JP2016102608A - Door opening or closing mechanism for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an efficient transmission of power force of a motor to a door and make a compact size of the motor.SOLUTION: This invention relates to a door opening or closing mechanism 100 for a refrigerator comprising a motor provided at a housing H side of the refrigerator and a link mechanism 20 for transmitting a power force of the motor to a door D of the refrigerator so as to open or close the door D and to assist an opening of the door D. The link mechanism 20 has a first arm 21 for receiving a power force of the motor and rotated and a second arm 22 including a force point receiving force from the first arm 21 and a point of action adding force to the door D. Under a state in which the door D is closed, the point of action is positioned at a side of a rotating shaft T3 of the door D rather than a direction perpendicular to the door D as seen from the force point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing a refrigerator door.

  As this type of door opening / closing mechanism, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a motor and a link for transmitting the power of the motor to the door are provided, and the door is automatically opened and closed using the power of the motor. There is something that was done.

  More specifically, the link has one end connected to the output shaft of the motor and the other end connected to the door of the refrigerator. By rotating about the one end, the door is opened. It is configured.

  However, in the configuration described above, since the door is moved by one link, if the door is greatly opened, it interferes with a wall or a hinge inside the warehouse, and the opening angle of the door is restricted.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0033189

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is composed of two arms with the assistance of separating the magnetizing force between the gasket provided on the door side and the housing. The main problem is to open and close the door by 90 degrees or more even with a small motor by applying a force to the door by the link.

  In other words, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention includes a motor provided on the housing side of the refrigerator and a link mechanism that transmits power of the motor to the door of the refrigerator, and opens and closes the door. A first arm that rotates by receiving the power of the motor, a force point that receives a force from the first arm, and an action point that applies a force to the door And the action point is located closer to the rotation axis side of the door than the direction perpendicular to the door when viewed from the force point. It is characterized by.

  If this is the case, when the door is closed, the operating point of the second arm is located closer to the rotation axis of the door than the direction perpendicular to the door as viewed from the force point, so the length of the arm is necessary. The door can be opened more than 90 degrees without making it longer.

Here, in order to open the door, first, it is necessary to separate the casing from the gasket that strongly seals the door by magnetic force.
Therefore, provided on the upper surface of the door, further comprising an auxiliary mechanism for generating an auxiliary force for opening the door, the auxiliary mechanism is a rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the second arm, It is preferable to have an auxiliary force applying member that rotates in conjunction with the rotating member, contacts the housing, and applies the auxiliary force to the door.
If this is the case, the rotating member rotates in conjunction with the first arm and the second arm that rotate by receiving the power of the motor, so that the auxiliary force applying member presses the casing, and the magnetizing force of the gasket can be separated. it can. If released from the magnetizing force of the gasket in this way, the door can be opened with a light load, so the motor power required to open the door can be reduced and the motor can be downsized. .

As a specific embodiment for rotating the rotating member in conjunction with the movement of the second arm, the second arm has an elongated hole through which a protruding member provided on the upper surface of the door passes, The long hole moves along the protruding member, so that the second arm comes into contact with the rotating member to rotate the rotating member.
If this is the case, the second arm can be rotated while being in contact with the rotating member while the second arm rotates for the long hole.

  In order to automatically close the door, it is preferable that an angle formed by the first arm and the second arm is 180 degrees or less when the door is open.

  A door-side gear that rotates between the door and the motor, and further includes a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the door. A motor-side gear, a center gear connected to the motor-side gear, a pair of idler gears that mesh with the center gear and maintain a predetermined relative position, and in conjunction with forward or reverse rotation of the center gear A swing mechanism that swivels together with the pair of idle gears around the rotation axis of the center gear, and the pair of idle gears has one idle gear on the door side as the swing mechanism pivots. Forward rotation power transmission position meshing with the gear, reverse rotation power transmission position where the other idle gear meshes with the door side gear, and power non-transmission where none of the pair of idle gears mesh with the door side gear It is preferably configured to move between a location.

If such a power transmission mechanism is provided, the swing mechanism moves the pair of idle gears along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the center gear, so that the pair of idle gears are connected to the power transmission positions and the power non-transmission positions. Since it can be moved between transmission positions, a mechanism for moving the gear in the height direction, such as the clutch mechanism of the conventional power transmission mechanism, can be eliminated, and the power transmission mechanism can be It can be made compact in the vertical direction, and as a result, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism can be miniaturized.
Further, since the conventional power transmission mechanism moves the gear in the height direction in order to switch between the power transmission state and the power non-transmission state, a dedicated actuator for that purpose is required. On the other hand, according to the power transmission mechanism according to the present invention described above, since the pair of idle gears move in conjunction with the rotation of the center gear, the pair of idle gears can be moved by the power of the motor. A dedicated actuator for switching between the non-transmission state can be eliminated.

