Motor device

Abstract

To provide a motor device reduced in size and weight.SOLUTION: Conductors 98 and 99 are each provided with pairs of caulking projections 98f and 99c. Hook recesses 100b and 101b in which the bent caulking projections 98f and 99c are hooked are provided on both sides of contact plates 100 and 101 in the short direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the conductors 98 and 99 and the contact plates 100 and 101 are electrically connected to each other. Thus, conventional connection holes are unnecessary, and the contact plates 100 and 101 can be reduced in size in the short direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.Thus, a wiper motor can be further reduced in size and weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor device including a motor unit having a rotating shaft and a speed reduction mechanism unit having a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the rotating shaft.

Background Art

[0002] A motor device provided with a speed reduction mechanism is used, for example, as a drive source for a wiper device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. Thereby, a high-output drive source can be realized while being small-sized, and it can be easily mounted in a relatively small space on the vehicle side. Such a motor device mounted on a vehicle is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The motor device (wiper motor) described in Patent Document 1 includes a motor unit (motor body) and a speed reduction mechanism unit (speed reduction unit). A speed reduction mechanism is housed inside a housing and a cover (housing cover) forming the speed reduction mechanism unit. Further, inside the cover, an assembly plate (unit plate) to which a plurality of terminal members and three contact members are assembled is mounted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the motor device described in Patent Document 1, the terminal member and contact member assembled to the assembly plate are connected to each other as follows: A connection hole is provided in the contact member, and the upright portion of the terminal member is inserted through the connection hole. In this state, the upright portion is split and crimped in a V-shape using a crimping jig. This prevents the split and crimped portion from coming out of the connection hole, and the terminal member and contact member are connected to each other.

[0006] Thus, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it was necessary to provide connection holes in the contact member, which required increasing the dimensions of the contact member in the width direction intersecting the thickness direction. Consequently, the spacing between the contact portions of adjacent contact members also increased, and as a result, the movable contact (relay plate) on which the contact portions of the three contact members slide against each other, and the rotating body on which the movable contact is mounted, were also relatively large.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a motor device that is miniaturized and lightweight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a motor device comprises a motor section having a rotating shaft and a reduction mechanism section having a reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the rotating shaft, the device comprising: a housing for housing the reduction mechanism; a cover for closing the opening of the housing; an assembly plate mounted on the inside of the cover; a first conductive member mounted on the assembly plate; and a second conductive member having one side connected to the first conductive member and the other side in contact with an energizing member, wherein the first conductive member is provided with a pair of crimping protrusions, and hooks are provided on both sides of the second conductive member in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, with the bent pair of crimping protrusions being hooked onto each of them. The hook portion of the second conductive member is provided with an elastically deformable portion against which the crimping projection is pressed. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the first conductive member is provided with a pair of crimping protrusions, and the second conductive member is provided with hooking portions on both sides of its short side intersecting the longitudinal direction, where the bent pair of crimping protrusions are hooked onto each other, thereby electrically connecting the first conductive member and the second conductive member. Consequently, conventional connection holes are not required, and the dimensions of the second conductive member in the short side intersecting the longitudinal direction can be reduced. Thus, it becomes possible to further miniaturize and lighten the motor device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of a wiper system installed on a vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the wiper motor from the cover side. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the wiper motor from the output shaft side. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a wiper motor. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the inside of the cover. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the assembly plate from the front. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the assembly plate from the back. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the ground plate. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view before the crimping process. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view after the crimping process. [Figure 12] This is a plan view of the assembly plate as seen from the reduction gear mechanism side. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate (before crimping) in Embodiment 2. [Figure 14] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection point in Figure 13 before the crimping process. [Figure 15]It is an enlarged cross-sectional view after caulking work of the connection part in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection part (before caulking work) of the conductor and the contact plate of Embodiment 3. [Figure 17] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection part (before caulking work) of the conductor and the contact plate of Embodiment 4. [Figure 18] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection part (before caulking work) of the conductor and the contact plate of Embodiment 5. [Figure 19] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view before caulking work of the connection part in FIG. 18.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a diagram showing an overview of a wiper device mounted on a vehicle, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the wiper motor seen from the cover side, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the wiper motor seen from the output shaft side, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view showing the internal structure of the wiper motor, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view showing the inside of the cover, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembly plate seen from the front side, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the assembly plate seen from the back side, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged perspective view showing the connection part of the conductor and the contact plate, FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view showing the connection part of the conductor and the earth plate, FIG. 10 shows a perspective view before caulking work, FIG. 11 shows a perspective view after caulking work, and FIG. 12 shows a plan view of the assembly plate seen from the speed reduction mechanism side, respectively.

[0013] <Overview of Wiper Device> As shown in Figure 1, a wiper device 20 is mounted in the engine compartment (not shown) at the front of a vehicle 10, such as an automobile. The wiper device 20 swings a pair of wiper members 30, which are provided on the driver's side and the passenger's side. Each wiper member 30 has a wiper arm 31 that is formed in a substantially rod shape, and the longitudinal base end of the wiper arm 31 is fixed to a pivot shaft 11 that is rotatably provided on the vehicle 10. A wiper blade 32 is attached to the longitudinal tip end of the wiper arm 31. As a result, when the wiper device 20 is driven, the wiper arm 31 swings on the windshield 12.

