Device support

Abstract

To provide a technology that can prevent damage to a shaft of a device support that supports a specific device.SOLUTION: A device support includes a base, a shaft, and a plurality of springs. The base is fixed at a fixed position. The shaft has an elongated shape, with its rear end coaxially attached to the base and its tip fixed to a specific device to be supported. The plurality of springs is provided between the base and the shaft. The shaft can swing relative to the base by elastically deforming the plurality of springs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a device support. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an antenna lifting device that is placed on the underside of a helicopter. The antenna lifting device in Patent Document 1 includes a transmitter, a lifting device provided below the transmitter, an antenna shaft, and an antenna. One end of the antenna shaft is attached to the lifting device, and the other end is provided with an antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-149349 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, vibrations applied to the antenna shaft during helicopter operation can cause resonance, which can damage the antenna shaft. In addition, the antenna shaft can also be damaged by a sudden large load (i.e., an impact) being applied to it.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique that can suppress damage to a shaft portion of an apparatus support that supports a specific apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The device support disclosed in this specification comprises a base, a shaft, and a plurality of springs. The base is fixed at a fixed position. The shaft has an elongated shape, with a rear end coaxially attached to the base, and a specific device, which is the object to be supported, fixed to its tip. The plurality of springs are provided between the base and the shaft. The shaft can swing relative to the base by elastically deforming the plurality of springs.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the shaft can swing relative to the base by elastically deforming the multiple springs provided between the shaft and the base. Therefore, even if the shaft is subjected to a sudden impact or vibration, for example, the vibration or impact can be alleviated by swinging the shaft. The above device support can prevent damage to the shaft supporting a specific device.

[0008] The base may include a case and a fixed portion. The axial portion may include a shaft and a flange. The case may have a cylindrical container with an open top and a lid that closes the top of the container. One end of the fixed portion may be fixed to the fixed position, and the other end of the fixed portion may be fixed to the bottom of the container. The lid may have a hole through which the shaft of the axial portion is inserted. The diameter of the hole may be larger than the diameter of the shaft. The specific device may be fixed to the tip of the shaft, and the flange may be fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end of the shaft. The flange and the rear end of the shaft may be housed within the container. The tip of the shaft may protrude outside the case through the hole in the lid. The plurality of springs may be housed within the case and disposed outside the shaft, biasing the flange and the lid.

[0009] This configuration allows the shaft and base to be combined in a swingable manner. Furthermore, the spring biases the flange and the lid, applying a predetermined preload (initial load) to the spring, allowing the spring's elastic force to be effectively exerted.

[0010] The plurality of springs may be arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the shaft.

[0011] With this configuration, vibrations and shocks can be absorbed regardless of the direction from which the vibrations and shocks are applied to the shaft portion. The above-mentioned device support can more effectively prevent damage to the shaft portion.

[0012] Each of the plurality of springs may include an inner spring and an outer spring that is overlapped on the outside of the inner spring.

[0013] This configuration allows the use of a double-structure spring consisting of an inner spring and an outer spring. This allows the spring to exert sufficient elastic force in a limited space. This effectively prevents damage to the shaft even when a large load or sudden impact is applied.

[0014] The shaft portion may be able to swing within a range of 9° or less relative to the base portion.

[0015] This configuration makes it possible to suppress excessive rocking of a particular device.

[0016] The fixing portion and the case may be fixed together via a fusible link that breaks when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is applied.

[0017] According to this configuration, when excessive vibration or swinging exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied, the fusible link breaks, thereby preventing damage to the shaft. The "fusible link" referred to here is, for example, a member capable of connecting the fixed part and the case, and is a plate or the like having a breaking portion that breaks when a load exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied (for example, a portion that is narrower or thinner than other portions and has been processed to be more susceptible to breakage). The "fusible link" may be a member of any structure, as long as it is capable of connecting the fixed part and the case and has a breaking portion that breaks when a load exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 shows an outline of an apparatus support of an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] An exploded view of the device support is shown. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] An enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of the device support is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] (First Example) An equipment support 10 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. As shown in Figure 1, the equipment support 10 of this embodiment is a support for supporting heavy equipment such as an antenna 400 disposed on the underside of the fuselage 502 of a helicopter 500. One end of the equipment support 10 is fixed to an elevator device 510 provided on the underside of the fuselage 502 of the helicopter 500. The antenna 400 is fixed to the other end (tip) of the equipment support 10. A transmitter (not shown) is connected to the elevator device 510. The elevator device 510 can rotate the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 between a takeoff and landing position (see solid line in Figure 1) and an in-use position (see dashed line in Figure 1).

