Pivoting device

Abstract

In this pivoting device, one end of a link member 19 is connected to a slider 18 on an X2 direction side of a lead screw 14b, an output shaft 20 formed at the other end of the link member 19 is disposed on an X2 direction side of the one end of the link member 19, and the link member 19 is disposed on the X2 direction side of the lead screw 14b. A base portion 18q of a connecting portion 18d of the slider 18 is disposed on a Z2 direction side of one end of a second link member 37. A first link member 36 is formed with a first contacting surface 36k that faces a Z1 direction side and that comes into contact with the second link member 37 from the Z2 direction side, and the second link member 37 is formed with a second contacting surface that faces the Z2 direction side and that comes into contact with the first contacting surface 36k from the Z1 direction side.

Description

Rotating device

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

[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 object to be rotated, which can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft with which the engaging portion of the object to be rotated engages.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a rotation device according to one aspect of the present invention is a rotation device for rotating a predetermined rotation target, and includes 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 having one end rotatably connected to the slider, and an output shaft formed on or fixed to the other end of the link member and with which an engaging portion of the rotation target engages, and the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction. The second direction is defined as a second direction, a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is defined as a third direction, one side of the second direction is defined as a fourth direction side, the other side of the second direction opposite to the fourth direction side is defined as a fifth direction side, and one side of the third direction is defined as a sixth direction side. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction, one end of the link member is rotatable relative to the slider with the second direction as the axial direction of the rotation, the output shaft is disposed on the sixth direction side of the slider, and 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. If the connecting portion between the second link member and the slider is defined as the slider connecting portion, and the direction of an imaginary line connecting the center of the output shaft and the center of the slider connecting portion when viewed from the second direction is defined as the longitudinal direction of the link member, 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, and the first link member is formed with a first contact surface that faces the fourth direction side and comes into contact with the second link member from the fifth direction side, and the second link member is formed with a second contact surface that faces the fifth direction side and comes into contact with the first contact surface from the fourth direction side. a second contact surface is formed that engages with the slider, the slider comprises a slider main body that engages with the lead screw, and a link member connecting portion to which one end of the link member is connected, the link member connecting portion comprises a base that extends from the slider main body in the sixth direction and a pivot axis portion that forms part of the slider connecting portion and protrudes from the base in the fourth direction, one end of the second link member is arranged on the fourth direction side of the base and is connected to the slider on the sixth direction side of the lead screw, and the link member is arranged on the sixth direction side of the lead screw.

[0007] In the rotation device of this aspect, the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as the first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, the direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is defined as the third direction, one side of the second direction is defined as the fourth direction, the other side of the second direction opposite the fourth direction is defined as the fifth direction, and one side of the third direction is defined as the sixth direction. The axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction. Furthermore, in this aspect, one end of the link member is connected to the slider on the sixth 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 sixth direction than the one end of the link member, and the link member is positioned further in the sixth direction than the lead screw. In other words, in this aspect, 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 this aspect, the rotation device can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0008] In this aspect, one end of the second link member is located on the fourth direction side of the base of the link member connecting portion, and the base of the link member connecting portion is located on the fifth direction side of one end of the second link member. In this aspect, the first link member has a first contact surface that faces the fourth direction and contacts the second link member from the fifth direction side, and the second link member has a second contact surface that faces the fifth direction and contacts the first contact surface from the fourth direction side. This makes it possible to position a major portion of the first link member closer to the fifth direction side of the second contact surface of the second link member (i.e., on the side where the base of the link member connecting portion is located relative to one end of the second link member). Therefore, in this aspect, it is possible to make the rotation device thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0009] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, in a rotation device for rotating a specified rotation object, it is possible to make the rotation device thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft with which the engagement portion of the rotation object engages.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air outlet section for a vehicle to which the turning device shown in FIG. 1 is attached. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a dashboard of a vehicle to which the air outlet section shown in FIG. 2 is incorporated. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the internal configuration of the air outlet section shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the turning device shown in FIG. 1 with a second case body removed. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the turning device shown in FIG. 1 with the second case body removed. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the turning device shown in FIG. 1 with the second case body removed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the motor frame shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first case body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the slider, output shaft, and first link member shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the first link member and the second link member shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a bottom view for explaining the state when the link member shown in FIG. 7 is extended. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the link member shown in FIG. 6 along the E-E cross section. Fig. 14 is a side view of the slider, link member, output shaft, etc. shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a slider, link member, and output shaft according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the second link member shown in Fig. 15 from a different direction. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the link member shown in Fig. 15, taken along a cross section corresponding to the E-E cross section in Fig. 6. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the F-F cross section in Fig. 17.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (Schematic configuration of turning device) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a turning device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an air outlet section 4 for a vehicle to which the turning device 2 shown in Fig. 1 is attached. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a dashboard 7 of a vehicle to which the air outlet section 4 shown in Fig. 2 is incorporated. Fig. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the internal configuration of the air outlet section 4 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the turning device 2 shown in Fig. 1 with the second case body 31 removed.

[0013] The rotation device 2 of this embodiment is a device for rotating a predetermined rotation object. The rotation object of this embodiment is fins 5, 6 for adjusting airflow direction that are installed in an air outlet 4 of a vehicle (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet 4 is incorporated, for example, in a dashboard 7 of a vehicle and forms the outlet of an in-vehicle air conditioner. A housing 8 of the air outlet 4 houses a plurality of fins 5 arranged vertically and a plurality of fins 6 arranged horizontally.

[0014] A cover 9 that covers the fins 5, 6 is attached to the housing 8. The cover 9 side of the air outlet section 4 incorporated into the dashboard 7 faces the interior of the vehicle. The fins 5 are rotatable around the horizontal direction as the axis of rotation. The fins 6 are rotatable around the vertical direction as the axis of rotation. Two rotating devices 2 are attached to the air outlet section 4. Specifically, the two rotating devices 2 are fixed to the housing 8. One of the two rotating devices 2 rotates the multiple fins 5. The other rotating device 2 rotates the multiple fins 6.

[0015] The thickness of the rotation device 2 in this embodiment is thin. For example, the thickness of the rotation device 2 is about 10 mm. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , by attaching the rotation device 2 along the side of the housing 8 so that the direction of the normal to the side of the housing 8 coincides with the thickness direction of the rotation device 2, it is possible to reduce the amount by which the rotation device 2 protrudes from the housing 8. A rotation shaft 10 (see FIG. 1 ) that is connected to the fins 5 and 6 is connected to the rotation device 2. When the rotation shaft 10 rotates, the fins 5 and 6 rotate.

