Rotary device and method for filling magnetic viscous fluid

Abstract

To fill a magnetic viscous fluid so as not to generate residual air without increasing cost of the magnetic viscous fluid or deteriorating magnetic force efficiency.SOLUTION: A rotary device includes a rotary member (12) capable of being disposed in a rotation position where at least part of a through-hole (17) overlaps on an inlet (15) for injecting a magnetic viscous fluid (30) when being viewed along an axial direction of the rotation of the rotary member, where the through-hole is communicated to the inlet when the rotary member is disposed in the rotation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating device and a method for filling a magnetorheological fluid. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, active research has been conducted into the use of a special liquid called magnetorheological fluid in various fields such as automobiles, robots, and medicine. Magnetorheological fluid is a liquid containing magnetic particles, and its viscosity changes when affected by an external magnetic field. This change in viscosity can be used to generate torque, but in order to ensure that the output torque does not fall short of the required specifications and to suppress torque variation, it is necessary to ensure that there is no air remaining in the space filled with the magnetorheological fluid.

[0003] In order to fill the magnetorheological fluid without leaving any residual air, it is necessary to lengthen the injection time of the magnetorheological fluid or to increase the injection pressure of the magnetorheological fluid, but these methods do not improve the injection efficiency of the magnetorheological fluid.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 uses a method in which an opening is provided in a yoke used to generate a magnetic field, and a space formed in a tapered shape from this opening toward the magnetic disk, which is the rotating member, is used to increase the injection pressure, thereby efficiently filling the magnetorheological fluid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-52720 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the magnetorheological fluid is filled in the space formed in the tapered shape, so a large amount of magnetorheological fluid is required, which leads to an increase in costs. Furthermore, since the space filled with the magnetorheological fluid becomes large, the magnetic force that can be applied to the magnetorheological fluid that is present at a position far away from the coil for generating the magnetic field becomes weak, and there is a risk of a decrease in magnetic efficiency.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to fill a magnetorheological fluid in such a way that no residual air occurs, without increasing the cost of the magnetorheological fluid or decreasing the magnetic efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a rotating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a rotatable rotating member housed inside the housing and having a first opposing surface opposite to the first surface via a first gap and a second opposing surface opposite to the second surface via a second gap, wherein the first surface is formed with an inlet for injecting a magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and an outlet for discharging air from the first gap and the second gap, and the rotating member is formed with a through hole that penetrates a portion of the rotating member along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and the rotating member can be positioned in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the inlet when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole is connected to the inlet.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a method of filling a magnetorheological fluid according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of filling a magnetorheological fluid used in a rotating device including a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and a rotatable rotating member housed inside the housing and having a first opposing surface opposing the first surface across a first gap, and a second opposing surface opposing the second surface across a second gap, wherein the first surface has an injection port for injecting the magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the gap and the second gap, and a through hole is formed in the rotating member along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and the rotating member can be positioned in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the injection port when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole is connected to the injection port, and the method includes a step of injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole, and the magnetorheological fluid can be distributed throughout the first gap and the second gap without causing residual air to occur, without increasing the injection pressure by increasing the amount of fluid injected as in the conventional technology. Therefore, there is no need to increase the cost of the magnetorheological fluid or reduce the magnetic efficiency as in the conventional technology.

[0011] The through hole may have an outer size smaller than an outer size of the injection port.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to smoothly insert the syringe from the injection port toward the through hole, which contributes to shortening the injection time. Also, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid by closely contacting the syringe with the through hole.

[0013] The housing may further include a rotating shaft that is supported by the housing at the center and rotates integrally with the rotating member, and when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the rotating shaft may be positioned on a line connecting the inlet and the outlet.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by forming the exhaust outlet at a position far away from the injection port, it is possible to prevent the magnetorheological fluid from overflowing from the exhaust outlet while efficiently discharging air from the first gap and the second gap.

[0015] The rotation shaft may be inserted only through the second surface and supported by the housing.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid without being hindered by the rotating shaft, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0017] The rotating member may be capable of being positioned in a rotational position such that, when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the entire through hole overlaps with the injection port, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole may be connected to the injection port.

[0018] According to the above configuration, it is possible to smoothly insert the syringe from the injection port toward the through hole, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0019] The rotating member may be capable of being positioned in a rotational position such that, when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the center of the through hole coincides with the center of the injection port, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole may be connected to the injection port.

