Steering part connection structure

Abstract

To provide a steering part connection structure which can reduce vibration generated by a machine part.SOLUTION: A steering part 30 including an insertion part 31 which is in a pressed contact with a tip-side coil spring member 70 and a base-end-side coil spring member 60 has significantly improved working performance due to absorption of vibration and shock transferred to a shaft part 10. A coil spring part 110 for rotation restriction is provided between a support part 100 and a steering part 30, which allows appropriate steering of a rotation part 21 by the steering part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure of a steering unit connected to a long shaft portion for steering the long shaft portion.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, like a grass cutter disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a device provided with a steering unit connected to a long shaft portion for steering the long shaft portion having a rotary blade as a mechanical unit at the tip.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a grass cutter (mower) that is manually operated while a person walks as described above, vibrations generated from the tip of the shaft portion to which the mechanical unit is attached reach the steering unit attached to the shaft portion for steering, imposing a large load on the mower for steering. Continuing to receive such vibrations for a long time greatly increases the risk of harm to the human body.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering unit connection structure capable of reducing vibrations generated from the mechanical unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes a main body having a drive source, a long shaft portion linked to the main body, a mechanical portion disposed at the tip of the shaft portion and vibrating by being driven by the drive source, a steering portion connected to the shaft portion via a predetermined vibration suppression portion for steering the shaft portion, and a rotation suppression mechanism for suppressing rotation of the steering portion around the axis of the shaft portion. The vibration suppression portion includes an insertion portion provided in the steering portion through which the shaft portion is movably inserted in the axial direction, a tip-side coil spring member disposed closer to the tip of the shaft portion with respect to the insertion portion, a base-side coil spring member disposed closer to the base of the shaft portion with respect to the insertion portion, a shaft portion-side tip-side pressure contact portion provided on the shaft portion and in pressure contact with the tip portion of the tip-side coil spring member, and a shaft portion-side base-side pressure contact portion provided on the shaft portion and in pressure contact with the base end portion of the base-side coil spring member. In a driving state in which the mechanical portion is driven, the tip-side coil spring member is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range between the shaft portion-side tip-side pressure contact portion and the tip portion of the insertion portion, and the base-side coil spring member is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range between the shaft portion-side base-side pressure contact portion and the base end portion of the insertion portion. This is a steering portion connection structure characterized by this.

[0007] In such a configuration, since the shaft portion and the steering portion are connected via the vibration suppression portion, the vibration of the shaft portion can be suppressed from reaching the steering portion by the vibration suppression portion. Further, in the above configuration, since the shaft portion is inserted into the insertion portion of the steering portion, although the steering portion is configured to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion, the rotation suppression mechanism is provided to suppress the rotation of the steering portion around the axis with respect to the shaft portion while suppressing the transmission of the vibration of the mechanical portion to the steering portion, thereby enabling the mechanical portion to be steered by the steering portion.

[0008] Also, a configuration is proposed in which the mechanical portion is a rotating portion provided with a rotary blade for mowing grass.

[0009] By adopting such a configuration, vibrations and impacts generated particularly when a lawn mower (mower) cuts grass growing on the ground can be suitably absorbed by the vibration suppression unit, and moreover, the rotating unit can be steered to a desired position by the steering unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] The steering unit connection structure of the present invention has an excellent effect of being able to reduce vibrations generated from the machine unit and being able to steer the machine unit to a desired position by the steering unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described according to examples. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples shown below, and design changes can be made as appropriate. Also, for convenience, the front and rear are defined and described in the examples, but the present invention is not limited thereby.

[0013] 〔Embodiment 1〕 As shown in FIG. 1, the lawn mower 1 includes a shaft portion 10 composed of a long rod-shaped member. A main body portion 20 having a drive source is attached to the base end portion, which is one end portion of the shaft portion 10. Further, a rotating portion 21 including a rotary blade 22 for mowing grass is attached as a mechanical portion to the tip end portion, which is the other end portion of the shaft portion 10. As the drive source, a known technique such as a power source or an air source is adopted.

