JP2002349679A - Waterproof structure for gear frame - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To materialize a structure, in which waterproofing can be achieved, without using sealing materials, such as butyl rubber in a device, such as a cable drive device in which a frame cover is provided in a sealed state to a gear frame, to which a worm wheel is provided internally. SOLUTION: The tip side of a cylindrical wall part 4b of a gear frame 4 is provided with a waterproof cover 11, in which the substantially semicircular cylinder shaped outside wall 4g is formed on the outside diameter side of the part situated on the upper side, in a state with a cable drive device 1 being mounted, and in which a part 11a disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the outer wheel and a side edge part 11b, protruding to the cover surface position of a frame cover 10 fitted externally to the opening end of a gear frame 4 are formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a waterproof structure of a gear frame in which a worm gear constituting a cable drive device used as a window regulator of an automobile is installed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a gear frame of this type includes a gear frame formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, such as a power window cable drive device mounted on a vehicle, and a motor shaft that rotates with the driving of the motor. There is a configuration in which a worm at a distal end portion and a worm wheel meshing with the worm are provided in a gear frame, and the worm wheel is fixed to the gear frame opening with the frame cover being covered. Such a cable drive device is installed between an inner panel and an outer panel constituting a door of a vehicle. The installation portion is a portion into which rainwater, water drops during car washing, and the like enter through a gap between the panel and the window. For this reason, if there is a gap between the gear frame and the frame cover, water may infiltrate into the gear frame, and in such a case, the water flows into the worm wheel side and travels through the worm to make a metal. The motor shaft of the motor shaft or the damper between the worm wheel and the cable drum, which causes the motor shaft to rust and generate abnormal noise, leading to early deterioration of the damper, etc. , May cause failure or damage. Therefore, conventionally, butyl rubber is applied to a fixing portion between the frame cover and the gear frame, and the gear frame and the frame cover are sealed to prevent water from entering the gear frame.

[0003]

However, when butyl rubber is applied as in the prior art, if the application site has a simple shape, the application operation becomes simple and easy, and the application can be reliably performed. Although it does not impair the stopping performance, the shape of the gear frame and the frame cover are not necessarily simple, and such a problem that the application work becomes complicated and the sealing performance is impaired. is there. In particular, in a configuration in which the drum around which the cable is wound is provided inside the gear frame, a pair of concave groove-shaped cable extraction grooves for extracting the cable to the outside protrude to the outer diameter side on the outer periphery of the gear frame. And a groove cover is formed on the frame cover so as to cover the groove opening of the cable lead-out groove.
For this reason, the shape in the vicinity of the cable lead-out groove and the groove cover becomes complicated, so that the work of applying butyl rubber becomes difficult, and there is a problem that the sealing property at the site is deteriorated. In such a case, as shown in FIG.
A joint member 14 is provided in the guide hole 13 of the cable formed between the groove 2a and the groove cover on the frame cover side so as to be able to protrude and retract, so that the stretched state of the outer member constituting the cable 15 can be adjusted. There are some
In such a case, when the space between the cable lead-out groove 12 and the groove lid is sealed with butyl rubber, the butyl rubber protrudes from the hole edge of the guide hole 13 and the joint member 14 which comes and goes in the guide hole 13. There is a problem that the operation may be impaired, and there is a problem to be solved by the present invention.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has been made to solve these problems, and has a worm at a tip end portion of a motor shaft which rotates as the motor is driven. When a frame cover is provided in a sealing manner at the open end of a cylindrical gear frame having a bottom and a worm wheel meshed with the worm, the frame cover is fitted over the open end of the gear frame. And an eaves-shaped outer wall portion that covers the frame cover from above is integrally formed at a portion located on the outer diameter side of the cylindrical wall portion and on the upper side in a mounted state of the gear frame. What you want. By doing so, the gear frame can be waterproofed without using an adhesive with butyl rubber. In this case, the outer wall portion of the present invention may be formed in a semi-cylindrical shape along the cylindrical wall portion. Further, in this case, the outer wall portion of the present invention may be formed so that the front end portion protrudes beyond the front end of the cylindrical wall portion. Also,
In this case, a waterproof cover for covering the outer wall portion and the outer diameter portion on the upper side of the cover surface of the frame cover can be attached to the outer wall portion of the present invention. Still further, in the gear frame of the present invention, a worm wheel and a cable drum that rotates integrally with the worm wheel are provided inside, and a cable wound around the cable drum is pulled out to the outside of the gear frame. When the concave cable-shaped cable lead groove is formed, the outer wall portion is formed so that one end in the circumferential direction extends to the cable lead groove portion, and the waterproof cover has a frame cover that covers the cable lead groove. The groove cover that covers the groove lid can be formed so as to protrude in the circumferential direction. By doing so, reliable waterproofing can be achieved even when the structure of the gear frame is complicated. Can be.
Further, in this case, at least one locking portion for locking the waterproof cover can be formed between the waterproof cover of the present invention and the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion. In this case, the gear frame of the present invention may be formed with a support piece for supporting the waterproof cover attached to the opening end between the outer frame and the waterproof cover. it can.

