JPH0960630A - Screw looseness stopping mechanism and nut looseness stopping mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a screw and nut loosness stopping mechanism which can stop looseness surely and can conduct screw return without destruction. SOLUTION: Inclination surfaces 34 and engagement surfaces 35 are respectively provided on the outer periphery surfaces of a screw 30 and a nut, and at a plate 14, elastic engagement claws 54 are provided directly or through clips 50. As a result, at the time of the screw 30 and the nut being screwed in, there is no fear of trouble being brought about for the screwing-in or the like of the screw 30 and nut, as the elastic engagement claws 54 slide bendingly on the inclination surfaces 34. The screwing-in of the screw 30 and the nut is completed, and the screw 30 and the nut begin to be returned, then the elastic engagement claws 54 are elastically engaged with the engagement surfaces 35, and the loosening of the screw 30 and the nut can be prevented. Moreover, by releasing the elastic engagement of the elastic engagement claws 54 with the engagement surfaces 35, screw return can be accomplished without destroying the screw 30 and the nut.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a screw locking mechanism for screwing a plurality of parts by screwing it into a screw hole or a nut, and a nut locking mechanism for screwing a plurality of parts into a screw. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A screw locking mechanism of this type is described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-61514. Hereafter, the screw locking mechanism is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. This example shows an example in which an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile is used as a screw locking mechanism for rotatably attaching a gear of a reduction mechanism to a gear case and a plate.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a mirror base fixed to a vehicle body, for example, a door (not shown) of an automobile. A shaft holder 2 is fixed to the mirror base 1, and a hollow shaft 3 is integrally projected on the shaft holder 2. A mirror assembly 7 is rotatably supported on the shaft 3.

The mirror assembly 7 includes a unit bracket 8 rotatably supported by the shaft 3, a mirror housing 9 and a power unit 10 fixed to the unit bracket 8, and a tiltable body vertically and horizontally with respect to the power unit 10. And a mirror 11 mounted on the front opening of the mirror housing 9.

The unit bracket 8 comprises a gear case 44, a lid 45, a plate 14 and the like, and houses the shaft 3, the motor 13, the latching mechanism 15, the reduction mechanism 24, the switch mechanism and the like.

The gear case 4 of the unit bracket 8
Gears (for example, a worm gear and an output gear) 28 of the reduction mechanism 24 are attached to the screw 370 on the plate 4 and the plate 14.
It is rotatably attached by. The gear case 44 has a through hole through which the screw 370 is inserted and a nut 85.
, A through hole through which the screw 370 is inserted in the plate 14, and a gear 2 of the reduction mechanism 24.
8 also has through holes through which the screws 370 are inserted.

This screw 370 has a circular head 37.
1, a flange portion 372 as a whirl-stop portion integrally provided on the lower surface of the head portion 371 thereof, a shaft portion 373 integrally protruded from the lower surface of the flange portion 372, and provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 373. And a threaded portion 374. By screwing the screw portion 374 of the screw 370 into the nut 85, the gear case 44, the plate 14, and the gear 28 of the reduction mechanism are attached.

The screw 370 is prevented from loosening by caulking a part of the flange portion 372 of the screw 370 to bite into the engaging groove 144 of the plate 14 and engage with the engaging groove 144.

In the above-described electric retractable door mirror for an automobile, when the motor 13 is driven, the mirror assembly 7 is retracted from the position of use with respect to the shaft 3 of the mirror base 1 via the reduction mechanism 24 and the clutch mechanism 15. It is rotationally displaced to a position or from a storage position to a use position. Along with this rotational displacement of the mirror assembly 7, a switch circuit (not shown) is activated to stop the driving of the motor 13, and the mirror assembly 7 is stopped at a predetermined stop position, that is, a use position or a storage position.

In addition, when the above-mentioned mirror assembly 7 is in the use position, an obstacle or the like hits the mirror assembly 7 with a force larger than the holding torque of the clutch mechanism 15, or when the mirror assembly 7 is put in or taken out of the garage, it is manually operated. When the mirror assembly 7 is rotated with a force larger than the holding torque of the clutch mechanism 15, the mirror assembly 7 can be tilted forward or backward from the use position via the clutch mechanism 15. Further, the mirror assembly 7 can be returned to the use position by manually rotating the mirror assembly 7 located in the forward tilt position or the backward tilt position described above backward or forward.

