JP2017158972A - Drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive device that can prevent tooth breakage and tooth skipping.SOLUTION: The drive device includes: a motor for generating drive force for moving a movable part in a western style toilet; and a gear for transmitting the drive force generated by the motor to the movable part. The gear is provided so as to mesh with at least two or more teeth when meshing at a terminal end position of the gear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive device for a Western-style toilet.

  Conventionally, in the field of Western-style toilets, various driving devices using a motor as a driving force are known. For example, as one of the drive devices, a toilet seat lifting / lowering device is known in which a toilet seat unit including a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and the like and provided on the upper surface of the toilet body is movable up and down with respect to the toilet body. In general, the portion of the toilet seat unit behind the toilet seat and the toilet lid is normally placed on the upper surface of the rear part of the toilet body. The gap between the rear upper surface of the toilet body and the rear part of the toilet seat unit is extremely narrow, and it is difficult to clean the gap. The toilet seat lifting / lowering device raises the toilet seat unit from the toilet body in accordance with the user's operation, thereby making it possible to easily clean the entire upper surface of the toilet body.

  Moreover, as one of the drive devices in a Western-style toilet, for example, an opening / closing device that automatically opens and closes a toilet seat and a toilet lid of the toilet is known. In general, a Western-style toilet has a configuration in which a toilet seat on which a user is seated is provided at the edge of the opening of the toilet body, and a toilet lid is provided on the toilet seat so as to cover the opening. The toilet seat and the toilet lid are rotatably supported by the toilet body through a rotating shaft. The opening / closing device automatically opens and closes the toilet lid and toilet seat by rotating the toilet lid and toilet seat.

JP 2005-218527 A

  The drive device described above transmits and receives the rotational force generated by the motor via a plurality of gears, thereby raising and lowering the toilet seat unit relative to the toilet body and opening and closing the toilet lid and toilet seat. Here, if the number of teeth meshing between the gears is small when the load when lifting or lowering the toilet seat unit or opening / closing the toilet lid or toilet seat is high, the load applied to the teeth increases, so that the tooth breakage is reduced. May cause. For example, in a toilet seat lifting / lowering device, a rack (a spur gear having an infinite diameter) is provided in the movable direction of the movable member that supports the toilet seat unit, and the rotational force of the motor transmitted through the plurality of gears is output by the output gear. The toilet seat unit is raised and lowered by transmitting to the rack. In such a toilet seat unit, when the ascending starts from the lowest position or when the lowest position is reached, the number of teeth meshing between the rack and the output gear is only one tooth or the meshing teeth When the mesh depth is shallow, there is a risk of causing broken teeth or tooth skipping.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the drive device which can prevent a tooth breakage and tooth skipping.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a driving apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a motor that generates a driving force for moving a movable part in a Western-style toilet, and a drive generated by the motor. A gear that transmits force to the movable portion, and the gear is provided so as to mesh with at least two teeth when meshed at the terminal position of the gear.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, tooth breakage and tooth skipping can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a Western-style toilet that applies the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the toilet seat unit of the western toilet shown in FIG. 1 is raised from the toilet body by the toilet seat lifting device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration of the toilet seat lifting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a rack member of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the drive mechanism of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the toilet seat lifting / lowering operation by the toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of the rack member during the toilet seat lifting operation by the toilet seat lifting device. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the rack and the output gear according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the rack member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a convex member formed on the rack member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a convex member formed on the rack member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of teeth formed on the rack member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the buffer member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the rack member and the reinforcing plate according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a rack member and a reinforcing plate according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a Western-style toilet bowl to which the switchgear according to this modification is applied. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the switchgear according to the present modification. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of meshing in the opening / closing device according to the present modification.

  Hereinafter, a driving apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the dimensions of each member and the ratio of each member may be shown differently from the actual ones. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. Moreover, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected suitably to the same or corresponding element.

(Configuration of Western toilet)
First, the example of a structure of the western style toilet bowl which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. Here, the following embodiments will be described with reference to an example in which the drive device according to the present application is applied to a toilet seat lifting device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a Western-style toilet that applies the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the western toilet 1 includes a toilet body 2, a rear base 3 of the toilet body 2, a toilet seat unit 4, and a toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10. In the following description, the XY plane is set as a plane parallel to the upper surface of the toilet body 2, the width direction of the toilet body 2 in the XY plane is expressed as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction. Is expressed as a Y-axis direction (depth direction), and a direction perpendicular to the XY plane is expressed as a Z-axis direction (vertical direction).

  1 and 2, the X-axis direction is the lateral direction (width direction) of the western-style toilet 1 and the X-axis direction positive side is on the right side. And the negative side in the X-axis direction is on the left side. The Y-axis direction is the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the western-style toilet 1, the Y-axis direction positive side is the rear side (back side), and the Y-axis direction negative side is the front side (front side). The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the western toilet 1, the Z-axis direction positive side is the upper side, and the Z-axis direction negative side is the lower side. These X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are the same for the toilet seat lifting apparatus 10 applied to the western-style toilet 1 and each component thereof.

  The toilet body 2 is a western flush toilet having a toilet bowl and the like, and is configured by a member such as a pottery. An upper surface 2c is formed at the end of the toilet body 2 on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. In the following description, the surface on the Y axis direction negative side (front side) of the upper surface 2c is referred to as a front upper surface 2a, and the surface on the Y axis direction positive side (rear side) is referred to as a rear upper surface 2b. The front upper surface 2 a faces the lower surface of the toilet seat 5 on the negative side in the Z-axis direction. The rear upper surface 2b is a portion extending from the edge on the Y axis direction positive side of the toilet bowl to the end on the Y axis direction positive side of the upper surface 2c. The rear upper surface 2 b is covered with a portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the toilet seat unit 4 (a portion on the rear side of the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6).

  The rear base 3 is a base member to which a toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 for lifting and lowering the toilet seat unit 4 is attached. The bottom surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the rear base 3 is fixed to the rear upper surface 2b. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10, a functional component or the like (for example, a valve unit) for washing the toilet bowl body 2 with water is attached to the rear base 3. Yes.

  The toilet seat unit 4 includes a toilet seat 5, a toilet lid 6, a front base 7, and a cover member 8, and is disposed on the upper surface 2c of the toilet body 2 as illustrated in FIG. The toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are rotatably supported by the rear part (for example, the cover member 8) of the toilet seat unit 4, respectively. The toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 can be opened and closed individually or simultaneously.

  The toilet seat 5 may incorporate a functional component such as a heater device that warms its seating surface. Further, the toilet seat unit 4 may be provided with a functional component such as a damper that reduces the rotational speed when the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are closed by their own weight.

  The front base 7 is a base member to which functional parts such as a cleaning nozzle and functional parts for controlling the heater device built in the toilet seat 5 are attached. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front base 7 is disposed on the rear upper surface 2 b on the Y axis direction negative side with respect to the rear base 3, and can be lifted and lowered by a toilet seat lifting device 10 attached to the rear base 3. Supported.

  The cover member 8 is a member that covers the rear base 3, the front base 7, and the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10, is fixed to the front base 7, and supports the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 so as to be rotatable.

  The toilet seat lifting device 10 is a device that lifts and lowers the toilet seat unit 4 with respect to the toilet body 2. The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is attached to the rear base 3 of the toilet body 2 and supports the rear portion of the front base 7 of the toilet seat unit 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the toilet seat unit of the western toilet shown in FIG. 1 is raised from the toilet body by the toilet seat lifting device. The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 takes the toilet seat unit 4, that is, the front base 7, the toilet seat 5, the toilet lid 6, and the cover member 8, with respect to the toilet body 2, on the positive side in the Z-axis direction, Raise and lower to the negative side. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 raises the toilet seat unit 4 to the Z axis direction positive side with respect to the toilet body 2, while the toilet seat unit 4 is moved to the toilet body 2 in the Z direction. Lower to the axial negative side.

