CN117146508A

CN117146508A - Air door device and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN117146508A
Application number: CN202310628739.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 横江悟
Original assignee: Nidec Instruments Corp
Current assignee: Nidec Instruments Corp
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2023-05-30
Publication date: 2023-12-01
Also published as: JP2023176110A

Abstract

A damper device and a refrigerator, which improve the assembling property of the damper device using a motor as a driving source. The damper device (1) has: a frame (2) having an opening (20) opened and closed by a shutter (4); and a housing (3) which houses the drive mechanism (6) with a partition plate (23) provided at the end of the frame. The housing is provided with: a bottom (31) and a side plate (32); a motor holding part (36) arranged on the inner side of the side plate part; and a positioning rib (50) connecting the motor holding portion and the side plate portion. A first guide surface (53) inclined in the direction of the X1 direction along with the direction of the motor holding part is arranged at the front end of the X2 direction of the positioning rib. When the gear motor (60) is assembled to the housing, the bottom of the motor housing (63) is brought into contact with the first guide surface, and the bottom of the motor housing is slid along the first guide surface, whereby the motor housing is dropped into the inside of the motor holding portion.

Description

Air door device and refrigerator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a damper device including a motor as a driving source, and a refrigerator.

Background

The damper device disposed on a cool air duct of a refrigerator or the like comprises: a frame provided with an opening; a baffle rotatably supported on the frame; and a driving mechanism for driving the baffle, wherein the driving mechanism is accommodated in the inner side of a shell arranged at the end part of the frame. The driving mechanism is provided with: a stepping motor disposed inside the housing; and a gear train for transmitting rotation of the stepping motor to the shutter. The sector gear arranged at the final stage of the gear train is connected with a baffle plate.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-211195

Disclosure of Invention

In the damper device described in patent document 1, the driving mechanism is held inside a resin casing. When a resin case is used, ribs for securing rigidity and a holding shape of the driving mechanism are provided. Therefore, when the damper device is assembled, the motor housing is easily caught by the rib or the holding shape, and there is a problem that smooth assembly is not possible.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to improve the assemblability of a damper device using a motor as a drive source.

In order to solve the above problems, a damper device according to the present invention includes: a frame including a frame portion surrounding an opening portion and a partition plate disposed at an end portion of the frame portion; a shutter rotatably supported by the frame and opening and closing the opening; a driving mechanism including a motor and an output member for transmitting rotation of the motor to the shutter; and a case that is coupled to the partition plate and that accommodates the driving mechanism between the case and the partition plate, the case including: a bottom portion opposite to the partition wall plate; a side plate portion extending from an outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition wall plate; a motor holding portion extending from the bottom portion toward the partition wall plate on the inner side of the side plate portion; and a rib connecting the motor holding portion and the side plate portion, wherein the motor includes a motor case having a bottom fitted inside the motor holding portion, and when a direction from the partition wall plate toward the bottom portion is defined as one side in a first direction, a first guide surface is provided at a front end of the other side of the rib in the first direction, the first guide surface being inclined toward the one side in the first direction as going toward the motor holding portion side, and the first guide surface being located at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than the motor holding portion.

In the present invention, in the actuator in which the drive mechanism is housed between the case and the partition wall plate, the first guide surface is provided at the tip end of the rib connecting the side plate portion of the case and the motor holding portion. The first guide surface is disposed on the partition wall plate side (the other side in the first direction) of the motor holding portion, and is inclined in a direction recessed toward the motor holding portion side (the direction toward the one side in the first direction). When the motor is assembled to the housing, the bottom of the motor housing is brought into contact with the first guide surface, and the bottom of the motor housing is slid along the first guide surface, so that the motor housing can be dropped into the motor holding portion. Therefore, the motor housing is less likely to be caught by the structure outside the motor holding portion, and thus the assembly of the actuator is improved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the motor includes a terminal cover protruding toward an outer peripheral side of the motor case, and the motor holding portion includes: an arc portion along an outer peripheral surface of the motor housing; and a pair of connecting portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides in a circumferential direction of the terminal cover, a second guide surface being provided at a front end of the other side of the first direction of each of the pair of connecting portions, the second guide surface of one of the pair of connecting portions being inclined toward one side of the first direction as going toward the other of the pair of connecting portions, the second guide surface of the other of the pair of connecting portions being inclined toward one side of the first direction as going toward the one of the pair of connecting portions. In this way, when the motor is assembled to the housing, the bottom portion of the terminal cover is brought into contact with the second guide surface, and the bottom portion of the terminal cover is slid along the second guide surface, so that the terminal cover can be dropped between the pair of connection portions. Therefore, the terminal cover is less likely to be caught by the structure outside the pair of connecting portions, and thus the assembling property of the actuator is improved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom of the terminal cover is located at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than the bottom of the motor housing, and when the motor is mounted to the housing from the other side in the first direction, the bottom of the motor housing is brought into contact with the first guide surface before the bottom of the terminal cover is brought into contact with the second guide surface, the motor housing is guided to the inner side of the circular arc portion along the first guide surface, and then the bottom of the terminal cover is brought into contact with the second guide surface, and the terminal cover is guided to between the pair of connection portions along the second guide surface. In this way, the bottom of the motor housing can be prevented from being guided in the wrong direction by abutting the second guide surface.

