Actuator module and lock system

Abstract

This actuator module (100) is provided with a motor unit (MU) and a support body (10) that supports the motor unit. The motor unit comprises: a motor (11) that has a motor body (111) and a shaft (112) extending from the motor body; a first gear (13) that is attached to the shaft; a second gear (15) that is engaged with the first gear; and a fixing member (120) that is fixed to the motor and fixes the position of the second gear to the motor by rotatably supporting the second gear. The support body supports the motor unit via at least one elastic member (R1-R5) having vibration absorbing capacity without being in contact with the motor unit.

Description

Actuator module and lock system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an actuator module and a lock system.

[0002] In a system having a movable part, an actuator module is used to provide power to move the movable part. The actuator module includes, for example, a motor that generates power, a power transmission mechanism that transmits power from the motor, and a support that supports the motor and the power transmission mechanism. An example of a system having a movable part is a lock system that unlocks a door by moving the movable part.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator device including a motor, in which the motor is accommodated in a motor accommodating portion of a case and is supported so as to be free to float via an elastic member.

[0004] JP 2006-67695 A

[0005] In an actuator module, it is desirable to have a motor that transmits power optimally and that operates quietly. However, the actuator device described in Patent Document 1 is not sufficient in terms of either the transmission of power optimally from the motor or the quietness of the motor when it is operating.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an actuator module and a lock system that can suitably transmit power from a motor and that reduces vibration and noise when the motor is driven.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an actuator module comprising: a motor unit; and a support body supporting the motor unit, wherein the motor unit comprises: a motor having a motor body and a shaft extending from the motor body; a first gear attached to the shaft; a second gear meshed with the first gear; and a fixing member fixed to the motor and rotatably supporting the second gear, thereby fixing the position of the second gear relative to the motor, and wherein the support body supports the motor unit via at least one elastic member having vibration absorption capability without contacting the motor unit.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lock system including the actuator module of the first aspect, wherein the lock system unlocks using power from the actuator module.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an actuator module and a lock system are provided that can suitably transmit power from a motor and reduce vibration noise when the motor is driven.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator module according to one embodiment. FIG. 1( a) shows the actuator module 100 as viewed from the front. FIG. 1( b) shows the actuator module 100 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a motor unit and a power transmission unit housed in a housing main body. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a motor unit support structure provided inside the housing. FIG. 3( a) is a plan view showing an example of a structure provided in the housing main body, part of the motor unit support structure. FIG. 3( b) is a plan view showing an example of a structure provided in the housing cover, part of the motor unit support structure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a motor unit. FIG. 4( a) shows an example of a motor unit as viewed from the positive side in the Y direction. FIG. 4( b) shows an example of a motor unit as viewed from the negative side in the Y direction. FIG. 5( a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of bushes in the motor unit. FIG. 5( b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of support of a driven gear by a fixing member of the motor unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a motor unit with an O-ring attached. FIG. 6(a) shows an example of the motor unit as viewed from the positive side in the Y direction. FIG. 6(b) shows an example of the motor unit as viewed from the negative side in the Y direction. FIG. 7(a) is a plan view of one of the holding portions of the motor unit support structure as viewed in the axial direction of the motor unit. FIG. 7(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the holding portion of FIG. 7(a) holds the motor unit via an O-ring. In FIG. 7(b), the holding portion of FIG. 7(a) is shown as a cross section taken at the center in the Y direction by a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. FIG. 7(c) is a cross section taken along line CC of FIG. 7(b). Note that in FIG. 7(c), hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted as appropriate to avoid cluttering the drawing. FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of another holding portion of the motor unit support structure as viewed in the axial direction of the motor unit. FIG. 8(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the holding portion of FIG. 8(a) holds the motor unit via an O-ring. In Fig. 8(b), the holding portion in Fig. 8(a) is shown as a cross section taken at the center in the Y direction by a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. Fig. 8(c) is a cross section taken along line CC in Fig. 8(b).In FIG. 8(c), hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted as appropriate to avoid cluttering the drawing. FIG. 9(a) is a plan view of yet another holding portion of the motor unit support structure, viewed in the X direction of the motor unit. FIG. 9(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the holding portion of FIG. 9(a) holds the motor unit via an O-ring. In FIG. 9(b), the holding portion of FIG. 9(a) is shown as a cross section taken at the center in the Y direction by a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. FIG. 9(c) is a cross section taken along line CC of FIG. 9(b). In FIG. 9(c), hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted as appropriate to avoid cluttering the drawing. FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of one of the holding recesses of the motor unit support structure, viewed in the Y direction of the motor unit. FIG. 10(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the holding portion of FIG. 10(a) holds the motor unit via an O-ring. In FIG. 10(b), the holding recess in FIG. 10(a) is shown as a cross section cut at the center in the X direction by a plane perpendicular to the X direction. FIG. 10(c) is a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 10(b). Note that in FIG. 10(c), hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted as appropriate to avoid cluttering the drawing. FIG. 11(a) is a plan view of another holding recess in the motor unit support structure, viewed in the Y direction of the motor unit. FIG. 11(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the holding portion in FIG. 11(a) holds the motor unit via an O-ring. In FIG. 11(b), the holding recess in FIG. 11(a) is shown as a cross section cut at the center in the X direction by a plane perpendicular to the X direction. FIG. 11(c) is a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 11(b). Note that in FIG. 11(c), hatching indicating cross sections has been omitted as appropriate to avoid cluttering the drawing. This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a lock system according to one embodiment. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of the arrangement of bushes in the motor unit. Figs. 14(a) and 14(b) are explanatory diagrams illustrating modified examples of the holding portion. Fig. 14(c) is an explanatory diagram illustrating modified examples of the insertion portion. Figs. 15(a) and 15(b) are explanatory diagrams illustrating modified examples of the insertion portion and the holding portion, respectively.Figures 16(a) and 16(b) are explanatory views showing yet another modified example of the insertion section and yet another modified example of the holding section, respectively. Figures 17(a) and 17(b) are explanatory views showing yet another modified example of the insertion section and yet another modified example of the holding section, respectively.

[0011] <Embodiments> [Actuator Module 100] A motor unit support structure MUS (Fig. 3) and an actuator module 100 (Fig. 1) having the motor unit support structure MUS, which are one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0012] The actuator module 100 of this embodiment is a module incorporated into a lock system 1000 (FIG. 12). The lock system 1000 uses power from the actuator module 100 to lock and unlock the lock (described in detail later).

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the actuator module 100 mainly comprises a housing 10 (Figure 1), a motor unit support structure MUS (Figure 3) provided inside the housing 10, and a motor unit MU and a power transmission unit PU (Figure 2) housed in the housing 10.

[0014] For ease of explanation, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the actuator module 100 will be as shown in FIG. 1 . The front-rear direction is the direction in which the main body 10a (described below) and the cover body 10b (described below) of the housing 10 face each other, with the side where the cover body 10b is located being the front and the side where the main body 10a is located being the rear. The left-right direction and the up-down direction are the short and long sides of the housing 10, respectively. In the left-right direction, the right and left sides when viewed from the front are the right and left sides of the left-right direction, respectively. In the up-down direction, the side where the input shaft 18 (described below) and the output shaft 19 (described below) protruding from the housing 10 are located is the bottom, and the opposite is the top. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] [Housing 10, Motor Unit Support Structure MUS] The housing 10 is a box that houses each part of the actuator module 100. The housing 10 may be made of any material, such as metal or resin, for example. The housing 10 includes a main body 10a and a cover 10b.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the main body 10a has a bottom plate BP and a peripheral wall Wa extending forward from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate BP. The bottom plate BP is divided into a first bottom plate BP1 and a second bottom plate BP2 located below the bottom plate BP1. The first bottom plate BP1 is located rearward of the second bottom plate BP2. In other words, the main body 10a is a bathtub-shaped member, with the area where the first bottom plate BP1 exists being deeper than the area where the second bottom plate BP2 exists.

[0017] An opening OP is provided in the center of the second bottom plate BP2 and in the vicinity of the bottom end. １０ａ is provided.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3(a), an accommodation space SPa is defined in front of the bottom plate BP of the main body 10a, surrounded by the bottom plate BP and a peripheral wall Wa. A motor unit support structure MUSa for supporting the motor unit MU is provided in the accommodation space SPa. The motor unit support structure MUSa has a holding portion H1a, a holding portion H2a, a holding portion H3a, and a holding recess C4.

