KR100522474B1 - Action assistant apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a reliable device for releasing close contact with a magnet door such as a refrigerator.

As a means to solve this problem, the cam gear 20 is rotated by energizing the motor 12. 22d of slopes of the starting cam 22 rotates the cam floor 24, unlocks the output difference 26 by the starting arm 29, and the output difference which one end of the coil spring 28 engages. The shaft 26 is rotated together with the linear gear 34 with the axial force, and the rod 30 protruding from the interlocking rack 32 protrudes from the case 11 to assist the clue for releasing the close contact of the door. When the positional relationship of the cam gear 20 cannot be grasped due to an abnormal situation such as a power failure, the motor 12 is rotated in reverse to return to the origin, so that it can always be started at the same position, thereby improving reliability.

Description

Motion aids {ACTION ASSISTANT APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for manual operation when opening an operating member such as a refrigerator door or a drawer. Specifically, the door overcomes the magnetic force of the magnet used for the door or the inertial mass of the door in order to ensure the closure. Or power units that assist in reducing the manpower required to open drawers.

The conventional motion assistance device comprises a rod having a motor, a reduction mechanism for slowing down the rotation of the motor, a final output pinion and a rack engaged with the rack, and a case accommodating the rod, and the rod is rotated by the motor. Drive linearly to act on the door and place the operation position detecting means on the rod or reduction mechanism, rotate the motor forward to protrude the rod from the case, help open the door, stop the motor by confirming that the door is open and free. It also reverses the motor and pulls the rod into the case.

However, in this device, since the rod is linearly moved by the rotational force of the motor, the rotational speed becomes the opening speed of the door as it is, and it is operated from the time when the opening signal is input until the motor starts operation and the rod starts operation. I never do that. In general, when a DC motor is used as a driving source, a delay occurs until the effective operation is mechanically performed depending on the backlash or the size of the load. Therefore, it is difficult to comply with the speed sensation of the person trying to open the door, which causes discomfort. . In addition, since it is necessary to arrange the operation position for controlling the motor on the basis of the conversion operation position detecting means for forward rotation, stop and reverse rotation of the motor and the signal thereof, the unit structure becomes complicated, so that the reliability decreases and conversely Cost increases

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a high speed operation assistance of the operation member by using the spring force that is not affected by the operation start time.

In order to achieve the above object, the operation assistance apparatus according to the present invention is an operation assistance apparatus that assists the operation of a predetermined range at start-up of the entire operation range of the operation member such as a door or a drawer of a refrigerator, A rod for operating the operation member, a gear (gear) for operating the rod, a biasing means for operating the gear, a driving means for accumulating the biasing force of the biasing means, and the biasing means And holding means for releasing the taxing state by the holding means, and releasing the taxing state by the releasing means releases the taxing force and the operating member is moved by the rod. It works.

According to the present invention, the opening speed of the rod is given by the elastic force of the torsion coil spring, and can be operated at several times higher speed than by the conventional motor rotation. In addition, by applying the operation assistance device according to the present invention, for example, the starting force for opening a heavy door such as a refrigerator in a strong close state is unnecessary, and manual operation is possible even with the power of the weak, such as the elderly, infants, and the disabled.

Further, the gear is driven through the shaft gear driven by the drive source and the coil spring as the biasing means, and the gear is driven while the gear is caught in the driving direction by one of the locking means as the retaining means. When the coil spring reaches the predetermined bias state, the coil spring is caught by the other latching means as the retaining means, thereby maintaining the coil spring in the predetermined bias state.

According to the present invention, since the rotational force of the motor is used only for the torsion of the torsion coil spring, and the operation aid is a configuration using the mechanical force of the torsion coil spring, the change in the operation time or the ambient temperature due to the high load shown in the mechanism that performs the operation assistance to the motor Unlike the electromagnetic force which is affected by, it can always obtain a constant opening force.

Moreover, the said one latching means provided with the sliding means in the cam surface formed in the said axial gear, and the said release means comprised the said release means which releases the latch by the said one locking means.

According to the present invention, the motor rotation can be omitted by a motor control circuit including timing detection for forward and reverse rotation in only one direction, and the mechanism is simplified.

In addition, a stepping motor is used for the drive source, and the number of steps of the drive signal is counted to control a series of operations in each auxiliary cycle.

According to the present invention, the position sensor can be omitted and the unit configuration can be simplified to reduce costs and improve reliability.

