Drive unit and drive unit assembly structure

Abstract

To provide a driving device which can inhibit occurrence of abnormal noise in a case immediately after a drive part is driven.SOLUTION: A driving device 1 of the invention includes: a casing 2; a driving part; a pinion gear 4; and a movable member 5 having a rack part 51a. The pinion gear 4 is configured to engage with the rack part 51a at the other end area R2 in a moving direction D1 when the movable member 5 is moved to a first position. A rack formation surface 51 of the movable member 5 has a buffer member 9 provided at a position facing a facing surface 21a of the casing 2 in one end area R1 in the moving direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive unit and a drive unit assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] As a driving device for manipulating a long member such as a cable, a driving device having a rack and pinion mechanism is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such a driving device includes a case, a driving unit such as a motor, a pinion gear to which the driving force of the driving unit is transmitted, and a moving member having a rack portion meshing with the pinion gear and moving in a predetermined moving direction within the case by rotation of the pinion gear meshing with the rack portion. A long member is connected to the moving member, and the long member is manipulated by moving between a first position moved in one direction in the moving direction and a second position moved in the other direction in the moving direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-187159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a drive device having a rack and pinion mechanism, there have been cases where an abnormal noise occurs inside the case immediately after the drive unit is driven to operate the elongated member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit and a drive unit assembly structure that can suppress the generation of abnormal noise inside the case immediately after the drive unit is driven. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The driving device of the present invention is a driving device including a casing, a driving unit, a pinion gear that rotates by the driving force of the driving unit, and a moving member that has a rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and moves in a predetermined moving direction within the casing by the rotation of the pinion gear that meshes with the rack portion, wherein the moving member is movable within the casing between a first position located on one side in the moving direction and a second position located on the other side in the moving direction, and the moving member has a rack forming surface on which the rack portion is provided and a second position on which the pinion gear and the rack forming surface face each other. and a sliding part provided on the opposite side of the rack forming surface in the movement direction, the casing has an opposing surface facing the rack forming surface and a sliding surface on which the sliding part slides, the rack part extends on the rack forming surface from the other end in the movement direction over a predetermined area in the movement direction, and when the moving member is located at the first position, the pinion gear is configured to engage with the rack part in the other end area in the movement direction, and the rack forming surface has a buffer member provided at a position facing the opposing surface in one end area in the movement direction.

[0007] Further, a drive unit assembly structure of the present invention includes the drive unit described above, wherein the buffer member is housed in a recess provided in one end region in the movement direction of the movable member, and the engagement end of the guide member has a jig engagement portion on one side in the movement direction of the contact surface with the second wall portion of the engagement end, and the jig engagement portion and the recess are configured to be engageable with a jig that can hold the movable member and the guide member so that the length of the movable member and the guide member in the movement direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and the drive unit assembly structure includes The device includes a jig capable of holding the movable member and the guide member so that the length in the movement direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and the jig includes a first hook portion that can be inserted into the space within the recess, a second hook portion that can be inserted into the space within the jig engagement portion, and an extension portion that extends between the first hook portion and the second hook portion, and the first hook portion and the second hook portion are configured to be able to hold the movable member and the guide member when the length in the movement direction of the movable member and the guide member is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the drive unit and drive unit assembly structure of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise inside the case immediately after the drive unit is driven. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view showing a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a moving member located at a first position. [Figure 2] 1 is an overall view showing a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a moving member located at a second position. [Figure 3] 2 is a side view of the drive device shown in FIG. 1, with a casing partially cut away. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the drive device shown in FIG. 1 from which a casing and a drive mechanism have been removed, showing a moving member, a spring member, and a guide member, with a rack-forming surface of the moving member partially removed. [Figure 6] 2 is a side view of the moving member, spring member, and guide member of the drive device shown in FIG. 1, with the casing and drive mechanism removed. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reference example in which a buffer member is not provided on a moving member. [Figure 10] 10 is a reference diagram showing a state in which the moving member is tilted when the moving member moves from the first position toward the second position in the reference example of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which one end of the moving member is in contact with a first wall portion of the casing when the moving member is located at a first position. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the moving member has moved from the first position toward the second position and one end of the moving member has been separated from the first wall portion of the casing. FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a jig used in a drive unit assembly structure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the length of the moving member and the guide member in the moving direction is made shorter than the distance between the first wall portion and the second wall portion by a jig, from the state shown in FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a drive device and a drive device assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the drive device and drive device assembly structure of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiment.

[0011] In this specification, the expressions "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, the expressions "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, the expressions "C-shape" and similar expressions do not refer only to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 1 of this embodiment includes a casing 2, a drive unit 3, a pinion gear 4 that rotates by the driving force of the drive unit 3, and a moving member 5 that has a rack portion 51a that meshes with the pinion gear 4 and moves in a predetermined moving direction D1 within the casing 2 as the pinion gear 4 meshes with the rack portion 51a. In this embodiment, the drive device 1 also includes a long member 6 connected to the moving member 5. In this embodiment, the drive device 1 also includes a spring member 7 that biases the moving member 5 in one direction of the moving direction D1 (hereinafter referred to as the first moving direction D11). The drive device 1 further includes a guide member 8 that extends in the moving direction D1 to guide the spring member 7.

[0013] The drive device 1 moves the movable member 5 in the movement direction D1 by the drive force of the drive unit 3. In this embodiment, the drive device 1 moves the movable member 5 in the movement direction D1 by the drive force of the drive unit 3, thereby moving the elongated member 6 connected to the movable member 5. In this embodiment, the drive device 1 is configured to actuate an actuation object OP connected to the elongated member 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, the drive force of the drive unit 3 moves the movable member 5 in the other direction in the movement direction D1 (hereinafter referred to as the second movement direction D12), which is opposite to the first movement direction D11, against the biasing force of the spring member 7 applied in the first movement direction D11 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the elongated member 6 is pulled in the second movement direction D12, and the actuation object OP is operated by the elongated member 6 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the driving force of the driving unit 3 is released, the moving member 5 moves in the first moving direction D11 by the biasing force of the spring member 7, and the moving member 5 is returned to the initial position (first position) shown in FIG.

[0014] The use of the drive device 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can operate a predetermined operation object by moving the moving member 5 in the movement direction D1 using the driving force of the drive unit 3. Specifically, the drive device 1 can be used as an unlocking drive device that unlocks a locking device, for example, when the operation object OP is a locking device for a reclining mechanism of a vehicle seat or a locking device for a fuel lid.

