JP2010223129A - Actuator for pipe length switching valve of intake manifold, and intake manifold having actuator for pipe length switching valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator for the pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold, reducing the number of components or assembly man-hours while fully protecting the actuator against an impact load from a valve. <P>SOLUTION: This actuator for the pipe length switching valve of the intake manifold includes a switching valve mechanism performing opening/closing operation so as to switch the length of an intake passage. The switching valve mechanism has a rotating shaft 42 rotatably supported around the axis direction of a supporting hole in the supporting hole. The rotating shaft 42 has a helical gear 68 fitted around the rotating shaft and a stopper 62 regulating the rotation of the rotating shaft. A cylindrical collar 60 is provided to abut on the stopper. A cylindrical cushion rubber is further provided in a manner as to be interposed between the helical gear and the stopper and axially slidably fitted around the cylindrical collar. The cylindrical cushion rubber is engaged with the helical gear and stopper so that they are integrally rotated around the axis direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold and an intake manifold having an actuator for a pipe length switching valve, and more particularly, the number of parts and assembly while fully protecting the actuator against impact load from the valve. The present invention relates to an intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator and an intake manifold having a pipe length switching valve actuator capable of reducing man-hours.

Conventionally, an intake manifold in which the pipe length of the intake passage is made variable by opening and closing the valve has been adopted, and an actuator for switching the pipe length of the intake manifold has been used for that purpose.
An actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, this intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator 200 has an opening provided on one end face in the parallel direction of an intake manifold 202 having a plurality of intake passages arranged in parallel. There is a switching valve mechanism 216 that is inserted into a support hole that traverses the intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of the intake passage, and that opens and closes to change the length of each intake passage. One end of the switching valve mechanism 216 is supported by a valve cover 218, and the valve cover 218 includes a butting surface that is hermetically fixed to one end surface. The switching valve mechanism 216 has a rotating shaft 219 that is inserted into the support hole along the axial direction and is rotatably supported around the axial direction in the support hole. The rotary shaft 219 is a plurality of valve bodies fixed to the rotary shaft 219 so as to be rotatable about the axial direction at a predetermined interval in the axial direction so as to correspond to the intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of each intake passage. 221. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a drive motor 223 for rotating the rotary shaft 219 around its axial direction is housed in the actuator case 225.

With such a configuration, the switching valve mechanism 216 is driven by the drive motor 223, the rotating shaft 219 is rotated about its axis, and one of the intake passages is arranged so as to correspond to the intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage. Alternatively, the pipe lengths of the intake passages can be switched by rotating the plurality of valve bodies 221 around the axis line and connecting or blocking the auxiliary intake passages through such valve opening / closing operations.

However, the conventional pipe length switching valve actuator 200 of the intake manifold 202 has the following technical problems associated with the adoption of the two-axis configuration.
That is, the conventional pipe manifold switching valve actuator 200 of the intake manifold employs a two-axis configuration in which another axis is provided in addition to the rotation shaft 219 to transmit the rotation driving force of the drive motor 223 to the rotation shaft 219. . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the rotary shaft 219 includes a nut 229, a spring washer 249, a washer 251, a spur gear 231, a cylindrical collar 233, from one end face of the intake manifold to the inside of the support hole. A stopper lever 235, a cylindrical collar 237, and a bearing 239 are provided in this order. A bearing 239 in which the spur gear 231, the stopper lever 235, and the cylindrical collars 233, 237 are fixed to the support hole by an axial force generated by fastening the nut 229. The spur gear 231 is integrated with the rotating shaft 219.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the second shaft 227 extends in a direction away from one end face of the intake manifold in parallel with the rotation shaft 219 at a predetermined interval from the rotation shaft 219 and directly receives the rotation driving force by the drive motor 223. Is provided. The second shaft 227 is provided with a pinion gear 241, a cushion rubber 243 and a worm wheel gear 245 in this order from the proximal end of the second shaft 227 to the rotation shaft 219, and the pinion gear 241 is arranged on the rotation shaft. The worm wheel gear 245 meshes with the worm 247 provided at the tip of the rotating shaft of the drive motor 223, and the pinion gear 241 and the cushion rubber 243, and the cushion rubber 243 and the worm wheel gear 245 Each of them is connected in a fitting relationship so that an axial force other than the axial force resulting from the rotation of the worm 247 is not transmitted.
When the valve is positioned at the closing angle position and the opening angle position, the rotation of the valve is forcibly and suddenly stopped through the stopper lever 235, so that an impact load is applied to the rotating shaft 219, which is applied to the drive motor 223. Communicated. In this respect, from the viewpoint of protecting the drive motor 223, a cushion rubber 243 is provided between the pinion gear 241 and the worm wheel gear 245, and an impact load around the axial direction of the rotary shaft 219 is twisted around the axis of the cushion rubber 243. This is absorbed by the deformation, so that the impact load is relaxed and transmitted to the drive motor 223.

