Abstract:
A damper device may include a frame, a baffle turnably supported on the frame for opening and closing a passage through which fluid is passed, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle. The drive unit may include an output member whose tip end side structures a slide mechanism together with the baffle, and a driving part which causes the output member to linearly advance and retreat to and from the baffle. The slide mechanism includes a groove formed in one of a tip end side of the output member and the baffle so that the groove is extended to move the baffle, and a slider part provided in the other so that the slider part is fitted into the groove, and the groove is formed in which at least one of both end portions of the groove is formed in an open end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Application No. 2006-256133 filed Sep. 21, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An embodiment of the present invention may relate to a damper device which is provided with a baffle for opening or closing a passage for fluid. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A damper device has been used in a refrigerator or in an air-conditioner for opening/closing a passage for fluid. The damper device includes a frame, a baffle which is turnably supported on the frame, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle. The passage through which fluid is passed is opened and closed by the baffle which is turned. Therefore, the above-mentioned damper device is often structured such that the drive unit is connected with a turning shaft of the baffle to turnably drive the baffle (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 64-048571). 
         [0004]    However, when the drive unit is connected to the turnable support part for the baffle, the drive unit is disposed on the turning center axial line of the baffle and thus dimension in a widthwise direction of the damper device becomes large. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An embodiment of the present invention may advantageously provide a damper device which is capable of reducing dimension in the widthwise direction and is capable of assembling easily. 
         [0006]    Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided a damper device including a frame, a baffle which is turnably supported on the frame for opening and closing a passage through which fluid is passed, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle. The drive unit includes an output member whose tip end side structures a slide mechanism together with the baffle, and a driving part which causes the output member to linearly advance and retreat to and from the baffle. The slide mechanism includes a groove which is formed in one of a tip end side of the output member and the baffle so that the groove is extended to move the baffle, and a slider part which is provided in the other of the tip end side of the output member and the baffle so that the slider part is fitted into the groove, and the groove is formed in which at least one of both end portions of the groove is formed in an open end. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the baffle is turned by advancing and retreating operation of the output member. Therefore, structure can be simplified in comparison with a structure that a baffle is directly turned by the driving part. Further, the groove is formed in which at least one of both end portions of the groove is formed in an open end. Therefore, when a damper device is to be assembled, the slider part can be fitted from the open end of the groove and thus assembling work can be easily and efficiently performed. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the slide mechanism is structured at a position apart from a turning center axial line of the baffle and at an inner side position in a widthwise direction between the first turnable support part and the second turnable support part which turnably support the baffle on the frame. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the groove is formed in the baffle and the slider part is formed in the output member. The baffle is originally formed in a flat plate shape and thus a space for forming the groove is originally secured. Therefore, the structure can be simplified in comparison with a case that the groove is formed in the output member. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, one end portion of both end portions of the groove which is located near a turning center axial line of the baffle is formed in an open end, and the other end portion of the both end portions of the groove which is located on a far side from the turning center axial line is closed. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a positioning mechanism is structured between the frame and the drive unit for determining a relative position between the frame and the drive unit by engagement with each other. According to the structure as described above, when the damper device is to be assembled, after the frame and the drive unit have been separately assembled, the frame and the drive unit can be easily and surely connected with each other with a high degree of positional accuracy. 
         [0012]    Specifically, the positioning mechanism may include a seat part which is protruded from one of the frame and the drive unit, and a cut-out part which is provided in the other of the frame and the drive unit, and the seat part is engaged with the cut-out part to determine the relative position between the frame and the drive unit. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a connection mechanism is structured between the frame and the drive unit for connecting the frame with the drive unit by fitting one of the frame and the drive unit to the other of the frame and the drive unit. According to the structure as described above, when the damper device is to be assembled, a lot of parts and man-hours are not required to connect the drive unit with the frame. 
         [0014]    The connection mechanism may include a hook part which is formed to be protruded from the drive unit, and a cut-out part which is formed in the frame to be fitted with the hook part, and the frame and the drive unit are connected with each other by the hook part which is fitted into the cut-out part. Specifically, the hook part may be protruded from an upper face of a housing of the drive unit, and the cut-out part may be formed in a bottom plate part of the frame, a gap space between a tip end part of the hook part and the upper face of the housing may be set narrower than a width of the bottom plate part of the frame, and the bottom plate part of the frame is held by the hook part with resilient bending of the hook part when the bottom plate part of the frame is inserted between the tip end part of the hook part and the upper face of the housing. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the frame and the drive unit is formed with projection which is pressed to be deformed in a direction crossing to a fitting direction of the frame to the drive unit. According to the structure as described above, the projection is pressed so as to be deformed in a direction crossing to the fitting direction and thus the drive unit and the baffle unit are firmly connected with each other. 
