JP4890850B2 - Drive switching actuator and two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is, for example, a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching or neutral position / drive position that can be used for various vehicles such as agricultural machines, construction engineering machines, transport machines, and other vehicles such as buggy cars and automobiles. The present invention relates to a drive switching actuator and a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device that can be used for a switching drive device such as switching of a motor, and in particular, a drive switching actuator that can be reduced in weight and size by simplifying the structure and 2 The present invention relates to a wheel / four-wheel drive switching device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching devices that can switch between a two-wheel drive state and a four-wheel drive state in a vehicle such as an automobile have been proposed. FIG. 7 schematically shows a structural example of this type of conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device 100 for a vehicle is supported in a housing 101 and includes a shift fork shaft that is a transfer two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching member (not shown). An output shaft 102 that is always interlocked, a resin worm wheel 103 that is rotatably supported by the output shaft 102 via a coil spring 110, and a worm 104 that meshes with the worm wheel 103 are driven to rotate. And a motor. The coil spring 110 is housed in a concave spring housing portion formed on the same circumference inside the resin worm wheel 103. In the two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device 100, an actual position detection switch 105 for detecting the position of the output shaft 102 and a switching electric switch 106 for controlling the operation of the electric motor are fixed to the output shaft 102. The switch base 107 is provided on both side surfaces.

  The actual position detection switch 105 includes a plurality of annular electrodes (not shown) formed concentrically on one side surface of the switch base 107, and a resin holder fixed to the output shaft 102 corresponding to these electrodes. , 105a is provided with a plurality of conductive members 105a,. One switching electric switch 106 includes a plurality of annular electrodes (not shown) formed concentrically on the other side opposite to one side of the switch base 107, and a resin worm wheel corresponding to these electrodes. 103, a plurality of conductive members 106a,.

  On the other hand, as another example of a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device capable of switching between a two-wheel drive state and a four-wheel drive state, for example, whether the state is a two-wheel drive state or a four-wheel drive state A plurality of electrodes for an electric switch for generating an electric signal for controlling an operation of an indicator to be displayed and a plurality of electrodes for a switching electric switch for generating an electric signal for controlling an operation of an electric motor are provided on the same plane in the housing. There is a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  8 and 9 show a structural example of the two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device 100 for a vehicle described in Patent Document 1. In these drawings, substantially the same members as those in the conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device shown in FIG.

  The vehicle two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device 100 described in Patent Document 1 includes a metal housing portion 101a and a resin housing portion 101b which is an electrical insulating material, as shown in FIGS. A housing 101, an output shaft (rotary shaft) 102 that is supported in the housing 101 and is always linked to a shift fork shaft 109 that is a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching member of a transfer, and the output shaft 102 via a spring 110. And driving means for rotationally driving. This driving means is constituted by a resin worm wheel 103 supported by an output shaft 102 so as to be relatively rotatable, and an electric motor 111 for rotationally driving a worm 104 meshed with the worm wheel 103.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device has an indicator (not shown) that displays whether the transfer is in a two-wheel drive state or a four-wheel drive state. An electric switch 112 for generating an electric signal for controlling the operation and an electric switch 106 for generating an electric signal for controlling the operation of the electric motor 111 are provided. Four electrodes T1, T2, T3, and T4 are electrically insulated from each other on the inner wall surface of the resin housing portion 101b that supports one end of the output shaft 102. These electrodes T1 to T4 are composed of a plurality of arc-shaped conductive bands formed concentrically around the output shaft 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the electric switch 112 for operating the indicator is fixed to the output shaft 102 via the electrodes T1 and T2 and the resin holder 108 made of an electric insulating material, and the output shaft 102 is rotated. The conductive member 112a electrically connects / disconnects the electrodes T1 and T2 depending on the position. The conductive member 112a is provided corresponding to the electrodes T1 and T2.

  On the other hand, the switching electric switch 106 that generates an electric signal for controlling the operation of the electric motor 111 is composed of electrodes T2 to T4 and a conductive member 106a fixed to the resin worm wheel 103 that is an electric insulating material. Has been. The conductive member 106a is provided corresponding to the electrodes T2 to T4. The electrode T2 is electrically connected to the negative side of the battery.

  The operation of the electric motor 111 is controlled by a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching electric switch (not shown) operated by the driver and a switching electric switch 106 that is linked to the rotation of the worm wheel 103. The operation / non-operation of an indicator such as a lamp for notifying the driver of the four-wheel drive state is controlled by an electric switch 112 that interlocks with the rotation of the output shaft 102.