In the electric retractable door mirror of this automobile, the gear 28 of the reduction mechanism 24 is rotatable with respect to the screw 370, while the screw 370 is locked against the plate 14 so that the gear is not loosened. 28
There is no fear that the screw 370 will loosen as the rotation of the screw rotates.

[0012]

However, the above-mentioned mechanism for preventing the loosening of the screw is provided with the collar portion 37 of the screw 370.
2 is to be caulked and bite into the engagement groove 144 of the plate 14 to be engaged. Therefore, when the screw 370 is unscrewed, the collar portion 372 of the screw 370 bited into the engagement groove 144 is It needs to be destroyed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a screw locking mechanism and a nut locking mechanism capable of screwing back a screw or a nut without destroying the screw or the nut.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided an inclined surface on the outer peripheral surface of a screw or nut, the diameter of which increases as it goes in the screw-returning direction, and the screw or nut is almost centered from the maximum diameter point of the inclined surface. The engagement surface formed toward
Elastic engaging claws that are provided in the axial direction of the screw and nut, and slide on one part while bending on the inclined surface when screwing in the screw or nut and that engage with the engaging surface when returning the screw or nut. Is provided.

According to the present invention, when the screw or the nut is screwed in, the elastic engaging claws on the parts slide while flexing on the inclined surfaces of the screw or the nut.
There is no danger of screwing in screws or nuts. Screwing of the screw and nut is completed,
When this screw or nut tries to return, the elastic engagement claw on the component side elastically engages with the engagement surface of the screw or nut,
It can prevent the screw and nut from loosening. Moreover, by releasing the elastic engagement of the elastic engagement claws from the engagement surface of the screw or nut, the screw or nut can be unscrewed without breaking.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Four of the embodiments of the screw locking mechanism of the present invention and one example of the nut locking mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22. 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of a screw locking mechanism of the present invention. This example shows an example in which an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile is used as a screw locking mechanism for rotatably attaching a gear of a reduction mechanism to a gear case and a plate. 23 to 25, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

In the figure, 30 is a screw. The screw 30 includes a head portion 31, a shaft portion 32 that integrally projects from a lower surface of the head portion 31, and a screw portion 33 provided at a lower end of the shaft portion 32. On the outer peripheral surface of the head portion 31 of the screw 30, the diameter is in the screw return direction (see FIGS. 4 and 1).
0 Inclined surface 3 that increases as you go in the direction opposite to the middle arrow)
4 and the maximum diameter point of this inclined surface 34 from the screw 30
And an engaging surface 35 that is formed substantially toward the center thereof are provided in the axial direction of the screw 30. It should be noted that the above-described inclined surface 34 and the engaging surface 35 are continuously provided at equal intervals. Further, the above-mentioned inclined surface 34 is
It is composed of a straight line portion of the valley portion and an arc portion of the mountain portion. Further, the head 31 is provided with a cross-shaped engagement groove 36 with which a tool such as a driver is engaged.

On the other hand, a clip 50, which is a member separate from the plate 14, is fixed to the recess 140 provided in the plate 14 as a component. The clip 50 is made of, for example, a spring steel plate, and has a base 52 having an insertion hole 51 through which the screw 30 is inserted, and the base 5.
4 fixed claws 53 bent substantially at a right angle from 2 (upward obliquely outward) and 4 elastic engagement claws 54 bent at a substantially right angle from the base 52 and the upper end thereof bent upward obliquely outward. Consists of. The elastic engaging claws 54 slide while flexing on the inclined surface 34 when the screw 30 is screwed in, and engage with the engaging surface 35 when the screw 30 returns. Also, these four fixed claws 5
The three and four elastic engaging claws 54 are provided at equal intervals. The recess 140 of the plate 14 described above is provided with the clip 50.
The vertical wall 141 to which the fixing claw 53 is fixed, and the inclined wall 142 where the elastic engaging claw 54 of the clip 50 is located.

Since the screw locking mechanism of the present invention in this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure, when the screw 30 is screwed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4, the screw is fixed to the plate 14 as shown in FIG. Since the elastic engaging claws 54 of the fixed clip 50 slide on the inclined surface 34 of the screw 30 while flexing, there is no possibility of causing any trouble in screwing the screw 30.

When screwing of the screw 30 is completed and the screw 30 tries to return in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, the elastic engaging claw 54 of the clip 50 fixed to the plate 14 is released as shown in FIG. The screw 30 can be elastically engaged with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30 to prevent the screw 30 from loosening.

