CN111342591A

CN111342591A - Driving device for drain valve

Info

Publication number: CN111342591A
Application number: CN201911272711.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宫下敏臣
Original assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corp
Current assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corp
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2020-06-26
Also published as: JP2020097981A; CN211183610U

Abstract

A drain valve drive device is provided to suppress water and foreign matter from entering a housing accommodating an output member and a drive section of a drain valve drive member such as a connection wire. A drain valve drive device (1) is provided with a wire (10) to which a drain valve is connected, a pulley (11) connected to the wire, a motor (40) and a gear unit (2) that drive the pulley, and a case (20) that houses the pulley, the motor, and the gear unit. A water blocking section (24) is provided on the edge of an opening (23) for leading out the wire to the outside of the housing (20). The connecting portion between the first housing (21) and the second housing (22) is a fitting portion for fitting the first step portion (213) and the second step portion (223), and extends from the front end of the second housing covering portion (212) covering the fitting portion on the first housing (21) side to a position closer to the second housing (22) side (+ Z direction) than the first step portion (213) constituting the fitting portion.

Description

Driving device for drain valve

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a driving apparatus of a drain valve that opens/closes the drain valve.

Background

As a drain valve driving device for opening and closing a drain valve of a washing machine or the like, there is a device including a drain valve driving member connected to the drain valve and a gear motor for driving the drain valve driving member. Patent document 1 discloses a drain valve driving device including a wire as a drain valve driving member. In patent document 1, a gear motor includes a housing, a motor housed inside the housing, and a transmission train. The driving force of the motor portion is transmitted to a pulley as an output member through a transmission gear train.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-26938

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In the drain valve driving device of patent document 1, the pulley for winding the wire is disposed outside the gear motor housing. The pulley is engaged with an output pinion gear disposed at an opening of a housing of the gear motor. A cover case covering the pulley is fixed to the case.

In the drain valve driving device in which the pulley as the output member is disposed outside the casing housing the motor and the transmission train and is housed in the covered casing as in patent document 1, the height of the device becomes a total height obtained by adding the height of the casing and the height of the covered casing, and therefore, there is a problem of an increase in size. Therefore, a structure has been proposed in which the pulley is accommodated in a housing that accommodates the motor and the transmission train. When the pulley is housed in a case that houses the motor and the transmission gear train, an opening portion through which the wire is drawn needs to be provided in the case.

However, when an opening portion through which a drain valve driving member such as a wire is drawn out is provided in a case that houses the motor and the transmission train, water and foreign matter may enter through the opening portion, and the transmission train and the motor inside may malfunction.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a drain valve driving device including a drain valve driving member connected to a drain valve, which suppresses intrusion of water and foreign matter into a casing that houses an output member and a driving unit connected to the drain valve driving member.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a drain valve driving device, comprising: the drain valve driving part is connected with the drain valve; the output part is connected with the drain valve driving part; a driving section that drives the output member; and a housing that houses the output member and the drive unit, the housing including a first housing and a second housing that face each other in a first direction, the first housing including: the water stop structure includes a first side wall portion, an opening portion formed by cutting the first side wall portion, a water stop portion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the first side wall portion along an edge of the opening portion, a second housing covering portion extending from the first side wall portion toward the second housing side, and a first stepped portion extending along an end portion of the first side wall portion inside the second housing covering portion, wherein the second housing includes a second side wall portion connected to the first side wall portion, the second side wall portion is provided with a second stepped portion fitted to the first stepped portion, and when a direction from the first housing toward the second housing is set to be one side in the first direction, a front end of the second housing covering portion is closer to one side in the first direction than the first stepped portion.

In the present invention, the water blocking portion is provided at the edge of the opening portion for drawing the drain valve driving member to the outside of the casing, so that water and foreign matter are less likely to enter the opening portion. Therefore, even when the output member to which the drain valve driving member is connected is housed in the same casing as the driving portion, the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the casing can be suppressed. The connecting portion between the first housing and the second housing is a fitting portion for fitting the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion, and extends from the front end of the second housing covering portion covering the fitting portion on the first housing side to a position closer to the second housing side (the first direction side) than the first stepped portion constituting the fitting portion. Therefore, even if water is splashed from the first housing side, the water does not reach the fitting portion, and even if water is splashed from the second housing side, the water does not easily reach the fitting portion. Therefore, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter from the connecting portion of the first housing and the second housing. As described above, the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the housing can be effectively suppressed, and thus, the malfunction due to the intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present invention, it is desirable that a sealant is applied to a gap between the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion. This can more effectively suppress the intrusion of water and foreign matter from the connecting portion of the first housing and the second housing (the fitting portion between the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion).

