JP7545945B2 - Lid Actuator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lid actuator.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lid actuator that electrically locks and unlocks a fuel lid, which serves as a lid for a recess that houses a vehicle's fuel filler port and power filler port. Such an electric lid actuator advances and retreats a retractable member that can engage with the tip side of the lid (the end opposite the hinge) that rotates around a hinge, relative to the lid. This causes the retractable member to move between a locked position that locks the lid and an unlocked position that unlocks the lid. When the lid is unlocked, the lid is biased in the opening direction by a spring provided on or around the hinge, and moves in the opening direction.

JP 2016-142040 A

With an actuator of this type, when the lid is unlocked electrically, the lid moves in the opening direction due to the spring force and enters the open state; however, if a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid, the lid moves in the closing direction and the lid does not remain open. As a result, an external force accidentally applied to the lid may cause the lid to move in the closing direction, resulting in the lid colliding with the fuel/power supply gun during fuel or power supply, or an object or part of the human body becoming trapped between the lid and the vehicle body.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a lid actuator that can maintain the lid in an open position even when a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid.

The lid actuator of the present invention is directly or indirectly connected to the lid to open and close the lid, and comprises a rotating member that rotates around a first axis, a motor that generates a driving force to rotate the rotating member, and a transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the motor to the rotating member to rotate the rotating member, and the transmission unit has a self-locking mechanism.

The lid actuator of the present invention can maintain the lid in the open position even if a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided on an object to be attached; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the lid actuator with the lid attached; FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid actuator shown in FIG. 2 . 1 is a side view showing the lid actuator when the feed nut is in a first position, which corresponds to an open position of the lid. FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the lid actuator when the feed nut is in a second position, which corresponds to a closed position of the lid. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a feed nut of the lid actuator. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the lid actuator of the modified example having a switch when the feed nut is located at the first position. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the lid actuator of the modified example having a switch when the feed nut is located at the second position.

The following describes a lid actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the lid actuator of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

In this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction that is completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions do not only refer to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that is visually reminiscent of a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

As shown in FIG. 1, the lid actuator 1 of this embodiment electrically opens and closes the lid L around the first axis X1. The use of the lid actuator 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can electrically open and close the lid L around the first axis X1. In this embodiment, the lid actuator 1 is applied to a lid opening and closing device D including the lid actuator 1 and the lid L, as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the lid opening and closing device D includes the lid actuator 1, a base (in this embodiment, a vehicle body) B to which the lid actuator 1 is attached and which has an opening Ba, and a lid L capable of opening and closing the opening Ba of the base B. In this embodiment, the lid opening and closing device D further includes a bottomed cylindrical main body Bb having an opening Ba closed by the lid L, and the main body Bb is attached to the vehicle body B. The main body Bb has a fuel supply port (or power supply port) Bc at the bottom. The fuel filler opening Bc may be configured to be closed by the lid L when the opening Ba is closed by the lid L, or may have a cap that closes the fuel filler opening Bc separately from the lid L.

The use of the lid L is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the lid L is a lid for fuel or power supply of the vehicle, and the lid actuator 1 is configured to open and close the lid L for fuel or power supply of the vehicle to be operated (fuel lid). Note that the fuel for the vehicle is not limited to diesel or gasoline, but refers to any fuel capable of operating the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the lid actuator 1 of this embodiment is directly or indirectly connected to the lid L to open and close the lid L, and includes a rotating member 2 that rotates around a first axis X1, a motor 3 that generates a driving force to rotate the rotating member 2, and a transmission unit 4 that transmits the driving force of the motor 3 to the rotating member 2 to rotate the rotating member 2. In this embodiment, the lid actuator 1 has a housing 5 that accommodates the motor 3 and the transmission unit 4. A part of the rotating member 2 is accommodated in the housing 5, and another part of the rotating member 2 protrudes from the housing 5.

The housing 5 is fixed to a base B of a vehicle body or the like. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the housing 5 has a motor housing 51 that houses the motor 3, a reduction mechanism housing 52 that houses the reduction mechanism 43 described later, and a feed screw housing 53 that houses the feed screw 41 so that the feed nut 42 described later can move. In this embodiment, the housing 5 has a housing 5a having an opening on one side, which has the motor housing 51, the reduction mechanism housing 52, and the feed screw housing 53, and a lid 5b (see Fig. 1) that closes the opening of the housing 5a. Note that Figs. 2 and 3 show the housing 5 with the lid 5b removed, and Figs. 4, 5, 7, and 8 show the housing 5 with the housing 5 removed.