In addition, when the coil spring reaches the predetermined bias state by walking forward with the shaft gear, the hook spring is walked by the other latching means as the retaining means, while the coil spring is kept in the predetermined bias condition while the shaft wheel is driven in reverse rotation. Initialization is performed by using reverse coupling of the shaft difference by the engaging portion of.

In case of an abnormality such as a power failure, when it is not known at which position the unit stops, it is necessary to detect the position that is the origin of the unit by either forward or reverse operation to return the unit to a normal state. There is. For this reason, it is necessary to place a sensor in the drive unit that clearly identifies the home position.

According to the present invention, the unit can be initialized without using the position sensor to periodically check the operation origin of the unit or to detect the position of the unit in case of an abnormality such as a power failure.

Next, an embodiment of an operation assistance apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

EXAMPLE 1

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an expanded state before operation of the operation assistance apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the operation assistance apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the axial force release state immediately after the operation of the operation assistance device 10. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of a switch part.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a stepping motor as a drive source, in which a drive pinion 14 fixed to the case 11 and attached to the output shaft engages with the counterbalance 16a of the intermediate first reduction gear 16. The small gear 16b which integrally rotates coaxially with the gear 16a of the intermediate | middle 1st reduction gear 16 engages with the gear 17a of the middle 2nd reduction gear 17. As shown in FIG. In addition, the cam gear 20 in which the small gear 17b, which is integrally coaxial with the counter gear 17a of the intermediate second reduction gear 17, is rotatably supported on the main shaft 18 fixed to the case 11. ) The cam gear 20 rotates in one direction together with the start cam 22 integrally formed with a cam surface serving as an axial gear and serving as a release means.

The cam floor 24 constituting the release means in cooperation with the starter cam 22 is freely supported by the support shaft 24a provided on the outside from the outer circumference of the cam gear 20, and is applied to the bias of the torsion coil spring 24b. As a result, the tip portion 24c is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the starting cam 22 to slide. The outer circumferential surface 22a of the starting cam 22 is formed with a protrusion 22b on a portion of the outer circumferential surface 22a smaller than the outer diameter of the cam gear 20. The projection 22b is formed on the slope 22d of the leading surface until reaching the projection top portion 22c located at a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cam gear 20 as it rotates on the small diameter outer peripheral surface 22a. From the top part 22c, the tip returns to the small-diameter outer circumferential surface 22a again through a relatively sharp arc surface 22e.

In addition, the cam gear 20 is integrally provided with a locking cam 23, and the outer circumference thereof is fitted with a main shaft 18 to complement the tip 25c of the locking lever 25 at a corresponding position almost opposite to the protrusion 22b. Notches 23b of a shape that couple to each other are concavely arranged. The notch 23b constitutes the other locking means of the urging state maintaining means in cooperation with the locking lever 25. The latching lever 25 is supported so as to be free to rotate on the support shaft 25a provided outward from the outer circumference of the cam gear 20, and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 25b is reached until the engagement with the notch 23b is achieved. The tip portion 25c is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the locking cam 23 by sliding. The relative positional relationship between the projection 22b and the notch 23b is that when the notch 23b is caught with the locking lever tip 25c, the projection 22b is always the leading edge of the slope 22d, which is the rising edge of the cam-floor tip ( Is in contact with 24c).

Reference numeral 26 denotes an output difference constituting the driving means, which is supported by the main shaft 18 so as to be freely rotated in parallel with the cam gear 20, and through the torsion coil spring (hereinafter referred to as driving spring) 28 which is a biasing means. Connected to 20. Hooks 28a and 28b are formed at both ends of the driving spring 28, and one hook 28a is caught by a support pillar 20a protruding from the side of the cam gear 20, and the other hook 28b is provided. ) Is caught by the support pillar 26a protruding to the side of the output difference 26. Therefore, the output difference 26 is interlocked with the rotation of the cam gear 20 through the torsion coil spring 28 in an unconstrained state.

In addition, the outer diameter of the output difference 26 is about the size of the outer diameter of the cam gear 20 and the outer circumferential surface 22a of the starting cam, and the outer circumferential surface 26b is integrally coaxial with the cam floor 24 that is a release means. The notch 26c of the shape which complementarily engages with the front-end | tip part 29a of the rotating arm 29 to rotate is arrange | positioned concave. The notch 26c constitutes one locking means of the holding means in cooperation with the maneuvering arm 29. In addition, the output difference 26 is integrally formed with a linear gear 34 meshing with the rack 32 engraved and mounted on the rod 30 for operating the operation member (not shown).