[0005]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a cable driving device of a window regulator used for a power window. An armature (not shown) is provided in a motor case (motor yoke) 2 having a bottomed rectangular tube shape that constitutes the cable driving device 1. A bottomed cylinder in which one end of a shaft (motor shaft) of the armature is rotatably supported, and a bearing part 3 for integrally supporting the other end of the armature shaft is formed in an opening of the motor case 2. A gear frame 4 is disposed in a state where the armature shaft and the cylinder direction are orthogonal to each other.

The gear frame 4 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having the bottom surface 4a and the cylindrical wall portion 4b as described above, and a support shaft protruding toward the cylindrical opening is formed on the bottom surface 4a. The worm wheel 5 and the cable drum 7 around which the cable 6 is wound are stacked on the support shaft 4c from the bottom surface 4a side in the direction of the support shaft 4c so as to be rotatable. In this manner, the worm wheel 5 and the cable drum 7 are provided inside the gear frame 4. Further, the cylindrical wall portion 4b is formed such that a tip end portion reaches the outer peripheral surface of the cable drum 7,
Worm wheel 5 Bottom surface 4 facing the outer peripheral surface
A window 4d is opened in the cylindrical wall 4b on the side a, and a worm 8 engraved on the other end of the armature shaft through the window 4d.
Are set so as to face the inside of the gear frame 4 and mesh with the gear teeth 5 a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the worm wheel 5.

The gear frame cylinder wall 4b is located in a direction substantially opposite to the window 4d in the radial direction, and is provided with a pair of cable tips 6a fed out from the cable drum 7.
6b, a pair of first and second cable lead-out grooves 4
e, 4f are formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with a predetermined gap therebetween. Each of the first and second cable lead-out grooves 4e and 4f has a groove direction facing the same direction as the opening of the gear frame 4, and is formed in a concave groove shape having a semi-circular cross section. Further, a semi-cylindrical (semi-circular) outer wall 4g is formed integrally with the outer peripheral portion on the distal end side of the cylindrical wall 4b, and the outer wall 4g is in contact with the upper side when the cable driving device 1 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical wall portion 4 is located between the window 4d forming portion facing the worm 8 and the second drawing groove 4f forming portion.
b is formed so as to cover the outer diameter side, and a predetermined gap is formed between the cylindrical wall portion 4b. Here, the outer wall 4
g is provided near the second cable lead-out groove 4f so as to form a step 4h on the outer peripheral surface, and the tip of the outer wall 4g extends outward longer than the tip of the cylindrical wall 4b. In the present embodiment, the cable drum 7 extends to substantially the same position as the outer end surface of the cable drum 7 and is formed in an eave shape with respect to the cylindrical wall portion 4b. Reference numeral 9 denotes a damper interposed between the worm wheel 5 and the cable drum 7, and the damper 9 is formed of a rubbery elastic material so that the damper 9 buffers the worm wheel 5 and the cable drum 7. It is set to interlock and link in the state.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a frame cover for covering the opening of the gear frame 4. The frame cover 10 includes a circular main body 10b having a plurality of steps 10a formed therein, and a main body 10b. A gear is formed by externally assembling the fitting piece 10c into the opening end of the gear frame cylinder wall 4b. It is set to be mounted on the frame 4. At this time, the fitting piece 10c is in a state of entering a concave groove-shaped gap formed between the cylindrical wall 4b and the outer wall 4g, so that the outer wall 4g is in a state like an eaves. As a result, the outer fitting portion of the fitting portion 10c with respect to the gear frame cylinder wall portion 4b is covered, and the upper side of the outer fitting portion is not exposed.
It is set such that water can be prevented from entering between the tip of Oc and the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion 4b. The gear frame outer wall portion 4g extends to substantially the same position as the frame surface, which is the outer end surface of the frame cover main body 10b.

