Damper devices and refrigerators

Abstract

To improve the assemblability of a damper device using a motor as a driving source.SOLUTION: A damper device 1 has a case 3 for storing a drive mechanism 6 between a frame 2 including an opening part 20 to be opened / closed by a baffle 4 and a partition wall plate 23 provided at the end of the frame 2. The case 3 includes a bottom part 31 and a side plate part 32, a motor holding part 36 provided inside the side plate part 32, and a positioning rib 50 for connecting the motor holding part 36 and the side plate part 32. At the front end in an X2 direction of the positioning rib 50, a first guide face 53 is provided which is inclined toward an X1 direction as extending to the side of the motor holding part 36. When a geared motor 60 is assembled on the case 3, the bottom of a motor case 63 is made to abut on the first guide face 53 and the bottom of the motor case 63 is slid along the first guide face 53 until the motor case 63 is dropped inside the motor holding part 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device including a motor as a drive source and a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] A damper device disposed in a cold air passage or the like of a refrigerator has a frame provided with an opening, a baffle rotatably supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism for driving the baffle. The drive mechanism is housed inside a case provided at an end of the frame. The drive mechanism includes a stepping motor disposed inside the case and a gear train that transmits the rotation of the stepping motor to the baffle. A sector gear provided at the final stage of the gear train is connected to the baffle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the damper device described in Patent Document 1, the drive mechanism is held inside a resin case. When a resin case is used, ribs for ensuring rigidity and a holding shape for the drive mechanism are provided. Therefore, when assembling the damper device, there is a problem that the motor case is likely to be caught on the ribs and the holding shape, and it cannot be assembled smoothly.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the assemblability of a damper device using a motor as a drive source.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the damper device according to the present invention has a frame comprising a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition plate disposed at the end of the frame portion, a baffle rotatably supported by the frame and opening and closing the opening, a drive mechanism comprising a motor and an output member that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle, and a case coupled to the partition plate and housing the drive mechanism between itself and the partition plate, wherein the case has a bottom portion facing the partition plate, a side plate portion extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition plate, and a front portion inside the side plate portion The motor comprises a motor holding portion extending from the bottom portion toward the partition plate, and a rib connecting the motor holding portion and the side plate portion, wherein the motor has a bottomed motor case that fits inside the motor holding portion, and when the direction toward the bottom portion from the partition plate is considered one side of the first direction, the tip of the rib on the other side of the first direction is provided with a first guide surface that inclins toward one side of the first direction as it approaches the motor holding portion, and the first guide surface is located on the other side of the first direction from the motor holding portion.

[0007] In this invention, in an actuator that houses a drive mechanism between a case and a partition plate, a first guide surface is provided at the tip of a rib connecting the side plate portion of the case and the motor holding portion. The first guide surface is positioned on the partition plate side (the other side in the first direction) of the motor holding portion and is inclined in a direction that is recessed as it approaches the motor holding portion (towards one side in the first direction). With such a first guide surface, when assembling the motor into the case, the bottom of the motor case can be brought into contact with the first guide surface and the bottom of the motor case can be slid along the first guide surface, thereby dropping the motor case into the inside of the motor holding portion. Therefore, the motor case is less likely to get caught on the external structure of the motor holding portion, improving the ease of assembly of the actuator.

[0008] In the present invention, the motor is provided with a terminal cover that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case, and the motor holding portion is provided with an arc portion along the outer surface of the motor case and a pair of connecting portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides of the terminal cover in the circumferential direction, and a second guide surface is provided at the other end of each of the pair of connecting portions in the first direction, and preferably the second guide surface on one of the pair of connecting portions is inclined toward one side in the first direction as it approaches the other of the pair of connecting portions, and the second guide surface on the other of the pair of connecting portions is inclined toward one side in the first direction as it approaches the one of the pair of connecting portions. In this way, when assembling the motor to the case, the bottom of the terminal cover can be brought into contact with the second guide surface and the bottom of the terminal cover can be slid along the second guide surface to drop the terminal cover between the pair of connecting portions.Therefore, the terminal cover is less likely to get caught on the outer structure of the pair of connecting portions, and the ease of assembly of the actuator is improved.

[0009] In the present invention, the bottom of the terminal cover is located on the other side in the first direction from the bottom of the motor case, and when the motor is attached to the case from the other side in the first direction, it is preferable that the bottom of the motor case contacts the first guide surface before the bottom of the terminal cover contacts the second guide surface, and the motor case is guided inward along the first guide surface along the inside of the arc portion, and only then does the bottom of the terminal cover contact the second guide surface, and the terminal cover is guided between the pair of connecting portions along the second guide surface. In this way, it is possible to avoid the bottom of the motor case contacting the second guide surface first and being guided in the wrong direction.

[0010] In the present invention, the side plate portion preferably comprises a first side plate and a second side plate positioned on the opposite side of the motor holder portion from the first side plate, and the ribs are provided at a first connecting portion connecting the first side plate and the motor holder portion, and at a second connecting portion connecting the second side plate and the motor holder portion. In this way, since multiple first guide surfaces are positioned on the opposite side of the motor holder portion, the motor case can be easily dropped into the inside of the motor holder portion.

