Spur gear with backlash adjustment structure, backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, device equipped with backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, swing control device equipped with backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, and method for forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism

Abstract

To provide a technology that allows for easy adjustment and maintenance of backlash in a power transmission mechanism using spur gears, such as in a swivel control device for a surveillance camera. [Solution] The spur gear 10 with a backlash adjustment structure is formed by stacking two sub-spur gears 1a and 1b in the axial direction. Each sub-spur gear 1a and 1b is provided with one or more housing sections 2a and 2b for housing a turnbuckle 4, and the turnbuckle 4 is housed in the housing sections 2a and 2b. One end 6 of the turnbuckle 4 is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing section 2a of one sub-spur gear 1a, and the other end 7 is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing section 2b of the other sub-spur gear 1b. This makes it possible to adjust the backlash between the two spur gears 10 and 20, including itself.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spur gear with backlash adjustment structure, a power transmission mechanism with adjusted backlash, a device equipped with a power transmission mechanism with adjusted backlash, a swing control device equipped with a power transmission mechanism with adjusted backlash, and a method for forming a power transmission mechanism with adjusted backlash. In particular, it relates to a technology that can easily adjust and maintain backlash in a power transmission mechanism using spur gears.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a prior art (Part 1) of a backlash adjustment method in a power transmission mechanism using a spur gear. The spur gear 810 is formed by overlapping sub-spur gears 81a and 81b axially by fitting with their respective fitting convex portions 81aP and fitting hole portions 81bR. The positional relationship of the teeth of each of the sub-spur gears 81a and 81b is adjusted by passing a screw 88 through an adjustment hole portion 87b and fixing it to a screw fixing portion 87a so that the teeth of a spur gear (not shown) on the opposite side of the main spur gear 810 are sandwiched without backlash.

[0003] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a prior art (Part 2) of a backlash adjustment method in a power transmission mechanism using a spur gear. The structure in which sub-spur gears 91a and 91b are overlapped axially by fitting with their respective fitting convex portions 91aP and fitting hole portions 91bR to form a spur gear 910 is the same as the method shown in FIG. 8, but the backlash adjustment method is different. With the positional relationship of the teeth of each of the sub-spur gears 91a and 91b being such that the teeth of a spur gear (not shown) on the opposite side of the main spur gear 910 are sandwiched without backlash, springs 94 are accommodated in spring accommodation portions 92b provided in both sub-spur gears 91a and 91b (the spring accommodation portion of sub-spur gear 91a is below spring accommodation portion 92b). The number of springs used is not limited, but in the figure, four springs 94 are used, and their combined force sandwiches the opposite spur gear to reduce backlash.

[0004] Patent applications have been filed for technologies to counter backlash in power transmission mechanisms. For example, Patent Document 1, cited below, discloses a gear device that can respond to backlash fluctuations during operation and avoid problems such as gear damage. This device includes a coil spring and a positioning means that is sandwiched between the gears by the coil spring between the main gear and the sub-gear that mesh with the first gear, and the basic backlash is set small by an adjustment bolt. Thermal deformation of each gear is counteracted by expanding and contracting a thermo-element due to heat, and each gear is released by the coil spring in case of excessive force. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-340465, "Gear Device" [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] For example, in a rotation control device such as a turntable for a surveillance camera, backlash in the power transmission mechanism is undesirable because it causes image jitter when rotation stops or due to wind pressure. The conventional technologies described above are useful as techniques for reducing backlash. However, the adjustment method using screws shown in Figure 8 is a method of adjusting backlash through the process of adjusting and identifying the position, passing the screw through the adjustment hole, and fixing the screw to the screw fastening part. It also requires manually rotating and shifting the sub-spur gear to grip the teeth of the mating spur gear, so the work is considerably difficult and complicated, and the maintenance of the adjusted state is not always sufficient.

[0007] Furthermore, the spring-based adjustment method shown in Figure 9 is difficult to implement and adjust due to the springs involved. A technology is needed that can easily adjust backlash in power transmission mechanisms using spur gears and maintain the adjusted state well. For example, in the case of a rotation control device such as a turntable for a surveillance camera, minimizing backlash can reduce image jitter caused by wind pressure or when the rotation stops.

