Rotary actuator

Abstract

Provided is a rotary actuator having no restriction on an angle at which a second rotor can independently rotate. This rotary actuator 10 includes: a first rotor 40; a drive member 50 which rotates the first rotor 40 in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2; a second rotor 60; a third rotor 70 which is connected to and disconnected from the second rotor 60; a biasing member 15 which biases the third rotor 70 in the disconnecting direction from the second rotor 60; and a cam mechanism. The cam mechanism performs a first operation for connecting the third rotor 70 to the second rotor 60 when the first rotor 40 rotates in the R1 direction, and a second operation for disconnecting the third rotor 70 from the second rotor 60 together with the biasing force from the biasing member 15 when the first rotor 40 rotates in the R2 direction.

Description

Rotary Actuator

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary actuator disposed between a first and second reciprocating member for controlling the movement of the first and / or second member.

[0002] For example, automobiles are equipped with a structure in which members such as covers, lids, boxes, etc., reciprocate relative to components such as ceiling walls, instrument panels, and the area between the driver's seat and passenger seat. In such cases, the reciprocating movement of members such as covers and lids is sometimes controlled by a rotary actuator.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes an electric locking device for an opening / closing body that has a locking section, a rod that engages and disengages with the locking section, a biasing means that biases the rod in the direction of engaging with the locking section, and an actuator that slides the rod to disengage from the locking section, the actuator having a wheel that rotates in conjunction with a motor and a rotor that engages and disengages the rod from the locking section, the wheel having a pressing section that engages with a receiving section provided on the rotor when the wheel rotates in a predetermined direction and moves the rod in the direction of disengagement from the locking section against the biasing force of the biasing means, and when a force that rotates in the direction of engaging the rod with the locking section is applied to the rotor via the rod in a direction against the biasing force of the biasing means while the rod is biased by the biasing means in the direction of engaging with the locking section, the rotor is configured to be able to rotate independently of the wheel in the direction in which the receiving section moves away from the pressing section.

[0004] The wheel of the electric locking device has a generally semicircular notch formed in it, one circumferential end of which serves as a receiving portion. The rotor has a generally fan-shaped rotating portion that fits into the generally semicircular notch in the wheel and can rotate within the circumferential range of the notch (see Figures 10, 13, and 14 of Patent Document 1).

[0005] WO2022 / 185890A1

[0006] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as described above, the generally fan-shaped rotating portion provided on the rotor rotates within the circumferential range of the generally semicircular cutout portion of the wheel, so although the rotor can rotate independently of the wheel, the rotation angle is limited, making it difficult to apply between components that require a large rotation angle of the rotor.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary actuator in which there is no limit to the angle at which the second rotor can independently rotate.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotary actuator that is disposed between a first member and a second member and controls the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member, the rotary actuator comprising: a first rotating body that rotates in a first rotation direction and in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a driving member that rotates the first rotating body in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction; a second rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member; and a drive member that is coaxial with the second rotating body and that connects and disconnects from the second rotating body. the third rotor being arranged axially movably so as to rotate in conjunction with the first rotor, a biasing member biasing the third rotor in a direction to separate it from the second rotor, and a cam mechanism connecting and disconnecting the third rotor to and from the second rotor, wherein the cam mechanism performs a first operation of connecting the third rotor to the second rotor against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the first rotational direction, and a second operation of disconnecting the third rotor from the second rotor together with the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the second rotational direction.

[0009] According to the present invention, when the first rotating body is rotated in a first rotational direction by the driving member, the first operation of the cam mechanism causes the third rotating body to move axially toward the second rotating body and be pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the third rotating body is connected to the second rotating body, so that the rotational force from the first rotating body is transmitted to the second rotating body via the third rotating body, causing the first member and / or the second member to move forward.

[0010] On the other hand, when the first rotating body is rotated in the second rotational direction by the driving member, the cam mechanism performs a second operation together with the biasing force of the biasing member, and the third rotating body moves axially and becomes detached from the second rotating body, so that the rotational force from the first rotating body cannot be transmitted to the second rotating body, and the first member and / or the second member moves in the opposite direction.

[0011] Therefore, when the first rotating body rotates in the second rotational direction, the second action of the cam mechanism, performed together with the biasing force of the biasing member, causes the third rotating body to move axially and become separated from the second rotating body, so that the second rotating body can rotate independently of the first rotating body and the third rotating body.Therefore, there is no limit to the angle at which the second rotating body can rotate independently, and the present invention can be widely applied to first and second members that are structured so that the first and / or second members move back and forth.

[0012] 6 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary actuator according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rotary actuator with the second case removed; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotary actuator; FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the first rotor, the second rotor, and the third rotor that constitute the rotary actuator; FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the second rotor and the third rotor that constitute the rotary actuator, viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 4; FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view of the first rotor that constitutes the rotary actuator, showing the first rotor not rotating; FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view of the first rotor rotated in a first rotation direction from the state shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the third rotor that constitutes the rotary actuator; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 17; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the state when the drive member is driven from the state shown in FIG. 9 to rotate the first rotor in the first rotation direction and connect the third rotor to the second rotor; FIG. 19 is a schematic explanatory view of the rotary actuator of the present invention applied to a first member and a second member that reciprocate, showing a state in which the second member, the storage member, is stored in a storage section of the ceiling wall, the first member. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a case where the storage member is opened from the storage portion of the ceiling wall in the state of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the rotary actuator according to the present invention, with the second case removed. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary actuator in a state where the third rotating body is separated from the second rotating body. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the case where the driving member is driven from the state shown in FIG. 15 to rotate the first rotating body in the first rotation direction and connect the third rotating body to the second rotating body.

[0013] (One Embodiment of Rotary Actuator) Hereinafter, one embodiment of a rotary actuator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] This rotary actuator is disposed between a first member and a second member, the first member and / or the second member being structured to move back and forth, and controls the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member.

[0015] In this embodiment, the rotary actuator 10 is disposed between a first member and a second member, one of which is configured to reciprocate relative to the other member, and controls the reciprocating movement of one of the members. For example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, a ceiling wall 1 at the front of an automobile may be provided with a storage member 2 capable of storing eyeglasses or the like, and the rotary actuator 10 can be applied to such cases.

[0016] However, the rotary actuator may also be arranged between a first member and a second member that are structured to reciprocate relative to each other, and control the reciprocating movement of the first member and the second member (this will be described in detail in a modified example).

[0017] A storage section 3, which is a space that is open downward, is provided in the ceiling wall 1. A storage member 2 is rotatably attached to the ceiling wall 1 via a support shaft 4, and the storage member 2 is configured to be stored in and opened from the storage section 3. In other words, the storage member 2 is capable of reciprocating movement (reciprocating rotation movement) relative to the ceiling wall 1.

[0018] The rotary actuator 10 in this embodiment controls the reciprocating rotation of the storage member 2 which rotates reciprocally relative to the ceiling wall 1. The above-mentioned ceiling wall 1 constitutes the "first member" in the present invention, and the storage member 2 constitutes the "second member" in the present invention. The storage member 2, which is the second member, constitutes the "one member," and the ceiling wall 1, which is the first member, constitutes the "other member."

