Connecting device

Abstract

To provide a coupling device capable of implementing, in a relatively simple structure, at least one of power control for generating an operation torque of a rotor in a cut-off state of power transmission and power control for cutting off transmission of power in accordance with a level of an acting torque.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a coupling device 1 comprising a first rotor 10 and a second rotor 20 which are disposed relatively rotatable on the same axis. The coupling device comprises a spacer 40 disposed between the first rotor and the second rotor, and a pressing member 50 which presses at least one of the first rotor and the second rotor to the spacer. The spacer is formed from an elastic member and generates a frictional force between the spacer and the one rotor by being pressed with the pressing member. The one rotor and the spacer are formed so as to perform idling of the one rotor or the spacer when a torque greater than the frictional force acts between the one rotor and the spacer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device having a first rotating body and a second rotating body arranged coaxially and rotatably relative to each other. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a coupling device having two rotating bodies as a coupling device that couples two different parts or members. For example, as one of the coupling devices having two rotating bodies, a power transmission device is known in which the two rotating bodies are each formed by a gear and which transmits power (rotational force) from one gear to the other gear. As an example of a power transmission device, for example, JP 2008-169911 A (Patent Document 1) describes a clutch that transmits the torque of a first gear to a second gear. The clutch in Patent Document 1 is formed so as to interrupt the transmission of torque from the second gear to the first gear. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-169911 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The power transmission device of Patent Document 1 is formed with a complex structure in order to transmit rotational force from the first gear to the second gear as described above, while blocking power from the second gear to the first gear.

[0005] Incidentally, in a power transmission device in which power is transmitted between a first gear and a second gear, the following power control may be required depending on the manner of use. For example, even in a state in which a rotational force is not transmitted between the first gear and the second gear, power control may be required to generate a torque (operation torque) for rotating the first gear or the second gear. Also, for example, power control may be required to cut off the transmission of power when the torque acting between the first gear and the second gear exceeds a predetermined range.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and its object is to provide a coupling device having two rotating bodies including a power transmission device, which can realize at least one of power control that generates an operating torque for the rotating bodies even when the power transmission is cut off, and power control that cuts off the power transmission depending on the magnitude of the acting torque, with a relatively simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a coupling device having a first rotating body and a second rotating body arranged coaxially and relatively rotatably, the coupling device having a spacer arranged between the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and a pressing member for pressing at least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body against the spacer, the spacer being made of an elastic member, and a frictional force is generated between the one rotating body by pressing with the pressing member, and the one rotating body and the spacer are formed so that the one rotating body or the spacer can rotate freely with respect to the spacer or the one rotating body when a torque larger than the frictional force acts between the one rotating body and the spacer. The spacer has an annular shape, and a contact portion of the spacer with which the one rotating body comes into contact is provided with a recess formed circumferentially or in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the spacer, or a protrusion formed circumferentially over the entire circumferential direction of the spacer, and a contact portion of the one rotating body with which the spacer comes into contact is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the recess of the spacer and formed circumferentially over the entire circumferential direction of the one rotating body, or a recess corresponding to the protrusion of the spacer and formed circumferentially or in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the one rotating body, and the recess provided in the spacer or the one rotating body is a recessed groove portion whose groove width gradually decreases toward an insertion direction in which the protrusion is inserted into the recess, and the protrusion provided in the one rotating body or the spacer is accommodated in the recessed groove portion and contacts an inner wall surface of the recessed groove portion at two points spaced apart from each other in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the circumferential direction. It is characterized by the above.

[0008] In the connecting device of the present invention, it is preferable that the first rotating body is formed by a first gear having a plurality of teeth provided on an outer circumferential edge portion, and the second rotating body is formed by a second gear having a plurality of teeth provided on an outer circumferential edge portion.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the spacer is provided non-rotatably with respect to the other of the first rotating body and the second rotating body. It is also preferable that power can be transmitted between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the coupling device of the present invention, at least one of power control that generates an operating torque for a rotating body even when power transmission is cut off, and power control that cuts off power transmission depending on the magnitude of the acting torque can be realized with a relatively simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of the connecting device shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded state. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view that typically shows a cross section of the connecting device shown in FIG. 1 taken along a radial direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a spacer used in the connecting device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of another modified example of the spacer used in the connecting device. [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of a first rotating body and a spacer used in the connecting device. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of a part of an airflow direction adjustment device to which the connecting device shown in FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of a main part of the airflow direction adjustment device shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view showing a cup holder device to which the connecting device shown in FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of a main part of the cup holder device shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing a console box to which a connecting device according to a modified example of the present invention is applied. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of a hinge portion of the console box shown in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications are possible as long as they have substantially the same configuration as the present invention and provide similar operational effects. For example, although several application examples to which the connecting device of the present invention is applied are described below, the connecting device of the present invention can also be applied to various other products. EXAMPLES

