Rotation device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a rotation device that is for rotating a prescribed rotation target and that can be made thinner in the axial direction of an output shaft with which an engagement part of the rotation target is engaged. [Solution] This rotation device comprises: a slider 8 that is engaged with a lead screw 4a; a link member 9 that is connected to the slider 8 at one end part thereof such that the link member 9 can be rotated; and an output shaft 10 that is formed at the other end part of the link member 9, wherein the axial direction of the output shaft 10 is parallel to a Z direction that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the lead screw 4a. The one end part of the link member 9 is connected to the slider 8 on the X2 direction side of the lead screw 4a. The output shaft 10 is disposed to the X2 direction side of the one end part of the link member 9. The link member 9 is disposed to the X2 direction side of the lead screw 4a.

Description

Rotating device

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotation target object.

[0002] A rotation device for rotating the fins of a small rocket or the like is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The rotation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a motor having a motor shaft with a male thread formed on its surface, a nut member with a female thread formed to mesh with the male thread of the motor shaft, an output shaft to which the fin is connected, and an arm connecting the nut member and the output shaft. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor shaft. A portion of the arm overlaps a portion of the motor shaft in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-280965

[0004] In the rotating device described in Patent Document 1, a portion of the arm and a portion of the motor shaft overlap in the axial direction of the output shaft, which tends to increase the thickness of the rotating device in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rotation device for rotating a specified rotation object, which can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft with which the engagement portion of the rotation object engages.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the rotation device of the present invention is a rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotation object, and comprises: a motor having a lead screw; a slider formed with a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a link member rotatably connected at one end to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which an engagement portion of the rotation object engages; and a holding member rotatably holding the output shaft, wherein the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw and the first direction is defined as a second direction, and one side of the second direction is defined as a third direction, the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the first direction, the output shaft is positioned on the third direction side of one end of the link member, one end of the link member is connected to the slider on the third direction side of the lead screw and is rotatable relative to the slider with the first direction as the axial direction of rotation, and the link member is positioned on the third direction side of the lead screw.

[0007] In the rotation device of the present invention, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw and the first direction is defined as the second direction, and one side of the second direction is defined as the third direction. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the first direction. Furthermore, in the present invention, one end of the link member is connected to the slider on the third direction side of the lead screw, and the output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member is positioned further in the third direction than the one end of the link member, and the link member is positioned further in the third direction than the lead screw. In other words, in the present invention, a portion of the link member and a portion of the lead screw do not overlap in the axial direction of the output shaft. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the rotation device in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0008] In the present invention, the width of the link member in the first direction is preferably equal to or less than the width of the motor in the first direction. This configuration allows the link member to be disposed within the range in which the motor is installed in the first direction. Therefore, the rotation device can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0009] In the present invention, the motor is preferably a stepping motor. This configuration makes it possible to easily control the rotation speed of the lead screw. Therefore, it is possible to easily control the rotation speed of the link member about the output shaft, which in turn makes it possible to easily control the rotation speed of the output shaft. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily rotate the output shaft at a constant speed.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the link member includes a first link member on which the output shaft is formed or fixed, and a second link member rotatably connected to the slider, and is formed linearly, the second link member being movably held by the first link member and being linearly movable relative to the first link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member. With this configuration, it is possible to make the link member compact in structure.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first link member is formed with an arrangement groove in which the second link member is arranged and a first guide portion for guiding the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member, one side of the arrangement groove in the first direction being open and the first guide portion being formed on the surface of the other side of the arrangement groove in the first direction, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion.

[0012] With this configuration, because one side of the arrangement groove in the first direction is open, the link member can be made thinner in the first direction compared to when a first link member has an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member. Furthermore, with this configuration, because one side of the arrangement groove in the first direction is open, the sliding resistance between the first link member and the second link member can be reduced compared to when a first link member has an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member. Therefore, the second link member can be moved smoothly relative to the first link member.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the output shaft is formed with a positioning portion for positioning the engaging portion at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft, so that the rotatable object can be reliably attached to the output shaft at the correct position in the circumferential direction of the output shaft.

[0014] In the present invention, the slider preferably includes a slider body that covers a portion of the lead screw from both sides in the second direction and one side in the first direction, the slider body preferably having two side surfaces disposed on both sides of the lead screw in the second direction, and the threaded portion formed on at least one of the two side surfaces. With this configuration, the slider can be manufactured more easily than, for example, a slider body that is cylindrical and has a threaded portion formed on the inner periphery.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the threaded portions are formed on two side surfaces of the main body portion, which makes it possible to suppress rattle between the lead screw and the slider and to move the slider smoothly along the lead screw, compared to when the threaded portion is formed on only one side surface of the main body portion.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the threaded portion has a plurality of threads arranged in the axial direction of the lead screw, and the threads are formed linearly parallel to the first direction. With this configuration, for example, the slider can be manufactured more easily compared to a case where the threads are inclined with respect to the first direction. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the threaded portion has a plurality of threads, it is possible to reduce the stress acting on each thread.

[0017] In the present invention, the rotation device includes, for example, a case body as a holding member in which at least the lead screw, the slider, and the link member are housed.

