JP2018050432A - Electric actuator system and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hinder a decrease in accuracy in stopping an output shaft 127 in an electric actuator system.SOLUTION: On the basis of A-phase and B-phase pulse signals output from a pulse generation unit 158, a CPU 230 estimates, as a duty ratio D, an amount of friction between contact brushes 155, 156, caused by sliding, in a contact portion, of the contact brushes 155, 156 against the surface of a pattern plate 153. When controlling the DC motor 110 such that the rotated position of the output shaft 127 is stopped at a target position, the CPU 230 controls the timing of controlling a DC motor 110 in order to correct a stopped position of an output shaft 127 according to the duty ratio D. Accordingly, the stopped position of the output shaft 127 after the friction between the contact brushes 155, 156 can be made closer to the stopped position of the output shaft 127 before the friction between the contact brushes 155, 156.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric actuator system and an air conditioner.

  Conventionally, some electric actuator systems include an electric motor, an output shaft that outputs the rotational force of the electric motor, and a pattern plate that has a conductor pattern formed radially on the surface and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the electric motor. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the conductor pattern, the plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions form two rows corresponding to the two sliding contacts on a one-to-one basis, and in each of the two rows, the plurality of conductive portions, Conductive patterns are formed so that non-conductive portions are alternately arranged one by one.

  In this case, when the pattern plate is rotated, the sliding contacts are alternately brought into contact with the conductive portions and the non-conductive portions for each column, whereby the conduction and non-conduction of the sliding contacts are alternately switched for each column. The control circuit detects the rotational position of the output shaft by detecting a pulse signal for each column generated in accordance with switching between conduction and non-conduction. The control circuit controls the rotational position of the output shaft via the electric motor in accordance with the detected rotational position of the output shaft.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, one of the pulse signals for each column is referred to as an A-phase pulse signal, and the other pulse signal is referred to as a B-phase pulse signal.

JP 2010-115084 A

  In the electric actuator system, the control circuit can control the rotational position of the output shaft via the electric motor in accordance with the A-phase pulse signal and the B-phase pulse signal. However, the sliding contact is worn by sliding of the sliding contact with respect to the pattern plate. As a result, the contact area of the sliding contact that contacts the pattern plate increases (see FIGS. 10A to 10D). For this reason, the duty ratio of the pulse signal generated by the sliding of the plurality of sliding contacts with respect to the conductor pattern of the pattern plate changes.

  FIG. 15A shows a timing chart of the A phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is in the initial state, and FIG. 15B shows a timing chart of the B phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is in the initial state. FIG. 15C shows a timing chart of the A-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is worn, and FIG. 15D shows the B-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is worn. The timing chart is shown.

  First, when the sliding contact is worn, the timing at which the A-phase pulse signal changes from the low level signal to the high level signal is delayed compared to when the sliding contact is in the initial state.

  Here, the timing at which the control circuit determines that the rotational position of the output shaft has reached the target position is defined as the stop determination timing. For example, when the timing at which the A-phase pulse signal changes from the low-level signal to the high-level signal while the B-phase pulse signal is a high-level signal is set as the stop determination timing, the following problem occurs.

  That is, when the sliding contact is worn, the stop determination timing of the control circuit is delayed as compared with the case where the sliding contact is in the initial state. For this reason, when the sliding contact is worn, the power supply to the electric motor is stopped at a position where the output shaft is displaced from the original target position. Then, the output shaft stops after a free running distance from the rotational position where the power supply to the electric motor is stopped. For this reason, since the output shaft stops at a position where the output shaft deviates from the position where it should be stopped, the stop accuracy of the output shaft is lowered.

  In view of the above points, the present invention has a first object of estimating the amount of wear of a plurality of sliding contacts, and suppresses a decrease in the stopping accuracy of the output shaft even when the plurality of sliding contacts wear. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an electric actuator system and an air conditioner.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric actuator system that outputs the rotational force output from the electric motor (110) from the rotating shaft (127),
A pulse generator (158) that outputs a pulse signal indicating the rotational position of the rotary shaft;
A control circuit (230) for controlling the rotation of the electric motor according to the pulse signal output from the pulse generator,
The pulse generator
A pattern member having a conductor pattern formed on the surface, and a plurality of conductive portions (151a, 152a, 154a) in which a part of the conductor pattern is formed on the surface and a plurality of non-conductive elements in which the conductor pattern is not formed A pattern member (153) in which the portions (151b, 152b) are disposed;
A plurality of sliding contacts (155, 156, 157) which are conductors in contact with the surface of the pattern member,
The surface of the pattern member slides relative to each of the plurality of sliding contacts as the electric motor rotates.
The plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions form a plurality of rows corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of sliding contacts, and in each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of conductive portions, the plurality of non-conductive portions, However, conductor patterns are formed so that they are alternately arranged one by one.
When the plurality of sliding contacts slide relative to the surface of the pattern member, the plurality of sliding contacts are arranged with respect to the plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions arranged in the corresponding row among the plurality of rows. They are arranged so that they touch each other in turn,
The pulse generator outputs, for each sliding contact, a pulse signal whose duty ratio is the ratio between the contact period in which the sliding contact is in contact with the conductive part and the non-contact period in which the sliding contact is not in contact with the conductive part.
A wear estimation unit (S140) for estimating the wear amount of the plurality of sliding contacts caused by the sliding of the plurality of sliding contacts with respect to the surface of the pattern member based on the pulse signal for each sliding contact output from the pulse generation unit. Is provided.

  Thereby, the amount of wear of a plurality of sliding contacts can be estimated. However, the wear amount of the sliding contact is information indicating how much the sliding contact is worn.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the electric motor is controlled so as to control the rotational position of the rotating shaft, the timing for stopping the power supply to the electric motor according to the wear amount estimated by the wear estimation unit. The control part (S120-S170) which controls is provided.

  Thereby, even if a some sliding contact wears, it can suppress that the stop precision of an output shaft falls.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is a mimetic diagram of an air-conditioner for vehicles concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front view of the electric actuator of the said embodiment, (b) is a side view of the electric actuator of the said embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the electric actuator of the embodiment. (A) is a front view of the pattern plate of the said embodiment, (b) is a side view of (a). It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the pattern plate of FIG. It is a front view of the link in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric control circuit of the said embodiment. It is a chart which shows the pattern of the pulse signal output in order to detect a rotation angle in the rotation detection area | region of the said embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the contact state of the contact brush and pattern plate which is an initial stage of manufacture, (b) is a pulse waveform output from the pulse generation part of FIG. 8 in the state of (a). (C) is a diagram showing the contact state between the contact brush and the pattern plate after long-term use, and (d) is output from the pulse generator of FIG. 8 in the state of (c). FIG. FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a duty ratio of a pulse signal output from the pulse generation unit of FIG. 8 and an elapsed year. It is a flowchart of the motor control process which CPU of the electric control circuit of the said embodiment performs. FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a duty ratio of a pulse signal output from the pulse generation unit of FIG. 8 and a stop correction time (standby time). (A) is a timing chart of the A-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is in the initial state of manufacture in the embodiment, and (b) is the initial state of the sliding contact in the manufacture in the embodiment. (C) is a timing chart of the A-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is worn in the embodiment, and (d) is the timing chart of the B-phase pulse signal in the above embodiment. It is a timing chart of a B-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is in a worn state in the embodiment. (A) is a timing chart of the A-phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is in the initial state of manufacture in comparison, and (b) is the initial state of manufacture of the sliding contact in comparison. (C) is a timing chart of the A phase pulse signal when the sliding contact is worn in a proportional manner, and (d) is a sliding chart in the proportional manner. It is a timing chart of a B-phase pulse signal when the moving contact is in a worn state.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the electric actuator system of the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner will be described.

