JP6830336B2 - Drain valve drive unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention has a case body that can be attached to a fixed portion of an external device using a bracket, a drain valve drive device that can be attached to a fixed portion of a washing machine using a bracket, and drainage having a bracket and a drain valve drive device. Regarding the valve drive unit.

A drain valve driving device for driving a drain valve of a washing machine or the like is described in Patent Document 1. The drain valve drive device of the same document includes an output unit including a crank member output to the drain valve, a drive unit for driving the output unit, and a case body. The output unit is arranged on the outer peripheral surface portion of the case body, and the drive unit is housed inside the case body. An opening is provided in the outer peripheral surface portion of the case body, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the driving unit to the output unit is arranged in the opening.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-29993

The drain valve drive device is fixed to the drain valve drive device fixing portion of the washing machine by using a bracket formed by bending a metal plate. That is, the bracket is fixed to the case body using screws or the like, and the bracket is fixed to the drain valve drive device fixing portion of the washing machine using screws or the like. Here, when the drain valve drive device is fixed to the washing machine via the bracket, when the load for driving the drain valve is transmitted to the drain valve drive device via the output unit, the bracket is distorted such as twisting. It may occur. When the bracket is distorted, the distortion is transmitted to the case body to which the bracket is fixed, which may cause damage to the case body.

In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to provide a case body that can prevent or suppress damage due to distortion of the bracket. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain valve driving device including such a case body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain valve driving device unit including a drain valve driving device including such a case body and a bracket.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an output unit including an output member and an output member drive mechanism for driving the output member, a drive unit for driving the output member drive mechanism, and the output unit are provided. A case body arranged on the outer peripheral surface portion and accommodating the driving portion inside, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the driving portion to the output member driving mechanism through an opening formed in the outer peripheral surface portion. In a drain valve drive unit that has a bracket that is attached to the case body and fixes the case body to the washing machine, and a drain valve is connected to the output member, the directions orthogonal to each other are the X direction and the Y direction. In the Z direction, the outer peripheral surface portion faces one side in the Z direction, and includes three or more bosses for attaching the bracket, and the plurality of bosses are the output members. Each boss is provided at a position surrounding the drive mechanism, and each boss projects to one side in the Z direction, and among the plurality of bosses, the output member drive mechanism is sandwiched between the two bosses in the X direction. A first rib that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface portion in the Z direction and connects between these two bosses is provided, and among the plurality of bosses, between the two bosses that sandwich the output member drive mechanism in the Y direction. Is provided with a second rib projecting from the outer peripheral surface portion in the Z direction to connect these two bosses, and the bracket fixed to the plurality of bosses causes the output member driving mechanism to move in the Z direction. Covered from one side, the case body has a bracket fixing portion for attaching the bracket together with the plurality of bosses at a position retracted to the other side in the Z direction from the end faces of the plurality of bosses in the Z direction. The output member drive mechanism is located between the end faces of the plurality of bosses in the Z direction and the bracket fixing portion in the Z direction, and the bracket is provided.
The plate is made of one metal plate, and is fixed to the plurality of bosses to cover the output member drive mechanism and extends from the plate toward the other side in the Z direction. It is characterized by including a bracket-side fixing plate portion fixed to the bracket fixing portion.

As a result, the rigidity of the outer peripheral surface portion of the case body in which the output portion is installed is improved as compared with the case where the first rib and the second rib are not provided. Therefore, when the case body is attached to an external device using the bracket, even if an external load is applied to the output member and the bracket is distorted, the distortion prevents or suppresses the case body from being distorted. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress damage to the case body due to distortion of the bracket. Further, since the bracket covers the output member drive mechanism from one side in the Z direction, the output member drive mechanism can be protected by the bracket. Further, in this way, when the case body is attached to an external device using the bracket, even if an external load is applied to the output member drive mechanism, the output member drive mechanism is attached to the bracket in the Z direction. Since the force from both sides sandwiched between them is applied, it is easy to prevent the bracket from being distorted.

According to the present invention, the rigidity of the case body is ensured by providing ribs between the bosses for attaching the brackets. Therefore, even if the bracket is distorted when the case body is fixed to an external device and this distortion is transmitted to the case body, it is possible to prevent or suppress damage to the case body.

