B. Bolts 16 are inserted from above these bolt insertion holes 12b and tightened to the rear part 11a of the base body 11. This fixes the casing 12 on the rear part 11a of the base body 11. The casing 12 may be integrally molded with the base body 11. The casing 12 houses the gear mechanism 32 of the reduction gear 3, which will be described later. Above the casing 12 is the output flange 31 of the reduction gear 3, which will be described later.

[0026] <Reducer> The gearbox 3 is mounted in the casing 12. The gearbox 3 has an axis O2 extending in the second direction. Hereinafter, the axis O2 of the gearbox 3 may be referred to as the "second rotation axis O2". The gearbox 3 comprises an output flange (output shaft) 31 and a gear mechanism 32 to which the output flange 31 is attached. The output flange 31 is located above the casing 12. The output flange 31 is located on the second rotation axis O2. The output flange 31 is rotatably supported by a carrier 36, which will be described later, around the second rotation axis O2. A turntable (not shown) is mounted on the output flange 31.

[0027] The gear mechanism 32 is housed inside the casing 12. The gear mechanism 32 is positioned on the second rotation axis O2. The gear mechanism 32 is rotatably supported around the second rotation axis O2. For example, an eccentric oscillating gear mechanism is employed for the gear mechanism 32. The gear mechanism 32 comprises, for example, a plurality of gears 34, a plurality of crankshafts 35, and a carrier 36 that rotatably supports the crankshafts 35. A plurality of oscillating gears (not shown) rotate as the plurality of crankshafts 35 rotate. This rotation causes the carrier 36 to rotate relative to the casing 12. The plurality of gears 34 mesh with a fourth gear 68, which will be described later, in the transmission mechanism 46 of the input unit 4. The plurality of gears 34 are fixed to the plurality of crankshafts 35. For example, spur gears are used for the plurality of gears 34.

[0028] The carrier 36 is exposed at the upper opening 12a of the casing 12. An output flange 31 is detachably fixed to the carrier 36 by a number of bolts 38 (see Figures 2 and 5). The gear mechanism 32 receives rotation from the fourth gear 68 of the transmission mechanism 46, which drives a number of gears 34, reducing the rotation of the fourth gear 68 and transmitting it to the output flange 31. The gear mechanism 32 is not limited to, for example, an eccentric oscillating gear mechanism. Various mechanisms with multiple gears can be selected as the gear mechanism 32.

[0029] <Input section> As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the input unit 4 is provided on the front part 11b of the base body 11. The input unit 4 inputs rotation to the reduction gear 3. The input unit 4 comprises a support part 41, an input shaft 42 rotatably supported by the support part 41, an input gear 43 provided on the input shaft 42, an intermediate shaft 44 rotatably supported by the support part 41, an intermediate gear 45 provided on the intermediate shaft 44, and a transmission mechanism 46 connected to the intermediate gear 45. The support section 41 comprises a support case 51, a cover 52 provided on the upper surface 51d of the support case 51, and a bearing 53 and a bearing housing 54 provided on the support case 51. The support case 51 has a first storage section 56 provided on its front part 51a.

[0030] The first storage section 56 is formed to open to the front surface 51b of the support case 51 and to the second storage section 61, which will be described later. The direction of penetration of this first storage section 56 coincides with the first direction A. The first storage section 56 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the first direction A. The input shaft 42 is housed in the first storage section 56. The input shaft 42 is rotatably supported around the axis O1 of the input unit 4, which is aligned with the first direction A. In other words, the input shaft 42 is rotatably supported around the first direction. Hereafter, the axis O1 of the input unit 4 may be referred to as the "first rotation axis O1".

[0031] A spline 57, for example, is formed at the rear end of the input shaft 42. An output shaft of a drive motor (not shown) is connected to the spline 57. The drive motor is fixed to a flange 58 at the front part 51a of the support case 51, for example. An input gear 43 is provided at the front end of the input shaft 42. The input gear 43 is located in the second housing 61. The input gear 43 is, for example, a bevel gear. The input gear 43 is supported integrally with the input shaft 42 so as to be rotatable around the first rotation axis O1.

