Seismic isolation mechanism and seismic isolation device

Abstract

To provide a seismic isolation mechanism which is supported by a support, supports a supported body, and guides the supported body in a manner that enables the supported body to move in a specific direction and which achieves more preferable seismic isolation performance and damping performance, and to provide a seismic isolation device.SOLUTION: Replacing a conventional seismic isolation mechanism and a seismic isolation device, a seismic isolation mechanism includes rolling element structures each of which is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings and forms a pair of outer peripheral surfaces; and a guide member which forms a pair of support surfaces which contacts with and supports the pair of outer peripheral surfaces. In the rolling element structure and the guide member, when a force acts to cause a supported body to move relative to a support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface to move up the supported body gradually. An entire part area, in which the rolling element structure moves along a specific direction guided by the guide member, has change support areas, in each of which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface changes along the specific direction in at least a part thereof, corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seismic isolation mechanism for supporting buildings, computers, other machines, and equipment, and to a seismic isolation device using the seismic isolation mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a seismic isolation mechanism has been used which is composed of a rolling element attached to either the supported object or the support and supported so that each can roll around a predetermined axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a specific direction, and a guide member attached to the other of the supported object or the support, which comes into contact with and supports the rolling element and extends in a specific direction, the rolling element and guide member maintaining the supported object so that it is always in its lowest reference position relative to the support, and when the supported object moves relative to the support, the rolling element rolls to gradually raise the supported object. In addition, a seismic isolation device having multiple seismic isolation mechanisms is used.

[0003] In such a seismic isolation mechanism and seismic isolation device, the support surface that comes into contact with the rolling elements of the guide member can be curved along a desired trajectory, thereby achieving seismic isolation performance with a desired spring constant. In such a seismic isolation mechanism and seismic isolation device, by supporting the rolling elements with sliding bearings and appropriately selecting the sliding members of the sliding bearings, it is possible to achieve seismic isolation performance with a desired damping coefficient.

[0004] By using these seismic isolation mechanisms and devices, buildings, computers, other machinery and equipment, etc. can be supported in a seismic isolation manner. There has been demand in the market for these seismic isolation mechanisms and devices to exhibit even greater seismic isolation and damping capabilities. The inventors have investigated seismic isolation mechanisms and seismic isolation devices that can meet these market demands. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above demands, the present invention aims to provide a seismic isolation mechanism and a seismic isolation device that can exhibit even more suitable seismic isolation performance and damping performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a seismic isolation mechanism according to the present invention, which is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides the supported object to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, a rolling body structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the supporting body and that are arranged along an axis that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction, and that is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings, and that forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces that can roll facing the surroundings; a guide member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support body and guides the rolling element structure so as to be able to roll in a specific direction, the guide member forming a pair of support surfaces that contact and support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling element structure, respectively; Equipped with When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position that is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support area has one or more varying support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Here, the entire support area is an entire area in which the rolling element structure moves along a specific direction while being guided by the guide member when the supported object moves relative to the support, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part; The support region is an area in which one support surface supporting one of the corresponding rolling elements is continuous without interruption along a specific direction.

[0007] In the above configuration of the present invention, The rolling element structure is a structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the support and arranged along an axis extending horizontally perpendicular to a specific direction, and each of the bearings is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings and has a pair of outer peripheral surfaces that can roll facing the surroundings. The guide member is a member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support body and guides the rolling body structure so that it can roll freely in a specific direction, and forms a pair of support surfaces that contact and support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling body structure, respectively. The rolling body structure and the guide member maintain the supported object at a reference position, which is the lowest position relative to the support, with at least one of the outer circumferential surfaces supported by one of the support surfaces when no force is applied, and gradually raise the supported object when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, with at least one of the outer circumferential surfaces supported by one of the support surfaces. The entire support region has one or more varying support regions, each of which is one or more support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. The entire support area is the entire area in which the rolling element structure moves along a specific direction while being guided by the guide member when the supported object moves relative to the support. The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies at least in part as it transitions along a particular direction. The support region is a region in which one support surface supporting one of the corresponding rolling elements continues uninterruptedly along a specific direction. As a result, one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is positioned in the varying support region, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a seismic isolation mechanism according to the present invention, which is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides the supported object to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, a rolling body structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the supporting body and that are arranged along an axis that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction, and that is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings, and that forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces that can roll facing the surroundings; a guide member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support and guides the rolling element structure so as to be able to roll in a specific direction, the guide member forming a pair of support surfaces that respectively support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling element structure; Equipped with When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position that is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support area has one or more support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The entire support area is an entire area in which the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and moves along a specific direction when the supported object moves relative to the support, the support region is a region in which one support surface supporting one of the rolling elements is continuous without interruption along a specific direction, The rolling element structure includes a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on an outer periphery thereof, The first bearing is a rolling bearing, The second bearing is a sliding bearing.

[0009] In the above configuration of the present invention, The rolling element structure is a structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the support and arranged along an axis extending horizontally perpendicular to a specific direction, and each of the pair of bearings is positioned to surround the pair of bearings and has a pair of outer peripheral surfaces that are capable of rolling with their faces facing the surroundings. The guide member is a member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support body and guides the rolling body structure so that it can roll freely in a specific direction, and forms a pair of support surfaces that respectively support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling body structure. The rolling body structure and the guide member maintain the supported object at a reference position, which is the lowest position relative to the support, with at least one of the outer circumferential surfaces supported by one of the support surfaces when no force is applied, and gradually raise the supported object when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, with at least one of the outer circumferential surfaces supported by one of the support surfaces. The entire support region has one or more support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, respectively. The entire support area is the entire area in which the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and moves along a specific direction when the supported object moves relative to the support. The support region is a region in which one support surface supporting one of the rolling elements continues uninterruptedly along a specific direction. The rolling element structure has a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on its outer periphery, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on its outer periphery. The first bearing is a rolling bearing. The second bearing is a sliding bearing. As a result, one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by contacting the support surface or surfaces of the support region or regions, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a seismic isolation device that is supported by a support body, supports a supported body, and guides the supported body to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, When we imagine X-axis and Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above, A set of seismic isolation mechanisms having two seismic isolation mechanisms, Preparation, Two of the isolation mechanisms of the pair are spaced apart along the Y axis, When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. It was decided.

[0011] In the above configuration of the present invention, The seismic isolation device includes a set of seismic isolation mechanisms having two seismic isolation mechanisms. The two isolation mechanisms of a set are spaced apart along the Y axis. When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support. Over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms that support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. As a result, a pair of outer circumferential surfaces that are separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of supporting surfaces having the same width, and the supported object moves along the X axis relative to the supporting body.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a seismic isolation device that is supported by a support body, supports a supported body, and guides the supported body to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, When we imagine X-axis and Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above, Two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms, each set having two seismic isolation mechanisms; Two isolation mechanisms of one set of isolation mechanisms and two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along an X-axis; The two isolation mechanisms of one pair of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis, The two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis, When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the support body in a reference position relative to the support body, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms also maintain the support body in a reference position relative to the support body, In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. It was decided.

[0013] Assume that there are X-axis and Y-axis which are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above. The seismic isolation device includes two sets of isolation mechanisms, each set having two isolation mechanisms. The coordinates at which the reference positions of the guide members of each of the seismic isolation mechanisms are located when viewed from above are referred to as reference position coordinates. Two isolation mechanisms of one set of isolation mechanisms and two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the X-axis. The two isolation mechanisms of one set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. The two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms also maintain the supported object in a reference position relative to the support. Over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimension of each of the pair of support surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms that support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the seismic isolation mechanisms is always equal. As a result, a pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces of each of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms of equal width, and the supported object moves along the X axis relative to the support.

[0014] The present invention includes any one of the embodiments described below, or a combination of two or more of the embodiments described below.

[0015] In the seismic isolation mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces throughout the entire range of movement of the supported object relative to the support. In the configuration of the above embodiment, throughout the entire range of movement of the supported object relative to the support, at least one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces. As a result, in the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the pair of outer circumferential surfaces are positioned in either of the support regions, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0016] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions and one or more constant support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension in width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the total support region has one or more of the variable support regions and one or more constant support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. A constant support area is a support area whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface is a constant specific dimension. A zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. As a result, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is positioned in either the varying support region and the constant support region or the zero support region, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0017] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: The total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension in width along the axis of the support surface, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part; The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more varying support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. As a result, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is positioned in either the constant support region and the varying support region or the zero support region, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0018] In the seismic isolation mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention, the overall support area has one or more variable support areas, one or more constant support areas, and one or more zero support areas, each corresponding to a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more of the constant support regions, and one or more of the zero support regions, each corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. As a result, one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is positioned in any one of the variable support region, the constant support region, and the zero support region, and the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0019] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following characteristics: The sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces that simultaneously support a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces is either equal to or greater than the specific dimension at one of the constant support areas corresponding to the pair of the outer peripheral surfaces of the entire support area. In the configuration of the above embodiment, in the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, The sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces that simultaneously support a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces is either equal to or greater than the specific dimension at one of the constant support areas corresponding to the pair of the outer peripheral surfaces of the entire support area. As a result, in the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the pair of outer circumferential surfaces are supported with a width equal to or greater than the specific dimension in the fixed support region.