In this conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device, electrodes T2 to T4 in which a switching electric switch 106 for controlling the operation of the electric motor 111 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing portion 101b and the worm wheel 103 are integrated. Since the electrodes T1 to T4 are concentrated on the inner wall surface of the housing portion 101b, the electrodes T1 to T4 are easily formed, and the electrode T2 is connected to the two electric switches 106 and 112. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-71806 (FIGS. 1 and 2 and an explanation thereof)

  By the way, the conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device shown in FIG. 7 described above has an actual position detection switch 105, a switch electric switch 106, and a switch on both sides of a large-diameter switch base 107 fixed to the output shaft 102. Are provided.

  For this reason, it is necessary to secure an installation space for the switch base 107 in the housing 101. In addition, a resin holder 108 having a plurality of conductive members 105a,..., 105a and electrodes for the switching electric switch 106 provided corresponding to the installation spaces of the electric switches 105, 106 and the electrodes for the electric switch 105. The installation space for various components such as the resin worm wheel 103 having a plurality of conductive members 106a,..., 106a provided to correspond to the position and size of the switch base 107 must be provided. Disappear. As a result, various arrangements such as the placement position and size of various components such as the resin worm wheel 103 and the resin holder 108 are likely to be restricted in design, and the apparatus cannot be reduced in size and weight. There was a problem.

  On the other hand, in the conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inner wall surface of the housing 101b is used as a common switch base. However, the electrode patterns of the electric switches 106 and 112 on the inner wall surface of the housing 101b are formed on a plurality of concentric circles around the output shaft 102 on the same surface of the housing 101b. For this reason, the electrodes T <b> 1 to T <b> 4 of the electric switches 106 and 112 are arranged to be expanded outward in the radial direction of the output shaft 102. As a result, an installation space for various components such as the resin worm wheel 103 and the resin holder 108 must be provided in the housing 101 in the radial direction of the output shaft 102.

  In this conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device, as described above, various components such as the resin worm wheel 103 and the resin holder 108 are arranged to expand in the radial direction of the output shaft 102. The problem is that the degree of freedom in design is reduced due to the arrangement position, shape and size of various components, and various problems that the device cannot be reduced in size and weight. have. With respect to these points, there is no difference from the conventional two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device shown in FIG.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and a drive switching actuator and a two-wheel / four-wheel that can realize a simplification of the structure, miniaturization, compactness, and weight reduction of the entire apparatus. An object is to provide a drive switching device.

The present invention includes a housing, an output shaft that is rotatably supported by the housing, a motor that rotationally drives the output shaft via an elastic body, and a rotational force transmitted by the motor is converted into axial power. A driving force switching actuator comprising: a shift mechanism that controls the operation of the motor; and a position detection switch that generates an electric signal for detecting a movement position of the shift mechanism, the driving switch and Each of the position detection switches is arranged corresponding to one or a plurality of electrodes and the one or a plurality of electrodes, and electrically connects the one or the plurality of electrodes according to the rotational position of the output shaft. A conductive member for conducting / non-conducting, and the one or more electrodes for the drive switch and the position detection switch Wherein one or more electrodes, there on the same circumference around the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference, respectively distribution to the output shaft in a semicircle region that is 2 minutes by the diameter around the The drive switching actuator is characterized by the above.

  The main feature of the present invention is that a plurality of electrodes that can be arranged on the same circumference centered on the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference are used as electrodes for drive switches and position detection switches.

  In the present invention, for example, a plurality of arc-shaped electrodes formed by dividing an annular electrode into a plurality of parts are arranged on the same circumference centering on the output shaft for a drive switch and a position detection switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, for example, one or a plurality of electrodes for a position detection switch centering on an output shaft and one or a plurality of electrodes for a drive switch are arranged on the same circumference as a set. A set of electrodes can be arranged on a plurality of identical circumferences.

  By providing the above configuration, the installation space for various components arranged densely in the housing does not expand in the axial direction or the radial direction of the output shaft. The degree of freedom of design increases in the arrangement positions and sizes of various components, and the limited installation space can be used effectively. It is possible to achieve a space saving of the installation space, and it is possible to achieve simplification, size reduction, weight reduction, etc. of the entire apparatus, and the economic effect becomes extremely large.