  When the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 raises the toilet seat unit 4 with respect to the toilet body 2, the upper surface 2c and the front base 7 (cover member 8) on the Z axis direction negative side as illustrated in FIG. The distance d between the bottom surface and the bottom surface increases. Thereby, it becomes easy for a user to put a hand between the toilet bowl body 2 and the toilet seat unit 4 and to clean substantially the entire upper surface 2c from the front upper surface 2a to the rear upper surface 2b. In FIG. 2, the toilet seat lifting device 10 lifts and lowers the toilet seat unit 4 when the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are in the standing posture.

  On the other hand, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 lowers the toilet seat unit 4 from the state in which the toilet seat unit 4 is raised, triggered by an operation from the user. When the toilet seat unit 4 is lowered with respect to the toilet body 2, the distance between the upper surface 2c and the bottom surface of the front base 7 (cover member 8) on the negative side in the Z-axis direction is illustrated in FIG. d is smaller than the state in which the toilet seat unit 4 is raised.

(Configuration of toilet seat lifting device)
Next, the configuration of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 includes a main frame 11, a lifting / lowering mechanism 12 that lifts / lowers the toilet seat unit 4, and a drive mechanism 20 that applies a lifting / lowering driving force to the lifting / lowering mechanism 12. . The elevating mechanism 12 includes a movable plate 13 that supports the toilet seat unit 4, a rack member 14 that moves together with the movable plate 13 by a driving force from the driving mechanism 20, and the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 on the positive side in the Z-axis direction and A main guide shaft 15 and a sub guide shaft 16 that are guided to the negative side are provided.

  The movable plate 13 functions as a support portion that supports the toilet seat unit 4 of the western toilet 1 and is movable in a state of supporting the toilet seat unit 4. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the movable plate 13 includes a lower support portion 13a and an upper support portion 13b that face each other in the Z-axis direction, and each of the lower support portion 13a and the upper support portion 13b on the Y axis direction positive side. A back plate portion 13c continuous to the end portion and an insertion portion 13d for inserting the sub guide shaft 16 are provided. The movable plate 13 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal material so as to integrally include the lower support portion 13a, the upper support portion 13b, the back plate portion 13c, and the insertion portion 13d. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the movable plate 13 is disposed so that the lower support portion 13 a and the upper support portion 13 b extending from the back plate portion 13 c are directed to the Y axis direction negative side.

  The lower support portion 13a is a plate portion that supports the front base 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the toilet seat unit 4 from below. The upper support portion 13b is a plate portion that supports the front base 7 from above. The back plate portion 13c is a plate portion that extends in the Z-axis direction continuously to the respective ends on the Y axis direction positive side of the lower support portion 13a and the upper support portion 13b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower support portion 13a extends from the entire end portion of the back plate portion 13c on the negative side in the Z-axis direction to the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The area of the lower support portion 13 a is set to an area sufficient to support the front base 7 of the toilet seat unit 4. The upper support portion 13b extends from a predetermined region (for example, a majority region) at the end on the positive side in the Z-axis direction of the back plate portion 13c to the negative side in the Y-axis direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the area of the upper support portion 13b is extremely narrow as compared with the lower support portion 13a. However, the area is sufficient to support the support of the front base 7 by the lower support portion 13a from above. Is set.

  When the front base 7 of the toilet seat unit 4 is attached to the movable plate 13, the end surface on the Y axis direction positive side of the front base 7 is pressed against the back plate portion 13c. In this state, the lower support portion 13a and the front base 7 The end on the negative side in the Z-axis direction is fixed by screwing or the like, and the upper support part 13b and the end on the positive side in the Z-axis direction of the front base 7 are fixed by screwing or the like. As a result, the movable plate 13 supports the front base 7 attached to grip the end on the Y axis direction positive side, and thereby supports the toilet seat unit 4 via the front base 7 so as to be movable up and down.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower support portion 13 a includes a through hole 131 a that communicates with the fixing holes 112 a and the fixing holes 112 a and 113 a of the bottom plate portion 11 a of the main frame 11 in the Z-axis direction. And a through hole 132a communicating with the fixing hole 113a. A through hole 131b is formed in the upper support portion 13b at a portion facing the through hole 131a of the lower support portion 13a in the Z-axis direction. The through hole 131b of the upper support portion 13b communicates with the above-described fixing hole 112a through the through hole 131a of the lower support portion 13a.

  The movable plate 13 having such a configuration allows a tool such as a screwdriver to reach the screw of the fixed hole 112a of the bottom plate portion 11a through the through hole 131b of the upper support portion 13b and the through hole 131a of the lower support portion 13a. This screw fastening can be easily realized. In addition, the movable plate 13 allows a tool such as a screwdriver to easily reach the screw of the fixing hole 113a of the bottom plate part 11a via the through hole 132a of the lower support part 13a, and this screw tightening can be easily realized. Thereby, even if the movable plate 13 exists above the bottom plate portion 11a, the bottom plate portion 11a and the toilet body 2 by the screw of the fixed hole 112a from above the movable plate 13 through the through holes 131b and 131a. The rear base 3 can be easily screwed. In addition, the bottom plate portion 11a and the rear base 3 of the toilet body 2 can be easily screwed together from above the movable plate 13 through the through hole 132a. As a result, since the bottom plate portion 11a of the main frame 11 and the rear base 3 of the toilet body 2 can be easily fixed from above the movable plate 13 by screwing, the degree of freedom of the attachment procedure to the rear base 3 of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 and The degree of freedom of the assembly procedure of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 can be improved. Further, when the movable plate 13 exists below, the through holes 131a and 132a also serve as escape holes for avoiding contact between the screw heads of the fixed holes 112a and 113a and the lower support portion 13a.

  On the other hand, the insertion portion 13 d is a portion through which the sub guide shaft 16 is inserted in the movable plate 13. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 13 d is formed in a shape extending from the right upper end portion of the back plate portion 13 c of the movable plate 13 to the Y axis direction positive side. An insertion hole (through hole) having a size larger than that of the sub guide shaft 16 is formed in the insertion portion 13d. In the present embodiment, the insertion part 13d has a bush 13e.

  The bush 13e is a friction reducing member that reduces friction with respect to the sub guide shaft 16, and has an insertion hole through which the sub guide shaft 16 is slidably inserted. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bush 13 e is disposed on the sub guide shaft 16 with the sub guide shaft 16 being inserted. The insertion portion 13d is attached to the sub guide shaft 16 in a state where the sub guide shaft 16 is inserted through the bush 13e. That is, the bush 13 e is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the insertion portion 13 d and the outer peripheral surface of the sub guide shaft 16. The insertion portion 13d is fixed to the bush 13e by snapping or the like, and thereby is integrated with the bush 13e. Such an insertion portion 13d slides on the outer peripheral surface of the sub guide shaft 16 to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction via the bush 13e. That is, the insertion portion 13 d slides integrally with the bush 13 e along the sub guide shaft 16.

  On the other hand, as exemplified in FIG. 3, the movable plate 13 is movable on the rear surface portion in the vicinity of the left end portion of the back plate portion 13 c along the main guide shaft 15 to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction. The rack member 14 is fixed. The movable plate 13 moves along the main guide shaft 15 and the rack member 14 along the Z axis direction while moving the insertion portion 13d along the sub guide shaft 16 to the positive side and the negative side along with the bush 13e. And go up and down to the negative side.