[0011] In the present invention, the motor is provided with a motor plate that closes the end of the motor case on the partition plate side, and two first protrusions are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the motor plate that protrude toward the first side plate side and the second side plate side, and it is preferable that the first protrusions protruding toward the first side plate side are fitted between two ribs provided on the first connection part, and the second protrusions protruding toward the second side plate side are fitted between two ribs provided on the second connection part. In this way, the case configuration can be simplified by using the ribs used for circumferential positioning of the motor as ribs for providing the first guide surface.

[0012] In the present invention, the partition plate is preferably provided with a motor plate receiving portion that protrudes toward the case, and the first protrusion is preferably pressed against the end face of the motor case by the motor plate receiving portion. This suppresses rattling of the motor between the case and the partition plate. As a result, motor vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the case, and noise caused by case vibrations can be suppressed.

[0013] The damper device according to the present invention can be used in a refrigerator, which has a cooling unit and a storage chamber supplied with cold air generated by the cooling unit, and the damper device is positioned at the cold air intake in the storage chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the present invention, in an actuator that houses a drive mechanism between a case and a partition plate, a first guide surface is provided at the tip of a rib that connects the side plate portion of the case and the motor holding portion. The first guide surface is positioned on the partition plate side (the other side in the first direction) of the motor holder and is inclined in a direction that is recessed as it approaches the motor holder (towards one side in the first direction). With such a first guide surface, when assembling the motor into the case, the bottom of the motor case can be brought into contact with the first guide surface and slid along the first guide surface, allowing the motor case to be dropped into the inside of the motor holder. Therefore, the motor case is less likely to get caught on the external structure of the motor holder, improving the ease of assembly of the actuator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a damper device to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the opposite side of the baffle. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the damper device as seen from the baffle side. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device shown. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view of the bulkhead, drive mechanism, and case. [Figure 5] This is a disassembled perspective view of a geared motor. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the case and drive mechanism as seen from the side of the partition plate, and a plan view of the case with the drive mechanism removed as seen from the side of the partition plate. [Figure 7] This is a disassembled perspective view of the geared motor and its case. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the positions of the first and second guide surfaces (a cross-sectional view cut at position AA in Figure 7) and a side view of the geared motor. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the bulkhead plate, geared motor, and case (cross-sectional view taken at position BB in Figure 6(a)). [Figure 10]It is a YZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate, the geared motor, and the case (a cross-sectional view taken at the C-C position in FIG. 9). [Figure 11] It is an explanatory view of a refrigerator provided with the damper device shown in FIG. 1.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, a damper device for a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, XYZ are directions orthogonal to each other. The direction along the rotation axis L of the baffle is taken as the X direction. The opening opened and closed by the baffle faces the Z direction. The X direction is the first direction, the Y direction is the second direction, and the Z direction is the third direction. Also, one side in the X direction is denoted as X1, the other side in the X direction is denoted as X2, one side in the Y direction is denoted as Y1, the other side in the Y direction is denoted as Y2, one side in the Z direction is denoted as Z1, and the other side in the Z direction is denoted as Z2 for explanation.

[0017] (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied as viewed from the side opposite to the baffle 4. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device 1 in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side of the baffle 4. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the partition plate 23, the drive mechanism 6, and the case 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60. FIG. 6(a) is a plan view of the case 3 and the drive mechanism 6 as viewed from the side of the partition plate 23. FIG. 6(b) is a plan view of the case 3 with the drive mechanism 6 removed as viewed from the side of the partition plate 23. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60 and the case 3.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the damper device 1 has a frame 2 provided with an opening 20 that opens in the Z direction, a baffle 4 rotatably supported by the frame 2, and a case 3 coupled to the frame 2. The frame 2 and the case 3 are made of resin. The baffle 4 rotates around the rotation axis L extending in the X direction to open and close the opening 20.

[0019] Frame 2 comprises a frame portion 21 with an opening 20, a rectangular tubular body portion 22 protruding in the Z1 direction from the outer edge of the frame portion 21, and a partition plate 23 integrally formed with the side plate portion in the X1 direction of the body portion 22. Case 3 faces the partition plate 23 from the X1 direction. Case 3 and the partition plate 23 are connected by a projection 30 formed on the side surface of Case 3, with a foot extending from the edge of the partition plate 23 in the X1 direction. The components are joined by engaging the component 24. The partition plate 23 and the case 3 form a rectangular parallelepiped housing that houses the drive mechanism 6 that drives the baffle 4.

[0020] Frame 2 is positioned at the X2 end of the frame portion 21 and includes a side plate 25 facing the partition plate 23 in the X direction. Frame 2 also includes a sealing portion 10 that protrudes from the edge of the opening 20 toward the side where the baffle 4 is located (Z1 direction) in the frame portion 21. A heater (not shown) is attached to the frame portion 21, surrounding the sealing portion 10. The damper device 1 prevents the baffle 4 from becoming immobile due to freezing by energizing the heater and generating heat.