[0016] The rotating device 2 includes a motor 13 as a drive source. The motor 13 is a stepping motor. The motor 13 includes a rotor 15 having a rotating shaft 14 and a drive magnet, and a stator 16 having a drive coil and disposed on the outer periphery of the drive magnet. The output side portion of the rotating shaft 14 protrudes toward the output side beyond the stator 16. The portion of the rotating shaft 14 that protrudes beyond the stator 16 forms a lead screw 14b with a feed screw formed on its outer periphery. In other words, the motor 13 includes the lead screw 14b. The center of rotation of the lead screw 14b coincides with the center of rotation of the rotor 15.

[0017] The turning device 2 also includes a slider 18 having a threaded portion 18b (see FIG. 14) that engages with the lead screw 14b. When the lead screw 14b rotates, the slider 18 moves linearly in the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The turning device 2 also includes a link member 19 having one end rotatably connected to the slider 18, an output shaft 20 that is formed on or fixed to the other end of the link member 19 and engages with the turning shaft 10, and a case body 21 that houses at least the lead screw 14b, the slider 18, and the link member 19. The turning shaft 10 in this embodiment is an engaging portion that engages with the output shaft 20.

[0018] In the following description, the Y direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is the axial direction of the lead screw 14b (i.e., the axial direction of the rotor 15), is referred to as the "left-right direction," the Z direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is perpendicular to the left-right direction, is 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, is 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, is referred to as the "rear" side, the opposite X1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., is referred to as the "front" side, the Y1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the left-right direction, is referred to as the "right" side, the opposite Y2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., is referred to as the "left" side, the Z1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the up-down direction, is referred to as the "up" side, and the opposite Z2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., is referred to as the "down" side.

[0019] In this embodiment, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the first direction, which is the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The up-down direction (Z direction) is the second direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 14b. The front-rear direction (X direction) is the third direction, which is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The upper side (Z1 direction) is the fourth direction, which is one side of the second direction. The lower side (Z2 direction) is the fifth direction, which is the opposite side of the fourth direction. The rear side (X2 direction) is the sixth direction, which is one side of the third direction. The rotation device 2 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the up-down direction. The axial direction of the output shaft 20 is parallel to the up-down direction. The output shaft 20 is located behind the lead screw 14b and the slider 18.

[0020] (Configuration of the Motor) Figures 6 and 7 are plan views of the rotating device 2 shown in Figure 1 with the second case body 31 removed. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the motor frame 24 shown in Figure 5.

[0021] As described above, the motor 13 is equipped with the lead screw 14b. The lead screw 14b protrudes from the stator 16 toward the left. In other words, the stator 16 is disposed to the right of the lead screw 14b. When viewed from the left-right direction, the outer shape of the stator 16 is circular. A trapezoidal thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lead screw 14b. The right end of the lead screw 14b is disposed to the right of the output shaft 20. The left end of the lead screw 14b is disposed to the left of the output shaft 20. Note that a square thread may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lead screw 14b.

[0022] In addition to the rotor 15 and the stator 16, the motor 13 includes a metal motor frame 24 fixed to the stator 16, a bearing 25 supporting the left end of the rotating shaft 14 (i.e., the output end of the lead screw 14b), a bearing supporting the right end of the rotating shaft 14, a leaf spring 26 that biases the rotating shaft 14 to the left, a flat circuit board 27 for driving and controlling the motor 13, and lead wires 28 connected to the circuit board 27.

[0023] The motor frame 24 is formed by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape. The motor frame 24 includes a flat stator fixing portion 24b fixed to the stator 16, a flat screw holding portion 24c that rotatably holds the left end of the lead screw 14b, which is the tip of the lead screw 14b, and a flat connecting portion 24d that connects the stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c. The connecting portion 24d is formed in a flat plate shape with its thickness direction aligned with the up-down direction, and the thickness direction of the connecting portion 24d coincides with the up-down direction. The connecting portion 24d is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The long sides of the rectangular connecting portion 24d coincide with the left-right direction.

[0024] The stator fixing portion 24b rises upward from the right end of the connecting portion 24d. The screw holding portion 24c rises upward from the left end of the connecting portion 24d. The stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c are formed in a flat plate shape with the thickness direction extending in the left-right direction. The lower end of the stator 16 is located below the lower surface of the connecting portion 24d. The screw holding portion 24c holds a bearing 25. That is, the screw holding portion 24c rotatably holds the left end of the lead screw 14b via the bearing 25. The stator fixing portion 24b is fixed to the left end surface of the stator 16. A through hole is formed in the stator fixing portion 24b, and a portion of the rotating shaft 14 is disposed therein.

[0025] The motor frame 24 also includes a flat reinforcing portion 24e that rises upward from the front end of the connection portion 24d, and a flat board fixing portion 24f to which the circuit board 27 is fixed. The motor frame 24 in this embodiment is composed of the stator fixing portion 24b, the screw holding portion 24c, the connection portion 24d, the reinforcing portion 24e, and the board fixing portion 24f. The board fixing portion 24f extends leftward from the rear end of the stator fixing portion 24b. The thickness direction of the board fixing portion 24f coincides with the front-to-rear direction. The reinforcing portion 24e rises perpendicularly from the front end of the connection portion 24d. The reinforcing portion 24e is formed in a flat plate shape with its thickness aligned with the front-to-rear direction. The reinforcing portion 24e is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape that is elongated in the left-to-right direction.

[0026] The motor frame 24 is housed in the case body 21. As described below, the case body 21 is composed of a first case body 30 and a second case body 31 that are divided in the vertical direction. The motor frame 24 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 30 and the second case body 31. In other words, the motor 13 is fixed to the case body 21 by being sandwiched between the first case body 30 and the second case body 31.

[0027] The connecting portion 24d has positioning holes 24g and 24h formed therein for positioning the motor frame 24 relative to the case body 21 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The positioning hole 24g is a round hole that penetrates the connecting portion 24d in the up-down direction. The positioning hole 24h is an elongated hole that penetrates the connecting portion 24d in the up-down direction. The positioning hole 24h is also an elongated hole with its longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. The positioning holes 24g and 24h are formed at the same position in the front-to-rear direction. When viewed from the up-down direction, the positioning holes 24g and 24h are aligned on the axis of the lead screw 14b.

[0028] The circuit board 27 is a rigid board such as a glass epoxy board. The circuit board 27 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The circuit board 27 is arranged so that the thickness direction of the circuit board 27 coincides with the front-to-rear direction. The circuit board 27 is fixed to the board fixing portion 24f. The circuit board 27 is arranged behind the stator 16. The circuit board 27 is housed in the case body 21. The lead wire 28 is soldered and fixed to the front surface of the right end portion of the circuit board 27. The lead wire 28 is drawn out from the case body 21 to the right side.

[0029] (Configuration of Case Body) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first case body 30 shown in FIG.

