JP7453188B2 - Clutch mechanism and drive device with clutch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism and a drive device equipped with the clutch mechanism.

Conventionally, in a drive device that transmits driving force from a driving part to a driven object, there are two states: a driving force transmission enabled state in which the driving force can be transmitted to the driven object, and a driving force transmission cutoff state in which the transmission of driving force to the driven object is cut off. For example, a clutch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used to switch between the two. In this clutch mechanism, in a state where driving force can be transmitted, a clutch pin rotated by the driving force of the driving part is inserted in the axial direction of the transmission gear into a through hole provided in the transmission gear that transmits the driving force to the driven object, By engaging with the transmission gear in a direction around the axis of the transmission gear, the transmission gear is rotated. In addition, when the driving force transmission is cut off, the clutch pin is pulled out of the through hole of the transmission gear, thereby disengaging the clutch pin from the transmission gear, allowing the transmission gear to rotate independently. .

More specifically, the clutch mechanism of Patent Document 1 includes a transmission gear for transmitting driving force to a driven object, and a drive unit that rotates around an axis and rotates toward the transmission gear or towards the transmission gear. a clutch pin that is movable in the axial direction away from the transmission gear; a biasing member that biases the clutch pin in the axial direction away from the transmission gear; and a biasing member disposed between the clutch pin and the wall of the housing and connected to the solenoid arm. It is equipped with a clutch lever that can be rotated around its axis. The clutch lever is connected to the solenoid arm via a through hole that communicates the inside and outside of the housing. The clutch lever rotates about its axis by activation and deactivation of a solenoid. When the clutch lever rotates in one direction around the shaft due to the operation of the solenoid, the clutch lever rotates between an inclined sliding surface protruding from the wall of the housing and an inclined sliding surface protruding from the wall of the housing. The sliding surface provided on the clutch lever interacts with the sliding surface provided on the clutch lever so as to be slidably engaged, and the clutch pin is moved in the axial direction toward the transmission gear against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby causing the transmission gear and the clutch pin to move. engage. Further, when the clutch lever rotates in the other direction around the shaft, it moves in a direction away from the transmission gear together with the clutch pin by the urging force of the urging member, and the engagement between the transmission gear and the clutch pin is released.

Here, the drive device including the clutch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used as a winch device for towing a wheelchair. This winch device engages the clutch pin with the transmission gear to enable driving force to be transmitted to the transmission gear, and operates the drive unit in the driving force transmittable state, thereby transmitting the driving force. It can be transmitted to a wheelchair and the wheelchair can be towed. In addition, when an operation is performed to shift from the drive force transmission enabled state to the drive power transmission cutoff state that cuts off the transmission of drive force to the transmission gear, the clutch pin is disengaged from the transmission gear. When the solenoid is deactivated and the solenoid arm operates, the clutch lever and clutch pin rotate about the shaft and move away from the transmission gear due to the biasing force of the biasing member.

JP 2021-4135 Publication

However, for example, when towing a wheelchair is released while the wheelchair is being towed, the load from the transmission gear remains on the clutch pin, that is, the clutch pin is firmly engaged with the transmission gear in the axial direction. In this case, the clutch lever and the clutch pin may not be able to move away from the transmission gear due to the urging force of the urging member. If this happens, the connection part of the clutch lever to the solenoid arm cannot return to its normal axial position exposed to the outside of the housing through the through hole in the housing, but instead slips under the wall of the housing. . If the coupling part of the clutch lever goes under the wall of the housing, even if the load applied to the clutch pin from the transmission gear is subsequently reduced, the wall of the housing will act as a barrier and the clutch lever and clutch will be damaged. The pin cannot return to its normal axial position, and the transition to the driving force transmission cutoff state does not take place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism that can more reliably transition from a driving force transmittable state to a driving force transmission disconnected state, and a drive device equipped with the clutch mechanism.

The clutch mechanism of the present invention is a drive device that transmits a driving force from a driving part to a driven object, and has a driving force transmittable state in which a transmission member can transmit the driving force to the driven object, and a state in which the driving force can be transmitted by the transmission member to the driven object. a clutch mechanism for switching between a driving force transmission cutoff state and a driving force transmission cutoff state in which transmission of the driving force is cut off, the clutch mechanism being an engagement member capable of engaging with the transmission member; An engagement movable between an engagement position in which the transmission member is in the drive force transmittable state and a disengagement position in which the transmission member is disengaged from the transmission member and the transmission member is in the drive force transmission cutoff state. a coupling member, a biasing member that biases the engagement member from the engagement position to the disengagement position along the biasing direction, and a biasing member disposed on a side of the engagement member in the biasing direction. , a moving member movable between an auxiliary engagement position that moves the engagement member to the engagement position and an auxiliary engagement release position that allows the engagement member to move to the disengagement position; , a wall portion disposed on the side of the movable member in the biasing direction and provided with a through hole, and directly or indirectly connected to the movable member side connecting portion of the movable member through the through hole; an actuator for moving the movable member between the engagement auxiliary position and the disengagement auxiliary position; , disposed so as to enter at least partially into the through-hole, and the wall portion is configured such that when the movable member moves from the engagement auxiliary position toward the disengagement auxiliary position, the movable member A stop portion that stops the movement of the movable member by directly or indirectly abutting the movable member is provided at a position that does not abut the peripheral wall of the through hole.

The drive device of the present invention includes a traction member, a take-up member that can take up and unwind the traction member, a drive section that generates a driving force for rotating the take-up member, and a drive unit that generates a drive force for rotating the take-up member. The power transmission device includes a transmission member that transmits force, a transmission mechanism that is disposed between the drive unit and the transmission member and transmits the drive force from the drive unit to the transmission member, and the clutch mechanism.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clutch mechanism that can more reliably transition from a driving force transmission enabled state to a driving force transmission disconnected state, and a drive device equipped with the clutch mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drive device including a clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a wheelchair. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive device including a clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drive device of FIG. 2 viewed from the back side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the drive device of FIG. 2 with the housing removed. 3 is an exploded perspective view of some components of the drive device of FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view of the transmission member and ratchet mechanism of the drive device of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a top view of the transmission mechanism of the drive device in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a moving member of the drive device of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an engagement member of the drive device of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of the drive device shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of transmitting driving force. FIG. 10B is a schematic top view of the clutch mechanism in the state of FIG. 10A. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a driving force transmission cutoff state of the clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a schematic top view of the clutch mechanism in the state of FIG. 11A. It is an explanatory view explaining the state of the clutch mechanism of the comparative example which does not include a stop part. FIG. 12A is a schematic top view of the clutch mechanism in the state of FIG. 12A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A clutch mechanism and a drive device including the clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiment shown below is just an example, and the clutch mechanism and drive device of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiment. Moreover, the clutch mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the drive devices shown below, and can be applied to other drive devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 1 of this embodiment is a device that pulls a driven object such as a wheelchair WC. The drive device 1 is installed in a vehicle V, for example, and is used as a winch device that pulls a wheelchair WC, which is a driven object, and guides it into the vehicle V. The wheelchair WC is pulled by the drive device 1, passes through a slope SL provided in the vehicle V, and is guided to a loading platform LP inside the vehicle V. However, the drive device 1 is not limited to the wheelchair WC, and can also be used to pull other driven objects.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the drive device 1 includes a traction member 2, a take-up member 3 that can take up and unwind the traction member 2, and a drive force for rotating the take-up member 3. a drive unit 4 that transmits driving force to the winding member 3; a transmission member 5 (see FIG. 4) that transmits driving force to the winding member 3; The transmission mechanism includes a transmission mechanism TM (see FIG. 4) and a clutch mechanism CM. In this embodiment, the drive device 1 includes a support member SM to which the winding member 3 is attached, and is fixed to the support member SM, and at least partially operates the transmission mechanism TM, clutch mechanism CM, and transmission member 5 together with the support member SM. A housing H is provided. The drive device 1 transmits the driving force generated by the drive unit 4 to the winding member 3 via the transmission mechanism TM, the clutch mechanism CM, and the transmission member 5, and winds up the traction member 2 with the winding member 3. , which tows the wheelchair WC that is the driving object.