[0020] According to the above configuration, it is possible to smoothly insert the syringe from the injection port toward the through hole, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0021] In the step of injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole, the magnetorheological fluid may be injected with a syringe in close contact with the through hole.

[0022] According to the above configuration, by injecting the magnetorheological fluid by bringing a syringe into close contact with the through hole, it is possible to prevent the magnetorheological fluid from leaking out from the through hole to the first gap side. Also, since the magnetorheological fluid is filled in the second gap and then the first gap in that order, air can be discharged from these gaps, and the magnetorheological fluid can be filled into the first gap and the second gap so as not to cause residual air. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to fill the magnetorheological fluid in such a way that no residual air occurs, without increasing the cost of the magnetorheological fluid or decreasing the magnetic efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rotation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a rotation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the rotation device 10 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the rotation device 10 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rotation device 10 according to a first modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rotation device 10 according to a second modified example of the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings used in the following description are schematic and do not necessarily reflect the actual product. For the convenience of illustration and ease of understanding, the scale and aspect ratios may be changed from the actual product and may be shown exaggerated. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0026] §1 Examples of application A rotating device 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present invention is filled with a magnetorheological fluid 30, and is applied to a system that utilizes torque generated by applying a magnetic force to the magnetorheological fluid 30. As a specific example, the rotating device 10 is applied to a system in which an operating device is connected to a personal computer, a system in which an operating device is connected to a home game console, an arcade game system, an industrial robot system, and the like. As another example, the rotating device 10 may be applied to a wheel of a mouse for a personal computer.

[0027] Taking a system in which an operating device is connected to a home game machine as an example, an experiential game such as a driving game using a steering wheel type controller can be mentioned. In such an experiential game, the torque caused by the magnetorheological fluid 30 is transmitted to the rotation axis of the steering wheel according to the content or progress of the game, so that the player can feel a sense of immersion by feeling the torque when operating the steering wheel.

[0028] In this embodiment, which will be described in more detail later, the rotating member 12 can be disposed in a rotational position where at least a portion of the through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15 for injecting the magnetorheological fluid 30, when viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12. When the rotating member 12 is disposed in this rotational position, the through hole 17 communicates with the injection port 15.

[0029] According to the above configuration, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 from the injection port 15 through the through hole 17, and the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be spread throughout the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 without causing residual air, without increasing the injection pressure by increasing the amount of fluid injected as in the conventional technology. Therefore, there is no need to increase the cost of the magnetorheological fluid 30 or reduce the magnetic efficiency as in the conventional technology.

[0030] §2 Configuration Example (Configuration of Rotation Device 10) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotating device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view of the rotating device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the rotating device 10 according to the present embodiment. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3. Below, an example configuration of the rotating device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 1, but please also refer to FIGS. 2 to 4 as appropriate.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, the rotating device 10 includes a rotating shaft 18 as a movable shaft rotatable around an axis 19, and a housing 11 into which a part of the rotating shaft 18 is inserted and accommodates the rotating shaft 18. In Fig. 1, for convenience of explanation, the up-down direction is defined along the axis 19, but this up-down direction does not limit the up-down direction in the usage state or usage posture of the rotating device 10. Note that the rotating device 10 will be described as an inner rotor type, but is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to an outer rotor type.

[0032] The rotating shaft 18 is inserted into a shaft hole formed in the center of the housing 11 and is supported so as to be freely rotatable. The material of the rotating shaft 18 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a non-magnetic material. A rotating member 12 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 18 is fixed to the lower side of the rotating shaft 18.

[0033] The rotating member 12 is a disk-shaped disk having a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction. However, the shape of the rotating member 12 is not limited thereto, and may be a cylindrical shape with one surface closed and the other surface open. When the rotating member 12 is configured to be cylindrical, the vertical direction of the closed surface and the open surface does not matter. In other words, the closed surface may be on the upper side and the open surface on the lower side, or the closed surface may be on the lower side and the open surface on the upper side. The material of the rotating member 12 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a magnetic material. Examples of the magnetic material include ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and alloys thereof.

[0034] The housing 11 has a first surface 11a and a second surface 11b opposite to the first surface 11a. In terms of the up-down direction in Fig. 1, the second surface 11b can be said to be the upper surface of the housing 11 (see also Figs. 2 and 3). The first surface 11a can be said to be the lower surface or bottom surface of the housing 11 (see also Fig. 4).