[0030] The case body 21 is formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. The case body 21 is a resin molded product formed by resin molding. The case body 21 accommodates the motor 13, slider 18, and link member 19. The case body 21 includes a hollow accommodation portion 21b that accommodates the motor 13, slider 18, and link member 19, and two fixed portions 21c that are fixed to the housing 8 of the air outlet portion 4. The case body 21 in this embodiment is composed of the accommodation portion 21b and the two fixed portions 21c.

[0031] The case body 21 rotatably holds the output shaft 20. Specifically, the case body 21 rotatably holds the output shaft 20 near the rear end of the accommodation portion 21b. The case body 21 is composed of a first case body 30 and a second case body 31 that are divided in the vertical direction. The first case body 30 forms the lower half of the case body 21, and the upper side of the first case body 30 is open. The second case body 31 forms the upper half of the case body 21, and the lower side of the second case body 31 is open. The first case body 30 and the second case body 31 are fixed to each other by screws 32.

[0032] The first case body 30 includes a flat lower surface portion 30b that forms the lower surface of the first case body 30, and a side surface portion 30c that forms the lower portion of the side surface of the housing portion 21b. The lower surface portion 30b is formed in a flat plate shape with the thickness direction extending in the vertical direction. The side surface portion 30c rises upward from the outer circumferential edge of the lower surface portion 30b. A retaining hole 30e that retains the output shaft 20 is formed at the rear end of the lower surface portion 30b. The retaining hole 30e is a circular hole that penetrates the lower surface portion 30b in the vertical direction. A protruding rib 30f that can contact the link member 19 from below is formed on the upper surface of the lower surface portion 30b. When viewed from the vertical direction, the shape of the rib 30f is an arc with the retaining hole 30e as the center of curvature (i.e., an arc with the output shaft 20 as the center of curvature).

[0033] An arrangement recess 30g is formed inside the first case body 30, in which the connection portion 24d of the motor frame 24 is arranged. The arrangement recess 30g is formed at the front end of the lower surface portion 30b. The arrangement recess 30g is recessed downward from the upper surface of the lower surface portion 30b. In other words, the arrangement recess 30g is recessed downward. The depth of the arrangement recess 30g is slightly shallower than the thickness of the connection portion 24d. The lower surface of the connection portion 24d contacts the bottom surface (upper surface) of the arrangement recess 30g. Specifically, the entire lower surface of the connection portion 24d contacts the bottom surface of the arrangement recess 30g.

[0034] The bottom surface of the placement recess 30g is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions 30h for positioning the motor frame 24 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The positioning protrusions 30h are inserted into the positioning holes 24g, 24h of the motor frame 24. An opening 30u is formed at the right front end of the lower surface 30b, in which the lower end of the stator 16 is disposed. Behind the opening 30u, an opening 30v is formed, in which the lower end of the circuit board 27 is disposed. A notch 30w is formed at the right front end of the side surface 30c, in which the lead wires 28 are drawn out of the case body 21.

[0035] The second case body 31 includes a flat upper surface portion 31b that forms the upper surface of the accommodation portion 21b, and a side surface portion 31c that forms the upper portion of the side surface of the accommodation portion 21b. The upper surface portion 31b is formed in a flat plate shape with its thickness direction extending vertically. The side surface portion 31c rises downward from the outer circumferential edge of the upper surface portion 31b. A retaining hole 31e that retains the output shaft 20 is formed in the rear end of the upper surface portion 31b. The retaining hole 31e is a circular hole that passes through the upper surface portion 31b in the vertical direction.

[0036] A protruding rib that can come into contact with the link member 19 from above is formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, this rib has an arc shape with the holding hole 31e as its center of curvature (i.e., an arc shape with the output shaft 20 as its center of curvature). An opening 31u is formed on the right front end portion of the upper surface portion 31b, and the upper end portion of the stator 16 and the upper end portion of the stator fixing portion 24b are disposed therein.

[0037] (Configuration of slider, output shaft, and link member) Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the slider 18, output shaft 20, and first link member 36 shown in Figure 5. Figure 11 is a bottom view of the first link member 36 and the second link member 37 shown in Figure 5. Figure 12 is a bottom view for explaining the state when the link member 19 shown in Figure 7 is extended. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the E-E cross section of the link member 19 shown in Figure 6. Figure 14 is a side view of the slider 18, link member 19, output shaft 20, etc. shown in Figure 6. Note that Figure 12 shows the state of the link member 19 when the slider 18 has moved to the left-side movement limit position.

[0038] The slider 18 is disposed between the stator fixing portion 24b and the screw holding portion 24c of the motor frame 24 in the left-right direction, and is disposed above the connecting portion 24d and behind the reinforcing portion 24e. The slider 18 is a resin molded product formed by resin molding. The slider 18 includes a slider main body 18c that engages with the lead screw 14b and a connecting portion 18d that serves as a link member connecting portion to which one end of the link member 19 is connected. The slider 18 in this embodiment is composed of the slider main body 18c and the connecting portion 18d.

[0039] The slider main body 18c is formed in the shape of a rectangular groove that is open on both the left-right sides and the bottom. The slider main body 18c covers a portion of the lead screw 14b from both the front-rear sides and the top. The threaded portion 18b is formed on the front surface of the rear wall of the slider main body 18c. The threaded portion 18b has a plurality of threads that are arranged in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the lead screw 14b. The threads are formed in a straight line that is slightly inclined relative to the up-down direction, and the threaded portion 18b is formed in a rack shape.

[0040] Protrusions 18j protruding upward are formed on both front-to-rear end portions of the upper surface of the slider main body 18c. Protrusions 18k protruding downward are formed at two locations on the lower end surface of the slider main body 18c. The protrusions 18j, 18k are formed in a linear shape that is long in the left-to-right direction. The protrusion 18j is capable of contacting the lower surface of the upper surface portion 31b of the second case body 31. The protrusion 18k is capable of contacting the upper surface of the connection portion 24d of the motor frame 24. An elastic piece 18p is formed on the front wall of the slider main body 18c to suppress rattle of the slider 18 relative to the lead screw 14b. The elastic piece 18p contacts the lead screw 14b from the front with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0041] The connecting portion 18d is disposed rearward of the slider main body 18c. The connecting portion 18d is composed of a base 18q extending rearward from the slider main body 18c and a fixed shaft 18r serving as a pivot axis that serves as the pivot center of the link member 19 relative to the slider 18. The base 18q is formed in a flat plate shape connected to the lower end of the slider main body 18c. The base 18q is formed in a flat plate shape with its thickness direction aligned vertically, and the thickness direction of the base 18q coincides with the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the shape of the base 18q is a substantially isosceles triangle whose width in the horizontal direction gradually narrows toward the rear. The base 18q is disposed below the center of the lead screw 14b in the vertical direction (see FIG. 14). The lower surface of the base 18q is located at approximately the same position as the lower end surface of the slider main body 18c.