[0015] In this specification, the direction in which the movable member 5 moves is referred to as the moving direction D1, a direction perpendicular to the moving direction D1, particularly a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface (sliding surface 21b) of the casing 2 along which the movable member 5 slides (see Figures 3 and 4), is referred to as the height direction D2, and a direction perpendicular to both the moving direction D1 and the height direction D2 is referred to as the width direction D3.

[0016] The long member 6 is a long member that is directly or indirectly connected to the movable member 5 and is operated by the movement of the movable member 5. In this embodiment, the long member 6 is directly or indirectly connected to the actuation target OP and is configured to operate the actuation target OP. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , one end 6a of the long member 6 is connected to the movable member 5, and the other end 6b of the long member 6 is connected to the actuation target OP. In this embodiment, the long member 6 is an inner cable of a control cable. The long member 6, which is an inner cable, is inserted into an outer casing OC of the control cable. The long member 6 is routed through the outer casing OC to an attachment target such as a vehicle body via a predetermined routing path. The shape and structure of the long member 6 are not particularly limited as long as it is directly or indirectly connected to the movable member 5 and is configured to be operated by the movement of the movable member 5. In this embodiment, the long member 6 is an inner cable, but it may be composed of another long member such as a rod. In this embodiment, only one long member 6 is connected to the movable member 5. However, depending on the structure of the drive device 1, no elongated member may be provided, or multiple elongated members may be provided (for example, one or multiple elongated members may be provided so as to extend in only one direction relative to the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1, or may be provided so as to extend in both the first moving direction D11 and the second moving direction D12 relative to the moving member 5).

[0017] The casing 2 accommodates at least some of the components of the drive device 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 2 accommodates the drive unit 3, the pinion gear 4, and the moving member 5. In this embodiment, the casing 2 also accommodates a spring member 7 and a guide member 8. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 2 includes a moving member accommodating section 21 in which the moving member 5 is movable. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 2 includes a drive unit accommodating section 22 that accommodates the drive unit 3. Also, the casing 2 includes a long member introducing section 23 that introduces the long member 6 into the casing 2 on one side (first moving direction D11 side) of the moving member accommodating section 21 in the moving direction D1. Note that in this embodiment, the casing 2 includes a first casing member 2A and a second casing member 2B (see FIG. 3) that can be opened and closed relative to each other. The casing 2 is configured to house each component inside by closing the first casing member 2A with the second casing member 2B. However, the overall shape and structure of the casing 2 are not particularly limited, and the casing may be configured from one component, or from three or more components.

[0018] 3, the casing 2 has an opposing surface 21a facing a rack-forming surface 51 described later, and a sliding surface 21b on which a sliding portion 52 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the moving member 5 described later slides. In this embodiment, the opposing surface 21a and the sliding surface 21b are provided in the moving member accommodating portion 21. Note that in this embodiment, the opposing surface 21a is a portion of an upper surface 21c (see FIG. 3) of the casing 2 facing the sliding surface 21b, which faces the rack-forming surface 51.

[0019] 1 to 3, the movable member accommodating section 21 includes a first wall 21d on one side in the movement direction D1 (the first movement direction D11 side) and a second wall 21e on the other side in the movement direction D1 (the second movement direction D12 side). The movable member accommodating section 21 also includes side walls 21f and 21g provided on both sides in the width direction D3 of the movable member 5 (see FIG. 1). The movable member accommodating section 21 has an internal space in which the movable member 5 can slide with a predetermined stroke in the movement direction D1, and this internal space is defined by a sliding surface (bottom surface) 21b, an upper surface 21c, the first wall 21d, the second wall 21e, and the side walls 21f and 21g.

[0020] The sliding surface 21b of the casing 2 is the portion on which the sliding portion 52 of the moving member 5 slides (see FIG. 4). The sliding surface 21b does not need to be flat as long as the sliding portion 52 of the moving member 5 can slide on it. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the sliding surface 21b is provided on the bottom surface of the casing 2 (first casing member 2A), and has a curved recess corresponding to the outer periphery of the spring member 7 (see FIG. 4).

[0021] The top surface 21c of the casing 2 is spaced a predetermined distance in the height direction D2 from the bottom surface of the casing 2 so that various components can be housed within the casing 2. In this embodiment, the top surface 21c of the casing 2 is formed by the second casing member 2B and functions as a lid for the first casing member 2A, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the opposing surface 21a, which is a part of the top surface 21c of the casing 2, extends to a position close to the rack-forming surface 51 of the moving member 5 in the height direction D2. The close position is a position close enough to the moving member 5 to come into contact with the moving member 5 when one side (the first moving direction D11 side) of the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1 is tilted away from the sliding surface 21b (see FIG. 10) compared to a non-inclined state in which the moving member 5 is not inclined with respect to the sliding surface 21b (see FIG. 9). The distance between the opposing surface 21a and the rack forming surface 51 (the distance between the opposing surface 21a and the rack forming surface 51 in the height direction D2 at the closest point in the non-inclined state) is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less.

[0022] The shape of the opposing surface 21a is not particularly limited, and may be a flat surface, a curved surface, a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface, or may have partial irregularities. As will be described later, the opposing surface 21a faces the buffer member 9 provided on the movable member 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opposing surface 21a is configured to contact the buffer member 9 when the movable member 5 is in a non-inclined state. As shown in FIG. 4, the opposing surface 21a is configured so that only a portion of the width direction D3 contacts the buffer member 9. This prevents an increase in sliding resistance when the movable member 5 moves in the moving direction D1, even when the opposing surface 21a and the buffer member 9 are in contact. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the opposing surface 21a is configured by the surfaces of multiple (two in this embodiment) protruding ridges protruding from the upper surface 21c of the housing 2 toward the sliding surface 21b.

[0023] The side walls 21f, 21g are a pair of walls spaced apart in the width direction D3. The side walls 21f, 21g are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the moving member 5 in the width direction D3 and guide the moving member 5 along the moving direction D1.

[0024] The first wall portion 21d is a wall portion on one side (first movement direction D11 side) in the movement direction D1 of the moving member accommodating portion 21. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first wall portion 21d abuts against the end portion 5a of the moving member 5 on the first movement direction D11 side when the moving member 5 moves in the first movement direction D11. The shape of the first wall portion 21d is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the first wall portion 21d is formed by a flat surface and is in surface contact with the end portion 5a of the moving member 5 on the first movement direction D11 side, which is also formed by a flat surface. The first wall portion 21d may be provided integrally with the sliding surface 21b and the side walls 21f, 21g, or may be provided separately from the sliding surface 21b and the side walls 21f, 21g.

