Protective case and drive unit

Abstract

To provide a protective case which can suppress intrusion of dust or rainwater.SOLUTION: A protective case 100 includes a housing 3, and a door part 4. The housing 3 has an opening 34. The door part 4 has a rotary shaft part 41, and a door body part 42. The rotary shaft part 41 is arranged so as to overlap the housing 3 outside the housing 3. The door body part 42 extends from the rotary shaft part 41 so as to cover the opening 34. The door part 4 is mounted on the housing 3 so as to be openable / closable around the rotary shaft part 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective case and a drive unit.

Background Art

[0002] It has been proposed to assist the movement of a moving body by mounting a drive unit on the moving body such as a pallet truck (for example, see Patent Document 1). Electronic components such as a battery and an electronic substrate used in this drive unit are housed in a protective case.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The protective case has an openable and closable door portion so that the battery can be taken out from the protective case. This door portion is generally attached to a housing via a hinge. However, with this configuration, there is a risk that dust, rainwater or the like may intrude into the housing through a gap between the door portion and the housing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a protective case capable of suppressing intrusion of dust or rainwater.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A protective case according to a first aspect includes a housing and a door portion. The housing has an opening. The door portion has a rotating shaft portion and a door main body portion. The rotating shaft portion is disposed so as to overlap the housing on an outer side of the housing. The door main body portion extends from the rotating shaft portion so as to cover the opening. The door portion is attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable about the rotating shaft portion.

[0007] In this configuration, the rotating shaft of the door is located on the outside of the housing and overlaps with the housing. Because the door and the housing overlap in this way, the intrusion of dust or rainwater can be suppressed.

[0008] The protective case according to the second embodiment further comprises a first labyrinth section in addition to the protective case according to the first embodiment. The first labyrinth section extends from the outer surface of the housing on the side opposite to the door body section with respect to the rotating shaft section.

[0009] The protective case according to the third embodiment further comprises a second labyrinth section in addition to the protective case according to the second embodiment. The second labyrinth section extends from the first labyrinth section so as to sandwich a rotating shaft between itself and the housing.

[0010] In the protective case according to the fourth embodiment, the second labyrinth section is shorter than the portion of the housing that overlaps with the door section, in terms of dimensions from the first labyrinth section, compared to the protective case according to the third embodiment.

[0011] The protective case according to the fifth embodiment has a bottom plate portion in which the housing supports the rotating shaft portion, in addition to the protective case according to any of the first to fourth embodiments. The bottom plate portion has a discharge channel that extends from the portion of the housing that overlaps with the door portion to the edge of the bottom plate portion.

[0012] The protective case according to the sixth embodiment is a protective case according to any of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the housing has a bottom plate portion, a top plate portion, and side plate portions. The top plate portion is positioned above the bottom plate portion. The side plate portions extend from the bottom plate portion to the top plate portion. The side plate portions also include an opening. The door body portion is positioned such that its inner surface faces the bottom plate portion and at least one side of the bottom plate portion.

[0013] The protective case according to the seventh embodiment is the same as the protective case according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the top plate portion has a top plate body portion and a peripheral wall portion. The peripheral wall portion extends from the outer peripheral edge portion of the top plate body portion toward the bottom plate portion. The door body portion is arranged such that its inner surface faces the outer surface portion of the peripheral wall portion.

[0014] The protective case according to the 8th aspect is the protective case according to the 7th aspect, wherein the top plate portion has a third labyrinth portion extending from an outer side surface of the peripheral wall portion. The door main body portion is arranged such that an upper end face thereof faces the third labyrinth portion.

[0015] The protective case according to the 9th aspect is the protective case according to any one of the 1st aspect to the 8th aspect, wherein the housing has a bottom plate portion, a top plate portion, and a side plate portion. The top plate portion is arranged above the bottom plate portion. The side plate portion extends from the bottom plate portion to the top plate portion. The side plate portion includes an opening. The rotating shaft portion has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is inserted into a through hole formed in the bottom plate portion. The second end portion is inserted into a recess formed in the top plate portion.