The linear gear 34 has a portion 34b having a gear missing from the rod 30 except that the gear portion 34a is engaged with the rack 32 when the rod 30 operates the operation member (not shown). It does not restrain the rod 30 oppositely. One locking means as the holding means is constituted by the notches 26c and the actuating arm 29, and the other locking means is constituted by the notches 23b and the locking lever 25. The releasing means for releasing the urging state by the holding means is constituted by the starting arm 29, the cam floor 24 and the starting cam 22 integrally.

The rod 30 set at the initial position of the innermost part of the case 11 is driven by engaging the toothed portion 34a of the linear gear 34 with the rack 32 which is extended. That is, by the rotation of the linear gear 34, the rod 30 moves along the guide 30a (diagonal part) arrange | positioned at the case cover 11a. As the rod 30 moves, the push lever 30b of the tip portion protrudes linearly from the cross-section of the rod 30 which is drilled on the side surface of the case 11 and from the transmission hole 11b of the same type. For example, the door of the refrigerator is pushed and, for example, the opening operation is assisted against the suction force of the closing and holding magnet. And the rack 32 at the maximum stroke position of the rod 30 is out of engagement with the toothed portion 34a of the linear gear 34.

The compression coil spring 30c at the rear end of the rod 30 buffers the contact with the rear surface of the guide 30a that regulates the protrusion of the rod 30 and simultaneously introduces the push lever 30b after operating the door into the case. Function. In the pulling-in operation of the rod 30 by this compression coil spring 30c, the gear part 34a is rotated in the position which does not engage the rack 32, and the rack 32 moves the part 34b which saw tooth off. Freely moveable accordingly. In addition, the rod 30 is reliably set at the initial position in conjunction with the return of the operation member due to the closing of the door.

Next, the switch mechanism which interlocks with the locking cam 23 is demonstrated based on FIG. The L-shaped return lever 35 which pivots integrally with the locking lever 25 coaxially includes a short lever 35a and a long lever 35b that hold one end of the torsion coil spring 25b. In addition, the pivoting lever 38 for operating the switch 36 is freely supported by the support shaft 38a provided in the case 11 at a position separated from the support shaft 25a of the locking lever 25. The swing lever 38 has the same lever 38b, 38c, 38d of approximately the same length, and protrudes in three directions, and the third lever 38d is provided by the tension coil spring 40 provided on the second lever 38c. Is urged in the counterclockwise direction (arrow L1) in the drawing so as to press the actuator 36a of the switch 36.

On the other hand, the return lever 35 has a long lever 35b elastically biased in the counterclockwise direction (arrow L2) in the drawing by the subordinate force of the torsion coil spring 25b, and touches the first lever 38b of the swing lever. The lever 38d is elastically biased in the clockwise direction (arrow R1) in the figure which separates the actuator 36a, and the rotation of the swing lever 38 by the tension coil spring 40 is suppressed. In addition, the rotation of the swing lever 38 by the force of the long lever 35b is regulated by the second lever 38c contacting the end face of the switch 36, and the third lever 38 is separated from the actuator 36a. Is kept in position.

Next, an embodiment in which the operation description of the operation assistance device 10 according to the first embodiment is applied as an auxiliary device for opening a refrigerator door will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the first auxiliary state, the operation assisting device 10 has a rod 30 for protruding the push lever 30b stored in the case 11 from the case 11 side. In the initial position, the output difference 26 prevents the rotation of the notch 26c by engaging the tip portion 29a of the maneuvering arm 29. At the same time, the cam gear 20 driven by the stepping motor 12 has a position where the notch 23b of the locking cam 23 arranged integrally with the cam gear 20 is coupled to the tip portion 25c of the locking lever 25. This position is the starting point of the cam gear 20 and the end point.

At this time, the relative positions of the support column 20a of the cam gear 20 and the support column 26a of the output difference 26 are respectively driven by the hooks 28a and 28b of the driving spring 28 to be applied. 28) is twisted and deformed to be in a compact state, and this position is held by the locking lever 25 and the actuating arm 28 to stand by.

Next, a push-on panel switch (not shown) disposed separately in the refrigerator is operated to energize the stepping motor 12, and the cam gear 20 is passed from the drive pinion 14 via the deceleration block 16 and 17. To rotate). When the cam gear 20 starts to rotate, the starting cam 22 rotates integrally, and the tip portion 24c of the cam floor 24, which is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 22a and slides, has a smooth slope 22d of the protrusion 22b. ), The cam floor 24 rotates in a direction away from the starter cam 22 because it moves to the projection top 22c.