In the present invention, it is preferable that the second stepped portion includes an inner recessed portion formed by recessing an inner peripheral side of an end surface of the second side wall portion on the other side in the first direction, and the first stepped portion includes an inner convex portion fitted into the inner recessed portion. When the unevenness of the fitting surface is disposed in this way, the distance between the fitting surface and the front end of the second housing covering portion can be increased as compared with the case where the unevenness is reversed. Therefore, when water is splashed from the second housing side, the water is less likely to reach the fitting portion. Therefore, the intrusion of water and foreign matter can be effectively suppressed.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a plate is provided between the opening and the output member, the plate faces the opening, and the drain valve driving member is inserted through a through portion penetrating the plate. In this case, even if water or foreign matter enters through the opening, the plate can suppress the entry of water or foreign matter, and therefore the water or foreign matter is less likely to reach the output member and the driving unit. Therefore, malfunction of the output member and the driving unit due to intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present invention, it is desirable that a sealant sealing a gap between the plate and the drain valve driving member is applied to the through portion. Thus, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter the output member and the driving portion from the gap between the plate and the drain valve driving member. Therefore, malfunction of the output member and the driving unit due to intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the drain valve driving member is a wire rod, and the output member is a pulley around which the wire rod is wound. In this way, by using a flexible wire as the drain valve driving member, the direction in which the wire is drawn can be changed within a range not in contact with the opening portion. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the drain valve driving device is improved. In addition, even if the positional accuracy when fixing the drain valve driving device is low, the drain valve can be opened/closed via the wire.

(effect of the invention)

According to the present invention, since the water blocking portion is provided at the edge of the opening portion for drawing the drain valve driving member to the outside of the housing, water and foreign substances are less likely to enter from the opening portion. Therefore, even when the output member connected to the drain valve driving member is housed in the same casing as the driving portion, the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the casing can be suppressed. The connecting portion between the first housing and the second housing is a fitting portion for fitting the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion, and extends from the front end of the second housing covering portion covering the fitting portion on the first housing side to a position closer to the second housing side (the first direction side) than the first stepped portion constituting the fitting portion. Therefore, even if water is splashed from the first housing side, the water does not reach the fitting portion, and even if water is splashed from the second housing side, the water does not easily reach the fitting portion. Therefore, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter from the connecting portion of the first housing and the second housing. This can effectively suppress the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the housing, and thus can suppress operation failure due to the intrusion of water and foreign matter.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus of a discharge valve to which the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the driving apparatus of the water discharge valve of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the driving apparatus of the discharge valve with the first housing removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first housing as viewed from a side in the first direction.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the driving apparatus of the water discharge valve (sectional view at a-a position of fig. 1).

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of a connection portion of the first housing and the second housing (sectional view at a position B-B of fig. 1).

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the second housing, the pulley, the plate, and the wire material as viewed from the other side in the first direction.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing the arrangement of the pulleys and the wire position regulating portion as viewed from the opening portion side.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … drain valve drive; 2 … gear unit; 10 … wire rod; 11 … a pulley; 12 … grooves; 13 … board; 14 … penetration part; 15 … a restriction; 16 … first shell-side regulating part; 17 … second housing-side regulating part; 18 … rectangular recess; 19 … a wire position regulating part; 20 … a housing; 21 … a first housing; 22 … a second housing; 23 … opening part; 24 … water dam; a 40 … electric motor; 41 … motor housing; 42 … a support plate; 43 … coil former; 44 … stator coils; 45 … rotor; 50 … drive train; 51 … rotor pinion; 52 … planetary gear mechanism; 53 … reduction gear; 54 … output gear; 60 … first clutch mechanism; 70 … rotation limiting mechanism; 80 … second clutch mechanism; 151 … a first restriction; 152 … a second restriction; 160 … first slot portion; 161 … first wall portion; 162 … a second wall portion; 163 … third wall section; 170 … second slot portion; 171 … first wall portion; 172 … second wall portion; 173, 173 … third wall portion; 181 … a first rectangular recess; 182 … second rectangular recess; 210 … upper plate portion; 211 … a first sidewall portion; 212 … second housing cover portion; 213 … first step; 214 … inner convex part; 215 … outside recess; 216. 217 … planar portion; 220 … bottom plate portion; 221 … second side wall portion; 222 … circular recesses; 223 … second step; 224 … medial concavity; 225 … an outer protrusion; 241 … inclined plane; d … wire diameter; s … a third-direction gap between the wire position regulating portion and the outer peripheral surface of the pulley; a third direction of X …; a second direction of Y …; z … first direction

Detailed Description

(Overall Structure)

Next, a drain valve driving device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus 1 for a discharge valve to which the present invention is applied, and fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the driving apparatus 1 for a discharge valve of fig. 1. The drain valve driving device 1 includes a drain valve driving member connected to a drain valve not shown, an output member connected to the drain valve driving member, and a driving unit for driving the output member. In the present embodiment, the drain valve driving member is the wire 10, and the output member is the pulley 11. The pulley 11 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the first direction Z. The drain valve driving device 1 drives the drain valve via the wire 10 by rotating the pulley 11.

