Forward and backward moving device

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a reciprocating movement device that can suppress the operating load with a simple configuration. [Solution] The reciprocating device 1 comprises a case, a reciprocating member 3, a biasing member 4, and a cam member 5. The reciprocating member 3 is provided with a first engaging portion E1. The cam member 5 is provided with a first cam surface 511, a first holding portion 521 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the reciprocating member 3 is held in a forward holding position, and a second holding portion 522 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the reciprocating member 3 is held in a retracted holding position. When the object to be connected moves from a first state to a second state, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from a first rotation position to a second rotation position in the circumferential direction D2 while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. At the second rotation position, the restriction on movement in the retraction direction D12 is released, and the reciprocating member 3 is guided within the case to move linearly in the retraction direction D12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a forward and backward movement device.

Background Art

[0002] A device in which a forward and backward member moves with respect to a case, such as a device that opens and closes a lid covering a fuel filler opening of a vehicle, is configured to reciprocate between a forward position where the forward and backward member protrudes from the case and a backward position where it is housed in the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the device of Patent Document 1, the forward and backward member is pushed in the backward direction while rotating in the circumferential direction between the forward holding position where it has advanced and the backward holding position where it has retreated. Therefore, in addition to the force in the backward direction, a force in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) is required, and the operation load when pushing in the forward and backward member becomes high.

[0004] As a solution to the above operation load, there is a technique such as that of Patent Document 2. The device of Patent Document 2 includes a pusher that moves in the forward and backward directions, and a control ring and a control sleeve provided to hold the pusher in the forward holding position and the backward holding position. The pusher, which is the forward and backward member, rotates when engaging with a lid that is closed from the open state. Then, when the pusher is pushed down by the lid, a protrusion provided on the control ring contacts an inclined surface of a protrusion provided on the control sleeve, and the control ring rotates with respect to the control sleeve. After the control ring rotates a predetermined amount, the pusher moves in the forward direction by the biasing force of a spring, and the protrusion of the control ring and the protrusion of the control sleeve engage in the axial direction, so that the pusher is held in the backward holding position. In the operation of the pusher as described above, since the pusher only moves linearly in the backward direction after rotating when engaging with the lid, the pushing-down load of the pusher becomes small.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] However, the device described in Patent Document 2 requires at least three structures—a pusher, a control sleeve, and a control ring—to achieve the above operation. Furthermore, the control sleeve must be positioned so as not to rotate relative to the housing and must move in conjunction with the pusher in both the forward and backward directions, thus complicating the structure of the device.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a reciprocating movement device that can suppress the operating load with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The reciprocating device of the present invention comprises a case, a reciprocating member that protrudes from the case and is provided to be able to move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction, and is able to engage with a connection object, a biasing member that biases the reciprocating member in the forward direction, and a cam member provided around the reciprocating member and rotatable in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member, with the axial movement of the reciprocating member restricted, wherein the reciprocating member has a first engaging portion that can engage with the cam member, the cam member has a first cam surface provided so as to be inclined so as to rotate in a first rotational direction in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member when the reciprocating member moves in the backward direction and is pressed by the reciprocating member, a first holding portion that engages with the first engaging portion so as to hold the reciprocating member in a forward holding position when it has moved in the forward direction, and the reciprocating member moves in the backward direction The device comprises a first engaging portion and a second holding portion located circumferentially away from the first holding portion, which engages with the first engaging portion to hold the device in a retracted holding position that has moved in the direction of retraction. The retracting member rotates from a first rotational position to a second rotational position in the circumferential direction while its retraction movement is restricted when the connected object moves from a first state to a second state. At the second rotational position, the restriction on retraction movement is released, and the member is guided within the case to move linearly in the retraction direction. The linear movement of the retracting member in the retraction direction causes the first cam surface to be pressed against the first engaging portion, and the cam member rotates in the first rotational direction, causing the retracting member to move from the forward holding position where the first engaging portion and the first holding portion are engaged to the retracted holding position where the first engaging portion and the second holding portion are engaged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the advance / return movement device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the operating load with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a reciprocating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the open state of the lid in a reciprocating movement device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the closed state of the lid in a reciprocating device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device with its case removed. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the reciprocating mechanism with the case removed, seen from a different angle. [Figure 6] This is a side view of a reciprocating device in which the reciprocating member is positioned in the forward holding position. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the cam component. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the cam component from another direction. [Figure 9] This is a top view showing the locking member of the retractable movement device in the unlocked position. [Figure 10] This is a top view showing the locking member of the retractable movement device in the locked position. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing the switch operating component. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing the state in which the reciprocating member is in the forward holding position and the first rotation position. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating movement device, showing the state in which the reciprocating member and the cam member have moved in the second rotational direction from the state shown in Figure 12. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing a state where the reciprocating member has moved slightly in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating movement device, showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves further in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 14 to the folded position. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating movement device, showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction from the state shown in Figure 15, and the first engaging portion contacts the third cam surface. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing the state in which the reciprocating member is in the retracted holding position and the second rotation position. [Figure 18] This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, with the dashed line indicating a state where the reciprocating member has moved slightly in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 17. [Figure 19] It is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing a state where the reciprocating member further moves in the backward direction from the state shown in FIG. 18 and is located at the turning position. [Figure 20] It is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing a state where the reciprocating member slightly moves in the forward direction from the state shown in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing a state where the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction from the state shown in FIG. 20 and the first engaging portion contacts the second cam surface. [Figure 22] It is a schematic diagram of a reciprocating movement device showing a state where the first engaging portion of the reciprocating member is accommodated in the first holding portion. [Figure 23A] It is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the reciprocating member and the operated portion of the switch operating member when the switch operating member is located at the operating position. [Figure 23B] It is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in FIG. 23A. [Figure 24A] It is a perspective view showing a state where the operating portion of the reciprocating member rotates from the state shown in FIG. 23A and contacts the operated portion of the switch operating member. [Figure 24B] It is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in FIG. 24A. [Figure 25A] It is a perspective view showing a state where the operating portion of the reciprocating member rotates from the state shown in FIG. 24A and presses the operated portion of the switch operating member. [Figure 25B] It is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in FIG. 25A. [Figure 26A] It is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the reciprocating member and the operated portion of the switch operating member when the reciprocating member is located at the backward holding position and the second rotation position. [Figure 26B] It is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating portion of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in FIG. 26A. [Figure 27A]This is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the retractable member and the operated part of the switch operating member when the retractable member moves to the folded position from the state shown in Figure 26A. [Figure 27B] This is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in Figure 27A. [Figure 28A] This is a perspective view showing the state in which the reciprocating member rotates in the first rotational direction from the state shown in Figure 27A, and the switch operating member is in the operating position. [Figure 28B] This is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in Figure 28A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following description of an advance / return device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the advance / return device of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] In this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly perpendicular to A, but shall also include directions that are approximately perpendicular to A. Furthermore, in this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly parallel to B, but shall also include directions that are approximately parallel to B. Furthermore, in this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions shall not refer only to perfect C-shapes, but shall also include shapes that visually resemble a C-shape (approximate C-shape). In this specification, when "~" is used to indicate a numerical range, it shall include the values ​​at both ends of the range.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the reciprocating device 1 comprises a case 2 and a reciprocating member 3 that is provided to be able to move back and forth in the forward direction D11 and the backward direction D12, which is opposite to the forward direction D11, and is able to engage with the lid L (see Figures 2 and 3) to which it is to be connected. The forward direction D11 and the backward direction D12 are collectively referred to as the axial direction (reciprocating direction) D1. In this specification, the axial direction D1 is the direction in which the axis X extends along the direction in which the reciprocating member 3 moves forward and backward. In this embodiment, the axis X corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating member 3, which is an elongated axial member in the axial direction D1. The circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3 is the direction around the axis of the reciprocating member 3 with respect to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the circumferential direction D2 is the direction in which the reciprocating member 3 rotates around the axis X. One of the directions of the circumferential direction D2 is referred to as the first rotation direction D21. Of the circumferential directions D2, the direction opposite to the first rotational direction D21 is called the second rotational direction D22.

[0014] The reciprocating device 1 is configured to open and close the lid L when the reciprocating member 3 moves forward and backward relative to the case 2, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 opens and closes the lid L by the direct or indirect interaction between the reciprocating member 3 and the lid L. The interaction between the reciprocating member 3 and the lid L (or an accessory member of the lid L) may be an action from the reciprocating member 3 to the lid L, or an action from the lid L to the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is operated by the operation of the lid L. In the reciprocating device 1 of this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a push-push mechanism is employed in which the lid L opens and closes between a first state, the open state (see Figure 2), and a second state, the closed state (see Figure 3), as the reciprocating member 3 is pushed by the lid L.

[0015] In this embodiment, the lid opening and closing device to which the reciprocating device 1 is attached comprises a base B to which a case 2 is attached and which has an opening Ba, and a lid L that can open and close the opening Ba of the base B and is configured to engage with the tip portion 311 (reciprocating member engaging portion 311a) on the forward direction D11 side of the reciprocating member 3. The shape and structure of the lid are not particularly limited as long as it is configured to open and close a predetermined opening. In this embodiment, the lid L is configured to open and close the opening Ba of a vehicle where a refueling port Bb such as a fuel filler port or power supply port is provided.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lid L comprises a lid body L1 and a lid engaging portion L2 (connection target engaging portion). The lid body L1 is configured to open and close the opening Ba at least partially. The shape of the lid body L1 can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the opening Ba to be opened and closed. The lid body L1 is configured to be rotatable around the hinge H. The lid body L1 may be biased in the opening direction by a spring or the like (not shown).