Here, the principle of the pair of idle gears moving in conjunction with the rotation of the center gear will be described.
When the center gear is rotated by the power of the motor, a tangential force is applied to each of the idle gears through a portion engaged with the center gear. Due to this tangential force, a torque is generated in the pair of idler gears so that the pair of idler gears pivots around the center gear, so that the pair of idler gears move along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the center gear. Become.

  Therefore, in order to keep the pair of idle gears in a position where neither of the idle gears meshes with the door side gear, the movement of the pair of idle gears by the swing mechanism is restricted, and any of the idle gears is the door. It is preferable to include a power non-transmission state holding mechanism that makes a power non-transmission state that does not mesh with the side gear.

As a specific embodiment of the power non-transmission state holding mechanism, a restriction member that moves between a restriction position that restricts movement of the pair of idle gears and a release position that releases the restriction, and the restriction member that moves between the restriction position and the restriction position It is preferable to have an urging member that urges the urging member and a restriction releasing mechanism that moves the restricting member from the restricting position to the releasing position.
If this is the case, the restriction release mechanism moves the restriction member from the restriction position to the release position, thereby turning the pair of idle gears around the center gear by the torque described above, and moving one or the other idle gear to the door side gear. Can be switched from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state.

Here, when one or the other idler gear meshes with the door-side gear, a tangential force is applied to the idler gear from the center gear and the door-side gear through the meshed portions. Therefore, when the power non-transmission state is switched to the power transmission state, the torque applied to the idle gear increases, and the torque remains against the urging force applied to the regulation member, while the regulation member remains in the release position and the power transmission is performed. State is maintained.
Therefore, in order to simplify the configuration of the restriction release mechanism and to save energy, it is preferable that the restriction release mechanism moves the restriction member from the restriction position to the release position by instantaneous energization with a solenoid.

The swing mechanism is attached to the floating gears, and is interposed between a mounting member that rotates about the rotation shaft of the center gear, and between the mounting member and the floating gears, and the rotation of the floating gears. It is preferable to have a rotational load member that applies a load to the motor.
If this is the case, the rotational load member makes it difficult for each idle gear to rotate, so that the torque generated by the pair of idle gears increases due to the rotation of the center gear, making it easy to move the pair of idle gears along the plane. Can do.

  In order for one or the other idle gear to mesh with the door-side gear reliably by moving the pair of idle gears around the center gear, the door-side gear and the idle gear engaged with the door-side gear; The angle formed by the center gear is preferably 90 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less.

Here, in the configuration in which the door of the refrigerator is automatically opened and closed, if the power transmitted from the motor to the door is constant, the load applied to the door is small when the weight of food stored in the door is light, so the door is opened. At this time, there is a risk that the moving speed of the door increases and the user collides. When the door is stopped, the door is suddenly decelerated and the door does not open sufficiently.
On the other hand, when food such as food stored in the door is heavy, the load applied to the door is large, so when opening the door, the movement speed of the door will be slow, and when stopping the door, the door will be There is a problem that the vehicle cannot be decelerated and does not stop even when the door reaches the target opening.

Thus, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention automatically opens and closes the refrigerator door, and is interposed between the motor and the motor and the door to transmit the power of the motor to the door. A link mechanism; and a control unit that controls the opening and closing movement of the door, wherein the control unit calculates a moving speed of the door, a calculated speed calculated by the speed calculating unit, and a predetermined speed A motor control unit that compares a target speed and controls the output to the motor so that the calculated speed approaches the target speed.
In such a refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism, the motor control unit controls the output to the motor so that the moving speed of the door becomes a predetermined target speed, so that the door can be stabilized regardless of the load applied to the door. The door can be automatically opened and closed, and the moving speed and opening degree of the door can be made uniform.

  As a specific embodiment of the speed calculating unit, there is one that calculates the moving speed based on the moving amount and moving time of the door.

The speed calculation unit calculates the movement speed for each of a plurality of steps obtained by dividing the door movement range, and the motor control unit is based on the calculation speed calculated by the speed calculation unit in one step. It is preferable to control the output of the motor in the next step.
If it is this, the moving speed of a door can be controlled more accurately, and the moving speed and opening degree of a door can be made more uniform.

  According to the present invention configured as above, the motor power required to open the door is reduced by separating the magnetizing force of the gasket by an auxiliary mechanism in a series of operations, thereby reducing the size of the motor. As a result, the entire door opening / closing mechanism for the refrigerator can be made compact. Moreover, by providing a pin near the hinge, the door of the refrigerator can be automatically opened and closed by 90 degrees or more without unnecessarily increasing the length of the arm.

The figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator of this embodiment typically. The figure which shows typically the structure of the door opening / closing mechanism for refrigerators of the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the power transmission state in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the power transmission mechanism in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the swing mechanism in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the power non-transmission state in the same embodiment. The figure which shows typically the power non-transmission state holding | maintenance mechanism in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the link mechanism in the embodiment typically. The figure which shows typically the auxiliary mechanism in the same embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the function of the control part in the embodiment. The electric circuit diagram which shows the control circuit for controlling the motor in the embodiment.

