Damper device

Abstract

To provide a damper device capable of exhibiting damping force according to a speed of relative rotation of a first member and a second member.SOLUTION: The damper device includes a first member having a cylindrical portion, a second member having a shaft portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and an engaging portion located on an outer peripheral side of the shaft portion and recessed or protruding in a radial direction, the second member being rotatable relative to the first member around an axis, and a soft member having a sliding portion sliding on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and an engaged portion formed in a convex shape or a concave shape in the radial direction and engaged with the engaging portion. The engaging portion or the engaged portion has an inclined surface that applies a radially outward reaction force to the soft member when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper device that generates a damping force by sliding a soft member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a damper device including a housing having an inner cylindrical portion, a rotor having an outer cylindrical portion facing the inner cylindrical portion and inserted into the housing, and an O-ring provided on the outer cylindrical portion and pressed against the inner cylindrical portion. The outer cylindrical portion has a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface to hold the O-ring. The groove includes portions that intersect in the axial and circumferential directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 074647 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the O-ring may twist during relative rotation between the housing and the rotor, making it difficult to exert a damping force according to the speed of the relative rotation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a damper device that can exert a damping force according to the speed of relative rotation between a first member and a second member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a damper device comprising: a first member having a cylindrical portion; a second member having a shaft portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and an engaging portion located on the outer periphery of the shaft portion and recessed or protruding in the radial direction, the second member being rotatable about the axis relative to the first member; and a soft member having a sliding portion that slides on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion and an engaged portion that is formed in a radially convex or concave shape and engages with the engaging portion. The engaging portion or the engaged portion has an inclined surface that exerts a radially outward reaction force on the soft member when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a damper device that can exert a damping force according to the speed of relative rotation between a first member and a second member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the damper device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second member as seen from the back side. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device shown in FIG. 1 along line AA. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device shown in FIG. 1 along line BB. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the damper device shown in FIG. 5(b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the damper device 10 according to an embodiment. The damper device 10 is attached to an apparatus including a fixed body and a rotating body, and applies a damping force to the movement of the rotating body. The rotating body connected to the damper device 10 may be, for example, the lid of a glove box or console box, or a handle provided on the top of a door in the vehicle interior. The damper device 10 applies a damping force to the movement of the rotating body in a first rotation direction to open it, and in a second rotation direction to close it.

[0010] The damper device 10 includes a first member 12, a second member 14, and a soft member 16. The first member 12 is fixed to a fixed body, and the second member 14 is connected to a rotating body. The first member 12 and the second member 14 are rotatable relative to each other around an axis. The soft member 16 generates a frictional force when the first member 12 and the second member 14 rotate relative to each other, thereby applying a damping force to the relative rotation.

[0011] The first member 12 has a tubular portion 20, an attachment portion 22, and a pillar portion 23. The tubular portion 20 has an inner peripheral surface 20a and a bottom surface 20b, and is formed in the shape of a cylinder with a bottom. The attachment portion 22 is formed in the shape of a flange from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20. The pillar portion 23 stands upright from the center of the bottom surface 20b.

[0012] 3 is a perspective view of the second member 14 as seen from the back side. The second member 14 has a disk portion 24, a shaft portion 26, a toothed portion 28, and an engagement portion 29. The toothed portion 28 is formed in a gear shape on the front side of the disk portion 24 and meshes with the gear of the rotating body. Note that the second member 14 may be provided with a flange or a protrusion that receives rotational torque instead of the toothed portion 28.

[0013] The shaft portion 26 is formed on the back side of the disc portion 24 and protrudes in the axial direction. The shaft portion 26 is inserted into the tubular portion 20 of the first member 12. The engagement portions 29 are located on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 26 and are recessed radially inward. A pair of engagement portions 29 are formed symmetrically about the central axis of the shaft portion 26. The engagement portions 29 engage with the soft member 16.

[0014] The central hole 32 is recessed in the center of the shaft portion 26. An engagement portion 29, a long side portion 34, and a connecting surface 36 are formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 26. The long side portions 34 are a pair of opposite sides. A connecting surface 36 is formed on each side of the engagement portion 29, connecting the engagement portion 29 to the long side portions 34. The length of the long side portions 34 is longer than the distance between the pair of long side portions 34. The outer periphery of the shaft portion 26 is generally rectangular, with the engagement portion 29 and the connecting surface 36 located on the short side. The connecting surface 36 is inclined from the engagement portion 29 to the long side portions 34 in the opposing direction of the pair of long side portions 34.