In time, the coupling between the tip portion 29a of the starting arm 29 and the notch 26c of the output difference 26, which interlock with the cam floor 24 and integrally rotate on the same shaft, is released. The output difference 26 is rapidly rotated immediately by the return force of the torsional torsional spring 28, and the toothed portion 34a of the linear gear 34 formed integrally is engaged with the rack 32 and is delivered to the rack 32. The rod 30 is pressed. The rod 30 in the standby state at the initial position of the rear end of the movement range in the case 11 protrudes the push lever 30c from the penetrating hole 11b on the side of the case 11 so that the door of the refrigerator is brought into close contact. Assist in rotational movement in the release direction. After that, the operation member can be operated manually even by the power of the weak, such as the elderly, infants and the disabled.

After moving the rod 30 in the protruding direction, the rack 32 is freed from engagement with the linear gear portion 34a and is urged in the retracting direction in the case 11 by the compression coil spring 30c. By being added to the operation of manually returning the door to the closed position, the push lever 30c is reliably pushed into the case 11 and the rod 30 can be returned to the initial position from time to time without being interfered with the linear gear 34a. Can be.

The rotation of the cam gear 20 driven by the energization of the stepping motor 12 by the push-on panel switch, not shown in the first figure, rotates the catching cam 23 together with the starting cam 22, and thus the notch 23b. Slope 23c pushes the tip portion 25c of the locking lever 25 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 25b, and rotates clockwise (arrow R2) in the drawing by interlocking the return lever 35. do. The swing lever 38 is released from the long lever 35b of the return lever 35 so that the third lever 38d closes the circuit of the switch 36 by the force of the tension coil spring 40. The energization from the push-on panel switch to the stepping motor 12 is switched to the circuit from the switch 36 to rotate the cam gear 20.

The output difference 26 rotates in coordination with the cam gear 20 through the driving spring 28, which becomes a free-form releasing axial force, but is biased by the torsion coil spring 24c of the cam floor 24 to slide the outer circumference. Rotation is prevented at the position where the notch 26c engages to the movable arm tip portion 29a. That is, the output difference 26 fixes the position of one hook 28b of the drive spring 28 in the support column 26a. At this time, the linear gear 34 that rotates together with the output difference 26 rotates until just before the starting position near the front end of the rack 30 in which the leading end of the gear portion 34a is manually returned to the initial position. Come and wait The cam gear 20 also continues to rotate while twisting the drive spring 28, and is again biased by the torsion coil spring 25b to the notch 23b of the locking cam 23 to slide the outer periphery 25c. ) Combines.

By this engaging operation, the locking lever 25 rotates the return lever 35 in the counterclockwise direction (arrow L2) in the figure, and the operation of the switch 36 by the third lever 38d of the swing lever 38 is performed. Then, the switch circuit for driving the stepping motor 12 is cut to stop the stepping motor 12. Since the stationary stepping motor 12 does not have the force to maintain the shaft force, the cam gear 20 is supported by the support pillar 20a at a position where the notch 23b of the locking cam 23 is engaged with the locking lever tip 25c. The position of the hook 28a on the other side of the drive spring 28 is fixed, and the drive spring 28 is kept in the longitudinal state. The position where the notch 23b of the locking cam 23 engages with the locking lever tip 25c is the end point where the cam gear 20 has completed one revolution, and the initial washing condition is reproduced as the starting point of the next auxiliary operation. . The above operation is repeated each time the door of the refrigerator is opened.

The origin of the stepping motor 12 corresponds to the origin of the cam gear 20, and is inputted to the stepping motor 12 by counting a few pulses more than the number of pulses of one rotation of the cam gear 20. Therefore, the cam gear 20 stops energizing the stepping motor 12 at a position slightly beyond the starting point where the notch 23b of the locking cam 23 is correctly engaged with the locking lever tip 25c. Since the stepping motor 12 does not have a holding force at the stop position, the cam gear 20 is returned by the action of the return force of the driven driving spring 28, and the leading surface 23d of the notch 23b is caught by the latch lever 25c. It contacts the locking surface 25d of), and can always make an accurate position a starting point. When the DC motor is used as the storage means, the same purpose can be achieved by inserting a delay timer into the switch circuit and providing a timer lag between the operation time of the switch 36 and the energization stop to the DC motor.

