JP2014077409A - Gear engaging/disengaging device and engine starter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a time required from an established driving condition of a driven gear to a driving of the driven gear when the driven gear is driven by a power from a driving source at the time of establishment of driving conditions of the driven gear.SOLUTION: In a step S101, when a rotary speed N1 of a driven gear 16 is lower than a set speed N0, irrespective of non-establishment of a driven gear driving condition in steps S102 to S104, a driving gear preliminary moving action for rotating a rotary shaft 12 in a prescribed direction with a power force from a driving source 10 until a driving gear 14 is moved to a position where it is engaged with the driven gear 16. Then, after the driving gear preliminary moving motion, the rotary shaft 12 is rotated in a prescribed direction with a power force from the driving source 10 at the time of establishment of a driven gear driving condition, a driven gear driving operation is carried out in which the driven gear 16 is driven through an engagement between the driving gear 14 and the driven gear 16.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gear fitting / removing device that performs a gear fitting / removing operation, and an engine starter including the gear fitting / removing device.

  A related art of an engine starter including a gear fitting / removing device that performs a gear fitting / removing operation is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The engine starting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a solenoid device having a function of pushing the pinion gear toward the ring gear side of the engine using the attractive force of the first coil, and a motor energization circuit using the attractive force of the second coil. And an electromagnetic switch for opening and closing a main contact provided in the. The solenoid device and the electromagnetic switch are configured integrally by arranging both in series in the axial direction, and share a magnetic plate that forms part of the magnetic circuit between the first coil and the second coil. It is arranged. When the engine start condition is satisfied and the engine is started upon receiving the output of the engine start command, first, the first coil is energized to push the pinion gear toward the ring gear side of the engine. After the pinion gear comes into contact with the ring gear, the second coil is energized to rotate the motor output shaft. When the pinion gear meshes with the ring gear in response to the rotation of the output shaft of the motor, the rotational force is transmitted from the pinion gear to the ring gear, and the engine is cranked.

  Further, as a related technology of a gear fitting / removing device that performs a gear fitting / removing operation, a self-synchronous shifting clutch (SSS clutch) is disclosed in Patent Document 2 below. In the SSS clutch of Patent Document 2, the switching sleeve rotates at the rotational speed of the steam turbine until the synchronous rotational speed is reached, and when the synchronous rotational speed is reached, is firmly held by the claw of the switching portion of the generator shaft. Beyond the synchronous speed, the switching sleeve causes axial movement in the direction of the steam turbine by means of screws. Thereafter, engagement between the teeth of the switching sleeve and the teeth of the generator shaft occurs, and transmission of drive torque occurs through these teeth. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the steam turbine is lower than the synchronous rotation speed, the switching sleeve is axially moved in the opposite direction to the steam turbine by the screw, and the engagement between the teeth of the switching sleeve and the teeth of the generator shaft is released. As a result, transmission of the drive torque is interrupted.

JP 2010-38103 A Special table 2010-506113 gazette International Publication No. 2012/53552

  In the engine starter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the first coil is energized to drive the pinion gear (drive gear) from when the engine start condition is satisfied (after receiving the output of the engine start command) to when the engine is started. An operation of moving to a position where the ring gear (driven gear) meshes with the second coil and an operation of energizing the second coil to rotate the output shaft of the motor to engage the pinion gear and the ring gear to perform cranking of the engine are required. In this way, the time lag occurs when starting the engine by the amount that the pinion gear is engaged with the ring gear of the engine, and after the engine start condition is satisfied (after receiving the output of the engine start command) until the engine starts. It takes a long time to complete. In addition, if an attempt is made to wait in a state where the pinion gear and the ring gear are engaged, it is necessary to maintain a state in which the first coil is continuously energized, which consumes electric power.

  Further, in the SSS clutch of Patent Document 2, the drive condition of the generator (driven side) is established, and the driven side (generator shaft) is driven by the power of the drive side (steam turbine) in response to the output of the generator drive command. In this case, the operation of moving the switching sleeve teeth in the axial direction in the direction of the steam turbine until the teeth of the generator shaft engage with the teeth of the generator shaft, and the operation of transmitting the driving torque by the engagement of the teeth of the switching sleeve and the teeth of the generator shaft. I need it. Thus, a time lag occurs in the drive of the generator by the amount of axial movement until the teeth of the switching sleeve are engaged with the teeth of the generator shaft, and the generator drive condition is satisfied (output of the generator drive command). The time required until the generator (driven side) is driven becomes longer.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the time required to drive a driven gear after the driven gear drive condition is satisfied when the driven gear is driven by power from a drive source when the driven gear drive condition is satisfied. To do.

  The gear fitting / removing device and the engine starting device according to the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve the above-described object.

  A gear fitting and disengaging device according to the present invention includes a rotating shaft that rotates in a predetermined direction by transmitting power from a driving source, a driving gear that engages the rotating shaft in a state of being movable in the axial direction, and a drive A driven gear that meshes with the drive gear when the gear is in a predetermined meshing position in the axial direction, a movement suppression device for suppressing the drive gear from moving to the one side in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position, and a drive gear, A moving force generating mechanism that is in a non-meshing position on the other side in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position and that causes a driving force to act on the drive gear to one side in the axial direction when the rotating shaft rotates in the predetermined direction; A gear fitting / removal device that drives the driven gear with power from a driving source when the driven gear driving condition is satisfied, and the driven gear driving condition is set when the rotational speed of the driven gear is lower than a set speed. Concerned even when not established First, a drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed to rotate the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by power from a drive source until the drive gear moves to a position where the drive gear meshes with the driven gear, and after the preliminary drive gear movement operation, the driven gear The gist of the invention is that when the drive condition is satisfied, the driven shaft is driven by driving the driven gear by meshing the drive gear and the driven gear by rotating the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the drive source.

In one aspect of the present invention, assuming that the rotational speed of the driven gear is N1, the rotational speed of the drive gear is N2, the number of teeth of the driven gear is Z1, and the number of teeth of the drive gear is Z2,
N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0
If is established, it is preferable to stop the rotation of the rotary shaft.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the drive gear abuts against the movement suppressing device at the predetermined meshing position, so that the movement to the one side in the axial direction is suppressed, and the drive gear moves in the drive gear preliminary movement operation. It is preferable to stop the rotation of the rotating shaft when it comes into contact with the suppression device.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in the drive gear preliminary movement operation, it is preferable to change the time for rotating the rotation shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the drive source based on the rotation speed of the driven gear.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the drive source is an electric motor, and in the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the time for rotating the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the electric motor can be changed based on the temperature of the electric motor. Is preferred.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the drive source is an electric motor that generates power by electric power supplied from a power source. In the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the rotating shaft is driven by power from the electric motor based on the voltage of the power source. It is preferable that the time for rotating in the predetermined direction is changed.

  The gist of an engine starter according to the present invention is that it includes a drive source for generating power and the gear fitting / removing device according to the present invention, and starts the engine connected to the driven gear.

