Link cam device

Abstract

A link cam device comprises: lever members (130, 140) configured to be displaceable; pins (150, 160) connected to the lever members; and a displacement body (110) having groove formation parts (201, 202, 231, 232) that are each recessed in a prescribed direction (Ya) and form cam grooves (111a, 111b) for accommodating the pins. When either one of the displacement body and the lever members is displaced by a force from a drive source (80), the groove formation parts and the pins slide relative to each other, whereby the force is transmitted from the one to the other via the groove formation parts and the pins. The other is displaced by the force transmitted via the groove formation parts and the pins, and a force associated with the displacement is applied to driven target parts (71, 72) to thereby displace the driven target parts. The groove formation parts constitute sliding parts that slide with respect to the pins, and removal parts (201b, 210, 220, 151a, 151b, 241a, 241b, 152c) for removing foreign matter from the sliding parts are provided to the displacement body and / or the pins.

Description

Link cam device Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-197564 filed on November 12, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a link cam device.

[0003] Conventionally, in a vehicle air conditioning unit having a link cam device, grease is generally used in the cam groove of the link cam device in order to prevent the generation of abnormal noise and achieve smooth door operation. For example, in the link cam device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the generation of sliding abnormal noise is prevented without using grease. Specifically, the link cam device of Patent Document 1 includes a link lever provided on the rotation axis of a door, a pin fixed to the link lever, and a link formed with a cam groove in which the pin is housed and rotatable. For example, when the link rotates, the side wall of the link that forms the cam groove slides against the pin and applies a force. Therefore, the link lever is displaced by the force transmitted from the link through the pin. As a result, the door is displaced by the force transmitted from the link through the pin and from the link lever. Here, the pin is formed so as to project into the cam groove from the link lever. Further, on the side wall of the link that forms the cam groove, a rail portion that protrudes toward the pin side and extends along the extending direction of the cam groove is provided. The pin is in contact with the tip of the rail portion of the cam groove.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-251556

[0005] In the link cam device of the above Patent Document 1, the rail portion extends along the extending direction of the cam groove, and the extending direction of the rail portion and the axial direction of the pin are orthogonal to each other. And the axial direction of the pin is the direction in which the pin projects into the cam groove from the link lever. Therefore, the contact area between the pin and the rail portion becomes small, and the contact load between the link and the pin is locally concentrated.

[0006] As a result, according to the inventor's investigation, for example, when a foreign object is caught between the rail and the pin, and rotational force is transmitted from the link to the link lever via the pin, the frictional force between the rail and the pin increases. Therefore, there is a risk of abnormal noise being generated due to the friction between the rail and the pin. This abnormal noise is mainly caused by the stick-slip phenomenon. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a link cam device that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by foreign objects.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the link cam device comprises a lever member configured to be displaceable, a pin connected to the lever member, and a displacement body having a groove-forming portion that recesses in a predetermined direction to form a cam groove for housing the pin, wherein when one of the displacement body and the lever member is displaced by a force applied from a drive source, the groove-forming portion and the pin slide against each other, thereby transmitting force from one of the displacement body and the lever member to the other via the groove-forming portion and the pin, the other being displaced by the force transmitted via the groove-forming portion and the pin, and this displacement applies the force to a driven object, causing the driven object to be displaced, wherein the groove-forming portion constitutes a sliding portion that slides against the pin, and at least one of the displacement body and the pin is provided with a removal portion for removing foreign matter from the sliding portion.

[0008] Therefore, the groove-forming portion can suppress the generation of abnormal noise when it slides against the pin. As a result, a link cam device can be provided that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by foreign matter.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an interior air conditioning unit of a vehicle air conditioning system to which the link cam device of the first embodiment of this disclosure is applied. This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the link cam device of the first embodiment of Figure 1 and the connection relationship with the drive motor, face door, foot door, and differential door. This is a front view showing the positional relationship of the link plate, foot link lever, differential link lever, foot door, and differential door in the link cam device of the first embodiment of Figure 1. This is a rear view showing the positional relationship of the link plate, foot link lever, differential link lever, foot door, and differential door in the link cam device of the first embodiment of Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of V-V in Figure 3, showing the positional relationship of the pin, upright wall, and inclined wall. This is an enlarged view of portion VI in Figure 3, showing the state in which the recess is located on one side in the extension direction relative to the pin. This is an enlarged view of the recess in Figure 3, showing the state in which the recess is located on the other side in the extension direction relative to the pin. This is an enlarged view of portion VIII in Figure 3, showing the discharge hole of the cam groove of the link plate. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX, showing the gear portion and tapered portion of the outer circumference of the pin. Figure 9 is a view of the pin taken along the line X, showing the gear portion and tapered portion of the outer circumference of the pin. Figure 9 is a side view showing part of the pin and foot link lever, illustrating the gear portion and tapered portion of the outer circumference of the pin. Figure 1 shows a side wall in the proportional link plate of the first embodiment, which is formed to extend in the thickness direction, illustrating the state in which foreign matter is attached to the side wall. Figure 1 shows an inclined wall formed on the side wall of the link plate of the first embodiment, illustrating how the inclined wall discharges foreign matter from the inside to the outside of the cam groove. Figure 1 shows a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses formed on the side wall of the link plate of the link cam device in the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an opening in the side wall of the link plate of the link cam device in the third embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of foreign matter accumulating on the side wall of the proportional link plate in the third embodiment of this disclosure.Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing how foreign matter accumulated on the side wall of the link plate in the third embodiment of the proportional relationship is collected by a pin at the R-switching section between the two curved sections. This is a cross-sectional view showing the helical protrusion on the outer circumference of the pin of the link cam device in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings in order to simplify the explanation. (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the interior air conditioning unit 1 of the vehicle air conditioning system of the first embodiment to which the link cam device of this disclosure is applied.

[0011] The interior air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment is located at the foremost side of the vehicle interior, below the instrument panel. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the interior air conditioning unit 1 includes an interior / exterior air switching unit 10, a blower unit 20, an air conditioning case 30, an evaporator 40, and a heater core 50. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the interior air conditioning unit 1 is provided with an air mix door 60, a face door 70, a foot door 71, a differential door 72, and a drive motor 80.

[0012] The interior / exterior air switching unit 10 includes a unit case 13 having an exterior air intake 11 for drawing in outside air, which is air from outside the vehicle compartment, and an interior air intake 12 for drawing in interior air, which is air from inside the vehicle compartment, and an interior / exterior air switching door 14 that opens and closes the exterior air intake 11 and the interior air intake 12. Therefore, the interior / exterior air switching unit 10 draws at least one of the interior air and the exterior air into the unit case 13 by opening and closing the interior / exterior air switching door 14. The ventilation unit 20 includes a ventilation fan 21 and an electric motor 22. The ventilation fan 21 is driven by the ventilation fan 21 to blow the air drawn in from the interior / exterior air switching unit 10 towards the air passage 31 of the air conditioning case 30.

[0013] The air conditioning case 30 forms an air passage 31 that blows air from the blower unit 20 towards the occupants and other people inside the vehicle. The evaporator 40 is located within the air passage 31 of the air conditioning case 30. The evaporator 40, together with the compressor, condenser, and pressure reducing valve, constitutes a refrigeration cycle device that circulates the refrigerant. The evaporator 40 is a cooling heat exchanger that cools the air blown from the blower unit 20 with the refrigerant. The heater core 50 is a heating heat exchanger that heats the air blown from the evaporator 40.