The traction member 2 is a long member that pulls the wheelchair WC that is a driving object. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the traction member 2 has one end connected to the winding member 3, and the other end connected to the wheelchair WC via, for example, a hook F, and is connected to the drive device. Connect 1 and wheelchair WC. The traction member 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has the flexibility to be wound around the winding member 3 and has the strength to prevent damage when towing the wheelchair WC. For example, the traction member 2 may be a belt. , rope, wire, etc.

The winding member 3 is a member that winds up and lets out the traction member 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the winding member 3 winds up the traction member 2 by rotating in one direction (hereinafter referred to as "first direction D1") about the axis 2 is rotated in the other direction (hereinafter referred to as "second direction D2"). In the present embodiment, the winding member 3 has a rotating shaft member RS (see FIG. 5) fixed at the center of rotation rotatably fixed to the opposing side walls SM1, SM1 of the support member SM. It is rotatably attached between SM1 and SM1. Moreover, the winding member 3 is fixed to the transmission member 5 via the rotating shaft member RS so as to rotate about the axis X together with the transmission member 5. Note that hereinafter, the moving direction of other members that move in relation to the rotation of the winding member 3 in the first direction D1 will also be referred to as the first direction D1, and the rotation of the winding member 3 in the second direction D2 will also be referred to as the first direction D1. The direction of movement of other members that move in relation to is also referred to as the second direction D2.

The drive unit 4 generates a driving force for rotating the winding member 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit 4 is connected to the transmission mechanism TM so as to transmit driving force to the transmission mechanism TM. The drive unit 4 rotates the winding member 3 via the transmission mechanism TM, the clutch mechanism CM, and the transmission member 5 by transmitting the generated driving force to the transmission mechanism TM. The drive unit 4 only needs to be able to generate a driving force for rotating the winding member 3 and transmit the generated driving force to the transmission member 5 via the transmission mechanism TM and the clutch mechanism CM, and its configuration is as follows. Not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit 4 includes a motor 41, a worm gear unit 42 connected to the output shaft of the motor 41, and a driving force transmission shaft 43 connected to the worm gear unit 42. The driving force transmission gear 44 is fixed to the driving force transmission shaft 43 and connected to the transmission mechanism TM. The worm gear section 42 includes a worm (not shown) fixed to either one of the output shaft of the motor 41 and the driving force transmission shaft 43, and a worm fixed to the other of the output shaft of the motor 41 and the driving force transmission shaft 43. A wheel (not shown) is provided. The drive unit 4 rotates the output shaft of the motor 41 by operating the motor 41, and accordingly rotates the drive force transmission shaft 43 and the drive force transmission gear 44 via the worm gear unit 42. The drive unit 4 rotates the transmission mechanism TM by rotating the driving force transmission gear 44, and rotates the transmission member 5 via the transmission mechanism TM and the clutch mechanism CM.

The transmission member 5 is a member that transmits the driving force of the drive unit 4 to a driven object. In this embodiment, the transmission member 5 transmits the driving force of the drive section 4 transmitted via the transmission mechanism TM and the clutch mechanism CM to the winding member 3, and drives the winding member 3 and the traction member 2 through the winding member 3 and the traction member 2. The driving force is transmitted to the target wheelchair WC. The transmission member 5 is not particularly limited in its configuration as long as it can transmit the driving force of the drive unit 4 to the driven object. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transmission member 5 is connected to the winding member 3 via a rotating shaft member RS fixed to a fitting hole 51 provided at the center of rotation, It is configured to rotate around the axis X together with the winding member 3. The transmission member 5 is rotatably fixed to the support member SM (see FIG. 4) together with the winding member 3 via the rotating shaft member RS. The transmission member 5 is embodied as a substantially circular ratchet gear having ratchet teeth RM1 on its outer periphery, and is configured so that its rotational movement is restricted in a predetermined state, as described below. However, the transmission member 5 is not limited to this embodiment as long as it can transmit the driving force to the winding member 3 so as to rotate the winding member 3, and for example, the ratchet teeth RM1 provided on the outer periphery. For example, the winding member 3 may be provided with a pinion and be embodied as a linear rack that moves linearly while engaging with the pinion. It may be configured to move.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission member 5 includes an engaged portion 52 that engages with an engagement member 8 of a clutch mechanism CM, which will be described later. The transmission member 5 engages the engagement member 8 of the clutch mechanism CM with the engaged portion 52 in the moving direction (rotation direction in this embodiment) of the transmission member 5. The driving force is transmitted from the transmission mechanism TM via the winding member 3, and the driving force can be transmitted to the driven object via the winding member 3. Further, in the transmission member 5, when the engagement member 8 of the clutch mechanism CM is disengaged from the engaged portion 52, the transmission of the driving force from the transmission mechanism TM is cut off, and the transmission of the driving force to the driven object is interrupted. The transmission of driving force is cut off.

The engaged portion 52 of the transmission member 5 only needs to be able to engage with the engagement member 8 of the clutch mechanism CM in the moving direction of the transmission member 5, and its configuration is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 52 is configured as a peripheral wall of a through hole 53 that passes through the transmission member 5 along the axis X direction, as shown in FIG. The through hole 53 is formed in a size that allows an engagement pin 82 (see FIGS. 5 and 8B) of an engagement member 8 (described later) to be inserted therein. When the engagement pin 82 of the engagement member 8 is inserted into the through hole 53, it becomes possible to engage with the engaged portion 52, which is the peripheral wall of the through hole 53. The transmission member 5 has a plurality of (six in this embodiment) spaced apart from each other along the movement direction (rotation direction in this embodiment) of the transmission member 5 corresponding to the engagement pin 82 of the engagement member 8. A through hole 53 is provided. Furthermore, a guide surface 54 for guiding the engaging pin 82 to the through hole 53 is provided on the surface of the transmission member 5 on the engaging member 8 side in the axis It is being The guide surface 54 is inclined toward the side opposite to the engaging member 8 side in the axis X direction (the back side of the paper in FIG. 6) as it goes in the first direction D1. When the engagement pin 82 is moved in the first direction D1 while being pressed toward the transmission member 5 in the axis X direction, when the tip of the engagement pin 82 comes into contact with the guide surface 54, the guide surface 54 The inclination promotes movement of the engagement pin 82 in the first direction D1, and the engagement pin 82 is easily inserted into the through hole 53.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the drive device 1 includes a ratchet mechanism RM that allows rotation of the transmission member 5 in the first direction D1 and restricts rotation of the transmission member 5 in the second direction D2. You can leave it there. In this embodiment, the ratchet mechanism RM is in a first functional state (the state shown in FIG. 6) in which it allows movement of the transmission member 5 in the first direction D1 and restricts movement of the transmission member 5 in the second direction D2. , and a second functional state (not shown) that allows movement of the transmission member 5 in the first and second directions D1, D2. When the ratchet mechanism RM is in the first functional state, when the driving force for moving the transmission member 5 in the first direction D1 is transmitted to the transmission member 5, the transmission member 5 moves in the first direction D1. is allowed, the winding member 3 rotates in the first direction D1 together with the transmission member 5 to wind up the traction member 2. Conversely, when the traction member 2 is about to be unwound from the winding member 3, the movement of the transmission member 5 in the second direction D2 is restricted, thereby restricting the rotation of the winding member 3 in the second direction D2. As a result, the drawing-out of the traction member 2 is restricted. Furthermore, when the ratchet mechanism RM is in the second functional state, the transmission member 5 is allowed to move in the first and second directions D1 and D2, so the rotation of the winding member 3 is also allowed, and the traction The member 2 can now be fed out.