[0015] The engagement portion 29 has a first inclined surface 30a and a second inclined surface 30b inclined relative to the first inclined surface 30a. When the first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as "inclined surface 30." The first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b are the same length, connect to form an apex angle, and are inclined relative to the opposing direction of a pair of long sides 34, like the isosceles of an isosceles triangle. The adjacent first inclined surface 30a and the connecting surface 36 form a triangular peak, and the adjacent second inclined surface 30b and the connecting surface 36 form a triangular peak. In other words, two peaks protruding radially are formed on the short side of the shaft portion 26.

[0016] Returning to Figure 2, the soft member 16 is formed of a material that is softer than the first member 12 and the second member 14, for example, a rubber material. As shown in Figure 1, the soft member 16 is housed in the space formed by the first member 12 and the second member 14. The soft member 16 has an insertion hole portion 40, a sliding portion 42, a non-sliding portion 44, an engaged portion 45, a long side portion 48, and a protruding portion 50.

[0017] The soft member 16 is formed in an annular shape that can surround the shaft portion 26. The insertion hole 40 is capable of inserting the shaft portion 26 of the second member 14, and is formed to fit the outer periphery of the shaft portion 26. As a result, the soft member 16 is connected to the shaft portion 26 in a state that it surrounds the shaft portion 26, and rotates together with the shaft portion 26. Because the soft member 16 is formed in an annular shape, it can be easily assembled to the shaft portion 26 simply by inserting it.

[0018] The sliding portion 42 and the non-sliding portion 44 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the soft member 16. The sliding portion 42 protrudes radially outward more than the non-sliding portion 44 and slides on the inner peripheral surface 20a of the tubular portion 20. On the other hand, the non-sliding portion 44 is recessed radially inward more than the sliding portion 42 and does not slide on the inner peripheral surface 20a of the tubular portion 20. In other words, the outer diameter of the sliding portion 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the non-sliding portion 44 and is set to be the same as or larger than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 20a. Compared to when the entire outer periphery of the soft member 16 slides in surface contact, the formation of the non-sliding portion 44 reduces static friction and improves the initial responsiveness of the damper device 10.

[0019] The outer periphery of the sliding portion 42 and the outer periphery of the non-sliding portion 44 are formed in an arc shape. The protrusion portion 50 protrudes from both sides in the axial direction and is formed in an annular shape from the sliding portion 42 to the non-sliding portion 44. By making not only the sliding portion 42 but also the non-sliding portion 44 arc-shaped, it is easy to form the protrusion portion 50 in an annular shape. The protrusion portion 50 can abut against the bottom surface 20b of the first member 12 and the disk portion 24 of the second member 14 over its entire circumference. Therefore, the protrusion portion 50 can suppress the radial movement of lubricating oil placed in the internal space of the damper device 10, thereby suppressing changes in performance over time.

[0020] The engaged portion 45 is formed in a convex shape that protrudes radially inward, and engages with the engaging portion 29 of the second member 14. The engaged portion 45 is located radially inward of the sliding portion 42. The engaged portion 45 has a third inclined surface 46a and a fourth inclined surface 46b. When the third inclined surface 46a and the fourth inclined surface 46b are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as the "inclined surface 46." The third inclined surface 46a and the fourth inclined surface 46b are of the same length, connected together to form an apex angle, like the isosceles of an isosceles triangle, and inclined relative to the opposing direction of the pair of long side portions 48.

[0021] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along line AA. The shaft portion 26 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 20. The column portion 23 is inserted into the central hole portion 32. The pair of sliding portions 42 abut against the inner circumferential surface 20a. The upper protrusion portion 50 engages with the groove portion 24a. The lower protrusion portion 50 abuts against the bottom surface 20b, slightly lifting the second member 14 from the bottom surface 20b.