  In the present invention, one or more electrodes for the drive switch and one or more electrodes for the position detection switch are selected from any of the four first to fourth quadrants centered on the output shaft. Each quadrant can be arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a preferred example of the present invention, for example, in addition to the configuration in which the electrodes for the drive switch and the position detection switch are arranged on the same circumference around the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference, The electrode for the position detection switch can be arranged in a semicircular region divided into two by the diameter centered on the output shaft.

  According to the present invention, one or a plurality of electrodes for a drive switch and one or a plurality of electrodes for a position detection switch can be arranged so as to face in opposite directions, and the rotation of the motor is driven. At times, contact between the conductive members can be prevented. The output shaft can be rotationally driven at a rotation angle smaller than 180 °, and the installation space of the drive switch and the position detection switch in the housing can be made compact.

  In the present invention, although not particularly limited, for example, it is preferable to provide an electrode for a drive switch and an electrode for a position detection switch on the inner wall surface of the housing in the drive switching actuator. The drive switch and the position detection switch can be arranged on the same plane, and the electrodes of these switches can be arranged on the same circumference around the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference.

  The drive switching actuator of the present invention can be effectively used for a switching drive device in various vehicles such as work vehicles such as agricultural machines, construction engineering machines, and transport machines, buggy cars, and automobiles. Examples of the switching drive device include a switching drive device for switching between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, or switching between a neutral position and a drive position.

  In addition to simplifying the structure of the drive switching actuator, the present invention can achieve downsizing, compactness, and weight reduction of the entire apparatus.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example of a drive switching actuator that can be used in a switching drive device for a two-wheel / four-wheel drive of an automobile is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, Of course, it can be used for a switching drive device for switching between a neutral position and a drive position. The drive switching actuator of the present invention can be used in various switching drive devices such as work vehicles such as agricultural machines, construction engineering machines, and transport machines, and buggy cars.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a drive switching actuator in a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device for an automobile which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a housing part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the housing portion of FIG. 2 viewed from the worm wheel side.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a drive switching actuator in a two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device for a vehicle (not shown).
This two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device is, for example, a two-wheel drive state in which traveling torque is transmitted only to a pair of left and right rear wheels, a four-wheel low-speed driving state in which traveling torque is transmitted to a pair of left and right front wheels, and a rear wheel. Switching is made to various driving states such as a high-speed driving state, a four-wheel neutral driving state in which traveling torque is not transmitted to each wheel, and a differential lock state in which the two front wheels are driven together. The two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device includes a transfer to which traveling torque generated from an engine (not shown) is transmitted via a transmission, and a drive switching actuator 1 for shifting the transfer to a desired switching position. . The transfer is connected to the rear wheel via a rear wheel output shaft and a rear wheel differential mechanism, and is connected to the front wheel via a front wheel output shaft and a front wheel differential mechanism. This transfer is provided with a shift mechanism that converts the rotational force transmitted by the drive switching actuator 1 into axial power.
When the two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device detects, for example, switching signals to various driving states output from the operation switch 16 (FIG. 5) provided in an operable part near the driver's seat of the vehicle, Similarly, the signal is read by a control device (not shown), and the shift mechanism is moved by a predetermined stroke in the axial direction via the drive switching actuator 1 based on a command from the control device, thereby switching to various drive modes. The operation is to be performed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic configuration of the drive switching actuator 1 includes a transfer housing 2 and a gear device provided in the housing 2. The housing 2 includes a metal housing portion 2a and a resin housing portion 2b that is an electrical insulating material. The gear device includes an output shaft 3 having a large-diameter portion rotatably supported in the housing 2, a worm wheel 4 fixed to the rotation shaft, and a resin-made small-diameter gear 5 that rotates integrally with the worm wheel 4, A large-diameter gear 6 made of resin, which is fixed to the output shaft 3 via a sleeve so as to be relatively rotatable, and meshes with the small-diameter gear 5, and a worm gear 7 meshed with the worm wheel 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive switching actuator 1 includes an electric motor 8 that can rotate the worm gear 7 in the forward and reverse directions. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive switch 9 that controls the operation of the electric motor 8 is provided on the large-diameter gear 6 that is fixed to the output shaft 3 of the drive switching actuator 1 so as to be relatively rotatable. As shown in FIG. 1, the output shaft 3 indirectly detects the rotation angle of the shift cam 11 which is a component of the shift mechanism for switching the two-wheel / four-wheel drive of the transfer, thereby moving the shift mechanism indirectly. A position detection switch 10 for generating an electrical signal for detecting the position is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lever member 12 is fixed to the output shaft 3 of the drive switching actuator 1. One end of a spiral spring 13 is fixed to the cylindrical base of the lever member 12, and the spiral spring 13 is wound around the base of the lever member 12. An inverted L-shape that rotates integrally with the first operating arm 14 having an inverted L-shape fixed to the large-diameter portion of the output shaft 3 and the large-diameter gear 6 fixed to the output shaft 3 so as to be relatively rotatable. A second operating arm 15 is disposed between the other end of the spiral spring 13 and the rotating end of the lever member 12.

