Damper device

Abstract

To provide a damper device having good loading responsibility.SOLUTION: A damper device 10 includes: a cylinder 20 provided with a vent hole 25 and a valve seat 30; and a piston. The damper device is disposed with an elastically deformable valve body 90 abutting on the valve seat 30 before and when the piston moves in a damper brake direction. . A ventilation groove 35 is formed in the valve seat 30, and includes an inclined plane 33 with valve seat projection amplitude gradually decreasing toward the vent hole 25 from a valve seat outer peripheral side. The ventilation groove 35 has a first groove part 36 extending with depth to the inclined plane 33 gradually decreasing toward the vent hole 25 from the outer periphery of the inclined plane 33. When the piston moves in a damper brake direction, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the inclined plane 33 to be elastically deformed, so that a contact area with respect to the inclined plane 33 is increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device used, for example, for braking the opening and closing of a glove box in an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a damper device is often used in the glove box of an automobile to prevent the lid from opening suddenly and to allow the lid to open gradually.

[0003] As the damper device described below, Patent Document 1 below describes a damper including a piston, a cylinder having a partition wall with an air vent formed therein, and a valve body, the cylinder having a first cylindrical portion that protrudes cylindrically from the partition wall of the cylinder surrounding the air vent and whose tip serves as an opening communicating with the air hole, and a second cylindrical portion that protrudes cylindrically from the partition wall of the cylinder surrounding the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion has multiple protrusions formed on its inner surface and arranged in the circumferential direction, and the valve body is loosely fitted between the multiple protrusions and the tip of the first cylindrical portion.

[0004] A fine groove that functions as an orifice is formed in the opening at the tip of the first cylindrical part. When the piston slides away from the partition wall, the valve body comes into contact with the tip of the first cylindrical part and closes the air hole, creating negative pressure in the first chamber inside the cylinder and generating a damping force (braking force). At this time, air flows through the groove, so the damping force is adjusted.

[0005] Furthermore, as described in paragraph 0020 of Patent Document 1, in the damper of Patent Document 1, the higher the negative pressure in the first chamber inside the cylinder, the more the valve body penetrates into the groove, narrowing the opening of the orifice and generating a greater damping force. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5856678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Incidentally, in a damper device, there may be a demand for responsiveness according to the load of luggage, etc. (called load responsiveness, which can also be said to be responsiveness according to the piston speed) so that, for example, a large braking force is applied when the weight (load) of luggage, etc. stored in the glove box is heavy, and a smaller braking force is applied when the luggage, etc. is light than when the luggage, etc. is heavy.