EXAMPLE 2

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an expanded state before operation of the operation assistance apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the operation assistance apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the drive system of the apparatus of FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a motor and a rib switch. 8 is a flowchart when an auxiliary operation is performed. In Example 2 shown in FIGS. 5-8, the site | part which has a function similar to Example 1 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

In Embodiment 2, since the configuration of the rib switch 50 interlocking with Embodiment 1 and the latching lever 25 is different from each other, only the description of this rib switch 50 is corrected here. The bent portion 50b of the movable contact 50a of the rib switch 50 is always in elastic contact with the rear end 25e of the locking lever, and is bent by elastic deformation in conjunction with the rotation of the locking lever 25. When the locking lever tip 25c engages with the engaging portion 23b, the movable contact 50a is separated from the fixed contact 50c, and the motor energizing circuit is turned off. When the locking cam 23 rotates counterclockwise and the locking lever tip portion 25c is pushed up to the locking cam outer circumferential surface 23a, the movable contact 50a is bent backwards according to the swing of the locking lever 25, and the fixed contact is fixed. Press contact with 50c to elastically deform together to maintain reliable contact. By this contact, the motor energization circuit is turned ON and drives the motor 12a. Reference numeral 50d is a stopper for limiting excessive movement of the fixed contact 50c.

7 is a schematic diagram of the terminal block 51. The terminal No. 2 and the terminal No. 3 are short-circuited and a voltage is applied to the terminal No. 4 and the terminal No. 1. When the engaging lever tip 25c is not engaged with the engaging portion 23b, the rib switch 50 is kept ON while contacting the outer circumferential surface 23a of the engaging cam 23a, and the motor 12a rotates the cam gear 20. do. Although the rotation direction of the cam gear 20 varies depending on the polarities of the voltages applied to the terminal No. 4 and the terminal No. 1, the locking lever tip 25c is necessarily coupled to the engaging portion 23b at less than one rotation of the cam gear 20. And the rib switch 50 is turned OFF to stop the motor 12a. That is, it is considered suitable to set this stop position as a starting point.

Therefore, when an abnormality occurs due to a power failure or the like during the rotation of the cam gear 20, and the position of the cam gear 20 is unknown, the origin setting is not performed in the forward rotation mode (counterclockwise rotation) of the shafting means. The motor 12a is driven in reverse rotation mode (clockwise rotation). However, the latching lever 25c separates the movable contact 50a from the fixed contact 50c in the middle of the slope 23c of the engaging portion 23b to turn off the electric circuit, and the latching lever 25c is caught. The situation where the motor 12a is stopped before the surface 25d contacts the leading surface 23d of the engaging portion 23b occurs. Such a stop position is not always stable due to the action of indeterminate resistance due to the dynamic inertia and friction of the motor 12a or the reduction gear differential heat 16 and 17, so that it is not always recognized as an accurate origin, so the starting point is always constant. It becomes difficult to set.

Therefore, when the DC motor is used as the drive motor 12a, the timer is started by the signal that the rib switch 50 is turned off, and the DC motor is stopped after a certain time. By this time control, the engaging surface 25d of the engaging lever tip portion 25c is surely in contact with the leading surface 23d of the engaging portion 23b and cannot advance ahead, and is mechanically constrained. By the stop, it is possible to always obtain a constant position as the origin. Such a delay control circuit can be easily achieved by a program of a microcomputer.

In the case where the stepping motor is used as the driving motor 12a, when the signal of the rib switch 50 is turned OFF, a predetermined number of pulses are additionally applied, so that the engaging surface 25d of the latch lever 25c is securely engaged. It is possible to make contact with the leading surface 23d of (23b) and always set the origin to a fixed position. At this time, subsequent control is performed with the rotor position of the stepping motor as the counter point of the number of pulses. Even if any motor is used, it is necessary to carry out the shaft washing operation by rotating the cam gear 20 in the forward rotation mode one time after the origin determination.

Next, an embodiment in which the operation description of the operation assistance device 10 according to the second embodiment is applied as an auxiliary device for opening the refrigerator door will be described. First, in the first auxiliary state, the operation assisting device 10 has a rod 30 for protruding the push lever 30b housed in the case 11 from the side of the case 11, the end of the stroke operating range shown in FIG. It is in the initial position. In the output difference 26, the notch 26c is engaged with the tip portion 29a of the movable arm 29 to prevent rotation. In addition, the cam gear 20 initially set by the rotational drive by the motor 12a stops at the position where the engaging portion 23b of the locking cam 23, which is integrally installed, is engaged with the tip portion 25c of the locking lever 25. This position is the starting point of the cam gear 20 and the end point.