The structure of the ratchet mechanism RM is not particularly limited as long as it can transition between the first functional state and the second functional state described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the ratchet mechanism RM has ratchet teeth RM1 provided on the outer periphery of the transmission member 5, and an engagement position where the ratchet teeth RM1 engage with the ratchet teeth RM1. A pawl member RM2 that is movable between a non-engaging position and a non-engaging position, a biasing member (not shown) that biases the pawl member RM2 from the non-engaging position to an engaging position, and a pawl member RM2. The ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 is provided to move the ratchet mechanism between a first functional state and a second functional state. The pawl member RM2 is rotatably supported on the side wall SM1 of the support member SM via a rotating shaft RM4 extending substantially parallel to the axis X. One end RM21 of the pawl member RM2 is coupled to the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3, and the other end RM22 of the pawl member RM2 is engageable with the ratchet teeth RM1. In this embodiment, the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 is constituted by a known solenoid. The ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 positions the other end RM22 of the pawl member RM2 at a position adjacent to the ratchet teeth RM1 (the position shown in FIG. 6) in the inoperative state, and brings the pawl member RM2 into the first functional state. . Further, in the actuated state, the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 positions the other end RM22 of the pawl member RM2 at a position away from the ratchet teeth RM1, thereby bringing the pawl member RM2 into a second functional state. In the first functional state, the pawl member RM2 is located adjacent to the ratchet tooth RM1 and is biased by the biasing member in the direction from the disengaged position to the engaged position. At this time, when the transmission member 5 moves in the first direction D1, the ratchet teeth RM1 move the other end RM22 of the pawl member RM2 to the non-engaging position against the biasing force of the biasing member. Therefore, movement of the transmission member 5 in the first direction D1 is permitted. On the other hand, when the transmission member 5 moves in the second direction D2, the other end RM22 of the pawl member RM2 is held at the engagement position and engages with the ratchet teeth RM1, so that the second end RM22 of the transmission member 5 Movement in direction D2 is restricted. Further, in the second functional state, the pawl member RM2 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the ratchet teeth RM1, and is always kept in a disengaged state regardless of the biasing force of the biasing member. Therefore, movement of the transmission member 5 in the first and second directions D1 and D2 is allowed. In the drive device 1, when towing the wheelchair WC that is the drive target, the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 is activated to allow the transmission member 5 to move in the first direction D1, and to move the transmission member 5 in the second direction D2. This is the first functional state that restricts movement to. Furthermore, when the traction member 2 is unrolled from the winding member 3, the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 is brought into a non-operating state, thereby setting the second functional state in which the transmission member 5 is allowed to move in the second direction D2. Ru.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission mechanism TM is connected to the drive unit 4 to transmit the driving force of the drive unit 4, and is connected to the transmission member 5 via the clutch mechanism CM to transmit the drive force to the drive unit 4. The driving force is transmitted to the transmission member 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmission mechanism TM is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft member RS fixed to the winding member 3 and the transmission member 5, and is configured to be rotatable about an axis X. There is. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission mechanism TM is configured such that a tooth row provided on the outer periphery of the transmission mechanism TM (outer peripheral gear 6) meshes with a tooth row provided on the outer periphery of the driving force transmission gear 44 of the drive unit 4. is connected to the drive section 4. The transmission mechanism TM is configured to rotate around the axis X when the driving force transmitting gear 44 of the drive unit 4 rotates. Moreover, the transmission mechanism TM is connected to the transmission member 5 via the clutch mechanism CM. The transmission mechanism TM rotates around the axis X when the driving force of the drive unit 4 is transmitted, and rotates the transmission member 5 around the axis X via the clutch mechanism CM. However, although the transmission mechanism TM is configured to be rotated by the driving force of the driving part 4 in this embodiment, if the driving force of the driving part 4 can be transmitted to the transmission member 5, this embodiment can be used. For example, the rack may be configured as a linear rack that moves in a straight line, and may be configured to move in a straight line.

The transmission mechanism TM is disposed between the drive unit 4 and the transmission member 5, and its configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the driving force of the drive unit 4 to the transmission member 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the transmission mechanism TM includes a substantially annular outer gear 6 that is rotatable about the axis , and an inner peripheral gear 7 rotatable around an axis X. As described below, the outer gear 6 and the inner gear 7 are such that the relative rotation of the outer gear 6 in the first direction D1 with respect to the inner gear 7 is restricted, and the relative rotation of the outer gear 6 in the second direction D2 is restricted. is configured so that it is allowed. That is, the outer gear 6 can rotate together with the inner gear 7 when rotating in the first direction D1, and can rotate relative to the inner gear 7 when rotating in the second direction D2.

The outer gear 6 is a gear that is connected to the drive unit 4 and receives driving force from the drive unit 4 . As shown in FIG. 5, the outer gear 6 is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft member RS via the inner gear 7. As shown in FIG. 4, a tooth row that can mesh with the tooth row of the driving force transmission gear 44 of the drive unit 4 is provided on the outer periphery of the outer peripheral gear 6. As shown in FIG. The outer gear 6 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the driving force transmitting gear 44 by meshing with the driving force transmitting gear 44 . Further, the outer gear 6 is provided with a claw member 61 that can be engaged with the inner gear 7, as shown in FIG. The claw member 61 is configured to be movable between a position protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer gear 6 (the position shown in FIG. 7) and a position radially outer than the inner circumferential surface of the outer gear 6. has been done. Further, the outer gear 6 is provided with a biasing member 62 that biases the claw member 61 in a direction protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer gear 6. A recess 71 is formed in the inner gear 7 to correspond to the claw member 61 of the outer gear 6 and is recessed radially inward from the outer periphery of the inner gear 7 . The recess 71 is formed such that a claw member 61 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer gear 6 engages with a side wall of the recess 71 on the first direction D1 side. When the outer gear 6 rotates in the first direction D1, the claw member 61 that is biased by the biasing member 62 and protrudes radially inward from the inner periphery of the outer gear 6 moves in the first direction of the recess 71 of the inner gear 7. The inner gear 7 is engaged with the side wall on the D1 side and rotates together with the outer gear 6. When the outer gear 6 rotates in the second direction D2, the claw member 61 of the outer gear 6 is pressed against the side wall of the recess 71 of the inner gear 7 on the second direction D2 side, and is subjected to the urging force of the urging member 62. The outer gear 6 moves to a position radially outward than the inner circumferential surface of the outer gear 6, thereby disengaging the outer gear 6 from the inner gear 7. Can be rotated.

