Spacer

Abstract

To provide a spacer capable of adjusting height. [Solution] The spacer has a cylindrical or columnar core portion, and a tubular cover portion that fits loosely into the core portion with its inner surface facing the outer surface of the core portion and that can rotate around the central axis of the core portion, one of the outer surface of the core portion and the inner surface of the cover portion having a spirally formed groove portion, and the other of the outer surface of the core portion and the inner surface of the cover portion having a protrusion portion that can engage with the groove portion and slide along the groove portion, and the groove portion has a plurality of locking portions formed at predetermined intervals to lock the sliding of the protrusion portion along the groove portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spacer, which is a device for providing a space between two members and fixing them so that the distance between them can be adjusted. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a spacer with an adjustable function is known, which includes first and second hollow members that are movable in the axial direction of each other and have surfaces that are inclined relative to the axis (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-167541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional spacer structures, the height can be adjusted by tightening the spacer with a screw when fixing a hard material such as a substrate. However, if a soft material such as a sponge is sandwiched between the spacer and the substrate, the screw may be overtightened more than originally intended. Therefore, when fixing a soft material, the aforementioned adjustable spacer cannot be used. Furthermore, changing the fixing height requires a spacer of a different height, which creates the problem of having to specify a new spacer to match the desired height each time. In other words, it is difficult to change the height of a single spacer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a spacer structure that allows height adjustment using a spacer that combines two parts (a core part and a cover part). [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The spacer of the present invention is a spacer that is positioned between a first member and a second member and separates the first member and the second member, and has a cylindrical or columnar core portion and a tubular cover portion that fits loosely into the core portion so that its inner surface faces the outer surface of the core portion and that can rotate around the central axis of the core portion, and is characterized in that one of the outer surface of the core portion and the inner surface of the cover portion has a spirally formed groove portion, and the other of the outer surface of the core portion and the inner surface of the cover portion has a protrusion portion that engages with the groove portion and can slide along the groove portion, and the groove portion has a plurality of locking portions formed at predetermined intervals to lock the sliding of the protrusion portion along the groove portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, the spiral structure allows for multi-stage height adjustment, making it possible to finely adjust the height to a plurality of heights (intervals) with one spacer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a spacer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a core part of a spacer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a cover portion of a spacer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a front view of the cover portion seen from the cover plane portion on the spacer side according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a front view showing the core of the spacer inside the cover portion according to the first embodiment, corresponding to the front view of the cover portion in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover part shown in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment, taken along the diameter of the cover part. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top view of the spacer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A and 4B are a front view and a side view illustrating the operation of the spacer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the spacer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the spacer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a spacer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a core part of a spacer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cover portion of a spacer according to a second embodiment, taken along the diameter of the cover portion. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a spacer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a core part of a spacer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cover portion of a spacer according to a third embodiment, taken along the diameter of the cover portion. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cover portion and a core portion taken along a diameter of a spacer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is a partial cross-sectional view (indicated by the circled broken line in FIG. 17) illustrating the cantilever spring action of the cover portion during rotation of the spacer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] 18 is a partial cross-sectional view (indicated by the circled broken line in FIG. 17) illustrating the cantilever spring action of the cover portion during locking of the spacer according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a spacer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description and accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (First Example) (Configuration explanation) 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a spacer of Example 1. For convenience of explanation, the longitudinal direction of the spacer will be described as the vertical direction (gravity direction).

[0011] The spacer 1 is a columnar device whose both longitudinal end faces extend between opposing wall surfaces WL and WR of substrates or the like, and has both end faces H2 and H3. The spacer 1 is disposed between the first member and the second member, and separates the wall surface WL (first member) from the wall surface WR (second member).

[0012] The spacer 1 comprises a cylindrical core 2 having a first end face H2 and a hollow cylindrical cover 3 having a second end face H3 and an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the outer surface of the core 2, which is loosely fitted into the core 2, and these are arranged coaxially about a central axis. The spacer 1 is configured so that the core 2 is loosely fitted into the hollow of the cover 3, and the distance (height) between both end faces (first end face H2, second end face H3) of the spacer 1 can be adjusted by a spiral structure described below. A pair of cover flat faces F3 parallel to the central axis are provided on the side of the cover 3. The cover flat faces F3 can be rotated relative to the core 2 by clamping them with a general-purpose tool such as a wrench or pliers.

