Hydraulic device

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydraulic device in which the space between the first surface of the motor and the second surface of the hydraulic block is suitably designed. [Solution] The motor (5) of the hydraulic device has reinforcing ribs erected from the first surface (S1), and between the reinforcing ribs and the second surface of the hydraulic block to which the motor (5) is fixed, a gap is formed intermittently from the storage chamber (100) to the opening (47A) of the through hole (47) through which the power supply unit (56) is inserted, through which fluid can flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic device.

Background Art

[0002] In the sunroof device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cover body to which a control board is fixed is attached to a gear case that houses a worm gear mechanism therein. The interior (gear accommodating portion) and the exterior (control board accommodating portion) of the gear case are partitioned by a gear cover. A gap where capillary action may occur exists between the gear case and the gear cover. In order to prevent the lubricating oil applied to the gear accommodating portion from leaking from the gear accommodating portion to the control board accommodating portion through the gap, a space for storing the lubricating oil is provided between the gear case and the gear cover.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Meanwhile, a hydraulic device is known that includes a motor having a power feeding portion protruding from a predetermined first surface, and a hydraulic block to which the motor is fixed on a second surface facing the first surface. Some such hydraulic devices include, between the first surface and the second surface, a fluid leakage portion through which fluid leaks, and a storage chamber that stores fluid leaked from the fluid leakage portion. As described above, in a hydraulic device having a storage chamber between the first surface and the second surface, there is room for improvement in the design of the first surface and the second surface. In order to solve the above problem, an object of the hydraulic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a hydraulic device in which the space between the first surface and the second surface is suitably designed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] To solve the above problems, a hydraulic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor having a power supply unit connected to a power source protruding from a first surface, and a hydraulic block to which the motor is fixed on a second surface facing the first surface of the motor, wherein a storage chamber for storing fluid leaked from inside the hydraulic block is formed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface of the hydraulic block has a through-hole opening through which the power supply unit is inserted, spaced apart from the portion of the second surface that forms the storage chamber, the motor has reinforcing ribs erected from the first surface, and between the reinforcing ribs and the second surface, a gap is formed only intermittently from the storage chamber to the opening, through which the fluid can flow by capillary action. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a hydraulic device can be provided in which the space between the first surface and the second surface is suitably designed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydraulic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a pump configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of a motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reinforcing rib according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydraulic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The hydraulic device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an electrical device 2, a housing 4, a motor 5, and a pump 6. The electrical device 2 includes a power source that supplies power to the motor 5 and an ECU that controls the motor 5. Housing 4 is an example of a hydraulic block.

[0009] The motor 5 includes a pump drive unit 50, a rotating shaft 51, a motor case 54, a motor cover 55, and a power supply unit 56. The motor 5 is positioned such that the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 is approximately horizontal. The first surface S1 of the motor 5, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51, faces the second surface S2 of the housing 4. The motor 5 has a pump drive unit 50 and a power supply unit 56 protruding from the first surface S1. The pump drive unit 50 drives the pump 6 by the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 51. The pump drive unit 50 and the pump 6 will be described later using the example shown in Figure 2. The power supply unit 56 is inserted through a through hole 47 in the housing 4 and connected to the electrical device 2. The motor 5 receives power from the electrical device 2 via the power supply unit 56.

[0010] The motor case 54 has a housing section 54A that houses the components of the motor 5. The housing section 54A has an opening 54B on the first surface S1 of the motor 5 and is recessed in the opposite direction to the direction in which the pump drive unit 50 and the power supply unit 56 protrude. The motor case 54 has a flange portion 54C that extends radially outward from the opening 54B, along the first surface S1 of the motor 5. The flange portion 54C abuts against the second surface S2 of the housing 4. The motor 5 is fixed to the second surface S2 of the housing 4 via the flange portion 54C. For example, the motor 5 is fixed to the second surface S2 of the housing 4 by fastening the flange portion 54C to the second surface S2 with fastening members such as screws.

[0011] The motor cover 55 is a lid fitted into the opening 54B of the motor case 54. The motor cover 55 partitions the inside of the motor case 54 into a housing section 54A. In Figure 1, among the components of the motor 5 housed in the housing section 54A, components other than the rotating shaft 51 are not shown. The surface of the motor cover 55 forms part of the first surface S1 of the motor 5 and faces the second surface S2 of the housing 4.

[0012] The motor 5 is mounted on the second surface S2 of the housing 4. A through hole 47 is provided on the second surface S2 of the housing 4 through which the power supply unit 56 is inserted. Below the opening 47A of the through hole 47, a pump drive unit housing chamber 41 is formed to house the pump drive unit 50. One end of the piston 60 of the pump 6, which will be described later, is exposed in the pump drive unit housing chamber 41, and fluid may leak from the pump 6. The pump drive unit housing chamber 41 is an example of a fluid leakage point.