[0008] In the damper of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as described above, the valve body is structured to enter a groove having a minute width, thereby adjusting the opening area of ​​the groove. However, since the groove has a minute width, it is difficult for the valve body to enter, and therefore the load response as described above cannot be said to be good.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a damper device with good load response. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a damper device that is attached between a pair of members that move toward or away from each other and that applies a braking force when the pair of members move toward or away from each other, the damper device comprising: a cylinder that is tubular and has an internal space, an opening at one end and an air hole communicating with the internal space and a valve seat at the other end; and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder, and an elastically deformable valve body is disposed at the other end of the cylinder, the valve body abutting against the valve seat before and when the piston moves in a damper braking direction and at least a portion of the valve body being separated from the valve seat when the piston moves in a return direction opposite to the damper braking direction. the valve seat surrounds the air vent hole and protrudes in the opposite direction to the internal space, and an air vent groove is formed from the outer periphery of the valve seat toward the air vent hole and communicates with the air vent hole, the portion of the valve seat facing the valve body forms a slope that protrudes gradually from the outer periphery of the valve seat toward the air hole, and the air vent groove has a first groove portion that extends from the outer periphery of the slope toward the air hole so that its depth relative to the slope gradually becomes shallower, and when the piston moves in the damper braking direction, the valve body contacts the slope and elastically deforms along the slope, thereby expanding the contact area with the slope. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, when the piston moves in the damper braking direction, the valve body comes into contact with the inclined surface and elastically deforms along the inclined surface, expanding the contact area with the inclined surface. Therefore, since the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body varies depending on the load of luggage, etc., the contact area with the inclined surface can be changed according to the load of luggage, etc., thereby changing the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove, and the load responsiveness of the damper device can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a damper device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the damper device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a main portion of the damper device. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device in a state where the piston has moved from the state in FIG. 3 and a damper braking force is generated. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deformation state of a valve body when a piston moves in a damper braking direction in the damper device. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deformation state of a valve body when a piston moves in a damper braking direction in the damper device, and shows a case where a load is larger than that in FIG. 8. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the damper device according to the present invention, illustrating a deformation state of the valve body when the piston moves in the damper braking direction. [Figure 10B] 10B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deformation state of the valve body when the piston moves in the damper braking direction in the damper device, and shows a case where the load is larger than that in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deformation state of the valve body when the piston moves in the damper braking direction, according to still another embodiment of the damper device of the present invention. [Figure 11B] 11B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deformation state of the valve body when the piston moves in the damper braking direction in the damper device, and shows a case where the load is larger than that in FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (One embodiment of the damper device) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a damper device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1 and 2 is attached to a pair of members moving toward or away from each other, and applies a braking force when the pair of members move toward or away from each other, and can be used, for example, for braking a glove box or a lid that is attached so as to be openable and closable to an opening of a storage section provided in an instrument panel of an automobile. Note that in the following embodiments, one member will be described as a fixed body such as a storage section of an instrument panel, and the other member will be described as an opening / closable body such as a glove box or a lid that is attached so as to be openable and closable to an opening of the fixed body.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the damper device 10 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape with an internal space R, an opening 22 provided at one end, and an air vent 25 and a valve seat 30 provided at the other end that communicate with the internal space R, a piston 60 that reciprocates within the cylinder 20, a coil spring 65 that constitutes a piston biasing means that biases the piston 60 within the cylinder 20, a cap 70 that is attached to the opening 22 of the cylinder 20, and a string-like body 80 engaged with the piston 60.

[0016] Further, an elastically deformable valve body 90 is disposed on the opposite side to the internal space R of the other end of the cylinder 20. The valve body 90 abuts against the valve seat 30 before and when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction, and at least a portion of the valve body moves away from the valve seat 30 when the piston 60 moves in the return direction opposite to the damper braking direction. Note that the valve body may of course be configured to be elastically deformable so that the entire valve body moves away from the valve seat when the piston moves in the damper return direction.

[0017] The valve body 90 in this embodiment is made of an elastic material such as rubber, is an elastically deformable member as described above, and has a circular plate shape.

[0018] In addition, the valve body 90 is positioned on the opposite side to the internal space R at the other end of the cylinder 20, and abuts against the valve seat 30 before and when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction to generate a damper braking force, and when the piston 60 moves in the return direction opposite the damper braking direction, at least a portion of the valve body 90 moves away from the valve seat 30 to release the damper braking force.

[0019] The cylinder 20 has a substantially cylindrical wall 21, an opening 22 is provided at one end in the extension direction, and an end wall 23 (see FIG. 3) is disposed at the other end in the extension direction. In addition, a plurality of locking holes 22a are formed near the opening 22 provided at one end of the wall 21.

[0020] In the following description, "one end" or "one end" means one end or one end of the damper device 10 on the damper braking direction side, and "the other end" or "the other end" means the other end or the other end on the return direction side opposite the damper braking direction.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned "damper braking direction" means the direction in which the piston 60 moves away from the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20 (see Figure 3) and the amount of string-like body 80 pulled out from the opening 22 of the cylinder 20 increases (see arrow F1 in Figure 3).

[0022] In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned "return direction opposite to the damper braking direction" (hereinafter simply referred to as the "damper return direction") means the direction in which the piston 60 approaches the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20 and the amount of retraction of the string-like body 80 into the cylinder 20 increases (see arrow F2 in Figure 7).

[0023] The string-like body 80 is in the form of a string that extends to a predetermined length, and both ends 81, 83 in the extending direction are loop-shaped. One end 81 in the extending direction engages with an engaging portion of an opening / closing body (not shown), and the other end 83 in the extending direction is engaged with the piston 60.

[0024] The piston 60 has a base 61 and a tip 62 connected to the base 61. A seal ring 63 is attached to the outer periphery of the base 61 at a predetermined position, and is in sliding contact with the inner periphery of the wall 21 of the cylinder 20 to form an air chamber inside the cylinder 20. The other end 83 of a string-like body 80 is engaged with the tip 62 (see FIG. 3).