  According to the present invention, when the rotational speed of the driven gear is lower than the set speed, the axial direction is previously set up to the position where the driving gear meshes with the driven gear by the power from the driving source, even when the driven gear driving condition is not satisfied. Move to one side. Therefore, when the driven gear is driven by the power from the driving source when the driven gear driving condition is subsequently satisfied, the driving gear is already in a position where it is engaged with the driven gear, so that the driving gear is axially moved to a position where it is engaged with the driven gear. The time lag due to the movement to one side of the can be eliminated. As a result, the time required to drive the driven gear after the driven gear driving condition is satisfied can be shortened.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an engine starting apparatus provided with the gear fitting / removing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an electronic controller. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process when an electronic controller performs drive gear preliminary movement operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a process when an electronic controller performs drive gear preliminary movement operation | movement. It is a figure which shows the example of the characteristic map showing the relationship between the rotational speed N1 of a driven gear, and target drive time T0. It is a figure which shows the example of the characteristic map showing the relationship between the temperature (tau) of an electric motor, and target drive time T0. It is a figure which shows the example of the characteristic map showing the relationship between the voltage V of a battery, and target drive time T0. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an engine starting apparatus provided with the gear fitting / removing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an engine starting apparatus provided with the gear fitting / removing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an engine starting apparatus provided with the gear fitting / removing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an engine starting apparatus provided with the gear fitting / removing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the engine starting apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

“Embodiment 1”
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an engine starter including a gear fitting / removing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The drive source 10 can be composed of, for example, an electric motor (motor), and can generate power on its output shaft. When the switch 62 provided between the battery 60 as the power source and the drive source (electric motor) 10 is in the OFF state, the DC power of the battery 60 is not supplied to the electric motor 10 and the electric motor 10 does not generate power. On the other hand, when the switch 62 is switched from the off state to the on state, the direct current power of the battery 60 is supplied to the electric motor 10 so that the electric motor 10 generates power. Switching between the ON state and the OFF state of the switch 62 is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 64.

  The rotary shaft 12 is mechanically coupled to the output shaft of the drive source 10 and is rotatably supported by the housing 15 via a bearing 13. The movement of the rotary shaft 12 in the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) is fixed. The rotating shaft 12 rotates in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a predetermined direction) when power from the drive source 10 is transmitted. A screw (male screw) 22 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 12.

  The drive gear 14 is a spur gear and can be constituted by an external gear having teeth 14a formed on the outer peripheral portion. A through hole for passing the rotary shaft 12 is formed at the center of the drive gear 14, and a screw (female screw) 24 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. The rotary shaft 12 is passed through the through hole of the drive gear 14, and the drive gear 14 is formed by screw engagement with the male screw 22 formed on the rotary shaft 12 and the screw 24 formed on the drive gear 14. The rotating shaft 12 is supported. The screws 22 and 24 are spirally formed in the same direction as the rotation direction (predetermined direction) of the rotary shaft 12 from one side in the axial direction (left side in FIG. 1) to the other side (right side in FIG. 1). . FIG. 1 shows an example in which the screws 22 and 24 are right-hand screws.

  When the rotation shaft 12 rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in the example of FIG. 1 when the rotation shaft 12 is viewed from the drive source 10 side (right side in the figure)) with the rotation of the drive gear 14 stopped, When the rotation shaft 12 rotates relative to the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction, such as when the rotation speed of the drive gear 14 is lower than the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 12 in a predetermined direction, the drive gear 14 and the rotation shaft 12 are driven. By the screw engagement with the gear 14, the relative rotational motion of the rotating shaft 12 with respect to the driving gear 14 is converted into the linear motion of the driving gear 14 along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 12, so that the driving gear 14 rotates on the rotating shaft. 12 moves to one side in the axial direction (left side in FIG. 1, side away from the drive source 10). On the other hand, when the drive gear 14 rotates in a predetermined direction with the rotation of the rotation shaft 12 stopped, or when the rotation speed of the drive gear 14 in the predetermined direction is higher than the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 12 in the predetermined direction, the rotation shaft When the motor 12 rotates relative to the drive gear 14 in a direction opposite to a predetermined direction (in the example of FIG. 1, clockwise when the rotary shaft 12 is viewed from the drive source 10 side (right side in the figure)) The gear 14 moves to the other side in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 12 (the right side in FIG. 1, the side closer to the drive source 10). Thus, the drive gear 14 is engaged with the rotary shaft 12 in a state of being movable in the axial direction. The configuration for moving the drive gear 14 in the axial direction relative to the rotation shaft 12 according to the relative rotation of the rotation shaft 12 with respect to the drive gear 14 is limited to the screw engagement between the rotation shaft 12 and the drive gear 14. For example, the driving gear 14 may be supported on the rotating shaft 12 by helical spline engagement between the rotating shaft 12 and the driving gear 14, or the driving gear 14 may be connected to the rotating shaft 12 via a ball screw mechanism. You may support.

  The driven gear 16 is a spur gear and can be constituted by an external gear having teeth 16a formed on the outer periphery. The driven gear 16 is mechanically connected to the output shaft of the engine 30. As shown in FIG. 2, when the driving gear 14 is at a predetermined meshing position in the axial direction, the teeth 14 a of the driving gear 14 and the teeth 16 a of the driven gear 16 are meshed with each other. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position on the other side in the axial direction from the predetermined mesh position, the teeth 14a of the drive gear 14 and the teeth 16a of the driven gear 16 do not mesh.

  A stopper 26 as a movement suppressing device is attached to one side in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position on the rotary shaft 12. When the drive gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position (a position meshed with the driven gear 16), one end portion of the drive gear 14 in the axial direction contacts the stopper 26, so that the drive gear 14 moves in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position. Moving to one side is suppressed.

  The cam plate 32 is disposed on the other side in the axial direction from the drive gear 14 (non-meshing position) and is mechanically connected to the housing 15 so that the rotation is fixed. A cam surface 32b is formed on the surface of the cam plate 32 facing the drive gear 14 (end surface on one side in the axial direction), and the surface of the drive gear 14 facing the cam plate 32 (cam surface 32b) (the other in the axial direction). A cam surface 14b is formed on the side end surface. When the drive gear 14 is in the non-meshing position in the axial direction (state shown in FIG. 1), the cam surface 14 b of the drive gear 14 is in contact with the cam surface 32 b of the cam plate 32. If the drive gear 14 rotates relative to the cam plate 32 and a phase difference occurs between the cam plate 32 and the drive gear 14 when the drive gear 14 is in the axial non-engagement position, the cam plate The cam surface 32b of 32 presses the cam surface 14b of the drive gear 14 to one side in the axial direction. As a result, a pressing force from the cam plate 32 to the drive gear 14 on one side in the axial direction acts, and the relative rotation of the drive gear 14 with respect to the cam plate 32 is suppressed. The configuration itself of the cam surfaces 14b and 32b for applying a pressing force from the cam plate 32 to the drive gear 14 in response to the occurrence of a phase difference between the cam plate 32 and the drive gear 14 is realized by applying a torque cam mechanism. Since it is possible, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electronic control unit 64 can be configured to include functional blocks as shown in FIG. 3, for example. An engine stop condition determination unit 71 as a driven gear stop condition determination unit determines whether or not an engine stop condition is satisfied as a driven gear stop condition during operation of the engine 30. As a specific example of the engine stop condition, when the shift range of the vehicle is the N range or the P range, “the vehicle is stopped” and “accelerator is off” (the accelerator pedal is not depressed), and the shift range is D In the range, conditions such as “the vehicle is in a stopped state”, “accelerator off” (a state where the accelerator pedal is not depressed) and “brake on” (a state where the brake pedal is depressed) can be mentioned. Other conditions can also be used. When it is determined that the engine stop condition (driven gear stop condition) is satisfied, the engine stop condition determining unit 71 outputs the engine stop command as the driven gear stop command, thereby stopping the fuel injection of the engine 30 and the engine. Stop the operation of 30. Thereby, idling stop can be performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the engine stop condition is not satisfied, the engine stop command is not output and the operation of the engine 30 is not stopped.

  The engine start condition determination unit 72 as the driven gear drive condition determination unit determines whether or not the engine start condition is satisfied as the driven gear drive condition when the operation of the engine 30 is stopped. Specific examples of the engine start condition include a state in which the above engine stop condition is no longer satisfied, and a condition in which the position of the engine start key is switched from “ON” to “START”. It is also possible to use conditions. When it is determined that the engine start condition (driven gear drive condition) is satisfied, the engine start condition determination unit 72 outputs the engine start command to the drive source control unit 74 as a driven gear drive command. On the other hand, when it is determined that the engine start condition is not satisfied, the engine start command is not output.