[0014] The air conditioning case 30 is provided with a bypass passage 33 that allows the cold air blown out from the evaporator 40 to flow towards the outlets 32a, 32b, and 32c, bypassing the heater core 50. The air mix door 60 adjusts the ratio of the amount of air flowing to the heater core 50 and the amount of air flowing to the bypass passage 33, depending on its opening degree, from the total amount of air blown out from the evaporator 40. As a result, the airflow that has passed through the bypass passage 33 and the airflow heated by the heater core 50 are mixed and blown out as conditioned air from the outlets 32a, 32b, and 32c into the passenger compartment.

[0015] The air outlet 32a is a defroster air outlet that blows conditioned air toward the inner surface of the windshield. The air outlet 32b is a face air outlet that blows air toward the upper body of the occupant inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the air outlet 32c is a foot air outlet that blows air toward the lower body of the occupant inside the vehicle. The face door 70 is pivotably supported on the air conditioning case 30 and opens and closes the air outlet 32b. The foot door 71 is pivotably supported on the air conditioning case 30 and opens and closes the air outlet 32c. The defroster door 72 is pivotably supported on the air conditioning case 30 and opens and closes the air outlet 32a.

[0016] Hereafter, the face door 70, foot door 71, and differential door 72 will be collectively referred to as mode doors 70, 71, and 72. The drive motor 80 acts as a power source, driving the mode doors 70, 71, and 72 via the link cam device 100. The link cam device 100 is a link cam mechanism that transmits the force output from the drive motor 80 to each of the mode doors 70, 71, and 72, as will be described later.

[0017] Next, the general operation of the interior air conditioning unit 1 of the vehicle air conditioning system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. First, in the interior / exterior air switching unit 10, the interior / exterior air switching door 14 opens at least one of the exterior air intake 11 and the interior air intake 12. The blower unit 20 draws in air from at least one of the exterior air intake 11 and the interior air intake 12 and blows it out toward the air passage 31 of the air conditioning case 30. The evaporator 40 cools the air blown out from the blower unit 20 with a refrigerant. The air mix door 60 adjusts the ratio of the amount of air flowing to the heater core 50 and the amount of air flowing to the bypass passage 33 from the amount of air blown out from the evaporator 40 by the degree of its opening.

[0018] The heater core 50 heats a portion of the air blown out from the evaporator 40. On the other hand, the bypass passage 33 allows the remaining air from the evaporator 40, excluding the air that flows to the heater core 50, to bypass the heater core 50. As a result, the airflow that has passed through the bypass passage 33 and the airflow heated by the heater core 50 are mixed and blown into the passenger compartment as conditioned air from the outlets 32a, 32b, and 32c. Therefore, the temperature of the conditioned air blown into the passenger compartment from the outlets 32a, 32b, and 32c is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the air mix door 60.

[0019] Next, the overall configuration of the link cam device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the link cam device 100 and the face door 70, foot door 71, and differential door 72. As shown in Figure 2, the link cam device 100 includes a link plate 110, a face link lever 120, a foot link lever 130, and differential link levers 140 and 140X. The link plate 110 is a rotating body configured to rotate by the rotational force output from the drive motor 80, and is also a displaceable body configured to be displaceable.

[0020] The link plate 110 is connected to the face link lever 120 via multiple gears or the like. The face link lever 120 receives rotational force transmitted from the link plate 110 via the multiple gears or the like. The face link lever 120 swings due to the rotational force transmitted from the link plate 110, and this swing imparts the rotational force transmitted from the link plate 110 to the face door 70. Therefore, the face door 70 swings due to the rotational force transmitted from the drive motor 80 through the link plate 110 and the face link lever 120, opening and closing the blow-out opening 32b.

[0021] Furthermore, the link plate 110, the foot link lever 130, and the foot door 71 are connected. The foot link lever 130 is a lever member that swings due to the rotational force transmitted from the link plate 110. As the foot link lever 130 swings, it applies the force transmitted from the link plate 110 to the foot door 71. Therefore, the foot door 71 swings due to the force transmitted from the drive motor 80 through the link plate 110 and the foot link lever 130, opening and closing the blow-out opening 32c.

[0022] Furthermore, the link plate 110, the differential link levers 140 and 140X, and the differential door 72 are connected. The differential link lever 140 is a lever member that is displaced by the rotational force transmitted from the link plate 110. As the differential link lever 140 is displaced, it imparts the force transmitted from the link plate 110 to the differential link lever 140X. The differential link lever 140X swings due to the force transmitted from the differential link lever 140, and as a result of this swinging, it imparts the rotational force transmitted from the differential link lever 140X to the differential door 72. Therefore, the differential door 72 swings due to the force transmitted from the drive motor 80 through the link plate 110 and the differential link levers 140 and 140X, opening and closing the blow-out opening 32a.

[0023] Next, the details of the structure of the link plate 110, foot link lever 130, and differential link levers 140 and 140X of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 12. Figure 3 is a front view showing one side 110a of the link plate 110. Figure 4 is a rear view showing one side 110b of the link plate 110. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along V-V in Figure 3, and Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged views of portion VI in Figure 3, respectively. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of portion VIII in Figure 3, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along IX-IX in Figure 4, Figure 10 is a view of the pin 150 taken along arrow X in Figure 9, and Figure 11 is a side view of the foot link lever 130 and pin 150.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the link plate 110 is formed in a disc shape with a predetermined thickness and a center point Ca. The link plate 110 is supported, for example, on the air conditioning case 30 so as to be rotatable about the center point Ca. The link plate 110 rotates about the center point Ca by the rotational force output from the drive motor 80. Hereafter, as shown in Figure 5, the thickness direction (i.e., the first direction) of the link plate 110 is referred to as the thickness direction Ya. On one side 110a of the link plate 110 in the thickness direction (i.e., predetermined direction) Ya, a cam groove 111a is formed, as shown in Figure 3.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the cam groove 111a is formed so as to be recessed on one surface 110a of the link plate 110, on the other side in the thickness direction Ya. The cam groove 111a is formed to surround the center point Ca. On one surface 110b of the link plate 110, on the other side in the thickness direction Ya, as shown in Figure 4, the cam groove 111b is formed. As shown in Figure 9, the cam groove 111b is formed so as to be recessed on one surface 110b of the link plate 110, on the one side in the thickness direction Ya. The cam groove 111b is formed to surround the center point Ca.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9, one end of the foot link lever 130 is positioned on the other side in the thickness direction Ya relative to one surface 110b of the link plate 110. A pin 150 is connected to one end of the foot link lever 130. As shown in Figure 9, the pin 150 is formed to protrude from the foot link lever 130 on one side in the thickness direction Ya. A tip portion 151c is formed on one side of the pin 150 in the thickness direction Ya. The tip portion 151c is formed to be flat in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction Ya. The pin 150 is housed in the cam groove 111b. The pin 150 is formed to be displaceable within the cam groove 111b.

[0027] As will be described later, the pin 150 in this embodiment plays the role of transmitting the force output from the link plate 110 to the foot link lever 130. A support shaft 170 is fixed to the other end of the foot link lever 130, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The support shaft 170 is formed so that its axis 170a is parallel to the thickness direction Ya. The support shaft 170 is supported so that it can rotate around the axis 170a relative to the air conditioning case 30. The foot link lever 130 is supported so that it can rotate around the axis 170a. One end of the foot door 71 is fixed to the support shaft 170. This allows the force output from the drive motor 80 to be transmitted to the foot door 71 via the link plate 110, pin 150, foot link lever 130, and support shaft 170.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, one end of the differential link lever 140 is positioned on one side in the thickness direction Ya relative to one surface 110a of the link plate 110. A pin 160 is connected to one end of the differential link lever 140. As shown in Figure 5, the pin 160 is formed to protrude from the differential link lever 140 on the other side in the thickness direction Ya. The pin 160 is housed in the cam groove 111a. The pin 160 is formed to be displaceable within the cam groove 111a.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a support shaft 171 is fixed to the other end of the differential link lever 140. The support shaft 171 is formed such that its axis 171a is parallel to the thickness direction Ya. One end of the differential link lever 140X is supported so as to be displaceable relative to the support shaft 171. A support shaft 172 is fixed to the other end of the differential link lever 140X. The support shaft 172 is formed such that its axis 172a is parallel to the thickness direction Ya. The support shaft 172 is supported, for example, relative to the air conditioning case 30 so as to be rotatable about its axis 172a. The support shaft 172 is fixed to one end of the differential door 72.