The outer diameter of the frame cover 10
First and second cable lead-out grooves 4 on the gear frame 4 side
e, a pair of first and second groove cover portions 10d, 1d for covering 4f.
0e is integrally formed, and when the frame cover 10 is fitted to the gear frame 4, the first and second groove cover portions 10d, 10d, 10e, the grooves are closed in a state where they abut against each other to form guide holes, and the cable tip portions 6a and 6b are set to be drawn out from the guide holes. When the worm wheel 5 rotates along with the rotation of the armature shaft, the cable drum 8 that rotates integrally with the worm wheel 5 rotates, for example, while one cable tip 6a is extended. The setting is such that the other cable tip 6b operates so as to be wound.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a window 4 of the gear frame 4.
d, and a waterproof cover attached to an outer wall portion 4g formed between the vicinity of the second cable lead-out groove 4f, and the waterproof cover 11 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape (semi-cylindrical shape) along the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 4g. A peripheral portion 11a formed in an arc shape) and one end of the peripheral portion 11a,
And a side portion 11b formed so as to be closely opposed to the outer diameter side portion in the direction of the support shaft 4b. Here, the side portion 11b is formed toward the groove bottom position side of the shallow groove-shaped main body portion 10b of the frame cover 10 and is formed so as to be substantially at the same position in the direction of the support shaft 4b. Further, a groove cover portion that covers the second groove cover 10e that covers the second cable lead groove 4f from the outside at one end in the circumferential direction of the waterproof cover 11 and at the end on the second cable lead groove 4f side. 11c is integrally formed. The groove cover portion 11c has leg sides 11d bent in the direction of the gear frame support shaft 4b and formed on both sides in the circumferential direction, and is formed in a zigzag shape. By covering, the groove cover portion 11c is formed so as to cover the second groove cover 10e and the contact portion between the second cover 10e and the second cable lead-out groove 4f.

The waterproof cover 11 has a peripheral portion 11a.
One locking claw 11e is formed at one end side in the circumferential direction and at the base side of the outer wall portion 4g, while the side of the gear frame outer wall portion 4g where the second cable lead-out groove 4f is formed is as described above. As described above, the step portion 4h having a radial step is formed, and a pair of positioning protrusions 4i for positioning the locking claw 11e in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 4g. ing. And the locking claw 11
e is positioned between the pair of positioning protrusions 4i, and the locking claws 11e are engaged with the step portions 4h of the outer wall portion 4g, whereby the waterproof cover 11 is supported by the outer wall portion 4g in a positioning shape and a detent shape. It is set as follows. In the waterproof cover 11, the other end portion in the circumferential direction of the peripheral portion 11a is formed on a protrusion 11f projecting toward the base end in the support shaft 4c direction, and the protrusion 11f is formed on the gear frame 4 side. The outer wall 4g is set so as to be held between the outer wall 4g and the support piece 4j protruding and formed with a predetermined gap between the outer wall 4g and the outer peripheral surface. by this,
The waterproof cover 11 includes the locking claw 11 e and the positioning protrusion 4.
i, and a support in the form of a pinch between the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 4g and the support piece 4j, the waterproof cover 11 can be securely fixed to the outer wall portion 4g, and The fall prevention can be measured.