[0025] The cap 70 has a plurality of locking projections 71 formed on its outer periphery. These locking projections 71 are respectively locked into the corresponding locking holes 22a of the cylinder 20, whereby the cap 70 is attached to the opening 22. A string pull-out hole 73 is formed in the radial center of the cap 70, so that the string-like body 80 can be pulled out.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a coil spring 65 is disposed in a compressed state within the cylinder 20 between the piston 60 and the cap 70, and biases the piston 60 toward the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20.

[0027] Next, the cylinder 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0028] A plurality of mounting parts 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the wall part 21 that constitutes the cylinder 20. Through these mounting parts 24, the cylinder 20 is adapted to be mounted on a fixed side (not shown).

[0029] The end wall 23 disposed at the other end in the extension direction of the wall portion 21 is substantially circular plate-shaped. A circular vent hole 25 is formed in the radial center of the end wall 23, extending along the extension direction of the cylinder 20 (see Figs. 3, 4, and 6). The vent hole 25 is formed so as to align with the axis of the cylinder 20 (the radial center of the wall portion 21).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the valve seat 30 surrounds the ventilation hole 25 and protrudes in the opposite direction to the internal space R, and an air vent groove 35 is formed that extends from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 toward the ventilation hole 25 and communicates with the ventilation hole 25.

[0031] 4, 6, etc., the portion of the valve seat 30 facing the valve disc 90 forms an inclined surface 33 in which the amount of protrusion (the amount of protrusion of the valve seat 30 from the end wall 23) gradually decreases from the outer periphery 31 side of the valve seat 30 toward the vent hole 25. It can also be said that the inclined surface 33 has a shape in which the depth (the depth from the tip of the valve seat 30 in the protruding direction) gradually increases from the outer periphery 31 side of the valve seat 30 toward the vent hole 25. Note that the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 is the portion with which the valve disc 90 comes into contact to close the vent hole 25, and therefore can also be said to be the seating surface of the valve seat 30.

[0032] In addition, the ventilation groove 35 has a first groove portion 36 that extends from the outer periphery of the inclined surface 33 (here, the outer periphery edge portion 33a located on the outer periphery of the inclined surface 33, i.e., the portion reaching the tip edge portion 31a of the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30) toward the ventilation hole 25 so that its depth relative to the inclined surface 33 gradually becomes shallower.

[0033] This first groove portion 36 has a first opening 36b that opens to the side facing the valve body 90, and a second opening 36c that is located at the tip side of the extension direction of the first groove portion 36 and opens to the air hole 25 side (see Figures 6, 8, and 9).

[0034] Moreover, the ventilation groove 35 further has a second groove portion 38 that extends from the first groove portion 36 (here, the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36) toward the ventilation hole 25 so as to have a constant depth relative to the slope 33 (see FIGS. 6, 8, and 9). The internal space of the second groove portion 38 and the internal space of the first groove portion 36 communicate with each other via the second opening 36c.

[0035] When the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the inclined surface 33 and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33, so that the contact area with the inclined surface 33 becomes larger than before the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0036] To explain the above-mentioned valve seat 30 and ventilation groove 35 in more detail, in this embodiment, the valve seat 30 protrudes from the outer surface (the surface opposite to the inner surface facing the internal space R) of the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20 so as to face away from the internal space R (in the direction away from the internal space R).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the valve seat 30 has a generally circular protrusion shape having a circular outer periphery 31 that gradually decreases in diameter from the base end side in the protruding direction toward the tip end side in the protruding direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the tip edge 31a of the outer periphery 31 that is the furthest from the end wall 23 (having the greatest protrusion from the end wall 23) has a rounded curved surface shape.

[0038] 3 and 6, a circular projection 32 projects from the inner surface of the end wall 23 at the radial center aligned with the valve seat 30. This projection 32 also surrounds the vent hole 25. That is, the vent hole 25 penetrates not only the valve seat 30 but also the projection 32.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 has a curved shape (R-curved shape) that is convex in the protruding direction of the valve seat 30.