In the present specification, the first direction Z, the second direction Y, and the third direction X are mutually orthogonal directions. One side of the first direction Z is a + Z direction, the other side is a-Z direction, one side of the second direction Y is a + Y direction, the other side is a-Y direction, and one side of the third direction X is a + X direction, and the other side is a-X direction. The CW direction and the CCW direction are the CW direction and the CCW direction when the discharge valve drive device 1 is viewed from the + Z direction side.

The drain valve driving device 1 includes a housing 20, and the pulley 11 and the driving unit are disposed inside the housing 20. The housing 20 includes a first housing 21 and a second housing 22 facing each other in the first direction Z. The driving unit for rotating the pulley 11 is a gear motor including a motor 40 and a gear unit 2. The motor 40 is disposed at the bottom of the second housing 22 disposed on one side in the first direction Z (+ Z direction). The gear unit 2 and the pulley 11 are disposed on the other side (the (-Z direction) of the first direction Z of the motor 40. The first housing 21 covers the gear unit 2 and the pulley 11 from the other side (the (-Z direction) of the first direction Z.

As will be described later, the gear unit 2 includes an output gear 54 formed integrally with the pulley 11. An end portion of the wire 10 is fixed to the pulley 11, and the wire 10 is wound in a groove 12 formed on an outer circumferential surface of the pulley 11. The wire 10 is drawn out of the housing 20 through an opening 23 formed in a side surface of the housing 20, and is connected to a drain valve, not shown. In the present embodiment, the housing 20 is made of resin, and the wire 10 is made of metal such as SUS. If the wire 10 as the driving member of the water discharge valve is made of a material harder than the case 20, the risk of breakage of the wire 10 due to contact with the case 20 can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 2, the pulley 11 is disposed on one side (+ Z direction) of the output gear 54 in the first direction Z. The pulley 11 and the output gear 54 are movable to a first rotational position (closed position) and a second rotational position (open position) in the CCW direction with respect to the first rotational position. When the pulley 11 rotates in the CW direction, the wire 10 is fed out. When the pulley 11 is rotated to the first rotational position (closed position), the drain port is closed by the drain valve connected to the wire 10. When the pulley 11 rotates in the CCW direction, the wire 10 is wound. When the pulley 11 is rotated to the second rotational position (open position), the drain valve is separated from the drain port, and drainage is started.

In a state where the pulley 11 and the output gear 54 are moved to the second rotational position (the open position), the discharge valve driving apparatus 1 continues to supply the electric current to the motor 40 as the driving source, and holds the pulley 11 and the wire 10. When the power supply to the motor 40 is stopped and the holding state of the pulley 11 and the wire 10 is released, the drain valve driving device 1 can return the pulley 11 to the first rotational position (closed position) by an external force. For example, the pulley 11 is returned to the first rotational position via the wire 10 by an urging force such as a spring force connected to a valve body of the drain valve, and the drain port is closed by the drain valve.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the drain valve driving apparatus 1 with the first housing 21 removed. The gear unit 2 includes: a drive train 50 that transmits rotation of the motor 40 to the pulley 11; a first clutch mechanism 60 (see fig. 2) that turns on and off transmission of rotational torque from the motor 40 to the gear train 50; a rotation restricting mechanism 70 that restricts rotation of the gear train 50 and holds the output gear 54 and the pulley 11 when an external load is applied to the pulley 11 via the wire 10; and a second clutch mechanism 80 that switches between a state in which the rotational torque is transmitted and a state in which the rotational torque is not transmitted to the gear train 50. The gear train 50 includes a rotor pinion 51, a planetary gear mechanism 52, a reduction gear 53, and an output gear 54. The drive train 50 sequentially transmits the driving force of the motor 40 to the pulley 11.