According to such a configuration, the worm wheel gear 245 rotates through meshing between the worm 247 and the worm wheel gear 245 by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 223, and the pinion gear 241 and the spur gear 231 are connected via the cushion rubber 243. Thus, the rotating shaft 219 is rotated, and the torsional impact load around the axial direction of the rotating shaft 219 accompanying opening and closing of the valve is reduced and transmitted to the actuator.
In other words, as a two-axis configuration, the axial force transmission shaft on the rotary shaft side and the rotational force transmission shaft on the drive motor side are separated, so that a flexible cushion rubber is provided on the second shaft on the rotational force transmission shaft side. 243 can be installed, and the actuator is fully protected.
However, due to the adoption of the two-axis configuration as described above, the number of parts is large and the number of assembling steps is increased, which generally increases the cost.
In this regard, if the conventional second shaft is simply omitted, the cushion rubber 243 is deleted, and the torsional impact load around the axial direction of the rotary shaft 219 accompanying the opening / closing operation of the valve is directly transmitted to the drive motor 223. This may cause a malfunction or failure of the drive motor 223.

In view of the above technical problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator capable of reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps while fully protecting the actuator against an impact load from the valve. And providing an intake manifold having an actuator for a pipe length switching valve.

In order to achieve the above object, an actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold according to the present invention includes:
The length of each intake passage is inserted into a support hole that crosses the middle portion of the sub intake passage of each intake passage from an opening provided on one end face in the parallel direction of the intake manifold having a plurality of intake passages arranged in parallel. Has a switching valve mechanism that opens and closes in a switchable manner,
The switching valve mechanism has a rotating shaft that is inserted into the support hole along the axial direction and is rotatably supported around the axial direction in the support hole.
The rotary shaft has a plurality of valve bodies fixed to the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable about the axial direction at a predetermined interval in the axial direction so as to correspond to an intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of each intake passage. The rotary shaft further includes a nut fastened to the rotary shaft, a worm wheel gear fitted to the rotary shaft, and an axial direction and an axis centered on the rotary shaft on the one end surface side. Each having a stopper that is fixed in the rotation direction and restricts the rotation of the rotation shaft about the axis, in this order toward the inside of the support hole,
Furthermore, in the actuator for a pipe length switching valve of the intake manifold, which has a drive motor that rotates the rotation shaft about its axial direction by meshing with the worm wheel gear,
A cylindrical collar is provided so as to be externally fitted to the rotary shaft and to come into contact with the stopper by fastening of the nut.
The worm wheel gear is slidably fitted in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar,
A cylindrical cushion rubber is further provided so as to be interposed between the worm wheel gear and the stopper and slidably fitted in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar,
The cylindrical cushion rubber is engaged with each of the worm wheel gear and the stopper so as to be integrally rotatable around the axial direction,
The cylindrical collar has a shorter axial length than the total length of the axial length of the worm wheel gear and the axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber.

According to the intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator having the above-described configuration, the rotation shaft transmits its rotational axis directly to the rotation shaft through meshing with the worm wheel gear, so that the rotation shaft changes its axis. It is arranged so as to correspond to the middle part of the sub-intake passage of each intake passage by rotating to the center, and a valve body fixed to the rotation shaft performs an opening / closing operation, thereby having a single shaft configuration of only the rotation shaft, It is possible to change the pipe length of each intake passage of the intake manifold and absorb the impact load accompanying opening and closing of the valve by torsional deformation around the axial direction of the cylindrical cushion rubber, thereby reducing the impact load By transmitting to the actuator, it is possible to fully protect the actuator.
More specifically, the cylindrical cushion rubber is interposed between the worm wheel gear and the stopper, and the cylindrical cushion rubber, the worm wheel gear and the stopper are engaged with each other so as to rotate integrally around the axis. The rotational driving force from the drive motor transmitted to the wheel gear is transmitted to the stopper via the cylindrical cushion rubber, and the stopper is fixed in the rotational direction around the axis with respect to the rotating shaft. It is possible to transmit the rotational driving force to the rotating shaft through the stopper, thereby opening and closing the valve.