[0040] More specifically, the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 which faces the valve body 90 is a convex curved inclined surface that protrudes (projects upward) from the tip edge 31a of the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 in the protruding direction toward the air hole 25, while gradually decreasing the amount of protrusion of the valve seat 30 from the outer surface of the end wall 23 (it can also be said that the depth from the tip edge 31a of the outer periphery 31 gradually becomes deeper).

[0041] As described above, the ventilation groove 35 has the first groove portion 36 and the second groove portion 38. The base end of the first groove portion 36 in the extending direction is located on the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30, and is connected to the outside of the valve seat, and extends from the outer periphery edge portion 33a of the inclined surface 33 (the peripheral edge portion located radially outward of the inclined surface 33) toward the ventilation hole 25. The outer periphery edge portion 33a of the inclined surface 33 is disposed so as to reach the tip edge portion 31a of the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0042] In other words, the ventilation groove 35 is configured to communicate with the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 toward the ventilation hole 25, through the internal space of the first groove portion 36, the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36, the internal space of the second groove portion 38, the second opening 38c of the second groove portion 38, and the second opening 38c.

[0043] Furthermore, the first groove portion 36 constituting the ventilation groove 35 has a shape that extends from the outer periphery of the inclined surface 33 (here, the outer periphery edge portion 33a located on the outer periphery of the inclined surface 33) toward the ventilation hole 25 so as to gradually narrow when viewed in the axial direction of the ventilation hole 25. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the first groove portion 36 is wide on the base end side in the extension direction (the outer periphery 31 side of the valve seat 30) and gradually narrows toward the ventilation hole 25, with the tip side in the extension direction being the narrowest.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the second groove portion 38 constituting the ventilation groove 35 has a substantially constant width from its base end in the extending direction to the second opening 38c at the tip in the extending direction.

[0045] 8, the first groove portion 36 has a bottom portion 36a formed perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder 20 (formed parallel to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction). The first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36 is disposed opposite the bottom portion 36a.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, when the depth of the first groove portion 36 with respect to the inclined surface 33 (the length from the inclined surface 33 to the bottom 36a) is defined as D1, the depth D1 is set so as to be deepest (longest) at the base end of the extension direction of the first groove portion 36 and gradually become shallower toward the tip of the extension direction located on the air hole 25 side.

[0047] Further, the second groove portion 38 extending from the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36 toward the ventilation hole 25 has a first opening 38b that opens to the side facing the valve body 90, and a second opening 38c that is located at the tip side of the extension direction of the second groove portion 38 and opens in communication with the ventilation hole 25 (see Figures 6, 8 and 9).

[0048] Furthermore, when the depth of the second groove portion 38 with respect to the slope 33 (the length from the slope 33 to the bottom portion 38a) is defined as D2, the depth D2 is set to be a constant depth (constant length) from the base end of the second groove portion 38 in the extension direction to the tip end in the extension direction that communicates with the air hole 25. The first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38 is disposed opposite the bottom portion 38a.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction, the valve body 90 contacts the inclined surface 33 and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand circumferentially around the inclined surface 33 and drop radially inward, thereby increasing the contact area with the inclined surface 33. As a result, the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 90 changes depending on the weight of the load of an item or the like acting on one or the other member.

[0050] In this embodiment, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the inclined surface 33 and is elastically deformed as described above, and as a result, the valve body 90 spreads out so as not to enter the ventilation groove 35 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0051] The above-mentioned operational aspects will be described in detail in the explanation of the effects of the invention.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, on the outer surface of the end wall 23, outside the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30, a roughly cylindrical outer wall 40 protrudes to a predetermined height so as to surround the valve seat 30.

[0053] A number of protrusions 41 protrude from the inner surface of the outer wall 40 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and these protrusions 41 are positioned on the ceiling surface of the valve body 90 (the surface opposite the inner surface facing the valve seat 30), thereby preventing the valve body 90 from moving away excessively from the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 (this also means that the valve body 90 opens excessively, or the valve body 90 floats up excessively, etc.).

[0054] (Modification) The shapes and structures of the cylinder, piston, cap, string-like body, etc. that constitute the damper device in the present invention, as well as the shapes and structures of the air holes, valve seats, inclined surfaces, air grooves, outer walls, protrusions, etc. that constitute the cylinder, are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0055] In the case of the damper device of this embodiment, the piston 60 is structured so as to be movable within the cylinder 20 by being pulled by a string-like body 80 against the biasing force of the coil spring 65, but the piston may also be structured so as to be integrally formed with a rod or connected to a separate rod.