[0019] Furthermore, a gear 5 is attached to the outside of the storage member 2, and this gear 5 is meshed with a gear 65 fixed to the second rotating body 60 (see FIG. 1) of the rotary actuator 10. As a result, when the gear 65 of the rotary actuator 10 rotates, the storage member 2 is stored in or opened from the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1 via the gear 5.

[0020] The rotary actuator 10 is fixed to the side surface of the ceiling wall 1, which is the first member, via the case 11 by fixing means such as bolts and nuts (not shown) (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Furthermore, the rotary actuator 10 has the components of the first rotating body 40, second rotating body 60, and third rotating body 70, which are shown in FIG. 1, housed within the case 11 and arranged on the first member side. A gear 65 fixed to the second rotating body 60 is adapted to mesh with the gear 5 of the housing member 2, which is the second member.

[0021] A locking device (not shown) is provided at a predetermined location on the storage section 3 and / or the storage member 2 to maintain the storage state when the storage member 2 is stored in the storage section 3. Furthermore, a drive switch (not shown) (such as a touch switch, push button switch, or lever switch) is provided at a predetermined location on the storage member 2 to rotationally drive the first rotating body 40 of the rotation actuator 10.

[0022] Next, the rotary actuator 10 will be described in detail.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary actuator 10 of this embodiment includes a case 11 consisting of a first case 20 and a second case 30, a first rotor 40 that rotates in a first rotation direction R1 (see FIGS. 4 to 8) and a second rotation direction R2 (see FIGS. 4 to 8) opposite to the first rotation direction R1, a drive member 50 that rotates the first rotor 40 in the first rotation direction R1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "R1") and the second rotation direction R2 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "R2"), and a drive member 50 that rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the first member and / or the second member. It has a second rotating body 60 (which in this embodiment rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating rotational movement of the second member, the accommodating member 2), a third rotating body 70 which is arranged coaxially with the second rotating body 60 and axially movable so as to connect and disconnect to the second rotating body 60, and which rotates in conjunction with the first rotating body 40, a biasing member 15 (here a coil spring) which biases the third rotating body 70 in the direction of disconnecting it from the second rotating body 60, and a cam mechanism which connects and disconnects the third rotating body 70 to and from the second rotating body 60.

[0024] The cam mechanism performs a first operation of connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60 against the biasing force of the biasing member 15 when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the first rotation direction R1, and a second operation of separating the third rotating body 70 from the second rotating body 60 together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15 (the biasing force of the biasing member 15 that biases the third rotating body 70 in the direction of separating it from the second rotating body 60) when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the second rotation direction R2.

[0025] Moreover, the rotary actuator 10 of this embodiment further includes a braking structure that brakes the rotational movement of the second rotor 60 .

[0026] 1, the driving member 50 in this embodiment is a motor that is driven to rotate electrically. Specifically, the driving member 50 comprises a motor body 51 and a gear 52 that is fixed to a drive shaft 51a of the motor body 51 in a rotation-restricted state. The gear 52 extends a predetermined length and is a so-called worm gear with spiral teeth formed on its outer periphery.

[0027] Next, case 11 will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the case 11 of this embodiment is composed of a first case 20 and a second case 30 that is assembled to the first case 20 .

[0029] In addition, the first rotating body 40, the driving member 50, the second rotating body 60, the biasing member 15, and the third rotating body 70 are housed in a case 11, and a rotational resistance imparting member 17 is disposed between the case 11 and the third rotating body 70, which imparts a predetermined rotational resistance to the third rotating body 70 when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the first rotational direction R1 (see Figures 9 to 11).

[0030] Furthermore, the case 11 has a cylindrical portion that is inserted between the inside of the accommodating recess 43 of the first rotating body 40 and the outside of the third rotating body 70, and guides the rotational movement of the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70.

[0031] The first case 20 has a bottom wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22 extending from the periphery thereof, and is a frame-like structure with a bottom that is open on the side (upper side) facing the second case 30 .

[0032] The first case 20 has a first arrangement section 23 in which the motor main body 51 is arranged, and a second arrangement section 24 provided adjacent to the first arrangement section 23 and in which the gear 52 and the first rotating body 40 are arranged. Furthermore, a connector insertion section 25 is provided on one side of the first arrangement section 23 of the first case 20.

[0033] Additionally, a plurality of engagement pieces 22a are provided at predetermined locations on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 22 for assembly with the second case 30. Furthermore, a support shaft 26 having a circular outer periphery protrudes from the inner surface of the bottom wall 21 on the second arrangement portion 24 side, and rotatably supports the first rotating body 40. This support shaft 26 extends perpendicular to the surface direction of the inner surface of the bottom wall 21.

[0034] In addition, the rotational axis direction of the first rotating body 40, second rotating body 60, and third rotating body 70 described below, i.e., the direction along the axis passing through the rotation center C of each rotating body 40, 60, and 70, is the same direction as the support shaft 26 described above.

[0035] The second case 30, which is assembled to the first case 20, has a ceiling wall 31 and a peripheral wall 32 extending downward from the periphery thereof, and is frame-shaped with an opening on the side facing the first case 20 (the lower side).

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, this second case 30 is provided with a first arrangement portion 33, a second arrangement portion 34, and a connector insertion portion 35 at positions corresponding to the first arrangement portion 23, the second arrangement portion 24, and the connector insertion portion 25 of the first case 20, respectively.

[0037] Additionally, a plurality of engaging protrusions 32a are provided on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 32 at positions corresponding to the plurality of engaging pieces 22a of the first case 20. By engaging these plurality of engaging protrusions 32a with the corresponding engaging pieces 22a, the first case 20 and the second case 30 are assembled together to form the case 11, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Inside the case 11, the first arrangement sections 23, 33 provide an arrangement space for the motor main body 51, the second arrangement sections 24, 34 provide an arrangement space for the gear 52, the first rotating body 40, the second rotating body 60, and the third rotating body 70, and the connector insertion sections 25, 35 provide a connector insertion space into which a power connector (not shown) that supplies electricity to the drive member 50 is inserted.

[0039] A generally cylindrical connector case 27 (see FIG. 1) that is separate from the case 11 is adapted to be assembled in the connector insertion space. A pair of bus bars 54, 54 are arranged inside the connector case 27, and a power connector (not shown) for supplying electricity to the drive member 50 is inserted into the connector case 27.

[0040] In addition, the motor body 51 arranged in the above-mentioned space of the case 11 is electrically connected to a power connector (not shown) via a pair of bus bars 54, 54, and by turning on the drive switch provided on the accommodating member 2, the drive shaft 51a rotates in a predetermined direction.

[0041] Furthermore, a substantially cylindrical tube portion 36 is provided at a predetermined location on the ceiling wall 31 of the second case 30 on the second arrangement portion 34 side.

[0042] 9 to 11, the tubular portion 36 has a first tubular portion 37 that extends upward a predetermined length from the outer surface of the ceiling wall 31 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the first case 20), and a second tubular portion 38 that extends downward a predetermined length from the inner surface of the ceiling wall 31 (the surface facing the first case 20) coaxially with the first tubular portion 37 and having a slightly larger diameter than the first tubular portion 37. Both tubular portions 37, 38 extend perpendicular to the surface direction of the ceiling wall 31.