In the present invention, the side plate portion preferably includes: a first side plate; and a second side plate disposed on the opposite side of the first side plate with respect to the motor holding portion, wherein the ribs are provided in a first connecting portion connecting the first side plate and the motor holding portion and a second connecting portion connecting the second side plate and the motor holding portion, respectively. In this way, since the plurality of first guide surfaces are disposed on the opposite side to the motor holding portion, the motor housing can be easily dropped into the inside of the motor holding portion.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the motor includes a motor plate for closing an end portion of the motor case on the partition wall plate side, two first protruding portions protruding toward the first side plate side and the second side plate side are provided on an outer peripheral edge of the motor plate, the first protruding portions protruding toward the first side plate side are fitted between two ribs provided on the first connecting portion, and the second protruding portions protruding toward the second side plate side are fitted between two ribs provided on the second connecting portion. In this way, by using the rib for circumferential positioning of the motor as the rib for providing the first guide surface, the structure of the housing can be simplified.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the partition plate includes a motor plate receiving portion protruding toward the case, and the first protruding portion is pressed by the motor plate receiving portion and is pressed against an end surface of the motor case. Thus, the motor can be prevented from rocking between the housing and the partition plate. Therefore, since the vibration of the motor is not easily transmitted to the housing, noise caused by the vibration of the housing can be suppressed.

The damper device of the present invention can be used for a refrigerator having a cooler and a storage chamber to which cool air generated by the cooler is supplied, and is disposed at a cool air intake port of the storage chamber.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a damper device to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the opposite direction from a damper.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device shown in fig. 1, as viewed from the baffle side.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dividing wall, drive mechanism and housing.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the housing and the driving mechanism viewed from the partition wall plate side and a plan view of the housing with the driving mechanism removed from the partition wall plate side.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor and the housing.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view cut at A-A position of fig. 7) and a side view of the geared motor showing positions of the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

Fig. 9 is an XZ cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken at position B-B of fig. 6 (a)) of the partition wall plate, the gear drive motor, and the housing.

Fig. 10 is a YZ cross-sectional view (cut at position C-C of fig. 9) of the partition wall plate, the gear drive motor, and the housing.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view of a refrigerator provided with the damper device shown in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a damper device for a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, XYZ is a direction orthogonal to each other. The direction along the rotation axis L of the shutter is set as the X direction. The opening opened and closed by the baffle faces the Z direction. The X direction is the first direction, the Y direction is the second direction, and the Z direction is the third direction. The description will be given with one side in the X direction being X1, the other side in the X direction being X2, one side in the Y direction being Y1, the other side in the Y direction being Y2, one side in the Z direction being Z1, and the other side in the Z direction being Z2.

(integral structure)

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied, as seen from the side opposite to a damper 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device 1 of fig. 1 viewed from the baffle 4 side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the damper device 1 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the partition plate 23, the driving mechanism 6, and the housing 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60. Fig. 6 (a) is a plan view of the housing 3 and the driving mechanism 6 as viewed from the partition plate 23 side. Fig. 6 (b) is a plan view of the housing 3 with the drive mechanism 6 removed from the partition wall plate 23 side. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the geared motor 60 and the housing 3.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3, the damper device 1 includes: a frame 2 provided with an opening 20 that opens in the Z direction; a baffle 4 rotatably supported by the frame 2; and a housing 3 coupled to the frame 2. The frame 2 and the housing 3 are made of resin. The shutter 4 rotates about a rotation axis L extending in the X direction, thereby opening and closing the opening 20.

The frame 2 includes: a frame portion 21 provided with an opening portion 20; a square tubular main body 22 protruding in the Z1 direction from the outer edge of the frame 21; and a partition wall plate 23 integrally formed with the X1-direction side plate portion of the main body portion 22. The housing 3 is opposed to the partition wall plate 23 from the X1 direction. The case 3 and the partition wall plate 23 are coupled by engaging the hooks 24 extending from the edge of the partition wall plate 23 in the X1 direction with the protrusions 30 formed on the side surfaces of the case 3. The partition plate 23 and the case 3 constitute a rectangular parallelepiped frame body accommodating the driving mechanism 6 for driving the shutter 4.

The frame 2 includes a side plate 25, and the side plate 25 is disposed at an end portion of the frame portion 21 on the X2 side and faces the partition wall plate 23 in the X direction. The frame 2 further includes a seal portion 10, and the seal portion 10 protrudes from the edge of the opening 20 toward the side (Z1 direction) where the baffle 4 is located in the frame portion 21. A heater (not shown) surrounding the sealing portion 10 is mounted on the frame portion 21. The damper device 1 generates heat by energizing the heater, thereby preventing the damper 4 from being unable to move due to freezing.

The baffle 4 is rotatably supported between the partition wall plate 23 and the side plate 25. A cylindrical portion 41 protruding toward the X1 side and a cylindrical portion 42 protruding toward the X2 side are formed at the edge of the shutter 4 on the Y2 side. A coupling hole (not shown) is formed in the front end of the cylindrical portion 41, and the coupling hole is fitted into the front end of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69 protruding from the shaft hole 27 penetrating the partition plate 23 toward the baffle plate 4. A shaft portion 44 is formed at the front end of the cylindrical portion 42, and is fitted into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the side plate 25. Therefore, the baffle 4 is rotatably supported on the frame 2 with the axis line connecting the center of the shaft hole 27 of the partition wall plate 23 and the center of the shaft hole of the side plate 25 as the rotation axis line L.