[0017] The lid engagement portion L2 is configured to engage with the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a, described later). The position where the lid engagement portion L2 is provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 is provided on the inner surface of the lid body L1, at the end furthest from the hinge H. The lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 are configured to engage and disengage by the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (details will be described later). In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 is in the circumferential direction D2 at the first rotation position described later (see Figure 12), the lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a) are disengaged, and when the retractable member 3 is in the circumferential direction D2 at the second rotation position described later (see Figure 17), the lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a) are engaged. The shape and structure of the lid engagement portion are not particularly limited, as long as they are configured to engage with and disengage from the retractable member 3 by the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the lid engaging portion L2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3. Here, "substantially cylindrical" means a shape having a wall-like portion with an inner space capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3. A portion of the circumferential direction D2 of the substantially cylindrical lid engaging portion L2 may be removed so as to penetrate in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the lid engaging portion L2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, but the shape of the lid engaging portion L2 is not particularly limited.

[0019] In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 has a guide portion L21 and a holding portion L22, as shown in Figure 12.

[0020] The guide portion L21 contacts the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a when the lid L is closed or opened. The guide portion L21 guides the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a so that the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 by the closing force when the lid L is closed or the opening force when it is opened. Specifically, the guide portion L21 has an inclined surface L211 that contacts the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a when the lid L moves in the closing direction and the tip portion 311 of the reciprocating member 3 is received by the lid engagement portion L2, so that a force in the second rotational direction D22 is applied to the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a, causing the reciprocating member 3 to rotate from a first rotational position (see Figure 12) to a second rotational position (see Figures 13 and 14). In this embodiment, the guide portion L21 is formed as a groove having a width in the circumferential direction D2 that can accommodate the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a. In this embodiment, the guide portion L21 is provided extending radially through the side surface of the lid engagement portion L2. However, the guide portion may be formed as a non-through groove in the radial direction on the inner surface of the side surface of the lid engagement portion. The inclined surface L211 is inclined so as it moves in the forward direction D11, it displaces toward the second rotation direction D22. The inclined surface L211 may be planar, curved, or a combination of planar and curved surfaces.

[0021] The retaining portion L22 is connected to the guide portion L21, and when the lid L is in the closed state, it engages with the reciprocating member engaging portion 331a in the axial direction D1, restricting the lid L from moving in the opening direction (see Figures 3 and 17). The shape and structure of the retaining portion L22 are not particularly limited as long as they can engage with the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a so as to restrict the opening of the lid L. In this embodiment, the retaining portion L22 is formed as a groove extending in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) from the end of the guide portion L21 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the retaining portion L22 is provided by passing through the side surface of the lid engaging portion L2 in the radial direction. However, the retaining portion may be formed as a groove that does not pass through in the radial direction on the inner surface of the lid engaging portion.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the reciprocating device 1 includes a case 2 and a reciprocating member 3, a biasing member 4 that biases the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11, and a cam member 5 provided around the reciprocating member 3, rotatable in the circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3, and restricting the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 also includes a locking member 6 (see Figures 9 and 10) that restricts the rotation of the cam member 5, as will be described later. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reciprocating device 1 includes a locking member drive device 7 that drives the locking member 6 and a manual operation unit 8 that can manually release the lock of the locking member 6. The reciprocating device 1 further includes a switch SW and a switch operating member 9 that operates to turn the switch SW on or off according to the position of the reciprocating member 3, as shown in Figures 4, 9 and 10. The various components of the reciprocating device 1 will be described below. Note that each configuration and operation described below is not essential unless specified in the claims.

[0023] Case 2 houses some of the components of the reciprocating device 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, Case 2 houses a portion of the axial direction D1 of the reciprocating member 3, a biasing member 4, and a cam member 5. Case 2 also houses a locking member 6, a locking member drive device 7, a manual operation unit 8, a switch SW, and a switch operating member 9. Case 2 is attached to the base B (see Figures 2 and 3) on which the lid L is provided, such that the reciprocating member 3 protruding from Case 2 engages with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L. The shape of Case 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can house some of the components of the reciprocating device 1.

[0024] Case 2, as shown in Figure 1, has a retractable member outlet 21 that leads out the retractable member 3 so that a portion of the retractable member 3 protrudes to the outside of Case 2. Case 2 guides the retractable member 3 so that it moves axially D1 and rotates circumferentially D2. Note that "case" is not limited to the outer housing portion, but also includes other components attached to the housing portion that are integrally provided with the housing portion.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, a restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 is provided inside the case 2, which engages with the second engaging portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3, which will be described later. The restricting portion 221 engages with the second engaging portion E2 in the axial direction D1 to restrict the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. Specifically, the restricting portion 221 is positioned opposite the second engaging portion E2 in the axial direction D1 to restrict the reciprocating member 3 from moving in the retraction direction D12 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position (Figures 6 and 12), while allowing movement in the second rotation direction D22. Furthermore, the restricting portion 221 is provided with a predetermined length such that when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the retraction direction D12 is released. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 221 extends along the circumferential direction D2 for a predetermined length so as to face the second engaging portion E1 toward the retraction direction D12 when the retraction member 3 is in the forward holding position.

[0026] In this embodiment, the case 2 has a regulating portion (first regulating portion) 221, as well as a second regulating portion 222 that engages with the second engaging portion E2 in one direction in the circumferential direction D2. The second regulating portion 222 extends along the axial direction D1 so as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, it faces the second engaging portion E2 in one direction in the circumferential direction D2 (towards the first rotation direction D21). In this embodiment, the first regulating portion 221 and the second regulating portion 222 are provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the case 2, but they may also be composed of parts other than the case 2 within the case 2. In this embodiment, the first regulating portion 221 and the second regulating portion 222 are composed of a single protrusion provided on the inner surface of the case 2. However, the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion may be provided separately, such as by separate protrusions.

[0027] The reciprocating member 3 moves axially D1 relative to the case 2 and rotates circumferentially D2. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is held in a forward holding position (see Figure 12) where it has moved in the forward direction D11, and in a backward holding position (see Figure 17) where it has moved in the backward direction D12, due to the movement D1 and rotation D2 of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is connected to a cam member 5 and is held in the forward holding position and the backward holding position by the cam member 5. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the forward holding position in the second rotational direction D22 (see Figures 12 to 14), moves in the backward direction D12 against the biasing force of the biasing member 4, passes through the folding position (see Figure 15), moves in the forward direction D11, and is held in the backward holding position (see Figures 16 and 17). In this embodiment, when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state, the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12 (see Figure 18), passes through the folding position (see Figure 19), moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, rotates in the first rotation direction D21 and is held in the forward holding position (see Figures 20 to 22).

[0028] The "forward holding position" is the position where the reciprocating member 3 has moved in the forward direction D11. Specifically, the forward holding position is the axial position D1 of the reciprocating member 3 when it has moved in the forward direction D11 and is held there, as shown in Figure 12. In this embodiment, the lid L can be opened when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position. The "retracted holding position" is the position where the reciprocating member 3 has moved in the retracted direction D12. Specifically, the retracted holding position is the axial position D1 of the reciprocating member 3 when it has moved in the retracted direction D12 and is held there, as shown in Figure 17. In this embodiment, the lid L is closed when the reciprocating member 3 is in the retracted holding position. In this specification, even if the position of the reciprocating member 3 shown in Figure 12 is different from the position in the circumferential direction D2, if the axial position D1 is the same, the expression "reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position" is used similarly. Similarly, in this specification, even if the position of the retractable member 3 shown in Figure 17 is different from the position of the circumferential direction D2, if the position of the axial direction D1 is the same, the expression "retracted holding position" is used to describe the retractable member 3.

[0029] As shown in Figures 12 to 14, Figure 22, etc., the retractable member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 between a first rotation position and a second rotation position. The first rotation position is the position of the retractable member 3 when it rotates in the first rotation direction D21 relative to the second rotation position. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position and the forward holding position (see Figure 12), the lid L is in the open state. The second rotation position is the position of the retractable member 3 when it rotates in the second rotation direction D22 relative to the first rotation position. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position, it becomes possible for it to move in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position and the retraction holding position (see Figure 17), the lid L is in the closed state. Note that the first rotation position and the second rotation position are relative positions to each other and do not necessarily refer to a single point in the circumferential direction D2.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reciprocating member 3 comprises a reciprocating member body 31 extending in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member body 31 comprises a tip portion 311 which is the end region on the forward direction D11 side in the axial direction D1, a base portion 312 which is the end region on the backward direction D12 side in the axial direction D1, and a central portion 313 which is the region between the tip portion 311 and the base portion 312 in the axial direction D1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the tip portion 311 is located on the outside of the case 2 and is a portion that can engage with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L. The retractable member 3 is provided with a retractable member engaging portion 311a at the tip portion 311 that engages with the lid L. The retractable member engaging portion 311a is configured to engage with the lid engaging portion L2 provided on the lid L when the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position, thereby holding the lid L in a closed state (see Figures 3 and 17). The retractable member engaging portion 311a is also configured to disengage from the lid engaging portion L2 when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, thereby allowing the lid L to move to an open state (see Figures 2 and 12). The shape of the retractable member engaging portion 311a is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the retractable member engaging portion 311a protrudes from the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction D1. Specifically, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a is composed of an engagement projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. The reciprocating member engagement portion 311a has a contact surface inclined in the same direction as the inclined surface L211 of the guide portion L21 of the lid engagement portion L2 so that it can move smoothly with respect to the inclined surface L211. In addition, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a has an engagement surface on the retraction direction D12 side that engages with the engagement surface of the holding portion L22 that extends in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, two reciprocating member engagement portions 311a are provided symmetrically with respect to the axis X, but the number of reciprocating member engagement portions 311a is not particularly limited and may be one or more.