The lid actuator 1 electrically opens and closes the lid L by the driving force of the motor 3. Specifically, when the motor 3 is driven, the driving force of the motor 3 is transmitted to the rotating member 2 via the transmission unit 4, and the rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1. When the rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1, the lid L connected to the rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1. As a result, the lid actuator 1 moves the lid L between the open position (see the solid line in FIG. 3) and the closed position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 3. The position at which the lid actuator 1 is provided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the lid actuator 1 is provided near the first axis X1, which is the rotation axis of the lid L, as shown in FIG. 1.

The lid L is opened and closed by the lid actuator 1. In this embodiment, the lid L is configured to open and close an opening Ba provided in the base B as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the lid L rotates about the first axis X1 as the rotating member 2 rotates about the first axis X1. The shape and structure of the lid L are not particularly limited as long as it can be operated by the lid actuator 1 to open and close the opening Ba. In this embodiment, the lid L has a lid main body L1 capable of closing the opening Ba, and an extension body L2 that extends from the lid main body L1 side toward the first axis X1 and is directly or indirectly connected to the lid main body L1.

The lid body L1 is a cover portion having a portion corresponding to the shape of the opening Ba in order to close the opening Ba. In this embodiment, the lid body L1 is formed in a circular shape corresponding to the circular shape of the opening Ba, but the shape of the lid body L1 is not particularly limited.

The extension body L2 extends from the lid body L1 toward the first axis X1. In this embodiment, the extension body L2 is directly connected to the lid body L1 and is provided between the lid body L1 and the rotating member 2. The extension body L2 may be provided integrally with the lid body L1, or may be provided separately from the lid body L1 and connected by a known fixing member or fixing means. The extension body L2 may also be connected to the lid body L1 via a separate member.

The shape of the extension body L2 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the extension body L2 is arranged to be C-shaped when viewed in the direction in which the first axis X1 extends, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating member 2 is connected to the extension body L2, and when the rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1, the extension body L2 and the lid body L1 are configured to rotate around the first axis X1 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating member 2. The extension body L2 extends in the first axis X1 direction and has an insertion portion L21 (see FIG. 2) into which the rotating member 2 is inserted. The insertion portion L21 has a hole into which the rotating member 2 is inserted. The insertion portion L21 is configured to engage with the rotating member 2 in the direction around the first axis X1 when the rotating member 2 is inserted into the hole of the insertion portion L21. As a result, the relative rotation of the rotating member 2 and the extension body L2 is restricted, and they rotate together around the first axis X1. In this embodiment, the cross section perpendicular to the first axis X1 of the inner wall defining the hole of the insertion portion L21 is rectangular, and the cross section perpendicular to the first axis X1 of the rotating member 2 is also rectangular, but as long as the insertion portion L21 and the rotating member 2 can engage in a direction around the first axis X1, the cross-sectional shapes of the insertion portion L21 and the rotating member 2 are not particularly limited.

The motor 3 is a driving source that generates a driving force to rotate the rotating member 2. In this embodiment, the driving force of the motor 3 rotates the rotating member 2 around the first axis X1 via the transmission unit 4. This causes the lid L to rotate around the first axis X1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor 3 has an output shaft 31, which is connected to a speed reduction mechanism 43 (gear G1) of the transmission unit 4 described later. The motor 3 can rotate forward and backward, and rotates the rotating member 2 in one direction and the other direction around the first axis X1 via the transmission unit 4. In this embodiment, when the motor 3 rotates the rotating member 2 in one direction around the first axis X1 (clockwise in FIG. 3), the lid L rotates from the open position to the closed position. Also, in this embodiment, when the motor 3 rotates the rotating member 2 in the other direction around the first axis X1 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3), the lid L rotates from the closed position to the open position.

The transmission unit 4 transmits the driving force of the motor 3 to the rotating member 2 to rotate the rotating member 2. There are no particular limitations on the shape and structure of the transmission unit 4 as long as it can transmit the driving force of the motor 3 to the rotating member 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the transmission unit 4 includes a feed screw 41 that rotates around the second axis X2 by the driving force of the motor 3, and a feed nut 42 that is screwed into the feed screw 41 and moves in the direction of the second axis X2 as the feed screw 41 rotates. In this embodiment, the transmission unit 4 also includes a reduction mechanism 43 provided between the motor 3 and the feed screw 41.