[0022] The engaging portion 29 engages with the engaged portion 45, and the second member 14 and the soft member 16 are integrally connected. The sliding portion 42 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 20a. When the second member 14 rotates, the soft member 16 rotates together with the second member 14, and the sliding portion 42 slides against the inner circumferential surface 20a. As a result, the rotational torque is converted into thermal energy and attenuated.

[0023] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the damper device 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along line BB. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the shaft portion 26 and the soft member 16 are inserted into the cylindrical portion 20, and the arc-shaped sliding portion 42 is in surface contact with the inner circumferential surface 20a. The non-sliding portion 44 is not in contact with the inner circumferential surface 20a. The angular width of the sliding portion 42 relative to the central axis of the soft member 16 is smaller than the angular width of the non-sliding portion 44.

[0024] The shaft portion 26 is inserted into the insertion hole 40, and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 26 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 40. The convex engaged portion 45 is fitted into the concave engaging portion 29 at a position radially inside the sliding portion 42. By forming the engaged portion 45 of the soft member 16 in a convex shape, it is possible to prevent the sliding portion 42 of the soft member 16 from becoming too thin, compared to when the engaged portion 45 is formed in a concave shape. This makes it easy to ensure the strength of the soft member 16.

[0025] The first inclined surface 30a abuts against the third inclined surface 46a, and the second inclined surface 30b abuts against the fourth inclined surface 46b. The shaft portion 26 of the second member 14 receives rotational torque from the tooth portion 28 and rotates in a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction. For example, when the shaft portion 26 rotates in the first rotation direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5(b), the second inclined surface 30b is pressed against the fourth inclined surface 46b, and the first inclined surface 30a moves away from the third inclined surface 46a. The second inclined surface 30b presses against the fourth inclined surface 46b, thereby exerting a radially outward reaction force against the soft member 16. Because the sliding portion 42 is located radially outward of the fourth inclined surface 46b, the sliding portion 42 is pressed against the tubular portion 20 by receiving the radially outward reaction force. When the shaft portion 26 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the first inclined surface 30a presses against the third inclined surface 46a, and the sliding portion 42 is pressed radially outward. When the first member 12 and the second member 14 rotate relative to each other, the inclined surface 30 presses the sliding portion 42 against the tubular portion 20, increasing the damping force generated in the damper device 10. This operation will be described with reference to new drawings.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the damper device 10 shown in Fig. 5(b). When the shaft portion 26 rotates in the first rotation direction, the second inclined surface 30b comes into contact with the fourth inclined surface 46b and generates a reaction force N in the vertical direction. The reaction force N includes a radial component N1 and a rotational component N2. The fourth inclined surface 46b receives the radial component N1 and presses the sliding portion 42 against the tubular portion 20. This increases the frictional force of the sliding portion 42, thereby increasing the damping force.

[0027] As the rotational speed of the shaft portion 26 increases, the reaction force N increases and the radial component N1 also increases. Therefore, as the rotational speed of the shaft portion 26, i.e., the relative rotational speed between the first member 12 and the second member 14, increases, the radial component N1 pressing the sliding portion 42 against the tubular portion 20 increases, and the damping force increases. In this way, the damping force generated by the damper device 10 can be increased in accordance with the relative rotational speed between the first member 12 and the second member 14.

[0028] The inclined surface 30 has a first inclined surface 30a and a second inclined surface 30b. When the first member 12 and the second member 14 rotate relative to each other in a first rotational direction, one of the first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b exerts a radially outward reaction force on the soft member 16. When the first member 12 and the second member 14 rotate relative to each other in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, the other of the first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b exerts a radially outward reaction force on the soft member 16. This allows the damper device 10 to increase or decrease the damping force in accordance with the rotational speed, regardless of the direction of relative rotation between the first member 12 and the second member 14.

[0029] The first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b intersect with the opposing direction D1 of the pair of long side portions 34 and also intersect with the radial direction passing through the central axis C and the inclined surface 30. The opposing direction D1 of the pair of long side portions 34 is a direction perpendicular to the long side portions 34. In other words, the inclined surface 30 is inclined with respect to the opposing direction D1 of the pair of long side portions 34 and also inclined with respect to the direction passing through the central axis C and the inclined surface 30. The inclined surface 30 is also inclined with respect to the opposing direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D2 of the long side portions 34. The inclined surface 46 is inclined with respect to the opposing direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D2.