  An embodiment of a refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the refrigerator R according to the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator R includes a housing H whose front surface is open and left and right doors D provided in the opening of the housing H, and the left and right doors D are centered on a predetermined rotation axis. It is comprised so that it may rotate.
Each door D is connected to the housing H by a hinge Z, for example.

The refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 is for opening and closing each door D of the refrigerator R described above, and is provided on the upper surface of the refrigerator R for each of the left and right doors D.
In the present embodiment, each of the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanisms 100 has the same configuration, and hereinafter, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the right door D will be described as a representative.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 includes a drive mechanism 10 provided on the upper surface of the housing H, a link mechanism 20 that transmits power of the drive mechanism 10 to the door D, and a link. The mechanism 20 includes an auxiliary mechanism 30 that assists when the door D is opened.
Hereinafter, each mechanism will be described.

<Drive mechanism>
The drive mechanism 10 outputs power for opening and closing the door D. Here, the drive mechanism 10 is accommodated in the casing C and attached to the upper surface of the housing H as shown in FIG.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this has a motor M and a power transmission mechanism 40 that transmits the power of the motor M to the link mechanism 20.

  The motor M receives a control signal from a control unit (not shown) and rotates forward or backward. Here, for example, the motor M is configured to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed based on the control signal. Yes.

  The power transmission mechanism 40 is configured to switch between a power transmission state in which the power of the motor M is transmitted to the link mechanism 20 and a power non-transmission state in which the power is not transmitted to the link mechanism 20. The motor-side gear 41 that rotates in conjunction with the motor M, the door-side gear 42 that rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door D, that is, the link mechanism 20, the center gear 43 that meshes with the motor-side gear 41, and the center gear 43 And a pair of idler gears 44 (hereinafter referred to as one idler gear 44a and the other idler gear 44b).

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of motor side gears 41 are connected in series, and among these, the motor side gear 41 located closest to the door is connected to the center gear 43. The pair of idle gears 44 that mesh with the center gear 43 are arranged so as to sandwich a straight line connecting the rotation shaft of the center gear 43 and the rotation shaft of the door side gear 42, and rotate in conjunction with the center gear 43.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power transmission mechanism 40 of the present embodiment rotates the center gear 43 so that the pair of idle gears 44 are rotated around the center gear 43. And a power non-transmission state holding mechanism 60 that makes a power non-transmission state in which none of the idle gears meshes with the door-side gear 42.
Note that the power transmission mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 4 is in a state in which the center gear 43, the pair of idle gears 44, and the door-side gear 42 are removed in the automatic opening mode described above.

  The swing mechanism 50 includes a pair of idle gears 44, a forward rotation power transmission position where one idle gear 44 a meshes with the door side gear 42, and a reverse rotation power transmission position where the other idle gear 44 b meshes with the door side gear 42. And the pair of idle gears 44 are moved between the power non-transmission positions where the door-side gears 42 are not meshed with each other.

  The swing mechanism 50 according to the present embodiment turns a pair of idle gears 44 around the rotation axis of the center gear 43 along the rotation direction of the center gear 43, whereby one idle gear 44 a becomes the door side gear 42. The other idler gear 44b is separated from the door side gear 42, or the other idler gear 44b is engaged with the door side gear 42 and the one idler gear 44a is separated from the door side gear 42. .

  More specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, when the center gear 43 rotates forward in conjunction with the rotation of the motor M (in this embodiment, counterclockwise when viewed from above), the pair of idle gears 44 is Turning around the rotation axis of the center gear 43 as viewed from above, it turns counterclockwise, and one free gear 44 a meshes with the door side gear 42. Thereby, the door opening / closing mechanism 100 for refrigerators of this embodiment will be in the automatic opening mode which the door D opens automatically with the motive power of the motor M. FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3, when the center gear 43 rotates in reverse in conjunction with the rotation of the motor M (clockwise as viewed from above in this embodiment), the pair of idle gears 44 The other idler gear 44b meshes with the door-side gear 42 by turning clockwise around the rotation axis as viewed from above. Thereby, the door opening / closing mechanism 100 for refrigerators of this embodiment will be in the automatic closing mode which the door D closes automatically with the motive power of the motor M. FIG.

  In the automatic opening mode and the automatic closing mode described above, the door-side gear 42, one or the other idler gear 44 meshing with the door-side gear 42, and the center gear 43 have an angle α of 90 degrees or more and In this embodiment, the angle α is designed to be not less than 110 degrees and not more than 120 degrees.

Next, a specific configuration of the swing mechanism 50 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, this rotates around the rotation shaft of the center gear 43, and is interposed between the mounting member 51 to which the idle gear is attached, and between the attachment member 51 and the idle gear. And a rotation load member 52 that applies a load to the rotation of each idle gear.

