Rectification device

Abstract

To enable a force applying mechanism to properly couple a commutator body with a vehicle body.SOLUTION: According to a commutator device 10, when external force acts on a commutator body 14 at a deployed position and the commutator body 14 is rotated in a retracting direction, even if the rotation of the commutator body 14 in the retracting direction is restricted, by cancelling the acting external force on the commutator body 14, the commutator body 14 is rotated to the deployed position by the spring force of a torsion coil spring 26. Accordingly, by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 26, the commutator body 14 can rotate to the deployed position from the entire range where it is rotatable in the retracting direction, and the torsion coil spring 26 can properly rotate the commutator body 14 to the deployed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow straightening device that suppresses airflow to the front wheels of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In the vehicle straightening device described in Patent Document 1 below, a convex portion (pressed portion) of a second collar member on the drive unit side is inserted into a concave portion of a first collar member on the straightening member side by the biasing force of a spring, and when the drive unit is driven, the second collar member and the first collar member are rotated, and the straightening member is rotated. Also, when an external force is applied to the straightening member, the first collar member is rotated relative to the second collar member (vehicle body side) against the biasing force of the spring, and the rotation of the straightening member is permitted.

[0003] In this vehicle air straightening device, if an external force is applied to the air straightening member and the first collar member is rotated relative to the second collar member, causing the convex portion of the second collar member to come out of the concave portion of the first collar member, the spring cannot insert the convex portion of the second collar member into the concave portion of the first collar member, and therefore the spring cannot rotate the first collar member relative to the second collar member, and therefore the air straightening member cannot be rotated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-93785 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a flow straightener device in which a biasing mechanism can appropriately connect the flow straightener to the vehicle body side when the connection between the flow straightener and the vehicle body side is released. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The straightening device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a straightening device that is deployed in front of a front wheel of a vehicle by rotating in a deployment direction to suppress an airflow to the front wheel and that is stored in a vehicle body by rotating in a storage direction; a rotation mechanism that connects the straightening device to the vehicle body side to rotate the straightening device, and that is configured to allow the straightening device to rotate in the storage direction by applying an external force to the straightening device and releasing the connection between the straightening device and the vehicle body side; and a straightening device that urges the straightening device in the deployment direction when the connection between the straightening device and the vehicle body side is released, so that the straightening device can rotate in the storage direction from the entire range in which the straightening device can rotate in the storage direction. The vehicle body side and Concatenated and a biasing mechanism.

[0007] The flow straightening device of the second aspect of the present invention is the flow straightening device of the first aspect of the present invention, Beyond the storage position in the storage direction It is made rotatable.

[0008] The flow straightening device of a third aspect of the present invention is the flow straightening device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a biasing force between the flow straightening side and the vehicle body side to bias the flow straightening side against the vehicle body side. Towards the axis of rotation It has a biasing portion whose movement is restricted.

[0009] A flow straightener of a fourth aspect of the present invention is the flow straightener of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, further comprising a first regulating portion provided on a rotation shaft of the flow straightener and regulating rotation of the flow straightener by the rotation mechanism.

[0010] A straightening device of a fifth aspect of the present invention is a straightening device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a second regulating portion provided on a rotation shaft of the straightening device and regulating rotation of the straightening device when the connection between the straightening device and the vehicle body side is released.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the flow straightening device of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a seal portion that seals between the flow straightening device side and the vehicle body side. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In the first aspect of the present invention, the flow straightener is rotated in a deployment direction, whereby the flow straightener is deployed in front of the front wheels of the vehicle and suppresses the airflow toward the front wheels. Furthermore, the flow straightener is rotated in a storage direction, whereby the flow straightener is stored in the vehicle body.

[0013] In addition, the flow straightener is connected to the vehicle body side, and the rotation mechanism rotates the flow straightener. Furthermore, an external force is applied to the flow straightener, and the connection between the flow straightener and the vehicle body side is released, allowing the flow straightener to rotate in the storage direction.

[0014] When the connection between the flow regulator and the vehicle body side is released, the biasing mechanism biases the flow regulator in the deployment direction, and the flow regulator is rotated in the storage direction from the entire range to the vehicle body side. Concatenated Therefore, the biasing mechanism can appropriately connect the flow regulator to the vehicle body side.

[0015] In the second aspect of the present invention, the flow straightening device is Beyond the storage position in the storage direction Therefore, when the flow straightener is released from the vehicle body side from the deployed position, the biasing mechanism can connect the flow straightener from the storage direction side relative to the storage position.