[0013] The cover flat surface F3 of the cover 3 has a through-hole US2 formed corresponding to the locking portion K3, through which the protrusion T2 of the core 2 that locks with the locking portion K3 (described later) can be visually confirmed.

[0014] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the core 2 of the spacer 1. The lower end surface of the core 2 is the first end surface H2 of the spacer 1, and on the opposite side is the upper end surface H22 of the core 2. The core 2 has four protrusions T2 on the cylindrical outer surface near the upper end surface H22, protruding in all directions when viewed from above, spaced at 90-degree intervals. The protrusions T2 of the core 2 are arranged along a spiral groove M3 (described below) on the inner surface of the cover 3 so as to slide in the groove M3.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the cover portion 3 of the spacer 1, and Fig. 4 is a front view of the cover portion 3 as seen from one of the cover flat surfaces F3, with the structure of the hollow cylindrical inner surface indicated by dashed lines. The upper end face of the cover portion 3 is the second end face H3 of the spacer 1, and an opening is formed in the lower end face into which the cylindrical core portion 2 is inserted. The cover portion 3 is configured so that a through hole U3 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole U2 (Fig. 2) of the core portion 2 is formed around the central axis of the second end face H3, exposing the upper end face H22 of the core portion 2 and the through hole U2 (Fig. 2).

[0016] 5 is a front view showing the core part 2 inside the cover part 3 corresponding to the front view of the cover part 3 in FIG. 4. And FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover part 3 cut along the diameter of the cover part 3 shown in FIG.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the inner surface of the cover part 3 has a groove M3 spirally formed around the central axis. The spiral groove M3 is shaped to fit the protrusion T2 of the core part 2 loosely and is longer than the protrusion T2 in the sliding direction of the protrusion T2. ​​As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the groove M3 of the cover part 3 is formed with a groove pitch MP as the groove spacing. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions T2, which are arranged 180 degrees apart and provided on the side surface near the upper end surface H22 of the core part 2 that slides along the groove M3, are formed with a protrusion pitch MP / 2 as the protrusion spacing. This allows the protrusions T2 of the core part 2 to slide relatively along the groove M3 on the inner surface of the cover part 3, and the loosely fitted core part 2 and cover part 3 can rotate relatively and move longitudinally. This allows the length of the spacer 1 to be adjusted by adjusting the length of the core part 2 protruding from the opening of the cover part 3.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the groove M3 of the cover portion 3 has a plurality of locking portions K3 formed at predetermined intervals (every 90 degrees on all sides when viewed from above). These locking portions K3 are recessed downward to prevent the protrusion T2 from sliding along the groove M3. This allows the core portion 2, which is loosely fitted into the cover portion 3, to be locked by the locking portions K3 every 90 degrees of rotation around the central axis. With the spacer 1 fixed, fixing members, such as bolts and nuts (not shown), can be provided through the through holes U2 of the core portion 2 and U3 of the cover portion 3 to fix the wall surface WL (first member) and the wall surface WR (second member). If a simple gap member is used without using bolts and nuts as fixing members, the core portion 2 can be cylindrical and the cover portion 3 can be cup-shaped without providing the through holes U2 of the core portion 2 and U3 of the cover portion 3.

[0019] Guide grooves G3 are provided on the inner surface of the opening side of the cover part 3. The guide grooves G3 are parallel to the central axis and intersect with the grooves M3 at the same intervals as the locking parts K3. The guide grooves G3 allow the cover part 3 to easily guide the protrusions T2 of the core part 2 from the opening side to a predetermined fixing position.

[0020] 7 is a top view of the spacer 1. A scale indicating the rotational position (e.g., numbers 1 to 9 corresponding to the height level) corresponding to the locking portion K3 is formed on the first end surface H2 of the cover portion 3. Furthermore, a pointer indicating the height level, together with a mark indicating the direction in which the length (height) of the spacer 1 related to the operation is shortened or lengthened, is formed on the upper end surface H22 of the core portion 2 exposed from the through hole U3 of the cover portion 3.