[0056] Furthermore, although the wall portion 21 of the cylinder 20 in this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape, the wall portion of the cylinder may have, for example, a substantially thin tubular shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylinder 20 has an end wall 23 integrally formed on the other axial end side of the wall portion 21, but for example, the other end side of the wall portion of the cylinder may also be opened and a separate cap provided with the components of the present invention, such as the end wall, vent hole, valve seat, vent groove, etc., may be attached thereto.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 is a convex curved surface that is convex in the protruding direction of the valve seat 30, but the inclined surface of the valve seat may be, for example, a tapered surface that gradually becomes deeper in a linear manner toward the air hole, or a concave curved surface that is concave in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the valve body (a concave curved surface that is concave downwards), or further, a combination of a convex curved surface, a tapered surface, and a concave curved surface.

[0059] Furthermore, although the ventilation groove 35 in this embodiment is made up of the first groove portion 36 and the second groove portion 38, it is sufficient for the ventilation groove to have at least the first groove portion, and it is not necessary to provide the second groove portion.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the ventilation hole 25 is viewed in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 5, only the first groove portion 36 constituting the ventilation groove 35 gradually narrows from the outer peripheral edge portion 33a of the inclined surface 33 toward the ventilation hole 25. However, for example, the ventilation groove may have a shape that gradually narrows over the entire range from the base end to the tip in the extension direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, the damper braking force acts when the piston 60 moves in a direction away from the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20 (when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction F1), and the above-mentioned braking force is released when the piston 60 moves in a direction approaching the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20 (when the piston 60 moves in the damper return direction F2).

[0062] However, the configuration may be reversed from the above, so that the damper braking force is applied when the piston 60 moves in a direction approaching the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20, and the damper braking force is released when the piston 60 moves in a direction away from the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, one member is a fixed body such as a storage section of an instrument panel, and the other member is an opening / closing body such as a glove box or a lid, but the pair of members are not particularly limited as long as they can move toward and away from each other.

[0064] (Action and effect) Next, the function and effect of the damper device 10 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0065] In this damper device 10, when one member (fixed body, etc.) is in close proximity to the other member (opening / closing body, etc.), the piston 60 is stationary within the cylinder 20. In this state, the bottom surface of the valve body 90 abuts against the outer peripheral edge portion 33a of the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30, and the vent hole 25 is closed except for the vent groove 35.

[0066] From the above state, when one member moves in a direction away from the other member (when the opening / closing body is opened from the fixed body), the piston 60 is pulled via the string-like body 80 against the biasing force of the coil spring 65, and the piston 60 moves in a direction away from the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20, i.e., the piston 60 moves within the cylinder 20 in the damper braking direction shown by F1.

[0067] Then, the air chamber defined in the internal space R of the cylinder 20 is depressurized, and the air outside the cylinder 20 is sucked into the interior of the cylinder 20 through the air vent groove 35, and a suction force acts on the bottom surface of the valve body 90 (the surface facing the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30).

[0068] As a result, the bottom surface of the valve body 90 comes into contact with the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30, and the elastically deformable valve body 90 elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand circumferentially outward and drop radially inward, thereby increasing the contact area with the inclined surface 33 and preventing the valve body 90 from entering the air groove 35 (see Figures 8 and 9). As a result, the valve body 90 closes against the valve seat 30 (the valve body 90 closes against the inclined surface 33, which can also be considered the seat surface of the valve body 90), and the upper opening of the air hole 25 (the opening on the opposite side to the internal space R of the cylinder 20) is blocked.

[0069] This applies a damper braking force to the piston 60, so that one member can be moved relative to the other member while slowing down the moving speed (the opening / closing body can be opened from the fixed body while slowing down the moving speed). Even when the valve body 90 is closed relative to the valve seat 30, air outside the cylinder can circulate through the ventilation groove 35, so that the damper braking force can be adjusted.