It is a perspective view of the drain valve drive device unit to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the drain valve drive device unit to which this invention is applied. It is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve drive device unit. It is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve drive device. It is a perspective view which shows the drive part, the transmission gear and the output part by taking out. It is a top view when the drain valve drive device is seen from the side where the output part is located. It is a bottom view when the drain valve drive device is seen from the side opposite to the side where the output part is located. It is a perspective view of a bracket.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a case body, a drain valve drive device, and a drain valve drive device unit to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drain valve drive unit to which the present invention is applied when viewed from the bracket side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drain valve drive unit to which the present invention is applied when viewed from the side opposite to the bracket. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve drive device unit in which the drain valve drive device and the bracket are separated from each other. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve drive device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the drive unit and the output unit taken out. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the drive unit, the transmission gear, and the output unit taken out.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drain valve drive unit 1 fixes the drain valve drive device 2 for driving the drain valve of the washing machine and the drain valve drive device 2 to the drain valve drive device fixing portion of the washing machine. It has a bracket 3 for the operation. In the following description, for convenience, the direction in which the drain valve drive device 2 and the bracket 3 are stacked is the Z direction, the side where the bracket 3 is located in the Z direction is the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and the drain valve drive device 2 is located. The side to be drained is the second direction Z2 in the Z direction. Further, the two directions orthogonal to the Z direction and orthogonal to each other are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. Then, one side in the X direction is designated as the first direction X1 in the X direction, and the other side is designated as the second direction X2 in the X direction. Further, one side in the Y direction is the first direction Y1 in the Y direction, and the other side is the second direction Y2 in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drain valve driving device 2 includes a wire (output member) 5 to which a drain valve (not shown) is connected to the tip portion, and a pulley (output member driving mechanism) to which one end of the wire 5 is fixed. It has an output unit 7 including a 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the drain valve driving device 2 has a driving unit 8 for driving the output unit 7 and a case body 9 for accommodating the driving unit 8 inside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the output unit 7 is installed on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9 facing the first direction Z1 in the Z direction. The pulley 6 directs the rotation center line L in the Z direction on the outside of the case body 9. The wire 5 is pulled out from the pulley 6 in the first direction X1 in the X direction. The pulley 6 is arranged at the end side portion of the outer peripheral surface portion 10 in the first direction X1 in the X direction. Further, the pulley 6 is arranged at a position on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 that is biased toward the second direction Y2 in the Y direction from the center in the Y direction. The wire 5 is pulled out from a portion located in the second direction Y2 in the Y direction with respect to the rotation center line L of the pulley 6. The pull-out position of the wire 5 from the pulley 6 is closer to the center in the Y direction on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 than the rotation center line L of the pulley 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive unit 8 includes a motor unit 13 and a transmission wheel train 14 for transmitting the driving force of the motor unit 13 to the pulley 6. The transmission train wheel 14 reduces the rotation of the motor unit 13 and transmits it to the output gear 18. The transmission train wheel 14 includes a planetary gear mechanism and the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, an opening 21 is formed in the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9. A transmission gear (transmission mechanism) 22 for transmitting the driving force of the driving unit 8 to the pulley 6 is arranged in the opening 21. The transmission gear 22 is coaxially attached to the center of the output gear 18 and rotates integrally with the output gear 18. Further, the transmission gear 22 projects outward from the case body 9 and meshes with the pulley 6 arranged outside the case body 9. The pulley 6 is screwed to the transmission gear 22 by a fixing screw 23 screwed into a screw hole formed in the center of the transmission gear 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive unit 8 includes a pair of terminals 24 for supplying power to the motor unit 13. A terminal portion 25 is provided on the side surface portion of the case body 9 facing the direction orthogonal to the Z direction so as to project in the intermediate direction between the second direction X2 in the X direction and the first direction Y1 in the Y direction to hold the terminal 24.

The drain valve drive device 2 continues to supply power to the motor unit 13 which is a drive source in a state where a predetermined amount of the wire 5 is wound around the pulley 6, and holds the pulley 6 at the winding position. As a result, the valve body of the drain valve connected to the wire 5 is maintained at a position away from the drain port. Further, the drain valve driving device 2 stops the power supply to the motor unit 13 to release the holding state of the pulley 6. This makes it possible to pull out the wire 5 by an external force. For example, when the wire 5 is pulled out by an urging force such as a spring force connected to the valve body of the drain valve, the drain port is closed by the valve body.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 3 is attached to the case body 9 by using three bosses 31, 32, 33 and a bracket fixing portion 34. Each of the three bosses 31, 32, and 33 projects from the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9 on which the output unit 7 is installed in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction. The bracket fixing portion 34 is provided at a position separated from the three bosses 31, 32, 33. The bracket 3 penetrates the four fixing holes 36, 37, 38, 39 formed in the bracket 3 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and the three bosses 31, 32, 33 and the screws provided in the bracket fixing portion 34. It is fixed to the case body 9 by four headed screws 41, 42, 43, 44 screwed into the hole 34b.