  The main frame 11 is a frame to which various components constituting the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 are attached. For example, the main frame 11 is integrally formed by pressing a metal material or the like. The main frame 11 is a U-shaped member in which a top plate portion 11b, a back plate portion 11c, and a bottom plate portion 11a are connected to each other. The back plate portion 11c is disposed on the Y axis direction positive side with respect to the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16, and extends in the Z axis direction. The top plate portion 11b extends from the periphery on the positive side in the Z-axis direction to the negative side in the Y-axis direction in the back plate portion 11c. The bottom plate portion 11a extends from the periphery on the negative side in the Z-axis direction to the negative side in the Y-axis direction in the back plate portion 11c. The top plate portion 11b and the bottom plate portion 11a face each other in the Z-axis direction.

  4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration of the toilet seat lifting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an opening 111 a and fixing holes 112 a and 113 a are formed in the bottom plate portion 11 a. The opening 111a is a through hole into which a rack lower end portion (a lower end portion of a rack 14a described later) of the rack member 14 of the lifting mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 3 can be inserted, and the rack lower end portion of the rack member 14 in the Z-axis direction. opposite. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening 111a has a shape corresponding to the rack shape of the rack member 14 (rectangular shape in the present embodiment) in the vicinity of the end on the X axis direction negative side of the bottom plate portion 11a. Formed. The lower end of the rack member 14 enters the opening 111a when the rack member 14 that can be moved up and down in the Z-axis direction is at the lowest position.

  On the other hand, the fixing holes 112a and 113a are through holes for fixing the bottom plate portion 11a of the main frame 11 and the rear base 3 by screwing when the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is attached to the rear base 3 of the western toilet 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fixing holes 112a and 113a are formed in the vicinity of the end on the Y axis direction negative side of the bottom plate portion 11a so as to be aligned in the X axis direction. Screws are respectively inserted into the fixing holes 112a and 113a, and the bottom plate portion 11a and the rear base 3 are fixed by screwing these screws. As a result, the main frame 11 is fixed to the rear base 3.

  In the present embodiment, although not shown in FIG. 4, the bottom plate portion 11 a has a Z-axis direction negative side of the main guide shaft 15 in the vicinity of the X-axis direction negative side of the opening 111 a described above. The end is fixed by screwing or the like. Near the end on the positive side in the X-axis direction of the bottom plate portion 11a, the end on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the auxiliary guide shaft 16 that is paired with the main guide shaft 15 is fixed by screwing or the like.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top plate portion 11 b is formed with an opening 111 b, a mounting flange 112 b, and a lead-out hole 113 b. The opening 111b can be inserted through the rack upper portion of the rack member 14 of the lifting mechanism 12 shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening 111 b corresponds to the rack shape of the rack member 14 in the portion of the top plate 11 b that faces the opening 111 a of the bottom plate 11 a described above in the Z-axis direction. It is formed to have a shape. In the present embodiment, the opening 111b is formed in a rectangular shape at the left front end of the top plate 11b. The upper portion of the rack member 14 (upper rack 141a, which will be described later) enters and exits the opening 111b when the rack member 14 is moved up and down in the positive and negative directions in the Z-axis direction.

  The attachment flange 112b is a part for fixing the top plate portion 11b of the main frame 11 and the rear base 3 by screwing when the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is attached to the rear base 3 of the western toilet 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting flange 112 b is formed in a shape extending from the end on the Y axis direction positive side of the top plate portion 11 b to the Y axis direction positive side. The mounting flange 112b abuts against a predetermined portion of the rear base 3 when the main frame 11 is disposed on the rear base 3, and is fixed to the rear base 3 by screwing or the like. By fixing the mounting flange 112b and the rear base 3, the top plate portion 11b and the rear base 3 are directly fixed. As a result, the mounting strength between the main frame 11 and the rear base 3, that is, the mounting strength of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 to the rear base 3 is enhanced.

  The lead hole 113b is a through hole through which the wiring 20a of the drive mechanism 20 is drawn. In this embodiment, although the whole illustration is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lead-out hole 113b is continuously formed from the right rear end portion of the top plate portion 11b to the right upper end portion of the back plate portion 11c. Is done. The wiring 20a of the drive mechanism 20 attached to the main frame 11 is pulled out from the lead hole 113b. The formation position of the lead hole 113b may be set according to the lead position of the wiring 20a, and the embodiment is not limited to the illustration.

  The back plate portion 11c is a frame portion that extends in the Z-axis direction continuously to the end portions on the positive side in the Y-axis direction of the bottom plate portion 11a and the top plate portion 11b that face each other in the Z-axis direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism 20 is attached and fixed to the inner surface of the back plate portion 11 c (that is, the surface on the negative side in the Y-axis direction of the back plate portion 11 c) by screwing or the like. .

  The main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16 are guide shafts that regulate the moving direction of the rack member 14 that is movable integrally with the movable plate 13 in the up-and-down direction with respect to the western toilet 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16 are respectively installed between the bottom plate portion 11 a and the top plate portion 11 b of the main frame 11. At this time, the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16 are provided so as to stand up in the Z-axis direction and to face each other in the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, the main guide shaft 15 guides the rack member 14 movable by the driving force from the drive mechanism 20 to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction, and to both the positive and negative sides of the rack member 14 in the X-axis direction. And the movement of the rack member 14 to both positive and negative sides in the Y-axis direction are suppressed. The sub guide shaft 16 guides the insertion portion 13d and the bush 13e of the movable plate 13 movable integrally with the rack member 14 to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction, and rotates the movable plate 13 around the main guide shaft 15. Suppress. Through the suppression of the rotation of the movable plate 13, the sub guide shaft 16 suppresses the rotation of the rack member 14 around the main guide shaft 15. The main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16 cooperate with each other so that the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 move in the up-and-down direction with respect to the western toilet 1, for example, the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction. To regulate.

  The rack member 14 is a member that moves integrally with the movable plate 13 that functions as a support portion that moves while supporting the toilet seat unit 4 to be lifted and lowered. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a rack member of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rack member 14 slides along the main guide shaft 15 and a rack 14 a extending in the movable direction of the movable plate 13 (Z-axis direction in the present embodiment). Part 14b.

  The rack 14a is a rod-shaped member having a tooth portion that meshes with a final gear of the drive mechanism 20 (a pinion 28b of the output gear 28 described later). The tooth portion is formed in a portion of the rack 14a opposite to the sliding portion 14b so that a plurality of teeth are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rack 14a (Z-axis direction in FIG. 5). The rack 14 a receives a driving force from the driving mechanism 20 by engaging its own tooth portion (a plurality of teeth) with the final gear of the driving mechanism 20. Moreover, in this Embodiment, the rack 14a has the upper side rack 141a and the lower side rack 141b so that it may be illustrated by FIG. The upper rack 141a is a portion of the rack 14a that extends further to the positive side in the Z-axis direction than the sliding portion 14b. The lower rack 141b is a portion of the rack 14a that extends more to the Z axis direction negative side than the sliding portion 14b.

  The sliding portion 14b is a member that slides on the outer peripheral surface of the main guide shaft 15 described above. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sliding portion 14 b is integrally formed on a portion of the rack 14 a opposite to the tooth portion. An insertion hole 14c through which the main guide shaft 15 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is inserted is formed in the sliding portion 14b. The insertion hole 14c is a through hole parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rack 14a. The sliding portion 14b slides integrally with the rack 14a along the main guide shaft 15 inserted through the insertion hole 14c. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the sliding portion 14b has a friction reducing member such as a bush for reducing friction with respect to the main guide shaft 15 in the insertion hole 14c, and this friction reducing member is provided in the insertion hole 14c. You may slide along the main guide shaft 15 in a state of being interposed between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the main guide shaft 15.