  The drive source control unit 74 performs drive control of the drive source 10 by performing switching control between the on state and the off state of the switch 62. The drive source control unit 74 receives the output of the engine start command (driven gear drive command) from the engine start condition determination unit 72 and controls the switch 62 to be turned on to generate power in the drive source 10.

  The drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position in the axial direction (the drive gear 14 is not meshed with the driven gear 16), and the cam surface 14b of the drive gear 14 is in contact with the cam surface 32b of the cam plate 32 (see FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 1, when power is generated by the drive source 10, the rotation shaft 12 is moved from the drive source 10 side (right side in the drawing in the example of FIG. 1) by the power from the drive source 10. Rotates counterclockwise when viewed. The drive gear 14 tries to rotate in a predetermined direction together with the rotary shaft 12, but in response to the occurrence of a phase difference between the cam plate 32 and the drive gear 14, the cam gear 32, whose rotation is fixed, moves from the cam plate 32 to the drive gear 14 in the axial direction. A pressing force to one side acts, and the relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the cam plate 32 is restricted. As a result, the rotary shaft 12 rotates relative to the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction, and the drive gear 14 moves to one side (the driven gear 16 side) in the axial direction.

  In order to mesh the driving gear 14 with the driven gear 16, it is necessary to move the driving gear 14 from the non-meshing position to one side in the axial direction (the driven gear 16 side). However, the drive gear 14 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 12 in an unloaded state and does not move in the axial direction. In order to start the movement of the drive gear 14 in the axial direction when the rotary shaft 12 rotates, it is necessary to generate a rotational difference between the rotary shaft 12 and the drive gear 14. It is necessary to apply a load to the drive gear 14 by applying a resistance force for restricting or reducing the rotation of the drive gear 14 to the drive gear 14. In the present embodiment, when the drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position and the rotating shaft 12 rotates in a predetermined direction, a pressing force to the drive gear 14 from one side in the axial direction is applied to the drive gear 14 from the rotation-fixed cam plate 32. By applying a load to the drive gear 14 by acting as a resistance force, the rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction can be restricted or reduced. Accordingly, a force for moving the drive gear 14 to one side in the axial direction can be applied from the cam plate 32 to the drive gear 14, and the drive gear 14 moves to one side in the axial direction (the driven gear 16 side). Can be started.

  When the drive gear 14 moves from the non-meshing position to one side in the axial direction, the drive gear 14 begins to mesh with the driven gear 16 as shown in FIG. The cam plate 32 continues to press the cam surface 14b of the drive gear 14 toward one side in the axial direction from the time when the drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position until it is engaged with the driven gear 16, whereby the drive gear 14 The pressing force to one side in the axial direction is continuously applied as a resistance force (force for moving to one side in the axial direction). At this time, the range in which the cam plate 32 presses the drive gear 14 (movement distance of the drive gear 14) can be adjusted by designing the profile of the cam surfaces 14b and 32b. After the driving gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16, the rotating element on the side of the driven gear 16 including the rotating element of the engine 30 becomes a load on the driving gear 14, so that a pressing force acts on the driving gear 14 from the cam plate 32. Even if not, the rotation shaft 12 continues to rotate relative to the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction, and the rotation motion of the rotation shaft 12 continues to be converted into the linear motion of the drive gear 14. Continue to move to one side. As shown in FIG. 2, when the drive gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position, one end of the drive gear 14 in the axial direction comes into contact with the stopper 26, so that the drive gear 14 moves to one side in the axial direction. Restrained and stopped.

  When the drive gear 14 is in contact with the stopper 26 and the movement to the one side in the axial direction is restricted, if the rotary shaft 12 is continuously rotated in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10, the rotary motion of the rotary shaft 12 is changed. The drive gear 14 is no longer converted into a linear motion, and the drive gear 14 rotates in a predetermined direction together with the rotary shaft 12. Therefore, the power of the drive source 10 is transmitted to the output shaft (driven gear 16) of the engine 30 by the engagement of the driving gear 14 and the driven gear 16, so that the driven gear 16 is driven and the engine 30 is cranked. Is called. As a result, the engine 30 can be started using the power of the drive source 10. Therefore, the drive source control unit 74 receives the output of the engine start command (driven gear drive command) from the engine start condition determination unit 72 when the engine start condition (driven gear drive condition) is satisfied, and supplies power to the drive source 10. The engine 30 can be started by driving the driven gear 16. Since the stopper 26 rotates together with the rotating shaft 12, no loss due to friction occurs between the driving gear 14 and the stopper 26 even if the driving gear 14 rotates in contact with the stopper 26.

  When the generation of power by the drive source 10 is stopped in a state where the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is rotating after the engine 30 is started, the drive gear 14 moves relative to the rotary shaft 12 as shown in FIG. Relative rotation in a predetermined direction causes the drive gear 14 to move from the predetermined meshing position to the non-meshing position to the other side in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the drive gear 14 has moved to the non-engagement position, the rotation of the drive source 10 (rotary shaft 12) stops, the rotation of the drive gear 14 also stops, and the drive gear 14 moves to the driven gear 16. The cam surface 14b of the drive gear 14 is in contact with the cam surface 32b of the cam plate 32. Therefore, after the engine 30 is started, even if the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is rotating, mechanical loss such as drag loss due to sliding and noise are generated between the drive gear 14 and the cam plate 32 and the like. do not do.

  As described above, the drive gear 14 can be moved in the axial direction due to the rotational difference between the drive gear 14 and the rotary shaft 12, so that the drive gear 14 is fitted to and detached from the driven gear 16 by the drive of the drive source 10. Both the operation and the driving operation of the driven gear 16 through the meshing of the driving gear 14 and the driven gear 16 are possible. However, in order to start the engine 30 (drive the driven gear 16) by rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the driving source 10, the driving gear 14 is rotated along with the rotation of the rotating shaft 12 in the predetermined direction. Needs to be moved from the non-meshing position (state shown in FIG. 1) to the predetermined meshing position (state shown in FIG. 2) to one side in the axial direction to mesh with the driven gear 16. When the drive gear 14 is moved from the non-engagement position to one side in the axial direction after the engine start condition is satisfied, the engine 30 is started (driven) by the amount of movement of the drive gear 14 from the non-mesh position to the predetermined mesh position. A time lag occurs in the driving of the gear 16.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is lower than the set speed N0, the driving gear 14 is driven despite the engine start condition (driven gear driving condition) not being satisfied. A drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed in which the rotating shaft 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 until the gear 16 is moved to a position where the gear 16 is engaged. Then, after the drive gear preliminary movement operation, when the engine start condition (driven gear drive condition) is satisfied, the rotary shaft 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10, and the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 are rotated. The engine 30 is started by the meshing (driven gear 16 is driven), and a driven gear driving operation is performed. Hereinafter, processing when the electronic control unit 64 performs the drive gear preliminary movement operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step S101, the drive source controller 74 determines whether or not the rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is lower than the set speed N0. A rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is detected by a rotational speed sensor 81. The set speed N0 is set to be lower than the idling rotational speed of the engine 30 and lower than the rotational speed at which the engine 30 can be started only by fuel injection without performing cranking. Further, if the number of teeth of the driven gear 16 is Z1, the number of teeth of the drive gear 14 is Z2, and the rotational speed of the drive source 10 in the ON state of the switch 62 is N3, the set speed N0 is higher than N3 × Z2 / Z1. It is set to be low. When N1 ≧ N0 (when the determination result of step S101 is NO), the process (determination) of step S101 is repeated until the determination result of step S101 is YES. On the other hand, if the rotation of the driven gear 16 is stopped or the driven gear 16 is rotating at a low speed, such as when N1 <N0 (when the determination result in step S101 is YES), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the engine start condition (driven gear drive condition) is not satisfied, that is, the engine start command (driven gear drive command) is not output from the engine start condition determining unit 72 to the drive source control unit 74. The drive source 10 is driven when the drive source control unit 74 controls the switch 62 to be in the ON state. As described above, the drive gear 14 moves to one side (the driven gear 16 side) in the axial direction by rotating the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10.

