Position detection device and tooth brake / clutch

Abstract

To reduce a load acting on a position detection device used for detecting the positional relationship between two members.SOLUTION: A position detection device 9 includes a microswitch 31a that is energized to a left side and that can be pushed to a right side, a pressing member 32 for pressing the microswitch 31a, and a spring 35 energizing the pressing member 32 to the left side. The pressing member 32 extends along an up-down direction and is supported such that the pressing member can swing around a pin 43 that is in parallel with a front-back direction. The pressing member 32 includes a first contact part 41a contacting the microswitch 31a from the left side, and a second contact part 41b that is located between the first contact part 41a and the pin 43 in the front-back direction, a cover provided in an armature contacting the second contact part from the left side. The pin 43 is supported to be movable in a left-right direction. The spring 35 energizes the pin 43 to the left side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a position detection device for detecting the positional relationship between two members, and a two-tooth brake / clutch provided with the position detection device.

Background Art

[0002] As a position detection device for detecting the positional relationship between two members, Patent Document 1 describes an interlock switch mechanism for detecting the opening and closing of a door cover. In the interlock switch mechanism of Patent Document 1, an interlock switch is provided on a bracket rotatably supported in the opening and closing direction of the front door cover, and an actuator is provided on the interlock switch. In a state where either the left door cover or the front door cover is open, the interlock switch is not pressed by the actuator. That is, the interlock switch is in an off state. When the front door cover is closed with the left door cover closed, the bracket rotates by being pressed by a pressing member, and accordingly, the actuator is pressed against another pressing member different from the above pressing member. Thereby, the actuator is pressed against the other pressing member and deformed to press the interlock switch. That is, the interlock switch is in an on state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, as described above, the actuator deforms to press the interlock switch. However, the amount of deformation of the actuator at this time varies due to the influence of dimensional errors in each component of the device and assembly errors when assembling the components. If the amount of deformation of the actuator becomes large due to the influence of this variation, the load on the actuator will increase, and there is a risk that the actuator will break. Alternatively, the repeated opening and closing of the door cover may repeatedly place a large load on the actuator, and there is a risk that the actuator will eventually break due to fatigue failure.

[0005] Furthermore, we consider applying the mechanism of Patent Document 1 to a tooth brake / clutch as described later to detect the positional relationship between a first engaging member provided on the armature and having a plurality of first engaging teeth, and a second engaging member provided on the yoke and having a plurality of second engaging teeth. The tooth brake / clutch can take on a released state, a tooth-tip engaged state, and a fully engaged state. The released state is a state in which the first engaging teeth and the second engaging teeth are separated. The tooth-tip engaged state is a state in which the first engaging member and the second engaging member are closer than in the released state, and the tooth tips of the first engaging teeth and the tooth tips of the second engaging teeth are in contact. The fully engaged state is a state in which the first engaging member and the second engaging member are closer than in the tooth-tip engaged state, and the first engaging teeth and the second engaging teeth are engaged.

[0006] Furthermore, if the switch is configured to be off in the released state and on in the tooth-tip engaged state and fully engaged state, when switching from the released state to the tooth-tip engaged state, the actuator deforms and presses the switch, thereby switching the switch from the off state to the on state. In this case, the actuator deforms further when switching from the tooth-tip engaged state to the fully engaged state. Therefore, in this case as well, the load on the actuator increases, and there is a risk that the actuator may break. Alternatively, in a tooth brake / clutch, repeated switching between the tooth-tip engaged state and the fully engaged state repeatedly places a large load on the actuator, and there is a risk that the actuator will eventually break due to fatigue failure.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a position detection device that does not impose a heavy load, and a tooth brake / clutch equipped with such a position detection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A position detection device according to the first invention comprises a first member and a second member positioned on one side of the first member in the first direction and movable relative to the first member in the first direction, for detecting whether the second member is in a separated state in the first direction or in a close state in the first direction, the second member comprising a switch biased to the other side in the first direction and capable of being pushed to the one side in the first direction, a pressing member for pressing the switch, and a biasing member for biasing the pressing member to the other side in the first direction. The pressing member comprises a pressing member that extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is supported so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and has a first contact portion that contacts the switch from the other side in the first direction, and a second contact portion located between the first contact portion and the pivot axis in the second direction, and which contacts the first member, or a member integrally movable relative to the second member, from the other side in the first direction, and the pivot axis is supported so as to be movable in the first direction, and the biasing member is The portion of the pressing member that overlaps with the pivot axis when viewed from the first direction. To encourage.

[0009] According to the present invention, when the first member and the second member approach each other and switch from a separated state to a close state, the second contact portion of the pressing member is pressed, causing the pressing member to oscillate around its pivot axis. As a result, the switch is pressed by the pressing member and switches from the off state to the on state. If the first member and the second member move even closer from this state, the pivot axis moves to one side in the first direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, causing the pressing member to oscillate around the switch. This prevents the load on the pressing member from becoming too large.

[0011] In this invention, the biasing member biases the portion of the pressing member that overlaps with the pivot axis when viewed from the first direction toward the other side in the first direction. As described above, when the switch is pressed by the pressing member and switches from the off state to the on state, and the first and second members move closer together, the pivot axis moves toward one side in the first direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, causing the pressing member to pivot around the switch. This prevents the load on the pressing member from becoming excessive.