Further, a circular or square tube (not shown) is applied to the upper end inclined surface of the elastic engaging claw 54 and pushed down in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8 to elastically engage the engaging surface 35 of the screw 30 with the engaging surface 35. The mating elastic engaging claw 54 is opened in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 against the elastic force of the elastic engaging claw 54 to elastically engage the elastic engaging claw 54 with the engaging surface 35 of the screw 30. If it is released, screw 3 in this state with a tool such as a cross screwdriver.
It can be unscrewed without destroying 0.

12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the screw locking mechanism of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 11 and 23 to 25 indicate the same components. In the figure, 50A is a clip fixed to the plate 14. The clip 50A is a member separate from the plate 14, and is made of, for example, a spring steel plate, and has a ring body 51A through which the screw 30 is inserted, and the ring body 5A.
1A of four fixed claws 52A bent outward from the middle part, and four elastic engagement claws 53A of the ring body 51A bent from the middle part toward the inside toward the screwing direction of the screw 30. Consists of.

A cylindrical portion 141A is integrally projectingly provided on the plate 14 described above, and a circular concave portion 142A is provided in the cylindrical portion 141A. The circular concave portion 142 is provided.
On the inner peripheral surface of A, four fixing grooves 143A are provided at equal intervals.

The ring body 51A of the clip 50A is housed in the recess 142A of the plate 14, and the fixing claw 53A of the clip 50A is fitted in the fixing groove 143A of the plate 14.
Are fixed, and as a result, the clip 50A separate from the plate 14 is fixed to the plate 14.

Since the screw locking mechanism of the present invention in this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment. That is, when the screw 30 is screwed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 13, the elastic engagement claw 53A of the clip 50A fixed to the plate 14 slides while bending on the inclined surface 34 of the screw 30, so that the screw 30 is screwed in. There is no fear of causing any trouble. When screwing of the screw 30 is completed and the screw 30 tries to return in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG.
The elastic engaging claw 53A of the clip 50A fixed to the elastic member 4 elastically engages with the engaging surface 35 of the screw 30, and the screw 3
It is possible to prevent 0 from loosening. In addition, screw 3
The elastic engagement claw 53A elastically engaged with the engagement surface 35 of 0 is opened against the elastic force of the elastic engagement claw 53A to elastically engage the elastic engagement claw 53A with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30. If the screwing is released, the screw 30 can be screwed back without breaking.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show a third embodiment of the screw locking mechanism of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 14 and 23 to 25 denote the same components. In the figure, 50B is a clip fixed to the plate 14. The clip 50B is a member separate from the plate 14, and is made of, for example, a spring steel plate or the like, and has a ring body 51B through which the screw 30 is inserted and the ring body 5B.
Four fixing claws 52B integrally extending downward from the lower end of 1B and four rotation preventing claws 5 formed by horizontally bending the part between the fixing claws 52B of the ring body 51B inward.
3B, and four elastic engaging claws 54B formed by bending inward from the upper end of the ring body 51B toward the screwing direction of the screw 30.

Four arc-shaped fixing grooves 1 are formed on the peripheral edge of the through hole 140B through which the screw 30 of the plate 14 is inserted.
41B are provided at equal intervals, and this fixing groove 141B
A protrusion 142B for preventing rotation is integrally provided between the and the through hole 140B.

The fixing claw 52B of the clip 50B is pressed into the fixing groove 141B of the plate 14 (the circumferential length of the fixing groove 141B is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the circumferential length of the fixing claw 52B). And the anti-rotation pawl 52B of the clip 50B is fitted between the anti-rotation protrusions 142B of the plate 14 (the circumferential length of the anti-rotation protrusion 142B is equal to the circumferential length of the eye pawl 53B). Is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than), and as a result, the clip 50B separate from the plate 14 is fixed to the plate 14.

Since the screw locking mechanism of the present invention in this embodiment is constructed as described above, the same operational effects as those of the above-described first and second embodiments are achieved. be able to. That is, when the screw 30 is screwed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 17, the elastic engagement claw 54B of the clip 50B fixed to the plate 14 slides while bending on the inclined surface 34 of the screw 30, so that the screw 30 is screwed in. There is no fear of causing any trouble. Further, when screwing of the screw 30 is completed and the screw 30 tries to return in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 17, the clip 50 fixed to the plate 14
The elastic engagement claw 54B of B elastically engages with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30 and prevents the screw 30 from loosening. Further, the elastic engagement claw 54B that elastically engages with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30 is opened against the elastic force of the elastic engagement claw 54B to the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30 of the elastic engagement claw 54B. If the elastic engagement of is released, the screw 30 can be unscrewed without breaking.