  In step S103, if the rotational speed of the drive gear 14 is N2, the drive source controller 74 determines whether or not N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0 is established. The rotational speed N2 of the drive gear 14 is detected by a rotational speed sensor 82. When N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0 is not satisfied (when the determination result of step S103 is NO), the condition that the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 rotate in synchronization is not satisfied, and the drive It can be determined that the condition that the gear 14 has moved to the position where the gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16 is not satisfied. In that case, the process returns to step S102, the switch 62 is kept on (driving of the drive source 10), and the drive gear 14 is continuously moved to one side in the axial direction along with the rotation of the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction. . On the other hand, when N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0 is satisfied (when the determination result of step S103 is YES), the condition that the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 rotate in synchronization is satisfied, and the drive gear 14 is It can be determined that the condition for moving to the position of meshing with the driven gear 16 is satisfied. In that case, the process proceeds to step S104. Thus, by determining whether or not N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0 is established, it is possible to determine whether or not the drive gear 14 has moved to a position that meshes with the driven gear 16.

  In step S104, the drive source control unit 74 controls the switch 62 to be turned off, so that the drive of the drive source 10 is stopped. As a result, the rotation of the rotary shaft 12 is stopped in a state where the drive gear 14 has moved to a position where the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16. The drive gear preliminary movement operation can be executed by the above processing.

  After execution of the drive gear preliminary movement operation, when the engine start condition is not satisfied, that is, when the engine start command is not output from the engine start condition determining unit 72 to the drive source control unit 74, the drive source control unit 74 uses the switch 62. Is controlled to be in the OFF state, so that the state where the drive of the drive source 10 is stopped (the state where the rotation of the rotary shaft 12 is stopped) is maintained. On the other hand, after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, when the engine start condition is satisfied, that is, when an engine start command is output from the engine start condition determination unit 72 to the drive source control unit 74, the switch 62 is turned on by the drive source control unit 74. The drive source 10 is driven by being controlled to be in the ON state. As described above, by rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the driving source 10, the driving gear 14 rotates in the predetermined direction together with the rotating shaft 12, and the engine is engaged by the engagement of the driving gear 14 and the driven gear 16. 30 can be started (driven gear 16 can be driven) and a driven gear drive operation can be performed.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step S <b> 103, it is determined whether or not the drive gear 14 has moved to a predetermined meshing position (position meshed with the driven gear 16) using a position sensor that detects the axial position of the drive gear 14. It can also be determined by the drive source control unit 74. The position sensor may be a contact type or a non-contact type. When the axial position of the drive gear 14 detected by the position sensor has not reached the predetermined meshing position, the process returns to step S102, and when the axial position of the drive gear 14 detected by the position sensor has reached the predetermined meshing position. Advances to step S104.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step S103, the drive source control unit 74 determines whether or not the drive gear 14 has come into contact with the stopper 26, thereby determining whether or not the drive gear 14 has moved to a predetermined meshing position. Can also be determined. For example, when a pressure sensor that detects a pressure when the drive gear 14 comes into contact with the stopper 26 is installed and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is lower than the set pressure, the drive gear 14 is not in contact with the stopper 26 ( It is determined that the drive gear 14 has not moved to the predetermined meshing position), and the process returns to step S102. If the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is equal to or higher than the set pressure, the drive gear 14 comes into contact with the stopper 26 (drive gear). 14 has moved to the predetermined meshing position), and the process proceeds to step S104. In addition, a strain sensor that detects the strain of the stopper 26 when the drive gear 14 comes into contact with the stopper 26 is installed, and when the strain sensed by the strain sensor is smaller than a set value, the drive gear 14 moves to the stopper 26. It is determined that the contact has not occurred, and the process returns to step S102. If the strain sensed by the strain sensor is equal to or greater than the set value, it is possible to determine that the drive gear 14 has contacted the stopper 26 and proceed to step S104. is there. Further, when an energization circuit in which a current flows through the contact portion when the drive gear 14 abuts on the stopper 26 and no current flows in the energization circuit, it is determined that the drive gear 14 is not in contact with the stopper 26. Then, returning to step S102, if a current flows through the energization circuit, it is possible to determine that the drive gear 14 has come into contact with the stopper 26 and proceed to step S104.

  According to the present embodiment described above, when the rotation speed N1 of the driven gear 16 is lower than the set speed N0, such as when the rotation of the driven gear 16 is stopped or when the driven gear 16 is rotating at a low speed. Even if the engine start condition is not satisfied (when the engine start command is not output), the drive gear preliminary movement operation is executed to drive the engine before the engine start condition is satisfied (before the engine start command is output). The gear 14 is moved to a position in mesh with the driven gear 16 in advance in one axial direction, and is kept on standby. When the engine 30 is started by executing the driven gear drive operation when the engine start condition is satisfied (when the engine start command is output) after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, the drive gear 14 is already Since it is in a position that meshes with the driven gear 16, a time lag caused by moving the drive gear 14 to one side in the axial direction to a position that meshes with the driven gear 16 can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required from when the engine start condition is satisfied (after the engine start command is output) until the engine 30 is started (driven gear 16 is driven). As a result, the startability of the engine 30 can be improved. If the drive source 10 continues to be driven while the drive gear 14 moves to the predetermined meshing position and abuts against the stopper 26, the driven gear 16 is driven, but when the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, Since the drive of the drive source 10 is stopped immediately after the drive gear 14 is moved to the predetermined meshing position (immediately after contact with the stopper 26), the engine 30 is not started.

  Next, another process when the electronic control unit 64 performs the drive gear preliminary movement operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S201, S202, and S204 in the flowchart in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S101, S102, and S104 in the flowchart in FIG. In step S203 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is driven whether or not the time during which the switch 62 is turned on, that is, the time T1 for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 exceeds the target drive time T0. This is determined by the source control unit 74. The target drive time T0 is set to be slightly longer than the time required for the drive gear 14 to move from the non-meshing position (the state shown in FIG. 1) to the predetermined meshing position (the state shown in FIG. 2). Is done. When T1 ≦ T0 (when the determination result in step S203 is NO), it is determined that the drive gear 14 has not moved to the predetermined meshing position, the process returns to step S202, and the drive associated with the rotation of the rotary shaft 12 in the predetermined direction. The gear 14 is continuously moved to one side in the axial direction. On the other hand, when T1> T0 (when the determination result in step S203 is YES), it is determined that the drive gear 14 has moved to the predetermined meshing position, and the process proceeds to step S204, where the drive of the drive source 10 is stopped to rotate the rotating shaft. The rotation of 12 is stopped. According to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7, the drive gear 14 is made to wait in a state where it is meshed with the driven gear 16 in advance by executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation without detecting the rotational speed N2 of the drive gear 14. Thus, the time required for starting the engine 30 after the engine start condition is satisfied can be shortened.

