Rotary damper and locking device

Abstract

To provide a rotary damper capable of keeping restoring force of a spring, and to provide a lock device.SOLUTION: A rotary damper 10 includes: a housing 11 including an annular filling part 11A filled with a viscous fluid, and a pivot support part 11B disposed in the filling part 11A; a rotating body 10R which is pivotally supported by the pivot support part 11B in a manner that enables rotation in a circumferential direction of the pivot shaft part 11B and transmits a brake force generated by the viscous fluid to an engagement object; and a spring 12 which is disposed at the outer side of the filling part 11A and transmits a biasing force in a circumferential direction to the rotating body 10R. The housing 11 and the rotating body 10R include restriction parts which stop the rotating body 10R rotated by the biasing force at a predetermined position by contact between the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rotary damper and a locking device. [Background technology]

[0002] The rotary damper includes a housing, a rotating shaft positioned relative to the housing, a spiral spring located within the housing, a cap engaged with the housing, and a gear fixed to a portion of the rotating shaft that protrudes outside the cap. The spiral spring has an outer circumferential end and an inner circumferential end. The outer circumferential end is fixed to the housing, and the inner circumferential end is fixed to the rotating shaft. A viscous fluid is filled inside the casing formed by the housing and the cap. The rotary damper further includes a clip. In order to obtain a predetermined restoring force from the rotary damper, the gear is rotated so that the spiral spring is wound up, and the clip is placed on the cap to restrict rotation of the gear (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-321527 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the rotation damper described above, the restoring force of the spiral spring is maintained by the clip that restricts the rotation of the gear. However, when the clip is removed, for example, when the rotation damper is attached to a rod, the restoring force of the spiral spring is difficult to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A rotary damper for solving the above problems includes a housing having an annular filling portion filled with a viscous fluid and a support portion disposed within the filling portion, a rotor that is supported on the support portion so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the support portion and transmits the braking force of the viscous fluid to an engaging object, and a spring that is disposed outside the filling portion and transmits a biasing force in the circumferential direction to the rotor. The housing and the rotor include a restricting portion that stops the rotor, which rotates due to the biasing force, in a predetermined position by abutting the housing against the rotor.

[0006] The locking device for solving the above problem includes a rod and the above rotation damper that engages with the rod.

[0007] With the above-described rotary damper and locking device, the position of the rotating body, which rotates due to the biasing force based on the restoring force of the spring, is stopped at a predetermined position by the restricting portion, and the rotating body stopped at the predetermined position can maintain the restoring force of the spring.

[0008] In the above rotary damper, the rotating body may include a rotor that is journaled on the journal portion so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the journal portion, and an engaging member that is non-rotatably connected to the rotor and engages with the engaging object.

[0009] According to the rotary damper, the rotating body is provided with the rotor and the engaging member separately, so that the position of the engaging member can be adjusted independently of the position of the rotor.

[0010] In the above rotary damper, either the housing or the rotating body may be a first regulating member, and the other of the housing and the rotating body other than the first regulating member may be a second regulating member, and the regulating portion may include a protrusion provided on the first regulating member and a groove provided on the second regulating member into which the protrusion fits.

[0011] According to the rotary damper, the restricting portion includes a protrusion and a groove into which the protrusion fits, so the engagement between the first restricting member and the second restricting member is less likely to be released than when the first restricting member only abuts against the second restricting member, and therefore the first restricting member can be stably engaged with the second restricting member.

[0012] In the above rotary damper, the regulating portion may include a stopper that is covered by the rotating body inside the housing, and an abutment portion that is located on the underside of the rotating body facing the housing, and that abuts against the stopper to stop the rotating body in a predetermined position.

[0013] According to the rotary damper, the restricting portion is not exposed to the outside of the rotary damper, and therefore the restricting portion is prevented from being damaged by contact with an engagement object or the like.

[0014] In the rotary damper, the rotary damper may include a plurality of the restricting portions arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0015] In the rotary damper described above, it is possible to stabilize the position of the rotor in the circumferential direction compared to when the rotary damper is provided with only one restricting portion.

[0016] In the above rotary damper, the regulating portion may include a first portion of the rotating body and a second portion in the housing that engages with the first portion, and the first portion of each regulating portion may be configured to be able to engage with the second portion of another regulating portion by changing the winding of the spring.

[0017] According to the rotary damper, the rotational torque is changed by changing the winding of the spring. Therefore, a plurality of different rotational torques can be set in the rotary damper, and the restoring force is maintained at each rotational torque.

