JP6863116B2 - Electric air pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric air pump.

Conventionally, an electric air pump includes a motor that rotationally drives a rotating shaft, a pump portion having a piston that can reciprocate in the cylinder, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft to the piston, and the piston is inside the cylinder. Some of them supply gas by reciprocating with a piston (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 5374524

However, in the above-mentioned electric air pump, the axis of the motor (direction of the rotation axis) and the axis of the cylinder (direction of the forward movement axis of the piston) are arranged so as to intersect with each other, which causes a problem that the physique of the electric air pump becomes large. There is.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric air pump capable of miniaturization.

An electric air pump that solves the above problems is for transmitting the rotational force of the rotary shaft to the piston, a pump unit having a motor that rotationally drives the rotary shaft, a cylinder, and a piston that can reciprocate in the cylinder. An electric air pump provided with a transmission mechanism, wherein the motor and the pump portion are arranged so that their outer peripheral surfaces face each other so that the rotation axis direction of the rotation axis and the forward axis direction of the piston are parallel to each other. A control circuit unit that controls the driving of the motor is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces , the control circuit unit is provided on the circuit board, and the circuit board has the thickness direction thereof. It was arranged so as to be parallel to the opposite direction of the outer peripheral surfaces .

According to the same configuration, the motor and the pump portion are arranged so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor and the pump portion face each other so that the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation axis and the direction of the forward movement axis of the piston are parallel to each other. It is possible to reduce the size as compared with the case where the piston is arranged so as to intersect the direction of the forward axis of the piston. Moreover, since the control circuit unit that controls the drive of the motor is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor and the pump unit, the control circuit unit is dead compared to the one arranged outside between the outer peripheral surfaces. The space that becomes the space can be effectively used, and miniaturization can be achieved.

According to the same configuration, the control circuit unit is provided on the circuit board, and the circuit board is arranged so that the thickness direction thereof is parallel to the facing direction between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor and the pump unit. It can be easily arranged as compared with the case where the plate thickness direction is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the opposite direction of the outer peripheral surfaces.
In the electric air pump, it is preferable that the entire control circuit unit is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation shaft.
According to the same configuration, since the control circuit unit is entirely arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor and the pump unit when viewed from the rotation axis direction, a part of the control circuit unit is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces. Compared to the case where the size is reduced.

It is preferable that the electric air pump includes a lower case on which the motor and the pump portion are mounted, and the lower case is formed with a support convex portion for supporting the circuit board.

According to the same configuration, the lower case on which the motor and the pump portion are mounted is formed with a support convex portion that supports the circuit board, so that the circuit board can be easily supported while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. be able to.

In the electric air pump, the control circuit unit provided on the circuit board overlaps the motor or the pump unit in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness of the circuit board when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the rotation axis. It is preferable to be arranged.

According to the same configuration, the control circuit unit provided on the circuit board is arranged so as to overlap the motor or pump unit in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness of the circuit board when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the rotation axis, and therefore does not overlap. Compared to the one arranged in this way, the space that becomes a dead space can be effectively used, and the size can be reduced.

The electric air pump of the present invention can be miniaturized.

The schematic block diagram of the vehicle in one Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning apparatus in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the washer nozzle and pop-up nozzle in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the pop-up nozzle in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the pop-up nozzle in one Embodiment. A partial cross-sectional view for explaining the electric air pump of one embodiment. A partial cross-sectional view for explaining the electric air pump of one embodiment. The schematic diagram which saw a part of the electric air pump of one Embodiment from the direction of the rotation axis. The schematic diagram for demonstrating a part of the electric air pump of one Embodiment. A partial cross-sectional view for explaining another example of an electric air pump. A schematic view of a part of another electric air pump seen from the direction of the rotation axis. A schematic view of a part of another electric air pump seen from the direction of the rotation axis.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
As shown in FIG. 1, a back door Ba is provided behind the vehicle S, and the back door Ba is provided with an in-vehicle camera 1 as an in-vehicle optical sensor. The lens surface 1a as the sensing surface of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 is exposed obliquely downward behind the vehicle. For example, when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated to the reverse position, the in-vehicle camera 1 captures an image of an obliquely downward rear portion of the vehicle S, and transmits the captured image to a display DSP in the vehicle for display.