On the other hand, the worm wheel gear and the cylindrical cushion rubber are fitted externally so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar fitted on the rotary shaft, and thus a nut is fastened from the end of the rotary shaft on one end face side. By applying an axial force toward the stopper to the end surface of the cylindrical collar, the axial length of the cylindrical collar and the axial length of the worm wheel gear until the other end surface of the cylindrical collar contacts the stopper. The cylindrical cushion rubber is crushed to some extent in the axial direction according to the difference between the axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber and the cylindrical cushion rubber, and the worm wheel gear is pushed back in the opposite direction to the axial force by the repulsive force This makes it possible to position the worm wheel gear in the axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft via the stopper.

From the above, there is no need to install a cushion rubber that cushions the impact load that accompanies the opening / closing operation of the valve on the side of the rotational force transmission shaft after providing the axial force transmission shaft and the rotational force transmission shaft separately as in the past. In addition, by providing cushion rubber while having both the axial force transmission shaft and the rotational force transmission shaft function on a single axis rotation shaft, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced, and the actuator can be fully protected Can also be achieved.

Furthermore, the cylindrical collar may have an axial length shorter than the total length of the axial length of the worm wheel gear and the axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber, or may have a long axial length.
The cylindrical collar may have an annular projecting flange portion at one end, and the tubular collar may be arranged so that the annular projecting flange portion contacts the worm wheel gear.
Furthermore, the stopper may be a lever having a protruding portion in the radial direction of the rotating shaft.
Furthermore, the cylindrical cushion rubber has a recess on one end surface thereof, and an end surface facing the one end surface of the worm wheel gear is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the recess, It is preferable that the cylindrical cushion rubber is fixed to the worm wheel gear in the rotation direction centering on the axis line by fitting the recess into the protrusion.
In addition, the cylindrical cushion rubber has a recess on the other end surface, and a protrusion corresponding to the recess is provided on the end surface of the stopper facing the other end surface. It is preferable that the cylindrical cushion rubber is fixed in the rotation direction about the axis with respect to the stopper by being fitted to the protrusion.

Further, the switching valve mechanism is a butterfly valve, and each of the plurality of valve bodies is made of a plate, and the switching valve mechanism is arranged in the axial direction so as to correspond to an intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of each intake passage. One or a plurality of openings may be provided at a predetermined interval.

According to the pipe manifold switching valve actuator of the present invention, the cylindrical cushion rubber is interposed between the worm wheel gear and the stopper, and the cylindrical cushion rubber, the worm wheel gear and the stopper are integrally formed around the axis. Since it engages so that it can rotate, it is possible to transmit the rotational driving force to the rotating shaft via the stopper, thereby opening and closing the valve, while the worm wheel gear and the cylindrical cushion rubber are Because it is fitted externally so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar that is fitted on the rotary shaft, the nut is fastened to the end face of the cylindrical collar by fastening the nut from the end of the rotary shaft on one end face side. By applying axial force toward the stopper, the cylindrical cushion rubber is crushed to some extent in the axial direction. The worm wheel gear is pushed back in the direction opposite to the direction of the axial force by the repulsive force, so that the worm wheel gear can be positioned in the axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft via the stopper. By providing cushion rubber while having both the axial force transmission and rotational force transmission functions on the rotating shaft, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and assembly man-hours, and also achieve full protection of the actuator It is.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the actuator 10 for the intake manifold pipe length switching valve is inserted into the intake manifold 12 and performs switching operation so that the length of each intake passage 14 of the intake manifold 12 can be switched. The valve mechanism 16, an actuator valve cover 20 that supports one end of the switching valve mechanism 16 and closes the opening 18 (see FIG. 4) of the intake manifold 12 into which the switching valve mechanism 16 is inserted, and the switching valve mechanism 16. And a drive motor 22 in the actuator valve cover 20 for driving the motor.