[0070] Figure 8 shows the case where the piston 60 moves slowly, i.e., the item stored in the fixed body is light and the load acting on the opening / closing body is small, while Figure 9 shows the case where the piston 60 moves quickly, i.e., the item stored in the fixed body is heavy and the load acting on the opening / closing body is large.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, when the movement of the piston 60 is slow and a small damper braking force is required, the valve body 90 contacts the portion of the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 where the first groove portion 36 is provided, and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand circumferentially outward and drop radially inward along the circumferential and radial inner circumference of the contacted portion of the inclined surface 33 (the portion in contact with the valve body 90), thereby increasing the contact area with the inclined surface 33 compared to before the piston 60 moved in the damper braking direction.

[0072] In this case, the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 90 is smaller than that in the case where the piston 60 moves at high speed as shown in FIG.

[0073] As described above, the valve body 90 elastically deforms and expands along the inclined surface 33, thereby preventing the valve body 90 from entering the first groove portion 36 (here, it is possible to almost certainly prevent the valve body 90 from entering the first groove portion 36), while maintaining the open state of the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36, and blocking a predetermined range from the base end side to the tip end side in the extension direction of the first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36. Note that the first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38 is not blocked over the entire range.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the piston 60 moves at high speed and a large damper braking force is required, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the portion of the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 where the base end side of the extension direction of the first groove portion 36 and the second groove portion 38 is provided, and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to spread circumferentially outward of the inclined surface 33 and drop radially inward along the circumferential direction and radial inner circumference of the contacted portion of the inclined surface 33, thereby increasing the contact area with the inclined surface 33 compared to before the piston 60 moved in the damper braking direction.

[0075] In this case, the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 90 (particularly the amount of radially inward downward deformation of the valve body 90) is greater than that in the case of the low-speed movement of the piston 60 shown in FIG.

[0076] As described above, the valve body 90 elastically deforms and expands along the inclined surface 33, thereby preventing the valve body 90 from entering the first groove portion 36 (here, it is almost certain that the valve body 90 will not enter the first groove portion 36), while maintaining the open state of the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36, and blocking the range from the base end side of the first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36, beyond the tip side of the first opening 36b, to the base end side in the extension direction of the first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38.

[0077] That is, the amount of closure of the ventilation groove 35 is greater than when the piston 60 moves at a low speed as shown in FIG. 8 (the contact area of ​​the valve body 90 with the inclined surface 33 is greater than when the piston 60 moves at a low speed).

[0078] As described above, when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the inclined surface 33, and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand in the circumferential direction of the inclined surface 33 and drop radially inward, expanding so as not to enter the air groove 35. Therefore, the valve body 90 has no room to deform so as to enter the first groove portion 36 when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction.

[0079] As a result, the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 gradually narrows from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 toward the ventilation hole 25, thereby improving the load responsiveness of the damper device 10 and enabling a stable damping force to be obtained at an appropriate timing according to the load.

[0080] In other words, when the load acting on the opening / closing body is small, as shown in FIG. 8, the amount of closure of the first opening (here, a predetermined range of the first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36) located on the side of the ventilation groove 35 facing the valve body 90 is smaller than in the case of high speed movement of the piston 60 shown in FIG. 9, so that the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 is narrowed to be larger than in the case of FIG. 9, and a stable, small damper braking force can be obtained at an appropriate speed and timing corresponding to a light load.

[0081] On the other hand, when the load acting on the opening / closing body is large, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of occlusion of the first opening located on the side of the air groove 35 facing the valve body 90 (here, the entire first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36 and a part of the first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38) becomes greater than when the piston 60 moves at a low speed as shown in FIG. 8.

[0082] As a result, the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 is narrowed to be smaller than that in the case of Figure 8, and a stable, large damping force can be obtained at an appropriate speed and timing (from the beginning when the movable body opens from the opening of the fixed body) corresponding to a heavy load.

[0083] As described above, in the damper device 10, the valve body 90 is configured so that the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 90 changes depending on whether the load of an article or the like acting on a pair of members is light or heavy, i.e., depending on whether the load acting on one or the other member is light or heavy.

[0084] In other words, the valve body 90 undergoes different amounts of elastic deformation depending on the load of luggage, etc., and therefore the contact area with the inclined surface 33 can be changed in accordance with the load of luggage, etc., thereby making it possible to change the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35, thereby improving the load responsiveness of the damper device 10.

[0085] The effect of the damper device 10 can also be explained as follows.