(Case body)
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the drain valve driving device 2 when viewed from the side where the output unit 7 is located. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the drain valve driving device 2 when viewed from the side opposite to the side where the output unit 7 is located. As shown in FIG. 4, the case body 9 is divided into two in the Z direction. The case body 9 includes a first case 51 which is a divided case in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction and a second case 52 which is a divided case in the second direction Z2 in the Z direction. The drive unit 8 (motor unit 13 and transmission wheel train 14) is housed between the first case 51 and the second case 52.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first case 51 includes an upper plate 55 and a frame-shaped side plate 56 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate 55 in the second direction Z2 in the Z direction. A first case-side overhang 57 that protrudes toward the outer periphery is provided on a part of the side plate 56 in the circumferential direction. The first case side overhanging portion 57 constitutes a part of the terminal portion 25 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction.

The outer peripheral surface portion 10 on which the output unit 7 is arranged is the upper surface of the upper plate 55 of the first case 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 includes a substantially C-shaped arc wall portion (arc-shaped rib) 59 projecting in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction on a portion on the side of the first direction X1 in the X direction. The substantially C-shaped arc wall portion 59 has a released portion directed to the first direction X1 in the X direction. Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 includes wall portions 60 and 61 extending linearly and parallel to the first direction X1 in the X direction from the open ends facing each other in the arc wall portion 59. A pulley 6 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the arc wall portion 59. The wire 5 wound around the pulley 6 is pulled out from between the parallel wall portions 60 and 61 in the first direction X1 in the X direction. Here, the pulley 6 includes a contact portion 6a projecting to the outer peripheral side in a part in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the arc wall portion 59 includes a rotation angle range regulating portion 62 that abuts on a part in the circumferential direction and regulates the rotation angle range of the pulley 6.

Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 includes three bosses 31, 32, 33. The plurality of bosses 31, 32, 33 are provided at positions surrounding the pulley 6 (output member drive mechanism). More specifically, the first boss 31 is provided at a corner portion of the outer peripheral surface portion 10 where the edge of the X-direction first direction X1 and the edge of the Y-direction first direction Y1 are orthogonal to each other. The second boss 32 is provided at a position on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 that overlaps with the first boss 31 when viewed from the X direction. Further, the second boss 32 is located on the opposite side of the first boss 31 with the pulley 6 in between when viewed from the Y direction. The third boss 33 is provided at a position on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 that overlaps with the second boss 32 when viewed from the Y direction. Further, the third boss 33 is located on the side opposite to the second boss 32 with the pulley 6 in between when viewed from the X direction. Each boss 31, 32, 33 projects to one side in the Z direction and has a screw hole in the center.

Further, the first case 51 has a bracket fixing portion 34. The bracket fixing portion 34 is provided at a corner portion of the first case 51 where the edge of the first direction X1 in the X direction and the edge of the first direction Y1 in the Y direction are orthogonal to each other. Further, the bracket fixing portion 34 is provided at a position recessed in the second direction Z2 in the Z direction from the end faces of the three bosses 31, 32, 33 in the Z direction. The bracket fixing portion 34 includes a parallel surface 34a parallel to the end faces of the three bosses 31, 32, 33 in the Z direction, and a screw hole 34b provided in the parallel surface 34a. The parallel surface 34a recedes from the outer peripheral surface portion 10 in the second direction Z2 in the Z direction. Here, the pulley 6 is located between the end faces of the bosses 31, 32, and 33 in the Z direction and the parallel surface 34a of the bracket fixing portion 34 in the Z direction.

Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the first case 51 is connected between the first boss 31 and the second boss 32 so as to project from the outer peripheral surface portion 10 in the Z direction and connect between the two bosses 31 and 32. The first rib 66 is provided. The first rib 66 extends in the X direction at a constant height. The rotation angle range regulating portion 62 provided on the arc wall portion 59 is continuous with the first rib 66. Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the first case 51 is connected between the second boss 32 and the third boss 33 so as to project from the outer peripheral surface portion 10 in the Z direction and between the two bosses 32 and 33. A second rib 67 is provided. The second rib 67 extends in the Y direction at a constant height. Here, the height of the first rib 66 and the height of the second rib 67 are the same. The Z-direction end face of the first rib 66 and the Z-direction end face of the second rib 67 are formed when the bracket 3 is fixed to the case body 9 via the three bosses 31, 32, 33 and the bracket fixing portion 34. It is a bracket fixing surface (bracket contact portion) 68 that comes into contact with the bracket 3 on a surface.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface portion 10, a connecting rib 71 extending from the first rib 66 in the first direction Y1 in the Y direction and connected to one wall portion 61, and one of the third boss 33 and the arc wall portion 59 are released. A bending rib 72 that connects the vicinity of the end is provided. The bending rib 72 extends from the third boss 33 in the first direction X1 in the X direction to the first extending portion 72a and the tip of the first extending portion 72a in the first direction X1 in the X direction to the second direction Y2 in the Y direction. A second extending portion 72b that is bent and connected to the arc wall portion 59 is provided. Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 has a first intermediate rib 73 that connects the second boss 32 and the arc wall portion 59, and a second intermediate rib that connects the third boss 33 and the arc wall portion 59. 74 and are provided. The first intermediate rib 73 and the second intermediate rib 74 extend in the diagonal direction of a virtual quadrangle formed by the screw holes of the first boss 31, the second boss 32, the third boss 33, and the bracket fixing portion 34. Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 is provided with a third intermediate rib 75 extending in the X direction between the arc wall portion 59 and the second rib 67. Further, the outer peripheral surface portion 10 is provided with three third ribs 76 extending parallel to the second direction X2 in the X direction from the second rib 67.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the second case 52 includes a circular first bottom plate 81, a first side plate 82 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the first bottom plate 81 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and a first side plate 82. A second bottom plate 83 extending from the edge of the first side plate 82 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction to the outer peripheral side, and a second side plate 84 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the second bottom plate 83 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction are provided. Here, when the second case 52 is viewed from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, a circular recess 85 is formed by the first bottom plate 81 and the first side plate 82, and the motor portion 13 is formed in the circular recess 85. Is inserted in a posture in which the output shaft is directed to the first direction Z1 in the Z direction.

The lower surface of the second bottom plate 83 facing the second direction Z2 in the Z direction, and the lower surface portion 83a (second case) located at a position overlapping the pulley 6 in the Z direction when the first case 51 and the second case 52 are laminated. The side outer peripheral surface portion) is provided with three second case side ribs 86. The three second case-side ribs 86 extend in parallel with a constant width from a position near the edge of the lower surface portion 83a in the first direction X1 in the X direction toward the second direction X2 in the X direction. A second case-side overhanging portion 88 projecting to the outer peripheral side is provided on a part of the first side plate 82, the second bottom plate 83, and the second side plate 84 in the circumferential direction. The second case side overhanging portion 88 constitutes the terminal portion 25 together with the first case side overhanging portion 57 when the first case 51 and the second case 52 are laminated.

(bracket)
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the bracket 3 when viewed from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction and the second direction X2 in the X direction, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the bracket 3 in the second direction Z2 and the X direction in the Z direction. It is a perspective view when viewed from the 2nd direction X2. The bracket 3 is formed by bending a rectangular metal plate having a certain thickness. That is, the bracket 3 is provided with bent step portions 91 at both end portions of the rectangular metal plate material in the longitudinal direction, and is located on the central plate portion (plate portion) 92 in the longitudinal direction located between the bent step portions 91. A notch is provided, and the plate portion partitioned by the notch is provided with a notched portion 93 which is bent in the direction opposite to the bending step portion 91.