[0014] In addition, a steering portion 30 for steering the shaft portion 10 is attached to the shaft portion 10. Specifically, the steering portion 30 includes a steering rod 35 and a pair of left and right gripping portions 36, 36 formed at both ends of the steering rod 35. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cylindrical insertion portion 31 through which the shaft portion 10 is movably inserted in the axial direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the center of the steering rod 35. That is, the steering portion 30 is not completely fixed to the shaft portion 10, but is configured to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft portion 10.

[0015] Furthermore, on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 10, a flange-shaped pressure contact portion 40 closer to the base end of the shaft portion, which is larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 10, is formed. Specifically, the pressure contact portion 40 closer to the base end of the shaft portion is disposed on the base end side with respect to the arrangement position of the above-described insertion portion 31.

[0016] Also, on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 10, a flange-shaped pressure contact portion 50 closer to the tip of the shaft portion, which is larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 10, is formed. Specifically, the pressure contact portion 50 closer to the tip of the shaft portion is disposed on the tip side with respect to the arrangement position of the above-described insertion portion 31.

[0017] And, a coil spring member 60 closer to the base end through which the shaft portion 10 is inserted is disposed at a position on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 10 between the insertion portion 31 of the steering portion 30 and the pressure contact portion 40 closer to the base end of the shaft portion. Here, the base end of the coil spring member 60 closer to the base end is in pressure contact with the pressure contact portion 40 closer to the base end of the shaft portion, and the tip of the coil spring member 60 closer to the base end is in pressure contact with the base end portion 31a, which is the base end portion of the insertion portion 31. That is, the coil spring member 60 closer to the base end is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range between the pressure contact portion 40 closer to the base end of the shaft portion and the insertion portion 31.

[0018] In addition, on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 10, at a position between the insertion portion 31 of the steering portion 30 and the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip on the shaft portion side, a coil spring member 70 near the tip through which the shaft portion 10 is inserted is disposed. Here, the tip of the coil spring member 70 near the tip is in pressure contact with the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip on the shaft portion side, and the base end of the coil spring member 70 near the tip is in pressure contact with the tip portion 31b which is the tip portion of the insertion portion 31. That is, the coil spring member 70 near the tip is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within the elastic deformation range between the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip on the shaft portion side and the insertion portion 31.

[0019] Note that the insertion portion 31, the pressure contact portion 40 near the base end on the shaft portion side, the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip on the shaft portion side, the coil spring member 60 near the base end, and the coil spring member 70 near the tip according to the present embodiment constitute a vibration suppression portion 80.

[0020] Furthermore, a rod-shaped support portion 100 extending in the left-right direction (lateral direction) orthogonal to the front-rear direction (axial direction) of the shaft portion 10 is integrally formed on the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip on the shaft portion side. And, a pair of coil spring portions 110 for rotation suppression are attached to the support portion 100 in parallel with each other.

[0021] Specifically, on both ends of the support portion 100, support portion side positioning portions 130 each constituted by a pair of rod bodies protruding toward the steering rod 35 side are respectively disposed. On the other hand, at positions on the steering rod 30 facing the respective support portion side positioning portions 130, steering rod side positioning portions 120 each constituted by a pair of rod bodies protruding toward the support portion 100 side are respectively disposed.

[0022] And, the support portion side positioning portion 130 and the steering rod side positioning portion 120 facing each other are inserted into the hollow portion of the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression, and the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression is attached to the support portion 100. With such a configuration, the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression is positioned between the steering portion 30 and the support portion 100.

[0023] Incidentally, one end of the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression is in pressure contact with the support portion 100, and the other end of the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression is in pressure contact with the steering rod 35. Between the support portion 100 and the steering rod 35 like this, the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression is in a state where it can expand and contract within the elastic deformation range.