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connecting device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connecting device shown in Fig. 1 is disassembled. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the connecting device shown in Fig. 1 cut along a radial direction. In the following description, the direction along the rotation axes of the two rotating bodies is referred to as the up-down direction. In this case, for convenience, the side on which the pressing member is disposed with respect to the rotating bodies is referred to as the up direction, and the opposite side is referred to as the down direction.

[0015] The connecting device 1 of this embodiment has a support part 30, an upper first gear (first rotating body) 10 and a lower second gear (second rotating body) 20 which are rotatably supported by the support part 30, a spacer 40 arranged between the first gear 10 and the second gear 20, a pressing member 50 arranged on the first gear 10, and a retaining part 60 which engages with the lower end part of the support part 30, and each member / component is formed independently (formed separately from the other members / components).

[0016] This coupling device 1 is formed as a power transmission device (clutch mechanism) that transmits power (rotational force) between a first gear 10 and a second gear 20. In other words, when power (rotational force) is input to the first gear 10, the power can be output from the second gear 20, and power can also be input and output in the opposite direction.

[0017] The support part 30 has a shaft part 31 extending in the vertical direction, and a flange part 32 provided integrally with the upper end part of the shaft part 31. The first gear 10, the second gear 20, and the spacer 40 are rotatably attached to the shaft part 31 of the support part 30, and a pressing member 50 is attached to the shaft part 31 so as to be elastically deformable.

[0018] The lower end of the shaft portion 31 is provided with a plurality of engaging claws 33 that engage and fix the pressing portion 60. The pressing portion 60 has an annular (ring-shaped) shape with an insertion hole 61 through which the shaft portion 31 is inserted at the center. In this embodiment, the method and means for engaging or fixing the pressing portion 60 to the shaft portion 31 of the support portion 30 are not particularly limited, and conventionally known methods and means can be used.

[0019] The pressing member 50, the first gear 10, the spacer 40, and the second gear 20 are sandwiched between the flange 32 of the support part 30 and the pressing part 60 fixed to the lower end of the shaft part 31, stacked in this order in the vertical direction. In this case, the second gear 20 is in rotatable contact with the pressing part 60.

[0020] The first gear 10 has a first base 11 having an annular shape with an insertion hole provided in the center, a first tooth portion 12 provided integrally with the outer periphery of the first base 11, and a protrusion 13 protruding downward from the first base 11 (see Figs. 2 and 3). An accommodation groove portion 14 for placing and accommodating a part of the pressing member 50 is provided on the upper surface of the first base 11 along the circumferential direction of the first gear 10.

[0021] The first tooth portion 12 is provided with a plurality of teeth that protrude outward in the radial direction of the first gear 10. The protruding portion 13 of the first gear 10 is formed by a protruding streak portion 13a that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first base portion 11. The protruding streak portion 13a is formed as a contact portion of the first gear 10 with which the spacer 40 comes into contact, and is provided in a continuous circumferential shape over the entire circumferential direction of the first gear 10 when viewed from the bottom of the first gear 10 (not shown). Note that in the present invention, the shape of the protruding portion 13 provided on the first gear 10 is not limited to the protruding streak portion 13a, and other shapes and structures may be adopted.

[0022] The second gear 20 has a second base portion 21 having an annular shape with an insertion hole provided in the center, a second teeth portion 22 provided integrally with the outer periphery of the second base portion 21, a cylindrical portion 23 protruding cylindrically downward from the second base portion 21, and four ribs 24 protruding from the upper surface of the second base portion 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The second teeth portion 22 is provided with a plurality of teeth protruding toward the outside in the radial direction of the second gear 20. The four ribs 24 of the second gear 20 are provided linearly along the radial direction of the second gear 20 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second gear 20.

[0023] The spacer 40 in this embodiment is formed from a material and / or shape that generates a frictional force between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 that allows the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 to rotate integrally (or together) when a rotational force is input to the first gear 10 or the second gear 20 with the first gear 10 pressed against the spacer 40 by the pressing member 50.