The driving of the electric motor 8 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The rotational force of the electric motor 8 is transmitted through the worm gear 7, the worm wheel 4, the small diameter gear 5, the large diameter gear 6 and the output shaft 3. The rotation of the output shaft 3 is transmitted to a shift cam 11 that is a component of the shift mechanism, and a shift fork (not shown) that constitutes a part of the shift mechanism is moved through the shift cam 11 by a predetermined stroke in the axial direction. .
When the movement of the shift mechanism in the axial direction is restricted, the rotational force of the output shaft 3 gives an elastic force to the spiral spring 13 via the lever member 12 and the first operating arm 14, and the spiral spring 13 It is configured to be absorbed and stored by being shrunk. When the restriction on the movement of the shift mechanism in the axial direction is released, the shift mechanism is switched from the two-wheel drive state or the two-wheel drive state to the four-wheel drive state by the elasticity stored in the spiral spring 13. It has become.

  The components of the drive switching actuator 1 in the two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device configured as described above are not different from the conventional ones in the basic configuration. Therefore, it is needless to say that the basic configuration of the drive switching actuator 1 is not limited to the above embodiment.

  The main feature of the present invention is the arrangement and structure of the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10. In the present embodiment, of the electrodes T1 to T6, the electrode T1 formed in an annular shape with the output shaft 3 as the center O is connected to the negative side of the battery as shown in FIGS. It is used as a common ground electrode T1 in the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10. The electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9 are formed in an arc shape on the outer side in the radial direction of the ground electrode T1 with the output shaft 3 as the center O. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrodes T2 and T3 are arranged on the same circumference with a phase difference smaller than 180 °. The electrode T4 is formed in an arc shape with a phase difference smaller than 180 ° different from the electrodes T2 and T3, and is arranged concentrically with the output shaft 3 and radially outside the electrodes T2 and T3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrodes T5 and T6 for one of the position detection switches are formed in an arc shape on the outer side in the radial direction of the ground electrode T1 with the output shaft 3 as the center with a phase difference smaller than 180 °. Has been.

  In the present embodiment, although not particularly limited, the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 are, among the three electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9, as shown in FIGS. The electrodes T2 and T3 and the electrode T5 of the two electrodes T5 and T6 for the position detection switch 10 are arranged on the same circumference with the output shaft 3 as the center O with a predetermined phase difference. On the other hand, the electrode T4 for the drive switch 9 and the electrode T6 for the position detection switch 10 are arranged on the same circumference with the output shaft 3 as the center O with a predetermined phase difference. These electrodes T <b> 1 to T <b> 6 are made of an elongated metal plate material, and are fixed on the same surface of the inner wall surface of the resin housing portion 2 a made of the electrical insulating material of the housing 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the other five electrodes T2 to T6 other than the ground electrode T1 are semicircular regions in one of two quadrants divided by a diameter having the center O as the output shaft 3. I is arranged in an integrated manner as electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9 in I, and is integrated as electrodes T5 and T6 for the position detection switch 10 in the other semicircular region II opposite to the semicircular region I. It is arranged. The electrodes T2 and T3 for the drive switch 9 are evenly arranged with a predetermined phase difference with reference to the intermediate position of the electrode T4 for the drive switch 9, and the electrode T5 for the position detection switch 10 is for the drive switch 9 The electrode T4 is disposed at an intermediate position. The electrode T6 for the position detection switch 10 is disposed with a phase difference of 180 ° with the electrode T2 for the drive switch 9 and the output shaft 3 as the center O.

