Vibration damping device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vibration damping device utilizing magnetic force in which restriction on the moving amount of a member exerting magnetic force is suppressed. [Solution] A vibration damping device includes an inner member and an outer member configured to reciprocate relatively in a first direction, wherein the inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction intersecting perpendicularly with the first direction, and includes a magnetic material configured to be disposed in an opposite direction to the outer member in the second direction, the outer member includes a magnetic force element configured in a manner to attract the end member in a balanced state, and the end member and the magnetic force element are restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vibration damping device that uses magnetic force. Background Technology

[0002] The conventionally known device comprises a base, an upper ring-shaped permanent magnet, a lower ring-shaped permanent magnet, a connecting rod, and a central permanent magnet. A metal conductor sleeve, which is a hollow metal cylinder, is connected to the upper surface of the base. The base seals the lower end face of the metal conductor sleeve. The upper and lower ring-shaped permanent magnets are identical in shape, both being hollow rings. The upper and lower ring-shaped permanent magnets are respectively embedded within the upper and lower ring-shaped bushings. The upper and lower ring-shaped bushings are respectively connected to the upper and lower ends of the inner wall of the metal conductor sleeve, so that the upper and lower ring-shaped permanent magnets and the metal conductor sleeve are coaxially arranged in the axial direction, and the upper and lower ring-shaped permanent magnets are connected to the lower ring-shaped permanent magnet. The magnetic poles of the opposing faces of the ring-shaped permanent magnets are opposite. The axis of the connecting rod is coaxial with the central axis of the metal conductor sleeve. The central permanent magnet is a hollow ring, coaxially fitted onto and fixed to the connecting rod. The upper end of the connecting rod passes through the central hole of the upper ring-shaped permanent magnet. The central permanent magnet is located between the upper and lower ring-shaped permanent magnets and can move axially between them together with the connecting rod. The magnetic poles of the opposing faces of the central permanent magnet and the upper ring-shaped permanent magnet are opposite, and the magnetic poles of the opposing faces of the central permanent magnet and the lower ring-shaped permanent magnet are also opposite. This is a single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device (for example, see reference 1). The single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device disclosed in Reference 1 "does not require energy supply, has high reliability, and can generate static and dynamic magnetic forces. The static magnetic force is achieved by the attraction between the opposite poles of permanent magnets, while the dynamic magnetic force is achieved by an eddy current damper generated by the relative motion between the metal conductor sleeve and the permanent magnet. The strength of the static magnetic force is only related to displacement. The device of this invention also has magnetic force when stationary, and therefore can be regarded as a rigid force. The eddy current damper is only related to relative velocity and only exists when the magnetic mechanism is in motion, and can be regarded as a viscous damping force." Furthermore, this single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device "by being configured in parallel with passive vibration damping structures such as rigid coil springs or air springs, can effectively suppress the increase in amplitude at the natural frequency without affecting the high-frequency attenuation performance of the passive vibration damping system, thereby improving the passive vibration damping performance of the original system."

[0003] [Prior art literature] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6317822 Summary of the Invention

[0004] [The problem that the invention aims to solve] The single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that, since "the magnetic poles of the faces of the upper and lower ring permanent magnets are opposite" and "the central permanent magnet is located between the upper and lower ring permanent magnets and can move axially between the upper and lower ring permanent magnets together with the connecting rod," the central permanent magnet has the problem that when it moves in either direction up or down in a self-balancing state, the amount of movement is limited because either the upper or lower ring permanent magnet is present on its extension line.

[0005] In order to solve the problems mentioned above, the present invention provides a vibration damping device that suppresses the limitation of the amount of movement of a component subjected to magnetic force in a vibration damping device utilizing magnetic force.

[0006] [Technical means to solve the problem] The vibration damping device of the present invention includes an inner member and an outer member, the inner member and the outer member being configured to reciprocate relative to each other in a first direction, wherein the inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and includes an end member made of magnetic material with magnetic poles disposed opposite to the outer member in the second direction, the outer member including a magnetic element configured to attract the end member in an equilibrium state, and the end member and the magnetic element being restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other.

[0007] [The effects of the invention] According to the invention described above, a magnetic force in the direction of adsorption is generated between the inner component and the outer component. The movement paths of the inner component and the outer component do not intersect, so they do not restrict each other's movement. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 To display Figure 1 Enlarged view of the first end 13 and the magnetic pole 21a of the magnetic element 21.