[0024] Note that a rotation suppression mechanism 150 is configured to prevent the steering portion 30 from rotating around the axis of the shaft portion 10 during steering (during use) by the support portion 100 fixed to the shaft portion 10 via the pressure contact portion 50 near the tip of the shaft portion side and the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression.

[0025] Also, a steering portion connection structure 200 is configured by the vibration suppression portion 80 and the rotation suppression mechanism 150.

[0026] When the lawn mower 1 performs a lawn mowing operation by rotating the rotary blade 22 using the main body portion 20 as a drive source, the operator holds the grip portion 36 of the steering portion 30 to perform the operation. However, vibrations and impacts generated from the rotary blade 22 and the main body portion 20 in the driving state of the rotating portion 21 are less likely to be transmitted to the steering portion 30. That is, the steering portion 30 is not configured to be directly attached to the shaft portion 10 to which the main body portion 20 and the rotary blade 22 are directly connected, but is attached to the shaft portion 10 via the coil spring member 60 near the base end, the coil spring member 70 near the tip, and the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression. Therefore, the coil spring member 60 near the base end, the coil spring member 70 near the tip, and the coil spring portion 110 for rotation suppression absorb vibrations and impacts transmitted to the steering portion 30, resulting in a configuration in which vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the operator.

[0027] 〔Embodiment 2〕 As shown in FIG. 4, the lawn mower 2 includes a shaft portion 310 formed of a long rod-shaped member. A main body portion 320 having a drive source is attached to the base end portion, which is one end portion of the shaft portion 310. Further, a rotating portion 321 including a rotary blade 322 for mowing grass is attached as a mechanical portion to the tip end portion, which is the other end portion of the shaft portion 310. As the drive source, a known technique such as a power source or an air source is adopted.

[0028] Further, a cylindrical insertion portion 331 through which the shaft portion 310 is inserted movably in the axial direction is disposed on the shaft portion 310.

[0029] Furthermore, a flange-shaped base-end-side pressing portion 340 having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 310 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 310. Specifically, the base-end-side pressing portion 340 is disposed on the base end side with respect to the position where the above-described insertion portion 331 is disposed.

[0030] Also, a flange-shaped tip-end-side pressing portion 350 having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 310 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 310. Specifically, the tip-end-side pressing portion 350 is disposed on the tip end side with respect to the position where the above-described insertion portion 331 is disposed.

[0031] Then, a base-end-side coil spring member 360 through which the shaft portion 310 is inserted is disposed at a position on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 310 between the insertion portion 331 and the base-end-side pressing portion 340. Here, the base end of the base-end-side coil spring member 360 is in pressure contact with the base-end-side pressing portion 340, and the tip end of the base-end-side coil spring member 360 is in pressure contact with a base end portion 331a, which is the base end portion of the insertion portion 331. That is, the base-end-side coil spring member 360 is disposed between the base-end-side pressing portion 340 and the insertion portion 331 in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range.

[0032] In addition, on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 310, at a position between the insertion portion 331 and the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side, a tip - side coil spring member 370 through which the shaft portion 310 is inserted is disposed. Here, the tip of the tip - side coil spring member 370 is in pressure contact with the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side, and the base end of the tip - side coil spring member 370 is in pressure contact with the tip portion 331b which is the tip of the insertion portion 331. That is, the tip - side coil spring member 370 is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within the elastic deformation range between the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side and the insertion portion 331.

[0033] Note that the vibration suppression portion 380 is constituted by the insertion portion 331, the pressure contact portion 340 near the base end on the shaft portion side, the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side, the base - end - side coil spring member 360, and the tip - side coil spring member 370 according to this embodiment.

[0034] Furthermore, on the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side, a rod - shaped tip - side support rod portion 400 extending in the left - right direction (lateral direction) orthogonal to the front - rear direction (axial direction) of the shaft portion 310 is disposed.