(outer cover)

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the opening 23 of the housing 20 faces the second direction Y. One side (+ Y direction) of the second direction Y is the inside of the housing 20 as viewed from the opening 23, and one side (-Y direction) of the second direction Y is the outside of the housing 20 as viewed from the opening 23. As shown in fig. 2, the rotation center of the pulley 11 is shifted from the front surface of the opening 23 to the other side in the third direction X (the (-X direction), and the groove 12 in the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 11 is positioned on the front surface of the opening 23. Therefore, the wire 10 extends from the front surface of the opening 23 toward the opening 23.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first housing 21 viewed from one side (+ Z direction) of the first direction Z. Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the water discharge valve driving device 1 (a sectional view at a position a-a in fig. 1), and is a sectional view taken at a position of the opening portion 23. Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view (sectional view at the position B-B in fig. 1) of a connecting portion between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, and is a sectional view taken at a position different from the opening 23. As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the first housing 21 includes: an upper plate portion 210 that covers the pulley 11 and the gear unit 2; a first side wall portion 211 extending from an outer peripheral edge of the upper plate portion 210 to one side (+ Z direction) in the first direction Z; and a second housing covering portion 212 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the first side wall portion 211, is bent around the entire outer peripheral side of the first side wall portion 211, and extends toward the second housing 22 side (+ Z direction). As shown in fig. 4 and 6, a first step portion 213 extending along the end portion of the first side wall portion 211 in the + Z direction is provided inside the second housing covering portion 212. The first stepped portion 213 includes an inner convex portion 214 protruding in the + Z direction and an outer concave portion 215 recessed in the Z direction on the outer peripheral side of the inner convex portion 214.

As shown in fig. 2, 3, and 6, the second casing 22 includes a bottom plate portion 220 and a second side wall portion 221 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 220 to the other side in the first direction Z (the (-Z direction). As shown in fig. 3 and 5, the bottom plate portion 220 includes a circular recess 222 for accommodating the motor 40. As shown in fig. 2 and 6, a second stepped portion 223 that fits into the first stepped portion 213 of the first housing 21 is formed at the end of the second side wall portion 221 in the-Z direction. The second stepped portion 223 includes an inner concave portion 224 that is concave in the + Z direction and an outer convex portion 225 that is formed by projecting the outer peripheral side of the inner concave portion 224 in the-Z direction.

The motor 40 is an AC (alternating current) synchronous motor. As shown in fig. 5, the motor 40 includes a cup-shaped motor housing 41, a support plate 42 attached to an end portion of the motor housing 41 on the-Z direction side, a bobbin 43 disposed inside the motor housing 41, a stator coil 44 wound around the bobbin 43, and a rotor 45 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin 43.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the first housing 21 includes a rectangular opening 23 formed by cutting out the first side wall portion 211 and the second housing covering portion 212. The first side wall portion 211 includes a flat surface portion 216 constituting a side surface of the first housing 21 in the-Y direction, and the second housing covering portion 212 includes a flat surface portion 217 extending from the flat surface portion 216 in the + Z direction. The

planar portions

216, 217 extend in the third direction X. The opening 23 is a notch formed by cutting the

flat surface portions

216 and 217. The first housing 21 includes a water blocking portion 24 protruding from the outer circumferential surfaces of the first side wall portion 211 and the second housing covering portion 212 in the-Y direction along the edge of the opening 23. In the present embodiment, the water guard portion 24 is formed on the entire edge of the opening portion 23. An inclined surface 241 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the water guard 24. When water splashes on the tip of the water guard 24, the water flows along the inclined surface 241 toward the base end side (+ Y direction) of the water guard 24, and therefore, the water is less likely to enter the opening 23.

When the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are assembled to form the housing 20, as shown in fig. 6, the first step portion 213 of the first housing 21 and the second step portion 223 of the second housing 22 are fitted to each other, and the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 221 are connected to each other. At this time, the inner convex portion 214 of the first stepped portion 213 and the inner concave portion 224 of the second stepped portion 223 are fitted, and the outer concave portion 215 of the first stepped portion 213 and the outer convex portion 225 of the second stepped portion 223 are fitted. Thereby, a connection portion of a so-called damascene structure is formed.

In the present embodiment, the portion of the step portion forming the inlay structure provided on the inner peripheral side of the second step portion 223 of the second housing 22 accommodating the motor 40 and the gear unit 2 is recessed, and the outer peripheral side is convex. Therefore, the position in the first direction Z of the fitting surface of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 exposed inside the second housing covering portion 212 is the position of the front end surface of the outer convex portion 225. Therefore, the distance from the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 in the + Z direction to the fitting surface is large, and therefore, even when water splashes on the housing 20 from the + Z direction, water is less likely to reach the fitting surface. Further, a sealant such as grease is applied to the gap between the first stepped portion 213 and the second stepped portion 223. Therefore, the gap between the first side wall 211 and the second side wall 221 is sealed by the sealant, so that water is less likely to enter the housing 20 even if water splashes on the fitting surface.