[0020] In the seismic isolation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, the varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface changes at least in part as it transitions along a specific direction. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part. As a result, when the outer peripheral surface rolls along the varying support region, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface is supported by a support surface having a width that varies as the outer peripheral surface transitions along a specific direction.

[0021] The seismic isolation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is a support region in which the varying support region changes such that the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller at least in part as it transitions along one of the specific directions. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface decreases as it transitions along at least one of the specific directions. As a result, when the outer peripheral surface rolls along the varying support region, the outer peripheral surface is supported, at least in part, by a support surface having a width that varies to become smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions.

[0022] In a seismic isolation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, the varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the region, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces approaches the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces as it transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the region. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as at least a portion of it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces approaches the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces as it transitions at least a portion of it along one of the specific directions. As a result, when the outer peripheral surface rolls along the varying support region, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface changes to become smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge furthest from the other support region is supported by a support surface that brings it closer to the other support region.

[0023] In the seismic isolation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, the total support region has one or more variable support regions and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the total support region has one or more changed support regions and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces. As a result, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces are guided by the guide members so as to be positioned in a changed support region or a zero support region.

[0024] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the fixed support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at one location in the zero support region corresponding to that outer circumferential surface. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the supported body is in a reference position with respect to the support body, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one location of the fixed support region corresponding to that outer circumferential surface. The other of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at one location in the zero support region corresponding to that outer circumferential surface. As a result, when the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, one outer peripheral surface is guided by the guide member so as to be located in the constant support region and the other outer peripheral surface is located in the zero support region or the variable support region.

[0025] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: When the supported object is at a position farthest from a certain position of the reference position along a specific direction with respect to the support, One of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at one location in the zero support region or one location in the variable support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface, The other of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one location in the fixed support region corresponding to that outer circumferential surface. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the supported object is at a position farthest from a position of a reference position relative to the support along a specific direction, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at a location in the zero support area or a location in the changing support area corresponding to that outer peripheral surface. The other of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one location in the fixed support region corresponding to that outer circumferential surface. As a result, when the supported object is at a position farthest from the reference position relative to the support, one outer peripheral surface is guided by the guide member so as to be located in the zero support region or the changing support region, and the other outer peripheral surface is located at a point in the constant support region.

[0026] In the seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention, the variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface decreases as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the varying support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without a break. The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. As a result, when the outer peripheral surface rolls while being supported by a support surface in the varying support region, the outer peripheral surface is supported by a support surface whose width dimension becomes smaller as it transitions from the side of the constant support region to the side of the zero support region along a specific direction.

[0027] In the seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention, the variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller with the amount of change varying uniformly according to the degree of transition from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the varying support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without a break. The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface decreases so that the amount of change changes uniformly according to the degree of transition from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. As a result, when the outer peripheral surface is supported and rolled on a support surface in the varying support region, the outer peripheral surface is supported on a support surface whose width dimension becomes smaller as it transitions from the side of the constant support region to the side of the zero support region along a specific direction.

[0028] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: The rolling element structure includes a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on an outer periphery thereof, The first bearing is a rolling bearing, The second bearing is a plain bearing. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the rolling element structure has a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on its outer periphery, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on its outer periphery. The first bearing is a rolling bearing. The second bearing is a plain bearing. As a result, the first rolling element outer ring supported by the rolling bearing and the second rolling element outer ring supported by the sliding bearing are supported by the first support surface and the second support surface, respectively.

[0029] The seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: The first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate about an axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate about the axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other. As a result, the first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate and roll about the axis without interfering with each other.

[0030] In a seismic isolation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction on a support surface supporting an outer peripheral surface formed by a first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of an entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface describes an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the left side of the support surface describes an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the intersection, When the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and positioned above the intersection, the supported body is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support body. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction of the support surface supporting the outer peripheral surface formed by the first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of the entire support area. When the intersection is viewed as a boundary that is line-symmetrical in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface draws an arc with a center of curvature to the left of the intersection. When the intersection is viewed as a boundary that is line-symmetrical in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the left side of the support surface draws an arc with a center of curvature to the right of the intersection. When the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and positioned above the intersection, the supported body is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support body. As a result, when the supported object moves from a state in which it is in a reference position relative to the supporting object, a reaction force due to gravity is generated.

[0031] The seismic isolation device according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: Equipped with a set of seismic isolation mechanisms, Over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces that support a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. In the configuration of the above embodiment, Over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces that support a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. As a result, a pair of outer peripheral surfaces that are separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces whose sum of width dimensions is equal to or greater than a specific dimension, and the supported object moves along the X axis relative to the support.

[0032] The seismic isolation device according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: Equipped with two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms, in the entire range of movement of the supported body relative to the supporting body, The sum of the widths along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension; The sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces that support a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. In the configuration of the above embodiment, in the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, The sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. The sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. As a result, a pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms that are separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces where the sum of the width dimensions of the support surfaces of each of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension, and the supported object moves along the X axis relative to the support. Effect of the Invention

[0033] As described above, the seismic isolation mechanism according to the present invention has the following effects due to its configuration. In a seismic isolation mechanism 100 having a rolling element structure forming a pair of outer peripheral surfaces and a guide member forming a pair of support surfaces, When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support region has a pair of outer peripheral surfaces, and each of the outer peripheral surfaces has a varying support region, which is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface changes as it transitions along a specific direction at least in a part thereof. When the supported object moves relative to the support, One of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by contacting with a support surface of one or more transitional support regions.

[0034] In a seismic isolation mechanism 100 having a rolling element structure forming a pair of outer peripheral surfaces and a guide member forming a pair of support surfaces, When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support area has support areas corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces, The first rolling element outer ring is supported by a rolling bearing so as to be rotatable about its axis, and the second rolling element outer ring is supported by a sliding bearing so as to be rotatable about its axis. When the supported object moves relative to the support, Either one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by contacting with a support surface of one or more support regions.

[0035] The two seismic isolation mechanisms of a set of seismic isolation mechanisms are positioned apart along the Y axis, and when one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, and throughout the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal, so that when the supported object moves along the X axis relative to the support, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of the two seismic isolation mechanisms that are separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces of equal width.

[0036] Two seismic isolation mechanisms of one set of seismic isolation mechanisms and two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms are arranged apart along the X-axis, two seismic isolation mechanisms of one set of seismic isolation mechanisms are arranged apart along the Y-axis, and two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms are arranged apart along the Y-axis, and when one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms also maintain the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, and throughout the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of each of the pairs of support surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal, so that when the supported object moves along the X-axis relative to the support, the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms that are apart along the X-axis and Y-axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces of equal width.

[0037] At least one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces. When the supported object moves relative to the support, the pair of outer circumferential surfaces are supported by the support surface of any one of the support regions over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support.

[0038] The total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces, the first rolling element outer ring is rotatably supported by a rolling bearing about its axis, and the second rolling element outer ring is rotatably supported by a sliding bearing about its axis, When the supported object moves relative to the support, one of a pair of outer peripheral surfaces supported by the rotary bearing and the sliding bearing, respectively, is supported by a support surface selected from a constant support region and a variable support region or a zero support region.

[0039] Since the total support region has one or more of the variable support regions and one or more of the constant support regions or one or more of the zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces, when the supported object moves relative to the support, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface of the variable support region and either the constant support region or the zero support region.

[0040] Since the total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces, when the supported object moves relative to the support, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface of the constant support region and either the variable support region or the zero support region.

[0041] Since the total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more of the constant support regions, and one or more of the zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces, when the supported object moves relative to the support, one of the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by a support surface of either the variable support region, the constant support region, or the zero support region.

[0042] The sum of the axial width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces that simultaneously support the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is equal to or larger than the specific dimension in one of the constant support regions corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of the entire support region, In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the pair of outer circumferential surfaces are supported with a width equal to or greater than the specific dimension.

[0043] The varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface changes as at least a portion of it transitions along a specific direction, so that when the outer circumferential surface rolls along the varying support region, the outer circumferential surface is supported by a support surface whose width changes as at least a portion of it transitions along a specific direction.

[0044] The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions along at least a portion of one of the specific directions, so that when the outer circumferential surface rolls along the varying support region, it is supported by a support surface of a width that becomes smaller as the outer circumferential surface transitions along at least a portion of one of the specific directions.

[0045] The varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as at least a portion of it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface as it transitions along one of the specific directions, so that when the outer peripheral surface rolls along the varying support region, the outer peripheral surface becomes smaller as at least a portion of it transitions along one of the specific directions, and is supported by a support surface that brings the edge farther from the other support region closer to the other support region.

[0046] Since the total support area has one or more of the variable support areas and one or more of the zero support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces, the pair of the outer peripheral surfaces are guided by a guide member so as to be positioned in the variable support area or the zero support area.