[0019] The holding portion H1a has a holding piece P1a provided at the left end of the storage space SPa, a recess C11a recessed to the lower left from the surface of the holding piece P1a, and a recess C12a recessed to the lower left from the bottom of the recess C11a.

[0020] The holding portion H2a has a holding piece P2a provided in the upper right corner of the storage space SPa, a recess C21a recessed from the surface of the holding piece P2a to the upper right, and a recess C22a recessed from the bottom of the recess C21a to the upper right.

[0021] The holding portion H3a has a holding piece P3a provided above the holding piece P1a and a recess C3a recessed to the upper left from the surface of the holding piece P3a.

[0022] The holding recess C4 is provided in the bottom plate BP1. The holding recess C4 is a recess recessed from the front surface of the bottom plate BP1 toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 10( a), the holding recess C4 is substantially square in plan view. Each of the four corners of the holding recess C4 is rounded.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 10b has a top plate TP and a peripheral wall Wb extending rearward from the peripheral edge of the top plate TP. An opening OP is formed in the center of the top plate TP and in the vicinity of the bottom end. １０ｂ is provided.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3(b), an accommodation space SPb is defined behind the top plate TP of the cover body 10b, surrounded by the top plate TP and the peripheral wall Wb. A motor unit support structure MUSb for supporting the motor unit MU is provided in the accommodation space SPb. The motor unit support structure MUSb has holding portions H1b, H2b, H3b, and a holding recess C5.

[0025] The holding portion H1b has a holding piece P1b provided at the left end of the storage space SPb, a recess C11b recessed to the lower left from the surface of the holding piece P1b, and a recess C12b recessed to the lower left from the bottom of the recess C11b.

[0026] The holding portion H2b has a holding piece P2b provided in the upper right portion of the storage space SPb, a recess C21b recessed from the surface of the holding piece P2b to the upper right, and a recess C22b recessed from the bottom of the recess C21b to the upper right.

[0027] The holding portion H3b has a holding piece P3b provided above the holding piece P1b and a recess C3b recessed to the upper left from the surface of the third holding piece P3b.

[0028] The holding recess C5 is provided in the top plate TP. The holding recess C5 is a recess recessed forward from the rear surface of the top plate TP. As shown in Fig. 11(a) , the holding recess C5 is circular in plan view.

[0029] By fitting the main body 10a and the lid 10b together in the front-to-rear direction, the peripheral wall Wa of the main body 10a and the peripheral wall Wb of the lid 10b form a continuous peripheral wall (wall portion) W (FIG. 1). Inside the housing 10, a storage space SP is defined by the bottom plate BP, the top plate TP, and the peripheral wall W. The storage space SP is a combined space of the storage space SPa and the storage space SPb. The front-to-rear dimension of the storage space SP is larger in the area where the first bottom plate BP1 exists than in the area where the second bottom plate BP2 exists.

[0030] In the accommodation space SP, a motor unit support structure MUS is formed by a motor unit support structure MUSa and a motor unit support structure MUSb.

[0031] The motor unit support structure MUS includes a holding portion H1 (Figure 7(a)) composed of a holding portion H1a of the motor unit support structure MUSa and a holding portion H1b of the motor unit support structure MUSb, a holding portion H2 (Figure 8(a)) composed of a holding portion H2a of the motor unit support structure MUSa and a holding portion H2b of the motor unit support structure MUSb, a holding portion H3 (Figure 9(a)) composed of a holding portion H3a of the motor unit support structure MUSa and a holding portion H3b of the motor unit support structure MUSb, a holding recess C4 (Figure 10(a)) of the motor unit support structure MUSa, and a holding recess C5 (Figure 11(a)) of the motor unit support structure MUSb.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7A, the holding portion H1 includes a holding piece P1 formed by holding pieces P1a and P1b, a recess C11 formed by recesses C11a and C11b, and a recess C12 formed by recesses C12a and C12b. The recess C11 is a recess provided in the holding piece P1, and the recess C12 is a recess provided in the bottom of the recess C11. As shown in FIG. 7A, the recess C11 is approximately square in plan view, and the recess C12 is circular in plan view. Each of the four corners of the recess C11 is rounded.

[0033] In this specification, an n-gon (n is a natural number of 3 or greater) having rounded vertices or corners (rounded vertices or corners) is also considered to be an n-gon.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8A, the holding portion H2 includes a holding piece P2 formed by holding pieces P2a and P2b, a recess C21 formed by recesses C21a and C21b, and a recess C22 formed by recesses C22a and C22b. The recess C21 is a recess provided in the holding piece P2, and the recess C22 is a recess provided in the bottom of the recess C21. As shown in FIG. 8A, the recess C21 is approximately square in plan view, and the recess C22 is circular in plan view. Each of the four corners of the recess C21 is rounded.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 9(a), the holding portion H3 includes a holding piece P3 formed by holding pieces P3a and P3b, and a recess C3 formed by recesses C3a and C3b. The recess C3 is a recess provided in the holding piece P3. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the recess C3 is approximately square in plan view. Each of the four corners of the recess C3 is rounded.

[0036] [Motor unit MU] The motor unit MU is the part that generates power that the actuator module 100 supplies to the outside. The motor unit MU is supported by the motor unit support structure MUS of the housing 10 and is housed in the housing space SP of the housing 10. When the actuator module 100 is viewed from the front-to-rear direction, the motor unit MU is located in the area where the bottom plate BP1 is present.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the motor unit MU mainly comprises a motor 11, a fixed member 12, a worm gear 13 (an example of a "first gear"), a bushing 14, and a driven gear 15 (an example of a "second gear").

[0038] For ease of explanation, the axial, X, and Y directions of the motor unit MU will be as shown in FIG. 4 below. The axial direction is the direction in which the shaft 112 (described below) of the motor 11 extends, with the front end of the shaft 112 being the front and the rear end of the shaft 112 being the rear. The X direction is the direction in which the driven gear 15 faces a third side plate 123 (described below) of the fixed member 12. In the X direction, the side in which the driven gear 15 faces is the positive side, and the side in which the third side plate 123 faces is the negative side. The Y direction is the direction in which the worm gear 13 faces a bottom plate 120 of the fixed member 12. In the Y direction, the side in which the worm gear 13 faces is the positive side, and the side in which the bottom plate 120 faces is the negative side. The axial, X, and Y directions are perpendicular to one another.

[0039] The motor 11 has a motor body 111 and a shaft 112 extending forward from the motor body 111. The motor body 111 has a rotor, a stator, and the like (neither of which are shown) inside. In this embodiment, the motor 11 is a DC motor, but is not limited to this. The motor 11 may be any type of motor, such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, or an AC motor.

[0040] The motor body 111 is in the form of a block having a front surface 111f and a rear surface 111r. The rear surface 111r has a cylindrical protrusion PR at its center that protrudes rearward.

[0041] The rear end of the shaft 112 is connected to a rotor (not shown) included in the motor body 111. The shaft 112 protrudes forward from the motor body 111.

[0042] The fixing member 12 is a member connected to the motor 11 and the driven gear 15 to fix the position of the driven gear 15 relative to the motor 11, and serves to form the motor unit MU, which is an integrated structure of the motor 11 and the driven gear 15. The fixing member 12 may be made of any material, and may be, for example, metal, resin, or the like.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the fixing member 12 mainly has a bottom plate 120, a first side plate 121, a second side plate 122 (an example of a "plate portion"), and a third side plate 123 (an example of an "attachment portion").

[0044] The bottom plate 120 is a flat plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. A through-hole TH penetrates the bottom plate 120 in the Y direction near the end of the bottom plate 120 on the positive side in the X direction. １２０ (FIG. 5(b)) is provided.

[0045] The first side plate 121 is located behind the bottom plate 120 in the axial direction. The first side plate 121 is a flat plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. A through hole TH is formed in the center of the first side plate 121, penetrating the first side plate 121 in the axial direction. １２１ The end of the first side plate 121 on the negative side in the Y direction and the end of the bottom plate 120 on the rear side in the axial direction are connected by a curved plate CP1.