[0012] The 2 The position detection device according to the invention is the 1 In the position detection device according to the invention, the pressing member is configured to be slidable in the second direction relative to the switch when the first contact portion is in contact with the switch.

[0013] In this invention, when the pressing member swings around the switch, the pressing member slides relative to the switch in a second direction, causing it to shift in that second direction. This allows the pressing member to swing smoothly.

[0014] The 3 The position detection device according to the invention of the first or second The position detection device according to the invention includes a stopper that restricts the movement of the first contact portion toward one side in the first direction so that the switch is not pressed in by the first contact portion by a predetermined amount or more.

[0015] According to the present invention, when the pressing member swings around the switch, it is possible to prevent the switch from being excessively pressed and damaged.

[0016] The 4The tooth brake / clutch according to the invention comprises an armature formed of a magnetic material, rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a first direction and movable in the first direction; a yoke positioned to one side of the armature in the first direction; a coil for generating a magnetic field in the yoke; a first engaging member provided on the armature and having a plurality of first engaging teeth arranged in the circumferential direction of the armature; a second engaging member positioned between the first engaging member and the yoke in the first direction and having a plurality of second engaging teeth arranged in the circumferential direction of the yoke and facing the plurality of first engaging teeth in the first direction; and a yoke provided such that the first engaging member and the second engaging member are separated in the first direction so that the plurality of first engaging teeth and the plurality of second engaging teeth do not come into contact, or are closer in the first direction than the separated state so that the plurality of first engaging teeth and the plurality of second engaging teeth are in contact. A position detection device for detecting whether a device is in a proximity state of contact is provided, the position detection device comprises a switch biased to the other side of the first direction and capable of being pushed to the one side of the first direction, a pressing member for pressing the switch, and a biasing member for biasing the pressing member to the other side of the first direction, the pressing member extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and supported so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and having a first contact portion that contacts the switch from the other side of the first direction, and a second contact portion located between the first contact portion and the pivot axis in the second direction, to which the armature, or a member integrally movable with the armature in the first direction, contacts from the other side of the first direction, the pivot axis is supported so as to be movable in the first direction, and the biasing member is, The portion of the pressing member that overlaps with the pivot axis when viewed from the first direction. To encourage.

[0017] According to the present invention, when the first engaging member and the second engaging member approach each other, the first engaging member and the second engaging member switch from a separated state to a tooth-tip connected state in which the tooth tips of the multiple first engaging teeth and the tooth tips of the multiple second engaging teeth are in contact. When the first engaging member and the second engaging member approach each other further, the tooth-tip connected state switches to a fully connected state in which the tooth tips of the multiple first engaging teeth and the tooth tips of the multiple second engaging teeth are engaged. The tooth-tip connected state and the fully connected state are the proximity states of the present invention. At this time, when the first engaging member and the second engaging member approach each other, the second contact portion of the pressing member is pressed, causing the pressing member to swing around the pivot axis. As a result, the switch is pressed by the pressing member and switches from the off state to the on state. When the first engaging member and the second engaging member approach each other further from this state, the pivot axis moves to one side in the first direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the pressing member swings around the switch. This prevents excessive stress on the pressing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, when the first member and the second member (first engaging member and second engaging member) move closer together and switch from a separated state to a close state, the second contact portion of the pressing member is pressed, causing the pressing member to oscillate around the pivot axis. As a result, the switch is pressed by the pressing member and switches from the off state to the on state. If the first member and the second member (first engaging member and second engaging member) move even closer together from this state, the pivot axis moves to one side in the first direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the pressing member oscillates around the switch. This prevents the load on the pressing member from becoming too large. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] (a) is a schematic diagram of a tooth brake / clutch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the shaft in (a) passing through and parallel to this central axis. [Figure 2](a) is a view of the leaf spring unit of FIG. 1 as seen from the left side, (b) is a sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB of (a), and (c) is a view corresponding to (b) in a state where the armature is separated from the pulley. [Figure 3] (a) is a view of the armature, cover, and first engagement member as seen from the left side, (b) is a view of the yoke and second engagement member as seen from the left side, and (c) is a sectional view taken along line IIIC-IIIC of (a) and (b). [Figure 4] (a) is an enlarged view of the position detection device of FIG. 1(a), (b) is a view of (a) as seen from the direction of arrow IVB in the figure, and (c) is a view of (a) as seen from the direction of arrow IVC in the figure. [Figure 5] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 1(b) when the tooth tips are connected, and (b) is a view corresponding to FIG. 3(c) when the tooth tips are connected. [Figure 6] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 1(a) when the tooth tips are connected, and (b) is a view corresponding to FIG. 4(a) when the tooth tips are connected. [Figure 7] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 1(b) when in a fully connected state, and (b) is a view corresponding to FIG. 3(c) when in a fully connected state. [Figure 8] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 1(a) when in a fully connected state, and (b) is a view corresponding to FIG. 4(a) when in a fully connected state. [Figure 9] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 6(b) in an example where the tip of the lever is curved, and (b) is a view showing a case where the tip of the lever is not curved and contacts the surface of the switch unit in a tooth tip connected state. [Figure 10] (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 4(a) in an example where a stopper is provided on the surface of the switch unit, (b) is a view corresponding to FIG. 4(b) in an example where a stopper is provided on the surface of the switch unit, and (c) is a view corresponding to (a) for explaining a state where the movement of the pressing member is restricted by the stopper. [Figure 11](a) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4(b) when a plate-shaped member is bent to form a swing support member, and (b) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4(c) when a plate-shaped member is bent to form a swing support member. [Figure 12] (a) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 1(a) of the tooth scratch, and (b) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 1(b) of the tooth scratch. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Here, the tooth brake 1 described below can be positioned in any orientation. However, for convenience, the left-right direction in Figures 1(a) and (b) will be referred to as the left-right direction, the up-down direction in Figures 1(a) and (b) will be referred to as the up-down direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1 will be referred to as the front-back direction. Furthermore, the left and right sides of Figures 1(a) and (b) will be referred to as the left and right sides, respectively, the upper and lower sides of Figures 1(a) and (b) will be referred to as the upper and lower sides, respectively, and the front and rear sides in the direction perpendicular to the plane of Figures 1(a) and (b) will be referred to as the front and rear sides, respectively. In this embodiment, the left-right direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention, and the right and left sides correspond to the "one side of the first direction" and the "other side of the first direction," respectively. Also, in this embodiment, the up-down direction corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention. Also, in this embodiment, the front-back direction corresponds to the "third direction" of the present invention.