[0042] The fixed shaft portion 18r protrudes upward from the base portion 18q. That is, the fixed shaft portion 18r rises upward from the base portion 18q, and the base of the fixed shaft portion 18r is connected to the base portion 18q. The fixed shaft portion 18r is formed in a thick-walled cylindrical shape. The axial direction of the fixed shaft portion 18r coincides with the vertical direction. That is, one end of the link member 19 is rotatable relative to the slider 18, with the vertical direction as the axial direction of the rotation. The fixed shaft portion 18r is disposed at approximately the center of the base portion 18q in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the fixed shaft portion 18r is disposed at the center of the slider 18 in the left-to-right direction.

[0043] The output shaft 20 is formed at the other end of the link member 19. Specifically, the output shaft 20 is integrally formed with the first link member 36 (described below) at the other end of the first link member 36, which constitutes a part of the link member 19. As described below, the first link member 36 is a resin molded product formed by resin molding, and the output shaft 20 is also a resin molded product. The output shaft 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction. The output shaft 20 includes a lower shaft portion 20b that is inserted into a retaining hole 30e in the lower surface portion 30b, and an upper shaft portion 20c that is inserted into a retaining hole 31e in the upper surface portion 31b. The lower end surface of the lower shaft portion 20b is located at the same position as the lower surface of the lower surface portion 30b in the vertical direction. The upper end surface of the upper shaft portion 20c is located at the same position as the upper surface of the upper surface portion 31b in the vertical direction.

[0044] The inner peripheral surface of the output shaft 20 forms an engagement hole 20d with which the rotating shaft 10 engages. That is, the output shaft 20 is formed with an engagement hole 20d that penetrates the output shaft 20 in the vertical direction and with which the rotating shaft 10 engages. When viewed from the vertical direction, the engagement hole 20d has a D-shape. A flat portion 20e, which is the flat portion of the inner peripheral surface of the D-shaped engagement hole 20d, has a recess 20f for reducing material. The recess 20f is recessed toward the outer periphery of the output shaft 20. The recess 20f is formed in the shape of a square groove that extends from the upper end surface to the lower end surface of the output shaft 20. The rotating shaft 10 has a flat surface that comes into contact with the flat portion 20e. That is, the rotating shaft 10 is D-cut.

[0045] The link member 19 is formed in a block shape that has an oval shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The length of the link member 19 is relatively short. The link member 19 is also formed in a flat shape with a thin thickness in the top-bottom direction. The link member 19 includes a first link member 36 in which the output shaft 20 is formed, and a second link member 37 that is rotatably connected to the slider 18. The link member 19 in this embodiment is composed of the first link member 36 and the second link member 37. The first link member 36 and the second link member 37 are resin molded parts formed by resin molding. The first link member 36 and the second link member 37 are disposed behind the lead screw 14b. In other words, the link member 19 is disposed behind the lead screw 14b.

[0046] The second link member 37 is movably held by the first link member 36. The connecting portion between the second link member 37 and the slider 18 is defined as a slider connecting portion 38, and the direction of an imaginary line VL (see FIG. 7 ) connecting the center of the output shaft 20 and the center of the slider connecting portion 38 when viewed from the up-down direction is defined as the link member longitudinal direction. The second link member 37 is linearly movable in the link member longitudinal direction relative to the first link member 36. The link member longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The second link member 37 is disposed above the first link member 36.

[0047] In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link member and the up-down direction will be referred to as the short-side direction of the link member. Furthermore, the slider connecting portion 38 side, which is one side of the link member in the longitudinal direction, will be referred to as the "one longitudinal side," and the output shaft 20 side, which is the opposite side, will be referred to as the "other longitudinal side." When the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully compressed (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the longitudinal direction of the link member coincides with the front-to-rear direction, the short-side direction of the link member coincides with the left-to-right direction, the one longitudinal side coincides with the front side, and the other longitudinal side coincides with the rear side.

[0048] The output shaft 20 is formed at the other longitudinal end of the first link member 36. If the end of the first link member 36 where the output shaft 20 is formed is referred to as the link member end 36b, the first link member 36 includes the link member end 36b and a link member base 36c connected to one longitudinal side of the link member end 36b. Furthermore, when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully compressed, the first link member 36 includes a flat blade 36d extending to the right and front from the link member base 36c and a flat blade 36e extending to the left and front from the link member base 36c. The first link member 36 in this embodiment is composed of the link member end 36b, the link member base 36c, and the blades 36d and 36e.

[0049] The link member end 36b is cylindrical. The output shaft 20 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the link member end 36b. The lower end surface of the link member end 36b is an annular flat surface 36f that is annular and flat and surrounds the lower shaft portion 20b (see FIG. 11). The upper end surface of the link member end 36b is an annular and flat surface 36g that is annular and flat and surrounds the upper shaft portion 20c (see FIG. 10). The annular flat surfaces 36f, 36g are planes that are perpendicular to the up-down direction. The lower surface of the lower shaft portion 20b is disposed below the annular flat surface 36f, and the upper surface of the upper shaft portion 20c is disposed above the annular flat surface 36g.

[0050] The link member base 36c is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thin thickness in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the link member base 36c is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the link member base 36c is located slightly above the annular flat surface 36f. Furthermore, the lower surface of the link member base 36c is located at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the lower surface of the base 18q of the slider 18.

[0051] The first link member 36 has a guide groove 36h for guiding the second link member 37 in the longitudinal direction of the link member. The guide groove 36h is located on one longitudinal side of the link member end portion 36b. The guide groove 36h is also located in the center of the link member in the transverse direction. The guide groove 36h is a shallow, rectangular groove that opens at one longitudinal end of the first link member 36 and at the top. The bottom surface (upper surface) of the guide groove 36h forms a side surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The bottom surface of the guide groove 36h is located slightly below the top surface of the base portion 18q of the slider 18. Both side surfaces of the guide groove 36h in the transverse direction of the link member form flat surfaces perpendicular to the transverse direction of the link member. The width of the guide groove 36h in the transverse direction of the link member is wider than the outer diameter of the fixed shaft portion 18r.

[0052] The guide groove 36h is formed mainly in the link member base 36c. The width of the link member base 36c in the short-side direction of the link member is wider than the width of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member. The upper surfaces of the link member base 36c on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member are flat surfaces that are perpendicular to the up-down direction. These upper surfaces are located above the bottom surface of the guide groove 36h and below the annular flat surface 36g.

