Rotating machinery

Abstract

To provide a rotary apparatus with high reliability.SOLUTION: A rotary apparatus comprises a housing, a motor, and one or a plurality of gears. The housing has a first housing and a second housing which engages with the first housing. The motor and the one or the plurality of gears are housed in the housing. A lateral wall part of the second housing is provided with a first hook, and a lateral wall part of the first housing is provided with a first protruding part which engages with the first hook. In a first direction, a surface of the first hook which engages with the first protruding part comes into contact with a surface of the first protruding part which engages with the first hook. One of the surfaces of the first hook and the first protruding part is inclined toward the other surface. The surface of the first hook is oriented toward the lateral wall part of the first housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating device.

Background Art

[0002] As a rotating device used in an actuator or the like, a rotating device that houses a motor and gears in a pair of engaging housings is known. For example, a motor device is known in which an elastically deformable tongue piece portion is formed on either the case or the cover, and a claw portion that can engage with the tongue piece portion is formed on the other, and the tongue piece portion and the claw portion are engaged by snap fit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the housing is combined using the engaging portion, if the reaction force generated by the vibration of the motor or the like is applied to the engaging portion, the engagement is likely to be disengaged, so the reliability of the rotating device may decrease.

[0005] On one side, it aims to realize a highly reliable rotating device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect, the rotating device includes a housing, a motor, and one or more gears. The housing has a first housing and a second housing that engages with the first housing. The first housing and the second housing face each other in a first direction. The motor and one or more gears are housed in the housing. A first hook is provided on the side wall portion of the second housing. And the second hook andA first projection that engages with the first hook is provided on the side wall of the first housing. and a second projection that engages with the second hook A first hook is provided that engages with the first projection in the first direction. Slope The surface and the first projection that engages with the first hook Slope It is in contact with the surface. The inclined surface of the first projection is directed inward towards the side wall of the first housing. The inclined surface of the first hook is directed outward towards the first housing. In the first direction, the inclined surface of the second hook that engages with the second projection and the inclined surface of the second projection that engages with the second hook are in contact. The inclined surface of the second projection is directed outward towards the side wall of the first housing. The inclined surface of the second hook is directed inward towards the side wall of the first housing.

[0007] According to one embodiment, highly reliable rotating machinery can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotating device in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the first housing removed from the rotating device in the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the first housing in the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the second housing in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a housing in an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is another cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a housing in the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the first engagement portion of a rotating device in an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a second engagement portion of a rotating device in an embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the first engagement portion of a rotating device in an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the rotating equipment disclosed in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element in the drawings may differ from those in reality. There may also be differences in the dimensional relationships and ratios between drawings. In each drawing, for the sake of clarity of explanation, a coordinate system may be shown in which the direction in which the rotation axis 31 of the motor 3 (described later) extends is the X-axis direction, and the direction in which the output shaft 51 (described later) which is perpendicular to the rotation axis 31 extends is the Z-axis direction.

[0010] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotating device in the embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view showing the rotating device with the first housing removed, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the first housing in the embodiment, and Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the second housing in the embodiment. Furthermore, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a housing in the embodiment, and Figure 6 is another cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a housing in the embodiment. Figure 5 shows a cross-section cut along plane S1 in Figure 1, and Figure 6 shows a cross-section cut along plane S2 in Figure 1. Note that Figures 5 and 6 show the state in which the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are joined together, and the internal structure of the rotating device 1 shown in Figure 2 is not shown. The rotating device 1 according to the embodiment can be suitably used as an actuator for, for example, an air conditioning system for a vehicle, and can control the rotational operation of a louver for controlling airflow, etc.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rotating device 1 in the embodiment comprises a housing 2 and a motor 3 and a gear group 6 housed in the housing 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the housing 2 comprises a first housing 21 and a second housing 22 that engages with the first housing 21. The first housing 21 and the second housing 22 face each other in the Z-axis direction. That is, the housing 2 is constructed by connecting the first housing 21 having the opening 212 shown in Figure 3 and the second housing 22 having the opening 222 shown in Figure 4, with the openings 212 and 222 facing each other in the Z-axis direction. Note that the Z-axis direction is an example of a first direction.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating device 1 includes, inside, a motor 3, a plurality of gears (hereinafter referred to as a gear group) 6 that transmit the power from the motor 3, a sensor 7 that detects the rotation angle of an output gear 50 included in the gear group 6, and the like. The motor 3 and the gear group 6 are housed in a housing 2. Note that the gear group 6 is an example of a plurality of gears.