Further, the vehicle S is provided with an electric air pump AP that feeds air as a gas and a washer pump WP that feeds a cleaning liquid that is a liquid.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the electric air pump AP of the present embodiment includes a motor 3 that rotationally drives the rotating shaft 2, a cylinder 4, and a piston 5 that can reciprocate within the cylinder 4. A pump unit 6 and a transmission mechanism 7 which is a deceleration mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the rotary shaft 2 to the piston 5 are provided. The electric air pump AP is opened (opened) when a closing member 8 having a discharge port 8a is attached to the tip end side of the cylinder 4 and the compression chamber 9 in the cylinder 4 has a preset volume. High-pressure air is injected at once (instantaneously) from the discharge port 8a. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a discharge valve 10 is provided between the compression chamber 9 and the discharge port 8a, and the discharge valve 10 is connected to the compression chamber 9 by the coil spring 11. It is urged in the direction of closing the communication hole with the discharge port 8a (recovery direction of the piston 4). The discharge valve 10 is provided with an operating rod 10a that protrudes toward the piston 5, and when the operating rod 10a is operated (pressed) by the tip of the moving piston 5, the compression chamber 9 and the discharge port The 8a communicate with each other (see FIG. 7), and high-pressure air is injected at once (instantaneously) from the discharge port 8a. Further, the closing member 8 is provided with a movable outlet 8b that communicates the inside and outside of the compression chamber 9 (without having a valve).

Further, the washer pump WP continuously supplies the cleaning liquid stored in the storage tank T.
Further, a washer nozzle 12 is provided near the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the vehicle S, which is connected to the washer pump WP and cleans the lens surface 1a based on the cleaning liquid being supplied from the washer pump WP.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the washer nozzle 12 is arranged above the lens surface 1a, and when the cleaning liquid is fed, the cleaning liquid is ejected from the injection port 12a. As shown in FIG. 3, the injection port 12a injects the cleaning liquid WA in a film shape by narrowing the width of the pair of facing surfaces.

Further, at a position near the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the vehicle S, a pop-up nozzle 13 connected to the electric air pump AP and cleaning the lens surface 1a based on the air being supplied from the electric air pump AP (discharge port 8a) is provided. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the in-vehicle camera 1, the washer nozzle 12, and the pop-up nozzle 13 are assembled into a unit by assembling to the mounting frame 14, and the unit is fixed to the back door Ba of the vehicle S. To.

The pop-up nozzle 13 is arranged on the side of the lens surface 1a and has a movable nozzle 15 that can move forward and backward and moves forward during cleaning by injecting gas.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the pop-up nozzle 13, a substantially cylindrical movable nozzle 15 can appear and disappear in the substantially cylindrical case 16 and is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward, and the movable nozzle 15 is supported. An injection port 17 opened at a tip thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the forward / backward traveling direction is provided.

A base end closing member 18 is externally fitted and fixed to the base end side of the case 16. The base end closing member 18 is provided with a tubular passage pipe 18a extending in the forward direction of the movable nozzle 15 in the case 16, and the passage pipe 18a is inserted (internally fitted) into the tubular movable nozzle 15. The movable nozzle 15 is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward along the case 16 and the passage pipe 18a. Further, the base end closing member 18 has an injection introduction port 19a which is outside the case 16 and communicates with the injection port 17 via the passage pipe 18a while extending to the side opposite to the passage pipe 18a. The joint portion 19 of 1 is provided.

In the case 16, a coil spring 20 is arranged around the movable nozzle 15. One end of the coil spring 20 is in contact with the flange portion 15a provided at the base end portion of the movable nozzle 15, and the other end is abutted and supported by the tip end portion of the case 16. The movable nozzle 15 is always urged in the reverse (immersive) direction (to the right in FIGS. 4 and 5) by the urging force of the coil spring 20 having the tip of the case 16 as a fulcrum.