[0086] In other words, in this damper device 10, when the damper is braking, the elastic deformation and accompanying expansion of the valve body 90 itself, which is caused by the shape of the inclined surface 33 that gradually becomes deeper from the outer periphery of the valve seat toward the air vent 25, prevents the valve body 90 from entering the first groove portion 36 of the air groove 35, so that the second opening 36c of the first groove portion 36 is reliably blocked and the ventilation area of ​​the air groove 35 is narrowed, thereby improving the load responsiveness of the damper device 10.

[0087] However, when one member is moved in a direction approaching the other member relative to the fixed body (when the opening / closing body is closed relative to the fixed body), the pulling force from the string-like body 80 no longer acts on the piston 60, and the piston 60 moves within the cylinder 20 in the damper return direction F2 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 65.

[0088] Then, air in the air chamber of the cylinder 20 presses the valve body 90 from the inner side through the air vent 25, so that the valve body 90 opens against the valve seat 30. That is, the portion of the valve body 90 extending from the contact point with the inclined surface 33 to the radially outward direction (this portion forms a "part" of the valve body when separated from the valve seat) rolls up and separates from the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30, so that the air in the air chamber of the cylinder 20 is discharged to the outside of the cylinder 20 through the upper opening of the outer wall 40, etc. As a result, the damping force acting on the piston 60 is released, and the piston 60 returns to its initial position.

[0089] In this embodiment, the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 is a convex curved surface that is convex in the protruding direction of the valve seat 30.

[0090] According to the above embodiment, since the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 is a convex curved surface as described above, when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction, it is possible to make it easier for the valve body 90 to elastically deform along the inclined surface 33. As a result, the ventilation groove 35 can be securely blocked and the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 can be more reliably reduced from the outer periphery of the valve seat toward the ventilation hole side, thereby further improving the load responsiveness of the damper device 10.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first groove portion 36 extends from the outer periphery of the inclined surface 33 toward the air hole 25 so as to gradually narrow when viewed in the axial direction of the air hole 25.

[0092] According to the above aspect, the shape of the first groove portion 36, which extends from the outer periphery of the slope 33 toward the ventilation hole 25 so that its depth relative to the slope 33 gradually becomes shallower, and the shape of the first groove portion 36, which extends from the outer periphery of the slope 33 toward the ventilation hole 25 so that it gradually becomes narrower when viewed in the axial direction of the ventilation hole 25, makes it easier to change the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35, and further improves the load responsiveness of the damper device 10.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ventilation groove 35 further has a second groove portion 38 that extends from the first groove portion 36 toward the ventilation hole 25 so that the depth relative to the slope 33 is constant.

[0094] According to the above aspect, the ventilation groove 35 has the second groove portion 38 of the above configuration, so that when the piston 60 moves in the damper braking direction and the valve body 90 elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33, even if the amount of deformation of the valve body 90 is large and the entire area of ​​the first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36 is blocked, the first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38 is made less likely to be blocked, and the first opening of the ventilation groove 35 (meaning the entire opening facing the valve body 90, consisting of the first opening 36b of the first groove portion 36 and the first opening 38b of the second groove portion 38) can be prevented from being completely blocked, so that the damper braking force can be generated stably.

[0095] (Another embodiment of the damper device) 10A and 10B show another embodiment of the damper device according to the present invention. Note that parts that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The damper device of this embodiment differs from the above embodiment mainly in the shape and structure of the valve seat 30A.

[0097] The valve seat 30A has a wall portion 37 protruding from the end wall 23 of the cylinder 20. An inner circumferential surface 43b of the wall portion 37 forms a vertical surface rising along the axis of the cylinder 20 via a first R-shaped portion 43a. The tip of the inner circumferential surface 43b is connected to a curved ceiling surface 43d via a second R-shaped portion 43c.

[0098] That is, from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30A toward the ventilation hole 25, a ceiling surface 43d, a second R-shaped portion 43c, an inner periphery 43b, and a first R-shaped portion 43a are arranged in that order, and these form a slope 43 whose protrusion amount gradually decreases from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30A toward the ventilation hole 25.

[0099] In addition, the ventilation groove 35 has a first groove portion 36 aligned with the ceiling surface 43d and a second groove portion 38 aligned with the inner surface 43b, but the second opening 38c of the second groove portion 38 does not directly reach the ventilation hole 25 (it does not directly communicate with the ventilation hole 25) and is positioned to reach the outer surface of the end wall 23.