         [0016]    Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1(   a ) is a perspective view showing a rear face side of a damper device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention which is viewed from obliquely above, and  FIG. 1(   b ) is its perspective view which is viewed from obliquely below. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view showing the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory view showing a baffle unit of the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) which is disassembled into a frame and a baffle. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4(   a ) through  4 ( f ) are explanatory views showing a method for attaching the baffle to the frame in the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0022]      FIG. 5(   a ) is an explanatory view showing a method for connecting a drive unit to the baffle unit in the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ),  FIG. 5(   b ) is a perspective view showing the drive unit, and  FIG. 5(   c ) is an explanatory perspective view showing a rib-shaped projection which is formed in the drive unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1(   a ) is a perspective view showing a rear face side of a damper device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention which is viewed from obliquely above, and  FIG. 1(   b ) is its perspective view which is viewed from obliquely below.  FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view showing the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ).  FIG. 3  is an explanatory view showing a baffle unit of the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) which is disassembled into a frame and a baffle. In  FIG. 3 , a buffer member is detached from the baffle. 
         [0025]    A damper device  1  shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) through  FIG. 2  is a device for controlling supply of cold air to a storage chamber in a refrigerator. The damper device  1  is generally structured of a baffle unit  2  which is provided with a baffle  4  within a frame  3  and a drive unit  5  which is connected to an under face of the baffle unit  2 . In the baffle unit  2 , the frame  3  is formed in a case shape which is provided with a rectangular upper plate part  31 , rectangular right and left side plate parts  32 L and  32 R, a rectangular bottom plate part  34  and a rear plate part  35 . A rear end part of the bottom plate part  34  is formed with a cutout part  340  through which an output member  6  is extended as described below at a center position in a widthwise direction of the bottom plate part  34 . Cutout parts  341 L and  341 R with which hook parts  67 L and  67 R described below are engaged are formed on both sides of the cutout part  340 . The frame  3  is provided in the inside of the frame  3  with a horizontal intermediate plate part  381  which faces the bottom plate part  34 . The rear end side of the horizontal intermediate plate part  381  is formed with a cutout part  380  through which the output member  6  is passed as described below at a center position in a widthwise direction of the horizontal intermediate plate part  381 . The horizontal intermediate plate part  381  is connected with the bottom plate part  34  through a perpendicular intermediate plate part  385  and two perpendicular side plate parts  387 L and  387 R. A space through which the output member  6  is extended and passed is formed between the two perpendicular side plate parts  387 L and  387 R. The perpendicular intermediate plate part  385  closes a space between the horizontal intermediate plate part  381  and the bottom plate part  34  in a front and rear direction. 
         [0026]    An under face of the bottom plate part  34  is formed with a connecting plate part  371  which is protruded downward. An upper side of a front face of the drive unit  5  is abutted with the connecting plate part  371  and fastened to it with a screw. The connecting plate part  371  and the bottom plate part  34  are reinforced to each other by using triangular reinforcing plate parts  372 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a front part of the frame  3  is formed in a completely open state and the rear plate part  35  covers an upper portion of a rear face part of the frame  3 . Further, a rectangular frame part  36  which is formed in an obliquely upward direction is formed in the inside of the frame  3  so as to protrude on an inner side from the respective inner faces of the upper plate part  31 , the side plate parts  32 L and  32 R and the bottom plate part  34 . An opening part  30  of the rectangular frame part  36  is penetrated through the frame  3  in the front and rear direction. A tip end part of the rectangular frame part  36  is formed in a sharp shape toward the baffle  4 . 
