Spring material

Abstract

A spring member capable of uniformly distributing a load on a pressed body while suppressing a reduction in stroke amount. [Solution] The spring member of the present invention is a spring member that is placed between two pressed bodies and applies pressure to the pressed bodies, and is hollow and circular when viewed in a plan view from the height direction of the spring member, and is equipped with a plurality of main body portions that have a wave-like shape consisting of peaks that are convex in the height direction along a circumferential direction around an axis parallel to the height direction, and valleys that have a curved pattern opposite to that of the peaks, and connecting portions that connect the outer edges of main body portions that form a set among the plurality of main body portions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring member. [Background technology]

[0002] A spring member is known that is placed between two pressed bodies and applies pressure to one or both of them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The spring member described in Patent Document 1 is made of a circular leaf spring, and has a wavy shape with repeated peaks and valleys in the circumferential direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5085402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the spring member described in Patent Document 1, if the number of contact points between the spring member and the pressed body is increased to make the load uniform, the number of peaks and valleys will be increased. However, increasing the number of peaks and valleys reduces the rising height of the peaks and valleys, which results in a reduced stroke amount of the spring member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a spring member that can uniformly distribute the load on the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the spring member of the present invention is a spring member that is placed between two pressed bodies and applies pressure to the pressed bodies, and is characterized in that it has a hollow circular shape when viewed in a plan view from the height direction of the spring member, and is equipped with a plurality of main body portions that have a wave-like shape consisting of a repeating peak portion that is convex in the height direction along a circumferential direction around an axis parallel to the height direction, and a valley portion that has a curved form opposite to that of the peak portion, and a connecting portion that connects the outer edges of main body portions that form a set among the plurality of main body portions.

[0007] Moreover, in the spring member according to the present invention, a portion of the main body portion to which the connecting portion is connected has a flat shape.

[0008] Moreover, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the connection portion is connected to a position including the top of the peak portion or the valley portion of the main body portion.

[0009] Furthermore, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the connection portion is connected to outer edges of each of the main body portions forming the pair that are at the same height in the height direction.

[0010] Furthermore, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the connection portion is connected to outer edges of each of the main body portions forming the set at positions different from each other in the height direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in the spring member according to the present invention, the connection portion is twisted.

[0012] Moreover, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the connection portion is at least partially curved in the height direction.

[0013] Moreover, in the spring member according to the present invention, the connection portion is curved in accordance with the shape of the main body portion.

[0014] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the connection portion has ends in the height direction and in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction connecting the main body portions, which are curved in a manner opposite to the curved manner of the central portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the spring member according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, at least some of the plurality of body portions comprise an outer body portion which is hollow in a plan view from the height direction and has a repeating pattern of peaks and valleys along the circumferential direction, and an inner body portion which is hollow in a plan view from the height direction and has a wave-like shape with a repeating pattern of peaks that are convex in the height direction along the circumferential direction around an axis parallel to the height direction and valleys that have a curved pattern opposite to that of the peaks, and which is provided inside the outer body portion, and the connecting portion comprises an outer connecting portion which connects the outer edges of a pair of outer body portions among the plurality of outer body portions, and an inner connecting portion which connects the outer edges of the outer body portion and the inner body portion.

[0016] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it further comprises, in a plan view from the height direction, a frame portion that accommodates the multiple main body portions and the connection portions, and a connecting portion that connects the main body portions and the frame portions.

[0017] Moreover, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the connecting portion is at least partially curved in the height direction.

[0018] In addition, in the spring member according to the present invention, the frame portion is curved in accordance with the shape of the connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the stroke amount and to make the load on the pressed body uniform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a development view showing some of the components of the spring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line CC shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line EE shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line FF shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view (part 1) showing a configuration of a part of a spring member according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a second cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a spring member according to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a configuration of a spring member according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In the following description, a spring member will be described as a form for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment"). However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of each part, etc., may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings include parts with different dimensions and ratios.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing some of the components of the spring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The spring member 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed between a first pressed body and a second pressed body by elastic force, and applies pressure to both pressed bodies. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the two pressed bodies are disposed so as to sandwich the spring member 1 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. In the following figures, the X and Y directions are on the same plane and are perpendicular to each other. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (the plane of the paper in Figure 1) is the Z direction. In Figure 1, parts located on one side of the Z direction (the front side of the paper in Figure 1) are displayed whiter, and parts located on the other side (the back side of the paper) are displayed blacker.