[0018] In the present invention, the case body is preferably composed of a first case body and a second case body separated in a first direction, and the first case body and the second case body are formed with protruding ribs that can contact the link member in the first direction, and the shape of the ribs when viewed from the first direction is preferably an arc shape with the output shaft as the center of curvature. This configuration reduces the contact area between the first case body and the link member and the contact area between the second case body and the link member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the case body and the link member when the link member rotates. Furthermore, this configuration allows the ribs to ensure the strength of the first case body and the second case body even if the thickness of the first case body and the second case body in the first direction is reduced.

[0019] In the present invention, for example, the motor includes a metal motor frame having a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the motor stator, a flat screw holding portion that rotatably holds one end of the lead screw, and a flat connecting portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion, the thickness direction of the connecting portion coinciding with the first direction, and an arrangement recess that is recessed in the first direction and in which the connecting portion is disposed is formed inside the case body. In this case, because the connecting portion is disposed in the arrangement recess that is recessed in the first direction, even if the motor includes a motor frame, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the rotation device in the first direction. Furthermore, because the connection portion is disposed in the arrangement recess, even if an arrangement recess is formed inside the case body, the metal connecting portion can compensate for a decrease in strength of the portion of the case body in which the arrangement recess is formed.

[0020] As described above, in the present invention, in a rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotation object, it is possible to make the rotation device thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft with which the engaging portion of the rotation object engages.

[0021] 1 is a perspective view of a turning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a second case body is removed from the turning device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a state in which the second case body is removed from the turning device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a state in which a first case body and a motor frame are removed from the turning device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a view showing a motor, a slider, a link member, etc., taken from the E-E direction in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the slider and link member shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the second link member shown in FIG. 6 from the bottom side; FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom view for explaining the configuration of the slider shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of a link member according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of a link member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Overall configuration of turning device) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a turning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the turning device 1 shown in Fig. 1 with a second case body 21 removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the turning device 1 shown in Fig. 1 with the second case body 21 removed. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the turning device 1 shown in Fig. 1 with a first case body 20 and a motor frame 14 removed.

[0024] The rotation device 1 of this embodiment is a device for rotating a predetermined rotation object 2. The rotation object 2 is, for example, a fin installed in the outlet of an in-vehicle air conditioner. A rotation shaft 2a of the fin, which is the rotation object 2, is connected to the rotation device 1. The rotation device 1 is equipped with a motor 3 as a drive source. The motor 3 is a stepping motor. The motor 3 is equipped with a rotor 5 having a rotation shaft 4 and a drive magnet, and a stator 6 having a drive coil and arranged on the outer periphery of the drive magnet. The output side portion of the rotation shaft 4 protrudes further toward the output side than the stator 6.

[0025] The portion of the rotating shaft 4 that protrudes beyond the stator 6 is a lead screw 4a with a feed screw formed on its outer circumferential surface. That is, the motor 3 is equipped with the lead screw 4a, and the center of rotation of the lead screw 4a coincides with the center of rotation of the rotor 5. The turning device 1 also includes a slider 8 having a threaded portion 8a formed thereon that engages with the lead screw 4a, a link member 9 having one end rotatably connected to the slider 8, an output shaft 10 formed on or fixed to the other end of the link member 9 and with which the turning shaft 2a engages, and a case body 11 that houses the motor 3, slider 8, and link member 9. The turning shaft 2a in this embodiment is an engaging portion that engages with the output shaft 10.

[0026] In the following description, the Y direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is the axial direction of the lead screw 4a (i.e., the axial direction of the rotor 5), will be referred to as the "left-right direction," the Z direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is perpendicular to the left-right direction, will be referred to as the "up-down direction," and the X direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction, will be referred to as the "front-to-back direction." Furthermore, the X2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the front-to-back direction, will be referred to as the "rear" side, the X1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, will be referred to as the "front" side, the Y1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the left-right direction, will be referred to as the "right" side, the Y2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, will be referred to as the "left" side, the Z1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the up-down direction, will be referred to as the "up" side, and the Z2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, will be referred to as the "down" side.

[0027] In this embodiment, the up-down direction (Z direction) is a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 4a. The front-rear direction is a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 4a and the first direction, and the rear side (X2 direction side) is a third direction side, which is one side of the second direction. The axial direction of the output shaft 10 is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0028] The lead screw 4a protrudes toward the left side from the stator 6. A trapezoidal thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw 4a. In addition to the rotor 5 and the stator 6, the motor 3 also includes a metal motor frame 14 fixed to the stator 6, a bearing 15 supporting the left end of the rotating shaft 4 (i.e., the end on the output side of the lead screw 4a), a bearing supporting the right end of the rotating shaft 4, and a leaf spring 16 that biases the rotating shaft 4 forward. Note that a square thread may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw 4a.