The baffle 4 has: a resin opening/closing plate 45 larger than the opening 20; and a sheet-like elastic member 46 made of foamed polyurethane or the like, which is adhered to the surface of the opening portion 20 side of the opening/closing plate 45. The shutter 4 is rotated about the rotation axis L by a driving mechanism 6 described later, and is moved to a closed position closing the opening 20 and an open position opening the opening 20. In the closed position, the resilient member 46 is in contact with the seal 10.

The damper device 1 is disposed inside a duct or the like constituting a cold air passage, for example. The cool air flows through the opening 20 from the side opposite to the side where the baffle 4 is disposed with respect to the opening 20. The cool air may flow through the opening 20 from the side where the baffle 4 is disposed with respect to the opening 20.

(drive mechanism)

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the driving mechanism 6 is accommodated between the housing 3 and the partition wall plate 23. The drive mechanism 6 includes a gear motor 60 and an output member 69 driven by the gear motor 60. The output member 69 includes: a shaft portion 691 fitted to the shaft support portion 35 provided in the housing 3; and a sector gear 692 extending radially from the shaft portion 691. The output member 69 is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 35 of the housing 3. As described above, the front end portion of the shaft portion 691 of the output member 69 extending in the X2 direction penetrates the shaft hole 27 provided in the partition wall plate 23, and is connected to the baffle plate 4.

As shown in fig. 5, the gear motor 60 includes a motor 61 and a gear transmission mechanism 62 that transmits rotation of the motor 61 to an output member 69. The motor 61 includes: a metallic motor case 63 having a bottomed cylindrical shape; a metal motor plate 64 for closing the opening end of the motor case 63; a cylindrical stator 65 disposed inside the motor case 63; a rotor 71 (see fig. 9) disposed inside the stator 65; and a partition member 66 disposed between the motor plate 64 and the stator 65. The motor 61 is composed of a stepping motor and is composed of a motor housing 63, a rotor 71 and a stator 65.

The gear transmission mechanism 62 includes: a gear train 621 constituted by a plurality of gears arranged between the partition member 66 and the motor plate 64; and an output wheel 622 driven via a train 621. The rotation of the rotor 71 is decelerated by the gear train 621 and transmitted to the output wheel 622. The output wheel 622 has: a gear 623 engaged with a final gear of the gear train 621; a shaft portion 624 extending from the center of the gear 623 in the X2 direction; and a gear 625 connected to a tip end of a shaft portion 624 protruding in the X2 direction through a shaft support portion 641 provided in the motor plate 64. Gear 625 meshes with sector gear 692 of output member 69.

The stator 65 includes: a stator coil 651; an insulator 652 wound around the stator coil 651; and an inner stator core 653 that covers insulator 652 (refer to fig. 9). In the present embodiment, the motor case 63 doubles as an outer stator core of the stator 65. On the outer peripheral side of the rotor 71, pole teeth (not shown) formed by cutting up the bottom plate 631 of the motor case 63 and pole teeth 654 (see fig. 8) formed on the inner stator core 653 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the motor case 63 includes a circular bottom plate 631 and a tube portion 632 extending in the X direction from the outer edge of the bottom plate 631. In the notch 633 formed by cutting the Y1 side edge of the tube 632 to the vicinity of the bottom plate 631, a terminal block 67 integrally formed with the insulator 652 is disposed. A terminal cover 68 for covering the terminal block 67 is fixed to the motor case 63. The terminal cover 68 protrudes in the Y1 direction from the cutout 633 of the motor case 63. A plurality of connector terminals 70 are held by the terminal block 67. The plurality of connector terminals 70 are bent in the X1 direction on the radially outer side of the terminal block 67, and extend in the X1 direction in the gap between the terminal block 67 and the terminal cover 68. A stator coil 651 is electrically connected to the connector terminal 70.

The motor plate 64 includes: a circular plate main body 642 formed with a shaft supporting portion 641; two first protruding portions 643 protruding from the plate main body 642 to the Z1 side and the Z2 side; a second protruding portion 644 protruding from the plate main body 642 toward the Y1 side; and a third projection 645 projecting from the plate body 642 toward the Y2 side of the shaft support 641. The second protrusion 644 is disposed in the cutout 633 of the motor case 63, covering the terminal cover 68. The first projection 643 and the third projection 645 are fitted in the recess 634 provided at the open end of the tube 632. The motor plate 64 is fixed to the motor case 63 by caulking the outer peripheral edge of the plate main body 642 with the open end of the tube portion 632.

(Shell)

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the housing 3 includes: a bottom 31 opposed to the partition plate 23 from the opposite side (X1 direction) of the frame 21; and a square tubular side plate portion 32 protruding from the bottom portion 31 toward the partition wall plate 23 side (X2 direction). The bottom portion 31 and the side plate portion 32 are quadrangular in that a long side extends in the Y direction and a short side extends in the Z direction when viewed from the X direction. As shown in fig. 3, the side plate portion 32 includes: a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 opposing in the Z direction; and third and fourth side plates 323 and 324 opposed in the Y direction. The third side plate 323 connects the Y2 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The fourth side plate 324 connects the Y1 side ends of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. Projections 30 which engage with the hooks 24 of the partition wall plate 23 are formed on the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322.

The housing 3 is provided with a connector insertion port 33 through which the connector terminal 70 of the motor 61 is exposed to the side opposite to the partition wall plate 23. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the connector insertion port 33 is formed by cutting out the corner connecting the fourth side plate 324 and the bottom 31. When the mating connector is inserted into the connector insertion port 33, the connector terminal 70 of the motor 61 can be connected to an external wiring connected to the mating connector, and a drive signal can be supplied to the motor 61.