[0046] The second side plate 122 is located in front of the bottom plate 120 in the axial direction. The second side plate 122 is a flat plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. A through hole TH is formed in the center of the second side plate 122, penetrating the second side plate 122 in the axial direction. １２２ The end of the second side plate 122 on the negative side in the Y direction and the end of the bottom plate 120 on the front side in the axial direction are connected by a curved plate CP2.

[0047] The third side plate 123 is located on the negative side of the bottom plate 120 in the X direction. The third side plate 123 is a flat plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the X direction. A through-hole TH penetrates the third side plate 123 in the X direction at the center of the third side plate 123. １２３ The end of the third side plate 123 on the negative side in the Y direction and the end of the bottom plate 120 on the negative side in the X direction are connected by a curved plate CP3.

[0048] The fixing member 12 is fixed to the motor 11 via a first side plate 121. Specifically, the first side plate 121 is fixed to the front surface 111f of the motor body 111 by two screws th. When the fixing member 12 is fixed to the motor 11, the shaft 112 of the motor 11 is inserted through the through hole TH of the first side plate 121. １２１ , through-hole TH of second side plate 122 １２２ and extends to the front of the second side plate 122.

[0049] The worm gear 13 is attached to a shaft 112 of the motor 11. When the shaft 112 rotates, the worm gear 13 rotates together with the shaft 112.

[0050] The bushing 14 is attached to the shaft 112 in front of the worm gear 13. As shown in Figure 5(a) , the bushing 14 is a flanged bushing having a cylindrical portion 141 and a flange portion 142 that is provided on one end side of the cylindrical portion 141 in the axial direction (here, the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 141 itself) and has an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 141. The rear surface of the flange portion 142 abuts against the front surface of the worm gear 13, and the front surface of the flange portion 142 abuts against the rear surface of the second side plate 122.

[0051] The cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14 is inserted into the through hole TH of the second side plate 122. １２２The cylindrical portion 141 has an outer diameter equal to the through hole TH １２２ Therefore, the inner diameter of the through hole TH is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole TH in the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 141. １２２ A gap G is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141. １４ exists.

[0052] The driven gear 15 is a two-stage gear having a large diameter gear 151 and a small diameter gear 152. The large diameter gear 151 is a helical gear. In this embodiment, the module value of the large diameter gear 151 is smaller than the module value of the small diameter gear 152. However, this is not limited to this. The driven gear 15 is rotatably attached to a rotation axis RS extending in the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(b), the rotation axis RS is rotated by a through hole TH provided in the bottom plate 120 of the fixing member 12. １２０ and fixed to the fixed member 12 by a screw th. A cylindrical member 153 is provided between the bottom plate 120 and the driven gear 15 to adjust the position of the driven gear 15 in the Y direction.

[0053] When the driven gear 15 is rotatably fixed (supported) to the fixed member 12 , the large diameter gear 151 of the driven gear 15 meshes with the worm gear 13 .

[0054] The motor unit MU having the above-described configuration is supported by a motor unit support structure MUS of the housing 10. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), O-rings R1 to R5 are attached to both sides of the motor unit MU in the axial direction, the negative side in the X direction, and both sides in the Y direction.

[0056] The O-ring R1 is attached to the axial front side of the motor unit MU. The O-ring R1 is attached to the motor unit MU by inserting the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14, which is attached to the shaft 112 of the motor 11, into the inner hole. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14 is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R1. Therefore, the O-ring R1 is stretched when the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14 is inserted into the inner hole.

[0057] The O-ring R2 is attached to the axial rear side of the motor unit MU. The O-ring R2 is attached to the motor unit MU by inserting the protrusion PR of the motor body 111 into the inner hole. The outer diameter of the protrusion PR is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R2. Therefore, the O-ring R2 is stretched when the protrusion PR is inserted into the inner hole.

[0058] The O-ring R3 is attached to the motor unit MU on the negative side in the X direction. The O-ring R3 is attached to the motor unit MU by inserting the head of a screw th attached to the third side plate 123 of the fixing member 12 into the inner hole. The screw th is inserted into the through hole TH of the third side plate 123. １２３ The outer diameter of the head of the screw th is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R3. Therefore, the O-ring R3 is stretched when the head of the screw th is inserted into the inner hole.

[0059] The O-ring R4 is attached to the negative side of the motor unit MU in the Y direction. The O-ring R4 is attached to the motor unit MU by inserting the head of a screw th, which secures the rotation shaft RS of the driven gear 15, into the inner hole. The outer diameter of the head of the screw th is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R4. Therefore, the O-ring R4 is stretched when the head of the screw th is inserted into the inner hole.

[0060] The O-ring R5 is attached to the motor unit MU on the positive side in the Y direction. The O-ring R5 is attached to the motor unit MU by inserting a protrusion RSP, which is provided on the end face on the positive side in the Y direction of the rotation shaft RS of the driven gear 15, into the inner hole. The outer diameter of the protrusion RSP is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R5. Therefore, the O-ring R5 is stretched when the protrusion RSP is inserted into the inner hole.

[0061] The motor unit support structure MUS supports the motor unit MU by holding the O-rings R1 to R5 attached to the motor unit MU. This suppresses the transmission of vibrations generated in the motor unit MU to the housing 10. When the motor unit support structure MUS supports the motor unit MU, the motor unit MU is connected to the housing 10 only via the O-rings R1 to R5, without directly contacting the housing 10. In other words, the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via the O-rings R1 to R5, without coming into contact with the motor unit MU.

[0062] The O-rings R1 to R5, the cylindrical portion 141 inserted into the inner holes of the O-rings R1 to R5, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, and the protrusion RSP may be considered to be part of the motor unit support structure MUS.

[0063] The holding portion H1 (FIG. 7(a)) holds the O-ring R1, thereby supporting the front end portion of the motor unit MU.

[0064] 7B, the holder H1 holds the O-ring R1 by accommodating the O-ring R1 in the recess C11. At this time, the front end of the shaft 112 protruding forward from the O-ring R1 is accommodated in the recess C12.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7(c), when the O-ring R1 is housed in the recess C11, the outer periphery of the O-ring R1 abuts against the circumferential surface C11S that defines the recess C11. The inner periphery of the O-ring R1 abuts against the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14. As shown in Figure 7(b), the axial rear surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the second side plate 122. The axial front surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the bottom surface of the recess C11.

[0066] Dimension DX of recess C11 in the X direction Ｃ１１ and the dimension DY of the recess C11 in the Y direction Ｃ１１is smaller than the outer diameter of the O-ring R1 when it is attached to the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14. Therefore, when the O-ring R1 is housed in the recess C11, the O-ring R1 is sandwiched and compressed between the cylindrical portion 141 and the peripheral surface C11S in both the X and Y directions (the compressed region is an example of a "compressed region"). On the other hand, the diagonal dimension DD of the recess C11 Ｃ１１ is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring R1 when it is attached to the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14. Therefore, when the O-ring R1 is housed in the recess C11, the O-ring R1 is spaced apart from the circumferential surface C11S in the radial direction of the O-ring R1 at the corners of the recess C11 (the spaced apart areas are examples of "unconstrained areas"). Note that when the retaining portion H1 holds the O-ring R1, the O-ring R1 is compressed in the axial direction by the bottom surface of the recess C11 and the second side plate 122.

[0067] When the holding portion H1 holds the O-ring R1, a gap G1 exists between the surface of the holding piece P1 and the second side plate 122. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0068] The holding portion H2 (FIG. 8(a)) holds the O-ring R2, thereby supporting the rear end portion of the motor unit MU.

[0069] 8B, the holding portion H2 holds the O-ring R2 by accommodating the O-ring R2 in the recess C21. In this state, the rear end of the protrusion PR protruding rearward from the O-ring R2 is accommodated in the recess C22.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8(c), when the O-ring R2 is housed in the recess C21, the outer periphery of the O-ring R2 abuts against the circumferential surface C21S that defines the recess C21. The inner periphery of the O-ring R2 abuts against the protrusion PR. As shown in Figure 8(b), the axial front surface of the O-ring R2 abuts against the rear surface 111r of the motor body 111. The axial rear surface of the O-ring R2 abuts against the bottom surface of the recess C21.