  The electric actuator system according to the present embodiment is used to drive the mode doors 7a, 7b, 7c of the indoor air conditioner 1 of the vehicle air conditioner as shown in FIG.

  The mode doors 7a, 7b and 7c open and close the defroster opening 6a, the face opening 6b and the foot opening 6c of the air conditioning casing 5 in the air conditioning casing 5 of the indoor air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. These are door members for controlling the air flow blown out from the face opening 6b and the foot opening 6c into the vehicle interior.

  The defroster opening 6a forms an air flow path for blowing an air flow from the air conditioning casing 5 to the inner surface of the windshield. The face opening 6b forms an air flow path for blowing an air flow from the air conditioning casing 5 to the upper occupant. The foot opening 6c forms an air flow path for blowing an air flow from the air conditioning casing 5 to the passenger's lower half. The mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c are driven by the electric actuator 100 to rotate.

  The mode door 7a opens and closes the defroster opening 6a by its rotation. The mode door 7b opens and closes the face opening 6b by its rotation. The mode door 7c opens and closes the foot opening 6c by its rotation.

  A blower unit 11 is provided on the air flow upstream side of the air conditioning casing 5. The blower unit 11 introduces air outside the vehicle compartment or air inside the vehicle through the inside / outside air introduction unit 12 and blows it out as an air flow.

  The air flow is cooled by the evaporator 4 and flows from the evaporator 4 through the defroster opening 6a, the face opening 6b, and the foot opening 6c into the vehicle interior. The air mix door 8 is a door member for controlling the flow of air flow.

  When the air mix door 8 is closed, the air flow bypasses the heater core 3, and when the air mix door 8 is open, the air flow passes through the heater core 3. When the air flow passes through the heater core 3, the heater core 3 heats the air flow through the heater core 3 using the cooling water of the engine 2 as a heat source.

  Depending on the position of the air mix door 8, the ratio of the air volume of the air flow flowing around the heater core 3 and the air volume of the air flow passing through the heater core 3 changes. Therefore, by controlling the position of the air mix door 8, the temperature of the airflow blown out from the openings 6a, 6b, 6c into the vehicle compartment can be adjusted. The openings 6a, 6b, and 6c collectively represent the defroster opening 6a, the face opening 6b, and the foot opening 6c.

  2 is an external view of the electric actuator 100 ((a) is a front view, (b) is a side view), and FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the electric actuator 100. This electric actuator 100 has a DC motor 110 and a speed reduction mechanism 120 as electric motors.

  The motor 110 has an output shaft 111 that rotates by obtaining electric power from a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, and the speed reduction mechanism 120 receives the rotational force input from the output shaft 111 of the DC motor 110. It is a speed change mechanism that decelerates and outputs to the mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c. Hereinafter, a mechanism unit that rotationally drives the DC motor 110, the speed reduction mechanism 120, and the like is referred to as a drive unit 130.

  The speed reduction mechanism 120 is a gear train including a worm 121 press-fitted into the output shaft 111 of the DC motor 110, a worm wheel 122 meshing with the worm 121, and a plurality of spur gears 123 and 124. The step gear (output side gear) 126 is provided with an output shaft 127. The operation of the speed reduction mechanism 120 causes the output shaft 127 to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the output shaft 111 of the DC motor 110. At this time, the rotational angular velocity of the output shaft 127 becomes smaller than the rotational angular velocity of the output shaft 111.

  The electric actuator 100 also has a casing 140 that houses the drive unit 130. The electric actuator 100 has contact brushes 155 to 157 fixed to the casing 140.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the speed reduction mechanism 120 is integrated with the output shaft 127 on the output side (output shaft 127) from the input gear (worm 121) directly driven by the DC motor 110. A pulse pattern plate (hereinafter simply referred to as a pattern plate) 153 is provided as a rotating non-conductive printed circuit board. The pattern plate 153 corresponds to an example of a pattern member.

  The angular range in the circumferential direction around the rotation center of the pattern plate 153 is divided into a rotation detection area 300 and an initialization area 301 having an angle γ, as shown in FIG. The rotation detection area 300 is used to generate a pulse signal pattern used to detect increase / decrease (that is, rotation position) of the rotation angle of the pattern plate 153, as will be described later.

  The initialization area 301 is used to generate a pulse signal pattern (hereinafter referred to as an initialization signal pattern) indicating the origin position of the pattern plate 153 (or mode doors 7a, 7b, 7c).

  A conductor pattern (that is, a conductor having a specific shape) is printed on one surface of the pattern plate 153 (hereinafter referred to as a pattern surface). The conductor pattern is formed by performing nickel plating on a copper foil and applying gold plating thereon.

  Hereinafter, the arrangement of the conductor pattern will be described in detail. In the following description, the rotation center of the pattern plate 153 is simply referred to as the rotation center, and the distance from the rotation center on the pattern surface is referred to as the center distance. Further, the circumference around the center of rotation is simply called the circumference. The angle on the pattern surface viewed from the center of rotation is simply referred to as the center angle. Further, an angle range in which each part on the pattern surface is viewed from the rotation center is referred to as an angular width of the part. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the pattern plate 153 is displaced by sliding is the circumferential direction of the circumference defined here (that is, the circumferential direction). Therefore, this circumferential direction is the sliding direction. It corresponds to an example. Further, the angle width is the same as the time width if the rotational angular velocity of the pattern plate 153 is constant. In this embodiment, since the rotation speed when the DC motor 110 is rotated is controlled to be constant, the rotation speed when the pattern plate 153 is rotated is also constant.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the conductor pattern has a plurality of (for example, 100 or more) conductive portions 151 a, the same number of conductive portions 152 a as the conductive portions 151 a, and one conductive portion 154 a. .

  The conductive portions 151a are arranged in a line on the circumference having the largest center distance among the conductive portions 151a, 152a, and 154a.

  Of the entire range of the central angle, in the rotation detection region 300, each of the plurality of conductive portions 151a has a radius r2 centered at the rotation center from a sector having a radius r1 and an angle α1 centered on the rotation center (where r2 <R1), a shape with the sector of angle α1 removed. The radiuses r1 and r2 and the angle α1 are the same for any conductive part 151a in the rotation detection region 300. Therefore, the angle widths of the conductive portions 151a in the rotation detection region 300 are all equal to the angle α1.

  In addition, the conductive portions 151a in the rotation detection region 300 are arranged at regular intervals on the circumference. The angular width of the interval between two adjacent conductive portions 151a is β1. This angle β1 is larger than the angle α1 corresponding to the circumferential width of the conductive portion 151a. For example, the angle β1 may be 1.5 times the angle α1. Each of the plurality of portions 151b located between the conductive portions 151a is a non-conductive portion 151b in which no conductor pattern is formed.

  Further, in the initialization area 301 other than the rotation detection area 300 in the entire range of the central angle, one of the plurality of conductive portions 151a is arranged. The conductive portion 151 a in the initialization region 301 has a larger angle width than the other conductive portions 151 a, covers the entire initialization region 301, and protrudes from the rotation detection region 300 from one side of the initialization region 301. .

  More specifically, the conductive portion 151a in the initialization region 301 has a shape obtained by removing a sector having a radius r2 and an angle η centered on the rotation center from a sector having a radius r1 and an angle η centered on the rotation center. . Here, the angle η is larger than the angle range γ of the rotation detection region 300.