[0013] The gear group 6 includes a worm 10 attached to the rotation shaft 31 of the motor 3, a first transmission gear 61, a second transmission gear 62, and an output gear 50. Note that instead of the gear group 6, the rotating device 1 may be configured to include a single gear. As shown in FIG. 2, the first transmission gear 61 is located on the positive side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the worm 10.

[0014] The rotation of the worm 10 is transmitted to the helical gear 61a of the first transmission gear 61 and is also transmitted to the second transmission gear 62 via a gear 61b provided coaxially with the helical gear 61a and having a smaller diameter than the helical gear 61a. Then, the rotation of the second transmission gear 62 is transmitted to the output gear 50. An output shaft 51 is provided on the output gear 50. The rotation shafts of the first transmission gear 61 and the second transmission gear 62 extend in the direction of the output shaft 51 (Z-axis direction) and extend in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction) of the worm 10.

[0015] In this way, the rotation of the motor 3 is decelerated at a predetermined reduction ratio and output to the outside from the output shaft 51. Then, the rotation angle of the output gear 50 is detected by the sensor 7. The information on the rotation angle of the output gear 50 detected by the sensor 7 is transmitted to the outside via, for example, the terminal group 4 shown in FIG. 2. Also, the terminal group 4 may be connected to the motor 3 via, for example, the FPC 8 shown in FIG. 2. In each drawing, illustration of a hole portion through which the output shaft 51 is inserted in the housing 2 and a detailed internal structure of the housing 2 is omitted.

[0016] Note that the sensor 7 may detect the rotation speed instead of the rotation angle of the output gear 50, or both the rotation angle and the rotation speed. Also, in this embodiment, a DC motor is adopted as the motor 3, but a brushless motor or a stepping motor may also be used. When a brushless motor or a stepping motor is adopted, the sensor 7 may not be required as the rotating device 1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 21 has a face portion 210 that is the top face portion of the housing 2, and a side wall portion 211 provided on the outer peripheral portion of this face portion 210. The opening 212 is surrounded by the side wall portion 211. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the second housing 22 has a face portion 220 that is the bottom face portion of the housing 2, and a side wall portion 221 provided on the outer peripheral portion of this face portion 220. The opening 222 is surrounded by the side wall portion 221. Also, in the openings 212 and 222, housing portions 213 and 223 for housing the motor 3 shown in FIG. 2 are respectively formed. Note that the housing 2 is formed of an elastic or deformable resin material such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.

[0018] At both ends of one side of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, pieces (hereinafter referred to as joining pieces) 93 that protrude outward are respectively formed. The joining piece 93 is provided with a hole portion (hereinafter referred to as a connecting hole) 94 through which a fastening tool (not shown) as a predetermined fixing member is inserted. The joined first housing 21 and second housing 22 are firmly connected by a predetermined fastening tool through four connecting holes 94 to constitute an integral housing 2.

[0019] In the configuration of the housing 2 described above, in this embodiment, a boss portion 29 is provided at the corner of the side wall portion 211 forming the outer peripheral portion of the first housing 21, and a second through hole 292 is provided at the corner of the second housing 22. That is, in the first housing 21, a cylindrical boss portion 29 having a first through hole 291 through which a fastening tool such as a bolt or a screw can be inserted protrudes from the face portion 210. And in the second housing 22, a second through hole 292 into which the boss portion 29 fits is provided.

[0020] Multiple boss portions 29 are provided, and accordingly, multiple second through holes 292 are also provided. Each of the multiple boss portions 29 is provided at multiple corners of the first housing 21, and each of the multiple second through holes 292 is provided at multiple corners of the second housing 22. In this embodiment, the surface portion 210 of the first housing 21 and the surface portion 220 of the second housing 22 have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and boss portions 29 and second through holes 292 are provided at the corners of each. In this embodiment, the boss portions 29 and second through holes 292 are formed at three of the four corners, but are not limited to this, and may be provided at all four corners, or at other locations.