[0016] A drive unit according to the 10th aspect comprises the protective case according to any one of the 1st aspect to the 9th aspect, a battery arranged inside the housing, and an electric motor configured to be driven by electric power from the battery. Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a protective case that suppresses intrusion of dust or rainwater can be realized. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] A side view of a pallet truck. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of the protective case seen from above. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of the protective case seen from above. [Figure 4] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective case seen from above. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional perspective view of the protective case. [Figure 6] A perspective view of the housing with the top plate portion removed. [Figure 7] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective case seen from the side. [Figure 8] A side view of the protective case. [Figure 9] A side view of the protective case. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the protective case and the drive unit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a pallet truck equipped with the drive unit according to the present embodiment. The drive unit can also be mounted on moving bodies other than pallet trucks (e.g., hand lift trucks, hand trucks, or wheelchairs). Further, the protective case is also applicable to electrical products other than drive units.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the pallet truck 200 includes a pallet truck main body 210 and a drive unit 20. The pallet truck main body 210 includes a loading platform (a pair of fork arms) 201, an operation handle 202, and a plurality of wheels 204. Each of the wheels 204 is a non-driven wheel. The drive unit 20 is attached to the pallet truck main body 210.

[0021] <Drive Unit> The drive unit 20 includes an electric motor 21, a battery 22, and a protective case 100. The drive unit 20 also includes a drive wheel 24, a speed reducer 25, and the like.

[0022] The electric motor 21 outputs an assisting force for assisting the traveling of the pallet truck 200 when the user manually travels the pallet truck 200. The electric motor 21 rotationally drives the drive wheel 24.

[0023] The battery 22 is configured to supply electric power to the electric motor 21 and the like. The electric motor 21 is configured to be driven by electric power from the battery 22. The battery 22 is detachably housed in a housing 3 described later.

[0024] The reduction gear 25 reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor 21 and transmits it to the drive wheels 24. The reduction gear 25 is composed of, for example, multiple gears.

[0025] [Protective Case] Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the protective case 100 from above. Figure 2 shows the protective case 100 with the door 4 closed, and Figure 3 shows the protective case 100 with the door 4 open. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protective case 100 is configured to protect the battery 22 and other components housed inside. The protective case 100 comprises a housing 3, a door 4, and a labyrinth structure 6. It also includes a first protective member 5, a locking mechanism 7, and a second protective member 8.

[0026] [Cabinet] The enclosure 3 is configured to house various components. Specifically, the enclosure 3 houses the battery 22. The enclosure 3 also houses the electronic circuit board 9. The electronic circuit board 9 is electrically connected to the battery 22. Multiple semiconductor elements are soldered to the electronic circuit board 9.

[0027] The housing 3 has a first space 31 for housing the battery 22 and a second space 32 for housing the electronic circuit board 9. In other words, the housing 3 is divided into two spaces by a partition wall 33. The housing 3 is made of synthetic resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) resin, or PES (polyethersulfone) resin.

[0028] The enclosure 3 has an opening 34. Except for the opening 34, the enclosure 3 is airtight to prevent dust, rainwater, etc. from entering the interior from the sides and above.

[0029] The opening 34 opens toward the first direction. Note that the left and right directions in Figures 2 and 3 correspond to the first direction. In other words, in this embodiment, the opening 34 opens toward the left and right directions in Figures 2 and 3. The opening 34 is located on the first side of the housing 3 in the first direction. In other words, the housing 3 opens toward the first side in the first direction.

[0030] In the following description, the first side of the first direction is the side on which the opening 34 of the housing 3 is formed, and the second side of the first direction is the opposite side of the first side. In this embodiment, the left side of Figures 2 and 3 is the first side of the first direction, and the right side of Figures 2 and 3 is the second side of the first direction. The battery 22 is removed from inside the housing 3 through this opening 34.