[0071] Dimension DX of recess C21 in the X direction Ｃ２１ and the dimension DY of the recess C21 in the Y direction Ｃ２１is smaller than the outer diameter of the O-ring R2 when it is attached to the protrusion PR of the motor 11. Therefore, when the O-ring R2 is housed in the recess C21, the O-ring R2 is sandwiched and compressed between the protrusion PR and the peripheral surface C21S in both the X and Y directions (the compressed region is an example of a "compressed region"). On the other hand, the diagonal dimension DD of the recess C21 Ｃ２１ is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring R2 when it is attached to the protrusion PR of the motor 11. Therefore, when the recess C21 accommodates the O-ring R2, the O-ring R2 is spaced apart from the circumferential surface C21S at the corners of the recess C21 in the radial direction of the O-ring R2 (the spaced apart area is an example of an "unconstrained area"). Note that when the retaining portion H2 holds the O-ring R2, the O-ring R2 is compressed in the axial direction by the motor main body 111 and the bottom surface of the recess C21.

[0072] When the holding portion H2 holds the O-ring R2, a gap G2 exists between the surface of the holding piece P2 and the rear surface 111r of the motor main body 111. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0073] The holding portion H3 (FIG. 9A) holds the O-ring R3, thereby supporting the end of the motor unit MU on the negative side in the X direction.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9B, the holding portion H3 holds the O-ring R3 by accommodating the O-ring R3 in the recess C3.

[0075] As shown in Figure 9(c), when the O-ring R3 is accommodated in the recess C3, the outer periphery of the O-ring R3 abuts against the peripheral surface C3S that defines the recess C3. The inner periphery of the O-ring R3 abuts against the head of the screw th. As shown in Figure 9(b), the surface of the O-ring R3 on the positive side in the X direction abuts against the third side plate 123 of the fixing member 12. The surface of the O-ring R3 on the negative side in the X direction abuts against the bottom surface of the recess C3.

[0076] Axial dimension DA of recess C3 Ｃ３ and the dimension DY of the recess C3 in the Y direction Ｃ３is smaller than the outer diameter of the O-ring R3 when attached to the head of the screw th. Therefore, when the O-ring R3 is housed in the recess C3, the O-ring R3 is sandwiched and compressed between the head of the screw th and the peripheral surface C3S in both the axial and Y directions (the compressed region is an example of a "compressed region"). On the other hand, the diagonal dimension DD of the recess C3 Ｃ３ is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring R3 when it is attached to the head of the screw th. Therefore, when the O-ring R3 is housed in the recess C3, the O-ring R3 is spaced from the circumferential surface C3S in the radial direction of the O-ring R3 at the corners of the recess C3 (the spaced areas are examples of "unconstrained areas"). Note that when the holding portion H3 holds the O-ring R3, the O-ring R3 is compressed in the X direction by the third side plate 123 and the bottom surface of the recess C3.

[0077] When the holding portion H3 holds the O-ring R3, a gap G3 exists between the surface of the holding piece P3 and the third side plate 123 of the fixed member 12. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction.

[0078] The holding recess C4 (FIG. 10A) holds the O-ring R4, thereby supporting the end of the motor unit MU on the negative side in the Y direction.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 10B, the holding recess C4 accommodates the O-ring R4 and holds the O-ring R4.

[0080] As shown in Figure 10(c), when the O-ring R4 is accommodated in the retaining recess C4, the outer periphery of the O-ring R4 abuts against the peripheral surface C4S that defines the retaining recess C4. The inner periphery of the O-ring R4 abuts against the head of the screw th. As shown in Figure 10(b), the surface of the O-ring R4 on the positive side in the Y direction abuts against the bottom plate 120 of the fixing member 12. The surface of the O-ring R4 on the negative side in the Y direction abuts against the bottom surface of the retaining recess C4.

[0081] Axial dimension DA of holding recess C4 Ｃ４ and the dimension DX in the X direction of the holding recess C4 Ｃ４is smaller than the outer diameter of the O-ring R4 when attached to the head of the screw th. Therefore, when the holding recess C4 accommodates the O-ring R4, the O-ring R4 is sandwiched and compressed between the head of the screw th and the peripheral surface C4S in both the axial and X directions (the compressed region is an example of a "compressed region"). On the other hand, the diagonal dimension DD of the holding recess C4 Ｃ４ is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring R4 when it is attached to the head of the screw th. Therefore, when the holding recess C4 accommodates the O-ring R4, the O-ring R4 is spaced apart from the circumferential surface C4S in the radial direction of the O-ring R4 at the corners of the recess C4 (the spaced apart areas are examples of "unconstrained areas"). Note that when the holding recess C4 holds the O-ring R4, the O-ring R4 is compressed in the Y direction by the bottom of the holding recess C4 and the bottom plate 120.

[0082] With the holding recess C4 holding the O-ring R4, a gap G4 exists between the bottom plate BP1 and the bottom plate 120 of the fixed member 12. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0083] The holding recess C5 (FIG. 11A) holds the O-ring R5, thereby supporting the end of the motor unit MU on the positive side in the Y direction.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11B, the holding recess C5 holds the O-ring R5 by accommodating the O-ring R5.

[0085] As shown in Figure 11(c), when the O-ring R5 is housed in the holding recess C5, the outer periphery of the O-ring R5 abuts against the peripheral surface C5S that defines the holding recess C5. The inner periphery of the O-ring R5 abuts against the protrusion RSP. As shown in Figure 11(b), the surface of the O-ring R5 on the positive side in the Y direction abuts against the bottom surface of the holding recess C5. The surface of the O-ring R5 on the negative side in the Y direction abuts against the end surface of the rotation shaft RS.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 11C, the diameter D of the holding recess C5 Ｃ５is equal to the outer diameter of the O-ring R5 when the protrusion RSP is inserted into the inner hole. Therefore, when the holding recess C5 holds the O-ring R5, the peripheral surface C5S does not press the O-ring R5 in the radial direction. The O-ring R5 is compressed in the Y direction by the bottom surface of the holding recess C5 and the end surface of the rotation shaft RS.

[0087] When the holding recess C5 holds the O-ring R5, a gap G5 exists between the top plate TP and the end face of the rotation shaft RS. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0088] When the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via the motor unit support structure MUS, the housing 10 and the motor unit MU are spaced apart and do not come into contact with each other at all points except the support portions via O-rings R1 to R5.

[0089] In the above, each of gaps G1 to G5 can be approximately 0.5 mm, for example. By appropriately setting the values ​​of gaps G1 to G5 so that the components on the housing 10 side and the components on the motor unit MU side come into contact before O-rings R1 to R5 are excessively compressed, it is possible to prevent excessive compressive force from being applied to O-rings R1 to R5.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU by the motor unit support structure MUS, the Y direction of the motor unit MU coincides with the front-rear direction of the actuator module 100. The axial direction of the motor unit MU extends in a direction obtained by rotating the up-down direction of the actuator module 100 by approximately 45° clockwise when viewed from the front of the actuator module 100. The X direction of the motor unit MU extends in a direction obtained by rotating the up-down direction of the actuator module 100 by approximately 45° counterclockwise when viewed from the front of the actuator module 100.

[0091] As described above, in this embodiment, when the motor unit support structure MUS supports the motor unit MU, the O-rings R1 to R5 are disposed between the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, or the protrusion RSP inserted into the inner holes of the O-rings R1 to R5 and the circumferential surface C11S, C21S, C3S, C4S, or C5S that abuts against the outer periphery of the O-rings R1 to R5 and holds the O-rings R1 to R5. Hereinafter, the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, and the protrusion RSP inserted into the inner holes of the O-rings R1 to R5 to support the motor unit MU will be collectively referred to as the "insertion portion." Furthermore, the peripheral surfaces C11S, C21S, C3S, C4S, and C5S that abut against the outer peripheries of the O-rings R1 to R5 to support the motor unit MU are collectively referred to as "holding portions."

[0092] In this embodiment, when each of the O-rings R1 to R4 is disposed between the insertion portion and the holding portion, it has a compressed region that is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the holding portion and pressed by each of the insertion portion and the holding portion to be compressed in the radial direction, and a non-constrained region that is spaced apart from the holding portion in the radial direction. The significance of this is as follows.

[0093] When the O-ring is positioned between the insertion portion and the holding portion, if the O-ring is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the holding portion over the entire circumferential area and compressed radially, the O-ring will be in a state where it is highly compressed, i.e., it will be difficult to tolerate further compression, and will therefore be in a state where it is easy to transmit vibrations from the insertion portion to the holding portion.