[0021] <Structure of Tooth Brakes> As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the tooth brake 1 of this embodiment comprises a shaft 2, a pulley 3, an armature 4, a yoke 5, a coil 6, a first engaging member 7 (the "first member" of the present invention), a second engaging member 8 (the "second member" of the present invention), and a position detection device 9.

[0022] The shaft 2 extends in the left-right direction. The pulley 3 is connected to the shaft 2 via two bearings 11a and 11b that are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported on the shaft 2. As a result, the pulley 3 is rotatable around the central axis 2a of the shaft 2 (the "rotation axis" of the present invention).

[0023] The armature 4 is positioned to the right of the pulley 3. The armature 4 is made of a magnetic material such as metal and is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis running in the left-right direction. A through hole 4a is formed in the center of the armature 4, penetrating it in the left-right direction, and the shaft 2 is inserted through this through hole 4a. A cover 13 is attached to the outer surface of the armature 4, extending around its entire circumference. The cover 13 also extends to the right of the armature 4.

[0024] Furthermore, the pulley 3 and the armature 4 are connected via a leaf spring unit 12. As shown in Figures 1(a), (b) and 2(a)-(c), the leaf spring unit 12 has a plurality of leaf springs 15, a plurality of first pins 16, and a plurality of second pins 17.

[0025] The multiple leaf springs 15 are arranged in a circular shape when viewed from the left-right direction and are aligned in the left-right direction. Each leaf spring 15 has one through hole 15a through which the shaft 2 is inserted, and multiple through holes 15b and multiple through holes 15c that are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Note that the number of leaf springs 15 forming the leaf spring unit 12 is not limited to multiple, but may be one.

[0026] Multiple first pins 16 are provided for multiple through holes 15b, and their left ends are fixed to the pulley 3. Each first pin 16 is inserted through the corresponding through hole 15b of multiple leaf springs 15. The multiple leaf springs 15 are sandwiched from the left and right by two collars 18, or by one collar 18 and a stepped portion 16a provided on the left end of the first pin 16. Furthermore, the collar 18 located on the far right is fixed to the right end of the first pin 16 by crimping or the like, thereby fixing the multiple leaf springs 15 to the first pin 16.

[0027] Multiple second pins 17 are provided for multiple through holes 15c, and their right ends are fixed to the armature 4. Each second pin 17 is inserted through the corresponding through hole 15c of multiple leaf springs 15. The multiple leaf springs 15 are sandwiched from the left and right by two collars 19, or by one collar 19 and a stepped portion 17a provided on the right end of the second pin 17. The leftmost collar 19 is fixed to the left end of the second pin 17 by crimping or the like, thereby fixing the multiple leaf springs 15 to the second pin 17.

[0028] Alternatively, instead of fixing multiple leaf springs 15 to the pulley 3 and armature 4 by fixing a collar 18 to the right end of the first pin 16 and a collar 19 to the left end of the second pin 17, the multiple leaf springs 15 may be fixed to the pulley 3 and armature 4 by multiple bolts fixed to the pulley 3 and multiple bolts fixed to the armature 4.

[0029] Furthermore, since the pulley 3 and the armature 4 are connected via the leaf spring unit 12, the armature 4 can rotate integrally with the pulley 3 around the central axis 2a of the shaft 2, and can also move in the left-right direction. When the armature 4 rotates around the central axis 2a, the armature 4 and the cover 13 rotate together. Also, when the armature 4 moves in the left-right direction, the armature 4 and the cover 13 move together in the left-right direction.

[0030] Furthermore, when the pulley 3 and armature 4 are in close proximity, as described later, the multiple leaf springs 15 in the leaf spring unit 12 are not elastically deformed, as shown in Figure 2(b). On the other hand, when the tooth tip is connected or fully connected, as described later, and the armature 4 is separated from the pulley 3, the multiple leaf springs 15 in the leaf spring unit 12 are elastically deformed, as shown in Figure 2(c), so that the portion fixed to the multiple second pins 17 is located to the right of the portion fixed to the multiple first pins 16. As a result, a force is generated in the multiple leaf springs 15 that tries to return them to the state shown in Figure 2(b). Consequently, the armature 4 is pulled to the left by the multiple leaf springs 15.