         [0028]    As described above, a passage through which fluid is passed is formed within the inside of the frame  3  and the baffle  4  controls fluid flow by opening or closing the opening part  30 . In this embodiment, the baffle  4  is supported by the frame  3  so as to be capable of turning on a front side of the opening part  30  (front side of the rectangular frame part  36 ) around a horizontal axial line (turning center axial line “C”). Therefore, the baffle  4  is turned around the horizontal axial line to be changed to a closed position as shown by the solid line in  FIG. 2  and to an open position as shown by the dotted line in  FIG. 2 . The baffle  4  is provided with a box-shaped baffle plate  41  made of resin and a buffer member  49  made of rubber or the like which is fixed on a rear face of the baffle plate  41 . The baffle  4  is disposed such that the buffer member  49  is located on the opening part  30  side. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , two arm parts  45 L and  45 R are formed at a roughly center area in a widthwise direction of the rear face of the baffle  4 . The two arm parts  45 L and  45 R are extended in parallel to each other in the front and rear direction at a position which is shifted from the turning center axial line “C”. The respective arm parts  45 L and  45 R are provided with a protruded part  453  protruding from the baffle  4  to its rear side and a rail portion  451  which is extended from the protruded part  453  in a direction crossing the turning center axial line “C” of the baffle  4  to form grooves  81 L and  81 R on the rear side of the baffle  4 . In addition, the arm parts  45 L and  45 R are respectively provided with rail portions  452  which are extended in parallel to each other so as to have a certain space to the rail portion  451 . These rail portions  451  and  452  are connected with each other at one end side to be formed in a U-shape. In accordance with an embodiment, the rail portion  452  is fixed to the baffle plate  41  and the rail portion  451  may be floated from the rear face of the baffle  4 . 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, the two arm parts  45 L and  45 R are respectively disposed such that the U-shaped connecting part (protruded part  453 ) is located at a far side from the turning center axial line “C” and an open end  810  is located at a closer position to the turning center axial line “C”. Therefore, the two grooves  81 L and  81 R are respectively formed such that one end part which is located at the closer position to the turning center axial line “C” is formed in the open end  810  in a longitudinal direction of the grooves  81 L and  81 R, and the other end part which is located at the far side from the turning center axial line “C” is closed. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4(   a ) through  4 ( f ) are explanatory views showing a method for attaching the baffle to the frame in the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). Specifically,  FIG. 4(   a ) is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the frame and the baffle, and  FIG. 4(   b ) is their longitudinal sectional view.  FIG. 4(   c ) is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a state that the baffle is going to be mounted on the frame and  FIG. 4(   d ) is its longitudinal sectional view.  FIG. 4(   e ) is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a state that the baffle has been mounted on the frame and  FIG. 4(   f ) is its longitudinal sectional view.  FIGS. 4(   a ),  4 ( c ) and  4 ( d ) correspond to a cross-sectional view which is cut by the line “A-A′” in  FIG. 4(   b ). 
         [0032]    In this embodiment, in order to structure that the baffle  4  is turnably supported by the frame  3 , the following structure is utilized which is described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  and  FIGS. 4(   a ) through  4 ( f ). In other words, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 ( a ), the baffle  4  is provided with cylindrical shaft parts  40 L and  40 R which are protruded from the respective right and left side face parts  42 L and  42 R on the rear end side of a baffle plate  41 . On the other hand, the frame  3  is provided with shaft holes  30 L and  30 R which are formed at an upper position on the rear end side on inner side faces of the right and left side plate parts  32 L and  32 R. When the right and left shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are respectively fitted to the right and left shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, a first turnable support part  9 L and a second turnable support part  9 R are structured. 
         [0033]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the right and left shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are formed on the rear end parts of the right and left side face parts  42 L and  42 R of the baffle plate  41 . The right and left side face parts  42 L and  42 R are formed so as to be partially separated from a main body portion of the baffle plate  41  by slits  43 L and  43 R which are extended to a midway position on a front side from its rear end portion. Therefore, the rear end parts of the right and left side face parts  42 L and  42 R are capable of deforming like a flat spring in the right and left direction, and the right and left shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are capable of displacing in an axial direction of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R. 
         [0034]    In the right and left side plate parts  32 L and  32 R of the frame  3 , a plate thickness of a portion where the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed is made to be larger than other portion. Therefore, the right and left shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed in a bottomed hole but they can be provided with a sufficient depth dimension. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, since the right and left shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed in a bottomed hole, the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are opened in the inner side face of the side plate parts  32 L and  32 R but they are not penetrated to their outer side face. 