  The conductive portion 151a in the initialization region 301 is separated from the conductive portion 151a in the region 300 at both ends in the circumferential direction, and the angular width of the separated portion is an angle β1. This interval portion is also the non-conductive portion 151b where the conductor pattern is not formed.

  The conductive portions 152a are arranged in a line on a circle having the second largest center distance among the conductive portions 151a, 152a, and 154a. In the rotation detection region 300, each of the plurality of conductive portions 152a has a sector shape with a radius r3 and an angle α2 centered on the rotation center, and a sector shape with a radius r4 (r4 <r3) and an angle α2 centered on the rotation center. The shape has been removed. The radiuses r3 and r4 and the angle α2 are the same for any conductive part 152a in the rotation detection region 300. Therefore, the angle widths of the conductive portions 152a in the rotation detection region 300 are all equal to the angle α2. The radius r3 is equal to the radius r2 described above, and the angle α2 is equal to the angle α1 described above.

  The conductive portions 152a in the rotation detection region 300 are arranged at a certain interval on the circumference. The angular width of the interval between two adjacent conductive parts is β2. This angle β2 is equal to the above-described β1, and is larger than the angle α2 corresponding to the circumferential width of the conductive portion 152a. For example, the angle β2 may be 1.5 times the angle α2. The plurality of portions 152b positioned between the conductive portions 152a are non-conductive portions 152b where no conductor pattern is formed.

  In the initialization region 301, one of the plurality of conductive portions 152a is disposed. The conductive portion 152 a in the initialization region 301 has a larger angle width than the other conductive portions 152 a, covers the entire initialization region 301, and protrudes from the rotation detection region 300 from one side of the initialization region 301. . The side where the conductive portion 152a protrudes from the initialization region 301 and the side where the conductive portion 151a protrudes from the initialization region 301 are opposite to each other.

  More specifically, the conductive portion 152a in the initialization region 301 has a shape obtained by removing a sector having a radius r4 and an angle ζ centered on the rotation center from a sector having a radius r3 and an angle ζ centered on the rotation center. . Here, the angle ζ is larger than the angle range γ of the rotation detection region 300.

  In addition, the conductive portion 152a in the initialization region 301 is separated from the conductive portion 152b in the region 300 at both ends in the circumferential direction, and the angular width of the separated portion is an angle β2. This spacing portion is also a non-conductive portion 152b where no conductor pattern is formed.

  As described above, in the rotation detection region 300, the plurality of conductive portions 151a and the plurality of non-conductive portions 151b are alternately arranged on the circumference one by one at equal intervals, and the plurality of conductive portions 152a. And a plurality of non-conductive portions 152b are arranged in a second row alternately on the circumference at regular intervals.

  Hereinafter, a pattern of change in conductivity / non-conductivity along the circumferential direction including a plurality of conductive portions 151a and a plurality of non-conductive portions 151b on the circumference is referred to as a first pattern 151, and the plurality of conductive portions 152a and the plurality of conductive portions 152a A pattern of change in conductivity / non-conductivity along the circumferential direction formed of the non-conductive portion 152b is referred to as a second pattern 152.

  Thus, in each of the two rows forming the first pattern and the second pattern, the width in the sliding direction of the plurality of conductive portions in the row is the sliding direction of the plurality of non-conductive portions in the row. It is shorter than the width.

  In the rotation detection region 300, the phase of the conductive and non-conductive patterns in the circumferential direction (specifically, the phase of the central angle) is shifted between the first pattern 151 and the second pattern 152. Yes. That is, the first pattern 151 and the second pattern 152 are not switched to the conductive portion at the same central angle position along the circumferential direction, and are not conductive at the same central angle position. It is not designed to switch to a department. The angle ε in which the shift between the first pattern and the second pattern is estimated from the rotation center is not less than ½ of α1 (= α2) and not more than the upper limit value εmax. For example, the angle ε may be 2/3 of α1 (= α2).

  This upper limit value εmax is a value smaller than 1, and is determined by the time resolution of pulse signal detection in the electric control circuit 200 described later and the rotational angular velocity of the pattern plate 153. That is, even when the pattern plate 153 rotates, the maximum phase shift angle at which the electric control circuit 200 can detect the transition from state A → state B → state C is the upper limit value εmax.

  Here, the state A is a state where the contact brush 155 is in contact with the conductive portion 151a and the contact brush 156 is not in contact with the conductive portion 152a (corresponding to an example of a partial contact partially non-contact state). The state B is a state where the contact brush 155 contacts the conductive portion 151a and the contact brush 156 also contacts the conductive portion 152a (corresponding to an example of a full contact state). The state C is a state where the contact brush 155 does not contact the conductive portion 151a and the contact brush 156 contacts the conductive portion 152a (corresponding to an example of a partial contact partially non-contact state).

  The conductive portion 154a is disposed across the entire rotation detection region 300 and both ends of the initialization region 301 on the circumference having the smallest center distance among the conductive portions 151a, 152a, and 154a. . The conductive portion 154a has a shape obtained by removing a sector having a radius r6 (r6 <r5) and an angle δ centered on the rotation center from a sector having a radius r5 and an angle δ centered on the rotation center. Here, the angle δ is larger than an angle corresponding to the entire range of the rotation detection region 300 (that is, 360 ° −γ), and r5 is equal to the above-described r4.

  Moreover, in the initialization area | region 301, there exists the part 154b located between the both ends of the circumferential direction of the electroconductive part 154a. This portion 154b is a non-conductive portion where no conductor pattern is formed. The pattern of change of conductivity / non-conductivity along the circumferential direction composed of one conductive portion 154a and one non-conductive portion 154b is hereinafter referred to as a common pattern 154.

  As described above, the radius r2 of the inner peripheral end position of the conductive portion 151a and the radius r3 of the outer peripheral end position of the conductive portion 152a are equal, and the radius r4 of the inner peripheral end position of the conductive portion 152a and the conductive portion 154a The radius r5 at the outer peripheral end position is equal. Therefore, the conductive portion 152a is electrically connected to the conductive portion 154a, and the conductive portion 151a is electrically connected to the conductive portion 152a whose angle ranges partially overlap. Further, the conductive portions 151a and 152a and the conductive portion 154a of the common pattern 154 may be electrically connected by a connection member (not shown).

  Further, first to third contact brushes (electrical contacts) 155 to 157 made of a copper-based conductive material connected to the positive electrode side of the battery are fixed to the casing 140 by resin integral molding. As the contact brushes 155 to 157, for example, phosphor bronze obtained by applying nickel plating may be used. A plurality of contact portions 155a near the tip of the first contact brush 155 (corresponding to an example of a sliding contact) contact the first pattern 151, and the second contact brush 156 (corresponding to an example of a sliding contact). A plurality of contact portions 156a close to the tip of the third contact point are in contact with the second pattern 152, and a plurality of contact portions 157a close to the tip of the third contact brush 157 are in contact with the common pattern 154.

  When the electric actuator 100 is manufactured, the angular width of the contact portions 155a, 156a, and 157a is very small compared to the individual angular widths of the conductive portions 151a and 152a and the nonconductive portions 151b and 152b.

  In the present embodiment, each of the contact portions 155a, 156a, and 157a where the first to third contact brushes 155 to 157 are in contact with the pattern plate 153 is set to two points or more (four points in this embodiment). Thus, the electrical connection between the first to third contact brushes 155 to 157 and the conductive portions 151a, 152a, and 154a is ensured. Further, contact portions 155a, 156a, and 157a between the first to third contact brushes 155 to 157 and the surface of the pattern plate 153 are aligned in the radial direction as seen from the center of rotation, as shown in FIGS. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a link 160 that swings the mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c is press-fitted and fixed to the output shaft 127.