[0010] Figure 3 To display Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the inner component 10 of the vibration damping device 100 moving in the z-direction.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 in the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1 and the generated magnetic force.

[0012] Figure 5A schematic diagram showing the main structure of a vibration damping device 100A, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 6 To show about Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 100A in the modified example and the generated magnetic force.

[0014] Figure 7 This is one example of a schematic diagram showing the state of the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A of Embodiment 1 in a top view (viewed from the z-direction).

[0015] Figure 8 Other examples are shown in the schematic diagram of the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A of Embodiment 1 in a top view (viewed from the z-direction).

[0016] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of a vibration damping device 100B, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of a vibration damping device 100C, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 11 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of the vibration damping device 200 of Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 12 To display Figure 1 The diagram shows the relationship between the moving distance of the inner component 10 in the vibration damping device 100 and the generated load, and the relationship between the expansion and contraction of the elastic component 30 and the generated load.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 200 in Embodiment 2 and the generated magnetic force.

[0021] Figure 14 To display Figure 11 The vibration damping device 100 in the vibration damping device 200 shown is replaced with Figure 5 The diagram shows the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 and the generated magnetic force when the vibration damping device 100A is in operation.

[0022] Figure 15 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of the vibration damping device 300 of Embodiment 3.

[0023] Figure 16To display the inner component 10 from Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the vibration damping device 300 moving in the z2 direction.

[0024] Figure 17 A schematic diagram showing the main structure of a vibration damping device 100D, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1 with the second end 12 removed. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following describes appropriate embodiments of the vibration damping device of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, while the embodiments described below are specific examples of the present invention and are subject to various technical limitations, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these forms unless specifically limited in the following description.

[0026] Example 1: Vibration damping device 100 Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the main structure of the vibration damping device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 The vibration damping device 100 has an inner member 10 that can move in the z-direction and an outer member 20 that is fixed. The vibration damping device 100, for example, has the inner member 10 connected to another structure, and uses magnetic force to suppress the displacement of the structure in the z-direction. The vibration damping device 100 is used for damping in automobiles, seismic devices in buildings, or vibration control devices in machinery, etc., to dampen vibrations. Furthermore, although the first embodiment uses the example of the inner member 10 moving in the z-direction, the vibration damping device 100 can be constructed in which the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 can move relative to each other in the z-direction.

[0027] The vibration damping device 100 is, for example, formed in a cylindrical shape by an outer member 20. The outer member 20 surrounds the inner member 10 in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction. The outer member 20 has a magnetic element 21. In a cross-section parallel to the z-direction, pairs of magnetic poles 21a and 21b of the magnetic element 21 are arranged along the z-direction. Figure 1 In this configuration, magnetic elements 21A and 21B are arranged such that the S pole is located at one end in the z1 direction, and the N pole is located at one end in the z2 direction. Furthermore, magnetic elements 21A and 21B can be a single magnetic element or separate magnetic elements. Additionally, there is a case where the z-direction is referred to as the first direction, and the direction perpendicularly intersecting the z-direction is referred to as the second direction.

[0028] The inner member 10 is disposed inside the outer member 20 in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction (xy-direction). The inner member 10 has a first end 13 and a second end 12 disposed and isolated in the z-direction. The first end 13 and the second end 12 are each made of a magnetic material. Figure 1 Although the first end 13 and the second end 12 are each made of magnets, they can also be made of soft magnetic materials such as iron and nickel. That is to say, even if the first end 13 and the second end 12 do not have magnetic force or have almost no magnetic force, they can still be attracted to the magnetic element 21.

[0029] The first end 13 and the second end 12 are connected in the z-direction by a connecting member. The connecting member 11 is a member used to maintain a fixed distance between the first end 13 and the second end 12. The connecting member 11 can be a non-magnetic material such as resin, or it can be a metal containing a magnetic material. Furthermore, the inner member 10 has structures in its z-direction end that respectively support the first end 13 and the second end 12, and each structure can be connected in the z-direction by the connecting member 11. The structures that respectively support the first end 13 and the second end 12 can be integrally formed with the connecting member 11, or they can be separate components connected by screws or welding. In addition, there are cases where the first end 13 and the second end 12 are referred to together as end members. That is, the first end 13 and the second end 12 constitute end members.

[0030] The first end 13 and the second end 12 are configured to be in Figure 1 In the equilibrium state shown, the magnetic poles 21a or 21b are adsorbed onto the magnetic element 21. The front end 13a of the first end 13 is configured as a magnetic pole 21a adsorbed onto the magnetic element 21. Figure 1 In the example shown, the N pole is the polarity. The front end 12a of the second end 12 is configured as a magnetic pole 21b that is attracted to the magnetic element 21. Figure 1 The example shown is the S pole.