         [0035]    In the right and left side plate parts  32 L and  32 R, surrounding portions of the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed in a platform-shaped protruded part  325  except a front side portion. The protruded part  325  is extended in a roughly parallel manner to an under face of the upper plate part  31  to a position facing the under face of the upper plate part  31  with a predetermined gap space so that a guide wall  326  facing the under face of the upper plate part  31  is formed in the protruded part  325 . Therefore, the frame  3  is formed with guide parts  90 L and  90 R by using an inner side face (guide wall  326 ) of the protruded part  325  and the under face of the upper plate part  31  for sliding and guiding side faces of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are to be fitted to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. Further, in the right and left side plate parts  32 L and  32 R, a plate thickness of portions where the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed is made larger than that of other portion. In addition, their tip end portions are formed in a tapered face  328  whose thickness is gradually increased to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. The shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are opened at a face which is continuously formed at the same height position as the highest portion of the tapered face  328 . 
         [0036]    In order to assemble the baffle unit  2  by using the frame  3  and the baffle  4  which are structured as described above, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), the baffle  4  is inserted from a front side of the frame  3 . In this case, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R of the baffle  4  are slid on the under face of the upper plate part  31  of the frame  3 . As a result, as shown in  FIGS. 4(   c ) and  4 ( d ), when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are entered into the guide parts  90 L and  90 R, the tip end parts of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are pushed by the tapered faces  328  of the side plate parts  32 L and  32 R and thus the rear end portions of the side face parts  42 L and  42 R are resiliently bent on the inner side. Therefore, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are moved toward the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R while the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are displaced to the inner side. Further, the side faces of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are guided by the guide parts  90 L and  90 R which are formed with the guide wall  326  of the protruded part  325  and the under face of the upper plate part  31  to reach to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. 
         [0037]    After that, as shown in  FIGS. 4(   e ) and  4 ( f ), when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R have been reached to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, the rear end portions of the side face parts  42 L and  42 R are returned from the state that the rear end portions have resiliently bent to the inner side and the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are displaced to the outer side. As a result, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R and thus a first turnable support part  9 L and a second turnable support part  9 R are structured which turnably support the baffle  4  to the frame  3 . 
         [0038]    As described above, in this embodiment, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are elastically displaceable in their axial directions. Therefore, when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are displaced in an opposite direction to the fitting direction and thus the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R easily. Further, after the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R have been fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R or the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are going to be returned to their original positions. Therefore, a state where the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R have been fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are maintained. Moreover, when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are to be fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, the tip end parts of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are slid on the tapered faces  328 . Therefore, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R have been displaced on an opposite side to their fitting directions and then the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are rapidly displaced in the fitting direction to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R and fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. Accordingly, when the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are to be fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, a click feeling is obtained and, after the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R have been fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are not disengaged. 
         [0039]    In addition, in this embodiment, the frame  3  is formed with guide parts  90 L and  90 R for sliding and guiding the side faces of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R to the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. Therefore, even when the positions of the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R cannot be observed directly, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are easily and surely fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R. 
         [0040]    Further, plate thicknesses of the surrounding portions of the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R in the frame  3  are set to be larger than those of other portions. Therefore, when the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are to be formed in the frame  3 , the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R having a sufficient depth can be formed and thus a structure in which the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are surely fitted into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R can be realized. Further, only a plate thickness of the surrounding portions of the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R is set to be larger than that of other portion of the frame  3  and thus the entire thickness of the frame  3  is not required to increase. Moreover, the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed of a bottomed hole which is not penetrated through to an outer side of the frame  3 , and the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are closed by the outer face of the frame  3 . Therefore, foreign matter is prevented from entering into the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R from the outside and turning of the baffle  4  is prevented from being disturbed by the foreign matter. Accordingly, reliability of the damper device  1  can be enhanced. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5(   a ) is an explanatory view showing a method for connecting a drive unit to the baffle unit in the damper device shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ),  FIG. 5(   b ) is a perspective view showing the drive unit, and  FIG. 5(   c ) is an explanatory perspective view showing a rib-shaped projection which is formed in the drive unit. 