The inner gear 7 is arranged radially inside the inner circumference of the outer gear 6 and supports the outer gear 6. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the inner gear 7 is rotatable about the axis X by inserting the rotating shaft member RS into an insertion hole 72 provided approximately at the center. It is pivoted on. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner gear 7 includes an engaged portion 73 that engages with an engagement member 8 of a clutch mechanism CM, which will be described later. In the transmission mechanism TM, the engagement member 8 of the clutch mechanism CM engages with the engaged portion 73 of the inner peripheral gear 7 in the moving direction (rotation direction in this embodiment) of the transmission mechanism TM. The driving force of the drive unit 4 is transmitted to the engagement member 8 . The engaged portion 73 of the inner gear 7 is not particularly limited in its configuration as long as it can engage with the engagement member 8 of the clutch mechanism CM in the moving direction of the inner gear 7. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 73 is configured as a peripheral wall of a through hole 74 passing through the inner gear 7 in the axis X direction, as shown in FIG. 7 . The through hole 74 is formed in a size that allows an engagement pin 82 of an engagement member 8, which will be described later, to pass therethrough. The engagement pin 82 of the engagement member 8 is inserted into the through hole 74 so that it can engage with the engaged portion 73 that is the peripheral wall of the through hole 74 . The inner gear 7 has a plurality of (in this embodiment, 6 Two through holes 74 are provided.

In the drive device 1, the clutch mechanism CM operates in a driving force transmittable state (the state shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) in which the transmission member 5 can transmit the driving force to the driven object, and a driving force transmittable state in which the transmission member 5 can transmit the driving force to the driven object. It is used to switch between a driving force transmission cutoff state (the state shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B) in which transmission is cut off. In this embodiment, when the drive device 1 is enabled to transmit the driving force, the driving force is transmitted from the driving part 4 to the transmission member 5, and the driving force transmitted from the transmission member 5 is applied to the winding member 3. The traction member 2 is wound up, and the wheelchair WC, which is the driving object, is towed by the traction member 2. Further, by putting the drive device 1 into the driving force transmission cutoff state, the driving force is not transmitted to the transmission member 5, and thereby the driving force is transmitted from the transmission member 5 to the winding member 3 and the wheelchair WC. The wheelchair WC will not be towed without Note that the clutch mechanism CM is not limited to the drive device 1 of this embodiment, and can be applied to other drive devices that transmit driving force from a drive section to a driven object.

As shown in FIG. 5, the clutch mechanism CM includes an engagement member 8 that can engage with the transmission member 5 for the purpose of switching between a drive force transmission enabled state and a drive force transmission cutoff state in the drive device 1. , a biasing member 9 that biases the engagement member 8, a movable member 10 disposed on the biasing direction BD side with respect to the engagement member 8, and a movable member 10 disposed on the biasing direction BD side with respect to the movable member 10. It includes a wall portion 11 to be placed, and an actuator 12 for moving the moving member 10. As will be described in detail below, the clutch mechanism CM moves the movable member 10 to a predetermined position using the actuator 12, thereby causing the engaging member 8 to engage with the transmission member 5 against the biasing force of the biasing member 9. The driving device 1 is moved to a position where the driving force can be transmitted. Furthermore, the clutch mechanism CM moves the movable member 10 to another predetermined position using the actuator 12, thereby moving the engaging member 8 to a position where the engagement with the transmission member 5 can be released by the urging force of the urging member 9. , and the drive device 1 is brought into the driving force transmission cutoff state.

The engagement member 8 has two positions: an engagement position (the position shown in FIG. 10A) in which the transmission member 5 is engaged with the transmission member 5 so that the driving force can be transmitted; It is configured to be movable between an engagement release position (the position shown in FIG. 11A) in which the driving force transmission is cut off. The engagement member 8 transmits the driving force of the drive unit 4 to the transmission member 5 by engaging with the transmission member 5 at the engagement position, and transmits the driving force of the drive unit 4 to the transmission member 5 by disengaging from the transmission member 5 at the disengagement position. The transmission of the driving force No. 4 to the transmission member 5 is cut off. The direction of movement of the engagement member 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is movable between the engagement position and the disengagement position. In this embodiment, the engagement member 8 is configured to move along the axis X, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A, and moves in a direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis It is configured to engage with the member 5, move in a direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X, and be disengaged from the transmission member 5.

The structure of the engaging member 8 is not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the transmission member 5 when it is in the engagement position and disengage from the transmission member 5 when it is in the disengaged position. In this embodiment, the engagement member 8 includes a base 81 and a plurality of (six in this embodiment) engagement members extending from the base 81 in a direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis X. A dowel pin 82 is provided. The base 81 is formed into a substantially disk shape that expands in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis X, and is provided with an insertion hole 81a approximately at the center thereof into which the rotating shaft member RS is inserted. The engaging member 8 is movably supported by the rotating shaft member RS so as to be movable along the axis X and rotatably about the axis X by inserting the rotating shaft member RS into the insertion hole 81a of the base 81. Ru. The plurality of engagement pins 82 are provided around the insertion hole 81a of the base 81 at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the axis X. The engagement pin 82 is formed into a rod shape extending along the axis X, and has an engagement portion 82a that can engage with the engaged portion 52 of the transmission member 5 on the side surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 10A, as the engagement member 8 moves in the direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis X, the engagement pin 82 is inserted into the through hole 53 of the transmission member 5, and the engagement member The engaging portion 82 a of No. 8 engages with the engaged portion 52 of the transmission member 5 . Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, as the engagement member 8 moves in a direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X, the engagement pin 82 is pulled out from the through hole 53 of the transmission member 5. The engagement between the engaging portion 82a of the engaging member 8 and the engaged portion 52 of the transmission member 5 is released.

The engagement member 8 engages with the transmission member 5 to transmit the driving force transmitted from the drive unit 4 to the transmission member 5, and disengages from the transmission member 5 to transmit the drive force transmitted from the drive unit 4. The method of transmitting the driving force from the drive section 4 to the engagement member 8 is not particularly limited as long as it can block the transmission of the force to the transmission member 5. In this embodiment, the driving force of the drive unit 4 is transmitted to the engagement member 8 via the transmission mechanism TM. By engaging with the transmission mechanism TM in the moving direction (rotation direction in this embodiment) of the transmission mechanism TM, the engagement member 8 transmits the driving force of the drive unit 4 from the transmission mechanism TM, and is moved together with the transmission mechanism TM. It is configured to move (rotationally move in this embodiment). More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A, the engagement pin 82 of the engagement member 8 is connected to the transmission mechanism regardless of the engagement position and disengagement position described above. By being disposed through the through hole 74 of the TM, the engaging portion 82a of the engaging member 8 and the engaged portion 73 of the transmission mechanism TM are configured to engage and rotate together with the transmission mechanism TM. be done. Thereby, the transmission mechanism TM can transmit driving force to the transmission member 5 via the engagement member 8. The drive device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the driving force of the drive section 4 is transmitted to the engagement member 8 via the transmission mechanism TM, but the drive force of the drive section 4 is transmitted directly from the drive section 4 to the engagement member 8. It may be configured such that driving force is transmitted.