The reduction mechanism 43 reduces the rotational speed of the motor 3 and transmits the driving force of the motor 3 to the feed screw 41. The reduction mechanism 43 is an optional configuration in the present invention. The structure of the reduction mechanism 43 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the reduction mechanism 43 has a plurality of gears G1, G2, G3, and G4 rotatably supported on the housing 5. The gear G1 is connected to the output shaft 31 of the motor 3 and rotates by the rotation of the output shaft 31 of the motor 3. The gear G2 engages with the gear G1 and rotates with the rotation of the gear G1. The gear G3 is provided coaxially with the gear G2 and is configured to rotate together with the rotation of the gear G2. The gear (output gear) G4 engages with the gear G3 and rotates with the rotation of the gear G3. The gear G4 is provided coaxially with the feed screw 41 and is configured to rotate the feed screw 41 around the second axis X2 when the gear G4 rotates.

The feed screw 41 rotates around the second axis X2 by the driving force of the motor 3, moving the feed nut 42 along the second axis X2. The feed screw 41 extends linearly for a predetermined length and has a male thread on its outer periphery. The feed screw 41 is rotatably supported in the feed screw accommodating portion 53 of the housing 5 so as to rotate in place around the second axis X2.

The feed nut 42 is screwed with the feed screw 41. The feed nut 42 moves in the direction of the second axis X2 in accordance with the rotation of the feed screw 41 around the second axis X2. In this embodiment, the linear motion of the feed nut 42 is converted into the rotational motion of the rotating member 2, and the lid L rotates around the first axis X1. Specifically, the feed nut 42 moves linearly in one direction and the other direction along the second axis X2 according to the rotation direction of the motor 3, and this linear motion is converted into the rotational motion of the rotating member 2 around the first axis X1 to open and close the lid L. In this embodiment, when the feed nut 42 moves in one direction (rightward in Figures 4 and 5) along the second axis X2 by the motor 3, the rotating member 2 rotates in one direction around the first axis X1, and the lid L rotates from the open position to the closed position. On the other hand, when the motor 3 moves the feed nut 42 in the other direction (leftward in Figures 4 and 5) along the second axis X2, the rotating member 2 rotates in the other direction around the first axis X1, and the lid L rotates from the closed position to the open position.

The rotation of the feed nut 42 around the second axis X2 is restricted so that the feed nut 42 does not rotate together with the feed screw 41 when the feed screw 41 rotates around the second axis X2. As a result, when the feed screw 41 rotates around the second axis X2, the feed nut 42 moves in the direction of the second axis X2. In this embodiment, the feed nut 42 moves between a first position (see FIG. 4) where the feed nut 42 is located when the lid L is in the open position, and a second position (see FIG. 5) where the feed nut 42 is located when the lid L is in the closed position. As described later, the feed nut 42 moves between the first position and the second position in the direction of the second axis X2, causing the rotating member 2 to rotate around the first axis X1.

The shape and structure of the feed nut 42 are not particularly limited as long as the feed nut 42 can rotate the rotating member 2 around the first axis X1 by engaging with the feed screw 41 and moving in the direction of the second axis X2 in accordance with the rotation of the feed screw 41 around the second axis X2. In this embodiment, the feed nut 42 has a cylindrical portion 421 having a female thread that engages with a male thread provided on the outer periphery of the feed screw 41, as shown in FIG. 6. The cylindrical portion 421 is a cylindrical portion having a predetermined outer diameter that is provided to surround the outer periphery of the feed screw 41, and has a predetermined length in the second axis X2 direction (for example, but not limited to, 15 to 55%, preferably 20 to 50% of the length of the feed screw 41 (the portion of the feed screw 41 on which the male thread is formed) in the second axis X2 direction). The cylindrical portion 421 may be a cylindrical portion provided on the outer periphery of the feed screw 41, which is provided on a portion of the feed nut 42, and may be continuous with other portions, such as the engagement portion 422 described below, as in this embodiment.