[0014] The wiper device 20 includes a wiper motor (motor device) 40. The wiper motor 40 also has an output shaft 41, and a link mechanism 42 is provided between the output shaft 41 and a pair of pivot shafts 11 that converts the rotational motion of the output shaft 41 into the oscillating motion of the pair of pivot shafts 11. As a result, when the wiper motor 40 is operated, the rotational motion of the output shaft 41 is converted into the oscillating motion of the pivot shafts 11 via the link mechanism 42, causing the wiper blade 32 to perform a reciprocating wiping operation within the wiping range 13 between the respective lower and upper reversal positions.

[0015] <Wiper Motor> As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the wiper motor 40 forming the wiper device 20 comprises a motor section 50 and a reduction mechanism section 60. The motor section 50 has a yoke 51 formed in a stepped, bottomed cylindrical shape by deep drawing or the like from a steel plate, and a total of four magnets (not shown) are fixed to the radially inner side of the yoke 51. Furthermore, an armature core 52 is rotatably provided radially inner of each magnet via a small gap (air gap).

[0016] A rotating shaft 53, made of a round steel rod, is fixed to the rotation center of the armature core 52. The rotating shaft 53 rotates together with the armature core 52 as the armature core 52 rotates. In addition, a pair of worms 54 are integrally provided at the tip end of the rotating shaft 53 (left side in Figure 4), and the twisting directions of each worm 54 are opposite to those of the other.

[0017] Furthermore, a commutator 55 is fixed between the worm 54 and the armature core 52 in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 53. A total of three brushes (not shown) slide against the outer circumference of the commutator 55. Thus, the wiper motor 40 is a brushed electric motor and is driven to rotate in the forward or reverse direction by the supply of drive current from a battery (not shown) installed in the engine compartment or the like.

[0018] The reduction gear mechanism 60 that forms the wiper device 20 includes a gear case 70 and a gear cover 80. The gear case 70 corresponds to the housing in this invention, and the gear cover 80 corresponds to the cover in this invention. The reduction gear mechanism SD (see Figure 4) is housed inside the gear case 70. The reduction gear mechanism SD is formed from a pair of worms 54 provided on the rotating shaft 53, a pair of counter gears 61 that mesh with these worms 54 respectively, and a single spur gear 62 that meshes with these counter gears 61.

[0019] A pair of worms 54 mesh with the large-diameter teeth 61a of a pair of counter gears 61. As a result, the pair of counter gears 61 rotate in the same direction, indicated by arrow R2, as the armature core 52 rotates in the direction of arrow R1. Additionally, the teeth 62a of a spur gear 62 mesh with the small-diameter teeth 61b of a pair of counter gears 61. As a result, the spur gear 62 rotates in the direction of arrow R3 due to the pair of counter gears 61.

[0020] As a result, the high-speed rotation of the armature core 52 (rotating shaft 53) is reduced by a pair of worms 54 and a pair of counter gears 61, causing the spur gear 62 to rotate at a low speed. This results in a high-torque rotational force being output from the output shaft 41, which is fixed to the rotation center of the spur gear 62, towards the linkage mechanism 42 (see Figure 1). The spur gear 62 corresponds to the reduction gear in this invention.

[0021] <Gear case> As shown in Figure 3, the gear case 70 forming the reduction gear mechanism 60 is formed in a roughly bowl shape by pouring molten aluminum material into a mold. The gear case 70 comprises a case bottom wall 71 and a case side wall 72 that rises from the outer edge of the case bottom wall 71. The motor unit 50 (yoke 51) is fixed to the case side wall 72 by a pair of first fixing screws S1. As a result, a pair of worms 54 (see Figure 4) integrally mounted on the rotating shaft 53 are positioned inside the gear case 70.

[0022] Here, a total of three mounting legs 73 are integrally provided on the bottom wall 71 of the gear case 70. Thus, the wiper motor 40 is fixed to the vehicle 10 via these mounting legs 73. In addition, the output shaft 41, which is fixed to the spur gear 62, is rotatably supported in approximately the center portion of the bottom wall 71 of the case via a sealing member (not shown) such as an O-ring. Furthermore, the central axis 61c of the pair of counter gears 61 is also rotatably supported by the bottom wall 71 of the gear case 70.

[0023] <Gear cover> As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the gear cover 80 forming the reduction gear mechanism 60 is formed in a roughly bowl shape by pouring molten plastic material into a mold. Specifically, the gear cover 80 comprises a cover bottom wall 81 and a cover side wall 82 that is provided to rise from the outer edge of the cover bottom wall 81. When the gear cover 80 is butted together to close the opening of the gear case 70, the reduction gear mechanism SD (see Figure 4) is housed in the hollow portion (not shown) formed inside them.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the gear cover 80 is fixed to the gear case 70 by a total of four second fixing screws S2. A hollow connector connection portion 83 is integrally provided on the cover side wall 82 of the gear cover 80. The first connector portion 92 of the assembly plate 90 (see Figures 6 and 7) is mounted inside the connector connection portion 83. An external connector (not shown) on the vehicle 10 side is connected to the connector connection portion 83. This supplies drive current to the wiper motor 40 from the vehicle 10's battery, etc. (not shown).