[0020] When the helicopter 500 takes off and lands, the lifting device 510 holds the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 in the takeoff and landing position (solid line in FIG. 1 ). When the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 are in the takeoff and landing position, the antenna 400 is held in a position above the wheels 504. When in the takeoff and landing position, the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 are held approximately parallel to the airframe 502. This prevents the antenna 400 from contacting the ground when the helicopter 500 takes off and lands. When the helicopter 500 is flying and the antenna 400 is in use, the lifting device 510 holds the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 in the use position (dashed line in FIG. 1 ). When the equipment support 10 and the antenna 400 are in the use position, the antenna 400 is held so as to point directly below the airframe 502. This prevents radio waves emitted by the antenna 400 from interfering with the body 502 and wheels 504 of the helicopter 500.

[0021] The antenna 400 is a heavy device (for example, several kg to approximately 10 kg). Therefore, the device support 10 that cantilever-supports the antenna 400 may be subjected to vibrations and impacts as the helicopter 500 operates. The device support 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a novel mechanism that can mitigate the vibrations and impacts that are applied as the helicopter 500 operates.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the device support 10 of this embodiment has a base 12 and a shaft 14. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular, the device support 10 further includes a plurality of springs 16 between the base 12 and the shaft 14. The base 12 is fixed to the lifting device 510 (FIG. 1). The shaft 14 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape, with its rear end provided on the base 12 coaxially with the base 12, and an antenna 400, which is the object to be supported, fixed to its front end. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the device support 10 of this embodiment, the shaft 14 can be swung relative to the base 12 by elastically deforming the plurality of springs 16.

[0023] The base 12 has a case 20 and a fixed part 30. The case 20 has a cylindrical container 22 that is open at the top, and a lid part 24 that closes the top of the container 22. A recess 23a capable of accommodating one end of a shaft 40 (described later) of the axis part 14 is formed in the bottom part 23 of the container 22. A hole 26 through which the shaft 40 (described later) of the axis part 14 is inserted is formed in the lid part 24. The diameter of the hole 26 is larger than the diameter of the shaft 40. Therefore, even when the shaft 40 swings, the shaft 40 does not interfere with the lid part 24. The fixed part 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. One end of the fixed part 30 is fixed to the lifting device 510 (see FIG. 1), and the other end is fixed to the outside of the bottom part 23 of the container 22.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, one end of the fixed part 30 and the bottom 23 of the container 22 are fixed via multiple fusible links 35. The fusible links 35 are generally plate-shaped members having breaking portions 36 that break when subjected to excessive vibration or shaking above a predetermined threshold. In the example shown, the fusible links 35 have a constricted gourd shape with the breaking portions 36. One end of the fusible links 35 is fixed to the fixed part 30, and the other end is fixed to the container 22. The thickness and width of the breaking portions 36 are smaller than those of the remaining portions. The breaking portions 36 may also be processed to break more easily than the remaining portions. The fusible links 35 may have any structure as long as they are capable of connecting the fixed part 30 and the case 20 and have breaking portions that break when subjected to a load above a predetermined threshold.

[0025] By having the fusible link 35, even if the antenna 400 is subjected to a strong impact when the helicopter 500 is forced to land with the antenna 400 held in the in-use position (dashed line in Figure 1) due to some circumstances (for example, an emergency landing of the helicopter 500, a problem with the lifting device 510, etc.), only the fusible link 35 will break, preventing damage to the helicopter 500's body 502, lifting device 510, shaft 14, and antenna 400.

[0026] The shaft portion 14 includes a shaft 40 and a flange 50. The shaft 40 is a cylindrical member. Wiring connecting the antenna 400 to a transmitter (not shown) or the like in the elevator device 510 can be inserted through the inner space of the shaft 40. The flange 50 is a disk-shaped member fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft 40 near one end. As shown in FIG. 4, the flange 50 may be formed integrally with the shaft 40. The flange 50 may also be referred to as a disk-shaped member protruding outward from a portion of the shaft 40 near one end (rear end). The flange 50 and the rear end of the shaft 40 are housed within the container 22. The rear end of the shaft 40 is housed within a recess 23a of the container 22. A cushioning material 42, for example, made of elastic resin, is disposed between the flange 50 and the bottom 23 of the container 22. The cushioning material 42 is disk-shaped and has a hole through which the rear end of the shaft 40 is inserted (see FIG. 3). The tip of shaft 40 protrudes from hole 26 in lid 24 to the outside of case 20. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the tip of shaft 40 is inserted into cylindrical portion 402, which is part of antenna 400, and fixed with a bolt or the like.