The intake manifold 12 corresponds to a four-cylinder engine, and has a surge tank 26 that forms an intake manifold and a main intake passage 28 that communicates with the intake manifold, and one end of the intake manifold 12 is connected to the surge tank 26. It has four mutually independent branch pipes 30 connected in common, and an engine mounting flange 32 connected to the other end of each branch pipe 30, and the four branch pipes 30 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. ing.
The intake manifold 12 is made of synthetic resin, and is configured by welding a plurality of, for example, three joining members to each other.
An air inlet 34 is provided at one end of the surge tank 26 along the parallel direction of the branch pipes 30, and an air cleaner (not shown) is connected to the air inlet 34 via a throttle body (not shown). An amount of air corresponding to the throttle opening in the throttle body is introduced into the intake air collecting chamber.
As shown in FIG. 2, each branch pipe 30 having one end connected to the lower portion of the surge tank 26 is formed to be curved in a substantially C shape, and is attached to the other end of each branch pipe 30. The working flange 32 is disposed on the downstream side of the surge tank 26.
The intake manifold 12 is provided with a sub-intake passage 36 having one end opened to the intake manifold and the other end opened in the middle of the main intake passage 28. A passage from the intake manifold to the engine by the sub-intake passage 36 is provided. Can be bypassed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication or blocking of each auxiliary intake passage 36 is switched by a switching valve mechanism 16 having a butterfly valve that is rotatably supported on the intake manifold 12. The switching valve mechanism 16 corresponds to the cross section of the rotary shaft 42 and each auxiliary intake passage 36, and the plate portion 46 provided with four openings 44 aligned in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42 and the four openings 44. Corresponding to the position, there are four valve bodies 48 fixed to the rotary shaft 42 at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42.
Each valve body 48 has a plate-like shape, and corresponds to each sub-intake passage 36, and as shown in FIG. As shown in b), it can be rotated around the axis between the position where the auxiliary intake passage 36 is blocked.
As shown in FIG. 4, the end face 114 of the intake manifold 12 is provided with a substantially rectangular cross-section space that crosses the middle portion of each auxiliary intake passage 36, and the opening 18 provided at one end in the parallel direction of the four branch pipes 30. Thus, the switching valve mechanism 16 is inserted into the surge tank 26 along the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 42.

In the plate portion 46, the rotary shaft 42 passes through each of the four openings 44 in the axial direction, and the valve body 48 is fixed to the rotary shaft 42 in each opening 44, and the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42 is the center. Each valve body 48 is rotated by the rotation, so that the corresponding opening 44 is opened and closed. A circular opening 54 through which the rotary shaft 42 passes is provided at one end of the plate portion 46, and an O-ring 56 is attached to the peripheral edge of the circular opening 54, and this circular opening 54 will be described later on the actuator valve cover 20. The first hollow cylindrical portion 88 is fitted so as to be sealed (see FIG. 5).
As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary shaft 42 is supported by a bearing 58 fixedly supported by the wall surface of the support hole 40 so as to be rotatable about the axial direction. A first cylindrical collar 60, a stopper lever 62, a second cylindrical collar 64, a cushion rubber 66, and a worm wheel gear 68 are fitted on the rotary shaft 42 in this order from the bearing 58 toward one end of the rotary shaft 42. ing.
More specifically, the first cylindrical collar 60 is interposed between the bearing 58 and the stopper lever 62, and transmits the axial force from the flange nut 59 fastened from one end of the rotating shaft 42 to the bearing 58 from the stopper lever 62. Like to do.