[0029] The motor frame 14 includes a flat stator fixing portion 14a fixed to the stator 6, a flat screw holding portion 14b that rotatably holds the left end of the lead screw 4a, and a flat connecting portion 14c that connects the stator fixing portion 14a and the screw holding portion 14b. The thickness direction of the connecting portion 14c coincides with the vertical direction. The stator fixing portion 14a rises upward at a right angle from the right end of the connecting portion 14c. The screw holding portion 14b rises upward at a right angle from the left end of the connecting portion 14c.

[0030] The thickness direction of the stator fixing portion 14a and the thickness direction of the screw holding portion 14b coincide with the left-right direction. The motor frame 14 is composed of the stator fixing portion 14a, the screw holding portion 14b, and the connection portion 14c, and is formed in a square groove shape. The screw holding portion 14b holds a bearing 15. That is, the screw holding portion 14b rotatably holds the left end of the lead screw 4a via the bearing 15. The left end face of the stator 6 is fixed to the stator fixing portion 14a. A through hole is formed in the stator fixing portion 14a, through which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted.

[0031] The case body 11 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. When viewed from the top and bottom, the case body 11 has an isosceles triangle shape with its base parallel to the left and right direction. The apex of the isosceles triangle case body 11 is located rearward of the base of the case body 11. The case body 11 rotatably holds the output shaft 10. Specifically, the case body 11 rotatably holds the output shaft 10 near the apex of the case body 11. That is, the output shaft 10 is rotatably held at the center of the case body 11 in the left and right direction and at the rear end of the case body 11. The case body 11 in this embodiment is a holding member that rotatably holds the output shaft 10 (i.e., rotatably holds the other end of the link member 9).

[0032] The case body 11 is composed of a first case body 20 and a second case body 21 that are divided in the vertical direction. The first case body 20 forms the lower half of the case body 11, and the upper side of the first case body 20 is open. The second case body 21 forms the upper half of the case body 11, and the upper side of the second case body 21 is open. When viewed from the vertical direction, the first case body 20 and the second case body 21 have the shape of an isosceles triangle with the base parallel to the left and right. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first case body 20 and the second case body 21 are fixed to each other by three screws 22. The screws 22 are located near the apex corner of the case body 11 and near each of the two bottom corners of the case body 11.

[0033] The first case body 20 is made of resin. The first case body 20 is composed of a flat lower surface portion 20a that forms the lower surface of the first case body 20, and side surface portions 20b that form the side surfaces of the first case body 20. The thickness direction of the lower surface portion 20a coincides with the vertical direction. The side surface portions 20b rise upward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface portion 20a. A retaining hole that holds the output shaft 10 is formed in the rear end of the lower surface portion 20a. The retaining hole is a circular hole that passes through the lower surface portion 20a in the vertical direction.

[0034] A protruding rib 20d that can come into contact from below with the link member 9 housed in the case body 11 is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 20a. In this embodiment, two ribs 20d are formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 20a. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the shape of the rib 20d is an arc with the center of curvature at the holding hole that holds the output shaft 10. In other words, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the shape of the rib 20d is an arc with the center of curvature at the output shaft 10.

[0035] A mounting recess 20e is formed on the front end side of the lower surface 20a, in which the connecting portion 14c of the motor frame 14 is disposed. The mounting recess 20e is recessed downward from the upper surface of the lower surface 20a. The mounting recess 20e is formed in the shape of a rectangular groove that is elongated in the left-right direction. The depth of the mounting recess 20e (the amount of recess from the upper surface of the lower surface 20a) is equal to the thickness of the connecting portion 14c. The connecting portion 14c is fixed to the mounting recess 20e. In other words, the motor 3 is fixed to the front end of the case body 11.

[0036] The rear end and right front end of the first case body 20 are formed with fixed portions 20g, 20h for fixing the turning device 1 to a host device (for example, an air outlet of an in-vehicle air conditioner) to which the turning device 1 is fixed. The fixed portion 20g protrudes leftward from the rear end of the first case body 20, and the fixed portion 20h protrudes forward from the right front end of the first case body 20. A through hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the fixed portions 20g, 20h. Furthermore, the fixed portions 20g, 20h are formed with reinforcing ribs 20k.

[0037] The second case body 21 is made of resin. The second case body 21 is composed of a flat upper surface portion 21a that forms the upper surface of the second case body 21 and side surface portions 21b that form the side surfaces of the second case body 21. The thickness direction of the upper surface portion 21a coincides with the vertical direction. The side surface portions 21b rise downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface portion 21a. A retaining hole 21c that holds the output shaft 10 is formed at the rear end of the upper surface portion 21a (see FIG. 1). The retaining hole 21c is a circular hole that penetrates the upper surface portion 21a in the vertical direction.

[0038] A protruding rib 21d that can contact the link member 9 housed in the case body 11 from above is formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 21a. In this embodiment, two ribs 21d are formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 21a. When viewed from the top and bottom, the shape of the rib 21d is an arc with the holding hole 21c as the center of curvature. In other words, when viewed from the top and bottom, the shape of the rib 21d is an arc with the output shaft 10 as the center of curvature.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, restricting portions 21e are formed on both left and right sides of the front end of the lower surface of the upper surface portion 21a to restrict the range of movement of the slider 8 in the left and right direction. The restricting portions 21e are composed of two protrusions 21f arranged to sandwich the lead screw 4a in the front-rear direction. The protrusions 21f protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 21a. The lower surface of the protrusions 21f is a flat surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The lower surface of the protrusions 21f contacts the upper surface of the connection portion 14c of the motor frame 14.