[0031] At Figure 1Although the structures supporting the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 are not shown separately, the vibration damping device 100 can also be equipped with structures to support the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 respectively. Alternatively, since the inner member 10 is configured to be able to adhere to the outer member 20, spacers or bearings can be provided to maintain a specified distance between the inner member 10 and the outer member 20, so that the front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 do not contact the magnetic poles 21a and 21b. It is also possible to configure the distance between the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction so that it can be dynamically controlled. By dynamically controlling the distance between the end members (first end 13 and second end 12) and the magnetic element 21 in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction, the magnetic force of adhesion can be controlled. In this way, the damping force of the vibration damping device 100 can be controlled.

[0032] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of the first end 13 and the magnetic pole 21a of the magnetic element 21. Figure 2 In (a), the magnetic force generated at the first end 13 is illustrated schematically. Figure 2 (b) schematically shows the distribution of magnetic field lines of magnetic element 21. The following uses... Figure 1 and Figure 2 This explains the operating principle of the vibration damping device 100.

[0033] The front end 13a of the first end 13 of the inner member 10 is located opposite to the magnetic pole 21a of the magnetic element 21 in the x-direction. The front end 13a of the first end 13 is the N pole, along... Figure 2 (b) As shown, the magnetic field lines generated by the magnetic pole 21a of the self-magnetic element 21 are subjected to a magnetic force in the direction of attraction. Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown in (a), a magnetic force fa is generated at the z2 side end of the end face 13a, and a magnetic force fb is generated at the z1 side end of the end face 13a. These magnetic forces fa and fb can be decomposed into components xa and xb in the x-direction and components za and zb in the z-direction. Figure 2 In (a), the equilibrium state (initial position) of the vibration damping device 100 is shown, with the z-direction components za and zb being equal. The x-direction components xa and xb are also... Figure 1 The magnetic force generated between the front end 13a of the first end 13 located on the x2 side and the magnetic pole 21a of the magnetic element 21A is equal.

[0034] The front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 of the inner member 10, because... Figure 2 (a) shows the generation of component forces, therefore in the z-direction and in the direction perpendicular to the z-direction (in Figure 2In the x-direction (where x is the center), the magnetic forces are in a state of equivalence, and therefore remain stationary. When the vibration damping device 100 is in this stationary state, it is called an equilibrium state. If the magnetic forces generated between the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 are ideally equivalent, then the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 can maintain an equilibrium state even without any supporting structure. However, since the vibration damping device 100 is connected to the external structure and bears external forces, it must at least have a structure that restricts the movement of the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 in the direction perpendicular to the z-direction. The inner member 10 and the outer member 20 can be supported by bearings or other supporting members to restrict their movement in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction, or one of them can be fixed. In either case, the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 are configured to be able to move relative to each other at least in the z-direction.

[0035] In addition, Figure 2 In (a), as a state of equilibrium, the center of width in the z-direction of the front end 13a of the first end 13 of the inner member 10 coincides with the position in the z-direction of the front end face of the magnetic element 21B of the outer member 20. However, for example, when the inner member 10 is affected by external forces such as gravity, the equilibrium state will shift towards the direction of gravity. At this time, the gravitational load on the inner member 10 is equal in the z-direction to the magnetic force generated by the first end 13 and the second end 12, and this position becomes the equilibrium state.

[0036] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the inner component 10 of the vibration damping device 100 moving in the z-direction. Figure 3 (a) Shows the state of the inner member 10 moving in the z1 direction. Figure 3 (b) shows the state of the inner member moving in the z2 direction. The inner member 10 is configured such that its first end 13 and second end 12 are attracted to the magnetic poles 21a and 21b of the magnetic element 21. Therefore, regardless of whether the inner member 10 moves in the z1 or z2 direction, it will be subjected to a magnetic force on the opposite side of the direction of movement. That is, when the inner member 10 moves in the z1 direction from its self-equilibrium state, it is subjected to a magnetic force in the z2 direction; and when it moves in the z2 direction from its self-equilibrium state, it is subjected to a magnetic force in the z1 direction. Thus, since the vibration damping device 100 generates a magnetic force opposite to the direction of movement when the inner member 10 moves, for example, when the structure connected to the inner member 10 is displaced, a magnetic force opposite to the direction of displacement is generated, thereby generating a force that returns the inner member 10 to its equilibrium state. In this way, the vibration damping device 100 can dampen the vibration generated by the structure connected to the inner member 10.