The stopper lever 62 is fixed to the rotation shaft 42 in the rotation direction around the axis, and rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 42. The stopper lever 62 is provided with a projecting portion 70 that projects in the radial direction from the rotating shaft 42, and the rotating shaft 42 is inserted when the projecting portion 70 rotates about the axial direction by the rotation of the rotating shaft 42. A rotation restricting member (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the support hole 40 is brought into contact with the support hole 40 to restrict the rotation range of the rotation shaft 42. More specifically, the rotation shaft 42 is configured to be rotatable between a rotation angle position corresponding to a closed position of a valve provided on the rotation shaft 42 and a rotation angle position corresponding to an opening position. As described above, the rotation shaft 42 is restricted in rotation by the projecting portion 70 coming into contact with the rotation restricting member provided on the inner wall of the support hole 40, so that the valve is positioned at the closed position and the open position. When the overhanging portion 70 collides with the rotation restricting member provided on the inner wall of the support hole 40, an impact load is generated, and this impact load is transmitted to the drive motor 22 through the rotation shaft 42. Such an impact load is absorbed by the cushion rubber 66 interposed between the lever 62 and the drive motor 22, and the impact load transmitted to the drive motor 22 is alleviated, and thus the drive motor 22 is fully protected. I am doing so.

The second cylindrical collar 64 is interposed between the stopper lever 62 and the flange nut 59, and transmits the axial force generated by fastening of the flange nut 59 to the stopper lever 62 via the second cylindrical collar 64. . The second cylindrical collar 64 has an annular projecting flange 72 at one end toward the flange nut 59, and the annular outer surface 74 of the annular projecting flange 72 receives the fastening force of the flange nut 59, and the second tubular collar 64. A cushion rubber 66 and a worm wheel gear 68 are slidably fitted in the axial direction in this order toward the annular projecting flange 72 on the shaft portion 64, and one end surface of the worm wheel gear 68 is annular projecting flange 72. Is disposed opposite to the annular inner surface 78.

The shaft length of the shaft portion of the second cylindrical collar 64 is set to be longer than the total length of the shaft length of the cushion rubber 66 and the flange thickness of the worm wheel gear 68, whereby the end surface of the worm hole gear 68 and the second cylindrical shape are set. Sliding with the annular inner surface 78 of the collar 64 is prevented. If the wear of the sliding portion does not matter according to the material of the worm hole gear 68, the shaft length of the shaft portion of the second cylindrical collar 64 is equal to the shaft length of the cushion rubber 66 and the worm wheel gear 68. By setting the length shorter than the total length of the flange thickness, the cushion rubber 66 is slightly crushed in the axial direction, and the repulsive force acts in the direction opposite to the axial force due to the fastening of the flange nut 59, thereby causing the worm wheel gear 68 to be annularly extended. 72, and the worm wheel gear 68 may be fixed in the axial direction. In this regard, the axial length of the shaft portion of the second tubular collar 64 is determined by the axial length of the shaft portion of the second tubular collar 64 when the worm wheel gear 68 is fixed in the axial direction by fastening the flange nut 59. In accordance with the difference between the axial length of the cushion rubber 66 and the total length of the flange thickness of the worm wheel gear 68, it is necessary to set the cushion rubber 66 so that the crushing of the cushion rubber 66 in the axial direction is within an appropriate allowable range.