  When the drive gear preliminary movement operation is executed, the higher the rotation speed N1 of the driven gear 16, the more it takes to increase the rotation speed N2 of the drive gear 14 to a rotation speed N1 × Z1 / Z2 that can mesh with the driven gear 16. As a result, the time required for the drive gear 14 to move from the non-meshing position to the predetermined meshing position increases. Therefore, in step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, the target drive time T0 is changed based on the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16, so that the time T1 for rotating the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 is set. It is also possible to change according to the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16. At that time, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a characteristic map representing the relationship between the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 and the target drive time T0 is created in advance and stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 64. The characteristic map shown in FIG. 8 has a characteristic that the target drive time T0 increases as the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 increases. In the example of FIG. 8A, the inclination (increase rate) of the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 with respect to the target drive time T0 is a constant characteristic. In the example of FIG. 8B, the target drive time T0 is The increase rate of the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 with respect to the target drive time T0 gradually decreases as the time increases. In the example of FIG. 8C, the target drive time T0 increases with an increase in the target drive time T0. The increase rate of the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 is a characteristic that gradually increases, and a characteristic map to be stored in the storage device of the electronic control device 64 is selected according to the startup performance of the drive source (electric motor) 10. In step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, a target drive time T0 corresponding to the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 detected by the rotational speed sensor 81 is set in the characteristic map stored in the storage device. As a result, the higher the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16, the longer the target drive time T0 is set, and the time T1 for rotating the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 becomes longer. Therefore, even when the rotational speed N1 of the driven gear 16 varies during execution of the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the drive gear 14 can be kept on standby in a state where the drive gear 14 is securely meshed with the driven gear 16, The time required for starting the engine 30 after the engine start condition is satisfied can be shortened.

  Further, when the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, the lower the temperature τ of the drive source (motor) 10, the more the friction of the motor 10 increases and the start-up time of the motor 10 increases, and as a result, the drive gear 14 moves to the non-engagement position. The time required to move from the position to the predetermined meshing position increases. Therefore, in step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, the target drive time T0 is changed based on the temperature τ of the electric motor 10, so that the time T1 for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 is set. It is also possible to change according to the temperature τ. At that time, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a characteristic map representing the relationship between the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 and the target drive time T0 is created in advance and stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 64. The characteristic map shown in FIG. 9 has a characteristic that the target drive time T0 decreases as the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 increases. In the example of FIG. 9A, the slope (decrease rate) of the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 with respect to the target drive time T0 is a constant characteristic, and in the example of FIG. 9B, the target drive time T0 increases. The decreasing rate of the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 with respect to the target driving time T0 gradually increases. In the example of FIG. 9C, the temperature of the electric motor 10 with respect to the target driving time T0 increases as the target driving time T0 increases. A characteristic map to be stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 64 is selected according to the temperature characteristic of the electric motor 10 according to the temperature characteristic of the electric motor 10. In step S203 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, a target drive time T0 corresponding to the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 detected by the temperature sensor is set in the characteristic map stored in the storage device. As a result, the lower the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 is, the longer the target drive time T0 is set, and the time T1 for rotating the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 becomes longer. Therefore, when the drive gear preliminary movement operation is executed, even if the temperature τ of the electric motor 10 varies, the drive gear 14 can be kept in a state of being securely meshed with the driven gear 16 to start the engine. The time required for starting the engine 30 after the condition is satisfied can be shortened.

  Further, when the drive gear preliminary movement operation is executed, the lower the voltage V of the battery 60, the lower the rise of the rotational speed when the drive source (electric motor) 10 is started. As a result, the drive gear 14 is predetermined from the non-engagement position. The time required to move to the meshing position increases. Therefore, in step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, by changing the target drive time T0 based on the voltage V of the battery 60, the time T1 for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 is set. It is also possible to change the voltage according to the voltage V. At that time, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a characteristic map representing the relationship between the voltage V of the battery 60 and the target drive time T0 is created in advance and stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 64. The characteristic map shown in FIG. 10 has a characteristic that the target drive time T0 decreases as the voltage V of the battery 60 increases. In the example of FIG. 10A, the slope (decrease rate) of the voltage V of the battery 60 with respect to the target drive time T0 has a constant characteristic, and in the example of FIG. 10B, the target drive time T0 increases. The decreasing rate of the voltage V of the battery 60 with respect to the target driving time T0 gradually increases. In the example of FIG. 10C, the voltage of the battery 60 with respect to the target driving time T0 increases as the target driving time T0 increases. A characteristic in which the decrease rate of V gradually decreases, and a characteristic map to be stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 64 is selected according to the voltage characteristic of the electric motor 10. Then, in step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 7, a target drive time T0 corresponding to the voltage V of the battery 60 detected by the voltage sensor is set in the characteristic map stored in the storage device. As a result, the lower the voltage V of the battery 60 is, the longer the target drive time T0 is set, and the time T1 for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 becomes longer. Therefore, even when the voltage V of the battery 60 varies during execution of the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the drive gear 14 can be kept in a state of being securely engaged with the driven gear 16 to start the engine. The time required for starting the engine 30 after the condition is satisfied can be shortened.

“Embodiment 2”
11 and 12 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an engine starter including a gear fitting / removing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the following description of the second embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the components that are not described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a friction surface 14 c is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the drive gear 14 (a position on the other side in the axial direction from the teeth 14 a), and the friction material 36 is attached to the housing 15 via a pressing spring 38. When the drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position, the friction material 36 presses the friction surface 14c of the drive gear 14 radially inward by the urging force of the pressing spring 38, so that the drive is performed from the friction material 36 whose rotation is fixed. A frictional force acts on the friction surface 14 c of the gear 14. In addition, it is possible to apply a friction force from the friction material 36 to the friction surface 14c of the drive gear 14 by an oil pressure or electromagnetic force instead of the biasing force of the pressing spring 38. The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the friction surface 14c can be adjusted by the biasing force (or oil pressure or electromagnetic force) of the pressing spring 38.

  The stopper 26 is supported by the rotary shaft 12 in a state in which relative rotation with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is restricted and relative movement in the axial direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is possible. As a configuration example for supporting the stopper 26 on the rotating shaft 12, it is possible to apply engagement by a spline extending along (or substantially along) the axial direction. Further, a disc spring 28 having elasticity in the axial direction is attached to one side of the rotating shaft 12 in the axial direction from the stopper 26. When the driving gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position (a position meshing with the driven gear 16), one end of the driving gear 14 in the axial direction abuts against the stopper 26 and presses the stopper 26, so that the stopper 26 moves in one axial direction. The disc spring 28 is compressed by moving to the side. Accordingly, the disc spring 28 generates a repulsive force (elastic force) corresponding to the amount of movement of the stopper 26 in the axial direction and presses the stopper 26 to the other side in the axial direction, so that the stopper 26 moves to the drive gear 14. A pressing force to the other side in the axial direction acts. This suppresses the drive gear 14 from moving from the predetermined meshing position to one side in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 12, the thread (tooth) of the screw 22 formed on the rotating shaft 12 spiraling in the same direction as the rotating direction (predetermined direction) of the rotating shaft 12 from one side to the other side in the axial direction. Includes a narrow thread 22a formed on one side in the axial direction and a wide thread 22b formed on the other side in the axial direction and wider than the narrow thread 22a. The width of the screw groove 22c between the narrow screw threads 22a is wider than the width of the screw groove 22d between the wide screw threads 22b. In the connecting portion between the narrow thread 22a and the wide thread 22b, a step is formed on one side in the axial direction, thereby forming a contact surface 22e as a drive gear holding part. The contact surface 22e is formed so as to be inclined from the one side to the other side with respect to the axial direction in the direction opposite to the rotation direction (predetermined direction) of the rotary shaft 12. On the other hand, the thread 24 (tooth) 24a and the groove width of the screw 24 formed on the drive gear 14 are constant. In FIG. 12, for the convenience of explanation, the illustration of the configuration other than the screw thread 24 a formed on the inner peripheral surface is omitted for the drive gear 14. The width of the screw thread 24a of the screw 24 is equal (or substantially equal) to the width of the screw groove 22d between the wide screw threads 22b, and is narrower than the width of the screw groove 22c between the narrow screw threads 22a. The width of the groove of the screw 24 is equal to (or substantially equal to) the width of the wide thread 22b and wider than the width of the narrow thread 22a. Similarly to the contact surface 22e of the rotating shaft 12, the end surface 24b related to the other side in the axial direction of the screw thread 24a is also formed so as to be inclined from the one side to the other side with respect to the axial direction. . The inclination angle β ₁ (0 ° <β ₁ <90 °) with respect to the axial direction of the end face 24b of the screw thread 24a is the inclination angle α ₁ (0 ° <α ₁ <90 with respect to the axial direction of the contact surface 22e of the rotating shaft 12). )) (Or substantially equal), the end face 24b of the screw thread 24a can come into contact with the contact face 22e of the rotary shaft 12. The axial position of the contact surface 22e is designed so that the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16 in a state where the end surface 24b of the thread 24a of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 22e of the rotating shaft 12. It should be noted that the shapes of the screw threads 22a, 22b, and 24a can be variously designed.