[0025] Furthermore, the connection between the gear case 70 and the gear cover 80, and the connection between the gear case 70 and the yoke 51, are sealed to each other via sealing members (not shown), such as O-rings. This prevents rainwater and other liquids from entering the wiper motor 40 through these connection points.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, fixing claws 81a and 82a are integrally provided on the inside of the gear cover 80, and on the cover bottom wall 81 and the cover side wall 82, respectively. These fixing claws 81a and 82a are for attaching the assembly plate 90 to the inside of the gear cover 80, and the assembly plate 90 is hooked onto and fixed to the fixing claws 81a and 82a. This ensures that the assembly plate 90 is fixed to the gear cover 80 without rattling.

[0027] Here, the bottom wall 81 of the cover is provided with a pair of counter gear support recesses 81b that support the central axis 61c (see Figure 4) of the pair of counter gears 61 that form the reduction mechanism SD. The spur gears 62 (see Figure 4) that form the reduction mechanism SD are supported by support pins 95a provided on the assembly plate 90. The bottom wall 81 of the cover is also provided with a plurality of sliding contact ribs 81c that the spur gears 62 slide against. These sliding contact ribs 81c suppress tilting of the spur gears 62, which have a larger diameter than the pair of counter gears 61. This suppresses rattling of the reduction mechanism SD inside the gear case 70.

[0028] <Assembly Plate> As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the assembly plate 90 is formed in a roughly plate shape from a resin material (insulator) such as plastic. The assembly plate 90 extends in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 53 (see Figure 4) and has a roughly rectangular plate body 91. A roughly box-shaped first connector portion 92 is integrally provided on one longitudinal side of the plate body 91 (left side in Figure 6). Furthermore, a roughly box-shaped second connector portion 93 and a capacitor case 94 are integrally provided on the other longitudinal side of the assembly plate 90 (right side in Figure 6).

[0029] Furthermore, a tongue-shaped portion 95 is integrally provided on one side of the assembly plate 90 in the shorter direction (lower side in the figure), protruding from the plate body 91. A support pin 95a is integrally provided on the tongue-shaped portion 95, which rotatably supports the spur gear 62 (see Figure 4). The support pin 95a protrudes toward the surface 91a side of the plate body 91.

[0030] <Conductive material> The assembly plate 90 has a total of four conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 mounted along its longitudinal direction. These conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 correspond to the first conductive members in the present invention, and each is formed by bending a relatively thick and highly conductive elongated copper plate (made of brass).

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, three of the four conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99, 96, 97, and 98, extend from the first connector portion 92 across the plate body 91 to the second connector portion 93. In contrast, the other conductor 99 extends from the first connector portion 92 to the pair of contact plates 100 and 101 that are mounted on the plate body 91 near the first connector portion 92. In other words, only one of the four conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99, 99, is shorter than the other three.

[0032] Specifically, of the long conductive members 96, 97, and 98, two conductive members 96 and 97 are provided with external connector side terminals 96a and 97a on one longitudinal side and motor side terminals 96b and 97b on the other longitudinal side, with conductive bodies 96c and 97c provided between the external connector side terminals 96a and 97a and the motor side terminals 96b and 97b. The external connector side terminals 96a and 97a are supported by the first connector part 92, and the motor side terminals 96b and 97b are supported by the second connector part 93. The conductive bodies 96c and 97c are mounted in the first mounting groove 91c and the second mounting groove 91d provided on the back surface 91b of the plate body 91.

[0033] Furthermore, of the other long conductive members 96, 97, and 98, one conductive member 98 has an external connector side terminal 98a on one longitudinal side and an earth connection portion 98b on the other longitudinal side, with a conductive body 98c provided between the external connector side terminal 98a and the earth connection portion 98b. The external connector side terminal 98a is supported by the first connector portion 92, and the earth connection portion 98b is positioned on the other longitudinal side (left side in Figure 7) of the third mounting groove 91e provided on the back surface 91b of the plate body 91. The conductive body 98c is mounted in the third mounting groove 91e.

[0034] Furthermore, the short conductive body 99 has an external connector side terminal 99a on one side in the longitudinal direction and a conductive body 99b on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The external connector side terminal 99a is supported by the first connector portion 92, and the conductive body 99b is mounted in a fourth mounting groove 91f provided on the back surface 91b of the plate body 91.

[0035] Here, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the first connector portion 92, the thickness direction of the external connector side terminals 96a, 97a, 98a, 99a coincides with the axial direction D1 of the output shaft 41, and the width direction of the external connector side terminals 96a, 97a, 98a, 99a coincides with the width direction D2 of the plate body 91. Also, in the plate body 91, the thickness direction of the conductive bodies 96c, 97c, 98c, 99b coincides with the width direction D2 of the plate body 91, and the width direction of the conductive bodies 96c, 97c, 98c, 99b coincides with the axial direction D1 of the output shaft 41.