Further, on the base end side of the case 16, a pressure applying chamber 21 partitioned by a base end portion (flange portion 15a) of the movable nozzle 15 is provided. A seal rubber 15b is fixed to the base end portion (flange portion 15a) of the movable nozzle 15, and the seal rubber 15b is in close contact (sliding contact) with the inner peripheral surface of the case 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the passage pipe 18a. The airtightness of the pressure applying chamber 21 is maintained. Further, the base end closing member 18 has a second movable introduction port 22a that is outside the case 16 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first joint portion 19 and communicates with the pressure applying chamber 21. A joint portion 22 is provided.

Then, when air is supplied into the pressure applying chamber 21 through the movable introduction port 22a, the pop-up nozzle 13 is applied with the pressure of the cleaning liquid to the base end portion (flange portion 15a) of the movable nozzle 15. The movable nozzle 15 advances outward from the case 16 against the urging force of the coil spring 20 (see FIG. 5). In the state where air is not supplied to the movable introduction port 22a, the movable nozzle 15 moves backward (immersed) by the urging force of the coil spring 20 (see FIG. 4).

Further, when air is supplied from the injection port 19a, the pop-up nozzle 13 injects the air from the injection port 17.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the injection port 17 of the pop-up nozzle 13 (movable nozzle 15), the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected with the movable nozzle 15 advanced is the injection port 12a of the washer nozzle 12. It is set so as to mix (air HA) with the cleaning liquid WA jetted from and toward the lens surface 1a. From a different point of view, the injection port 17 of the pop-up nozzle 13 is set so that the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected passes through the cleaning liquid WA injected from the injection port 12a of the washer nozzle 12 and faces the lens surface 1a. Has been done. In other words, the injection port 17 of the pop-up nozzle 13 is set so that the air injection axis Z of the injected air faces the lens surface 1a, and the injection port 12a of the washer nozzle 12 is such that the cleaning liquid WA to be injected is the air injection axis Z. Is set to intersect with.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washer pump WP is connected to the washer nozzle 12 via the pipe H1.
Further, the movable outlet 8b of the electric air pump AP is connected to the movable introduction port 22a of the pop-up nozzle 13 via the pipe H2, and the compression chamber 9 is communicated with the movable introduction port 22a. Further, the discharge port 8a of the electric air pump AP is connected to the injection introduction port 19a of the pop-up nozzle 13 via the pipe H3.

Then, the electric air pump AP and the washer pump WP are electrically connected to the command unit 31 provided in the vehicle S, and are driven and controlled based on the command signal from the command unit 31.
The command unit 31 is dirty, for example, when the operation switch SW provided in the vehicle is operated, when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated in the reverse position, or based on the captured image of the in-vehicle camera 1. When the determination unit determines that the lens surface 1a is to be cleaned, a command signal is output to the washer pump WP and the electric air pump AP to drive and control them.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the electric air pump AP of the present embodiment, the position of the piston 5 is positioned even if the command signal is cut off while the motor 3 is being driven to supply air. A control circuit unit 32 that continues to drive the motor 3 until the position of the piston 5 reaches outside the load range when it is within the reciprocating intermediate range and within the load range where the transmission mechanism 7 is loaded.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the electric air pump AP of the present embodiment includes a lower case 33 and an upper case 34, and the motor 3, the pump unit 6, and the transmission mechanism 7 (FIG. 6) are contained therein. And Fig. 7), etc. are accommodated.