When the first and

second housings

21 and 22 are assembled, the outer peripheral side of the second side wall portion 221 of the second housing 22 is covered by the second housing covering portion 212. As shown in fig. 6, the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 on the first direction Z side (+ Z direction) is closer to the first direction Z side (+ Z direction) than the first step portion 213. In the present embodiment, the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 on one side in the first direction Z (+ Z direction) extends to the position of the bottom plate portion 220 of the second housing 22, and therefore, the second side wall portion 221 is entirely covered by the second housing covering portion 212 from the outer peripheral side. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, a predetermined gap (for example, about 1 mm) is provided between the second side wall 221 and the second housing cover 212. Therefore, assemblability when the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are assembled is good.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, when the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are assembled, the portion of the opening 23 formed by cutting the second housing covering portion 212 is blocked by the second side wall portion 221, but the portion formed by cutting the first side wall portion 211 is a penetrating portion penetrating the housing 20. Therefore, the wire 10 can be drawn out to the outside of the case 20 through the opening 23.

(Board)

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the discharge valve driving device 1 includes a flat plate 13 disposed between the opening 23 and the pulley 11. The plate 13 is made of, for example, a polyester film. A through portion 14 is formed in the plate 13, and the wire 10 passes through the through portion 14. The wire 10 can move in the second direction Y in the through portion 14. Therefore, the wire 10 can be fed and wound in a state where the wire 10 passes through the through-hole 14.

The plate 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 23 and faces the opening 23 in the second direction Y. The plate 13 is larger than the opening 23 and is disposed in a posture substantially perpendicular to the second direction Y. Therefore, the plate 13 functions as a shielding member for shielding water and foreign matter that attempt to enter the housing 20 through the opening 23. Further, a sealant such as a lubricating grease for sealing the gap between the wire 10 and the plate 13 is applied to the through portion 14.

(holding structure of plate)

The plate 13 is held by the housing 20 between the opening 23 and the pulley. The housing 20 is provided with a restricting portion 15 (see fig. 3 and 4), and the restricting portion 15 holds the plate 13 movably in a direction orthogonal to the second direction Y and restricts a moving range of the plate 13 in the direction orthogonal to the second direction Y. Since the wire 10 passes through the through portion 14 of the plate 13, the plate 13 functions as a guide member for guiding the wire 10. The restricting portion 15 restricts the moving range of the wire 10 via the plate 13 within a range not contacting each portion of the housing 20. In the present embodiment, the regulating portion 15 regulates the movement range of the wire 10 via the plate 13 to a range that does not contact the inner peripheral edge of the opening 23 and the end portion of the second side wall portion 221 in the-Z direction.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the regulating portion 15 includes a first housing-side regulating portion 16 formed in the first housing 21 and a second housing-side regulating portion 17 formed in the second housing 22. The first housing-side regulating portion 16 is a protruding portion protruding in the + Z direction from the upper plate portion 210 of the first housing 21, and includes a first groove 160 extending in the third direction X. The second housing-side regulating portion 17 is a protruding portion protruding in the-Z direction from the bottom plate portion 220 of the second housing 22, and includes a second groove portion 170 extending in the third direction X. Both the first casing-side regulating portion 16 and the second casing-side regulating portion 17 are provided in the vicinity of the opening 23.

As shown in fig. 5, when the first and

second housings

21 and 22 are assembled, the first and

second groove portions

160 and 170 are opposed to each other in the first direction Z. One end in the first direction Z (+ Z direction) of the plate 13 is disposed in the second groove 170, and the other end in the first direction Z (-Z direction) is disposed in the first groove 160. As shown in fig. 5, the interval between the bottom of the first groove 160 and the bottom of the second groove 170 is greater than the height of the plate 13 in the first direction Z. Therefore, the plate 13 is supported by the first groove 160 and the second groove 170, is movable in the first direction Z, and the range of movement in the first direction Z is restricted by the bottom of the first groove 160 and the bottom of the second groove 170. That is, the first groove 160 and the second groove 170 function as the first regulating portion 151 that regulates the movement range of the plate 13 in the first direction Z.

The first regulating portion 151 (the first groove portion 160 and the second groove portion 170) regulates the movement range of the wire 10 in the first direction Z via the plate 13 by regulating the movement range of the plate 13 in the first direction Z. In the present embodiment, the range of movement of the wire 10 to one side of the first direction Z (+ Z direction) is limited by bringing the plate 13 into contact with the bottom of the second groove portion 170 before the wire 10 comes into contact with the end of the second side wall portion 221 in the-Z direction. Further, the plate 13 is brought into contact with the bottom of the first groove 160 before the wire 10 is brought into contact with the edge of the opening 23 in the-Z direction, thereby restricting the range of movement of the wire 10 to the other side of the first direction Z (-Z direction).