[0053] The blades 36d and 36e are formed in a flat plate shape with the thickness direction extending in the vertical direction. The upper and lower surfaces of the blades 36d and 36e are flat surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. The thickness of the blades 36d and 36e is equal. When viewed from the vertical direction, the blades 36d and 36e are symmetrical with respect to the imaginary line VL. The blades 36d and 36e are connected to the upper end of the link member base 36c.

[0054] The upper surfaces of the wing portions 36d, 36e are arranged on the same plane as the upper surfaces of the link member base portion 36c on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short direction of the link member. The upper surface of the link member base portion 36c on one side of the guide groove 36h in the short direction of the link member and the upper surface of the wing portion 36d form a single plane. The upper surface of the link member base portion 36c on the other side of the guide groove 36h in the short direction of the link member and the upper surface of the wing portion 36e form a single plane.

[0055] The lower surfaces of the blades 36d, 36e are positioned higher than the lower surface of the link member base 36c. The lower surfaces of the blades 36d, 36e are positioned slightly higher than the bottom surface of the guide groove 36h and the upper surface of the base 18q of the slider 18. The outer end surfaces of the blades 36d, 36e in the short-side direction of the link member form a flat surface perpendicular to the short-side direction of the link member. The end surfaces on one longitudinal side of the blades 36d, 36e form a flat surface perpendicular to the long-side direction of the link member. The inner end surfaces of the blades 36d, 36e in the short-side direction of the link member are positioned on one longitudinal side of the link member base 36c and form part of the side surface of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member.

[0056] When the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction, the front portion of the blade 36d, which is positioned forward of the link member base 36c, has an inclined surface connecting the right end surface of the blade 36d to the front end surface of the blade 36d. This inclined surface slopes leftward as it approaches the front. When the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction, the front portion of the blade 36e, which is positioned forward of the link member base 36c, has an inclined surface connecting the left end surface of the blade 36e to the front end surface of the blade 36e. This inclined surface slopes rightward as it approaches the front.

[0057] Both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short direction of the link member are first contact portions 36j that come into contact with the second link member 37. That is, two first contact portions 36j are formed on the first link member 36. The first contact portions 36j include blade portions 36d and 36e, and extend to one side in the longitudinal direction beyond the link member base portion 36c. Furthermore, the first contact portions 36j extend to the left-right sides of the slider connector 38 when the slider connector 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully retracted (see FIG. 6).

[0058] In this embodiment, when the slider connecting portion 38 is disposed at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully compressed, the front end of the first contact portion 36j (i.e., the front end surfaces of the blade portions 36d, 36e) is disposed further forward than the front end of the slider connecting portion 38. Furthermore, when the slider connecting portion 38 is disposed at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction, a portion of the front end of the first contact portion 36j (specifically, a portion of the front end of the blade portions 36d, 36e) is disposed above the base 18q of the slider 18.

[0059] The upper surface of the first contact portion 36j forms a first contact surface 36k that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the first link member 36 is formed with the first contact surface 36k, which is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and faces upward. The first contact surface 36k contacts the second link member 37 from below. One of the two first contact surfaces 36k is formed by the upper surface of the link member base 36c on one side of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member and the upper surface of the wing portion 36d. The other first contact surface 36k is formed by the upper surface of the link member base 36c on the other side of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member and the upper surface of the wing portion 36e.

[0060] The link member base 36c is formed with a recess 36p to prevent interference between the link member base 36c and the base 18q of the slider 18 when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction. The recess 36p is recessed along the side surface of the base 18q when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction. The recess 36p is recessed from one longitudinal end face of the link member base 36c toward the other longitudinal end face. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the shape of the recess 36p is arc-shaped. At one longitudinal end face of the link member base 36c, the width of the recess 36p in the short-side direction of the link member is approximately equal to the width of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member.

[0061] As described above, the second link member 37 is disposed above the first link member 36. The length of the second link member 37 in the link member longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the first link member 36 in the link member longitudinal direction. The width of the second link member 37 in the link member lateral direction is narrower than the width of the first link member 36 in the link member lateral direction. The width of the second link member 37 at one longitudinal end of the second link member 37 in the link member lateral direction gradually narrows toward one longitudinal side.

[0062] The upper surface of the second link member 37 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface of the second link member 37 is located slightly below the annular plane 36g of the first link member 36. The second link member 37 is composed of a link member base 37b formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thin vertical thickness, and two second contact portions 37c that contact the first contact portions 36j of the first link member 36 from above. That is, the second link member 37 is formed with the second contact portions 37c that contact the first contact portions 36j from above. The second contact portions 37c extend from the link member base 37b to both sides in the short direction of the link member.

[0063] Both vertical surfaces of the link member base 37b and both vertical surfaces of the second contact portion 37c are planes that are perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower surface of the second contact portion 37c is located higher than the lower surface of the link member base 37b. The upper surfaces of the link member base 37b and the second contact portion 37c are located on the same plane, and the upper surfaces of the link member base 37b and the second contact portion 37c form a single plane that constitutes the upper surface of the second link member 37.

[0064] An insertion hole 37d is formed at one longitudinal end of the link member base 37b, into which the fixed shaft 18r of the slider 18 is inserted. The insertion hole 37d is a circular hole that passes through the second link member 37 in the vertical direction. The slider connecting portion 38 is composed of the fixed shaft 18r and the insertion hole 37d. That is, the fixed shaft 18r constitutes a part of the slider connecting portion 38. One longitudinal end of the link member base 37b (i.e., one end of the link member 19) is disposed above the base 18q of the slider 18. One longitudinal end of the second link member 37 is connected to the slider 18 behind the lead screw 14b. The second link member 37 is disposed above the base 18q. The upper end surface of the fixed shaft 18r is disposed at approximately the same position as the upper surface of the second link member 37 in the vertical direction.

[0065] The portion of the link member base 37b below the lower surface of the second contact portion 37c forms a guide protrusion 37e that is disposed in the guide groove 36h. That is, the second link member 37 is formed with the guide protrusion 37e that is disposed in the guide groove 36h. In this embodiment, the guide groove 36h and the guide protrusion 37e form a guide portion 39 that guides the second link member 37 in the longitudinal direction of the link member relative to the first link member 36 (see FIG. 13 ). That is, the link member 19 is formed with the guide portion 39. Both side surfaces of the guide protrusion 37e in the lateral direction of the link member are flat surfaces perpendicular to the lateral direction of the link member. The guide protrusion 37e is formed with a recessed portion 37f that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the link member base 37b.

[0066] The second contact portions 37c are arranged on both sides of the guide protrusion 37e in the short-side direction of the link member. The first contact portions 36j are arranged on both sides of the guide groove 36h in the short-side direction of the link member. That is, the first contact portions 36j and the second contact portions 37c are arranged on both sides of the guide portion 39 in the short-side direction of the link member. The end face on the other longitudinal side of the second contact portion 37c is flat and orthogonal to the long-side direction of the link member. The outer end face of the second contact portion 37c in the short-side direction of the link member is flat and orthogonal to the short-side direction of the link member.