[0031] The structure connecting the pulley 3 and the armature 4 is not limited to the one described above. For example, the pulley 3 and the armature 4 may be connected via a plurality of coil springs arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The yoke 5 is positioned to the right of the armature 4 and overlaps with the armature 4 when viewed from the left-right direction. The yoke 5 is made of a magnetic material such as metal and is cylindrical in shape with its axis running in the left-right direction. A through hole 5a is formed in the center of the yoke 5, penetrating it from left to right, and the shaft 2 is inserted through the through hole 5a.

[0033] Furthermore, the yoke 5 is fixed to the shaft 2 and does not move laterally along the shaft 2, nor does it rotate around the central axis 2a of the shaft 2.

[0034] The coil 6 is located within the yoke 5 and extends around the entire circumference of the yoke 5. The coil 6 is connected to a power source (not shown) via wiring (not shown), and can be switched between a state where current is flowing and a state where no current is flowing. When current flows through the coil 6, a magnetic field is generated around the coil 6. In this embodiment of the tooth brake 1, the magnetic field generated around the coil 6 mainly passes through a magnetic path formed between the armature 4 and the yoke 5, as shown by arrow M in Figures 5(a) and 7(a), which will be described later. The magnetic field passing through this magnetic path pulls the armature 4 to the right (towards the yoke 5). On the other hand, when no current flows through the coil 6, the above magnetic field is not generated around the coil 6. Furthermore, the above magnetic path can be formed, for example, by forming at least a part of the shaft 2 and a part of the yoke 5 from a non-magnetic material. Alternatively, the above magnetic path can be formed, for example, by forming at least a part of the shaft 2 from a non-magnetic material and creating a space in a part of the yoke 5. However, since the configuration for forming the magnetic path described above is the same as in the conventional method, further detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0035] The first engaging member 7 is provided on the outer periphery of the right surface of the armature 4 and extends around the entire circumference of the armature 4. As shown in Figures 3(a) and (c), the first engaging member 7 has a plurality of first engaging teeth 21 arranged in the circumferential direction. The second engaging member 8 is provided on the outer periphery of the left surface of the yoke 5 and extends around the entire circumference of the yoke 5, overlapping with the first engaging member 7 when viewed from the left-right direction. As a result, the second engaging member 8 is positioned between the first engaging member 7 and the yoke 5 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 3(b) and (c), the second engaging member 8 has a plurality of second engaging teeth 22 arranged in the circumferential direction. The first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 are covered by a cover 13.

[0036] The position detection device 9 is located on the front side of the yoke 5. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 4(a) to 4(c), the position detection device 9 includes a switch unit 31, a pressing member 32, support members 33 and 34, and a spring 35 (the "biasing member" of the present invention).

[0037] The switch unit 31 is configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The switch unit 31 has a microswitch 31a (the "switch" of the present invention). The microswitch 31a protrudes to the left from the left surface 31b of the switch unit 31. The microswitch 31a is biased to the left by a spring or the like (not shown). The microswitch 31a can be pushed to the right against the biasing force of the spring or the like by pressing it to the right. The microswitch 31a is in the off state when not pressed and in the on state when pressed.

[0038] The pressing member 32 comprises a lever 41, a swing support member 42, and a pin 43 (the "swing axis" of the present invention). Here, the material of each component constituting the pressing member 32 (lever 41, swing support member 42, pin 43) is not particularly limited, but in order to prevent the pressing member 32 from being affected by the magnetic field generated around the coil 6, each component constituting the pressing member 32 may be made of a non-magnetic material.

[0039] The lever 41 is a plate-shaped member that extends vertically, is located to the right of the cover 13, and overlaps with the cover 13 when viewed from the left-right direction. The lower end of the lever 41 overlaps with the microswitch 31a when viewed from the left-right direction, and forms a first contact portion 41a that contacts the microswitch 31a from the left side. The lever 41 is also bent to the left at its upper end. This bent upper end of the lever 41 forms a second contact portion 41b that the cover 13 contacts from the left side, as will be described later.

[0040] The swing support member 42 is a roughly rectangular block-shaped member. The upper part of the lever 41 is fixed to the swing support member 42 by screws (not shown). A through hole 42a is formed in the part of the swing support member 42 located above the second contact portion 41b, and the through hole 42a penetrates the swing support member 42 in the front-rear direction. A pin 43 extending in the front-rear direction is press-fitted into the through hole 42a. The pin 43 extends outward from the swing support member 42 on both sides in the front-rear direction. In addition, a recess 42b is formed on the right side surface of the swing support member 42 in the part that overlaps with the pin 43 when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0041] The support member 33 has two first parts 33a and one second part 33b. The two first parts 33a extend in the left-right direction and are positioned to sandwich the swing support member 42 from both sides in the front-rear direction. The one second part 33b extends in the front-rear direction and connects the right ends of the two first parts 33a. Each of the two first parts 33a has a guide hole 33c that penetrates the first part 33a in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction. The parts of the pin 43 located in front of and behind the swing support member 42 are inserted into the guide holes 33c of the front and rear first parts, respectively. The pin 43 is rotatable within the guide holes 33c. As a result, the pressing member 32 is supported by the support member 33 so as to be able to swing around the pin 43. The pin 43 is also movable in the left-right direction along the guide holes 33c. In other words, the pin 43 is supported by the support member 33 so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0042] In Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the pin 43 protrudes beyond the support member 33 on both sides in the front-rear direction, but this is not limited to this. In the front-rear direction, the position of the front end of the pin 43 may be the same as the position of the front end of the front first portion 33a. Similarly, in the front-rear direction, the position of the rear end of the pin 43 may be the same as the position of the rear first portion 33a. Furthermore, the front end of the pin 43 may be located inside the guide hole 33c of the front first portion 33a. Similarly, the rear end of the pin 43 may be located inside the guide hole 33c of the rear first portion 33a.