As shown in FIG. 5 in particular, the mounting member 51 includes a flat plate member 511 having a through hole 51h formed penetrating in the thickness direction, and a floating gear mounting shaft 512 that stands up from the flat plate member 511 and has a free gear mounted thereon. It consists of and.
The through hole 51h has a substantially circular shape and is formed larger than the diameter of the center gear mounting shaft 7 to which the center gear 43 is mounted. Accordingly, the attachment member 51 can be passed through the center gear attachment shaft 7 through the through hole 51h, and the attachment member 51 can rotate around the center gear attachment shaft 7.

  The rotational load member 52 applies a load to the rotation of the idle gear and generates torque for turning the pair of idle gears 44 around the rotation axis of the center gear 43. Here, the rotary load member 52 is attached to the idle gear attachment shaft 512. And an elastic member such as a spring that applies an upward force along the rotation axis to the idle gear 44.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotary load member 52 is passed through the floating gear mounting shaft 512, the idle gear 44 is passed from above, and the pressing member 53 that presses the idle gear is passed from above. Thus, an upward force is applied from the rotary load member 52 to the idle gear.
The pressing member 53 is configured to engage with a concave groove 513 formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the floating gear mounting shaft 512.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power transmission mechanism 40 of the present embodiment passes the first attachment member 51 a to which one floating gear 44 a is attached to the center gear attachment shaft 7, and the other from above. The floating gear 44b is assembled through the center gear 43 from above the second mounting member 51b to which the idle gear 44b is attached.

  In the assembled state as described above, the swing mechanism 50 of the present embodiment is configured so that the first mounting member 51a and the second mounting member 51b are directed toward the door side gear 42 as shown in FIG. The opening angle θ1 is configured. In other words, the opening angle θ <b> 1 is an angle formed by the rotation axes of the idle gears 44 a and 44 b around the rotation axis of the center gear 43.

  In the present embodiment, the step portion 514 formed on the flat plate member 511 of each attachment member 51 is located within the opening angle θ1 and is formed on the opposite side of the step portion 514 with respect to the center gear attachment shaft 7. In addition, an angle restricting portion 515 for restricting the opening angle θ1 is provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the angle restricting portion 515 is a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the flat plate member 511, and when the opening angle θ <b> 1 becomes small, the angle restricting portion 515 When the distance decreases and the opening angle θ1 reaches a predetermined angle, each angle restricting portion 515 is configured to come into contact.
With the configuration described above, each of the idle gears 44a and 44b is not closer than a predetermined distance, and both of the idle gears 44a and 44b can be prevented from meshing with the door-side gear 42.

  Next, the power non-transmission state holding mechanism 60 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the power non-transmission state holding mechanism 60 regulates the movement of the pair of idle gears 44 by the above-described swing mechanism 50 so that each idle gear 44 meshes with the door side gear 42. In other words, the power of the motor M is not transmitted to the door side gear 42, and the power is not transmitted. In this embodiment, in the power non-transmission state, the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 is in a manual mode in which the door D can be manually opened / closed.

  Specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, this is a restriction position X that restricts the movement of the pair of idle gears 44 by the swing mechanism 50, and a restriction position X as shown in the lower part of FIG. A restriction member 61 that moves between the release position Y for releasing the restriction, a biasing member 62 that biases the restriction member 61 to the restriction position X, and a restriction that moves the restriction member 61 from the restriction position X to the release position Y. And a release mechanism 63.

The restricting member 61 is configured to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the door-side gear mounting shaft 8 to which the door-side gear 42 is attached. Specifically, one end portion has a semicircular shape and the other end portion has a thickness. A through hole 61h penetrating in the direction is formed.
The through hole 61h has a substantially elongated hole shape and is formed larger than the diameter of the door-side gear mounting shaft 8. As a result, the restricting member 61 can be passed through the door-side gear mounting shaft 8 through the through hole 61h, and the restricting member 61 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the door-side gear mounting shaft 8.

The restriction member 61 moves between the restriction position X and the release position Y by the above-described advance / retreat movement, and at the restriction position X, one end portion is interposed between the first attachment member 51a and the second attachment member 51b. Thus, the turning of the pair of idle gears 44 is restricted, and at the release position Y, the one end does not contact any of the first mounting member 51a and the second mounting member 51b, and the turning is permitted.
More specifically, at the restriction position X, one end portion of the restriction member 61 is configured to fit in a gap formed between the step portions 514 of the flat plate members 511 described above.

  The urging member 62 applies a urging force from the release position Y to the restriction position X with respect to the restriction member 61. In this embodiment, one end is attached to the restriction member 61 and the other end is, for example, a case. It is an elastic member such as a spring attached to the fixed member 9 that is fixed.