As shown in fig. 3 and 7, the case 3 includes a cylindrical boss portion 34 extending in the Z direction along the inner surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The boss 34 protrudes from the bottom 31 in the X2 direction and is connected to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. When the partition plate 23 and the case 3 are coupled, the boss portion 34 is fitted with a projection 28 (see fig. 4) projecting from the partition plate 23 in the X1 direction.

The housing 3 includes a cylindrical shaft support portion 35 and a motor holding portion 36 disposed inside the side plate portion 32. The shaft support portion 35 and the motor holding portion 36 protrude from the bottom portion 31 toward the side (X2 direction) where the partition plate 23 is located. As shown in fig. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the shaft support portion 35 and the motor holding portion 36 are disposed at the center of the housing 3 in the Z direction. The shaft support 35 is disposed at an end of the housing 3 on the third side plate 323 side (Y2 direction). The motor holding portion 36 is disposed at an end of the housing 3 on the fourth side plate 324 side.

As shown in fig. 6 (a), 6 (b), and 7, the motor holding unit 36 includes: a circular arc portion 361 surrounding the outer periphery of the motor case 63; and a pair of connection portions 362 surrounding both sides of the terminal cover 68 in the circumferential direction. The circular arc portion 361 has a shape in which a portion (portion on the Y1 side) where the terminal cover 68 is disposed is notched. The pair of connection portions 362 extend in the Y1 direction from both sides of the notch of the circular arc portion 361, and are connected to both sides of the fourth side plate 324 in the circumferential direction of the connector insertion port 33 (see fig. 6 b).

As shown in fig. 6 a, 6 b, and 7, the case 3 includes a first connecting portion 325 protruding inward (Z2 side) from the first side plate 321, and a second connecting portion 326 protruding inward (Z1 side) from the second side plate 322, and the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 are connected to the arc portion 361. At the center in the circumferential direction of the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326, groove portions 327 penetrating the circular arc portion 361 in the radial direction and opening on the inner circumferential surface of the circular arc portion 361 are provided, respectively.

As shown in fig. 7, the height of the arc portion 361 of the motor holding portion 36 in the X direction is lower than that of the side plate portion 32. The first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326 each include a pair of positioning ribs 50 protruding from the upper end surface (end surface in the X2 direction) of the circular arc portion 361 in the X2 direction on both sides in the circumferential direction of the groove portion 327. The positioning rib 50 provided in the first connecting portion 325 protrudes in the Z2 direction from the first side plate 321 and extends to a position of the inner peripheral surface of the circular arc portion 361. The positioning rib 50 provided in the second connecting portion 326 protrudes in the Z1 direction from the second side plate 322 and extends to the position of the inner peripheral surface of the circular arc portion 361.

As shown in fig. 6 (a), the first protruding portion 643 of the motor plate 64 is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50 in the first connecting portion 325 and the second connecting portion 326. That is, the pair of positioning ribs 50 are motor plate positioning portions that position the motor plate 64 with respect to the housing 3 in the circumferential direction of the gear motor 60.

As shown in fig. 7, the upper end surfaces 51 (end surfaces in the X2 direction) of the positioning ribs 50 are located on the same surface as the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The side end surface 52 of each positioning rib 50 is located on the same surface as the inner peripheral surface of the circular arc portion 361. The four positioning ribs 50 each have a first guide surface 53 formed by cutting away the corner connecting the upper end surface 51 and the side end surface 52. The first guide surface 53 is an inclined surface inclined in a direction toward the bottom plate 311 side (X1 side) as it goes toward the side end surface 52 side (inner peripheral side of the circular arc portion 361). The first guide surfaces 53 are located on the X2 side of the circular arc portion 361 and are distributed circumferentially along the circular arc portion 361.

As shown in fig. 7, the height of the pair of connecting portions 362 in the X direction in the motor holding portion 36 is higher than the circular arc portion 361. The upper end surface 54 of each connecting portion 362 is located closer to X1 than the upper end surfaces of the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The connection portion 362 includes a second guide surface 56 formed by cutting away the corner portions of the upper end surface 54 and the side surface 55 on the connection terminal cover 68 side. The second guide surface 56 is an inclined surface inclined in a direction toward the bottom plate 311 side (X1 side) as it goes toward the terminal cover 68 side. Accordingly, the two second guide surfaces 56 provided at the pair of connecting portions 362 are inclined in opposite directions, and face each other in the Z direction. The upper end surface 54 of the connecting portion 362 is located at a position (X1 side) lower than the upper end surface 51 of the positioning rib provided with the first guide surface 53, and therefore the second guide surface 56 is located at a position (X1 side) closer to the bottom 31 than the first guide surface 53.

(positioning of geared motor relative to housing)

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view cut at the A-A position of fig. 7) and a side view of the geared motor 60 showing the positions of the first guide surface 53 and the second guide surface 56. In the present embodiment, the geared motor 60 is assembled with respect to the housing 3 in the arrow direction shown in fig. 8. As described above, the height of the arc portion 361 in which the motor case 63 is fitted in the X direction is lower than the side plate portion 32, and the first guide surface 53 is provided above (X2 side) the opening end of the arc portion 361 (see fig. 7 and 8). Therefore, the bottom portion of the motor housing 63 contacts the first guide surface 53 before contacting the upper end surface of the circular arc portion 361. When the bottom of the motor housing 63 abuts against the first guide surface 53, the corner portion of the bottom plate 631 of the motor housing 63, which is connected to the tube portion 632, can be slid along the first guide surface 53. Thus, the motor housing 63 moves toward the center of the circular arc portion 361, and the bottom of the motor housing 63 falls inside the four positioning ribs 50.