[0031] The housing 3 has a bottom plate portion 35, a top plate portion 36 (see Figure 5), and side plate portions 37. The bottom plate portion 35 has a discharge groove 351 (an example of a discharge flow path). The top plate portion 36 is positioned above the bottom plate portion 35. The side plate portion 37 extends upward from the bottom plate portion 35. More specifically, the side plate portion 37 extends from the bottom plate portion 35 to the top plate portion 36. The opening 34 is formed in this side plate portion 37. The top plate portion 36 is attached so as to cover the upper surface of the side plate portion 37.

[0032] [Door section] The door section 4 is attached to the housing 3 so as to be able to open and close and cover the opening 34. Figure 2 shows the door section 4 in the closed state, and Figure 3 shows the door section 4 in the open state. The door section 4 has a rotating shaft section 41 and a door body section 42. The door section 4 switches between the open and closed states by rotating around the rotating shaft section 41. Normally, the door section 4 is in the closed state, such as when the pallet truck 200 is in motion. The door section 4 is opened when removing or replacing the battery 22.

[0033] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of Figure 2, centered on the rotating shaft portion 41. Note that in Figure 4, only the housing 3 and door portion 4 are shown for ease of illustration. As shown in Figure 4, the rotating shaft portion 41 is positioned on the outside of the housing 3, overlapping with the housing 3. The rotating shaft portion 41 is substantially cylindrical.

[0034] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view centered on the rotating shaft portion. As shown in Figure 5, the rotating shaft portion 41 extends along the second direction. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft portion 41 also extends along the vertical direction. The rotating shaft portion 41 has a first end portion 411 and a second end portion 412 along the second direction. In this embodiment, the first end portion 411 is the lower end portion of the rotating shaft portion 41, and the second end portion 412 is the upper end portion of the rotating shaft portion 41.

[0035] The first end 411 of the rotating shaft portion 41 is rotatably supported by the bottom plate portion 35 of the housing 3. More specifically, the first end 411 is inserted into a through hole formed in the bottom plate portion 35. More specifically, First end The 411 is inserted into a through hole formed in the support portion 352 (see Figure 6) of the bottom plate portion 35. The second end portion 412 of the rotating shaft portion 41 is rotatably supported by the top plate portion 36 of the housing 3. More specifically, the second end portion 412 is inserted into a recess formed in the top plate portion 36. Note that the recess formed in the top plate portion 36 does not penetrate the top plate portion 36.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the door body 42 extends from the rotating shaft 41 to cover the opening 34. The door 4 extends in a third direction. Also, when viewed from above, the door body 42 bulges outwards towards the first side in the first direction. The rotating shaft 41 of the door 4 is located on the first side in the third direction. The door 4 has a tab 43 on the second side in the third direction of the door body 42. The user can open and close the door 4 by pinching this tab 43. The third direction refers to the direction that intersects with the first direction. In this embodiment, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The first side in the third direction is the side where the rotating shaft 41 of the door 4 is located, and the second side in the third direction is the opposite side of the first side in the third direction.

[0037] [Labyrinth structure] As shown in Figure 4, the labyrinth structure 6 is configured to further suppress dust, rainwater, and other debris from entering the housing 3 from between the rotating shaft 41 and the housing 3. The labyrinth structure has a first labyrinth section 61 and a second labyrinth section 62.

[0038] The first labyrinth section 61 is positioned on the opposite side of the door body section 42 from the rotation shaft section 41. More specifically, when the door section 4 is closed, it is positioned on the opposite side of the boundary between the door body section 42 and the rotation shaft section 41, with respect to the rotation shaft section 41. In this embodiment, the first labyrinth section 61 is positioned on the second side of the rotation shaft section 41 in the first direction.

[0039] The first labyrinth section 61 extends from the outer surface of the housing 3. More specifically, the first labyrinth section 61 extends from the side plate section 37 of the housing 3. The first labyrinth section 61 extends away from the side plate section 37.