[0030] This allows the rotational force output from the drive motor 80 to be transmitted to the differential door 72 via the link plate 110, pin 160, differential link lever 140, support shaft 171, differential link lever 140X, and support shaft 172. The link plate 110, pins 150 and 160, foot link lever 130, and differential link levers 140 and 140X are made of a resin material such as POM or PBT. POM is an abbreviation for Polyoxymethylene, and PBT is an abbreviation for polybutyleneterephosphate.

[0031] Next, the details of the cam grooves 111a, 111b and pins 150, 160 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the link plate 110 includes a bottom portion 200 and side walls 201, 202 that form the cam groove 111a. The bottom portion 200 is formed on the other side of the link plate 110 in the thickness direction Ya with respect to the space constituting the cam groove 111a. The bottom portion 200 is formed to extend along the extension direction Yc of the cam groove 111a. The extension direction Yc is the second direction in which the cam groove 111a extends. The side wall 201 is a groove-forming portion formed on one side of the link plate 110 in the width direction Yb with respect to the space constituting the cam groove 111a. The side wall 201 is formed on one surface 110a of the link plate 110 along the thickness direction Ya.

[0032] Furthermore, the side wall 201 is formed to extend along the extension direction Yc of the cam groove 111a. The width direction Yb is a third direction that is perpendicular to the thickness direction Ya and also perpendicular to the extension direction Yc of the cam groove 111a. The side wall 202 is a groove-forming portion formed on the other side in the width direction Yb of the link plate 110 with respect to the space constituting the cam groove 111a. The side wall 202 is formed to extend along the extension direction Yc of the cam groove 111a. The side wall 202 is formed along the thickness direction Ya on one surface 110a of the link plate 110. The side walls 201 and 202 constitute a sliding portion that slides against the pin 160 when the link plate 110 rotates.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, a vertical wall 201a and an inclined wall 201b are provided on a part of the side wall 201 of the link plate 110 in this embodiment. The vertical wall 201a is formed to extend in the thickness direction Ya. The other end of the vertical wall 201a in the thickness direction Ya is connected to the bottom 200. The inclined wall 201b is positioned between the end of the side wall 201 in the thickness direction Ya and the vertical wall 201a. The inclined wall 201b is formed in a sloping shape that progresses toward one side in the thickness direction Ya toward one side in the width direction Yb. As will be described later, the inclined wall 201b plays a role in discharging foreign matter in the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a. The foreign matter consists of, for example, dust and wear particles. The wear particles are powder generated by wear between the pins 150, 160 and the link plate 110.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a recess 210 is formed in the link plate 110. The recess 210 is located on the other side of the link plate 110 in the extension direction Yc relative to the vertical surface 210a. The recess 210 is located on the other side of the link plate 110 in the width direction Yb relative to the inclined surface 210b. The recess 210 is formed to recess from the side wall 201 to one side in the width direction Yb. The recess 210 is formed by the inclined surface 210b and the vertical surface 210a. The vertical surface 210a is a recess-forming portion located on one side of the inclined surface 210b in the extension direction Yc. The vertical surface 210a is a first surface formed to extend from one end of the inclined surface 210b in the extension direction Yc to the other side in the width direction Yb.

[0035] Here, the side wall 201 includes a side wall portion 201x as a first side wall portion located on the other side in the extension direction Yc relative to the vertical surface 210a and the inclined surface 210b. The side wall 201 also includes a side wall portion 201y as a second side wall portion located on one side in the extension direction Yc relative to the vertical surface 210a and the inclined surface 210b. In this embodiment, the other end of the vertical surface 210a in the width direction Yb is connected to the side wall portion 201y to form a connection portion. The connection portion between the vertical surface 210a and the side wall portion 201y forms a corner portion 210c. The inclined surface 210b is a second surface located between the side wall portion 201x and the vertical surface 210a. The inclined surface 210b, together with the vertical surface 210a, is a recess-forming portion that constitutes the recess 210. The inclined surface 210b extends to the other side in the width direction Yb as it approaches the side wall portion 201x from the vertical surface 210a, and connects to the side wall portion 201x. Specifically, the inclined surface 210b is formed in an arc shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb.

[0036] As shown in Figure 8, a discharge hole 220 is formed in a part of the side wall 201. The discharge hole 220 is located in a part of the link plate 110 that is offset in the extension direction Yc with respect to the recess 210, the vertical surface 210a, and the inclined surface 210b. The discharge hole 220 is an opening that opens from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a. The discharge hole 220 serves to discharge foreign matter from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, the link plate 110 includes a bottom portion 230 that forms the cam groove 111b, and side walls 231 and 232. The bottom portion 230 is formed on one side of the link plate 110 in the thickness direction Ya with respect to the space that constitutes the cam groove 111b. The bottom portion 230 is formed to extend along the extension direction Ye of the cam groove 11b. The extension direction Ye is the direction in which the cam groove 111b extends. The side wall 231 is a groove-forming portion formed on one side of the link plate 110 in the width direction Yd with respect to the space that constitutes the cam groove 111b.

[0038] Furthermore, the side wall 231 is formed to extend along the extension direction Ye of the cam groove 111b. The width direction Yd is perpendicular to the thickness direction Ya and also perpendicular to the extension direction Ye of the cam groove 111a. The side wall 231 is formed along the thickness direction Ya on one surface 110b of the link plate 110. The side wall 232 is a groove-forming portion formed on the other side in the width direction Yd of the link plate 110 with respect to the space constituting the cam groove 111b. The side wall 232 is formed to extend along the extension direction Ye of the cam groove 111b. The side wall 232 is formed along the thickness direction Ya on one surface 110b of the link plate 110. The side walls 231 and 232 constitute a sliding portion that slides against the pin 150 when the link plate 110 rotates.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the side wall 231 is provided with a discharge hole 220a that opens from the inside of the cam groove 111b to the outside of the cam groove 111b. The discharge hole 220a serves to discharge foreign matter from the cam groove 111b to the outside of the cam groove 111b. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the pin 150 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis 150a as its center. The pin 150 includes an outer peripheral portion 151 that is formed in the circumferential direction with the axis 150a as its center. The outer peripheral portion 151 includes a gear portion 151a and a tapered portion 151b. The axis 150a is a virtual line extending in the thickness direction Ya in the pin 150.

[0040] Here, the gear portion 151a is composed of a plurality of protrusions 152b and a plurality of recesses 152a. Each of the plurality of protrusions 152b is formed to project radially outward from the axis 150a. Each of the plurality of protrusions 152b is formed to extend over the thickness direction Ya. Each of the plurality of recesses 152a is formed to recess radially inward from the axis 150a. Each of the plurality of recesses 152a is formed to extend over the thickness direction Ya. In the circumferential direction of the gear portion 151a, the plurality of protrusions 152b and the plurality of recesses 152a are arranged alternately one by one. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of protrusions 152b plays a role in scraping off foreign matter accumulated on the side walls 231 and 232.