[0025] The second wall portion 21e is the other wall portion (on the second movement direction D12 side) in the movement direction D1 of the moving member accommodating portion 21. The second wall portion 21e abuts against an end portion of the spring member 7 on the second movement direction D12 side (when the guide member 8 is not provided) or an end portion of the guide member 8 on the second movement direction D12 side. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second wall portion 21e abuts against an engagement end 8b (described later) on the second movement direction D12 side of the guide member 8. Note that the second wall portion 21e may be provided integrally with the sliding surface 21b and the side walls 21f and 21g, or may be provided separately from the sliding surface 21b and the side walls 21f and 21g.

[0026] 1, the drive unit accommodating section 22 accommodates the drive unit 3. Specifically, the drive unit accommodating section 22 is provided at a position adjacent to the moving member accommodating section 21 in the width direction D3, and is in communication with the moving member accommodating section 21. In this embodiment, the drive unit accommodating section 22 is configured to accommodate the motor 31 of the drive unit 3 and a plurality of transmission members 32a, 32b, and 32c, as will be described later.

[0027] The long member introduction section 23 is a section that introduces the long member 6 from the outside of the casing 2 into the inside of the casing 2 so that one end 6a of the long member 6 can be connected to the movable member 5. Specifically, the long member introduction section 23 is provided on one side of the movable member accommodating section 21 in the movement direction D1 (the side of the first movement direction D11). The long member introduction section 23 has an introduction opening 23a that connects the outside of the casing 2 with the internal space of the movable member accommodating section 21. The long member 6 is introduced into the movable member accommodating section 21 from the introduction opening 23a of the long member introduction section 23. In this embodiment, the long member introduction section 23 is configured to engage with one end of the outer casing OC so that the outer casing OC can be attached (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0028] The driving unit 3 generates a driving force that moves the moving member 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the driving unit 3 has a motor 31 and one or more transmission members 32a, 32b, and 32c. The motor 31 generates a driving force that rotates the pinion gear 4 through the transmission members 32a, 32b, and 32c using the rotational force of the motor 31. The driving force of the motor 31 rotates the pinion gear 4, and the moving member 5 that meshes with the pinion gear 4 moves in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, the motor 31 is configured to rotate in only one direction, but it may also be configured to rotate forward and backward.

[0029] In this embodiment, the transmission members 32a, 32b, and 32c are gears configured to be able to transmit the rotational force generated by the motor 31 to the pinion gear 4 and the moving member 5. More specifically, the output shaft of the motor 31 and the transmission members 32a, 32b, and 32c are configured to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the width direction D3, and the pinion gear 4 meshing with the transmission member 32c is configured to engage with the rack portion 51a of the moving member 5 to move the moving member 5. Note that the structure of the drive unit 3 is not limited to the structure shown in the drawing, as long as it can generate a driving force that moves the moving member 5.

[0030] The pinion gear 4 rotates due to the driving force transmitted from the driving unit 3. As a result, the pinion gear 4 moves the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1 via the rack portion 51a of the moving member 5 that engages with the pinion gear 4. The shape and structure of the pinion gear 4 are not particularly limited as long as it can rotate due to the driving force transmitted from the driving unit 3 and move the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, the pinion gear 4 includes a first gear portion 41 that meshes with the rack portion 51a and a second gear portion 42 that meshes with the transmission member 32c.

[0031] The movable member 5 is configured to be movable within the casing 2 between a first position (see FIG. 1) located on one side in the movement direction D (on the first movement direction D11 side) and a second position (see FIG. 2) located on the other side in the movement direction D1 (on the second movement direction D12 side). In this embodiment, the movable member 5 operates the actuation object OP by moving between the first position and the second position. More specifically, the movable member 5 operates the elongated member 6 by moving between the first position and the second position, thereby operating the actuation object OP via the elongated member 6.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first position is a position where the moving member 5 has moved to its limit of movement in the first movement direction D11. In this embodiment, the first position of the moving member 5 is a position where the end (end face) 5a of the moving member 5 on the first movement direction D11 side is in contact with the first wall portion 21d. Note that when the moving member 5 is located at the first position, the end 5a of the moving member 5 may be stopped by abutting against a portion other than the first wall portion 21d, or a portion of the moving member 5 other than the end 5a (for example, the side walls 5c, 5d of the moving member 5 facing the side walls 21f, 21g) may be stopped at the first position by abutting against a part of the casing 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the moving member 5 is located at a first position (see FIG. 1 ) described later, the pinion gear 4 is configured to engage with the rack portion 51a in an end region R2 on the other side (the second moving direction D12 side) in the moving direction D1. Here, the other end region R2 (the second moving direction D12 side) of the rack portion 51a refers to a predetermined region from the end of the rack portion 51a on the second moving direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the end region R2 of the rack portion 51a is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a region within 30%, preferably within 20%, and more preferably within 10% of the entire length of the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1 from the end 5b of the moving member 5. Note that in this embodiment, the end region R2 of the rack portion 51a is also the other end region of the moving member 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second position is a position where the movable member 5 has moved to the final operating position in the second movement direction D12. In this embodiment, the second position of the movable member 5 is a position where the movable member 5 has moved a predetermined amount in the second movement direction D12 by the driving force of the drive unit 3 until the movable member 5 can no longer operate the operation target OP or the elongated member 6. Note that the second position of the movable member 5 may also be a position where the spring member 7 no longer compresses and the movable member 5 has stopped, or a position where the movable member 5 has come into contact with the second wall portion 21e and stopped.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the moving member 5 includes a rack-forming surface 51 on which a rack portion 51a is provided, and a sliding portion 52 provided on the opposite side of the rack-forming surface 51 in the direction in which the pinion gear 4 and the rack-forming surface 51 face each other (height direction D2). In this embodiment, the moving member 5 has a spring member accommodating portion 53 (see Figs. 3 and 5) that partially accommodates the spring member 7. The shape of the moving member 5 is not particularly limited as long as the moving member 5 is configured to be able to move between the first position and the second position. In this embodiment, in addition to the rack-forming surface 51 and the sliding portion 52, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving member 5 includes an end (end surface) 5a on the first moving direction D11 side that can abut against the first wall portion 21d, an end 5b on the second moving direction D12 side, and side walls 5c and 5d that connect the end 5a and the end 5b in the moving direction D1 and connect the rack-forming surface 51 and the sliding portion 52 in the height direction D2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the moving member 5 includes an engaging portion 54 in one end region R1 (on the first moving direction D11 side) in the moving direction D1 that engages with the end (one end) 6a of the elongated member 6. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the moving member 5 includes a recess 55 in one end region R1 (on the first moving direction D11 side) in the moving direction D1 of the moving member 5 that accommodates a buffer member 9 (described later). In this embodiment, the moving member 5 has an insertion portion 56 (see FIG. 7) through which the elongated member 6 attached to the engaging portion 54 passes. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the end portion 5b of the moving member 5 on the second moving direction D12 side is open so that the spring member 7 can be inserted into the spring member accommodating portion 53 of the moving member 5 in the moving direction D1. The spring member accommodating portion 53 is separated from the engaging portion 54 and the recessed portion 55 by a partition wall 53a extending substantially perpendicular to the rack forming surface 51. The partition wall 53a is configured so that the end portion of the spring member 7 on the first moving direction D11 side abuts against the partition wall 53a. The end region R1 on one side (the first moving direction D11 side) of the moving member 5 refers to a predetermined region from the end portion 5a of the moving member 5 on the first moving direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the end region R1 of the movable member 5 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a region within 30%, preferably within 20%, and more preferably within 10% of the total length of the movable member 5 in the moving direction D1 from one end 5a of the movable member 5.

