阅读说明：本技术 旋转致动器 (Rotary actuator ) 是由 岛田一宪 粂干根 角弘之 于 2020-04-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：旋转致动器(10)用于车辆的线控换挡系统(11)中。旋转致动器(10)包括定子(31)、转子(32)、转子支撑构件(61)、控制器(16)、控制器固定构件(67)以及振动吸收器(95)。转子(32)构造成可相对于定子(31)旋转。转子支撑构件(61)可旋转地支撑转子(32)的旋转轴(33)。控制器(16)控制对定子(31)的通电。控制器(16)固定至控制器固定构件(67)。振动吸收器(95)防止转子支撑构件(61)与控制器固定构件(67)之间的振动传递。(A rotary actuator (10) is used in a shift-by-wire system (11) of a vehicle. The rotary actuator (10) includes a stator (31), a rotor (32), a rotor support member (61), a controller (16), a controller fixing member (67), and a vibration absorber (95). The rotor (32) is configured to be rotatable relative to the stator (31). The rotor support member (61) rotatably supports a rotary shaft (33) of the rotor (32). A controller (16) controls energization to the stator (31). The controller (16) is fixed to the controller fixing member (67). The vibration absorber (95) prevents transmission of vibration between the rotor supporting member (61) and the controller fixing member (67).)

1. A rotary actuator for use in a shift-by-wire system (11) for a vehicle, the rotary actuator comprising:

a stator (31);

a rotor (32) configured to be rotatable relative to the stator;

a rotor support member (61, 102) that rotatably supports a rotating shaft (33) of the rotor;

a controller (16) that controls energization to the stator;

a controller fixing member (67, 101) to which the controller is fixed; and

a vibration absorber (95) preventing transmission of vibration between the rotor supporting member and the controller fixing member.

2. The rotary actuator of claim 1,

the rotor support member (61) is part of a housing that houses the stator, and

the controller fixing member (67) is a cover defining a space (91) in which the controller is accommodated together with the rotor supporting member.

3. The rotary actuator of claim 2,

the controller includes a connector (94) connected to a terminal (93) of the stator, and

the terminal is inserted into the connector in the same direction as the direction in which the controller fixing member is connected to the rotor supporting member.

4. The rotary actuator of claim 1,

the controller fixing member (101) is a part of a housing accommodating the stator, and

the rotor support member (102) is a cover defining a space in which the controller is accommodated together with the controller fixing member.

5. The rotary actuator of claim 4,

the controller defines a through hole (104) into which the rotation shaft is inserted.

6. The rotary actuator of any one of claims 1 to 5,

the vibration absorber is an elastic member that seals a space between the rotor supporting member and the controller fixing member to ensure airtightness in the space.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rotary actuator.

Background

Conventionally, there is known an mechatronic rotary actuator in which a motor accommodated in a housing and a controller for controlling the motor are integrally formed. For example, in patent document 1(JP 4517823B), a housing rotatably supports a rotor of a motor and a controller is fixed inside a cover attached to the housing.

Disclosure of Invention

In the rotary actuator disclosed in patent document 1, if it is installed in a vibration environment, the vibration of the rotor can be transmitted to the controller through the housing and the cover. Therefore, incomplete connection between the terminal of the controller and the electrode or electrical connection failure including disconnection of the controller and welding cracks may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary actuator in which occurrence of an electrical connection failure can be suppressed.

One aspect of the present invention is a rotary actuator for use in a shift-by-wire system of a vehicle. The rotary actuator includes a stator, a rotor supporting member, a controller fixing member, and a vibration absorber. The rotor is configured to be rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor support member rotatably supports a rotation shaft of the rotor. The controller controls energization of the stator. The controller is fixed to the controller fixing member. The vibration absorber prevents vibration transmission between the rotor supporting member and the controller fixing member.

By providing a vibration absorber between the portion supporting the rotor and the portion to which the controller is connected, it is possible to prevent vibration from being transmitted from the rotor to the controller. Therefore, incomplete connection between the terminal of the controller and the electrode may be avoided or electrical connection failure including disconnection of the controller and welding cracks may be avoided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a shift-by-wire system to which a rotary actuator according to a first embodiment is applied.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the shift-position switching mechanism of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary actuator according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rotary actuator of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rotary actuator according to a second embodiment, which corresponds to fig. 4 in the first embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of a rotary actuator (hereinafter referred to as "actuator") will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[ first embodiment ]

In this embodiment, the actuator is used as a driver of a shift-by-wire system of a vehicle.