  The rack member 14 having the rack 14a and the sliding portion 14b described above is attached to the main guide shaft 15 in a state where the main guide shaft 15 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is inserted into the insertion hole 14c of the sliding portion 14b. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the rack member 14 is in a state in which the rack 14 a is disposed on the X axis direction positive side and the sliding portion 14 b is disposed on the X axis direction negative side. In this state, the rack member 14 has the teeth of the rack 14a directed to the X axis direction positive side and the drive mechanism 20 disposed on the X axis direction positive side of the rack member 14 as illustrated in FIG. The final gear and the tooth portion of the rack 14a are engaged with each other.

  The rack member 14 is fixed to the end surface portion on the positive side in the Y-axis direction of the movable plate 13 described above, and moves integrally with the movable plate 13. Specifically, the rack member 14 slides the sliding portion 14b along the main guide shaft 15 by the driving force applied from the driving mechanism 20 by the meshing of the rack 14a and the final gear of the driving mechanism 20. It moves up and down with the movable plate 13 to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction. When the rack member 14 is moved up and down along with the movable plate 13 along the main guide shaft 15, the upper rack 141 a is moved as necessary to the opening 111 b of the top plate portion 11 b of the main frame 11 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Take in and out. On the other hand, when the rack member 14 is lowered to the lowest position along with the movable plate 13 along the main guide shaft 15, the lower rack 141b is inserted into the opening 111a (see FIG. 4) of the bottom plate portion 11a of the main frame 11. . That is, the lower end surface (end surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction) of the lower rack 141b enters the opening 111a of the bottom plate portion 11a when the rack member 14 is in the lowest position, and the inner surface (Z It is located below the bottom plate surface on the positive side in the axial direction.

  The drive mechanism 20 is a mechanism that applies a drive force for raising and lowering to the rack member 14 that moves integrally with the movable plate 13 that functions as a support portion that moves while supporting the toilet seat unit 4 to be raised and lowered. The drive mechanism 20 includes a first cover 21 and a second cover 22 illustrated in FIG. The first cover 21 is a cover member on the upper side (Y-axis direction negative side) of the drive mechanism 20 in the gear rotation axis direction. The second cover 22 is a cover member on the lower side (Y-axis direction positive side) in the gear rotation axis direction of the drive mechanism 20. The first cover 21 and the second cover 22 constitute a housing of the drive mechanism 20 by being assembled with each other. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the drive mechanism of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present embodiment. The drive mechanism 20 includes internal components as illustrated in FIG. 6 in the housing.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 23, a bracket 24 for mounting the motor 23, etc. in the housing, a first gear 25 as a reduction gear, and a second gear. 26, a third gear 27, and an output gear 28 as a final gear.

  The motor 23 is an electronic component that can rotate in both positive and negative directions, such as a stepping motor. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the motor 23 includes an output shaft 23a as a drive shaft that can rotate in both positive and negative directions, and a small-diameter motor gear 23b. The motor 23 is disposed at a predetermined portion of the second cover 22 so that the motor gear 23b attached to the output shaft 23a faces the Y axis direction negative side. The motor 23 is supplied with electric power via the wiring 20a, thereby rotating the output shaft 23a together with the motor gear 23b to generate a driving force. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the motor gear 23 b is engaged with the first gear 25 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 23 a to transmit the driving force of the motor 23 to the first gear 25.

  The bracket 24 is a member for attaching the motor 23 and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bracket 24 presses the motor 23 having a mode in which the motor gear 23 b faces the Y axis direction negative side (the side opposite to the second cover 22) against the second cover 22. It is attached to the second cover 22 by screwing or the like. Thereby, the bracket 24 fixes the motor 23 to the second cover 22 and positions the motor 23 in the second cover 22, that is, positions the output shaft 23a and the motor gear 23b.

  The first gear 25, the second gear 26, and the third gear 27 have functions as reduction gears. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the motor 23 and the output gear 28 (final gear) It is arranged on the negative side in the Z-axis direction compared to the gear).

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first gear 25 is a gear having a larger diameter than the motor gear 23b, and is disposed on the lower left side of the motor gear 23b. In the present embodiment, the first gear 25 is rotatably supported by a shaft 29 a formed on the bracket 24. As a result, the relative positional relationship between the rotation center of the first gear 25 and the rotation center of the motor gear 23b (that is, the output shaft 23a) is determined by the bracket 24 with high accuracy. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first gear 25 is in a state of being engaged with both the motor gear 23 b and a second gear 26 described later. The first gear 25 transmits the driving force of the motor 23 transmitted from the motor gear 23b to the second gear 26 while decelerating and increasing the torque.

  The second gear 26 is a reduction gear that includes a large-diameter gear that has a larger diameter than the first gear 25 and a small-diameter gear that has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter gear. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second gear 26 is disposed on the lower left side of the first gear 25. In the present embodiment, the second gear 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 29 b formed on the second cover 22. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the end of the bracket 24 on the negative side in the Z-axis direction is attached to the shaft 29b. As a result, the relative positional relationship among the rotation center of the second gear 26, the rotation center of the first gear 25, and the rotation center of the motor gear 23b is determined by the bracket 24 with high accuracy. Such second gear 26 is in mesh with both the first gear 25 and a third gear 27 described later, as illustrated in FIG. That is, the large-diameter gear of the second gear 26 is in a state of meshing with the first gear 25, and the small-diameter gear of the second gear 26 is in a state of meshing with the third gear 27. The second gear 26 transmits the driving force of the motor 23 transmitted from the first gear 25 to the third gear 27 while further decelerating and increasing the torque.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the third gear 27 includes a large-diameter gear 27a formed with a larger diameter than a small-diameter gear (not shown) of the second gear 26, and a large-diameter gear 27a. And a reduction gear having a small-diameter gear 27b having a small diameter. The third gear 27 is disposed between the second gear 26 and an output gear 28 described later, specifically, at a portion on the upper left side of the second gear 26 and on the lower right side of the output gear 28. In the present embodiment, the third gear 27 is rotatably supported by a shaft 29 c formed on the second cover 22. The third gear 27 is in a state of meshing with both the second gear 26 and the output gear 28 as illustrated in FIG. That is, the large-diameter gear 27 a of the third gear 27 is in mesh with the small-diameter gear of the second gear 26, and the small-diameter gear 27 b of the third gear 27 is in mesh with the output gear 28. The third gear 27 transmits the driving force of the motor 23 transmitted from the second gear 26 to the output gear 28 while further decelerating and increasing the torque.

  The output gear 28 is a final gear that meshes with the rack 14a of the rack member 14 and transmits the driving force of the motor 23 to the rack 14a. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the output gear 28 is formed with a large diameter gear 28a having a larger diameter than the small diameter gear 27b of the third gear 27 and a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear 28a. And a pinion 28b which is a small-diameter gear. The output gear 28 is disposed on the upper left side of the third gear 27 and in a vicinity of the rack 14a. In the present embodiment, the output gear 28 is rotatably supported by a shaft 29d configured by connecting a shaft formed on the first cover 21 (see FIG. 3) and a shaft formed on the second cover 22. Is done. Such an output gear 28 is in mesh with both the third gear 27 and the rack 14a as illustrated in FIG. In other words, the large-diameter gear 28a of the output gear 28 is in mesh with the small-diameter gear 27b of the third gear 27, and the pinion 28b of the output gear 28 is in mesh with the rack 14a. The output gear 28 transmits the driving force of the motor 23 transmitted from the third gear 27 to the large diameter gear 28a from the pinion 28b to the rack 14a while further decelerating and increasing the torque.