The lower case 33 has a motor pump accommodating portion 33a for accommodating the motor 3 and the pump portion 6. In the motor pump accommodating portion 33a, the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2 in the motor 3 and the forward axis direction X2 of the piston 5 in the pump portion 6 are parallel to each other, and the circular outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 (cylinder) It is formed so that it can be placed so as to face the circular outer peripheral surface of 4). Specifically, the motor pump accommodating portion 33a is located in a range of about 90 ° from the substantially flat plate-shaped bottom portion 33b and the end portion of the bottom portion 33b on the motor 3 side to the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1. It has an arcuate portion 33c substantially along the axis and an arcuate portion 33d substantially along the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 4 from the end of the bottom portion 33b on the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4) side. Further, the motor pump accommodating portion 33a has an extension portion 33e extending linearly upward from the upper ends of the arc-shaped portions 33c and 33d. The motor 3 has a pair of anti-vibration rubbers 35 fitted on both ends in the axial direction of the main body of the motor 3, and a holding wall 33f and an upper case in which the anti-vibration rubbers 35 project upward from the lower case 33 (bottom 33b). It is fixed by being sandwiched by a sandwiching wall 34a projecting downward from 34. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower case 33 is in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotation shaft 2 of the motor 3 protrudes when viewed from above, and is in the same direction as the discharge port 8a (in the figure). , Left direction) has a connector forming portion 33g. Further, the upper case 34 has a connector forming portion (not shown) paired with the connector forming portion 33g of the lower case 33, and the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating shaft 2 protrudes (same as the discharge port 8a). A connector portion that opens in the direction) will be formed. Further, the lower case 33 is a surface (left side in FIG. 6) of the closing member 8 attached to the tip end side of the cylinder 4 in succession with the extension portion 33e on the cylinder 4 side. It has a retaining support wall 33h that comes into contact with the cylinder. Further, the lower case 33 has a transmission mechanism accommodating portion 33j for accommodating the transmission mechanism 7 on the direction side (right side in the drawing) in which the rotation shaft 2 of the motor 3 projects when viewed from above.

The transmission mechanism 7 includes a worm 41 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 2, a worm wheel 42 as a rotating body that meshes with the worm 41, and one surface (upper surface, FIG. 6) of the worm wheel 42. It includes a transmission rod 43 in which one end is rotatably attached and the other end is rotatably attached to the piston 5 at a position deviated from the center of the axis on the surface on the front side of the paper surface. At the bottom of the transmission mechanism accommodating portion 33j, a wheel support portion 33k projecting upward from the worm 41 on the pump portion 6 side is provided, and the worm wheel 42 is provided from above to below like the motor 3 and the pump portion 6. It is assembled to the side case 33 and is rotatably externally supported by the wheel support portion 33k.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the worm wheel 42 has a magnet accommodating portion 42a recessed from one surface (the upper surface, which is the surface on the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 6). It is formed. A pair of magnet accommodating portions 42a of the present embodiment are formed at 180 ° intervals at positions deviated from the axial center of the worm wheel 42. A magnet 44 is accommodated and held in each magnet accommodating portion 42a. The magnetic poles of each magnet 44 are fixed upside down. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the magnet accommodating portion 42a is recessed to the vicinity of the other surface (lower surface) of the worm wheel 42, and the magnet 44 is closer to the other surface (one side) of the worm wheel 42. It is fixed at a position closer to the other surface than the surface).

The control circuit unit 32 that controls the drive of the motor 3 detects the magnetic field of the magnet 44, specifies the rotation angle of the worm wheel 42, and identifies the position of the piston 5. The hall IC 45 as a magnetic sensor. It includes various electrical components (elements) 46 including a microcomputer, a switching element, and the like, and they are mounted on a single circuit board 47.

The circuit board 47 is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4). In other words, the circuit board 47 is a straight line connecting the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4) when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2 (see FIG. 8). It is arranged between (tangent) and a straight line (tangent) connecting the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4). Specifically, the bottom 33b of the lower case 33 is formed with a support convex portion 33m that supports the circuit board 47 by inserting the circuit board 47 from above. The circuit board 47 is supported and arranged by the support convex portion 33 m so that the plate thickness direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) is parallel to the facing direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) between the outer peripheral surfaces. Has been done. The entire circuit board 47 (control circuit unit 32) is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2. Further, some of the electric components 46 (high in height from the mounting surface) in the control circuit unit 32 are in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness of the circuit board 47 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2. It is arranged so as to overlap the motor 3 or the pump unit 6 in the vertical direction in 8). That is, a part of the electric component 46 (high in height from the mounting surface) in the control circuit unit 32 is moved in the vertical direction from the narrowest position between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 (cylinder 4). By arranging the positions closer to the bottom 33b side, they are arranged so as to overlap the motor 3 or the pump portion 6 in the vertical direction. In other words, when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2, in the opposite direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) between the outer peripheral surfaces, a part of the control circuit unit 32 (from the mounting surface). The range occupied by the electric component 46 (which has a high height) is arranged so as to overlap the range occupied by the motor 3 or the pump unit 6.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the hall IC 45 provided on the circuit board 47 faces the other surface (lower surface) of the worm wheel 42, and the magnetic field of the magnet 44 Is arranged so as to detect (and thus to identify the position of the piston 5).