[0040] The rear end and right front end of the second case body 21 are formed with fixed portions 21g, 21h for fixing the rotation device 1 to a higher-level device. The fixed portion 21g protrudes leftward from the rear end of the second case body 21, and the fixed portion 21h protrudes forward from the right front end of the second case body 21. A through hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the fixed portions 21g, 21h. In addition, a reinforcing rib 21k is formed in the fixed portions 21g, 21h.

[0041] The fixed portion 20g of the first case body 20 and the fixed portion 21g of the second case body 21 overlap in the vertical direction. The fixed portion 20h of the first case body 20 and the fixed portion 21h of the second case body 21 overlap in the vertical direction. The case body 11 is fixed to the higher-level device by fixing screws (not shown) inserted into the through holes of the fixed portions 20g, 20h, 21g, and 21h.

[0042] (Configuration of slider, output shaft, and link member) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the motor 3, slider 8, link member 9, etc., as seen from the E-E direction in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the slider 8 and link member 9 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the second link member 25 shown in Fig. 6 from the bottom side. Fig. 8 is an enlarged bottom view for explaining the configuration of the slider 8 shown in Fig. 4.

[0043] The slider 8 is disposed between the stator fixing portion 14a and the screw holding portion 14b of the motor frame 14 in the left-right direction, and is disposed above the connecting portion 14c. When the lead screw 4a rotates, the slider 8 moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw 4a (i.e., the left-right direction). The slider 8 is made of resin. The slider 8 is composed of a slider main body portion 8b that engages with the lead screw 4a and a connecting portion 8c to which one end of the link member 9 is connected.

[0044] The slider main body 8b is composed of an upper wall 8d disposed above the lead screw 4a, a front wall 8e disposed in front of the lead screw 4a, and a rear wall 8f disposed behind the lead screw 4a. In other words, the slider main body 8b covers a portion of the lead screw 4a from both front-to-rear directions and one side in the up-down direction. The rear surface of the front wall 8e forms a main body side surface 8g disposed in front of the lead screw 4a. The front surface of the rear wall 8f forms a main body side surface 8h disposed behind the lead screw 4a. In other words, the slider main body 8b has two main body side surfaces 8g and 8h disposed on both front-to-rear directions of the lead screw 4a. The main body side surfaces 8g and 8h are flat surfaces perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0045] The threaded portion 8a is formed on two main body side surfaces 8g, 8h. The threaded portion 8a has a plurality of threads 8k arranged in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the lead screw 4a. The threaded portion 8a formed on the main body side surface 8g has two threads 8k. The threaded portion 8a formed on the main body side surface 8h has three threads 8k. The threads 8k of the threaded portion 8a formed on the main body side surface 8g and the threads 8k of the threaded portion 8a formed on the main body side surface 8h are misaligned in the left-right direction. The threads 8k are formed in a straight line parallel to the up-down direction. In other words, the threaded portion 8a is formed in a rack shape.

[0046] Protrusions 8p protruding upward are formed on both front-to-rear end portions of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 8d. Protrusions 8r protruding downward are formed on the front end portion of the lower end surface of the front wall portion 8e and the rear end portion of the lower end surface of the rear wall portion 8f. The protrusions 8p, 8r are formed in a linear shape that is long in the left-to-right direction. The protrusion 8p is capable of contacting the lower surface of the upper surface portion 21a of the second case body 21. The protrusion 8r is capable of contacting the upper surface of the connection portion 14c of the motor frame 14.

[0047] The connecting portion 8c is disposed on the rear side of the slider main body portion 8b. The connecting portion 8c is composed of a base portion 8t extending rearward from the slider main body portion 8b and a fixed shaft portion 8u which serves as the center of rotation of the link member 9 relative to the slider 8. The base portion 8t is formed in a flat plate shape connected to the lower end of the rear wall portion 8f. The thickness direction of the base portion 8t coincides with the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the shape of the base portion 8t is approximately an isosceles triangle.

[0048] The fixed shaft portion 8u rises upward from the base portion 8t. The fixed shaft portion 8u is formed in a thick-walled cylindrical shape. The axial direction of the fixed shaft portion 8u coincides with the vertical direction. In other words, the link member 9 is rotatable relative to the slider 8 with the vertical direction as the axial direction of the rotation. The fixed shaft portion 8u is located slightly rearward of the center of the base portion 8t in the front-to-rear direction. The fixed shaft portion 8u is also located at the center of the slider 8 in the left-to-right direction.

[0049] The output shaft 10 is formed at the other end of the link member 9. Specifically, it is formed integrally with the first link member 24 (described below) at the other end of the first link member 24, which constitutes a part of the link member 9. The output shaft 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending vertically. The output shaft 10 includes a lower shaft portion 10a that is inserted into a retaining hole in the lower surface portion 20a, and an upper shaft portion 10b that is inserted into a retaining hole 21c in the upper surface portion 21a. The inner peripheral surface of the output shaft 10 forms an engagement hole 10c with which the rotating shaft 2a engages.