As shown in fig. 4, the first housing-side regulating portion 16 includes a first wall portion 161 extending in the third direction X on the-Y direction side of the first groove portion 160, a second wall portion 162 extending in the third direction X on the + Y direction side of the first groove portion 160, and two third wall portions 163 extending while being bent in the-Y direction from one end and the other end of the first wall portion 161 in the third direction X. The third wall 163 extends in the third direction X from a position separated by a predetermined dimension from one end and the other end of the first groove 160 in the second direction Y, and is continuous with the first side wall 211.

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the second housing 22, the pulley 11, the plate 13, and the wire 10 viewed from the other side (the-Z direction) of the first direction Z. As shown in fig. 3 and 7, the second casing-side regulating portion 17 includes: a first wall 171 extending in the third direction X on the-Y direction side of the second groove 170, a second wall 172 extending in the third direction X on the + Y direction side of the second groove 170, and two third walls 173 extending from one end and the other end of the first wall 171 in the third direction X and curving in the-Y direction. As shown in fig. 5, the first wall 171 and the second wall 172 are connected to each other on the + Z direction side of the second groove 170. The third wall 173 extends in the third direction X from a position separated by a predetermined dimension from one end and the other end of the second groove 170 in the second direction Y, and is connected to the second side wall 221.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the first housing-side regulating portion 16 protrudes from the upper plate portion 210 by a smaller dimension (height in the first direction Z) than the first side wall portion 211. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 7, the dimension (height in the first direction Z) by which the second housing-side restriction portion 17 protrudes from the bottom plate portion 220 is larger than the second side wall portion 221. A rectangular recess 18 recessed in the + Z direction is provided in the center of the second housing-side restriction portion 17 in the third direction X. The rectangular recess 18 is recessed to the same height as the front end of the second side wall portion 221 in the-Z direction. Therefore, when the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are assembled, the second housing-side regulating portion 17 is in a state where portions on both sides of the rectangular recess 18 in the third direction X protrude to the inside of the first housing 21.

Rectangular recess 18 includes first rectangular recess 181 formed in first wall 171 and second rectangular recess 182 formed in second wall 172. As shown in fig. 7, when the plate 13 is attached to the second groove 170 of the second housing-side regulating portion 17, the penetrating portion 14 through which the wire 10 passes is disposed inside the rectangular recessed portion 18. The first wall 171 has two portions on one side and the other side in the third direction X of the first rectangular recess 181 extending in the-Y direction and connected to the second side wall 221.

When the first and

second housings

21 and 22 are assembled, the third wall 163 of the first housing-side confining portion 16 and the third wall 173 of the second housing-side confining portion 17 are opposed in the first direction Z. The interval in the third direction X between the two third wall portions 163 is the same as the interval in the third direction X between the two third wall portions 173, and is greater than the width in the third direction X of the plate 13. Therefore, when the both ends of the plate 13 in the first direction Z are disposed in the first groove 160 and the second groove 170, the third wall 163 and the third wall 173 regulate the movement range of the plate 13 in the third direction X. That is, the

third wall portions

163 and 173 function as the second regulating portion 152 that regulates the movement range of the plate 13 in the third direction X.

The second regulating portion 152 (the third wall portion 163 and the third wall portion 173) regulates the movement range of the plate 13 in the third direction X, and regulates the movement range of the wire 10 in the third direction X via the plate 13. In the present embodiment, the range of movement of the wire 10 to the one side in the third direction X (+ X direction) is limited by bringing the plate 13 into contact with the third wall portion 163 and the third wall portion 173 before the wire 10 comes into contact with the edge in the + X direction of the opening 23. Further, the range of movement of the wire 10 to the other side of the third direction X (the (-X direction)) is restricted by bringing the plate 13 into contact with the third wall portion 163 and the third wall portion 173 before the wire 10 comes into contact with the edge of the opening 23 in the-X direction.

Further, as the second limiting portion 152, either the third wall portion 163 or the third wall portion 173 may be provided. Even if one of the third wall 163 and the third wall 173 is used, the movement range of the plate 13 in the third direction X can be limited. Therefore, the movement range of the wire 10 in the third direction X can be restricted via the plate 13.