[0032] The support case 51 has a second storage section 61 at its rear 51c. The second storage section 61 is circular in shape when viewed from the second direction B. The upper end of the second storage section 61 is open to the upper surface 51d at the rear 51c of the support case 51. A cover 52 is fixed to the upper surface 51d of the rear 51c. An intermediate shaft 44 is housed in the second storage section 61. The intermediate shaft 44 is positioned in the support section 41 on the axis O3 of the housing fitting section 23 and the housing recess 21. Hereinafter, the axis O3 of the housing fitting section 23 and the housing recess 21 may be referred to as the "third rotation axis O3". The intermediate shaft 44 is rotatably supported around the third rotation axis O3.

[0033] The bearing housing 54 is formed at the bottom 51e of the rear 51c of the support case 51. The bearing housing 54 protrudes downward from the bottom 51e. The outer circumferential surface of the bearing 53 is fitted inside the bearing housing 54. The bearing 53 rotatably supports the intermediate shaft 44. The bearing housing 54 has a circular outer surface. The outer surface of the bearing housing 54 is fitted from above into the housing fitting portion 23 of the base body 11. An O-ring (not shown) is provided between the bearing housing 54 and the housing fitting portion 23. That is, the bearing housing 54 is rotatably supported around a third rotation axis O3 along the second direction B relative to the housing fitting portion 23. Therefore, the support portion 41 can be rotated around the housing fitting portion 23 while the bearing housing 54 is fitted into the housing fitting portion 23.

[0034] The intermediate gear 45 is, for example, a bevel gear. The intermediate gear 45 is meshed with the input gear 43. The intermediate gear 45 rotates together with the intermediate shaft 44. In the input section 4, the input gear 43 rotates as the input shaft 42 rotates. As the input gear 43 rotates, the rotation of the input gear 43 is transmitted to the intermediate gear 45, causing the intermediate shaft 44 to rotate.

[0035] The transmission mechanism 46 is housed in the base body 11. The transmission mechanism 46 transmits the rotation of the intermediate shaft 44 to the gear mechanism 32 of the reduction gear 3. The transmission mechanism 46 includes a first gear 65 provided at the lower end of the intermediate shaft 44, a second gear 66 meshed with the first gear 65, a third gear 67 meshed with the second gear 66, and a fourth gear 68 integrally provided with the third gear 67. For example, spur gears are used for the first gear 65, the second gear 66, the third gear 67, and the fourth gear 68.

[0036] The first gear 65 is located at the lower end of the intermediate shaft 44. The second gear 66 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 69. The support shaft 69 is supported by the base body 11. The third gear 67 and the fourth gear 68 are integrally molded on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 71, which is arranged coaxially with the second rotation axis O2. The third gear 67 is positioned below the cylindrical portion 71. The fourth gear 68 is positioned above the cylindrical portion 71. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 71 is rotatably supported by the base body 11 via the first bearing 72. The upper end of the cylindrical portion 71 is rotatably supported by the carrier 36 via the second bearing 73. By positioning the fourth gear 68 above the cylindrical portion 71, the fourth gear 68 meshes with each gear 34 of the gear mechanism 32.

[0037] The reduction gear 3 operates as the input shaft 42 of the input unit 4 rotates, and the rotation of the input shaft 42 is transmitted to multiple gears 34 via the input gear 43, intermediate gear 45, first gear 65, second gear 66, third gear 67, and fourth gear 68. The reduction gear 3 is driven by the rotation of the fourth gear 68 and reduces the rotation of the input gear 43, transmitting it to the output flange 31.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the support case 51 of the support portion 41 is fixed to the upper surface of the front portion 11b of the base body 11 via a plurality of fixing portions 81. In this embodiment, for example, four fixing portions 81 are described as an example, similar to the fixing holes 22, but the number of fixing portions 81 can be arbitrarily selected. The fixing portion 81 is, for example, a bolt. Hereinafter, the fixing portion 81 may be referred to as "bolt 81". The bolt 81 has a male threaded portion 81a formed at its tip. In this embodiment, a bolt is described as an example of a fixing portion 81, but other fixing portions such as crimping pins may be used for the fixing portion 81.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the rear portion 51c of the support case 51 is open upward. Multiple insertion holes 83 are passed through the rear portion 51c in the second direction B. Bolts 81 are inserted into the insertion holes 83 from above. In this embodiment, for example, four insertion holes 83 are described as an example, similar to the fixing holes 22, but the number of insertion holes 83 can be arbitrarily selected. The multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged around the axis of the bearing housing 54 (i.e., the third rotation axis O3) at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the third rotation axis O3.