[0041] The tapered portion 151b is located on one side of the pin 150 in the thickness direction Ya relative to the gear portion 151a. That is, the tapered portion 151b is located on the tip end 151c side of the pin 150 in the thickness direction Ya relative to the gear portion 151a. Hereafter, the area of ​​the cross section of the pin 150 perpendicular to the axis 150a will be referred to as the cross-sectional area. The tapered portion 151b is formed in a tapered shape, where the cross-sectional area decreases as you move from the other side of the thickness direction Ya to the one side. That is, the tapered portion 151b is formed such that the cross-sectional area decreases as you move from the gear portion 151a toward the tip end 151c side of the pin 150 in the thickness direction Ya. In this embodiment, the tapered portion 151b serves two purposes: to separate foreign matter attached to the side walls 231 and 232 from the side walls 231 and 232 and allow it to adhere to and accumulate on the tapered portion 151b; and to scrape out the foreign matter accumulated on the side walls 231 and 232 and remove it from the side walls 231 and 232.

[0042] Next, the operation of the link cam device 100 of this embodiment will be described. First, when the drive motor 80 rotates and applies rotational force to the link plate 110, the link plate 110 rotates about the center point Ca due to the rotational force output from the drive motor 80. As a result, one of the side walls 201 and 202 of the link plate 110 slides against the pin 160. At this time, the rotational force output from the drive motor 80 is transmitted from one of the side walls 201 and 202 to the differential link lever 140 via the pin 160.

[0043] Therefore, the differential link lever 140 is displaced by the rotational force transmitted through the pin 160. At this time, the support shaft 171 is displaced in conjunction with the differential link lever 140. Along with this, the force of the link plate 110 is transmitted from the differential link lever 140 through the support shaft 171 to the differential link lever 140X. Along with this, the differential link lever 140X swings about the axis 172a as shown by the arrow Wa in FIG. 3. For this reason, the support shaft 172 rotates about the axis 172a. Along with this, the rotational force output from the drive motor 80 is transmitted to the differential door 72 through the link plate 110, the pin 160, the differential link lever 140, the support shaft 171, the differential link lever 140X, and the support shaft 172. For this reason, in conjunction with the support shaft 172, the differential door 72 swings about the axis 172a as shown by the arrow Wb.

[0044] On the other hand, one of the side walls 231, 232 of the link plate 110 slides with respect to the pin 150. At this time, the rotational force output from the drive motor 80 is transmitted from one of the side walls 231, 232 through the pin 150 to the foot link lever 130. The foot link lever 130 swings about the axis 170a as shown by the arrow Wc in FIG. 3. For this reason, the support shaft 170 rotates about the axis 170a in conjunction with the foot link lever 130. Therefore, the rotational force output from the drive motor 80 is transmitted to the foot door 71 through the link plate 110, the pin 150, the foot link lever 130, and the support shaft 170. For this reason, in conjunction with the support shaft 170, the foot door 71 swings about the axis 170a as shown by the arrow Wd in FIG. 3.

[0045] Here, as shown in Figure 12, if the side wall 201 of the link plate 110 that forms the cam groove 111a extends in the thickness direction Ya, then multiple foreign objects 300 may be pressed and accumulated on the side wall 201 by the pin 160. Note that in Figure 12, the pressing of the foreign objects 300 is exaggerated, and in reality, the foreign objects 300 do not penetrate deep into the interior of the side wall 201. In contrast, the side wall 201 shown in Figures 5 and 13 is provided with an inclined wall 201b. Therefore, when the inclined wall 201b slides against the pin 160, the inclined wall 201b discharges the foreign objects 300 scraped out of the side wall 201 by the pin 160 to the outside of the cam groove 111a. In this embodiment, the cam groove 111a is provided with a recess 210, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Therefore, the recess 210 can accommodate foreign matter 300 that is scraped off the side walls 201 and 202 by the pin 160 when the side walls 201 and 202 slide against the pin 160.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, when the link plate 110 rotates in one direction from a state where the recess 210 is positioned on one side of the extension direction Yc relative to the pin 160, the corner 210c is displaced to the other side of the extension direction Yc, causing the corner 210c to slide against the pin 160. At this time, the corner 210c can scrape out any foreign matter 300 adhering to the pin 160 and remove it from the pin 160. Consequently, the recess 210 stores the foreign matter 300 that has been removed from the pin 160. Next, as shown in Figure 7, when the link plate 110 rotates in the other direction from a state where the recess 210 is positioned on the other side of the extension direction Yc relative to the pin 160, the inclined surface 210b is displaced to one side of the extension direction Yc relative to the pin 160. At this time, the inclined surface 210b and the side wall portion 201x can slide smoothly against the pin 160. Subsequently, as the link plate 110 rotates, the foreign matter 300 moves from the recess 210 to the discharge hole 220 due to the rotational force of the link plate 110 and gravity, and is then discharged from the discharge hole 220 to the outside of the cam groove 111a.

[0047] Further, as the link plate 110 rotates, the side walls 231 and 232 of the link plate 110 slide against the gear portion 151a of the pin 150. At this time, the gear portion 151a scrapes out the foreign matter 300 deposited on the side walls 231 and 232. In addition to this, when the side walls 231 and 232 of the link plate 110 slide against the tapered portion 151b of the pin 150, the tapered portion 151b scrapes out the foreign matter 300 deposited on the side walls 231 and 232. Thus, the foreign matter 300 scraped out from the side walls 231 and 232 moves to the discharge hole 220a by the rotational force or gravity of the link plate 110, and then is discharged from the discharge hole 220a to the outside of the cam groove 111b. Or, the tapered portion 151b of the pin 150 can adhere the foreign matter 300 deposited on the side walls 231 and 232 by electrostatic force or the like and temporarily store it. The foreign matter 300 stored in the tapered portion 151b in this way moves to the discharge hole 220a by the rotational force or gravity of the link plate 110, and then is discharged from the discharge hole 220a to the outside of the cam groove 111b.

[0048] According to the present embodiment described above, the link cam device 100 includes a link plate 110, a foot link lever 130, a de-link lever 140, and pins 150 and 160. The foot link lever 130 is configured to be able to swing about the axis 170a. The de-link lever 140 is configured to be able to be displaced. The pin 150 is connected to the foot link lever 130. The pin 160 is connected to the de-link lever 140. The link plate 110 is configured to be able to rotate by the force applied from the drive motor 80.

[0049] The link plate 110 includes a bottom portion 200, side walls 201 and 202 that are recessed on the other side in the thickness direction Ya to form a cam groove 111a for accommodating the pin 160. The link plate 110 includes a bottom portion 230, side walls 231 and 232 that are recessed on one side in the thickness direction Ya to form a cam groove 111b for accommodating the pin 150. The link plate 110 rotates by the force applied from the drive motor 80, and either one of the side walls 201 and 202 slides against the pin 160 and transmits a force to the pin 160.

[0050] The differential link lever 140 is displaced by a force transmitted from either of the side walls 201 or 202 via the pin 160. As a result of this displacement, the differential link lever 140 applies force to the differential door 72 via the differential link lever 140X, causing the differential door 72 to swing. On the other hand, the foot link lever 130 is oscillating by a force transmitted from either of the side walls 231 or 232 via the pin 150. As a result of this oscillating motion, the foot link lever 130 applies force to the foot door 71, causing the foot door 71 to swing.