[0027] 2 to 6, the upper surface of the lid portion 24 and the cylindrical portion 402 of the antenna 400 are covered with a rubber boot 44. The rubber boot 44 serves as a cover that prevents dust and other debris from entering the case 20.

[0028] A plurality of springs 16 are housed in the case 20. Each spring 16 is a metal compression spring. In this embodiment, the device support 10 is equipped with 12 springs 16. The number of springs is not limited to 12, and can be any number greater than or equal to 2 depending on conditions such as the weight of the antenna 400, the diameter per spring, the spring constant, and the size of the case 20.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the twelve springs 16 in this embodiment are all disposed on the outside of the shaft 40. More specifically, the twelve springs 16 are disposed at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the shaft 40. The twelve springs 16 are also disposed at equal intervals so as to surround the outer periphery of the shaft 40. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the twelve springs 16 are housed in the case 20 and apply pressure between the upper surface of the flange 50 and the lid 24. The upper surface of the flange 50 and the inner surface of the lid 24 are respectively formed with protrusions 51 and 24a for positioning the springs 16. With this configuration, in this embodiment, the shaft 14 and the base 12 can be pivotably assembled (see FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, because the springs 16 apply pressure between the flange 50 and the lid 24, a predetermined preload (initial load) is applied to each spring 16. This allows the elastic force of the springs 16 to be effectively exerted.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6 , each of the twelve springs 16 in this embodiment has an inner spring 60 and an outer spring 62 stacked on the outside of the inner spring 60. That is, each spring 16 has a double structure of the inner spring 60 and the outer spring 62. The inner spring 60 is a compression spring with a smaller diameter than the outer spring 62. The outer diameter of the inner spring 60 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer spring 62. The outer spring 62 is a compression spring with a larger diameter than the inner spring 60. The winding direction of the outer spring 62 is opposite to that of the inner spring 60. This prevents the outer spring 62 and the inner spring 60 from interlocking when they contract. In a modified example, the winding direction of the outer spring 62 may be the same as that of the inner spring 60.

[0031] With the above configuration, the device support 10 of this embodiment can cantilever the antenna 400, and can swing the shaft 14 relative to the base 12 by elastically deforming the multiple springs 16. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the shaft 14 can swing within a range of 9° or less relative to the base 12. That is, the maximum swing angle θ of the shaft 14 relative to the base 12 is 9° or less. The maximum swing angle θ is preferably 7° or less. The maximum swing angle θ may be 5° or less. This prevents excessive swing of the antenna 400. Note that if the shaft 14 swings at an angle greater than the maximum swing angle θ (9°), the breaking portion 36 of the fusible link 35 may break.

[0032] The configuration of the device support 10 of this embodiment has been described above. As described above, the device support 10 of this embodiment can support the antenna 400 in a cantilevered manner, and the shaft 14 can be swung relative to the base 12 by elastically deforming the multiple springs 16 (see FIG. 5 ). Therefore, even if a sudden impact, vibration, or the like is applied to the shaft 14 during operation of the helicopter 500, the vibration or impact can be alleviated by swinging the shaft 14. This can also prevent resonance from occurring in the shaft 14 during operation of the helicopter 500. Even if a large load (i.e., impact) is suddenly applied to the shaft 14, the impact can be alleviated. The device support 10 of this embodiment can prevent damage to the shaft 14 that supports the antenna 400.

[0033] In this embodiment, twelve springs 16 are housed in the case 20 and apply a force between the upper surface of the flange 50 and the lid 24 of the case 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). This allows the shaft 14 and the base 12 to be combined in a swingable manner. Furthermore, since the springs 16 apply a force between the flange 50 and the lid 24, a predetermined preload (initial load) is applied to the springs 16. This allows the elastic force of the springs 16 to be exerted effectively.

[0034] In this embodiment, the twelve springs 16 are arranged at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the shaft 40 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, vibrations and impacts can be absorbed regardless of the direction from which the vibrations and impacts are applied to the shaft portion 14. The device support 10 of this embodiment can more effectively prevent damage to the shaft portion 14.