In other words, the bracket 3 includes a central plate portion 92 having an L-shaped plane shape when viewed from the X direction at the center in the Y direction. The central plate portion 92 includes a constant width portion 92a having a constant width and a wide portion 92b wider than the constant width portion 92a from the first direction Y1 in the Y direction to the second direction Y2 in the Y direction. Further, the bracket 3 includes a cut-up portion 93 in the first direction X1 in the X direction of the constant width portion 92a. The cut-up portion 93 includes a cut-up plate portion 93a extending in the Z direction and a bracket-side fixing plate portion 93b extending from the tip portion of the cut-up plate portion 93a in the second direction Z2 in the Z direction to the second direction Y2 in the Y direction. .. A first fixing hole 36 for fixing the bracket 3 to the case body 9 is provided at the end portion of the central plate portion 92 (wide portion 92b) in the second direction Y2 in the Y direction and in the first direction X1 in the X direction. It is provided. A second fixing hole 37 for fixing the bracket 3 to the case body 9 is provided at the end portion of the central plate portion 92 (wide portion 92b) in the second direction Y2 in the Y direction and at the end portion in the second direction X2 in the X direction. It is provided. A third fixing hole 38 for fixing the bracket 3 to the case body 9 at the end portion of the central plate portion 92 (constant width portion 92a) in the first direction Y1 in the Y direction and in the second direction X2 in the X direction. Is provided. Further, the bracket-side fixing plate portion 93b of the cut-up portion 93 is provided with a fourth fixing hole 39 for fixing the bracket 3 to the case body 9.

Further, the bracket 3 has a first side plate portion 95 extending from the end edge of the constant width portion 92a in the first direction Y1 in the Y direction to the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and the tip of the first side plate portion 95 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction. A first fixing plate portion 96 extending parallel to the central plate portion 92 from the edge in a direction opposite to the central plate portion 92 is provided. Here, the width dimension of the first side plate portion 95 and the first fixing plate portion 96 in the X direction is the same as the width dimension of the wide portion 92b in the X direction, and the width dimension of the first side plate portion 95 in the Z direction and the second direction Z2. The edge portion that is not continuous with the constant width portion 92a at the edge edge is continuous with the cut-up plate portion 93a without a step. The first side plate portion 95 and the first fixing plate portion 96 form a bent step portion 91 in the first direction Y1 in the Y direction of the central plate portion 92. The first fixing plate portion 96 includes a first through hole 97 and a second through hole 98 arranged in the X direction.

Further, the bracket 3 has a second side plate portion 101 extending from the end edge of the wide portion 92b in the second direction Y2 in the Y direction to the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and a tip edge of the second side plate portion 101 in the second direction Z1 in the Z direction. A second fixing plate portion 102 extending in parallel with the central plate portion 92 in a direction opposite to that of the central plate portion 92 is provided. The width dimension of the second side plate portion 101 and the second fixing plate portion 102 in the X direction is the same as the width dimension of the wide portion 92b in the X direction. The second side plate portion 101 and the second fixing plate portion 102 form a bending step portion 91 in the second direction Y2 in the Y direction of the central plate portion 92. The second fixing plate portion 102 includes a third through hole 103 and a fourth through hole 104 arranged in the X direction.

(Fixing the drain valve drive device to the washing machine)
When attaching the drain valve driving device 2 to the washing machine, first, the bracket 3 is attached to the drain valve driving device 2 to form the drain valve driving device unit 1. When configuring the drain valve driving device unit 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the central plate portion 92 of the bracket 3 covers the pulley 6 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and the bracket 3 is attached to the case body 9. To abut. As a result, the end faces of the central plate portion 92 in the bracket 3 in the first direction Z1 in the Z direction are the first boss 31, the second boss 32, the third boss 33, the first rib 66, the second rib 67, and the connecting rib 71. It is in a state of being in contact with the bending rib 72, the first intermediate rib 73, the second intermediate rib 74, and the third intermediate rib 75. Further, the bracket side fixing plate portion 93b of the bracket 3 is in contact with the bracket fixing portion 34 of the case body 9. After that, from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, the first fixing hole 3 of the bracket 3
6. Headed screws 41, 42, and 43 are screwed into the first boss 31, the second boss 32, and the third boss 33 of the case body 9 through the second fixing hole 37 and the third fixing hole 38. Further, the headed screw 44 is screwed into the screw hole 34b of the bracket fixing portion 34 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction via the fourth fixing hole 39 of the bracket side fixing plate portion 93b.