The cushion rubber 66 is made of a hollow-cylindrical synthetic rubber. As described above, when an impact load centered on the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42 is generated by the overhanging portion 70, the cushion rubber 66 is caused by such an impact load. Causes torsional elastic deformation about the axial direction, absorbs the impact load by this torsional elastic deformation, relieves the impact load transmitted to the drive motor 22, and thereby achieves sufficient protection of the drive motor 22. As long as it is, the thickness, material, etc. may be appropriately selected. One end surface of the cushion rubber 66 is in contact with the end surface of the stopper lever 62, and a plurality of recessed portions A 80 are provided in the circumferential direction on the one end surface, and each recessed portion A 80 is provided on the end surface of the stopper lever 62. The cushion rubber 66 and the stopper lever 62 are integrally rotated about the axial direction by fitting into the protruding portion A82. On the other hand, the other end surface of the cushion rubber 66 is in contact with the end surface of the worm wheel gear 68. Like the one end surface, the other end surface is provided with a plurality of indentations B81 in the circumferential direction. The cushion rubber 66 and the worm wheel gear 68 are integrally rotated about the axial direction by fitting B81 into the protrusion B83 provided on the end face of the worm wheel gear 68. As described above, the stopper lever 62, the cushion rubber 66, and the worm wheel gear 68 can be integrally rotated around the axial direction, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 22 described later is applied to the worm wheel gear 68, the cushion rubber 66, and Since it is transmitted to the stopper lever 62 and the stopper lever 62 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42, the rotating shaft 42 is rotated by the drive motor 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, an actuator valve cover 20 in which an actuator case incorporating a drive motor 22 and a valve cover are integrated is provided at one end of the switching valve mechanism 16.
The actuator valve cover 20 is made of an integrally molded resin, for example.
As a result, the actuator case and valve cover are separate, and the number of parts can be reduced or the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of assembly steps compared to the conventional case where the actuator case is fixed to the valve cover with a nut or the like. In addition, the vibration resistance can be improved by integrating the actuator case and the valve cover. In particular, it is possible to shorten the axial length of the switching valve actuator 10 by integrating the actuator case with the recess of the surface 85 opposite to the butting surface 84 of the valve cover 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator valve cover 20 has a plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 6, one surface thereof constitutes a butting surface 84 with the end surface of the intake manifold 12. The abutting surface 84 has a circular opening 86 at the center thereof, and a first hollow cylindrical portion 88 extending from the circular opening 86 in the thickness direction of the actuator valve cover 20 is provided. In one space 110, a stopper lever 62, a cushion rubber 66, a worm wheel gear 68 and a flange nut 59 are accommodated. A circular opening 90 is provided on the side wall of the first hollow cylindrical portion 88, and a second hollow cylindrical portion 92 extending from the circular opening 90 in the lateral direction of the actuator valve cover 20 is provided, as shown in FIG. The opposite end surface of the second hollow cylindrical portion 92 is open. The drive motor 22 described later is accommodated in the second space 112 inside the second hollow cylindrical portion 92.
As shown in FIG. 6, the abutting surface 84 is provided with an annular sealing surface 94 so as to surround the circular opening 86, and the abutting surface 84 is abutted when the abutting surface 84 of the actuator valve cover 20 is abutted with the end surface 114 of the intake manifold 12. The surface 84 is sealed. A mounting hole 96 is provided around the actuator valve cover 20 so as to correspond to the mounting hole 113 provided in the end surface 114 of the intake manifold 12 so that the actuator valve cover 20 is fixed to the end surface 114 of the intake manifold 12. ing. Reference numeral 24 is a breathing hole. The breathing hole 24 allows the inside of the actuator valve cover 20 to communicate with the outside air so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the actuator valve cover 20 caused by the heat generated by the drive motor 22 is eliminated. is there.

With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching valve mechanism 16 is inserted into the surge tank 26 along the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42, and the butting surface 84 of the actuator valve cover 20 is butted against the end surface 114 of the intake manifold 12. Thus, the worm wheel gear 68 attached to one end of the rotary shaft 42 is held in the first space 110 of the first hollow cylindrical portion 88 while being hermetically held by the annular seal surface 94 by being fixed to the intake manifold 12 by the mounting holes 96. The rotary shaft 42 meshes with the worm 98 provided in the drive motor 22 disposed in the second space 112 of the second hollow cylindrical portion 92 through the worm 98 and the worm wheel gear 68, and the rotary shaft 42 is moved by the drive motor 22. I try to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive motor 22 is conventionally known. A worm 98 is provided at the tip of the rotary shaft 23, and the drive motor 22 rotates by engaging with the worm wheel gear 68 of the rotary shaft 42. The driving force is transmitted to the rotary shaft 42 via the worm 98 and the worm wheel gear 68. The drive motor 22 is housed in the second space 112 of the second hollow cylindrical portion 92, and is driven with respect to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 42 in which one end is housed in the first space 110 of the first hollow cylindrical portion 88. The rotating shaft 23 of the motor 22 is arranged in a direction that is substantially orthogonal. A packing 100 is provided at the periphery of the opening of the second hollow cylindrical portion 92 so that the opening can be closed by the lid portion 102. A rotation angle detection sensor 104 is attached to the lid 102, and when the opening is closed by the lid 102, the rotation angle detection sensor 104 is attached to the stopper lever 62 located in the first space 110 of the first hollow cylindrical portion 88. It extends to a position facing the provided magnet 105. The rotation angle detection sensor 104 is a known sensor that incorporates a Hall element, detects a change in the magnetic flux of the magnet 105 due to the rotation of the rotary shaft 42 about the axial direction, and generates an electromotive force due to the magnetic flux change. Is used to detect the rotation angle of the valve fixed to the rotary shaft 42.