[0035] In this embodiment, each spring 16 has a double structure of an inner spring 60 and an outer spring 62 (see FIG. 6). This allows the spring 16 to exert sufficient elastic force in a limited space. Even when a large load or sudden impact is applied, damage to the shaft portion 14 can be sufficiently prevented.

[0036] In this embodiment, the maximum swingable angle θ of the shaft portion 14 relative to the base portion 12 is 9° or less (see FIGS. 4 and 5), so that excessive swinging of the antenna 400 is suppressed.

[0037] In this embodiment, the fixed part 30 and the case 20 are fixed via a fusible link 35 that breaks when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is applied (see FIG. 2, etc.). Therefore, when excessive vibration or swing equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is applied, the fusible link 35 breaks, thereby preventing damage to the shaft part 14.

[0038] The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be explained below. The antenna 400 is an example of a "specific device." The lifting device 510 is an example of a "fixed position."

[0039] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0040] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the fixed portion 30 and the case 20 are fixed via the fusible link 35. However, this is not limitative, and the base portion 12 does not necessarily have to be provided with the fusible link 35.

[0041] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the maximum swing angle θ of the shaft 14 relative to the base 12 is 9° or less. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the maximum swing angle θ of the shaft 14 relative to the base 12 may be greater than 9°.

[0042] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, each spring 16 has a double structure of an inner spring 60 and an outer spring 62. However, this is not limiting, and each spring 16 does not have to have a double structure. Each spring 16 may be a single (single) compression spring.

[0043] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, twelve springs 16 are arranged at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the shaft 40. The number of springs is not limited to twelve, and may be any number greater than or equal to two. It is sufficient that multiple springs are arranged at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the shaft 40.

[0044] (Variation 5) In the above embodiment, the shaft 14 (shaft 40) is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape. However, the shaft 14 is not limited to this, and may be a solid rod as long as it has an elongated shape. In this case, the wiring connecting the antenna 400 and the transmitter may be provided along the outer periphery of the shaft 14.

[0045] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the base 12 (fixed portion 30) of the device support 10 is attached to the lifting device 510 of the helicopter 500. The object supported by the device support 10 is the antenna 400. However, this is not limited to this, and the base 12 of the device support 10 may be fixed to any other fixed position. For example, the base 12 of the device support 10 may be fixed to an automobile, an airplane, etc. The object supported by the device support 10 may also be any device other than an antenna.

[0046] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives alone has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10: Equipment support 12: Base 14: Shaft 16: Spring 20: Case 22: Container 23: Bottom 24: Lid 26: Hole 30: Fixed part 35: Fusible link 36: Broken part 40: Shaft 50: Flange 60: Inner spring 62: Outer spring 400: Antenna 500: Helicopter 510: Lifting device

Claims

1. A base and A shaft portion; a plurality of springs; the base is secured in a fixed position; The shaft portion has an elongated shape, a rear end of the shaft portion is provided on the base portion coaxially with the base portion, and a specific device as a support object is fixed to the tip end of the shaft portion. the plurality of springs are provided between the base and the shaft; The shaft portion is capable of swinging relative to the base portion by elastically deforming the plurality of springs. Equipment support.

2. the base includes a case and a fixing portion; The shaft portion includes a shaft and a flange, The case has a cylindrical container with an open top and a lid that closes the top of the container, One end of the fixing part is fixed to the fixing position, and the other end of the fixing part is fixed to the bottom of the container, a hole through which the shaft of the shaft portion is inserted is formed in the lid portion; The diameter of the hole is larger than the diameter of the shaft, The specific device is fixed to the tip of the shaft, and the flange is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end of the shaft, the flange and the rear end of the shaft are housed within the container; a tip of the shaft protruding from the hole of the lid portion to the outside of the case, 2. The device support according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs are housed in the case and disposed outside the shaft to bias the flange and the lid portion.

3. 3. The device support of claim 2, wherein the plurality of springs are equally spaced around the circumference of the shaft.

4. The device support according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of springs includes an inner spring and an outer spring overlapping the outer side of the inner spring.

5. The device support according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion is capable of swinging relative to the base portion within a range of 9° or less.

6. 3. The device support according to claim 2, wherein the fixing portion and the case are fixed together via a fusible link that breaks when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is applied.

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