         [0042]    The drive unit  5  is provided with a housing  53  which is structured of a bottomed rectangular and tubular case  51  whose upper face is abutted with the under face of the bottom plate part  34  of the baffle unit  2  and a rear end plate  52  which closes a rear opening of the case  51 . A motor  50  such as an AC synchronous motor is fixed to a front face of the housing  53 . A shaft-shaped output member  6  is protruded from the upper face of the housing  53 . An opening part (not shown) is formed at a rear end part of the upper face of the housing  53  for protruding the output member  6  from the housing  53 . A plurality of engaging plate parts  521  is formed in the rear end plate  52  for fitting the rear end plate  52  to the case  51 , and holes of the engaging plate parts  521  are engaged with projections  511  which are formed on the side face of the case  51 . 
         [0043]    The drive unit  5  in this embodiment is structured of a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting a driving force from a motor to the output member  6  within the inside of the housing  53 . In this embodiment, the driving force transmission mechanism is provided with a speed reducing gear train through which rotation of the motor is transmitted while being decelerated, and provided with a rotation-linear motion converting mechanism by using a rack and a pinion, and the like. The output member  6  is advanced or retreated in an axial direction by rotation of the motor. 
         [0044]    The output member  6  is provided with a bar-shaped portion  61  which is straightly protruded upward from the housing  53  and a forward inclined portion  62  which is further extended upward from the bar-shaped portion  61  and then obliquely bent to a front side. The tip end parts of the forward inclined portions  62  are formed with two round bar-shaped slider parts  63 L and  63 R which are projected on both the right and left sides. The slider parts  63 L and  63 R are respectively fitted into the grooves  81 L and  81 R to structure slide mechanisms  10 L and  10 R (mechanical connected portion between the baffle  4  and the drive unit  5 ). The slide mechanisms  10 L and  10 R are located at inner side positions in a widthwise direction of the first turnable support part  9 L and the second turnable support part  9 R which are described with reference to  FIG. 4(   e ) and located at positions apart from the turning center axial line “C”. 
         [0045]    A boundary portion of the output member  6  between the bar-shaped portion  61  and the forward inclined portion  62  is formed with a disk-shaped flange part  69  for preventing drops of water or the like from flowing from a tip end portion of the output member  6  to its bar-shaped portion and preventing the water or the like from entering into the housing  63 . 
         [0046]    In order to connect the drive unit  5  structured as described above to the under face of the baffle unit  2 , as shown in  FIG. 5(   a ), the slider parts  63 L and  63 R which are formed at the tip end part of the output member  6  are inserted into the inner sides of the grooves  81 L and  81 R from the open end  810  sides of the grooves  81 L and  81 R to structure the slide mechanisms  10 L and  10 R. 
         [0047]    Next, the drive unit  5  is turned downward around the slider parts  63 L and  63 R and the housing  53  of the drive unit  5  is set to be at a lower position of the frame  3 . After that, the connecting plate part  371  of the frame  3  and the front face of the housing  53  of the drive unit  5  are fixed to each other with screws. 
         [0048]    In order to combine the drive unit  5  with the baffle unit  2  in a connecting method as described above, in this embodiment, as described below with reference to  FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 5(   a ) through  5 ( c ), a positioning mechanism  11  for determining their relative position by engaging with each other and connection mechanisms  12 L and  12 R for connecting the frame  3  with the drive unit  5  by fitting one to the other is structured between the drive unit  5  and the frame  3  of the baffle unit  2 . 
         [0049]    In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5(   b ), in order to structure the positioning mechanism  11 , a rectangular seat part  510  is protruded on the upper face of the housing  53  of the drive unit  5  where an base end portion of the output member  6  is protruded. On the other hand, a rear end portion of the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3  of the baffle unit  2  is formed with a rectangular cut-out part  340  having substantially same dimension as the seat part  510 . Therefore, when the drive unit  5  and the baffle unit  2  are to be connected with each other, the seat part  510  is fitted into the cut-out part  340  and thus positioning between the drive unit  5  and the baffle unit  2  is performed. Accordingly, when the damper device  1  is to be assembled, after the frame  3  and the drive unit  5  have been separately assembled, the frame  3  and the drive unit  5  can be easily and surely connected with each other with a high degree of positional accuracy. Further, the positioning mechanism  11  is structured in which the cut-out part  340  to which the seat part  510  is fitted is formed in the rear end portion of the bottom plate part  34 . Therefore, the seat part  510  is easily fitted to the bottom plate part  34  and the cut-out portion of the bottom plate part  34  is required to be small. 