[0043] The spring 35 is provided between the swing support member 42 and the second portion 33b and extends in the left-right direction. The spring 35 biases the portion of the swing support member 42 that overlaps with the pin 43 in the left-right direction to the left.

[0044] Furthermore, a recess 42b is provided on the right side surface of the swing support member 42, and the left end of the spring 35 is fitted into the recess 42b, thereby supporting the left end of the spring 35 on the swing support member 42. Alternatively, a pin (not shown) extending in the left-right direction may be provided on the right side surface of the swing support member 42, and the left end of the spring 35 may be supported by the swing support member 42 by inserting this pin through the left end of the spring 35.

[0045] Furthermore, a recess 33b1 is provided on the left side of the second portion 33b of the support member 33, and the right end of the spring 35 is fitted into the recess 33b1, thereby supporting the right end of the spring 35 with the second portion 33b. Alternatively, for example, a pin (not shown) extending in the left-right direction may be provided on the left side of the second portion 33b, and the right end of the spring 35 may be supported with the second portion 33b by inserting this pin through the right end of the spring 35.

[0046] The switch unit 31 and the support member 33 are fixed to the support member 34 by screws (not shown) or the like. This maintains the positional relationship between the switch unit 31 and the support member 33.

[0047] <How the tooth brake works> Next, the operation of the tooth brake 1 will be explained. When no current is flowing through the coil 6, no magnetic field is generated in the yoke 5, and as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the armature 4 and the yoke 5 are separated in the left-right direction. As a result, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 3(c), the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 are also separated in the left-right direction, and the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 are in a released state (the "separated state" of the present invention) in which the plurality of first engaging teeth 21 and the plurality of second engaging teeth 22 do not come into contact. Also, in this state, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 4(a), the microswitch 31a is not pressed in and is in the off state.

[0048] When current is passed through coil 6, a magnetic field is generated in yoke 5, and this magnetic field causes the armature 4 to move to the right and approach yoke 5. As a result, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 enter a tooth-tip connection state in which the tooth tips of the multiple first engaging teeth 21 and the tooth tips of the multiple second engaging teeth 22 are in contact.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 is pressed to the right by the cover 13. On the other hand, as described above, the pin 43 is biased to the left by the spring 35. As a result, the pressing member 32 swings around the pin 43. This causes the first contact portion 41a of the lever 41 to move to the right, and the microswitch 31a is pressed in by the lever 41. As a result, the microswitch 31a switches from the off state to the on state. Note that the left-right position of the pin 43 hardly changes at this time.

[0050] The armature 4 moves further to the right from its position in the tooth-tip engaged state, bringing it closer to the yoke 5. As a result, as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b), the first engaging member 7 moves closer to the second engaging member 8 than when the tooth-tip engaged state was, and the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 enter a fully engaged state in which the multiple first engaging teeth 21 and the multiple second engaging teeth 22 are engaged. In the tooth brake 1, the armature 4 and the yoke 5 are connected via the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 in both the tooth-tip engaged state and the fully engaged state. This holds the pulley 3 and the armature 4 in place on the yoke 5. In this embodiment, the tooth-tip engaged state and the fully engaged state correspond to the "proximity state" of the present invention.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c), when the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 is pressed by the cover 13, the pin 43 moves to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35 while the first contact portion 41a of the lever 41 maintains the state of pressing the microswitch 31a in the pressing member 32. As a result, the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a. In this embodiment, the first contact portion 41a is not fixed to the microswitch 31a, and the first contact portion 41a is slidable vertically relative to the microswitch 31a. When the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a, the lever 41 slides against the microswitch 31a and shifts downward.

[0052] Furthermore, as the armature 4 moves to the right and approaches the yoke 5, the armature 4 moves away from the pulley 3. Therefore, as described above, the armature 4 is pulled to the left by the multiple leaf springs 15. In other words, as the armature 4 moves to the right and approaches the yoke 5, the armature 4 moves against the force pulling it due to the leaf springs 15.

[0053] When the armature 4 is separated from the pulley 3 and no current flows through the coil 6, the magnetic field of the yoke 5 disappears, and the armature 4 moves to the left, pulled by the multiple leaf springs 15, returning to the positions shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). At this time, the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 are released, as shown in Figure 3(c). Also at this time, the pressing member 32 is no longer pressed against the cover 13, and returns to the positions shown in Figures 1(a) and 4(a) due to the biasing force of the microswitch 31a and the spring 35.

[0054] <Effects> In this embodiment, the microswitch 31a is in the off state when the gears are in the released state, and in the on state when the gears are in the tooth-tip engaged state or fully engaged state. This makes it possible to detect whether the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 are in the released state (not engaged with each other), the tooth-tip engaged state (engaged with each other), or the fully engaged state (engaged with each other). On the other hand, in the fully engaged state, the first engaging member 7 is positioned closer to the second engaging member 8 than in the tooth-tip engaged state.