[0094] On the other hand, consider a case where the O-ring experiences a small amount of radial compression when the insertion portion is inserted into the inner hole of the O-ring and the holding portion holds the O-ring. For example, the insertion portion may contact the O-ring without stretching it, and the holding portion may contact the O-ring without pressing it. In this case, the O-ring experiences substantially zero compression, making it more likely to absorb vibrations. However, the insertion portion (and thus the motor unit MU) is not sufficiently fixed relative to the holding portion (and thus the housing 10), potentially causing the motor unit MU to shift position relative to the housing 10.

[0095] In contrast, consider the present embodiment, in which the O-ring is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the retaining portion in a circumferential region and compressed radially, while being spaced radially from the retaining portion in another circumferential region. In this embodiment, the motor unit MU can be effectively fixed in position relative to the housing 10 in the region where the O-ring is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the retaining portion and compressed radially (i.e., the compressed region). On the other hand, because the O-ring has a region spaced radially from the retaining portion (i.e., the non-constrained region), it is not excessively compressed overall and can vibrate relatively freely. Therefore, vibrations transmitted from the insertion portion to the O-ring are effectively absorbed by the O-ring. Therefore, this embodiment effectively achieves both positioning (fixing) the motor unit MU relative to the housing 10 and absorbing vibrations of the motor unit MU.

[0096] [Power Transmission Unit PU] The power transmission unit PU is a mechanism that transmits the power generated by the motor unit MU to the outside of the housing 10 .

[0097] As shown in FIG. 2, the power transmission unit PU has a driven gear 16 (an example of a "third gear"), an output gear 17, an input shaft 18, and an output shaft 19 (FIG. 1(b)).

[0098] The driven gear 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The driven gear 16 is in mesh with the small diameter gear 152 of the driven gear 15.

[0099] The output gear 17 is provided coaxially with the driven gear 16 and integrally therewith.

[0100] The input shaft 18 is a round shaft-shaped member that extends forward along the front-rear direction from the rotation center of the driven gear 16 and the output gear 17. As shown in FIG. 1A, the input shaft 18 is inserted through an opening OP １０ｂ The input shaft 18 has a front end provided with a pair of D-shaped cut portions 18D.

[0101] The output shaft 19 is a round shaft-shaped member that extends rearward along the front-rear direction from the rotation center of the driven gear 16 and the output gear 17. As shown in FIG. 1B, the output shaft 19 is inserted through an opening OP １０ａ The output shaft 19 projects rearward from the housing 10 via a recess 191 formed in the rear end surface thereof, the recess 191 extending in the axial direction of the output shaft 19 (i.e., the front-rear direction).

[0102] The input shaft 18 and the output shaft 19 are coaxially connected to each other, or the input shaft 18 and the output shaft 19 may be integral with each other.

[0103] [Operation of Actuator Module 100] When the motor 11 is driven and the shaft 112 rotates, the worm gear 13 rotates, and the driven gear 15 meshed with the worm gear 13 rotates. Furthermore, the driven gear 16 meshed with the driven gear 15 rotates, and the output gear 17, input shaft 18, and output shaft 19 also rotate. Each of the driven gear 15, driven gear 16, output gear 17, input shaft 18, and output shaft 19 rotates about an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the actuator module 100 (the Y direction of the motor unit MU).

[0104] At this time, thrust vibrations (i.e., axial vibrations of the motor unit MU) generated by driving the motor 11 are absorbed mainly by the O-ring R1 provided at the front end of the motor unit MU and the O-ring R2 provided at the rear end of the motor unit MU, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10.

[0105] Vibrations in the rotational direction (circumferential direction of the shaft 112) and radial direction (radial direction of the shaft 112) caused by driving the motor 11, and vibrations caused by meshing between the worm gear 13 and the driven gear 15 are mainly absorbed by O-rings R4 and R5 provided at both ends of the motor unit MU in the Y direction. This suppresses transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10. In this embodiment, since the large diameter gear 151 is a helical gear, vibrations in the Y direction are caused by meshing between the worm gear 13 and the large diameter gear 151.

[0106] The driven gear 15 of the motor unit MU and the driven gear 16 of the power transmission unit PU are meshed in the X direction of the motor unit MU. Therefore, when the motor 11 is driven and the driven gears 15 and 16 rotate, the vibration direction of the vibrations generated by the meshing of the driven gears 15 and 16 is mainly in the X direction.

[0107] Vibrations caused by the meshing of the driven gears 15 and 16 are mainly absorbed by the O-ring R3 provided at the end of the motor unit MU on the negative side in the X direction, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10.

[0108] 2, the O-ring R3 is located on the line L that connects the meshing position between the driven gear 15 and the driven gear 16 and the rotation axis RS of the driven gear 15. This allows the O-ring R3 to effectively receive the force that the driven gear 16 applies to the driven gear 15. However, the positions of the third side plate 123 and the O-ring R3 are not limited to this.

[0109] When the motor 11 is driven, the shaft 112 of the motor 11 can move in the axial direction. However, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 7(b), in the axial direction, the front end face of the worm gear 13 attached to the shaft 112 abuts against the rear face of the flange portion 142 of the bushing 14, and the front end face of the flange portion 142 abuts against the second side plate 122 of the fixing member 12. Therefore, when the shaft 112 moves forward in the axial direction, the worm gear 13 pushes the flange portion 142 forward, generating a load that is received by the second side plate 122 and is not applied to the O-ring R1. This prevents excessive compressive force from being applied to the O-ring R1.

[0110] Furthermore, when the motor 11 is driven, the shaft 112 of the motor 11 may move slightly in the radial direction of the shaft 112 due to whirling. However, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 7(b), the cylindrical portion 141 of the bush 14 attached to the shaft 112 and the through hole TH of the second side plate 122 may move slightly in the radial direction of the shaft 112. １２２ There is a gap G between the inner circumferential surface of １４Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 141 of the bushing 14 is held in the recess C11 via an O-ring R1 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 141. Therefore, radial movement of the shaft 112 caused by whirling of the shaft 112 is not restricted by the second side plate 122 but is absorbed by the O-ring R1. As a result, even when whirling of the shaft 112 occurs, excessive force restricting the whirling is prevented from being applied to the shaft 112. Note that the bushing 14 is fixed to the housing 10 via the O-ring R1 and does not rotate even when the shaft 112 rotates.

[0111] [Lock System 1000] A lock system 1000 including the actuator module 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] As shown in Figure 12, the lock system 1000 mainly comprises a housing 900, an actuator module 100, a power supply 200, and a control unit 300 provided inside the housing 900, and an operating unit 400 provided on the outer surface of the housing 900.

[0113] The housing 900 is a box-shaped member. When the actuator module 100 is housed inside the housing 900, the input shaft 18 of the actuator module 100 passes through an opening (not shown) in the housing 900 and protrudes forward from the housing 900. A thumb turn ST is attached to the tip of the input shaft 18 protruding from the housing 900.

[0114] When the actuator module 100 is housed inside the housing 900 , the output shaft 19 of the actuator module 100 passes through an opening (not shown) in the housing 900 and protrudes rearward from the housing 900 .

[0115] The power supply 200 is connected to the motor 11 of the actuator module 100 by wiring (not shown). The power supply 200 supplies power to the motor 11. Note that the lock system 1000 does not necessarily have to include the power supply 200 within the housing 900. For example, power may be supplied via wiring from a power source within the home to the actuator module 100 (and the control unit 300). In this case, a converter may also be provided within the housing 900.

[0116] The control unit 300 is connected to the motor 11 of the actuator module 100 and the operation unit 400 by wiring (not shown).

[0117] The operation unit 400 is an interface that allows a user of the lock system 1000 to operate the lock system 1000. The operation unit 400 may be a touch panel, a numeric keypad, or the like.

[0118] When installing the lock system 1000 on the door DR, the rear surface of the housing 900 is attached to the mounting surface of the door DR (the front surface of the door DR in FIG. 12 ). At this time, the output shaft 19 of the actuator module 100 is inserted into an opening (not shown) provided in the mounting surface of the door DR and engaged with a deadbolt movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the deadbolt DB of the door DR. The engagement between the output shaft 19 and the deadbolt movement mechanism can be achieved, for example, by engaging a portion of the deadbolt movement mechanism with a recess 191 in the output shaft 19.