[0024] To explain the spacer 40 in more detail, the spacer 40 is formed of an elastic member. The elastic member is a member having elasticity. The elastic member includes, for example, a member formed of an elastically deformable material and a member having a shape that exerts elasticity. The elastic member may also be formed of a soft synthetic resin.

[0025] The spacer 40 has an annular or ring-like shape. A recess 41 is provided on the circumferential upper surface of the spacer 40. The recess 41 of the spacer 40 is formed by a groove 41a that receives and contacts the above-mentioned protruding strip 13a of the first gear 10. In the present invention, the shape of the recess 41 provided in the spacer 40 is not limited to the groove 41a, and other shapes and structures may be adopted.

[0026] The recessed groove 41a is provided in a continuous circular shape over the entire circumferential direction of the spacer 40 in a plan view (not shown) of the spacer 40. By accommodating and contacting the protruding streak portion 13a of the first gear 10 in the recessed groove 41a of the spacer 40, it is possible to prevent the relative position between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 from shifting. Also, an appropriate frictional force can be stably generated between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40.

[0027] The spacer 40 has four engagement recesses 42 at its lower end into which the ribs 24 on the second gear 20 are inserted and engaged. When the spacer 40 is placed on the second gear 20, the ribs 24 of the second gear 20 are engaged with the engagement recesses 42 of the spacer 40, so that the spacer 40 is mounted non-rotatably relative to the second gear 20.

[0028] The pressing member 50 of this embodiment is formed by a coil spring 51. This coil spring 51 biases the first gear 10 to press the first gear 10 against the spacer 40. This makes it possible to stably maintain the state in which the convex streak portion 13a of the first gear 10 is accommodated in and in contact with the concave groove portion 41a of the spacer 40. In addition, the coil spring 51 makes it possible to press the spacer 40 against the second gear 20 (in other words, the second gear 20 can be pressed against the spacer 40), thereby stably maintaining the state in which the rib 24 of the second gear 20 is engaged with the engagement recess 42 of the spacer 40.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pressing member 50 is formed of the coil spring 51, but the pressing member 50 may be formed of an elastic member other than the coil spring 51 as long as it is capable of pressing the first gear 10 against the spacer 40. In addition, the pressing member 50 in this embodiment is disposed on the upper side of the first gear 10 (the side opposite the spacer 40 side of the first gear 10), but in the present invention, the pressing member 50 may be disposed on the lower side of the second gear 20 (the side opposite the spacer 40 side of the second gear 20) or may be disposed on both the upper side of the first gear 10 and the lower side of the second gear 20.

[0030] The connecting device (power transmission device) 1 of this embodiment is formed with a simple structure that can be assembled relatively easily. That is, the connecting device 1 can be easily assembled by attaching the coil spring 51, the first gear 10, the spacer 40, and the second gear 20 in that order to the shaft portion 31 of the support portion 30, and then inserting the shaft portion 31 of the support portion 30 into the insertion hole portion 61 of the pressing portion 60 and fixing the pressing portion 60 to the lower end portion of the shaft portion 31.

[0031] According to the connecting device 1 of this embodiment, power transmission in which the rotational force input to the first gear 10 is output from the second gear 20, and power transmission in the opposite direction can be smoothly performed. In the coupling device 1 of this embodiment, for example, when one of the first gear 10 and the second gear 20 is kept non-rotatable, in order to rotate the other of the first gear 10 and the second gear 20, it is necessary to input a torque greater than the frictional force generated between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 to the other gear. This makes it possible to easily and stably generate torque (operation torque) when rotating the other gear. This makes it possible to give the operator a sense of operation or use of the coupling device 1.

[0032] In this case, in the connecting device 1 of this embodiment, the magnitude of the operating torque can be easily changed or adjusted by changing the material of the spacer 40, changing the shape of the spacer 40, and changing the reaction force of the pressing member 50 (the elastic force of the coil spring 51), etc.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the connecting device 1 of this embodiment, when a rotational force is input to one of the first gear 10 and the second gear 20, if the torque acting between the first gear 10 and the second gear 20 becomes greater than the frictional force generated between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40, the integrated rotation of the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 due to the frictional force cannot be maintained, and power control can be performed to cause the first gear 10 to rotate freely (to rotate independently) relative to the spacer 40 (or the spacer 40 to rotate independently relative to the first gear 10).