         [0050]    Further, in this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5(   b ), the connection mechanisms  12 L and  12 R are structured in which an upper face (upper end part of the rear end plate  52 ) of the housing  53  of the drive unit  5  is formed with hook parts  67 L and  67 R which are protruded with a predetermined dimension upward from the upper face of the housing  53  and then bent forward. A gap space whose width is a little smaller than that of the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3  is formed between the tip end parts of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R and the upper face of the housing  53 . Further, cut-out parts  341 L and  341 R to which the hook parts  67 L and  67 R are fitted are formed in the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3 . Therefore, when the drive unit  5  and the baffle unit  2  are to be connected with each other, the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3  is inserted between the tip end parts of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R and the upper face of the housing  53  so that the hook parts  67 L and  67 R are fitted to the cut-out parts  341 L and  341 R. As a result, the hook parts  67 L and  67 R are resiliently bent upward and a state where the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3  is inserted between the tip end parts of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R and the upper face of the housing  53  is maintained by shape return forces of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R. Therefore, when the damper device  1  is to be assembled, a lot of part items and man-hours are not required to connect the drive unit  5  with the frame  3 . 
         [0051]    Further, in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5(   c ), under faces of the tip end parts of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R are formed with a rib-shaped projection  670  which is extended in a fitting direction of the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3 . Therefore, when the bottom plate part  34  of the frame  3  is inserted between the tip end parts of the hook parts  67 L and  67 R and the upper face of the housing  53 , the rib-shaped projections  670  are pressed so as to be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and thus the drive unit  5  and the baffle unit  2  are firmly connected with each other. 
         [0052]    In the damper device  1  in this embodiment, in the state as shown by the solid line in  FIG. 2 , the output member  6  has been moved downward to be located at a closing position where the opening part  30  (passage of cold air) is closed by the baffle  4 . In this state, the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are located at the most apart position from the turning center axial line “C” in the grooves  81 L and  81 R. When the output member  6  is moved upward from this state, the rail portion  452  of the baffle  4  is pushed upward and turned around the turning center axial line “C” and thus the baffle  4  is moved to an open position as shown by the dotted line in  FIG. 2 . In this state, the baffle  4  causes the opening part  30  to open and the slider parts  63 L and  63 R have been moved along the grooves  81 L and  81 R in a direction coming near the turning center axial line “C”. 
         [0053]    When the output member  6  is moved down from above-mentioned state, the arm parts  45 L and  45 R (rail portion) are pushed downward and the baffle  4  is turned around the turning center axial line “C” to be returned to the closed position as shown by the solid line in  FIG. 2 . In this case, the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are moved along the grooves  81 L and  81 R to positions apart from the turning center axial line “C”. 
         [0054]    In accordance with this embodiment, lengths of the grooves  81 L and  81 R are set to be sufficiently longer than a moving length of the slider parts  63 L and  63 R when the opening part  30  is opened and closed by the baffle  4 . Therefore, even when dimension of the part items and assembling dimension are dispersed, the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are not disengaged from the grooves  81 L and  81 R. 
         [0055]    As described above, in this embodiment, turning operation of the baffle  4  is performed by the advancing-retreating operation of the output member  6 . Therefore, structural simplification can be obtained in comparison with a structure in which the baffle  4  is directly turned at the turning portion. Further, since the turning operation of the baffle  4  is performed by the advancing-retreating operation of the output member  6 , a mechanical connecting part between the drive unit  5  and the baffle  4  may be structured at a position apart from the turning center axial line “C” of the baffle  4 , and the baffle  4  is not required to be driven at portions of the turnable support parts  9 L and  9 R. Therefore, the drive unit  5  is not required to be disposed on an extended line of the turning center axial line “C” and thus a width dimension of the damper device  1  can be reduced. 
         [0056]    Further, in this embodiment, in order to adopt a structure for converting an advancing or retreating operation of the output member  6  to a turning operation of the baffle  4 , the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are movable within the grooves  81 L and  81 R and one end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R are formed as an open end  810 . Therefore, when the damper device  1  is to be assembled, the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are fitted from the open ends of the grooves  81 L and  81 R and thus assembling work can be easily and efficiently performed. 