[0016] In the flow straightening device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the biasing portion biases between the flow straightening side and the vehicle body side, and the biasing portion biases the flow straightening side against the vehicle body side. Towards the axis of rotation This limits the movement of the flow regulator, thereby preventing it from rattling against the vehicle body.

[0017] In the flow straightening device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first regulating portion regulates the rotation of the flow straightening device by the rotation mechanism. Here, the first regulating portion is provided on the rotation shaft of the flow straightening device. This allows for a high degree of freedom in the configuration around the rotation shaft.

[0018] In the straightening device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second regulating portion regulates the rotation of the straightening device caused by the connection between the straightening device and the vehicle body side being released. Here, the second regulating portion is provided on the rotation shaft of the straightening device. This allows for a high degree of freedom in the configuration around the rotation shaft.

[0019] In the flow straightening device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the seal portion seals between the flow straightening device side and the vehicle body side, making it possible to prevent water from entering from the flow straightening device side to the rotating mechanism side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a front part of a vehicle in a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outside in a vehicle width direction. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an airflow straightening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below and inside in a vehicle width direction. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a straightening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the vicinity of a stand of the straightening device of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is an oblique view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction showing the vicinity of the middle part of the stand in the vehicle width direction, and 1B is an oblique view seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction showing the vicinity of the outer part of the stand in the vehicle width direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing an airflow straightening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below and inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing a connecting mechanism of a straightening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where 13A shows the connecting mechanism in a connected state and 13B shows the connecting mechanism in a disconnected state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the front part of a vehicle 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction (to the right of the vehicle). Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a straightening device 10 according to this embodiment as viewed from the inside and below in the vehicle width direction, and Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the straightening device 10 as viewed from above. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outside in the vehicle width direction (to the right of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow straightening device 10 according to this embodiment is installed inside the front end portion of a vehicle body 12A, and disposed in front of a front wheel 12B of a vehicle 12.

[0023] 2 and 3, the flow straightening device 10 is provided with a resin flow straightening unit 14 (air spats), and the flow straightening unit 14 is disposed in a storage position (position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1). The vehicle front end of the flow straightening unit 14 is an assembly box 14A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape as an assembly part, and the inside of the assembly box 14A is open to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The portion of the flow straightening unit 14 rearward of the assembly box 14A is a flow straightening unit 14B having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and the flow straightening unit 14B is integrated with the assembly box 14A at the inner end in the vehicle width direction, and the inside is open to the upper side and the rear side of the vehicle.

[0024] A resin attachment 16 having a generally rectangular cylindrical shape is fitted into the assembly box 14A as an assembly member, and the peripheral wall of the attachment 16 is fixed to the bottom wall (the outer wall in the vehicle width direction) of the assembly box 14A. The inside of the attachment 16 is generally cylindrical, and the inside of the attachment 16 is open on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A partition wall 16A having an annular plate shape is integrally formed within the attachment 16, and the partition wall 16A divides the inside of the attachment 16 into an outer portion in the vehicle width direction and an inner portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] A cylindrical rotating cylinder 16B is coaxially formed integrally with the partition wall 16A on the radially inner side thereof, and the rotating cylinder 16B protrudes from the partition wall 16A inward in the vehicle width direction and protrudes from the attachment 16 inward in the vehicle width direction. A cylindrical seal cylinder 16C is formed integrally with the attachment 16 on the vehicle width direction inner side thereof, and the seal cylinder 16C protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction and is disposed on the vehicle width direction inner side of the assembly box 14A and is disposed coaxially with the rotating cylinder 16B. A substantially rectangular columnar regulating pillar 16D (see FIG. 4(B)) is formed integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder 16B as a regulated portion, and the regulating pillar 16D protrudes inward in the radial direction of the rotating cylinder 16B and is curved along the circumferential direction of the rotating cylinder 16B.

[0026] A rubber annular first ring 18 serving as a first seal is sandwiched between the bottom wall of the assembly box 14A and the peripheral wall of the attachment 16, and the first ring 18 is elastically contracted. The first ring 18 seals between the bottom wall of the assembly box 14A and the peripheral wall of the attachment 16, and the first ring 18 restricts the intrusion of water into the attachment 16.

[0027] A drive unit 20 is attached to the attachment 16, and the drive unit 20 is fixed inside the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A.