[0043] The first cylindrical portion 37 has a double cylindrical structure including an outer cylindrical wall 37 a and an inner cylindrical wall 37 b disposed inside the outer cylindrical wall 37 a. A base end 37 c of the inner cylindrical wall 37 b has a smaller diameter than the tip end side via a ring support step 37 d.

[0044] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the outer cylindrical portion 62 of the second rotating body 60 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 37, and a viscous fluid such as oil is sealed in to form a braking structure (details will be described later).

[0045] 9 to 11, the tip end portion of the second cylindrical portion 38 in the extending direction is inserted between the inside of the accommodating recess 43 of the first rotating body 40 and the outside of the third rotating body 70. Specifically, the tip end portion 38a of the second cylindrical portion 38 in the extending direction is inserted between the inside of the expanded diameter portion 43a provided at the upper opening of the accommodating recess 43 of the first rotating body 40 and the outside of the base portion 71 of the third rotating body 70 and the outside of the rotational resistance imparting member 17 attached to a ring attachment groove 72 formed on the outside of the base portion 71.

[0046] In addition, a portion of the third rotating body 70 is accommodated inside the tip portion 38a of the second tubular portion 38, and a portion of the first rotating body 40 including the accommodating recess 43 is arranged outside the tip portion 38a, thereby making it possible to guide the rotational movements of the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70.

[0047] That is, the second cylindrical portion 38 forms the "cylindrical portion" in the present invention.

[0048] Next, the first rotating body 40 that rotates in the first rotation direction R1 and also in the second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1 will be described.

[0049] The first rotating body 40 has a recessed accommodation portion 43 in which the third rotating body 70 is accommodated and disposed coaxially with the first rotating body 40 .

[0050] 4, 6, and 9 to 11, the first rotating body 40 in this embodiment has a bottom wall 41 in the shape of a substantially circular plate, and a cylindrical wall 42 standing upright from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 41. An accommodation recess 43 that is open upward is defined inside the bottom wall 41 and the cylindrical wall 42. The third rotating body 70 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 43 so as to be movable up and down along the rotational axis direction of each of the rotating bodies 40, 60, 70.

[0051] In addition, a circular support hole 41a is formed in the radial center of the bottom wall 41, and the support shaft 26 of the first case 20 is inserted into this support hole 41a so that the first rotating body 40 is rotatably supported relative to the case 11.

[0052] The inner periphery of the leading end of the cylindrical wall 42 in the vertical direction has a larger diameter than the base end in the vertical direction, and an expanded diameter portion 43a is formed on the upper opening side of the accommodation recess 43. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, one end of the second cylindrical portion 38 is inserted into the expanded diameter portion 43a.

[0053] Moreover, helical (hinged) teeth 44 are formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 42 and mesh with the gear 52 of the drive member 50. In this embodiment, the teeth 44 are provided over the entire outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 42 and in a range from the base end (lower end) of the cylindrical wall 42 in the axial direction to slightly before the tip end (upper end) in the axial direction.

[0054] When the drive shaft 51a of the drive member 50 is driven and the gear 52 rotates, the first rotating body 40 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2 in conjunction with the rotation.

[0055] Furthermore, a pair of opposing pressing protrusions 45, 46 protrude toward the radial center from radially opposing positions on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall 42. As shown in Fig. 6, when the first rotor 40 is viewed from a planar direction (axial direction), each pressing protrusion 45, 46 has a generally trapezoidal protrusion shape that gradually narrows from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 42 toward the radial center (rotation center C).

[0056] 4, 9, and 11, each pressing protrusion 45, 46 extends from the inner surface of the bottom wall 41 along the axial direction of the cylindrical wall 42 to the expanded diameter portion 43a. In addition, each pressing protrusion 45, 46 has a side surface 47 facing the first rotation direction R1, and a side surface 48 facing the second rotation direction R2.

[0057] The axial tip end surfaces (upper end surfaces) of the pressing projections 45 and 46 form cam contact surfaces 49 that come into contact with cam surfaces 81 and 82 (see FIG. 5) of the third rotor 70 .

[0058] Each pressing projection 45, 46 has a portion of its axial upper end on the side facing the other side 48 cut away, making it narrower than its axial lower end, and thus also narrows the cam abutment surface 49. This narrow shape prevents the cam abutment surface 49 from interfering with the base portion 83a of the first surface 83 of the cam surfaces 81, 82 (the R-shaped boundary portion between the first surface 83 and one side surface 79 of the pressed projection 77, 78; see FIGS. 4 and 5), thereby reliably preventing the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 from becoming unable to separate from the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60.

[0059] Next, the second rotating body 60, which constitutes one of the members and rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating rotation of the accommodating member 2, which is the second member, will be described.

[0060] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 8, and 9 to 11, the second rotating body 60 in this embodiment has a shaft portion 61 that extends a predetermined length in the direction of the rotational axis of the second rotating body 60 and has a circular outer periphery, a connecting portion 62a (see Figure 9) that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the base end in the axial direction of the shaft portion 61, and an outer tube portion 62 that is approximately cylindrical and extends via the connecting portion 62a to form a double-tube structure while leaving a predetermined gap outside the shaft portion 61, and is inserted into the first tube portion 37 provided in the tube portion 36 of the second case 30.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, a ring mounting groove 62b is formed on the outer periphery of the base end of the outer tube portion 62, and a ring support step 62c is formed on the inner periphery of the base end of the outer tube portion 62 at a position closer to the axial tip than the ring mounting groove 62b.

[0062] 9 to 11, with a viscous fluid such as oil filled between the outer cylindrical wall 37a and the inner cylindrical wall 37b of the first cylindrical portion 37 provided in the second case 30, the outer cylindrical portion 62, with the first sealing ring S1 attached to the ring attachment groove 62b and the second sealing ring S2 supported on the ring support step 62c, is inserted between the outer cylindrical wall 37a and the inner cylindrical wall 37b. At this time, the shaft portion 61 is inserted inside the base end portion 37c of the inner cylindrical wall 37b, and the second rotating body 60 is rotatably supported relative to the first cylindrical portion 37.

[0063] Then, the first sealing ring S1 comes into contact with the inner circumference of the outer tube wall 37a, sealing the gap between the inner circumference of the outer tube wall 37a and the outer circumference of the outer tube portion 62, and the second sealing ring S2 is clamped between the ring support steps 62c, 37d, sealing the gap between the outer circumference of the inner tube wall 37b and the inner circumference of the outer tube portion 62, thereby sealing the viscous fluid.

[0064] As a result, when the second rotating body 60 rotates in a predetermined direction relative to the first cylindrical portion 37, a shear force acts on the viscous fluid, applying a braking force to the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60, thereby braking the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60.

[0065] That is, in this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 37, the outer cylindrical portion 62, the first sealing ring S1, the second sealing ring S2, and the viscous fluid (not shown) form the "damping structure" of the present invention (a so-called oil damper).