[0021] Furthermore, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 each have corresponding extensions 219 and 229. The extensions 219 and 229 protrude in the positive X-axis direction, which in this embodiment is the direction in which the terminal group 4 extends. These extensions 219 and 229 are joined together to form the connector portion 209 shown in Figure 1. The terminal group 4 shown in Figure 2 is held in this connector portion 209.

[0022] Furthermore, a first hook 240 is provided on the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22, and a first projection 230 that engages with the first hook 240 is provided on the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. The first hook 240 is supported by a support portion 224. The first projection 230 is integrally formed on the outer circumference of the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. The first hook 240 and the support portion 224 are integrally formed on the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22. In this embodiment, the first projection 230 and the first hook 240 are formed on the side wall portions 211 and 221 on the positive X-axis side, that is, on the side where the extending portion 219 extends. In the following, the first projection 230 and the first hook 240 may be collectively referred to as the first engaging portion.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the second housing 22 is provided with a second hook 260, and the first housing 21 is provided with a second projection 250. The second hook 260 is supported by a support portion 225. The second projection 250 is integrally formed on the outer circumference of the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. The second hook 260 and the support portion 225 are integrally formed on the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22. The second hook 260 engages with the second projection 250 of the first housing 21. In this embodiment, the second projection 250 and the second hook 260 are formed on the side wall portions 211 and 221 on the negative X-axis side, the positive Y-axis side, and the negative Y-axis side, respectively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the following, the second projection 250 and the second hook 260 may be collectively referred to as the second engagement portion.

[0024] In addition, the hook may be formed on the first housing 21 and the protrusion may be formed on the second housing 22. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the third hook 270 is formed on the extended portion 219 of the first housing 21, and the third protrusion 280 is formed on the extended portion 229 of the second housing 22.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the end of the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21 on the negative Z-axis side is formed with a first opposing surface 215 that protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction and a second opposing surface 217 located on the positive Z-axis side. In this embodiment, the first opposing surface 215 is formed inward of the second opposing surface 217, i.e., closer to the opening 212. Similarly, the end of the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22 on the positive Z-axis side is provided with a fourth opposing surface 228 that protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction and a third opposing surface 226 located on the negative Z-axis side, as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the third opposing surface 226 is formed inward of the fourth opposing surface 228, i.e., closer to the opening 222. Note that the first opposing surface 215 and the second opposing surface 217 are examples of the ends of the side wall portion of the first housing, and the third opposing surface 226 and the fourth opposing surface 228 are examples of the ends of the side wall portion of the second housing.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the housing 2, the fourth opposing surface 228 of the second housing 22 is formed at a position opposite to the second opposing surface 217 of the first housing 21, and the third opposing surface 226 is formed at a position opposite to the first opposing surface 215. In this configuration, the first opposing surface 215 and the second opposing surface 217 are engaged with the fourth opposing surface 228 and the third opposing surface 226.

[0027] In this way, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are brought together to form the housing 2 shown in Figure 1. That is, by engaging the first hook 240 of the second housing 22 with the first projection 230 of the first housing 21, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are integrated, forming the housing 2 that houses the motor 3 and gear group 6 mentioned above.