The restriction release mechanism 63 moves the restriction member 61 from the restriction position X to the release position Y. Here, the restriction release mechanism 63 is attached to the restriction member 61 and receives a control signal from a control unit (not shown), for example. A release force in a direction opposite to the biasing force is applied to the member 61.
More specifically, when the control signal is received, the restriction release mechanism 63 of the present embodiment is configured to instantaneously energize a solenoid (not shown), and to apply the release force to the restriction member 61 by this instantaneous energization. .

According to the power transmission mechanism 40 configured as described above, the door D can be opened and closed automatically or manually by switching to a power transmission state or a power non-transmission state.
Hereinafter, the operation when the power transmission mechanism 40 is switched to the power transmission state or the power non-transmission state will be described.

First, an operation for switching from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state will be described.
Note that when switching to the power transmission state, which one of the idle gears 44 meshes with the door-side gear 42 is determined by the rotation direction of the motor M, and in either case, the operating principle is the same. Then, the case where one idle gear 44a meshes with the door side gear 42 as a representative and switches to a power transmission state is demonstrated.

In the power non-transmission state, as shown in FIG. 6, the regulating member 61 is biased to the regulating position X, and neither of the pair of idle gears 44 is engaged with the door side gear 42.
Here, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the motor M and the center gear 43 is rotated in the forward direction, a tangential force is applied to the pair of idle gears 44 through the portions engaged with the center gear 43.
Due to this tangential force, each idle gear 44 starts to rotate about the rotation axis. However, since the rotation load member 52 applies a load to the rotation of the idle gear, the force in the tangential direction causes the rotation torque to rotate the idle gear around the rotation axis and the idle gear to turn around the center gear 43. It is distributed to the swing torque.
At this time, in this embodiment, the urging force applied from the urging member 62 to the restricting member 61 resists the swing torque, and the restricting member 61 restricts the movement of the pair of idle gears 44 by the swing mechanism 50. To maintain the state (that is, the power non-transmission state).

In this state, for example, when a switching signal for switching from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), the control unit controls the voltage applied to the solenoid of the restriction release mechanism 63. The power is instantaneously applied, and an instantaneous release force is applied to the regulating member 61.
As a result, the restricting member 61 moves from the restricting position X to the release position Y, and the pair of idle gears 44 pivots around the center gear 43 due to the swing torque, and one idle gear 44a moves to the door side gear 42. To switch from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state.

Thus, when one idle gear 44a meshes with the door side gear 42 and switches to the power transmission state, a force in the tangential direction is exerted on the one idle gear 44a via the meshed portion with the door side gear 42. Join.
As a result, the swing torque described above increases, and in this embodiment, the swing torque resists the urging force, and the regulating member 61 can remain in the release position Y without energizing the solenoid. .

Next, an operation for switching from the power transmission state to the power non-transmission state will be described.
In the power transmission state, as described above, the swinging torque resists the urging force and the power transmission state is maintained.
In this state, for example, when a switching signal for switching from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), the control unit controls the voltage applied to the motor M, and the motor M Stop or momentarily reverse the rotation.
As a result, the rotation of the center gear 43 stops or instantaneously reverses in conjunction with the motor M, and the swing torque described above decreases.
As a result, the urging force resists the swing torque, the restricting member 61 moves from the release position Y to the restricting position X, the meshing between the idle gear and the door side gear 42 is disengaged, and the power is transmitted from the power transmission state. Switch to non-transmission state.

<Link mechanism>
Then, the link mechanism 20 which transmits the motive power output from the drive mechanism 10 mentioned above to the door D is demonstrated.

  The link mechanism 20 has one end connected to the output shaft of the drive mechanism 10 (in this embodiment, the output shaft of the door side gear 42) and the other end connected to the door D. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first arm 21 is rotated by the power of the drive mechanism 10 and the second arm 22 is moved in conjunction with the rotation of the first arm 21. .

One end of the first arm 21 is fixed to the door side gear 42 with, for example, a screw, and the other end is connected to the second arm 22, and the rotation axis of the door side gear 42 is interlocked with the door side gear 42. It is comprised so that it may rotate around.
In the present embodiment, the first extending direction L <b> 1 from the one end portion of the first arm 21 toward the other end portion is set to face the rear of the housing H in a state where the door D is closed.

One end portion of the second arm 22 is connected to the first arm 21, and the second arm 22 rotates around the connection portion 23 and moves forward and backward along the second extending direction L <b> 2 from the one end portion toward the other end portion. It is configured as follows.
More specifically, the second arm 22 has a force point for receiving a force from the first arm 21 and an action point for applying a force to the door D, and opens and closes the door D while rotating and moving back and forth.
In the present embodiment, the second extending direction L2 is set to face the front of the housing H in a state where the door D is closed in FIG.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the first extending direction L1 is a direction from the rotation axis of the door side gear 42 toward the rotation axis of the second arm 22 provided at the other end of the first arm 21. Further, the second extending direction L2 is a direction from the force point toward the action point, and specifically, from the rotation axis of the second arm 22 provided at the other end of the first arm 21 to the second arm. It is a direction which goes to the connection part connected to the door D provided in the other end part.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the link mechanism 20 of the present embodiment rotates the door D more than the direction in which the action point is perpendicular to the door D when viewed from the power point when the door D is closed. It is comprised so that it may be located in the axial side (in this embodiment, the hinge Z side).