[0035] Specifically, on the pressure contact portion 350 near the tip on the shaft portion side, a tip - side support portion 410 provided with a through - hole 411 penetrating in the left - right direction is integrally formed. The tip - side support rod portion 400 is slidably inserted into the through - hole 411 of the tip - side support portion 410 in the left - right direction. Note that the through - hole 411 and the tip - side support rod portion 400 can be constituted by a member such as a linear bush.

[0036] On both ends of the tip - side support rod portion 400, large - diameter flange portions 401, 401 are respectively formed.

[0037] Further, on the outer periphery of the tip-side support rod portion 400, tip-side lateral coil spring portions 420 through which the tip-side support rod portion 400 is inserted are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the tip-side support rod portion 400. Here, one end of the tip-side lateral coil spring portion 420 is in pressure contact with the tip-side support portion 410, and the other end is in pressure contact with the flange portion 401 of the tip-side support rod portion 400. That is, the tip-side lateral coil spring portion 420 is arranged in a state of being able to expand and contract within the elastic deformation range between the tip-side support portion 410 and the flange portion 401.

[0038] Furthermore, in the insertion portion 331, a rod-shaped base-end-side support rod portion 430 extending in the left-right direction (lateral direction) orthogonal to the front-rear direction (axial direction) of the shaft portion 310 is arranged.

[0039] Specifically, in the insertion portion 331, a base-end-side support portion 440 provided with a through hole 441 penetrating in the left-right direction is integrally formed. The base-end-side support rod portion 430 is slidably inserted into the through hole 441 of the base-end-side support portion 440 in the left-right direction. Note that the through hole 441 and the base-end-side support rod portion 430 can be configured by a member such as a linear bush.

[0040] Large-diameter flange portions 431, 431 are respectively formed at both ends of the base-end-side support rod portion 430.

[0041] Also, on the outer periphery of the base-end-side support rod portion 430, base-end-side lateral coil spring portions 450 through which the base-end-side support rod portion 430 is inserted are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the base-end-side support rod portion 430. Here, one end of the base-end-side lateral coil spring portion 450 is in pressure contact with the base-end-side support portion 440, and the other end is in pressure contact with the flange portion 431 of the base-end-side support rod portion 430. That is, the base-end-side lateral coil spring portion 450 is arranged in a state of being able to expand and contract within the elastic deformation range between the base-end-side support portion 440 and the flange portion 431.

[0042] And, a steering portion 460 for steering the shaft portion 310 is attached to the flange portions 431, 431 of the support rod portion 430 closer to the base end. More specifically, the steering portion 460 includes a steering rod 465 and a pair of left and right gripping portions 466, 466 formed at both ends of the steering rod 465.

[0043] Furthermore, a pair of vertical rod portions 470, 470 are arranged between the steering rod 465 of the steering portion 460 and the flange portion 401 of the support rod portion 430 closer to the tip. The vertical rod portion 470 is rotatably attached on the flange portion 401 side. Also, on the steering rod 465 side, the vertical rod portion 470 is loosely fitted so as to be vertically slidable by inserting a locking pin portion 480 protruding from the steering rod 465 into a vertically long hole portion 471 formed in the vertical rod portion 470.

[0044] Note that, a rotation suppression mechanism 500 is configured to prevent the steering portion 460 from rotating around the axis of the shaft portion 310 during steering (when in use) by the tip-side support portion 410 fixed to the shaft portion 310 via the pressure contact portion 350 closer to the tip of the shaft portion side, the tip-side support rod portion 400, the tip-side horizontal coil spring portion 420, the base-end-side support rod portion 430, the base-end-side support portion 440, the base-end-side horizontal coil spring portion 450, and the vertical rod portion 470.

[0045] Also, a steering portion connection structure 600 is configured by the vibration suppression portion 380 and the rotation suppression mechanism 500.