[0040] The multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged coaxially with respect to the multiple female threaded portions 22 when the bearing housing 54 is fitted into the housing fitting portion 23. The male threaded portions 81a of the bolts 81 are tightened into the female threaded portions 22. The multiple bolts 81 are inserted from above into the multiple insertion holes 83, and the male threaded portions 81a corresponding to each of the multiple female threaded portions 22 are tightened. The multiple bolts 81 are fixed to the base body 11 (specifically, the upper surface of the front portion 11b) by being tightened into any fixing holes 22 among the multiple female threaded portions 22. In this embodiment, the multiple bolts 81 are tightened into all of the fixing holes 22 (i.e., 4 holes), which are designated as arbitrary fixing holes 22 among the multiple female threaded portions 22.

[0041] As a result, the support case 51 is fixed to the front part 11b of the base body 11 with multiple bolts 81. In other words, the support case 51 is fixed to the front part 11b of the base body 11 using multiple female threaded parts 22 and multiple bolts 81. With the support case 51 fixed to the front part 11b of the base body 11 using multiple bolts 81, the cover 52 is fixed to the upper surface 51d of the support case 51 with bolts 85.

[0042] Here, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the female thread portion 22 is formed in a bag shape so as not to penetrate into the interior of the base body 11. Similarly, the housing recess 21 of the lid portion 18 is also formed in a bag shape so as not to penetrate the base body 11, with its lower end closed at the bottom portion 21a. Therefore, the lower part of the second storage portion 61 in the support case 51 is closed by the lid portion 18 via the bearing housing 54, the housing fitting portion 23, and the second storage recess 17c. An O-ring (not shown) is provided between the housing fitting portion 23 and the bearing housing 54. This prevents, for example, grease (lubricating oil) from the second storage portion 61 from leaking out to the outside through the female thread portion 22 or the housing recess 21.

[0043] <Legs> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the leg portion 5 is positioned at the front end of the front portion 11b of the base body 11. The leg portion 5 comprises a first leg portion 91 and a second leg portion 92, which are positioned on both sides perpendicular to the first direction A of the front portion 11b. The first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92 each extend upward from the front portion 11b. The first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92 can be fixed to the base of the turntable device by bolts (not shown) inserted into a plurality of mounting holes 95, for example, when their respective front surfaces 91a and 92a are in contact with the base of the turntable device. This allows the positioner 1 to be used with the legs 5 facing downwards and the base flange 2 upright (i.e., with the second rotation axis O2 of the reduction gear 3 positioned horizontally).

[0044] The first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92 are, for example, arranged on both sides of the support portion 41 of the input portion 4, and are provided alongside the support portion 41. In other words, the leg portion 5 is provided with a leg portion recess 93. The leg portion 5 is composed of the first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92, which are arranged on both sides of the leg portion recess 93. The formation of the leg portion recess 93 prevents the support portion 41 from interfering with the leg portion 5. Therefore, by being positioned in the leg portion recess 93, the support portion 41 is positioned in the first support position along the longitudinal direction of the base flange 2 (i.e., the first direction A).

[0045] Here, a first space is formed between the first leg portion 91 and the casing 12, in which a support portion 41 can be placed. The first space is formed on one side perpendicular to the first direction A along the upper surface of the front portion 11b. A second space is formed between the second leg portion 92 and the casing 12, in which a support portion 41 can be placed. The second space is formed on the other side perpendicular to the first direction A along the upper surface of the front portion 11b.

[0046] The reasons for forming a first space between the first leg portion 91 and the casing 12, and a second space between the second leg portion 92 and the casing 12, will be explained below with reference to Figures 1 to 4, 6, and 7. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the support portion 41 is rotatably supported around the third rotation axis O3 via a bearing 53 or the like on an intermediate shaft 44. The multiple fixing holes 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis of the housing fitting portion 23 (third rotation axis O3). The multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis of the bearing housing 54 (third rotation axis O3). Therefore, when the support portion 41 rotates around the third rotation axis O3 at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction, the multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged coaxially with respect to the multiple fixing holes 22.