[0066] A spring accommodating space 63 is formed from the axial base end to the axial tip of the shaft portion 61, and a stepped support portion 63a is formed midway in the axial direction of this spring accommodating space 63. The spring accommodating space 63 accommodates a portion of the biasing member 15, which is a coil spring, excluding the axial base end, and the axial tip of the biasing member 15 is supported by abutting against the support portion 63a.

[0067] Furthermore, a gear connecting portion 64 protrudes from the axial tip of the shaft portion 61. This gear connecting portion 64 has a generally rectangular shape with flat side surfaces and arc-shaped end surfaces, and a fitting groove 64a is formed on each surface.

[0068] The gear 65 connected to this gear connecting portion 64 has teeth formed on its outer periphery and has a fitting hole 65a with an irregular shape that fits the gear connecting portion 64. Furthermore, a plurality of fitting protrusions 65b protrude from the inner periphery of the fitting hole 65a. Then, when the gear connecting portion 64 is inserted into the fitting hole 65a and the fitting protrusions 65b fit into the fitting groove 64a (see FIGS. 3 and 9), the gear 65 is held by the gear connecting portion 64 in a state where its rotation is restricted and it is prevented from coming off.

[0069] 5, a connecting portion 66 in the form of an annular thick plate having a larger diameter than the outer cylindrical portion 62 is provided adjacent to the axial base end of the outer cylindrical portion 62. This connecting portion 66 is made up of a plurality of convex portions 67 protruding at predetermined intervals from the surface (the base end surface of the second rotating body 60) facing the third rotating body 70 and radially extending from the rotation center C of the second rotating body 60, and a plurality of concave portions 68 provided between the convex portions 67, 67, and is configured so that the convex portions 67 and the concave portions 68 are alternately provided in the circumferential direction.

[0070] Each protrusion 67 has a wide tip in the protruding direction that is radially outwardly wide and gradually narrows radially inwardly, and both corners of the tip in the protruding direction are chamfered (see Figure 5).

[0071] Next, we will explain the third rotating body 70, which is arranged coaxially with the second rotating body 60 and is axially movable so as to connect and disconnect with the second rotating body 60, and which rotates in conjunction with the first rotating body 40.

[0072] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 8, and 9 to 11, the third rotating body 70 in this embodiment has a base 71 in the shape of a substantially circular plate of a predetermined thickness, a connecting portion 74 provided on the surface (front surface) of the base 71 facing the second rotating body 60, a pair of pressed protrusions 77, 78 protruding from the surface (back surface) of the base 71 facing the first rotating body 40, and a pair of cam surfaces 81, 82 provided on the back surface of the base 71 between the pair of pressed protrusions 77, 78.

[0073] A ring mounting groove 72 is formed on the outer periphery of the base 71. A rotational resistance imparting member 17 having an annular ring shape is mounted in this ring mounting groove 72. This rotational resistance imparting member 17 is disposed with its outer periphery abutting against the inner periphery of the second cylindrical portion 38 of the cylindrical portion 36 of the second case 30 (see FIGS. 9 to 11 ). When the third rotor 70 rotates, the rotational resistance imparting member 17 slides against the inner periphery of the second cylindrical portion 38, generating frictional resistance and imparting a predetermined rotational resistance to the third rotor 70.

[0074] A circular recessed spring support recess 73 having a predetermined depth is formed in the radial center of the surface of the base 71 (see FIG. 4). The axial base end of the biasing member 15, which is a coil spring, is inserted into and supported by this spring support recess 73 (see FIG. 9).

[0075] Furthermore, a connection portion 74 is provided on the surface side of the base portion 71, on the outer periphery of the spring support recess 73. This connection portion 74 is a portion that is connected to or disconnected from the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 (a disconnecting portion).

[0076] In this embodiment, the connection portion 74 consists of a plurality of convex portions 75 protruding from the surface facing the second rotating body 60 at a predetermined interval so as to form a radial pattern relative to the rotation center C of the second rotating body 60, and a plurality of concave portions 76 provided between the plurality of convex portions 75, 75, and has a structure in which the convex portions 75 and concave portions 76 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, the tip of each protrusion 75 in the protruding direction is wide on the radially outer side and gradually narrows toward the radially inner side, and both corners of the tip in the protruding direction are chamfered.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the cam mechanism causes the third rotating body 70 to move axially toward the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, and the tip surface of the convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the tip surface of the convex portion 67 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 come into contact with each other, a frictional force is generated between the tip surfaces of the two convex portions 67, 75, and the two connection portions 66, 74 are connected, and the third rotating body 70 is connected to the second rotating body 60 (it can also be said that the third rotating body 70 is temporarily connected to the second rotating body 60).

[0079] Furthermore, when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction and the third rotating body 70 also rotates in the R1 direction in conjunction with this, and the convex portion 75 of the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 shifts circumferentially relative to the convex portion 67 of the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, the predetermined convex portion 75 of the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 enters into the corresponding concave portion 68 of the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 and engages with the concave portion, and the predetermined convex portion 67 of the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 enters into the corresponding concave portion 76 of the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and engages with the concave portion.

[0080] As described above, the convex portions 67, 75 of the two connecting portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 are fitted into the concave portions 68, 76 of each other (see Figure 11), thereby maintaining a strong connection between the two connecting portions 66, 74 and maintaining the connection between the third rotating body 70 and the second rotating body 60 (it can also be said that the third rotating body 70 is fully connected to the second rotating body 60).

[0081] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 and the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 are spaced apart from each other, and the convex portion 67 of the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 and the convex portion 75 of the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 are arranged opposite each other (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Therefore, as described above, simply moving the third rotating body 70 axially toward the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 by the cam mechanism does not cause the convex portions 67, 75 of the connecting portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 to fit into the concave portions 68, 76.

[0082] However, if the convex portion 67 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 and the convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 are configured to be misaligned in the circumferential direction, simply by moving the third rotating body 70 axially toward the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 using the cam mechanism, the convex portions 67, 75 of both connection portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 will fit into the concave portions 68, 76, thereby fully connecting the third rotating body 70 and the second rotating body 60. That is, in this case, rotation of the third rotating body 70 in the R1 direction is not required.

[0083] Meanwhile, when a predetermined convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 comes out of the corresponding concave portion 68 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, and when a predetermined convex portion 67 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 comes out of the corresponding concave portion 76 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70, the connection between the two connection portions 66, 74 is released, i.e., the two connection portions 66, 74 are separated, and the third rotating body 70 is disconnected from the second rotating body 60 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0084] Furthermore, even if the tip surface of the convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the tip surface of the convex portion 67 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 are simply separated from each other, no frictional force is generated between the tip surfaces of the two convex portions 67, 75, and the connection state of the two connection portions 66, 74 is released, so that the third rotating body 70 is separated from the second rotating body 60.

[0085] In addition, a biasing member 15 is arranged in a compressed state between the spring accommodating space 63 of the second rotating body 60 and the spring support recess 73 of the third rotating body 70 (see Figures 9 and 10), and the biasing force of the biasing member 15 biases the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 in a direction in which it is separated from the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60.

[0086] Furthermore, a pair of pressed protrusions 77, 78 protrude a predetermined length in the rotation axis direction from radially opposing positions on the outer periphery of the back surface of the base 71 (it can also be said that they extend a predetermined length downward toward the first rotor 40). As shown in Figures 5 and 8, each pressed protrusion 77, 78 has a generally trapezoidal protrusion shape that is wide on the radially outer side and gradually narrows toward the radially inner side.