[0067] The lower surface of the second contact portion 37c forms a second contact surface 37g that contacts the first contact surface 36k. That is, the second contact portion 37c has a second contact surface 37g that is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and contacts the first contact surface 36k. The second contact surface 37g faces downward and contacts the first contact surface 36k from above. The first contact surface 36k and the second contact surface 37g are positioned above the center of the lead screw 14b in the vertical direction (see FIG. 14). The first contact portion 36j and the second contact portion 37c are positioned above the base portion 18q.

[0068] As described above, the first contact portion 36j and the second contact portion 37c are disposed on both sides of the guide portion 39 in the short-side direction of the link member. That is, the first contact surface 36k and the second contact surface 37g are disposed on both sides of the guide portion 39 in the short-side direction of the link member. In this embodiment, even when the slider 18 has moved to the limit position in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully extended, the second contact portion 37c is in contact with the first contact portion 36j from above (see FIGS. 7 and 12). That is, even when the slider 18 has moved to the limit position in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully extended, the second contact surface 37g is in contact with the first contact surface 36k from above. At this time, the contact area between the second contact surface 37g and the first contact surface 36k is relatively wide.

[0069] The link member base 37b is formed with a second recess 37h to prevent interference between the link member end 36b of the first link member 36 (i.e., the end of the first link member 36 on the output shaft 20 side) and the link member base 37b when the slider connecting portion 38 is positioned at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction. The second recess 37h is recessed along the side surface of the link member end 36b. The second recess 37h is recessed from the end face on the other longitudinal side of the link member base 37b toward one longitudinal side. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the second recess 37h has an arc-like shape.

[0070] In the rotating device 2, when the motor 13 is driven to rotate the lead screw 14b, the slider 18 moves left and right along the lead screw 14b. When the slider 18 moves left and right, the link member 19 rotates around the output shaft 20 as the center of rotation. When the link member 19 rotates, the second link member 37 moves in the link member longitudinal direction relative to the first link member 36, causing the link member 19 to expand and contract. When the link member 19 rotates, the output shaft 20 also rotates. When the output shaft 20 rotates, the rotating shaft 10 rotates. The output shaft 20 rotates, for example, by a maximum of 90°.

[0071] (Major Effects of the Present Embodiment) As described above, in the present embodiment, one end of the link member 19 is connected to the slider 18 behind the lead screw 14b, and the other end of the link member 19 is located behind the one end of the link member 19, and the link member 19 is located behind the lead screw 14b. In other words, in the present embodiment, a portion of the link member 19 does not overlap a portion of the lead screw 14b in the up-down direction parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft 20. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the turning device 2 in the axial direction of the output shaft 20.

[0072] In this embodiment, base 18q of connecting portion 18d is disposed below one end of second link member 37. In this embodiment, first link member 36 is formed with first contact surface 36k that faces upward and contacts second link member 37 from below, and second link member 37 is formed with second contact surface 37g that faces downward and contacts first contact surface 36k from above. This makes it possible to dispose a major portion of first link member 36 below second contact surface 37g (i.e., on the side where base 18q is disposed relative to one end of second link member 37). Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of rotation device 2 in the axial direction of output shaft 20.

[0073] In this embodiment, the upper side of the guide groove 36h of the first link member 36 is open. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to make the link member 19 thinner in the up-down direction compared to when a guide hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member is formed in the first link member 36. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to make the rotation device 2 even thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft 20.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the upper side of the guide groove 36h is open, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the first link member 36 and the second link member 37 compared to when a guide hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link members is formed in the first link member 36. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to smoothly move the second link member 37 relative to the first link member 36.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first contact surface 36k and the second contact surface 37g are disposed on both sides of the guide portion 39 in the short direction of the link member, so that the state of the second link member 37 can be stabilized when the second link member 37 moves relative to the first link member 36 in the long direction of the link member.

[0076] In this embodiment, an arrangement recess 30g in which the connection portion 24d of the motor frame 24 is disposed is formed inside the case body 21. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the motor 13 includes the motor frame 24, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the rotation device 2 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the connection portion 24d is disposed in the arrangement recess 30g, even if the arrangement recess 30g is formed inside the case body 21, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in strength of the portion of the case body 21 where the arrangement recess 30g is formed by the metal connection portion 24d.

[0077] (Modification of Link Member) Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of a slider 18, a link member 19, and an output shaft 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the second link member 37 shown in Figure 15 from a different direction. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the link member 19 shown in Figure 15, taken along a cross section corresponding to the E-E cross section in Figure 6. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the F-F cross section in Figure 17. In Figures 15 to 18, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those in the above-described embodiment.

[0078] In the embodiment described above, the second link member 37 does not necessarily have to include the second contact portion 37c. In this case, the first link member 36 has an arrangement groove 36t in which at least a portion of the second link member 37 is arranged. Like the guide groove 36h, the arrangement groove 36t is formed as a rectangular groove that opens at one longitudinal end of the first link member 36 and at the top. The width of the second link member 37 in the short-side direction of the link member is slightly narrower than the width of the arrangement groove 36t in the short-side direction of the link member. The top surface of the second link member 37 is located flush with the top surface of the first link member 36 or slightly lower than the top surface of the first link member 36.

[0079] A guide rail 36s for guiding the second link member 37 in the link member longitudinal direction is formed in the arrangement groove 36t. The guide rail 36s is formed on a bottom surface (lower surface) 36v of the arrangement groove 36t. A guide groove 37k that engages with the guide rail 36s is formed in the second link member 37. The guide groove 37k is formed in a square groove shape that opens on the other longitudinal side and the lower side of the second link member 37. In this embodiment, the guide rail 36s is a first guide portion, and the guide groove 37k is a second guide portion.

[0080] In this modified example, a bottom surface 36v of the arrangement groove 36t contacts a lower surface 37p of the link member base 37b. The bottom surface 36v and the lower surface 37p are located above the base 18q. In this modified example, the bottom surface 36v faces upward and serves as a first contact surface that contacts the second link member 37 from below, while the lower surface 37p faces downward and serves as a second contact surface that contacts the bottom surface 36v, which is the first contact surface, from above.

[0081] In this modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the first link member 36 has a bottom surface 36v that faces upward and contacts the second link member 37 from below, and the second link member 37 has a bottom surface 37p that faces downward and contacts the bottom surface 36v from above, making it possible to further reduce the thickness of the turning device 2 in the axial direction of the output shaft 20. Furthermore, in this modified example, the upper side of the arrangement groove 36t is open, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the link member 19 in the vertical direction compared to when an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 is formed in the first link member 36 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of the turning device 2 in the axial direction of the output shaft 20.