Particularly, in this embodiment, the through hole 140B of the plate 14, the fixing groove 141B, and the protrusion 14 for preventing rotation are provided.
It is easy to mold 2B.

19 to 21 show a fourth embodiment of the screw locking mechanism of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 18 and 23 to 25 denote the same components. In the figure, 140C is an elastic engaging claw provided integrally with the plate 14. That is, the elastic clip 14 made of, for example, a synthetic resin is provided with an insertion hole 141C through which the screw 30 is inserted, and the insertion hole 141C.
A cylindrical portion 142C is integrally projectingly provided on the periphery of the cylindrical portion 142C.
40C are integrally provided on the inner side of the screw 30 on the screwing direction side at equal intervals. Also, this plate 1
The screw 30 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lower part of the insertion hole 141C of No. 4
The four convex portions 143C for receiving the head portion 31 are integrally provided at equal intervals in a cut-off state.

Since the screw locking mechanism of the present invention in this embodiment is constructed as described above, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the first, second and third embodiments described above. it can. That is, when the screw 30 is screwed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 20, the elastic engagement claw 140C integrated with the plate 14 is moved to the inclined surface 3 of the screw 30.
Since it slides while bending on the upper part of the screw 4, there is no possibility of causing any trouble in screwing the screw 30 or the like. Further, when screwing of the screw 30 is completed and the screw 30 tries to return in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG.
It is possible to prevent the screw 30 from loosening by elastically engaging the elastic engaging claw 140C integrally with the engaging surface 35 of the screw 30. Further, the elastic engagement claw 140C elastically engaged with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30 is
When the elastic engagement claw 140C is opened to release the elastic engagement of the screw 30 with the engagement surface 35 of the screw 30, the screw 30 can be screwed back without being broken.
Particularly, in the screw loosening prevention mechanism in this embodiment, since the plate 14 is integrally provided with the elastic engaging claw 140C, a clip separate from the plate 14 is not necessary, and the number of parts is reduced accordingly. You can

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of the nut locking mechanism of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 21 and FIGS. 23 to 25 indicate the same parts. This nut locking mechanism is a modification of the first embodiment of the screw locking mechanism described above, and a locking mechanism is provided on the nut from the head of the screw.

That is, the screw 30D has a head 31
D, a shaft portion 32D, and a screw portion 33D. on the other hand,
An inclined surface 34 and an engagement surface 35 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nut 300. As a result, the screw portion 33D of the screw 30D is inserted into the through hole of the plate 14 and the insertion hole 51 of the clip 50, and the nut 300 is screwed into the screw portion 33D of the screw 30D, whereby the first part of the screw locking mechanism described above is released. It is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the embodiment. The nut loosening prevention mechanism of this embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment of the screw loosening prevention mechanism described above, but the nut loosening prevention mechanism is the second, third and fourth screw loosening prevention mechanism described above. Can also be applied to the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the electric retractable door mirror of an automobile is described as an example in which the gear of the reduction mechanism is used as a screw locking mechanism for rotatably attaching to the gear case and the plate. The screw or nut locking mechanism of the present invention can also be used for screws or nuts for mounting other components.