[0021] The baffle 4 is rotatably supported between the partition plate 23 and the side plate 25. The edge of the baffle 4 on the Y2 side has a cylindrical portion 41 projecting towards the X1 side and a cylindrical portion 42 projecting towards the X2 side. At the tip of the cylindrical portion 41, there is a connecting hole (not shown) into which the tip of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69, which protrudes toward the baffle 4 from a shaft hole 27 that penetrates the partition plate 23, fits. At the tip of the cylindrical portion 42, there is a shaft portion 44 that fits into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the side plate 25. Thus, the baffle 4 is rotatably supported on the frame 2 with the axis of rotation L being the axis connecting the center of the shaft hole 27 in the partition plate 23 and the center of the shaft hole in the side plate 25.

[0022] The baffle 4 has a resin opening / closing plate 45 that is larger than the opening 20, and a sheet-like elastic member 46 made of foamed polyurethane or the like that is attached to the surface of the opening / closing plate 45 that faces the opening 20. The baffle 4 is driven by a drive mechanism 6, which will be described later, to rotate around the rotation axis L and move to a closed position that closes the opening 20 and an open position that opens the opening 20. In the closed position, the elastic member 46 is in contact with the seal portion 10.

[0023] The damper device 1 is placed, for example, inside a duct or the like that constitutes a cold air passage. Cold air flows through the opening 20 from the side opposite to the side where the baffle 4 is located relative to the opening 20. Cold air may also flow through the opening 20 from the side where the baffle 4 is located relative to the opening 20.

[0024] (Drive mechanism) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drive mechanism 6 is housed between the case 3 and the partition plate 23. The drive mechanism 6 comprises a geared motor 60 and an output member 69 driven by the geared motor 60. The output member 69 comprises a shaft portion 691 that fits into a shaft support portion 35 provided in the case 3, and a sector gear 692 that protrudes radially from the shaft portion 691. The output member 69 is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 35 of the case 3. As described above, the tip of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69 extends in the X2 direction and passes through a shaft hole 27 provided in the partition plate 23, connecting to the baffle 4.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the geared motor 60 comprises a motor 61 and a gear transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to an output member 69. The motor 61 comprises a bottomed cylindrical metal motor case 63, a metal motor plate 64 that closes the open end of the motor case 63, a cylindrical stator 65 positioned inside the motor case 63, a rotor 71 (see Figure 9) positioned inside the stator 65, and a partition member 66 positioned between the motor plate 64 and the stator 65. The motor case 63, rotor 71, and stator 65 constitute the motor 61, which is a stepping motor.

[0026] The gear transmission mechanism 62 comprises a gear train 621 consisting of multiple gears positioned between the partition member 66 and the motor plate 64, and an output wheel 622 driven via the gear train 621. The rotation of the rotor 71 is reduced by the gear train 621 and transmitted to the output wheel 622. The output wheel 622 has a gear 623 that meshes with the last gear of the gear train 621, a shaft portion 624 extending in the X2 direction from the center of the gear 623, and a shaft support portion 641 provided on the motor plate 64 that passes through X It has a gear 625 connected to the tip of a shaft portion 624 that protrudes in two directions. The gear 625 meshes with the sector gear 692 of the output member 69.

[0027] The stator 65 comprises a stator coil 651, an insulator 652 around which the stator coil 651 is wound, and an inner stator core 653 (see Figure 9) placed over the insulator 652. In this embodiment, the motor case 63 also serves as the outer stator core of the stator 65. On the outer circumference of the rotor 71, pole teeth (not shown) formed by cutting and bending the bottom plate 631 of the motor case 63 and pole teeth 654 (see Figure 8) formed on the inner stator core 653 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the motor case 63 comprises a circular bottom plate 631 and a cylindrical portion 632 extending in the X direction from the outer edge of the bottom plate 631. A terminal block 67, integrally formed with an insulator 652, is positioned in a notch 633, which is a large cutout in the Y1 side edge of the cylindrical portion 632 extending close to the bottom plate 631. A terminal cover 68 covering the terminal block 67 is fixed to the motor case 63. The terminal cover 68 protrudes in the Y1 direction from the notch 633 of the motor case 63. Multiple connector terminals 70 are held in the terminal block 67. The multiple connector terminals 70 are bent in the X1 direction on the radially outer side of the terminal block 67 and extend in the X1 direction in the gap between the terminal block 67 and the terminal cover 68. The stator coil 651 is electrically connected to the connector terminals 70.

[0029] The motor plate 64 comprises a circular plate body 642 on which a shaft support portion 641 is formed, two first protrusions 643 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Z1 and Z2 sides, a second protrusion 644 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Y1 side, and a third protrusion 645 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Y2 side of the shaft support portion 641. The second protrusion 644 is positioned in a notch 633 of the motor case 63 and covers the terminal cover 68. The two first protrusions 643 and the third protrusion 645 each fit into recesses 634 provided at the open end of the cylindrical portion 632. The motor plate 64 is fixed to the motor case 63 by crimping the outer edge of the plate body 642 with the open end of the cylindrical portion 632.

[0030] (case) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, case 3 has a bottom portion 31 that faces the partition plate 23 from the opposite side (X1 direction) from the frame portion 21, and a rectangular tubular side plate portion 32 that protrudes from the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23 (X2 direction). When viewed from the X direction, the bottom portion 31 and the side plate portion 32 are rectangles with the longer side extending in the Y direction and the shorter side extending in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 3, the side plate portion 32 has a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 that face each other in the Z direction, and a third side plate 323 and a fourth side plate 324 that face each other in the Y direction. The third side plate 323 connects the Y2 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The fourth side plate 324 connects the Y1 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The projections 30 that engage with the hooks 24 of the partition plate 23 are formed on the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322.