[0035] Formed inside the housing 11 are a space for accommodating a coil (not shown) for generating a magnetic field, a space for accommodating a part of the rotating shaft 18, a space for rotatably accommodating the rotating member 12, and a space filled with a magnetorheological fluid 30. The housing 11 functions as a casing for the rotating device 10, and also functions as a yoke that forms a magnetic circuit around the coil.

[0036] The rotating member 12 is housed inside the housing 11, and has a first opposing surface 12a opposing the first surface 11a via a first gap 13, and a second opposing surface 12b opposing the second surface 11b via a second gap 14. The first gap 13 and the second gap 14 are spaces filled with the above-mentioned magnetorheological fluid 30.

[0037] The first surface 11a is formed with an inlet 15 for injecting the magnetorheological fluid 30 into the first gap 13 and the second gap 14, and an outlet 16 for discharging air from the first gap 13 and the second gap 14. The inlet 15 and the outlet 16 are formed at a predetermined distance apart. This predetermined distance may be set through experiments or simulations. When viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12, a rotation axis 18 is disposed on a line segment connecting the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 (see also FIG. 4).

[0038] The size of the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 is not particularly limited, but is a narrow gap of, for example, 0.2 mm. The size of the injection port 15 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, φ3.0 mm. The size of the through hole 17 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, φ1.0 mm. In this way, the outer size of the through hole 17 may be smaller than the outer size of the injection port 15.

[0039] A sealing member 20 is attached to the rotating shaft 18 between the second surface 11b and the second gap 14, and rotatably supports the rotating shaft 18. The sealing member 20 is not particularly limited, and an O-ring, an X-ring, an oil seal, or the like may be used.

[0040] The rotating member 12 is formed with a through hole 17 that passes through a part of the rotating member 12 along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12. "The axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12" means the up-down direction.

[0041] (Method of injecting magnetorheological fluid 30) In this embodiment, as an example of a method for injecting the magnetorheological fluid 30, a syringe (not shown) is inserted from the injection port 15 toward the through-hole 17, and the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected from the syringe. However, the injection tool is not limited to a syringe, and other injection tools may be used.

[0042] When injecting the magnetorheological fluid 30, a syringe is inserted from the injection port 15 toward the through hole 17. The size of the through hole 17 is set so that the syringe fits tightly when inserted. Therefore, the syringe is inserted so as to fit tightly to the through hole 17, and the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected.

[0043] Regarding the rotational position where through hole 17 is formed, when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of rotating member 12, it is sufficient that through hole 17 is formed at a rotational position where at least a part of through hole 17 overlaps with injection port 15. In other words, it is sufficient that rotating member 12 can be arranged such that at least a part of through hole 17 formed in rotating member 12 overlaps with injection port 15 when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of rotating member 12. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 1, through hole 17 entirely overlaps with injection port 15.

[0044] 1, the through hole 17 is formed along the up-down direction so as to be perpendicular to the first opposing surface 12a and the second opposing surface 12b, but is not limited thereto. The through hole 17 may be formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first opposing surface 12a and the second opposing surface 12b.

[0045] When inserting a syringe into through-hole 17 to inject magnetorheological fluid 30, rotating member 12 is arranged in a rotational position where through-hole 17 overlaps with injection port 15. With this arrangement, through-hole 17 communicates with injection port 15. This makes it possible to insert a syringe from injection port 15 toward through-hole 17.

[0046] The syringe is inserted into the through-hole 17 in a state in which the syringe is turned upside down in FIG. 1. In other words, the syringe is inserted into the through-hole 17 in the direction in which gravity acts. That is, in the scene in which the syringe is inserted into the through-hole 17, the "upward direction" in FIG. 1 indicates the "direction in which gravity acts," and the "downward direction" in FIG. 1 indicates the "opposite direction to the direction in which gravity acts." The magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected from the syringe in the direction in which gravity acts. This is to prevent the magnetorheological fluid 30 from flowing out of the outlet 16 due to gravity if the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected in the direction opposite to the direction in which gravity acts.