[0119] When a user of the lock system 1000 sends an unlock or lock command to the control unit 300 via the operation unit 400 or by wireless communication, the control unit 300 drives the motor 11 of the actuator module 100. This rotates the output shaft 19 of the actuator module 100, and the deadbolt DB of the door DR moves through the operation of the deadbolt movement mechanism. If the user's command is to unlock, the control unit 300 drives the motor 11 in a direction that retracts the deadbolt DB protruding from the side surface of the door DR into the interior of the door DR. If the user's command is to lock, the control unit 300 drives the motor 11 in a direction that retracts the deadbolt DB retracted inside the door DR from the side surface of the door DR.

[0120] The advantageous effects of the motor unit support structure MUS and the actuator module 100 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0121] The actuator module 100 of this embodiment uses the motor unit MU to suppress misalignment between the motor 11 and the driven gear 15, and also suppresses misalignment between the worm gear 13 and the driven gear 15, while the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via O-rings R1 to R5 without directly contacting the motor unit MU, thereby suppressing transmission of vibrations from the motor 11 to the housing 10. Therefore, the actuator module 100 of this embodiment can suitably transmit power from the motor 11 to the driven gear 15, and can reduce vibration noise when the motor 11 is driven.

[0122] Generally, the worm gear attached to the motor shaft and the driven gear meshing with the worm gear have small module values, making it necessary to accurately determine the inter-gear distance. Even a slight deviation from the design value of the inter-gear distance between the two can lead to a deterioration in power transmission efficiency and the generation of vibration and noise. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to fix the positional relationship between the motor 11 and the driven gear 15, and in turn, the positional relationship between the worm gear 13 and the driven gear 15 (more specifically, the large-diameter gear 151), as in this embodiment.

[0123] In the actuator module 100 of the above embodiment, the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via O-rings R1 and R2 provided on one and the other axial ends of the motor 11. Therefore, vibrations in the axial direction (thrust direction) of the motor unit MU generated in the motor unit MU are absorbed by the O-rings R1 and R2, and transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10 is effectively suppressed. Furthermore, because the O-rings R1 and R2 are arranged around the central axis of the shaft 112 when viewed in the extension direction of the shaft 112 (the axial direction of the motor unit MU), vibrations generated by driving the motor 11 can be absorbed in a balanced manner, thereby more effectively suppressing transmission of vibrations.

[0124] In the actuator module 100 of this embodiment, the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via O-rings R4 and R5 provided on one end and the other end of the rotation shaft RS of the driven gear 15. Therefore, vibrations in the Y direction of the motor unit MU generated in the motor unit MU are absorbed by the O-rings R4 and R5, and transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10 is effectively suppressed. Furthermore, because the O-rings R4 and R5 are arranged to surround the central axis of the rotation shaft RS as seen in the axial direction of the rotation shaft RS (the Y direction of the motor unit MU), vibrations generated by meshing between the worm gear 13 and the large diameter gear 151 can be absorbed in a balanced manner, thereby effectively suppressing transmission of vibrations.

[0125] In the actuator module 100 of this embodiment, the housing 10 supports the motor unit MU via an O-ring R3 attached to the third side plate 123 located on the opposite side of the meshing position where the driven gear 15 and the driven gear 16 mesh with each other, relative to the driven gear 15. Therefore, vibrations in the X direction caused by the meshing of the driven gear 15 and the driven gear 16 are absorbed by the O-ring R3, and transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing 10 is effectively suppressed.

[0126] 2, the O-ring R3 is located on a line connecting the meshing position between the driven gear 15 and the driven gear 16 and the rotation axis RS of the driven gear 15. Therefore, even if the force applied by the driven gear 16 to the driven gear 15 increases, the O-ring R3 can effectively absorb the force. As a result, even if the force applied by the driven gear 16 to the driven gear 15 increases, it is possible to prevent the motor unit MU from becoming misaligned due to the force.

[0127] In the motor unit support structure MUS of this embodiment, the motor unit MU is supported via O-rings R1 to R4, and each of the O-rings R1 to R4 has four circumferentially compressed regions and four circumferentially unconstrained regions. As a result, as described above, it is possible to effectively position the motor unit MU relative to the housing 10 while suppressing the transmission of vibrations from the motor unit MU to the housing.

[0128] In this embodiment, the compression regions of the O-rings R1 to R4 are spaced at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of each of the O-rings R1 to R4, allowing for well-balanced positioning of the motor unit MU relative to the housing 10 via these regions.

[0129] In the motor unit support structure MUS of this embodiment, the diameter D of the holding recess C5 provided in the cover 10b of the housing 10 is Ｃ５ is equal to the outer diameter of the O-ring R5 when the protrusion RSP is inserted into the inner hole. Therefore, when the holding recess C5 holds the O-ring R5, the O-ring R5 is not pressed by the peripheral surface C5S. By enlarging the holding recess C5 to a degree that does not press the O-ring R5, the O-ring R5 can be easily accommodated within the holding recess C5 when attaching the lid 10b to the main body 10a that houses the motor unit MU. This allows for efficient attachment of the lid 10b to the main body 10a during manufacturing of the actuator module 100. Furthermore, even if the shape, position, etc. of the holding recess C5 differs from the design due to manufacturing errors, tilting of the rotation axis RS of the motor unit MU supported by the motor unit support structure MUS can be suppressed.

[0130] <Modifications> The actuator module 100 of the above embodiment may also be modified as follows.

[0131] [Modifications of Motor Unit MU] In the above embodiment, the fixing member 12 of the motor unit MU may be any member that is connected to the motor 11 and the driven gear 15 and fixes the position of the driven gear 15 relative to the motor 11. Specifically, for example, the fixing member 12 does not have to have the second side plate 122 and / or the third side plate 123. The fixing member 12 is not limited to a shape having multiple plate portions, and may have a shape having a single plate portion, a shape having a plate portion and a rod-shaped portion, etc.

[0132] In the actuator module 100 of the above embodiment, the motor unit MU may have a pinion gear instead of the worm gear 13. In this case, the driven gear 15 has a shape and arrangement suitable for meshing with the pinion gear.

[0133] In the motor unit 100 of the above embodiment, the bush 14 may be replaced with a bush 17 (FIG. 13).

[0134] The bushing 17 has a cylindrical portion 171, a flange portion 172 provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 171 and having an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 171, and a lid portion 173 provided at the other end of the cylindrical portion 171 and closing the other end of the cylindrical portion 171. The bushing 17 is attached to the shaft 112 in front of the second side plate 122 of the fixing member 12. The rear surface of the flange portion 172 abuts against the front surface of the second side plate 122. The front end surface 112S of the shaft 112 of the motor 11 is inserted through the through hole TH of the second side plate 122. １２２ , and extends to the front of the second side plate 122 and abuts against the rear surface of the cover portion 173. １２２ There is a gap G between the peripheral surface that defines １７ exists.

[0135] When the motor unit MU having the bushing 17 is held by the motor unit support structure MUS, the cylindrical portion 171 (an example of an "insertion portion") of the bushing 17 is inserted into the inner hole of the O-ring R1 to attach the O-ring R1 to the bushing 17. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 171 is larger than the inner diameter of the O-ring R1. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 171 is inserted into the inner hole of the O-ring R1, the O-ring R1 is stretched.

[0136] The holding portion H1 holds the O-ring R1 by accommodating the O-ring R1 in the recess C11. At this time, the recess C12 accommodates the lid portion 173 of the bushing 17 that protrudes forward from the O-ring R1.

[0137] When the O-ring R1 is accommodated in the recess C11, the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the peripheral surface C11S that defines the recess C11. The inner peripheral surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the cylindrical portion 171 of the bushing 17. The axial rear surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the front surface of the flange portion 172 of the bushing 17. The axial front surface of the O-ring R1 abuts against the bottom surface of the recess C11.

[0138] As in the above embodiment, the O-ring R1 is compressed in both the X and Y directions and is spaced radially from the peripheral surface C11S at the corners of the recess C11. The O-ring R1 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess C11 and the second side plate 122 and compressed in the axial direction.