  In the link mechanism 20 of the present embodiment, the angle formed by the first arm 21 and the second arm 22, that is, the angle θ2 formed by the first extending direction L1 and the second extending direction L2 is 180 degrees in a state where the door D is open. It is comprised so that it may become the following.

<Auxiliary mechanism>
The refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 of the present embodiment further includes an auxiliary mechanism 30 that assists when the above-described link mechanism 20 opens the door D.

The auxiliary mechanism 30 generates an auxiliary force for opening the door D. Here, the auxiliary mechanism 30 is accommodated in a casing (not shown) and attached to the upper surface of the door D.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, this is an auxiliary force that applies the auxiliary force to the door D by applying a force to the rotating member 31 that rotates about a predetermined rotation axis T <b> 1 and the housing H. The applying member 32 includes a connecting member 33 that connects the rotating member 31 and the auxiliary force applying member 32.

The rotating member 31 includes a rotating body 311 and a protruding portion 312 that protrudes upward from the rotating body 311. In this embodiment, the second arm 22 described above contacts the protruding portion 312. The rotating body 311 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis T1.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second arm 22 of the present embodiment has a long hole 22h penetrating in the thickness direction at the other end, and the long hole 22h has a door. A protruding pin P (a protruding member in the claims) standing up from the upper surface of D is configured to pass therethrough. The second arm 22 has an extending portion 221 that is formed on one end side from the elongated hole 22h and extends in a direction intersecting the second extending direction L2.
With the above-described configuration, the second arm 22 of the present embodiment moves forward and backward along the second extending direction L2 so that the long hole 22h slides along the protruding pin P, and moves from one end to the other end. When moving forward and backward, the extending portion 221 collides with the protrusion 312 of the rotating body 311 to rotate the rotating body 311.

The auxiliary force applying member 32 rotates around the rotation axis T2 in conjunction with the rotating member 31, and has a collision portion 321 that collides with the front surface of the housing H by this rotation.
In the auxiliary force applying member 32 of the present embodiment, the collision portion 321 is provided at a position away from the rotation axis T3 of the door D by a predetermined distance, and the auxiliary force having a magnitude corresponding to the predetermined distance is applied to the door D. It is comprised so that it may act.

  The connecting member 33 connects the rotating member 31 and the auxiliary force applying member 32 and rotates them in conjunction with each other, and has a long shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the door D.

<Control unit>
Next, the control part which controls operation | movement of the door opening / closing mechanism 100 for refrigerators is demonstrated.

  The control unit controls the opening / closing movement of the door D and the operation of the power transmission mechanism 40, and physically includes a CPU, a memory, a timer, an A / D converter, a D / A converter, and the like. Functionally, as shown in FIG. 10, a switching unit 71 that switches the power transmission mechanism 40 to a power transmission state or a power non-transmission state, a speed calculation unit 72 that calculates the moving speed of the door D, and a motor M And a motor control unit 73 for controlling the output.

  Hereinafter, each part will be described.

  The switching unit 71 acquires a switching signal input by the user using, for example, an input unit provided on the door D. Specifically, the voltage applied to the motor M based on the switching signal. Or the voltage applied to the solenoid of the restriction release mechanism 63 is controlled to switch the power transmission mechanism 40 to a power transmission state or a power non-transmission state.

The speed calculation unit 72 calculates the moving speed of the door D based on the moving amount and moving time of the door D.
The speed calculation unit 72 of the present embodiment acquires an opening signal indicating the opening degree of the door from the door opening degree detection mechanism E that detects the opening degree of the door D, and calculates the movement time of the door D from a timer built in the CPU. The time signal shown is acquired, and the moving speed calculated based on each of these signals is output to the motor control unit 73 described later as the calculated speed.

In the present embodiment, the door opening degree detection mechanism E is attached to the door side gear 42 via a gear as shown in FIG. 7, and the pulse signal corresponding to the rotation amount of the door side gear 42 is opened. This is output to the speed calculation unit 72 as a degree signal. Specifically, an encoder that rotates in synchronization with the door-side gear 42 is used.
The timer measures the time during which the pulse signal is output from the door opening degree detection mechanism E, and outputs the time signal to the speed calculation unit 72 with this time as the movement time of the door D.

  The motor control unit 73 obtains the calculated speed output from the speed calculating unit 72 and a target speed stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory, for example, and compares the calculated speed with the target speed, The motor speed is variably controlled by PWM control or the like of the output to the motor M so that the calculated speed of the door D approaches the target speed.