[0051] The side walls 201 and 202 constitute sliding parts that slide against the pin 160. The side walls 231 and 232 constitute sliding parts that slide against the pin 150. The link plate 110 is provided with an inclined wall 201b, a recess 210, and a discharge hole 220 as removal parts for removing foreign matter from the sliding parts. The pin 150 is provided with a gear portion 151a for removing foreign matter 300 from the side walls 231 and 232 and a tapered portion 151b for removing foreign matter 300 from the bottom portion 230 as removal parts.

[0052] Therefore, even if foreign matter 300 enters the cam grooves 111a and 111b, the foreign matter 300 can be removed from the sliding parts, i.e., the side walls 201, 202, 231, and 232. As a result, the side walls 201, 202, 231, and 232 can slide smoothly against the pins 160 and 150 without using lubricant such as grease in the cam grooves 111a and 111b. This makes it possible to provide a link cam device 100 that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by foreign matter 300. Consequently, the link plate 110 can operate smoothly against the pins 150 and 160 without applying lubricant such as grease to the cam grooves 111a and 111b. Therefore, material costs such as grease and labor costs related to application can be reduced, and furthermore, by eliminating grease, which is difficult to remove during the recycling of resin materials, high-quality recycling of resin materials can be achieved.

[0053] In this embodiment, which is configured as described above, the following effects (a) to (h) can be obtained. (a) The link plate 110 and the pins 150 and 160 are each made of resin material. Therefore, the link plate 110 and the pins 150 and 160 can be well constructed. (b) The link plate 110 is provided with a discharge hole 220 for discharging foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a, and a discharge hole 220a for discharging foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111b to the outside of the cam groove 111b, as removal parts. Therefore, foreign matter can be well removed from the sliding parts.

[0054] (c) The side wall 201 is provided with an inclined wall 201b as a removal section, which is formed in a sloping shape that progresses from the other side in the thickness direction Ya to one side in the width direction Yb, thereby discharging foreign matter 300 to the outside of the cam groove 111a. This allows for effective removal of foreign matter 300 from the sliding part. In addition, in this embodiment, the cam groove 111a of the link plate 110 is formed by injection molding using a resin material. In this case, the direction of the mold release for forming the cam groove 111a is set to one side in the thickness direction Ya, as shown by the arrow Kn in Figure 5. Therefore, the cam groove 111a can be molded in the link plate 110 at low cost. Thus, the manufacturing cost of producing the link plate 110 can be reduced.

[0055] (d) The pin 150 has an outer peripheral portion 151 formed in the circumferential direction centered on an axis 150a extending in the thickness direction Ya. Furthermore, the outer peripheral portion 151 has a plurality of protrusions 152b that are convex radially outward and a plurality of recesses 152a that are recessed radially inward, centered on the axis 150a. The plurality of protrusions 152b and the plurality of recesses 152a are arranged alternately one by one in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of protrusions 152b acts as a removal portion, scraping off foreign matter accumulated on the side walls 231 and 232, thereby removing foreign matter 300 from the side walls 231 and 232. This makes it possible to effectively remove foreign matter 300 from the sliding portion.

[0056] (e) When the area of ​​the cross section of the pin 150 perpendicular to the thickness direction Ya is taken as the cross-sectional area, the outer circumference 151 is provided with a tapered portion 151b which is tapered so that the cross-sectional area decreases as it approaches the tip side in the thickness direction Ya. The tapered portion 151b acts as a removal section, removing foreign matter from the sliding part by scraping off the foreign matter 300 accumulated on the side walls 231 and 232. The tapered portion 151b acts as a removal section, removing foreign matter from the sliding part by temporarily accumulating the foreign matter 300 removed from the side walls 231 and 232. In this way, foreign matter 300 can be effectively removed from the sliding part.

[0057] (f) The link plate 110 has a vertical surface 210a and an inclined surface 210b that form a recess 210 that is recessed in one direction Yb from the side wall 201. The recess 210 can contain foreign matter 300, thereby removing foreign matter from the sliding part. (g) The side wall 201 has a side wall portion 201y that is located on one side in the extension direction Yc relative to the recess 210. The vertical surface 210a is located on one side in the extension direction Yc relative to the recess 210 and is formed to extend in the thickness direction Ya, and is further connected to the side wall portion 201y to form a corner portion 210c. Therefore, when the corner portion 210c slides on the other side in the extension direction Yc relative to the pin 160, the corner portion 219c can scrape out foreign matter 300 accumulated on the pin 160.

[0058] (h) The side wall 201 has a side wall portion 201x that is located on the other side of the extension direction Yc relative to the recess 210. The inclined surface 210b moves from one end of the vertical surface 210a in the thickness direction Ya towards the side wall portion 201x, and then connects to the other side of the thickness direction Ya. As a result, the inclined surface 210b and the side wall portion 201x can slide smoothly against the pin 160.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) In this second embodiment of the link cam device 100, a specific example in which a plurality of protrusions 240a and a plurality of recesses 241a are added to the side wall 201 of the link cam device 100 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14 is a front view showing the cam groove 111a of the link plate 110 of this embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figure 14, the side wall 201 of the link cam device 100 in this embodiment has a plurality of protrusions 240a and a plurality of recesses 241a formed thereon. Each of the plurality of protrusions 240a is formed to protrude on the other side in the width direction Yb. Each of the plurality of recesses 241a is formed to be recessed on one side in the width direction Yb. The plurality of protrusions 240a and the plurality of recesses 241a are arranged alternately one by one in the extension direction Yc.

[0061] The side wall 202 of the link cam device 100 in this embodiment is provided with a plurality of protrusions 240b and a plurality of recesses 241b. Each of the plurality of protrusions 240b is formed to protrude on one side in the width direction Yb. Each of the plurality of recesses 241b is formed to be recessed on the other side in the width direction Yb. The plurality of protrusions 240b and the plurality of recesses 241b are arranged alternately one by one in the extension direction Yc.

[0062] In this embodiment, when the link plate 110 rotates, the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b form a sliding part that slides against the pin 160. Therefore, when the multiple protrusions 240a slide against the pin 160, any foreign matter 300 attached to the multiple protrusions 240a etc. is detached from the multiple protrusions 240a etc. by the pin 160. On the other hand, when the multiple protrusions 240b slide against the pin 160, any foreign matter 300 attached to the multiple protrusions 240b etc. is detached from the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b by the pin 160. In this way, the foreign matter 300 detached from the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b is stored in the multiple recesses 241a and 241b. Subsequently, the foreign matter 300 is moved by the rotational force of the link plate 110 and gravity and discharged to the outside of the cam groove 111a through the discharge hole 220. Note that the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b are a collective designation of multiple protrusions 240a and multiple protrusions 240b. The multiple recesses 241a and 241b are a collective designation of multiple recesses 241a and multiple recesses 241b.

[0063] As described above, according to this embodiment, the multiple recesses 241a and 241b house the foreign matter 300 that has come off the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b, thereby removing the foreign matter 300 from the multiple protrusions 240a and 240b. In other words, the multiple recesses 241a and 241b correspond to the removal section. Therefore, even if foreign matter 300 enters the cam groove 111a, the foreign matter 300 can be removed from the sliding part. As a result, the link plate 110 can slide smoothly against the pins 160 and 150 without using lubricant such as grease in the cam groove 111a. This makes it possible to provide a link cam device 100 that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by foreign matter. Note that a configuration similar to that of the cam groove 111a as in this embodiment may also be applied to the cam groove 111b.