[0082] Furthermore, in this modified example, because the upper side of the arrangement groove 36t is open, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the first link member 36 and the second link member 37 compared to when an arrangement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link members is formed in the first link member 36. Therefore, it is possible to move the second link member 37 smoothly relative to the first link member 36.

[0083] In this modified example, a guide rail may be formed on the second link member 37 as a second guide portion for guiding the first link member 36 in the longitudinal direction of the link member, and a guide groove may be formed on the first link member 36 as a first guide portion that engages with the guide rail of the second link member 37.

[0084] (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.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the second link member 37 may be disposed below the first link member 36. In this case, the base 18q of the slider 18 is connected to the upper end of the slider main body 18c. The base 18q is disposed above the center of the lead screw 14b in the vertical direction. The fixed shaft 18r protrudes downward from the base 18q. One longitudinal end of the link member base 37b (i.e., one end of the link member 19) is disposed below the base 18q of the slider 18.

[0086] In this case, the first link member 36 has a first contact surface that is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and faces downward, and this first contact surface contacts the second link member 37 from above. The second contact portion 37c has a second contact surface that is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and faces upward, and this second contact surface contacts the first contact surface from below. In this case, the lower side (Z2 direction side) is the fourth direction side, which is one side of the second direction, and the upper side (Z1 direction side) is the fifth direction side, which is opposite the fourth direction side.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, a fixed shaft portion serving as the rotation center of the link member 19 relative to the slider 18 may be formed on the second link member 37, and a cylindrical rotation center shaft portion into which this fixed shaft portion is inserted may be formed on the slider 18. In this case, the slider connecting portion 38 is configured by the fixed shaft portion formed on the second link member 37 and the rotation center shaft portion formed on the slider 18. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the first contact surface 36k and the second contact surface 37g do not have to be planes that are perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the first contact surface 36k and the second contact surface 37g may be planes that are slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, a guide hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member may be formed in the first link member 36. Furthermore, in the above-described modified example, a placement hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member 37 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member may be formed in the first link member 36. In this case, a portion of the first link member 36 is formed, for example, in a rectangular tubular shape. Even if the thickness of the portion of the first link member 36 that is formed in a rectangular tubular shape is reduced, the strength of the portion of the first link member 36 that is formed in a rectangular tubular shape can be ensured. Therefore, even in these cases, by reducing the thickness of the portion of the second link member 37 that is located above the second link member 37, the rotation device 2 can be made thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft 20.

[0089] In the embodiment described above, one of the two first contact portions 36j does not have to extend to the side of the slider connector 38 in the left-right direction when the slider connector 38 is disposed at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully compressed. In other words, when the slider connector 38 is disposed at the same position as the output shaft 20 in the left-right direction and the link member 19 is fully compressed, the front end of one of the two first contact portions 36j may be disposed rearward of the rear end of the slider connector 38.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, a guide groove for guiding the second link member 37 relative to the first link member 36 in the link member longitudinal direction may be formed in the second link member 37, and a guide protrusion that engages with this guide groove may be formed on the first link member 36. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the output shaft 20 formed separately from the first link member 36 may be fixed to the other end of the first link member 36. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the slider main body 18c may be formed in a tubular shape. For example, the slider main body 18c may be a nut member formed in a tubular shape such as a cylindrical shape. In this case, a helical internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the slider main body 18c as the threaded portion 18b.

[0091] In the embodiment described above, part of the rotary shaft 14 serves as the lead screw 14b, but the lead screw 14b may be formed separately from the rotary shaft 14 and fixed to the rotary shaft 14. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the motor 13 may be a motor other than a stepping motor. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the turning device 2 may turn a turning object other than the fins 5 and 6 for adjusting the airflow direction.

[0092] (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 having one end rotatably connected to the slider; and 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; where the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, one side of the second direction is defined as a fourth direction side, the other side of the second direction opposite to the fourth direction side is defined as a fifth direction side, and one side of the third direction is defined as a sixth direction side; the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction; one end of the link member is rotatable relative to the slider with the second direction as the rotation axial direction; and the output shaft is disposed on the sixth direction side of the slider; the link member comprises a first link member on which the output shaft is formed or fixed, and a second link member rotatably connected to the slider, wherein a connecting portion between the second link member and the slider is defined as a slider connecting portion, and a direction of an imaginary line connecting the center of the output shaft and the center of the slider connecting portion when viewed from the second direction is defined as a link member longitudinal direction, the second link member is movably held by the first link member and is linearly movable in the link member longitudinal direction relative to the first link member, the first link member is formed with a first contact surface that faces the fourth direction side and comes into contact with the second link member from the fifth direction side, and the second link member is formed with a second contact surface that faces the fifth direction side and comes into contact with the first contact surface from the fourth direction side, the slider comprises a slider main body portion that engages with the lead screw, and a link member connecting portion to which one end of the link member is connected,a rotation device characterized in that the link member connecting portion includes a base extending from the slider main body toward the sixth direction and a rotation center shaft portion constituting a part of the slider connecting portion and protruding from the base toward the fourth direction, one end of the second link member is disposed on the fourth direction side of the base and is connected to the slider on the sixth direction side of the lead screw, and the link member is disposed on the sixth direction side of the lead screw. (2) The rotation device described in (1), characterized in that the first link member has a guide groove formed in it for guiding the second link member in the link member longitudinal direction, the fourth direction side of the guide groove being open, and the second link member has a guide protrusion disposed in the guide groove. (3) The rotation device described in (1) or (2), characterized in that the base is disposed on the fifth direction side of the center of the lead screw in the second direction. (4) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the link member is formed with a guide portion that guides the second link member in the link member longitudinal direction relative to the first link member, and when a direction perpendicular to the link member longitudinal direction and the second direction is defined as a link member transverse direction, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are arranged on both sides of the guide portion in the link member transverse direction. (5) The rotating device according to (1), characterized in that the first link member is formed with an arrangement groove in which at least a portion of the second link member is arranged, and a first guide portion that guides the second link member in the link member longitudinal direction, the arrangement groove being open on the fourth direction side, the first guide portion being formed on a surface of the arrangement groove on the fifth direction side, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion. (6) A motor includes a case body that houses at least the lead screw, the slider, and the link member, and the motor includes a metal motor frame that has a flat stator fixing portion fixed to a 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,The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (5), characterized in that a thickness direction of the connecting portion coincides with the second direction, the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion rise from the connecting portion toward the fourth direction, and a placement recess that is recessed toward the fifth direction and in which the connecting portion is placed is formed inside the case body. (7) The rotating device according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the rotating object is a fin for adjusting the air direction of an air outlet portion of a vehicle.