  The drive mechanism 20 having the above-described configuration is attached to the inner surface of the back plate portion 11c of the main frame 11 and is positioned between the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16 as illustrated in FIG. To do. In this drive mechanism 20, the pinion 28 b of the output gear 28 is engaged with the rack 14 a of the rack member 14 slidably attached to the main guide shaft 15. The driving mechanism 20 moves the rack member 14 together with the above-described movable plate 13 along the main guide shaft 15 along the main guide shaft 15 with the driving force of the motor 23 transmitted from the pinion 28b to the rack 14a. Raise and lower.

  On the other hand, the drive mechanism 20 includes a detection mechanism such as a sensor that detects the rotation speed and rotation angle of the output gear 28 in addition to the above-described components. In the housing of the drive mechanism 20, a plurality of conductive lines that are electrically connected to electronic components such as the sensor of the detection mechanism and the motor 23 are disposed. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the wiring 20 a in a state in which the plurality of conductive wires are bundled is arranged inside the housing of the drive mechanism 20 (through the drawing hole 113 b formed in the back plate portion 11 c of the main frame 11, etc. It is pulled out from the main cover 11 from the second cover 22 side.

  The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 according to this embodiment is not specifically shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, but the state in which the rack member 14 that moves up and down integrally with the movable plate 13 that supports the toilet seat unit 4 is lifted to the highest position is released. A lock mechanism is provided for holding (locking) as possible. On the other hand, a control device (not shown) that controls the lifting / lowering operation of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is mounted on, for example, the front base 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the toilet seat unit 4. The wiring 20a of the drive mechanism 20 is electrically connected to this control device. An operation device (not shown) such as an operation switch for operating the lifting / lowering operation of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is provided, for example, in the cover member 8 of the toilet seat unit 4 or a separate wireless communication device.

(Toilet seat lifting operation)
Next, an operation of raising and lowering the toilet seat unit 4 by the toilet seat lifting device 10 according to the present embodiment, that is, a toilet seat lifting operation by the toilet seat lifting device 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the toilet seat lifting / lowering operation by the toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the initial state, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 places the toilet seat unit 4 on the upper surface 2c of the toilet body 2 as shown in FIG. At this time, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is in the lowest lowered state illustrated in FIG. When the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 is in the lowest lowered state, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the movable plate 13 that supports the rear portion of the front base 7 of the toilet seat unit 4 (hereinafter, “movable plate 13 in the toilet seat supporting state”). And the rack member 14 are both at the most lowered position in their elevation range, that is, at the lowest lowered position.

  When the user needs to lift (float) the toilet seat unit 4 from the rear upper surface 2b of the toilet body 2 in order to clean the upper surface 2c of the toilet body 2, etc., the user raises the toilet seat unit 4 using the operating device. An operation (ascending operation) for instructing the toilet seat lifting apparatus 10 is performed. The user places the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 in a standing posture at a desired timing such as before the toilet seat unit 4 is raised.

  The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 integrally raises the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 in the toilet seat support state upward in the Z-axis direction by the driving force of the drive mechanism 20 in accordance with the above-described raising operation by the user. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 raises the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 from the lowest position to the highest position. Both the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 in the toilet seat support state are simultaneously raised to the highest rise position, that is, in the highest rise state. As a result, the toilet seat unit 4 floats from the rear upper surface 2b of the toilet body 2 as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and the user can easily put a hand between the toilet body 2 and the toilet seat unit 4. A sufficient distance d is generated.

  Here, the above-described lift amount of the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 corresponds to the lift amount of the toilet seat lifting operation by the toilet seat lifting device 10, that is, the lift amount ΔH of the toilet seat unit 4 with respect to the toilet body 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the lift amount of the toilet seat lifting operation corresponding to the lift amount ΔH of the toilet seat unit 4 is the height position P1 of the rack member 14 in the lowest position and the highest lift position. It is defined as the distance from the height position P2 of the rack member 14. As illustrated in FIG. 8 described later, the height position P1 is a center position in the Z-axis direction in the sliding portion 14b of the rack member 14 in the lowest lowered state. The height position P2 is the center position in the Z-axis direction of the sliding portion 14b of the rack member 14 in the highest rise state.

  On the other hand, when the user needs to return the toilet seat unit 4 to the rear upper surface 2b of the toilet body 2 due to the completion of cleaning of the western toilet 1, etc., the user lowers the toilet seat unit 4 to the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 using the operation device. An instruction operation (downward operation) is performed. The user places the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 in a lying posture at a desired timing such as after the toilet seat unit 4 is lowered.

  The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 integrally lowers the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 in the toilet seat supporting state to the negative side in the Z-axis direction by the driving force of the driving mechanism 20 in accordance with the lowering operation by the user described above. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 lowers the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 from the highest position to the lowest position. Both the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 in the toilet seat support state are simultaneously lowered to the lowest lowered position, that is, in the lowest lowered state. As a result, the toilet seat unit 4 is placed on the upper surface 2c of the toilet body 2 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and the western toilet 1 is in a state in which the user's toilet can be used normally. Return. The lowering amount of the movable plate 13 and the rack member 14 corresponds to the lifting amount of the toilet seat lifting operation by the toilet seat lifting device 10, that is, the lifting amount ΔH of the toilet seat unit 4 with respect to the toilet body 2.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of the rack member during the toilet seat lifting operation by the toilet seat lifting device. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the drive mechanism 20 raises the rack member 14 in the lowest position, the drive mechanism 20 moves the pinion 28 b meshed with the upper end tooth portion of the upper rack 141 a of the rack 14 a in the forward direction (in FIG. 8). The driving force is transmitted from the pinion 28b to the rack 14a while being rotated clockwise. The drive mechanism 20 raises the rack member 14 along the main guide shaft 15 by the transmitted driving force.

  The rack member 14 continues to rise along the main guide shaft 15 as long as it engages with the pinion 28b over the entire region from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the rack 14a. In the middle of this, the rack member 14 rises from the lowest position to a predetermined height position, and thereafter causes the upper rack 141a to protrude from the opening 111b of the top plate portion 11b to the positive side in the Z-axis direction of the main frame 11. After that, the rack member 14 rises to the most elevated position in its elevation range, that is, the highest rise position. Together with the rack member 14, the movable plate 13 in the toilet seat support state described above continues to rise from the lowest position to the highest position along the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the rack member 14 is at the highest position (the highest lifted state), the upper region of the rack 14 a of the rack member 14, that is, the substantially entire region of the upper rack 141 a is the top plate portion 11 b. It is in the state which protruded from the opening part 111b of the main frame 11 outside (Z-axis direction positive side). At this time, the upper end surface (end surface on the positive side in the Z-axis direction) of the sliding portion 14b of the rack member 14 is not obstructed by the upper rack 141a, and the surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction (inner surface) of the top plate portion 11b. ). The rack 14a is in a state where the lower end tooth portion of the lower rack 141b and the pinion 28b of the drive mechanism 20 are engaged with each other. In addition, before the upper end surface (end surface on the positive side in the Z-axis direction) of the sliding portion 14b of the rack member 14 and the inner surface (surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction) of the top plate portion 11b contact each other. It is also possible to stop the operation.

  On the other hand, the drive mechanism 20 rotates the pinion 28b engaged with the lower end tooth portion of the lower rack 141b of the rack 14a in the negative direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 8) when lowering the rack member 14 in the highest position. The driving force is transmitted from the pinion 28b to the rack 14a. The drive mechanism 20 lowers the rack member 14 along the main guide shaft 15 by the transmitted driving force.