[0064] (Third Embodiment) In the link plate 110 of the link cam device 100 of this third embodiment, a specific example of the discharge hole 220 of the side wall 201 will be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15 is a front view showing the cam groove 111a of the link plate 110 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the side wall 201 of this embodiment includes a curved portion 251a and a curved portion 252a. The curved portion 251a is an R-shaped portion formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. The curved portion 252a is an R-shaped portion formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. The curved portion 252a is positioned on one side of the curved portion 251a with respect to the extension direction Yc.

[0065] The side wall 202 includes a curved portion 251b and a curved portion 252b. The curved portion 251b is an R-shaped portion formed in a curved form that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. The curved portion 252b is formed in a curved form that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. The curved portion 252b is positioned on one side of the curved portion 251b with respect to the extension direction Yc. Here, a discharge hole 220 is positioned between the curved portion 251a and the curved portion 252a. The discharge hole 220 is an opening that opens from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a. As will be described later, the discharge hole 220 plays a role in discharging foreign matter 300 from inside the cam groove 111a.

[0066] Next, the operation of the link cam device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 15, 16, and 17. Figures 16 and 17 are front views, respectively, of the proportional link plate 110 of this embodiment, showing a cam groove 111a in which a discharge hole 220 is not formed. Figure 16 shows a state in which foreign matter 300 has accumulated in the curved portions 251a and 252a. Figure 17 shows a state in which foreign matter 300 has been collected between the curved portions 251a and 252a. Note that in Figure 17, the state in which foreign matter 300 has been collected is exaggerated, and in reality, the foreign matter 300 has not penetrated deep into the interior of the side wall 201 between the curved portions 251a and 252a.

[0067] First, as shown in Figure 16, when the pin 160 is positioned between the curved portions 251a and 251b, the link plate 110 rotates, causing the side walls 201 and 202 to slide relative to the pin 160 to the other side in the extension direction Yc. Consequently, as shown in Figure 17, the foreign matter 300 accumulated on the curved portion 251a is collected by the pin 160 at the R-switching section between the curved portions 251a and 252a. As a result, the foreign matter 300 is pressed and accumulated at the R-switching section or on the pin 160.

[0068] On the other hand, when the pin 160 is positioned between the curved portions 252a and 252b, the link plate 110 rotates, causing the side walls 201 and 202 to slide relative to the pin 160 on one side in the extension direction Yc. Consequently, the foreign matter 300 accumulated on the curved portion 252a is collected by the pin 160 at the R-switching portion between the curved portions 251a and 252a. As a result, the foreign matter 300 is pressed and accumulated at the R-switching portion or on the pin 160.

[0069] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, a discharge hole 220 is provided in the R-switching section between the curved portion 251a and the curved portion 252a. Therefore, when the curved portion 251a and the curved portion 252a slide against the pin 160, the pin 160 discharges the foreign matter 300 collected from the curved portion 251a or the curved portion 252a out of the discharge hole 220 to the outside of the cam groove 111a.

[0070] According to the embodiment described above, the link plate 110 is provided with a discharge hole 220 as a removal section for discharging foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a. The side wall 201 includes a curved portion 251a which is formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb, and a curved portion 252a which is arranged on one side in the extension direction Yc relative to the curved portion 251a and is formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. The discharge hole 220 is located between the curved portions 251a and 252a of the side wall 201.

[0071] As a result, when the curved portions 251a and 252a slide against the pin 160, foreign matter 300 collected from the curved portion 251a or curved portion 252a by the pin 160 is discharged to the outside of the cam groove 111a through the discharge hole 220. Therefore, foreign matter 300 can be effectively discharged to the outside of the cam groove 111a. As a result, the side wall 201 of the link plate 110 can slide smoothly against the pin 160 without using lubricant such as grease in the cam groove 111a. This makes it possible to provide a link cam device 100 that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by foreign matter.

[0072] (Fourth Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the outer circumference 151 of the pin 150 was composed of a plurality of protrusions 152b projecting radially outward along the thickness direction Ya, and a plurality of recesses 152a recessing radially inward along the thickness direction Ya. However, in this fourth embodiment instead, as shown in Figure 18, the outer circumference 151 of the pin 150 has protrusions 152c projecting radially outward around the axis 150a, formed in a spiral shape around the axis 150a.

[0073] In other words, the protrusion 152c is formed in a spiral shape, like a screw. This allows the pin 150 to scrape out foreign matter 300 accumulated on the side walls 231 and 232, while also maintaining high sliding properties of the side walls 231 and 232 relative to the pin 150. That is, the protrusion 152c corresponds to the removal portion. Furthermore, when the pin 150 is molded by injection molding using a mold, the resin molded product, which is the pin 150, can be easily separated from the mold. In this embodiment, the protrusion 152c is set such that the angle formed between the direction in which the protrusion 152c extends and the thickness direction Ya is around 45 degrees (for example, 40 degrees or more and less than 50 degrees). This allows the side walls 231 and 232 to slide smoothly relative to the pin 150. (Other embodiments)

[0074] (1) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which an inclined wall 201b is provided in the side wall 201 that is formed to advance toward one side of the width direction Yb as it moves toward one side of the thickness direction Ya. However, instead, an inclined wall 201b may be provided in the side wall 202 that is formed to advance toward the other side of the width direction Yb as it moves toward one side of the thickness direction Ya. An inclined wall 201b may be provided in the side wall 231 that is formed to advance toward one side of the width direction Yb as it moves toward one side of the thickness direction Ya. Alternatively, an inclined wall 201b may be provided in the side wall 232 that is formed to advance toward the other side of the width direction Yb as it moves toward one side of the thickness direction Ya.

[0075] (2) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the recess 210 is formed to recess from the side wall 201 to one side in the width direction Yb. However, instead, the recess 210 may be formed to recess from the side wall 202 to the other side in the width direction Yb. The recess 210 may be formed to recess from the side wall 231 to one side in the width direction Yd. Alternatively, the recess 210 may be formed to recess from the side wall 232 to the other side in the width direction Yb.

[0076] (3) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the discharge hole 220 is provided in the side wall 201. However, instead, the discharge hole 220 may be provided in the side wall 202. An example was given in which the discharge hole 220a is provided in the side wall 231. However, instead, the discharge hole 220a may be provided in the side wall 232. (4) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the pin 150 is provided with a gear portion 151a and a tapered portion 151b. However, similarly, the pin 160 may be provided with a gear portion 151a and a tapered portion 151b.

[0077] (5) In the third embodiment described above, an example was described in which the side wall 201 is provided with curved portions 251a and 252a, which are formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side in the width direction Yb. Alternatively, the side wall 202 may be provided with a first curved portion and a second curved portion, which are formed in a curved shape that is convex to one side in the width direction Yb. A discharge hole 220 may be provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion to discharge foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111a to the outside of the cam groove 111a.

[0078] Furthermore, the side wall 231 may be provided with a first curved portion and a second curved portion that are curved in a way that protrudes to the other side in the width direction Yd. A discharge hole 220a may be provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion to discharge foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111b to the outside of the cam groove 111b. The side wall 232 may be provided with a first curved portion and a second curved portion that are curved in a way that protrudes to one side in the width direction Yd. A discharge hole 220a may be provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion to discharge foreign matter 300 from the inside of the cam groove 111b to the outside of the cam groove 111b.

[0079] (6) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the link plate 110 rotated by the rotational force output from the drive motor 80, with the drive motor 80 as the drive source. However, instead, an operating switch operated by an operator may be used as the drive source. In this case, the operating force that the operator applies to the operating switch when the operator operates the operating switch is applied to the link plate 110. Therefore, the link plate 110 rotates due to the operating force that the operator applies to the operating switch. Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth embodiments described above, an operating switch operated by an operator may also be used as the drive source.