[0036] In other words, the four conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 are bent at a 90-degree angle to each other at the external connector terminals 96a, 97a, 98a, and 99a, and at the conductive body portions 96c, 97c, 98c, and 99b, respectively. This reduces the width dimension of the plate body 91. These conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 are assembled to the assembly plate 90 in a way that prevents them from short-circuiting each other.

[0037] Capacitor connection sections 96d and 97d are integrally provided on the portions of the conductive bodies 96c and 97c of the two long conductive members 96 and 97, near the motor-side terminals 96b and 97b, respectively. Additionally, a pair of capacitor connection sections 98d and 98e are integrally provided on the portion of the conductive body 98c of the other long conductive member 98, near the ground connection section 98b. These capacitor connection sections 96d, 97d, 98d, and 98e (a total of four locations) protrude in the width direction of the conductive bodies 96c, 97c, and 98c, respectively, and are exposed on the surface 91a side of the plate body 91.

[0038] The lead terminals of a total of three capacitors CD are electrically connected to the four capacitor connection points 96d, 97d, 98d, and 98e, respectively. Here, capacitors CD have the function of preventing electrical noise generated by the motor unit 50 (see Figure 4) from being released to the outside of the wiper motor 40. This prevents adverse effects on in-vehicle equipment (for example, the generation of radio noise). The three capacitors CD are housed inside the capacitor case 94.

[0039] Furthermore, on the long conductive body 98c, a pair of crimping protrusions 98f are integrally provided on the portion of the conductive body 98c near the external connector terminal 98a, so as to protrude toward the surface 91a of the plate body 91. In addition, on the short conductive body 99b of the conductive body 99, a pair of crimping protrusions 99c are integrally provided so as to protrude toward the surface 91a of the plate body 91. Furthermore, on the ground connection portion 98b of the conductive body 98, a pair of crimping protrusions 98g are integrally provided so as to protrude toward the surface 91a of the plate body 91.

[0040] Here, as shown in Figure 8, the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c of the conductive bodies 98c and 99b have the function of fixing the contact plates 100 and 101 to the long and short conductive bodies 98 and 99, respectively, and electrically connecting them to each other. Specifically, as shown in the shaded areas of Figures 10 and 11, each crimping protrusion 98f and 99c is plastically deformable with a predetermined pressing force F. As a result, the long and short conductive bodies 98 and 99 are fixed to the contact plates 100 and 101 and electrically connected to each other. Note that Figure 8 shows the state of the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c before they are crimped (before they are bent).

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the crimping projection 98g of the earth connection portion 98b has the function of fixing the base end (one side) of the earth plate 102 to the long conductor 98 and electrically connecting them to each other. Specifically, the pair of crimping projections 98g, like the crimping projections 98f and 99c, can be plastically deformed with a predetermined pressing force (not shown). As a result, the long conductor 98 is fixed to the earth plate 102 and electrically connected to each other. Note that Figure 9 also shows the state of the crimping projections 98g before they are crimped (before they are bent).

[0042] Here, the tip (other end) of the earth plate 102 is electrically in contact with the inside of the case side wall 72 (see Figure 3) of the aluminum gear case 70. As a result, the electrical noise generated by the motor unit 50 is released (grounded) to the vehicle 10 via the capacitor CD, earth plate 102, and the mounting legs 73 (see Figure 3) of the gear case 70. The earth plate 102 corresponds to the second conductive member in this invention, and the inside of the case side wall 72 of the gear case 70 corresponds to the current-carrying member in this invention.

[0043] <Contact Plate> As shown in Figures 8, 10, and 11, the pair of contact plates 100 and 101 are formed by bending an elongated copper plate (made of phosphor bronze) that is thinner than the four conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 and has excellent conductivity. The pair of contact plates 100 and 101 correspond to the second conductive member in the present invention. Furthermore, the contact plates 100 and 101 have higher hardness than the conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99, and the Young's modulus E1 of the contact plates 100 and 101 is greater than the Young's modulus E2 of the conductors 96, 97, 98, and 99 (E1 > E2). The earth plate 102 is also made of phosphor bronze, similar to the contact plates 100 and 101.

[0044] A pair of contact plates 100 and 101 each have plate bodies 100a and 101a. On the base end (one side) of these plate bodies 100a and 101a, there are hooking recesses 100b and 101b, respectively, into which crimping projections 98f and 99c are hooked. These hooking recesses 100b and 101b correspond to the hooking parts in the present invention, and there are two of each. Specifically, these hooking recesses 100b and 101b are recessed on both sides of the short direction (width direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 100 and 101.

[0045] As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the two bent crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are inserted into the two hooking recesses 100b and 101b, respectively, and are hooked, ensuring a secure electrical connection between them. Furthermore, because the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are inserted into the hooking recesses 100b and 101b, adjacent contact plates 100 and 101 can be placed close together without short-circuiting them. Therefore, the portion of the assembly plate 90 to which the contact plates 100 and 101 are mounted can be miniaturized, and consequently, the entire wiper motor 40 can be miniaturized.