[0031] Case 3 is provided with a connector insertion opening 33 that exposes the connector terminals 70 of the motor 61 facing away from the partition plate 23. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connector insertion opening 33 has a structure in which the corner where the fourth side plate 324 and the bottom 31 connect is cut out. By inserting the mating connector into the connector insertion opening 33, the connector terminals 70 of the motor 61 can be connected to the external wiring connected to the mating connector, thereby supplying a drive signal to the motor 61.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the case 3 is provided with a cylindrical boss portion 34 that extends in the Z direction along the inner surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The boss portion 34 protrudes from the bottom portion 31 in the X2 direction and is connected to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The partition plate 23 and the case 3 are connected. When assembled, the protrusion 28 (see Figure 4) that extends from the partition plate 23 in the X1 direction fits into the boss portion 34.

[0033] Case 3 includes a cylindrical shaft support portion 35 and a motor holder portion 36 located inside the side plate portion 32. The shaft support portion 35 and the motor holder portion 36 protrude from the bottom portion 31 toward the side where the partition plate 23 is located (X2 direction). As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the shaft support portion 35 and the motor holder portion 36 are located in the center of Case 3 in the Z direction. The shaft support portion 35 is located at the end of Case 3 toward the third side plate 323 (Y2 direction). The motor holder portion 36 is located at the end of Case 3 toward the fourth side plate 324.

[0034] As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 7, the motor holder 36 comprises an arc portion 361 surrounding the outer circumference of the motor case 63 and a pair of connecting portions 362 surrounding both sides of the terminal cover 68 in the circumferential direction. The arc portion 361 has a cutout in the area where the terminal cover 68 is placed (the Y1 side portion). The pair of connecting portions 362 extend in the Y1 direction from both sides of the cutout in the arc portion 361 and connect to both sides of the connector insertion opening 33 in the fourth side plate 324 in the circumferential direction (see Figure 6(b)).

[0035] As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 7, the case 3 is provided with a first connecting portion 325 that protrudes inward (towards Z2) from the first side plate 321, and a second connecting portion 326 that protrudes inward (towards Z1) from the second side plate 322, and the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 are connected to the arc portion 361. At the circumferential center of the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326, a groove portion 327 is provided that penetrates the arc portion 361 radially and opens to the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, the motor holder portion 36 has an arc portion 361 whose height in the X direction is lower than that of the side plate portion 32. The first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 are each provided with a pair of positioning ribs 50 that project in the X2 direction from the upper end surface (end surface in the X2 direction) of the arc portion 361 on both sides of the groove portion 327 in the circumferential direction. The positioning rib 50 provided on the first connecting portion 325 projects in the Z2 direction from the first side plate 321 and extends to the position of the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361. The positioning rib 50 provided on the second connecting portion 326 projects in the Z1 direction from the second side plate 322 and extends to the position of the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6(a), at the first connection portion 325 and the second connection portion 326, the first projection 643 of the motor plate 64 is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50. In other words, the pair of positioning ribs 50 are motor plate positioning portions that position the motor plate 64 relative to the case 3 in the circumferential direction of the geared motor 60.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the upper end surface 51 (end surface in the X2 direction) of each positioning rib 50 lies on the same plane as the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. Also, the side end surface 52 of each positioning rib 50 lies on the same plane as the inner circumferential surface of the arc portion 361. Each of the four positioning ribs 50 has a first guide surface 53 that is beveled at the corner where the upper end surface 51 and the side end surface 52 connect. The first guide surface 53 is an inclined surface that slopes toward the side of the bottom plate 311 (X1 side) as it moves toward the side of the side end surface 52 (inner circumferential side of the arc portion 361). The four first guide surfaces 53 are located on the X2 side of the arc portion 361 and are distributed circumferentially along the arc portion 361.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, the pair of connecting portions 362 in the motor holding portion 36 have a height in the X direction that is greater than the arc portion 361. The upper end surface 54 of each connecting portion 362 is located on the X1 side than the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The connecting portion 362 has a second guide surface 56 which is beveled at the corner where the side surface 55 on the terminal cover 68 side and the upper end surface 54 connect. 56 is an inclined surface that slopes toward the bottom plate 311 side (X1 side) as it approaches the terminal cover 68 side. Therefore, the two second guide surfaces 56 provided on the pair of connecting parts 362 are inclined in opposite directions and face each other in the Z direction. Since the upper end surface 54 of the connecting part 362 is at a lower position (X1 side) than the upper end surface 51 of the positioning rib on which the first guide surface 53 is provided, the second guide surface 56 is located closer to the bottom 31 side (X1 side) than the first guide surface 53.