The biasing member 9 biases the engagement member 8 from the engagement position to the disengagement position along the biasing direction BD. In this embodiment, the biasing member 9 is provided between the transmission mechanism TM (inner peripheral gear 7) and the engagement member 8 (base 81) in the axis X direction, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A. , urges the engagement member 8 in the direction of the axis X with respect to the transmission mechanism TM, away from the transmission mechanism TM. The engagement member 8 is moved from an engagement position where it approaches the transmission member 5 in the axis X direction and engages with the transmission member 5 to a position where it engages with the transmission member 5 and which is away from the transmission member 5 in the axis is biased toward the disengagement position where the engagement of the disengagement is disengaged. The biasing member 9 only needs to be able to bias the engagement member 8 from the engagement position to the disengagement position, and is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is realized by a coil spring.

The moving member 10 has two positions: an auxiliary engagement position (the position shown in FIG. 10A) that moves the engagement member 8 to the engagement position, and an auxiliary disengagement position (the position shown in FIG. 10A) that allows the engagement member 8 to move to the disengagement position. 11A). The movable member 10 is positioned at the auxiliary engagement position to engage the engagement member 8 with the transmission member 5, and positioned at the auxiliary disengagement position to cause the engagement member 8 to engage with the transmission member 5. release the connection. As shown in FIG. 5, the moving member 10 is disposed on the side of the engaging member 8 in the biasing direction BD of the biasing member 9, and is moved through the engaging member 8 by the biasing force of the biasing member 9. It is biased along the biasing direction BD. The movable member 10 moves the engagement member 8 to the engagement position against the biasing force of the biasing member 9 by moving to the engagement assistance position, and moves the engagement member 8 to the engagement release assistance position by moving to the engagement release assistance position. , the engagement member 8 is allowed to move to the disengagement position by the biasing force of the biasing member 9.

The moving member 10 only needs to be movable between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position, and the moving direction thereof is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the moving member 10 is configured to move along axis X between an auxiliary engagement position and an auxiliary disengagement position, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A. The moving member 10 is arranged on the opposite side of the engaging member 8 from the transmission member 5 in the axis X direction so as to directly or indirectly abut against the engaging member 8 . The movable member 10 moves the engagement member 8 against the biasing force of the biasing member 9 by being located at the engagement auxiliary position, which is closer to the transmission member 5 in the axis X direction than the engagement release auxiliary position. It is positioned along the axis X to an engagement position close to the transmission member 5. In addition, the movable member 10 is located at the disengagement assisting position, which is a position farther from the transmission member 5 in the axis It is allowed to move along X to a disengaged position far from the transmission member 5. However, although the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position are provided along the axis X direction in this embodiment, they are not limited to such an arrangement; It is also possible to provide it along.

The movement of the movable member 10 in the above-mentioned axis X direction is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is realized as the movable member 10 rotates about the axis X. The movable member 10 moves to a predetermined rotational position around the axis X, and moves in a direction toward the transmission member 5 along the axis X against the urging force of the urging member 9, thereby assisting the engagement. position (the position in FIG. 10A) and move to another predetermined rotational position around the axis X, the biasing force of the biasing member 9 causes the direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X. The disengagement assisting position (the position shown in FIG. 11A) is configured to move to the disengagement assisting position. For that purpose, in this embodiment, the moving member 10 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the engaging member 8 and the wall part 11 in the axis X direction, as shown in FIG. is in contact with the engaging member 8 on one side, and is in contact with the wall portion 11 on the other side in the axis X direction. The movable member 10 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 9 via the engagement member 8 and is held in a state where it is pressed against the wall portion 11 in the axis X direction.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the moving member 10 includes a substantially annular base 10a and a plurality of (in this embodiment) provided along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the base 10a. In this example, there are four sliding portions 10b. The movable member 10 contacts the engagement member 8 at the surface of the base 10a on the engagement member 8 side in the axis X direction (lower surface in FIG. 8A), and contacts the wall portion 11 in the axis The side surface (the upper surface in FIG. 8A) contacts the wall portion 11. The sliding portion 10b slides on a sliding portion 11c (see FIG. 9) formed on the wall portion 11 so as to correspond to the sliding portion 10b when the moving member 10 rotates. The sliding portion 10b includes a plane 10c extending along the circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X, and an inclined surface 10d inclined from the plane perpendicular to the axis X along the circumferential direction. The inclined surface 10d moves from the wall portion 11 side to the engagement member 8 side (from top to bottom in FIG. 8A) in the axis X direction as it goes in the third direction D3, which is one circumferential direction around the axis X. It's slanted like that. When the movable member 10 rotates in the third direction D3 from the state shown in FIG. The inclined surface 10d of is guided by the inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11 and moves in a direction (downward in FIG. 11A) toward the transmission member 5 along the axis X against the urging force of the urging member 9. The movable member 10 is then positioned at the auxiliary engagement position shown in FIG. 10A, where the flat surface 10c of the moving member 10 and the flat surface 11d of the wall portion 11, which will be described later, are in contact with each other. Further, when the moving member 10 rotates from the state shown in FIG. 10A in the fourth direction D4 opposite to the third direction D3, the inclined surface 10d of the moving member 10 is guided by the inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11. Then, due to the urging force of the urging member 9, it moves in a direction away from the transmission member 5 (upward in FIG. 10A) along the axis X, and is positioned at the disengagement assisting position shown in FIG. 11A.

Movement of the moving member 10 between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position is performed by the actuator 12. In the present embodiment, the movable member 10 is rotated about the axis X by the actuator 12, and is moved along the axis X direction between the engagement auxiliary position and the disengagement auxiliary position. As shown in FIG. 8A, the moving member 10 includes a moving member side connecting portion 10e that is directly or indirectly connected to the actuator 12 for connection to the actuator 12. The moving member side connecting portion 10e is arranged so as to enter at least partially into a through hole (hereinafter referred to as a connecting through hole 11a) of the wall portion 11, which will be described later, when the moving member 10 is in the disengagement assisting position. (See FIG. 11A). In this embodiment, the moving member side connecting portion 10e is provided so as to protrude from the base portion 10a toward the wall portion 11 in the axis X direction, as shown in FIG. 8A.

The moving member 10 may be directly or indirectly connected to the actuator 12 and moved between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position by the actuator 12, and the method of connection with the actuator 12 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the moving member 10 is indirectly connected to the actuator 12 via a link member 13 provided in the clutch mechanism CM, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The moving member 10 is indirectly driven by the actuator 12 via the link member 13 because the moving member side connecting portion 10e is connected to the link member 13 that is moved by the actuator 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the link member 13 has a through-hole (described later) in the wall portion 11, so that the moving member 10 can be moved between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position by movement of the link member 13. It is connected to the moving member side connecting portion 10e through the connecting through hole 11a).