  The rack member 14 continues to descend along the main guide shaft 15 as long as it engages with the pinion 28b over the entire region from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the rack 14a. At this time, the rack member 14 moves the upper rack 141a in a state of protruding to the Z axis direction positive side of the main frame 11 through the opening 111b of the top plate portion 11b from the opening 111b to the Z of the top plate portion 11b. Keep on the negative side in the axial direction. The rack member 14 descends to the lowest lowered position in its elevation range, that is, the lowest lowered position after completing the insertion of the upper rack 141a from the opening 111b to the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the top plate 11b. Along with such a rack member 14, the movable plate 13 in the toilet seat supporting state described above continues to descend from the highest position to the lowest position along the main guide shaft 15 and the sub guide shaft 16.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the rack member 14 is in the lowest lowered position (the lowest lowered state), the lower rack 141 b is in a state of entering the opening 111 a of the bottom plate portion 11 a. At this time, the end surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the lower rack 141b (the lower end surface of the rack 14a) enters the opening 111a of the bottom plate portion 11a and is positioned below the inner surface 116a of the bottom plate portion 11a. At this time, the lower end surface of the lower rack 141b is located in the opening 111a of the bottom plate portion 11a so as to protrude from the inner surface 116a of the bottom plate portion 11a toward the outer surface 117a side of the bottom plate portion 11a. .

  Further, when the rack member 14 is in the lowest lowered position, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower end surface (end surface on the Z axis direction negative side) of the sliding portion 14b of the rack member 14 is obstructed by the lower rack 141b. Without being done, it will be in the state which contacted the inner surface 116a of the baseplate part 11a. The rack 14a is in a state where the upper end tooth portion of the upper rack 141a and the pinion 28b of the drive mechanism 20 are engaged with each other.

(Positional relationship between rack of rack member and output gear)
Next, the positional relationship between the rack 14a of the rack member 14 of the toilet seat lifting apparatus 10 according to this embodiment and the output gear 28 built in the drive mechanism 20 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the rack 14a and the output gear 28 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the rack 14 a and the output gear 28 mesh with the teeth of the rack member 14 (the teeth of the rack 14 a) and the teeth of the rack member 14 when the rack member 14 is positioned at the lower end. And the gear teeth (the teeth of the output gear 28) to be engaged with each other by at least two teeth. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the rack member 14 is in the lowest lowered state and meshes at the end position of the rack 14a, at least between the teeth 1411a and the teeth 1412a and the teeth 1412a and the teeth of the upper rack 141a. The rack 14a and the output gear 28 are provided so that the teeth 281b to 28nb of the pinion 28b mesh at the same time with 1413a. The end position of the rack 14a is a position where the rack 14a meshes with the gear when the rack member 14 is in the lowest position. In the present embodiment, the rack member 14 that is moved by the driving force of the motor 23 is also referred to as a movable portion.

  Here, the two teeth meshing between the rack 14a and the pinion 28b may be provided, for example, so that the meshing depth is equal (the two teeth mesh equally). In this case, for example, the engagement state of the teeth of the pinion 28b engaged between the teeth 1411a and the teeth 1412a of the upper rack 141a, and the engagement state of the teeth of the pinion 28b engaged between the teeth 1412a and the teeth 1413a of the upper rack 141a. Are provided with the rack 14a and the output gear 28. Taking an example with reference to FIG. 9, the rack 14a and the output gear 28 so that the meshing depth of the teeth 281b of the pinion 28b with the rack 14a is equal to the meshing depth of the teeth 282b of the pinion 28b with the rack 14a. Is provided. That is, the rack 14a and the output gear 28 are provided so that the teeth 281b and the teeth 282b of the pinion 28b are symmetrically arranged with respect to the rack 14a. The meshing depth refers to the amount of rack tooth tips and pinion tooth tips.

  As described above, when the rack member 14 is positioned at the lower end, the toilet seat unit 4 is moved from the lowest lowered state by providing the teeth of the rack 14a and the teeth of the output gear 28 with at least two teeth. It is possible to disperse the load applied to the teeth when ascending, or the impact received by the teeth when the toilet seat unit 4 reaches the lowest position, and it is possible to prevent broken teeth and tooth skipping. Hereinafter, configuration examples for engaging the teeth of the rack 14a and the teeth of the output gear 28 with at least two teeth will be sequentially described.

(Configuration example of rack member)
First, a case where the rack 14a and the output gear 28 are meshed with two or more teeth by adjusting the meshing depth will be described. In this case, the rack member 14 is formed so that the engagement between the teeth of the rack 14a and the teeth of the output gear 28 has a predetermined engagement depth. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the rack member 14 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rack member 14 is engaged with the rack 14 a and the output gear 28 with two or more teeth by adjusting the distance “d1” from the center of the insertion hole 14 c to the tooth tip of the rack 14 a. Formed to be. That is, the rack member 14 is formed so that the rack 14a is brought close to the pinion 28b, so that the teeth 1411a, the teeth 1412a, and the teeth 1413a are close to the teeth of the pinion 28b even in the lowest lowered state. Thus, the rack 14a and the output gear 28 are engaged with at least two teeth.

  Here, the distance “d1” is determined according to the meshing depth of the meshing between the rack 14a and the output gear 28, for example. In this case, for example, the distance “d1” may be determined according to the proportion of teeth that are between the opposing teeth in the teeth to be engaged. As an example with reference to FIG. 10, in the tooth of the pinion 28b meshing between the tooth 1411a and the tooth 1412a in the rack 14a, the tooth 1411a and the tooth 1412a with respect to the toothpaste (distance from the tooth tip to the tooth bottom) In the tooth of the pinion 28b that meshes between the teeth 1412a and the teeth 1413a, the ratio of the distance between the teeth that is between the teeth 1412a and the teeth 1413a is between the teeth 1412a and the teeth 1413a. The distance “d1” is determined so that the ratio of the distance between the teeth is ½ or more.

  Here, the predetermined ratio is appropriately determined depending on, for example, the tooth “module”, “pressure angle”, “number of teeth”, “tooth size (tooth depth and tooth thickness)” in the rack 14a and the pinion 28b. Is set. That is, the “distance d1” is determined according to the tooth conditions in the rack 14a and the pinion 28b. The “distance d1” may be determined based on an existing product. In this case, for example, the “distance d1” is calculated based on the positional relationship between the existing rack member 14 and the output gear 28. Then, the existing mold is adjusted so that the distance from the center of the insertion hole 14c to the tooth tip of the rack 14a becomes the calculated “distance d1”. By producing the rack member 14 using the mold adjusted in this way, even if the rack member 14 is located at the lower end, the teeth of the rack 14a and the teeth of the output gear 28 are at least two teeth or more. Can be engaged with each other.

  Note that the distance to be set is not limited to “distance d1” illustrated in FIG. 10, and a distance at an arbitrary position may be set. That is, when adjusting the meshing depth, the distance at any position may be set as long as the length of the rack member 14 in the short direction (X-axis direction) is adjusted. As an example, the distance from the tooth tip of the rack 14a to an arbitrary position in the short direction of the rack member 14 may be set.

  Next, a case where the rack member 14 is engaged with two or more teeth by adjusting the position of the rack member 14 in the ascending / descending direction when the rack member 14 is located at the lower end will be described. In this case, the rack member 14 is formed with a convex member on the lower end surface, for example. FIG.11 and FIG.12 is a figure which shows the structural example of the convex member 142a formed in the rack member 14 which concerns on this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the rack member 14 includes a convex member 142a on the lower end surface of the sliding portion 14b. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the convex member 142a is formed in a circular shape having a through-hole having the same diameter as the insertion hole 14c on the lower end surface of the sliding portion 14b. As a result, the timing at which the rack member 14 reaches the lower end is advanced (that is, the timing at which the rack 14a and the pinion 28b are engaged when the rack member 14 reaches the lower end) is engaged at the end of the rack 14a. However, the rack 14a and the output gear 28 are engaged with each other with at least two teeth.