[0028] The drive unit 20 is provided with a metallic, generally cylindrical stand 22 (on the vehicle body 12A side) serving as a rotating shaft. The vehicle width direction outer portion of the stand 22 penetrates and fits into the rotating cylinder 16B of the attachment 16, and the attachment 16 and the flow straightener 14 are rotatable in the deployment direction A and the storage direction B with the stand 22 as the central axis. A locking groove 22A having a rectangular cross section is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle width direction outer end of the stand 22, and the locking groove 22A extends in the circumferential direction longer than half the circumference of the stand 22. A metallic, C-shaped, plate-like C-ring 24 serving as a locking member is fitted and fixed to the vehicle width direction outer end of the stand 22, and the C-ring 24 is inserted into the locking groove 22A. The C-ring 24 abuts against the vehicle width direction outer end face of the locking groove 22A and also against the vehicle width direction outer face of the partition wall 16A of the attachment 16, and the C-ring 24 prevents the stand 22 from moving inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] A restricting groove 22B having a long rectangular cross section is formed as a second restricting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle width direction outer portion of the stand 22, and the restricting groove 22B extends in the circumferential direction of the stand 22 at a circumferential position different from the locking groove 22A and the C-ring 24 of the stand 22. The restricting groove 22B is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the restricting post 16D of the attachment 16 is inserted into the restricting groove 22B (see FIG. 4(B)). Therefore, the restricting post 16D abuts against the end face of the restricting groove 22B on the deployment direction A side, restricting the rotation of the attachment 16 and the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A, and the restricting post 16D abuts against the end face of the restricting groove 22B on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the attachment 16 and the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B.

[0030] A circular ring-shaped flange 22C serving as an enlarged diameter portion is integrally formed coaxially with the middle portion of the stand 22 in the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular shaped restricting plate 22D serving as a first restricting portion is integrally formed with the flange 22C, and the restricting plate 22D protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction and is curved along the circumferential direction of the flange 22C.

[0031] The outer portion of the stand 22 in the vehicle width direction and the rotating cylinder 16B of the attachment 16 are inserted into a metallic torsion coil spring 26 serving as a biasing mechanism, and the inner end of the torsion coil spring 26 in the vehicle width direction penetrates and is engaged with a flange 22C of the stand 22. The outer end of the torsion coil spring 26 in the vehicle width direction penetrates and is engaged with a partition wall 16A of the attachment 16, and the torsion coil spring 26 is twisted in the circumferential direction to bias the attachment 16 and the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A, thereby causing the regulating post 16D of the attachment 16 to abut against the end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 on the deployment direction A side (see FIG. 4(B)).

[0032] A resin case 28 serving as a support is provided on the inner side of the attachment 16 in the vehicle width direction, and a cylindrical support tube 28A is provided on the outer side of the case 28 in the vehicle width direction. The support tube 28A is fitted into the attachment 16, and the support tube 28A rotatably supports the attachment 16, and coaxially accommodates the stand 22 (including the flange 22C) and the torsion coil spring 26 therein.

[0033] A substantially rectangular box-shaped case body 28B is integrally formed on the inner side of the support tube 28A in the vehicle width direction, and the case body 28B protrudes from the support tube 28A toward the rear of the vehicle and has an interior that is open to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A cylindrical abutment tube 28C is integrally formed on the bottom wall (outer wall in the vehicle width direction) of the case body 28B, and the abutment tube 28C is disposed coaxially with the support tube 28A and protrudes to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The inside of the abutment tube 28C is connected to the inside of the support tube 28A, and the stand 22 passes through and is fitted into the abutment tube 28C.

[0034] A restricting hole 28D having a rectangular cross section is formed as a restricting portion on the radially outer side of the contact tube 28C of the bottom wall of the case main body 28B, and the restricting hole 28D extends in the circumferential direction of the contact tube 28C. A restricting plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) is inserted into the restricting hole 28D, and the restricting plate 22D abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the stand 22 in the storage direction B. The restricting plate 22D also abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D on the deployment direction A side, restricting the rotation of the stand 22 in the deployment direction A.