[0040] (Positioning of the geared motor relative to the case) Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the positions of the first guide surface 53 and the second guide surface 56 (a cross-sectional view cut at position AA in Figure 7) and a side view of the geared motor 60. In this embodiment, the geared motor 60 is assembled to the case 3 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 8. As described above, the height in the X direction of the arc portion 361 into which the motor case 63 fits is lower than that of the side plate portion 32, and the first guide surface 53 is provided above the open end of the arc portion 361 (on the X2 side) (see Figures 7 and 8). Therefore, the bottom of the motor case 63 hits the first guide surface 53 before it hits the upper end surface of the arc portion 361. Once the bottom of the motor case 63 hits the first guide surface 53, the corner where the bottom plate 631 and the cylindrical portion 632 of the motor case 63 are connected can slide along the first guide surface 53. As a result, the motor case 63 moves toward the center of the arc section 361, and the bottom of the motor case 63 is dropped inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom surface of the terminal cover 68 is located X2 side further than the bottom surface of the motor case 63. Therefore, when assembling the geared motor 60 into the case 3, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 does not come into contact with the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor case 63 always comes into contact with the first guide surface 53. Consequently, as described above, the motor case 63 can be guided by the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor case 63 can be dropped inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0042] Next, as the bottom of the motor case 63 moves in the X1 direction inside the four positioning ribs 50, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 comes into contact with the second guide surface 56, which is located at a lower position (on the X1 side) than the first guide surface 53. By sliding the corner where the bottom plate 681 and the circumferential side plate 682 of the terminal cover 68 connect along the second guide surface 56, the terminal cover 68 moves toward the space between the pair of connecting parts 362. At this time, the motor case 63 rotates in the circumferential direction with its X1 end inside the four positioning ribs 50.

[0043] Once the terminal cover 68 reaches a position where it can enter between the pair of connection parts 362 in the X1 direction by the second guide surface 56, the motor case 63 is further lowered in the X1 direction inside the four positioning ribs 50 while the terminal cover 68 is lowered between the pair of connection parts 362. This allows the motor case 63 to be lowered inside the arc portion 361 while being guided by the positioning ribs 50.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, the first guide surface 53 guides the motor case 63 to the center of the arc portion 361, and then the second guide surface 56 guides the terminal cover 68 between the pair of connecting portions 362. This allows the motor case 63 and terminal cover 68 to be easily dropped into the inside of the motor holding portion 36.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6(b) and 7, motor support ribs 363 extending in the Z direction are formed on the inner surface of the arc portion 361 of the motor holding portion 36. In this embodiment, motor support ribs 363 are arranged at four locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The motor case 63 is lightly press-fitted into the inside of the arc portion 361, with its outer circumferential surface in contact with the tips of the motor support ribs 363. The motor support ribs 363 do not extend to the upper end of the arc portion 361. Therefore, when inserting the bottom of the motor case 63 into the inside of the upper end portion of the arc portion 361, it does not come into contact with the motor support ribs 363, making insertion easy.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the motor plate 64 that closes the open end of the motor case 63 has two first protrusions 643 that protrude outward from the outer circumference of the motor case 63, as described above. As shown in Figure 6(a), the first protrusion 643 on the Z1 side fits between a pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the first connection part 325. The first protrusion 643 on the Z2 side fits between a pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the second connection part 326. In other words, the pair of positioning ribs 50 function as motor plate positioning parts that position the motor plate 64 relative to the case 3 in the circumferential direction of the geared motor 60.

[0047] The geared motor 60 is positioned in the Y and Z directions relative to the case 3 by lightly press-fitting the motor case 63 into the inside of the arc portion 361 while crushing the tip of the motor support rib 363. In addition, the circumferential positioning relative to the case 3 is achieved by fitting the first protrusion 643 of the motor plate 64 between the pair of positioning ribs 50.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the partition plate 23 is provided with three motor plate receiving portions 29 that protrude in the X1 direction from positions facing the motor plate 64 of the geared motor 60. When the partition plate 23 and the case 3 are connected, the motor plate receiving portions 29 contact the motor plate 64 from the X2 side and press against the motor plate 64. This positions the geared motor 60 in the X direction.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, each of the three motor plate support portions 29 is equipped with a pressing portion 291 that extends linearly along the outer edge of the partition plate 23 and a reinforcing portion 292 that protrudes from the side surface of the pressing portion 291. A step is provided between the tip surface of the reinforcing portion 292 and the tip surface of the pressing portion 291, so that the tip surface of the reinforcing portion 292 does not come into contact with the motor plate 64.

[0050] Figure 9 is an XZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate 23, geared motor 60, and case 3 (a cross-sectional view cut at position BB in Figure 6(a)). Figure 10 is a YZ cross-sectional view of the partition plate 23, geared motor 60, and case 3 (a cross-sectional view cut at position CC in Figure 9). As shown in Figure 10, the three motor plate support portions 29 press against the two first protrusions 643 and one second protrusion 644 provided on the motor plate 64. The two motor plate support portions 29 that press against the first protrusions 643 have pressing portions 291 that extend in the Y direction. The motor plate support portion 29 that presses against the second protrusion 644 has a pressing portion 291 that extends in the Z direction and presses against the circumferential center of the second protrusion 644.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the motor plate receiving portion 29 is positioned so that the X2-side end face of the motor case 63 and the pressing portion 291 face each other in the X direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 643 is sandwiched between the motor plate receiving portion 29 and the X2-side end face of the motor case 63, and the motor case 63 is pressed via the first protrusion 643.