[0013] A storage chamber 100 for storing leaked fluid is formed between the housing 4 and the motor cover 55 of the motor 5. The storage chamber 100 is located below the pump drive unit housing chamber 41. In other words, the pump drive unit housing chamber 41 is located above the upper end 101 of the storage chamber 100. The through hole 47, which is located above the pump drive unit housing chamber 41, is located above the upper end 101 of the storage chamber 100.

[0014] (Fluid leakage from the pump) Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, fluid leakage from the pump 6 will be explained using Figure 2. In Figure 2, the pump 6 is a piston pump.

[0015] The pump drive unit 50 shown in Figure 2 has, inside the pump drive unit housing chamber 41, an eccentric shaft portion 52 that is eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the rotating shaft 51, and a cam 53 which is made of a cylindrical bearing that is press-fitted onto the outer circumference of the eccentric shaft portion 52.

[0016] In the pump drive accommodating chamber 41 of the housing 4, two piston holes 42 are opened in a side wall surface 41a thereof. Each piston hole 42 is in a positional relationship opposing each other with the rotating shaft 51 interposed therebetween. Each piston hole 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to both the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 and the vertical direction. One end of each piston hole 42 opens to the side wall surface 41a of the pump drive accommodating chamber 41, and a plug hole 43 in the shape of a cylindrical hole is formed at the other end of the piston hole 42. The plug 7 is inserted into the plug hole 43, and the other end side of the piston hole 42 is closed.

[0017] A piston 60 is inserted into each piston hole 42. The piston 60 is biased toward the cam 53 by the spring 9, and one end of the piston 60 abuts against the cam 53. The other end of the piston 60 and the plug 7 define a pump chamber 8 inside the piston hole 42. A suction passage 44 communicates with a portion of the side wall surface of the piston hole 42 on which the piston 60 slides. A discharge passage 45 communicates with the pump chamber 8. The piston 60 has a vertical hole 62 extending in the axial direction thereof. One end of the vertical hole 62 communicates with the suction passage 44 via a lateral hole 63 formed in the piston 60. The other end of the vertical hole 62 opens to the pump chamber 8. A check valve 11 that allows only the flow of fluid from the suction passage 44 toward the pump chamber 8 via the lateral hole 63 and the vertical hole 62 is disposed at the opening on the other end side of the vertical hole 62. The check valve 11 comprises a ball 111 that comes into contact with and separates from the end face of the opening of the vertical hole 62, a spring 112 that biases the ball 111 toward the end face of the opening of the vertical hole 62, and a cover 113 that holds the spring 112.

[0018] An accommodating groove 61 is formed in an outer peripheral side surface of the piston 60, and a seal member 10 is fitted into the accommodating groove 61. The seal member 10 is formed in an annular shape from an elastic material such as rubber. The seal member 10 abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the piston hole 42 and a bottom surface of the accommodating groove 61.

[0019] When the eccentric shaft portion 52 and the cam 53 rotate due to rotation of the rotating shaft 51, the piston 60 reciprocates within the piston hole 42. As the piston 60 moves toward the rotating shaft 51, the pressure in the pump chamber 8 becomes lower than the pressure in the suction passage 44. As a result, the ball 111 of the check valve 11 moves away from the opening of the vertical hole 62, the check valve 11 opens, and fluid is drawn from the suction passage 44 into the pump chamber 8 through the horizontal hole 63 and the vertical hole 62. On the other hand, when the piston 60 moves toward the plug 7, the ball 111 of the check valve 11 comes into contact with the opening of the vertical hole 62, causing the check valve 11 to close, and the pressurized fluid in the pump chamber 8 is discharged into the discharge passage 45.

[0020] The sealing member 10 prevents fluid leakage from the pump chamber 8 to the pump drive unit housing chamber 41 by contacting the inner circumferential surface of the piston hole 42 and the bottom surface of the housing groove 61. However, the sealing member 10 cannot completely prevent fluid leakage, and a small amount of fluid may leak into the pump drive unit housing chamber 41 through the gap between the piston 60 and the piston hole 42. The fluid that leaks into the pump drive unit housing chamber 41 flows into the storage chamber 100 (Figure 1) via the liquid reservoir 46 provided at the bottom of the pump drive unit housing chamber 41.

[0021] Figure 3 is a plan view of a motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the motor cover 55 of the motor 5 has reinforcing ribs 57 erected in a mesh pattern on its surface. In Figure 3, the pump 6 is omitted from the illustration for the sake of visibility of the reinforcing ribs 57. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reinforcing rib according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing rib 57 is erected from the surface of the motor cover 55 which constitutes a part of the first surface S1, and faces the second surface S2 of the housing 4. A gap of length L is provided between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2. The gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 prevents the flange portion 54C (see Figure 1) from contacting the second surface S2.