(Shift-by-wire System)

The structure of the shift-by-wire system will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. As shown in fig. 1, the shift-by-wire system 11 includes a shift operation device 13 and an actuator 10, the shift operation device 13 outputting a command (i.e., a command signal) to specify a shift range for the transmission 12, and the actuator 10 operating a shift-range switching mechanism 14 of the transmission 12. The actuator 10 includes: an operating unit 15 having a motor 30, and a controller 16, the controller 16 controlling energization of the motor 30 in response to a shift range command signal.

As shown in fig. 2, the shift position switching mechanism 14 includes a shift position switching valve 20, a brake spring 21 and a brake lever 22, a parking lever 24 and a manual shaft 26. The shift range switching valve 20 controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic operating mechanism in the transmission 12 (see fig. 1). The brake spring 21 and the brake lever 22 are configured for holding a shift gear. The parking lever 25 is configured to prevent the output shaft of the transmission 12 from rotating by fitting the parking lever 24 into the parking gear 23 of the output shaft when the shift range is switched to the parking range. The manual shaft 26 rotates together with the brake lever 22.

The shift-gear switching mechanism 14 rotates the brake lever 22 together with the manual shaft 26 to move the valve body 27 and the parking lever 25 of the gear switching valve 20 connected with the brake lever 22 to a position corresponding to the target shift gear. In the shift-by-wire system 11, the actuator 10 is connected to the manual shaft 26 to electrically perform a shift range change.

(actuator)

Next, the structure of the actuator 10 will be described. As shown in fig. 3, the actuator 10 is an mechatronic actuator having an operation unit 15 and a controller 16 in a housing 19.

The housing 19 includes a cover 67 and a case 60, and the case 60 includes a cylindrical upper case 61 and a cup-shaped lower case 62. A spacer 65 is formed between the one end 63 and the other end 64 of the upper case 61. The controller 16 is housed inside one end 63. The controller 16 is covered by a cover 67 provided at the opening of the one end 63, thereby ensuring shielding of the control board 71. The lower housing 62 is attached to another end 64. Further, the lower case 62 includes a cylindrical protruding portion 69 protruding away from the upper case 61. The manual shaft 26 is inserted into the cylindrical protrusion 69.

The operation unit 15 includes a motor 30 as a power source, an output shaft 40 provided in parallel with the motor 30, and a reduction mechanism 50 that reduces the rotation speed of the motor 30 and transmits the rotation to the output shaft 40. The operation unit 15 is accommodated in the housing 60.

The motor 30 includes: a stator 31 press-fitted and fixed to a plate shell 68 at the other end 64; a rotor 32 disposed inside the stator 31; and a rotation shaft 33 that rotates together with the rotor 32 about a rotation axis AX 1. Further, the rotary shaft 33 has an eccentric portion 36 eccentric to the rotation axis AX1 at a position on a side of the rotor 32 facing the lower housing portion 62. The motor 30 can be rotated bidirectionally by controlling the current supplied to the coil 38 by the controller 16, and can also be stopped at a desired rotational position. The plug 39 is attached to the through hole of the cap 67. In the event of a malfunction, the motor shaft 33 may be manually rotated after removal of the plug 39.

The speed reduction mechanism 50 includes: a first speed reduction portion 17 including a ring gear 51 and a sun gear 52; and a second reduction part 18 including a drive gear 53 and a driven gear 54 as parallel shaft type gears. The ring gear 51 is disposed coaxially with the rotation axis AX 1. The sun gear 52 is rotatably supported about an eccentric axis AX2 by a bearing 55 fitted in the eccentric portion 36. The sun gear 52 meshes with the ring gear 51 and is tightly fitted inside the ring gear 51. When the motor shaft 33 rotates, the sun gear 52 performs a planetary motion in which the sun gear 52 revolves around the rotation axis AX1 and rotates around the eccentric axis AX 2. At this time, the rotation speed of the sun gear 52 is reduced with respect to the rotation speed of the motor shaft 33. The sun gear 52 has a bore 56 for transmitting rotational motion.

The drive gear 53 is provided on the rotation axis AX1, and is rotatably supported about the rotation axis AX1 by a bearing 57 fitted on the motor shaft 33. Furthermore, the drive gear 53 has a projection 58 for transmitting a rotational movement, which is inserted into the hole 56. The rotational movement of the sun gear 52 is transmitted to the drive gear 53 through the engagement between the holes 56 and the projections 58. The hole 56 and the projection 58 constitute a transmission 59. The driven gear 54 is provided on a rotation axis AX3 parallel to the rotation axis AX1 and coaxial with the cylindrical protrusion 69. The driven gear 54 meshes with the drive gear 53 to externally drive the gear 53. When the drive gear 53 rotates about the rotation axis AX1, the driven gear 54 rotates about the rotation axis AX 3. At this time, the rotation speed of the driven gear 54 is reduced relative to the rotation speed of the drive gear 53.