  In this embodiment, the speed calculation unit 72 calculates the movement speed for each of a plurality of steps obtained by dividing the movement range of the door D, and the motor control unit 73 is calculated by the speed calculation unit 72 in one step. Based on the calculated speed, the output of the motor M in the next step is controlled.

Here, the movement range of the door D is set to a range from the state in which the door D is closed to the opening degree of the door D reaching a predetermined target angle. The degree is in the range of 0 to 110 degrees.
In addition, each step is set to each range obtained by dividing the above-described movement range for each fixed opening, and in this embodiment, the movement range of 0 to 110 degrees is divided, for example, every 10 degrees. Each range.

  Hereinafter, specific control contents of the control unit in the above-described setting will be described.

  In this embodiment, after the energization of the motor M is started, the door opening detection mechanism E detects the opening of the door D, and the timer determines the time until the opening of the door D increases by 10 degrees. taking measurement.

  Then, based on the opening signal from the door opening detection mechanism E and the time signal from the timer, the speed calculation unit 72 calculates the moving speed while the opening of the door D increases by 10 degrees, that is, the moving speed of each step. The calculation result is output to the motor control unit 73 as a calculation speed.

The motor control unit 73 compares the calculated speed calculated in each step with the target speed set in each step, and outputs the output to the motor M in the next step according to these differences. Control is performed by changing the energization ratio (duty ratio) of the control.
More specifically, the motor control unit 73 controls the operation of the motor M to the normal rotation state, the brake state, the OFF state, and the reverse rotation state by switching the four switches SW as shown in FIG. For example, the motor M can be decelerated by switching the forward rotation state or reverse rotation state and the brake state or OFF state in a short time by PWM control. Each switch SW is constituted by a transistor, for example.

According to the control described above, in this embodiment, after the door D starts to open, the door D is moved at a target speed of, for example, 20 to 40 [degrees / second], and then decelerated toward the target angle of 110 degrees. Can be made.
Thereby, regardless of the load applied to the door D, the door D can be automatically opened and closed stably, and the moving speed and the opening degree of the door D can be made uniform.

  According to the refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the swing mechanism 50 moves the pair of idle gears 44 along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the center gear 43, thereby The transmission state and the power non-transmission state can be switched, and a mechanism for moving the gear in the height direction as in the conventional clutch mechanism can be eliminated, and the power transmission mechanism 40 is compact in the height direction. Can be.

  Further, since the pair of idle gears 44 move along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the center gear 43 in conjunction with the rotation of the center gear 43, the idle gear 44 can be moved using the power of the motor M. Thus, a dedicated actuator for moving the idle gear 44 can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, since the solenoid is instantaneously energized to switch from the power non-transmission state to the power transmission state, the configuration of the restriction release mechanism 63 can be simplified and less energy is required for the above-described switching.

  In addition, in the state where the door D is closed, the operating point of the second arm 22 is located closer to the rotation axis of the door D than the direction perpendicular to the door D when viewed from the power point. Without increasing the length of the arms 21 and 22, the door D can be opened and closed by 90 degrees or more.

  In addition, when the door D and the housing H are magnetized with a magnet or the like, when the door D is opened, a force to remove the magnetism is required. However, the auxiliary mechanism 30 has an auxiliary force to open the door D. Since it is generated, magnetization can be removed by this auxiliary force, and thus the power of the motor M required to open the door D can be further reduced. Also, by providing the second arm 22 with the elongated hole 22h, the starting torque that is most loaded on the motor M can be reduced by removing the magnetization while the elongated hole 22h moves along the protruding pin P. The load on the motor M can be reduced.

  The gears are arranged so that the angle between the door gear 42, one or the other idler gear 44 meshing with the door gear 42, and the center gear 43 is 110 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less. Therefore, power can be reliably transmitted without causing hunting or the like.

In addition, since the control unit (not shown) controls the operation speed of the door D to a predetermined speed, the opening / closing speed of the door D is too high even when the weight of the door D varies due to the weight of the contents. Or it is not too late and the operability is good for the user.
More specifically, regardless of the load applied to the door D, the door D can be moved at 20 to 40 [degrees / second], which is an ideal moving speed in terms of user operability, and the opening degree of the door D Can be decelerated aiming at the target angle of 110 degrees, and the moving speed and opening degree of the door D can be made uniform.

  Furthermore, since the angle restricting portion 515 restricts the angle formed by the rotation shafts of the respective idle gears around the rotation axis of the center gear 43 to a predetermined angle or less, both the pair of idle gears 44 are the door side gear 42. Can be prevented from meshing with each other.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the rotational load member is an elastic member. However, for example, the rotational load member may be one that causes friction between the idle gear and the mounting member. Examples thereof include a sheet member and a magnetic resistance such as a magnet.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although each idle gear was attached to another attachment member, a pair of idle gear may be attached to the common attachment member.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the door side gear was one, you may have a some door side gear.