  In this embodiment as well as in the first embodiment, when the rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is lower than the set speed N0, the driving is performed even when the engine start condition (driven gear driving condition) is not satisfied. Until the gear 14 moves to a position where it engages with the driven gear 16, a drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed in which the rotating shaft 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10. When power is generated in the drive source 10 and the rotary shaft 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise when the rotary shaft 12 is viewed from the drive source 10 side (right side in FIG. 11)), the drive gear 14 is rotated. 12, the frictional force 36 acts on the friction surface 14 c of the drive gear 14 from the friction material 36, which is fixed in rotation, so that the rotary shaft 12 is relative to the drive gear 14 in the predetermined direction. The drive gear 14 moves to one side in the axial direction (the driven gear 16 side). At that time, the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the friction surface 14c of the drive gear 14 from the friction material 36 can be adjusted so as to restrict the rotation of the drive gear 14, and the rotation of the drive gear 14 can be adjusted. It is also possible to adjust the magnitude of the friction force acting on the friction surface 14c of the drive gear 14 from the friction material 36 so that the drive gear 14 rotates in a predetermined direction in a state where the speed is lower than the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 12. is there. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the drive gear 14 is in the non-engagement position and the rotating shaft 12 rotates in a predetermined direction, the frictional force is applied to the drive gear 14 from the friction material 36 whose rotation is fixed. By applying the load to the drive gear 14 by acting, the rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction can be restricted or reduced. Accordingly, a force for moving the drive gear 14 to one side in the axial direction can be applied from the friction material 36 to the drive gear 14, and the drive gear 14 moves to one side in the axial direction (the driven gear 16 side). Can be started. At that time, the frictional force is applied from the friction material 36 to the drive gear 14 as a resistance force (force for moving to one side in the axial direction) from when the drive gear 14 is in the non-meshing position to meshing with the driven gear 16. It continues to act on the drive gear 14. After the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16, the friction material 36 does not come into contact with the friction surface 14 c of the drive gear 14 (the friction force does not act on the drive gear 14 from the friction material 36). The rotation is allowed, and the rotation element on the driven gear 16 side including the rotation element of the engine 30 becomes a load of the drive gear 14.

  When the drive gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position by executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation, one end portion in the axial direction of the drive gear 14 presses the stopper 26 and the disc spring 28 toward one side in the axial direction, and is driven as the reaction force. When the pressing force to the other side in the axial direction acts on the gear 14, the movement of the driving gear 14 to the one side in the axial direction is restrained and stopped. When the drive gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position, the screw thread 24a of the drive gear 14 is changed from a screw groove 22d between the wide screw threads 22b of the rotary shaft 12 to a narrow screw as shown in FIGS. It moves relative to the thread groove 22c between the peaks 22a. And it is pressed to the other side of an axial direction by the repulsive force Fsp to the other side of the axial direction which the disk spring 28 generate | occur | produces.

When the drive gear 14 moves to a predetermined meshing position by executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the drive of the drive source 10 is stopped and the rotation of the rotary shaft 12 is stopped. At this time, the driven gear 16 is not stopped. When rotating, the reverse driving force Fr ₁ that tries to rotate the drive gear 14 in the predetermined meshing position relative to the rotation shaft 12 in the rotation direction (predetermined direction) is transferred from the driven gear 16 to the drive gear 14. Works. When the drive gear 14 rotates relative to the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the reverse drive force Fr ₁ acting from the driven gear 16, the drive gear 14 at the predetermined meshing position moves to the other side in the axial direction. It will be.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, the driven gear 16 is rotated to rotate the drive gear 14 at the predetermined meshing position relative to the rotation shaft 12 in a predetermined direction. When the reverse driving force Fr ₁ acting on the driven gear 16 acts on the driving gear 14, the end surface 24 b of the screw thread 24 a of the driving gear 14 abuts on the abutting surface 22 e of the rotating shaft 12 as shown in FIG. Thus, a pressing force (reaction force) acts on the end surface 24b of the thread 24a of the drive gear 14 from the contact surface 22e of the rotating shaft 12, and this pressing force is a component Fa (= Fr ₁ × tan α) toward one side in the axial direction. ₁ ) have. When the force Fa on one side in the axial direction is equal to or less than the repulsive force (elastic force) Fsp generated on the other side in the axial direction generated by the disc spring 28, the end surface 24b of the thread 24a of the drive gear 14 is rotated by the rotary shaft 12. , The relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is suppressed, and the movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. That is, when the drive gear 14 is at the predetermined meshing position, the reverse drive force Fr ₁ that attempts to rotate the drive gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in the predetermined direction is equal to or less than the set value Fsp / tan α _1. When this happens, the movement of the drive gear 14 toward the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Therefore, even if the reverse drive force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16 acts on the drive gear 14 after the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Thus, the meshing between the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 can be maintained. At this time, the elastic coefficient in the axial direction of the disc spring 28 and the inclination angle α _{1 of the} contact surface 22e with respect to the axial direction so that Fsp / tan α ₁ becomes equal to or greater than the reverse driving force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16. To design.

  When the engine start condition (driven gear drive condition) is satisfied after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, the rotation shaft 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10, and the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 are rotated. The engine 30 is started by the meshing (driven gear 16 is driven), and a driven gear driving operation is performed. At that time, since the meshing between the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 is maintained, the time required to start the engine 30 after the engine start condition is satisfied can be shortened.

After the engine 30 is started by the driven gear driving operation, the generation of power by the drive source 10 is stopped while the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is rotating. When the rotational speed of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is greatly increased by the acceleration torque due to the combustion of the engine 30, the drive gear 14 at the predetermined meshing position is rotated relative to the rotational shaft 12 in the rotational direction (predetermined direction). The reverse driving force Fr ₂ (Fr ₂ > Fr ₁ ) to be applied acts on the driving gear 14 from the driven gear 16. As shown in FIG. 15, the end surface 24 b of the screw thread 24 a of the drive gear 14 abuts against the abutment surface 22 e of the rotating shaft 12 by the reverse drive force Fr ₂ caused by combustion acting from the driven gear 16. A component Fa (= Fr ₂ × tan α ₁ ) of the pressing force (reaction force) acting on the end surface 24 b of the screw thread 24 a of the drive gear 14 from the contact surface 22 e of the rotating shaft 12 is a disc spring 28. Is greater than the repulsive force (elastic force) Fsp on the other side in the axial direction, the stopper 26 moves to one side in the axial direction while the disc spring 28 is compressed by this force Fa, and the screw of the drive gear 14 Since the end surface 24b of the crest 24a is disengaged from the contact surface 22e of the rotating shaft 12, relative rotation of the driving gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotating shaft 12 is allowed, and movement of the driving gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is allowed. The That is, when the drive gear 14 is in the predetermined meshing position, the reverse drive force Fr ₂ that attempts to rotate the drive gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in the predetermined direction is greater than the set value Fsp / tan α _1. Is allowed to move to the other side in the axial direction of the drive gear 14. Therefore, after the engine 30 is started, the drive gear 14 rotates relative to the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the reverse drive force Fr ₂ caused by the combustion acting on the drive gear 14 from the driven gear 16, and the drive gear 14 is Move to the other side in the axial direction. At that time, the elastic coefficient of the disc spring 28 in the axial direction and the inclination angle of the contact surface 22e with respect to the axial direction so that Fsp / tan α ₁ becomes smaller than the reverse driving force Fr ₂ caused by combustion after the engine 30 is started. α ₁ is designed. When the drive gear 14 moves from the predetermined meshing position to the non-meshing position, the screw thread 24a of the drive gear 14 is threaded between the screw groove 22c between the narrow screw threads 22a of the rotary shaft 12 and the screw groove between the wide screw threads 22b. It moves relative to 22d.