[0047] Here, let us consider a case where the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 are provided on different surfaces. In this case, if the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected from the inlet 15 in the direction in which gravity acts, there is a risk that the magnetorheological fluid 30 will flow out from the outlet 16 due to gravity. In contrast, in this embodiment, the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 are provided on the same surface (first surface 11a), so that even if the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected from the inlet 15 in the direction in which gravity acts, the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be prevented from flowing out from the outlet 16.

[0048] When the injection of the magnetorheological fluid 30 is started from the syringe inserted into the through hole 17, the magnetorheological fluid 30 first spreads throughout the second gap 14 so as to fill the second gap 14, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1. At this time, the air present in the second gap 14 is discharged from the outlet 16 through the first gap 13. Thereafter, the magnetorheological fluid 30 spreads throughout the first gap 13 so as to fill the first gap 13, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1. At this time, the air present in the first gap 13 is discharged from the outlet 16. In this way, according to the injection method of this embodiment, the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be filled into the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 so that no air remains in the first gap 13 and the second gap 14.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected into the second gap 14 while the syringe is in close contact with the through hole 17, so that the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be prevented from leaking out from the through hole 17 to the first gap 13 side.

[0050] (Magnetic Rheological Fluid 30) Here, we will explain the magnetorheological fluid 30. The magnetorheological fluid 30 is also called MR fluid (MR: Magneto Rheological), and is a special fluid in which magnetic particles are dispersed in a liquid. These magnetic particles are mainly made of magnetic materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, and have a size on the nano-order or micro-order.

[0051] The magnetorheological fluid 30 has the property of flowing like a normal liquid, but a distinctive property is that the viscosity of the liquid changes in response to an external magnetic field.

[0052] When no magnetic field is generated by the coil, the magnetic particles are dispersed in the liquid. When a magnetic field is generated by applying a current to the coil, a magnetic force is applied to the magnetorheological fluid 30, and the magnetic particles dispersed in the liquid gather along the magnetic field lines and connect to each other to form clusters. This increases the viscosity of the liquid. The degree of cluster formation can be controlled by the magnetic field, so it is possible to adjust the viscosity by controlling the magnetic field.

[0053] When a force is applied to rotate the rotating shaft 18 in a state in which clusters have been formed, a shear force acts on the linked magnetic particles, and a resistance force, that is, a torque, is generated by these magnetic particles.

[0054] The property of the magnetorheological fluid 30, whose viscosity changes according to magnetic force, is utilized in various fields. For example, the hardness of the damper can be instantly changed by adjusting an external magnetic field, so that the vibration damping performance of the suspension system of a vehicle can be improved by using the magnetorheological fluid 30 as a controllable damper. Also, in a driving game, the operator can feel a sense of immersion by making the operator feel the load according to the ground when operating the steering wheel.

[0055] In order to obtain such an effect, it is necessary that no air remains in the space filled with the magnetorheological fluid 30. According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be filled into the first gap 13 and the second gap 14, which are narrow gaps of 0.2 mm, so that no air remains in the first gap 13 and the second gap 14, and the desired torque can be obtained.

[0056] After the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 are filled with the magnetorheological fluid 30, the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 are fitted with screws or the like to prevent the magnetorheological fluid 30 from leaking.

[0057] (Action and effect) As described above, the rotating device 10 according to this embodiment provides the following advantageous effects.

[0058] The rotating device 10 comprises a housing 11 having a first surface 11a and a second surface 11b opposite the first surface 11a, and a rotatable rotating member 12 housed inside the housing 11 and having a first opposing surface 12a opposite the first surface 11a via a first gap 13, and a second opposing surface 12b opposite the second surface 11b via a second gap 14.

[0059] The first surface 11a is formed with an inlet 15 for injecting a magnetorheological fluid 30 into the first gap 13 and the second gap 14, and an outlet 16 for discharging air from the first gap 13 and the second gap 14.

[0060] A through hole 17 is formed in the rotating member 12, penetrating a part of the rotating member 12 along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12. When viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12, the rotating member 12 can be arranged in a rotational position where at least a part of the through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15, and when the rotating member 12 is arranged in this rotational position, the through hole 17 communicates with the injection port 15.

[0061] According to the above configuration, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 from the injection port 15 through the through hole 17, and the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be spread throughout the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 without causing residual air, without increasing the injection pressure by increasing the amount of fluid injected as in the conventional technology. Therefore, there is no need to increase the cost of the magnetorheological fluid 30 or reduce the magnetic efficiency as in the conventional technology.