[0008] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to eliminate the problems of the conventional technology and to provide a technology that can easily adjust and maintain backlash in power transmission mechanisms using spur gears, starting with rotation control devices such as turntables for surveillance cameras, and not limited thereto. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of considering the above problem, the inventor of the present application found that it could be solved by providing a turnbuckle-type component between two sub-spur gears, and adjusting the backlash with the mating spur gear simply by rotating the body of the component. Based on this, the present invention was completed. That is, the invention claimed in this application, or at least disclosed, as a means of solving the above problem is as follows.

[0010] [1] A spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure, comprising a structure for adjusting backlash between two spur gears, including itself, wherein two sub-spur gears are formed by stacking them axially, and each sub-spur gear is provided with one or more housing portions for housing a turnbuckle, and a turnbuckle is housed in the housing portion, or a turnbuckle capable of being housed in the housing portion is attached, and one end of the turnbuckle is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing portion of one of the sub-spur gears, and the other end is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing portion of the other sub-spur gear. [2] The spur gear with backlash adjustment structure described in [1], characterized in that the two sub-spur gears are identical in shape. [3] The turnbuckle comprises a main body and two engaging ends provided at both ends of the main body for engaging with the housing, the main body is provided with an adjustment portion for adjusting the advancement and retraction of the engaging ends toward the inner wall of the housing, and the housing is provided with an engaging portion for engaging with the engaging ends, characterized in that the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure is as described in [1]. [4] The spur gear with backlash adjustment structure according to [3], characterized in that the adjustment part is a screw with a lock insert.

[0011] [5] A backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism characterized by comprising a spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure as described in any of [1], [2], [3], or [4], and a mating spur gear that meshes with the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure. [6] A device equipped with a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, characterized by being equipped with the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism described in [5]. [7] It is equipped with the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism described in [5], and the following A slewing control device equipped with a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, characterized by being one of the features described above. Rotating platform for surveillance cameras, rotation control device (excluding rotating platform for surveillance cameras) [8] A method for forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, comprising: an engagement process in which the main body of the turnbuckle is rotated until the engaging end of the turnbuckle engages with the engaging portion of the housing at a position where the teeth of the two sub-spur gears constituting the backlash-adjusted spur gear overlap without misalignment; a meshing process in which the spur gear with the backlash-adjusted structure is brought into contact with the mating gear; and an adjustment process in which the main body of the turnbuckle is rotated to rotate the two sub-gears in opposite directions, thereby reducing the gap with the mating spur gear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure, the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, the device equipped with the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, the slewing control device equipped with the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, and the method for forming the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism of the present invention are configured in such a way that backlash in power transmission mechanisms using spur gears can be easily adjusted and maintained, starting with slewing control devices such as turntables for surveillance cameras, and not limited thereto.

[0013] For example, in the case of a rotation control device such as a turntable for a surveillance camera, backlash can be minimized, reducing image jitter caused by rotation stopping or wind pressure. Furthermore, devices with spatial stabilization functions can reduce such errors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual side cross-sectional view diagram illustrating a sub-spur gear that constitutes a spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure according to the present invention. [Figure 1-2] This is a conceptual side cross-sectional view diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention. [Figure 1-3] This is a conceptual side cross-sectional view diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention, with the turnbuckle housed inside. [Figure 2] Figure 1-2 and others are explanatory diagrams of the main parts showing the overlapping state of both sub-spur gears when the turnbuckle is engaged with the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 1-2 and others are explanatory diagrams of the main parts showing the process of adjusting the backlash between the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure of the present invention and the mating spur gear. [Figure 4]It is an explanatory side sectional view showing the configuration of a turnbuckle related to the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention shown in Fig. 1-2 etc. [Figure 5] It is a plan view explanatory diagram (in the figure (p)) of the state where the turnbuckle is not adopted in the spur gear embodiment with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention, and a sectional view taken along the Q-Q' arrow in (p) (in the figure (q)). [Figure 6] It is a perspective photograph view of the turnbuckle accommodated in the spur gear embodiment with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention shown in Fig. 5. [Figure 7] It is a flow chart showing the basic configuration of the method for forming a power transmission mechanism with backlash adjusted according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing the prior art (part 1) of the backlash adjustment method in the power transmission mechanism using a spur gear. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory diagram showing the prior art (part 2) of the backlash adjustment method in the power transmission mechanism using a spur gear.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory side sectional view conceptually showing a sub-spur gear constituting the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention. Also, Fig. 1-2 is an explanatory side sectional view conceptually showing the basic configuration of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention, and Fig. 1-3 is an explanatory side sectional view conceptually showing the basic configuration of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention in a state where the turnbuckle is accommodated. As shown in these figures, the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure is a spur gear with a structure for adjusting backlash between two spur gears 10 and 20 including itself, and two sub-spur gears 1a and 1b are formed by being overlapped in the axial direction Ax.