In the electric air pump AP configured in this way, a plurality of connector terminals 48 connected to the circuit board 47 and the motor 3 are arranged in the connector forming portion 33g (connector portion), and are in the same direction as the pipes H2 and H3. It is electrically connected to the command unit 31 via an external connector fitted from (left side in FIGS. 6 and 7).

Then, when the command signal is input from the command unit 31, the control circuit unit 32 including the hall IC 45 drives the motor 3 to reciprocate the piston 5 in order to supply air.
Further, in the control circuit unit 32 including the hall IC 45, even if the command signal from the command unit 31 is cut off while the motor 3 is being driven to supply air, the position of the piston 5 is within the reciprocating intermediate range. If it is within the compression range A, which is the load range in which the transmission mechanism 7 is loaded, power is supplied to the motor 3 until the position of the piston 5 reaches the outside of the compression range, and the driving is continued. The reciprocating intermediate range is a range when the position of the piston 5 is other than the forward end (top dead center) and the return end (bottom dead center), and the compression range A is the piston 5. This is the range in which the piston 5 moves in the process from when the air in the compression chamber 9 starts to be compressed due to the forward movement of the piston 5 to when the compressed air is discharged through the discharge port 8a.

Next, the operation of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device configured as described above will be described.
First, in the non-cleaning state, when the electric air pump AP and the washer pump WP are not driven, the movable nozzle 15 of the pop-up nozzle 13 is set to be in the reverse (immersive) state by the urging force of the coil spring 20, and the movable nozzle is moved. It is possible to prevent the 15 from interfering with the imaging of the vehicle-mounted camera 1.

Then, for example, when mud or the like is attached to the lens surface 1a of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 and the operation switch SW is operated to inject air and the cleaning liquid, a command signal is output from the command unit 31. , Washer pump WP and electric air pump AP are driven. At this time, when the cleaning liquid is supplied from the washer pump WP to the washer nozzle 12, the cleaning liquid is ejected from the washer nozzle 12. Then, when the electric air pump AP is driven and the piston 5 is moved forward, air is introduced into the pressure applying chamber 21 of the pop-up nozzle 13 when the pressure of the air in the compression chamber 9 of the electric air pump AP is increased. It is fed and the movable nozzle 15 advances. After that, when the piston 5 is further moved and the operating rod 10a of the discharge valve 10 is operated (pressed) by the tip of the piston 5, the compressed gas in the compression chamber 9 is instantaneously discharged from the discharge port 8a. Air is ejected from the injection port 17 of the pop-up nozzle 13 (movable nozzle 15). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, fine particles of the cleaning liquid WA mixed before reaching the lens surface 1a are sprayed on the lens surface 1a together with the high-pressure air HA, and the mud and the like adhering to the lens surface 1a are washed away. The lens surface 1a is cleaned.

Here, for example, when the piston 5 is moved forward and its tip reaches the operation rod 10a of the discharge valve 10, that is, when the position of the piston 5 is in the compression range A, the command signal from the command unit 31 Is shut off, the control circuit unit 32 continues to drive the motor 3 until the position of the piston 5 reaches outside the compression range A, that is, until air is discharged from the discharge port 8a.

Next, the characteristic effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) Since the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other so that the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2 and the forward axis direction X2 of the piston 5 are parallel to each other, the rotation shaft 2 Compared with the case where the rotation axis direction X1 of the piston 5 and the forward axis direction X2 of the piston 5 are arranged so as to intersect with each other, the size can be reduced. Moreover, since the control circuit unit 32 that controls the drive of the motor 3 is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6, the control circuit unit 32 is arranged outside between the outer peripheral surfaces. Compared with the above, the space that becomes a dead space can be effectively used, and the size can be reduced.

(2) Since the control circuit unit 32 is entirely arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1, a part of the control circuit unit 32 is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces. Compared to the case where the size is reduced.

(3) The control circuit unit 32 is provided on the circuit board 47, and the thickness direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) of the circuit board 47 is the direction in which the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 face each other (the direction facing each other). Since it is arranged so as to be parallel to the left-right direction in FIG. 8, it can be easily arranged as compared with the case where the plate thickness direction is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the opposite direction of the outer peripheral surfaces. ..