[0087] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the surface of each pressed protrusion 77, 78 facing the first rotation direction R1 forms one side surface 79, and the surface facing the second rotation direction R2 forms the other side surface 80.

[0088] The pair of pressed protrusions 77, 78 are housed in the housing recess 43 of the first rotating body 40 and are disposed between the pair of pressing protrusions 45, 46 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

[0089] Specifically, when the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 are separated (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the pressing protrusion 45 and the pressed protrusion 78 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and the pressing protrusion 46 and the pressed protrusion 77 are also spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 6. Note that, for ease of understanding, only the pressed protrusions 77 and 78 of the third rotating body 70 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0090] Then, when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction, the cam mechanism causes the third rotating body 70 to move axially closer to the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 (details will be described later), and then the pressing protrusion 45 presses the pressed protrusion 78 (one side 47 of the pressing protrusion 45 presses the other side 80 of the pressed protrusion 78), and the pressing protrusion 46 presses the pressed protrusion 77 (one side 47 of the pressing protrusion 46 presses the other side 80 of the pressed protrusion 77).

[0091] As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R1 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40. In the state shown in Fig. 7, the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 are connected (see Fig. 11).

[0092] 7 , when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R2 direction, the cam mechanism, together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15, moves the third rotating body 70 in the axial direction so as to move away from the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 (details will be described later). Thereafter, the pressing protrusion 45 presses the pressed protrusion 77 (the other side surface 48 of the pressing protrusion 45 presses one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 77), and the pressing protrusion 46 presses the pressed protrusion 78 (the other side surface 48 of the pressing protrusion 46 presses one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 78).

[0093] As a result, the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R2 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40, and the pressing protrusion 45 and the pressed protrusion 78, and the pressing protrusion 46 and the pressed protrusion 77 return to the state shown in Figure 6.

[0094] As shown in Figures 5, 8, 10, and 11, the cam surface 81 is formed in the circumferential region from one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 78 to the other side surface 80 of the pressed protrusion 77, and has a first surface 83 that is a flat surface arranged adjacent to one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 78 and is flush with the back surface of the base 71, a second surface 84 that is an inclined surface that extends from the circumferential tip of the first surface 83 (the end portion separated from one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 78) along the circumferential direction of the base 71 and gradually protrudes toward the axial base end side (downward), and a third surface 85 that is provided in a flat surface form from the circumferential tip of the second surface 84 toward the other side surface 80 of the pressed protrusion 77.

[0095] On the other hand, the cam surface 82 is formed in the circumferential region from one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 77 to the other side surface 80 of the pressed protrusion 78, and has a first surface 83 which is arranged adjacent to one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 77 and is flat and flush with the back surface of the base 71, a second surface 84 which is an inclined surface that extends from the circumferential tip of the first surface 83 (the end portion away from one side surface 79 of the pressed protrusion 77) along the circumferential direction of the base 71 and gradually protrudes toward the axial base end side (downward), and a third surface 85 which is provided in a flat shape from the circumferential tip of the second surface 84 toward the other side surface 80 of the pressed protrusion 78.

[0096] Furthermore, the first surface 83 of each cam surface 81, 82 is provided at the position farthest from the protruding tip of the pressed protrusion 77, 78, i.e., at the position with the highest axial height among the cam surfaces 81, the third surface 85 is provided at the position closest to the protruding tip of the pressed protrusion 77, 78, i.e., at the position with the lowest axial height among the cam surfaces 81, and the second surface 84 is provided so as to gradually decrease in height from the circumferential tip of the first surface 83 toward the third surface 85.

[0097] The cam surfaces 81, 82 provided on the third rotating body 70 and the cam contact surface 49 provided on the second rotating body 60 constitute the "cam mechanism" of the present invention. This cam mechanism functions to move the third rotating body 70 up and down in the axial direction by the cam contact surface 49 sliding between the first surface 83 and the third surface 85 of the cam surfaces 81, 82, which have a height difference, via the second surface 84 (described in detail later).

[0098] When the third rotating body 70 is separated from the second rotating body 60 by the biasing force of the biasing member 15, i.e., when the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 are disconnected, the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81 is positioned on the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46 (the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81 and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46 are positioned opposite each other), and the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82 is positioned on the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 (the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82 and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 are positioned opposite each other).

[0099] Furthermore, due to the biasing force of the biasing member 15 arranged in a compressed state between the spring accommodating space 63 of the second rotating body 60 and the spring support recess 73 of the third rotating body 70, the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81 is pressed against the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46, and the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82 is pressed against the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 (see Figure 10).

[0100] In the above state, when the drive member 50 is driven and the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction, the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46 located on the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81 slides (moves while in sliding contact with) the second surface 84 of the cam surface 81 and moves to the third surface 85 of the cam surface 81, and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 located on the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82 slides (see arrow F1 in Figure 10) on the second surface 84 of the cam surface 82 and moves to the third surface 85 of the cam surface 82 (see Figure 11).

[0101] As described above, the cam abutment surface 49 slides and moves on the cam surfaces 81 and 82 from the highest first surface 83 of the cam surfaces 81 and 82, via the second surface 84, to the lowest third surface 85, thereby moving the third rotating body 70 axially and pushing it up against the biasing force of the biasing member 15 so as to approach the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, as shown by arrow F2 in Figure 10.

[0102] Then, the convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 abuts against the convex portion 67 of the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, connecting the two connection portions 66, 74, and performing the first operation of connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60 against the biasing force of the biasing member 15.

[0103] Thereafter, as the first rotating body 40 continues to rotate in the R1 direction, its pressing protrusion 45 presses the pressed protrusion 78, and the pressing protrusion 46 presses the pressed protrusion 77, so that the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R1 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40, as shown in Figure 7.

[0104] As a result, the protrusion 75 of the connecting portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 is circumferentially misaligned with the protrusion 67 of the connecting portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 , and a timing occurs where it is aligned with the recess 68 of the connecting portion 66 .

[0105] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the convex portions 67, 75 of the two connecting portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 are fitted into the concave portions 68, 76 of each other, so that the first operation described above, that is, connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60 against the biasing force of the biasing member 15, is more reliably performed (it can also be said that the first operation is maintained).

[0106] Furthermore, when both connection parts 66, 74 are connected, the first rotating body 40 and the second rotating body 60 are connected in the axial direction via the third rotating body 70, so that the second rotating body 60 rotates in the same direction as the rotational direction of the first rotating body 40.

[0107] On the other hand, when the third rotating body 70 and the second rotating body 60 are connected, the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46 abuts against the third surface 85 of the cam surface 81, and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 abuts against the third surface 85 of the cam surface 82, and the driving member 50 is driven to rotate the first rotating body 40 in the R2 direction, the cam mechanism performs the second operation together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15.