The output shaft 40 has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed coaxially with the rotation axis AX 3. The spacer 65 has a support through hole 66 coaxial with the rotation axis AX 3. The output shaft 40 is rotatably supported about the rotation axis AX3 by the first flange bushing 46 fitted in the support through hole 66 and the second flange bushing 47 fitted inside the cylindrical protrusion 69. The driven gear 54 is a separate component from the output shaft 40, is fitted to the outside of the output shaft 40, and is connected with the output shaft 40 to transmit rotational motion. The manual shaft 26 is inserted into the output shaft 40, and is connected to the output shaft 40 by, for example, spline fitting to transmit rotational motion.

One end 41 of the output shaft 40 is rotatably supported by a first flange bushing 46. The other end 42 of the output shaft 40 is rotatably supported by a second flange bushing 47. The driven gear 54 is supported in the axial direction by being clamped between the first flange portion 48 of the first flange bushing 46 and the second flange portion 49 of the second flange bushing 47. In another embodiment, the driven gear 54 may be supported in the axial direction by being clamped between a pair of support portions such as the housing 60 and another plate.

The controller 16 includes a plurality of electronic components for controlling the motor 30, a control board 71 on which the electronic components are mounted, an output shaft position detection sensor 72 mounted on the control board 71, and a motor position detection sensor 73 mounted on the control board 71.

The plurality of electronic components include a microcomputer 81, a MOSFET 82, a capacitor 83, a diode 84, an ASIC 85, an inductor 86, a resistor 87, a capacitor chip 88, and the like. The microcomputer 81 performs various calculations based on detection signals from the output shaft position detection sensor 72 and the motor position detection sensor 73, for example. The MOSFET 82 performs a switching operation to switch energization to the coil 38 based on a drive signal from the microcomputer 81. The capacitor 83 smoothes power supplied from a power supply (not shown) and prevents noise propagation due to the switching operation of the MOSFET 82. The capacitor 83 and the inductor 86 together constitute a filter circuit. The ASIC 85 is an IC chip that performs certain processing at high speed.

An output shaft position detection sensor 72 is provided on the control plate 71 at a position facing the magnet 43. The magnet 43 is fixed to a holder 44 attached to the output shaft 40. The output shaft position detection sensor 72 detects the rotational positions of the output shaft 40 and the manual shaft 26 that rotates together with the output shaft 40 by detecting the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 43.

The motor position detection sensor 73 is provided on the control board 71 at a position facing the magnet 45. The magnet 45 is fixed to the holder 37 attached to the motor shaft 33. The motor position detection sensor 73 detects the rotational position of the rotary shaft 33 and the rotor 32 by detecting the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 45.

(Motor support Structure and controller fixing Structure)

Next, a support structure for the motor 30 and a fixing structure for the controller 16 will be described. Hereinafter, the radial direction of the motor 30 is simply referred to as "radial direction", and the circumferential direction of the motor 30 is simply referred to as "circumferential direction".

As shown in fig. 4, the rotary shaft 33 of the motor 30 is rotatably supported by both the bearing 34 provided in the upper housing 61 and the bearing 35 provided in the lower housing 62. The upper housing 61 supports the rotor 32 with a portion close to the controller 16. The upper case 61 serves as a rotor supporting member and is a part of the case 60 accommodating the stator 31.

A controller space 91 for accommodating the controller 16 is defined between the cover 67 and the upper case 61. The control board 71 of the controller 16 is disposed in the controller space 91 such that the extending direction of the control board 71 (hereinafter referred to as "board extending direction") is orthogonal to the rotation axis AX 1. The control plate 71 is fixed to the inner wall of the cover 67 by a fixing member 92. The fixing member 92 is formed of, for example, a caulking device, a screw, an adhesive, a press-fit member, or the like. The cover 67 may serve as a controller fixing member.

The controller 16 has a connector 94, the connector 94 being fixed to the control board 71 and connected to the terminal 93 of the coil 38. The terminal 93 extends from the inside of the housing 60 and passes through the spacer 65 in the axial direction. The front face of the connector 94 faces the motor 30 in the axial direction. The direction in which the terminal 93 is inserted into the connector 94 is the axial direction. On the other hand, the direction in which the cap 67 is attached to the upper case 61 is also the axial direction. That is, the direction in which the terminals 93 are inserted into the connector 94 is the same as the direction in which the cover 67 is assembled to the upper case 61.