[0023] The spring member 1 is formed using spring steel made of metal, resin, etc. The spring member 1 is formed, for example, by punching out the outer shape of the spring member 1 into a ring shape from a flat spring steel plate and then partially curving it in the plate thickness direction (here, the Z direction).

[0024] The spring member 1 includes a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14) and a plurality of connecting portions (first connecting portion 21 to fourth connecting portion 24) that connect the main body portions together.

[0025] The first main body portion 11 has a hollow circular shape in a plan view seen from the height direction (here, the Z direction), and has a wave shape along the circumferential direction (for example, the dashed arrow shown in FIG. 1) about an axis parallel to the height direction. In FIG. 1, the first main body portion 11 has an annular shape in the XY plane and penetrates in the Z direction.

[0026] 2 is a development view showing the shape of the first main body portion 11 shown in FIG. 1 when observed clockwise from position A in the circumferential direction, and is a diagram showing the shape of the side surface when viewed along the circumferential direction. The first main body portion 11 has a wave shape along the circumferential direction, with peaks 11a that are convex in the Z direction and valleys 11b that are concave in the Z direction repeated. In the first embodiment, the peaks 11a and valleys 11b alternate every 45° in the circumferential direction of the first main body portion 11. Therefore, the first main body portion 11 has four peaks 11a and four valleys 11b.

[0027] The second main body portion 12 to the fourth main body portion 14 have a hollow, wavy circular shape similar to that of the first main body portion 11. In this embodiment, the main body parts are described as having the same shape and size, but they may have shapes that are partially different in terms of curvature, size, etc. Here, "the same (identical)" refers to something that is the same, including manufacturing errors, etc.

[0028] The first to fourth body portions 11 to 14 are formed by arranging the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12, and the third body portion 13 and the fourth body portion 14 in the X direction, respectively, and the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12, and the third body portion 13 and the fourth body portion 14, which form a pair in the X direction, are arranged in the Y direction. That is, the first to fourth body portions 11 to 14 are arranged in a 2-row, 2-column grid pattern. The first to fourth main body portions 11 to 14 are arranged such that the valleys 11b of the main body portions adjacent to each other in the X and Y directions face each other. In the first embodiment, the valleys of the first to fourth main body portions 11 to 14 are arranged in the X and Y directions.

[0029] The first to fourth connection portions 21 to 24 connect the main body portions of different pairs to each other.

[0030] The first connecting portion 21 extends in a flat plate shape and connects the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12. Specifically, the first connecting portion 21 connects to the outer edges of the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12. In this case, the first connecting portion 21 connects the body portions at a position where the distance between the body portions is the shortest, and connects the valley portion of the first body portion 11 to the valley portion of the second body portion. In the first embodiment, the first connection portion 21 is provided on the XY plane through which the valleys of the first main body portion 11 and the second main body portion 12 pass. In the first embodiment, the portion of the main body to which the connecting portion is connected (here, the valley portion) has a flat shape parallel to the XY plane (see, for example, FIG. 2).

[0031] The second connection portion 22 to the fourth connection portion 24 have the same plate shape as the first connection portion 21, and connect two main bodies together. Specifically, the second connection portion 22 connects the second main body portion 12 and the third main body portion 13. The third connection portion 23 connects the third main body portion 13 and the fourth main body portion 14. The fourth connection portion 24 connects the fourth main body portion 14 and the first main body portion 11.

[0032] When a pressed body is disposed on both sides of the spring member 1 in the Z direction, the tops of the peaks and valleys come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member 1 comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0033] In the first embodiment described above, each main body portion has a wave shape, and therefore contacts the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while enabling the stroke amount of the spring member 1 (each main body portion) in the Z direction to be long. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0034] Furthermore, the waveform main body according to the first embodiment described above exhibits linear load characteristics, in which the load increases or decreases in proportion to the amount of displacement in the Z direction. It is also possible to use a disc spring or a coil spring instead of the main body. However, disc springs exhibit nonlinear load characteristics, in that the load stops increasing midway through the displacement when compressed, and then decreases with further displacement. Furthermore, it is difficult to install coil springs in locations where the distance (gap) between the pressed bodies is narrow. In this way, the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment has a linear load characteristic compared to a disc spring or a coil spring, and can apply a load stably to the pressed body, and can ensure a sufficient stroke amount even when the distance between the pressed bodies is the same, especially when the distance is narrow.