[0139] When the holding portion H1 holds the O-ring R1, a gap GG1 exists between the surface of the holding piece P1 and the second side plate 122. In other words, the motor unit MU and the housing 10 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0140] When the motor 11 is driven, the shaft 112 of the motor 11 can move in the axial direction. However, as shown in FIG. 13 , the front end surface 112S of the shaft 112 abuts against the rear surface of the cover portion 173 of the bushing 17 in the axial direction. In addition, the flange portion 172 of the bushing 17 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess C11 and the second side plate 122 via the O-ring R1. Therefore, when the shaft 112 moves axially forward, the front end surface 112S pushes the bushing 17 forward, generating a load, and the O-ring R1 receives the load via the flange portion 172 of the bushing 17. As a result, even when the shaft 112 moves axially, excessive force that restricts the axial movement of the shaft 112 is prevented from being applied to the shaft 112.

[0141] Furthermore, when the motor 11 is driven, the shaft 112 of the motor 11 may move slightly in the radial direction of the shaft 112 due to whirling. However, as shown in FIG. 13, １２２ There is a gap G between the inner circumferential surface of １７ Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 171 of the bushing 17 is held in the recess C11 via an O-ring R1 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 171. Therefore, radial movement of the shaft 112 caused by whirling of the shaft 112 is absorbed by the O-ring R1 without being restricted by the second side plate 122. As a result, even when whirling of the shaft 112 occurs, excessive force restricting the whirling of the shaft 112 is prevented from being applied to the shaft 112.

[0142] When the bushing 14 is used, friction occurs between the front surface of the worm gear 13 and the rear surface of the flange portion 142 of the bushing 14 as the shaft 112 rotates. In contrast, when the bushing 17 is used, friction occurs between the front surface 112S of the shaft 112 and the rear surface of the lid portion 173 of the bushing 17 as the shaft 112 rotates. Because the contact area between the front surface 112S of the shaft 112 and the rear surface of the lid portion 173 of the bushing 17 is smaller than the contact area between the front surface of the worm gear 13 and the rear surface of the flange portion 142 of the bushing 14, the use of the bushing 17 can reduce the rotational resistance of the motor 11.

[0143] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the cylindrical portions 141, 171 of the bushings 14, 17 may be cylindrical portions. In this specification, the term "cylindrical portion" includes cylindrical portions and cylindrical portions having any cross-sectional shape.

[0144] [Modification of the Motor Unit Support Structure MUS] In the motor unit support structure MUS of the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, and the protrusion RSP are the "insertion portion," and the circumferential surface C11S of the recess C11, the circumferential surface C21S of the recess C21, the circumferential surface C3S of the recess C3, the circumferential surface C4S of the retaining recess C4, and the circumferential surface C5S of the retaining recess C5 are the "retaining portion." However, the "insertion portion" and "retaining portion" are not limited to these. The "insertion portion" and "retaining portion" may be any form including at least three compression regions in which the O-ring inserted into the inner bore and held in the retaining portion is compressed radially (in the radial direction of the O-ring) by being pressed by the insertion portion and the retaining portion, and at least one non-constraining region radially spaced from the insertion portion and / or the retaining portion. The number of compression regions may be any number of three or more, and the number of non-constraining regions may be any number of one or more. The compressed regions may be present at equal intervals around the periphery of the O-ring. The non-constrained regions may be present at equal intervals around the periphery of the O-ring. The compressed regions and non-constrained regions may be present alternately around the periphery of the O-ring. The O-ring may be compressed by one of the insertion portion and the retaining portion in the non-constrained regions.

[0145] Specifically, for example, instead of at least one of recesses C11, C21, C3, retaining recesses C4, and C5, wall portions WL1 and WL3 facing each other in a first direction and wall portions WL2 and WL4 facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction may be used, as shown in FIG. 14( a). In this case, the region of the O-ring R (any one of O-rings R1 to R5) sandwiched between the insertion portion ISC (any one of the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, and the protrusion RSP) and any one of wall portions WL1 to WL4 is the compression region, and the other region is the non-constraint region. The surfaces of wall portions WL1 to WL4 that abut against the O-ring R are an example of a retaining portion. Note that, as shown in FIG. 14( b), wall portions WL1 to WL3, excluding wall portion WL4, may be equally spaced circumferentially. In Fig. 14, a part of each compressed region near the circumferential center is clearly indicated by gray crosshatching, as in Figs. 15 to 17.

[0146] Alternatively, instead of the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, or the protrusion RSP, an insertion portion IST having a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring R, as shown in FIG. 14( c), may be inserted into the inner hole of the O-ring R. In this case, the retaining portion may be a recess CC having a circumferential surface that is circular when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring R. In this case, the region of the O-ring R sandwiched between the apex VT of the insertion portion IST and the circumferential surface of the recess CC is the compression region, and the other regions are the non-constraint region. Specifically, the insertion portion IST may be a triangular prism, a triangular tube, a triangular thick plate, or the like.

[0147] Furthermore, each of the O-rings R1 to R5 is not limited to annular members.

[0148] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 15, a triangular O-ring RT may be used in place of at least one of the O-rings R1 to R5. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 15(a), an insertion portion IST having a triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RT may be inserted into an inner hole, and the O-ring RT may be housed in a recess CC having a circumferential surface having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RT. In this case, the region sandwiched between the apex VT of the insertion portion IST and the circumferential surface of the recess CC is the compressed region, and the other region is the non-constrained region.

[0149] 15(b), the O-ring RT, with an insert portion ISC having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RT, inserted into the inner hole, may be housed in a recess CT having a peripheral surface having a triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RT. In this case, the region sandwiched between the peripheral surface of the recess CT and the contact portion between the insert portion ISC and the O-ring RT is the compression region, and the other region is the non-constraint region.

[0150] As shown in Fig. 16, a rectangular O-ring RS may be used. In this case, for example, as shown in Fig. 16(a), an O-ring RS with an insertion portion ISS having a rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RS inserted into an inner hole may be housed in a recess CC having a circumferential surface having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RS. In this case, the region sandwiched between the contact portion between the circumferential surface of the recess CC and the O-ring RS and the insertion portion ISS is the compressed region, and the other region is the non-constrained region.

[0151] 16(b), the O-ring RS, with an insertion portion ISC having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RS, inserted into the inner hole, may be housed in a recess CS having a circumferential surface having a square shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RS. In this case, the region sandwiched between the contact portion between the insertion portion ISC and the O-ring RS and the circumferential surface of the recess CS is the compression region, and the other region is the non-constraint region.

[0152] As shown in Figure 17, a pentagonal O-ring RP may be used. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 17(a), an insertion portion ISP having a pentagonal shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RP may be inserted into the inner hole of the O-ring RP and housed in a recess CC having a circumferential surface having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RP. In this case, the region sandwiched between the contact portion between the circumferential surface of the recess CC and the O-ring RP and the insertion portion ISP is the compression region, and the other region is the non-constraint region. Specifically, the insertion portion ISP may be a pentagonal prism, a pentagonal tube, a pentagonal thick plate, or the like.

[0153] 17(b), the O-ring RP, with an insertion portion ISC having a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RP, inserted into the inner hole, may be housed in a recess CP having a peripheral surface having a pentagonal shape when viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring RP. In this case, the region sandwiched between the contact portion between the insertion portion ISC and the O-ring RP and the peripheral surface of the recess CP is the compressed region, and the other region is the non-constrained region.

[0154] In addition, the shape of the insertion portion as viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring may be any shape such as a circle or any polygon, and the shape of the holding portion as viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring may be any shape such as a circle or any polygon. The shape of the insertion portion as viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring and the shape of the holding portion as viewed in the axial direction of the O-ring may be different from each other.

[0155] In this specification, "O-ring" refers to an annular member made of rubber and having a circular cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction. "Annular" is not limited to a circular ring, but includes any endless shape obtained by connecting one end and the other end of a linear member.

[0156] In the motor unit support structure MUS of the above embodiment, any annular elastic member with vibration absorption capabilities may be used instead of the O-ring. In this specification, "elastic member with vibration absorption capabilities" refers to a member that absorbs vibrations through elasticity and suppresses the transmission of vibrations. Elastic members with vibration absorption capabilities may be made of, for example, rubber, sponge-like resin, gel, etc. An O-ring is also an example of an "elastic member with vibration absorption capabilities."