“Embodiment 3”
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an engine starter including a gear fitting / removing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the following description of the third embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components that are not described is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

In the present embodiment, a step is formed at the other end in the axial direction of the stopper 26 facing the drive gear 14 in the axial direction, so that a contact surface 26d as a drive gear holding portion is formed. In FIG. 16, for convenience of explanation, illustration of a specific configuration of the drive gear 14 is omitted, but the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments can be applied. The contact surface 26d of the stopper 26 is formed so as to incline toward the one side in the axial direction from the front side to the rear side with respect to the rotation direction (predetermined direction) of the rotary shaft 12, and the front end of the contact surface 26d The connected end surface 26e is formed so as to protrude from the end surface 26f connected to the rear end of the abutting surface 26d to the other side (the drive gear 14 side) in the axial direction. A contact surface 14d is formed by forming a step at one end in the axial direction of the drive gear 14 facing the stopper 26 in the axial direction. Similarly to the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26, the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 is also formed so as to be inclined toward one side in the axial direction from the front side to the rear side with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 12, An end surface 14f connected to the rear end of the contact surface 14d is formed so as to protrude from the end surface 14e connected to the front end of the contact surface 14d to one side (stopper 26 side) in the axial direction. The inclination angle β ₂₁ (0 ° <β ₂₁ <90 °) of the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26 with respect to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 12 is the inclination angle β of the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 with respect to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 12. ₂₂ (0 ° <β ₂₂ <90 °) is equal (or substantially equal), and the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 can contact the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26. The axial position of the contact surface 26d is designed so that the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16 in a state where the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26. The thread 22 (tooth) and groove width of the screw 22 formed on the rotating shaft 12 are constant, and the lead angle α ₂ of the screw 22 (the inclination angle of the screw 22 with respect to the rotating direction of the rotating shaft 12, 0 ° <α ₂ <90 °) is smaller than the inclination angles β ₂₁ and β ₂₂ of the contact surfaces 26 d and 14 d with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 12.

  In the present embodiment as well as the first and second embodiments, when the rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is lower than the set speed N0, the engine start condition (driven gear driving condition) is not satisfied. Until the drive gear 14 moves to a position where the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16, a drive gear preliminary movement operation for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 is performed. When the drive gear 14 continues to move to one side in the axial direction by executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the end face 14f of the drive gear 14 presses the end face 26e of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. Moves to one side in the axial direction, and the disc spring 28 is compressed. When the driving gear 14 further presses the stopper 26 and the disc spring 28 toward one side in the axial direction and moves to the predetermined meshing position, the end surface 14f of the driving gear 14 presses the end surface 26f of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. (Alternatively, the end face 14e of the drive gear 14 presses the end face 26e of the stopper 26). Similarly to the second embodiment, the driving gear 14 is driven by a pressing force on the other side in the axial direction as a reaction force. The movement of the gear 14 to one side in the axial direction is restricted and stopped.

As the driven gear 16 rotates after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, a reverse driving force Fr ₁ that tries to rotate the driving gear 14 in a predetermined meshing position relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction is driven. When acting on the drive gear 14 from 16, the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. A pressing force acts on the abutting surface 26d of 26, and this pressing force has a component Fa (= Fr ₁ / tan β ₂₁ ) on one side in the axial direction. When the force Fa on one side in the axial direction is equal to or less than the repulsive force (elastic force) Fsp on the other side in the axial direction generated by the disc spring 28, the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 contacts the stopper 26. By being caught by the surface 26d, relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is suppressed, and movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. That is, when the drive gear 14 is at the predetermined meshing position, the reverse drive force Fr ₁ that attempts to rotate the drive gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in a predetermined direction is equal to or less than the set value Fsp × tan β _21. When this happens, the movement of the drive gear 14 toward the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Therefore, even if the reverse drive force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16 acts on the drive gear 14 after the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Thus, the meshing between the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 can be maintained, and the time required to start the engine 30 after the engine start condition is satisfied can be shortened. At that time, the elastic coefficient in the axial direction of the disc spring 28 and the contact surface 26d with respect to the rotational direction of the rotary shaft 12 are set so that Fsp × tan β ₂₁ becomes equal to or greater than the reverse driving force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16. The inclination angle β ₂₁ is designed.

After the engine 30 is started by the driven gear driving operation, the reverse driving force Fr ₂ (which attempts to rotate the driving gear 14 at a predetermined meshing position relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by acceleration torque due to combustion). When Fr ₂ > Fr ₁ ) acts on the drive gear 14 from the driven gear 16, the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. A component Fa (= Fr ₂ / tan β ₂₁ ) of the pressing force acting on the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26 from the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 is one side in the axial direction generated by the disc spring 28. Is greater than the repulsive force Fsp, the stopper 26 moves to one side in the axial direction while the disc spring 28 is compressed by this force Fa, so that the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26. Accordingly, relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is allowed, and movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is allowed. That is, when the drive gear 14 is in the predetermined meshing position, the reverse drive force Fr ₂ that attempts to rotate the drive gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in a predetermined direction is greater than the set value Fsp × tan β _21. Is allowed to move to the other side in the axial direction of the drive gear 14. Therefore, after the engine 30 is started, the driving gear 14 rotates relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the reverse driving force Fr ₂ due to combustion, and the driving gear 14 moves to the other side in the axial direction to the non-engagement position. To do. At that time, the elastic coefficient in the axial direction of the disc spring 28 and the contact surface of the rotating shaft 12 with respect to the rotating direction so that Fsp × tan β ₂₁ becomes smaller than the reverse driving force Fr ₂ caused by combustion after the engine 30 is started. An inclination angle β _{21 of} 26d is designed.

“Embodiment 4”
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an engine starter including a gear fitting / removing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the following description of the fourth embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as in the first to third embodiments.

In the present embodiment, compared to the third embodiment, the stopper 26 is supported by the rotary shaft 12 in a state in which relative movement in the axial direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is restricted and relative rotation with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is possible. Yes. Further, the stopper 26 and the rotary shaft 12 are connected via a spring 29 having elasticity in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft 12, and the spring 29 is a repulsive force (elastic force) corresponding to the relative rotation angle between the stopper 26 and the rotary shaft 12. ). The lead angle α ₂ of the screw 22 is larger than the inclination angles β ₂₁ and β ₂₂ of the contact surfaces 26 d and 14 d with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 12. In FIG. 21, illustration of a specific configuration of the drive gear 14 is omitted for convenience of explanation, but the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments is applicable.