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing 3 with the top plate 36 removed. As shown in Figure 6, the first labyrinth section 61 also extends in a second direction along the rotating shaft section 41. The first labyrinth section 61 extends to the bottom plate section 35 of the housing 3. In detail, the bottom plate section 35 has a support section 352 that protrudes to the outside of the side plate section 37. The first labyrinth section 61 extends to this support section 352.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the second labyrinth section 62 extends from the tip of the first labyrinth section 61, and the second labyrinth section 62 sandwiches the rotating shaft section 41 between itself and the side plate section 37 of the housing 3. In other words, the second labyrinth section 62 extends along the side plate section 37 with a gap between them. The rotating shaft section 41 is positioned between this second labyrinth section 62 and the side plate section 37.

[0042] The second labyrinth section 62 is shorter than the portion 38 of the housing 3 that overlaps with the door section (hereinafter also referred to as the "overlapping portion 38") in terms of dimensions from the first labyrinth section 61. That is, with respect to the first labyrinth section 61, the length L1 of the second labyrinth section 62 is shorter than the length L2 of the overlapping portion 38.

[0043] The overlapping portion 38 overlaps with the rotating shaft portion 41 and also overlaps with a part of the door body portion 42. Specifically, the overlapping portion 38 overlaps with the end of the door body portion 42 that is on the rotating shaft portion 41 side. On the other hand, the second labyrinth portion 62 overlaps with the rotating shaft portion 41 but does not overlap with the door body portion 42. With this configuration, dust and rainwater can be suppressed from entering the housing 3, and the door portion 4 can be opened wider when opening it.

[0044] The rotating shaft section 41 is housed within the space enclosed by the overlapping section 38, the first labyrinth section 61, and the second labyrinth section 62. The rotating shaft section 41 is covered on three sides, excluding the connection point with the door body section 42. In this way, the space between the rotating shaft section 41 and the housing 3 is a labyrinth structure, which further suppresses the intrusion of dust and rainwater.

[0045] The discharge groove 351 formed in the bottom plate portion 35 of the housing 3 extends from the overlapping portion 38 to the edge of the bottom plate portion 35. More specifically, the discharge groove 351 is connected to the lower end of the overlapping portion 38. Furthermore, the discharge groove 351 extends to the edge of the bottom plate portion 35 that faces the door body portion 42 of the door portion 4. The discharge groove 351 extends along the edge of the bottom plate portion 35. Therefore, even if rainwater enters the housing 3 through the labyrinth structure, it can be discharged to the outside of the housing 3 through the discharge groove 351.

[0046] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the protective case 100 from the side. As shown in Figure 7, the door portion 4 is located on the outside of the housing 3. The door body portion 42 of the door portion 4 is positioned so that its inner surface faces the side surface 353 of the bottom plate portion 35. More specifically, the inner surface of the lower end of the door body portion 42 faces the side surface 353 of the bottom plate portion 35. The inner surface of the door body portion 42 is the surface facing inward towards the housing 3. The door body portion 42 extends downward below the bottom plate portion 35. That is, the lower end surface of the door body portion 42 is located below the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 35. The door body portion 42 has a gap between it and the bottom plate portion 35, but it may also be in contact with the bottom plate portion 35 and not have a gap.

[0047] The door body 42 is positioned so that its inner surface faces the side surface 364 of the top plate 36. The upper end surface of the door body 42 is located below the upper surface of the top plate 36.

[0048] The top plate portion 36 has a top plate body portion 361, a peripheral wall portion 362, and a third labyrinth portion 363. The top plate body portion 361 defines the upper surface of the housing 3. The peripheral wall portion 362 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate body portion 361 toward the bottom plate portion 35. That is, the peripheral wall portion 362 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate body portion 361. The door body portion 42 is positioned so that its inner surface faces the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 362. The outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 362 is the side surface 364 of the top plate portion 36.