  The link 160 is formed in a disk shape as shown in FIG. On the surface side of the link 160, grooves 170 and 171 that are concave on one side in the thickness direction (the axial direction of the output shaft 127) are provided. The grooves 170 and 171 are provided independently. On the back surface side of the link 160, one groove (not shown) that is concave is provided on the other side in the thickness direction (the axial direction of the output shaft 127).

  Here, in order to distinguish the front surface side grooves 170 and 171 of the link 160 from one groove on the back surface side of the link 160 for convenience, the front surface side groove 170 is referred to as a first groove 170, and the front surface side groove 171 is defined as The second groove 171 is used, and one groove on the back side is the third groove.

The 1st groove | channel 170 is comprised so that the pin 10a provided in the mode door 7a can slide.
The pin 10a is provided on the arm portion 9a of the mode door 7a. The arm portion 9a is formed so as to extend outward from the axis of the mode door 7a in the radial direction around the axis. The pin 10a is formed so as to protrude in the axial direction from the arm portion 9a.

The 2nd groove | channel 171 is comprised so that the pin 10b provided in the mode door 7b can slide.
The pin 10b is provided on the arm portion 9b of the mode door 7b. The arm portion 9b is formed so as to extend outward from the axis of the mode door 7b in the radial direction around the axis. The pin 10b is formed so as to protrude in the axial direction from the arm portion 9b.

  The 3rd groove is constituted so that pin 10c provided in mode door 7c can slide. The pin 10c is provided on the arm portion 9c of the mode door 7c. The arm portion 9c is formed so as to extend outward from the axis of the mode door 7c in the radial direction around the axis. The pin 10c is formed so as to protrude in the axial direction from the arm portion 9c.

  The first groove 170 is provided with an idle section 170 a formed in an arc shape centering on the axis of the output shaft 127.

  When the pin 10a moves in the idle section 170a of the first groove 170, the rotational force of the output shaft 127 is stopped from being transmitted to the mode door 7a through the link 160 and the pin 10a. On the other hand, when the pin 10a moves in a region other than the idle section 170a in the first groove 170, the rotational force of the output shaft 127 is transmitted to the mode door 7a through the link 160 and the pin 10a.

  The second groove 171 is provided with an idle section 171 a that is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis of the output shaft 127.

  When the pin 10b moves in the idle section 171a of the second groove 171, the rotational force of the output shaft 127 is stopped from being transmitted to the mode door 7b through the link 160 and the pin 10b. On the other hand, when the pin 10b moves in a region other than the idle section 171a in the second groove 171, the rotational force of the output shaft 127 is transmitted to the mode door 7b through the link 160 and the pin 10b.

  The third groove is provided with an idle section (not shown) formed in an arc shape centering on the axis of the output shaft 127.

  When the pin 10c moves in the idle section of the third groove, the transmission of the rotational force of the output shaft 127 to the mode door 7c through the link 160 and the pin 10c is stopped. On the other hand, when the pin 10c moves in an area other than the idle section in the third groove, the rotational force of the output shaft 127 is transmitted to the mode door 7c through the link 160 and the pin 10c.

  Therefore, by controlling the rotation angle of the output shaft 127 (that is, the operating position of the output shaft 127), the positions of the mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c can be controlled independently.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the electric actuator 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a circuit configuration of the electric control circuit 200 of the electric actuator 100. The electric control circuit 200 includes a motor drive circuit 210 that drives the DC motor 110, a pulse signal detection circuit 220 that detects a pulse signal generated by the pattern plate 153, and a CPU 230. These circuits 210, 220, and 230 are supplied with a constant voltage from a constant voltage circuit (not shown) connected to the battery via an ignition switch.

  The pulse generator 158 is composed of first to third contact brushes 155, 156, 157 and a pattern plate 153, and is a circuit that outputs a pulse signal indicating the rotational position of the output shaft 127. In FIG. 8, the pulse generator 158 is replaced with an electrically equivalent diagram. The pulse generator 158 outputs an initialization signal pattern indicating the origin position and a pulse signal for detecting the rotation of the output shaft 127.

  The switch 158a is configured by the first contact brush 155 and the first pattern 151, and switches according to the rotation of the output shaft 127. That is, on / off is switched according to the rotation of the output shaft 127. Specifically, the switch 158a is turned on during the contact period in which the contact portion 155a of the contact brush 155 is in contact with the conductive portion 151a. Further, since the contact portion 155a of the contact brush 155 is in the non-conductive portion 151b, the switch 158a is turned off during a non-contact period in which the contact portion 155a is not in contact with the conductive portion 151a.

  The switch 158b is configured by the second contact brush 156 and the second pattern 152, and switches according to the rotation of the output shaft 127. Specifically, the switch 158b is turned on during the contact period in which the contact portion 156a of the contact brush 156 is in contact with the conductive portion 152a. In the non-contact period in which the contact portion 156a of the contact brush 156 is in the non-conductive portion 152b and is not in contact with the conductive portion 152a, the switch 158b is turned off.

  Further, the switch 158c is configured by the third contact brush 157 and the common pattern 154, and switches according to the rotation of the output shaft 127. Specifically, the switch 158c is turned on during the contact period in which the contact portion 157a of the contact brush 157 is in contact with the conductive portion 154a. In the non-contact period in which the contact portion 156a of the contact brush 157 is in the non-conductive portion 154b and is not in contact with the conductive portion 154a, the switch 158c is turned off.

  Here, one end of the switch 158c, that is, one end of the third contact brush 157 is electrically connected to the ground.

  Pull-up resistors R1 and R2 are connected to connection points 221 and 222 between the pulse signal detection circuit 220 and the switches 158a and 158b. The pull-up resistors R1 and R2 are resistance elements connected between the connection points 221 and 222 and the constant voltage power supply Vd. Accordingly, A-phase and B-phase pulse signals are generated from the switches 158a and 158b in accordance with the on / off changes of the switches 158a, 158b and 159c accompanying the rotation of the output shaft 127, respectively.

  As a specific operation for generating the pulse signal, first, the DC motor 110 is driven by the motor driving circuit 210, and the pattern plate 153 and the output shaft 127 are rotated in accordance with the driving of the DC motor 110. The case where ˜157 is in contact with the rotation detection region 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

  In this case, while the third contact brush 157 is in contact with the conductive portion 154a, the contact portion 155a of the first contact brush 155 is in the energized (ON) state in contact with the conductive portion 151a and in the non-conductive portion 151b. The non-energized (OFF) state that does not come into contact with 151a occurs alternately, and the contact portion 156a of the second contact brush 156 is in the energized (ON) state that makes contact with the conductive part 152a and the non-conductive part 152b. The non-energized (OFF) state which does not contact 152a occurs alternately.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows changes in pulse signals generated in the first and second contact brushes 155 and 156 in this case. The horizontal axis direction (left-right direction) in FIG. 9 indicates the central angle. The upper part of FIG. 9 shows the change in the contact relationship between the contact brushes 155 to 157 and the patterns 151, 152, and 154 as the pattern plate 153 rotates. The hatched portions correspond to the conductive portions 151a, 152a, and 154a, and the portions without the hatched portions correspond to the non-conductive portions 151b, 152b, and 154b. The lower part of FIG. 9 shows changes in the A-phase pulse signal (ie, the output signal pattern 191 in FIG. 9) and changes in the B-phase pulse signal (ie, the output signal in FIG. 9). A signal pattern 192) is shown.