[0034] The connecting device 1 of this embodiment, which performs such power control, can cut off the transmission of power between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 when the torque acting between the first gear 10 and the second gear 20 exceeds a set value set by the frictional force, thereby exerting a cancellation function that cancels the input torque. In this case, with the connecting device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily change or adjust the set value of the cancellation function that is set by the frictional force by changing the material of the spacer 40, changing the shape of the spacer 40, and changing the reaction force of the pressing member 50 (the elastic force of the coil spring 51), etc.

[0035] 2 and 3, the spacer 40 of this embodiment is formed by providing a circumferential groove portion 41a that is continuous over the entire circumferential direction on the upper surface portion of the annular spacer 40, and the first gear 10 is provided with a protruding streak portion 13a that is received in and contacts the groove portion 41a of the spacer 40. However, the spacer used in the coupling device (power transmission device) of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the spacer may be provided with a protruding portion (protruding streak portion) on the upper surface portion, and the first gear may be provided with a recessed portion (recessed groove portion) that receives and contacts the protruding portion.

[0036] Furthermore, in the present invention, instead of the spacer 40 of the embodiment described above, it is also possible to form a coupling device (power transmission device) using spacers 40a, 40b shown as modified examples in Figs. For example, a spacer 40a according to a modified example shown in Fig. 4 is formed by alternately providing four grooves 43 that accommodate and contact the protruding streak portion 13a of the first gear 10 and four non-contact portions 44 that do not contact the protruding streak portion 13a of the first gear 10 in the circumferential direction of the spacer 40. On the other hand, a spacer 40b according to a modified example shown in Fig. 5 is formed by alternately providing two circumferential grooves 45, 46 in the radial direction on the upper surface of the spacer 40.

[0037] A coupling device formed using the spacer 40a shown in Fig. 4 or the spacer 40b shown in Fig. 5 can achieve the same effect as the coupling device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case, the magnitude of the operating torque and the set value of the cancel function can be set differently from those of the coupling device 1 of the embodiment.

[0038] In the connecting device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the second gear 20 and the spacer 40 are formed separately, but in the present invention, the connecting device may be formed using a gear member 70 having a shape in which the second gear 20 and the spacer 40 are integrated, as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the gear member 70 in Fig. 6 has a second gear portion 71 and a spacer portion 72.

[0039] The second gear portion 71 of the gear member 70 has substantially the same shape as the second gear 20 of the embodiment, except that the rib 24 is not provided. The spacer portion 72 has four pillar portions 72a rising from the second gear portion 71, a ring portion 72b connecting the upper ends of the pillar portions 72a, and four contact portions 72c protruding from the upper surface of the ring portions 72b and contacting the first gear 10. The contact portions 72c are disposed at intermediate positions between two adjacent pillar portions 72a in the circumferential direction of the ring portions 72b. The spacer portion 72 is elastically deformable so as to deflect the ring portions 72b when the contact portions 72c are brought into contact with the first gear 10.

[0040] Even with a connecting device formed using the gear member 70 shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the connecting device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case, it is possible to set the magnitude of the operation torque and the set value of the cancel function different from those of the connecting device 1 of the embodiment.

[0041] Furthermore, in the present invention, as described later with reference to Fig. 12, instead of the first gear 10 and second gear 20 of the above-described embodiment, a first rotatable ring 80 and a second rotatable ring 90 having an annular shape without teeth may be provided as the first and second rotating bodies in the connecting device 2. Even in the connecting device 2 having such a first rotatable ring 80 and a second rotatable ring 90, power control for generating an operating torque can be easily and stably performed when an operation is performed to rotate one of the first rotatable ring 80 and the second rotatable ring 90. As a result, it is possible to give the operator a sense of operation or use of the connecting device 2.

[0042] Next, as a specific embodiment in which the coupling device (power transmission device) 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment is applied, a case in which the coupling device 1 is applied to a wind direction adjustment device 100 (first application example) will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

[0043] 7 has a case body 101 having a space therein through which air flows, a plurality of first fins 102 provided at a downstream opening of the case body 101, and a plurality of second fins 103 provided adjacent to the upstream side of the first fins 102. In this case, the upstream side and the downstream side refer to the upstream side and the downstream side in the air flow direction.