A configuration in which the drive rotation of the electric motor 3 is temporarily stopped at the position of the electrode T5 for the position detection switch 10 by providing a configuration in which the electrode T5 for the position detection switch 10 is arranged at an intermediate position of the electrode T4 for the drive switch 9 It becomes possible. When the movement of the shift mechanism in the axial direction is restricted, the waiting angle of the waiting mechanism that accumulates the shift force with respect to the shift mechanism can be made smaller than 90 °, and the two-wheel drive state and the four-wheel drive state The operating angle of the drive switch 9 for controlling various drive states such as can be set smaller than 90 ° with the output shaft 3 as the center.
In the illustrated example, the electrodes T1 to T6 are fixed to the inner wall surface of the resin housing portion 2b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the resin housing portion 2b. Needless to say, the electrodes T1 to T6 can be formed on the inner wall surface by printing or the like.

In the present embodiment, the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 are electrically connected to a control device (not shown) via lead wires (not shown). The drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 operate independently of each other.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the drive switch 9 includes a ground electrode T <b> 1 and electrodes T <b> 2 to T <b> 4, and conductive members 9 a to 9 c that electrically connect and disconnect these electrodes T <b> 1 to T <b> 4. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conductive members 9 a to 9 c are fastened and fixed by screws to the surface opposite to the second operating arm 15 in the large-diameter gear 6 fixed to the output shaft 3 so as to be relatively rotatable. Has been. The conductive members 9a to 9c are composed of three brushes in which a conductive spring material made of an insulator is formed in a comb shape. These brushes are respectively arranged at radial positions corresponding to the electrodes T1 to T4. On the other hand, the position detection switch 10 is composed of a ground electrode T1, electrodes T5 and T6, and conductive members 10a to 10c for electrically connecting and disconnecting the electrodes T1, T5 and T6 as shown in FIGS. Has been.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a configuration example of the conductive members 10 a to 10 c for the position detection switch 10. In the figure, conductive members 10a to 10c are formed in a comb-like shape with a resin holder 16 made of an insulator fixed to the output shaft 3 facing the inner wall surface of the resin housing portion 2b and a conductive spring material. 3 brushes. The three brushes are fastened and fixed to the surface of the resin holder 16 facing the resin housing portion 2b by screws, and are arranged at radial positions corresponding to the electrodes T1, T5, and T6.

  The drive switching actuator 1 arranges the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 on the opposite sides, so that the drive switch 9 conductive members 9a to 9c and the position detection switch 10 conductive when the electric motor 3 is driven to rotate. Contact between the members 10a to 10c can be prevented. The drive switching actuator 1 can reduce the installation space of the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 in the housing 2 by rotating the output shaft 3 at an angle smaller than the rotation angle of 180 °. It is configured.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the shift switching method of the drive switching actuator, and FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for explaining an example of the drive control process of the drive switching actuator.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive switch 9 (LS1 to LS3) outputs three types of ON / OFF switch signals, thereby transmitting the running torque only to the rear wheels. (2WD state), four-wheel drive state (4WD state) that transmits traveling torque to the front and rear wheels, and a diff lock state (LOCK state) that drives the two front wheels together in the four-wheel drive state. Can be detected. One position detection switch 10 (LS4 and LS5) is a 4WD position that transmits running torque to the front and rear wheels by a combination of ON and OFF in each drive mode, and a LOCK position that drives the two front wheels together in the 4WD state. These two types of actual positions can be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the conductive members 9 a to 9 c for the drive switch 9 can be electrically connected to the electrodes T <b> 1 to T <b> 4 according to the rotation of the large-diameter gear 6. The ground electrode T1 is always electrically connected to the conductive member 9a. The drive switch 9 can send an open / close signal from the conductive members 9a to 9c to a control device (not shown) in accordance with switching to three types of drive modes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the conductive members 10 a to 10 c for the position detection switch 10 can be electrically connected to the electrodes T <b> 1, T <b> 5, T <b> 6 according to the rotation of the small-diameter gear 5. The ground electrode T1 is always electrically connected to the conductive member 10a. The position detection switch 10 can send open / close signals from the conductive members 10a to 10c to a control device (not shown) according to two kinds of actual positions. Since the opening / closing signal corresponds to the movement position of the shift mechanism (not shown), the position detection switch 10 can detect the movement position of the shift mechanism (not shown) at the time of switching to two types of drive modes. It is like that.

  In the control of the switching state by the drive switch 9 and the actual position detection by the position detection switch 10, program data for performing actuator drive control processing in accordance with an ordinary method is stored in a storage device such as a ROM or a RAM (not shown). Of course, the program data stored in the ROM or the like can be read and executed by a control device (not shown).