The operation of the intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator 10 having the above configuration will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
By transmitting the rotational driving force of the worm 98 attached to the drive motor 22 directly to the rotating shaft 42 through meshing with the worm wheel gear 68, the rotating shaft 42 rotates about its axis, thereby The valve body 48, which is disposed so as to correspond to the intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of the intake passage and is fixed to the rotary shaft 42, performs an opening / closing operation. It is possible to change the pipe length of the intake passage, and to absorb the impact load accompanying opening and closing of the valve by torsional deformation centering on the axial direction of the cushion rubber 66, thereby reducing the impact load and transmitting it to the actuator Thus, it is possible to fully protect the actuator.
More specifically, the cylindrical cushion rubber 66 is interposed between the worm wheel gear 68 and the stopper lever 62, and the cylindrical cushion rubber 66, the worm wheel gear 68, and the stopper lever 62 can rotate integrally around the axis. Thus, the rotational driving force from the drive motor 22 transmitted to the worm wheel gear 68 is transmitted to the stopper lever 62 via the cylindrical cushion rubber 66, and the stopper lever 62 is applied to the rotating shaft 42. Therefore, the rotational driving force can be transmitted to the rotating shaft 42 via the stopper lever 62, thereby opening and closing the valve.

On the other hand, the worm wheel gear 68 and the cylindrical cushion rubber 66 are fitted on the second cylindrical collar 64 fitted on the rotary shaft 42 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. By fastening the flange nut 59 from the end of 42, an axial force toward the stopper lever 62 is applied to the end surface of the second cylindrical collar 64, so that the other end surface of the second cylindrical collar 64 becomes the stopper lever. The cylindrical cushion rubber 66 is pivoted in accordance with the difference between the axial length of the second cylindrical collar 64, the flange thickness of the worm wheel gear 68, and the axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber 66 until it abuts against 62. The worm wheel gear 68 is crushed to some extent in the direction, and the repulsive force pushes the worm wheel gear 68 back in the direction opposite to the direction of the axial force. It can be positioned in the axial direction with respect to the rotation shaft 42 to A 68 via the stopper lever 62.

From the above, there is no need to install a cushion rubber that cushions the impact load that accompanies the opening / closing operation of the valve on the side of the rotational force transmission shaft after providing the axial force transmission shaft and the rotational force transmission shaft separately as in the past. Further, by providing a cushion rubber while allowing the single-axis rotary shaft 42 to function as both an axial force transmission shaft and a rotational force transmission shaft, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced, and the actuator can be fully used. Protection can also be achieved.
For example, when the switching valve mechanism 16 is switched from the closed state to the open state in order to bypass the auxiliary intake passage 36 in order to shorten the intake passage 14 of the intake manifold 12, the drive motor 22 is driven to The rotating shaft 42 is rotated through meshing with the worm wheel gear 68, and the corresponding valve fixed to the rotating shaft 42 performs an opening operation in each auxiliary intake passage 36, thereby shortening the intake passage 14. It is possible (see FIG. 2 (a)).
On the contrary, when the switching valve mechanism 16 is switched from the open state to the closed state in order to lengthen the intake passage 14 of the intake manifold 12, it may be achieved by performing an operation reverse to that described above ( (Refer FIG.2 (b)).

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the switching valve actuator has been described as corresponding to a four-cylinder engine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switching valve actuator may be compatible with an engine having a smaller number of cylinders. Good. Further, in the present embodiment, the butterfly type valve switching mechanism has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a rotary valve switching mechanism may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, an actuator valve cover in which the valve cover and the actuator case are integrated is adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the valve cover and the actuator case may be separate. It doesn't matter.

It is a schematic front view of the intake manifold provided with the pipe length switching valve actuator of the intake manifold according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the effect | action of the pipe length switching valve actuator of the intake manifold which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pipe length switching valve actuator of the intake manifold according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an end view of one side of the intake manifold in the pipe length switching valve actuator of the intake manifold according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the attachment state with the actuator valve case of the actuator for pipe length switching valves of the intake manifold which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an end view of the actuator valve cover as viewed from the direction along the line AA in FIG. 1. It is a schematic perspective view of the intake manifold provided with the actuator for pipe length switching valves of the conventional intake manifold. FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a conventional actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold. FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view around a drive motor of a pipe length switching valve actuator of a conventional intake manifold.