[0046] To crimp the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c, as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 10, the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are bent toward the hook recesses 100b and 101b with a predetermined pressing force F. This can be done by an assembly robot or the like, rather than by manual labor. As a result, as shown by the dashed arrows M in Figure 11, the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are bent so that they face each other and enter and hook into the hook recesses 100b and 101b, respectively. The crimping of the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c can also be done manually by an operator, or by using tools such as electrician's pliers.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 12, the connection portion CN1 between the long conductor 98 and the contact plate 100, and the connection portion CN2 between the short conductor 99 and the contact plate 101, are located at different positions in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction in the figures) of the contact plates 100 and 101. That is, the hook recess 100b (crimping projection 98f) and the hook portion 101b (crimping projection 99c) are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 100 and 101. This also allows adjacent contact plates 100 and 101 to be placed close to each other without reducing the workability of the crimping process.

[0048] Furthermore, an earth connection portion 100c (see Figure 8) is integrally provided on the base end side of the plate body 100a of the contact plate 100. Similar to the earth plate 102, this earth connection portion 100c is electrically contacted with the inside of the case side wall 72 (see Figure 3) of the aluminum gear case 70. Also, as shown in Figure 9, a pair of hook recesses (hook portions) 102a are provided on the base end side of the earth plate 102. These hook recesses 102a are also recessed on both sides of the short direction (width direction) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the earth plate 102.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8, 10, and 11, sliding contact protrusions 100d and 101c are integrally provided on the tip side (other side) of the plate bodies 100a and 101a. These sliding contact protrusions 100d and 101c contact and slide over the relay plate RP (see Figure 4), which rotates together with the spur gear 62. Here, the relay plate RP corresponds to the conductive member in the present invention and is made of brass or the like, which has excellent conductivity. The relay plate RP is held (fixed) in a relay holder RH made of plastic (insulator) which is formed in a roughly disc shape. The relay holder RH to which the relay plate RP is fixed is provided inside the gear case 70 and rotates together with the spur gear 62.

[0050] Here, when the respective sliding contact protrusions 100d and 101c slide against each other on the relay plate RP as the spur gear 62 rotates, they enter a "short circuit state (energized state)". Conversely, when the respective sliding contact protrusions 100d and 101c slide against parts other than the relay plate RP as the spur gear 62 rotates, they enter a "de-energized state". Then, signals indicating the "short circuit state" or "de-energized state" of the sliding contact protrusions 100d and 101c are sent to the on-board controller (not shown) via an external connector (not shown) on the vehicle 10 side.

[0051] As a result, the in-vehicle controller stops supplying power to the wiper motor 40 based on the detection of a signal indicating that the wiper switch (not shown) has been turned off, and the signal indicating the "short circuit" described above. This stops the wiper motor 40 from driving, and the pair of wiper blades 32 (see Figure 1) stop in the downward inverted position on the windshield 12 (auto-stop function).

[0052] As described in detail above, according to the wiper motor 40 of this embodiment, the conductors 98 and 99 are each provided with a pair of crimping protrusions 98f, 98g, and 99c, and on both sides of the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 100, 101 and the ground plate 102, there are hooking recesses 100b, 101b, and 102a, respectively, into which the bent pairs of crimping protrusions 98f, 98g, and 99c are hooked, thereby electrically connecting the conductors 98 and 99 with the contact plates 100, 101 and the ground plate 102. Therefore, conventional connection holes are not required, and the dimensions of the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 100, 101 and the ground plate 102 can be reduced. Thus, it is possible to further miniaturize and lighten the wiper motor 40.

[0053] Furthermore, the wiper motor 40 according to this embodiment includes a conductive relay plate RP that is rotated by a spur gear 62 forming a reduction mechanism SD, and a pair of contact plates 100 and 101 that slide against the relay plate RP and become energized or de-energized to each other as the spur gear 62 rotates. This allows the wiper motor 40 to be equipped with an auto-stop function that stops the pair of wiper blades 32 in the lower inverted position on the windshield 12 when the wiper switch is turned off.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the wiper motor 40 of this embodiment, the hooking recesses 100b and 101b provided on the pair of contact plates 100 and 101 are located at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 100 and 101. This makes it possible to place adjacent contact plates 100 and 101 close to each other without reducing the workability of the crimping operation. Therefore, this also makes it possible to further miniaturize and lighten the wiper motor 40.

[0055] Furthermore, in the wiper motor 40 according to this embodiment, the hooking recesses 100b, 101b, and 102a are provided so as to be recessed in the short direction of the contact plates 100, 101 and the ground plate 102, which makes it possible to further reduce the width dimensions of the contact plates 100, 101 and the ground plate 102. Therefore, this also makes it possible to further miniaturize and lighten the wiper motor 40.

[0056] Furthermore, the wiper motor 40 according to this embodiment allows for a reduction in the width dimensions of the contact plates 100, 101 and the earth plate 102, thereby enabling miniaturization of surrounding components and thus reducing manufacturing energy consumption. Consequently, it can contribute to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0057] <Embodiment 2> Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Parts having the same function as those in Embodiment 1 described above will be denoted by the same symbols, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0058] Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate (before crimping) in Embodiment 2, Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection in Figure 13 before crimping, and Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection in Figure 13 after crimping.