[0055] Here, unlike in this embodiment, we consider a case where the pin 43 is not movable in the left-right direction in the pressing member 32, that is, the left-right position of the pin 43 is fixed. In this case, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position when it is released to the position when it is connected to the tooth tip, the pressing member 32 swings around the pin 43, similar to this embodiment.

[0056] However, in this case, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where the tooth tips are engaged to the position where it is fully engaged, the cover 13 moves to the right, pressing against the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 and moving it to the right. On the other hand, at this time, the first contact portion 41a of the lever 41 is pressed against the switch unit 31, but the position of the first contact portion 41a in the left-right direction hardly changes. As a result, the lever 41 is greatly elastically deformed, the load on the lever 41 increases, and there is a risk that the lever 41 may break. Alternatively, in the tooth brake 1, the repeated switching between the tooth tip engaged state and the fully engaged state may repeatedly place a large load on the lever 41, and ultimately there is a risk that the lever 41 will break due to fatigue failure.

[0057] In contrast, in this embodiment, the pin 43 is movable in the left-right direction along the guide hole 33c and is biased to the left by the spring 35. Therefore, as described above, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position when it is released to the position when it is engaged at the tooth tips, the pressing member 32 swings around the pin 43. Furthermore, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position when it is engaged at the tooth tips to the position when it is fully engaged, the pin 43 moves to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35. That is, the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a. As a result, the lever 41 does not undergo large elastic deformation, reducing the load on the lever 41 and preventing it from breaking.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first contact portion 41a is slidable vertically relative to the microswitch 31a. Therefore, when the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a, the first contact portion 41a slides against the microswitch 31a and shifts downward. This allows the pressing member 32 to swing smoothly around the left end of the microswitch 31a.

[0059] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0060] In the modified example 1, as shown in Figure 9(a), a curved portion 101 is provided at the lower end of the lever 41 (the tip closer to the first contact portion 41a than the second contact portion 41b), which curves to the left as it approaches the tip. As a result, the right side of the tip formed by the curved portion 101 of the lever 41 is a curved surface that is convex to the right (towards the switch unit 31).

[0061] In this case, depending on the size of the lever 41, the lower end of the lever 41 may come into contact with the surface 31b of the switch unit 31 when the teeth are engaged. In this case, the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a, and as the lever 41 slides against the microswitch 31a and shifts downwards relative to the pressing member 32, the lower end of the lever 41 moves downwards while being pressed against the surface 31b of the switch unit 31.

[0062] In this case, unlike in Modification 1, as shown in Figure 9(b), if a curved portion is not provided at the lower end of the lever 41, the corner portion of the lower end of the lever 41 will move downward while being pressed against the surface 31b of the switch unit 31. As a result, there is a risk that the corner portion of the lower end of the lever 41 will catch on the surface 31b of the switch unit 31, increasing the load on the lever 41. Here, if the plate-shaped lever 41 is formed by cutting sheet metal by press working, there will be burrs and burrs at the corner portion, making it easy for it to catch on the surface 31b of the switch unit 31, which may increase the load on the lever 41 in particular.

[0063] In contrast, in Modification 1, as described above, a curved portion 101 is provided at the lower end of the lever 41. When the lower end of the lever 41 contacts the surface 31b of the switch unit 31, the curved surface formed by the curved portion 101 of the lever 41 contacts the surface 31b of the switch unit 31. Therefore, even if the lower end of the lever 41 is pressed against the surface 31b of the switch unit 31 and moves vertically, the tip of the lever 41 is less likely to get caught on the surface 31b of the switch unit 31, and the load on the lever 41 can be reduced.

[0064] In the modified example 2, as shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), a stopper 102 is provided on the surface 31b of the switch unit 31, in the portion surrounding the microswitch 31a, and protrudes to the left from the surface 31b. The amount of protrusion of the stopper 102 from the surface 31b is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the surface 31b of the switch unit 31 when the microswitch 31a is in the position where it switches between the ON and OFF states. The stopper 102 restricts the pressing member 32 from moving to the right of the position where the first contact portion 41a of the lever 41 contacts the stopper 102, as shown in Figure 10(c).

[0065] In the modified example 2, the stopper 102 restricts the movement of the first contact portion 41a of the lever 41 to the right, as described above. This prevents the microswitch 31a from being excessively pressed and damaging the switch unit 31 when the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first contact portion 41a was slidable vertically with respect to the microswitch 31a, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the frictional force between the microswitch 31a and the first contact portion 41a is large after switching from the released state to the tooth-tip connected state, the microswitch 31a and the first contact portion 41a may not slide vertically after switching from the released state to the tooth-tip connected state. In this case, for example, the guide hole 33c may be made to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the left-right direction so that it extends upward as it moves to the right. In this case, when the pressing member 32 swings around the left end of the microswitch 31a, the pin 43 shifts upward, allowing the pressing member 32 to swing smoothly. Also, in this case, similar to the guide hole 33c, the spring 35 may be made to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the left-right direction so that it extends upward as it moves to the right.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where it is released to the position where it is connected to the tooth tips, the pressing member 32 swings around the pin 43. In addition, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where it is connected to the tooth tips to the position where it is fully connected, the pin 43 moves to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0068] For example, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where it is released to the position where it is fully engaged, the pressing member 32 may swing around the pin 43, and then the pin 43 may move further to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35. In this case, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where it is fully engaged to the position where it is fully engaged, the pin 43 will move further to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35.