[0037] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 100 in Embodiment 1 and the generated magnetic force. The moving distance refers to the change in the relative distance between the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 in the z-direction. A larger moving distance indicates that the magnetic poles 21a and 21b of the magnetic elements 21A and 21B are further apart from the front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 in the z-direction. The equilibrium state of the vibration damping device 100 is represented by a moving distance of 0. Figure 4 The load in the figure is expressed in absolute value. That is to say, in Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the middle, when the inner component 10 moves in the z1 direction, a load will be generated in the z2 direction depending on the distance of movement, such as Figure 4 As shown, when the inner member 10 moves in the z2 direction, it exerts a load in the z1 direction according to the distance it moves, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0038] The magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the object and the magnetic field. Therefore, as... Figure 4 As shown, when the inner member 10 moves relative to the outer member 20 in the z direction, the greater the moving distance, the smaller the magnetic force that causes the inner member 10 to return to the equilibrium state.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a vibration damping device 100A, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1. Figure 5 As shown, the front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 100A become narrower as they extend outward in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction. Figure 5 As shown in (a), the front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 can be formed into sharp shapes for the edge portions 13c and 12c, or they can be as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (b), the edge portions 13c and 12c retain flat surfaces. That is, the front ends 13a of the first end 13 and 12a of the second end 12 of the inner member 10 can also have trapezoidal inclined portions 13d and 12d whose width decreases towards the z-direction of the end. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown in (c), the front ends 13a and 12a can also be formed into a stepped structure. In this case, multiple end faces 13e located inside the edge portion 13c can be provided. That is to say, the front ends 13a and 12a can also be formed into a stepped structure.

[0040] Figure 6 For about Figure 5This diagram illustrates the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 100A in the modified example shown and the generated magnetic force. In the case of the vibration damping device 100A, since the width of the front end 13a of the first end 13 of the inner member 10 is narrower, the magnetic force mainly affects the edge portion 13c of the front end 13a, while the magnetic force effect of the inclined portion 13d is smaller. Therefore, when... Figure 5 When the equilibrium state shown moves in the z-direction, the magnetic force generated by the edge 13c will become the main source of influence.

[0041] Therefore, for example, assuming that the edge portion 13c of the front end 13a of the first end 13 moves slightly in the z1 direction, the edge portion 13c will generate a force that pulls it back to the equilibrium state due to the magnetic force generated in the z2 direction. In contrast, the magnetic force generated by the inclined portion 13d is smaller than the magnetic force generated by the edge portion 13c, and the magnetic force that cancels out the magnetic force pulling the edge portion 13c back in the z2 direction is smaller. Therefore, the force that pulls the front end 13a of the first end 13 back to the equilibrium state is smaller than... Figure 2 The front end 13a shown has a plane along the z-direction, which is considered large.

[0042] On the other hand, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the front end 13a has a plane along the z-direction, when the front end 13a moves in the z1 direction, the magnetic force fa increases while the magnetic force fb decreases. In this case, the z-direction component of the magnetic force fa (that is, the force towards the z1 direction) is greater than the z-direction component of the magnetic force fb (that is, the force towards the z2 direction). The force that pulls the front end 13a back to the z2 direction decreases because the z-direction components of the magnetic force fa and the magnetic force fb cancel each other out.

[0043] Therefore, at Figure 5 In the vibration damping device 100A of the modified example shown, such as Figure 6 As shown by the solid line in the diagram, the reduction in load caused by the movement of the inner component 10 along the z-direction becomes gradual.

[0044] And at Figure 5 As shown, when the widths of the front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12 gradually narrow, compared to when they are formed as shown... Figure 1 The front ends 13a and 12a, and the edges 13c and 12 of the flat surfaces shown are preferably located closer to the magnetic poles of the magnetic element 21. With this configuration, Figure 5 The vibration damping device 100A shown can suppress the reduction of magnetic force acting on the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 100 while simultaneously... Figure 6 As shown, the reduction in load generated when the inner component 10 moves in the z direction becomes more gradual.