[0032] The base end portion 312 is the end region of the retracting member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the base end portion 312 overlaps with the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 (it is located radially inward of the cam member 5). In this embodiment, the retracting member 3 is provided with a first engaging portion E1 that can engage with the cam member 5, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is provided at the base end portion 312. However, the first engaging portion E1 does not necessarily have to be provided at the base end portion 312; the position where the first engaging portion E1 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is a position that can engage with the cam member 5.

[0033] As shown in Figures 12 and 17, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the cam member 5 to hold the retractable member 3 in the forward holding position and the retractable holding position. As will be described in detail later, when the retractable member 3 is held in the forward holding position, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the first holding portion 521 of the cam member 5 in an axial direction D1 (see Figure 12). Also, when the retractable member 3 is held in the retractable holding position, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the second holding portion 522 of the cam member 5 in an axial direction D1 (see Figure 17).

[0034] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is configured to contact the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 and press the first cam surface 511 in the backward direction D12 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the backward direction D12 in order to rotate the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 (see Figures 15 and 19). Note that the pressing of the first cam surface 511 in the backward direction D12 may be performed by a configuration other than the first engaging portion E1. For example, the reciprocating member 3 may have a pressing portion as a first engaging portion that is capable of pressing the first cam surface 511 in the backward direction D12, separate from the first engaging portion E1 shown.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is configured to engage with the first holding portion 521 in the circumferential direction D2 while the first engaging portion E1 is held by the first holding portion 521 (see Figures 12 and 22). In this case, as will be described later, as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2, the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (see Figures 12, 13, and 22).

[0036] The shape and structure of the first engagement portion E1 are not particularly limited, as long as they can engage with the cam member 5 to hold the retractable member 3 in the forward holding position and the retractable holding position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first engagement portion E1 is provided at the end on the forward direction D11 side and has an axial engagement surface E11 that engages with the first holding portion 521 and the second holding portion 522 in the axial direction D1, a pressing portion E12 that contacts the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 and can press the first cam surface 511, and a pair of circumferential engagement surfaces E13 and E14 that engage with the first holding portion 521 in the first rotation direction D21 and the second rotation direction D22. In this embodiment, the first engagement portion E1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the circumferential engagement surfaces E13 and E14 as the upper and lower bases. However, the shape of the first engagement portion can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the cam member 5, etc.

[0037] In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 has a biasing member housing section (not shown in the drawings). The biasing member housing section is a housing space that can partially house the biasing member 4 from the end of the reciprocating member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the biasing member 4 is a coil spring and is provided in the biasing member housing section to bias the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11. One end of the biasing member 4 is attached to the case 2, and the other end of the biasing member 4 is attached to the reciprocating member 3 (biasing member housing section). In this embodiment, the biasing member 4 has the function of biasing the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11 as well as the function of biasing in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21). Specifically, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotational position in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotational direction D22) due to an external force applied from the lid L, the reaction force acts to bias the reciprocating member 3 in the opposite direction to its rotational direction (first rotational direction D21). This biasing force in the circumferential direction D2 toward the first rotational direction D21 makes it easy to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotational direction D21) when it reaches the forward holding position from the retracted holding position (see Figure 22). Furthermore, as will be described later, the biasing force of the biasing member 4 toward the first rotational direction D21 causes the reciprocating member 3 to move in the axial direction D1 with the second engaging portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 in contact with the second restricting portion 222 (Figures 14, 15, 18-21). Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 can move stably in the axial direction D1.

[0038] The central portion 313 is the region between the tip portion 311 and the base portion 312 of the retractable member 3 in the axial direction D1. The central portion 313 is the part of the retractable member 3 located inside the case 2 that is on the forward direction D11 side of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1, and on the backward direction D12 side of the retractable member outlet 21 of the case 2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 is provided with a second engaging portion E2, as shown in Figures 4 to 6. In this embodiment, the second engaging portion E2 is provided in the central portion 313. As shown in Figures 6, 12, 22, etc., the second engaging portion E2 is provided so as to be able to engage with a restricting portion 221 provided inside the case 2 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, the second engaging portion E2 and the restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 are positioned opposite each other in the axial direction D1 to restrict the retractable member 3 from moving in the retracting direction D12 when the retractable member 3 is in the forward holding position, and to allow movement to the second rotation position. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second engaging portion E2 and the restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 are configured such that when the retractable member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the retractable member 3's movement in the retracting direction D12 is released. More specifically, as shown in Figure 12, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and the first rotation position, the second engaging portion E2 is located on the forward direction D11 side of the restricting portion 221 and engages with the restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, restricting the reciprocating member 3 from moving in the backward direction D12. Furthermore, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 while in the forward holding position and reaches the second rotation position (see the dashed line in Figure 13), the restriction of the movement of the second engaging portion E2 in the backward direction D12 by the restricting portion 221 is released, and the reciprocating member 3 is allowed to move in the backward direction D12.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the reciprocating member 3 reaches the second rotational position and moves in the retraction direction D12 (see Figure 14), the second engaging portion E2 faces the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2 and moves along the second restricting portion 222. More specifically, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12 with the second engaging portion E2 pressed toward the second restricting portion 222 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4 in the first rotational direction D21. This allows the reciprocating member 3 to move stably in the retraction direction D12. The same applies when the reciprocating member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position, and the reciprocating member 3 can move stably in both the forward direction D11 and the retraction direction D12.

[0041] The shape and structure of the second engaging portion E2 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second engaging portion E2 is formed as a projection that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axial direction D1 (specifically, in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1). As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the second engaging portion E2 has an axial engaging surface E21 that extends along the circumferential direction D2 and engages with the restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, and a circumferential engaging surface E22 that extends along the axial direction D1 and engages with the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the retractable member 3 is provided with an operating part 314 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis X of the retractable member 3 and moves the switch operating member 9, which will be described later, between an operating position and a non-operating position. The operating part 314 moves the switch operating member 9 between an operating position and a non-operating position by displacement in the circumferential direction D2 due to the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2. Specifically, when the retractable member 3 is positioned in a predetermined axial direction D1, the operating part 314 displaces in the circumferential direction D2, pressing the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9, thereby moving the switch operating member 9 between an operating position and a non-operating position (see Figures 24A and 25A). Details will be described later. In this embodiment, the operating part 314 is composed of a projection continuous with the second engaging portion E2, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. However, the operating part may be provided separately from the second engaging portion.

[0043] As shown in Figures 12 to 22, the cam member 5 interacts with the reciprocating member 3 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, and rotates relative to the reciprocating member 3. The cam member 5 is rotatably mounted within the case 2. Specifically, the cam member 5 is configured to rotate within the case 2 by engaging with the reciprocating member 3 at the end of the reciprocating member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 does not substantially move in the axial direction D1 within the case 2, but is rotatable in the circumferential direction D2. Note that the movement of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 is restricted by a wall portion (not shown) provided in the case 2 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but the configuration is not limited to this as long as movement in the axial direction D1 can be restricted. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 is configured to move the reciprocating member 3 a predetermined distance between the folded position and the retracted holding position, and to hold it in the forward holding position and the retracted holding position. More specifically, the cam member 5 moves the retractable member 3 a predetermined distance between the folding position (for example, Figures 15 and 19, etc.) and the retracted holding position (for example, Figure 17, etc.), and holds the retractable member 3 in the retracted holding position. The folding position is the position where, as will be described later, when the retractable member 3 moves from the forward holding position to the retracted holding position, or from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position, the retractable member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12 and then folds back in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 12, the cam member 5 includes a first cam surface 511 that is inclined to rotate in a first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12 and is pressed by the reciprocating member 3 (first engaging portion E1), a first holding portion 521 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so as to hold the reciprocating member 3 in a forward holding position when it moves in the forward direction D11, and a second holding portion 522 that is provided at a position away from the first holding portion 521 in the circumferential direction D2 so as to hold the retracting member 3 in a backward holding position when it moves in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 includes a second cam surface 523 that contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 and extends to the first holding portion 521, and a third cam surface 524 that contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D1 and extends to the second holding portion 522. In this embodiment, the first cam surface 511, the second cam surface 523, the third cam surface 524, the first holding portion 521, and the second holding portion 522 are provided in multiple locations in the circumferential direction D2.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the cam member 5 comprises a first cam member 51 having a first cam surface 511, and a second cam member 52 having a second cam surface 523 and a third cam surface 524, and being provided separately from the first cam member 51 on the forward direction D11 side relative to the first cam member 51. In this embodiment, the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other in the circumferential direction D2. When the cam member 5 is composed of a first cam member 51 and a second cam member 52 provided separately, the path such as a groove through which the first engagement portion E1 moves can be simplified, and the manufacturing of the cam member 5 can be facilitated. In this embodiment, the first cam member 51 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the second cam member 52 by engaging with the second cam member 52 in the circumferential direction D2, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52. The method of engaging the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 in the circumferential direction D2 is not particularly limited, as long as the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52 is restricted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the first cam member 51 has a recess 512 that engages with an engaging projection 525 provided at the end of the second cam member 52 on the retraction direction D12 side. The engagement of the engaging projection 525 of the second cam member 52 with respect to the second cam member 52 restricts the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52. Here, "restricted relative rotation" is not limited to a state in which the first cam member 51 does not rotate at all with respect to the second cam member 52, but also includes a state in which the relative rotation is limited to a small range. The cam member may be composed of a single member or of three or more members, as long as it can interact with the retraction member 3 when the retraction member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 of the retraction member 3 and rotate relative to the retraction member 3.