[0035] Between the seal tube 16C of the attachment 16 and the support tube 28A of the case 28, a rubber annular seal ring 30 is provided as a seal portion, and the seal ring 30 has a generally U-shaped cross section, and the inside is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction. A metal annular expansion ring 32 is inserted into the seal ring 30, and the expansion ring 32 expands the radial dimension (width dimension) of the seal ring 30. The seal ring 30 is sandwiched between the seal tube 16C and the support tube 28A and elastically contracts, and the seal ring 30 seals between the seal tube 16C and the support tube 28A to restrict the intrusion of water into the support tube 28A (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0036] A resin motor base 34 serving as a holding member is fixed inside the vehicle width direction inner part of the case body 28B. A substantially cylindrical storage tube 34A with a bottom is formed in the vehicle front part of the motor base 34, and the inside of the storage tube 34A is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the stand 22 is coaxially stored in the storage tube 34A. A substantially elliptical storage tube 34B with a bottom is integrally formed in the vehicle rear part of the motor base 34, and the inside of the storage tube 34B is open to the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] A resin cover 36 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape is provided on the inner side of the case body 28B and the motor base 34 in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the cover 36 is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction. The inner end of the case body 28B in the vehicle width direction is fitted into and fixed to the outer end of the cover 36 in the vehicle width direction, and the cover 36 covers the inner sides of the case body 28B and the motor base 34 in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] A rubber annular second ring 38 serving as a second seal is sandwiched between the vehicle width direction inner end of the case body 28B and the vehicle width direction outer end of the cover 36, and the second ring 38 is elastically contracted. The second ring 38 seals between the vehicle width direction inner end of the case body 28B and the vehicle width direction outer end of the cover 36, and the second ring 38 restricts the intrusion of water into the space between the case body 28B and the cover 36.

[0039] The case body 28B and the cover 36 are fixed within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A, whereby the drive unit 20 is fixed within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A.

[0040] A motor 40 serving as a rotation mechanism is provided in the space between the case body 28B and the cover 36. The motor 40 has a substantially elliptical cylindrical main body 40A, which is fitted into and held in a retaining tube 34B of the motor base 34 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. An output shaft 40B extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body 40A, and the output shaft 40B penetrates a bottom wall (outer wall in the vehicle width direction) of the retaining tube 34B and extends outward in the vehicle width direction of the motor base 34. When the motor 40 is driven, the output shaft 40B is rotated.

[0041] A gear mechanism 42 is provided inside the case body 28B.

[0042] The gear mechanism 42 is provided with a resin first-stage worm 44 on the outer side of the motor 40 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end of the first-stage worm 44 in the vehicle width direction is rotatably supported on the bottom wall of the case body 28B. The output shaft 40B of the motor 40 is coaxially inserted into the first-stage worm 44 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and when the output shaft 40B is rotated, the first-stage worm 44 rotates integrally with the output shaft 40B.

[0043] In the gear mechanism 42, a metallic output worm 46 is provided above the first-stage worm 44, and the output worm 46 is rotatably supported between the bottom wall of the case body 28B and the motor base 34. A resin first-stage gear 48 (worm wheel) is coaxially supported below the output worm 46, and the first-stage gear 48 rotates integrally with the output worm 46. The first-stage gear 48 is meshed with the first-stage worm 44, and as the first-stage worm 44 rotates, the first-stage gear 48 and the output worm 46 rotate integrally.

[0044] The gear mechanism 42 is provided with a metallic output gear 50 (worm wheel) on the vehicle front side of the output worm 46. The output gear 50 is coaxially inserted through an inner portion of the stand 22 in the vehicle width direction, and the output gear 50 rotates integrally with the stand 22. The output gear 50 is movable in the vehicle width direction (axial direction) relative to the stand 22, and the output gear 50 abuts against the abutment tube 28C of the case main body 28B from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The output gear 50 is meshed with the output worm 46 to restrict its rotation, and when the output worm 46 rotates, the output gear 50 and the stand 22 rotate integrally.

[0045] The inside portion of the stand 22 in the vehicle width direction is coaxially inserted into a metallic compression coil spring 52 serving as a biasing portion. A metallic push nut 54 having a substantially annular plate shape serving as an engagement member is fitted and fixed to the inside end portion of the stand 22 in the vehicle width direction, and the compression coil spring 52 is hung between the push nut 54 and the output gear 50. The compression coil spring 52 is compressed in the axial direction, and biases the push nut 54 and the stand 22 inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0047] In the straightening device 10 configured as described above, the torsion coil spring 26 urges the attachment 16 and the straightening device 14 in the deployment direction A, causing the regulating post 16D of the attachment 16 to abut against the deployment direction A side end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 in the drive unit 20 (see Figure 4 (B)), thereby connecting the straightening device 14 and the attachment 16 to the drive unit 20 (including the motor 40).

[0048] Moreover, in the drive unit 20, the motor 40 is driven in the forward direction to rotate the output shaft 40B, the first-stage worm 44, the first-stage gear 48, and the output worm 46, thereby rotating the output gear 50, the stand 22, the torsion coil spring 26, and the attachment 16 in the deployment direction A, and rotating the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A. Furthermore, the restricting plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D of the case main body 28B on the deployment direction A side, restricting the rotation of the stand 22 in the deployment direction A, thereby restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A, and the flow straightener 14 is disposed at the deployment position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). For this reason, the straightening section 14B of the flow straightener 14 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle body 12A, in front of the front wheels 12B of the vehicle 12, to suppress the wind (air flow) caused by the vehicle 12 traveling toward the front wheels 12B (by directing the traveling wind to the underside of the front wheels 12B), thereby suppressing the increase in air pressure in front of the front wheels 12B, and thereby suppressing the air resistance and lift of the vehicle 12.