The link member 13 may be moved by the actuator 12, and the moving direction of the link member 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the movable member 10 between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position. In this embodiment, the link member 13 is rotatably provided with respect to the wall portion 11. For that purpose, the link member 13 is fixed to a link member rotating shaft 13a rotatably supported by the wall portion 11, as shown in FIG. The moving member 10 is configured to be rotationally movable by an actuator 12 via a link member 13 that is rotatable with respect to the wall portion 11 . The link member 13 is formed to extend radially outward from the link member rotating shaft 13a, and a link member side connecting portion 13b that connects with the moving member side connecting portion 10e is provided at the radially outer tip of the link member 13. ing. The link member side connecting portion 13b of the link member 13 is connected to the moving member side connecting portion 10e of the moving member 10 so that the moving member 10 can move relative to the link member 13 in the axis X direction. Thereby, when the link member 13 is rotated by the actuator 12, the moving member 10 can be rotated and moved along the axis X direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the link member side connecting portion 13b of the link member 13 is formed in a rod shape extending along the axis X direction, and is provided in the moving member side connecting portion 10e of the moving member 10. It is inserted into the insertion hole 10f (see FIG. 8A) that penetrates along the direction. The link member 13 rotates around the axis X by the actuator 12, and rotates the moving member 10 around the axis X, thereby moving the moving member 10 between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position. move it. In this embodiment, as described above, the rotational axis of the moving member 10 and the rotational axis of the link member 13 are arranged coaxially, and thereby the rotational movement of the moving member 10 is performed smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wall portion 11 is disposed on the side of the movable member 10 in the biasing direction BD of the biasing member 9, and is divided into a space where the movable member 10 is provided and a space where the actuator 12 is provided. This is the part provided between the two. In this embodiment, the wall portion 11 is configured as a part of the housing H, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9. However, the wall portion 11 may be provided separately from the housing H. The wall portion 11 is provided with a through hole (connection through hole 11a) for connecting the moving member 10 and the actuator 12. In this embodiment, the moving member side connecting portion 10e of the moving member 10 and the link member side connecting portion 13b of the link member 13 connected to the actuator 12 are connected through the connecting through hole 11a. The connecting through hole 11a is arranged so that the moving member side connecting portion 10e at least partially enters when the moving member 10 is in the disengagement assisting position (see FIG. 11A). Further, the wall portion 11 includes a link member through hole 11b for movably connecting the link member 13. A link member rotating shaft 13a of the link member 13 is rotatably fixed to the link member through hole 11b.

In this embodiment, the wall portion 11 is in contact with the movable member 10 in the axis X direction, and exerts a reaction force against the biasing force in the axis X direction against the movable member 10 that is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member 9. Configured to add. The wall portion 11 includes a sliding portion 11c that comes into contact with the sliding portion 10b of the moving member 10, as shown in FIG. The sliding portion 11c of the wall portion 11 is formed along the circumferential direction centered on the axis X. The sliding portion 10b of the moving member 10 slides while being pressed onto the sliding portion 11c of the wall portion 11 in the axis X direction by the urging force of the urging member 9 when the moving member 10 rotates. The sliding portion 11c of the wall portion 11 includes a plane 11d extending along the circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X, and an inclined surface 11e inclined along the circumferential direction from the plane perpendicular to the axis X. There is. The inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11 moves toward the wall portion 11 in the axis X direction as it moves toward a third direction D3, which is one circumferential direction around the axis It is inclined toward the movable member 10 side. As described above, the inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11 allows the moving member 10 to move along the axis X direction by sliding the inclined surface 10d of the moving member 10 when the moving member 10 rotates. The moving member 10 is guided. Further, the flat surface 11d of the wall portion 11 is brought into contact with the flat surface 10c of the movable member 10, thereby positioning the movable member 10 at the engagement assisting position.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 10A to 11B, the wall portion 11 is provided with a stop portion 14 that stops the movement of the movable member 10 by coming into direct or indirect contact with the movable member 10. ing. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the stop portion 14 comes into contact with the link member 13 and indirectly contacts the moving member 10 via the link member 13, thereby stopping the moving member 10. Provided to stop movement. The movable member 10 directly engages with the stop portion 14 when the movable member 10 moves from the auxiliary engagement position (the position shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) toward the auxiliary disengagement position (the position shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B). Alternatively, by indirectly abutting, the movable member 10 is stopped at a position P (see FIG. 11A) where the movable member 10 does not abut the peripheral wall of the through hole (connecting through hole 11a) of the wall portion 11. As a result, in the clutch mechanism CM of this embodiment, since the moving member 10 stops at a position P (see FIG. 11A) where it does not come into contact with the peripheral wall of the through hole (connection through hole 11a) of the wall portion 11, the wall portion 11, the movable member 10 is moved more reliably from the engagement auxiliary position to the disengagement auxiliary position, and the transition from the drive force transmission enabled state to the drive force transmission cutoff state is achieved. This can be done more reliably. Note that the stop portion 14 may be provided so as to be able to stop the movement of the moving member 10 at the above-mentioned predetermined position, and may be provided so as to directly contact the moving member 10.

The stop portion 14 may directly or indirectly contact the movable member 10 and stop the movement of the movable member 10 at the above-mentioned predetermined position, and the position of the wall portion 11 provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the stop portion 14 protrudes from the wall portion 11 that is opposite to the movable member 10 with the wall portion 11 in between in the urging direction BD by the urging member 9. . The stop portion 14 protruding from the surface of the wall portion 11 on the side opposite to the movable member 10 in the axis X direction comes into contact with the link member 13 connected to the movable member 10, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The movable member 10 is disposed so as to stop the movement of the moving member 10. In particular, the stop portion 14 is arranged so as to come into contact with the link member 13 at a position (radial position) between the link member rotating shaft 13a of the link member 13 and the link member side connecting portion 13b. As a result, for example, the movable member 10 may come into contact with the stop portion 14 near the movable member side connecting portion 10e provided on the base portion 10a located on the radially outer side of the movable member 10, or Compared to the case where the link member 13 contacts the stop portion 14 near the link member side connecting portion 13b located at the tip, the link member 13 is located radially inward than the moving member side connecting portion 10e and the link member side connecting portion 13b. Since the tangential velocity of the contact portion of the link member 13 that contacts the stop portion 14 is reduced, the collision sound when the link member 13 contacts the stop portion 14 can be suppressed to a low level.

The structure of the stop portion 14 is not particularly limited as long as it can directly or indirectly contact the moving member 10 and stop the movement of the moving member 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, for example, the contact portion of the stop portion 14 with the link member 13 is formed substantially flat. Similarly, the contact portion of the link member 13 with the stop portion 14 is formed substantially flat. The stop portion 14 is arranged so as to come into surface contact with the link member 13 when coming into contact with the link member 13. By bringing the link member 13 and the stop part 14 into surface contact, the impact when the link member 13 abuts against the stop part 14 is reduced, and the impact noise at the time of contact can be suppressed, and the link Damage to the member 13 and the stop portion 14 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 12 is directly or indirectly connected to the moving member side connecting portion 10e of the moving member 10 through the through hole (connecting through hole 11a) of the wall portion 11, and engages the moving member 10. It is moved between the engagement auxiliary position and the disengagement auxiliary position. The actuator 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the moving member 10 between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position, and can be configured by a known solenoid. In this embodiment, the actuator 12, which is a solenoid, includes a plunger 12a (see FIGS. 10B and 11B) that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a coil (not shown) that generates a magnetic field when energized. , and a biasing member (not shown) that biases the plunger 12a from the retracted position to the protruded position. The actuator 12 positions the plunger 12a in the protruding position by the biasing force of the biasing member when the coil is not energized, and positions the plunger 12a at the retracted position by the magnetic field generated by the coil when the coil is energized. . The actuator 12 moves the plunger 12a from the protruding position to the retracted position by shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state, thereby rotating and moving the link member 13 connected to the plunger 12a in the third direction D3. The member 10 is positioned in the assisted engagement position (from the state shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B to the state shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B). Conversely, the actuator 12 moves the plunger 12a from the retracted position to the extended position by transitioning from the activated state to the non-activated state, thereby rotating the link member 13 connected to the plunger 12a in the fourth direction D4. to position the moving member 10 in the disengagement assisting position (from the state shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B to the state shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B).