  According to the drive switching actuator 1 configured as described above, the electrodes T2 and T3 for the drive switch 9 and the electrode T5 for the position detection switch 10, and the electrode T4 for the drive switch 9 and the electrode T6 for the position detection switch 10 are provided. However, the installation space of various components such as the worm wheel 4 densely arranged in the housing 2 can be arranged in the axial direction of the output shaft 3 by providing a configuration arranged on the same circumference with a predetermined phase difference. Expansion in the radial direction can be prevented. The degree of freedom of design can be obtained in the arrangement position, shape, size, etc. of these components. The limited installation space in the housing 2 can be used effectively. The installation space can be saved, and the structure of the drive switching actuator 1 can be simplified, reduced in size, reduced in weight, and the like. Thereby, the economic effect is also greatly increased.

  The electrodes T2 and T3 for the drive switch 9 and the electrode T5 for the position detection switch 10 and the electrode T4 for the drive switch 9 and the electrode T6 for the position detection switch 10 are on the same plane with a predetermined phase difference. Further, coupled with being arranged on the same circumference, the electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9 and the electrodes T5 and T6 for the position detection switch 10 are divided into two by the diameter with the output shaft 3 as the center O. Each of the semicircular regions I and II is arranged. The output shaft 3 can be rotationally driven at a rotation angle smaller than 180 °, and the installation space for the drive switch 9 and the position detection switch 10 can be made compact.

  Next, switching of the drive switching actuator 1 to the three types of drive modes of the 2WD state, the 4WD state, and the LOCK state will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numerals LS1 to LS3 denote a drive switch 9 composed of electrodes T1 and T2 and conductive members 9a and 9b, and FIG. 3 composed of electrodes T1 and T3 and conductive members 9a and 9b. FIG. 3 shows the drive switch 9 shown in FIG. 3 which includes electrodes T1 and T4 and conductive members 9a and 9c. Reference numerals LS4 and LS5 denote the position detection switch 10 shown in FIG. 3 that includes the electrodes T1 and T5 and the conductive members 10a and 10b, and the position detection switch 10 that includes the electrodes T1 and T6 and the conductive members 10a and 10c. Each switch 10 is shown.

At the position of the drive switch 9 shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the drive switching actuator 1 is in the 2WD state. In this 2WD state, the electrodes T1 and T3 are in a conducting state as shown in FIG. The drive switch LS2 including the electrodes T1 and T3 and the conductive members 9a and 9b is in an on state as shown in FIGS.
Now, when the operation switch 16 disposed in the operable part near the driver's seat of the vehicle is switched from 2WD to 4WD, the electrodes T1, T3 and T4 are in a conductive state, and the electrodes T1, T4 and the conductive members 9a and 9c The configured drive switch LS3 is turned on as shown in FIGS. When a current flows through the exciting coil 18 a of the first relay 18 via the wiring 17, the relay contact piece 18 b is excited. When a current flows to the electric motor 8, the drive switch 9 moves to the 4WD position (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3).

  When the drive switch 9 moves to the position (4WD position) indicated by the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 3, the drive switches LS2 and LS3 are turned off, and the conductive states of the electrodes T1, T3, and T4 are cut off. When the energization state of the exciting coil 18a of the first relay 18 is released, the drive of the electric motor 8 is stopped at the 4WD position, and the 4WD state is maintained. At this time, when the position detection switch 10 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 moves in the direction of arrow A, the electrodes T1 and T5 become conductive, and the position detection configured by the electrodes T1 and T5 and the conductive members 10a and 10b. The switch LS4 is turned on as shown in FIGS. By sending the switch signal as a rotational position sensor signal to a control device (not shown), the control device recognizes the switch signal.

  When the operation switch 16 is switched from 4WD to LOCK, the electrodes T1, T2, and T4 are in the conductive state in the 4WD state. The drive switch LS3 and the LS1 composed of the electrodes T1 and T2 and the conductive members 9a and 9b are turned on as shown in FIGS. When the current flows through the wiring 17 to the exciting coil 18a of the first relay 18, the relay contact piece 18b is excited. When a current flows through the electric motor 8, the drive switch 9 moves to a position (LOCK position) indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  When the drive switch 9 moves to the position (LOCK position) indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The energized state of the exciting coil 18a is released. The drive of the electric motor 8 is stopped at the LOCK position, and the LOCK state is maintained. At this time, the position detection switch 10 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 moves in the direction of the arrow A, so that the electrodes T1 and T6 become conductive as shown in FIG. The position detection switch LS5 including the electrodes T1 and T6 and the conductive members 10a and 10c is turned on as shown in FIGS. By sending this switch signal to a control device (not shown) as a rotational position sensor signal, the control device is made to recognize it. Operation / non-operation of an indicator such as a lamp for notifying the driver of the LOCK state is controlled by a position detection switch LS5.