The feed nut 42 also has an engagement portion 422 that engages with the rotating member 2, as shown in FIG. 6. The engagement portion 422 engages with the rotating member 2 in the direction of the second axis X2 so that when the feed nut 42 moves in the direction of the second axis X2, a force that rotates the rotating member 2 around the first axis X1 can be applied to the rotating member 2.

In this embodiment, the engaging portion 422 is configured to engage with the lever portion 22 of the rotating member 2, which will be described later, in the second axis X2 direction. In this embodiment, the feed nut 42 has a first engaging portion 422a that engages with the rotating member 2 (lever portion 22) when the feed nut 42 moves in one direction in the second axis X2 direction (when moving from the first position to the second position), and a second engaging portion 422b that engages with the rotating member 2 (lever portion 22) when the feed nut 42 moves in the other direction in the second axis X2 direction (when moving from the second position to the first position).

The engagement portion 422 (the first engagement portion 422a and the second engagement portion 422b) is provided radially outward of the feed screw 41 with respect to the outer periphery of the feed screw 41. Note that "radially outward of the feed screw 41 with respect to the outer periphery of the feed screw 41" means that the engagement portion 422, which is a portion that engages with the rotating member 2, is located outward so as to be a predetermined distance away in the radial direction of the feed screw 41 than the outer periphery (the portion having the maximum outer diameter) of the feed screw 41. In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 422a and the second engagement portion 422b are provided as engagement protrusions that protrude from the outer periphery of the cylindrical tubular portion 421 in a direction away from the feed screw 41. The first engagement portion 422a and the second engagement portion 422b formed by the engagement protrusions are arranged apart from each other in the second axis X2 direction, as shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the first engaging portion 422a and the second engaging portion 422b are provided on both ends of the feed nut 42 in the direction of the second axis X2, and a recess is formed between the first engaging portion 422a and the second engaging portion 422b into which the lever portion 22, described later, fits.

When the feed nut 42 moves from the first position (lid L open position) shown in FIG. 4 to the second position (lid L closed position) shown in FIG. 5, the rotating member 2 and the first engaging portion 422a engage (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). In that state, the feed nut 42 further moves in one direction (rightward in FIG. 4) in the direction of the second axis X2 from the first position to the second position, and a force is applied from the first engaging portion 422a of the feed nut 42 to rotate the rotating member 2 in one direction around the first axis X1. As a result, the rotating member 2 rotates in one direction around the first axis X1, and the lid L rotates from the open position to the closed position. Also, when the feed nut 42 moves from the second position (lid L closed position) shown in FIG. 5 to the first position (lid L open position), the rotating member 2 and the second engaging portion 422b engage (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). In this state, the feed nut 42 further moves in the other direction (leftward in FIG. 5) along the second axis X2 from the second position toward the first position, and a force is applied from the second engagement portion 422b of the feed nut 42 to rotate the rotating member 2 in the other direction around the first axis X1. As a result, the rotating member 2 rotates in the other direction around the first axis X1, and the lid L rotates from the closed position to the open position.

The shape and structure of the engagement portion 422 are not particularly limited as long as the engagement portion 422 can engage with the rotating member 2 so that a force that rotates the rotating member 2 around the first axis X1 can be applied to the rotating member 2 when the feed nut 42 moves in the second axis X2 direction. For example, the engagement portion may have other structures such as rack teeth, such as in a modified example in which the feed nut is configured as a rack with rack teeth and the rotating member is configured as a rotating member with a pinion gear. In the above modified example, the feed nut is configured as a rack with rack teeth having a tooth row arranged along the second axis X2 direction, and the rotating member is configured to have a pinion gear having a rotation center coaxial with the shaft portion. In this case, when the feed nut moves in the second axis X2 direction, the rotating member rotates around the first axis X1 due to the meshing between the rack teeth and the pinion gear.

The rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1, thereby rotating the lid L around the first axis X1. The rotating member 2 is directly or indirectly connected to the lid L. In this embodiment, the rotating member 2 is directly connected to the lid L as described above. However, the rotating member 2 may be configured to transmit the rotational force of the rotating member 2 to the lid L via a separate member. Note that the term "directly connected to the lid L" with respect to the rotating member 2 includes not only the case where the rotating member 2 configured separately from the lid L is joined so as to come into direct contact with the lid L, but also the case where the rotating member 2 is provided integrally with the lid L (for example, when integrally molded or integrated by welding, etc.).

The rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1 by transmitting the driving force of the motor 3 via the transmission unit 4. In this embodiment, the rotating member 2 is configured to rotate around the first axis X1 as the feed nut 42 moves in the direction of the second axis X2. Specifically, the rotating member 2 rotates around the first axis X1 by converting the linear motion of the feed nut 42 in the direction of the second axis X2 into rotational motion around the first axis X1.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rotating member 2 includes a shaft portion 21 that extends along the first axis X1 and serves as the rotation axis of the lid L, and a lever portion 22 that extends at one end of the shaft portion 21 in a direction intersecting the first axis X1.

As described above, the shaft portion 21 is connected to the extension L2 of the lid L. Specifically, the shaft portion 21 is inserted into the insertion portion L21 of the extension L2. The shaft portion 21 engages with the insertion portion L21 in the direction around the first axis X1, and is configured so that when the shaft portion 21 rotates, the lid L rotates. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 21 is a rod-shaped member extending in the direction of the first axis X1, and the cross section of the shaft portion 21 perpendicular to the first axis X1 is rectangular.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 7 and 8, the lever portion 22 extends from one end of the shaft portion 21 toward the feed screw 41 in a direction intersecting the first axis X1. In this embodiment, the lever portion 22 extends from one end of the shaft portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the first axis X1. The lever portion 22 has an arm portion 221 extending from the shaft portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the first axis X1, and a protrusion portion 222 protruding from the tip of the arm portion 221 in a direction parallel to the first axis X1. The protrusion portion 222 of the lever portion 22 is configured to enter the recess between the first engagement portion 422a and the second engagement portion 422b described above, and to engage with either the first engagement portion 422a or the second engagement portion 422b depending on the moving direction of the feed nut 42.

In this embodiment, when the feed nut 42 moves along the second axis X2 while the lever portion 22 and the engagement portion 422 (first engagement portion 422a or second engagement portion 422b) are engaged, the lever portion 22 and the shaft portion 21 rotate around the first axis X1, opening and closing the lid L. Specifically, as the feed nut 42 moves in the second axis X2 direction, the lever portion 22 receives a force in the second axis X2 direction from the engagement portion 422 (first engagement portion 422a or second engagement portion 422b), causing the lever portion 22 to swing around the first axis X1 (shaft portion 21). As a result, the shaft portion 21 connected to the lever portion 22 rotates around the first axis X1, and the lid L rotates around the first axis X1.

The shape and structure of the rotating member 2 are not particularly limited as long as the rotating member 2 can rotate the lid L about the first axis X1 by rotating about the first axis X1. The rotating member may have another structure that converts the linear motion of the feed nut into rotational motion to rotate about the first axis X1, and as described above, the rotating member may be configured to have a pinion gear having a rotation center coaxial with the shaft portion.

In this embodiment, in the lid actuator 1, the transmission unit 4 has a self-locking mechanism to hold the lid L in the open position. In this case, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, even if a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid L while it is held in the open position, the self-locking mechanism of the transmission unit 4 holds the lid L in the open position. Therefore, for example, even if an external force in the closing direction is accidentally applied to the lid L when it is in the open position, the lid L is prevented from moving in the closing direction and colliding with a fuel/power supply gun during fuel supply or power supply, or an object or part of the human body being pinched between the lid L and the vehicle body B.

In addition, since the transmission unit 4 has a self-locking mechanism, it is not necessary to use a spring to bias the lid L in the opening direction when maintaining the lid L in the open position. Therefore, the number of parts of the lid actuator 1 can be reduced. In addition, in the case where an electric lid actuator 1 is provided with a spring that biases the lid L in a predetermined direction, the operating speed when the lid L is opened and the operating speed when it is closed may differ from each other (one of the opening and closing speeds is slower than the other). In addition, depending on the spring used, the speed may not be constant during the opening of the lid L from the closed position to the open position, and the speed may change between the early, middle, and late stages of the opening operation. In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a spring when maintaining the lid L in the open position, it is possible to make the opening and closing speed of the lid L constant.