[0047] When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at one location of the fixed support region of one of the pair of support surfaces, The other of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at one location of the changed support region or at one location of the zero support region of the other of the pair of support surfaces, When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, it is guided by the guide member so that one outer peripheral surface is located in the constant support region and the other outer peripheral surface is located in the zero support region or the variable support region.

[0048] When the supported object is at a position furthest from a reference position relative to the support object along a specific direction, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at a location in the zero support area or a location in the variable support area corresponding to that outer peripheral surface, and the other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface at a location in the constant support area.Therefore, when the supported object is at a position furthest from the reference position relative to the support object, one of the outer peripheral surfaces is guided by the guide member so that it is located at a location in the zero support area or a location in the variable support area, and the other outer peripheral surface is located at a location in the constant support area.

[0049] The varying support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, and the width of the varying support region along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction.Therefore, when the outer circumferential surface is supported by a support surface in the varying support region and rolls, the outer circumferential surface is supported by a support surface of a width that is continuous without interruption so that the width becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction.

[0050] The varying support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, and the width of the varying support region along the axis of the support surface decreases so that the amount of change changes uniformly depending on the degree of transition as the outer circumferential surface transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. Therefore, when the outer circumferential surface is supported by a support surface in the varying support region and rolls, the outer circumferential surface is supported by a support surface of a continuous width without interruption so that the amount of change changes uniformly depending on the degree of transition as the outer circumferential surface transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction.

[0051] The rolling element structure has a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on its outer periphery, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on its outer periphery, the first bearing being a rolling bearing and the second bearing being a sliding bearing, so that the first rolling element outer ring supported by the rolling bearing and the second rolling element outer ring supported by the sliding bearing are supported by the first support surface and the second support surface, respectively.

[0052] The first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring are configured to rotate around the axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other, so that the first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate and roll around the axis without interfering with each other.

[0053] When viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending along a specific direction of the first support surface intersects at an intersection located in the middle of the entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending along a specific direction of the right-hand first support surface describes an arc with a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary, a locus extending along a specific direction of the left-hand first support surface describes an arc with a center of curvature to the right of the intersection, and when the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and positioned above the intersection, the supported object is in a reference position, which is the lowest position relative to the support, so that a resistance force due to gravity is generated when the supported object moves from a state in which it is in the reference position relative to the support.

[0054] In a seismic isolation device having a pair of seismic isolation mechanisms, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms is made equal to or greater than a specific dimension over the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, so that when the supported object moves along the X-axis relative to the support, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces that move apart along the Y-axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces whose sum of the width dimensions is equal to or greater than a specific dimension.

[0055] In a seismic isolation device having two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms, in the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, the sum of the widths along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension; The sum of the widths along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms is set to be equal to or greater than a specific dimension, When the supported object moves along the X-axis relative to the support, a pair of outer peripheral surfaces of each of two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms that are separated along the Y-axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces whose sum of width dimensions is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. Therefore, it is possible to provide a seismic isolation mechanism and a seismic isolation device that can exhibit even greater seismic isolation and damping performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a seismic isolation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a seismic isolation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seismic isolation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a second conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a fourth conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a support according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a supported body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a first plan view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a second plan view of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a third plan view of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a first explanatory diagram of the operation of a guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] FIG. 5 is a fifth plan view of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 13 is a second explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The seismic isolation device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a device that is supported by a support body M, supports a supported body N, and guides it movably in a specific direction that is a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a seismic isolation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seismic isolation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the seismic isolation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows four seismic isolation devices 10 provided at the four corners of a structure. 2 and 3 show a pair of seismic isolation devices 10 separated into upper and lower parts and deployed. The seismic isolation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of two seismic isolation mechanisms 100. The seismic isolation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of a set of seismic isolation mechanisms having two seismic isolation mechanisms. Assume that there are X-axis and Y-axis which are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above. The seismic isolation device 10 guides the supported body N relative to the supporting body M so as to be freely movable along the X-axis. Two isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support. The coordinates at which the reference positions of the guide members of each seismic isolation mechanism are located when viewed from above are referred to as the reference position coordinates. The reference position coordinates of each of the two isolation mechanisms of a pair of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. Throughout the entire range of movement of the supported body N relative to the support body M, the width dimension of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of one of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 is always equal to the width dimension of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the other of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100. The detailed structure of the seismic isolation mechanism 100, the outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, and the support surfaces G1, G2 will be described later.

[0058] In all ranges in which the supported body N moves relative to the support body M, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 may be equal to or greater than a specific dimension.

[0059] The seismic isolation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is composed of two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms, each of which has two seismic isolation mechanisms. Assume that there are X-axis and Y-axis which are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above. The two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of one set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 and the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are disposed apart from each other along the X-axis. The two isolation mechanisms 100 of one set of isolation mechanisms 100 are spaced apart along the Y axis. The two isolation mechanisms 100 of the other set of isolation mechanisms 100 are spaced apart along the Y axis. When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms also maintain the supported object in a reference position relative to the support. Throughout the entire range of movement of the supported body N relative to the support body M, the width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 that support the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are always equal. Here, the reference position Z is the lowest position where the supported object N is located relative to the supporting object M.

[0060] The coordinates at which the reference position Z of each guide member of each seismic isolation mechanism is located when viewed from above are referred to as the reference position coordinates. The reference position coordinates of each of the two isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. The reference position coordinates of each of the two isolation mechanisms of the other of the two sets of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis. The reference position coordinates of each of the two isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of isolation mechanisms and the reference position coordinates of each of the two isolation mechanisms of the other of the two sets of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the X-axis. the respective width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting a pair of the outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of one of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of one of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 in the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the supporting body M; the width dimension of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the other of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of one of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100; The width dimension of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of one of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms; The width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the other of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. Here, the axis J coincides with the rotation axis of the outer circumferential surfaces T1 and T2.

[0061] In the entire range of movement of the supported body N relative to the support body M, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of one of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 may be equal to or greater than a specific dimension, and the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of the other set of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 may be equal to or greater than a specific dimension.

[0062] For example, the seismic isolation device 10 is composed of a lower structure 11, an intermediate structure 12, and an upper structure 13. The lower structure 11 and the intermediate structure 12 can move relatively along the X-axis. The intermediate structure 12 and the upper structure 13 can move relative to each other along the Y axis. The lower structure 11 is provided with four guide members 300 that guide the intermediate structure 12 for relative movement along the X-axis. The intermediate structure 12 is provided with four rolling element structures 200 guided along the X axis and four rolling element structures 200 guided along the Y axis. The upper structure 13 is provided with four guide members 300 that guide the intermediate structure 12 for relative movement along the Y axis.

[0063] In the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the supporting object M, at least one outer peripheral surface T of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported by at least one supporting surface G of the pair of supporting surfaces G1, G2. In the entire range in which the supported body N moves relative to the supporting body M, at least one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 may be supported by at least one of the pair of supporting surfaces G1, G2.

[0064] In the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 that simultaneously support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be either equal to or greater than a specific dimension. In the entire range in which the supported body N moves relative to the support body M, the sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 that simultaneously support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 may be either equal to or greater than a specific dimension. The specific dimension is the width of the support surface of the fixed support region Sc, which will be described later in detail.

[0065] A seismic isolation mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a first conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a second conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a third conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a fourth conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a support body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a supported body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a first plan view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a second plan view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a third plan view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a fourth plan view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seismic isolation mechanism 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a mechanism that is supported by a support body M, supports a supported body N, and guides it so as to be movable in a specific direction. Here, the specific direction is a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction. When the lower structure 11 corresponds to the support M, the intermediate structure 12 corresponds to the supported object N. When the intermediate structure 12 corresponds to the supporting body M, the upper structure 13 corresponds to the supported body N. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the seismic isolation mechanism 100 is provided between the lower structure 11 and the intermediate structure 12. Here, the lower structure 11 corresponds to the support M, and the intermediate structure 12 corresponds to the supported object N.

[0066] The seismic isolation mechanism 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is composed of a rolling element structure 200 and a guide member 300. The rolling element structure 200 is a structure rotatably supported by a pair of bearings attached to either the supported body N or the support body M and arranged along an axis J extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction. The rolling element structure 200 is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings, and forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 that can roll facing the surroundings. For example, the rolling element structure 200 forms a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 that are positioned to surround a pair of bearings 231, 232 with the axis J as the center and can roll with their faces facing the periphery with the axis J as the center. An axis J is a line connecting the rotation axis of one outer peripheral surface T1 and the rotation axis of the other outer peripheral surface T2. The rotation axis of one outer circumferential surface T1 and the rotation axis of the other outer circumferential surface T2 may be aligned in a straight line. The rotation axis of one outer circumferential surface T1 and the rotation axis of the other outer circumferential surface T2 may be aligned parallel to each other. In the following, an example will be described in which the pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 roll around an axis J that extends linearly.