As shown in fig. 8, the bottom surface of the terminal cover 68 is located closer to the X2 side than the bottom surface of the motor case 63. Therefore, when the geared motor 60 is assembled to the housing 3, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 does not contact the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor housing 63 is necessarily in contact with the first guide surface 53. Therefore, as described above, the motor housing 63 can be guided by the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor housing 63 can be dropped inside the four positioning ribs 50.

Next, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 contacts the second guide surface 56 provided at a position lower than the first guide surface 53 (position on the X1 side) on the way the bottom of the motor housing 63 enters the inside of the four positioning ribs 50 in the X1 direction. By sliding the corner portion of the bottom plate 681 of the terminal cover 68 that is connected to the circumferential side plate 682 along the second guide surface 56, the terminal cover 68 moves toward between the pair of connecting portions 362. At this time, the motor housing 63 rotates in the circumferential direction in a state where the end in the X1 direction enters the inside of the four positioning ribs 50.

When the terminal cover 68 reaches a position where it can enter between the pair of connection portions 362 in the X1 direction by the second guide surface 56, the motor case 63 is further dropped in the X1 direction inside the four positioning ribs 50 while the terminal cover 68 is dropped between the pair of connection portions 362. This allows the motor case 63 to fall inside the circular arc portion 361 while being guided by the positioning rib 50.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the motor case 63 is guided to the center of the circular arc portion 361 by the first guide surface 53, and then the terminal cover 68 is guided between the pair of connection portions 362 by the second guide surface 56. This makes it possible to easily drop the motor housing 63 and the terminal cover 68 into the motor holding portion 36.

As shown in fig. 6 (b) and 7, motor receiving ribs 363 extending in the Z direction are formed on the inner surface of the circular arc portion 361 of the motor holding portion 36. In the present embodiment, motor receiving ribs 363 are arranged at four positions separated in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral surface of the motor case 63 is in contact with the tip of the motor receiving rib 363, and is gently pushed into the inner side of the circular arc portion 361. The motor receiving rib 363 does not extend to the upper end of the arc 361. Therefore, when the bottom of the motor case 63 is placed inside the upper end portion of the circular arc portion 361, it is not in contact with the motor receiving rib 363, and thus can be easily placed.

As shown in fig. 7, the motor plate 64 closing the opening end of the motor case 63 is provided with two first protruding portions 643 protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the motor case 63 as described above. As shown in fig. 6 (a), the first projection 643 on the Z1 side is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50 provided on the first connection portion 325. In addition, the first protruding portion 643 on the Z2 side is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50 provided in the second connecting portion 326. That is, the pair of positioning ribs 50 function as motor plate positioning portions that position the motor plate 64 with respect to the housing 3 in the circumferential direction of the gear motor 60.

The geared motor 60 is positioned in the Y-direction and Z-direction relative to the housing 3 by lightly pressing the motor housing 63 into the inner side of the circular arc 361 while flattening the tip end of the motor receiving rib 363. Further, the first protruding portion 643 of the motor plate 64 is fitted between the pair of positioning ribs 50, thereby positioning the housing 3 in the circumferential direction.

As shown in fig. 4, the motor plate receiving portions 29 protruding in the X1 direction from positions opposed to the motor plate 64 of the gear motor 60 are provided at three positions on the partition plate 23. When the partition plate 23 is coupled to the case 3, the motor plate receiving portion 29 abuts against the motor plate 64 from the X2 side, and presses the motor plate 64. Thereby, the geared motor 60 is positioned in the X direction.

As shown in fig. 4, the three motor plate receiving portions 29 each include: a pressing portion 291 extending linearly along the outer edge of the partition wall plate 23; and a reinforcing portion 292 protruding from a side surface of the pressing portion 291. A step is provided between the front end surface of the reinforcement portion 292 and the front end surface of the pressing portion 291, and the front end surface of the reinforcement portion 292 is not in contact with the motor plate 64.

Fig. 9 is an XZ sectional view (sectional view cut at the B-B position of fig. 6 (a)) of the partition wall plate 23, the gear motor 60, and the housing 3. Fig. 10 is a YZ cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view cut at the C-C position of fig. 9) of the partition wall plate 23, the gear drive motor 60, and the housing 3. As shown in fig. 10, the three-position motor plate receiving portion 29 presses two first protruding portions 643 and one second protruding portion 644 provided on the motor plate 64. The pressing portions 291 of the two motor plate receiving portions 29 that press the first protruding portion 643 extend in the Y direction. The pressing portion 291 of the motor plate receiving portion 29 that presses the second protruding portion 644 extends in the Z direction, pressing the center in the circumferential direction of the second protruding portion 644.

As shown in fig. 9, the motor plate receiving portion 29 is disposed at a position where the pressing portion 291 faces the end surface of the motor case 63 on the X2 side in the X direction. Therefore, the first projection 643 is sandwiched between the motor plate receiving portion 29 and the end surface on the X2 side of the motor case 63, and the motor case 63 is pressed via the first projection 643.