[0062] Furthermore, when the magnetorheological fluid 30 is injected from the injection port 15 through the through-hole 17, the magnetorheological fluid 30 may be injected with a syringe in close contact with the through-hole 17.

[0063] According to the above configuration, by injecting the magnetorheological fluid 30 with a syringe tightly attached to the through-hole 17, it is possible to prevent the magnetorheological fluid 30 from leaking out from the through-hole 17 to the first gap 13. Furthermore, since the magnetorheological fluid 30 is filled in the second gap 14 and then the first gap 13 in that order, air can be discharged from these gaps, and the magnetorheological fluid 30 can be filled into the first gap 13 and the second gap 14 so as not to cause residual air.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer size of through hole 17 may be smaller than the outer size of injection port 15 .

[0065] According to the above configuration, it is possible to smoothly insert the syringe from the injection port 15 toward the through hole 17, which contributes to shortening the injection time. Also, it is possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 by closely contacting the syringe with the through hole 17.

[0066] The rotating device 10 may further include a rotating shaft 18 that is supported by the housing 11 at the center of the housing 11 and rotates integrally with the rotating member 12. When viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12, the rotating shaft 18 may be disposed on a line segment connecting the inlet 15 and the outlet 16.

[0067] According to the above configuration, by forming the exhaust port 16 at a position far away from the inlet 15, it is possible to prevent the magnetorheological fluid 30 from overflowing from the exhaust port 16 while efficiently discharging air from the first gap 13 and the second gap 14.

[0068] The rotating shaft 18 may be supported by the housing 11 by being inserted only through the second surface 11b.

[0069] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it becomes possible to inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 without being hindered by the rotating shaft 18, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0070] 1, when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12, the rotating member 12 may be capable of being arranged in a rotational position where the entire through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15. When the rotating member 12 is arranged in this rotational position, the through hole 17 may be configured to communicate with the injection port 15.

[0071] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it becomes possible to smoothly insert the syringe from injection port 15 toward through-hole 17, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0072] 1, when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member 12, the rotating member 12 may be capable of being arranged in a rotational position where the center of the through hole 17 coincides with the center of the injection port 15. When the rotating member 12 is arranged in this rotational position, the through hole 17 may be configured to communicate with the injection port 15.

[0073] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it becomes possible to smoothly insert the syringe from injection port 15 toward through-hole 17, which contributes to shortening the injection time.

[0074] It is preferable to provide only one through hole 17. This is because, if two or more through holes 17 are provided, air tends to remain in the narrow gap.

[0075] (Variation 1) 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rotation device 10 according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment. Modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the entire through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15 when viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12, but this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 5, the rotating member 12 may be arranged in a rotational position where at least a part of the through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15 when viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12. Even when the rotating member 12 is arranged in such a rotational position, the through hole 17 communicates with the injection port 15.

[0077] By taking some measures, such as changing the shape of the tip of the syringe, it is possible to insert a syringe into the through hole 17 and inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 even in the configuration shown in Figure 5, and to obtain the same effects as those described in the above embodiment.

[0078] (Variation 2) 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotation device 10 according to the second modification of the present embodiment. The second modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the entire through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15 and the center of the through hole 17 coincides with the center of the injection port 15 when viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 6, even if the entire through hole 17 overlaps with the injection port 15 when viewed along the axial direction of the rotation of the rotating member 12, the center of the through hole 17 does not have to coincide with the center of the injection port 15. Even when the rotating member 12 is disposed in such a rotational position, the through hole 17 communicates with the injection port 15.

[0080] By taking some measures, such as changing the shape of the tip of the syringe, it is possible to insert a syringe into the through hole 17 and inject the magnetorheological fluid 30 even in the configuration shown in Figure 6, and to obtain the same effects as those described in the above embodiment.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0082] 〔summary〕 The present invention can also be expressed as follows.

[0083] A rotating device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a rotatable rotating member housed inside the housing and having a first opposing surface opposite to the first surface across a first gap, and a second opposing surface opposite to the second surface across a second gap, wherein the first surface is formed with an inlet for injecting a magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and an outlet for discharging air from the first gap and the second gap, and the rotating member is formed with a through hole penetrating a portion of the rotating member along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and the rotating member can be positioned in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the inlet when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole is connected to the inlet.