Next, the operation of the clutch mechanism CM of this embodiment and the drive device 1 provided with the clutch mechanism CM will be described using an example in which the wheelchair WC is towed and guided into the vehicle V. However, the operation shown below is an example, and the operation of the clutch mechanism and drive device of the present invention is not limited to the following example.

In order to tow the wheelchair WC, as shown in FIG. 1, the traction member 2 is extended from the drive device 1 to the wheelchair WC, and the other end of the traction member 2 is connected to the wheelchair WC via a hook F. . At this time, in order to unwind the traction member 2 from the winding member 3, first, in the ratchet mechanism RM shown in FIG. The pawl member RM2 is positioned at a position spaced apart from the ratchet tooth RM1 to provide a second functional state in which the pawl member RM2 does not engage with the ratchet teeth RM1. By setting the ratchet mechanism RM to the second functional state, the transmission member 5 is allowed to rotate in the second direction D2, and the winding member 3, which is rotatable together with the transmission member 5, also moves in the second direction in which the traction member 2 is fed out. Rotation to D2 becomes possible. Next, in the clutch mechanism CM, by putting the actuator 12 into a non-operating state, the link member 13 is rotated in the fourth direction D4 from the positions shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and the movable member 10 is brought to the disengagement auxiliary position. position. By positioning the moving member 10 at the disengagement assisting position, the engaging member 8 is urged in the biasing direction BD by the biasing member 9, and is positioned at the disengagement position (the position in FIG. 11A). As a result, the drive device 1 enters the driving force transmission cut-off state, the transmission member 5 and the transmission mechanism TM are disconnected, and the transmission member 5 becomes in a state where it can rotate without being restricted by the transmission mechanism TM. Accordingly, rotation of the winding member 3 in the second direction D2 is allowed, so that the traction member 2 can be unwound from the winding member 3, and the traction member 2 can be extended to the position of the wheelchair WC.

Next, in order to pull the wheelchair WC, the traction member 2 is wound up, but before that, in the ratchet mechanism RM shown in FIG. Switch. Thereby, the pawl member RM2 is positioned close to the ratchet tooth RM1, and the ratchet mechanism RM is brought into a first functional state in which the pawl member RM2 can engage with the ratchet tooth RM1. By setting the ratchet mechanism RM to the first functional state, the transmission member 5 is allowed to rotate in the first direction D1, which is the direction in which the traction member 2 is wound up, and in the second direction, which is the direction in which the traction member 2 is fed out. Rotation to D2 is restricted. As a result, even if the traction member 2 is pulled from the wheelchair WC while the wheelchair WC is being towed, the rotation of the winding member 3 in the second direction D2 together with the transmission member 5 is restricted, so the traction member 2 is driven. It is suppressed from being pulled out from the device 1. Next, the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM is switched from the non-operating state to the operating state, thereby changing the clutch mechanism CM from the driving force transmission cut-off state to the driving force transmittable state. Here, by switching the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM from the non-operating state to the operating state, the link member 13 is rotated in the third direction D3 from the state shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, and the moving member 10 is rotated in the third direction D3. Rotates in three directions D3. When the moving member 10 rotates in the third direction D3, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the inclined surface 10d of the moving member 10 is guided by the inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11, and the moving member 10 is biased. It moves in a direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis X against the biasing force of the member 9. As the moving member 10 moves in the direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis X, the engaging member 8 moves in the direction approaching the transmission member 5 along the axis The engagement pin 82 enters the through hole 53 of the transmission member 5 and is positioned at an engagement position where it can engage with the transmission member 5. The engagement member 8 transmits the driving force transmitted from the drive unit 4 to the transmission mechanism TM by inserting the engagement pin 82 into the through hole 74 of the transmission mechanism TM and into the through hole 53 of the transmission member 5. The signal can be transmitted from the transmission member 5 to the transmission member 5.

After the clutch mechanism CM is brought into a state in which driving force can be transmitted, the drive section 4 is driven to wind up the traction member 2 onto the winding member 3 and tow the wheelchair WC. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when the motor 41 of the drive section 4 is operated, the drive force transmission shaft 43 and the drive force transmission gear 44 rotate in the first direction D1 via the worm gear section 42. When the driving force transmission gear 44 rotates in the first direction D1, the transmission mechanism TM rotates in the first direction D1 in conjunction with the rotation of the driving force transmission gear 44. At this time, as the driving force transmission gear 44 rotates in the first direction D1, the outer gear 6 of the transmission mechanism TM rotates in the first direction D1, and is connected to the outer gear 6 via the claw member 61 of the outer gear 6. The connected inner peripheral gear 7 rotates in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 7). When the transmission mechanism TM rotates in the first direction D1, the transmission member 5 connected to the transmission mechanism TM via the clutch mechanism CM rotates in the first direction D1. As the transmission member 5 rotates in the first direction D1, the winding member 3 rotates in the first direction D1, and the winding member 3 winds up the traction member 2. In this way, the drive device 1 can pull the wheelchair WC and guide it into the vehicle V.

After the towing of the wheelchair WC is completed, the power of the drive device 1 is turned off. At this time, the ratchet mechanism actuator RM3 of the ratchet mechanism RM shown in FIG. 6 is maintained in an inoperative state. In this state, since the rotation of the transmission member 5 in the second direction D2 is restricted, the rotation of the winding member 3 in the second direction D2 is also restricted, and the pulling member from the winding member 3 is restricted. 2 is suppressed. The wheelchair WC can be fixed within the vehicle V by remaining connected to the drive device 1 in this state. Further, when the power of the drive device 1 is turned off, the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM is switched from an operating state to a non-operating state, and the clutch mechanism CM is switched from a drive force transmission enabled state to a drive force transmission cutoff state. At this time, the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM is switched from the activated state to the non-activated state, so that the link member 13 rotates in the fourth direction D4 from the state shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and the moving member 10 is rotated in the fourth direction D4. Rotate in the fourth direction D4. When the moving member 10 rotates in the fourth direction D4, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the inclined surface 10d of the moving member 10 is guided by the inclined surface 11e of the wall portion 11, and the moving member 10 is biased. It is pressed together with the engaging member 8 by the biasing force of the member 9 and moves in a direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X. As the movable member 10 moves away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X, the engagement member 8 moves away from the transmission member 5 along the axis The engagement pin 82 is pulled out from the through hole 53 of the transmission member 5. The engagement member 8 is then positioned at the disengagement position and disengaged from the transmission member 5. As a result, the clutch mechanism CM enters the driving force transmission cutoff state.