Next, a waterproof structure in this case will be described. The cable driving device 1 is set to be attached to a vehicle in a state where the motor case 2 is located on the upper side. And in this mounting state,
The waterproof cover 11 is formed by the peripheral portion 11a of the gear frame 4
The upper half of the upper half serving as a fitting portion between the frame cover 10 and the outer wall portion 4g is covered together with the outer wall portion 4g, and the side portion 11b covers the upper outer diameter portion of the outer end face of the frame cover 10. And the water falling from the upper side is
1a, and falls along the peripheral portion 11a as it is, and separates from the peripheral portion 11a along the side portion 11b. At this time, the peripheral portion 11a is connected to the gear frame 4 and the frame as described above. The upper half of the fitting portion with the cover 10 is covered, and water along the peripheral portion 11a falls on both radial sides of the gear frame 4 and is not guided to the gear frame 4 side. I have. Further, since the side edge 11b is formed so as to protrude outward such that the leading edge is substantially at the same position as the outer end face of the frame cover main body 10b, the water along the side edge 11b is slightly outward. It is guided to the projecting outer end surface side of the main body 10b, and is not guided to the fitting portion side of the gear frame 4 and the frame cover 10 located at the upper outer diameter part of the main body 10b. Also, the first and second cable lead-out grooves 4 of the gear frame 4
e and 4f, the first cable lead-out groove 4e does not require special waterproofing because the guide hole faces downward in the mounted state, but the frame cover is not required in the second cable lead-out groove 4f where the guide hole is lateral. Second groove cover 10
e is facing upward, and waterproofing is required here.
c is covered with the leg portion 11d, so that the water is prevented from entering the second cable lead-out groove 4f, and the gear frame 4 can be waterproofed.

In the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the cable driving device 1 is mounted with the motor case 2 positioned above as described above. An outer wall portion 4g is formed on the outer diameter side of the cylindrical wall portion 4b of the gear frame at an upper portion of the fitting portion between the gear frame 4 and the frame cover 10 where water is to be prevented from entering. 4g is like an eaves and covers the upper half of the engaging portion between the cylindrical wall portion 4b and the frame cover engaging piece portion 10c, so that water is prevented from entering from this portion and the waterproofness is measured. Can be. In addition, the waterproof cover 11 of the present embodiment is formed with a side portion 11b following the peripheral portion 11a, and covers an upper outer diameter portion of the outer end surface of the frame cover 10 and has a waterproof cover side portion 11b. Water flowing down along
Since the water is guided to the outer end surface side of the frame cover 10 to prevent water from being guided to the fitting portion between the gear frame 4 and the frame cover 10, water is prevented from entering the portion and waterproofing is performed. Can be.

Further, in this case, as a portion to prevent water from entering, there is a portion for forming the second cable lead-out groove 4f in which the guide hole is oriented in the lateral direction. Is the waterproof frame 1
Since it is covered by the one groove cover portion 11c, intrusion of water into the portion is prevented, and more reliable waterproofing can be achieved.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, waterproofing between the gear frame 4 and the frame cover 10 is not performed by applying butyl rubber as in the conventional case, but is integrated with the gear frame 4. The formed outer wall portion 4g and the waterproof cover 11 attached to the outer wall portion 4g
Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the cable drum 7 is mounted on the gear frame 4 as shown in FIG.
The gear frame 4 and the frame cover 10 are provided with first and second cable lead-out grooves 4e and 4f, and a groove cover 1 opposed thereto.
Even if the configuration is complicated such that Od and 10e are formed, waterproofness is not impaired, and as a result, an excellent product with high sealing performance and durability can be provided. Moreover, in this case, each cable lead-out groove 4e, 4e
f and the groove lids 10d and 10e may be in contact with each other in the form of a butt. Even if a joint member is provided in the guide hole of the cable formed therebetween so as to be able to protrude and retract, the conventional butyl rubber can be used. The butyl rubber does not protrude to the joint member side to impair the sliding of the joint member as in the case of applying the varnish.