  In addition, although the power transmission mechanism of the embodiment has been used to open and close the refrigerator door, it is not necessarily limited to the refrigerator door.

  In addition, in the control of the embodiment, the door movement range is 0 to 110 degrees, and each step is a range obtained by dividing the movement range every 10 degrees. However, the movement range and the setting of each step are appropriately changed. It doesn't matter.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism R ... Refrigerator D ... Door 10 ... Drive mechanism 20 ... Link mechanism 40 ... Power transmission mechanism M ... Motor 41 ... Motor side gear 42 ... door side gear 43 ... center gear 44 ... pair of idle gears 50 ... swing mechanism 60 ... power non-transmission state holding mechanism X ... restriction position Y ... retraction position 72: Speed calculation unit 73: Motor control unit

Claims (13)

A refrigerator door opening / closing mechanism that includes a motor provided on the housing side of the refrigerator and a link mechanism that transmits power of the motor to the door of the refrigerator, and opens and closes the door and assists in opening the door. Because
The link mechanism is
A first arm that rotates under the power of the motor;
A second arm having a force point for receiving a force from the first arm and an action point for applying a force to the door;
The door opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator, wherein, in a state where the door is closed, the action point is located closer to a rotation axis of the door than a direction perpendicular to the door as viewed from the power point. An auxiliary mechanism that is provided on the upper surface of the door and that generates an auxiliary force for opening the door;
The auxiliary mechanism is
A rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the second arm;
The door opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary force applying member that rotates in conjunction with the rotating member, contacts the housing, and applies the auxiliary force to the door. . The second arm has an elongated hole through which a protruding member provided on the upper surface of the door passes,
3. The refrigerator door according to claim 1, wherein when the elongated hole moves along the protruding member, the second arm comes into contact with the rotating member to rotate the rotating member. 4. Opening and closing mechanism.   The opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an angle formed by the first arm and the second arm is 180 degrees or less when the door is open. . A power transmission mechanism that is interposed between the door and the motor and transmits the power of the motor to the door;
The power transmission mechanism is
A door-side gear that rotates in conjunction with opening and closing of the door;
A motor-side gear that rotates in conjunction with the motor;
A center gear connected to the motor side gear;
A pair of idle gears that mesh with the center gear and maintain a predetermined relative position;
In conjunction with forward rotation or reverse rotation of the center gear, and a swing mechanism that rotates together with the pair of idle gears around the rotation axis of the center gear,
As the swing mechanism swings, the pair of idle gears has a positive rotational power transmission position where one idle gear meshes with the door side gear, and a reverse rotational power transmission position where the other idle gear meshes with the door side gear. And any one of the pair of idler gears is configured to move between a power non-transmission position that does not mesh with the door-side gear. The opening-closing mechanism for refrigerators as described.   A power non-transmission state holding mechanism that restricts the movement of the pair of idle gears by the swing mechanism so that none of the idle gears meshes with the door side gear. The opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to claim 5. The power non-transmission state holding mechanism is
A regulation member that moves between a regulation position that regulates the movement of the pair of idle gears and a release position that releases the regulation; and
An urging member for urging the restricting member to the restricting position;
The opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to claim 6, further comprising a restriction release mechanism that moves the restriction member from the restriction position to the release position.   8. The opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the restriction release mechanism moves the restriction member from the restriction position to the release position by instantaneous energization by a solenoid. The swing mechanism is
The floating gear is attached, and an attachment member that rotates around a rotation axis of the center gear;
9. A rotary load member that is interposed between the mounting member and the idle gear and that applies a load to the rotation of each idle gear. The opening / closing mechanism for refrigerators described in 1.   10. The angle formed by the door side gear, the idle gear engaged with the door side gear, and the center gear is 90 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less, or any one of claims 5 to 9. The opening / closing mechanism for refrigerators described in 1. A door opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator that automatically opens and closes the door of the refrigerator,
A motor,
A link mechanism that is interposed between the motor and the door and transmits the power of the motor to the door;
A control unit for controlling the opening and closing movement of the door,
The control unit is
A speed calculating unit for calculating the moving speed of the door;
A motor controller that compares the calculated speed calculated by the speed calculator with a predetermined target speed and controls the output to the motor so that the calculated speed approaches the target speed. A door opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator.   The door opening / closing mechanism for a refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the speed calculation unit calculates the movement speed based on a movement amount and a movement time of the door. The speed calculation unit calculates the movement speed for each of a plurality of steps obtained by dividing the movement range of the door,
The said motor control part controls the output to the said motor in the next step based on the calculation speed calculated by the said speed calculation part in one step, The object for refrigerators of Claim 11 or 12 characterized by the above-mentioned. Door opening / closing mechanism.