[0036] The rack-forming surface 51 is a surface having a rack portion 51a that meshes with the pinion gear 4. As described above, the rack-forming surface 51 faces the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2 in the height direction D2. As shown in Fig. 7, the rack-forming surface 51 has, in addition to the rack portion 51a, a rack-free portion 51b where no rack is formed. Specifically, the rack-forming surface 51 has the rack-free portion 51b, which does not have the rack portion 51a, in an end region R1 on one side (the first movement direction D11 side) of the rack-forming surface 51 in the movement direction D1, and on one side (the first movement direction D11 side) of the rack portion 51a in the movement direction D1.

[0037] The rack portion 51a meshes with the pinion gear 4 and converts the driving force transmitted to the pinion gear 4 into a force that moves the moving member 5 in the movement direction D1. As shown in Fig. 7, the rack portion 51a extends from the other end 5b (on the second movement direction D12 side) in the movement direction D1 over a predetermined area in the movement direction D1 on the rack forming surface 51. The rack portion 51a has a tooth row in which teeth and grooves that form concaves and convexes in the height direction D2 are alternately formed in the movement direction D1.

[0038] The engaging portion 54 is a portion to which one end 6a of the elongated member 6 is directly or indirectly attached. The position at which the engaging portion 54 is provided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the engaging portion 54 is provided in one end region R1 (on the first moving direction D11 side) in the moving direction D1 of the moving member 5. When the one end 6a of the elongated member 6 is attached to the engaging portion 54, the engaging portion 54 is open on the rack-forming surface 51 side in the height direction D2 so that the elongated member 6 can be attached in a direction from the rack-forming surface 51 side of the moving member 5 toward the sliding surface 21b in the height direction D2. Furthermore, an insertion portion 56 that communicates with the internal space of the engaging portion 54 is provided in the end portion 5a of the moving member 5. The insertion portion 56 is formed in a slit shape that extends from the position at which the engaging portion 54 is provided to the rack-forming surface 51 in the height direction D2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the engagement portion 54 is provided only in the end region R1 on the first moving direction D11 side of the movable member 5, but if the elongated member is also provided on the second moving direction D12 side of the movable member 5, the engagement portion may also be provided in the end region R2 on the second moving direction D12 side of the movable member 5.

[0040] The recess 55 is a portion in which a buffer member 9, which will be described later, is accommodated. As shown in Fig. 7, the recess 55 is provided in one end region R1 (on the first movement direction D11 side) in the movement direction D1 of the moving member 5.

[0041] The shape of the recess 55 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to accommodate the buffer member 9 described below. In this embodiment, the recess 55 has a mounting surface 55a on which the buffer member 9 is placed. When the buffer member 9 is placed on the mounting surface 55a of the recess 55, a portion of the buffer member 9 protrudes in the height direction D2 from the rack-forming surface 51 (the rack-non-forming portion 51b). The moving member 5 also has a pair of openings 55b, 55b on both sides of the recess 55 in the width direction D3 so as to communicate with the space within the recess 55. As shown in FIG. 4 , the engaging protrusions 92 of the buffer member 9 fit into the openings 55b, 55b, and the engaging protrusions 92 engage with the engaging walls 55c, 55c located on the rack-forming surface 51 side in the height direction D2 relative to the engaging protrusions 92. This prevents the buffer member 9 from coming off the recess 55.

[0042] 4 and 7 , in this embodiment, the engaging portion 54 is provided in communication with the recess 55 on the sliding portion 52 side (downward in FIG. 4 ) in the direction in which the pinion gear 4 and the rack-forming surface 51 face each other (height direction D2). In this case, by arranging a buffer member 9 in the recess 55, the end (one end 6 a) of the elongated member 6 is restricted from being disengaged from the engaging portion 54. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the one end 6 a of the elongated member 6 is attached to the engaging portion 54 and the buffer member 9 is arranged in the recess 55, the path along which the one end 6 a of the elongated member 6 is disengaged is blocked by the buffer member 9. This restricts the one end 6 a of the elongated member 6 from being disengaged from the engaging portion 54.

[0043] When the moving member 5 moves in the movement direction D1, the sliding portion 52 slides against the sliding surface 21b of the casing 2. As long as the sliding portion 52 allows the moving member 5 to move smoothly in the movement direction D1, the sliding portion 52 may be a flat surface, or may be configured to engage with a guide protrusion or guide groove provided on the sliding surface 21b and be guided in the movement direction D1.

[0044] The spring member accommodating portion 53 is a portion of the movable member 5 having an internal space capable of accommodating a portion of the spring member 7. The spring member accommodating portion 53 extends along the moving direction D1 in the movable member 5. The shape of the spring member accommodating portion 53 is not particularly limited as long as it extends along the moving direction D1 and can accommodate a portion of the spring member 7. In this embodiment, the internal space of the spring member accommodating portion 53 is defined by the side walls 5c and 5d and the rack-forming surface 51 of the movable member 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the spring member accommodating portion 53 is configured to accommodate two spring members 7, and the two internal spaces of the spring member accommodating portion 53 are separated in the width direction D3 by a partition wall 5e. The end of the spring member accommodating portion 53 on the second moving direction D12 side is open so that the spring member 7 can be placed in the internal space of the spring member accommodating portion 53. Furthermore, a partition wall 53a is provided at the end of the spring member accommodating portion 53 on the first movement direction D11 side, and is configured to abut against the end of the spring member 7 on the first movement direction D11 side. The position at which the partition wall 53a is provided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the partition wall 53a is provided from the center portion of the movement direction D1 of the moving member 5 to the first movement direction D11 side, more specifically, in one end region R1 (on the first movement direction D11 side) in the movement direction D1.