[0050] The engagement hole 10c has a D-shape when viewed from above and below. A recess 10d for reducing material is formed in a flat portion 10e, which is a flat portion of the inner peripheral surface of the D-shaped engagement hole 10c. The recess 10d is recessed toward the outer periphery of the output shaft 10. The recess 10d is formed as a square groove that extends from the upper end surface to the lower end surface of the output shaft 10. The recess 10d is formed in one location on the engagement hole 10c. The rotating shaft 2a has a flat surface that contacts the flat portion 10e. In other words, the rotating shaft 2a is D-cut. The flat portion 10e in this embodiment serves as a positioning portion for positioning the rotating shaft 2a at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 10.

[0051] The link member 9 is formed linearly. More specifically, the link member 9 is formed in a block shape that has an elongated oval shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The link member 9 is also formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the top-bottom direction. The link member 9 includes a first link member 24 on which the output shaft 10 is formed, and a second link member 25 that is rotatably connected to the slider 8 and movably held by the first link member 24. The second link member 25 is linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9 relative to the first link member 24. The link member 9 in this embodiment is composed of the first link member 24 and the second link member 25. The first link member 24 and the second link member 25 are made of resin. That is, the link member 9 is made of resin.

[0052] The upper and lower surfaces of the first link member 24 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the up-down direction. A placement groove 24a is formed in the first link member 24, in which the second link member 25 is placed. The placement groove 24a is formed in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9. The placement groove 24a is formed in a square groove shape that is open on one end side and the upper side of the first link member 24. The output shaft 10 is formed at the other end of the first link member 24. The output shaft 10 protrudes above the upper surface of the first link member 24 and protrudes below the lower surface of the first link member 24.

[0053] A guide rail 24b is formed in the arrangement groove 24a to guide the second link member 25 in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9. The guide rail 24b is formed on the lower surface of the arrangement groove 24a. In this embodiment, the guide rail 24b is a first guide portion. As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 24c for removing material is formed on the lower surface of the first link member 24. The recess 24c functions as a grease reservoir for accumulating lubricating grease that is applied between the lower surface of the first link member 24 and the upper surface of the lower surface portion 20a of the first case body 20.

[0054] The upper and lower surfaces of the second link member 25 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. An insertion hole 25a into which the fixed shaft portion 8u is inserted is formed at one end of the second link member 25. The insertion hole 25a is a circular hole that passes through the second link member 25 in the vertical direction. Most of the second link member 25, including the other end, is always positioned within the positioning groove 24a. A guide groove 25b that engages with the guide rail 24b is formed in the second link member 25. The guide groove 25b is formed in a square groove shape that opens at the other end and the lower side of the second link member 25. In this embodiment, the guide groove 25b serves as a second guide portion.

[0055] The upper surface of the second link member 25 is disposed on the same plane as the upper surface of the first link member 24, or is disposed slightly lower than the upper surface of the first link member 24. The upper end surface of the fixed shaft portion 8u is disposed on the same plane as the upper surface of the second link member 25, or is disposed slightly lower than the upper surface of the second link member 25. The lower surface of the first link member 24 is disposed on the same plane as the lower surface of the base portion 8t of the slider 8.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3 , the output shaft 10 is disposed rearward of one end of a link member 9 that is rotatably connected to the slider 8. That is, the other end of the link member 9 is disposed rearward of the one end of the link member 9. One end of the link member 9 (specifically, one end of the second link member 25) is connected to the slider 8 behind the lead screw 4a. Therefore, the link member 9 is disposed rearward of the lead screw 4a. As shown in FIG. 5 , the vertical width (thickness) W1 of the link member 9 is equal to or smaller than the vertical width W2 of the motor 3 (specifically, the outer diameter of the stator 6 of the motor 3). In this embodiment, the width W1 is narrower than the width W2. The lower surface of the link member 9 is disposed above the lower end of the motor 3, and the upper surface of the link member 9 is disposed below the upper end of the motor 3.

[0057] In the rotating device 1, when the motor 3 is driven to rotate the lead screw 4a, the slider 8 moves left and right along the lead screw 4a. When the slider 8 moves left and right, the link member 9 rotates around the output shaft 10 as the center of rotation. When the link member 9 rotates, the second link member 25 moves in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9 relative to the first link member 24. Furthermore, when the link member 9 rotates, the output shaft 10 also rotates. When the output shaft 10 rotates, the rotating shaft 2a rotates.

[0058] (Major Effects of the Present Embodiment) As described above, in the present embodiment, one end of the link member 9 is connected to the slider 8 behind the lead screw 4a, and the other end of the link member 9 is located behind the one end of the link member 9, so that the link member 9 is located behind the lead screw 4a. That is, in the present embodiment, a portion of the link member 9 does not overlap a portion of the lead screw 4a in the vertical direction parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft 10. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the turning device 1 can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, the vertical width W1 of the link member 9 is equal to or smaller than the vertical width W2 of the motor 3, so that the link member 9 can be disposed within the range in which the motor 3 is installed in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the turning device 1 can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft 10.