In addition, because the transmission unit 4 has a self-locking mechanism, the lid L can be held in the position where it stops when the motor 3 is stopped. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the motor 3, it is possible to hold the lid L in any position. This makes it easy to set the angle at which the lid L is opened, for example, and eliminates the need for a stopper (abutment stopper) to stop the lid L in the open position. Furthermore, when the lid L is in a closed state, the self-locking mechanism can maintain the lid L in a closed state, eliminating the need for a conventional mechanism for locking the lid.

The "self-locking mechanism" refers to a mechanism that allows the output side (rotating member 2 side) to rotate from the input side (motor 3 side), but prevents the input side (motor 3 side) from rotating from the output side (rotating member 2 side). The position at which the self-locking mechanism is provided is not particularly limited as long as it can hold the lid L in the open position, and it may be provided at any position of the transmission unit 4. In this embodiment, the self-locking mechanism is composed of a feed screw 41 and a feed nut 42. However, the self-locking mechanism may be provided in the reduction mechanism 43 of the transmission unit 4. In addition to the self-locking mechanism composed of the feed screw 41 and the feed nut 42, the self-locking mechanism may be composed of other structures having a self-locking effect, such as a worm and a worm wheel, or other gears. The self-locking mechanism can be obtained, for example, by making the lead angle of the meshing screw parts relatively small or by using a sliding screw mechanism.

When the self-locking mechanism is composed of a feed screw 41 and a feed nut 42, as in this embodiment, the feed screw 41 and the feed nut 42 mesh with each other over the entire circumference of the feed screw 41, increasing the holding force that holds the lid L in the open position.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 7 and 8, the feed nut 42 has an engagement portion 422 (first engagement portion 422a and second engagement portion 422b) that is provided radially outward of the feed screw 41 with respect to the outer periphery of the feed screw 41 and is configured to engage with the lever portion 22 in the second axis X2 direction. In this case, for example, when an external force in the closing direction is applied to the lid L, a force F (see Figure 4) applied to the feed nut 42 from the rotating member 2 side, which is the output side, is applied to the abutment point between the lever portion 22 of the rotating member 2 and the engagement portion 422 of the feed nut 42. This abutment point between the lever portion 22 and the engagement portion 422 is located radially outward of the feed screw 41 with respect to the second axis X2. In this case, the force F applied from the lever portion 22 to the feed nut 42 is applied at a position radially offset from the second axis X2, and acts in a direction that tilts the feed nut 42 relative to the second axis X2 (in the case of FIG. 4, the force F acts so that the feed nut 42 tilts upward to the right in FIG. 4). Therefore, the force F applied from the lever portion 22 to the engagement portion 422 is less likely to be converted into a force that moves the feed nut 42 in the direction of the second axis X2, which enhances the self-locking effect and more reliably holds the lid L in the open position.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when the rotating member 2 is viewed in the direction of the first axis X1 with the feed nut 42 in the first or second position, the direction in which the lever portion 22 extends from the shaft portion 21 is inclined with respect to the second axis X2, and the location where the lever portion 22 and the engaging portion 422 contact is radially outward with respect to the outer periphery of the feed screw 41. In this case, the force F applied from the lever portion 22 to the engaging portion 422 acts in a direction in which the feed nut 42 is inclined with respect to the second axis X2 (in the case of Fig. 7, the force F acts so that the feed nut 42 is inclined downward to the right in Fig. 7). Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the force F is applied in a direction inclined rather than parallel to the second axis X2. In this case, the component of the force F applied from the lever portion 22 to the engaging portion 422 in a direction parallel to the second axis X2 is smaller than the force F. Therefore, even if a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid L, the force that moves the feed nut 42 along the second axis X2 is smaller, the self-locking effect is enhanced, and the lid is more reliably held in the open position. The inclination angle θ between the direction in which the lever portion 22 extends from the shaft portion 21 and the second axis X2 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 30 to 60°.