[0028] In the embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shape of the first engaging portion differs from the shape of the second engaging portion. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the first engaging portion of the rotating device in the embodiment, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the second engaging portion of the rotating device in the embodiment. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the portion shown in frame F1 of Figure 3, and Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the portion shown in frame F2 of Figure 4. In Figure 7, the support portion 224 of the second housing 22, which is not present in the plane S1 shown in Figure 1, is shown with a dashed line. The same applies to Figure 9, which will be described later. In Figure 8, the support portion 225 of the second hook 260 of the second housing 22, which is not present in the plane S2 shown in Figure 1, is shown with a dashed line.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, the first hook 240 formed on the second housing 22 has an inclined surface 241. The inclined surface 241 is in contact with the first projection 230 formed on the first housing 21. Specifically, in the Z-axis direction, the inclined surface 241 of the first hook 240 that engages with the first projection 230 is in contact with the inclined surface 231 of the first projection 230 that engages with the first hook 240. Similarly, the inclined surface 261 of the second hook 260 formed on the second housing 22 is in contact with the inclined surface 251 of the second projection 250 formed on the first housing 21, as shown in Figure 8. Note that the inclined surface 241 is an example of a surface of the first hook, and the inclined surface 231 is an example of a surface of the first projection.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the inclined surface 261 of the second hook 260 is inclined to face the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. That is, the inclined surface 251 of the second projection 250 is directed outward from the second housing 22, and the inclined surface 261 of the second hook 260 is directed inward from the second housing 22. The inclined surfaces 251 and 261 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X-axis direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction. In this case, the inclined surfaces 251 and 261 are directed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, the inclined surface 231 of the first projection 230 is directed toward the side wall 211 of the first housing 21. Also, the inclined surface 241 of the first hook 240 is formed at approximately the same angle as the inclined surface 231. That is, the inclined surface 241 is directed in the opposite direction to the side wall 221 of the second housing 22. In this case, the inclined surface 231 of the first projection 230 is directed toward the inside of the first housing 21, and the inclined surface 241 of the first hook 240 is directed toward the outside of the side wall 221 of the first housing 21. In other words, the first projection 230 and the first hook 240 in this embodiment have a so-called reverse tapered shape.

[0032] Furthermore, the first hook 240 is in contact with the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the side surface 243 of the first hook 240 is in contact with the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the first engaging portion of the rotating device in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the side surface 243 of the first hook 240 extends in a direction substantially the same as the Z-axis direction. Also, the portion of the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21 facing the side surface 243 extends in a direction substantially the same as the Z-axis direction.

[0033] In housing 2, when an external force acts in a direction that separates the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, the reaction force applied to the hook and projection acts perpendicular to the tangent at the contact surface where the hook and projection meet. For example, in the second hook 260 and second projection 250 shown in Figure 8, the reaction force acts in the direction indicated by arrow D0. In this case, a force acts on the second hook 260 in the direction D9 that pulls the second hook 260 away from the second projection 250.

[0034] On the other hand, the reaction force applied to the first hook 240 and the first projection 230 acts in a direction that pulls the first projection 230 and the first hook 240 apart, as shown by arrow D1 in Figure 9. However, since the inclined surface 231 of the first projection 230 is directed inward towards the second housing 22, and the inclined surface 241 of the first hook 240 is directed outward towards the second housing 22, the first hook 240 is prevented from detaching from the first projection 230.

[0035] Specifically, due to the stress shown by arrow D1 in Figure 9, the side surface 243 of the first hook 240 is pressed against the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21, as shown by arrow D2 in Figure 9. Furthermore, a rotational moment in the direction shown by arrow R1 in Figure 9 is applied to the first hook 240, pressing it against the side wall portion 211 and the first protrusion 230 of the first housing 21. This prevents the second housing 22, on which the first hook 240 is formed, from detaching from the first housing 21.

[0036] In the second hook 260, the inclined surface 261 that contacts the second projection 250 faces the side wall 211 of the first housing 21 in the direction indicated by arrow D0, as shown in Figure 8. On the other hand, when the first hook 240 and the first projection 230 are engaged, the inclined surface 231 of the first projection 230 and the inclined surface 241 of the first hook 240 face each other in the direction indicated by arrow D1 in Figure 9, that is, in a direction inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction.

[0037] Furthermore, when attaching the first hook 240 to or removing it from the first protrusion 230, it is necessary to move the tip 242 of the first hook 240, as shown in Figure 9, to the positive Z-axis direction relative to the tip 232 of the first protrusion 230. In the embodiment, when attaching the first hook 240 to the first protrusion 230, for example, the tip 242 of the first hook 240 is moved to the positive Z-axis direction relative to the tip 232 of the first protrusion 230 by stretching the first hook 240 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 7, utilizing the expansion and contraction of the material (e.g., resin) forming the housing 2.