  Here, the height (distance in the Z-axis direction) of the convex member 142a may be appropriately set according to the size and arrangement state of the rack 14a and the output gear 28. In this case, the height (distance in the Z-axis direction) of the convex member 142a is determined by the “module”, “pressure angle”, “number of teeth” and “tooth size (tooth depth) of each tooth of the rack 14a and the output gear 28. Tooth thickness) ”and the positional relationship between the rack member 14 and the output gear 28. In addition, the case where the height of the convex member 142a is determined based on the existing product may be sufficient. In this case, for example, the height of the convex member 142 a is calculated based on the positional relationship between the existing rack member 14 and the output gear 28. And the convex member 142a of the calculated height is produced | generated and installed in the lower end of the existing rack member 14. FIG. Alternatively, the mold is adjusted so that the convex member 142a having the calculated height is formed. In addition, the shape of the convex member 142a and the position where it is formed are arbitrarily set. That is, the convex member 142a is not limited to the shape and position illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, and can be set as appropriate.

  The configuration for adjusting the position of the rack member 14 in the up-and-down direction when the rack member 14 is located at the lower end is not less than two teeth by shifting the tooth formation position with respect to the end of the rack 14a in addition to the above-described convex member 142a. You may implement | achieve the state meshed by. In this case, for example, it is realized by shifting the teeth of the rack 14a in the rack member 14 in the traveling direction (lifting direction). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of teeth formed on the rack member 14 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the rack member 14 is set to have a tooth formation position by adjusting a “distance d <b> 2” that is a distance from the lower end to the lowermost tooth in the rack 14 a. In this case, the “distance d3” that is the distance in the longitudinal direction of the rack 14a changes according to the adjustment of the “distance d2” in the Z-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG. Thereby, similarly to the case where the convex member 142a is formed, even if the timing of meshing between the rack 14a and the pinion 28b when the rack member 14 reaches the lower end is delayed and meshed at the end of the rack 14a, The rack 14a and the output gear 28 are engaged with at least two teeth. Further, it is also possible to adjust the phase of the pinion 28b when reaching the end position instead of adjusting the convex member 142a and the distance d2.

  Here, the “distance d2” may be appropriately set according to the size and arrangement state of the rack 14a and the output gear 28. In this case, the “distance d 2” includes the “module”, “pressure angle”, “number of teeth”, “tooth size (tooth depth and tooth thickness)” of each tooth of the rack 14 a and the output gear 28, and the rack member 14. And is determined based on the positional relationship of the output gear 28. The “distance d2” may be determined based on an existing product. In this case, for example, the “distance d2” is calculated based on the positional relationship between the existing rack member 14 and the output gear 28. Then, the mold is adjusted so that the distance from the lower end to the lowermost tooth in the rack 14a is formed by the calculated “distance d2.”

(Buffer member)
As described above, tooth breakage and tooth skipping in the rack 14a and the pinion 28b are caused when the toilet seat unit 4 is moved up and down by the driving force of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 (drive mechanism 20). It is caused by an impact that is received when the vehicle descends and reaches the lowest state. The rack member 14 that moves up and down while supporting the toilet seat unit 4 meshes with the pinion 28b from the upper side to the lower side of the rack 14a. The tooth breakage at 28b is likely to occur. Further, it is preferable to reduce the impact on the movable plate 13 fixed to the rack member 14. From the viewpoint of suppressing tooth breakage, it is preferable to provide a buffer member on the rack member 14 and the movable plate 13. In this embodiment, the structure which provided the buffer member in the lower side (protection part) of the raising / lowering direction of the rack member 14 is illustrated. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the buffer member 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows the lower end side of the rack member 14 in a state where the main guide shaft 15 is inserted through the insertion hole 14c and the rack 14a and the pinion 28b of the output gear 28 are engaged with each other. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the buffer member 30 is provided in the opening 111a on the lower end side (Z-axis direction negative side) of the rack 14a. Here, the buffer member 30 is provided on the lower side of the portion on the most negative side in the Z-axis direction in the rack member 14 that moves up and down while sliding the sliding portion 14 b along the main guide shaft 15. In other words, the buffer member 30 is provided on the lower side of the portion that becomes the lowermost portion when the rack member 14 reaches the lowest lowered state. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the buffer member 30 is disposed on the lower end side of the rack 14 a that is the portion that is the most negative in the Z-axis direction in the rack member 14. Thereby, the impact received when the toilet seat unit 4 reaches the lowest state can be eased, and tooth breakage and tooth skipping can be prevented. The buffer member 30 can be formed of any material including rubber, synthetic resin, gel, and the like.

  In the above description, a configuration in which the buffer member is provided on the lower end side (protection portion) of the rack member 14 is illustrated, but a configuration in which the protection portion is provided on the movable plate 13 (support portion) that descends integrally with the rack member 14 is also possible. It can be suitably employed. Specifically, for example, a protective portion may be provided on the lower surface (the surface fixed to the rear base 3) of the lower support portion 13a in the movable plate 13.

  Further, from the viewpoint of protecting from the influence of an impact, a protection unit may be provided in an element other than the movable plate 13. For example, a protective part may be provided in a part of the bottom plate part 11a of the main frame 11 that contacts the lower support part 13a of the movable plate 13, or a protective part may be provided on the lower surface (toilet seat unit) of the front base 7. Good. Further, a protective part may be provided on the contact surface between the rear base 3 and the movable plate 13. Furthermore, you may provide a protection part in the position which contacts the cover member 8 among the rear part upper surfaces 2b of the toilet bowl body 2. FIG. The above-described effects are also realized by the configuration in which the buffer member is provided in the protection unit exemplified above.

(Configuration example of rack member and reinforcing plate)
The toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a reinforcing plate that reinforces the rack member 14 to increase rigidity, thereby preventing the rack member 14 from being bent due to a load and maintaining a good meshing state of the gears. . FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the rack member 14 and the reinforcing plate 40 according to the present embodiment. 16 shows a cross-sectional view when the rack member 14 and the reinforcing plate 40 shown in FIG. 15 are cut along a straight line L1. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the reinforcing plate 40 has the same shape as the XZ plane of the rack member 14 and is fitted to the XZ plane on the Y axis direction negative side of the rack member 14. That is, the reinforcing plate 40 is aligned with the XZ plane on the Y axis direction negative side of the rack member 14 as illustrated in FIG. The rack member 14 is fixed by being fitted.

  Here, the rack member 14 and the reinforcing plate 40 can prevent the displacement of the reinforcing plate 40 by fitting the rack member 14 to the reinforcing plate 40. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the reinforcing plate 40 has a fitting recess 40 a on the surface facing the rack member 14, and the rack member 14 has a fitting recess 40 a on the surface facing the reinforcing plate 40. It has the fitting convex part 143a which can be fitted. That is, the fitting convex part 143 a of the rack member 14 is fitted to the fitting concave part 40 a of the reinforcing plate 40. Thereby, even when a load is applied to the rack member 14, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the reinforcing plate 40 with respect to the rack member 14. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rack member 14 from being bent due to the load, and to keep the gear meshing well. The fitting recess 40a includes a through hole. In the above description, the fitting concave portion 40a is formed in the reinforcing plate 40 and the fitting convex portion 144a is formed in the rack member 14. However, the reverse configuration may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10, when the rack member 14 is located at the lower end (when meshing with the output gear 28 at the end of the rack 14 a), it is possible to mesh with two or more teeth. It is possible to prevent tooth breakage and tooth skipping. Furthermore, smooth transmission of driving force can be realized by preventing tooth breakage and tooth skipping.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the toilet seat lifting device is described as an example of the drive device according to the present application. However, the technique of the present application can also be applied to other drive devices provided in a Western-style toilet. In the following modifications, an example of an opening / closing device that automatically opens and closes a toilet seat and a toilet lid of a toilet bowl will be described as a driving device according to the present application. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a Western-style toilet bowl to which the switchgear according to this modification is applied. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the western toilet 1 includes a toilet body 2, a toilet seat 5, a toilet lid 6, a cover member 8, and an opening / closing device 50. The opening / closing device 50 is disposed in the cover member 8 of the western toilet 1 with an electric toilet seat, and opens and closes the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the opening / closing device 50 according to the present modification. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the opening / closing device 50 according to the present modification includes a motor 52, a drive shaft 57 that opens and closes the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6, and the rotational force generated by the motor 52 to generate the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid. And a gear train for transmission to the six rotation shafts (drive shaft 57). That is, the drive shaft 57 is connected to the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6, and the drive shaft 57 is rotated by the driving force transmitted via the gear train, whereby the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are rotated. Here, the gear train in the opening / closing device 50 includes a worm wheel 53, a worm gear 54, a worm wheel 55, and a gear group 56, as illustrated in FIG. In this modification, the gear group 56 that rotates the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 by the driving force of the motor 23 is also called a movable portion.