[0045] Figure 7 This is one example of a top view (viewed from the z-direction) of the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A of Embodiment 1. Figure 7 (a) is a diagram showing the outer member 20 configured to cover the inner member 10 from the x and y directions. Figure 7 As shown in (a), the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A can also be configured such that the outer member 20 is formed into a rectangular tube and the inner member 10 is disposed inside it. Figure 1 and Figure 5 The structure shown has Figure 7 (a) shows the cross-sectional structure of region A-A, which is parallel to both the z and x directions. Additionally, Figure 7 In the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A shown in (a), the cross-sectional structure parallel to both the z and y directions is also... Figure 1 and Figure 5 The structures shown are the same.

[0046] again Figure 7 (b) is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A in a top view (viewed from the z-direction). The outer member 20 does not necessarily need to cover the inner member 10 in the entire circumference, and can also be configured to have magnetic elements 21 arranged only at both ends in the x-direction.

[0047] Furthermore, the outer member 20 can be circular or other shapes when viewed from above. That is, as long as the magnetic poles 21a and 21b configured as magnetic elements 21 are facing each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the z-direction of the front end 13a and the second end 13b of the first end 13.

[0048] Figure 8 This is another example of a schematic diagram showing the state of the vibration damping devices 100 and 100A in Embodiment 1 from a top view (viewed from the z-direction). The inner member 10 may also contain a magnetic material that is triangular in shape in the top view. However, the magnetic material is not limited to being triangular in the top view, and may also be other shapes such as rectangles.

[0049] again Figure 7 The magnetic elements 21 of the outer members 20 in (a) and (b) have the same polarity of magnetic pole 21a when viewed from above, but the direction of the magnetic elements 21 is not limited by this. Figure 8 As shown, the four magnetic elements 21 arranged on the four sides of the rectangular outer member 20 are respectively configured such that the two sides facing each other to the left and right have N poles and the two sides facing each other to the top and bottom have S poles. The magnetic poles of the magnet of the inner member 10 are arranged corresponding to the magnetic elements 21 of the outer member 20.

[0050] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a vibration damping device 100B, a variation of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1. The vibration damping device 100B is constructed by using paired magnetic poles of a magnet for the front ends 13a of the first end 13 and the front ends 12a of the second end 12 of the inner member 10. A magnetic element 21 with an outer member 20 is arranged corresponding to the magnetic poles of the front ends 13a of the first end 13 and the second end 12a of the second end 12. With this construction, the width of the first end 13 and the second end 12 of the inner member 10 in the x-direction is reduced, thereby enabling a more compact overall width for the vibration damping device 100B.

[0051] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a vibration damping device 100C, a variation of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1. The vibration damping device 100C is configured to... Figure 1 The first end 13 and the second end 12, which are arranged on the x1 side of the inner member 10, are eliminated. The inner member 10 is eliminated by restricting its movement in the x direction and by configuring it to guide its movement in the z direction, thus eliminating the first end 13 and the second end 12 that are symmetrically arranged on one side in the x direction. Even with this configuration, since the inner member 10 still exerts a force to return to its equilibrium state when it moves in the z direction, it is more stable than... Figure 1 The vibration damping device 100 shown performs the same function.

[0052] Based on the vibration damping devices 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C described above, a structure can be obtained in which an inner member 10 and an outer member 20, which are capable of reciprocating relative to each other in the z-direction, are brought back to an equilibrium state by magnetic force. Since the outer member 20 of the vibration damping devices 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is positioned so as not to interfere with the movement direction of the inner member 10, regardless of whether the inner member 10 moves relative to the outer member 20 in the z1 or z2 direction, the load that returns to the equilibrium state can be applied to the inner member 10 by magnetic force, thereby damping the displacement caused by vibration.

[0053] Furthermore, the single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the magnetic force increases as the displacement in either the vertical or horizontal direction increases. However, this single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration damping device is configured such that "the polarities of the magnetic poles of the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower ring permanent magnets are opposite" and "the central permanent magnet is positioned between the upper and lower ring permanent magnets and moves axially between them together with the connecting rod." Therefore, when the central permanent magnet moves from its equilibrium state in either the vertical or horizontal direction, the magnetic force in the direction of movement will increase, requiring an external force greater than the magnetic force to pull it back to equilibrium. Also, since the movement path of the central permanent magnet extends along the line containing either the upper or lower ring permanent magnet, the amount of movement is limited. On the other hand, regarding the vibration damping devices 100, 100A, 100B and 100C of Embodiment 1, there is no outer member 20 in the movement path of the inner member 10, so the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 do not restrict each other's movement.