[0045] The spring member 7 biases the movable member 5 to return it to its initial position (see FIG. 1 ) after the movable member 5 has been moved by the drive unit 3 through a predetermined stroke. The initial position of the movable member 5 is the position where the movable member 5 is located when no driving force from the drive unit 3 is applied to the movable member 5. In this embodiment, the initial position of the movable member 5 is the first position, and as shown in FIG. 1 , the movable member 5 is in contact with the first wall portion 21d due to the biasing force of the spring member 7 when located at the first position. The type of spring member 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the movable member 5. In this embodiment, the spring member 7 is a coil spring extending in the movement direction D1. In this embodiment, two coil springs arranged approximately parallel to each other are provided, but the number of spring members is not particularly limited and may be one, three or more. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, one end of the spring member 7 in the movement direction D1 engages with the moving member 5 (partition wall 53a), and the other end of the spring member 7 engages with the spring seat S of the guide member 8 in the movement direction D1.

[0046] The guide member 8 guides the spring member 7 so that the spring member 7 can expand and contract along the movement direction D1. The shape and structure of the guide member 8 are not particularly limited as long as it can guide the spring member 7 so that the spring member 7 can expand and contract along the movement direction D1. In this embodiment, the guide member 8 is formed of a rod-shaped member inserted inside the spring member 7, which is a coil spring, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . However, the guide member may be formed of, for example, a cylindrical body that is provided outside the spring member 7 and that houses a part of the spring member 7, as long as it can guide the spring member 7.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the guide member 8 has a free end 8a located on one side in the movement direction D1 (on the first movement direction D11 side), an engagement end 8b having a spring seat S located on the other side in the movement direction D1 (on the second movement direction D12 side), and a guide portion 8c extending between the free end 8a and the engagement end 8b.

[0048] The guide portion 8c guides the spring member 7 so that the spring member 7 can stably expand and contract in the movement direction D1 (axial direction of the spring member 7). As shown in FIG. 8, the guide portion 8c is configured by a rod-like or cylindrical member that extends linearly. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the length of the guide portion 8c in the movement direction D1 is shorter than the length of the spring member 7 in the movement direction D1 when the moving member 5 is located at the first position. Therefore, when the moving member 5 is located at the first position, the spring member 7 has a non-guide region UG (see FIGS. 5 and 6) on one side of the spring member 7 in the movement direction D1 (the first movement direction D11 side) that is not guided by the guide member 8.

[0049] The engaging end 8b of the guide member 8 is configured to engage with the inner surface of the casing 2 in the moving direction D1. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engaging end 8b engages with the second wall portion 21e of the casing 2 in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, the end face of the engaging end 8b of the guide member 8 on the second moving direction D12 side is pressed against the second wall portion 21e by a reaction force directed toward the second wall portion 21e, which is applied from the spring member 7 to the guide member 8, thereby attaching the guide member 8 to the casing 2. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the guide member 8 includes a jig engaging portion E (see FIGS. 5 and 8) that engages with a jig J (see FIGS. 13 to 15) used when attaching the spring member 7, the guide member 8, and the moving member 5 to the casing 2. The jig engaging portion E will be described later. In this embodiment, the spring member 7 is guided by the guide member 8, but the guide member 8 is not necessarily provided.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rack-forming surface 51 has a buffer member 9 provided in an end region R1 on one side (on the first movement direction D11 side) in the movement direction D1, facing the opposing surface 21a. As described above, when the moving member 5 is located at the first position, the pinion gear 4 is configured to engage with the rack portion 51a in an end region R2 on the other side (on the second movement direction D12 side) in the movement direction D1. Therefore, the movement of the end region R2 on the other side (on the second movement direction D12 side) of the moving member 5 in the movement direction D1 toward the opposing surface 21a in the height direction D2 is restricted by the pinion gear 4. In contrast, the movement of the end region R1 on one side (on the first movement direction D11 side) of the moving member 5 in the movement direction D1 toward the opposing surface 21a in the height direction D2 is not restricted. 9 and 10, if the moving member 5 does not have the buffer member 9, when the moving member 5 tilts so that one end region R1 approaches the opposing surface 21a with the engaging portion with the pinion gear 4 as a fulcrum (see FIG. 10), abnormal noise will be generated when the moving member 5 abuts against the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2. In this embodiment, because the moving member 5 has the buffer member 9 in one end region R1, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise caused by the moving member 5 abutting against the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2, even when a force is applied to the moving member 5 such that one end region R1 approaches the opposing surface 21a with the engaging portion with the pinion gear 4 as a fulcrum.

[0051] The effect of the buffer member 9 described above will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, which show a reference example in which the buffer member 9 is not provided. In the reference example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, similar to the drive device 1 of the present embodiment, the moving member 5 is biased by the spring member 7 in one direction in the moving direction D1 (the first moving direction D11 side). When the moving member 5 is in the first position (see FIG. 9), the pinion gear 4 is engaged with the rack portion 51a in an end region R2 on the other side in the moving direction D1 (the second moving direction D12 side). At the first position, the moving member 5 is biased by the spring member 7 and pressed against the first wall portion 21d, and is driven by the pinion gear 4 toward the second position. The inventors have discovered that the following phenomenon occurs in a drive device having such a structure (not including the buffer member 9).

[0052] When the moving member 5 moves from the first position toward the second position, the spring member 7 is compressed in accordance with the movement of the moving member 5. When the spring member 7 is compressed, the spring member 7 may be deformed radially outward (see FIG. 10). In this case, a force is applied to the moving member 5 from the spring member 7 that pushes the moving member 5 toward the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2. Due to this force applied by the spring member 7, the moving member 5 tilts with the engagement point between the pinion gear 4 and the rack portion 51a as a fulcrum so that one end region R1 of the moving member 5 approaches the opposing surface 21a (see FIG. 10). When the moving member 5 tilts, a part of the one end region R1 of the moving member 5 comes into contact with the opposing surface 21a, generating an abnormal noise (contact noise). The inventors have found that in this way, in a given structure, one end region R1 of the moving member 5 is inclined so as to approach the opposing surface 21a, with the engagement point between the pinion gear 4 and the rack portion 51a as a fulcrum, and abnormal noise is generated due to contact between the moving member 5 and the casing 2. Then, by locally providing a buffer member 9 at the point where the contact and abnormal noise occur, it has become possible to efficiently suppress abnormal noise from the drive unit 1 with a simple configuration and to reduce the size of the required buffer member 9.