  The worm wheel 53 meshes with a worm gear (not shown) attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 52, and the rotation of the motor 52 is transmitted. The worm gear 54 is fixed coaxially with the worm wheel 53 and rotates with the rotation of the worm wheel 53. The worm wheel 55 receives rotation from the worm gear 54 and transmits rotation to the gear group 56.

  The gear group 56 includes gears 56a to 56d as illustrated in FIG. The gear 56 a is fixed coaxially with the worm wheel 55, and rotates with the rotation of the worm wheel 55. The gear 56a meshes with the gear 56b, and transmits the transmitted rotation to the gear 56b. The gears 56b and 56c are fixed coaxially and rotate with the rotation of the gear 56a. Here, the gear 56c is a gear having a smaller diameter than the gear 56b. The gear 56d is provided on the drive shaft 57, and rotates with the rotation transmitted from the gear 56c, thereby rotating the drive shaft 57.

  The motor 52 is composed of a stepping motor or the like, and functions as a drive source / power source for opening / closing operations of the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6. A drive signal is supplied to the motor 52 via a lead wire (not shown). By supplying the drive signal, the rotation shaft of the motor 52 rotates. The motor to be used is not particularly limited such as a DC motor or a DC brushless motor other than the stepping motor. The opening / closing device 50 may be provided with a torque limiter that is a safety device that limits the torque to be transmitted.

  The technique according to the present application may be applied to the opening / closing device 50 illustrated in FIG. That is, the technique of the present application can be applied to a gear having at least one of the meshing gears having a terminal end. For example, the gear 56c and the gear 56d shown in FIG. 18 may be adjusted so as to mesh with at least two teeth at the terminal position of the gear 56d. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of meshing in the opening / closing device 50 according to this modification. FIG. 19 shows a state where the gear 56c and the gear 56d are reversed from the state shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the gear 56 d provided on the drive shaft 57 is a gear provided on a part of the periphery of the cylindrical drive shaft 57. That is, the gear 56d is not a gear having teeth over the entire circumference of the circle, but a gear having tooth ends. The technology according to the present application can also be applied to adjust the meshing state of such gears.

  For example, when the gear 56c meshes with the terminal end of the gear 56d (the teeth 561d to the teeth 563d or the teeth 5613d to the teeth 5615d), the teeth 56c and the gear 56d are provided so as to mesh with at least two teeth. The gear 56d is a gear provided on the drive shaft 57. For example, when the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are open, the gear 56c meshes with the teeth 561d to 563d, and the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are engaged with each other. When in the closed state, the gear 56c meshes with the teeth 5613d to 5615d. Here, when the gear 56c meshes at the end of the gear 56d, in order to mesh the gear 56c and the gear 56d with at least two teeth or more, for example, the diameter of the gear 56c or the gear 56d may be adjusted. Alternatively, the arrangement of the teeth 561d to the teeth 5615d of the gear 56d with respect to the drive shaft 57 may be changed. These changes include, for example, the “module”, “pressure angle”, “number of teeth” and “tooth size (tooth depth and tooth thickness)” of each tooth of the gear 56c and the gear 56d, the gear 56c and the gear 56d. It may be determined based on the positional relationship of the above, or may be determined based on an existing product.

  As described above, according to this modification, in the opening / closing device 50, when the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are located at the end of the rotation (when meshed at the end of the gear 56d), they are engaged with two or more teeth. It is possible to prevent tooth breakage and tooth skipping. For example, when the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are opened from a closed state, a large load is applied to the gears. In this modified example, at least two teeth or more can be engaged at this time, so that tooth breakage and tooth skipping can be prevented.

  In the above modification, the case where the meshing state between the gear 56d and the gear 56c provided on the drive shaft 57 is adjusted has been described as an example. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the terminal end is not limited thereto. The present invention may be applied to any gear as long as it has a gear.

  Further, in the above modification, the case where the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6 are automatically rotated has been described as an example, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and either one is automatically performed. It may be a case of rotating.

  Moreover, in the above-described embodiment and the modification, the example applied to the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 10 and the opening / closing device 50 of the western-style toilet 1 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and is provided in the western-style toilet 1. As long as at least one of the meshing gears includes a gear having a terminal end, the present invention may be applied to any driving device.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, the rack member 14 was illustrated as a movable part, and the gear group 56 was illustrated as a movable part in the modification. As understood from the above description, the “movable part” of the present invention includes both the rack member 14 and the gear group 56.

  In the above embodiment, the meshing depth means the amount of engagement between the rack tooth tip and the pinion tooth tip, but the meshing depth in the modified example means the amount of engagement between the gear 56c and the gear 56d. doing.

  Further, the present invention is not limited by the above embodiment. What was comprised combining each component mentioned above suitably is also contained in this invention. Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toilet seat elevating device 13 Movable plate 14 Rack member 14a Rack 23, 52 Motor 28b Pinion (gear)
30 shock absorbing member 40 reinforcing plate 40a fitting recess 50 opening / closing device 56 gear group 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d gear 142a convex member 143b fitting convex portion

Claims (8)

A motor that generates a driving force for moving the movable part in the Western-style toilet;
A gear for transmitting a driving force generated by the motor to the movable part;
With
The gear is provided with a drive device that is meshed with at least two teeth when meshed at the terminal position of the gear.   2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein two of at least two teeth meshing with each other in the gear have the same meshing depth. The movable part is a rack member that is movable up and down integrally with a support part that supports a toilet seat unit of the Western-style toilet.
When the rack member is located at the lower end and meshes with the gears facing each other at the end positions of the teeth of the rack member, the teeth of the rack member and the teeth of the gears facing each other mesh with at least two teeth or more. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the drive device is provided.   The drive device according to claim 3, wherein the rack member is formed such that meshing between the teeth of the rack member and the teeth of the gear has a predetermined meshing depth.   The drive device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a convex portion is formed on a lower end surface of the rack member. At least one of the toilet bowl main body, the toilet seat unit, the rack member, and the support part of the western style toilet has a protection part,
The drive device according to claim 3, wherein a buffer member is provided in the protection unit. A reinforcing plate for reinforcing the rack member;
The said reinforcement plate and the said rack member have a recessed part in each one of the mutually opposing surfaces, and have the convex part which can be fitted with the said recessed part in the other. Drive device. The movable part is a gear group that rotates the toilet seat or the toilet lid,
The gear group that meshes at the terminal position is provided so that the teeth of the gear group that meshes at the terminal position mesh with at least two teeth when the gear group that rotates the toilet seat and the toilet lid meshes at the terminal position. Drive device.

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