[0052] (Case reinforcement structure) The motor holder 36 is located at the end of the case 3 on the fourth side plate 324 side and is connected to the first side plate 321, the second side plate 322, and the fourth side plate 324, but is separated from the third side plate 323. Therefore, a first rib 37 extending in the Z direction and a second rib 38 and a third rib 39 extending in the Y direction are arranged between the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323, providing a reinforcing structure with ribs.

[0053] The first rib 37 connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second rib 38 is positioned at two locations on the Z1 and Z2 sides of the shaft support portion 35 and intersects with the first rib 37. The two second ribs 38 connect to the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323, respectively. The third rib 39 extends in the Y direction between the motor holding portion 36 and the shaft support portion 35, and connects to the motor holding portion 36 and the shaft support portion 35 are connected. The shaft support portion 35 is connected to the third side plate 323 via the fourth rib 40 which extends to the opposite side from the third rib 39.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the bottom 31 of case 3 includes a bottom plate 311 that closes the X1 end of the motor holder 36, and a partition plate 312 located on the partition plate 23 side (X2 side) relative to the bottom plate 311. As shown in Figure 10, the partition plate 312 is located approximately in the center of case 3 in the X direction. The bottom plate 311 and the partition plate 312 are plate-shaped with the X direction as their normal direction. The partition plate 312 connects the outer surface of the motor holder 36 to the inner surface of the side plate 32 (first side plate 321, second side plate 322, third side plate 323, fourth side plate 324). Therefore, on the outer periphery side of the motor holder 36, the space housing the drive mechanism 6 is partitioned from the outside space by the partition plate 312. The first rib 37, the second rib 38, the third rib 39, and the fourth rib 40 are connected to the partition plate 312 and protrude from the partition plate 312 in the X2 direction.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the bottom 31 of case 3 is reinforced by a first outer rib 313 and a second outer rib 314 that project from the partition plate 312 in the X1 direction. The first outer rib 313 extends in the Z direction between the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323 and connects to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second outer rib 314 extends in the Y direction and intersects with the first outer rib 313. Three second outer ribs 314 are arranged at equal intervals and connect the motor holder 36 and the third side plate 323. The X1 direction leading surfaces of the first outer rib 313 and the second outer rib 314, the X1 direction leading surface of the side plate portion 32, and the bottom plate 311 are located on the same plane.

[0056] (refrigerator) Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator 100 equipped with the damper device 1 shown in Figure 1. In the refrigerator 100 shown in Figure 11, the refrigerator body 110 is equipped with a plurality of storage compartments 111 and a cold air duct 112 that supplies cold air to the plurality of storage compartments 111. A damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied is provided at a cold air intake 113 that connects the cold air duct 112 and the storage compartments 111. The refrigerator body 110 is also equipped with a cooling unit 114 that generates cold air, a fan 115 located in the cold air duct 112, and a control device 120. The control device 120 controls the opening and closing operation of the damper device 1 based on signals from a sensor (not shown) provided in the storage compartment 111, thereby adjusting the timing and amount of cold air supplied to the storage compartments 111.

[0057] (Main effects and benefits of this form) As described above, the damper device 1 of this embodiment includes a frame 2 having a frame portion 21 surrounding an opening 20 and a partition plate 23 positioned at the end of the frame portion 21; a baffle 4 rotatably supported by the frame 2 and opening and closing the opening 20; a drive mechanism 6 having a geared motor 60 and an output member 69 that transmits the rotation of the geared motor 60 to the baffle 4; and a case 3 coupled to the partition plate 23 and housing the drive mechanism 6 between itself and the partition plate 23. The case 3 includes a bottom portion 31 facing the partition plate 23, a side plate portion 32 extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23, a motor holding portion 36 extending from the bottom portion 31 toward the partition plate 23 inside the side plate portion 32, and a rib (positioning rib 50) connecting the motor holding portion 36 and the side plate portion 32. The geared motor 60 includes a bottomed motor case 63 that fits inside the motor holding portion 36. The tip of the positioning rib 50 in the X2 direction (the other side of the first direction) is provided with a first guide surface 53 that inclins toward the X1 direction (one side of the first direction) as it approaches the motor holding portion 36. The first guide surface 53 is located in the X2 direction (the other side of the first direction) further than the end face of the motor holding portion 36 in the X2 direction (the other side of the first direction).

[0058] In this embodiment, in a damper device 1 that houses a drive mechanism 6 between case 3 and partition plate 23, a geared motor 60 is used as the motor constituting the drive mechanism 6, with a rotor 7, stator 65, and gear train 621 housed between a motor case 63 and a motor plate 64. The case 3 that houses the geared motor 60 has a side plate portion 32 and a motor holding portion 36 A first guide surface 53 is provided at the tip of a rib (positioning rib 50) that connects the two. The first guide surface 53 is positioned on the side of the partition plate 23 (X2 direction (the other side of the first direction)) from the upper end surface of the motor holding part 36, and is inclined in a direction that is recessed as it approaches the motor holding part 36 (direction toward the X1 direction (one side of the first direction)). With such a first guide surface 53, when assembling the geared motor 60 into the case 3, the bottom of the motor case 63 can be brought into contact with the first guide surface 53 and the bottom of the motor case 63 can be slid along the first guide surface 53, thereby dropping the motor case 63 into the inside of the motor holding part 36. Thus, in this embodiment, the motor case 63 can be dropped into the inside of the motor holding part 36 simply by pressing the geared motor 60 in the X1 direction, so the motor case 63 is less likely to get caught on the structure outside the motor holding part 36. Therefore, the damper device 1 is easy to assemble.