[0016] Each sub-spur gear 1a, 1b is provided with one or more housing sections 2a, 2b for accommodating a turnbuckle 4. The housing sections 2a, 2b either house the turnbuckle 4 or have a turnbuckle 4 that can be housed in the housing sections 2a, 2b. A distinctive feature of this configuration is that one end 6 of the turnbuckle 4 is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing section 2a of one sub-spur gear 1a, and the other end 7 is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing section 2b of the other sub-gear 1b.

[0017] In this spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure, the turnbuckle 4 is housed in the housing portion 2a of the sub-spur gear 1a and the housing portion 2b of the sub-spur gear 1b. At this time, one end of the turnbuckle 4 engages with the inner wall of the housing portion of one sub-spur gear, and the other end engages with the inner wall of the housing portion of the other sub-gear.

[0018] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main parts showing the overlapping state of the two sub-spur gears when the turnbuckle is engaged with the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1-2, etc. In the figure, (p_a), (p_b), and (p_ab) show side views, and (s_ab) shows a plan view. As shown in the figure, the engagement of the turnbuckle 4 with the housings 2a and 2b is performed by adjusting the turnbuckle 4 until the ends 6 and 7 of the turnbuckle 4 engage with the corresponding inner walls of the housings at a position where the teeth of the two sub-spur gears 1a and 1b constituting the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure overlap without misalignment (in the figure, (p_ab), (s_ab)). Note that in (p_ab), sub-spur gear 1a is behind sub-spur gear 1b and is not visible. After engagement, the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure is engaged with the mating gear 20.

[0019] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the main parts showing the process of adjusting the backlash between the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure of the present invention and the mating spur gear, as shown in Figures 1-2, etc. In the figure, (p_ab) and (s_ab) are the side view and plan view of the engaged state shown in Figure 2, respectively. Also, (p_m) and (s_m) are the side view and plan view of the state after backlash adjustment, respectively. After engagement is made between the spur gear 10 with the backlash adjustment structure and the mating gear 20 (in the figure, (p_ab) and (s_ab)), the turnbuckle 4 is further adjusted so that, as shown in the figure, the two sub-gears 1a and 1b are rotated in opposite directions, reducing the gap with the mating spur gear 20 and creating a state with no backlash (in the figure, (p_m) and (s_m)). In this way, the backlash between the spur gear 10 with the backlash adjustment structure and the mating gear 20 is adjusted.

[0020] The housing sections 2a and 2b provided on each sub-spur gear 1a and 1b can achieve the desired effect even if only one is provided. In other words, only one turnbuckle housing space Sp formed by each housing section 2a and 2b is sufficient, and therefore, only one turnbuckle 4 is needed. Note that changes in weight balance due to the number of housing sections 2a, etc., or turnbuckles 4 do not affect the effects intended by the present invention or the operation of the power transmission mechanism in which it is used.

[0021] The two sub-spur gears 1a and 1b that constitute the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure shall have the same shape. That is, the diameter and the specifications of the teeth formed (shape, size, and number) shall be standardized. Furthermore, the thickness may also be standardized, but this is not limited to this. Such a standardized shape can be formed by stacking two plate materials for the sub-spur gear 1a, etc., and cutting the teeth simultaneously.

[0022] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a turnbuckle related to the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1-2, etc. As shown in the figure, the turnbuckle 4 consists of a main body 5 and two engaging ends 6 and 7 provided at both ends of the main body 5 that engage with the housings 2a and 2b. The main body 5 is characterized by having an adjustment portion 8 that adjusts the advancement and retraction of the engaging ends 6 and 7 into the inner walls of the housings 2a and 2b. As shown in Figures 1-2, etc., the housings 2a and 2b of the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure are provided with engaging portions 3a and 3b that engage with the engaging ends 6 and 7 of the turnbuckle 4, respectively.