[0022] The length L of the gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 varies depending on its position on the surface of the motor cover 55. When the gap length L is within a predetermined range, capillary action occurs in the fluid. The portion of the gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 where capillary action occurs can become a fluid flow path. As shown in Figure 1, if a storage chamber 100 is formed between the housing 4 and the motor cover 55 of the motor 5, the fluid stored in the storage chamber 100 can flow through the flow path between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2.

[0023] Between the surface of the motor cover 55 and the second surface S2, the positions where the reinforcing ribs 57 are not present are spaced apart to the extent that capillary action does not occur. In the case of the reinforcing ribs 57, the portion provided near the outer circumference of the motor cover 55 has a gap length L between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 that is set outside a predetermined range.

[0024] If the fluid flow path reaches the opening 47A of the through hole 47, there is a risk that the fluid may enter the electrical device 2 via the through hole 47. Therefore, a gap is formed between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2, forming a flow path through which the fluid can flow by capillary action, intermittently from the storage chamber 100 to the opening 47A. As a result, the fluid does not reach the opening 47A from the storage chamber 100.

[0025] In Figure 3, a dividing section 58 is provided between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2, which separates the flow path extending from the storage chamber 100 from the opening 47A. The dividing section 58 is, for example, configured such that the length L of the gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 is such that capillary action does not occur. The length at which capillary action does not occur is less than the lower limit of a predetermined range in which capillary action occurs, or longer than the upper limit of a predetermined range. When the length L of the gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 is longer than the upper limit of a predetermined range, this includes cases where the reinforcing rib 57 is not erected, or where it is a groove recessed below the surface of the motor cover 55.

[0026] In Figure 3, three dividing sections 58 are positioned below the lower end 56A of the power supply section 56 and below the lower end 47B of the opening 47A, and above the upper end 101 of the storage chamber 100. One of the dividing sections 58 extends radially and prevents fluid leaking from the pump 6 (not shown in Figure 3) from reaching the opening 47A and the power supply section 56 by capillary action. The remaining two dividing sections 58 separate the flow path extending from the storage chamber 100 in the circumferential direction R1 of the rotation shaft 51 of the motor 5 from the opening 47A and the power supply section 56. The dividing sections 58 shown in Figure 3 are formed by widening the gap between the reinforcing rib 57 and the second surface S2 to the same extent as the gap between the surface of the motor cover 55 (the part where the reinforcing rib 57 is not present), which constitutes part of the first surface S1, and the second surface S2.

[0027] The three divisions 58 shown in Figure 3 are located above the position of the pump 6 shown in Figure 1. That is, they are located above the sealing member 10 of the pump 6. Therefore, the fluid leaking from the pump 6 does not reach the opening 47A.

[0028] [Variation] The arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 57 erected on the surface of the motor cover 55 is not limited to that shown in Figure 3. For example, the reinforcing ribs 57 may be erected more densely on the surface of the motor cover 55 than in Figure 3. If the reinforcing ribs 57 are erected more densely than in Figure 3, it is preferable to increase the number of dividing portions 58 provided between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 so that the opening 47A is separated from the flow path extending from the storage chamber 100.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the dividing portion 58 is positioned below the lower end 56A of the power supply portion 56 and the lower end 47B of the opening 47A, above the upper end 101 of the storage chamber 100, and above the sealing member 10 of the pump 6. However, the dividing portion 58 may be positioned at other locations as well.

[0030] In the above embodiment, pump 6 is assumed to be a piston pump. However, pump 6 is not limited to a piston pump as long as it is driven by motor 5. For example, it may be a gear pump that pressurizes the fluid by the meshing of multiple gears. If pump 6 is a gear pump, the seal member 10 is arranged around the axis of the rotating shaft 51 of motor 5. Fluid may also leak from the seal member 10 of a gear pump. In addition, instead of the above-mentioned pumps, for example, a hydraulic source of the type called an electric cylinder, in which the forward stroke amount of the piston is controlled according to the required discharge amount, may be used.