[0067] An example of the rolling element structure 200 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a first conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a second conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a third conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a fourth conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a first conceptual diagram of a rolling element structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rolling element structure 200 is attached to either the supported body N or the support body M, and is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 231, 232 arranged along an axis J extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction. The rolling element structure 200 is composed of a first rolling element outer ring 211 , a first bearing 231 , a second rolling element outer ring 212 , a second bearing 232 , and a shaft body 220 . The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 are fixed to a single shaft body 220 so as to be freely rotatable. The rolling element structure 200 is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings 231, 232 with the axis J as the center, and forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 that can roll around the axis J with their faces facing the periphery. FIG. 4 shows how the rolling element structure 200 forms a first outer peripheral surface T1 on the outer periphery of the first rolling element outer ring 211 and a second outer peripheral surface T2 on the outer periphery of the second rolling element outer ring 212.

[0069] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 rotate about the axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other. The shaft body 220 is supported at three points: a point to the left of the first rolling member outer ring 211, a point located between the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212, and a point to the right of the second rolling member outer ring 212. FIG. 4A shows that the first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing. FIG. 4B shows that the first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a second conceptual diagram of the rolling element structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. The rolling element structure 200 is attached to either the supported body N or the support body M, and is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 231, 232 arranged along an axis J extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction. The rolling element structure 200 is composed of a first rolling element outer ring 211 , a first bearing 231 , a second rolling element outer ring 212 , a second bearing 232 , and a shaft body 220 . The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 are fixed to a single shaft body 220 so as to be freely rotatable. The rolling element structure 200 is located at a position surrounding a pair of bearings 231 and 232, and forms a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1 and T2 that can roll facing the surroundings. FIG. 5 shows how the rolling element structure 200 forms a first outer peripheral surface T1 on the outer periphery of the first rolling element outer ring 211 and a second outer peripheral surface T2 on the outer periphery of the second rolling element outer ring 212.

[0071] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 are in contact with each other via a thrust bearing. The shaft body 220 is supported at two locations, that is, at a left side location of the first rolling member outer ring 211 and at a right side location of the second rolling member outer ring 212 . As a result, the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 rotate around the axis while providing resistance to each other corresponding to the thrust force acting on the friction plates. FIG. 5A shows that the first bearing 231 is a plain bearing and the second bearing 232 is a plain bearing. FIG. 5B shows that the first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0072] FIG. 6 shows a third conceptual diagram of the rolling element structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. The rolling element structure 200 is attached to either the supported body N or the support body M, and is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 231, 232 arranged along an axis J extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction. The rolling element structure 200 is composed of a rolling element outer ring 210 , a first bearing 231 , a second bearing 232 , and a shaft body 220 . The rolling element outer ring 210 is rotatably fixed to a single shaft body 220 . The rolling element structure 200 is positioned in locations surrounding the pair of bearings 231, 232, respectively, and forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 that are capable of rolling facing the surroundings. FIG. 6 shows how the rolling element structure 200 forms a first outer peripheral surface T1 and a second outer peripheral surface T2 on the outer periphery of the rolling element outer ring 211.

[0073] The shaft body 220 is supported at two locations, one on the left side and one on the right side of the rolling element outer ring 210 . As a result, the rolling element outer ring 210 can be considered to have a structure in which the first rolling element outer ring 211 and the second rolling element outer ring 212 are integrated together. FIG. 6A shows that the first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing. FIG. 6B shows that the first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a fourth conceptual diagram of the rolling element structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. The rolling element structure 200 is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 231, 232 attached to either the supported body N or the support body M and arranged along an axis J extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction. The rolling element structure 200 is composed of a first rolling element outer ring 211 , a first bearing 231 , a second rolling element outer ring 212 , a second bearing 232 , a first shaft body 221 , and a second shaft body 222 . The first rolling member outer ring 211 is rotatably fixed to the first shaft body 221 . The second rolling member outer ring 212 is rotatably fixed to the second shaft body 222 . The rolling element structure 200 is positioned in locations surrounding the pair of bearings 231, 232, respectively, and forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 that are capable of rolling facing the surroundings. FIG. 7 shows how the rolling element structure 200 forms a first outer peripheral surface T1 on the outer periphery of the first rolling element outer ring 211 and a second outer peripheral surface T2 on the outer periphery of the second rolling element outer ring 212.

[0075] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 rotate about the axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other. The first shaft 221 is supported at two locations, that is, on the left side and the right side, of the first rolling member outer ring 211 . The second shaft 222 is supported at two locations, that is, on the left side and the right side, of the second rolling member outer ring 212 . As a result, the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 rotate about the axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other. The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 are separate structures. FIG. 6A shows that the first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing. FIG. 6B shows that the first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing and the second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0076] Next, an example of the structure of the guide member 300 of the present invention will be described. The guide member 300 is attached to the other of the supported body N or the support body M, and is a member that guides the rolling body structure 200 so that it can roll freely in a specific direction, and forms a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 that respectively support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the rolling body structure 200. For example, the guide member 300 is a member that is attached to the lower structure 11 and guides the rolling body structure 200 so that it can roll freely in a specific direction, and forms a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 that contact and support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the rolling body structure 200, respectively.

[0077] When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported by one of the support surfaces G1, G2, so as to maintain the supported object N at a reference position Z, which is the lowest position relative to the support object M, and when a force is applied and the supported object N moves relative to the support object M, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces T is supported by one of the support surfaces G, so as to gradually raise the supported object N. The force may be an external force or an inertial force.

[0078] Here, the entire area in which the rolling element structure 200 moves in a specific direction while being guided by the guide member 300 when the supported object N moves relative to the support M is referred to as the entire support area. The entire support region S has one or more support regions corresponding to the pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. The support region is a region in which one support surface G supporting one corresponding outer circumferential surface T continues uninterruptedly along a specific direction. A plurality of support regions corresponding to one outer circumferential surface are arranged in series along a specific direction. A plurality of support regions corresponding to one outer circumferential surface T1 and a plurality of support regions corresponding to one outer circumferential surface T2 are arranged in parallel along a specific direction. When the line of sight is directed in a particular direction, the support surface G1 of the multiple support areas corresponding to one outer peripheral surface T1 and the support surface G2 of the multiple support areas corresponding to another outer peripheral surface T2 appear to be adjacent to each other. For example, the heights of the support surfaces G1 and G2 adjacent to each other along the axis J are the same. When the line of sight is seen along the axis J, a locus extending in a specific direction along the specific direction of the support surface G1 coincides with a locus extending in a specific direction along the specific direction of the support surface G2. The support surface G1 and the support surface G2 adjacent to each other along the axis J when viewed from above may be connected by a plane at the same height formed therebetween. The support surfaces G1 and G2 adjacent to each other along the axis J when viewed from above may be separated by a groove formed therebetween.

[0079] In the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the supporting object M, at least one outer peripheral surface T of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is always supported by at least one supporting surface G of the pair of supporting surfaces G1, G2. Throughout the entire range in which the supported body N moves relative to the support body M, at least one outer peripheral surface T of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the rolling body structure 200 is always supported by at least one support surface G of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of the guide member 400. As a result, when the supported object N moves in a specific direction relative to the support M, the rolling element structure 200 is guided by the guide member 300 in a stable manner.

[0080] The entire support region S may be constituted by one or more support regions corresponding to the pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. The total support region S may be composed of one or more support regions and one or more zero support regions Sn, each corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. The total support region S may be composed of one or more constant support regions Sc, one or more varying support regions Sv, and one or more zero support regions Sn, each corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2. The constant support area Sc is a support area whose width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G is a constant specific dimension. The varying support region Sv is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G varies as at least a portion of the width dimension transitions along a specific direction. The zero support region Sn is a region in which there is no support surface G supporting the corresponding outer peripheral surface T.

[0081] The entire support region S may be constituted by one or more varied support regions Sv corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2. For example, the entire support region S1 is composed of two varied support regions Sv corresponding to one outer peripheral surface T1, and the entire support region S2 is composed of two varied support regions Sv corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2. Figure 11 (D) shows that total support region S1 is composed of two seamlessly connected varying support regions Sv whose width dimensions each change so that they are wide at the center along a specific direction and zero at both ends, and that total support region S2 is composed of two seamlessly connected varying support regions Sv whose width dimensions each change so that they are wide at both ends along a specific direction and zero at the center.

[0082] The entire support region S may be composed of one or more constant support regions Sc and one or more variable support regions Sv or one or more zero support regions Sn corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2.

[0083] The entire support region S may be composed of one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions Sv corresponding to the pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. For example, one total support region S is composed of one constant support region Sc and a pair of variable support regions Sv corresponding to one outer peripheral surface T1, and another total support region S is composed of a pair of constant support regions Sc and one variable support region Sv corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2. Figures 10, 12 and 13 (B) show that the total support region S1 is composed of one varying support region Sv, one constant support region Sc and one varying support region Sv arranged in sequence along a specific direction without interruption, and the total support region S2 is composed of one constant support region, two varying support regions Sv and one constant support region Sc arranged in sequence along a specific direction without interruption.