[0059] In this embodiment, the geared motor 60 is provided with a terminal cover 68 that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case 63. The motor holding portion 36 is provided with an arc portion 361 that follows the outer surface of the motor case 63 and a pair of connecting portions 362 that connect the arc portion 361 and the side plate portion 32 on both sides of the terminal cover 68 in the circumferential direction. A second guide surface 56 is provided at the tip of each of the pair of connecting portions 362 in the X2 direction (the other side of the first direction). Of the pair of connecting portions 362 aligned in the Z direction, the second guide surface 56 of the connecting portion 362 on the Z1 side is inclined toward the X1 direction as it approaches the connecting portion 362 on the Z2 side, and the second guide surface 56 of the connecting portion 362 on the Z2 side is inclined toward the X1 direction as it approaches the connecting portion 362 on the Z1 side. With such a second guide surface 56, when assembling the geared motor 60 into the case 3, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 can be brought into contact with the second guide surface 56 and the bottom of the terminal cover 68 can be slid along the second guide surface 56, allowing the terminal cover 68 to be dropped between the pair of connecting parts 362. Thus, in this embodiment, the terminal cover 68 can be dropped between the pair of connecting parts 362 simply by pressing the geared motor 60 in the X1 direction, making it less likely for the terminal cover 68 to get caught on the outer structure of the pair of connecting parts 362. Therefore, the damper device 1 is easy to assemble.

[0060] In this embodiment, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 is positioned in the X2 direction relative to the bottom of the motor case 63. When the geared motor 60 is mounted to the case 3 from the X2 direction, the bottom of the motor case 63 contacts the first guide surface 53 before the bottom of the terminal cover 68 contacts the second guide surface 56. As a result, the motor case 63 is guided inward along the first guide surface 53 into the arc portion 361, and only then does the bottom of the terminal cover 68 contact the second guide surface 56, guiding the terminal cover 68 between the pair of connecting portions 362 along the second guide surface 56. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the bottom of the motor case 63 contacting the second guide surface 56 first and being guided in the wrong direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, the side plate portion 32 of the case 3 comprises a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 positioned on the opposite side of the motor holder portion 36 from the first side plate 321. Positioning ribs 50, each provided with a first guide surface 53, are provided at the first connecting portion 325 connecting the first side plate 321 and the motor holder portion 36, and at the second connecting portion 326 connecting the second side plate 322 and the motor holder portion 36. In this way, in this embodiment, multiple first guide surfaces 53 are positioned on the opposite side of the motor holder portion 36 to guide the geared motor 60, allowing the motor case 63 to be easily dropped into the inside of the motor holder portion 36.

[0062] In this embodiment, the geared motor 60 includes a motor plate 64 that closes the end of the motor case 63 on the side of the partition plate 23. Two first protrusions 643 are provided on the outer edge of the motor plate 64, projecting toward the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The first protrusion 643 projecting toward the first side plate 321 is fitted between two positioning ribs 50 provided on the first connection part 325, and the first protrusion 643 projecting toward the second side plate 322 is fitted between two positioning ribs 50 provided on the second connection part 326. Thus, in this embodiment, the motor plate 60 Since the positioning rib 50 used for circumferential positioning of rate 64 is also used as a rib for providing the first guide surface 53, there is no need to separately provide a rib for providing the first guide surface 53 in a different location from the positioning rib 50. Therefore, the configuration of Case 3 can be simplified.

[0063] The ribs for providing the first guide surface 53 may have a different configuration than that of this embodiment. That is, the ribs for providing the first guide surface 53 can be provided in a different location from the positioning ribs 50 for positioning the first protrusion 643 in the circumferential direction.

[0064] In this embodiment, the partition plate 23 that houses the drive mechanism 6 between itself and the case 3 is equipped with a motor plate receiving portion 29 that protrudes toward the case 3. The first protrusion 643 is pressed against the end face of the motor case 63 by the motor plate receiving portion 29. This allows the geared motor 60 to be positioned in the X direction between the case 3 and the partition plate 23, and prevents the geared motor 60 from rattling between the case 3 and the partition plate 23. Therefore, vibrations from the geared motor 60 are less likely to be transmitted to the case 3, thus suppressing noise caused by vibrations of the case 3.

[0065] The damper device 1 according to this embodiment can be used in a refrigerator 100, which has a cooling unit 114 and a storage chamber 111 to which cold air generated by the cooling unit 114 is supplied, and the damper device 1 is positioned at the cold air intake 113 in the storage chamber 111.