[0031] 〔summary〕 A hydraulic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor having a power supply unit connected to a power source protruding from a first surface, and a hydraulic block to which the motor is fixed on a second surface facing the first surface of the motor, wherein a storage chamber for storing fluid leaked from the hydraulic block is formed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface of the hydraulic block has a through-hole opening through which the power supply unit is inserted, spaced apart from the portion of the second surface that forms the storage chamber, the motor has reinforcing ribs erected from the first surface, and a gap is formed between the reinforcing ribs and the second surface, intermittently from the storage chamber to the opening, through which the fluid can flow by capillary action. A gap may form between the reinforcing rib and the second surface of the hydraulic block, through which fluid can flow by capillary action. However, this gap is only intermittently formed from the storage chamber to the power supply section. In other words, the power supply section is separated from the flow path extending from the storage chamber. Therefore, adverse effects caused by fluid from the storage chamber reaching the power supply section can be suppressed. For example, it is possible to prevent fluid from reaching the power source to which the power supply section is electrically connected. Conventionally, when a through-hole for inserting the power supply unit is opened on the second surface of the hydraulic block, a sealing member was provided in the through-hole to prevent fluid from reaching the power supply source. By providing a dividing section between the first and second surfaces, the installation of a sealing member can be omitted even when a through-hole is opened between the motor and the power supply source. If the second surface and the reinforcing rib come into contact, pressure will be applied to the surface of the motor cover from the contact point, potentially causing deformation of the motor cover or motor case. By providing a gap between the second surface of the hydraulic block and the reinforcing rib, contact between the second surface and the reinforcing rib is less likely to occur even if there are dimensional variations in the components of the hydraulic block and reinforcing rib. Furthermore, when a gel-like sealant is interposed between the first surface of the motor and the second surface of the hydraulic block, sufficient space can be secured for the sealant. Furthermore, the gaps between the reinforcing ribs and the second surface of the hydraulic block through which fluid can flow due to capillary action can be adjusted to prevent capillary action from occurring by adjusting the size of the gaps. Therefore, according to this disclosure, a hydraulic device with a suitably designed space between the first and second surfaces can be provided.

[0032] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the hydraulic device is configured such that the opening is positioned above the upper end of the storage chamber, and the gap between the reinforcing rib and the second surface, which forms a fluid passage extending from the storage chamber, is divided below the lower end of the opening. According to this disclosure, it is possible to effectively prevent fluid from reaching the opening of the through hole.

[0033] A hydraulic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, in the embodiment, comprises a pump driven by the motor for pressurizing the fluid, the pump having a sealing member to suppress leakage of the fluid, and the gap between the reinforcing rib and the second surface, the gap forming a fluid passage extending from the storage chamber, is divided above the sealing member. According to this disclosure, fluid leaking from the pump through the sealing member is less likely to flow upward due to capillary action. For example, if the opening of the through hole is located only above the sealing member, the fluid is less likely to reach the power supply section.

[0034] A hydraulic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises, in the embodiment, a pump driven by the motor for pressurizing the fluid, the pump having a sealing member for suppressing leakage of the fluid, and the opening is formed on the second surface at a position above the sealing member. According to this disclosure, compared to an embodiment in which the opening of the through hole is located at the same level as or below the sealing member, the fluid leaking through the sealing member is less likely to reach the opening.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hydraulic device, in the embodiment, has a portion of the reinforcing rib that forms a gap between itself and the second surface through which the fluid can flow by capillary action, extending along the circumferential direction of the motor's rotation axis. According to this disclosure, the motor can be uniformly reinforced in the circumferential direction by having the reinforcing ribs extend along the circumferential direction.

[0036] [Additional Notes] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Hydraulic device 2. Electrical equipment 4 Housing (hydraulic block) 5 Motors 6 pumps 10 sealing member 47 Through hole 47A aperture 51 Rotation axis 56 Power supply section 57 Reinforcement Ribs 58 Divided section 100 Storage Room

Claims

1. A motor in which the power supply section connected to the power source protrudes from the first surface, The motor comprises a hydraulic block to which the motor is fixed on a second surface facing the first surface of the motor, In a hydraulic device in which a storage chamber for storing fluid leaked from within the hydraulic block is formed between the first surface and the second surface, On the second surface of the hydraulic block, an opening for a through hole through which the power supply unit is inserted is formed, spaced apart from the portion of the second surface that forms the storage chamber. The motor has reinforcing ribs erected from the first surface, A hydraulic device wherein a gap is intermittently formed between the reinforcing rib and the second surface, through which the fluid can flow by capillary action, from the storage chamber to the opening.

2. The opening is positioned above the upper end of the storage chamber. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein the gap between the reinforcing rib and the second surface, the gap that forms a fluid flow path extending from the storage chamber, is divided below the lower end of the opening.

3. The system includes a pump driven by the motor for pressurizing the fluid, The pump has a sealing member to suppress the leakage of the fluid, The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein the gap between the reinforcing rib and the second surface, the gap that forms a fluid flow path extending from the storage chamber, is divided above the sealing member.

4. The system includes a pump driven by the motor for pressurizing the fluid, The pump has a sealing member to suppress the leakage of the fluid, The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed on the second surface at a position above the sealing member.

5. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the reinforcing rib that forms a gap between itself and the second surface through which the fluid can flow by capillary action extends along the circumferential direction of the motor's rotation axis.

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