[0047] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the support portion in the embodiment positioned at the second support position. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, the support portion 41 is positioned at a second support position by rotating 90° in one direction around the intermediate axis 44 from a first support position (position shown in Figure 1) located in the leg recess 93. In this case, the support portion 41 is positioned in the first space. In this state, the multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged coaxially with respect to the multiple fixing holes 22. As a result, the support portion 41 is fixed to the second support position of the front portion 11b by multiple bolts 81.

[0048] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the support portion in the embodiment positioned at the third support position. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 7, the support portion 41 is positioned at a third support position by rotating 90° in the opposite direction around the intermediate axis 44 from the first support position (position shown in Figure 1) located in the leg recess 93. In this case, the support portion 41 is positioned in the second space. In this state, the multiple insertion holes 83 are arranged coaxially with respect to the multiple fixing holes 22. As a result, the support portion 41 is fixed to the third support position of the front portion 11b by multiple bolts 81.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the positioner 1 can be fixed to a first support position where the support portion 41 is positioned in the leg portion recess 93. The positioner 1 can be fixed to a second support position where the support portion 41 is positioned in a first space. The positioner 1 can be fixed to a third support position where the support portion 41 is positioned in a second space. This allows the orientation of the input shaft 42 to be changed in three directions: the first support position, the second support position, and the third support position, thereby increasing the flexibility of the positioner 1's layout.

[0050] Here, for example, if the casing 12 is sufficiently far from the support portion 41 in the first direction A, the support portion 41 can be fixed to the front portion 11b of the base body 11 with the input shaft 42 facing the casing 12. In this case, the orientation of the input shaft 42 can be changed in four directions: the first support position, the second support position, the third support position, and the position facing the casing 12.

[0051] As described above, the positioner 1 has the input shaft 42 rotatably supported by the support portion 41 around the first rotation axis O1. Furthermore, the second rotation axis O2 of the reduction gear 3 is positioned in the second direction B. Therefore, for example, in the second direction B, the input shaft 42 can be positioned within the range of the reduction gear 3. This reduces the height of the output flange 31 in the positioner 1, making the entire positioner 1 flatter.

[0052] Furthermore, multiple female threaded portions 22 are arranged on the base body 11 around the third rotation axis O3 (i.e., the axis along the second direction B). Bolts 81 can be fixed to the multiple female threaded portions 22. The bolts 81 fix the support portion 41 to the base body 11. Therefore, the orientation of the support portion 41 can be changed around the third rotation axis O3 and fixed to the base flange 2. Thus, with the positioner 1, the entire positioner 1 can be flattened while the orientation of the support portion 41 can be changed and fixed to the base flange 2. Therefore, the orientation of the input shaft 42 can be changed, increasing the flexibility of the layout of the positioner 1. Consequently, the orientation of the input shaft 42 can be changed to accommodate, for example, a turntable device, thereby expanding its range of applications.

[0053] The positioner 1 described above has an intermediate shaft 44 supported on the support part 41 so as to be rotatable around the second rotation axis O2. Therefore, the orientation of the input part 4 can be changed around the intermediate shaft 44. The rotation of the input unit 4 is transmitted to the gear mechanism 32 of the reduction gear 3 via a transmission mechanism 46. This makes it possible to use, for example, spur gears in the transmission mechanism 46. This allows control over the direction of the load applied from the input unit 4 to the gear mechanism 32. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive load from being placed on the gear mechanism 32.

[0054] In contrast, if a bevel gear is provided in the gear mechanism and this bevel gear is directly meshed with the gear in the input section, a diagonal load is applied to the bevel gear of the gear mechanism, resulting in a larger load.

[0055] In the positioner 1 described above, a housing fitting portion 23 is formed on the front part 11b of the base body 11, and the outer circumferential surface of the bearing housing 54 is fitted into the housing fitting portion 23. Therefore, the support portion 41 can be rotated around the housing fitting portion 23 while the bearing housing 54 remains fitted into the housing fitting portion 23. Thus, the orientation of the support portion 41 can be easily changed, improving the assembly workability of the positioner 1.

[0056] The first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92 of the leg portion 5 extend upward from the front portion 11b of the base body 11. This allows the positioner 1 to be used with the leg portion 5 facing downwards and the base flange 2 upright (i.e., with the second rotation axis O2 of the reduction gear 3 positioned horizontally). A leg recess 93 is provided in the leg portion 5, and the leg recess 93 is formed between the first leg portion 91 and the second leg portion 92. This allows interference with the input portion 4 to be avoided by the leg recess 93. As a result, the orientation of the input portion 4 can be changed regardless of the leg portion 5.