[0044] The multiple first fins 102 are arranged along the width direction of the case body 101, and are held by the case body 101 to be rotatable in the height direction of the case body 101. The multiple first fins 102 are also connected to one another by a first link member (not shown) so that the rotations of the first fins 102 are linked.

[0045] The second fins 103 are arranged along the height direction of the case body 101, and are held by the case body 101 so as to be rotatable in the width direction of the case body 101. The second fins 103 are connected to one another by a second link member (not shown) so that the rotations of the second fins 103 are linked.

[0046] A connecting member 104 is connected to one of the second fins 103. The connecting member 104 has a connecting shaft portion 104a connected to the second fin 103, and a sector gear 104b integrally formed at the upper end portion of the connecting shaft portion 104a. The sector gear 104b of the connecting member 104 is meshed with the second gear 20 of the coupling device 1 of the embodiment, and a rotational force is transmitted from the second gear 20 to the sector gear 104b, whereby the multiple second fins 103 can be rotated in conjunction with each other.

[0047] This airflow direction adjustment device 100 is provided with a drive unit 105 incorporating a motor (not shown), an external gear 106 attached to the rotation shaft of the drive unit 105, and a coupling device 1 of the embodiment connected to the external gear 106. The external gear 106 is meshed with a first gear 10 of the coupling device 1, and the driving force (rotational force) of the drive unit 105 is input to the first gear 10 of the coupling device 1 via the external gear 106. In addition, when the drive unit 105 is stopped, the first gear 10 is also held in a stopped state in which it does not rotate.

[0048] In such an airflow direction adjustment device 100, when the second fins 103 are rotated by the driving force of the drive unit 105, the driving force of the drive unit 105 is input to the first gear 10 of the connecting device 1, thereby rotating the first gear 10 in the connecting device 1, and the spacer 40 and the second gear 20 can be rotated integrally with the first gear 10 by the frictional force generated between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40. As a result, the rotational force of the second gear 20 is transmitted to the sector gear 104b of the connecting member 104, so that the second fins 103 can be rotated in the width direction (left and right) in conjunction with each other by the driving of the drive unit 105.

[0049] On the other hand, in the airflow direction adjustment device 100, the second fins 103 can be rotated in the width direction in unison by manually operating an operation unit (not shown) connected to the second fins 103 with the drive unit 105 stopped (with the first gear 10 not rotating). To be more specific, when the second fins 103 are manually operated, the first gear 10 is held in a non-rotating state as described above, but a rotational force (operation torque) is input to the second gear 20 of the coupling device 1 through the connection member 104 by manual operation. At this time, the operation torque input to the second gear 20 becomes larger than the frictional force generated between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40, so that the second gear 20 and the spacer 40 can be rotated idly with respect to the first gear 10, and therefore the second fins 103 can be easily rotated manually even with the drive unit 105 stopped.

[0050] In addition, when the second fin 103 is manually rotated while the drive unit 105 is stopped, the change in frictional force from the static frictional force of the spacer 40 against the first gear 10 to the kinetic frictional force can be made relatively small because the spacer 40 is made of an elastic material. This makes it possible to prevent the operator from feeling uncomfortable when starting to manually rotate the second fin 103. In addition, since an operating torque larger than the frictional force is required to manually rotate the second fin 103, the operator can be given an appropriate operating feel for the second fin 103. Furthermore, when the rotation of the second fin 103 is stopped in a desired direction (angle), the frictional force between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 can stably hold the stopped state of the second fin 103 (the direction of the second fin 103).

[0051] Next, a case (second application example) in which the connecting device (power transmission device) 1 of the embodiment is applied to a cup holder device 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] 9 has a holder body 111 into which a container such as a cup (not shown) is inserted and held, and a first tab 112 at an upper level, a second tab 114 at a middle level, and a third tab 116 at a lower level, which hold the container inserted into the holder body 111 from the sides. Also, a sector gear 113 is integrally provided on each of the first tab 112 to the third tab 116.

[0053] In this cup holder device 110, the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 each rotate on a plane perpendicular to the height direction of the holder body 111, thereby pressing and holding a container (not shown) inserted into the holder body 111 from the side, and also releasing the container from its holding state by the first tab 112 to the third tab 116.