[0038] As described above, the rotating device 1 in the embodiment comprises a housing 2 having a first housing 21 and a second housing 22 that engages with the first housing 21, and a motor 3 and one or more gears 6 housed in the housing 2. The first housing 21 and the second housing 22 face each other in a first direction, a first hook 240 is provided on the side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22, and a first projection 230 that engages with the first hook 240 is provided on the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. In the first direction, the surface 241 of the first hook 240 that engages with the first projection 230 and the surface 231 of the first projection 230 that engages with the first hook 240 are in contact. One surface of the first hook 240 and the first projection 230 is inclined with respect to the other surface, and the surface 231 of the first projection 230 is directed toward the side wall portion 211 of the first housing 21. With this configuration, even if an external force acts in a direction that separates the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, the inclined surface 241 of the first engaging portion and the reaction force acting on the inclined surface 241 prevent the first hook 240 from disengaging from the first protrusion 230, thereby enabling quiet operation of the rotating equipment 1 equipped with the worm 10.

[0039] [Differentiation] The configuration of this embodiment has been described above, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a reverse tapered hook may be formed on the first housing 21, and a reverse tapered projection may be formed on the second housing 22.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable that the reverse tapered shape be formed in engagement parts that are prone to stress due to vibration, such as near the motor 3. However, the housing 2 may be provided with a combination of multiple engagement parts with reverse tapered shapes, and all engagement parts may have a reverse tapered shape. For example, the second hook 260 and the second projection 250, or the third hook 270 and the third projection 280 may have the same reverse tapered shape as the first hook 240 and the first projection 230.

[0041] Furthermore, either the hook or the projection constituting the engaging portion may have an inverse tapered shape. In this case, for example, if only the hook has an inverse tapered shape, the stress applied from the projection to the hook will be applied in the opposite direction to arrow R1 shown in Figure 9, making it easier for the hook to detach from the projection. Therefore, when forming an inverse tapered shape on only one of the hook or projection, it is preferable to make only the projection have an inverse tapered shape.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments and various modifications, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to embodiments and various modifications, and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various modifications that do not depart from the spirit are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and this will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Rotating mechanism, 2 Housing, 3 Motor, 4 Terminal group, 6 Gear group, 7 Sensor, 8 FPC, 10 Worm, 21 First housing, 22 Second housing, 29 Boss part, 31 Rotating shaft, 50 Output gear, 51 Output shaft, 61 First transmission gear, 61a Helical gear, 61b Gear, 62 Second transmission gear, 93 Connecting piece, 94 Connecting hole, 209 Connector part, 210, 220 Surface part, 211, 221 Side wall part, 212, 222 Opening, 215 First opposing surface, 217 Second opposing surface, 219, 229 Extension part, 226 Third opposing surface, 228 Fourth opposing surface, 230 First projection, 240 First hook, 250 Second projection, 260 Second hook, 270 Third hook, 280 Third projection, 231, 241, 251, 261 Inclined surface, 232, 242 Tip, 243 Side, 291 First through hole, 292 Second through hole

Claims

1. A housing having a first housing and a second housing that engages with the first housing, The housing contains a motor and one or more gears, Equipped with, The first housing and the second housing face each other in a first direction, The side wall of the second housing is provided with a first hook and a second hook. The side wall of the first housing is provided with a first projection that engages with the first hook and a second projection that engages with the second hook. In the first direction, the inclined surface of the first hook that engages with the first projection and the inclined surface of the first projection that engages with the first hook are in contact. The inclined surface of the first protrusion is directed inward toward the side wall portion of the first housing, The inclined surface of the first hook is oriented outward from the first housing, In the first direction, the inclined surface of the second hook that engages with the second projection and the inclined surface of the second projection that engages with the second hook are in contact. The inclined surface of the second protrusion is directed outward from the side wall of the first housing, The inclined surface of the second hook is directed toward the inside of the side wall portion of the first housing. Rotating machinery.

2. The rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the end of the side wall portion of the first housing and the end of the side wall portion of the second housing are engaged.

3. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first hook is in contact with the side wall of the first housing.

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