[0023] The turnbuckle 4 of the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure, configured in this way, is housed in the housing portion 2a of the sub-spur gear 1a and the housing portion 2b of the sub-spur gear 1b that constitute the spur gear 10 with backlash adjustment structure. At this time, the movement of the turnbuckle 4 toward the inner walls of the housing portions 2a and 2b is adjusted by the adjustment operation of the adjustment portion 8, and the engaging end 6 engages with the engaging portion 3a in the housing portion 2a, and the engaging end 7 engages with the engaging portion 3b in the housing portion 2b, thereby forming an engaged state. One end (engaging end) 6 of the turnbuckle 4 is connected to the sub-spur gear 1a, and the other end (engaging end) 7 is connected to the sub-spur gear 1b.

[0024] For adjusting the forward and backward movement of both ends (engaging ends) 6 and 7 of the turnbuckle 4, the adjustment at the adjustment portion 8 can preferably be performed using, for example, a rotational operation with a wrench. The forward and backward movement of the turnbuckle 4 can be adjusted with a simple operation. However, the adjustment method is not limited to this.

[0025] Furthermore, the adjustment portion 8 may be a screw with a locking insert. This ensures that the adjusted state is securely maintained. In addition, the engaging ends 6 and 7 may be provided with enough play to form an appropriate loose fit between them and the engaging portions 3a and 3b on the sub-spur gear side. This ensures that a smooth engagement state is formed. For the same purpose, such play may be present in the engaging portions 3a and 3b, or in both the engaging ends 6 and 7 and the engaging portions 3a and 3b.

[0026] The present invention, which uses a turnbuckle, can be implemented by using the same structure as the conventional spur gear 910 described in Figure 9 above, except that a turnbuckle 4 is used in place of the spring 94 in the spring housing 92b.

[0027] Figure 5 is a plan view (indicated as (p) in the figure) and a cross-sectional view (indicated as (q) in the figure) taken along the QQ' arrow in (p) of an embodiment of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention in a state without the turnbuckle being retracted. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a turnbuckle housed in the embodiment of the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure of the present invention shown in Figure 5. As shown in the figure, the spur gear 510 with backlash adjustment structure of this embodiment is formed by stacking two sub-spur gears 51a and 51b in the axial direction, and each sub-spur gear 51a and 51b is provided with four housing sections 52a and 52b for housing a turnbuckle 54. This structure itself is basically the same as the structure of the conventional spur gear 910 shown in Figure 9. However, it differs in that it has housing sections 52a and 52b for housing a turnbuckle 54, rather than a spring housing section 92b for housing a spring 94.

[0028] The housing sections 52a and 52b are provided with engaging portions 53a and 53b, respectively, which engage with the engaging ends 56 and 57 of the turnbuckle 54, as shown in the circular portion (q) in Figure 5. The turnbuckle 54 has a main body 55 and, at both ends there are two engaging ends 56 and 57, which engage with the housing sections 52a and 52b, as shown in the circular portion in Figure 6. The main body 55 is also provided with an adjustment portion 58 for adjusting the movement of the engaging ends 56 and 57 toward the inner wall of the housing sections 52a and 52b.

[0029] The turnbuckle 54 is housed in the turnbuckle housing space Sp formed by the housing sections 52a and 52b, at which time the engaging ends 56 and 57 engage with the engaging parts 53a and 53b, respectively. Then, the forward and backward movement of the turnbuckle 54 is adjusted by adjustment using the adjustment part 58, and the backlash between the spur gear 510 with backlash adjustment structure and the mating spur gear is adjusted through the process described using Figures 2 and 3 above.

[0030] A backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, such as a reduction mechanism consisting of a spur gear 10 with a backlash adjustment structure of any of the above configurations and a mating spur gear 20 that meshes with it, is also within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a device equipped with such a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism is also within the scope of the present invention, for example, a rotation control device such as a turntable for a surveillance camera falls into this category.