[0080] (7) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the link cam device 100 of the present disclosure is applied to the interior air conditioning unit 1 of a vehicle air conditioning system. However, instead, the link cam device 100 may be applied to various industrial equipment other than the interior air conditioning unit 1 of a vehicle air conditioning system. Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth embodiments described above, the link cam device 100 may be applied to various industrial equipment other than the interior air conditioning unit 1 of a vehicle air conditioning system. (8) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the driven part of the present disclosure is a door such as a foot door 71 or a differential door 72. However, instead, a member other than a door may be used as the driven part of the present disclosure. Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth embodiments described above, a member other than a door may be used as the driven part of the present disclosure.

[0081] (9) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which each of the pins 150 and 160 is made of a resin material and the link plate 110 is made of a resin material. However, instead, each of the pins 150 and 160 may be made of a metal material and the link plate 110 may be made of a resin material. Alternatively, each of the pins 150 and 160 may be made of a resin material and the link plate 110 may be made of a metal material. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment described above, either the pins 150 and 160 or the link plate 110 may be made of a metal material and the other may be made of a resin material.

[0082] (10) In each of the above embodiments, the link plate 110 rotates due to the force provided by the drive motor 80, and when it rotates, the groove-forming side walls 201 and 202 slide against the pin 160 and transmit force to the pin 160. That is, the force from the drive source is transmitted from the groove-forming part to the pin 160. When force is transmitted from the groove-forming part to the pin 160, the groove-forming part and the pin 160 slide against each other. This order of force transmission between the groove-forming part and the pin 160 is the same for the groove-forming side walls 231 and 232 and the pin 150. However, the order of force transmission from the drive source does not necessarily have to be this way, and the force from the drive source may be transmitted from the pin to the groove-forming part. That is, the groove-forming part may be driven by the pin. When force is transmitted from the pin to the groove-forming part, the pin and the groove-forming part also slide against each other.

[0083] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the support shaft 171 of the differential link lever 140 may be replaced with a pin. That is, a pin may be connected to the differential link lever 140X side end of the differential link lever 140. A cam groove, composed of opposing side walls, may be formed at the differential link lever 140X side end of the differential link lever 140. These side walls correspond to the groove forming portion. The pin may be housed in the cam groove. The force from the drive motor 80 is transmitted in the order of link plate 110, differential link lever 140, and the pin, causing the pin to slide against the opposing side walls, thereby transmitting force from the pin to the differential link lever 140X. As a result, the differential link lever 140X is driven, and the differential door 72 swings. In this example, the pin and the opposing side walls are the second pin and second groove forming portion in the force transmission path from the drive source to the differential door 72, but there may also be examples where they are the first pin and first groove forming portion, respectively.

[0084] (11) In each of the above embodiments, the foot door 71 may be fixedly coupled to the foot link lever 130 in a non-rotatable manner and configured to rotate integrally with the foot link lever 130. Similarly, the differential link lever 140X may be eliminated, and the differential door 72 may be fixedly coupled to the differential link lever 140 in a non-rotatable manner and configured to rotate integrally with the differential link lever 140. In other words, the link plate 110 may be configured to directly transmit force to a member that is displaced integrally with the door, which is the part to be driven.

[0085] (12) This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate, except in cases where the combination is clearly impossible. In addition, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments in each embodiment are not necessarily essential, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each embodiment, when numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical values, quantities, or ranges of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, they are not limited to those specific numbers, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components, etc. are mentioned in each embodiment, they are not limited to those shapes, positional relationships, etc., except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particular or where they are clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc.

[0086] (Perspective of this disclosure) The above disclosure can be understood from the following perspectives, for example.

[0087] [First Perspective] A link cam device comprising: lever members (130, 140) configured to be displaceable; pins (150, 160) connected to the lever members; and a displacement body (110) having groove forming parts (201, 202, 231, 232) that are recessed in a predetermined direction (Ya) and form cam grooves (111a, 111b) for housing the pins, wherein when one of the displacement body and the lever members (110) is displaced by a force applied from a drive source (80), the groove forming parts and the pins slide against each other, thereby transmitting force from one of the displacement body and the lever members to the other (130, 140) via the groove forming parts and the pins, and the other is displaced by the force transmitted via the groove forming parts and the pins, and this displacement applies the force to a driven object (71, 72) causing the driven object to be displaced. Link cam device wherein the groove forming portion constitutes a sliding portion that slides against the pin, and at least one of the displacement body and the pin is provided with a removal portion (201b, 210, 220, 151a, 151b, 241a, 241b, 152c) for removing foreign matter from the sliding portion. [Second viewpoint] Link cam device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement body rotates by the force provided by the drive source, and when it rotates, the groove forming portion slides against the pin to transmit the force to the pin, and the lever member is displaced by the force transmitted from the groove forming portion through the pin, and the force is applied to the driven object in conjunction with this displacement to displace the driven object. [Third viewpoint] Link cam device according to the first or second viewpoint, wherein at least one of the displacement body and the pin is made of a resin material.[Fourth viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall is provided with a plurality of protrusions (240a, 240b) that protrude toward the other side of the third direction and a plurality of recesses (241a, 241b) that recess toward one side of the third direction, the plurality of recesses and the plurality of protrusions are arranged alternately in the second direction, and the plurality of recesses serve as the removal portion to remove foreign matter from the sliding portion by housing the foreign matter. Link cam device according to any one of the first to third viewpoints. [Fifth viewpoint] The link cam device according to any one of the first to fourth viewpoints, wherein the displacement body is provided with a discharge hole (220, 220a) as the removal part, which discharges the foreign matter from the inside of the cam groove to the outside of the cam groove to remove the foreign matter from the sliding part. [Sixth viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall comprises a first curved portion (251a) formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side of the third direction, and a second curved portion (252a) located on one side of the second direction with respect to the first curved portion and formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side of the third direction, and the discharge hole is located between the first curved portion and the second curved portion, the link cam device according to the fifth viewpoint.[Seventh viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall is formed in an inclined shape that advances toward one side of the third direction as it moves toward the other side of the first direction, and the inclined wall (201b) is provided as the removal portion for removing the foreign matter from the sliding portion by discharging the foreign matter from the sliding portion to the outside of the cam groove. The link cam device according to any one of the first to sixth viewpoints. [Eighth viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yd), the pin has an outer peripheral portion (151) formed in the circumferential direction centered on an axis (150a) extending in the first direction, the outer peripheral portion comprises a plurality of convex portions (152b) that are convex outward in the radial direction centered on the axis and a plurality of concave portions (152a) that are concave inward in the radial direction, the plurality of convex portions and the plurality of concave portions are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and each of the plurality of convex portions serves as a removal portion to scrape off foreign matter adhering to the sliding portion, the link cam device according to any one of the first to seventh viewpoints.[Ninth viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yd), the pin protrudes from the lever member to one side in the first direction and forms a tip portion (151c) on one side in the first direction, and when the area of ​​the cross section of the pin perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the cross-sectional area, the pin is provided with a tapered portion (151b) which is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses and is tapered in a way that the cross-sectional area decreases as it approaches the tip portion, and the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to separate and accumulate the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion from the sliding portion, or the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to scrape out the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion, the link cam device according to any one of the first to eighth viewpoints. [Tenth viewpoint] When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion is provided with a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the displacement body has recess forming portions (210a, 210b) that form a recess (210) recessed from the side wall on one side of the third direction, and the recess removes foreign matter from the sliding portion by housing the foreign matter, the link cam device according to any one of the first to ninth viewpoints. [Eleventh viewpoint] The link cam device according to the tenth viewpoint, wherein the side wall has a side wall portion (201y) positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the recess, and the recess forming portion has a surface (210a) positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the recess and extending in the third direction, and further connected to the side wall portion to form a corner portion (210c).[Twelfth viewpoint] The link cam device according to the eleventh viewpoint, wherein when the side wall portion is designated as the first side wall portion, the side wall has a second side wall portion (201y) located on the other side in the second direction relative to the recess, and when the surface is designated as the first surface, the recess forming portion has a second surface (210b) which, as it moves from one end of the first surface in the third direction toward the second side wall portion, moves toward the other side in the third direction and connects to the second side wall portion.[13th Perspective] At least one of the displacement body and the pin is made of a resin material, and when the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc, Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb, Yd), the pin protrudes from the lever member to one side in the first direction and forms a tip portion (151c) on one side in the first direction, the pin has an outer circumference portion (151) formed in the circumferential direction centered on an axis (150a) extending in the first direction, the outer circumference portion comprises a plurality of protrusions (152b) that protrude outward in the radial direction centered on the axis and a plurality of recesses (152a) that recess inward in the radial direction, the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and each of the plurality of protrusions serves as a removal portion to scrape off the foreign matter adhering to the sliding part. The link cam device according to the first aspect, wherein the area of ​​the cross section of the pin perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the cross-sectional area, the pin is positioned on one side in the first direction relative to the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses, and is formed in a tapered shape such that the cross-sectional area decreases towards the tip, the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to separate and accumulate the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion from the sliding portion, the tapered portion also serves as the removal portion to scrape out the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion, the groove forming portion is provided with a side wall (201) positioned on one side in the third direction relative to the space constituting the cam groove, the displacement body has recess forming portions (210a, 210b) that form a recess (210) recessed from the side wall on one side in the third direction, and the recess removes the foreign matter from the sliding portion by housing the foreign matter.