[0046] The shapes of the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the first cam member 51 is formed in an annular shape and comprises an outer portion having a recess 512 (see Figure 8) that engages with the engaging projection 525 (see Figure 8) of the second cam member 52, and an inner portion having a first cam surface 511 composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces. The second cam member 52 has a cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 7 (in the drawing, the cam member 5 is shown partially cut in the axial direction D1 to make it easier to understand the internal structure of the cam member 5). The second cam member 52 is provided with multiple sets (four sets in this embodiment) of a second cam surface 523, a first retaining portion 521, a third cam surface 524, and a second retaining portion 522 in this order in the circumferential direction D2. These multiple sets are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second cam member 52.

[0047] As shown in Figures 15 and 19, the first cam surface 511 is a cam surface that is pressed in the backward direction D12 by the forward / backward member 3 (first engagement portion E1) when the forward / backward member 3 moves in the backward direction D12. The first cam surface 511 is inclined so that the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 when pressed by the forward / backward member 3 (first engagement portion E1). The inclination angle of the first cam surface 511 is not particularly limited, as long as it is an inclination angle that generates a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 when the forward / backward member 3 (first engagement portion E1) and the first cam surface 511 are in contact and the forward / backward member 3 receives a force in the backward direction D12.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first cam surface 511 is provided on the first cam member 51 on the axial movement trajectory D1 of the first engagement portion E1. More specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the first cam member 51 has a plurality of sawtooth-shaped projections in the circumferential direction D2, and the first cam surface 511 is provided at the ends of these projections on the forward direction D11 side.

[0049] The second cam surface 523 is configured to contact the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, as shown in Figures 20 to 22, and is a cam surface that extends toward the first holding portion 521. In this embodiment, the second cam surface 523 contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position via the folded position (see Figures 20 and 21). The second cam surface 523 extends inclined toward the first holding portion 521. The second cam surface 523 is inclined to rotate the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when it contacts the first engagement portion E1 and receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11. When the second cam surface 523 receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 and the cam member 5 rotates, the second cam surface 523 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while sliding relative to the first engagement portion E1 (see the solid and dashed lines in Figure 21). As a result, the first engagement portion E1 is housed and held in the first holding portion 521 connected to the second cam surface 523 (see Figure 22). The inclination angle of the second cam surface 523 is not particularly limited, as long as it is an inclination angle that generates a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when a force is received from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second cam surface 523 is provided at a position spaced apart from the first cam surface 511 in the axial direction D1, and at a position facing the axial direction D1. The second cam surface 523 is provided on the second cam member 52 on the axial direction D1 movement trajectory of the first engaging portion E1.

[0051] The third cam surface 524 is configured to contact the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, and is a cam surface that extends toward the second holding portion 522. In this embodiment, the third cam surface 524 contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the forward holding position through the return position to the retracted holding position (see Figure 16). The third cam surface 524 extends inclined toward the second holding portion 522. The third cam surface 524 is inclined to rotate the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotational direction D21) when it contacts the first engagement portion E1 and receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11. When the third cam surface 524 receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 and the cam member 5 rotates, the third cam surface 524 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while sliding relative to the first engagement portion E1 (see the solid and dashed lines in Figure 16). As a result, the first engagement portion E1 is guided and held by the second holding portion 522 connected to the third cam surface 524 (see Figure 17). The inclination angle of the third cam surface 524 is not particularly limited, as long as it is an inclination angle that generates a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when a force is received from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11.

[0052] In this embodiment, the third cam surface 524 is provided at a position spaced apart from the first cam surface 511 in the axial direction D1, and at a position facing the axial direction D1. The third cam surface 524 is provided on the second cam member 52 on the trajectory of the movement of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1.

[0053] The first holding portion 521 is the part that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the reciprocating member 3 is held in the forward holding position. In this embodiment, the first holding portion 521 engages with the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1. More specifically, the first holding portion 521 holds the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3, which is biased in the forward direction D11 by the biasing member 4, in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the first holding portion 521 engages with the first engaging portion E1 not only in the axial direction D1 but also in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while the first engaging portion E1 is held by the first holding portion 521, the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 (see Figures 12, 13, and 22).

[0054] The shape and structure of the first retaining portion 521 are not particularly limited, as long as it can engage with the first engaging portion E1 so as to hold the first engaging portion 521 of the reciprocating member 3 in the forward holding position. In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 521 is formed as a groove having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first engaging portion E1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 12, the first retaining portion 521 includes an axially engaged surface 521a that engages with the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1, and circumferentially engaged surfaces 521b and 521c that engage with the circumferential engaging surfaces E13 and E14 of the first engaging portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2. The axially engaged surface 521a is composed of an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1. The circumferentially engaged surfaces 521b and 521c are composed of planes extending along the axial direction.

[0055] The second holding portion 522 is the portion that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the retractable member 3 is held in the retracted holding position. In this embodiment, the second holding portion 522 engages with the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1. More specifically, the second holding portion 522 holds the retractable member 3 in the retracted holding position by engaging with the first engaging portion E1 of the retractable member 3, which is biased in the forward direction D11 by the biasing member 4, in the axial direction D1. The second holding portion 522 is located on the retracted side in the axial direction D1 relative to the first holding portion 521.

[0056] The shape and structure of the second retaining portion 522 are not particularly limited, as long as they can engage with the first engaging portion E1 so that the retractable member 3 is held in the retracted retaining position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 17, the second retaining portion 522 includes an axial engaged surface 522a that engages with the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1, and a circumferential engaged surface 522b that engages with the circumferential engaging surface E14 of the first engaging portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2. The axial engaged surface 522a is composed of an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1. The circumferential engaged surface 522b is composed of a plane extending along the axial direction. The circumferential engaging surface 522b comes into contact with the circumferential engaging surface E14 after the axial engaging surface 522a is pressed in the forward direction D11 by the axial engaging surface E11, and the cam member 5 has rotated a predetermined amount in the first rotation direction D21, thereby stopping the cam member 5 at a predetermined rotation position (see Figures 16 and 17).

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, the cam member 5 has a contact portion 53 that can come into contact with the locking member 6 when a rotational force is applied to the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the contact portion 53 comes into contact with the locking member 6 in the circumferential direction D2, restricting the cam member 5 from rotating in the circumferential direction D2 at a predetermined position. Specifically, the contact portion 53 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in such a way that it prevents the lid L from moving from a closed state to an open state. Further details on this point will be described later.

[0058] The contact portion 53 is provided so as to face the locking member 6 in the circumferential direction D2 when it is in the locked position. More specifically, the contact portion 53 is composed of a wall portion provided on the second rotational direction D22 side with respect to the locking member 6 in the locked position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the contact portion 53 is composed of a wall portion protruding in the forward direction D11 from the end of the second cam member 52 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 (second cam member 52) has a plurality of contact portions 53, and the plurality of contact portions 53 are provided spaced apart from each other so as to form a space SP of a predetermined size or larger in the circumferential direction D2, as will be described later (see Figures 7, 9, and 10).

[0059] The locking member 6 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5. The locking member 6 is configured to be movable between a locked position (see dashed line in Figure 9) in which it engages with the cam member 5 to restrict the cam member 5 from rotating in a first rotational direction D21 in order to restrict the cam member 5 from moving to the forward position when the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position, and an unlocked position (see solid line in Figure 9) in which it allows the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21. More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the locking member 6 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21, thereby restricting the cam member 5 from rotating from a second rotational position (see Figure 17), where the cam member 5 engages with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L in the axial direction D1, to a first rotational position (see Figure 12), where the axial engagement with the lid engaging portion L2 is released. This restricts the movement of the lid L from the closed state to the open state, preventing the lid L from being opened unintentionally. The locking member 6 is an optional component of the reciprocating movement device 1 and is not required to be provided. If the locking member 6 is not provided, the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 can be omitted.

[0060] The locked position of the locking member 6 is the position in which the cam member 5 can be restricted from rotating in the first rotational direction D21 when the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position. More specifically, the locked position is the position in which the locking member 6 can contact the contact portion 53 in such a way that it restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 when the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position toward the folding position and a force is applied from the retractable member 3 to the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21. The unlocked position of the locking member 6 is the position in which the locking member 6 is removed from the rotational trajectory of the cam member 5 and allows the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21.

[0061] In this embodiment, the locking member 6 contacts the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5, thereby restricting the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 and restricting the movement of the retractable member 3 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the locking member 6 engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5, which is located radially outward of the retractable member 3, and does not engage with the retractable member 3. Therefore, there is no need to extend the locking member 6 to the retractable member 3, and the locking member 6 can be made shorter. Consequently, even if a force in the first rotational direction D21 is applied to the tip of the locking member 6 from the cam member 5, it becomes less likely to break (compared to a long locking member that reaches the retractable member 3).

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10, the locking member 6 moves from a direction perpendicular to the axis X towards the axis X, moving from the unlocked position to the locked position. However, the direction of movement of the locking member 6 is not particularly limited, as long as it is provided to be movable between the locked position and the unlocked position. For example, the locking member may move in the direction of the axis X from the unlocked position to the locked position, or it may rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0063] In this embodiment, the locking member 6 is driven by a locking member drive device 7, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 9, and 10. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the locking member 6 has a driven portion 61 driven by the locking member drive device 7 and an extended portion 62 that engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5. In this embodiment, the locking member 6 also has a pressed portion 63 that is pressed by a manual operation unit 8, which will be described later, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10. In this embodiment, the locking member drive device 7 comprises a drive unit (motor) 71 and a screw shaft 72.