Next, when fixing the drain valve drive unit 1 to the drain valve drive fixing portion of the washing machine, the first fixing plate portion 96 and the second fixing plate portion 102 of the bracket 3 are attached to the drain valve driving device fixing portion. Make a contact. Then, headed screws are passed through the through holes 97 and 98 provided in the first fixing plate portion 96 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and these headed screws are provided in the drain valve drive device 2. Screw into one screw hole (not shown). Further, a headed screw is passed through each of the through holes 103 and 104 provided in the second fixing plate portion 102 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, and these headed screws are provided in the drain valve drive device 2. Screw into one screw hole (not shown). As a result, the drain valve drive device 2 is fixed to the drain valve drive device fixing portion of the washing machine via the bracket 3. After that, the tip portion of the wire 5 of the drain valve drive device 2 is connected to the drain valve.

(Operation of drain valve drive device)
When opening the drain valve, after fixing the drain valve drive device 2 to the washing machine, power is supplied to the motor to rotate the pulley 6 and wind the wire 5. As a result, the drain valve is towed to open the drain port. In addition, by maintaining the power supply state, the state in which the drain valve is towed is maintained, and the open state of the drain port is maintained. When closing the drain valve, the power supply to the motor is stopped. This makes it possible to pull out the wire 5 by an external force. Therefore, for example, when the wire 5 is pulled out by an urging force such as a spring force connected to the valve body of the drain valve, the drain port is closed by the valve body.

Here, when a load for opening and closing the drain valve is applied to the drain valve drive device 2 (case body 9) via the output unit 7 (wire 5 and pulley 6), the drain valve drive device 2 is fixed to the washing machine. Distortion such as twisting may occur in the bracket 3. When the bracket 3 is distorted, the distortion is transmitted to the case body 9, which may cause damage to the case body 9.

In response to this problem, in the drain valve drive device 2 of this example, the case body 9 connects between the bosses 31, 32, 33 to which the bracket 3 is fixed, and between the bosses 31, 32, 33. It includes a first rib 66 and a second rib 67. As a result, the rigidity of the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9 in which the output unit 7 is installed is improved as compared with the case where the first rib 66 and the second rib 67 are not provided. Therefore, even when the load from the drain valve is applied to the output unit 7 and the bracket 3 is distorted, it is possible to prevent or suppress the distortion of the case body 9 due to the distortion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress damage to the case body 9 due to the distortion of the bracket 3.

Further, the end faces of the first rib 66 and the second rib 67 in the Z direction are bracket fixing surfaces 68 that come into contact with the brackets 3 attached to the bosses 31, 32, 33. Therefore, even when the load from the drain valve is applied to the output unit 7, the bracket fixing surface 68 suppresses the distortion of the bracket 3. Here, if the distortion of the bracket 3 is suppressed, it is possible to further suppress the damage of the case body 9 due to the distortion of the bracket 3.

Further, the bracket 3 is attached to the case body 9 by using the three bosses 31, 32, 33 provided on the case body 9 and the bracket fixing portion 34, and the pulley 6 for winding the wire 5 is Z. It is located between the end faces of the three bosses 31, 32, 33 in the Z direction and the bracket fixing portion 34 in the direction. Therefore, even when a load for opening and closing the drain valve is applied to the output unit 7, a force is applied to the bracket 3 from both sides sandwiching the output unit 7 (wire 5 and pulley 6) between the Z directions. It is possible to suppress the distortion of 3.

Further, in this example, three third ribs 76 extending in the X direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9. Therefore, the rigidity of the case body 9 is improved. Here, the output unit 7 moves the drain valve in the X direction, and the three third ribs 76 extend in the X direction where the output unit 7 applies a load when moving the drain valve. Therefore, it is easy to prevent or suppress the distortion of the case body 9 due to the load when moving the drain valve by the third rib 76. Further, since the third rib 76 is connected to the second rib 67, the rigidity of the case body 9 can be further improved.

Further, in the second case 52, the lower surface portion (second case side outer peripheral surface portion) 83a facing the other side in the Z direction at a position overlapping the pulley 6 when viewed from the Z direction has a second case extending in the X direction. A side rib 86 is provided. As a result, the rigidity of the second case 52 can be improved, so that the overall rigidity of the case body 9 is improved.

Further, the rotation angle range regulating portion 62 of the pulley 6 provided on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the first case 51 is continuous with the first rib 66. Therefore, the rotation angle range regulating portion 62 that regulates the rotation angle range of the pulley 6 contributes to improving the rigidity of the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9. Here, the rotation angle range regulating portion 62 may be provided so as to be continuous with the second rib 67. Even in this way, the rotation angle range regulating portion 62 contributes to improving the rigidity of the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9.