[0049] Meanwhile, in the drive unit 20, the motor 40 is reverse driven to rotate the output shaft 40B, the first-stage worm 44, the first-stage gear 48, and the output worm 46, thereby rotating the output gear 50, the stand 22, the torsion coil spring 26, and the attachment 16 in the storage direction B, and rotating the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B. Furthermore, the restricting plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D of the case main body 28B on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the stand 22 in the storage direction B, thereby restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B, and the flow straightener 14 is disposed in the storage position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1).

[0050] Furthermore, when the flow straightener 14 is disposed in the deployed position, an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied upward from a convex portion of the running surface of the vehicle 12 to the flow straightener portion 14B of the flow straightener 14, causing the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 to rotate in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 (the connection between the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 and the drive unit 20 is released), thereby protecting the flow straightener 14, the attachment 16 and the drive unit 20. Furthermore, the regulating post 16D of the attachment 16 abuts against the end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 in the storage direction B.

[0051] Here, as described above, when an external force is applied to the flow straightener 14 in the deployed position and the flow straightener 14 is rotated in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26, the regulating post 16D of the attachment 16 abuts against the end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B, but when the action of the external force on the flow straightener 14 is released, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 causes the flow straightener 14 to rotate in the deployment direction A and the regulating post 16D abuts against the end face of the regulating groove 22B on the deployment direction A side (the flow straightener 14 and the drive unit 20 are connected). Therefore, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 allows the flow straightener 14 to rotate (return) from the entire range of rotation in the storage direction B to the deployed position (the position where the regulating post 16D abuts the end face of the regulating groove 22B on the deployment direction A side), and the torsion coil spring 26 can appropriately rotate the flow straightener 14 to the deployed position (it can be connected to the drive unit 20).

[0052] Furthermore, when an external force is applied to the flow straightener 14 in the deployed position and the flow straightener 14 is rotated in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26, the flow straightener 14 is rotated toward the storage direction B side (upward) from the storage position, and the regulating pillar 16D of the attachment 16 abuts against the end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 on the storage direction B side. Therefore, by releasing the action of the external force on the flow straightener 14, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 allows the flow straightener 14 to rotate (return) from a position on the storage direction B side from the storage position to the deployed position.

[0053] Furthermore, the torsion coil spring 26 is disposed between the partition wall 16A of the attachment 16 and the flange 22C of the stand 22, and even when the flow regulator 14 is rotated from the deployed position until the regulating pillar 16D of the attachment 16 abuts against the storage direction B side end face of the regulating groove 22B of the stand 22 and the torsion coil spring 26 is twisted in the circumferential direction, the partition wall 16A and the flange 22C do not restrict the expansion of the torsion coil spring 26 in the vehicle width direction (axial direction). Therefore, the expansion of the torsion coil spring 26 in the vehicle width direction is restricted, and the restriction of the torsion of the torsion coil spring 26 in the circumferential direction can be suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, in the drive unit 20, a compression coil spring 52 is hung between the push nut 54 of the stand 22 and the output gear 50, and the compression coil spring 52 urges the stand 22 inward in the vehicle width direction, while the C-ring 24 of the stand 22 abuts against the vehicle width outer surface of the partition wall 16A of the attachment 16 to lock the stand 22 against inward movement in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to limit the movement of the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 in the vehicle width direction relative to the drive unit 20 (including the motor 40), and suppress rattling of the flow straightener 14 relative to the drive unit 20.

[0055] Furthermore, the restricting plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D of the case body 28B, restricting the rotation of the flow regulator 14 (stand 22) by the drive unit 20. Here, by providing the restricting plate 22D to the flange 22C of the stand 22, the degree of freedom in the configuration around the stand 22 (flange 22C) can be increased.

[0056] Furthermore, the restricting pillar 16D of the attachment 16 abuts against the end face of the restricting groove 22B of the stand 22, restricting rotation of the flow straightener 14 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 and against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26. Here, by providing the restricting groove 22B in the stand 22, the degree of freedom in the configuration around the stand 22 can be increased.