[0108] That is, the biasing force of the biasing member 15, which biases the third rotating body 70 in the direction of separating it from the second rotating body 60, pushes the third rotating body 70 away from the connection portion 66 side of the second rotating body 60, and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46 located on the third surface 85 of the cam surface 81 slides over the second surface 84 of the cam surface 81 and moves to the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81, and the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45 located on the third surface 85 of the cam surface 82 slides over the second surface 84 of the cam surface 82 and moves to the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82, thereby pushing the third rotating body 70 down in the direction of separating it from the connection portion 66 side of the second rotating body 60, and the second operation of separating the third rotating body 70 from the second rotating body 60 is performed.

[0109] That is, the cam mechanism performs the second operation together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15 to separate the third rotating body 70 from the second rotating body 60 .

[0110] In addition, it can also be said that the third rotating body 70 is separated from the second rotating body 60 by the cooperative action of the urging member 15 and the cam mechanism, i.e., the action of the urging member 15 to urge the third rotating body 70 in a direction to separate it from the second rotating body 60, and the action of the cam mechanism to move the third rotating body 70 in a direction to move it away from the second rotating body 60.

[0111] Then, the convex portions 67, 75 of the connecting portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 are disengaged from the concave portions 68, 76, thereby releasing the first action.

[0112] After that, as the first rotating body 40 continues to rotate in the R2 direction, its pressing protrusion 45 presses the pressed protrusion 77, and the pressing protrusion 46 presses the pressed protrusion 78, so that the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R2 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40.

[0113] As a result, the convex portion 75 of the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 shifts circumferentially relative to the concave portion 68 of the connection portion 66 of the first rotating body 40, and the first surface 83 of the cam surface 81 is positioned on the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 46, and the first surface 83 of the cam surface 82 returns to a state in which it is positioned on the cam abutment surface 49 of the pressing protrusion 45.

[0114] 9 and 10 , the connection between the connecting portions 66, 74 of the second rotating body 60 and the third rotating body 70 is released, and the second operation of separating the third rotating body 70 from the second rotating body 60 is more reliably performed (or the second operation is maintained). In addition, the biasing force of the biasing member 15 maintains the state in which the third rotating body 70 is separated from the second rotating body 60.

[0115] Furthermore, when both connection parts 66, 74 are disconnected, the second rotating body 60 does not rotate together with the first rotating body 40 (does not rotate together in conjunction with it), but rotates independently of the first rotating body 40.

[0116] (Variant Example) The shape, structure, layout, etc. of the case, first rotating body, second rotating body, driving member, third rotating body, biasing member, cam mechanism, etc. that constitute the rotary actuator of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0117] Furthermore, the rotary actuator 10 of this embodiment is applied to a pair of members consisting of a ceiling wall 1 and a housing member 2, in which the housing member 2, which is one of the members and is the second member, moves back and forth in rotation relative to the ceiling wall 1, which is the other member and is the first member. However, the rotary actuator may also be applied to a structure in which, for example, one member moves back and forth in a linear direction relative to the other member, or may further be applied to the following structure.

[0118] That is, the rotary actuator may be arranged between a first member and a second member, which are structured so that the first member and the second member reciprocate relative to each other, and which controls the reciprocating movement of the first member and the second member, and may be applied to, for example, a locking device for an opening / closing body that is attached to the opening of a fixed body so that it can be opened and closed.

[0119] In this case, the locking device has a structure including a locking portion provided on either the fixed body or the opening / closing body, a pair of rods each having a hook portion at its tip end that engages with and disengages from the locking portion and capable of sliding, and biasing means (such as a tension spring) that biases each hook portion in the direction of engaging with the locking portion. Furthermore, rack grooves are formed at the base end of each rod, and a pinion gear fixed to the second rotating body of the rotary actuator meshes with these rack grooves. One of the rods constitutes the first member, and the other rod constitutes the second member.

[0120] The first rotor is rotated in a first rotational direction by the drive member and connected to the second rotor via the third rotor by a cam mechanism. As the second rotor rotates in the first rotational direction, the base end of one rod slides over the base end of the other rod in the axial direction via the pinion gear against the biasing force of the biasing means by overlapping a predetermined length (the pair of rods slide in the retracting direction). As a result, the hooks of each rod are disengaged from the locking portion, and the opening / closing body is unlocked, allowing the opening / closing body to open from the opening of the fixed body.

[0121] On the other hand, when the first rotor is rotated in the second rotation direction by the drive member and the third rotor is separated from the second rotor by the cam mechanism, allowing the second rotor to rotate independently, the pair of rods slide (the pair of rods slide in the direction of being pushed out) so that the overlap between the base ends of the pair of rods decreases. As a result, the hook portions of each rod engage with the locking portion, and the opening of the fixed body is locked in a closed state by the opening / closing body.

[0122] Furthermore, the rotation time and rotation speed of the first rotating body rotated in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction by the driving member can be changed as appropriate depending on the structure of the reciprocating movement of the first member and the second member, the installation location of the rotary actuator, the purpose of use, etc., and further, the rotation time of the first rotating body, etc. is controlled as appropriate by a control structure, control circuit, etc. not shown.

[0123] For example, the time during which current is applied when the driving member rotates the first rotating body in the first rotation direction may be set to be longer, shorter, or the same as the time during which current is applied when the driving member rotates the first rotating body in the second rotation direction, or the rotation speed of the first rotating body in the first rotation direction by the driving member may be set to be faster, slower, or the same as the rotation speed in the second rotation direction.

[0124] As described above, when a rotary actuator is applied to a locking device for an opening / closing body, when the pair of rods are slid in a direction that disengages the hook portion from the locking portion against the biasing force of the biasing means, the drive member is controlled so that the first rotating body rotates in the first rotation direction (for example, electricity is applied for approximately 0.4 seconds).

[0125] On the other hand, when the pair of rods are slid in the direction in which the hook portion engages with the lock portion by the force of the urging means, the first rotating body rotates in the second rotation direction, and the drive member is controlled so that the second rotating body rotates independently (in this case, current is passed for a time shorter than the time for which current is passed in the first rotation direction, for example, approximately 0.1 seconds).

[0126] Furthermore, although the rotary actuator 10 in this embodiment is fixed to the ceiling wall 1 side, which is the first member, it may be disposed on the second member side.

[0127] Furthermore, although the biasing member 15 in this embodiment is made of a coil spring, the biasing member may be something other than a coil spring as long as it can bias the third rotating body in a direction to separate it from the second rotating body.

[0128] Furthermore, the cam mechanism in this embodiment consists of a cam abutment surface 49 and cam surfaces 81, 82, but the cam mechanism only needs to be capable of performing a first operation of connecting the third rotating body to the second rotating body and a second operation of releasing the first operation and disconnecting the third rotating body from the second rotating body.

[0129] Furthermore, the cam mechanism in this embodiment basically has the function of moving the third rotating body up and down in the axial direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first rotating body, but the cam mechanism may also be configured to move the third rotating body axially and rotate it in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first rotating body.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when securely connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60 (main connection), rotation of the third rotating body 70 in the R1 direction is required; however, for example, the third rotating body may be connected to the second rotating body simply by axial movement of the third rotating body in a direction approaching the second rotating body using a cam mechanism.