(wire position regulating part)

As shown in fig. 7, the second housing 22 includes a wire position regulating portion 19 that protrudes in the-Z direction from the bottom plate portion 220 between the second housing-side regulating portion 17 and the pulley 11. In the present embodiment, the wire position regulating portion 19 is a wall extending linearly in the second direction Y, and is connected to the second wall portion 172 of the second housing-side regulating portion 17 on the + X direction side of the rectangular recessed portion 18. Therefore, the wire position regulating portion 19 is disposed on the + X direction side of the wire 10.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the arrangement of the pulley 11 and the wire position regulating portion 19 as viewed from the opening portion 23 side (i.e., the-Y direction). As described above, the wire 10 is disposed in the groove 12 provided in the pulley 11. The groove 12 is a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section that opens on the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 11 and increases in opening width in the first direction Z toward the outer peripheral side.

As shown in fig. 8, a gap S in the third direction X exists between the wire position regulating portion 19 and the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 11, but the gap S is smaller than the wire diameter D. That is, the wire position regulating portion 19 is disposed at a position satisfying the condition of S < D.

Since the wire position regulating portion 19 is disposed on the + X direction side of the wire 10 from the groove 12 of the pulley 11 toward the opening portion 23, the movement of the wire 10 in the + X direction is regulated by the wire position regulating portion 19. Therefore, even if the wire 10 is pulled in the + X direction outside the opening 23 and the drawing direction of the wire 10 is inclined in the + X direction, the wire 10 does not move from the wire position regulating portion 19 to the + X direction side. Therefore, if the gap S in the third direction X between the wire position regulating portion 19 and the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 11 is set smaller than the wire diameter D, the wire 10 does not completely fall off from the groove 12 even if the drawing direction of the wire 10 is inclined toward the + X direction. Therefore, the wire 10 can be prevented from falling off the pulley 11 by providing the wire position regulating portion 19.

(main effects of the invention)

As described above, the drain valve driving device 1 of the present embodiment includes: a drain valve driving part, i.e., a wire 10, connected to the drain valve; a pulley 11 as an output member connected to the wire 10; a drive unit (motor 40 and gear unit 2) that drives the pulley 11; and a housing 20 accommodating the pulley 11, the motor 40, and the gear unit 2. The housing 20 includes a first housing 21 and a second housing 22 facing each other in the first direction Z. The first housing 21 includes: a first side wall portion 211; an opening 23 formed by cutting the first side wall 211; a water blocking portion 24 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the first side wall portion 211 along the edge of the opening 23; a second housing covering portion 212 extending from the first side wall portion 211 toward the second housing 22 side; and a first stepped portion 213 extending along an end portion of the first side wall portion 211 inside the second housing covering portion 212. The second housing 22 includes a second side wall portion 221 connected to the first side wall portion 211, and the second side wall portion 221 is provided with a second stepped portion 223 fitted to the first stepped portion 213. When the direction from the first housing 21 to the second housing 22 is set to the first direction Z side (+ Z direction), the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 is closer to the first direction Z side (+ Z direction) than the first stepped portion 213.

In the present embodiment, since the water stopper 24 is provided at the edge of the opening 23 for drawing out the wire 10 to the outside of the housing 20, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter from the opening 23. Therefore, even when the pulley to which the wire rod 10 is connected is housed in the same housing as the motor 40 and the gear unit 2, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the housing 20. Here, the foreign matter includes insects such as ants, in addition to dust. Therefore, compared to the case where the pulley 11 is disposed outside the housing 20, the height of the discharge valve driving device 1 in the first direction Z can be reduced, which is advantageous for downsizing.

In the present embodiment, the connecting portion between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 is a fitting portion for fitting the first stepped portion 213 and the second stepped portion 223, and extends from the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 covering the fitting portion on the first housing 21 side to a position closer to the second housing 22 side (+ Z direction) than the first stepped portion 213 constituting the fitting portion. Therefore, even if water is splashed from the first housing 21 side, the water does not reach the fitting portion, and even if water is splashed from the second housing 22 side, the water does not easily reach the fitting portion. Therefore, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter from the connecting portion of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22. As described above, since the intrusion of water and foreign matter into the housing 20 can be effectively suppressed, malfunction due to the intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, since the sealant is applied to the gap between the first stepped portion 213 and the second stepped portion 223, it is possible to more effectively suppress the intrusion of water and foreign matter from the connecting portion of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 (the fitting portion of the first stepped portion 213 and the second stepped portion 223). Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the sealant is not applied to the gap between the first stepped portion 213 and the second stepped portion 223.