[0035] Furthermore, when a disc spring is subjected to a load, the connection parts can become deformed, such as twisting or floating, which places a large load on the connection parts and can cause damage, but the spring member 1 of this embodiment 1 connects the valley parts of the main body parts together, so twisting or floating does not occur and damage to the spring member 1 and the pressed body can be suppressed.

[0036] In the first embodiment described above, a configuration including four main body portions and four connectors connecting the main body portions together has been described, but the number of main body portions and connectors is not limited to four. For example, a configuration including two main body portions and one connector connecting the main body portions together (e.g., a configuration including only first main body portion 11, second main body portion 12, and first connector 21) may also be used.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the connection portion is connected to a position including the tops of the valley portions of the main body portion, but it may also be configured to be connected to a position including the tops of the peak portions, or it may connect outer edges at different positions in the height direction (Z direction). When the main body portion connects outer edges at different positions in the height direction and the angles of the outer edges are different, the connection portion has, for example, a twisted shape. Here, "twisted" refers to a state in which the orientation of one end of the connection portion relative to the direction perpendicular to the Z direction is different from the orientation of the other end relative to the direction perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0038] (Variation 1) Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a spring member according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The first modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in the positional relationship of the corrugated projections and recesses in a part of the main body. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] The spring member 1A of this variant example 1 comprises a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11, second main body portion 12, third main body portion 13A and fourth main body portion 14A) and a plurality of connecting portions (first connecting portion 21, second connecting portion 22A, third connecting portion 23A and fourth connecting portion 24A) that connect the main body portions to each other.

[0040] In this first modification, the third body portion 13A and the fourth body portion 14A are each hollow and circular, and are wavy in the circumferential direction, similar to the first body portion 11, etc. The positions of the peaks and valleys of the third body portion 13A and the fourth body portion 14A are shifted by 45° relative to the third body portion 13 and the fourth body portion 14.

[0041] The first body portion 11, the second body portion 12, the third body portion 13A and the fourth body portion 14A are arranged in the X direction, with the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12, and the third body portion 13 and the fourth body portion 14, respectively, and the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12, which form a pair in the X direction, and the third body portion 13A and the fourth body portion 14A, which form a pair in the Y direction, are arranged in the Y direction. In this modification 1, the first main body portion 11 and the fourth main body portion 14A, and the second main body portion 12 and the third main body portion 13A, which are adjacent in the Y direction, are arranged so that their valleys and peaks face each other. The third main body portion 13A and the fourth main body portion 14A, which are adjacent in the X direction, are arranged so that their peaks face each other.

[0042] In this first modification, second connecting portion 22A connects the valleys of second main body portion 12 and the peaks of third main body portion 13. Similarly, fourth connecting portion 24A connects the valleys of second main body portion 12 and the peaks of third main body portion 13. Therefore, second connecting portion 22A and fourth connecting portion 24A have a shape that displaces in the Z direction. Second connecting portion 22A and fourth connecting portion 24A may have a shape that deforms in an S-shape, or a shape that extends linearly, for example.

[0043] Additionally, the third connecting portion 23A extends in a flat plate shape and connects the peaks of the third main body portion 13A and the peaks of the fourth main body portion 14A. In this first modification, the first connecting portion 21 and the third connecting portion 23A each extend in a flat plate shape, but are located at different positions in the Z direction.

[0044] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1A in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys of the spring member 1A come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since each main body portion has multiple peaks and valleys, the spring member 1A comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0045] In the above-described first modification, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it can contact the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while making it possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member 1A (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to this first modification, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this modified example 1, the orientation and connection position of the main body parts are set so that the connection heights of the connection parts that connect the main body parts to each other are different, which improves the freedom in setting the position at which the pressed body comes into contact compared to the configuration in which the connection heights are the same, such as the spring member 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1.

[0047] (Variation 2) Next, a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a spring member according to the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The second modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the connection portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0048] The spring member 1B according to the second modification includes a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14) and a connection portion 25 that connects the main body portions together.