[0053] When one end (end face) 5a of the moving member 5 (on the first moving direction D11 side) is in contact with the first wall portion 21d, the inclination of the moving member 5 is suppressed by friction between the one end 5a of the moving member 5 and the first wall portion 21d (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the moving member 5 moves from the first position toward the second position and moves away from the first wall portion 21d (see FIG. 10), the deformation of the spring member 7 makes it easier for the one end region R1 side of the moving member 5 to lift up. Furthermore, when the spring member 7 has a non-guide region UG on one side in the moving direction D1 (on the first moving direction D11 side), the spring member 7 is not guided by the guide member 8 in the non-guide region UG. Therefore, in the non-guide region UG, distorted deformation is more likely to occur when the spring member 7 is compressed. In this manner, in a structure in which the spring member 7 has the non-guide region UG, the buffer member 9 is provided in a position facing the opposing surface 21a in (only) one end region R1 in the moving direction D1, so that, even if the moving member 5 moves away from the first wall portion 21d, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, irregular deformation of the spring member 7 and tilting of the moving member 5 are suppressed. Therefore, collision noise (abnormal noise) between the moving member 5 and the opposing surface 21a can be effectively suppressed.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the sliding surface 21b of the casing 2 has a curved surface CS that curves along the outer peripheral shape of the spring member 7 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). The curved surface CS is provided in close proximity to the outer periphery of the spring member 7 so as to restrict deformation of the spring member 7 in the height direction D2 toward the sliding surface 21b. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, deformation of the spring member 7 in the width direction D3 is restricted on both sides of the spring member 7 by the side walls 5c and 5d of the moving member 5 and the partition wall 5e, and the side walls 5c and 5d of the moving member 5 are in sliding contact with the side walls 21f and 21g of the casing 2. When the drive unit 1 has this configuration, the direction of deformation of the spring member 7 is limited to the direction toward the opposing surface 21a, as shown in FIG. 10. In the drive device 1 having such a configuration, by providing the buffer member 9 locally at the minimum position in one end region R1 of the moving member 5, it is possible to more effectively suppress abnormal noise.

[0055] The shape and structure of the buffer member 9 are not particularly limited as long as they can suppress noise between one end region R1 of the moving member 5 and the opposing surface 21a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the buffer member 9 protrudes from the rack-forming surface 51 (the non-rack-forming portion 51b) in the height direction D2. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the buffer member 9 is configured to contact the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2. When the buffer member 9 contacts the opposing surface 21a of the casing 2, the tilt of the moving member 5 around the engagement point between the pinion gear 4 and the rack portion 51a as a fulcrum is suppressed, thereby further suppressing the generation of noise. Furthermore, in this case, the moving member 5 is guided by the sliding portion 52 and the buffer member 9 to the casing 2 on both sides in the height direction D2. Therefore, the moving member 5 can be stably moved in the moving direction D1, and noise caused by rattle of the moving member 5 can be reduced. In this embodiment, in order to reduce the sliding resistance when the buffer member 9 comes into contact with the casing 2, the opposing surface 21a is configured so that only a portion of the opposing surface 21a comes into contact with the buffer member 9 in the width direction D3. This reduces the sliding resistance of the moving member 5 against the casing 2, allows the moving member 5 to move stably, and further suppresses the generation of abnormal noise between the moving member 5 and the casing 2.

[0056] The buffer member 9 may be provided at a distance from the opposing surface 21a as long as it can suppress abnormal noise between one end region R1 of the moving member 5 and the opposing surface 21a. When the buffer member 9 is spaced apart from the opposing surface 21a, the buffer member 9 comes into contact with the opposing surface 21a when the moving member 5 is slightly tilted, thereby preventing direct contact between the moving member 5 and the casing 2 and suppressing abnormal noise.

[0057] The amount of protrusion of the buffer member 9 from the rack-forming surface 51 (rack-free portion 51b) is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress abnormal noise between one end region R1 of the moving member 5 and the opposing surface 21a. For example, it is preferable that the buffer member 9 protrude from the rack-free portion 51b by an amount that is 80 to 100% of the size of the gap between the rack-free portion 51b and the opposing surface 21a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the moving member 5 has a protrusion portion RB that restricts the amount of deformation in the height direction D2 of the buffer member 9 protruding from the rack-forming surface 51 (the rack-free portion 51b that serves as a reference surface from which the buffer member 9 protrudes around the rack-forming surface 51) within a predetermined range. The protrusion portion RB protrudes from the rack-forming surface 51 (rack-free portion 51b) by an amount that is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the buffer member 9 from the rack-forming surface 51 (rack-free portion 51b). 11 and 12, even if the moving member 5 is disposed inside the casing 2 and the buffer member 9 comes into contact with the opposing surface 21a and is compressed, the amount of deformation of the buffer member 9 is limited within a predetermined range, and the buffer member 9 and the protrusion RB slide against the opposing surface 21a. This allows the moving member 5 to slide smoothly when it moves.

[0058] The material constituting the buffer member 9 is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress abnormal noise between one end region R1 of the movable member 5 and the opposing surface 21a, and can be an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, or a soft material.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the buffer member 9 includes a buffer member main body 91 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the width direction D3, and engaging protrusions 92 protruding in the width direction D3 from both ends of the buffer member main body 91 in the width direction D3. The buffer member 9 is detachably housed in the recess 55, and when placed on the mounting surface 55a of the recess 55, the buffer member main body 91 protrudes from the non-rack portion 51b (see FIG. 3). As described above, the engaging protrusions 92 of the buffer member 9 enter the pair of openings 55b, 55b, as shown in FIG. 4, and engage with the engaging walls 55c, 55c in the height direction D2. This prevents the buffer member 9 from coming off the recess 55.