[0021] (Explanation of operation) 8A and 8B are front and side views showing the operation of the spacer 1. For example, from above the core 2 with the first end face H2 attached to a housing (not shown), the guide groove G3 of the cover 3 is aligned with the protrusion T2, and the cover 3 is placed over the opening (FIG. 8A). This causes the protrusion T2 to be fixed to the lowest locking portion K3 of the cover 3. At this point, the spacer 1 is in its longest (highest) state, and the protrusion T2 at the locking portion K3 can be seen through the viewing hole US2.

[0022] Thereafter, the cover portion 3 is lifted slightly upward (FIG. 8(B)), and it can be confirmed through the visual hole US2 that the protrusion portion T2 has been transferred to the spiral groove portion M3.

[0023] Then, the cover part 3 is rotated (Fig. 8(C)). By rotating the cover part 3, the protrusion T2 feels like it is moving along the groove M3, and the cover part 3 becomes one level lower. When the locking part K3 of the cover part 3 is rotated to a position next to the protrusion T2 of the core part 2, the cover part 3 lowers in the direction of gravity (Fig. 8(D)), the locking part K3 fits into the protrusion T2, and the cover part 3 no longer rotates.

[0024] When the rotation for adjusting the height of the spacer 1 shown in FIG. 8 is repeated nine times, the spacer 1 reaches its shortest (lowest) state as shown in FIG.

[0025] On the other hand, when the rotational movement shown in FIG. 8 is repeated nine times from the shortest (lowest) state of the spacer 1 shown in FIG. 9, the spacer 1 returns to its longest (highest) state as shown in FIG.

[0026] (Explanation of effect) According to this embodiment, a structure is obtained in which the height can be easily adjusted by relatively rotating the two components, the core portion 2 and the cover portion 3. In addition, the height of the spacer 1 can be changed as desired by changing the arrangement of the protrusions T2 and the locking portions K3 and the groove pitch MP. For example, in this embodiment, the protrusions T2 and the locking portions K3 are arranged at 90-degree intervals, but by increasing the number of protrusions T2 and locking portions K3 and changing the arrangement at 45-degree intervals, the height of the spacer 1 can be adjusted even more precisely.

[0027] According to this embodiment, when fitting, the position where the cover part 3 and the core part 2 can be fixed can be seen from the outside through the visual hole US2 for checking the fitting, so it is possible to check from the outside whether the cover part 3 and the core part 2 are fitted correctly.

[0028] The guide groove G3 in this embodiment allows the core 2 to be inserted straight up to the middle of the spiral during assembly, thereby reducing the assembly time.

[0029] According to this embodiment, when providing the cover flat portion F3, the shape of the spacer 1 can be changed to a hexagonal or rectangular shape when viewed from above. The cover flat portion F3 can be attached with a general-purpose tool as long as it has two parallel surfaces, but assembly is also possible even if the outer shape of the cover portion 3 when viewed from above is changed to a hexagonal or rectangular shape.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the height of the spacer is not adjusted continuously, but is fixed by fitting the protrusion T2 with the locking portion K3 of the groove M3. Therefore, by aligning the fitting positions, it is possible to easily adjust each spacer to the same height even when using multiple spacers in parallel.

[0031] (Second Example) (Explanation of configuration and operation) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which a spiral-shaped groove portion M3, a locking portion K3, and a guide groove G3 are provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 3, and a protrusion portion T2 is provided on the outer surface of the core portion 2.However, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that a spiral-shaped groove portion M2, a locking portion K2, and a guide groove G2 are provided on the outer surface of the core portion 2, a protrusion portion T3 is provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 3, and no viewing hole US2 is provided.

[0032] In this embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment can be achieved, except that the positional relationship between the grooves, locking portions, and protrusions is reversed between the core portion 2 and the cover portion 3.

[0033] (Explanation of effect) In the case of the second embodiment, the spiral groove M2 is provided on the outer surface of the core 2, which makes it easy to machine using a lathe or the like, and is expected to improve workability. This embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0034] In this way, the spacer 1 in both embodiments has a cylindrical or columnar core portion 2 and a tubular cover portion 3 that fits loosely into the core portion 2 so that its inner surface faces the outer surface of the core portion 2 and can rotate around the central axis of the core portion 2, and one of the outer surface of the core portion 2 and the inner surface of the cover portion 3 has a spirally formed groove portion, and the other of the outer surface of the core portion 2 and the inner surface of the cover portion 3 has a protrusion portion that engages with the groove portion and can slide along the groove portion, and the groove portion may have a plurality of locking portions formed at predetermined intervals to lock the sliding of the protrusion portion along the groove portion.