[0057] A bolt was used as the fixing part 81, and a female threaded part was used as the fixing hole 22. An insertion hole 83 was formed in the support case 51. Therefore, by inserting the bolt 81 into the insertion hole 83 of the support case 51 from the opposite side of the base body 11 and tightening this bolt 81 into the female threaded part 22, the support case 51 can be fixed to the base body 11. Therefore, with the base flange 2 installed in the installation location, the support part 41 can be assembled and its orientation changed by operating the bolt 81 from above the support part 41. Thus, the assembly workability of the positioner 1 can be further improved.

[0058] [Differentiation] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various modifications to the embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0059] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the orientation of the input shaft 42 can be changed in three directions: a first support position, a second support position, and a third support position, or in four directions: three directions plus a position facing the casing 12. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the multiple fixing holes 22 may be equally distributed as eight female threaded portions. By tightening a bolt 81 into any of the eight female threaded portions 22, it is possible to change the orientation of the input shaft 42 in eight directions.

[0060] For example, multiple fixing holes 22 may be equally distributed as N female threaded portions. By tightening a bolt 81 into any of the N female threaded portions 22, it is possible to change the orientation of the input shaft 42 in the N direction, for example.

[0061] Furthermore, as another example, the multiple fixing holes 22 do not need to be arranged at equal intervals. By tightening a bolt 81 into any of the multiple fixing holes 22, it is possible to change the orientation of the input shaft 42, for example.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, the case where the first direction A and the second direction B are orthogonal was explained. However, the invention is not limited to this case; the first direction A and the second direction B do not need to be perfectly orthogonal, but it is sufficient if they intersect.

[0063] Among the embodiments disclosed herein, those composed of multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, those composed of a single object may be divided into multiple objects. Whether or not they are integrated, the invention can be constructed in a way that achieves its objective. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1… Positioner (gear mechanism) 2…Base flange 3...Reducer 4...Input section 5…Legs 21…Housing recess 22...Female threaded section (fixing hole) 23…Housing fitting section 31…Output flange (output shaft) 32... Gear mechanism 41...Support part 42…Input axis 43...Input gear 44...Intermediate axis 45...Intermediate gear 46…Transmission mechanism 53...Bearings 54...Bearing housing 81... Bolt (fixing part) 83…Insertion hole 93... Leg recess A…First direction B…Second direction

Claims

1. Base flange and A reduction gear provided on the base flange, An input unit provided on the base flange for inputting rotation to the reduction gear, Equipped with, The aforementioned input unit is A support portion fixed to the base flange via a fixing portion, The support portion includes an input shaft that is rotatably supported around a first direction, An input gear provided on the input shaft and rotating integrally with the input shaft, Equipped with, The aforementioned reduction gear is An output shaft whose axis of rotation is the second direction intersecting the first direction, A gear mechanism that is driven by the rotation of the input gear and reduces the rotation of the input gear before transmitting it to the output shaft, Equipped with, The base flange has a plurality of fixing holes formed around an axis along the second direction, for which the fixing portion is fixed. The support portion is fixed to the base flange using any of the fixing holes among the plurality of fixing holes and the fixing portion. Gear mechanism.

2. The aforementioned input unit is The support portion includes an intermediate shaft that is rotatably supported around an axis along the second direction, An intermediate gear provided on the intermediate shaft, which rotates integrally with the intermediate shaft and meshes with the input gear, Equipped with, It includes a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the intermediate shaft to the gear mechanism. The gear apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned support portion is A bearing that rotatably supports the aforementioned intermediate shaft, The bearing housing into which the outer surface of the bearing is fitted, Equipped with, The base flange has a housing fitting portion formed therein, into which the outer circumferential surface of the bearing housing is fitted. Multiple fixing holes are formed around the housing fitting portion of the base flange. The gear apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The base flange is provided with legs on its side, The leg portion extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the base flange extends. A gear apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned leg portion is provided alongside the input portion, The leg portion is provided with a leg recess to avoid interference with the input portion. The gear apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned fixing part is a bolt having a male threaded portion. The fixing hole is a female thread formed in the base flange into which the male thread is tightened. The support portion has an insertion hole into which the bolt is inserted. A gear apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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