(reinforcing Structure of Shell)

The motor holding portion 36 is disposed at an end of the housing 3 on the fourth side plate 324 side, and is connected to the first side plate 321, the second side plate 322, and the fourth side plate 324, but is separated from the third side plate 323. Accordingly, a first rib 37 extending in the Z direction, a second rib 38 extending in the Y direction, and a third rib 39 are disposed between the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323, and a reinforcing structure made of the ribs is provided.

The first rib 37 is connected to the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second rib 38 is disposed at two positions on the Z1 side and the Z2 side of the shaft support portion 35, and intersects the first rib 37. The two second ribs 38 are connected to the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323, respectively. The third rib 39 extends in the Y direction between the motor holding portion 36 and the shaft supporting portion 35, and connects the motor holding portion 36 and the shaft supporting portion 35. The shaft support portion 35 is connected to the third side plate 323 via a fourth rib 40 extending to the opposite side of the third rib 39.

As shown in fig. 4 and 7, the bottom 31 of the housing 3 includes: a bottom plate 311 that blocks an end of the motor holding portion 36 in the X1 direction; and a partition plate 312 located on the partition wall plate 23 side (X2 side) with respect to the bottom plate 311. As shown in fig. 10, the partition plate 312 is located at substantially the center of the housing 3 in the X direction. The bottom plate 311 and the partition plate 312 are plate-shaped with the X direction as the normal direction. The partition plate 312 connects the outer surface of the motor holding portion 36 with the inner surface of the side plate portion 32 (the first side plate 321, the second side plate 322, the third side plate 323, and the fourth side plate 324). Therefore, the space accommodating the driving mechanism 6 is partitioned from the external space by the partition plate 312 on the outer peripheral side of the motor holding portion 36. The first rib 37, the second rib 38, the third rib 39, and the fourth rib 40 are connected to the partition plate 312, and protrude from the partition plate 312 in the X2 direction.

As shown in fig. 4, the bottom 31 of the housing 3 is reinforced by a first outer surface rib 313 and a second outer surface rib 314 protruding from the partition plate 312 in the X1 direction. The first outer surface rib 313 extends in the Z-direction between the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323, and is connected with the first side plate 321 and the second side plate 322. The second outer surface rib 314 extends in the Y direction and intersects the first outer surface rib 313. The second outer surface ribs 314 are arranged in three at equal intervals, and connect the motor holding portion 36 and the third side plate 323. The front end surfaces of the first outer surface rib 313 and the second outer surface rib 314 in the X1 direction, the front end surfaces of the side plate portions 32 in the X1 direction, and the bottom plate 311 are located on the same surface.

(refrigerator)

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view of a refrigerator 100 provided with the damper device 1 shown in fig. 1. In the refrigerator 100 shown in fig. 11, a refrigerator main body 110 includes a plurality of storage chambers 111 and a cold air duct 112 for supplying cold air to the plurality of storage chambers 111, and a damper device 1 to which the present invention is applied is provided at a cold air intake port 113 communicating the cold air duct 112 and the storage chambers 111. The refrigerator main body 110 includes a cooler 114 that generates cool air, a fan 115 disposed in the cool air duct 112, and a control device 120. The control device 120 controls the opening and closing operation of the damper device 1 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided in the storage chamber 111, and adjusts the timing and amount of supply of cool air to the storage chamber 111.

(main effects of the present embodiment)

As described above, the damper device 1 of the present embodiment includes: a frame 2 including a frame portion 21 surrounding the opening portion 20 and a partition plate 23 disposed at an end portion of the frame portion 21; a shutter 4 rotatably supported by the frame 2 and opening and closing the opening 20; a drive mechanism 6 including a gear motor 60 and an output member 69 for transmitting rotation of the gear motor 60 to the shutter 4; and a case 3 coupled to the partition wall plate 23 and accommodating the driving mechanism 6 between the case and the partition wall plate 23. The housing 3 includes: a bottom 31 opposite the partition wall plate 23; a side plate portion 32 extending from the outer edge of the bottom portion 31 toward the partition wall plate 23; a motor holding portion 36 extending from the bottom portion 31 to the partition wall plate 23 on the inner side of the side plate portion 32; and a rib (positioning rib 50) connecting the motor holding portion 36 and the side plate portion 32. The geared motor 60 includes a bottomed motor case 63 fitted inside the motor holding portion 36. A first guide surface 53 is provided at the front end of the positioning rib 50 in the X2 direction (the other side in the first direction), and the first guide surface 53 is inclined in the direction toward the X1 direction (the one side in the first direction) as it goes toward the motor holding portion 36. The first guide surface 53 is located closer to the X2 direction (the other side in the first direction) than the end surface of the motor holding portion 36 in the X2 direction (the other side in the first direction).

In the present embodiment, in the damper device 1 in which the driving mechanism 6 is housed between the casing 3 and the partition wall plate 23, the gear motor 60 in which the rotor 7, the stator 65, and the gear train 621 are housed between the motor casing 63 and the motor plate 64 is used as a motor constituting the driving mechanism 6. The housing 3 housing the geared motor 60 is provided with a first guide surface 53 at the tip of a rib (positioning rib 50) connecting the side plate 32 of the housing 3 and the motor holding portion 36. The first guide surface 53 is disposed closer to the partition plate 23 side (the other side in the X2 direction (the first direction)) than the upper end surface of the motor holding portion 36, and is inclined in a direction recessed toward the motor holding portion 36 side (a direction toward the X1 direction (the first direction side)). When such a first guide surface 53 is provided, when the gear motor 60 is assembled to the housing 3, the bottom of the motor housing 63 is brought into contact with the first guide surface 53, and the bottom of the motor housing 63 is slid along the first guide surface 53, whereby the motor housing 63 can be dropped into the motor holding portion 36. As described above, in the present embodiment, the motor case 63 can be dropped inside the motor holding portion 36 only by pressing the geared motor 60 in the X1 direction, and therefore, the motor case 63 is less likely to be caught by the structure outside the motor holding portion 36. Therefore, the damper device 1 is excellent in assembling property.