At this time, the relative positions of the support column 20a of the cam gear 20 and the support column 26a of the output difference 26 are respectively coiled by the hooks 28a and 28b of the coil spring 28. ) Is in an axial state in which twisting and deforming are incorporated, and this position is a starting point of the operation in the standby position where rotation is prevented by the locking lever 25 and the actuating arm 29.

A push-on panel switch (not shown) separately installed in the refrigerator is operated to energize the motor 12a, and transmit rotation to the cam gear 20 via the deceleration difference differential heat 16 and 17. When the cam gear 20 starts to rotate, the starting cam 22 rotates integrally, and the front end portion 24c of the cam floor 24, which slides in contact with the outer circumferential surface 22a, has a smooth slope (of the projection 22b) Since it moves to the projection top part 22c along 22d), the cam floor 24 rotates to the direction away from the starting cam 22. As shown in FIG.

As a result, the actuating arm 29 rotates integrally with the cam floor 24, and the engagement between the distal end portion 29a of the actuating arm 29 and the notch 26c holding the output difference 26 in the compact position is released. do. The output difference 26 is rapidly rotated by the return force of the pinned coil spring 28, and the toothed portion 34a of the linear gear 34 formed integrally is engaged with the rack 32, and is delivered to the rack 32. The rod 30 is suddenly pressed. The rod 30 held in the standby state at the initial position by the compression coil spring 30c at the end of the moving range in the case 11 is push lever 30c in the transmission hole 11b on the side of the case 11. Protrudes to assist the rotation operation of the refrigerator door in the release direction from the close contact state. As a result, the operation member is capable of manual operation even by the power of the weak, such as the elderly, infants and the disabled.

After moving the rod 30 in the protruding direction, the rack 32 is freed from engagement with the linear gear portion 34a and is urged in the retracting direction in the case 11 by the compression coil spring 30c. In addition to manually returning the door to the closed position, the push lever 30c is reliably pushed into the case 11 and the rod 30 can be returned to the initial position at any time without being interfered with the linear gear portion 34a. Do.

When the push lever 30c is projected by the output difference 26 which is kept in the zoomed position in the zoomed position, and assists the opening operation of the door of the refrigerator, the terminal No. Electric current is supplied from the terminal No. 4 to the motor 12a. As a result, as the cam gear 20 rotates, the starting cam 22 and the locking cam 23 rotate, and the inclined surface 23c of the engaging portion 23b of the locking cam 23 is connected to the locking lever 25. The tip portion 25c is pushed up against the bias force of the coil spring 25b, and the movable contact 50a of the rib switch 50 and the fixed contact 50c come into contact with each other. In this way, since the rib switch 50 is turned on during the auxiliary operation, the energization from the push-on panel switch to the motor 12a is performed at terminal No. 1 during the return operation to return the output difference 26 to the axial position after the auxiliary operation. And the switch from the rib switch 50 by the terminal No. 4, the rib switch 50 is turned off by its own operation, and the motor can be stopped by the suicide switch which stops its own operation.

After this auxiliary operation, the process returns to the return operation until the output difference 26 is held at the axial position. The output difference 26 is driven by the cam gear 20 through the coil spring 28, which is free-form by releasing the axial force, and rotates, but is biased by the coil spring 24b of the cam floor 24 to slide the outer periphery. Rotation is prevented at the position where the notch 26c engages with the movable arm tip 29a. That is, since the output difference 26 is locked in this position, the position of one hook 28b of the coil spring 28 coupled to the support pillar 26a provided in the output difference 26 is also fixed. The cam gear 20 also continues to rotate while twisting the coil spring 28, and the engaging lever tip 25c, which is biased by the coil spring 25b and slides the outer circumference 23a, is engaged with the locking cam 23. It falls to the part 23b, and keeps the output difference 26 in the accumulation position in the accumulation state. In addition, the linear gear 34 which rotates with the output difference 26 stops just before engaging with the rack 30 in which the leading end of the gear part 34a returned to the initial position.