[0059] In this embodiment, the motor 3 is a stepping motor. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily control the rotation speed of the lead screw 4a. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily control the rotation speed of the link member 9 about the output shaft 10, and as a result, it is possible to easily control the rotation speed of the output shaft 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily rotate the output shaft 10 at a constant speed, for example.

[0060] In this embodiment, the link member 9 is composed of a first link member 24 on which the output shaft 10 is formed, and a second link member 25 that is rotatably connected to the slider 8 and is held so as to be linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9 relative to the first link member 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the link member 9 can have a compact structure.

[0061] In this embodiment, the upper side of the arrangement groove 24a of the first link member 24 in which the second link member 25 is arranged is open. Therefore, in this embodiment, the link member 9 can be made thinner in the vertical direction compared to when the first link member 24 has an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 25 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9. Also, in this embodiment, the upper side of the arrangement groove 24a is open, so the sliding resistance between the first link member 24 and the second link member 25 can be reduced compared to when the first link member 24 has an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 25 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second link member 25 can be moved smoothly relative to the first link member 24.

[0062] In this embodiment, a recess 10d is formed in the output shaft 10 for positioning the rotating shaft 2a at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably attach the rotating shaft 2a to the correct position on the output shaft 10 in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 10.

[0063] In this embodiment, the slider main body 8b is composed of an upper wall 8d disposed above the lead screw 4a, a front wall 8e disposed in front of the lead screw 4a, and a rear wall 8f disposed behind the lead screw 4a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, threads 8a are formed on a main body side surface 8g, which is the rear surface of the front wall 8e, and a main body side surface 8h, which is the front surface of the rear wall 8f. Therefore, in this embodiment, the slider 8 can be manufactured more easily than, for example, a case in which threads are formed on the inner periphery of a cylindrical slider main body. In particular, in this embodiment, the thread 8k is formed linearly parallel to the vertical direction, which makes it easier to manufacture the slider 8 than, for example, a case in which the thread 8k is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0064] In this embodiment, the threaded portion 8a is formed on two main body side surfaces 8g, 8h that sandwich the lead screw 4a in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared to when the threaded portion 8a is formed on only one main body side surface 8g or 8h, it is possible to suppress rattle between the lead screw 4a and the slider 8 and to smoothly move the slider 8 along the lead screw 4a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the threaded portion 8a has a plurality of threads 8k arranged in the left-right direction, which makes it possible to reduce the stress acting on each thread 8k.

[0065] In this embodiment, an arc-shaped rib 20d capable of coming into contact with the lower surface of the link member 9 is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 20a of the first case body 20, and an arc-shaped rib 21d capable of coming into contact with the upper surface of the link member 9 is formed on the upper surface portion 21a of the second case body 21. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the contact area between the first case body 20 and the link member 9 and the contact area between the second case body 21 and the link member 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the case body 11 and the link member 9 when the link member 9 rotates.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, since the arc-shaped rib 20d is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 20a, the strength of the lower surface portion 20a can be ensured by the rib 20d even if the thickness (thickness in the vertical direction) of the lower surface portion 20a is reduced. Similarly, since the arc-shaped rib 21d is formed on the upper surface portion 21a, the strength of the upper surface portion 21a can be ensured by the rib 21d even if the thickness of the upper surface portion 21a is reduced.

[0067] In this embodiment, an arrangement recess 20e in which the connection portion 14c of the motor frame 14 is arranged is formed in the lower surface portion 20a. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the motor 3 is equipped with the motor frame 14, it is possible to make the rotation device 1 thinner in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the connection portion 14c is arranged in the arrangement recess 20e, even if the arrangement recess 20e is formed in the lower surface portion 20a, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in strength of the portion of the lower surface portion 20a where the arrangement recess 20e is formed by the metal connection portion 14c.

[0068] 9 and 10 are plan views illustrating the configuration of a link member 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0069] 9A, one end of a first link member 24, the other end of which is formed with the output shaft 10, and the other end of a second link member 25, one end of which is rotatably connected to the slider 8, may be connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other. In this case, for example, a fixed shaft 29 is fixed to one end of the first link member 24, and a through hole into which the fixed shaft 29 is inserted is formed in the other end of the second link member 25.

[0070] 9B, the link member 9 may be formed of a single member. In this case, for example, a compression coil spring 30 is disposed between the motor frame 14 and the front side surface of the case body 11, and the motor 3 is biased rearward. The motor 3 is held by the case body 11 so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions.

[0071] Furthermore, when the link member 9 is formed of a single member, the motor 3 does not have to be movable in the front-rear direction. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 10, an elongated insertion hole 9a into which the fixed shaft portion 8u is inserted is formed at one end of the link member 9. In this case, the fixed shaft portion 8u is disposed further rearward than in the embodiment described above, and the length of the base portion 8t in the front-rear direction is longer.