  As shown in this figure, the switching timing between the energized state and the non-energized state of the first contact brush 155 does not coincide with the switching timing of the energized state and the non-energized state of the second contact brush 155. This is due to the fact that the first pattern 151 and the second pattern 152 are out of phase.

  When the pattern plate 153 is displaced (specifically, rotated) in the forward rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 4, left direction in FIG. 8), the contact points between the contact brushes 155 to 157 and the patterns 151, 152, and 154 change. Accordingly, in the A phase, the signal is low level “0” in the normal state in which the contact brush 155 is in contact with the conductive portion 151a, and the signal is in the non-energized state in which the contact brush 155 is not in contact with the conductive portion 151a. Becomes the high level “1”.

  That is, the A-phase pulse signal is a pulse signal having a duty ratio Da as a ratio between a contact period in which the contact brush 155 is in contact with the conductive portion 151a and a non-contact period in which the contact brush 155 is not in contact with the conductive portion 151a. It becomes.

  Similarly, in the B phase, the signal is low level “0” in the normal state where the contact brush 156 is in contact with the conductive portion 152a, and the signal is high in the non-energized state where the contact brush 156 is not in contact with the conductive portion 152a. Level “1”.

  That is, the B-phase pulse signal is a pulse signal having a duty ratio Da as a ratio between a contact period in which the contact brush 156 is in contact with the conductive part 152a and a non-contact period in which the contact brush 156 is not in contact with the conductive part 152a. Become.

  Therefore, when the combination of the signal levels of the A phase and the B phase is described in the form of “A phase level, B phase level”, the signal level becomes “1” as the pattern plate 153 rotates in the forward rotation direction. , 0 ”,“ 1, 1 ”,“ 0, 1 ”,“ 0, 0 ”. Hereinafter, the circulation pattern of this combination of pulse signals is referred to as a positive rotation signal pattern. Conversely, as the pattern plate 153 rotates in the reverse rotation direction (the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction), the signal levels are “0, 0”, “0, 1”, “1, 1”, “1”. , 0 ”in a cyclical order. Hereinafter, the circulation pattern of this combination of pulse signals is referred to as a reverse rotation signal pattern.

  Note that the above-mentioned patent document describes the case where the direct current motor 110 rotates and the pattern plate 153 and the output shaft 127 rotate so that the first, second, and third contact brushes 155, 156, and 157 are in contact with the initialization region 301. Since this is the same as 1, description thereof is omitted.

  As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the first, second, and third contact brushes 155, 156, and 157 and the pattern plate 153 generate a pulse signal each time the output shaft 127 rotates by a predetermined angle. A pulse generator 158 (see FIG. 8) including 158a to 158c is configured.

  As described above, the switches 158a and 158b are constituted by the contact brushes 155 and 156 and the first and second patterns 151 and 152, and are connected in parallel between the constant voltage power supply Vd (power supply circuit) and the ground. And switching individually to generate a pulse signal based on the rotation of the DC motor 110. The switch 158c is configured by the third contact brush 157 and the common pattern 154, and switches between the switches 158a and 158b and the ground based on the rotation of the DC motor 110.

  Further, since the phase of the first pattern 151 and the phase of the second pattern 152 are out of phase, the pulse generator 158 has an A-phase pulse signal 191 generated by the first pattern 151 and the first contact brush 155, and Even between the B-phase pulse 192 generated by the second pattern 152 and the second contact brush 156, a deviation occurs in the rising timing and falling timing of the signal.

  By utilizing this, in the present embodiment, the rising edge of any one of the A-phase pulse and the B-phase pulse (that is, the switching of the signal level from “0” to “1”) first occurs in the pulse signal detection circuit 220. , The rotational direction of the DC motor 110 (output shaft 127) is detected.

  Further, when the first and second contact brushes 155 and 156 are in the initial state at the time of manufacture, the contact brushes 155 and 156 are set so that the duty ratios Da and Db of the A-phase pulse and the B-phase pulse are 50%. Has been.

  Here, as time passes, the wear of the contact brushes 155 and 156 on the pattern surface of the pattern plate 153 progresses. Then, the area of the plurality of contact portions 155a (156a) of the contact brush 155 (156) increases (see FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D). Accordingly, the high level period is shortened in the A-phase pulse signal and the B-phase pulse signal. For this reason, as the contact brushes 155 and 156 wear, the duty ratios Da and Db become smaller (see FIG. 11).

  For this reason, the rising timing (or falling timing) of the A phase pulse or the B phase pulse is offset as the contact brushes 155 and 156 are worn. Therefore, when the rising timing (or falling timing) of the A-phase pulse or B-phase pulse is detected as the stop position of the output shaft 127, the stop position of the output shaft 127 is changed along with the wear of the contact brushes 155 and 156. Deviation occurs.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 230 of the electric control circuit 200 shifts the stop position of the output shaft 127 according to the amount of wear of the contact brushes 155 and 156 when executing the motor control process for controlling the DC motor 110. suppress. The amount of wear of the contact brushes 155 and 156 is information indicating how much the contact brush is worn.

  The CPU 230 of this embodiment performs communication with another ECU (electronic control unit) 400. Further, the CPU 230 outputs the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 from the speaker 240 as audio information, as will be described later.

  Next, details of the motor control process executed by the CPU 230 of the electric control circuit 200 will be described. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of this motor control process.

  When the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on, the CPU 230 first sets an initial position in step S100. The initial position setting is a process for matching the origin of the operating position of the output shaft 127 with the initialization area 301.

  In the initial position setting, the CPU 230 drives the DC motor 110 by outputting a control signal to the motor drive circuit 210 so that the pattern plate 153 rotates in a predetermined initialization direction (for example, the reverse rotation direction). The A-phase and B-phase pulse signals 191 and 192 output from the pulse generator 158 according to the driving of the DC motor 110 are detected by the pulse signal detection circuit 220, and the pulses detected by the pulse signal detection circuit 220 are detected. It waits until the initialization signal pattern is included in the signal, that is, until the ends of the contact brushes 155 to 157 reach the initialization region 301. And when it reaches | attains, the drive of the DC motor 110 is stopped and the stop position is set to an origin position.

  The origin position is set by setting both the current value of the pulse count in a memory (not shown) (eg, RAM) in the CPU 230 and the origin value of the pulse count in the memory of the CPU 230 to a predetermined reference value (eg, 1). Realize with.

  Here, the pulse count is increased by one count whenever the combination of the high and low levels of the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals changes in the forward rotation direction, and only by one count every time when the combination changes in the reverse rotation direction. It is a decreasing count. For example, regarding the positive rotation direction, when the signal level of the A phase and the B phase changes from “1, 0” to “1, 1”, changes from “1, 1” to “0, 1”, “ When changing from “0, 1” to “0, 0” and when changing from “0, 0” to “1, 0”, the pulse count increases by one count.

  Subsequently, in step 120, the target value setting timing is waited, and when the setting timing comes, the target value is set. The target value setting timing may be, for example, a timing at which a driver has operated an unillustrated blowing mode setting button. The target value is a relative pulse count value from the origin position, which is determined based on the target positions of the mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c. Information on the correspondence between the target positions of the mode doors 7a, 7b, and 7c and the target value of the pulse count may be recorded in advance in the memory of the electric control circuit 200. In that case, the CPU 230 specifies the target value of the pulse count from the target position of the air mix door 8 based on the information on the correspondence relationship.