[0049] In this modified example 2, the connecting portion 25 has an X-shape in which two straight lines intersect at right angles when viewed on the XY plane, and the ends of each line connect to the peaks of the first to fourth body portions 11 to 14. In this modified example 2, the connecting portion 25 connects the first to fourth body portions 11 to 14 that form a set.

[0050] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1B in the Z direction, the tops of the peaks and valleys of the peaks come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member 1B comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0051] In the above-described modified example 2, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it can contact the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while making it possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member 1B (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to this modified example 2, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this modification 2, by making the connecting portions that connect the main body portions to each other X-shaped, the distance between the main body portions can be narrowed compared to the spring member 1 according to the above-described embodiment 1.

[0053] (Variation 3) Next, a third variation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a spring member according to the third variation of the first embodiment of the present invention. The third variation differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes five main bodies. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0054] The spring member 1C of this modification 3 comprises a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11, second main body portion 12, third main body portion 13, fourth main body portion 14 and fifth main body portion 15) and a plurality of connecting portions (first connecting portion 31, second connecting portion 32, third connecting portion 33 and fourth connecting portion 34) that connect the main body portions to each other.

[0055] In the present modified example 3, the fifth main body portion 15, like the first main body portion 11, has a hollow circular shape and is wavy in the circumferential direction. The fifth main body portion 15 is located between the first main body portion 11 and the third main body portion 13, and between the second main body portion and the fourth main body portion 14. The first main body portion 11 to the fifth main body portion 15 are arranged in a houndstooth check pattern. That is, the fifth main body portion 15 is positioned with a shift in the X direction and the Y direction relative to the first main body portion 11 to the fourth main body portion 14, and is located in the center of the positional relationship of the first main body portion 11 to the fourth main body portion 14.

[0056] In addition, in the present third modification, the fifth main body portion 15 has peaks and valleys positioned such that the peaks of the first to fourth main body portions 11 to 14 face each other.

[0057] In the present third modification, the first connection portion 31 extends in a flat plate shape and connects the first main body portion 11 and the fifth main body portion 15. Specifically, the first connection portion 31 connects to the peaks of the first main body portion 11 and the peaks of the fifth main body portion 15. The first connection portion 31 is provided on the XY plane through which the peaks of the first main body portion 11 and the fifth main body portion 15 pass.

[0058] The second connection portion 32 to the fourth connection portion 34 have the same plate shape as the first connection portion 31, and connect two main bodies together. Specifically, the second connection portion 32 connects the second main body portion 12 and the fifth main body portion 15. The third connection portion 33 connects the third main body portion 13 and the fifth main body portion 15. The fourth connection portion 34 connects the fourth main body portion 14 and the fifth main body portion 15.

[0059] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1C in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys of the spring member 1C come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since each main body portion has multiple peaks and valleys, the spring member 1C comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0060] In the above-described third modification, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it can contact the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while making it possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member 1C (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to the third modification, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0061] Furthermore, according to variant example 3, the number of main body portions is greater than that of the spring member 1 according to embodiment 1, and therefore the number of contact points per unit area is increased, allowing for more stable application of load to the pressed body.

[0062] (Variation 4) Next, a fourth modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line BB shown in Fig. 6. The fourth modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the connection portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0063] The spring member 1D according to the present modification 4 includes a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14) and connection portions (first connection portion 21B to fourth connection portion 24B) that connect the main body portions together. Note that in the present modification 4, the description will be given assuming that the portions of the main body portions where the connection portions connect do not have flat portions but are curved in an arc in the height direction (Z direction).

[0064] The first connecting portion 21B to the fourth connecting portion 24B are each formed in an arc shape to match the shape of the main body portion to which they are connected. For example, the fourth connecting portion 24 is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG.

[0065] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1D in the Z direction, the tops of the peaks and valleys of the peaks come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member 1D comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0066] In the above-described fourth modification, as in the first embodiment, each main body is wavy, so that it is possible to make contact with the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while also lengthening the stroke amount of the spring member 1D (each main body) in the Z direction. According to the fourth modification, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the fourth modification, the first connecting portion 21B to the fourth connecting portion 24B, which respectively connect the main body portions to each other, are curved in the height direction (Z direction), so that these connecting portions can also function as springs.