[0059] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the wiper motor (motor device) 200 of Embodiment 2 differs from the wiper motor 40 of Embodiment 1 in the connection structure of the connection part CN1 between the long conductor 98 and the contact plate 100, and the connection structure of the connection part CN2 between the short conductor 99 and the contact plate 101 (see Figure 8). Also, the order of the contact plates 100 and 101 is reversed compared to the wiper motor 40 of Embodiment 1.

[0060] Specifically, a bent portion 201 is added to each of the hook recesses 100b provided on both sides in the width direction of one contact plate 100, and a bent portion 202 is added to each of the hook recesses 101b provided on both sides in the width direction of the other contact plate 101.

[0061] Crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are positioned opposite each other on the outer portions of these bent portions 201 and 202, and the bent portions 201 and 202 are bent together in the same direction as the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c. Each of the bent portions 201 and 202 corresponds to the elastically deformable portion in this invention.

[0062] Specifically, in order to perform the crimping operation on the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c, the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are bent toward the hook recesses 100b and 101b with a predetermined pressing force F, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 14. Then, as shown in Figure 15, along with the plastic deformation of the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c, the bent portions 201 and 202 are also plastically deformed (bent) in the same direction as the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c.

[0063] As a result, the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c are pressed against the respective bent portions 201 and 202, respectively, and the conductors 98 and 99 and the contact plates 100 and 101 are electrically connected to each other.

[0064] At this time, as shown by the solid arrows RT1 and RT2 in Figure 15, the bent crimping protrusions 98f and 99c and the bent parts 201 and 202 will try to return to their original position (try to stand up) due to the springback effect. However, the contact plates 100 and 101 are made of phosphor bronze (Young's modulus E1), and the conductors 98 and 99 are made of brass (Young's modulus E2) (E1 > E2).

[0065] As a result, the force f2 in the direction of arrow RT2, which causes the bent portions 201 and 202 to return to their original position, is greater than the force f1 in the direction of arrow RT1, which causes the crimping projections 98f and 99c to return to their original position (f2 > f1). Therefore, after the crimping process, the bent portions 201 and 202 are pressed against the crimping projections 98f and 99c, and consequently, the conductors 98 and 99 and the contact plates 100 and 101 are more reliably electrically connected.

[0066] The wiper motor 200 of Embodiment 2, formed as described above, can achieve the same effects as Embodiment 1 described above. In addition, in Embodiment 2, since the bent portions 201 and 202 are provided on the hook recesses 100b and 101b of the contact plates 100 and 101, which are pressed against the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c, it is possible to more reliably electrically connect the conductors 98 and 99 and the contact plates 100 and 101, respectively.

[0067] Furthermore, since the Young's modulus E1 of the contact plates 100 and 101 is greater than the Young's modulus E2 of the conductors 98 and 99 (E1 > E2), the force f2 in the direction of the arrow RT2 that causes the bent portions 201 and 202 to return to their original position can be made greater than the force f1 in the direction of the arrow RT1 that causes the crimping protrusions 98f and 99c to return to their original position (f2 > f1). Therefore, this also makes it possible to electrically connect the conductors 98 and 99 and the contact plates 100 and 101 even more reliably.

[0068] <Embodiments 3, 4> Next, embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Parts having the same function as those in embodiment 1 described above will be denoted by the same symbols, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0069] Figure 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate (before crimping) in Embodiment 3, and Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate (before crimping) in Embodiment 4.

[0070] As shown in Figure 16, the wiper motor (motor device) 300 of Embodiment 3 differs from the wiper motor 40 of Embodiment 1 in the connection structure of the connection part CN1 between the long conductor 98 and the contact plate 100, and the connection structure of the connection part CN2 between the short conductor 99 and the contact plate 101 (see Figure 8). Note that the connection structures of connection part CN1 and connection part CN2 in Embodiment 3 are the same, and only the connection structure of connection part CN1 is shown in Figure 16.

[0071] Specifically, in the wiper motor 300, first embossed portions 301, each formed in a substantially hemispherical shape, are provided to surround the hook recesses 100b located on both sides in the width direction of the contact plate 100. These first embossed portions 301 protrude toward the tip side of the crimping projection 98f, and the crimping projection 98f is positioned opposite the outer portion (left and right sides in the figure) of the first embossed portion 301. Each of the first embossed portions 301 corresponds to an elastically deformable portion in this invention.

[0072] Then, when the crimping projections 98f are pressed with a predetermined pressing force F as shown by the dashed arrows (the crimping operation is performed), each crimping projection 98f is pressed against the first embossed portion 301, and the first embossed portion 301 is elastically deformed together with the crimping projections 98f. As a result, the crimping projections 98f make contact with each of the first embossed portions 301 in a way that they bite into each other, and the conductor 98 and the contact plate 100 are electrically connected to each other.

[0073] In this case, as in Embodiment 2, the contact plate 100 is made of phosphor bronze (Young's modulus E1) and the conductor 98 is made of brass (Young's modulus E2), so the conductor 98 and the contact plate 100 are more reliably electrically connected.