  Subsequently, in step S120, the CPU 230 compares the target value of the pulse count with the current relative value, and determines whether or not they match. Here, the current relative value is a value obtained by subtracting the origin value of the pulse count from the current value of the pulse count.

  If NO is determined in step S120 that the pulse count target value does not match the current relative value, then in step S130, the motor drive circuit 210 is controlled to rotate the DC motor 110. Specifically, the DC motor 110 is rotated so that the pattern plate 153 rotates in a direction in which the current position approaches the target position. Then, the current value of the pulse count is changed based on the change in the combination of the A-phase and B-phase signals from the pulse signal detection circuit 220. Specifically, when the combination of A-phase and B-phase signals changes once in the forward rotation pattern, the current value of the pulse count is increased by 1 count, and the combination of A-phase and B-phase signals in the reverse rotation pattern becomes 1. When the number of times changes, the current value of the pulse count is decreased by one count.

  Next, the CPU 230 calculates the representative value of the duty ratio of the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals from the pulse signal detection circuit 220 (step 140).

  For example, any one of the duty ratio DA of the A phase pulse signal, the duty ratio DB of the B phase pulse signal, and the average value of the duty ratio DA and the duty ratio DB is set to the duty ratio of the A phase and B phase pulse signals. It is a representative value. Hereinafter, a representative value of the duty ratio of the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals is simply referred to as a duty ratio D.

  When the high level period of the A-phase pulse signal is AH and the low level period of the A-phase pulse signal is AL, the duty ratio DA is obtained as shown in Equation 1.

DA = AH / (AH + AL)... Formula 1
When the high level period of the B-phase pulse signal is BH and the low level period of the B-phase pulse signal is BL, the duty ratio DB is obtained as shown in Equation 1.

DB = BH / (BH + BL)... Formula 2
In the present embodiment, the CPU 230 determines that the difference between the actual value of the duty ratio D (hereinafter referred to as the actual value) and “0.5” that is the initial value of the duty ratio D is dD (= “0.5” − “Actual value of duty ratio D”) is calculated as the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157. As a result, the actual value of the duty ratio D, the initial value “0.5”, and the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 are estimated.

  Accordingly, the CPU 230 outputs audio information indicating the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 from the speaker 240. Thereby, the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 can be transmitted to the user.

  Next, the CPU 230 calculates a stop timing correction time τ based on the duty ratio D of the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals (step 150).

  The stop timing correction time τ is time information indicating how much the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 affects the stop position of the output shaft 127, and controls the timing of stopping the power supply to the DC motor 110. It is the time used to do.

  Specifically, the stop timing correction time τ waits until the power supply of the DC motor 110 is stopped when it is determined that the current relative value (current location) matches the pulse count of the target value, as will be described later. The waiting time should be. Although the stop timing correction time τ varies depending on the rotation speed of the DC motor 110, in this embodiment, the rotation speed of the DC motor 110 is set to a constant speed.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the duty ratio D and the stop timing correction time τ are in a one-to-one relationship, and show the correspondence between the duty ratio D and the stop timing correction time τ. Conversion data is stored in advance in a memory in the CPU 230.

  The conversion data is obtained by experiments (or calculations) from the rotational speed of the DC motor 110 and the wear characteristics of the contact brushes 155 to 157.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stop timing correction time τ corresponding to the duty ratio D is obtained based on the data and the duty ratio D.

  For example, in the case of a stop pattern (denoted as HH pattern in FIG. 13) where the B-phase pulse signal is at a high level and the rising timing at which the A-phase pulse transitions from a low level to a high level is the stop position, the duty ratio DA is “ The smaller the value from 0.5 ", the smaller the stop timing correction time τ (see FIG. 13). This is because the rise timing of the A-phase pulse becomes later as the duty ratio D becomes smaller.

  In the case of a stop pattern (denoted as an LH pattern in FIG. 13) with the rising timing at which the A-phase pulse is at a low level and the B-phase pulse signal shifts from a low level to a high level, the duty ratio DA is “0. The stop timing correction time τ decreases as the value decreases from 5 ”(see FIG. 13). This is because the rise timing of the B-phase pulse becomes later as the duty ratio D becomes smaller.

  On the other hand, in the case of a pattern in which the B-phase pulse signal is at a low level and the falling timing at which the A-phase pulse transitions from a high level to a low level is a stop position (denoted as LL pattern in FIG. 13), the duty ratio D is “ The smaller the value from “0.5”, the longer the stop timing correction time τ (see FIG. 13). This is because the fall timing of the A-phase pulse becomes earlier as the duty ratio D becomes smaller.

  In the case of a stop pattern (denoted as an HL pattern in FIG. 13) having a falling timing at which the A-phase pulse is at a high level and the B-phase pulse signal shifts from a high level to a low level, the duty ratio DA is “0”. The stop timing correction time τ increases as the value decreases from “.5” (see FIG. 13). This is because the fall timing of the B-phase pulse becomes earlier as the duty ratio D becomes smaller.

  If the stop timing correction time τ is obtained in this way, then step 120 is executed.

  Therefore, the DC motor 110 is processed until the current relative value (current location) matches the pulse count of the target value (specifically, the relative pulse count with respect to the origin reference value) by the processing of steps S120, S130, 140, and 150. , Counting the number of pulses, calculating the duty ratio D, and calculating the stop timing correction time τ are repeatedly executed. Therefore, the stop timing correction time τ is updated until the current relative value matches the pulse count of the target value.

  Thereafter, in step S120, if the target value of the pulse count matches the current relative value and the determination is YES, the DC motor 110 is supplied with power after waiting for the finally updated stop timing correction time τ. Stop (steps 160 and 170).

  That is, the power supply of the DC motor 110 is stopped after waiting for the updated stop timing correction time τ immediately before determining that the target value of the pulse count matches the current relative value.

  As described above, the electric control circuit 200 can detect the current position of the output shaft 127 by detecting a change in the combination of contact and non-contact of the contact brushes 155 and 156 with the conductor pattern. The DC motor 110 can be feedback controlled so that the difference between the current position and the origin value matches the target value.

  Here, changes when the electric actuator 100 is used over a long period of time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A shows a contact state between the contact brush 155 or 156 and the pattern plate 153, which is an initial state at the beginning of manufacture, and FIG. 10B shows a state from the pulse generator 158 in the state of FIG. FIG. 10C shows the output pulse waveform, FIG. 10C shows the contact state between the contact brush 155 or 156 and the pattern plate 153 worn over a long period of use, and FIG. 10D shows the state of FIG. 10C. The pulse waveform output from the pulse generator 158 is shown in FIG.

  When the electric actuator 100 is used for a long period of time, the contact brushes 155 to 157 that slide relative to the pattern plate 153 wear. The contact brushes 155 to 157 are worn by sliding, while the conductor pattern hardly wears because the material of the surface of the conductor pattern has higher hardness than the material of the surface of the contact brushes 155 to 157, And, the portion where the conductor pattern contacts the contact brushes 155 to 157 in sliding moves in a wide range on the circumference, whereas the portion where the contact brush 155 to 157 contacts the conductor pattern in sliding is This is due to the fixed position.

  When the contact brushes 155 to 157 are worn, the bottoms of the contact portions 155 a and 156 a of the contact brushes 155 to 156 expand in the circumferential direction of the pattern plate 153. This is because the contact portions 155a and 156a of the contact brush 155 are tapered in the circumferential direction (sliding direction) as they approach the pattern plate 153.