[0084] A rotation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured in such a manner that, in the above-mentioned first aspect, an outer size of the through hole is smaller than an outer size of the injection port.

[0085] The rotation device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, may further include a rotating shaft supported by the housing at the center of the housing and rotating integrally with the rotating member, and when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the rotating shaft may be positioned on a line connecting the inlet and the outlet.

[0086] A rotation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is based on the third aspect, and the rotation shaft may be supported by the housing by being inserted only through the second surface.

[0087] A rotating device according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, may be configured so that the rotating member can be positioned in a rotational position such that the entire through hole overlaps with the injection port when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and the through hole may be connected to the injection port when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position.

[0088] A rotating device according to aspect 6 of the present invention is, in aspect 5 above, such that the rotating member can be arranged in a rotational position such that the center of the through hole coincides with the center of the injection port when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is arranged in the rotational position, the through hole may be connected to the injection port.

[0089] (There are other types besides disc type) A method of filling a magnetorheological fluid according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a method of filling a magnetorheological fluid used in a rotating device including a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and a rotatable rotating member housed inside the housing and having a first opposing surface opposing the first surface across a first gap, and a second opposing surface opposing the second surface across a second gap, wherein the first surface is provided with an injection port for injecting the magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and and an exhaust port for exhausting air from between the rotating member and the magnetorheological fluid, and a through hole is formed in the rotating member along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the rotating member being capable of being positioned in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the injection port when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is positioned at the rotational position, the through hole is connected to the injection port, and the method includes the step of injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole.

[0090] A method of filling a magnetorheological fluid according to aspect 8 of the present invention may be such that, in the step of injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole in the above-mentioned aspect 7, the magnetorheological fluid is injected with a syringe in close contact with the through hole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 Rotating device 11. Cabinet 11a First Side 11b The second side 12 Rotating members 12a first opposing surface 12b Second opposing surface 13 The First Gap 14 The Second Gap 15 Inlet 16 Outlet 17 Through hole 18 Rotational Axis 30 Magnetorheological fluid

Claims

1. a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a rotatable rotating member that is accommodated inside the housing and has a first opposing surface that faces the first surface across a first gap and a second opposing surface that faces the second surface across a second gap; Equipped with an inlet for injecting a magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and an outlet for discharging air from the first gap and the second gap are formed on the first surface; a through hole is formed in the rotary member so as to pass through a part of the rotary member along an axial direction of rotation of the rotary member; the rotating member can be disposed in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the injection port when viewed along an axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, When the rotating member is disposed at the rotation position, the through hole communicates with the injection port. Rotating device.

2. The outer size of the through hole is smaller than the outer size of the injection port. The rotating device according to claim 1 .

3. a rotating shaft supported by the housing at the center thereof and rotating integrally with the rotating member; When viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, the rotation axis is disposed on a line segment connecting the inlet and the outlet. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The rotation shaft is inserted only through the second surface and supported by the housing. The rotating device according to claim 3.

5. the rotating member can be disposed at a rotational position where the through hole entirely overlaps the injection port when viewed along an axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, When the rotating member is disposed at the rotation position, the through hole communicates with the injection port. A rotating device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the rotating member can be disposed at a rotational position such that a center of the through hole coincides with a center of the injection port when viewed along an axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, When the rotating member is disposed at the rotation position, the through hole communicates with the injection port. The rotating device according to claim 5.

7. a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a rotatable rotating member that is accommodated inside the housing and has a first opposing surface that faces the first surface across a first gap and a second opposing surface that faces the second surface across a second gap; A method for filling a magnetorheological fluid used in a rotating device comprising: an inlet for injecting the magnetorheological fluid into the first gap and the second gap, and an outlet for discharging air from the first gap and the second gap are formed on the first surface; a through hole is formed in the rotary member so as to pass through a part of the rotary member along an axial direction of rotation of the rotary member; the rotating member can be disposed in a rotational position such that at least a portion of the through hole overlaps with the injection port when viewed along an axial direction of rotation of the rotating member, When the rotating member is disposed at the rotation position, the through hole communicates with the injection port, injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole; How to fill magnetorheological fluid.

8. In the step of injecting the magnetorheological fluid from the injection port through the through hole, the magnetorheological fluid is injected in a state where a syringe is in close contact with the through hole. The method for filling a magnetorheological fluid according to claim 7.

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