Claims

1. A link cam device comprising: lever members (130, 140) configured to be displaceable; pins (150, 160) connected to the lever members; and a displacement body (110) having groove forming parts (201, 202, 231, 232) that are recessed in a predetermined direction (Ya) and form cam grooves (111a, 111b) for housing the pins, wherein when one of the displacement body and the lever members (110) is displaced by a force applied from a drive source (80), the groove forming parts and the pins slide against each other, thereby transmitting force from one of the displacement body and the lever members to the other (130, 140) via the groove forming parts and the pins, and the other is displaced by the force transmitted via the groove forming parts and the pins, and this displacement applies the force to a driven object (71, 72) to displace the driven object. The groove forming portion constitutes a sliding portion that slides against the pin, and at least one of the displacement body and the pin is provided with a removal portion (201b, 210, 220, 151a, 151b, 241a, 241b, 152c) for removing foreign matter from the sliding portion.

2. The link cam device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement body rotates due to the force provided by the drive source, and when it rotates, the groove forming portion slides against the pin to transmit the force to the pin, and the lever member is displaced by the force transmitted from the groove forming portion through the pin, and this displacement applies the force to the driven object to displace the driven object.

3. The link cam device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the displacement body and the pin is made of a resin material.

4. When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall is provided with a plurality of protrusions (240a, 240b) that protrude toward the other side of the third direction and a plurality of recesses (241a, 241b) that recess toward one side of the third direction, the plurality of recesses and the plurality of protrusions are arranged alternately in the second direction, and the plurality of recesses serve as the removal portion to remove foreign matter from the sliding portion by accommodating the foreign matter. The link cam device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The link cam device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement body is provided with a discharge hole (220, 220a) as the removal part, which discharges the foreign matter from the inside of the cam groove to the outside of the cam groove to remove the foreign matter from the sliding part.

6. The link cam device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall comprises a first curved portion (251a) formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side of the third direction, and a second curved portion (252a) located on one side of the second direction with respect to the first curved portion and formed in a curved shape that is convex to the other side of the third direction, and the discharge hole is located between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

7. When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), the groove forming portion comprises a side wall (201) located on one side of the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the side wall is formed in an inclined shape that advances toward one side of the third direction as it moves toward the other side of the first direction, and the inclined wall (201b) is provided as the removal portion for removing the foreign matter from the sliding portion by discharging the foreign matter from the sliding portion to the outside of the cam groove.

8. When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yd), the pin has an outer peripheral portion (151) formed in the circumferential direction centered on an axis (150a) extending in the first direction, the outer peripheral portion comprises a plurality of convex portions (152b) that are convex outward in the radial direction centered on the axis and a plurality of concave portions (152a) that are concave inward in the radial direction, the plurality of convex portions and the plurality of concave portions are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and each of the plurality of convex portions serves as a removal portion to scrape off foreign matter adhering to the sliding portion, as described in claim 1 or 2.

9. When the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yd), the pin protrudes from the lever member to one side in the first direction and forms a tip portion (151c) on one side in the first direction, and when the area of ​​the cross section of the pin perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the cross-sectional area, the pin is provided with a tapered portion (151b) which is positioned on one side in the first direction relative to the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses and is tapered in a way that the cross-sectional area decreases towards the tip portion, and the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to separate and accumulate the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion from the sliding portion, or the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to scrape off the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion.

10. The link cam device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb), wherein the groove forming portion is provided with a side wall (201) located on one side in the third direction with respect to the space constituting the cam groove, the displacement body has recess forming portions (210a, 210b) that form a recess (210) recessed from the side wall on one side in the third direction, and the recess removes foreign matter from the sliding portion by housing the foreign matter.

11. The link cam device according to claim 10, wherein the side wall has a side wall portion (201y) positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the recess, and the recess forming portion is positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the recess and is formed to extend in the third direction, and further has a surface (210a) connected to the side wall portion to form a corner portion (210c).

12. The link cam device according to claim 11, wherein when the side wall portion is designated as the first side wall portion, the side wall has a second side wall portion (201x) located on the other side in the second direction relative to the recess, and when the surface is designated as the first surface, the recess forming portion has a second surface (210b) which, as it moves from one end of the first surface in the third direction toward the second side wall portion, moves toward the other side in the third direction and connects to the second side wall portion.

13. At least one of the displacement body and the pin is made of a resin material, and when the predetermined direction is defined as the first direction (Ya), the direction in which the cam groove extends is defined as the second direction (Yc, Ye), and the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is defined as the third direction (Yb, Yd), the pin protrudes from the lever member to one side in the first direction and forms a tip portion (151c) on one side in the first direction, the pin has an outer circumference portion (151) formed in the circumferential direction centered on an axis (150a) extending in the first direction, the outer circumference portion comprises a plurality of protrusions (152b) that protrude outward in the radial direction centered on the axis and a plurality of recesses (152a) that recess inward in the radial direction, the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and each of the plurality of protrusions serves as a removal portion to scrape off the foreign matter adhering to the sliding part. The link cam device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area of ​​the cross section of the pin perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the cross-sectional area, the pin is provided with a tapered portion (151b) which is positioned on one side in the first direction relative to the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses, and is tapered in shape so that the cross-sectional area decreases towards the tip, the tapered portion serves as the removal portion to separate and accumulate the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion from the sliding portion, the tapered portion also serves as the removal portion to scrape out the foreign matter attached to the sliding portion, the groove forming portion is provided with a side wall (201) positioned on one side in the third direction relative to the space constituting the cam groove, the displacement body has recess forming portions (210a, 210b) which form a recess (210) that recesses from the side wall on one side in the third direction, and the recess removes the foreign matter from the sliding portion by housing the foreign matter.

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