As the locking lever tip portion 25c falls to the engaging portion 23b of the locking cam 23, the rib switch 50 that constitutes the suicide switch is turned OFF by turning the locking lever 25, and the motor energizing circuit is cut off. The motor 12a stops. Since the motor 12a, which has stopped energizing, does not have a force for maintaining the axial force, the cam gear 20 is reliably caught by the excessive force of the coil spring 28 with one hook 28b fixed thereto. 25 d of engagement surfaces of the lever 25 are crimped | bonded by the front surface 23d of the engaging part, and the origin which keeps the coil spring 28 in the axial state can be mechanically determined. This origin is the end point where the cam gear 20 has completed one rotation in the counterclockwise direction, and at the same time, the shaping state is reproduced as a starting point of the next auxiliary operation. Each time the door of the refrigerator is opened, the above operation is repeated.

As a method of stopping the motor 12a without using a suicide switch during the return operation, the motor 12a as a driving means is used as a stepping motor, and the stepping is performed by counting an excess number of pulses for one rotation of the cam gear 20. Input to the motor. Therefore, the rotation of the cam gear 20 stops the energization at the position where the engaging portion 23b of the locking cam 23 slightly exceeds the exact engagement position with the locking lever tip 25c. Since the stepping motor has no holding force at the stop position, the cam gear 20 is returned by the retracted force of the coil spring 28, and the leading surface 23d of the engaging portion 23b is engaged with the latching lever tip 25c. It is possible to determine the always correct position of the crimp on the surface 25d as the mechanical origin. Therefore, the rotor position of the stepping motor corresponding to this position can be reset to the zero point of the pulse coefficient to be the origin of pulse control.

As a method of stopping the motor 12a by the suicide switch during the return operation, the motor 12a as the driving means is a DC motor, a delay timer is inserted into the switch circuit, and the operation time of the rib switch 50 is applied. Make a time lag between the stop of energization to the DC motor and energize at the rotational position of the cam gear 20 slightly above the position where the engaging portion 23b of the locking cam 23 is correctly engaged with the locking lever tip 25c. To stop the cam gear 20 by the return force of the coil coil 28, which compresses the leading surface 23d of the engaging portion 23b to the locking surface 25d of the locking lever tip 25c. The same purpose can be achieved.

Next, the control method of the operation assistance apparatus 10 concerning this invention is demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG.

This flowchart is an auxiliary operation (steps S1 to S9) to assist the opening operation of the door of the refrigerator by rotating the motor 12a forward and protruding the push lever 30c by the output difference 26 held at the bias position. ) And a return operation (steps S10 to S17) in which the motor 12a is rotated forward after this auxiliary operation to return the output difference 26 to the axial position.

As a power feeding method of the auxiliary operation (steps S1 to S11), a voltage is supplied to terminal No. 3 and terminal No. 4 shown in FIG. In addition, the terminal No. 2 and the terminal No. 3 may be short-circuited and a voltage may be supplied to the terminal No. 2 and the terminal No. 4.

First, if a push-on pulse switch installed separately from the refrigerator is pressed or detected by some detecting means such as a touch sensor disposed in the door knob, and an auxiliary operation start signal is inputted to the control device (step S1), the auxiliary operation is entered. In order to judge whether or not the door is opened or closed, a check is made (step S2). Based on this result, it is determined that the auxiliary operation is not necessary when the door is opened in advance and immediately stops the power supply to the motor 12a (step S9), and the auxiliary operation ends at this point.

On the other hand, when the door is in the closed state, power supply to the motor 12a is started to perform the auxiliary operation (step S3), and the motor 12a is rotated forward (step S4). Almost simultaneously with this step S4, the opening / closing state of the door is confirmed (step S5), and the feeding time to the motor 12a is measured almost simultaneously with this step S5 (step S6). In other words, when 3 seconds have elapsed after the electric power is supplied to the motor 12a, the push lever 30c is protruded and the series of pressing operations for assisting the opening operation of the door is reliably terminated. Waiting for the elapse of 3 seconds, power supply to the motor 12a is stopped (step S9), and the auxiliary operation is terminated at this point. The set time of the timer can be set appropriately in accordance with the end of the auxiliary operation.

If it is confirmed in step S5 that the door has been opened before the power supply to the motor 12a is performed for three seconds, the door is opened (step S8), and the power supply to the motor 12a is stopped (step S9). At this point, the auxiliary operation ends.

Subsequently, the feeding to the motor 12a is stopped by this step S9, and the auxiliary operation is terminated and the process returns to the return operation (steps S10 to S17) until the output difference 26 is held in the bias position.