[0054] In the cup holder device 110, a drive unit (not shown), an external gear 117 attached to the rotation shaft of the drive unit, and a connecting device 1 of the embodiment connected to the external gear 117 are provided for the first tab 112 to the third tab 116. In this case, for convenience, the connecting devices 1 provided for the first tab 112, the second tab 114, and the third tab 116 are referred to as the first connecting device 1a, the second connecting device 1b, and the third connecting device 1c, respectively. Also, the first connecting device 1a, the second connecting device 1b, and the third connecting device 1c are installed in the cup holder device 110 with their up-down directions facing in opposite directions.

[0055] In this cup holder device 110, each sector gear 113 of the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 is meshed with each second gear 20 of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c. Each first gear 10 of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c is meshed with an external gear 117, and the driving force (rotational force) of each driving unit (not shown) is input to each first gear 10 of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c via the external gear 117. Also, when each driving unit is stopped, each corresponding first gear 10 is held in a stopped state in which it does not rotate.

[0056] In such cup holder device 110, with a container inserted in holder main body 111, the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 can be rotated in a direction approaching or away from the container via first connecting device 1a to third connecting device 1c by driving the respective drive units. Therefore, with a container inserted in holder main body 111, by rotating first tab 112 to third tab 116 in a direction approaching the container, the container can be automatically and stably held by first tab 112 to third tab 116 so as not to move (or so as to be difficult to move) within holder main body 111.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, when the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 are in contact with a container, and a rotational force in a direction approaching the container is input from each drive unit to the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 via the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c, the transmission of power between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 can be blocked by the above-mentioned canceling functions of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c. This prevents a large load from being applied to each of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c, and suppresses damage to the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, when the driving of each drive unit stops while the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 are pressing down on a container, the positions of the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 can be stably maintained by the frictional force between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 in each of the first connecting device 1a to the third connecting device 1c. Therefore, the state in which the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 press down on the container can be stably maintained.

[0059] Meanwhile, in a state where the container is held down by first tab 112 to third tab 116 inside holder body 111, the container can be automatically released from the held down state by rotating first tab 112 to third tab 116 in a direction away from the container by driving each drive unit. This allows the container to be easily removed from holder body 111.

[0060] Furthermore, in this cup holder device 110, even when each drive unit is stopped, the second gear 20 and the spacer 40 can be rotated freely relative to the first gear 10 by manually operating each of the first tab 112 to the third tab 116, so that each of the first tab 112 to the third tab 116 can be easily rotated. Particularly in this case, an operating torque greater than the frictional force between the first gear 10 and the spacer 40 is required to rotate the first tab 112 to the third tab 116, so that the operator can be given an appropriate operating feel.

[0061] Next, a case (third application example) in which a modified connecting device 2 in which a first rotating ring 80 and a second rotating ring 90 having an annular shape without teeth are provided instead of the first gear 10 and the second gear 20 in the connecting device 1 of the embodiment is applied to a console box 120 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

[0062] 11 includes a console main body 121 having a storage section, a lid section (armrest) 122 arranged on the console main body 121 so as to be openable and closable, and a hinge section 123 connecting the console main body 121 and the lid section 122. The hinge section 123 includes a shaft section 124 fixed to the console main body 121, a coupling device 2 of a modified example fixed to the shaft section 124, and a cover section 125 that covers the coupling device 2. The cover section 125 is fixed to the lid section 122, and is formed so as to rotate together with the lid section 122.

[0063] The coupling device 2 of the modified example has a support portion 30, a first rotatable ring 80 and a second rotatable ring 90 rotatably supported on the support portion 30, a spacer 40c disposed between the first rotatable ring 80 and the second rotatable ring 90, a pressing member (coil spring) 50a, and a retainer 60a that engages with the tip portion of the support portion 30. Note that in the console box 120, the coupling device 1 of the embodiment having the first gear 10 and the second gear 20 may be used instead of the coupling device 2 having the first rotatable ring 80 and the second rotatable ring 90.

[0064] In the connecting device 2, the first rotating ring 80 may be held by a holding portion (not shown) so as not to rotate. The second rotating ring 90 is fixed to the holding portion 60a, and the holding portion 60a is formed integrally with the cover portion 125. Note that, for example, when the connecting device 1 of the embodiment is used instead of the connecting device 2, the cover portion 125 may be connected to the second gear 20 of the connecting device 1 via a gear (not shown) provided on the cover portion 125.

[0065] The spacer 40c of the connecting device 2 is provided so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the first rotatable ring 80. A circumferential recessed groove portion 47 is provided at a contact portion of the spacer 40c that contacts the second rotatable ring 90. The second rotatable ring 90 is provided with a circumferential protruding portion 91 that is received in and comes into contact with the recessed groove portion 47 of the spacer 40c.