[0035] (Third Example) (Explanation of configuration and operation) In the second embodiment, an example (Figures 11 and 12) was described in which multiple locking portions K2, which serve as recesses below the groove M2 of the core portion 2 to lock the sliding of the protrusion T3 (Figures 11 and 13) along the groove M2, are formed at predetermined intervals (every 90 degrees in all directions when viewed from above).However, as shown in Figures 14 to 19, the third embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that, instead of the locking portions K2, recesses K22 that are radially deeper than the groove M2 are formed at predetermined intervals in the groove M2 of the core portion 2 as locking portions, and a pair of second protrusions T33 that have a height higher than the protrusion T3 of the cover portion 3 and are shaped to fit into the recesses K22 are provided in place of the protrusions T3 at positions diametrically opposite each other on the core portion 2, and a cantilever spring B3 (spring member) having the second protrusion T33 at its tip is formed on the wall of the cover portion 3.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 17, each of the recesses K22 as the locking portion in the third embodiment is a hole that is deeper in the radial direction than the groove M2 of the core portion 2.

[0037] As shown in Figures 14, 16, and 17, each of the cantilever springs B3, which have a pair of opposing second protrusions T33 at their tips, is formed by cutting out a portion of the outer wall of the cover part 3 so as to extend downward parallel to the central axis.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 18, each of the cantilever springs B3 having a pair of opposing second protrusions T33 at their tips elastically deforms so that the opposing cantilever springs B3 move apart while the second protrusions T33 slide along the spiral groove M2 of the core 2 (while the cover 3 rotates). Then, as shown in Fig. 19, when the second protrusions T33 fit into the recesses K22, each of the cantilever springs B3 returns to its original shape, and the second protrusions T33 are locked in the recesses K22. The protrusions T3 other than the second protrusions T33 remain in the grooves M2, and therefore play a supporting role in fixing the cover 3.

[0039] In this embodiment, it is possible to perform the same operations as in the first and second embodiments, except that the operation of lifting the cover part 3 upward (Figure 8(B)) and the operation of lowering the cover part 3 upward in the direction of gravity (Figure 8(D)) are not necessary.

[0040] (Explanation of effect) In this embodiment, the resistance due to deformation of the cantilever spring B3 increases slightly while the cover part 3 is rotating, but this embodiment can also achieve the same effect as the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 spacer 2 core 3 Cover T2, T3 protrusion M2, M3 groove K2, K3 locking parts US2 sight hole MP Groove Pitch F3 Cover flat surface G2, G3 guide grooves T33 2nd protrusion B3 Cantilever spring

Claims

1. a spacer disposed between a first member and a second member to separate the first member and the second member, a cylindrical or columnar core; a cylindrical cover portion that is loosely fitted to the core portion such that an inner surface thereof faces an outer surface of the core portion and that is rotatable around a central axis of the core portion; and One of the outer surface of the core portion and the inner surface of the cover portion has a groove formed in a spiral shape, the other of the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the cover has a protrusion that is engageable with the groove and slidable along the groove; The spacer is characterized in that the groove has a plurality of locking portions formed at predetermined intervals to lock the protrusion against sliding along the groove.

2. 2. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed on an inner surface of the cover, and the protrusion is formed on an outer surface of the core.

3. 2. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed on an inner surface of the cover, and the groove is formed on an outer surface of the core.

4. The spacer according to claim 1 , wherein the groove is longer than the protrusion in the direction in which the protrusion can slide.

5. 2. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein one of the core portion and the cover portion in which the groove is formed has a guide groove parallel to the central axis of the core portion.

6. 3. The spacer according to claim 2, wherein a through hole is formed on an outer surface of the cover portion, through which the protrusion portion that engages with the engaging portion can be seen.

7. a recess that is radially deeper than the groove of the core portion is formed as the locking portion, a pair of second protrusions shaped to fit into the recesses are provided at positions facing each other across the diameter of the core; 4. The spacer according to claim 3, wherein a cantilever spring having the second protrusion at its tip is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the cover.

8. A spacer as described in claim 1, characterized in that a through hole is formed in one end surface of the cover portion to expose one end surface of the core portion, and indications related to operation are formed on one end surface of the cover portion and one end surface of the core portion.

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