Here, as described above, not only when towing the wheelchair WC is completed and turning off the power of the drive device 1, but also when an obstacle is encountered in the movement path of the wheelchair WC while the wheelchair WC is being towed. In some cases, when it is necessary to interrupt the towing of the wheelchair WC, the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM is changed from the activated state to the inactive state in order to switch the clutch mechanism CM from the driving force transmission enabled state to the driving force transmission cutoff state. may be switched to. In such a case, when the engaging member 8 is in the engaging position, the engaging member 8 and the transmission member 5 are firmly engaged, and even if the engaging member 8 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 9, the engagement will not occur. The mating member 8 may not be able to move away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X. Then, even if the actuator 12 of the clutch mechanism CM is switched from the operating state to the non-operating state and the link member 13 and the moving member 10 are rotated in the fourth direction D4, the moving member 10 also rotates along the axis 5 (see FIG. 12A). Here, in the clutch mechanism CM of the present embodiment, the movable member 10 moves in the fourth direction D4 from the engagement auxiliary position (the position shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) to the disengagement auxiliary position (the position shown in FIGS. 11A and 10B). The moving member 10 is provided with a stop portion 14 that stops the movement of the moving member 10 when moving toward the position (position 11B). The movable member 10 comes into contact with this stop portion 14 via the link member 13, and thereby stops at a position P where it does not come into contact with the peripheral wall of the connection through hole 11a of the wall portion 11 (see FIG. 11A). The clutch mechanism CM of this embodiment includes such a stop portion 14, so that when the moving member 10 is rotated in the fourth direction D4, the clutch mechanism CM of the present embodiment separates from the transmission member 5 along the axis Even if the moving member side connecting portion 10e of the moving member 10 is not provided with a stop portion, as shown in FIGS. 11a and getting under the wall 11 can be suppressed. As a result, at the position where the movable member 10 indirectly contacts the stop portion 14 via the link member 13, the strong engagement between the engagement member 8 and the transmission member 5 is released, and the attachment is performed. Even if the engaging member 8 moves in a direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis X due to the biasing force of the biasing member 9, the moving member 10 moves to the disengagement auxiliary position shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. be able to. In contrast, when the clutch mechanism CM does not include the stop portion 14, the firm engagement between the engagement member 8 and the transmission member 5 is released from the state shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Even if the engaging member 8 moves in a direction away from the transmission member 5 along the axis 11a and comes into contact with the wall 11, the movable member 10 is never positioned at the disengagement assisting position. In this manner, the clutch mechanism CM of the present embodiment can more reliably transition from the drive force transmission enabled state to the drive force transmission cutoff state.

1 Drive device 2 Traction member 3 Winding member 4 Drive section 41 Motor 42 Worm gear section 43 Drive force transmission shaft 44 Drive force transmission gear 5 Transmission member 51 Fitting hole 52 Engaged part 53 Through hole 54 Guide surface 6 Outer gear 61 Claw member 62 Biasing member 7 Inner gear 71 Recess 72 Insertion hole 73 Engaged portion 74 Through hole 8 Engagement member 81 Base 81a Insertion hole 82 Engagement pin 82a Engagement portion 9 Biasing member 10 Moving member 10a Base 10b Sliding portion 10c Plane 10d Inclined surface 10e Moving member side connecting portion 10f Through hole 11 Wall portion 11a Through hole (through hole for connection)
11b Through hole for link member 11c Sliding portion 11d Plane 11e Inclined surface 12 Actuator 12a Plunger 13 Link member 13a Rotating shaft for link member 13b Link member side connecting portion 14 Stop portion BD Biasing direction CM Clutch mechanism D1 First direction D2 First 2nd direction D3 3rd direction D4 4th direction F Hook H Housing LP Loading platform P Position where the moving member does not come into contact with the peripheral wall of the through hole in the wall (connection through hole) RM Ratchet mechanism RM1 Ratchet tooth RM2 Pawl member RM21 One side End of RM22 Other end RM3 Ratchet mechanism actuator RM4 Rotating shaft RS Rotating shaft member SL Slope SM Supporting member SM1 Side wall TM Transmission mechanism V Vehicle WC Wheelchair X axis

Claims (6)

In a drive device that transmits a driving force from a driving part to a driven object, a driving force transmittable state in which a transmission member can transmit the driving force to the driven object, and a transmission of the driving force to the driven object by the transmission member. A clutch mechanism for switching between a driving force transmission cutoff state and a drive force transmission cutoff state that cuts off the drive force transmission,
An engagement member that is engageable with the transmission member, and has an engagement position in which the transmission member is brought into a state in which the driving force can be transmitted by engaging with the transmission member, and an engagement position in which the transmission member is disengaged from the transmission member. an engagement member that is movable between an engagement release position and a disengagement position that puts the transmission member in the driving force transmission cutoff state;
a biasing member that biases the engagement member from the engagement position to the disengagement position along a biasing direction;
An engagement auxiliary position that is disposed on the side of the engagement member in the urging direction and allows the engagement member to move to the engagement position and an engagement assist position that allows the engagement member to move to the engagement release position. a movable member movable between an engagement release auxiliary position and a disengagement assisting position;
a wall portion disposed on a side of the movable member in the urging direction and provided with a through hole;
an actuator connected directly or indirectly to the moving member side connecting portion of the moving member through the through hole and for moving the moving member between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position; ,
The movable member side connecting portion is arranged to at least partially enter the through hole when the movable member is in the disengagement assisting position,
The wall portion is provided with a portion that is directly connected to the movable member at a position where the movable member does not come into contact with the peripheral wall of the through hole when the movable member moves from the engagement auxiliary position toward the disengagement auxiliary position. Alternatively, a stop portion is provided that stops the movement of the moving member by indirectly abutting it.
clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism includes a link member moved by the actuator,
The link member is connected to the moving member side connecting portion through the through hole so that the moving member can be moved between the auxiliary engagement position and the auxiliary disengagement position by movement of the link member,
The stop portion protrudes from the wall portion in a direction opposite to the movable member across the wall portion in the biasing direction of the biasing member, and comes into contact with the link member to prevent the movable member from moving. arranged to stop
Clutch mechanism according to claim 1. The link member is rotatably provided with respect to the wall, and is formed to extend radially outward from the rotation axis of the link member,
A link member side connecting portion that connects with the moving member side connecting portion is provided at a radially outer tip of the link member,
The stop portion is arranged to abut against the link member at a position between the rotating shaft and the link member side connecting portion.
Clutch mechanism according to claim 2. The moving member is configured to be rotationally movable by the actuator via the link member,
The rotation axis of the moving member and the rotation axis of the link member are coaxially arranged,
Clutch mechanism according to claim 2 or 3. A contact portion of the link member with the stop portion is formed substantially flat;
A contact portion of the stop portion with the link member is formed substantially flat;
The stop portion is arranged so as to make surface contact with the link member when abutting the link member.
The clutch mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 4. a traction member;
a winding member capable of winding up and unwinding the towing member;
a drive unit that generates a driving force for rotating the winding member;
a transmission member that transmits the driving force to the winding member;
a transmission mechanism that is disposed between the drive section and the transmission member and transmits the driving force from the drive section to the transmission member;
A drive device comprising the clutch mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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