(4) Since the support convex portion 33m for supporting the circuit board 47 is formed in the lower case 33 on which the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 are mounted, the circuit board 47 can be easily made while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. Can be supported by.

(5) The control circuit unit 32 (a part of the electric components 46 thereof) provided on the circuit board 47 is in the direction orthogonal to the thickness of the circuit board 47 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1 of the rotation shaft 2 (in FIG. 8, FIG. Since it is arranged so as to overlap the motor 3 or the pump portion 6 in the vertical direction), the space serving as a dead space can be effectively used and the size can be reduced as compared with the one arranged so as not to overlap.

(6) The cylinder 4 of the pump unit 6 is separated from the lower case 33 and the upper case 34, and the pump unit 6, the motor 3, the circuit board 47, the worm wheel 42, etc. are all assembled to the lower case 33 from above. Since it is possible, its production becomes easy.

(7) The lower case 33 is a retaining member that comes into contact with the surface (left side in FIG. 6) of the closing member 8 having the discharge port 8a attached to the tip end side of the cylinder 4 in the removing direction side from the cylinder 4. It has a support wall 33h. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the closing member 8 from coming off (falling off) from the cylinder 4 while simplifying the attachment structure between the cylinder 4 and the closing member 8.

(8) Since the motor 3 is fixed to the lower case 33 (holding wall 33f) and the upper case 34 (holding wall 34a) via the anti-vibration rubber 35, the vibration of the motor 3 may be transmitted. It is suppressed.

(9) The discharge port 8a, the movable outlet 8b, and the connector terminal 48 project in the same direction (left direction in FIG. 6), and the pipes H2 and H3 and the external connector (not shown) can be fitted from the same direction. Therefore, for example, assembling becomes easy.

(10) The lower case 33 has a motor pump accommodating portion 33a for accommodating the motor 3 and the pump portion 6. The motor pump accommodating portion 33a is substantially along the bottom portion 33b, the arcuate portion 33c substantially along the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 over a range of about 90 °, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 4 over a range of about 90 °. It has an arcuate portion 33d along the line and an extension portion 33e extending linearly upward from the upper ends of the arcuate portions 33c and 33d. In this configuration, the lower case 33 has an extension portion 33e extending linearly upward from the upper ends of the arc-shaped portions 33c and 33d, and accommodates the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 in half or more. Therefore, the motor 3 And the positioning of the pump unit 6 becomes easy, and the assembling property can be improved.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
-In the above embodiment, the control circuit unit 32 is arranged as a whole between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a part of the control circuit unit 32 may be arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces, and a part thereof may be arranged at a position separated from the outer peripheral surfaces.

In the above embodiment, the control circuit unit 32 is provided on the circuit board 47, and the circuit board 47 has the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 in the thickness direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8). It is said that the arrangement is parallel to the facing direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8), but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the plate thickness direction is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the facing direction between the outer peripheral surfaces. You may.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the changes may be made. In this example, the circuit board 71 provided with the control circuit unit 32 is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the plate thickness direction, and has a rectangular first plate portion 71a and the longitudinal direction of the first plate portion 71a. It has a second plate portion 71b extending laterally from one end portion. The circuit board 71 is arranged so that its thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 11) is orthogonal to the facing direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 11) between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the circuit board 71, the first plate portion 71a is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1, and the second plate portion 71b Is a position deviated from between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 (a position overlapping the motor 3 and a direction opposite to the direction in which the rotation shaft 2 of the motor 3 protrudes (left side in FIG. 10). ) Is placed. In this example, the circuit board 71 is arranged closer to the lower case 33, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the circuit board 71 may be arranged closer to the upper case 34, for example. Even in this way, the control circuit unit 32 (a part of the circuit board 71) that controls the drive of the motor 3 is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6, so that a space that becomes a dead space. Can be effectively used and miniaturization can be achieved.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the magnet 44 is changed from that of the above embodiment (see FIG. 6). That is, in this example, the pair of magnets 44 held by the worm wheel 42 are arranged at 180 ° intervals at positions deviated from the axial center of the worm wheel 42, and one magnet 44 is arranged with the transmission rod 43 and the worm wheel. It is arranged at the connection position with 42. Of course, also in the above embodiment, the position of the magnet 44 may be changed in this way.