[0064] In this embodiment, the driven portion 61 has a female thread that screws onto the outer circumference of the screw shaft 72 of the locking member drive device 7. The driven portion 61 is restricted from rotating together with the screw shaft 72 when the screw shaft 72 rotates around its axis. As a result, when the screw shaft 72 rotates around its axis, the locking member 6, including the driven portion 61, moves in the axial direction of the screw shaft 72 according to the direction of rotation of the screw shaft 72. This allows the locking member 6 to move to the locked position and the unlocked position. The extended portion 62 engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2. The extended portion 62 extends linearly from the driven portion 61 and, in the locked position, is positioned on the side of the first rotational direction D21 relative to the contact portion 53, restricting the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21.

[0065] The manual operation unit 8 is used to manually unlock the locking member 6, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the electric locking member drive device 7. The shape and structure of the manual operation unit 8 are not particularly limited as long as they can move the locking member 6 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the manual operation unit 8 includes an operating member (cable, etc.) 81 for manual operation and a lock release unit 82 that contacts the pressed portion 63 of the locking member 6 with the operating force of the operating member 81 and moves the locking member 6 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, the linear motion of the operating member 81 is converted into rotational motion around the axis of the lock release unit 82, thereby operating the pressed portion 63 of the locking member 6. However, the operation of the manual operation unit 8 is not particularly limited; the lock release unit may move linearly due to the linear motion of the operating member, the lock release unit may rotate due to the rotational motion of the operating member, or the lock release unit may move linearly due to the rotational motion of the operating member.

[0066] The switch SW is operated in accordance with the state of the lid L. Specifically, the switch SW is set to the ON state when the lid L is open or closed, and to the OFF state when the lid L is closed or open. This allows the state of the lid L to be determined by the ON / OFF state of the switch SW. In this embodiment, the switch SW is configured to be ON when the lid L is open, making it possible to inform the user that the lid L remains open. The switch SW may be connected to a control device (not shown), and for example, when the switch SW is ON (or OFF), the control device may perform a predetermined operation depending on the state of the switch SW, such as locking the locking member 6.

[0067] The switch SW is operated by the switch actuator 9, as shown in Figures 23A to 28B. The switch actuator 9 operates the switch SW in accordance with the movement of the reciprocating member 3. Specifically, the switch actuator 9 operates to turn the switch SW on or off depending on the position of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0068] The movement of the retractable member 3 in the axial direction D1 and rotation in the circumferential direction D2, along with the rotation of the operating part 314 in at least the circumferential direction D2, causes the switch operating member 9 to move between an operating position and a non-operating position, thereby turning the switch SW on or off. Here, the operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW can be set to a predetermined state (on or off). In this embodiment, the operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position when the switch SW is turned on. On the other hand, the non-operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW can be set to the opposite state (off or on) from the operating position. In this embodiment, the non-operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW is turned off. Since the lid L is either open or closed depending on the rotational position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the state of the lid L can be easily determined by turning the switch SW on or off by the switch operating member 9 through the rotation of the operating part 314 of the retractable member 3 in at least the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, the lid L is open when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, and when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, the switch operating member 9 is moved to the operating position by the operating unit 314, thereby turning on the switch SW (see Figures 23A, 23B, 28A, and 28B). In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is configured to move between the operating position and the non-operating position by the rotation of the operating unit 314 in the circumferential direction D2, but the switch operating member 9 may also be configured to move between the operating position and the non-operating position by movement in the axial direction D1 in addition to the rotation of the operating unit 314 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0069] In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3. In this case, the switch operating member 9 that operates the switch SW in the reciprocating movement device 1 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and there is no need to provide a configuration for operating the switch SW on the reciprocating member 3 (or cam member 5). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the length of the part necessary for the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member 3 (reciprocating member 3 and / or cam member 5) in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1. Note that the side of the reciprocating member 3 is the direction perpendicular to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and the components of the switch operating member 9 (particularly the shaft portion 91 described later) are arranged within the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. This prevents the switch operating member 9 from being provided in a position beyond the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1.

[0070] The shape and structure of the switch operating member 9 are not particularly limited, as long as the rotation of the operating part 314 in at least the circumferential direction D2 allows the switch operating member 9 to move between an operating position and a non-operating position, thereby turning the switch SW on or off. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 11, the switch operating member 9 includes a shaft portion 91 rotatably mounted around a predetermined axis, a shaft biasing member 92 that biases the shaft portion 91 to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, an operated portion 93 provided on the shaft portion 91 and operated by the operating part 314, and an operating portion 94 provided on the shaft portion 91 that operates the switch SW.

[0071] The shaft portion 91 is the main body of the switch operating member 9, which is rotatably mounted around a predetermined axis. The shaft portion 91 is provided with an operated portion 93 and an operating portion 94. When the shaft portion 91 rotates around its axis, the operated portion 93 and the operating portion 94 rotate together with the shaft portion 91 around its axis. The direction in which the shaft portion 91 extends is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the shaft portion 91 is arranged substantially parallel to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this case, the entire switch operating member 9 extends along the axis X of the reciprocating member 3, and the portion that protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3 is reduced. Therefore, the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact not only in the axial direction D1 but also in the direction perpendicular to the axis X.

[0072] The shaft biasing member 92 biases the shaft 91 in one direction around its axis. In this embodiment, the shaft biasing member 92 biases the shaft 91 in the direction in which the switch SW is turned ON by the actuation unit 94. However, the shaft biasing member may also bias the shaft 91 in the direction in which the switch SW is turned OFF. In this embodiment, the shaft biasing member 92 is a torsion spring with one end attached to the shaft 91 and the other end attached to the case 2. However, the structure of the shaft biasing member is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the shaft 91 in one direction around its axis, and biasing members other than torsion springs may be used.

[0073] The operated portion 93 is the part operated by the operating portion 314 of the retractable member 3. The operated portion 93 is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis of the shaft portion 91 due to the rotation of the operating portion 314 at least in the circumferential direction D2 accompanying the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, so that the switch SW is turned on or off by the operating portion 94. In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 (and the operating portion 314) may also move in the axial direction D1 along with the rotation in the circumferential direction D2, and the operated portion 93 may be configured to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 91 not only due to the rotation of the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2 but also due to the movement in the axial direction D1. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 23A to 25B, the operated portion 93 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 as the retractable member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned off by the operating part 94. Also, in this embodiment, when the lid L is closed from the open state, as shown in Figures 23A to 25B, the operated part 93 rotates in the second rotational direction D22 as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotational direction D22 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned off by the operating part 94. Also, in this embodiment, when the lid L is opened from the closed state, as shown in Figures 27A and 28A, the operated part 93 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned on by the operating part 94.

[0074] In this embodiment, the operated portion 93 protrudes radially outward from the shaft portion 91 so as to be located on the rotational trajectory of the operating portion 314, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A to 28B. More specifically, the operated portion 93 is located on the rotational trajectory of the operating portion 314 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotational position (see Figures 23A and 23B), and is configured to rotate in contact with the operating portion 314 when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotational position in the second rotational direction D22.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the operated portion 93 has an inclined operated surface 931 that rotates around a predetermined axis when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 while in contact with the operating portion 314. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the operated portion 93 has an engaging surface 932 that extends from the operated surface 931 in the retraction direction D12.

[0076] In this embodiment, the operated surface 931 is provided on the forward direction D11 side of the operated part 93. When the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotation position, the operated surface 931 faces the operating part 314 in the circumferential direction D2, and is inclined so that the distance to the operating part 314 decreases as it moves toward the retracting direction D12. The provision of the operated surface 931 makes it easier for the reciprocating member 3 to move toward the retracting direction D12 (engagement surface 932) while the operated surface 931 is pressed by the operating part 314 in the circumferential direction D2. The inclination of the operated surface 931 reduces the operating force.

[0077] The engaging surface 932 engages with the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2 when the retracting member 3 rotates from the first rotation position in the second rotation direction D22 and moves in the retraction direction D12, thereby holding the shaft portion 91 in a predetermined position. Specifically, the portion of the operating portion 314 extending in the axial direction D1 and the engaging surface 932 come into contact at a predetermined contact point extending in the axial direction D1, thereby holding the switch operating member 9 in the non-operating position against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92. In this embodiment, when the operating portion 314 and the engaging surface 932 engage in the circumferential direction D2, the second engaging portion E2 engages with the second restricting portion 222, and the rotation of the retracting member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 is restricted.

[0078] The position in which the operated portion 93 is provided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the operating portion 314 of the reciprocating member 3 is configured to contact the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 in the axial direction D1 between the reciprocating member outlet 21 (see Figure 1) and the end (upper end) of the cam member 5 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the operating portion 314 and the operated portion 93 engage at a position between the reciprocating member outlet 21 and the end of the cam member 5 on the forward direction D11 side, where the cam member 5 is not located radially outside the reciprocating member 3. Therefore, the space required radially outside the reciprocating member 3 is smaller compared to the case where the operating portion and the operated portion engage radially outside the cam member. Therefore, the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made even more compact.

[0079] The actuation part 94 is the part that operates the switch SW. The shape and structure of the actuation part 94 are not particularly limited as long as it can contact the switch SW so that the switch SW can be turned on or off. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 11, the operated part 93 is provided at the end of the shaft part 91 on the forward direction D11 side, and the actuation part 94 is provided at the end of the shaft part 91 on the backward direction D12 side.