  As a result, at the beginning of manufacture of the electric actuator 100, as indicated by the hatched portion in FIG. 10A, the circumferential range occupied by the contact portions 155a and 156a of the contact brushes 155 and 156 was a very small region. However, after the wear, as indicated by the hatched portion in FIG. 10C, the circumferential range occupied by the contact portions 155a and 156a is widened.

  As is clear from FIGS. 10A and 10C, there is a range in which the contact portion 155a or 156a after wear does not come into contact with the conductive portion 151a or 152a even if it is in the non-conductive portion 151b or 152b. narrow. Therefore, the high-level pulse width (angular width) from the contact 155 or 156 when the pattern plate 153 rotates is narrowed due to wear, as shown in FIGS. For this reason, the rising timings of the A phase pulse signal and the B phase pulse signal are delayed, and the falling timings of the A phase pulse signal and the B phase pulse signal are advanced.

  However, as described above, the stop timing correction time τ is calculated according to the duty ratio D (that is, the wear amount of the contact portions 155a and 156a of the contact brushes 155 to 156), and the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals become the stop pattern. When they match, the power supply to the DC motor 110 is stopped after waiting for the calculated stop timing correction time τ. Thereafter, the output shaft 127 (that is, the DC motor 110) runs idle and then stops.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the CPU 230 estimates the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 and 156 before the output shaft 127 stops, so that the high level period and the low level period in the A phase pulse signal and the B phase pulse signal are detected. From this, the duty ratio D is obtained. The duty ratio D indicates the amount of wear of the contact brushes 155 and 156. The CPU 230 calculates the stop timing correction time τ from the duty ratio D.

  The CPU 230 controls the DC motor 110 in order to correct the stop position of the output shaft 127 according to the duty ratio D when controlling the DC motor 110 to stop the rotational position of the output shaft 127 at the target position. Control the timing.

  That is, when the current relative value (that is, the current position of the output shaft 127) matches the target value of the pulse count, the CPU 230 waits for the stop timing correction time τ obtained as described above, instead of an immediate stop, and then The power supply to the motor 110 is stopped.

  Conventionally, when the current relative value (that is, the current position of the output shaft 127) matches the pulse count target value, power supply to the DC motor 110 is stopped. For this reason, the output shaft 127 stops rotating at a position where the current relative value is equal to the target value of the pulse count plus the free running distance.

  Here, the stop position of the output shaft 127 in which the contact brushes 155 and 156 after production are in the initial state and the stop position of the output shaft 127 after the contact brushes 155 and 156 have changed over time are at the same angle of the output shaft 127. Since the pulse signals are different, there is a deviation between both stop positions.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the current relative value matches the target value of the pulse count, the CPU 230 waits for the stop timing correction time τ and then stops the power supply to the DC motor 110. Accordingly, the stop position of the output shaft 127 after the contact brushes 155 and 156 are worn can be brought closer to the stop position of the output shaft 127 before the contact brushes 155 and 156 are worn. Thereby, the fall of the stop precision of the output shaft 127 (namely, secular change of the stop precision of the output shaft 127) can be suppressed.

  Normally, in the design of the link 160 of the indoor air conditioning unit of the vehicle air conditioner, in order to prevent the variation in the stop position of the DC motor 110 from affecting the variation in the stop position of the door, the DC motor 110 is not connected to the door. The cam section of the link 160 connected to is designed to provide an idle section. A cam pattern is a pattern which shows the sliding locus | trajectory of a pin (10a, 10b, 10c) in a 1st, 2nd, 3rd groove | channel (170, 171).

  The idle section is a period in which transmission of driving force from the DC motor 110 to the door is stopped. The angular amount of the idle section is normally set to an amount that takes into account the secular change of the stop accuracy of the DC motor 110.

  On the other hand, in recent years, an increase in functionality of an indoor air conditioning unit has been expected, and for example, a multi-mode blower outlet mode is one of them. In order to realize the multimode of the air outlet mode, it is necessary to make the cam pattern of the link 160 more complicated. Specifically, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide a cam pattern that can be stopped at a large number of positions while rotating the link 160 with a predetermined accuracy.

  However, as described above, an idle section for absorbing variation in the stop position of the DC motor 110 is required at the stop position. The wider the pattern of the idle section, the more cam patterns that can be installed within a predetermined angle range in the link 160. Will be limited.

  Alternatively, in order to solve the above problem, there is a method of increasing the physique of the link 160 itself, but it naturally affects the physique of the indoor air conditioner 1 and becomes an obstacle to downsizing of the entire apparatus.

  As described above, the idle section of the cam pattern of the link 160 to be connected can be reduced by improving the stopping accuracy of the DC motor 110, and the blowout mode of the indoor air conditioner 1 can be made multimode or the link 160 can be downsized. The entire indoor air conditioner 1 (that is, the entire electric actuator system) can be downsized.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 230 estimates the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 based on the duty ratio of the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals, and uses the estimated wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 as voice information. Output from 240. For this reason, the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 can be notified to the user. Thereby, when the amount of wear of the contact brushes 155 to 157 increases, the user can be urged to replace the contact brushes 155 to 157.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the above embodiment, the example using the pulse pattern plate 153 formed in a plate shape as the pattern member of the present invention has been described. Instead, a pattern member having a shape other than the plate shape is used. It may be used.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the example using the mode doors 7a, 7b, 7c as the door according to the present invention has been described. Instead, the air mix door 8 other than the mode doors 7a, 7b, 7c, etc. The door may be used as a door according to the present invention.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the example in which the electric actuator system of the present invention is applied to the vehicle air conditioner 1 has been described. Instead, the electric actuator system of the present invention is replaced with various devices other than the vehicle air conditioner 1. You may apply to.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the CPU 230 explained the example in which the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 is output from the speaker 240 as voice information and notified to the user. The wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 may be notified to the user.

  Furthermore, when the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, the CPU 230 may output an alarm for prompting the user to replace the contact brushes 155 to 157 as sound, vibration, or light.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the example in which the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 is output from the speaker 240 as audio information has been described. Instead, the CPU 230 causes the other ECU 400 to wear the contact brushes 155 to 157. Information indicating the amount may be transmitted.

  In this case, the other ECU 400 stores the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 as a diagnosis. Alternatively, the other ECU 400 may transmit information indicating the wear amount of the contact brushes 155 to 157 to the user using light, sound, or the like. As another ECU 400, an ECU for a navigation system can be used.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the example in which the pattern plate 153 of the pattern plate 153 and the contact brushes 155 to 157 is rotated by the DC motor 110 has been described, but instead, the pattern plate 153 and the contact brushes 155 to 157 are used. Of these, the contact brushes 155 to 157 may be rotated by the DC motor 110.

  (7) In the above embodiment, an example in which two pulse signals (A-phase pulse signal and B-phase pulse signal) are output from the pulse generation unit 158 has been described, but instead of this, the pulse generation unit 158 generates a pulse. Three or more pulse signals may be output from the unit 158.

  (8) In the above embodiment, an example using a DC motor as the electric motor (110) has been described. Instead, an induction AC motor or a synchronous AC motor other than the DC motor is used as the electric motor. Also good.

  (9) In the above embodiment, an example in which the doors (7a, 7b, 7c) according to the present invention are mode doors has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the door according to the present invention may be an air mix door other than a mode door, The present invention may be applied to various doors such as an inside / outside air switching door.

  (10) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the claims. Further, the above embodiments are not irrelevant to each other, and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily indispensable except for the case where it is clearly indicated that the element is essential and the case where the element is clearly considered essential in principle. Yes. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the component, etc., the shape, unless otherwise specified and in principle limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to the positional relationship or the like.