[0157] In the motor unit support structure MUS of the above embodiment and modified example, the retaining recess C5 may have any shape such that the peripheral surface C5S does not press against the O-ring R5 when the retaining recess C5 holds the O-ring R5. Specifically, for example, the retaining recess C5 may have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring R5 when the protrusion RSP is inserted into the inner hole. Furthermore, the retaining recess C5 may have a shape (for example, the same shape as the retaining recess C4) that abuts against and presses against a portion of the O-ring R5 when the O-ring R5 is held.

[0158] In the motor unit support structure MUS of the above embodiment and modified example, insertion portions such as the cylindrical portion 141, the protrusion PR, the head of the screw th, and the protrusion RSP are provided on the motor unit MU, and holding portions such as the circumferential surface C11S of the recess C11, the circumferential surface C21S of the recess C21, the circumferential surface C3S of the recess C3, the circumferential surface C4S of the holding recess C4, and the circumferential surface C5S of the holding recess C5 are provided on the housing 10, but this is not limiting. A structure equivalent to the insertion portion may be provided on the housing 10, and a structure equivalent to the holding portion may be provided on the motor unit MU.

[0159] In the motor unit support structures MUS of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the positions of at least one of the retaining portions H1 to H3 and the retaining recesses C4 and C5, and the corresponding O-rings R1 to R5, may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of the retaining portions H1 to H3 and the retaining recesses C4 and C5, and at least one of the corresponding O-rings R1 to R5 may be omitted. In other words, the motor unit MU may be supported at any necessary position on either side of the motor unit MU in the axial direction, the X direction, or the Y direction.

[0160] [Other Modifications] In the actuator module 100 of the above embodiment and modifications, the motor unit MU may be supported by the housing 10 via any elastic member instead of or in addition to the motor unit support structure MUS. The elastic member may be a plate-shaped, columnar, block-shaped member, or the like. Specifically, for example, the motor unit MU may be attached to the housing 10 via a rubber sheet.

[0161] In the actuator module 100 of the above embodiment and modified examples, the shape of the housing 10 is arbitrary. Furthermore, any support body that supports the motor unit MU can be used instead of the housing 10. Specifically, for example, a plate-shaped, block-shaped, or other support body that holds the motor unit MU and the power transmission unit PU together can be used.

[0162] The actuator module 100 in the above embodiment and modified examples is a module incorporated into the lock system 1000 (FIG. 12), but is not limited to this. The actuator module 100 may be any module that is incorporated into any mechanism that requires power. The power transmission unit PU of the actuator module 100 may be designed appropriately depending on the application of the actuator module 100.

[0163] The motor unit support structure MUS of the above embodiment and modified example can also be used as a support structure in which an arbitrary support supports an arbitrary supported object, rather than a structure used to support the motor unit MU using the housing 10. The arbitrary support may be a driving body that generates vibrations when driven, such as a motor, linear actuator, or internal combustion engine. In this case, the support structure suppresses the transmission of vibrations generated in the supported object to the support. Alternatively, the supported object may be a precision instrument or the like for which it is desired to reduce the effects of vibration. In this case, the support structure suppresses the transmission of vibrations generated on the installation surface (floor, ground, etc.) on which the support is installed to the supported object.

[0164] When the motor unit support structure MUS is used as a support structure that supports an arbitrary supported object by an arbitrary support, the structure corresponding to the insertion portion is fixed to one of the support object and the supported object, and the structure corresponding to the holding portion is fixed to the other of the support object and the supported object. The structure corresponding to the insertion portion or the structure corresponding to the holding portion may be fixed to the support object or the supported object directly, or may be fixed to the support object or the supported object indirectly (i.e., via another member). A structure (such as a recess) provided as part of the support object or the supported object is also included in the structure fixed to the support object or the supported object.

[0165] As long as the features of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention. The features described in the above-described embodiment and the features described in each modification can be used in any combination with each other.

[0166] 10 housing; 11 motor; 12 fixed member; 13 worm gear; 14, 17 bushings; 15, 16 driven gear; 100 actuator module; 1000 lock system; MU motor unit; MUS motor unit support structure; R1 to R5 O-rings

Claims

1. An actuator module comprising: a motor unit; and a support body supporting the motor unit, wherein the motor unit comprises: a motor having a motor body and a shaft extending from the motor body; a first gear attached to the shaft; a second gear meshing with the first gear; and a fixing member fixed to the motor and supporting the second gear rotatably, thereby fixing the position of the second gear relative to the motor; and wherein the support body supports the motor unit via at least one elastic member having vibration absorption capacity without coming into contact with the motor unit.

2. An actuator module as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic member includes an elastic member arranged on one end side of the motor in the extension direction of the shaft, and an elastic member arranged on the other end side of the motor in the extension direction.

3. An actuator module as described in claim 2, wherein the elastic member arranged on one end side of the motor and the elastic member arranged on the other end side of the motor are each annular elastic members arranged surrounding the central axis of the shaft when viewed in the extension direction.

4. An actuator module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the motor unit further has a rotating shaft that is the rotating shaft of the second gear and is fixed to the fixed member, and the at least one elastic member includes an elastic member arranged on one end side of the rotating shaft.

5. The actuator module according to claim 4, wherein said at least one elastic member further includes an elastic member disposed on the other end side of said rotation shaft.

6. An actuator module as described in claim 5, wherein the elastic member arranged on one end side of the rotating shaft and the elastic member arranged on the other end side of the rotating shaft are each annular elastic members arranged surrounding the central axis of the rotating shaft when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

7. An actuator module as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a power transmission unit that transmits power output from the motor unit and has a third gear meshed with the second gear, wherein the fixed member has an attachment portion that is located on the opposite side of the meshing position where the second gear and the third gear mesh with each other in a cross direction that intersects with the extension direction of the shaft, with the second gear as a reference, and wherein the at least one elastic member includes an elastic member attached to a portion of the attachment portion that faces the opposite side of the meshing position in the cross direction.

8. An actuator module according to claim 7, wherein said mounting portion is located on a straight line extending through said meshing position and said rotation shaft when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of said second gear.

9. An actuator module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the motor unit further comprises a bush attached to the shaft, the bush having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion provided at one axial end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion, the fixing member comprising a plate portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the shaft and having a through hole passing through the plate portion in the extension direction, the flange portion being sandwiched between the first gear and the plate portion in the extension direction, the cylindrical portion extending via the through hole to the side of the plate portion opposite the first gear, and the at least one elastic member including an elastic member attached to the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion on the side of the plate portion opposite the first gear.

10. The motor unit further has a bush attached to the shaft, the bush having a cylindrical portion, a flange portion provided at one end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion, and a lid portion provided at the other end of the cylindrical portion and closing the other end of the cylindrical portion, the fixing member having a plate portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the shaft and having a through hole passing through the plate portion in the extension direction, the shaft extends to the side of the plate portion opposite to the first gear via the through hole, and a tip of the shaft abuts the lid portion, the at least one elastic member includes an elastic member attached to the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion on the side of the plate portion opposite to the first gear, and the flange portion is sandwiched between the elastic member attached to the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and the plate portion in the extension direction.

11. An actuator module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one elastic member includes an annular elastic member, and the actuator module comprises: an insertion portion provided on one of the support body and the motor unit, the insertion portion being inserted into an inner hole of the annular elastic member and abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the annular elastic member; and a retaining portion provided on the other of the support body and the motor unit, the retaining portion abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the annular elastic member and holding the annular elastic member, and the annular elastic member includes at least three compression regions pressed by the insertion portion and the retaining portion and compressed in the radial direction of the annular elastic member when the insertion portion is inserted into the inner hole and held by the retaining portion, and includes at least one unconstrained region spaced apart from the insertion portion and / or the retaining portion in the radial direction of the annular elastic member.

12. The actuator module described in claim 11, wherein the support body is a housing having a first part and a second part, and the first part and the second part are joined to define an accommodation space for accommodating the motor unit, the annular elastic member is a plurality of annular elastic members, the insertion portion is a plurality of insertion portions provided on the motor unit, each of which is a plurality of insertion portions inserted into any one of the plurality of annular elastic members, the retaining portion is provided on the first part, the second part has a sub-retaining portion arranged around any one of the plurality of annular elastic members, and the sub-retaining portion is configured so as not to press any one of the plurality of annular elastic members in the radial direction of the annular elastic member when arranged around the one of the plurality of annular elastic members.

13. An actuator module according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of said at least one elastic member is an O-ring.

14. A lock system comprising an actuator module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lock system unlocks and locks using power from the actuator module.

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