[0066] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the damper device 1 in the above-described embodiment is for a refrigerator, the present invention is not limited to damper devices used in refrigerators. Furthermore, the motor constituting the drive mechanism 6 may be configured such that the gear train 621 is located outside the motor case 63 and motor plate 64. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...Damper device, 2...Frame, 3...Case, 4...Baffle, 6...Drive mechanism, 10...Seal part, 20...Opening, 21...Frame part, 22...Body part, 23...Bulkhead plate, 24...Hook, 25...Side plate, 27...Shaft hole, 28...Protrusion, 29...Motor plate receiving part, 30...Protrusion, 31...Bottom part, 32...Side plate part, 33...Connector insertion port, 34...Boss part, 35...Shaft support part, 36...Motor holding part, 37...First rib, 38...Second rib, 39...Third rib, 40...Fourth rib, 41 42...Cylindrical part, 44...Shaft part, 45...Opening / closing plate, 46...Elastic member, 50...Positioning rib, 51...Upper end face, 52...Side end face, 53...First guide surface, 54...Upper end face, 55...Side surface, 56...Second guide surface, 60...Geared motor, 61...Motor, 62...Gear transmission mechanism, 63...Motor case, 64...Motor plate, 65...Stator, 66...Partition member, 67...Terminal block, 68...Terminal cover, 69...Output member, 70...Connector terminal, 71...Rotor, 100...Refrigerator, 110...Refrigerator body, 111...Storage compartment, 112...Cold air duct, 113...Cold air intake, 114...Cooling unit, 115...Fan, 120...Control device, 291...Pressing part, 292...Reinforcement part, 311...Bottom plate, 312...Partition plate, 313...First outer rib, 314...Second outer rib, 321...First side plate, 322...Second side plate, 323...Third side plate, 324...Fourth side plate, 325...First connection part, 326...Second connection part, 327...Groove part, 361...Arc part, 362...Connection part, 363...Motor support rib, 621...Gear train, 622...Output wheel, 623...Gear, 624...Shaft section, 625...Gear, 631...Bottom plate, 632...Cylinder section, 634...Recess, 641...Shaft support section, 642...Plate body, 643...First protrusion, 644...Second protrusion, 645...Third protrusion, 651...Stator coil, 652...Insulator, 653...Inner stator core, 654...Poles, 681...Bottom plate, 682...Side plate, 691...Shaft section, 692...Second-section gear, L...Rotation axis

Claims

1. A frame comprising a frame portion surrounding an opening and a partition plate positioned at the end of the frame portion, A baffle rotatably supported on the frame and opening and closing the opening, A drive mechanism comprising a motor and an output member that transmits the rotation of the motor to the baffle, It has a case that is coupled to the partition plate and houses the drive mechanism between it and the partition plate, The case comprises a bottom portion facing the partition plate, a side plate portion extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition plate, a motor holding portion extending from the bottom portion toward the partition plate on the inside of the side plate portion, and ribs connecting the motor holding portion and the side plate portion. The motor is equipped with a bottomed motor case that fits inside the motor holder, When the direction from the partition plate toward the bottom is considered one side of the first direction, The other end of the rib in the first direction is provided with a first guide surface that is inclined toward one side of the first direction as it approaches the motor holding portion. The damper device is characterized in that the first guide surface is located on the other side in the first direction from the motor holding portion.

2. The motor is equipped with a terminal cover that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the motor case. The motor holding portion comprises an arc portion along the outer circumferential surface of the motor case and a pair of connecting portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides in the circumferential direction of the terminal cover. A second guide surface is provided at the other end of each of the pair of connecting portions in the first direction. The second guide surface on one of the pair of connecting parts is inclined toward one side of the first direction as it extends toward the other of the pair of connecting parts. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide surface on the other of the pair of connecting parts is inclined toward one side of the first direction as it approaches one of the pair of connecting parts.

3. The bottom of the terminal cover is located on the other side in the first direction from the bottom of the motor case. When the motor is attached to the case from the other side of the first direction, Before the bottom of the terminal cover comes into contact with the second guide surface, the bottom of the motor case comes into contact with the first guide surface, and the motor case is guided inward along the first guide surface to the arc portion. The damper device according to claim 2, characterized in that the bottom of the terminal cover then contacts the second guide surface, and the terminal cover is guided along the second guide surface between the pair of connecting parts.

4. The side plate portion comprises a first side plate and a second side plate positioned on the opposite side from the first side plate relative to the motor holding portion. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ribs are provided at a first connection portion connecting the first side plate and the motor holding portion, and at a second connection portion connecting the second side plate and the motor holding portion.

5. The motor is equipped with a motor plate that closes the end of the motor case on the partition plate side, The outer edge of the motor plate is provided with two first protrusions that project toward the first side plate and the second side plate. The first protrusion that protrudes toward the first side plate is fitted between the two ribs provided on the first connecting portion. The damper device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first protrusion protruding from the second side plate side is fitted between the two ribs provided on the second connecting portion.

6. The partition plate is provided with a motor plate receiving portion that protrudes toward the case side. The damper device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first protrusion is pressed against the end face of the motor case by the motor plate receiving portion.

7. A refrigerator equipped with a damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It has a cooling unit and a storage room to which the cold air generated by the cooling unit is supplied, The refrigerator is characterized in that the damper device is positioned at the cold air intake in the storage chamber.

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