  In the present embodiment as well as in the first to third embodiments, when the rotational speed N1 of the engine 30 (driven gear 16) is lower than the set speed N0, the engine start condition (driven gear driving condition) is not satisfied. Until the drive gear 14 moves to a position where the drive gear 14 meshes with the driven gear 16, a drive gear preliminary movement operation for rotating the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the power from the drive source 10 is performed. When the drive gear 14 continues to move to one side in the axial direction by executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 starts to contact the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. Thus, the drive gear 14 presses the stopper 26 in the rotation direction (predetermined direction) of the rotary shaft 12, and the stopper 26 rotates relative to the rotary shaft 12 in a predetermined direction, so that the spring 29 extends. A reaction force opposite to the predetermined direction acts on the drive gear 14 from the stopper 26 by a repulsive force (elastic force) on the opposite side to the predetermined direction generated by the extension of the spring 29. When the drive gear 14 further presses the stopper 26 and moves to the predetermined meshing position, as shown in FIG. 23, the end surface 14f of the drive gear 14 presses the end surface 26f of the stopper 26 (or the end surface 14e of the drive gear 14 is stopped). As a reaction force, the driving gear 14 is pressed against the other side in the axial direction as a reaction force, so that the movement of the driving gear 14 toward the one side in the axial direction is restricted and stopped.

As the driven gear 16 rotates after the drive gear preliminary movement operation is performed, a reverse driving force Fr ₁ that tries to rotate the driving gear 14 in a predetermined meshing position relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction is driven. When acting on the drive gear 14 from 16, the contact surface 14d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. A pressing force acts on the abutting surface 26 d of 26. When the component Fr _{1 in} the predetermined direction of the pressing force (the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 12) is equal to or less than the repulsive force (elastic force) Fsp on the opposite side to the predetermined direction generated by the spring 29, the contact of the drive gear 14 When the surface 14d is caught by the contact surface 26d of the stopper 26, relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotary shaft 12 is suppressed, and movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. That is, when the driving gear 14 is in the predetermined meshing position and the reverse driving force Fr ₁ for rotating the driving gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in the predetermined direction is equal to or less than the set value Fsp, Movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Therefore, even if the reverse drive force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16 acts on the drive gear 14 after the drive gear preliminary movement operation, the movement of the drive gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is suppressed. Thus, the meshing between the drive gear 14 and the driven gear 16 can be maintained, and the time required to start the engine 30 after the engine start condition is satisfied can be shortened. At that time, the elastic coefficient of the spring 29 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 12 is designed so that Fsp becomes equal to or greater than the reverse driving force Fr ₁ due to the rotation of the driven gear 16.

After the engine 30 is started by the driven gear driving operation, the reverse driving force Fr ₂ (which attempts to rotate the driving gear 14 at a predetermined meshing position relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by acceleration torque due to combustion). Fr ₂ > Fr ₁ ) acts on the drive gear 14 from the driven gear 16, whereby the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 contacts the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26 as shown in FIG. When the component Fr _{2 in} the predetermined direction of the pressing force acting on the contact surface 14 d of the stopper 26 from the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 is larger than the repulsive force Fsp on the opposite side to the predetermined direction generated by the spring 29, While the spring 29 is extended by the force Fr ₂ , the stopper 26 rotates relative to the rotation shaft 12 in a predetermined direction, and the contact surface 14 d of the drive gear 14 is disengaged from the contact surface 26 d of the stopper 26. The relative rotation of the drive gear 14 in a predetermined direction with respect to is allowed, and the drive gear 14 is allowed to move to the other side in the axial direction. In other words, when the drive gear 14 is in the predetermined meshing position and the reverse drive force Fr ₂ that attempts to rotate the drive gear 14 relative to the rotation shaft 12 in the predetermined direction is larger than the set value Fsp, the drive Movement of the gear 14 to the other side in the axial direction is allowed. Therefore, after the engine 30 is started, the driving gear 14 rotates relative to the rotating shaft 12 in a predetermined direction by the reverse driving force Fr ₂ due to combustion, and the driving gear 14 moves to the other side in the axial direction to the non-engagement position. To do. At that time, the elastic coefficient of the spring 29 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 12 is designed so that Fsp becomes smaller than the reverse driving force Fr ₂ caused by combustion after the engine 30 is started.

  The configuration of the gear fitting and disengaging device capable of executing the drive gear preliminary movement operation and the driven gear drive operation described above (configuration for moving the drive gear 14 in the axial direction) is limited to the configuration described above. For example, the drive gear preliminary movement operation and the driven gear drive operation can be executed even with respect to each configuration of the gear fitting and disengaging device disclosed in Patent Document 3, for example.

  The application target of the gear fitting / removing device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the engine starting device, and can be applied to a mechanism that requires a gear fitting / removing operation during rotation, such as a synchronization mechanism of a manual transmission, for example. .

  As mentioned above, although the form for implementing this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and it can implement with a various form in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Of course.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drive source (electric motor), 12 Rotating shaft, 13 Bearing, 14 Drive gear, 14a, 16a Teeth, 14b, 32b Cam surface, 14c Friction surface, 14d, 22e, 26d Contact surface, 14e, 14f, 24b, 26e, 26f End face, 15 housing, 16 driven gear, 22, 24 screw, 22a narrow thread, 22b wide thread, 22c, 22d thread groove, 24a thread, 26 stopper, 28 disc spring, 29 spring, 30 engine, 32 Cam plate, 36 friction material, 38 pressure spring, 60 battery, 62 switch, 64 electronic control unit, 71 engine stop condition determination unit, 72 engine start condition determination unit, 74 drive source control unit, 81, 82 rotational speed sensor.

Claims (7)

A rotating shaft that rotates in a predetermined direction by transmitting power from a drive source;
A drive gear engaged with the rotary shaft in a state movable in the axial direction;
A driven gear that meshes with the drive gear when the drive gear is in a predetermined meshing position in the axial direction;
A movement restraining device for restraining the drive gear from moving to one side in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position;
When the drive gear is in the non-engagement position on the other side in the axial direction from the predetermined meshing position, and when the rotation shaft rotates in the predetermined direction, a moving force is generated that causes the drive gear to move to one side in the axial direction. Mechanism,
With
A gear fitting / removing device that drives the driven gear by the power from the driving source when the driven gear driving condition is satisfied,
When the rotational speed of the driven gear is lower than the set speed, the rotational shaft is driven by the power from the driving source until the driving gear moves to a position where the driven gear meshes with the driven gear, even when the driven gear driving condition is not satisfied. Perform the drive gear preliminary movement operation to rotate in a predetermined direction,
After the drive gear preliminary movement operation, when the driven gear drive condition is satisfied, the driven shaft is driven by the engagement of the drive gear and the driven gear by rotating the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the drive source. A gear fitting / removing device that performs gear driving operation. The gear fitting / removing device according to claim 1,
When the rotational speed of the driven gear is N1, the rotational speed of the drive gear is N2, the number of teeth of the driven gear is Z1, and the number of teeth of the drive gear is Z2, in the drive gear preliminary movement operation,
N1 = N2 × Z2 / Z1 ≠ 0
A gear fitting / removing device that stops the rotation of the rotating shaft when the above is established. The gear fitting / removing device according to claim 1,
The driving gear is brought into contact with the movement suppressing device at the predetermined meshing position, so that movement to one side in the axial direction is suppressed,
In the drive gear preliminary movement operation, when the drive gear comes into contact with the movement suppressing device, the gear fitting / removing device stops rotation of the rotary shaft. The gear fitting / removing device according to claim 1,
In the drive gear preliminary movement operation, a gear fitting / removing device that changes the time for rotating the rotation shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the drive source based on the rotation speed of the driven gear. The gear fitting / removing device according to claim 1,
The drive source is an electric motor,
In the drive gear preliminary movement operation, a gear fitting / removing device that changes the time for rotating the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by the power from the electric motor based on the temperature of the electric motor. The gear fitting / removing device according to claim 1,
The drive source is an electric motor that generates power by electric power supplied from a power source,
In the drive gear preliminary movement operation, a gear fitting / removing device that changes a time for rotating the rotating shaft in the predetermined direction by power from an electric motor based on a voltage of a power source. A drive source for generating power;
The gear fitting / removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
With
An engine starter for starting an engine connected to a driven gear.

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