-In the above embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4) are both circular, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the distance between them is not limited to this. The shapes may be partially different (that is, they are not parallel when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1), and may be changed as long as the facing portions have non-parallel surfaces such as an arc surface and an inclined surface.

Specifically, for example, it may be changed as shown in FIG. In this example, the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 has a shape having an arcuate surface 81 in which the corners (four corners) of the quadrangle are circular arcs when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1, and the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 (cylinder 4) is The shape has an arc surface 82 in which the corners (four corners) of the quadrangle are arcs when viewed from the forward axis direction X2. The motor 3 and the pump unit 6 are arranged so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6 face each other (so as to be parallel) so that one flat surface 83, 84 corresponding to one side of the quadrangle faces each other. There is. Then, the control circuit unit 32 is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor 3 and the pump unit 6, and in particular, a part of the control circuit unit 32 (circuit board 47) is arranged between the arcuate surfaces 81 and 82. The electrical component 46 (which is high in height from the mounting surface) is arranged. Even in this way, as in the above embodiment, the space serving as a dead space can be effectively used and the size can be reduced as compared with the case where the control circuit unit 32 is arranged on the outside between the outer peripheral surfaces. it can. In this example (see FIG. 12), it is assumed that the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 both have arcuate surfaces 81 and 82, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one of them is in the direction of the rotation axis. It may have a regular quadrangular shape when viewed from X1. Further, the arcuate surfaces 81 and 82 in FIG. 12 may be changed to a linear inclined surface when viewed from the rotation axis direction X1, in other words, the outer peripheral surface of the motor 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the pump portion 6 when viewed from the same direction. The surface may have an octagonal shape.

-In the above embodiment, the lower case 33 on which the motor 3 and the pump portion 6 are mounted is formed with a support convex portion 33 m for supporting the circuit board 47, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other The circuit board 47 may be fixed to the lower case 33 or the upper case 34 in the configuration.

In the above embodiment, the control circuit unit 32 drives the motor 3 until the position of the piston 5 reaches the outside of the compression range A if the position of the piston 5 is within the compression range A even if the command signal is cut off. Although it is assumed to be continued, it may be a control circuit unit that performs other control as long as it controls the drive of the motor 3.

-In the above embodiment, the electric air pump AP is for advancing the movable nozzle 15 of the pop-up nozzle 13 to inject air from the injection port 17, but is not limited to this, and has the pop-up nozzle 13. It may be used for other in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning devices, or it may be an electric air pump AP used for devices other than the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device.

2 ... Rotating shaft, 3 ... Motor, 4 ... Cylinder, 5 ... Piston, 6 ... Pump part, 7 ... Transmission mechanism, 32 ... Control circuit part, 33 ... Lower case, 33m ... Support convex part, 47, 71 ... Circuit Substrate, X1 ... Rotation axis direction, X2 ... Forward axis direction.

Claims (4)

A motor that rotates and drives the rotating shaft,
A pump unit having a cylinder and a piston that can reciprocate within the cylinder,
An electric air pump provided with a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the rotating shaft to the piston.
The motor and the pump portion are arranged so that their outer peripheral surfaces face each other so that the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation axis and the direction of the forward movement axis of the piston are parallel to each other.
A control circuit unit that controls the drive of the motor is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces .
The control circuit unit is provided on a circuit board.
The circuit board is an electric air pump characterized in that the thickness direction thereof is arranged so as to be parallel to the opposite direction of the outer peripheral surfaces. The electric air pump according to claim 1.
The control circuit unit is an electric air pump characterized in that the entire control circuit unit is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation shaft. The electric air pump according to claim 1 or 2.
A lower case on which the motor and the pump unit are mounted is provided.
An electric air pump characterized in that a support convex portion for supporting the circuit board is formed in the lower case. The electric air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The control circuit unit provided on the circuit board is characterized in that it is arranged so as to overlap the motor or the pump unit in the plate thickness orthogonal direction of the circuit board when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the rotation axis. Electric air pump.

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