The screw or nut loosening prevention mechanism of the present invention in the above-described embodiment has the inclined surface 34 and the engaging surface 35 continuously provided.
The engagement surface 35 may be provided intermittently.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above, in the screw locking mechanism and the nut locking mechanism of the present invention, an inclined surface and an engagement surface are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw or nut, respectively. Since the parts are provided with elastic engaging claws, when the screw or nut is screwed in, the elastic engaging claw slides while bending on the inclined surface, so there is no obstacle to screwing in the screw or nut. There is no fear of coming. When screwing of the screw or nut is completed and the screw or nut tries to return, the elastic engaging claws are elastically engaged with the engaging surface, and it is possible to prevent the screw or nut from loosening. Moreover, if the elastic engagement of the elastic engagement claws is released, it is possible to unscrew the screw and nut without breaking them.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a screw locking mechanism of the present invention, showing a state in which a gear of a reduction mechanism is rotatably attached to a gear case and a plate in an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile. It is a figure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a II part in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view on arrow III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state where a screw is screwed in.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view showing a state in which the elastic engagement claw of the clip is released from the engagement state of the screw with the engagement claw of the screw.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plate as a component.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a clip.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the clip.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clip.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the screw.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the screw.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a second embodiment of the screw locking mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view similarly showing a screwed state.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a third embodiment of a screw locking mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view seen from below the clip.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a screwed state.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a plate showing a fourth embodiment of the screw locking mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a screwed state.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled state showing an embodiment of a nut locking mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile showing a conventional screw locking mechanism and showing a state in which a gear of a reduction mechanism is rotatably attached to a gear case and a plate.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a state in which the gear of the speed reduction mechanism is rotatably attached to the gear case and the plate.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the screw and the plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 ... Plate (part), 141 ... Vertical wall, 142 ... Inclined wall, 44 ... Gear case (part) 28 ... Gear (part) of reduction mechanism, 30 ... Screw, 34 ... Inclined surface, 35 ... Engaging surface, 50 , 50A, 50B ... Clips, 53, 52
A, 52B ... Fixed claws, 54, 53A, 54B, 140C
... Elastic engagement claws, nuts ... 300.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A screw locking mechanism for screwing a plurality of parts into a screw hole, a nut or the like, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the screw has an inclined surface having a diameter increasing toward a screw returning direction. Engaging surfaces formed from the maximum diameter point of the inclined surface toward the approximate center of the screw are respectively provided in the axial direction of the screw, and the component is bent on the inclined surface when the screw is screwed in. The screw locking mechanism is characterized in that an elastic engagement claw that slides while engaging with the engagement surface when the screw returns is provided. 2. The screw locking device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic engagement claw is a member separate from the component and is provided on a member fixed to the component. mechanism. 3. The member provided with the elastic engagement claw is formed by bending a base at a substantially right angle from a base provided with an insertion hole through which the screw is inserted,
The screw locking mechanism according to claim 2, comprising a fixed claw fixed to the component and the elastic engagement claw bent from the base at a substantially right angle. 4. The member provided with the elastic engaging claws is a ring body through which the screw is inserted, a fixing claw fixed to the component by being bent outward from the ring body, and the ring body. 3. The screw loosening prevention mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the elastic engagement claw is formed by bending inward from the inside. 5. The member provided with the elastic engaging claw includes a ring body through which the screw is inserted, and a fixing claw extending downward from a lower end of the ring body and fixed to the component. 3. The screw locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the elastic engagement claw is formed by bending the ring body inward. 6. The screw locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elastic engagement claw is provided integrally with the component. 7. The screw is for rotatably attaching a gear of a speed reduction mechanism to a gear case and a plate in an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile. The screw locking mechanism according to 4 or 5 or 6. 8. A nut locking mechanism for mounting a plurality of parts by screwing into a screw, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the nut has an inclined surface having a diameter that increases as it goes in a screw returning direction, and a maximum of the inclined surface. An engagement surface formed from the radial point toward the substantial center of the nut is provided in the axial direction of the nut, and the component slides while flexing on the inclined surface when the nut is screwed in, An elastic engagement claw that engages with the engagement surface when the nut is returned is provided. 9. The nut locking mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the elastic engagement claw is a member separate from the component and is provided on a member fixed to the component. mechanism. 10. A member provided with the elastic engaging claw is formed by bending a base and a substantially right angle from the base, and a fixing claw fixed to the component and a substantially right angle bending from the base. The nut locking mechanism according to claim 9, comprising the elastic engagement claw. 11. The member provided with the elastic engaging claw is a ring body into which the nut is inserted, a fixing claw that is bent outward from the ring body, and is fixed to the component, and the ring. The nut locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the elastic engagement claw is formed by bending the body inward. 12. The member provided with the elastic engaging claws is a ring body into which the nut is inserted, and a fixing claw fixed to the component by extending downward from a lower end of the ring body. 10. The nut locking mechanism according to claim 9, comprising: and the elastic engagement claw formed by bending the ring body inward. 13. The nut locking mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the elastic engagement claw is provided integrally with the component. 14. The nut is screwed into a screw for rotatably attaching a gear of a reduction mechanism to a gear case and a plate in an electric retractable door mirror of an automobile. Or the locking mechanism of the nut according to 10 or 11 or 12 or 13.