[0046] When performing grass cutting work by rotating the rotary blade 322 with the main body 320 as a drive source, the grass cutter 2 grips the grip portion 466 of the steering unit 460 to perform the work. However, vibrations and impacts generated from the rotary blade 322 or the main body 320 in the driving state of the rotating unit 321 are less likely to be transmitted to the steering unit 460. That is, the steering unit 460 is not directly attached to the shaft portion 310 to which the main body 320 and the rotary blade 322 are directly connected, but is attached to the shaft portion 310 via the proximal coil spring member 360, the distal coil spring member 370, the distal lateral coil spring portion 420, and the proximal lateral coil spring portion 450. Therefore, the proximal coil spring member 360, the distal coil spring member 370, the distal lateral coil spring portion 420, and the proximal lateral coil spring portion 450 absorb vibrations and impacts transmitted to the steering unit 460, making it difficult for vibrations to be transmitted to the operator.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the dimensional shapes of the respective parts can be freely selected as appropriate. The present invention is applicable not only to the grass cutter 1 but also to all devices in which vibrations and impacts of the shaft portion 10 are not desired to be transmitted to the steering unit 30. For example, it is not necessary to provide a pair of two left and right grip portions 36 for one steering lever 35, and even one grip portion 36 may be sufficient. The grip portion 36 may be configured to be gripped not only by a human hand but also by, for example, a robot arm or the like. In addition to the above-described configuration, a configuration may be adopted in which vibration suppression portions are provided along the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions (X, Y, Z directions) with respect to the shaft portions 10 and 310.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1, 2 Grass cutter 10, 310 Shaft portion 20, 320 Main body 21, 321 Rotating portion (mechanical portion) 22, 322 Rotary blade 30, 460 Steering unit 31, 331 Insertion portion Base end portions of 31a and 331a Tip portions of 31b and 331b Steering rods 35 and 465 Grip portions 36 and 466 Pressing portions near the base end on the shaft portion side of 40 and 340 Pressing portions near the tip on the shaft portion side of 50 and 350 Coil spring members near the base end of 60 and 360 Coil spring members near the tip of 70 and 370 Vibration suppression portions 80 and 380 Support portion 100 Coil spring portion for rotation suppression of 110 Positioning portion on the steering rod side of 120 Positioning portion on the support portion side of 130 Rotation suppression mechanisms 150 and 500 Steering portion connection structures 200 and 600 Support rod portion near the tip of 400 Flange portion 401 Support portion near the tip of 410 Through hole 411 Horizontal coil spring portion near the tip of 420 Support rod portion near the base end of 430 Flange portion 431 Support portion near the base end of 440 Through hole 441 Horizontal coil spring portion near the base end of 450 Vertical rod portion 470 Elongated hole portion 471 Locking pin portion 480

Claims

1. A main body portion having a drive source, A long shaft portion linked to the main body portion, A mechanical portion disposed at the tip of the shaft portion and vibrating by being driven by the drive source, A steering portion connected to the shaft portion via a predetermined vibration suppression portion and for steering the shaft portion, A rotation suppression mechanism that suppresses rotation of the steering portion around the axis of the shaft portion, and comprising The vibration suppression portion includes an insertion portion provided in the steering portion and through which the shaft portion is movably inserted in the axial direction, A tip-side coil spring member disposed closer to the tip of the shaft portion with respect to the insertion portion, A base-end-side coil spring member disposed closer to the base end of the shaft portion with respect to the insertion portion, A shaft-portion-side tip-side pressure contact portion provided on the shaft portion and with which the tip portion of the tip-side coil spring member is in pressure contact, A shaft-portion-side base-end-side pressure contact portion provided on the shaft portion and with which the base end portion of the base-end-side coil spring member is in pressure contact, and comprising In a driving state where the mechanical portion is driven, The tip-side coil spring member is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range between the shaft-portion-side tip-side pressure contact portion and the tip portion of the insertion portion, The base-end-side coil spring member is disposed in a state where it can expand and contract within an elastic deformation range between the shaft-portion-side base-end-side pressure contact portion and the base end portion of the insertion portion A steering portion connection structure characterized by this.

2. The mechanical portion is a rotating portion provided with a rotary blade for mowing grass The steering portion connection structure according to claim 1.

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