         [0057]    In addition, in order to form one end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R as the open end  810 , the end parts of the grooves  81 L and  81 R which are located near the turning center axial line “C” are formed as the open end  810  and the end parts which are located at far side of the turning center axial line “C” are closed. Therefore, when the baffle  4  is moved from the open position as shown by the dotted line to the closed position as shown by the solid line in  FIG. 2  and the buffer member  49  is pressed to the tip end part of the rectangular frame part  36 , a large force is applied to the arm parts  45 L and  45 R (rail portion  451 ). However, in this case, the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are located at the closed end parts of the grooves  81 L and  81 R and their strengths are large. Accordingly, deformation of the arm parts  45 L and  45 R (rail portion) can be prevented. 
         [0058]    In the structure that the baffle  4  is turnably supported to the frame  3 , the turnable support parts  9 L and  9 R are structured by using the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R which are formed in the baffle  4  and the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R which are formed in the frame  3 . According to the structure as described above, bearing parts which are separate from the baffle  4  and the frame  3  are not required. Therefore, number of part items can be reduced and assembling operation can be easily and efficiently performed. 
         [0059]    Further, the damper device  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is used in a passage through which cold air is passed and thus temperature does not become higher. Therefore, even when the entire baffle plate  41  including the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are made of resin, or even when the frame  3  is made of resin, deterioration due to temperature does not almost occur and thus cost of the damper device  1  can be reduced by an amount because resin is used. 
         [0060]    In the embodiment described above, in the turnable support parts of the baffle  4 , the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are elastically displaceable in the axial directions of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R. However, for example, the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R may be elastically displaceable in the axial directions of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R by utilizing elastic deformation of the side plate parts  32 L and  32 R. Alternatively, both of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R and the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R may be structured so as to be elastically displaceable in the axial direction of the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R. 
         [0061]    In the embodiment described above, in order to structure the turnable support parts  9 L and  9 R of the baffle  4 , the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R are formed in the baffle  4  and the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R are formed in the frame  3 . However, the shaft parts  40 L and  40 R may be formed in the frame  3  and the shaft holes  30 L and  30 R may be formed in the baffle  4 . 
         [0062]    In the embodiment described above, the grooves  81 L and  81 R are formed in the baffle  4  and the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are formed in the output member  6  to structure the mechanical connecting portion of the baffle  4  with the drive unit  5 . However, it may be structured such that the grooves  81 L and  81 R are formed in the output member  6  and the slider parts  63 L and  63 R are formed in the baffle  4 . However, the former structure can be further more simplified. In other words, the baffle  4  is originally formed in a flat plate shape and thus a space for forming the grooves  81 L and  81 R is originally secured. Therefore, the structure can be simplified in comparison with a case that the grooves  81 L and  81 R are formed in the output member  6 . 
         [0063]    In the embodiment described above, the slide mechanisms  10 L and  10 R are formed on the abutting face side of the baffle  4  with the periphery of the opening part  30  when the opening part  30  is closed. However, the present invention may be applied to a damper device in which the slide mechanisms  10 L and  10 R are structured on an opposite side to the abutting face with the opening part  30  when the opening part  30  is closed. 
         [0064]    In the embodiment described above, in order to form one end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R as the open end  810 , the one end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R which are located near the turning center axial line “C” are formed as the open end  810  and the other end portions which are located far from the turning center axial line “C” are formed as the closed end. However, according to an operating condition for the baffle  4 , it may be structured that the end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R which are located far from the turning center axial line “C” are formed as the open end  810  and the other end portions which are located near the turning center axial line “C” are formed as the closed end. 
         [0065]    In the embodiment described above, the one end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R are formed as the open end  810  but both end portions of the grooves  81 L and  81 R may be formed as the open end  810 . For example, it may be structured that rail portions are disposed on both sides of the slider parts  63 L and  63 R in a parallel and lifted state and outer sides of the rail portions are connected with the baffle plate 
         [0066]    In the embodiment described above, after the frame  3  and the drive unit  5  have been connected with the connection mechanisms  12 L and  12 R, the frame  3  and the drive unit  5  are fixed to each other with screws. However, the frame  3  and the drive unit  5  may be fixed to each other only with the connection mechanisms  12 L and  12 R. 
         [0067]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0068]    The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.