[0069] Alternatively, for example, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where the tooth tips are engaged to an intermediate position between this position and the position where it is fully engaged, the pressing member 32 may swing around the pin 43, and when the first engaging member 7 moves from the intermediate position to the position where it is fully engaged, the pin 43 may move to the right against the biasing force of the spring 35. In this case, when the first engaging member 7 moves from the position where it is released to the position where the tooth tips are engaged, the pressing member 32 swings around the pin 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cover 13 provided on the armature 4 contacts the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 to press the pressing member 32, but this is not limited to this. A member separate from the cover 13, which is integral with the armature 4 and can move in the left-right direction, may contact the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 to press the pressing member 32. Alternatively, the armature 4 may contact the second contact portion 41b of the lever 41 to press the pressing member 32.

[0071] Furthermore, although the rocking support member 42 was a block-shaped member in the above-described embodiment, it is not limited to this. In the modified example 3, as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b), the rocking support member 103 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member and has a lever fixing portion 103a and two opposing portions 103b. The upper part of the lever 41 is fixed to the lever fixing portion 103a by screws or the like (not shown). The two opposing portions 103b are provided at the front and rear ends of the lever fixing portion 103a and extend to the right from the lever fixing portion 103a. The two opposing portions 103b also face each other in the front-rear direction. In addition, a through hole 103c is formed in the portion of each opposing portion 103b that is located above the second contact portion 41b, and penetrates the opposing portion 103b in the front-rear direction. The pin 43 is inserted through the through hole 103c of the two opposing parts 103b and protrudes outward in the front-rear direction from the two opposing parts 103b.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing member 32 was formed by three members: a lever 41, a swing support member 42, and a pin 43, but it is not limited to this. The pressing member may be formed by one member or by three or more members.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the spring 35 biased the portion of the pressing member 32 that overlapped with the pin 43 when viewed from the left-right direction, but this is not limited to this. The spring 35 may also bias another portion of the pressing member 32 above the second contact portion 41b (a portion further from the first contact portion 41a than the second contact portion 41b). Specifically, the spring 35 may bias the portion of the swing support member 42 located between the second contact portion 41b and the pin 43 in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the spring 35 may bias the portion of the swing support member 42 above the pin 43.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second contact portion 41b formed by the plate-shaped lever 41 was configured to contact the cover 13, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, a roller supported so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction may be provided at the bent upper end of the lever 41, and the cover 13 may be configured to contact this roller. When the armature 4 moves to the right and the cover 13 contacts the pressing member 32, the cover 13 rotates with the armature 4 while contacting the pressing member 32. If the lever 41 is provided with such a roller, the cover 13, which rotates while contacting the pressing member 32, will contact this roller, causing the roller to rotate. This can reduce wear on the cover 13 and the lever 41. In this case, the roller corresponds to the "second contact portion" of the present invention.

[0075] Furthermore, while the above describes an example of a tooth brake equipped with a position detection device, the invention is not limited to this. In Modification 3, as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), the tooth scratch 110 includes a shaft 2, a pulley 3, an armature 4, a first engaging member 7, a second engaging member 8, and a position detection device 9, similar to the tooth brake 1 of the above-described embodiment. The tooth scratch 110 also includes a yoke 111 and a rotor 112.

[0076] The yoke 111 is positioned to the right of the armature 4 and overlaps with the armature 4 when viewed from the left-right direction. The yoke 111 is made of a magnetic material such as metal and is cylindrical in shape with its axis running in the left-right direction. A through hole 111a is formed in the center of the yoke 111, penetrating the yoke 111 in the left-right direction, and the shaft 2 is inserted through the through hole 111a. The diameter of the through hole 111a is larger than that of the through hole 5a formed in the yoke 5 of the above embodiment. A coil 6 similar to that described in the above embodiment is provided inside the yoke 111. The yoke 111, like the yoke 5, does not move in the left-right direction along the shaft 2, nor does it rotate around the central axis 2a of the shaft 2.

[0077] The rotor 112 has an insertion portion 112a and an opposing portion 112b. The insertion portion 112a is a cylindrical portion extending in the left-right direction and is inserted through the through hole 111a. The insertion portion 112a is fixed to the shaft 2 and connected to the yoke 111 via a bearing 113. This allows the shaft 2 and the rotor 112 to rotate integrally around the central axis 2a of the shaft 2. The opposing portion 112b is a circular portion connected to the insertion portion 112a at its left end, and has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 112a when viewed from the left-right direction. The opposing portion 112b is located to the left of the yoke 111 and faces the armature 4. A second engaging member 8 is positioned on the left surface of the opposing portion 112b, facing the first engaging member 7. As a result, the second engaging member 8 is positioned between the first engaging member 7 and the yoke 111 in the left-right direction.

[0078] In the tooth scratch 110, as with the tooth brake 1 in the embodiment described above, when current is applied to the coil 6, the armature 4 moves to the right, causing the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 to switch from a released state to a tooth-tip engaged state, and then further to a fully engaged state. At this time, the position detection device 9 operates in the same manner as in the embodiment described above.

[0079] However, in the tooth scratch 110, unlike the suit brake 1, the armature 4 and rotor 112 are connected via the first engaging member 7 and the second engaging member 8 in both the tooth tip connected state and the fully connected state, thereby enabling the transmission of power between the pulley 3 and armature 4 and the shaft 2 and rotor 112.