In fig. 4, the terminals 93 are shown as extending directly from the coil 38. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. For example, bus bars may be provided between the coils 38 and the control board 71, and then the terminals may extend from the bus bars.

A sealing member 95 is provided at a connection portion between the cover 67 and the upper case 61. The sealing member 95 is, for example, an elastic body such as rubber or the like, and is an annular member extending along the connecting surface of the cover 67 to provide airtightness in the controller space 91. The cover 67 and the upper case 61 are not directly in contact with each other, but are integrally provided by a sealing member 95. The seal member 95 functions as a vibration absorber that prevents vibration transmission between the cover 67 and the upper case 61.

The sealing member 96 is provided at the connecting portion between the upper case 61 and the lower case 62. The sealing member 96 is an elastic member and provides airtightness in the controller space 91.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the actuator 10 includes the stator 31, the rotor 32 rotatable with respect to the stator 31, the upper housing 61 as a rotor support member that rotatably supports the rotary shaft 33 of the rotor 32, the controller 16 that controls energization to the stator 31, the cover 67 as a controller fixing member to which the controller 16 is fixed, and the seal member 95 as a vibration absorber that suppresses transmission of vibration between the upper housing 61 and the cover 67.

By providing a vibration absorber between the portion supporting the rotor 32 and the portion to which the controller 16 is fixed, it is possible to suppress the transmission of vibration from the rotor 32 to the controller 16. Therefore, incomplete connection between the terminals of the controller 16 and the electrodes may be avoided, or electrical connection failures, including disconnection from the controller 16 and welding cracks, may be avoided.

Further, in the first embodiment, the rotor support member is the upper case 61 that houses the stator 31. The controller fixing member is a cover 67 defining a controller space 91 accommodating the controller 16 together with the upper case 61. Thus, the controller 16 may be located remotely from the motor 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a through hole in the control plate 71 through which the rotation shaft 33 is inserted.

In the first embodiment, the controller 16 has a connector 94, and the connector 94 is connected to the terminal 93 of the coil 38 of the stator 31. The direction in which the terminals 93 are inserted into the connector 94 is the same as the direction in which the cover 67 is assembled to the upper case 61. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the controller 16 and the coil 38 can be completed while the cover 67 is assembled to the upper case 61. Therefore, even if the controller 16 is disposed close to the cover 67, the controller 16 can be easily connected to the motor 30.

In the first embodiment, the seal member 96 is an elastic member and provides airtightness in the controller space 91. By using the seal member 95 as the vibration absorber, a separate vibration absorber does not need to be provided, and thus the number of parts can be reduced.

[ second embodiment ]

In the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the control board 71 is fixed to the spacer 65 of the upper case 101 in the controller space 91 by the fixing member 105. The fixing member 105 is formed of, for example, a caulking device, a screw, an adhesive, a press-fit member, or the like. The upper case 101 may serve as a controller fixing member.

The rotation shaft 33 is rotatably supported by both the bearing 34 provided in the cover 10 and the bearing 35 provided in the lower housing 62. The cover 102 may serve as a rotor support member. The sealing member 95 is provided between the upper case 101 and the cover 102 as a vibration absorber to prevent vibration transmission. The control plate 71 is provided on the rotation shaft 33 and has a through hole 104 through which the rotation shaft 33 passes.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the transmission of vibration from the rotor 32 to the controller 16 is suppressed by the vibration absorber provided between the rotor support member and the controller fixing member. Therefore, incomplete connection between the terminals of the controller 16 and the electrodes may be avoided, or electrical connection failures, including disconnection from the controller 16 and welding cracks, may be avoided.

Further, in the second embodiment, the controller fixing member is the upper case 101 that houses the stator 31. The rotor support member is a cover 102 that defines a controller space 91 that accommodates the controller 16 together with the upper case 101. By fixing the controller 16 to the upper case 101, heat generated at the controller 16 can be efficiently released to the case 60 as a motor housing.

In the second embodiment, the control plate 71 has a through hole 104 through which the rotation shaft 33 passes. Therefore, it is possible to secure the installation area of the control board 71 while supporting the rotation shaft 33 with the cover 102.

[ other examples ]

In another embodiment, the vibration absorber may be a member other than the sealing member. Further, the vibration absorber may be formed of a spring made of metal, resin, or the like, or may be formed of a damper. Further, the vibration absorber is not necessarily limited to one annular member, and may be formed to be scattered in the circumferential direction and a plurality of vibration absorbers may be provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.