  When switching from LOCK to 4WD, or switching from 4WD to 2WD, the current flows to the exciting coil 20a of the second relay 20 through the wiring 19 by performing the operation opposite to the above operation, so that the relay connection The piece 20b is excited. A current flows in the reverse direction to the electric motor 8, and the drive switch 9 moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 from the position (LOCK position) indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the drive switch 9 moves to the 4WD position or the 2WD position, the energized state of the exciting coil 20a of the second relay 20 is released, and the 4WD position or the 2WD position is maintained.

As is clear from the above description, in the above embodiment, a part of the three electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9 and the two electrodes T5 and T6 for the position detection switch 10 have a predetermined phase difference. The case where they are arranged on the same circumference and arranged radially outside the output shaft 3 with a predetermined phase difference is described.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of electrodes formed by dividing a circular electrode into a plurality of parts are arranged on the same circumference around the output shaft 3. The electrodes T2 to T4 for the drive switch 9 and the electrodes T5 and T6 for the position detection switch 10 are respectively arranged in any one of the four quadrants with the output shaft 3 as the center O. Of course, the initial object of the present invention can be sufficiently achieved. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope described in each claim.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the internal structure of the drive switching actuator in the two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching apparatus of the vehicle which is typical embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the housing part of FIG. 1 from the worm wheel side. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the housing part of FIG. 2 as viewed from the worm wheel side. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the example of 1 structure of the electrically-conductive member for position detection switches in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the switching system of the drive switching actuator in this invention. It is a timing diagram for explaining a drive control process of a drive switching actuator in the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the internal structure of the conventional drive switching actuator. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the internal structure of the other conventional drive switching actuator. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the housing part of FIG. 8 from the worm wheel side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drive switching actuator 2,101 Housing 2a, 101a Metal housing part 2b, 101b Resin housing part 3,102 Output shaft 4,103 Worm wheel 5 Small diameter gear 6 Large diameter gear 7, 104 Worm gear 8, 111 Electric motor 9 ( LS1 to LS3) Drive switch 9a to 9c, 10a to 10c, 105a, 106a Conductive member 16, 108 Holder 10 (LS4, 5), 105 Position detection switch 11 Shift cam 12 Lever member 13 Spiral spring 14, 15 Actuating arm 16 Operation switch 17, 19 Wiring 18, 20 First and second relays 18a, 20a Excitation coils 18b, 20b Relay contact piece 100 Two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device 106, 112 Electric switch 107 Switch base 109 Shift fork shaft 110 Sp Ring T1-T6 electrode

Claims (4)

A housing;
An output shaft rotatably supported by the housing;
A motor for rotating the output shaft via an elastic body;
A shift mechanism for converting rotational force transmitted by the motor into axial power;
A drive switch for controlling the operation of the motor;
A driving force switching actuator comprising a position detection switch for generating an electric signal for detecting a movement position of the shift mechanism;
Each of the drive switch and the position detection switch is arranged corresponding to one or a plurality of electrodes and the one or a plurality of electrodes, and the one or a plurality of electrodes according to the rotational position of the output shaft And a conductive member that electrically conducts / non-conducts,
The one or more electrodes for the drive switch and the one or more electrodes for the position detection switch are on the same circumference around the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference , and A drive switching actuator characterized by being arranged in a semicircular region divided into two by a diameter centered on the output shaft . The one or more electrodes for the drive switch and the one or more electrodes for the position detection switch are arranged on the same circumference around the output shaft with a predetermined phase difference. The drive switching actuator according to claim 1, wherein the drive switching actuator is a set of electrodes, and the set of electrodes is arranged on the plurality of the same circumferences .   3. The one or more electrodes for the drive switch and the one or more electrodes for the position detection switch are provided on an inner wall surface of the housing. Drive switching actuator. A two-wheel / four-wheel drive switching device comprising the drive switching actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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