[0018] In the above rotary damper, the spring may have a spiral coil portion wound in the circumferential direction, and the coil portion may be sandwiched between a seat surface provided on the housing and a top surface provided on the rotating body, and the seat surface and the top surface may have a spiral surface shape conforming to the outer shape of the coil portion.

[0019] According to the rotary damper, the shape of the coil portion housed between the housing and the rotor is less likely to be distorted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, the restoring force of the spring can be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a locking device equipped with a rotary damper. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a spring is assembled to the housing shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the gear shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a spring is attached to the gear shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of assembling the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of assembling the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an operational diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an operational diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary damper shown in FIG. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an operational diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary damper shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 to 11, one embodiment of a rotary damper and locking device will be described. [Locking device] The locking device will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 1, the locking device 100 includes a first rod 101, a second rod 102, a base 103, and a rotary damper 10. The base 103 is attached to a locking target. The locking target is an object that can be unlocked by the locking device 100 and is maintained in a locked state by the locking device 100. The locking target may be, for example, the lid of a glove box installed in a vehicle.

[0023] The base 103 has a first surface 103F1. The base 103 has a first support piece 103A, a second support piece 103B, a first fitting piece 103C, and a second fitting piece 103D. The first support piece 103A and the second support piece 103B are aligned along the X direction on the first surface 103F1. The first support piece 103A protrudes from the first surface 103F1 and is bent at its tip end toward the second support piece 103B along the X direction. The second support piece 103B protrudes from the first surface 103F1 and is bent at its tip end toward the first support piece 103A along the X direction.

[0024] The first fitting piece 103C and the second fitting piece 103D are aligned along the Y direction on the first surface 103F1. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction. In the X direction, the first fitting piece 103C and the second fitting piece 103D are positioned between the first support piece 103A and the second support piece 103B. In the Y direction, the first support piece 103A and the second support piece 103B are positioned between the first fitting piece 103C and the second fitting piece 103D.

[0025] The first fitting piece 103C protrudes from the first surface 103F1 and has a fitting hole that passes through the first fitting piece 103C in the Y direction. The second fitting piece 103D protrudes from the first surface 103F1 and has a through hole that passes through the second fitting piece 103D in the Y direction.

[0026] The first rod 101 has a shape that extends along the Y direction. The second rod 102 has a shape that extends along the Y direction. The first rod 101 and the second rod 102 are aligned along the X direction. The first rod 101 has a first engagement portion 101A on its side surface that faces the second rod 102 in the X direction. The first engagement portion 101A is located at the base end of the first rod 101 in the Y direction. The first engagement portion 101A has a plurality of teeth aligned along the Y direction. The second rod 102 has a second engagement portion 102A on its side surface that faces the first rod 101 in the X direction. The second engagement portion 102A is located at the base end of the second rod 102 in the Y direction. The second engagement portion 102A has a plurality of teeth aligned along the Y direction.

[0027] The rotary damper 10 is located between the first rod 101 and the second rod 102 in the X direction. The rotary damper 10 includes a housing 11 and a gear 16. The gear 16 is an example of an engaging member. The housing 11 has a shape extending along the Y direction. The housing 11 has a first engaging claw 11D1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) at a first end in the Y direction and a second engaging claw 11D1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) at a second end in the Y direction. The gear 16 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The gear 16 has an engaging tube 16A. The engaging tube 16A has an engaging portion 16A1 (see FIG. 2) with a plurality of teeth on its outer circumferential surface. The engaging portion 16A1 is configured to be able to mesh with the first engaging portion 101A and the second engaging portion 102A. That is, the rotary damper 10 is configured so that the engagement portion 16A1 of the gear 16 provided in the rotary damper 10 can be engaged with the engagement portions 101A and 102A of the rods 101 and 102, respectively.

[0028] In the locking device 100, the first rod 101 is supported between the first support piece 103A and a portion of the first surface 103F1, and the second rod 102 is supported between the second support piece 103B and a portion of the first surface 103F1. Furthermore, the first fitting claw 11D1 of the rotary damper 10 fits into the fitting hole of the first fitting piece 103C, and the second fitting claw 11D1 fits into the fitting hole of the second fitting piece 103D. As a result, the engagement portion 16A1 of the rotary damper 10 meshes with the first engagement portion 101A of the first rod 101, and the engagement portion 16A1 meshes with the second engagement portion 102A of the second rod 102.

[0029] Therefore, the linear motion of each rod 101, 102 along the Y direction is converted into rotational motion of the rotary damper 10. That is, in the Y direction, the first rod 101 moves linearly in the direction from the first fitting piece 103C to the second fitting piece 103D, and the second rod 102 moves linearly in the direction from the second fitting piece 103D to the first fitting piece 103C. This causes the rotary damper 10 to rotate in the direction from the first support piece 103A to the second support piece 103B via the second fitting piece 103D.