[0093] In the present technology, it is preferable that the first link member has a guide groove formed therein for guiding the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member, the fourth direction side of the guide groove being open, and the second link member has a guide protrusion formed therein that is positioned within the guide groove.

[0094] With this configuration, because the guide groove is open on the fourth direction side, the link member can be made thinner in the second direction compared to when a guide hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member is formed in the first link member when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member. Therefore, the rotation device can be made even thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft. Furthermore, because the guide groove is open on the fourth direction side, the sliding resistance between the first link member and the second link member can be reduced compared to when a guide hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member is formed in the first 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.

[0095] In the present technology, for example, the base portion is disposed on the fifth direction side of the center of the lead screw in the second direction.

[0096] In the present technology, the link member is preferably formed with a guide portion that guides the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member relative to the first link member, and when a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link member and the second direction is defined as a transverse direction of the link member, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are preferably disposed on both sides of the guide portion in the transverse direction of the link member. With this configuration, it is possible to stabilize the state of the second link member when the second link member moves in the longitudinal direction of the link member relative to the first link member.

[0097] In the present technology, it is preferable that the first link member is formed with an arrangement groove in which at least a portion of 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, the fourth direction side of the arrangement groove is open, the first guide portion is formed on the surface of the fifth direction side of the arrangement groove, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion.

[0098] With this configuration, because the fourth direction side of the locating groove is open, the link member can be made thinner in the second direction compared to when the first link member has an locating hole that surrounds the entire circumference of the second link member when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link member. Therefore, the pivot device can be made even thinner in the axial direction of the output shaft. Furthermore, with this configuration, because the fourth direction side of the locating groove is open, the sliding resistance between the first link member and the second link member can be reduced compared to when the first link member has an locating 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.

[0099] In the present technology, for example, the rotating device includes a case body that houses at least a lead screw, a slider, and a link member, and the motor includes a metal motor frame that has 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 connection portion that connects the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion, the thickness direction of the connection portion coinciding with the second direction, the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion rising from the connection portion toward the fourth direction, and an arrangement recess that is recessed toward the fifth direction and in which the connection portion is arranged is formed inside the case body.

[0100] In this case, since the connection part is disposed in the arrangement recess recessed toward the fifth direction, it is possible to make the rotation device thinner in the second direction even if the motor includes a motor frame. Also, in this case, since the connection part is disposed in the arrangement recess, even if an arrangement recess is formed inside the case body, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in strength of the portion of the case body where the arrangement recess is formed by the metal connection part.

[0101] In the present technology, for example, the rotating object is a fin for adjusting the direction of airflow that is installed in an air outlet portion for a vehicle.

[0102] 2 Rotating device, 4 Air blowing outlet portion, 5, 6 Fins (rotating object), 10 Rotating shaft (engagement portion), 13 Motor, 14b Lead screw, 16 Stator, 18 Slider, 18b Threaded portion, 18c Slider main body portion, 18d Connecting portion (Link member connecting portion), 18q Base portion, 18r Fixed shaft portion (rotation center shaft portion), 19 Link member, 20 Output shaft, 21 Case body, 24 Motor frame, 24b Stator fixing portion, 24c Screw holding portion, 24d Connection portion, 30g Arrangement recess, 36 First link member, 36h Guide groove, 36k First contact surface, 36t Arrangement groove, 36s Guide rail (first guide portion), 36v Bottom surface (first contact surface), 37 Second link member, 37e Guide protrusion, 37g Second contact surface, 37k Guide groove (second guide portion), 37p lower surface (second contact surface), 38 slider connecting portion, 39 guide portion, VL imaginary straight line, X third direction, X2 one side of the third direction, sixth direction side, Y axial direction of lead screw, first direction, Z second direction, Z1 one side of the second direction, fourth direction side, Z2 other side of the second direction, fifth direction side

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; and 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; where the axial direction of the lead screw is defined as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, one side of the second direction is defined as a fourth direction side, the other side of the second direction opposite to the fourth direction side is defined as a fifth direction side, and one side of the third direction is defined as a sixth direction side, the axial direction of the output shaft is parallel to the second direction, one end of the link member is rotatable relative to the slider with the second direction as the axial direction of rotation, and the output shaft is disposed on the sixth direction side of the slider, the link member comprises a first link member on which the output shaft is formed or fixed, and a second link member rotatably connected to the slider, wherein a connecting portion between the second link member and the slider is defined as a slider connecting portion, and a direction of an imaginary line connecting the center of the output shaft and the center of the slider connecting portion when viewed from the second direction is defined as a link member longitudinal direction, the second link member is movably held by the first link member and is linearly movable in the link member longitudinal direction relative to the first link member, the first link member is formed with a first contact surface that faces the fourth direction side and contacts the second link member from the fifth direction side, and the second link member is formed with a second contact surface that faces the fifth direction side and contacts the first contact surface from the fourth direction side, the slider comprises a slider main body portion that engages with the lead screw, and a link member connecting portion to which one end of the link member is connected, the link member connecting portion includes a base portion extending from the slider main body portion toward the sixth direction side, and a rotation center shaft portion constituting a part of the slider connecting portion and protruding from the base portion toward the fourth direction side,A rotating device characterized in that one end of the second link member is positioned on the fourth direction side of the base and is connected to the slider on the sixth direction side of the lead screw, and the link member is positioned on the sixth direction side of the lead screw.

2. A rotating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that a guide groove for guiding the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member is formed in the first link member, the fourth direction side of the guide groove is open, and the second link member is formed with a guide protrusion that is disposed within the guide groove.

3. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base is disposed on the fifth direction side of the center of the lead screw in the second direction.

4. A rotation device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a guide portion is formed on the link member to guide the second link member in the longitudinal direction of the link member relative to the first link member, and when a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link member and the second direction is defined as the transverse direction of the link member, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are arranged on both sides of the guide portion in the transverse direction of the link member.

5. A rotating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first link member is formed with an arrangement groove in which at least a portion of 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, the fourth direction side of the arrangement groove is open, the first guide portion is formed on the surface of the arrangement groove on the fifth direction side, and the second link member is formed with a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion.

6. A rotating device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a case body in which at least the lead screw, the slider and the link member are housed, 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 which rotatably holds one end of the lead screw, and a flat connecting portion which connects the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion, the thickness direction of the connecting portion coincides with the second direction, the stator fixing portion and the screw holding portion rise from the connecting portion toward the fourth direction, and a positioning recess which is recessed toward the fifth direction and in which the connecting portion is positioned is formed inside the case body.

7. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating object is a fin for adjusting the direction of air at an air outlet of a vehicle.

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