[0054] Example 2 The vibration damping device 200 of Embodiment 2 is described below. The vibration damping device 200 of Embodiment 2 is a combination of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1 and the elastic member 30. Furthermore, components having the same function and effect as those in Embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0055] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the vibration damping device 200 according to Embodiment 2. The vibration damping device 200 is formed by further combining the vibration damping device 100 with an elastic member 30. The elastic member 30 is, for example, a helical spring and is connected to the inner member 10, configured to apply a load in the opposite direction to the direction of movement when the inner member 10 moves in the z-direction. The elastic member 30 is also fixed to the support 31 and configured to expand and contract with the movement of the inner member 10.

[0056] Figure 12 for Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 and the generated load in the vibration damping device 100, and the relationship between the expansion and contraction of the elastic member 30 and the generated load. Figure 12 As shown in (a), due to Figure 1 In the vibration damping device 100 shown, the inner component 10 is only subject to magnetic force. As the moving distance increases, the resulting load decreases inversely proportional to the square of the distance. Figure 12 As shown in (b). Figure 11 When the elastic member 30 shown expands and contracts in the z-direction, it generates a load that is opposite to the direction of expansion and contraction and proportional to the amount of expansion and contraction.

[0057] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 of the vibration damping device 200 in Embodiment 2 and the generated magnetic force. Because the vibration damping device 200, in response to the displacement of the inner member 10, applies the magnetic force and the load generated by the expansion and contraction of the elastic member 30 to the inner member 10, therefore... Figure 12 (a) shows that, compared to the effect of magnetic force alone, the reduction in the load borne by the inner member 10 is suppressed. Therefore, when the inner member 10 is displaced in the z direction, the force pulling the inner member 10 back to the equilibrium state will gradually weaken when the displacement is still small. However, as the displacement increases, the force pulling the inner member 10 back to the equilibrium state increases due to the action of the elastic member 30.

[0058] In other words, the force that pulls the vibration damping device 200 back to equilibrium changes less compared to the vibration damping device 100 in Embodiment 1, as described in Embodiment 2.

[0059] Figure 14 To be Figure 11 The vibration damping device 100 in the vibration damping device 200 shown is replaced with Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the moving distance of the inner member 10 and the generated magnetic force under the condition of the vibration damping device 100A. Figure 14 The two-point chain line shown Figure 11 The relationship between the displacement of the inner component 10 of the vibration damping device 200 and the load is shown. Figure 14 The solid line in the middle shows that... Figure 11 The inner component 10 shown is replaced with Figure 5 The relationship between the displacement and load of the inner component 10 in the vibration damping device 100A shown is illustrated. Due to... Figure 5 The vibration damping device 100A shown is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the load change is relatively gentle compared to the displacement of the inner member 10. Therefore, when used in combination with the elastic member 30, the change in force to pull back to the equilibrium state is reduced, and the load change tends to be flat.

[0060] Furthermore, the elastic member 30 is not limited to a coil spring; it can be a leaf spring or rubber, as long as it is a member that generates elastic force through deformation. In Embodiment 2, although the elastic member 30 is connected below the inner member 10, the arrangement of the elastic member 30 can be appropriately adjusted. For example, it can be configured such that the elastic member 30 is arranged at a certain interval in the direction of movement of the inner member 10, so that the load caused by the elastic member 30 only acts on the inner member 10 when the movement of the inner member 10 reaches a predetermined value or more. Furthermore, when the outer member 20 of the vibration damping device 200 is configured to be movable, the load caused by the elastic member 30 can also act on the outer member 20.

[0061] For example Figure 11 The elastic member 30 shown can also be disposed between the first end 13 and the second end 12 of the inner member 10. For example, the elastic member 30 can also be disposed between the first end 13 and the second end 12 of the inner member 10 and fixed to the outer member 20. Thereby, when the inner member 10 moves relative to the outer member 20 in the z-direction, the inner member 10 will contact the elastic member 30, allowing the elastic member 30 to function as shown. Figure 11 The vibration damping device 200 shown has the same function as the elastic member 30.

[0062] Example 3 This section describes the vibration damping device 300 of Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the magnetic elements 21A and 21B of the outer member 20 of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1 are electromagnets. Furthermore, for components having the same function and effect as those in Embodiments 1 and 2, the same reference numerals will be used, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0063] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the vibration damping device 300 according to Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the magnetic element 21 of the outer component 20 of the vibration damping device 100 of the previous embodiment is replaced with an electromagnet. The magnetic element 321, which is composed of an electromagnet, can change the position of the magnetic poles 21a and 21b by partial energization. Figure 15 In the magnetic element 321, the part represented by the solid line is energized, while the part represented by the dashed line is not energized. Figure 15 The magnetic element 321 shown is energized so that the magnetic poles are positioned at the corresponding front end 13a of the first end 13 and the front end 12a of the second end 12.