[0080] Furthermore, the position detection device of the present invention may be used as a device for detecting the positional relationship between the first member and the second member in devices other than tooth brakes / clutches.

[0081] For example, the position detection device of the present invention may be used as a device for detecting the opening and closing of doors on buildings or various devices, or as a device for detecting the opening and closing of covers on various devices. When the position detection device of the present invention is used as a device for detecting the opening and closing of doors, for example, the door corresponds to the "first component" of the present invention, and the building or device body on which the door is installed corresponds to the "second component" of the present invention. When the position detection device of the present invention is used as a device for detecting the opening and closing of covers on various devices, for example, the cover corresponds to the "first component" of the present invention, and the device body on which the cover is installed corresponds to the "second component" of the present invention.

[0082] When the position detection device of the present invention is used as a device for detecting the open or closed state of a door or cover, for example, the open or closed state of the door or cover can be detected by configuring it so that the microswitch is in the off state when the door or cover is open and in the on state when the door or cover is closed.

[0083] Furthermore, when the position detection device of the present invention is installed on a tooth brake / clutch as in the embodiment described above, it is necessary to turn on the microswitch in two states: the tooth tip connected state and the fully connected state in which the first engaging member is closer to the second engaging member than in the tooth tip connected state. In contrast, when the position detection device of the present invention is adopted in a device other than a tooth brake / clutch, it may be sufficient to turn on the microswitch only when the first member and the second member are in close proximity. In this case, after the microswitch is turned on in the close proximity state, the second contact portion does not move further, and the load on the lever does not increase.

[0084] However, even in this case, unlike the present invention, if the pressing member only swings around the pin and the pin does not move, the load on the pressing member may increase when the microswitch is turned on due to dimensional errors in the first and second members, assembly errors between the first and second members, etc. Therefore, even in such a device, the load on the pressing member when the microswitch is turned on can be reduced by employing the position detection device of the present invention.

[0085] Furthermore, when the position detection device of the present invention is used in a device other than a tooth brake / clutch to detect the positional relationship between a first member and a second member, it is not limited to the case where the position of the second member is fixed and the first member is movable, thereby enabling relative movement between the first member and the second member. For example, the position of the first member may be fixed and the second member may be movable, thereby enabling relative movement between the first member and the second member. Alternatively, both the first member and the second member may be movable, thereby enabling relative movement between the first member and the second member. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Two-tooth brake 4 Armature 5 York 6 coils 7. First engaging member 8. Second engaging member 9. Position detection device 31a microswitch 32 Pressing member 35 springs 41a 1st contact part 41b 2nd contact part 43 pins 101 Curved section 102 Stopper 103 Swivel support member 110 Two-scratch 111 York

Claims

1. A position detection device provided on the second member detects whether the first member and the second member, which is positioned on one side of the first member in the first direction and is movable relative to the first member in the first direction, are in a separated state in the first direction or in a close state in the first direction, which is closer than the separated state, A switch that is biased to the other side in the first direction and can be pushed to the one side in the first direction, A pressing member for pressing the aforementioned switch, The pressing member comprises a biasing member that biases the pressing member toward the other side in the first direction, The pressing member is, It extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is supported so as to be able to swing about a pivot axis parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, A first contact portion that contacts the switch from the other side in the first direction, The second contact portion is located between the first contact portion and the pivot axis in the second direction, and has a second contact portion that contacts the first member, or a member that is integrally movable with the first member relative to the second member, from the other side in the first direction, The pivot shaft is supported so as to be movable in the first direction, A position detection device characterized in that the biasing member biases the portion of the pressing member that overlaps with the pivot axis in the first direction.

2. The position detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing member is configured to be slidable with respect to the switch in the second direction when the first contact portion is in contact with the switch.

3. The position detection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a stopper that restricts the movement of the first contact portion toward one side in the first direction so that the switch is not pressed in by the first contact portion by a predetermined amount or more.

4. An armature formed of a magnetic material, rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a first direction, and movable in the first direction, A yoke positioned to one side of the armature in the first direction, The yoke is equipped with a coil that generates a magnetic field, A first engaging member provided on the armature and having a plurality of first engaging teeth arranged in the circumferential direction of the armature, In the first direction, a second engaging member is located between the first engaging member and the yoke, and has the plurality of first engaging teeth and a plurality of second engaging teeth facing the first direction, arranged in the circumferential direction of the yoke. The yoke is provided with a position detection device that detects whether the first engaging member and the second engaging member are in a separated state in the first direction, where the plurality of first engaging teeth and the plurality of second engaging teeth are not in contact, or in a close state in the first direction, where the plurality of first engaging teeth and the plurality of second engaging teeth are in contact, The position detection device is, A switch that is biased to the other side in the first direction and can be pushed to the one side in the first direction, A pressing member for pressing the aforementioned switch, The pressing member comprises a biasing member that biases the pressing member toward the other side in the first direction, The pressing member is, It extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is supported so as to be able to swing about a pivot axis parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, A first contact portion that contacts the switch from the other side in the first direction, The second contact portion is located between the first contact portion and the pivot axis in the second direction, and has a second contact portion that contacts the armature, or a member that can move integrally with the armature in the first direction, from the other side in the first direction. The pivot shaft is supported so as to be movable in the first direction, A tooth brake / clutch characterized in that the biasing member biases the portion of the pressing member that overlaps with the pivot axis in the first direction.

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