In the present embodiment, the gear motor 60 includes a terminal cover 68 protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the motor case 63. The motor holding unit 36 includes: a circular arc portion 361 along the outer peripheral surface of the motor case 63; and a pair of connecting portions 362 connecting the arc portion 361 and the side plate portion 32 to both sides of the terminal cover 68 in the circumferential direction. A second guide surface 56 is provided at the front end of each of the pair of connecting portions 362 in the X2 direction (the other side in the first direction). Of the pair of connection portions 362 aligned in the Z direction, the second guide surface 56 of the connection portion 362 on the Z1 side is inclined in the direction toward the X1 direction as it goes toward the connection portion 362 on the Z2 side, and the second guide surface 56 of the connection portion 362 on the Z2 side is inclined in the direction toward the X1 direction as it goes toward the connection portion 362 on the Z1 side. When such a second guide surface 56 is provided, when the geared motor 60 is assembled to the housing 3, the bottom portion of the terminal cover 68 is brought into contact with the second guide surface 56, and the bottom portion of the terminal cover 68 is slid along the second guide surface 56, whereby the terminal cover 68 can be dropped between the pair of connection portions 362. As described above, in the present embodiment, the terminal cover 68 can be dropped between the pair of connection portions 362 only by pressing the geared motor 60 in the X1 direction, and therefore, the terminal cover 68 is less likely to be caught by the structure outside the pair of connection portions 362. Therefore, the damper device 1 is excellent in assembling property.

In the present embodiment, the bottom of the terminal cover 68 is located further in the X2 direction than the bottom of the motor case 63. When the geared motor 60 is mounted on the housing 3 from the X2 direction, the bottom of the motor housing 63 abuts the first guide surface 53 before the bottom of the terminal cover 68 abuts the second guide surface 56. As a result, the motor case 63 is guided to the inside of the circular arc portion 361 along the first guide surface 53, and then the bottom portion of the terminal cover 68 is brought into contact with the second guide surface 56, and the terminal cover 68 is guided between the pair of connection portions 362 along the second guide surface 56. Therefore, the bottom of the motor case 63 can be prevented from being guided in the wrong direction by abutting the second guide surface 56.

In the present embodiment, the side plate portion 32 of the housing 3 includes a first side plate 321 and a second side plate 322 disposed on the opposite side of the first side plate 321 from the motor holding portion 36. The positioning rib 50 provided with the first guide surface 53 is provided at the first connection portion 325 connecting the first side plate 321 and the motor holding portion 36 and the second connection portion 326 connecting the second side plate 322 and the motor holding portion 36, respectively. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the plurality of first guide surfaces 53 are disposed on the opposite side to the motor holding portion 36 to guide the gear motor 60, the motor housing 63 can be easily dropped inside the motor holding portion 36.

In the present embodiment, the gear motor 60 includes a motor plate 64 that blocks an end portion of the motor housing 63 on the partition wall plate 23 side. Two first protruding portions 643 protruding toward the first side plate 321 side and the second side plate 322 side are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the motor plate 64, the first protruding portions 643 protruding toward the first side plate 321 side are fitted between the two positioning ribs 50 provided on the first connecting portion 325, and the first protruding portions 643 protruding toward the second side plate 322 side are fitted between the two positioning ribs 50 provided on the second connecting portion 326. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the positioning rib 50 used for positioning the motor plate 64 in the circumferential direction is used as the rib for providing the first guide surface 53, it is not necessary to provide a rib for providing the first guide surface 53 separately from the positioning rib 50. Therefore, the structure of the housing 3 can be simplified.

The rib for providing the first guide surface 53 may be different from the present embodiment. That is, the rib for providing the first guide surface 53 can be provided at a different portion from the positioning rib 50 for positioning the first protruding portion 643 in the circumferential direction.

In the present embodiment, the partition plate 23 that houses the drive mechanism 6 between the housing 3 is provided with a motor plate receiving portion 29 that protrudes toward the housing 3. The first projection 643 is pressed by the motor plate receiving portion 29 and pressed against the end surface of the motor case 63. Thereby, the geared motor 60 can be positioned between the housing 3 and the partition wall plate 23 in the X direction, and the geared motor 60 can be restrained from rocking between the housing 3 and the partition wall plate 23. Therefore, since the vibration of the geared motor 60 is not easily transmitted to the housing 3, noise caused by the vibration of the housing 3 can be suppressed.

The damper device 1 of the present embodiment can be used for a refrigerator 100, and the refrigerator 100 includes a cooler 114 and a storage chamber 111 to which cool air generated by the cooler 114 is supplied, and the damper device 1 is disposed at a cool air intake port 113 of the storage chamber 111.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the damper device 1 of the above embodiment is used for a refrigerator, but the present invention is not limited to the damper device used for a refrigerator. The motor constituting the driving mechanism 6 may be configured such that the wheel train 621 is disposed outside the motor case 63 and the motor plate 64.