[0131] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third rotating body 70 is connected to and disconnected from the second rotating body 60 by the connection portion 74 of the third rotating body 70 and the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60 abutting and separating from each other, but the connection structure between the third rotating body and the second rotating body may be, for example, by attaching or adhering a member with high frictional resistance to the opposing surfaces of the third rotating body and / or the second rotating body, or by processing or attaching a member that increases frictional resistance.

[0132] In addition, the braking structure that brakes the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60 in this embodiment is a so-called oil damper that utilizes the shear resistance of a viscous fluid, but the braking structure may also be one that utilizes, for example, frictional resistance (this will be explained in other embodiments).

[0133] Furthermore, although the driving member 50 in this embodiment is a motor, the driving member may be, for example, an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or the like, as long as it is capable of rotating the first rotating body.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gear 52 of the driving member 50 is a worm gear, and the teeth 44 on the outer periphery of the first rotating body 40 are helical (hinged) in shape, but the configuration for rotating the first rotating body may be, for example, such that the gear on the driving member side has spur teeth, and spur teeth that mesh with these spur teeth are formed on the outer periphery of the first rotating body, as long as the first rotating body is rotatable.

[0135] In addition, in this rotary actuator, the biasing member and cam mechanism are configured as follows: "the biasing member biases the third rotating body in a direction to separate it from the second rotating body, and the cam mechanism connects and disconnects the third rotating body to and from the second rotating body, and the cam mechanism performs a first operation of connecting the third rotating body to the second rotating body against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotating body rotates in the first rotational direction, and a second operation of disconnecting the third rotating body from the second rotating body together with the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotating body rotates in the second rotational direction."

[0136] However, the biasing member and cam mechanism in the rotary actuator may also be configured as follows: "the biasing member biases the third rotating body in a direction to separate it from the second rotating body, and the cam mechanism moves the third rotating body in the axial direction to connect to and separate from the second rotating body, the cam mechanism performs a first operation to connect the third rotating body to the second rotating body against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotating body rotates in the first rotational direction, and a second operation to separate the third rotating body from the second rotating body when the first rotating body rotates in the second rotational direction, and the third rotating body is separated from the second rotating body by the biasing force of the biasing member and the second operation of the cam mechanism."

[0137] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of the rotary actuator 10 having the above structure will be described.

[0138] 12 shows a state in which the storage member 2 is stored in the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1 and locked by a locking device (not shown). In this state, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the third rotating body 70 is separated from the second rotating body 60 by the biasing force of the biasing member 15 that is arranged in a compressed state between the spring accommodating space 63 of the second rotating body 60 and the spring support recess 73 of the third rotating body 70.

[0139] When the locking device (not shown) is released from the above state, the storage member 2 opens due to its own weight from the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1 via the support shaft 4. At this time, the third rotating body 70 is separated (disconnected) from the second rotating body 60, so the second rotating body 60 can rotate independently.

[0140] Therefore, the gear 65 coaxially fixed to the second rotating body 60 rotates in mesh with the gear 5 on the outside of the storage member 2, so that the outer cylindrical portion 62 of the second rotating body 60 rotates relative to the first cylindrical portion 37 of the cylindrical portion 36 of the case 11, and the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60 is braked by the braking structure. Therefore, the storage member 2 slowly opens in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 12 from the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1, and reaches the state shown in Figure 13.

[0141] In the state shown in FIG. 13, when a drive switch (not shown) provided on the housing member 2 is turned on, the drive shaft 51a of the drive member 50 is driven to rotate the gear 52, and the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction.

[0142] Then, as explained in paragraphs 0098 to 0105, the cam mechanism causes the third rotating body 70 to move axially and push up against the biasing force of the biasing member 15 so as to approach the connection portion 66 of the second rotating body 60, performing a first operation of connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60, and the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R1 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40, maintaining the connected state (see Figure 11).

[0143] As a result, the second rotating body 60 becomes unable to rotate independently, and the rotational force from the first rotating body 40 is transmitted to the second rotating body 60 via the third rotating body 70, so that the second rotating body 60 rotates in the same direction as the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70, and the gear 65 fixed coaxially to the second rotating body 60 rotates the gear 5 outside the storage member 2.

[0144] As a result, the storage member 2 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 13, and is stored in the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1 as shown in Fig. 12. This stored state is locked by a locking device (not shown).

[0145] Furthermore, when the storage member 2 is stored in the storage section 3 of the ceiling wall 1, the gear 52 of the drive member 50 rotates in the opposite direction to the above, and the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R2 direction, and as explained in paragraphs 0108 to 0114, the cam mechanism, together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15, performs a second operation to separate the third rotating body 70 from the second rotating body 60, and the third rotating body 70 rotates in the R2 direction in conjunction with the first rotating body 40, thereby maintaining the separated state.

[0146] As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the third rotor 70 is separated from the second rotor 60, and the second rotor 60 returns to its initial state in which it is independently rotatable.

[0147] According to this rotary actuator 10, when the first rotating body 40 is rotated in the R1 direction by the driving member 50, the first operation of the cam mechanism causes the third rotating body 70 to move axially toward and be pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member 15 toward the second rotating body 60, thereby connecting the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60.

[0148] As a result, the rotational force from the first rotating body 40 is transmitted to the second rotating body 60 via the third rotating body 70, so that one of the first member and the second member can move forward relative to the other member. In this embodiment, the storage member 2, which is one of the members and is the second member, can rotate (rotate forward) in a direction approaching the ceiling wall 1, which is the first member.

[0149] On the other hand, when the first rotating body 40 is rotated in the R2 direction by the driving member 50, the cam mechanism performs a second operation together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15, and the third rotating body 70 moves axially and separates from the second rotating body 60.

[0150] As a result, the rotational force from the first rotating body 40 cannot be transmitted to the second rotating body 60, and one of the first member and the second member can move back and forth relative to the other member. In this embodiment, the storage member 2, which is one of the members and is the second member, can rotate (move back) in a direction away from the ceiling wall 1, which is the first member.

[0151] Therefore, when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the second operation of the cam mechanism, performed together with the biasing force of the biasing member 15, moves the third rotating body 70 in the axial direction and separates it from the second rotating body 60, allowing the second rotating body 60 to rotate independently of the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70. Therefore, there is no limit to the angle at which the second rotating body 60 can rotate independently, and the present invention can be widely applied to first and second members that are structured so that one of the first and second members reciprocates relative to the other member.

[0152] The same effect can be obtained when the rotary actuator is arranged between a first member and a second member that are structured so that the first member and the second member reciprocate relative to each other, and controls the reciprocating movement of the first member and the second member (such as the locking device for an opening / closing body having a pair of rods, as described in the modified example).

[0153] In addition, this embodiment further includes a braking structure for braking the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60 .

[0154] According to the above aspect, a braking structure (a so-called oil damper in this embodiment) is provided to apply a braking force to the rotational movement of the second rotating body 60 when the second rotating body 60 rotates in the R2 direction, so that an appropriate braking force can be applied when the second rotating body 60 is in a state where it can rotate independently. As a result, the range of application to the first member and second member that reciprocate can be further expanded (applicable to applications where an additional braking force is required for the rotary actuator, etc.).