[0049] The third labyrinth section 363 extends from the outer surface of the peripheral wall section 362. Furthermore, the third labyrinth section 363 extends along the peripheral wall section 362. The third labyrinth section 363 has approximately the same length as the door body section 42. The door body section 42 is positioned so that its upper end surface faces the third labyrinth section 363.

[0050] [First protective member] As shown in Figure 2, the first protective member 5 is configured to protect the door portion 4. The first protective member 5 extends along the lower part of the door portion 4 (see Figure 8). The first protective member 5 is made of, for example, steel, aluminum, or resin.

[0051] The first protective member 5 extends in a third direction. The first protective member 5 is positioned on the first side in the first direction relative to the housing 3. When viewed from above, the first protective member 5 bulges outwards on the first side in the first direction. Specifically, when viewed from above, the first protective member 5 extends in a semi-ring shape.

[0052] Figures 8 and 9 are side views of the protective case 100. Figure 8 shows the door 4 in the closed position, and Figure 9 shows the door 4 in the open position. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first protective member 5 is configured to be switchable between a first position and a second position. In Figure 8, the first protective member 5 is in the first position, and in Figure 9, the first protective member 5 is in the second position.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, when the first protective member 5 is in the first position, the first protective member 5 overlaps with the door portion 4 when viewed from the first direction (viewed from the left side in Figure 8). Therefore, if an obstacle on the road surface collides with the protective case 100, the door portion 4 can be protected by the first protective member 5.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, when the first protective member 5 is in the second position, the first protective member 5 does not overlap with the opening 34 and the door portion 4 in the first view (viewed from the left side in Figure 9). Also, when the first protective member 5 is in the second position, the first protective member 5 is positioned so as not to interfere with the opening and closing operation of the door portion 4. Therefore, when the first protective member 5 is in the second position, the door portion 4 can be opened, and the battery 22 can be easily removed from the opening 34.

[0055] The first protective member 5 is configured to slide along a first direction. More specifically, the first protective member 5 is slidably attached to a guide member 11 that is attached to the housing 3. When switching from a first position to a second position, the first protective member 5 slides toward the first side in the first direction so as to move away from the housing 3 along the first direction. Also, when switching from a second position to a first position, the first protective member 5 slides toward the second side in the first direction so as to move closer to the housing 3 along the first direction.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the first protective member 5 restricts the movement of the door portion 4 so that it does not open when in the first position. Specifically, when in the first position, the first protective member 5 is adjacent to the door portion 4 on the first side in the first direction. The first protective member 5 may also press the door portion 4 toward the housing 3. The first protective member 5 has a buffer member 54 between it and the door portion 4 (see Figure 2).

[0057] [Locking mechanism] As shown in Figures 2 and 8, the locking mechanism 7 is configured to restrict the sliding movement of the first protective member 5, thereby maintaining the first position of the first protective member 5. This locking mechanism 7 is located on the second side in the third direction relative to the housing 3. The locking mechanism 7 is located on the opposite side of the rotating shaft portion 41 of the door portion 4. Note that the locking mechanism 7 is not located on the first side in the third direction.

[0058] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is a so-called snap lock. The locking mechanism 7 has a hook portion 71, a lever portion 72, and a hook portion 73. The hook portion 71 and the lever portion 72 are attached to the housing 3. In detail, the hook portion 71 and the lever portion 72 are attached to the housing 3 via a second protective member 8 and a guide member 11. Therefore, the hook portion 71 and the lever portion 72 are fixed and cannot slide in the first direction. The hook portion 73 is formed on the first protective member 5. Therefore, the hook portion 73 can slide in the first direction together with the first protective member 5. The hook portion 73 is composed of the first protective member 5 and a single component.

[0059] By hooking the hook portion 71 onto the catch portion 73 and tilting the lever portion 72 to the second side in the first direction, the locking mechanism 7 is activated, restricting the sliding movement of the first protective member 5. By raising the lever portion 72, the engagement between the hook portion 71 and the catch portion 73 can be released, and by releasing this engagement, the first protective member 5 can slide to the first side in the first direction so as to move away from the housing 3.