[0100] Then, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the piston 60 moves at a low speed, the valve body 90 contacts a predetermined area of ​​the ceiling surface 43d that constitutes the inclined surface 43 of the valve seat 30A, and elastically deforms so as to spread radially inward along the contacted portion of the ceiling surface 43d and drop radially inward.

[0101] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the piston 60 moves at a high speed, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the ceiling surface 43d and the second R-shaped portion 43c that constitute the inclined surface 43 of the valve seat 30A, and elastically deforms so as to spread radially inward along the contacted portions of the ceiling surface 43d and the second R-shaped portion 43c and to drop radially inward.

[0102] As a result, the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 gradually narrows from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30A toward the ventilation hole 25, thereby improving the load responsiveness of the damper device and enabling a stable damping force to be obtained at appropriate speed and timing depending on the load.

[0103] (Another embodiment of the damper device) 11A and 11B show still another embodiment of the damper device according to the present invention. Note that parts that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] The damper device of this embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 in the shape of the ventilation groove 35B.

[0105] That is, the ventilation groove 35B in this embodiment has a first groove portion 36 and a second groove portion 38, and is configured so that a vertical surface-shaped step portion 39 aligned with the axis of the cylinder 20 is disposed between the second opening 36c at the tip side of the extension direction of the first groove portion 36 and the base end side of the extension direction of the second groove portion 38.

[0106] Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the movement of the piston 60 is slow, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the portion of the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 where the first groove portion 36 is provided, and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand circumferentially outward of the inclined surface 33 and drop radially inward along the circumferential direction and the radial inner circumference of the inclined surface 33.

[0107] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the piston 60 moves at a high speed, the valve body 90 comes into contact with the portion of the inclined surface 33 of the valve seat 30 where the base end side of the extension direction of the first groove portion 36 and the second groove portion 38 is provided, and elastically deforms along the inclined surface 33 so as to expand circumferentially outward of the inclined surface 33 and drop radially inward along the circumferential direction and radial inner circumference of the inclined surface 33.

[0108] As a result, the ventilation area of ​​the ventilation groove 35 gradually narrows from the outer periphery 31 of the valve seat 30 toward the ventilation hole 25, thereby improving the load responsiveness of the damper device and enabling a stable damping force to be obtained at appropriate speed and timing depending on the load.

[0109] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10 Damper device 20 Cylinders 22 Aperture 25 Ventilation holes 30,30A valve seat 31 Outer circumference 35,35B Ventilation groove 36 First Groove 38 Second groove 60 Piston 63 Seal ring 65 coil spring 70 Cap 80 Cord 90 Valve body

Claims

1. A damper device that is attached between a pair of members moving toward or away from each other and applies a braking force when the pair of members move toward or away from each other, A cylinder having an internal space, an opening at one end, and a vent hole and a valve seat communicating with the internal space at the other end; a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder, an elastically deformable valve body is disposed at the other end of the cylinder, the valve body abutting against the valve seat before and when the piston moves in a damper braking direction, and at least a portion of the valve body being separated from the valve seat when the piston moves in a return direction opposite to the damper braking direction; the valve seat surrounds the vent hole and protrudes in a direction opposite to the internal space, and a vent groove is formed extending from an outer periphery of the valve seat toward the vent hole and communicating with the vent hole, a portion of the valve seat facing the valve body has an inclined surface whose protrusion amount gradually decreases from an outer circumferential side of the valve seat toward the air hole, The ventilation groove has a first groove portion that extends from an outer periphery of the inclined surface toward the ventilation hole so that its depth relative to the inclined surface becomes gradually shallower, The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body contacts the inclined surface and elastically deforms along the inclined surface when the piston moves in the damper braking direction, thereby increasing the contact area with the inclined surface.

2. 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is a convex curved surface that is convex in a protruding direction of the valve seat.

3. 3. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the first groove portion extends from an outer periphery of the inclined surface toward the air hole so as to gradually narrow in width when viewed in the axial direction of the air hole.

4. 3. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation groove further includes a second groove portion that extends from the first groove portion toward the ventilation hole so that a depth of the second groove portion relative to the inclined surface is constant.

Images