[0074] The wiper motor 300 of Embodiment 3, formed as described above, can also achieve the same effects and advantages as those of Embodiment 2 described above.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in the wiper motor (motor device) 400 of Embodiment 4 in Figure 17, compared to the wiper motor 300 of Embodiment 3 (see Figure 16), the pair of hook recesses 100b (see Figure 16) of the contact plate 100 can be omitted, and a single second embossed portion 401 can be provided on the plate body 100a of the contact plate 100. In Embodiment 4, the connection structure of the connection portion CN1 and the connection structure of the connection portion CN2 are the same, and only the connection structure of the connection portion CN1 is shown in Figure 17.

[0076] In this case, the portion indicated by the dashed line (dummy line) becomes the fixing portion 402 to which the crimping projection 98f is hooked and fixed after the crimping work, and this fixing portion 402 corresponds to the hooking portion in the present invention. Furthermore, the second embossed portion 401 corresponds to the elastically deformable portion in the present invention, and this second embossed portion 401 also protrudes toward the tip side of the crimping projection 98f.

[0077] Then, when the crimping projections 98f are pressed with a predetermined pressing force F as shown by the dashed arrows (the crimping operation is performed), each crimping projection 98f is pressed against a single second embossed portion 401, and both sides of the second embossed portion 401 are elastically deformed together with the crimping projections 98f. As a result, the crimping projections 98f each bite into the second embossed portion 401 and are fixed to the fixing portion 402. Thus, the conductor 98 and the contact plate 100 are electrically connected to each other.

[0078] In this case, as in Embodiment 3, the contact plate 100 is made of phosphor bronze (Young's modulus E1) and the conductor 98 is made of brass (Young's modulus E2), so the conductor 98 and the contact plate 100 are more reliably electrically connected.

[0079] The wiper motor 400 of Embodiment 4, formed as described above, can achieve the same effects as those of Embodiment 3 described above. In addition, in Embodiment 4, the hooking recess 100b (see Figure 16) of the contact plate 100 is omitted, making it possible to increase the rigidity of the contact plate 100.

[0080] <Embodiment 5> Next, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Parts having the same function as those in Embodiment 1 described above will be denoted by the same symbols, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0081] Figure 18 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the conductor and the contact plate (before crimping) in Embodiment 5, and Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection in Figure 18 before crimping.

[0082] As shown in Figure 18, the wiper motor (motor device) 500 of Embodiment 5 differs from the wiper motor 40 of Embodiment 1 in the connection structure of the connection part CN1 between the long conductor 98 and the contact plate 100, and the connection structure of the connection part CN2 between the short conductor 99 and the contact plate 101 (see Figure 8). Also, similar to the wiper motor 200 of Embodiment 2, the order of the contact plates 100 and 101 is reversed compared to the wiper motor 40 of Embodiment 1. Note that the connection structure of connection part CN1 and connection part CN2 in Embodiment 5 are the same, and only the connection structure of connection part CN2 is shown in Figure 18.

[0083] Specifically, in the wiper motor 500, the pair of hook recesses 101b (see Figure 8) of the contact plate 101 are omitted, while the plate body 101a of the contact plate 101 is provided with a single notched inclined portion 501. This notched inclined portion 501 is formed by cutting out the center of the plate body 101a in the width direction, and is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the contact plate 101 so as to be an uphill slope on the opposite side (upper side in the figure) from the sliding contact protrusion 101c side.

[0084] Here, the portion indicated by the dashed line (dummy line) is the fixing portion 502 to which the crimping projection 99c is hooked and secured after the crimping work. In other words, the fixing portion 502 corresponds to the hooking portion in the present invention. The notched inclined portion 501 is the portion of the crimping projection 99c that is elastically deformed during the crimping work, and corresponds to the elastically deformable portion in the present invention.

[0085] Then, when the crimping projections 99c are pressed with a predetermined pressing force F as shown by the dashed arrows (the crimping operation is performed), each crimping projection 99c is pressed against a single notched inclined portion 501, and the notched inclined portion 501 is elastically deformed together with the crimping projections 99c so that its inclination angle becomes gentler. As a result, each crimping projection 99c comes into close contact with the notched inclined portion 501, and each crimping projection 99c is fixed to the fixing portion 502. Thus, the conductor 99 and the contact plate 101 are electrically connected to each other.

[0086] In this case, as in Embodiment 2, the contact plate 101 is made of phosphor bronze (Young's modulus E1) and the conductor 99 is made of brass (Young's modulus E2), so the conductor 99 and the contact plate 101 are more reliably electrically connected.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, after the wiper motor 500 is assembled, the sliding contact projection 101c of the contact plate 101 is pressed by a pressing force F2, causing the contact plate 101 to move in the direction of the dashed arrow M1. On the other hand, the notched inclined portion 501 is pressed by the crimping projection 99c with a pressing force F1, causing the contact plate 101 to move in the direction of the dashed arrow M2. This is because the notched inclined portion 501 is inclined to form an uphill slope on the opposite side from the sliding contact projection 101c. This prevents the contact plate 101 from shifting in its longitudinal direction. Note that the pressing force F1 causes the side of the contact plate 101 opposite to the sliding contact projection 101c in the longitudinal direction to abut against the plate body 91.