[0084] The total support region S may be composed of one or more constant support regions Sc and one or more zero support regions Sn corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. For example, the entire support area is composed of one constant support area and a pair of zero support areas corresponding to one outer peripheral surface T1, and is composed of a pair of constant support areas and one zero support area corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2. C of Figures 10, 12, and 13 show that the total support region S1 is composed of one zero support region Sn, one constant support region Sc, and one zero support region Sn, arranged in a continuous sequence along a specific direction, and that the total support region S2 is composed of one constant support region Sc, one zero support region Sn, and one constant support region Sc, arranged in a continuous sequence along a specific direction.

[0085] The entire support region may be composed of one or more constant support regions Sc, one or more variable support regions Sv, and one or more zero support regions Sn, each corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2. For example, the total support region is composed of one constant support region Sc, a pair of varying support regions Sv, and a pair of zero support regions Sn corresponding to one outer peripheral surface T1, and is composed of a pair of constant support regions, a pair of varying support regions, and one zero support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2. A of Figures 10, 11 and 12 shows that the total support region S1 is composed of one zero support region Sn, one changing support region Sv, one constant support region Sc, one changing support region Sv and one zero support region Sn arranged in sequence along a specific direction without interruption, and that the total support region S2 is composed of one constant support region Sc, one changing support region Sv, one zero support region Sn, one changing support region Sv and one constant support region Sc arranged in sequence along a specific direction without interruption.

[0086] The constant support area Sc is a support area whose width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G is a constant specific dimension. The specific dimension may be shorter than the axial width of the outer circumferential surfaces T1, T2 supported by the support surfaces G1, G2. The constant support area Sc may be a support area whose width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G matches the axial width dimension of the outer circumferential surface supported by the support surface G, and which has a constant specific dimension.

[0087] The varying support region Sv is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G varies as at least a portion of the width dimension transitions along a specific direction.

[0088] The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G is narrower than a specific dimension and which changes as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part. The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis J of its support surface G is narrower than a specific dimension and which changes without any steps as it transitions along a specific direction in at least a portion thereof. The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis J of its support surface G is narrower than a specific dimension and which changes smoothly without steps as it transitions along a specific direction in at least a portion of the region.

[0089] The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G varies so as to become smaller as it transitions along at least one of the specific directions. The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G is narrower than a specific dimension and which changes so as to become smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the region.

[0090] The varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface G becomes smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface G that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part. The varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G is smaller than a specific dimension and becomes smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion thereof, and whose edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface G that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T as it transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion thereof. The varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface G becomes smaller at least in part as it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface G that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T as it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface G that is closer to the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T has a constant distance from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T. As a result, as the width of the support surface G of the changing support region Sv along the axis J moves in the narrowing direction, the point where the support surface G supports one outer peripheral surface T approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T as it transitions along one of the specific directions.

[0091] The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is seamlessly connected between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn, and whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, until the width of the support surface G finally becomes zero.

[0092] The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is seamlessly connected between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn, and the varying support region Sv may be a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G decreases by a constant amount depending on the degree to which it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G decreases by a constant amount depending on the degree of transition as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, until the support surface G finally disappears.

[0093] The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is seamlessly connected between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn, and the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G decreases such that the amount of change varies depending on the degree of transition from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G becomes smaller by an amount that changes depending on the degree of transition as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, until finally the support surface G disappears.

[0094] The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is seamlessly connected between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn, and the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G decreases so that the amount of change changes uniformly depending on the degree of transition as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G becomes smaller so that the amount of change changes uniformly depending on the degree of transition as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, until finally the support surface G disappears.

[0095] The varying support region Sv may be a support region that is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected seamlessly, and the varying support region Sv may be a small support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G changes by an increasing amount depending on the degree to which it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G decreases so that the amount of change increases depending on the degree of transition as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, and finally the width of the support surface G becomes zero. FIG. 15A shows how the width dimension along the axis of the support surface G decreases in a manner such that the amount of change increases with the degree of transition as the support surface transitions from the constant support region Sc to the zero support region Sn along a specific direction.

[0096] The varying support region Sv is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the varying support region Sv may be a small support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface G changes less depending on the degree of transition from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction. The varying support region Sv may be a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of its support surface G is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the varying support region Sv becomes smaller in amount according to the degree of transition from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction, until the width of the support surface G finally becomes zero. FIG. 15B shows how the width dimension along the axis of the support surface G decreases in accordance with the degree of transition from the constant support region Sc to the zero support region Sn along a specific direction.

[0097] In the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 that simultaneously support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be either equal to or greater than a specific dimension.

[0098] When the total support area s has one or more constant support areas Sc and one or more zero support areas Sn corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, when the supported object N is in a reference position relative to the support M, one outer peripheral surface T1 of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be supported by the support surface G1 at a location in the constant support area corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T1, and the other outer peripheral surface T2 of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be located at a location in the zero support area Sn corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T2.

[0099] When the total support area s has one or more constant support areas Sc and one or more zero support areas Sn corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, when the supported object N is at a position furthest from a certain position of the reference position Z along a specific direction relative to the support M, one outer peripheral surface T1 of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be located at a location in the zero support area Sn corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T1, and the other outer peripheral surface T2 of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 may be supported by the support surface G2 at a location in the constant support area Sc corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T2.

[0100] The rolling element structure 200 has a first rolling element outer ring 211 that is rotatably supported by a first bearing 231 fixed around the axis J and forms one outer peripheral surface T1 on its outer periphery, and a second rolling element outer ring 212 that is rotatably supported by a second bearing 232 fixed around the axis J and forms the other outer peripheral surface T2 on its outer periphery, and the first bearing 231 may be a rolling bearing and the second bearing 2312 may be a sliding bearing. The rolling bearing may be a ball bearing, a needle bearing, a roller bearing, or a needle roller bearing. The plain bearing may be a bushing.

[0101] The first bearing 231 may be a plain bearing, and the second bearing 232 may be a plain bearing. The plain bearing of the first bearing 231 and the plain bearing of the second bearing 232 may be a bushing. The rotational resistance of the first bearing 231 and the rotational resistance of the second bearing 232 may be significantly different. For example, the diameter of the sliding surface of the sliding bearing of the first bearing 231 and the diameter of the sliding surface of the sliding bearing of the second bearing 232 may be different. For example, the friction coefficient of the sliding surface of the sliding bearing of the first bearing 231 and the friction coefficient of the sliding surface of the sliding bearing of the second bearing 232 may be different. For example, the sliding bearing of the first bearing 231 may be oil lubricated, and the sliding surface of the sliding bearing of the second bearing 232 may be solid friction.

[0102] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 may rotate about an axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other.

[0103] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 may rotate about the axis while providing resistance or constraint to each other. For example, a friction material may be disposed between the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 . For example, the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 may be of an integral structure.

[0104] When looking along the axis J of the rolling body structure 200, a locus extending along a specific direction of the support surfaces may have a constant radius of curvature R for a locus extending along a specific direction of the right-side support surface G1 when viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary with the central portion, and a locus extending along a specific direction of the left-side support surface G2 when viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary with the central portion may have a constant radius of curvature R.

[0105] When viewed along the axis J of the rolling element structure 200, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the support surface G1 that supports the outer peripheral surface T1 formed by the first rolling element outer ring 211 bends at an intersection K located in the middle of the entire support area S, and when the intersection K is viewed as a boundary that is linearly symmetrical in the left-right direction, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the right-side support surface G1 draws an arc with a center of curvature to the left of the intersection K, and when the intersection K is viewed as a boundary that is linearly symmetrical in the left-right direction, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the left-side support surface G1 draws an arc with a center of curvature to the right of the intersection K. When the first rolling member outer ring 211 is supported by the support surface G and positioned above the intersection portion K, the supported body N may be in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support body M.

[0106] The first rolling element outer ring T1 is supported on a supporting surface so that the supported body N is maintained at a reference position Z, which is the lowest position relative to the supporting body M, and when looking along the axis J of the rolling element structure 200, the center of curvature of a locus extending along a specific direction of the right-side supporting surface G when viewed from the central portion as a left-right linearly symmetrical boundary may coincide with the center of curvature of a locus extending along a specific direction of the left-side supporting surface G when viewed from the central portion as a left-right linearly symmetrical boundary.

[0107] The operation of the seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a first explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a second explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 14A and 14D are explanatory diagrams of the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having a conventional structure shown for comparison. In Figures 14 and 16, the action of the seismic isolation mechanism is shown on a graph having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The horizontal axis shows the distance of movement in a specific direction, with the reference position of the supported object relative to the supporting object as the zero point, and the vertical axis shows the magnitude of the horizontal reaction force acting on the defendant supporting object. When the supported object N moves in a positive direction relative to the supporting object M, a horizontal reaction force acts on the supported object N in a negative direction. When the supported object N moves in the negative direction relative to the supporting object M, a horizontal reaction force in the positive direction acts on the supported object N. The intersection of the horizontal and vertical axes is the reference position. The horizontal reaction force is a horizontal reaction force acting on the supported object when the supported object moves in the horizontal direction with the supporting object as a reference. The gradient of the horizontal reaction force is the increasing tendency of the horizontal reaction force when the supported object moves horizontally with the supporting body as the reference, and corresponds to the spring constant of the seismic isolation mechanism.