[0030] 1, the locking device 100 maintains the lock target in a locked state when the Y-direction ends of the engaging portions 101A, 102A of the rods 101, 102 are engaged with the engaging portion 16A1 of the gear 16. In contrast, when either the first rod 101 or the second rod 102 is pushed in along the Y direction from the base end to the tip end, the locking device 100 releases the lock target from the locked state.

[0031] [Rotational Damper] The structure of the rotary damper will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary damper 10 includes a housing 11, a rotating body 10R, and a spring 12. The housing 11 is a resin molded product. The housing 11 includes a filling portion 11A and a support portion 11B. The filling portion 11A is filled with a viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be, for example, silicone oil. The filling portion 11A has an annular shape. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the filling portion 11A has an annular shape with a peripheral wall extending along the Z direction. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to a two-dimensional plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction. The support portion 11B is disposed within the filling portion 11A. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 11B is located at the center of the filling portion 11A in a plan view opposite the XY plane, and has a cylindrical shape extending along the Z direction.

[0032] The housing 11 has a base portion 11C having a shape extending along the Y direction. The filled portion 11A and the bearing portion 11B extend from the base portion 11C along the Z direction. The base portion 11C includes a spring support portion 11CS having a ring shape surrounding the filled portion 11A. The spring support portion 11CS has a straight portion 11CS1 and a spiral portion 11CS2 connected to the straight portion 11CS1. The straight portion 11CS1 extends along the tangential direction of the filled portion 11A and has a shape extending along the Y direction. The spiral portion 11CS2 has an annular shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the filled portion 11A. The spiral portion 11CS2 has a seat surface CS2F on which the spring 12 is disposed. The seat surface CS2F has a spiral surface shape that becomes increasingly distant from the straight portion 11CS1 in the Z direction as it moves away from the connection portion with the straight portion 11CS1. That is, the seat surface CS2F of the housing 11 has a spiral surface shape conforming to the outer shape of the coil portion 12A of the spring 12, which will be described later.

[0033] The housing 11 has a pair of fitting pieces 11D that sandwich the filling portion 11A in the Y direction. Each fitting piece 11D has a shape that extends from the base portion 11C along the Z direction. Each fitting piece 11D has a fitting claw 11D1 midway along the Z direction. In each fitting piece 11D, the fitting claw 11D1 protrudes from the surface opposite the surface where the fitting piece 11D including that fitting claw 11D1 faces the other fitting pieces 11D.

[0034] The housing 11 has a plurality of sheared segments 11E located within the filling portion 11A. In the example shown in Fig. 2, four sheared segments 11E are provided. When viewed from a perspective opposite to the XY plane, the plurality of sheared segments 11E are located between the filling portion 11A and the support portion 11B in the radial direction of the filling portion 11A. When viewed from a perspective opposite to the XY plane, the plurality of sheared segments 11E are evenly spaced on a circle concentric with the filling portion 11A, and each sheared segment 11E has an arc shape that follows the circle.

[0035] The spring 12 is disposed outside the filled portion 11A. The spring 12 is configured to transmit a biasing force to the rotor 10R in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. The spring 12 includes a coil portion 12A, a base end portion 12B, and a tip end portion 12C. The coil portion 12A has a spiral shape wound in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. The base end portion 12B is continuous with a first end portion of the coil portion 12A and has a linear shape extending in the tangential direction of the coil portion 12A. The tip end portion 12C is continuous with a second end portion of the coil portion 12A. The tip end portion 12C is bent in a U shape so as to be included in the YZ plane.

[0036] The rotating body 10R is journaled on the journal portion 11B so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. The rotating body 10R transmits the braking force of the viscous fluid to an engaging object. In this embodiment, the first rod 101 and the second rod 102 provided in the locking device 100 are an example of the engaging object. The rotating body 10R includes a rotor 13, a seal member 14, a cap 15, and a gear 16.

[0037] The rotor 13 is a resin molded product. The rotor 13 includes a shaft portion 13A and a shear portion 13B that is connected to the shaft portion 13A in the Z direction. The shaft portion 13A has a cylindrical shape that extends along the Z direction. The shaft portion 13A includes a first portion 13A1 and a second portion 13A2. The first portion 13A1 is connected to the second portion 13A2 in the Z direction. The first portion 13A1 is inserted into the gear 16, while the second portion 13A2 is inserted into the cap 15. In the first portion 13A1, a rectangular outer shape along the XY plane is connected along the Z direction. In the second portion 13A2, a circular outer diameter along the XY plane is connected along the Z direction. When the rotary damper 10 is assembled, the shaft portion 13A is placed over the journal portion 11B of the housing 11. That is, the rotor 13 is supported by the shaft portion 13A on the shaft support portion 11B so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the shaft support portion 11B.