[0080] Next, an overview of the operation of the reciprocating device 1 when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 to 17, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from a first rotation position in the circumferential direction D2 to a second rotation position while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. At the second rotation position, the restriction on movement in the retraction direction D12 is released, and the member is guided within the case 2 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12. As shown in Figures 14 to 17, the linear movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the retraction direction D12 causes the first cam surface 511 to be pressed against the first engagement portion E1, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. Through the above operation, the reciprocating member 3 moves from a forward holding position where the first engagement portion E1 and the first holding portion 521 are engaged to a retracted holding position where the first engagement portion E1 and the second holding portion 522 are engaged. Further details will be described later, but as the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 beyond the retracted holding position to the folding position, the first cam surface 511 is pressed against the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 15, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. Next, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and the first engagement portion E1 and the second holding portion 522 engage, holding the reciprocating member 3 in the retracted holding position.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted, and is guided within the case 2 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12 at the second rotation position (see Figures 12 to 17). In this case, the reciprocating member 3 does not move in the retraction direction D12 while rotating in the circumferential direction D2, but rather moves in the retraction direction D12 after the rotation in the circumferential direction D2 is completed. Therefore, when rotating the cam member 5 in the first rotation direction D21, only a force in the retraction direction D12 is required for the reciprocating member 3, and no force is required to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2. Thus, the operating load of the reciprocating member 3 can be suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position and then moves in the retraction direction D12. This prevents the reciprocating member 3 from being pushed in the retraction direction D12 by tampering or the like when the lid L is open, thus preventing the cam member 5 from rotating. Specifically, even if the reciprocating member 3 is pressed in the retraction direction D12 with a person's finger instead of the lid L from the state shown in Figure 12, the reciprocating member 3 will not move in the retraction direction D12. Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 will not move in the retraction direction D12 due to tampering or the like. This prevents the cam member 5 from rotating due to the reciprocating member 3 moving in the retraction direction D12, and also prevents the reciprocating member 3 from moving to the retracted holding position. Moreover, in this embodiment, the suppression of the operating load and the prevention of the reciprocating member 3 moving to the retracted holding position due to tampering or the like can be achieved with a simple configuration, rather than a complex configuration like that shown in Patent Document 2.

[0083] Here, "restriction of movement in the retraction direction D12" means that when the retraction member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted to a predetermined range, and this also includes cases where the retraction member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 by a predetermined amount (at least within the range in which the cam member 5 does not rotate) before the retraction member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, when the retraction member 3 is in the forward holding position, the movement in the axial direction D1 is restricted by the restricting part 221 so that it does not substantially move in the axial direction D1 (for example, 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, of the amount of movement of the retraction member 3 in the axial direction D1).

[0084] Furthermore, "guided within case 2" includes not only cases where the member is guided by case 2 itself, but also cases where the member is guided within case 2 by other components other than the housing of case 2. In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 is guided in the circumferential direction D2 by the first restricting portion 221 provided on case 2, and guided in the axial direction D1 by the second restricting portion 222 provided on case 2.

[0085] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state and the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the cam member 5 is configured to rotate together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotation direction D22. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the cam member 5 has a space SP on the first rotation direction D21 side relative to the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 that is larger than or equal to the amount of movement of the cam member 5 when it rotates in the second rotation direction D22. In this case, the provision of space SP allows the cam member 5 to rotate together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotation direction D22 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position (see Figure 12) and the locking member 6 is in the locked position (see Figure 10). Therefore, for example, even if the locking member 6 is in the locked position when the lid L is in the open state, the locking member 6 does not obstruct the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 and the cam member 5, and the lid L can be moved to the closed state. Furthermore, with this configuration, the locking member 6 is moved to the locked position when the lid L is open, and the lid L can be locked in the closed position without having to operate the locking member 6 once the lid L is closed.

[0086] Next, an overview of the operation of the reciprocating device 1 when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 while its movement toward the first rotation position is restricted, and the first cam surface 511 is pressed against the first engagement portion E1, causing the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotation direction D21. Specifically, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 from the retracted holding position toward the folding position, causing the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotation direction D21 (see Figure 19). Also, as shown in Figures 20 to 22, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and the first engagement portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521. With the first engaging portion E1 housed in the first holding portion 521, the reciprocating member 3 rotates with the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, enabling the lid L to move to the open state (see Figure 22). More specifically, the reciprocating member 3 is reoriented from the folded position to the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and when it moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11, the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521 (see solid line in Figure 22). When the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521, the restriction on the movement of the reciprocating member 3 toward the first rotational position is released, and the reciprocating member 3 rotates with the cam member 5 from the second rotational position to the first rotational position by the biasing force of the biasing member 4 toward the first rotational direction D21 (see dashed line in Figure 22). This allows the retractable member 3 to be held in the forward position, enabling the lid L to move to the open position.

[0087] Next, the opening and closing operation of the lid of the reciprocating device 1 of this embodiment will be explained in more detail, using a reciprocating device that opens and closes the lid L of the fuel filler port as an example. Note that the following explanation is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the following explanation.

[0088] First, in order to close the lid L from the open state (see Figure 2), the lid L is operated in the closing direction, for example, by the user. When the lid L is operated in the closing direction, the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L moves to the vicinity of the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3, as shown in Figure 12. In the open state of the lid L, the retractable member 3 is in the forward holding position and the first rotation position (the position shown in Figure 12). In this position, the retractable member engaging portion 311a of the retractable member 3 is positioned to be able to enter the guide portion L21 of the lid engaging portion L2.

[0089] As the lid L moves further in the closing direction from the position shown in Figure 12, the retractable member engaging portion 311a comes into contact with the inclined surface L211 of the guide portion L21 of the lid engaging portion L2. When the lid L moves in the closing direction while the retractable member engaging portion 311a is in contact with the inclined surface L211, the retractable member engaging portion 311a receives a force in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) from the inclined surface L211. As a result, the retractable member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 from the state shown in Figure 12 to the state shown in Figure 13. At this time, since the second engaging portion E2 of the retractable member 3 is engaged with the first restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, the retractable member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. When the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotational direction D22, the first engaging portion E1 (circumferential engaging surface E14) of the reciprocating member 3 engages with the first holding portion 521 (circumferentially engaged surface 521c) of the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2, so the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotational direction D22 (see Figure 13). Due to the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotational direction D22, the biasing member 4, which is a coil spring, receives a force that causes it to twist in the circumferential direction D2, and a biasing force in the first rotational direction D21 is generated on the reciprocating member 3.

[0090] As the lid L moves further in the closing direction from the state shown by the solid line in Figure 13, the lid engaging portion L2 presses the retracting member 3 in the retracting direction D12, causing it to move in the retracting direction D12. In this embodiment, when the retracting member 3, which has rotated to the second rotation position (or its vicinity), receives a force in the retracting direction D12 from the lid engaging portion L2, the inclined surface E23 at the intersection of the axial engaging surface E21 and the circumferential engaging surface E22 of the second engaging portion E2 comes into contact with the inclined surface 223 at the intersection of the first restricting portion 221 and the second restricting portion 222. When a force in the retracting direction D12 is applied to the retracting member 3 from that state, the retracting member 3 slides in the retracting direction D12 while rotating in the second rotation direction D22 to the state shown by the dashed line in Figure 13. At this time, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a of the reciprocating member 3 moves in the second rotation direction D22 (see the dashed line in Figure 13) and is held by the holding portion L22 of the lid engagement portion L2 (see Figure 14). Note that the inclined surface E23 and the inclined surface 223 are not necessarily provided.

[0091] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the reciprocating member 3 moves to the second rotation position, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12. Specifically, the circumferential engagement surface E22 of the second engagement portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 is guided along the second restricting portion 222, causing the reciprocating member 3 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, as described above, the biasing member 4 applies a biasing force to the reciprocating member 3 in the first rotation direction D21, so that the second engagement portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 is pressed toward the second restricting portion 222, and the reciprocating member 3 moves more stably in the retraction direction D12.

[0092] As shown in Figure 15, when the retractable member 3 moves beyond the retracted holding position to the folded position in the axial direction D1, the first engaging portion E1 of the retractable member 3 comes into contact with the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5. In this state, when a force in the retraction direction D12 is applied to the retractable member 3 from the lid L, the first cam surface 511 is pressed by the pressing portion E12 of the first engaging portion E1, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 15, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. At this time, the lid L is in a position close to the closed state, and the force applied to the lid L by the user is removed. As a result, the retractable member 3, which was pushed in the retraction direction D12, moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force in the forward direction D11 of the biasing member 4.

[0093] When the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, the third cam surface 524 is positioned on the forward direction D11 side of the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 16. In this state, when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, the axial engagement surface E11 of the first engagement portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the third cam surface 524 (see solid line in Figure 16). When the reciprocating member 3 moves further in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4, the cam member 5 rotates further in the first rotational direction D21, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 16 and in Figure 17, and the first engagement portion E1 is held by the second holding portion 522. As a result, the reciprocating member 3 is held in the retracted holding position (see Figure 17). In this state, the retractable member engagement portion 311a of the retractable member 3 engages with the holding portion L22 of the lid engagement portion L2 in the axial direction D1, and the lid L is held in the closed position.

[0094] Next, we will explain in detail the operation of lid L from the closed state to the open state.

[0095] To open the lid L from its closed state (see Figure 3), the lid L is pushed in the backward direction D12 relative to the closed state, for example, by the user. When the lid L is pushed in the backward direction D12 from the state shown in Figure 18, the reciprocating member 3 is pressed in the backward direction D12 from the retracted holding position via the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a, which is engaged with the lid engaging portion L2. As shown in Figure 18, the circumferential engaging surface E22 of the second engaging portion E2 is engaged with the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2. Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the backward direction D12 while its rotation in the first rotational direction D21 is restricted (see the dashed line in Figure 18). When the reciprocating member 3 reaches the folded position from the retracted holding position, the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 (see Figure 19). In this state, when a force D12 in the retraction direction is applied to the retraction member 3 from the lid L, the first cam surface 511 is pressed by the pressing portion E12 of the first engagement portion E1, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 19, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. When the force applied to the lid L by the user is removed, the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4.