[0057] Moreover, the restricting groove 22B is provided at a circumferential position different from the locking groove 22A and the C-ring 24 of the stand 22. Therefore, even when the stand 22 is provided with the locking groove 22A and the C-ring 24, the restricting groove 22B can be provided in the stand 22.

[0058] Furthermore, the seal ring 30 seals between the seal tube 16C of the attachment 16 and the support tube 28A of the case 28, restricting the intrusion of water into the support tube 28A. This restricts the intrusion of water into the case 28, and thus restricts the intrusion of water into the motor 40 between the case 28 and the cover 36.

[0059] Furthermore, the first ring 18 seals between the bottom wall of the assembly box 14A of the flow regulator 14 and the peripheral wall of the attachment 16, restricting the intrusion of water into the attachment 16. This restricts the intrusion of water into the rotating cylinder 16B of the attachment 16, and thus restricts the intrusion of water into the motor 40 between the case 28 and the cover 36.

[0060] Moreover, the second ring 38 seals between the inner end of the case body 28B in the vehicle width direction and the outer end of the cover 36 in the vehicle width direction, restricting the intrusion of water into the space between the case 28 and the cover 36. This makes it possible to restrict the intrusion of water into the motor 40 between the case 28 and the cover 36.

[0061] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a straightening device 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below and inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] The rectifier 70 according to this embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0063] 5, in a flow straightening device 70 according to this embodiment, the rotating cylinder 16B of the first embodiment is not formed in a partition wall 16A inside the attachment 16, and the partition wall 16A separates an outer portion in the vehicle width direction from an inner portion in the vehicle width direction inside the attachment 16. Moreover, the first ring 18 of the first embodiment is not provided between the bottom wall of the assembly box 14A of the flow straightening device 14 and the peripheral wall of the attachment 16.

[0064] In the drive unit 20, the vehicle width direction (axial direction) dimension of the flange 22C of the stand 22 is enlarged, and a portion of the flange 22C of the stand 22 that is outside the vehicle width direction is not provided, and the C-ring 24 and the torsion coil spring 26 of the first embodiment are not provided. The flange 22C is fitted into the attachment 16 and fixed to the partition wall 16A of the attachment 16, and the attachment 16 and the flow straightener 14 are rotatable in the deployment direction A and the storage direction B together with the stand 22, with the stand 22 as the central axis. Furthermore, the rotation of the flow straightener 14 is restricted within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A, and the rotatable range of the flow straightener 14 is set to a range between the deployment position and a position on the storage direction B side (upper side) from the storage position.

[0065] In the case 28, the vehicle width direction (axial direction) dimension of the support cylinder 28A is reduced, and the flange 22C of the stand 22 is prevented from moving inward in the vehicle width direction by the bottom wall (outer wall in the vehicle width direction) of the case body 28B of the case 28. In the bottom wall of the case body 28B, the storage direction B side end face of the restriction hole 28D is inclined in the direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the storage direction B, and the restriction plate 22D of the flange 22C is made rotatable in the storage direction B beyond the storage direction B side end face of the restriction hole 28D by rotation of the stand 22 with a predetermined load or more.

[0066] In the gear mechanism 42 in the case main body 28B, an output gear 50 (on the vehicle body 12A side) as a connecting part constituting the connecting mechanism is rotatably supported by the stand 22, and the output gear 50 and the flow straightener 14 are made rotatable relative to each other. A cylindrical recess 50A is formed coaxially on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the output gear 50, and the recess 50A is open to the inside in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of connecting recesses 50B (see FIG. 6(A)) (four in this embodiment) are formed as connected parts on the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the recess 50A, and the plurality of connecting recesses 50B are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the output gear 50. The connecting recess 50B has an inverted trapezoidal cross section, and both side surfaces of the connecting recess 50B are inclined in a direction toward the inside in the vehicle width direction as they move toward the outside in the circumferential direction of the output gear 50 of the connecting recess 50B. On the outer side surface of the recess 50A in the vehicle width direction, release surfaces 50C are formed as release portions on both outer sides of the connecting recess 50B in the circumferential direction of the output gear 50, and the release surfaces 50C are inclined in a direction toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as they approach the outer side of the connecting recess 50B in the circumferential direction of the output gear 50. The inclination angle of the release surfaces 50C with respect to the circumferential direction of the output gear 50 is smaller than the inclination angle of the side surface of the connecting recess 50B with respect to the circumferential direction of the output gear 50.