[0068] In addition, in this modification 4, if the connection portion has a flat portion (see Figure 2) like the first connection portion 21 to the fourth connection portion 24 in embodiment 1, and is wider than this flat portion in the width direction (for example, the X direction in the case of the fourth connection portion 24B) perpendicular to the connection direction and the Z direction, the connection portion will be curved in an arc shape in the height direction (Z direction) in the part that exceeds the flat portion in the width direction.

[0069] (Variation 5) Next, a fifth variation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the fifth variation of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line CC shown in Fig. 8. The fifth variation differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the connection portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0070] The spring member according to the fifth modification includes a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14) and connection portions (first connection portion to fourth connection portion) that connect the main body portions together.

[0071] The configuration of the connection portion according to Modification 5 will now be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 show the configuration of first connection portion 21C, and the configuration of first connection portion 21C will be described here, but the second to fourth connection portions have similar configurations.

[0072] The first connecting portion 21C has a main portion 211, a first coupling portion 212 that couples the main portion 211 and the first main body portion 11 together, and a second coupling portion 213 that couples the main portion 211 and the second main body portion 12 together.

[0073] The main portion 211 extends longer in the connection direction (here, the X direction) and the width direction (here, the Y direction) perpendicular to the Z direction than the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 213, and has a curved shape. Specifically, the main portion 211 has a central portion 211a in the Y direction that curves in accordance with the main body portion, and the Y-direction end portions 211b and 211c that curve in a manner opposite to the curve of the central portion 211a. In this case, the edge portions of the end portions 211b and 211c are curved toward the central portion 211a.

[0074] In the spring member according to the fifth modification, when a pressed body is disposed on both sides in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0075] In the above-described modification 5, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it can contact the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while making it possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to this modification 5, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this variant example 5, since the ends (e.g., ends 211b, 211c) of each connection part are curved, the part of the edge part that can come into contact with the pressed body is reduced compared to the configuration of the connection part according to variant example 4, and therefore damage to the pressed body can be more reliably suppressed.

[0077] (Variation 6) Next, a sixth modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line DD shown in Fig. 10. The sixth modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the connection portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0078] The spring member 1E according to the sixth modification includes a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14) and connection portions (first connection portion 41 to fourth connection portion 44) that connect the main body portions together.

[0079] The configuration of the connection portion according to Modification 6 will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 11 shows the configuration of the fourth connection portion 34, but the first to third connection portions 31 to 33 also have similar cross sections.

[0080] The first connecting portion 41 extends between the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12 and is made up of two extending portions (a first extending portion 411 and a second extending portion 412) that connect the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12 together. The second connecting portion 42 to the fourth connecting portion 44 have the same configuration as the first connecting portion 41 and connect the two body portions together. Specifically, the second connecting portion 42 is made up of two extending portions and connects the second body portion 12 and the third body portion 13. The third connecting portion 43 is made up of two extending portions and connects the third body portion 13 and the fourth body portion 14. The fourth connecting portion 44 is made up of two extending portions (a first extending portion 441 and a second extending portion 442) and connects the fourth body portion 14 and the first body portion 11.

[0081] The extensions of each connection part are connected between the peaks and valleys of the main body part, and extend at an angle relative to the X direction according to the shape of the main body part (see FIG. 11).

[0082] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1E in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys of the spring member 1E come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since each main body portion has multiple peaks and valleys, the spring member 1E comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0083] In the above-described sixth modification, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it is possible to make contact with the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while also lengthening the stroke amount of the spring member 1E (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to the sixth modification, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0084] Furthermore, according to this variant example 6, at each connection portion, the extension portion is connected between the peak portion and the valley portion, so there is no need to form a flat portion or the like to connect the connection portion to the peak portion or the valley portion, thereby improving design freedom.

[0085] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line EE shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line FF shown in Fig. 12. The second embodiment differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes a frame portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0086] The spring member 1F of this embodiment 2 comprises a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14), a plurality of connection portions (first connection portion 21 to fourth connection portion 24) that connect the main body portions to each other, a frame portion 50, and a plurality of linking portions (first linking portion 51 to fourth linking portion 54) that link the frame portion 50 and each main body portion.