[0096] As the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, the second cam surface 523 is positioned on the forward direction D11 side of the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 20. When the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 in this state, the axial engagement surface E11 of the first engagement portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the second cam surface 523 (see the dashed line in Figure 20). As the reciprocating member 3 moves further in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4, the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, as shown by the solid and dashed lines in Figure 21. As the cam member 5 rotates further, the first retaining portion 521 reaches the position of the first engagement portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2, and the first engagement portion E1 is housed in the first retaining portion 521, as shown in Figure 22. When the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521, the retractable member 3 moves in the forward direction D11. This releases the restriction on the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 by the second restricting portion 222. Therefore, the retractable member 3 becomes rotatable in the first rotational direction D21 at the forward holding position (or nearby). In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4 in the first rotational direction D21 and moves to the first rotational position. This rotation of the retractable member 3 in the first rotational direction D21 causes the retractable member engaging portion 311a, which is held by the holding portion L22 of the lid engaging portion L2, to detach from the holding portion L22, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 22. As a result, the lid L is released from engagement with the retractable member 3 and becomes movable in the opening direction, and the lid L opens.

[0097] Next, the operation of the retractable member 3 and the switch operating member 9 will be described. In the following description, we will use an example in which the switch SW, which is operated by the switch operating member 9, is configured to turn on when the lid L is in the open state. However, the following description is merely an example, and the switch SW may be used to detect other states of the lid L or other components, as long as it is configured to turn on or off depending on the position of the retractable member 3.

[0098] First, in the open state of the lid L, to indicate that the lid L is open, the switch operating member 9 is in the operating position (see Figure 23A), and the switch SW is turned on by the operating part 94 of the switch operating member 9 (see Figure 23B). Specifically, the shaft portion 91 of the switch operating member 9 is biased by the shaft biasing member 92 in the direction of operating the switch SW, causing the shaft portion 91 to rotate around its axis, and the operating part 94 to press against the switch SW. In this state, the switch operating member 9 is not operated by the reciprocating member 3. That is, the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 is not operated by the operating part 314 of the reciprocating member 3 (or has not rotated to the point where the switch SW is turned off). Note that the states shown in Figures 23A and 23B correspond in this embodiment to the state shown in Figure 12, where the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and in the first rotation position.

[0099] As described above, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the retractable member 3 moves from the forward holding position to the backward direction D12, then moves to the forward direction D11 via the folding position, and is held in the backward holding position (see Figures 12 to 17).

[0100] When the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, while the reciprocating member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12 from the forward holding position (see Figures 12 to 14), the operated part 93 is pressed against the other side by the operating part 314 against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92 and rotates around a predetermined axis, and the switch operating member 9 moves from the operating position to the non-operating position (see Figures 23A to 25B). In this embodiment, when the lid L is operated from the open state to the closing direction, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 and rotates in the circumferential direction D2 in order to move the reciprocating member 3 from the forward holding position to the retraction holding position. Due to the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the switch operating member 9 rotates from the operating position to the non-operating position, as shown in Figures 24A and 25A. Specifically, the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) causes the operating portion 314 of the reciprocating member 3 to be displaced in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22), pressing the operated surface 931 of the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the switch operating member 9 rotates around the axis of the shaft 91 against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the operating portion 94 moves away from the switch SW (see Figures 24B and 25B). As a result, the switch SW is turned off, as shown in Figure 25B. Note that the states shown in Figures 24A and 24B correspond to the states shown in Figure 13 in this embodiment. Also, the states shown in Figures 25A and 25B correspond to the states shown in Figure 14 in this embodiment.

[0101] From the moment the retractable member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12 from the forward holding position until it is held in the retraction holding position via the return position (Figures 15 to 17), the operated portion 93 is pressed against the other side by the operating portion 314 around a predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position (see Figures 26A and 26B). In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12, the operating portion 314 of the retractable member 3 engages with the engagement surface 932 located on the retraction direction D12 side of the operated surface 931, while further rotating the shaft portion 91 (see Figure 26A). The operating portion 314 and the engagement surface 932 are in contact with a predetermined contact area in the axial direction D1, and the switch operating member 9, which is biased to rotate around an axis by the axial biasing member 92, is stably held in the non-operating position. As shown in Figure 26B, when the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position, the operating part 94 is held away from the switch SW, and the switch SW is in the off state. In this embodiment, the states shown in Figures 26A and 26B correspond to the state shown in Figure 17, where the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position and is also in the second rotation position (closed state of the lid L). As described above, when the lid L is in the closed state, the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position, and depending on the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the switch SW is in the off state, and it can be determined that the lid L is in the closed state.

[0102] Next, we will explain the operation of the switch operating member when the lid L changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0103] When the lid L is closed, the switch operating member 9 is in the non-operating position (see Figure 26A), and the operating part 94 of the switch operating member 9 is separated from the switch SW, so that the switch SW is turned off (see Figure 26B). In this embodiment, the states shown in Figures 26A and 26B correspond to the state shown in Figure 17, where the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position and in the second rotation position.

[0104] As described above, when the lid L changes from a closed state to an open state, the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12, then moves to the forward direction D11 via the folding position, and is held in the forward holding position (see Figures 18 to 22).

[0105] When the lid L opens from a closed state, the reciprocating member 3 moves from its retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12, and then moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 via the return position (Figures 18 to 21). During this time, the operated part 93 is pressed against the other side by the operating part 314 around a predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position (see Figures 27A and 27B). In this embodiment, in order to open the lid L from a closed state, when the lid L is pressed, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12, then moves in the forward direction D11 via the return position. At this time, as shown in Figures 26A to 27B, the switch operating member 9 remains in the non-operating position while the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1. Note that the state shown in Figures 27A and 27B corresponds to the state in Figure 19 in this embodiment.

[0106] After the reciprocating member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 via the folding position (see Figure 22), as shown in Figures 28A and 28B, the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 releases the pressure applied by the operating part 314 to the operated part 93 around a predetermined axis. The biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92 causes the shaft 91 to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, and the switch operating member 9 moves from the non-operating position to the operating position. Specifically, as shown in Figure 28B, the switch operating member 9 rotates due to the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, the operating part 94 presses the switch SW, and the switch SW turns ON. In this embodiment, the state shown in Figures 28A and 28B corresponds to the state shown in Figure 22, where the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and at the first rotation position (the lid L is open). As described above, when the lid L is open, the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, and the switch SW is turned ON according to the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, making it possible to determine that the lid L is open. In this embodiment, the switch SW is switched according to the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, making it possible to determine the open or closed state of the lid L corresponding to the state of the retractable member 3.

[0107] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above embodiments, the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the forward holding position in the forward direction D11 can be restricted by the wall portion (not shown) on the upper side of the case 2, but is not limited to this, and can also be restricted by the engagement between the first holding portion 521 of the cam member 5 and the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the case in which lid L is used as the connection target was described, but the operation is not limited to opening and closing lid L, as long as a reciprocating movement device is connected and transitions between a first state and a second state different from the first state. For example, a reciprocating movement device can be used to restrict and release the movement of the connection target.

[0109] The embodiments described above primarily describe an invention having the following configuration.

[0110] (1) Case and, A reciprocating member is provided that can move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction, and is capable of engaging with the object to be connected, A biasing member that biases the reciprocating member in the forward direction, A cam member provided around the reciprocating member, which is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member and restricts the axial movement of the reciprocating member, Equipped with, The retractable member is provided with a first engaging portion that can engage with the cam member, The cam member is When the reciprocating member moves in the retraction direction and is pressed by the reciprocating member, the cam member has a first cam surface that is inclined to rotate in a first rotational direction in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member, A first holding portion engages with the first engaging portion so that the reciprocating member is held in a forward holding position when it has moved in the forward direction, A second retaining portion is provided at a position circumferentially away from the first retaining portion, and engages with the first engaging portion so that the reciprocating member is held in a retracted holding position when it has moved in the retracted direction. Equipped with, The retractable member moves when the object to be connected moves from the first state to the second state. With the aforementioned backward movement restricted, the rotation proceeds from the first rotational position in the circumferential direction to the second rotational position. At the second rotation position, the restriction on movement in the backward direction is released, and the unit moves linearly in the backward direction. Guided within the aforementioned case, A reciprocating device wherein the linear movement of the reciprocating member in the retracting direction causes the first cam surface to be pressed against the first engaging portion, and the cam member rotates in the first rotational direction, thereby moving the reciprocating member from the forward holding position in which the first engaging portion and the first holding portion are engaged to the retracted holding position in which the first engaging portion and the second holding portion are engaged.

[0111] (2) The retractable member is equipped with a second engagement portion, A restricting portion that engages with the second engaging portion is provided within the case. The second engagement portion and the restricting portion are, When the reciprocating member is in the forward holding position, the reciprocating member is restricted from moving in the backward direction and allowed to move to the second rotation position, so as to face each other in the axial direction, When the reciprocating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the reciprocating member's movement in the retraction direction is released. The reciprocating device described in (1), configured as follows.

[0112] (3) The reciprocating device includes a locking member that is movable between a locked position that engages with the cam member and an unlocked position that allows the cam member to rotate in the first rotational direction, in order to restrict the reciprocating member from moving to the forward holding position when the reciprocating member is in the retracted holding position, The cam member has a contact portion that can come into contact with the locking member when a rotational force is applied to the cam member in the first rotational direction. (1) or (2) the reciprocating device.