[0060] [Second protective member] The second protective member 8 extends in a third direction. The second protective member 8 is positioned on the second side in the first direction relative to the housing 3. When viewed from above, the second protective member 8 bulges out on the second side in the first direction. Specifically, when viewed from above, the second protective member 8 extends in a semi-ring shape. Therefore, the first protective member 5 and the second protective member 8 cooperate with each other to surround the housing 3 in a ring shape.

[0061] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the following modifications can basically be applied simultaneously.

[0062] (a) In the above embodiment, the labyrinth structure is formed by the overlapping portion 38, the first labyrinth portion 61, and the second labyrinth portion 62, but the configuration of the protective case 100 is not limited thereto. For example, the protective case 100 does not have to have the second labyrinth portion 62. Also, the protective case 100 does not have to have both the first labyrinth portion 61 and the second labyrinth portion 62. (b) In the above embodiment, the protective case 100 had a first protective member 5 and a second protective member 8, but it does not have to have these protective members 5 and 8. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 3: Cabinet 34: Opening 35: Bottom plate part 351: Discharge groove 36: Top panel 361: Top panel main body 362: Peripheral wall section 363: Third Labyrinth Section 37: Side plate part 38: Duplicate section 4: Door section 41: Rotating shaft 42: Door body 6: Labyrinth structure 61: Labyrinth Section 1 62: Second Labyrinth Section 20: Drive Unit 21: Electric motor 22: Battery 100: Protective Case

Claims

1. A housing having an opening, The door portion is attached to the housing so as to be able to open and close around the rotating shaft portion, and is located on the outside of the housing, overlapping with the housing and extending in the vertical direction, and has a rotating shaft portion and a door body portion extending from the rotating shaft portion to cover the opening, Equipped with, The housing has a bottom plate portion that supports the rotating shaft portion, The bottom plate portion has a discharge channel that extends from the portion of the housing that overlaps with the door portion to the edge of the bottom plate portion. Protective case.

2. On the side opposite to the door body portion with respect to the rotating shaft portion, the housing further comprises a first labyrinth portion extending from the outer surface of the housing. The protective case according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a second labyrinth section extending from the first labyrinth section so as to sandwich the rotating shaft between the housing and the second labyrinth section. The protective case according to claim 2.

4. In terms of dimensions from the first labyrinth section, the second labyrinth section is shorter than the portion of the housing that overlaps with the door section. The protective case according to claim 3.

5. The housing has a top plate portion positioned above the bottom plate portion, and a side plate portion extending from the bottom plate portion to the top plate portion and including the opening, The bottom plate portion has a support portion in which a through hole is formed into which the end of the rotating shaft portion is inserted. The support portion protrudes outward from the side plate portion. The protective case according to claim 1.

6. The housing has a top plate portion positioned above the bottom plate portion, and a side plate portion extending from the bottom plate portion to the top plate portion and including the opening, The door body is positioned such that its inner surface faces at least one side of the top plate and the bottom plate. The protective case according to claim 1.

7. The top plate portion comprises a top plate body portion and a peripheral wall portion extending from the outer peripheral edge portion of the top plate body portion toward the bottom plate portion. The door body is positioned such that its inner surface faces the outer surface of the peripheral wall. The protective case according to claim 6.

8. The top plate portion has a third labyrinth portion extending from the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion, The door body is positioned such that its upper end surface faces the third labyrinth section. The protective case according to claim 7.

9. The housing has a top plate portion positioned above the bottom plate portion, and a side plate portion extending from the bottom plate portion to the top plate portion and including the opening, The rotating shaft portion has a first end portion that is inserted into a through hole formed in the bottom plate portion and a second end portion that is inserted into a recess formed in the top plate portion. The protective case according to claim 1.

10. The protective case described in claim 1, A battery placed inside the aforementioned housing, An electric motor configured to be driven by power from the aforementioned battery, A drive unit equipped with the following features.

Images