Symbol description

1 … damper device; 2 … frame; 3 … shell; 4 … baffle; 6 … drive mechanism; 10 … seal; 20 … opening portions; 21 … frame portion; 22 … body portion; 23 … dividing wall panels; 24 … hook; 25 … side panels; 27, … shaft holes; 28 … convex portions; 29 … motor plate receiving portion; 30 … projections; 31 … bottom; 32 … side panel portions; 33 … connector insertion opening; 34 … boss portion; 35 … shaft support; 36 … motor holder; 37 … first rib; 38 … second rib; 39 … third rib; 40 … fourth rib; 41. 42 … cylinder portion; 44 … shaft portion; 45 … opening and closing plate; 46 … elastic member; 50 … locating ribs; 51 … upper end face; 52 … side end faces; 53 … first guide surfaces; 54 … upper end face; 55 … side; 56 … second guide surfaces; 60 … gear drive motor; 61 … motor; 62 … gear transfer mechanism; 63 … motor housing; 64 … motor plate; 65 … stator; 66 … partition member; 67 … terminal block; 68 … terminal cover; 69 … output member; 70 … connector terminals; 71 … rotor; 100 … refrigerator; 110 … refrigerator body; 111 … storage compartments; 112 … cold air duct; 113 … cool air intake port; 114 … cooler; 115 … fan; 120 … control means; 291 … pressing part; 292 … reinforcements; 311 … bottom plate; 312 … separator plate; 313 … first outer surface ribs; 314 … second outer surface ribs; 321 … first side panel; 322 … second side panel; 323 … third side plate; 324 … fourth side panel; 325 … first connecting portion; 326 … second connecting portion; 327 … groove portions; 361 and … arc portions; 362 … connection; 363 … motor receiving ribs; 621 … train; 622 … output wheel; 623 … gears; 624 … shaft portion; 625 … gears; 631 … floor; 632 … barrel portion; 634 … recesses; 641 … shaft supporting sections; 642 … panel body; 643 … first projection; 644 … second projection; 645 … third projection; 651 … stator coils; 652 … insulator; 653 … stator core; 654 … pole teeth; 681 … bottom plate; 682 … side panels; 691 … shaft portion; 692 … sector gears; l … axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A damper device, comprising:

a frame including a frame portion surrounding an opening portion and a partition plate disposed at an end portion of the frame portion;

a shutter rotatably supported by the frame and configured to open and close the opening;

a driving mechanism including a motor and an output member for transmitting rotation of the motor to the shutter; and

a housing coupled to the partition plate and accommodating the driving mechanism between the housing and the partition plate,

the housing is provided with: a bottom portion opposed to the partition wall plate; a side plate portion extending from an outer edge of the bottom portion toward the partition wall plate; a motor holding portion extending from the bottom portion toward the partition wall plate inside the side plate portion; and a rib connecting the motor holding portion and the side plate portion,

the motor comprises a motor housing with a bottom which is embedded in the inner side of the motor holding part,

in the case where the direction from the partition wall plate toward the bottom is set to one side of the first direction,

a first guide surface is provided at a front end of the other side of the rib in the first direction, the first guide surface being inclined toward one side of the first direction as it is toward the motor holding portion side,

the first guide surface is located on the other side of the first direction than the motor holding portion.

2. The damper device of claim 1, wherein,

the motor includes a terminal cover protruding toward the outer periphery of the motor housing,

the motor holding unit includes: an arc portion along an outer peripheral surface of the motor housing; and a pair of connection portions connecting the arc portion and the side plate portion on both sides in a circumferential direction of the terminal cover,

a second guide surface is provided at a front end of the other side of the first direction of each of the pair of connection portions,

the second guide surface of one of the pair of connection portions is inclined in a direction toward one side of the first direction as it goes toward the other of the pair of connection portions,

the second guide surface of the other of the pair of connecting portions is inclined in a direction toward one side of the first direction as it goes toward one of the pair of connecting portions.

3. The damper device of claim 2, wherein,

the bottom of the terminal cover is located at the other side of the first direction than the bottom of the motor housing,

when the motor is mounted to the housing from the other side of the first direction,

before the bottom of the terminal cover abuts the second guide surface, the bottom of the motor housing abuts the first guide surface, the motor housing is guided to the inner side of the circular arc portion along the first guide surface,

then, the bottom portion of the terminal cover abuts against the second guide surface, and the terminal cover is guided along the second guide surface between the pair of connection portions.

4. The damper device of claim 1, wherein,

the side plate portion includes: a first side plate; and a second side plate disposed opposite to the first side plate with respect to the motor holding portion,

the ribs are provided to a first connecting portion connecting the first side plate and the motor holding portion and a second connecting portion connecting the second side plate and the motor holding portion, respectively.

5. The damper device of claim 4, wherein,

the motor is provided with a motor plate which blocks the end of the motor housing on the partition wall plate side,

two first protruding parts protruding to the first side plate side and the second side plate side are arranged on the outer periphery of the motor plate,

the first protruding portion protruding toward the first side plate is fitted between the two ribs provided at the first connecting portion,

the first protruding portion protruding toward the second side plate is fitted between the two ribs provided at the second connecting portion.

6. The damper device of claim 5, wherein,

the partition plate is provided with a motor plate receiving part protruding to the shell side,

the first protruding portion is pressed by the motor plate receiving portion and pressed against an end surface of the motor case.

7. A refrigerator having a damper device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

has a cooler and a storage chamber provided with cool air generated by the cooler,

the damper device is disposed at a cool air intake port of the storage chamber.