In accordance with the transition of the return operation (steps S10 to S17), the feeding of the voltage from the terminal No. 3 and the terminal No. 4 shown in FIG. Switch to feed. That is, during the auxiliary operation, the rib switch 50 is turned on, and the rib switch 50 is turned off by itself by switching to the circuit of the rib switch 50 by the terminal No. 1 and the terminal No. 4. A suicide switch is configured to stop the operation in a state.

After the power supply to the motor 12a is stopped for one second (step S10), when the power supply to the motor 12a is started again (step S11), the motor 12a rotates forward (step S12) and the return operation is started.

Almost simultaneously with this step S12, the operation time of the motor 12a is measured (step S13), and when 3 seconds elapse, a series of return operations are reliably terminated. Therefore, this 3 seconds is set as a timer (step S14). Waiting, power supply of the voltage to terminal No. 1 and terminal No. 4 is stopped (step S15). In addition, the set time of the timer can be set appropriately at the end of the return operation.

On the other hand, before the power supply to the motor 12a is performed for 3 seconds, the rib switch 50 is turned off and the suicide switch is turned off with the end of the self-return operation (step S16). 12a) is stopped and the return operation is terminated (step S17).

As mentioned above, although the Example of the operation | movement assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention was demonstrated based on drawing, this invention is not limited to the Example shown, Comprising: The shape and structure do not pertain to the detail in the range which does not deviate from the structural requirements of this invention. It is anticipated that various modifications, such as various changes, reconstruction of a part, and the exchange of the combination in an Example, are possible. For example, it is possible to use DC motors or solenoids for springs, and tension coil springs or compression coil springs as springs. Moreover, it can be easily estimated by those skilled in the art that even if the start cam 22 or the start arm 29 are operated directly and manually mechanically, the same effect can be obtained by performing the spring washing operation with the motor.

As can be seen from the above description, the motion assisting device according to the present invention, according to claim 1, in the motion assisting device for assisting the operation of a predetermined range of the entire operating range of the motion member, is coupled to the motion member and the motion member. A rod for operating the rod, a gear for operating the rod, a biasing means for operating with the gear, a driving means for accumulating the biasing force of the biasing means, a holding means for maintaining the biasing means in a predetermined taxing state; And a release means for releasing the biased state by the holding means, and releasing the biased state with the release means releases the biased force and operates the operating member by the rod. It is imparted by the elastic force and can be operated at a high speed several times higher than that by the conventional motor rotation. By applying the auxiliary device, for example, the starting force for opening a heavy door, such as a refrigerator in a strong close state, becomes unnecessary, and manual operation is possible even by a weak person such as an elderly infant or a disabled person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged state of an operation assistance apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an operating state of the operation assistance device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the operation assistance device shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a partial plan view for explaining the operation of the switch of the operation assistance device shown in FIG.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged state of the operation assistance apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing in a cross-sectional view the drive force transmission mechanism after the axial force release of the operation assistance device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a motor and a rib switch in the operation assistance device shown in FIG. 5.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart when the auxiliary operation is performed by the operation assistance apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (5)

(correction) In the operation assistance device for assisting the operation of the predetermined range of the entire operating range of the operating member, A rod coupled to the operating member for operating the operating member, a gear for operating the rod, a biasing means for operating the gear, driving means for accumulating the biasing force of the biasing means, and And a holding means for holding the taxing means in a predetermined taxing state, and a releasing means for releasing the taxing state by the retaining means. When the releasing state is released by the releasing means, the taxing force is released and the rod is released by the rod. Motion assistance device, characterized in that the operation member is operated. (correction)      The method of claim 1, The gear is connected to the toothed gear driven by the driving means and the coil spring as the biasing means, and the toothed gear is driven in a state in which the tooth is caught in the driving direction by one of the locking means as the retaining means. And driving so that when the coil spring reaches the predetermined bias state, the coil spring is caught by the other locking means as the retaining means, and the coil spring is held in the predetermined bias state. (correction) The method of claim 2, And said one locking means includes a slide that slides on a cam surface formed on said shaft car, and said release means constitutes said release means for releasing the locking by said one locking means. (correction) The method of claim 1, And a stepping motor is used for the drive source, and the number of steps of the drive signal is counted to control a series of operations in each auxiliary cycle. (correction) The method of claim 2, If the coil spring is driven in the forward rotation and the coil spring reaches the predetermined bias state, the coil spring is caught by the other locking means as the retaining means, and the coil spring is kept in the predetermined bias state while the shaft spring is reversely rotated. And an initializing unit using the other coupling unit to perform the initialization by preventing the reverse rotation of the shaft gear.