[0060] 1 and 2, engagement end 8b of guide member 8 has a jig engagement portion E on one side in movement direction D1 (first movement direction D11 side) of the contact surface of engagement end 8b with second wall portion 21e. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, jig engagement portion E and recess 55 of the moving member are configured to be engageable with a jig J that can hold moving member 5 and guide member 8 so that length L1 (see FIG. 15) of moving member 5 and guide member 8 in movement direction D1 is shorter than length L2 (see FIG. 3) between first wall portion 21d and second wall portion 21e in movement direction D1. In this case, as shown in Figures 13 to 15, by utilizing the recess 55 before the buffer member 9 is accommodated and the jig engagement portion E provided at the end of the guide member 8, the overall length (length L1 in the movement direction D1 of the movable member 5 and guide member 8) of the movable member 5 and guide member 8 (and spring member 7) combined by the jig J can be shortened, making it easier to assemble the movable member 5 and guide member 8 into the casing 2 (movable member accommodating portion 21).

[0061] The jig engagement portion E is configured to be able to engage with the jig J in the movement direction D1. There are no particular limitations on the jig engagement portion E as long as it is able to engage with the jig J in the movement direction D1. In this embodiment, the jig engagement portion E is configured by an engagement groove extending radially at the engagement end 8b of the substantially cylindrical guide member 8, as shown in FIG. 8. Note that the jig engagement portion may be configured not as a groove, but as a through hole that passes radially through the engagement end 8b or a blind hole that extends radially, as long as it is able to engage with the jig J.

[0062] The jig J is used in the drive device 1 when assembling the moving member 5, the spring member 7, and the guide member 8 to the casing 2. The jig J, together with the drive device 1, constitutes a drive device assembly structure. The shape and structure of the jig J are not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the jig engagement portion E and the recess 55 and can hold the moving member 5 and the guide member 8 so that the length L1 of the moving member 5 and the guide member 8 in the movement direction D1 is shorter than the length L2 between the first wall portion 21d and the second wall portion 21e in the movement direction D1.

[0063] 13 to 15, the jig J includes a first hook portion J1 that can be inserted into the space within the recess 55, a second hook portion J2 that can be inserted into the space within the jig engagement portion E, and an extension portion J3 that extends between the first hook portion J1 and the second hook portion J2. The first hook portion J1 and the second hook portion J2 are configured to hold the moving member 5 and the guide member 8 in a state in which the length L1 (see FIG. 15) of the moving member 5 and the guide member 8 in the movement direction D1 is shorter than the length L2 (see FIG. 3) between the first wall portion 21d and the second wall portion 21e. By using such a jig J, the moving member 5, the spring member 7, and the guide member 8 can be moved to the moving member accommodating portion 21 while the spring member 7 is held in a compressed state, which facilitates the assembly of the drive unit 1.

[0064] The first hook portion J1 is inserted into the space within the recess 55 and engages with the recess 55 in the movement direction D1. The second hook portion J2 is inserted into the space within the jig engagement portion E and engages with the jig engagement portion E in the movement direction D1. In this embodiment, the second hook portion J2 has two protrusions so as to engage with the jig engagement portions E of the two guide members 8 (see FIG. 14). The extension portion J3 is disposed between the first hook portion J1 and the second hook portion J2, and has a predetermined rigidity that allows it to hold the moving member 5 and the guide member 8 with the spring member 7 compressed.

[0065] In this embodiment, the jig J has a jig driver J4 for shortening the distance between the first hook portion J1 and the second hook portion J2. The jig driver J4 can be configured to drive the first hook portion J1 and / or the second hook portion J2 electrically or manually. Note that the distance between the first hook portion J1 and the second hook portion J2 of the jig may be fixed rather than variable, as long as the jig can hold the movable member 5 and the guide member 8 in a state in which the length L1 of the movable member 5 and the guide member 8 in the movement direction D1 is shorter than the length L2 between the first wall portion 21d and the second wall portion 21e.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments mainly describe the invention having the following configurations.

[0067] (1) a casing; A drive unit; a pinion gear that rotates by the driving force of the drive unit; a moving member having a rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear, and that moves in a predetermined moving direction within the casing by rotation of the pinion gear that meshes with the rack portion, the moving member is movable within the casing between a first position located on one side in the moving direction and a second position located on the other side in the moving direction, the moving member includes a rack forming surface on which the rack portion is provided, and a sliding portion provided on the opposite side of the rack forming surface in a direction in which the pinion gear and the rack forming surface face each other, the casing has an opposing surface that faces the rack-forming surface and a sliding surface on which the sliding portion slides, the rack portion extends from the other end in the movement direction over a predetermined region in the movement direction on the rack forming surface, When the moving member is located at the first position, the pinion gear is configured to engage with the rack portion at the other end region in the moving direction, the rack forming surface has a buffer member provided at one end region in the movement direction at a position facing the opposing surface; Drive unit.

[0068] (2) The casing includes a movable member accommodating portion in which the movable member is movable, the moving member accommodating portion includes a first wall portion on one side in the moving direction and a second wall portion on the other side in the moving direction, The drive device further includes a spring member that biases the moving member in one of the moving directions. The drive device described in (1).

[0069] (3) The drive device according to (1) or (2), wherein the moving member is in contact with the first wall portion due to the biasing force of the spring member when the moving member is located at the first position.

[0070] (4) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the buffer member is housed in a recess provided in one end region of the moving member in the moving direction.

[0071] (5) The drive device further includes an elongated member connected to the moving member, The moving member has an engagement portion at one end region in the moving direction with which the end of the elongated member engages, and the engagement portion is provided in communication with the recess on the sliding portion side in the direction in which the pinion gear and the rack forming surface face each other relative to the recess, and the buffer member is arranged in the recess to prevent the end of the elongated member from disengaging from the engagement portion, a driving device described in any one of (1) to (4).

[0072] (6) The drive device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the buffer member is configured to come into contact with the opposing surface of the casing.

[0073] (7) The rack forming surface has a rack non-forming portion that does not have the rack portion, in one end region of the rack forming surface in the movement direction and on one side of the rack portion in the movement direction, The drive device described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein the buffer member protrudes from the rack-free portion by an amount that is 80 to 100% of the size of the gap between the rack-free portion and the opposing surface.

[0074] (8) The spring member is a coil spring extending in the movement direction, the drive device further includes a guide member extending in the movement direction to guide the spring member; The driving device described in any one of (1) to (7), wherein the spring member has a non-guide area on one side of the spring member in the movement direction that is not guided by the guide member when the moving member is located at the first position.