[0087] The frame 50 is a hollow flat plate, and houses the main body and each connection part in the hollow part. The first connecting portion 51 to the fourth connecting portion 54 connect any of the main body portions to the frame portion 50. Specifically, the first connecting portion 51 connects the first main body portion 11 to the frame portion 50. The second connecting portion 52 connects the second main body portion 12 to the frame portion 50. The third connecting portion 53 connects the third main body portion 13 to the frame portion 50. The fourth connecting portion 54 connects the fourth main body portion 14 to the frame portion 50. The first connecting portion 51 to the fourth connecting portion 54 each connect to a valley portion of the main body portion. For example, the fourth connecting portion 54 is linear as shown in Fig. 13. The frame portion 50 is a hollow flat plate that is linear in both the X and Y directions (see Fig. 14, for example).

[0088] When a pressed body is disposed on both sides of the spring member 1F in the Z direction, the peaks of the peaks and valleys of the spring member 1F come into contact with the pressed body. Since each main body has multiple peaks and valleys, the spring member 1F comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body. Furthermore, the frame 50 comes into contact with the pressed body located on the valley side of the main body.

[0089] In the above-described second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it can contact the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while making it possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member 1F (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0090] Moreover, according to the second embodiment, the relative positional relationship of each main body part can be maintained more reliably because each main body part is held by the frame part 50. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, by attaching the frame part 50 to the pressed body, it is possible to suppress misalignment with respect to the pressed body.

[0091] (Modification 1 of Embodiment 2) Next, a first modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16. Figs. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of a portion of a spring member according to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 shows a cross-section corresponding to the line EE shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 16 shows a cross-section corresponding to the line FF shown in Fig. 12. The first modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1F according to the second embodiment in the configuration of the connecting portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0092] Compared to the second embodiment, the first to fourth connecting portions according to the first modification are wider in the connection direction and in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, and are arc-shaped in the height direction (Z direction) to match the shape of the main body portion to which they are connected. For example, the fourth connecting portion 54 is arc-shaped as shown in FIG. 15. The frame portion 50 is curved in accordance with the shapes of at least the first to fourth connecting portions (see, for example, FIG. 16). The shape at a position away from the first to fourth connecting portions may be wavy or linear.

[0093] In the spring member according to the first modification, when a pressed body is disposed on both sides in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0094] In the above-described first modification, as in the second embodiment, each main body is wavy, so that it is possible to make contact with the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while also lengthening the stroke amount of the spring member (each main body) in the Z direction. According to this first modification, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0095] (Modification 2 of Embodiment 2) Next, a second modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line GG shown in Fig. 17. The second modification differs from the configuration of the spring member 1F according to the second embodiment in the configuration of the connection portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment and the sixth modification will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0096] The spring member 1G comprises a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14), connection portions (first connection portion 41 to fourth connection portion 44) that connect the main body portions to each other, a frame portion 50, and a plurality of linking portions (first linking portion 51A to fourth linking portion 54A) that link the frame portion 50 and each main body portion.

[0097] The configuration of the connection portion according to Modification 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 17, 18, and 14. Figure 18 shows the configuration of fourth coupling portion 54A, but first coupling portion 51A to third coupling portion 53A also have similar cross sections.

[0098] The first connecting portion 51A extends between the first main body portion 11 and the frame portion 50 and is composed of two extending portions (a third extending portion 511 and a fourth extending portion 512) that connect the first main body portion 11 and the frame portion 50. The second connecting portion 52A to the fourth connecting portion 54A have the same configuration as the first connecting portion 51A and connect the two main bodies, respectively. Specifically, the second connecting portion 52A is composed of two extending portions and connects the second main body portion 12 and the frame portion 50. The third connecting portion 53A is composed of two extending portions and connects the third main body portion 13 and the frame portion 50. The fourth connecting portion 54A is composed of two extending portions (a third extending portion 541 and a fourth extending portion 542) and connects the fourth main body portion 14 and the frame portion 50.

[0099] The extending portions of the first connecting portion 51A to the fourth connecting portion 54A are connected between the peaks and valleys of the main body portion. Each extending portion extends at an angle relative to the connecting direction and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction (see FIG. 18) according to the shape of the main body portion, and is then twisted in advance so as to be parallel to the connecting direction and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction. Therefore, the frame portion 50 has a hollow, flat plate-like shape that is linear in both the X and Y directions. For example, the cross section taken along line HH in FIG. 17 has the same shape as the cross section shown in FIG. 14. The cross section taken along line HH may also have the same shape as the cross section shown in FIG. 16.