[0072] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiment is one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the recess 10d does not have to be formed in the engagement hole 10c. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the engagement hole 10c may be, for example, a circular hole. In this case, for example, a keyway-shaped recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 10c as a positioning portion for positioning the rotating shaft 2a at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 10. A convex portion that engages with the recess is formed on the rotating shaft 2a. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the output shaft 10 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. In this case, a keyway-shaped convex portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 10 as a positioning portion for positioning the rotating shaft 2a at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft 10. The rotating shaft 2a is, for example, formed in a cylindrical shape, and a concave portion that engages with the convex portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 2a.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the base 8t may be connected to the upper end of the rear wall 8f. In this case, the fixed shaft 8u extends downward from the base 8t. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a fixed shaft serving as the center of rotation of the link member 9 relative to the slider 8 may be formed in the second link member 25, and an insertion hole into which this fixed shaft is inserted may be formed in the slider 8. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the output shaft 10 formed separately from the first link member 24 may be fixed to the other end of the first link member 24. That is, the output shaft 10 formed separately from the link member 9 may be fixed to the other end of the link member 9.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, a spring member such as a compression coil spring that biases the second link member 25 toward the slider 8 may be disposed in the disposition groove 24a of the first link member 24 between the first link member 24 and the second link member 25. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a guide rail serving as a second guide portion for guiding the second link member 25 in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9 may be formed in the second link member 25, and a guide groove serving as a first guide portion that engages with the guide rail of the second link member 25 may be formed in the first link member 24. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a disposition hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 25 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member 9 may be formed in the first link member 24.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the thread 8k may be inclined in the vertical direction. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the thread portion 8a may be formed only on the main body side surface 8g or the main body side surface 8h. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the thread portion 8a may be formed on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8d disposed above the lead screw 4a. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the vertical width W1 of the link member 9 may exceed the vertical width W2 of the motor 3.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the slider main body 8b may be formed in a tubular shape. For example, the slider main body 8b may be a nut member formed in a tubular shape, such as a cylindrical shape. In this case, a spiral internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the slider main body 8b as the threaded portion 8a. The slider main body 8b may also be formed in a square tubular shape with a square inner circumferential surface. In this case, for example, a rack-shaped threaded portion 8a similar to the above-described embodiment is formed on each of the four side surfaces constituting the inner circumferential surface of the slider main body 8b.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the motor frame 14 may have a front surface portion that rises upward from the front end of the connection portion 14c. In this case, the strength of the motor frame 14 can be increased. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the motor 3 does not have to have the motor frame 14. In this case, for example, the stator 6 and bearing 15 are attached to the lower surface portion 20a of the first case body 20. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, all or part of the stator 6 may be disposed outside the case body 11. In other words, all or part of the stator 6 does not have to be housed in the case body 11.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the rib 20d may not be formed on the lower surface 20a of the first case body 20. In this case, a protruding rib that can be contacted from above on the upper surface of the lower surface 20a may be formed on the lower surface of the link member 9. Similarly, the rib 21d may not be formed on the upper surface 21a of the second case body 21. In this case, a protruding rib that can be contacted from below on the lower surface of the upper surface 21a may be formed on the upper surface of the link member 9. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the shape of the case body 11 when viewed from the top-bottom direction may be a shape other than an isosceles triangle. For example, the shape of the case body 11 when viewed from the top-bottom direction may be a rectangle. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the fixed portions 20g, 20h, 21g, and 21h may be formed at any positions on the first case body 20 and the second case body 21.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the first case body 20 and the second case body 21 may be fixed to each other by snap fitting. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case body 11 may be composed of only the first case body 20 or the second case body 21. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the turning device 1 does not need to include the case body 11. Even in this case, the turning device 1 includes a holding member that rotatably holds the output shaft 10. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, part of the rotating shaft 4 is the lead screw 4a, but a lead screw 4a formed separately from the rotating shaft 4 may be fixed to the rotating shaft 4. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the motor 3 may be a motor other than a stepping motor.