10 Intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator 12 Intake manifold 14 Intake passage 16 Switching valve mechanism 18 Opening 20 Actuator valve cover 22 Drive motor 24 Breathing hole 26 Surge tank 28 Main intake passage 30 Branch pipe 32 Engine mounting flange 34 Air inlet 36 Sub-intake passage 40 Support hole 42 Rotating shaft 44 Opening 46 Plate portion 48 Valve body 54 Circular opening 56 O-ring 58 Bearing 59 Nut 60 First cylindrical collar 62 Stopper lever 64 Second cylindrical collar 66 Cushion rubber 68 Warm wheel gear 70 Overhang portion 72 Annular overhang flange 74 Annular outer surface 78 Annular inner surface 80 Recessed portion A
81 Indentation B
82 Protrusion A
83 Projection B
84 Abutting surface 86 Circular opening 88 First hollow cylindrical portion 90 Circular opening 92 Second hollow cylindrical portion 94 Annular seal surface 96 Mounting hole 98 Worm 100 Packing 102 Lid portion 104 Rotation angle detection sensor 110 First space 112 Second space 113 Mounting Hole 114 end face

Claims (9)

The length of each intake passage is inserted into a support hole that crosses the middle portion of the sub intake passage of each intake passage from an opening provided on one end face in the parallel direction of the intake manifold having a plurality of intake passages arranged in parallel. Has a switching valve mechanism that opens and closes in a switchable manner,
The switching valve mechanism has a rotating shaft that is inserted into the support hole along the axial direction and is rotatably supported around the axial direction in the support hole.
The rotary shaft has a plurality of valve bodies fixed to the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable about the axial direction at a predetermined interval in the axial direction so as to correspond to an intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of each intake passage. The rotary shaft further includes a nut fastened to the rotary shaft, a helical gear fitted to the rotary shaft on the one end surface side, and an axial direction and an axis centered on the rotary shaft. Each having a stopper that is fixed in a rotating direction and restricts rotation of the rotating shaft around the axis, in this order toward the inside of the support hole,
Further, in the actuator for a pipe length switching valve of the intake manifold, which has a drive motor that rotates the rotation shaft around its axial direction by meshing with the helical gear.
A cylindrical collar is provided so as to be externally fitted to the rotary shaft and to come into contact with the stopper by fastening of the nut.
The helical gear is externally slidable in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar,
A cylindrical cushion rubber is further provided so as to be interposed between the helical gear and the stopper and slidably fitted in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical collar,
The cylindrical cushion rubber engages with each of the helical gear and the stopper so as to be integrally rotatable around the axial direction.
An actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold. The actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar has an axial length shorter than a total length of an axial length of the helical gear and an axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber. 2. The intake manifold pipe length switching valve actuator according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar has an axial length longer than a total length of an axial length of the helical gear and an axial length of the cylindrical cushion rubber.     The pipe length of the intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar has an annular projecting flange portion at one end, and the tubular collar is disposed so that the annular projecting flange portion contacts the helical gear. Actuator for switching valve.       The actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is a lever having a projecting portion in a radial direction of the rotating shaft.   The cylindrical cushion rubber has a recess on one end surface thereof, and an end surface facing the one end surface of the helical gear is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the recess, and the recess is The actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the tubular cushion rubber is fixed in a rotational direction about an axis with respect to the helical gear by being fitted into a protrusion.   The cylindrical cushion rubber has a recess on the other end surface, and an end surface facing the other end surface of the stopper is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the recess, and the recess is the protrusion. The pipe length switching valve actuator of the intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the tubular cushion rubber is fixed in a rotational direction about an axis with respect to the stopper by being fitted to a portion.       The switching valve mechanism is a butterfly valve, and each of the plurality of valve bodies is formed of a substantially circular plate, and the switching valve mechanism is arranged in an axial direction so as to correspond to an intermediate portion of the auxiliary intake passage of each intake passage. 2. The actuator for a pipe length switching valve of an intake manifold according to claim 1, wherein the actuator has a plurality of substantially circular openings at a predetermined interval, and each peripheral edge of each of the plurality of substantially circular openings constitutes a valve seat of the corresponding valve body. .       An intake manifold comprising the intake manifold switching valve actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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