[0100] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1G in the Z direction, the apexes of the peaks and valleys of the spring member 1G come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since each main body portion has multiple peaks and valleys, the spring member 1G comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0101] In the above-described modified example 2, as in the second embodiment, each main body portion has a wave shape, so that it contacts the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, and it is possible to increase the stroke amount of the spring member 1G (each main body portion) in the Z direction. According to this modified example 2, it is possible to uniformly apply a load to the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount.

[0102] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the configuration of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes a frame portion. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0103] The spring member 1H of this embodiment 3 comprises a plurality of main body portions (first main body portion 11 to fourth main body portion 14: in this embodiment 3, referred to as the first outer main body portion 11 to the fourth outer main body portion 14), a plurality of connection portions (first connection portion 21 to fourth connection portion 24: in this embodiment 3, referred to as the first outer connection portion 21 to the fourth outer connection portion 24) that connect the main body portions to each other, inner main body portions (first inner main body portion 61 to fourth inner main body portion 64) that are respectively provided inside the main body portions, and a plurality of inner connection portions (first inner connection portion 71 to fourth inner connection portion 74) that connect the outer main body portions and the inner main body portions.

[0104] The first outer main body portion 11 to the fourth outer main body portion 14 and the first outer connecting portion 21 to the fourth outer connecting portion 24 have the same configuration as the first main body portion 11 to the fourth main body portion 14 and the first connecting portion 21 to the fourth connecting portion 24 in embodiment 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0105] The first inner body portion 61 is provided inside the first outer body portion 11 and has a hollow circular shape. The first inner body portion 61 has a wave shape in which peaks that are convex in the Z direction and valleys that are concave in the Z direction are repeated along the circumferential direction. In the third embodiment, peaks and valleys alternate every 45° in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first inner body portion 61 has four peaks and four valleys. Furthermore, the first inner body portion 61 is provided with peaks and valleys aligned in the X and Y directions relative to the first outer body portion 11.

[0106] The second inner body portion 62 to the fourth inner body portion 64 have a hollow, wavy circular shape similar to that of the first inner body portion 61, and are provided inside the outer body portion. Specifically, the second inner body portion 62 is provided inside the second outer body portion 12 with its peaks and valleys aligned in the X and Y directions. The third inner body portion 63 is provided inside the third outer body portion 13 with its peaks and valleys aligned in the X and Y directions. The fourth inner body portion 64 is provided inside the fourth outer body portion 14 with its peaks and valleys aligned in the X and Y directions. The heights of the peaks and valleys in the Z direction may be the same for the outer main body portion and the inner main body portion, or may be different from each other.

[0107] The first inner connecting portion 71 to the fourth inner connecting portion 74 extend in a plate-like shape and connect the outer main body portion and the inner main body portion. Specifically, the first inner connecting portion 71 connects the first outer main body portion 11 and the first inner main body portion 61. The second inner connecting portion 72 connects the second outer main body portion 12 and the second inner main body portion 62. The third inner connecting portion 73 connects the third outer main body portion 13 and the third inner main body portion 63. The fourth inner connecting portion 74 connects the fourth outer main body portion 14 and the fourth inner main body portion 64. In the third embodiment, the inner connection portion connects the valley portion of the outer main body portion with the valley portion of the inner main body portion. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the inside connection portion is provided on the extension line of the outside connection portion, but it may be provided at a position different from the extension line of the outside connection portion.

[0108] When a pressed body is placed on both sides of the spring member 1H in the Z direction, the tops of the peaks and valleys of the peaks come into contact with the pressed body. At this time, since multiple peaks and valleys are formed in each main body, the spring member 1H comes into contact with the pressed body at multiple points and presses the pressed body.

[0109] In the above-described third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, each main body portion is wavy, and therefore contacts the pressed body at multiple points to apply a uniform load, while enabling the stroke amount of the spring member 1H (each main body portion) in the Z direction to be increased. According to the third embodiment, it is possible to uniformize the load on the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount. In the third embodiment, an inner main body portion is further provided, and therefore it is possible to uniformize the load on the pressed body more reliably than the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0110] In the third embodiment described above, the relative positions of the peaks and valleys of the outer and inner main body portions may be shifted in the circumferential direction. Although the third embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which all outer main body portions have inner main body portions, it may also be possible for at least one outer main body portion to have an inner main body portion, for example, for only main body portion 11 to have an inner main body portion. The third embodiment may also be provided with frame portion 50 according to the second embodiment.