[0088] The wiper motor 500 of Embodiment 5, formed as described above, can achieve the same effects as Embodiment 4 described above. In addition, in Embodiment 5, the contact plate 101 is prevented from shifting in its longitudinal direction, making it possible to ensure that the auto-stop function of the wiper motor 500 operates stably over a long period of time.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, the motor device was shown to be a wiper motor 40, 200, 300, 400, 500 having two contact plates 100, 101, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to wiper motors having three or more contact plates. In this case, it is possible to add other functions other than the auto-stop function, for example, a function to store the wiper blade 32 in a storage position below the down-reversal position.

[0090] Furthermore, although the above embodiments show the motor unit 50 as a brushed electric motor, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a brushless electric motor (brushless motor).

[0091] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments show motor devices that are wiper motors 40, 200, 300, 400, and 500, the present invention is not limited to these and can also be applied to motor devices that are the driving source for other in-vehicle equipment, such as sunroof devices, power window devices, and power sliding door devices.

[0092] Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, and installation location of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10: Vehicle, 11: Pivot shaft, 12: Windshield, 13: Wiping range, 20: Wiper device, 30: Wiper component, 31: Wiper arm, 32: Wiper blade, 40: Wiper motor (motor device), 41: Output shaft, 42: Link mechanism, 50: Motor section, 51: Yoke, 52: Armature core, 53: Rotating shaft, 54: Worm, 55: Commutator, 60: Reduction mechanism section, 61: Counter gear, 61a: Large diameter tooth section, 61b: Small diameter tooth section, 61c: Center shaft, 62: Spur gear (reduction gear), 62a: Tooth section, 70: Gear case (housing), 71: Case bottom Wall, 72: Case side wall (conductive component), 73: Mounting leg, 80: Gear cover (cover), 81: Cover bottom wall, 81a: Fixing claw, 81b: Counter gear support recess, 81c: Sliding contact rib, 82: Cover side wall, 82a: Fixing claw, 83: Connector connection part, 90: Assembly plate, 91: Plate body, 91a: Front surface, 91b: Back surface, 91c: First mounting groove, 91d: Second mounting groove, 91e: Third mounting groove, 91f: Fourth mounting groove, 92: First connector part, 93: Second connector part, 94: Capacitor case, 95: Tongue part, 95a: Support pin, 96~99: Conductor (first conductive Component), 96a, 97a, 98a, 99a: External connector side terminal, 96b, 97b: Motor side terminal, 96c, 97c, 98c, 99b: Conductive body, 96d, 97d, 98d, 98e: Capacitor connection part, 98b: Ground connection part, 98f, 98g, 99c: Crimping projection, 100, 101: Contact plate (second conductive component), 100a, 101a: Plate body, 100b, 101b: Hooking recess (hooking part), 100c: Ground connection part, 100d, 101c: Sliding contact projection, 102: Ground plate (second conductive component), 102a: Hooking recess (hooking part) 200: Wiper motor (motor unit), 201, 202: Bending part (elastic deformation part), 300: Wiper motor (motor unit), 301: First embossed part (elastic deformation part), 400: Wiper motor (motor unit), 401: Second embossed part (elastic deformation part), 402: Fixing part, 500: Wiper motor (motor unit), 501: Notched inclined part (elastic deformation part), 502: Fixing part, CD: Capacitor, CN1, CN2: Connection part, RH: Relay holder, RP: Relay plate (electrical conductive member), S1: First fixing screw, S2: Second fixing screw, SD: Reduction mechanism

Claims

1. A motor section having a rotating shaft, A reduction mechanism section having a reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the aforementioned rotating shaft, A motor device equipped with, A housing that accommodates the reduction mechanism, A cover that closes the opening of the housing, An assembly plate that is mounted on the inside of the aforementioned cover, A first conductive member is attached to the assembly plate, A second conductive member, one side of which is connected to the first conductive member and the other side of which is in contact with the current-carrying member, It has, The first conductive member is provided with a pair of crimping protrusions. On both sides of the second conductive member in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, there are hooks into which the bent pair of crimping protrusions are respectively hooked. The hook portion of the second conductive member is provided with an elastically deformable portion against which the crimping projection is pressed. Motor device.

2. The energizing member is a conductive relay plate that is rotated by the reduction gear of the reduction mechanism, The second conductive member is at least two contact plates that slide against the relay plate and become energized or de-energized to each other as the reduction gear rotates. The motor device according to claim 1.

3. At least two of the contact plates are arranged in close proximity and parallel to each other, and have sliding contact protrusions that slide against the relay plate and are arranged side by side. Furthermore, the hooks provided on at least two of the contact plates are each located at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the contact plate. The motor device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned hook portion is recessed in the short direction of the second conductive member. The motor device according to claim 1.

5. The Young's modulus of the second conductive member is greater than that of the first conductive member. The motor device according to claim 1.

Images