[0064] Figure 16 For the inner component 10 Figure 15 A schematic diagram showing the vibration damping device 300 moving in the z2 direction. Figure 16 In the inner member 10, the magnetic element 321 of the outer member 20 moves its energized range in the z2 direction as the inner member 10 moves. Thus, since the magnetic poles 21a and 21b of the magnetic element 321 move with the inner member 10, the vibration damping device 300 can control the inner member 10 to continue to bear the same magnetic force even when it moves. Regarding the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1, as... Figure 4 As shown, the magnetic force weakens as the amount of movement increases when the movement is in the z direction. However, according to the vibration damping device 300 of Embodiment 3, even if the inner member 10 moves in the z direction, the magnetic force acting on the inner member 10 can be kept approximately unchanged.

[0065] The magnetic element 321 of the vibration damping device 100 is configured, for example, to connect multiple coils 324 in the z-direction, and to selectively energize the coils 324 as the inner member 10 moves. For example, the magnetic element 321 is configured to arrange multiple coils 324 extending in the z-direction along the central axis of the winding, and to control the current flowing into the multiple coils 324. In other words, the magnetic element 321 is configured such that the magnetic poles can move in the z-direction by controlling the current flowing through the multiple coils 324. Furthermore, the magnetic element 321 is not limited to, for example, [specific configuration not provided in the original text]. Figure 15 and Figure 16 The configuration shown is such that multiple coils 324 are arranged continuously along the z-direction, or it can be modified appropriately by leaving gaps between them and arranging multiple coils.

[0066] In addition, Figure 15 and Figure 16 In the middle, the outer component 20 has magnetic elements 321A and 321B, but it can also be a single magnetic element 321.

[0067] Furthermore, magnetic elements 321A and 321B can suppress the magnetic force attracted to the first end 13 and the second end 12 by controlling the current flowing into the coil 324. In this way, the damping force of the vibration damping device 300 can be suppressed.

[0068] The structures shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and some parts of the structure may be omitted or modified without departing from its essence.

[0069] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a vibration damping device 100D, a modified example of the vibration damping device 100 of Embodiment 1, by removing the second end 12. The vibration damping devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 200, and 300 shown in Embodiments 1 to 3 can function as vibration damping devices even if either the first end 13 or the second end 12 constituting the end member is omitted. Figure 17In a modified example, the first end 13 is supported by a structure 14, which is guided, for example, by a ball bearing 15. Even in this case, the first end 13 functions as... Figure 2 As shown in (a), the force still functions as a vibration damping device through magnetic force. In this case, the magnetic element 21 can also be configured without having a pair of magnetic poles along the z-direction, only requiring at least one magnetic pole to be configured opposite to the first end 13 in a direction perpendicular to the z-direction.

[0070] again Figure 17 The structure 14 and ball bearing 15 shown can also be applied to vibration damping devices 100A, 100B, 100C, 200 and 300. Furthermore, the construction of structure 14 and ball bearing 15 can be modified appropriately, and ball bearing 15 can be replaced with sliding bearing or other support structures.

[0071] Furthermore, the present invention described above using vibration damping devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, and 300 as examples can also include combinations of the features shown in Appendix 1 to Appendix 10 below. Such combinations are shown below.

[0072] [Appendix 1] A vibration damping device includes an inner member and an outer member configured to reciprocate relative to each other along a first direction. The inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and includes an end member made of magnetic material, with magnetic poles of the outer member facing each other in the second direction. The outer member includes a magnetic element configured to attract the end member in an equilibrium state. The end member and the magnetic element are restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other.

[0073] [Appendix 2] As described in Appendix 1, the vibration damping device includes an end member consisting of a first end and a second end that are isolated from each other in a first direction, a connecting member that connects the first end and the second end in the first direction, a pair of magnetic poles in the magnetic element being arranged along the first direction, the pair of magnetic poles being respectively arranged to be opposite to the first end and the second end in a second direction in an equilibrium state; the first end and the second end are configured to be attracted to the magnetic poles of the magnetic element that are opposite to each other in the second direction in an equilibrium state.

[0074] [Appendix 3] The vibration damping device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic element is composed of a plurality of magnetic elements, the plurality of magnetic elements including at least a pair of magnetic elements disposed in positions opposite each other in a second direction, which are arranged to enclose the inner member.