[0111] In this way, the present invention can include various embodiments not described here, and various design changes can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the technical idea specified by the claims.

[0112] As described above, the spring member according to the present invention is suitable for achieving uniformity of the load on the pressed body while suppressing a reduction in the stroke amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1, 1A~1H Spring members 11 First body part (first outer body part) 12 Second body part (second outer body part) 13 Third body part (third outer body part) 13A Third body part 14 Fourth body part (fourth outer body part) 14A Fourth body part 15 5th main body 21 1st connecting part (1st outer connecting part) 21B, 21C, 31, 41 1st section 22 2nd connecting part (2nd outer connecting part) 22A, 22B, 32, 42 2nd connection 23 3rd joint (3rd outside joint) 23A, 23B, 33, 43 3rd section 24 4th joint (4th outer joint) 24A, 24B, 34, 44 4th section 25 Jiebu 50 Shibe 51, 51A, 212 First connecting section 52, 52A, 213 Second connecting section 53, 53A, Third Connecting Section 54, 54A, 4th connecting section 61 First inner body part 62 Second inner body part 63 Third inner body part 64 Fourth inner body part 71 First inner joint 72 Second inner joint 73 Third inner joint 74 Fourth inner joint 211 Main Department 411, 441, Section 1 (Extended) 412, 442, Part 2 511 The 3rd extension 512, Section 4, Extended

Claims

1. A spring member that is disposed between two pressed bodies and applies pressure to the pressed bodies, a plurality of main body portions each having a hollow circular shape in a plan view from the height direction of the spring member, and each having a wave-like shape that repeats peaks that are convex in the height direction along a circumferential direction around an axis parallel to the height direction, and valleys that are curved in a manner opposite to the peaks; a connecting portion that connects outer edges of the main body portions that form a pair among the plurality of main body portions; A spring member comprising:

2. The main body has a flat portion to which the connecting portion is connected. The spring member according to claim 1 .

3. the connecting portion is connected to a position including a top of the peak portion or the valley portion of the main body portion. The spring member according to claim 1 .

4. The connecting portion is connected to outer edges of the main body portions of the pair at positions having the same height in the height direction. The spring member according to claim 1 .

5. the connecting portion is connected to outer edges of the main body portions of the pair at positions different from each other in the height direction; The spring member according to claim 1 .

6. The connection portion is twisted. The spring member according to claim 5 .

7. At least a portion of the connection portion is curved in the height direction. The spring member according to claim 1 .

8. The connection portion is curved according to the shape of the main body portion.

8. The spring member according to claim 7, wherein the spring member is a spring member having a first end and a second end.

9. The connecting portion has an end portion in a direction perpendicular to the height direction and the connecting direction connecting the main body portions, the end portion being curved in a manner opposite to the curved manner of the central portion.

8. The spring member according to claim 7, wherein the spring member is a spring member having a first end and a second end.

10. At least some of the main body portions of the plurality of main body portions are an outer main body portion that has a hollow circular shape when viewed from above in the height direction and in which the peaks and valleys are repeated along the circumferential direction; an inner main body portion provided inside the outer main body portion, the inner main body portion having a hollow circular shape in a plan view from the height direction, a wave shape having a repeating pattern of peaks that are convex in the height direction along a circumferential direction around an axis parallel to the height direction, and valleys that are curved in a manner opposite to the peaks; and The connection portion is an outer connection portion that connects outer edges of pairs of the outer body portions among the plurality of outer body portions; an inner connection portion connecting outer edges of the outer body portion and the inner body portion; 2. The spring member according to claim 1, further comprising:

11. a frame portion that accommodates the plurality of main body portions and the connection portions in a plan view seen from the height direction; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the frame portion; The spring element of claim 1 further comprising:

12. At least a portion of the connecting portion is curved in the height direction. The spring element according to claim 11 .

13. The frame portion is curved according to the shape of the connecting portion. The spring element according to claim 12 .

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