Further, in this example, since the bracket 3 covers the pulley 6 arranged on the outer peripheral surface portion 10 of the case body 9 from the first direction Z1 in the Z direction, the pulley 6 can be protected by the bracket 3.

1 ... Drain valve drive unit, 2 ... Drain valve drive, 3 ... Bracket, 5 ... Wire (output member), 6 ... Pulley (output member drive mechanism), 6a ... Contact, 7 ... Output, 8 ... Drive unit, 9 ... case body, 10 ... outer peripheral surface part of case body, 13 ... motor unit, 14 ... transmission wheel train, 18 ... output gear, 21 ... opening, 22 ... transmission gear, 24 ... terminal, 25 ... terminal Part, 31 ... 1st boss, 32 ... 2nd boss, 33 ... 3rd boss, 34 ... Bracket fixing part, 34a ... Parallel surface, 34b ... Screw hole, 36 ... 1st fixing hole, 37 ... 2nd fixing hole, 38 ... 3rd fixing hole, 39 ... 4th fixing hole, 51 ... 1st case, 52 ... 2nd case, 55 ... upper plate, 56 ... side plate, 57 ... 1st case side overhang, 59 ... arc wall part (Arc-shaped rib), 60 ... wall part, 61 ... wall part, 62 ... rotation angle range regulating part, 66 ... first rib, 67 ... second rib, 68 ... bracket fixing surface (bracket contact part), 71 ... Connecting ribs, 72 ... Bending ribs, 72a ... 1st extending portion, 72b ... 2nd extending portion, 73 ... 1st intermediate rib, 74 ... 2nd intermediate rib, 75 ... 3rd intermediate rib, 76 ... 3rd rib , 81 ... 1st bottom plate, 82 ... 1st side plate, 83 ... 2nd bottom plate, 83a ... lower surface portion, 84 ... 2nd side plate, 85 ... circular recess, 86 ... 2nd case side rib, 88 ... 2nd case side tension Protruding part, 91 ... Bending step part, 92a ... Constant width part, 92 ... Central plate part (plate part), 92b ... Wide part, 93 ... Cut up part, 93a ... Cut up plate part, 93b ... Bracket side fixing plate part , 95 ... 1st side plate portion, 96 ... 1st fixing plate portion, 97 ... 1st through hole, 98 ... 2nd through hole, 101 ... 2nd side plate portion, 102 ... fixing plate portion, 103 ... 3rd through hole, 104 ... 4th through hole, L ... Pulley rotation center line

Claims (1)

An output unit including an output member and an output member drive mechanism for driving the output member, a drive unit for driving the output member drive mechanism, and the output unit are arranged on an outer peripheral surface portion, and the drive unit is inside. A case body housed in the case body, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the drive unit to the output member drive mechanism through an opening formed in the outer peripheral surface portion, and a case body attached to the case body to wash the case body. In a drain valve drive unit having a bracket for fixing to a machine and a drain valve connected to the output member.
When the directions orthogonal to each other are the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction,
The outer peripheral surface portion faces one side in the Z direction, and includes three or more bosses for attaching the bracket.
The plurality of bosses are provided at positions surrounding the output member drive mechanism.
Each boss protrudes to one side in the Z direction.
Among the plurality of bosses, between the two bosses sandwiching the output member drive mechanism in the X direction, a first rib projecting from the outer peripheral surface portion in the Z direction and connecting the two bosses is provided. Provided,
A second rib that projects from the outer peripheral surface portion in the Z direction and connects the two bosses is provided between the two bosses that sandwich the output member drive mechanism in the Y direction among the plurality of bosses. And
It said bracket fixed to said plurality of bosses, have to be the output member drive mechanism from one side of the Z-direction,
The case body has a bracket fixing portion for attaching the bracket together with the plurality of bosses at a position retracted to the other side in the Z direction from the end faces of the plurality of bosses in the Z direction.
The output member drive mechanism is located between the end faces of the plurality of bosses in the Z direction and the bracket fixing portion in the Z direction.
The bracket is made of a single metal plate, and is fixed to the plurality of bosses to cover the output member drive mechanism and extends from the plate toward the other side in the Z direction. A drain valve driving device unit including a bracket-side fixing plate portion fixed to the bracket fixing portion .

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