[0066] In the coupling device 2 of the modified example, the second rotatable ring 90 is pressed against the spacer 40c by the pressing member 50a, so that the convex ridges 91 of the second rotatable ring 90 can be accommodated in the concave grooves 47 of the spacer 40c and kept in stable contact with the spacer 40c. In addition, a frictional force is generated between the second rotatable ring 90 and the spacer 40c. In the coupling device 2 of this modified example, when the torque acting on the second rotatable ring 90 becomes greater than the frictional force, the second rotatable ring 90 can be made to rotate freely relative to the spacer 40c.

[0067] According to such a console box 120, when opening or closing the lid 122, the second rotating ring 90 can be rotated freely relative to the spacer 40c, so that the lid 122 can be opened and closed easily. Furthermore, when opening or closing the lid 122 in this manner, an operating torque larger than the frictional force is required, so that the operator can be given an appropriate operating feel. Furthermore, when the opening or closing operation of the lid 122 stops, the frictional force between the second rotating ring 90 and the spacer 40c can hold the lid 122 in the stopped position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Coupling device (power transmission device) 1a Connecting device (1st connecting device) 1b Connecting device (second connecting device) 1c Connecting device (3rd connecting device) 2 Coupling device 10 First gear (first rotating body) 11 1st base 12 1st tooth part 13 Convex 13a Convex part 14. Storage groove 20 Second gear (second rotating body) 21 Second base 22 2nd tooth 23 Cylindrical section 24 Ribs 30 Support part 31 Shaft 32 Flange section 33 Engagement claw 40,40a spacer 40b, 40c spacer 41 Recess 41a Concave groove part 42 Engagement recess 43 Concave groove part 44 Non-contact part 45,46 Concave groove part 47 Concave groove part 50, 50a Pressing member 51 Coil spring 60,60a Holding part 61 Insertion hole 70 Gear parts 71 Second Gear Section 72 Spacer part 72a Pillar 72b Ring section 72c Contact part 80 1st Rotating Ring 90 2nd rotating ring 91 Convex portion 100 Wind direction adjustment device 101 Case body 102 1st Fin 103 2nd Fin 104 Connection member 104a Connection shaft 104b Sector Gear 105 Drive unit 106 External Gear 110 Cup holder device 111 Holder body 112 First Tab 113 Sector Gear 114 Second Tab 116 Third Tab 117 External Gear 120 Console box 121 Console main unit 122 Lid (armrest) 123 Hinge part 124 Shaft section 125 Cover part

Claims

1. A coupling device having a first rotating body and a second rotating body arranged coaxially and rotatably relative to each other, a spacer disposed between the first rotor and the second rotor; and a pressing member that presses at least one of the first rotor and the second rotor against the spacer, the spacer is made of an elastic member, and generates a frictional force between the spacer and the one of the rotating bodies by being pressed by the pressing member; the one rotating body and the spacer are formed so that, when a torque larger than the frictional force acts between the one rotating body and the spacer, the one rotating body or the spacer can rotate freely with respect to the spacer or the one rotating body; The spacer has a circular ring shape, a recess formed in a circumferential or arc-shaped manner along the circumferential direction of the spacer, or a protrusion formed in a circumferential manner over the entire circumferential direction of the spacer, is provided at a contact portion of the spacer with which the one rotating body comes into contact; a contact portion of the one rotating body with which the spacer comes into contact is provided with a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion of the spacer and formed circumferentially over the entire circumferential direction of the one rotating body, or a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion of the spacer and formed circumferentially or in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the one rotating body; the recess provided in the spacer or the one of the rotating bodies is a recessed groove portion whose groove width gradually decreases in an insertion direction in which the protrusion is inserted into the recess, The convex portion provided on the one of the rotating bodies or the spacer is accommodated in the concave groove portion and contacts an inner wall surface of the concave groove portion at two points spaced apart from each other in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the circumferential direction. A coupling device characterized in that

2. the first rotor is formed by a first gear having a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential edge portion, The second rotor is formed by a second gear having a plurality of teeth on its outer periphery. The coupling device of claim 1.

3. The spacer is provided so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the other of the first rotating body and the second rotating body. A coupling device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein power can be transmitted between the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

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