In the present embodiment, the water guard portion 24 is provided on the entire edge of the opening portion 23. Therefore, the entry of water into the opening 23 can be effectively suppressed. Further, the water blocking portion 24 may be provided at a part of the edge of the opening 23. In this case, by providing the water blocking portion 24 at least at the edge of the other side (the (-Z direction) of the first direction Z of the opening portion 23, when the drain valve driving device 1 is provided in an environment where water is splashed from the first housing 21 side, the intrusion of water into the opening portion 23 can be effectively suppressed by the water blocking portion 24.

In the present embodiment, the second step portion 223 of the second housing 22 includes an inner recess portion 224 formed by recessing the inner peripheral side of the other side (-Z direction) end surface of the second side wall portion 221 in the first direction Z. The first stepped portion 213 of the first housing 21 includes an inner convex portion 214 fitted into the inner concave portion 224. When the fitting portion of a so-called inlay structure is provided at a portion covered by the second housing covering portion 212 from the first housing 21 side, by disposing the unevenness of the fitting surface in this way, the distance between the fitting surface and the front end of the second housing covering portion 212 can be increased as compared with a case where the unevenness is reversed. Therefore, when water is splashed from the second housing 22 side, the water is less likely to reach the connection portion (fitting portion). Therefore, the intrusion of water and foreign matter can be effectively suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the plate 13 is disposed between the opening 23 and the pulley 11. The plate 13 faces the opening 23, and the wire 10 passes through the through portion 14 of the through plate 13. Therefore, even if water and foreign matter enter through the opening 23, the plate 13 can prevent the water and foreign matter from entering the pulley 11, the motor 40, and the gear unit 2. Therefore, malfunction of the motor 40 and the gear unit 2 due to intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the through portion 14 is a through hole penetrating the center of the plate 13, but the through portion 14 may be a notch-shaped groove extending from the outer peripheral edge of the plate 13 to the center of the plate 13. When the through-portion 14 is a groove, the operation of passing the wire 10 is easy. Therefore, ease of assembly can be improved.

In the present embodiment, a sealant for sealing the gap between the plate 3 and the wire 10 is applied to the through portion 14 of the plate 13. This makes it difficult for water and foreign matter to enter the pulley 11, the motor 40, and the gear unit 2 from the gap between the plate 13 and the wire 10. Therefore, malfunction due to the intrusion of water and foreign matter can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the drain valve driving member is a wire, and the output member is a pulley 11 that winds the wire 10. In this way, by using the flexible wire 10 as the drain valve driving member, the direction in which the wire 10 is drawn can be changed within a range not contacting the opening portion 23. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the water discharge valve drive device 1 is improved. In addition, even if the positional accuracy when fixing the drain valve driving device 1 is low, the wire 10 and the drain valve can be connected.

Further, a member other than the wire 10 may be used as the drain valve driving member. For example, the following configuration may be adopted: a lever formed with a rack is used as the discharge valve driving means, and the lever engaged with the output gear 54 is moved by the rotation of the output gear 54. In this case, the plate 13 and the restricting portion 15 may be omitted. In addition, the wire position regulating portion 19 can be omitted.

Claims

1. A drain valve driving device characterized by comprising:

the drain valve driving part is connected with the drain valve;

the output part is connected with the drain valve driving part;

a driving section that drives the output member; and

a housing that houses the output member and the driving portion,

the housing includes a first housing and a second housing opposed to each other in a first direction,

the first housing includes: a first side wall portion; an opening formed by cutting the first side wall portion; a water blocking portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the first side wall portion along an edge of the opening portion; a second housing covering portion extending from the first side wall portion toward the second housing side; and a first step portion extending along an end portion of the first side wall portion at an inner side of the second housing covering portion,

the second housing includes a second side wall portion connected to the first side wall portion, the second side wall portion is provided with a second stepped portion that is fitted to the first stepped portion,

when a direction from the first housing toward the second housing is set to one side of the first direction, a front end of the second housing covering portion is closer to the one side of the first direction than the first stepped portion.

2. The driving apparatus for drain valve according to claim 1,

a sealant is applied to a gap between the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion.

3. The driving apparatus for drain valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the second stepped portion includes an inner recessed portion formed by recessing an inner peripheral side of an end surface of the second side wall portion on the other side in the first direction,

the first stepped portion includes an inner convex portion fitted into the inner concave portion.

4. The drain valve driving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

a plate disposed between the opening and the output member,

the plate is opposed to the opening portion,

the drain valve driving member passes through a penetration portion penetrating the plate.

5. The drain valve driving apparatus according to claim 4,

a sealant is applied to the through portion, and the sealant seals a gap between the plate and the drain valve driving part.

6. The drain valve driving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the drain valve driving part is a wire rod,

the output member is a pulley around which the wire is wound.