In the case of the lid actuator 1, since the lid L opens with a light force, even if the contact point between the lever portion 22 and the engagement portion 422 is located radially outward from the outer periphery of the feed screw 41, when the feed nut 42 is moved relative to the feed screw 41 and a force is applied from the feed nut 42 to the lever portion 22, this does not hinder the opening and closing of the lid L. Therefore, the above-described configuration is suitable for a structure such as the lid L, which requires a light operating force when opening and closing, and in which a large force may be applied from the lid L side.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the lid actuator 1 further includes a switch SW1 provided at a predetermined position in the second axis X2 direction. When the feed nut 42 reaches a predetermined position in the second axis X2 direction, the switch SW1 is operated by the feed nut 42 to stop the motor 3, and the open position at which the lid L is maintained in the open state is determined by the position of the switch SW1. In this case, the lid L is locked at the open position by a self-locking action at the time when the motor 3 is stopped by the switch SW1. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a stopper that acts as a stop when the lid L reaches the open position. In addition, the position of the switch SW1 determines the position in the second axis X2 direction at which the feed nut 42 stops and the open angle of the lid L corresponding to the position of the feed nut 42. Therefore, for example, by changing the position of the switch SW1 in the second axis X2 direction, the open position of the lid L can be easily changed and finely corrected.

The switch SW1 is not particularly limited as long as it is operated when the feed nut 42 moves to a predetermined position. The switch SW1 can be, for example, a limit switch. The feed nut 42 has a switch operation part 423 for operating the switch SW1, which is a limit switch. The switch operation part 423 has inclined surfaces on both sides in the second axis X2 direction, and is configured to be able to operate and press the operated part SW11 of the switch SW1 when the feed nut 42 moves in the second axis X2 direction. The switch SW1 may be a switch that uses a magnetic sensor or another sensor.

In addition, in this embodiment, the lid actuator 1 has a switch SW1 configured to stop the motor 3 at a first position of the feed nut 42 corresponding to the open position of the lid L, but may further have a switch SW2 configured to stop the motor 3 at a second position of the feed nut 42 corresponding to the closed position of the lid L. The switch SW2 is operated by the feed nut 42 when the feed nut 42 reaches a predetermined position in the direction of the second axis X2 to stop the motor 3, and the closed position at which the lid L is maintained in a closed state is determined by the position of the switch SW2. Note that the switch SW2 may be configured similarly to the switch SW1.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lid actuator 2 Rotating member 21 Shaft portion 22 Lever portion 221 Arm portion 222 Protrusion portion 3 Motor 31 Output shaft 4 Transmission portion 41 Lead screw 42 Lead nut 421 Cylindrical portion 422 Engagement portion 422a First engagement portion 422b Second engagement portion 423 Switch operation portion 43 Reduction mechanism 5 Housing 5a Case 5b Lid 51 Motor accommodating portion 52 Reduction mechanism accommodating portion 53 Lead screw accommodating portion B Base (vehicle body)
Ba Opening Bb Main body Bc Oil supply port (or power supply port)
D Lid opening/closing device F Force applied to the feed nut from the rotating member side G1, G2, G3, G4 Gear L Lid L1 Lid body L2 Extension body L21 Insertion part SW1 Switch SW11 Operated part SW2 Switch X1 First axis X2 Second axis θ Tilt angle between the direction in which the lever part extends from the axis part and the second axis

Claims (3)

a rotating member that is directly or indirectly connected to the lid for opening and closing the lid and that rotates about a first axis;
A motor that generates a driving force to rotate the rotating member;
a transmission unit that transmits a driving force of the motor to the rotating member in order to rotate the rotating member,
The transmission unit has a self-locking mechanism ,
The transmission unit includes:
a feed screw that rotates about a second axis by a driving force of the motor;
a feed nut that is screwed onto the feed screw and moves in the second axial direction as the feed screw rotates;
Equipped with
the rotating member is configured to rotate about the first axis in association with movement of the feed nut in the second axial direction,
The self-locking mechanism is constituted by the feed screw and the feed nut .
Lid actuator. The rotating member is
A shaft portion extending along the first axis and serving as a rotation axis of the lid;
a lever portion extending in a direction intersecting the first axis at one end side of the shaft portion,
The feed nut is
an engagement portion provided radially outward of the feed screw with respect to an outer periphery of the feed screw and configured to engage with the lever portion in the second axial direction;
When the feed nut moves along a second axial direction in a state in which the lever portion and the engagement portion are engaged with each other, the lever portion and the shaft portion rotate around the first axis to open and close the lid.
The lid actuator of claim 1 . The lid actuator further comprises:
A switch is provided at a predetermined position in the second axial direction,
the switch is operated by the feed nut to stop the motor when the feed nut reaches a predetermined position in the second axial direction;
The open position in which the lid is maintained open is determined by the position of the switch.
The lid actuator according to claim 1 or 2 .

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