[0081] (Configuration of the Present Technology) The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) A rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotation object, comprising: a motor having a lead screw; a slider formed with a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and that moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a link member rotatably connected at one end to the slider; an output shaft formed on or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which an engaging portion of the rotation object engages; and a holding member rotatably holding the output shaft; wherein a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw and the first direction is defined as a second direction, and one side of the second direction is defined as a third direction; the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the first direction; the output shaft is positioned on the third direction side of one end of the link member; and one end of the link member is connected to the slider on the third direction side of the lead screw and is rotatable relative to the slider with the first direction as the rotation axial direction; (2) A rotating device according to (1), characterized in that the link member is disposed closer to the third direction than the lead screw. (3) A rotating device according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the motor is a stepping motor. (4) A rotating device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the link member includes a first link member on which the output shaft is formed or fixed, and a second link member rotatably connected to the slider, and is formed linearly, and the second link member is movably held by the first link member and is linearly movable relative to the first link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member.(5) The rotating device according to (4), characterized in that the first link member is formed with a positioning groove in which the second link member is positioned and a first guide portion for guiding the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member, one side of the positioning groove in the first direction is open, the first guide portion is formed on a surface on the other side of the positioning groove in the first direction, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion. (6) The rotating device according to any of (1) to (5), characterized in that the output shaft is formed with a positioning portion for positioning the engaging portion at one location in the circumferential direction of the output shaft. (7) The rotating device according to (1) to (6), characterized in that the slider includes a slider main body portion that covers a part of the lead screw from both sides in the second direction and one side in the first direction, the slider main body portion is formed with two main body side surfaces that are positioned on both sides of the lead screw in the second direction, and the thread portion is formed on at least one of the two main body side surfaces. (8) The rotating device according to (7), characterized in that the threaded portion is formed on two side surfaces of the main body portion. (9) The rotating device according to (7) or (8), characterized in that the threaded portion has a plurality of threads arranged in the axial direction of the lead screw, and the threads are formed in a straight line parallel to the first direction. (10) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (9), characterized in that the holding member includes a case body in which at least the lead screw, the slider, and the link member are housed. (11) The rotating device according to (10), characterized in that the case body is composed of a first case body and a second case body separated in the first direction, and protruding ribs capable of contacting the link member in the first direction are formed on the first case body and the second case body, and the shape of the rib when viewed from the first direction is an arc shape with the output shaft as the center of curvature.(12) The motor comprises a metal motor frame having a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the stator of the motor, a flat screw holding portion that rotatably holds one end of the lead screw, and a flat connecting portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion, wherein the thickness direction of the connecting portion coincides with the first direction, and a placement recess that is recessed in the first direction and in which the connecting portion is placed is formed inside the case body, characterized in that (10) or (11)

[0082] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Pivoting device 2 Pivot object 2a Pivot shaft (engagement portion) 3 Motor 4a Lead screw 5 Rotor 6 Stator 8 Slider 8a Threaded portion 8b Slider main body 8g, 8h Main body side 8k Thread 9 Link member 10 Output shaft 10e Flat portion (positioning portion) 11 Case body (holding member) 14 Motor frame 14a Stator fixing portion 14b Screw holding portion 14c Connection portion 20 First case body 20d Rib 20e Arrangement recess 21 Second case body 21d Rib 24 First link member 24a Arrangement groove 24b Guide rail (first guide portion) 25 Second link member 25b Guide groove (second guide portion) W1 Width of link member in first direction W2 Width of motor in first direction X Second direction X2 Third direction side Y Axial direction of lead screw Z First direction

Claims

1. A rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotating object, comprising: a motor having a lead screw; a slider having a threaded portion that engages with the lead screw and that moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw when the lead screw rotates; a link member having one end rotatably connected to the slider; an output shaft formed or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which an engagement portion of the rotating object engages; and a holding member that rotatably holds the output shaft; where a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw and the first direction is defined as a second direction, and one side of the second direction is defined as a third direction, the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the first direction, the output shaft is positioned on the third direction side of one end of the link member, and one end of the link member is connected to the slider on the third direction side of the lead screw and is rotatable relative to the slider with the first direction as the axial direction of rotation, The rotation device, wherein the link member is disposed on the third direction side of the lead screw.

2. A rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the width of said link member in said first direction is equal to or smaller than the width of said motor in said first direction.

3. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor is a stepping motor.

4. A rotating device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the link member comprises a first link member to which the output shaft is formed or fixed, and a second link member rotatably connected to the slider, and is formed in a straight line, the second link member being movably held by the first link member and capable of moving linearly in the longitudinal direction of the link member relative to the first link member.

5. A rotation device as described in claim 4, characterized in that the first link member is formed with an arrangement groove in which the second link member is arranged and a first guide portion for guiding the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member, one side of the arrangement groove in the first direction is open, the first guide portion is formed on the surface of the other side of the arrangement groove in the first direction, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion.

6. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said output shaft is formed with a positioning portion for positioning said engaging portion at one location in the circumferential direction of said output shaft.

7. A rotation device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slider has a slider body covering a portion of the lead screw from both sides in the second direction and one side in the first direction, the slider body has two body side surfaces arranged on both sides of the lead screw in the second direction, and the screw portion is formed on at least one of the two body side surfaces.

8. The rotating device according to claim 7, wherein the screw portions are formed on two side surfaces of the main body.

9. A rotation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the screw portion has a plurality of threads arranged in the axial direction of the lead screw, and the threads are formed in a straight line parallel to the first direction.

10. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding member comprises a case body in which at least the lead screw, the slider and the link member are housed.

11. A rotating device as described in claim 10, characterized in that the case body is composed of a first case body and a second case body that are divided in the first direction, the first case body and the second case body are formed with protruding ribs that can contact the link member in the first direction, and the shape of the rib when viewed from the first direction is an arc shape with the output shaft as the center of curvature.

12. The rotating device of claim 10, characterized in that the motor comprises a metal motor frame having a flat stator fixing portion fixed to the stator of the motor, a flat screw holding portion for rotatably holding one end of the lead screw, and a flat connecting portion connecting the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion, the thickness direction of the connecting portion coinciding with the first direction, and a recessed arrangement that is recessed in the first direction and in which the connecting portion is arranged is formed inside the case body.

Images