[0075] [Appendix 4] The vibration damping device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the end member is made of a permanent magnet and the magnetic poles of the magnetic element are set to be opposite in polarity to the end member.

[0076] [Appendix 5] The vibration damping device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the end member is made of a soft magnetic material.

[0077] [Appendix 6] The vibration damping device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the end member has a configuration in which the width of the front end in the second direction in the first direction gradually decreases from the central axis to the outside in a cross section including the central axis of the inner member.

[0078] [Appendix 7] The vibration damping device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6 further comprises an elastic member that applies a load in the opposite direction to the direction of movement in response to the relative movement of the inner member and the outer member toward the first direction.

[0079] [Appendix 8] The vibration damping device as described in Appendix 7, wherein the elastic member is connected to at least one of the inner member and the outer member.

[0080] [Appendix 9] The vibration damping device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 8, wherein the magnetic element is an electromagnet configured with paired magnetic poles that can move in a first direction.

[0081] [Appendix 10] The vibration damping device as described in Appendix 9, wherein the magnetic element has a plurality of coils arranged along a first direction with a central axis, and the magnetic poles move in the first direction by changing the energized portion of the coils.

[0082] Symbol Explanation 10 Inner components 11 Connecting Components 12 Second end 12a front end 12c edge 13 First end 13a front end 13c edge 13d inclined part 14 Structures 15 ball bearings 20 outer components 21 magnetic components 21A Magnetic Components 21B magnetic element 21a magnetic pole 21b magnetic pole 30 elastic members 31 Support body 100 Vibration Damping Device 100A Vibration Damping Device 100B Vibration Damping Device 100C vibration damping device 200 vibration damping device 300 vibration damping device 321 magnetic components 321A Magnetic Components 321B magnetic element 324 coil

Claims

1. A vibration damping device comprising an inner member and an outer member configured to reciprocate relative to each other along a first direction, wherein the inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and comprises an end member made of a magnetic material, the end member comprising a first end and a second end disposed and isolated from each other in the first direction; the outer member comprises a magnetic element configured to attract the end member in an equilibrium state, wherein paired magnetic poles in the magnetic element are disposed along the first direction, the paired magnetic poles being respectively disposed opposite to the first end and the second end in the second direction in an equilibrium state; the first end and the second end are configured to attract the magnetic poles of the opposing magnetic element in the second direction in an equilibrium state, and the end member and the magnetic element are restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other.

2. The vibration damping device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is composed of a plurality of magnetic elements, the plurality of magnetic elements including at least a pair of magnetic elements disposed at positions opposite each other in a second direction, which are arranged to enclose the inner member.

3. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the end member is made of a permanent magnet and the magnetic poles of the magnetic element are set to have opposite polarities to the end member.

4. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the end member is made of a soft magnetic material.

5. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the end member has a configuration in which the width of the front end in the second direction in the first direction gradually decreases from the central axis to the outside in a cross section including the central axis of the inner member.

6. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprises an elastic member that applies a load in the opposite direction to the direction of movement in response to the relative movement of the inner member and the outer member toward the first direction.

7. The vibration damping device of claim 6, wherein the elastic member is connected to at least one of the inner member and the outer member.

8. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is an electromagnet configured with paired magnetic poles that can move in a first direction.

9. A vibration damping device comprising an inner member and an outer member configured to reciprocate relative to each other along a first direction, wherein the inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and includes an end member made of a magnetic material disposed opposite to the magnetic poles of the outer member in the second direction; the outer member includes a magnetic element configured to attract the end member in an equilibrium state, the end member and the magnetic element being restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other, the magnetic element being an electromagnet configured to allow a pair of magnetic poles to move in the first direction by changing the energized portion.

10. The vibration damping device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the magnetic element has a plurality of coils arranged along a first direction with a central axis, and the magnetic poles move in the first direction by changing the energized portion of the coils.

11. A vibration damping device comprising an inner member and an outer member configured to reciprocate relative to each other along a first direction, wherein the inner member is disposed inside the outer member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and includes an end member made of a magnetic material disposed opposite to the magnetic poles of the outer member in the second direction; the outer member includes a magnetic element configured to attract the end member in an equilibrium state, the end member and the magnetic element being restricted from moving in the second direction without contacting each other, the end member having a configuration in which the width of the front end in the second direction in the first direction gradually decreases from the central axis to the outside in a cross section including the central axis of the inner member.

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