[0031] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the basic configuration of the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism formation method of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism formation method is a method of forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism by adjusting the backlash of a spur gear 10 with a backlash adjustment structure, etc., of any of the above-described configurations, with respect to a mating spur gear, which is a spur gear that meshes with the gear. The main configuration consists of an engagement process P10 in which the main body of the turnbuckle is rotated until the engaging end of the turnbuckle engages with the engaging portion of the housing when the teeth of the two sub-spur gears constituting the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure overlap without misalignment; a meshing process P20 in which the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure is brought into contact with the mating gear; and an adjustment process P30 in which the main body of the turnbuckle is rotated to rotate the two sub-gears in opposite directions, thereby reducing the gap with the mating spur gear.

[0032] According to this method for forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, in the engagement process P10, the main body of the turnbuckle is rotated until the engaging end of the turnbuckle engages with the engaging portion of the housing when the teeth of the two sub-spur gears constituting the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure overlap without misalignment. Then, in the meshing process P20, the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure is aligned with the mating gear. Then, in the adjustment process P30, the rotation of the main body of the turnbuckle causes the two sub-gears to rotate in opposite directions, reducing the gap with the mating spur gear, adjusting the backlash, and forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism. [Industrial applicability]

[0033] The present invention, including the spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure, allows for easy adjustment and maintenance of backlash in power transmission mechanisms using spur gears, such as slewing control devices for surveillance cameras. Therefore, this invention has high industrial applicability in the manufacturing, usage, and all related fields of equipment and devices equipped with power transmission mechanisms such as reduction gears. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1a, 1b, 51a, 51b... Sub-spur gears 2a, 2b, 52a, 52b... Storage compartments 3a, 3b, 53a, 53b...Engagement part 4, 54... Turnbuckle 5, 55... Main body 6, 56... One end of the turnbuckle (engaging end) 7, 57... The other end (engaging end) of the turnbuckle 8, 58...Adjustment part 10, 510... Spur gear with backlash adjustment mechanism 20... Mating spur gear Ax…Axis direction P10…Engagement process P20...meshing process P30…Adjustment process Sp... Turnbuckle storage space 81a... Sub-spur gear 81aP...Matching protrusion 81b... Sub-spur gear 81bR... Fitting hole 87a...Screw fastening part 87b…Adjustment hole 88... Screw 89... Nut 810... Spur gear 91a... Sub-spur gear 91aP...Matching protrusion 91b... Sub-spur gear 91bR... Fitting hole 92b... Spring housing 94... Spring 910... Spur gear

Claims

1. A spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure, which has a structure for adjusting backlash between two spur gears, including itself, Two sub-spur gears are stacked axially to form the gear. Each sub-spur gear is provided with one or more housing sections for accommodating turnbuckles. The housing section houses a turnbuckle, or a turnbuckle that can be housed in the housing section is attached. One end of the turnbuckle is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing of one of the sub-spur gears, and the other end is formed to engage with the inner wall of the housing of the other sub-gear. A spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure, characterized by the following features.

2. The spur gear with backlash adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the two sub-spur gears are identical in shape.

3. The turnbuckle consists of a main body and two engaging ends provided at both ends of the main body that engage with the housing. The main body is provided with an adjustment portion for adjusting the movement of the engaging end toward the inner wall of the housing, The housing portion is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the engagement end. A spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that it is a spur gear.

4. The spur gear with backlash adjustment structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjustment portion is a screw with a locking insert.

5. A backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism characterized by comprising a spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure as described in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, and a mating spur gear meshing with the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure.

6. A device equipped with a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, characterized by comprising the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism described in claim 5.

7. A slewing control device equipped with a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, characterized in that it is equipped with the backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism described in claim 5, and is any of the following described in . Swivel platform for surveillance cameras, swivel control device (excluding swivel platform for surveillance cameras)

8. A method for forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism by adjusting the backlash of a spur gear with a backlash adjustment structure according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 in relation to a mating spur gear, the mating spur gear, The engagement process involves rotating the main body until the engaging end of the turnbuckle engages with the engaging portion of the housing when the teeth of both sub-spur gears constituting the spur gear with backlash adjustment structure overlap without misalignment, Next, the meshing process of aligning the spur gear with the backlash adjustment structure with the mating gear, Next, the process involves rotating the main body of the turnbuckle to rotate the two sub-gears in opposite directions, thereby reducing the gap between them and the mating spur gear. A method for forming a backlash-adjusted power transmission mechanism, characterized by the above.

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