[0067] A metallic, substantially cylindrical clutch 72 serving as a connecting member constituting a connecting mechanism is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the output gear 50. The stand 22 is coaxially inserted through the clutch 72, and the clutch 72 is supported by the stand 22 so as not to be rotatable, and is movable in the vehicle width direction relative to the stand 22, and is fitted into the recess 50A of the output gear 50.

[0068] A plurality of (four in this embodiment) connecting protrusions 72A (see FIG. 6(A)) are formed on the outer surface of the clutch 72 in the vehicle width direction as engagement sites, and the plurality of connecting protrusions 72A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the clutch 72. The connecting protrusions 72A have an inverted trapezoidal cross section, and both side surfaces of the connecting protrusions 72A are inclined in a direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as they approach the inside in the circumferential direction of the clutch 72 of the connecting protrusions 72A. The connecting protrusions 72A are inserted into the connecting recesses 50B of the output gear 50, and the connecting protrusions 72A and the connecting recesses 50B are fitted together in the circumferential direction of the output gear 50 and the clutch 72.

[0069] A compression coil spring 52 serving as a biasing mechanism and biasing portion is suspended between the clutch 72 and the push nut 54 of the stand 22. The compression coil spring 52 biases the push nut 54 and the stand 22 inward in the vehicle width direction, and also biases the clutch 72 toward the output gear 50 (outward in the vehicle width direction).

[0070] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0071] In the straightening device 70 configured as described above, in the drive unit 20, the compression coil spring 52 biases the clutch 72 toward the output gear 50, restricting the connecting protrusion 72A of the clutch 72 from disengaging from the connecting recess 50B of the output gear 50, thereby connecting the straightening device 14 and the attachment 16 to the drive unit 20 (including the motor 40).

[0072] Moreover, in the driving device 20, the motor 40 is driven in the forward direction to rotate the output shaft 40B, the first-stage worm 44, the first-stage gear 48, and the output worm 46, thereby rotating the output gear 50, the clutch 72, the stand 22, and the attachment 16 in the deployment direction A, and rotating the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A. Furthermore, the regulating plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the regulating hole 28D of the case main body 28B on the deployment direction A side, and the rotation of the stand 22 in the deployment direction A is regulated, thereby regulating the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the deployment direction A, and the flow straightener 14 is disposed at the deployment position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

[0073] Meanwhile, in the drive unit 20, the motor 40 is reverse driven to rotate the output shaft 40B, the first-stage worm 44, the first-stage gear 48, and the output worm 46, thereby rotating the output gear 50, the clutch 72, the stand 22, and the attachment 16 in the storage direction B, and rotating the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B. Furthermore, the regulating plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the regulating hole 28D of the case main body 28B on the storage direction B side, restricting the rotation of the stand 22 in the storage direction B, restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B, and the flow straightener 14 is disposed in the storage position (the broken line position in FIG. 1).

[0074] Furthermore, when the flow straightener 14 is disposed in the deployed position, an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied upward from a convex portion of the running surface of the vehicle 12 to the flow straightener portion 14B of the flow straightener 14, and the connecting convex portion 72A of the clutch 72 is disengaged from the connecting concave portion 50B of the output gear 50 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 (the connection between the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 and the drive unit 20 is released) (see FIG. 6(B)), whereby the flow straightener 14, the attachment 16, the stand 22 and the clutch 72 are rotated in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52, protecting the flow straightener 14, the attachment 16 and the drive unit 20. Furthermore, the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B is restricted within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A.

[0075] Here, as described above, when an external force is applied to the flow straightener 14 at the deployed position and the flow straightener 14 is rotated in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52, even if the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B is restricted within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A, the action of the external force on the flow straightener 14 is released, and the coupling protrusion 72A of the clutch 72 is moved to the coupling recess 50B side on the release surface 50C of the output gear 50 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 (the flow straightener 14, the attachment 16, the stand 22, and the clutch 72 are rotated in the deployment direction A), and the coupling protrusion 72A is inserted into the coupling recess 50B (the flow straightener 14 and the drive unit 20 are coupled). Therefore, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 allows the flow straightener 14 to rotate (return) from the entire range in which it can rotate in the storage direction B to the deployed position, and the compression coil spring 52 can appropriately rotate the flow straightener 14 to the deployed position (connect it to the drive unit 20).

[0076] Furthermore, when an external force is applied to the flow straightener 14 in the deployed position and the flow straightener 14 is rotated in the storage direction B against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52, the flow straightener 14 is rotated toward the storage direction B (upward) from the storage position, and the rotation of the flow straightener 14 in the storage direction B is restricted within the front end portion of the vehicle body 12A. Therefore, by releasing the action of the external force on the flow straightener 14, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 52 allows the flow straightener 14 to rotate (return) from a position on the storage direction B side from the storage position to the deployed position.