[0108] FIG. 14A shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. · The radius of curvature R of the support surface of the guide member has a constant center of curvature. The rolling element structure 200 has an integral rolling element outer ring. · The locus of the support surface G has one center of curvature with radius R of curvature. · Bearings with rolling element structure are plain bearings. The total support area S has a constant support area Sc.

[0109] FIG. 14B shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. · The locus of the support surface G has one center of curvature with radius R of curvature. The first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing. The second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing. The entire support region S corresponding to the first outer peripheral surface T1 is composed of one zero support region Sn, one variable support region Sv, one constant support region Sc, one variable support region Sv, and one zero support region Sn arranged seamlessly in this order along a specific direction. The entire support region S corresponding to the second outer peripheral surface T2 is composed of one constant support region Sc, one varying support region Sv, one zero support region Sn, one varying support region Sv, and one constant support region Sc arranged in a seamless sequence along a specific direction. When the supported object is in the reference position Z, the first outer peripheral surface T1 is supported by the first support surface G1 in the constant support region Sc, and the second outer peripheral surface T2 is located in the zero support region Sn.

[0110] FIG. 14C shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. · The locus of the support surface G has a center of curvature with a constant radius of curvature R. The first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing. The second bearing 232 is a rolling bearing. The entire support region S corresponding to the first outer peripheral surface T1 is composed of one zero support region Sn, one variable support region Sv, one constant support region Sc, one variable support region Sv, and one zero support region Sn arranged in sequence and seamlessly along a specific direction. The entire support region S corresponding to the second outer peripheral surface T2 is composed of one constant support region Sc, one varying support region Sv, one zero support region Sn, one varying support region Sv, and one constant support region Sc arranged in a seamless sequence along a specific direction. When the supported object is in the reference position Z, the first outer peripheral surface T1 is supported by the first support surface G1 in the constant support region Sc, and the second outer peripheral surface T2 is located in the zero support region Sn.

[0111] FIG. 14(D) shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. The locus of the support surface G has an intersection point K in the middle, and the centers of curvature of the curvature radius R of the left and right portions of the intersection point K are located on opposite sides of the intersection point K. The other configuration is the same as that in FIG.

[0112] FIG. 14(D) shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. The locus of the support surface G has an intersection point K in the middle, and the centers of curvature of the curvature radius R of the left and right portions of the intersection point K are located on opposite sides of the intersection point K. The other configuration is the same as that in FIG.

[0113] FIG. 14(E) shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. The locus of the support surface G has an intersection point K in the middle, and the centers of curvature of the curvature radius R of the left and right portions of the intersection point K are located on opposite sides of the intersection point K. The other configuration is the same as that in FIG.

[0114] FIG. 16A shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. -Has a total support area as shown in Figure 15(B). The first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing. The second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0115] FIG. 16B shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. -Has a total support area as shown in Figure 15(A). The first bearing 231 is a rolling bearing. The second bearing 232 is a sliding bearing.

[0116] FIG. 16C shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. -Has a total support area as shown in Figure 15(B). The first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing. The second bearing 232 is a rolling bearing.

[0117] FIG. 16(D) shows the operation of a seismic isolation mechanism having the following configuration. -Has a total support area as shown in Figure 15(A). The first bearing 231 is a sliding bearing. The second bearing 232 is a rolling bearing.

[0118] As described above, the use of the seismic isolation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention and the seismic isolation device employing the seismic isolation mechanism has the following effects. In a seismic isolation mechanism 100 having a rolling body structure 200 that forms a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 and a guide member 300 that forms a pair of support surfaces G1, G2, when no force is applied, at least one outer peripheral surface T is supported by one support surface G to maintain the supported object N at a reference position Z, which is the lowest position relative to the support M, and when a force is applied and the supported object N moves relative to the support M, at least one outer peripheral surface T is supported by one support surface G to gradually raise the supported object N, and the entire support region S each has a varying support region, which is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G changes as at least a portion of it transitions along a specific direction, so that when the supported object N moves relative to the support M, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is located in the varying support region Sv.

[0119] In a seismic isolation mechanism having a rolling element structure 200 which forms a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 and a guide member 300 which forms a pair of support surfaces G1, G2, when no force is applied, at least one outer peripheral surface T is supported by one support surface G to maintain the supported object at a reference position Z which is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object N moves relative to the support M, at least one outer peripheral surface T is supported by one support surface G to gradually raise the supported object, the entire support area has support areas corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, respectively, the first rolling element outer ring 211 is rotatably supported by a rolling bearing about the axis J, and the second rolling element outer ring 212 is rotatably supported by a sliding bearing about the axis J, so that when the supported object moves relative to the support, the outer peripheral surface T of either the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is located in the support area.

[0120] The two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of a set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are positioned apart along the Y axis, and when one seismic isolation mechanism 100 maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism 100 also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, and throughout the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are always equal, so that when the supported object N moves along the X axis relative to the support M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of the two seismic isolation mechanisms separated along the Y axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of equal width.

[0121] When two of the seismic isolation mechanisms 100 in one set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 and two of the seismic isolation mechanisms 100 in the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are arranged apart along the X-axis, two of the seismic isolation mechanisms 100 in one set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are arranged apart along the Y-axis, and two of the seismic isolation mechanisms 100 in the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are arranged apart along the Y-axis, and when one seismic isolation mechanism 100 maintains the support body N at a reference position relative to the support body M, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms 100 also maintain the support body N at a reference position relative to the support body M. The supported object N is maintained in a reference position, and throughout the entire range of movement of the supported object N relative to the support M, the width dimensions of each of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 are always equal. Therefore, when the supported object N moves along the X-axis relative to the support M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms 100 that move apart along the X-axis and Y-axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 of equal width.

[0122] At least one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2, so that in the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, when the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 are supported by the support surface of one of the support areas.

[0123] Each of the pair of total support regions S has a constant support region Sc and a variable support region Sv or a zero support region Sn, the first rolling member outer ring 211 is rotatably supported by a rolling bearing 231 around the axis J, and the second rolling member outer ring 212 is rotatably supported by a sliding bearing 232 around the axis J. Therefore, when the supported body N moves relative to the support body M, the outer peripheral surface T of either the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported by the support surface of either the constant support region Sc and the variable support region Sv or the zero support region Sn.

[0124] At least one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2, so that in the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 are located in one of the support regions, and the supported object moves relative to the support. The total support region S has a variable support region Sv and a constant support region Sc or a zero support region Sn corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, respectively, so that when the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the outer peripheral surface T of either the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported by the support surfaces of the variable support region Sv and either the constant support region Sc or the zero support region Sn.

[0125] The entire support region S has one or more constant support regions Sc and one or more varying support regions Sv or one or more zero support regions Sn corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, respectively, so that when the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the outer peripheral surface T of either the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported by the support surfaces of the constant support region Sc and either the varying support region Sv or the zero support region Sn.

[0126] Since the total support region S has one or more variable support regions Sv, one or more constant support regions Sc, and one or more zero support regions Sn corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, when the supported body N moves relative to the support body M, the outer peripheral surface T of either of the pair of rolling bodies T1, T2 is supported by any of the support surfaces of the variable support region Sv, the constant support region Sc, or the zero support region Sn.

[0127] The sum of the axial width dimensions of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 which simultaneously support a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is either equal to or greater than a specific dimension, so that, over the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 are supported by the support surfaces with a width equal to or greater than the specific dimension in a fixed support area Sc.

[0128] The support surface G of the varying support region Sv is configured so that the width dimension of the support surface G along the axis J changes as at least a portion of the support surface G transitions along a specific direction, so that when the outer peripheral surface G rolls along the varying support region Sv, the outer peripheral surface G is supported by the support surface G having a width that changes as at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface G transitions along a specific direction.

[0129] The width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G of the varying support region Sv is narrower than a specific dimension and changes as it transitions along a specific direction in at least a portion thereof, so that when the outer peripheral surface G rolls along the varying support region Sv, the outer peripheral surface G is supported by the support surface G which has a width which is narrower than the specific dimension and which changes as it transitions along a specific direction in at least a portion thereof.

[0130] The width dimension along the axis of the support surface G of the varying support region Dv is made smaller at least in part as it transitions along one of the specific directions, so that when the outer peripheral surface T rolls along the varying support region Sv, it is supported by the support surface G having a width that changes so as to become smaller at least in part as it transitions along one of the specific directions. The width dimension along the axis of the support surface G of the varying support region Dv is smaller than a specific dimension and becomes smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part, so that when the outer peripheral surface T rolls along the varying support region, the outer peripheral surface T is supported by the support surface G having a width that is narrower than the specific dimension and changes so as to become smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part.

[0131] The width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G1 of one of the changing support regions Sv changes to become smaller as it transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width of the support surface G1 along the axis J that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 as it transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions.Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface T1 rolls along the changing support region, the outer peripheral surface T1 changes to have the width of the support surface become smaller, and is supported by a support surface that transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions and brings the edge farther from the other support region closer to the other support region.