[0113] (4) When the object to be connected moves from the first state to the second state, and the reciprocating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the cam member is configured to rotate together with the reciprocating member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the cam member has a space on the first rotational direction side with respect to the contact portion that is equal to or greater than the amount of movement of the cam member when it rotates in the second rotational direction, so as to allow the cam member to rotate together with the reciprocating member in the second rotational direction when the reciprocating member is in the forward holding position and the locking member is in the locking position.

[0114] (5) The retractable member moves when the object to be connected moves from the second state to the first state. With movement toward the first rotational position restricted, the cam member moves linearly in the backward direction, causing the first cam surface to be pressed against the first engagement portion, thereby rotating the cam member in the first rotational direction. The biasing force of the biasing member causes the first engaging portion to move linearly in the forward direction, and the first engaging portion is housed in the first holding portion. The forward and backward movement device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first engaging portion is housed in the first holding portion, and rotates together with the cam member in the first rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, thereby enabling movement of the connected object to the first state.

[0115] (6) The cam member is When the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction, it comes into contact with the first engaging portion and has a second cam surface that extends to the first holding portion, When the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction, it comes into contact with the first engaging portion and a third cam surface extending to the second holding portion A reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (5), comprising the following:

[0116] (7) The forward and backward moving device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the cam member comprises a first cam member having the first cam surface, and a second cam member having the second cam surface and a third cam surface, and provided separately from the first cam member on the forward direction side relative to the first cam member, and the first cam member and the second cam member are configured to rotate in conjunction in the circumferential direction.

[0117] (8) The retractable member is provided with a retractable member engagement portion that engages with the object to be connected, When the retractable member is in the second rotation position, the retractable member engaging portion engages with the connection target engaging portion provided on the connection target, thereby holding the connection target in the second state. The reciprocating movement device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein when the reciprocating member is in the first rotation position, the reciprocating member engagement portion is disengaged from the connection target engagement portion, thereby allowing the connection target to move to the first state.

[0118] (9) The reciprocating device includes a connection target having the connection target engagement portion, The connecting target engagement portion is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape capable of at least partially receiving the tip of the retractable member, The reciprocating member engagement portion protrudes at the tip of the reciprocating member in a direction intersecting the axial direction, The aforementioned connection target engagement portion is, When the object to be connected transitions to a second state and the tip of the retractable member is received by the object to be connected, the guide portion has an inclined surface that contacts the retractable member engagement portion and applies a force in a second rotational direction to the retractable member engagement portion, causing the retractable member to rotate from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. A retaining portion which is connected to the guide portion and which engages with the reciprocating member engagement portion in the axial direction when the connected object transitions to the second state, thereby restricting the connected object from transitioning to the first state. A reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (8), comprising the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 1 Advance / retreat movement device 2 cases 21 Retractable member outlet 221 Regulatory Department (First Regulatory Department) 222 Second Regulatory Section 223 Inclined surface at the intersection of the first and second regulated sections 3. Moving / Retracting Member 31 Retractable Member Body 311 Tip 311a Retractable member engagement part 312 Proximal end 313 Central part 314 Operation section 4. Biasing member 5 Cam member 51 First cam member 511 First cam surface 512 recess 52 Second cam member 521 1st holding part 521a Axial engaged surface 521b, 521c Circumferential engaged surface 522 2nd holding part 522a Axial engaged surface 522b Circumferential engaged surface 523 Second cam surface 524 Third cam surface 525 Engagement protrusion 53 Contact part 6 Locking member 61 Driven part 62 Extension section 63 Pressed part 7. Locking member drive device 71 Drive unit 72 Screw shaft 8 Manual operation section 81 Operating member 82 Unlocking section 9 Switch operating member 91 Shaft 92 Shaft biasing member 93 Operated part 931 Operated surface 932 Engagement surface 94 Operating part B base Ba opening Bb supply port D1 Axial direction D11 Forward direction D12 Reverse direction D2 Circumferential direction D21 First rotation direction D22 Second rotation direction E1 1st engagement part E11 Axial engagement surface E12 Pressing part E13, E14 Circumferential engagement surface E2 Second engaging part E21 Axial engagement surface E22 Circumferential engagement surface E23 Inclined surface at the intersection of the axial engagement surface and the circumferential engagement surface of the second engagement part H hinge L Lid L1 Lid Body L2 Lid engagement part L21 Information Department L211 Inclined surface L22 Holding part SP space SW Switch X-axis

Claims

1. The case and, A reciprocating member is provided that can move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction, and is capable of engaging with the object to be connected, A biasing member that biases the reciprocating member in the forward direction, A cam member provided around the reciprocating member, which is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member and restricts the axial movement of the reciprocating member, Equipped with, The retractable member is provided with a first engaging portion that can engage with the cam member, The cam member is When the reciprocating member moves in the retraction direction and is pressed by the reciprocating member, the cam member has a first cam surface that is inclined to rotate in a first rotational direction in the circumferential direction of the reciprocating member, A first holding portion engages with the first engaging portion so that the reciprocating member is held in a forward holding position when it has moved in the forward direction, A second retaining portion is provided at a position circumferentially away from the first retaining portion, and engages with the first engaging portion so that the reciprocating member is held in a retracted holding position when it has moved in the retracted direction. Equipped with, The reciprocating member moves when the object to be connected moves from the first state to the second state. With the aforementioned backward movement restricted, the rotation proceeds from the first rotational position in the circumferential direction to the second rotational position. At the second rotation position, the restriction on movement in the backward direction is released, and the unit moves linearly in the backward direction. Guided within the aforementioned case, A reciprocating device wherein the linear movement of the reciprocating member in the retracting direction causes the first cam surface to be pressed against the first engaging portion, and the cam member rotates in the first rotational direction, thereby moving the reciprocating member from the forward holding position in which the first engaging portion and the first holding portion are engaged to the retracted holding position in which the first engaging portion and the second holding portion are engaged.

2. The retractable member is equipped with a second engagement portion, A restricting portion that engages with the second engaging portion is provided within the case. The second engagement portion and the restricting portion are, When the reciprocating member is in the forward holding position, the reciprocating member is restricted from moving in the backward direction and is allowed to move to the second rotation position, so as to face each other in the axial direction, When the reciprocating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the reciprocating member's movement in the retraction direction is released. The forward and backward moving device according to claim 1, configured as described above.

3. The reciprocating device includes a locking member that is movable between a locked position that engages with the cam member and an unlocked position that allows the cam member to rotate in the first rotational direction, in order to restrict the reciprocating member from moving to the forward holding position when the reciprocating member is in the retracted holding position. The cam member has a contact portion that can come into contact with the locking member when a rotational force is applied to the cam member in the first rotational direction. The forward and backward movement device according to claim 1.

4. When the object to be connected moves from the first state to the second state, and the reciprocating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the cam member is configured to rotate together with the reciprocating member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The reciprocating device according to claim 3, wherein the cam member has a space on the first rotational direction side with respect to the contact portion that is equal to or greater than the amount of movement of the cam member when it rotates in the second rotational direction, so as to allow the cam member to rotate together with the reciprocating member in the second rotational direction when the reciprocating member is in the forward holding position and the locking member is in the locked position.

5. The reciprocating member moves when the object to be connected moves from the second state to the first state. With movement toward the first rotational position restricted, the cam member moves linearly in the backward direction, and the first cam surface is pressed against the first engagement portion, thereby rotating the cam member in the first rotational direction. The biasing force of the biasing member causes the first engaging portion to move linearly in the forward direction, and the first engaging portion is housed in the first holding portion. The reciprocating movement device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion is housed in the first holding portion, and together with the cam member, rotates in the first rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, thereby enabling movement of the connected object to the first state.

6. The cam member is When the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction, it comes into contact with the first engaging portion and has a second cam surface that extends to the first holding portion, When the reciprocating member moves in the forward direction, it comes into contact with the first engaging portion and a third cam surface extending to the second holding portion. The forward and backward movement device according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The forward and backward movement device according to claim 6, wherein the cam member comprises a first cam member having the first cam surface, and a second cam member having the second cam surface and the third cam surface, and provided separately from the first cam member on the forward direction side relative to the first cam member, and the first cam member and the second cam member are configured to rotate in conjunction in the circumferential direction.

8. The retractable member is provided with a retractable member engagement portion that engages with the object to be connected, When the retractable member is in the second rotation position, the retractable member engaging portion engages with the connection target engaging portion provided on the connection target, thereby holding the connection target in the second state. The reciprocating movement device according to claim 1, wherein when the reciprocating member is in the first rotation position, the reciprocating member engagement portion is disengaged from the connection target engagement portion, thereby enabling the connection target to move to the first state.

9. The forward and backward movement device includes a connection target having the connection target engagement portion, The connecting target engagement portion is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape capable of at least partially receiving the tip of the retractable member, The reciprocating member engagement portion protrudes at the tip of the reciprocating member in a direction intersecting the axial direction, The aforementioned connection target engagement portion is, When the object to be connected moves to the second state and the tip of the retractable member is received by the object to be connected, the guide portion has an inclined surface that contacts the retractable member engagement portion and applies a force in the second rotational direction to the retractable member engagement portion, causing the retractable member to rotate from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Connected to the guide portion, when the connection target moves to the second state, the reciprocating member engaging portion engages with the axial direction, and the connection target moves to the first state The forward and backward movement device according to claim 8, further comprising a holding part that restricts transition to a state.

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