[0077] In the drive unit 20, a compression coil spring 52 is hung between the push nut 54 of the stand 22 and the clutch 72, and the compression coil spring 52 biases the stand 22 inward in the vehicle width direction, while the case body 28B prevents the flange 22C of the stand 22 from moving inward in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to limit the movement of the flow straightener 14 and the attachment 16 in the vehicle width direction relative to the drive unit 20 (including the motor 40), and suppress rattling of the flow straightener 14 relative to the drive unit 20.

[0078] Furthermore, the restricting plate 22D of the stand 22 (flange 22C) abuts against the end face of the restricting hole 28D of the case body 28B, restricting the rotation of the flow straightener 14 (stand 22) by the drive unit 20. Here, by providing the restricting plate 22D to the flange 22C of the stand 22, the degree of freedom in the configuration around the stand 22 (flange 22C) can be increased.

[0079] Furthermore, the seal ring 30 seals between the seal tube 16C of the attachment 16 and the support tube 28A of the case 28, restricting the intrusion of water into the support tube 28A. This restricts the intrusion of water into the case 28, and thus restricts the intrusion of water into the motor 40 between the case 28 and the cover 36.

[0080] Furthermore, the second ring 38 seals between the inner end of the case body 28B in the vehicle width direction and the outer end of the cover 36 in the vehicle width direction, restricting the intrusion of water into the space between the case 28 and the cover 36. This makes it possible to restrict the intrusion of water into the motor 40 between the case 28 and the cover 36.

[0081] In this embodiment, the clutch 72 is provided with a connecting protrusion 72A, and the output gear 50 is provided with a connecting recess 50B and a release surface 50C.

[0082] However, the clutch 72 may be provided with the connecting recess 50B and the release surface 50C, and the output gear 50 may be provided with the connecting protrusion 72A.

[0083] Furthermore, a connecting protrusion 72A may be provided on one of the stand 22 (flange 22C) and the case 28 (bottom wall of the case main body 28B), and a connecting recess 50B and a release surface 50C may be provided on the other of the stand 22 (flange 22C) and the case 28 (bottom wall of the case main body 28B). In this case, the clutch 72 is not provided, and the compression coil spring 52 is hung between the push nut 54 of the stand 22 and the output gear 50, and the stand 22 and the output gear 50 are made rotatable together.

[0084] In the first and second embodiments described above, the attachment 16 is fixed to the flow regulator 14, and the case main body 28B and the cover 36 (on the vehicle body 12A side) of the drive unit 20 are fixed to the vehicle body 12A. However, the attachment 16 (on the vehicle body 12A side) may be fixed to the vehicle body 12A, and the case main body 28B and the cover 36 of the drive unit 20 may be fixed to the flow regulator 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10... straightening device, 12... vehicle, 12A... vehicle body, 12B... front wheel, 14... straightening device, 22... stand (rotating shaft), 22B... restricting groove (second restricting portion), 22D... restricting plate (first restricting portion), 26... torsion coil spring (urging mechanism), 30... seal ring (seal portion), 40... motor (rotating mechanism), 52... compression coil spring (urging portion, urging mechanism), 70... straightening device

Claims

1. a flow straightener that is deployed in front of a front wheel of a vehicle by rotating in a deployment direction to suppress an air flow to the front wheel, and that is stored in a vehicle body by rotating in a storage direction; a rotation mechanism that connects the flow straightener to a vehicle body side to rotate the flow straightener, and that allows the flow straightener to rotate in a storage direction by disconnecting the flow straightener from the vehicle body side when an external force is applied to the flow straightener; an urging mechanism that urges the straightener in a deployment direction when the connection between the straightener and the vehicle body side is released, so that the straightener is connected to the vehicle body side from an entire range in which the straightener can rotate in a storage direction; an urging portion that urges between the flow straightening side and the vehicle body side to limit movement of the flow straightening member in a rotation axis direction relative to the vehicle body side; A rectifier comprising:

2. 2. The flow straightening device of claim 1, wherein the flow straightening device is rotatable from the deployed position in a stowed direction past the stowed position.

3. A straightening device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a first regulating portion provided on a rotating shaft of the straightening device and regulating the rotation of the straightening device by the rotation mechanism.

4. A straightening device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a second regulating portion provided on a rotating shaft of the straightening device and regulating the rotation of the straightening device when the connection between the straightening device and the vehicle body side is released.

5. A straightening device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a sealing portion that seals between the straightening side and the vehicle body side.

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