[0075] (9) The guide member is a free end located on one side in the movement direction, an engagement end located on the other side in the movement direction and having a spring seat, and a guide portion extending between the free end and the engagement end, the spring member is provided so that one end thereof engages with the moving member in the moving direction and the other end thereof engages with a spring seat of the guide member in the moving direction; The drive device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the engaging end of the guide member is configured to engage with the inner surface of the casing in the movement direction.

[0076] (10) The buffer member is accommodated in a recess provided in one end region of the moving member in the moving direction, the engaging end of the guide member has a jig engaging portion on one side in the movement direction of a contact surface with the second wall portion, the jig engaging portion and the recess are configured to be engageable with a jig capable of holding the moving member and the guide member so that the length of the moving member and the guide member in the moving direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The driving device according to any one of (1) to (9).

[0077] (11) A driving device according to any one of (1) to (10), a jig capable of holding the moving member and the guide member so that a length of the moving member and the guide member in the moving direction is shorter than a length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, the jig includes a first hook portion that can be inserted into a space in the recess, a second hook portion that can be inserted into a space in the jig engagement portion, and an extension portion that extends between the first hook portion and the second hook portion; A drive unit assembly structure, wherein the first hook portion and the second hook portion are configured to be able to hold the movable member and the guide member when the length of the movable member and the guide member in the movement direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Drive unit 2 Casing 2A First casing member 2B Second casing member 21 Moving member storage section 21a Opposite side 21b Sliding surface 21c Top of the casing 21d 1st wall section 21e 2nd wall section 21f, 21g side wall 22 Drive unit housing 23 Long member introduction section 23a Introduction opening 3 Drive unit 31 Motor 32a, 32b, 32c Transmission members 4 pinion gear 41 First gear section 42 Second gear section 5 Moving parts 5a End portion of the moving member on the first moving direction side 5b End portion of the moving member on the second moving direction side 5c, 5d side wall 5e Bulkhead 51 Rack forming surface 51a Rack section 51b Rack non-forming portion 52 Sliding part 53 Spring member accommodating section 53a Partition wall 54 Engagement part 55 recess 55a Placement surface 55b opening 55c Engagement wall 56 Insertion part 6 Long members 6a One end of a long member 6b Other end of the long member 7 Spring member 8 Guide member 8a free end 8b Engagement end 8c Guide part 9. Cushioning material 91 Buffer material body 92 Engagement protrusion CS curved surface D1 Movement direction D11 1st movement direction D12 Second movement direction D2 Height direction D3 Width direction E Jig engagement part J jig J1 First hook part J2 Second hook part J3 extension J4 Jig drive unit L1: Length of the moving member and guide member in the moving direction L2: Length in the direction of movement between the first wall and the second wall OC outer casing OP activation target R1 One end area in the direction of movement of the moving member R2: The other end area in the direction of rack movement RB protrusion S spring seat UG Non-guide area

Claims

1. A casing; A drive unit; a pinion gear that rotates by the driving force of the drive unit; a moving member having a rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear, and that moves in a predetermined moving direction within the casing by rotation of the pinion gear that meshes with the rack portion, the moving member is movable within the casing between a first position located on one side in the moving direction and a second position located on the other side in the moving direction, the moving member includes a rack-forming surface on which the rack portion is provided, and a sliding portion provided on the opposite side of the rack-forming surface in a direction in which the pinion gear and the rack-forming surface face each other, the casing has an opposing surface that faces the rack-forming surface and a sliding surface on which the sliding portion slides, the rack portion extends from the other end in the movement direction over a predetermined region in the movement direction on the rack forming surface, When the moving member is located at the first position, the pinion gear is configured to engage with the rack portion at the other end region in the moving direction, the rack forming surface has a buffer member provided at one end region in the movement direction at a position facing the opposing surface; Drive unit.

2. the casing includes a movable member accommodating portion in which the movable member is movable, the moving member accommodating portion includes a first wall portion on one side in the moving direction and a second wall portion on the other side in the moving direction, The drive device further includes a spring member that biases the moving member in one of the moving directions. The drive device according to claim 1 .

3. The drive device according to claim 2 , wherein the moving member is in contact with the first wall portion due to the biasing force of the spring member when the moving member is located at the first position.

4. The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein the buffer member is accommodated in a recess provided in one end region of the moving member in the moving direction.

5. the drive device further includes an elongated member connected to the moving member; 5. The drive device of claim 4, wherein the moving member has an engagement portion at one end region in the movement direction with which the end of the elongated member engages, the engagement portion being provided on the sliding portion side in the direction in which the pinion gear and the rack forming surface face each other relative to the recess, and the buffer member is arranged in the recess to prevent the end of the elongated member from disengaging from the engagement portion.

6. The drive unit according to claim 1 , wherein the buffer member is configured to come into contact with the opposing surface of the casing.

7. the rack forming surface has a rack non-forming portion that does not have the rack portion, in one end region of the rack forming surface in the movement direction and on one side of the rack portion in the movement direction, 2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member protrudes from the non-rack portion by an amount that is 80 to 100% of the size of the gap between the non-rack portion and the opposing surface.

8. the spring member is a coil spring extending in the movement direction, the drive device further includes a guide member extending in the movement direction to guide the spring member; 3. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the spring member has a non-guided region on one side of the spring member in the movement direction that is not guided by the guide member when the moving member is located at the first position.

9. The guide member is a free end located on one side in the movement direction, an engagement end located on the other side in the movement direction and having a spring seat, and a guide portion extending between the free end and the engagement end, the spring member is provided so that one end thereof engages with the moving member in the moving direction and the other end thereof engages with a spring seat of the guide member in the moving direction; The drive device according to claim 8 , wherein the engagement end of the guide member is configured to engage with an inner surface of the casing in the movement direction.

10. the buffer member is accommodated in a recess provided in one end region of the moving member in the moving direction, the engaging end of the guide member has a jig engaging portion on one side in the movement direction of a contact surface with the second wall portion, the jig engaging portion and the recess are configured to be engageable with a jig capable of holding the moving member and the guide member such that the length of the moving member and the guide member in the moving direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The drive device according to claim 9.

11. A drive device according to claim 10; a jig capable of holding the moving member and the guide member so that lengths of the moving member and the guide member in the moving direction are shorter than a length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, the jig includes a first hook portion that can be inserted into a space within the recess, a second hook portion that can be inserted into a space within the jig engagement portion, and an extension portion that extends between the first hook portion and the second hook portion, A drive unit assembly structure, wherein the first hook portion and the second hook portion are configured to be able to hold the movable member and the guide member when the length of the movable member and the guide member in the movement direction is shorter than the length between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

Images