(Summary)
According to the first aspect described in part or all of the above embodiment and other embodiments,
An electric actuator system that outputs a rotational force output from an electric motor from a rotary shaft, and a pulse generator that outputs a pulse signal indicating a rotational position of the rotary shaft;
And a control circuit that controls the rotation of the electric motor in accordance with a pulse signal output from the pulse generator. The pulse generator is a pattern member having a conductor pattern formed on the surface, and the conductor is formed on the surface. A pattern member in which a plurality of conductive portions in which a part of the pattern is formed and a plurality of non-conductive portions in which a conductor pattern is not formed are arranged, and a plurality of sliding contacts that are conductors in contact with the surface of the pattern member The surface of the pattern member slides relative to each of the plurality of sliding contacts as the electric motor rotates, and includes a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of non-conductive portions. However, a plurality of rows corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of sliding contacts are formed, and in each of the plurality of rows, a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of non-conductive portions are alternately arranged one by one. Conductor pattern is formed When the plurality of sliding contacts slide relative to the surface of the pattern member, each of the plurality of sliding contacts corresponds to a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of non-conductive portions arranged in a corresponding row of the plurality of rows. The pulse generator is arranged so that the sliding contact is in contact with the conductive part and the non-contact period in which the sliding contact is not in contact with the conductive part. A pulse signal as a duty ratio is output for each sliding contact, and a plurality of sliding contacts generated by sliding of the plurality of sliding contacts with respect to the surface of the pattern member are based on the pulse signal for each sliding contact output from the pulse generator. A wear estimation unit for estimating the wear amount of the sliding contact is provided.

  Thereby, the amount of wear of a plurality of sliding contacts can be estimated.

  According to the second aspect, when the electric motor is controlled so as to control the rotational position of the rotary shaft, the timing for stopping the power supply to the electric motor according to the wear amount estimated by the wear estimation unit is set. The control part (S120-S170) to control is provided.

  Thereby, even if a some sliding contact wears, it can suppress that the stop precision of an output shaft falls.

  According to the 3rd viewpoint, the transmission part which transmits the wear amount of the some sliding contact estimated by the wear estimation part to a user or another apparatus is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect, the wear estimation unit estimates the wear amount of the plurality of sliding contacts based on the duty ratio of the pulse signal for each sliding contact output from the pulse generation unit.

  According to the fifth aspect, in accordance with the amount of wear of the plurality of sliding contacts estimated by the determination unit that determines whether the output shaft has reached the target position, and the wear estimation unit, the output shaft And a calculation unit for obtaining a standby time to wait until the power supply to the electric motor is stopped after the determination unit determines that the output shaft has reached the target position. When the determination unit determines that the determination has been made, power supply to the electric motor is stopped after the standby time calculated by the calculation unit has elapsed.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the stop precision of an output shaft falls by controlling the timing which stops the electric power supply to an electric motor.

  According to a sixth aspect, in the air conditioner, the electric actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the air conditioning casing that forms an air flow path, and the air that is rotatably supported and rotated by the air. A door that opens and closes the flow path, and a link that is rotated by the output shaft and transmits the rotational force of the output shaft to the rotation shaft of the door.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the stop precision of a door falls.

  According to the seventh aspect, the rotating shaft of the door is provided with a pin, the link is provided with a groove configured to be slidable, and the groove has a groove inside the groove. When the pin slides, an idle section is provided in which the rotational force of the output shaft is stopped from being transmitted to the door through the link and the pin, and the pin slides in an area other than the idle section in the groove. Thus, the rotational force of the output shaft is transmitted to the door through the link and the pin.

  Thereby, since it can suppress that the stop precision of a door falls, an idle area can be narrowed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle air conditioner 7a, 7b, 7c Mode door 100 Electric actuator 110 DC motor 127 Output shaft 153 Pattern plate 155, 156, 157 Contact brush 158 Pulse generation part 220 Pulse signal detection circuit 230 CPU

Claims (7)

An electric actuator system for outputting a rotational force output from an electric motor (110) from a rotating shaft (127),
A pulse generator (158) for outputting a pulse signal indicating the rotational position of the rotary shaft;
A control circuit (230) for controlling the rotation of the electric motor according to a pulse signal output from the pulse generator,
The pulse generator is
A pattern member having a conductor pattern formed on a surface thereof, wherein a plurality of conductive portions (151a, 152a, 154a) in which a part of the conductor pattern is formed and a plurality of conductor patterns not formed on the surface A non-conductive portion (151b, 152b) of the pattern member (153),
A plurality of sliding contacts (155, 156, 157) which are conductors in contact with the surface of the pattern member;
The surface of the pattern member slides relative to each of the plurality of sliding contacts as the electric motor rotates.
The plurality of conductive portions and the plurality of non-conductive portions form a plurality of rows corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of sliding contacts, and in each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of conductive portions, The conductor pattern is formed so that a plurality of non-conductive portions are alternately arranged one by one,
Each of the plurality of sliding contacts, when sliding relative to the surface of the pattern member, a plurality of conductive portions and a plurality of non-conductive portions arranged in a corresponding row among the plurality of rows. Are arranged so that they come in contact with each other in the order of arrangement,
The pulse generation unit generates the pulse signal with the duty ratio as a ratio of a contact period in which the sliding contact is in contact with the conductive part and a non-contact period in which the sliding contact is not in contact with the conductive part. Output for each moving contact,
Based on the pulse signal for each of the sliding contacts output from the pulse generator, the amount of wear of the plurality of sliding contacts caused by the sliding of the plurality of sliding contacts with respect to the surface of the pattern member is estimated. An electric actuator system including a wear estimation unit (S140).   When controlling the electric motor so as to control the rotational position of the rotating shaft, the control unit controls the timing of stopping the power supply to the electric motor according to the wear amount estimated by the wear estimation unit. The electric actuator system according to claim 1, comprising (S120 to S170).   The electric actuator system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transmission unit (S140) configured to transmit a wear amount of the plurality of sliding contacts estimated by the wear estimation unit to a user or another device (400).   4. The wear estimation unit estimates the wear amount of the plurality of sliding contacts based on a duty ratio of the pulse signal for each sliding contact output from the pulse generation unit. 5. The electric actuator system according to one. A determination unit (S120) for determining whether or not it is determined that the output shaft has reached a target position;
From the time when the determination unit determines that the output shaft has reached the target position according to the amount of wear of the plurality of sliding contacts estimated by the wear estimation unit, until the power supply to the electric motor is stopped A calculation unit (S140) for obtaining a waiting time to be waited,
When the determination unit determines that the output shaft has reached a target position, the control unit stops power supply to the electric motor after a waiting time calculated by the calculation unit has elapsed. Item 4. The electric actuator system according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The electric actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An air conditioning casing (5) forming an air flow path;
Doors (7a, 7b, 7c) that are rotatably supported and open and close the air flow path by rotation;
An air conditioner comprising: a link (160) that is rotated by the output shaft and transmits the rotational force of the output shaft to the rotation shaft of the door. Pins (10a, 10b, 10c) are provided on the rotating shaft of the door,
The link is provided with grooves (170, 171) configured to allow the pin to slide,
The groove is provided with an idle section in which the rotation of the output shaft is stopped from being transmitted to the door through the link and the pin when the pin slides in the groove.
The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the pin slides in a region of the groove other than the idle section so that the rotational force of the output shaft is transmitted to the door through the link and the pin. apparatus.

Images