[0132] The width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G of one of the changing support areas Sv changes to become smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width of the support surface G1 along the axis J that is farther from the support area corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 approaches the support area corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 as it transitions along one of the specific directions at least in part.Therefore, when one outer peripheral surface T1 rolls along the changing support area, the outer peripheral surface changes to become smaller, and is supported by a support surface that brings the edge farther from the other support area closer to the other support area as it transitions along one of the specific directions at least in part.

[0133] The width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G1 of one of the changing support regions Sv is smaller than a specific dimension and becomes smaller as it transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions, and the edge at both ends of the width of the support surface G1 along the axis J that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface as it transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions.Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface T1 rolls along the changing support region, the outer peripheral surface T1 changes to become smaller, is narrower than the specific dimension, and is supported by a support surface that brings the edge farther from the other support region closer to the other support region as it transitions at least in part along one of the specific directions.

[0134] The width dimension along the axis J of the support surface G1 of one of the changing support regions Sv is smaller than the specific dimension and becomes smaller as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part, and the edge portion at both ends of the width of the support surface G1 along the axis J that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 approaches the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface as it transitions along one of the specific directions, and the edge portion at both ends of the width of the support surface G1 along the axis J that is closer to the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface T2 maintains an equal distance from the support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface, so that when the outer peripheral surface T1 rolls along the changing support region, the outer peripheral surface T1 changes to become smaller and is supported by a support surface that is narrower than the specific dimension and that brings the edge portion farther from the other support region closer to the other support region as it transitions along one of the specific directions, at least in part.

[0135] Since the total support region S has one or more changed support regions Sv and one or more zero support regions Sn corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 are guided by the guide member 300 so as to be positioned in the changed support region Sv or the zero support region Sn.

[0136] When the supported object N is in a reference position Z relative to the support M, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported at a location in the constant support area Sc of one of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2, and the other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 is supported at a location in the variable support area Sv or zero support area Sn of the other of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2, or is supported by the support surface G2 at a location in the variable support area Sv corresponding to that outer peripheral surface G. Therefore, when the supported object N is in a reference position relative to the support M, it is guided by the guiding member 300 so that one of the outer peripheral surfaces T1 is located in the constant support area Sc and the other outer peripheral surface T2 is located in the zero support area Sn or the variable support area Sv.

[0137] When the supported object N is at a position furthest from a certain position of the reference position Z relative to the support M along a specific direction, one of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, T1, is located at a position in the zero support region Sn or a position in the variable support region Sv corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T, and the other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, T2, T1, T2, T2, T2, T2, T2, is supported by the support surface G at a position in the constant support region Sc corresponding to that outer peripheral surface T2. Therefore, when the supported object N is at a position furthest from the reference position Z relative to the support M, one of the outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2, T1 ...

[0138] The varying support region Sv is sandwiched between the constant support region Sc and the zero support region Sn and is connected without interruption, and the width dimension along the axis of the support surface G of the varying support region Sn becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction.Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface T is supported by the support surface G in the varying support region Sv and rolls, the outer peripheral surface T is supported by the support surface G of a width that is continuous without interruption so that the width becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region Sc side to the zero support region Sn side along a specific direction.

[0139] The rolling element structure 200 has a first rolling element outer ring 211 that is rotatably supported by a first bearing 231 fixed around the axis J and forms one outer peripheral surface T1 on its outer periphery, and a second rolling element outer ring 212 that is rotatably supported by a second bearing 232 fixed around the axis and forms the other outer peripheral surface T2 on its outer periphery, where the first bearing is a rolling bearing and the second bearing is a sliding bearing, so that the first outer peripheral surface T1 supported by the rolling bearing and the second outer peripheral surface T2 supported by the sliding bearing are supported by the first support surface G1 and the second support surface G2, respectively, and can roll.

[0140] The first rolling member outer ring 211 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 are configured to rotate around the axis J without providing resistance or constraint to each other, so that the first rolling member outer ring 212 and the second rolling member outer ring 212 rotate and roll around the axis without interfering with each other.

[0141] When viewed along the axis J of the rolling element structure 200, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the support surface G1 supporting the outer peripheral surface T1 formed by the first rolling element outer ring 211 intersects at an intersection K located in the middle of the entire support area S, and when the intersection K is viewed as a boundary that is linearly symmetrical in the left-right direction, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the right-side support surface G1 draws an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection K, and when the intersection is viewed as a boundary that is linearly symmetrical in the left-right direction, a trajectory extending along a specific direction of the left-side support surface G1 draws an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the intersection K. In addition, when the first rolling element outer ring 211 is supported by the supporting surface and positioned above the intersection K, the supported body N is at a reference position Z, which is the lowest position relative to the support body M, so that when the supported body N moves from a state in which it is at the reference position Z relative to the support body M, a resistance force due to gravity is generated.

[0142] In a seismic isolation device 10 having a pair of seismic isolation mechanisms 100, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting a pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 is made equal to or greater than a specific dimension over the entire range of movement of the supported object N relative to the support body M, so that when the supported object N moves along the X-axis relative to the support body M, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 moving apart along the Y-axis are supported by a pair of support surfaces whose sum of the width dimensions is equal to or greater than a specific dimension.

[0143] In a seismic isolation device 10 having two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100, over the entire range in which the supported object N moves relative to the support M, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis J of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of one of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 is equal to or greater than a specific dimension, and the sum of the width dimensions along the axis J of the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms 100 of the other set of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 is equal to or greater than a specific dimension. Therefore, when the supported object moves along the X-axis relative to the support, the pair of outer peripheral surfaces T1, T2 of each of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms 100 moving away along the Y-axis are supported by the pair of support surfaces G1, G2 whose sum of the width dimensions is equal to or greater than the specific dimension.

[0144] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. In the drawings, an example has been described in which the outer diameter of the first rolling member outer ring 211 and the outer diameter of the second rolling member outer ring 212 are the same, but this is not limited to this. For example, either the outer diameter of the first rolling member outer ring 211 or the outer diameter of the second rolling member outer ring 212 may be larger than the other. Although the rolling bearing is configured with one needle roller bearing in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rolling bearing may be configured with a pair of rolling ball bearings. In the drawings, the rolling element outer ring has a flange, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a separate guide mechanism may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] Z reference position T Outer surface T1 First outer surface T2 Second outer surface G Support surface G1 First support surface G2 Second support surface J axis M support N Supported object K intersection XX axis YY axis R radius of curvature R1 First radius of curvature R2 Second radius of curvature S Overall support area Sc constant support area Sv Change Support Region Sn Zero Support Region 10 Seismic isolation device 11 Substructure 12 Intermediate structure 13 Superstructure 100 Seismic isolation mechanism 200 Rolling element structure 210 Rolling body outer ring 211 First rolling body outer ring 212 Second rolling body outer ring 220 Shaft 221 First shaft body 222 Second shaft body 231 First bearing 232 Second Bearing 300 Guide member [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0146] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication 2011-38628 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication 2023-44907

Claims

1. A seismic isolation mechanism that is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides it to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, a rolling body structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the supporting body and that are arranged along an axis that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction, the rolling body structure being located in a position surrounding each of the pair of bearings and each of which forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces that can roll facing the surroundings; a guide member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support body and guides the rolling element structure so as to be able to roll in a specific direction, the guide member forming a pair of support surfaces that contact and support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling element structure, respectively; Equipped with When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position that is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support area has one or more varying support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The entire support area is an entire area in which the rolling element structure moves along a specific direction while being guided by the guide member when the supported object moves relative to the support, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part; The support area is an area in which one support surface supporting one of the corresponding rolling elements is continuous without interruption along a specific direction. A seismic isolation mechanism characterized by the above.

2. In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, At least one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is always supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1,

3. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions and one or more constant support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 2 .

4. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more of the constant support regions, and one or more of the zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 3 .

5. In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, The sum of the axial width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces simultaneously supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is equal to or larger than the specific dimension in one of the constant support regions corresponding to the pair of outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 4 .

6. The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies at least in part as it transitions along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 5 .

7. The varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions along at least one of the specific directions. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 6 .

8. The varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions along at least a portion of one of the specific directions, and an edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces approaches the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces as it transitions along at least a portion of the specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 7.

9. When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the fixed support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other outer peripheral surface of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at one location of the zero support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 8 .

10. When the supported object is at a position farthest from a certain position of the reference position along a specific direction with respect to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at a location in the zero support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the constant support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface, The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 9 .

11. The variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 10.

12. The variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is seamlessly connected thereto; The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller in a uniform amount according to the degree of transition from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 11.

13. The rolling element structure includes a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on an outer periphery thereof, The first bearing is a rolling bearing, The second bearing is a plain bearing; The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 12.

14. When viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction on a support surface that supports the outer circumferential surface formed by the first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of the entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the left intersection, When the first rolling element outer ring is supported by the support surface and positioned above the intersection portion, the supported object is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 13.

15. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions and one or more constant support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

16. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more constant support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

17. The entire support area has one or more of the variable support areas and one or more constant support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, The sum of the axial width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces simultaneously supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is equal to or larger than the specific dimension in one of the constant support regions corresponding to the pair of outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

18. The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies at least in part as it transitions along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

19. The varying support area is a support area in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies so as to become smaller as the width dimension transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the support surface. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

20. The varying support region is a support region in which the width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions along at least a portion of one of the specific directions, and an edge at both ends of the width along the axis of the support surface that is farther from the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces approaches the support region corresponding to the other one of the outer peripheral surfaces as it transitions along at least a portion of the specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

21. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more constant support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the fixed support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other outer peripheral surface of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at one location of the zero support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

22. When the supported object is at a position farthest from a certain position of the reference position along a specific direction with respect to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is located at a location in the zero support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the constant support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface, 22. The isolation mechanism according to claim 21 .

23. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more constant support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, The variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

24. The total support region has one or more of the variable support regions, one or more constant support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, The variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller in a uniform amount according to the degree of transition from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

25. The rolling element structure includes a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on an outer periphery thereof, The first bearing is a rolling bearing, The second bearing is a plain bearing; The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

26. When viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction of a support surface supporting the outer peripheral surface formed by the first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of the entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a boundary that is line-symmetrical in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a boundary that is line-symmetrical in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the left intersection, When the first rolling element outer ring is supported by the support surface and positioned above the intersection portion, the supported object is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support.

26. The isolation mechanism according to claim 25.

27. The total support region has one or more varying support regions and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces. The seismic isolation mechanism according to claim 1 .

28. A seismic isolation mechanism that is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides it to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, a rolling body structure that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings that are attached to either the supported body or the supporting body and that are arranged along an axis that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a specific direction, and that is positioned so as to surround the pair of bearings, and that forms a pair of outer circumferential surfaces that can roll facing the surroundings; a guide member that is attached to the other of the supported body or the support body and guides the rolling element structure so as to be able to roll in a specific direction, the guide member forming a pair of support surfaces that contact and support the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of the rolling element structure, respectively; Equipped with When no force is applied, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to maintain the supported object at a reference position that is the lowest position relative to the support, and when a force is applied and the supported object moves relative to the support, at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is supported by one of the support surfaces to gradually raise the supported object, The entire support area has one or more support areas corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The entire support area is an entire area in which the rolling element structure is supported by the guide member and moves along a specific direction when the supported object moves relative to the support, The support region is a region in which one support surface supporting one of the corresponding rolling elements is continuous without interruption along a specific direction, The rolling element structure includes a first rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a first bearing fixed around the axis and forming one of the outer peripheral surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and a second rolling element outer ring rotatably supported by a second bearing fixed around the axis and forming the other outer peripheral surface on an outer periphery thereof, The first bearing is a rolling bearing, The second bearing is a sliding bearing. A seismic isolation mechanism characterized by the above.

29. The total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part; The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

30. The first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate about an axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other.

30. The isolation mechanism according to claim 29.

31. In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, At least one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces.

31. The isolation mechanism according to claim 30.

32. In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, The sum of the axial width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces simultaneously supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is equal to or larger than the specific dimension in one of the constant support areas corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of the entire support area.

32. The isolation mechanism according to claim 31 .

33. The total support region has one or more of the constant support regions and one or more of the variable support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of one of the support surfaces changes as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part.

33. The isolation mechanism according to claim 32.

34. The entire support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies so as to become smaller as the width dimension transitions along at least one of the specific directions.

34. The isolation mechanism according to claim 33.

35. The total support region has one or more of the constant support regions, one or more of the variable support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces, 35. The isolation mechanism according to claim 34.

36. When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the fixed support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other outer peripheral surface of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at a point in the zero support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface, or is supported by the support surface at a point in the change support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface, 36. The isolation mechanism according to claim 35.

37. When the supported object is at a position farthest from a point of the reference position along a specific direction with respect to the support, One of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at a point in the zero support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface or is supported by the support surface at a point in a changing support region, The other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the constant support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface, 37. The isolation mechanism according to claim 36.

38. The variable support region is sandwiched between the constant support region and the zero support region and is connected without interruption, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction.

38. The isolation mechanism according to claim 37.

39. When viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction of a support surface supporting an outer peripheral surface formed by a first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of an entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the left side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the intersection, When the first rolling element outer ring is supported by the support surface and positioned above the intersection portion, the supported object is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support.

39. The isolation mechanism of claim 38.

40. The first rolling element outer ring and the second rolling element outer ring rotate about an axis without providing resistance or constraint to each other.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

41. In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, At least one of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by at least one of the pair of support surfaces.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

42. The total support region has one or more constant support regions and one or more variable support regions or one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface varies as it transitions along a specific direction at least in part; The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, The sum of the axial width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces simultaneously supporting the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is equal to or larger than the specific dimension in one of the constant support areas corresponding to the pair of outer peripheral surfaces of the entire support area.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

43. The entire support region has one or more changed support regions corresponding to a pair of the outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies at least in part as it transitions along a specific direction.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

44. The entire support region has one or more variable support regions corresponding to a pair of outer peripheral surfaces, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along the axis of the support surface varies so as to become smaller as the width dimension transitions along at least one of the specific directions.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

45. The total support region has one or more constant support regions, one or more variable support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface becomes smaller as the width dimension transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the supporting surface; The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface supporting the corresponding one of the outer circumferential surfaces.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

46. The total support region has one or more constant support regions, one or more variable support regions, and one or more zero support regions corresponding to a pair of outer circumferential surfaces, Where: The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The varying support region is a support region in which a width dimension along an axis of the support surface becomes smaller as the width dimension transitions along one of the specific directions in at least a portion of the supporting surface; The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, When the supported object is in a reference position relative to the support, One of the pair of outer circumferential surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the fixed support region corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, The other outer peripheral surface of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at one point in the zero support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface, or is supported by the support surface at one point in the changed support region.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

47. When the supported object is at a position farthest from a point of the reference position along a specific direction with respect to the support, One of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is located at a point in the zero support region corresponding to the outer peripheral surface, or is supported by a support surface at a point in the change support region; The other of the pair of outer peripheral surfaces is supported by the support surface at one point of the constant support region corresponding to the other outer peripheral surface, 47. The isolation mechanism of claim 46.

48. The variable support region is seamlessly connected between the constant support region and the zero support region, The constant support area is a support area having a constant specific dimension of width along the axis of the support surface, The zero support region is a region where there is no support surface that supports one of the corresponding outer circumferential surfaces, The varying support region is a support region whose width dimension along the axis of the support surface becomes smaller as it transitions from the constant support region side to the zero support region side along a specific direction.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

49. When viewed along the axis of the rolling element structure, a locus extending in a specific direction of a support surface supporting an outer peripheral surface formed by a first rolling element outer ring intersects at an intersection located in the middle of an entire support area, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the right side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the left of the intersection, and when the intersection is viewed as a line-symmetrical boundary in the left-right direction, a locus extending in a specific direction on the left side of the support surface draws an arc having a center of curvature to the right of the intersection, When the first rolling element outer ring is supported by the support surface and positioned above the intersection portion, the supported object is in a reference position which is the lowest position relative to the support.

29. The isolation mechanism according to claim 28.

50. A seismic isolation device that is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides it to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, When we imagine X-axis and Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above, A set of seismic isolation mechanisms having two seismic isolation mechanisms, A seismic isolation mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein the specific direction corresponds to the X-axis, Two of the isolation mechanisms of the pair are spaced apart along a Y axis; When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other seismic isolation mechanism also maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. A seismic isolation device characterized by the above.

51. The total support area has a constant support area; In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the sum of the width dimensions along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension; 51. The seismic isolation device according to claim 50.

52. A seismic isolation device that is supported by a support, supports a supported object, and guides it to move freely in a specific direction along a specific horizontal direction, When we imagine X-axis and Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other when viewed from above, Two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms, each set having two seismic isolation mechanisms; A seismic isolation mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein the specific direction corresponds to the X-axis, The two isolation mechanisms of one set of isolation mechanisms and the two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along an X-axis; The two isolation mechanisms of one set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along a Y axis; The two isolation mechanisms of the other set of isolation mechanisms are spaced apart along the Y axis; When one seismic isolation mechanism maintains the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, the other three seismic isolation mechanisms also maintain the supported object in a reference position relative to the support, In the entire range in which the supported object moves relative to the support, the width dimensions of the pair of support surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the four seismic isolation mechanisms are always equal. A seismic isolation device characterized by the above.

53. The total support area has a constant support area; In the entire range in which the supported body moves relative to the support body, The sum of the widths along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of one of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension; The sum of the widths along the axis of a pair of support surfaces supporting the pair of outer circumferential surfaces of each of the two seismic isolation mechanisms of the other set of seismic isolation mechanisms of the two sets of seismic isolation mechanisms is equal to or greater than a specific dimension; 53. The seismic isolation device according to claim 52.

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