[0155] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rotating body 40, the driving member 50, the second rotating body 60, the biasing member 15, and the third rotating body 70 are housed in a case 11, and a rotational resistance imparting member 17 is arranged between the case 11 and the third rotating body 70, which imparts a predetermined rotational resistance to the third rotating body 70 when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the first rotational direction R1.

[0156] According to the above aspect, the rotational resistance imparting member 17, which imparts a predetermined rotational resistance to the third rotating body 70 when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction, is arranged between the case 11 and the third rotating body 70.Therefore, when the first rotating body 40 rotates in the R1 direction, it is possible to prevent the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70 from rotating together before the cam abutment surface 49 moves from the first surface 83 of the cam surfaces 81, 82 to the third surface 85, thereby ensuring that the first operation by the cam mechanism is performed.

[0157] In this embodiment, the first rotating body 40 has an accommodating recess 43 in which the third rotating body 70 is accommodated and disposed coaxially with the first rotating body 40 .

[0158] According to the above aspect, the third rotating body 70 is accommodated and arranged coaxially with the first rotating body 40 in the accommodation recess 43 of the first rotating body 40, thereby preventing the third rotating body 70 from becoming bulky in the axial direction and making the entire rotary actuator 10 more compact.

[0159] Furthermore, the first and second operations of the cam mechanism can guide the movement of the third rotating body 70, which moves to connect or disconnect from the second rotating body 60, so that the connection or disconnection operation of the third rotating body 70 to the second rotating body 60 is performed stably.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rotating body 40, the driving member 50, the second rotating body 60, the biasing member 15, and the third rotating body 70 are housed in a case 11, and the case 11 has a cylindrical portion (here, the second cylindrical portion 38) that is inserted between the inside of the housing recess 43 of the first rotating body 40 and the outside of the third rotating body 70 to guide the rotational movement of the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70.

[0161] According to the above aspect, since the case 11 has the cylindrical portion as described above, the first rotating body 40 and the third rotating body 70 can share a guide for the rotational movement, thereby simplifying the structure of the rotary actuator 10.

[0162] 14 to 16 show other embodiments of the rotary actuator according to the present invention. Note that parts that are essentially the same as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0163] A rotary actuator 10A of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in the braking structure for braking the rotational movement of the second rotor 60.

[0164] That is, in this embodiment, the ring mounting groove 62b provided in the outer tube portion 62 of the second rotating body 60A has a base end portion provided on the outer periphery of the base end of the outer tube portion 62 and an obliquely extending portion extending obliquely upward from this portion toward the tip side of the outer tube portion 62, and a seal ring 19 is attached to the base end portion and the obliquely extending portion.

[0165] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, this seal ring 19 slides against the inner circumference of the first cylindrical portion 37 of the cylindrical portion 36 of the second case 30, thereby applying a braking force when the second rotating body 60 rotates.

[0166] In this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the third rotor 70 is normally biased by the biasing force of the biasing member 15 in a direction that separates it from the second rotor 60, making the second rotor 60 independently rotatable (see FIG. 15 ), and when the first rotor 40 is rotated in the R1 direction by the drive member 50, the first action of the cam mechanism causes the third rotor 70 to be pressed toward the second rotor 60 against the biasing force of the biasing member 15, moving axially, and connecting the third rotor 70 to the second rotor 60 (see FIG. 16 ). Therefore, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0167] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0168] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10, 10A Rotary actuator 11 Case 15 Biasing member 17 Rotational resistance imparting member 19 Seal ring 20 First case 38 Second cylindrical portion 40 First rotating body 43 Accommodating recess 49 Cam abutment surface 50 Driving member 60 Second rotating body 65 Gear 70 Third rotating body 81, 82 Cam surface

Claims

1. A rotary actuator disposed between a first member and a second member, the first member and / or the second member being configured to reciprocate, and configured to control the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member, a first rotating body that rotates in a first rotation direction and also in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a driving member that rotates the first rotor in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction; a second rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the first member and / or the second member; a third rotor that is arranged coaxially with the second rotor and axially movable so as to be connected to and disconnected from the second rotor, and that rotates in conjunction with the first rotor; a biasing member that biases the third rotor in a direction to separate it from the second rotor; a cam mechanism that connects and disconnects the third rotor to and from the second rotor, a cam mechanism that performs a first operation to connect the third rotating body to the second rotating body against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotating body is rotated in the first rotational direction by the driving member, and a second operation that decouples the third rotating body from the second rotating body together with the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotating body is rotated in the second rotational direction by the driving member, and the state in which the third rotating body is decoupled from the second rotating body is maintained during the second operation.

2. A rotary actuator disposed between a first member and a second member, the first member and / or the second member being configured to reciprocate, and configured to control the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member, a first rotating body that rotates in a first rotation direction and also in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a driving member that rotates the first rotor in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction; a second rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the first member and / or the second member; a third rotor that is arranged coaxially with the second rotor and axially movable so as to be connected to and disconnected from the second rotor, and that rotates in conjunction with the first rotor; a biasing member that biases the third rotor in a direction to separate it from the second rotor; a cam mechanism that connects and disconnects the third rotor to and from the second rotor, the cam mechanism performs a first operation of connecting the third rotor to the second rotor against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the first rotation direction, and a second operation of disconnecting the third rotor from the second rotor together with the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the second rotation direction, The second rotor further includes a braking structure for braking the rotational movement of the second rotor, the rotary actuator further includes a case having a cylindrical portion; The braking structure comprises: the cylindrical portion, the second rotating body, and a viscous fluid sealed between the cylindrical portion and the second rotating body; or A rotary actuator comprising: the cylindrical portion; and a seal ring attached to the outer periphery of the second rotor and in sliding contact with the cylindrical portion.

3. A rotary actuator disposed between a first member and a second member, the first member and / or the second member being configured to reciprocate, and configured to control the reciprocating movement of the first member and / or the second member, a first rotating body that rotates in a first rotation direction and also in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a driving member that rotates the first rotor in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction; a second rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the first member and / or the second member; a third rotor that is arranged coaxially with the second rotor and axially movable so as to be connected to and disconnected from the second rotor, and that rotates in conjunction with the first rotor; a biasing member that biases the third rotor in a direction to separate it from the second rotor; a cam mechanism that connects and disconnects the third rotor to and from the second rotor, the cam mechanism performs a first operation of connecting the third rotor to the second rotor against the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the first rotation direction, and a second operation of disconnecting the third rotor from the second rotor together with the biasing force of the biasing member when the first rotor rotates in the second rotation direction, the first rotating body has an accommodation recess, the third rotating body is accommodated and disposed coaxially with the first rotating body in the accommodation recess, the first rotating body, the driving member, the second rotating body, the biasing member, and the third rotating body are housed in a case, A rotary actuator characterized in that the case has a cylindrical portion that is inserted between the inside of the accommodating recess of the first rotating body and the outside of the third rotating body, and guides the rotational movement of the first rotating body and the third rotating body.

4. the first rotating body, the driving member, the second rotating body, the biasing member, and the third rotating body are housed in a case, 4. The rotary actuator according to claim 1, wherein a rotational resistance imparting member is disposed between the case and the third rotating body, the rotational resistance imparting member imparting a predetermined rotational resistance to the third rotating body when the first rotating body rotates in the first rotational direction.