Further, in this embodiment, the waterproof cover 11 is supported by the outer wall portion 4g, and the supporting structure is provided with an engagement-type support using the locking claws 11e and the positioning projections 4i. 11 can be fixed in a positioning manner. Further, in addition to the engagement-type support, the waterproof cover 11 is sandwiched between the outer wall portion 4g and the support piece 4j formed on the gear frame 4, so that the waterproof cover 11 is supported at two places. As a result, the prevention cover 11 can be securely fixed, and the waterproof cover 11 can be prevented from being accidentally dropped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a cable driving device.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the cable driving device.

3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view of a cable driving device and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a front bracket.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are overall perspective views showing a state in which a waterproof cover and a frame cover are removed from the cable driving device, respectively.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of a state where a waterproof cover is removed from the cable driving device.

7A and 7B are a rear view of the frame cover and a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 7A.

8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are a rear view of the waterproof cover, a side view of FIG. 8A, and FIG.
FIG. 9A is a view as viewed in the direction of the arrow X, and FIG.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a cable drawing groove in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cable drive device 4 Gear frame 4b Cylindrical wall part 4c Support shaft 4f Second cable lead-out groove 4g Outer wall part 4i Positioning protrusion 5 Warm wheel 7 Cable drum 8 Warm 10 Frame cover 10c Fitting piece part 10e Second groove lid part 11 Waterproof Cover 11a Peripheral part 11b Side part 11c Groove cover part 11d Leg piece part 11e Locking claw

Claims (7)

[Claims] An opening end of a bottomed cylindrical gear frame that houses a worm at a distal end portion of a motor shaft that rotates with driving of a motor and a worm wheel that meshes with the worm.
When the frame cover is provided in a sealed state, a cylindrical wall portion for fitting the frame cover to the open end of the gear frame, and an outer diameter side of the cylindrical wall portion, and the gear frame is attached. A waterproof structure for a gear frame, wherein an eave-shaped outer wall portion that covers the frame cover from above is integrally formed with a portion located on the upper side. 2. The waterproof structure for a gear frame according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape along the cylindrical wall. 3. An outer wall according to claim 1, wherein
A waterproof structure of the gear frame, the tip of which protrudes beyond the tip of the cylindrical wall. 4. The waterproof structure for a gear frame according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall is provided with a waterproof cover for covering the outer wall and the outer diameter portion on the upper side of the cover surface of the frame cover. 5. The gear frame according to claim 4,
It is assumed that a worm wheel and a cable drum that rotates integrally with the worm wheel are provided therein, and a concave groove-shaped cable lead-out groove is formed on the outer periphery of the gear frame to draw out a cable wound around the cable drum to the outside. In the outer wall part, one end in the circumferential direction extends to the cable lead-out groove part, and the groove cover part that covers the groove cover part of the frame cover that covers the cable lead-out groove protrudes in the circumferential direction on the waterproof cover. Waterproof structure of gear frame formed in a shape. 6. The waterproof structure for a gear frame according to claim 4, wherein at least one locking portion for locking the waterproof cover is formed between the waterproof cover and the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion. 7. The gear frame according to claim 4, wherein the gear frame is provided with a support piece for supporting the waterproof cover attached to the open end in a sandwiched manner with the outer wall. Gear frame waterproof structure.