[0030] The angle θ at which the first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b intersect is set to be greater than 90° and less than 150°. More preferably, the angle θ at which the first inclined surface 30a and the second inclined surface 30b intersect is set to be greater than 110° and less than 130°.

[0031] The radial thickness of the non-sliding portion 44 is thicker than the shortest distance L between the shaft portion 26 and the cylindrical portion 20 in the radial direction. The radial thickness of the non-sliding portion 44 may be, for example, the thickest point, a thickness T1 passing through the center of the non-sliding portion 44, or a thickness T2 at an end position. It may be the average thickness of the non-sliding portion 44. When the soft member 16 rotates relative to the shaft portion 26, it will no longer rotate with the shaft portion 26. If the soft member 16 cannot pass through the shortest distance L between the shaft portion 26 and the cylindrical portion 20 in the radial direction, the soft member 16 will not rotate relative to the shaft portion 26, even if it vibrates slightly. Therefore, by making the thickness of the non-sliding portion 44 thicker than the shortest distance L, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the soft member 16 relative to the shaft portion 26.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes may be made to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such modified embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] In the embodiment, the first member 12 is fixed to the fixed body and the second member 14 is connected to the rotating body, but this is not the only possible embodiment. For example, the first member 12 may be connected to the rotating body and the second member 14 may be fixed to the fixed body. In this modified example, the first member 12 is provided with a toothed portion 28, and the second member 14 is provided with an attachment portion 22.

[0034] In addition, in the embodiment, the engaging portion 29 is formed in a concave shape and the engaged portion 45 is formed in a convex shape, but this is not limiting. For example, the engaging portion 29 may be formed in a convex shape that protrudes in the radial direction, and the engaged portion 45 may be formed in a concave shape. In either case, the engaging portion 29 and the engaged portion 45 engage with each other in a convex-concave relationship.

[0035] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the engaging portion 29 and the engaged portion 45 are brought into surface contact with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, one of the engaging portion 29 and the engaged portion 45 may have an inclined surface, and the other may have a protruding portion that abuts against the inclined surface. In either case, the engaging portion 29 or the engaged portion 45 has an inclined surface that exerts a radially outward reaction force against the soft member 16 when the first member 12 and the second member 14 rotate relative to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10 damper device, 12 first member, 14 second member, 16 soft member, 20 cylindrical portion, 20a inner peripheral surface, 20b bottom surface, 22 mounting portion, 23 column portion, 24 disc portion, 24a groove portion, 26 shaft portion, 28 teeth portion, 29 engaging portion, 30a first inclined surface, 30b second inclined surface, 32 central hole portion, 34 long side portion, 36 connecting surface, 40 insertion hole portion, 42 sliding portion, 44 non-sliding portion, 45 engaged portion, 46a third inclined surface, 46b fourth inclined surface, 48 long side portion, 50 protrusion portion.

Claims

1. a first member having a cylindrical portion; a second member having a shaft portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and an engaging portion located on the outer circumferential side of the shaft portion and recessed or protruding in a radial direction, the second member being rotatable relative to the first member about an axis; a soft member having a sliding portion that slides on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and an engaged portion that is formed in a radially convex or concave shape and engages with the engaging portion, A damper device characterized in that the engaging portion or the engaged portion has an inclined surface that generates a radially outward reaction force against the soft member when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other.

2. the soft member is formed in an annular shape surrounding the shaft portion, the soft member has a non-sliding portion that does not slide on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion and the non-sliding portion are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the soft member.

3. 3. The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the radial thickness of the non-sliding portion is greater than the shortest distance between the shaft portion and the cylindrical portion in the radial direction.

4. The engaging portion is formed as a recess, 4. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is formed in a convex shape.

5. The inclined surface is A first inclined surface; a second inclined surface inclined relative to the first inclined surface, A damper device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other in a first rotational direction, one of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface exerts a radially outward reaction force on the soft member, and when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, the other of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface exerts a radially outward reaction force on the soft member.

6. The outer periphery of the non-sliding portion is formed in an arc shape, 4. The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the soft member has a protrusion portion that protrudes from both sides in the axial direction and is formed in an annular shape from the sliding portion to the non-sliding portion.

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