[0038] The shearing portion 13B has a larger diameter than the shank portion 13A and is a cylindrical shape with a bottom that is concentric with the shank portion 13A. The shearing portion 13B includes a plurality of outer sheared segments 13B1 and a plurality of inner sheared segments 13B2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the shearing portion 13B includes three outer sheared segments 13B1 and three inner sheared segments 13B2. When viewed from a viewpoint opposite to the XY plane, each outer sheared segment 13B1 is located on a circle concentric with the shank portion 13A and has an arc shape along the circle. When viewed from a viewpoint opposite to the XY plane, each inner sheared segment 13B2 is located on a circle concentric with the shank portion 13A and has an arc shape along the circle. The inner sheared segment 13B2 is located radially inward of the outer sheared segment 13B1 of the shank portion 13A. When viewed from a viewpoint opposite to the XY plane, one outer sheath piece 13B1 and one inner sheath piece 13B2 are arranged at an interval in the radial direction of the shaft portion 13A.

[0039] The seal member 14 has an annular shape and may be made of an elastic material such as an elastomer. The seal member 14 is configured so that the shaft portion 13A can be inserted into a hole defined by the seal member 14.

[0040] The cap 15 is a resin molded product. The cap 15 has a disk shape. The cap 15 has an insertion hole 15A that penetrates the cap 15 in the Z direction. The insertion hole 15A is a circular hole. When the rotary damper 10 is assembled, the shaft portion 13A of the rotor 13 is inserted into the insertion hole 15A.

[0041] The gear 16 is a resin molded part. The gear 16 is non-rotatably connected to the rotor 13 and configured to be able to engage with the first rod 101 and the second rod 102. Because the rotating body 10R is provided with the rotor 13 and the gear 16 separately, the position of the gear 16 can be adjusted independently of the position of the rotor 13.

[0042] As described above, the gear 16 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the engagement cylinder 16A has the engagement portion 16A1 on its outer circumferential surface. The engagement portion 16A1 of the gear 16 engages with the engagement portions 101A and 102A of the rods 101 and 102, respectively. The gear 16 has an insertion hole 16B that penetrates the gear 16 in the Z direction. The insertion hole 16B is a rectangular hole. When the rotary damper 10 is assembled, the shaft portion 13A of the rotor 13 is inserted into the insertion hole 16B in a state in which the gear 16 cannot rotate relative to the rotor 13. In other words, the gear 16 is fixed to the rotor 13 by the insertion hole 16B.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional structure of the rotary damper 10 along the YZ plane, which is a plane passing through the bearing portion 11B of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3 , the shaft portion 13A of the rotor 13 has an insertion groove 13C extending in the Z direction away from the sheared portions 13B1 and 13B2. When the rotor 13 is attached to the housing 11, the support portion 11B of the housing 11 is inserted into the insertion groove 13C, thereby supporting the rotor 13 on the housing 11 while allowing it to rotate relative to the housing 11. The outer sheared portion 13B1 and the inner sheared portion 13B2 of the rotor 13 are disposed within the filling portion 11A such that the sheared portion 11E of the housing 11 is located between the inner sheared portion 13B2 and the outer sheared portion 13B1 in the radial direction of the support portion 11B. As a result, when the rotor 13 rotates relative to the housing 11, the viscous fluid filled within the filling portion 11A is sheared by the sheared portion 11E of the housing 11 and the sheared portions 13B1 and 13B2 of the rotor 13, which rotate relative to the sheared portion 11E of the housing 11. This generates a braking torque in the rotor 13 .

[0044] In addition to the above-described insertion hole 15A, the cap 15 has a fixing groove 15B on its surface facing the housing 11 in the Z direction. When viewed from the perspective facing the XY plane, the fixing groove 15B has an annular shape that follows the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 13A. The insertion hole 15A includes a seal groove 15A1. The seal groove 15A1 opens on the surface facing the housing 11 in the Z direction. When viewed from the perspective facing the XY plane, the seal groove 15A1 has an annular shape that follows the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 13A.

[0045] Before cap 15 is attached to housing 11, rotor 13 is attached to housing 11. Next, a viscous fluid is filled into filling portion 11A, and with seal member 14 fitted into seal groove 15A1, the tip of filling portion 11A is fitted into fixing groove 15B of cap 15, and shaft portion 13A of rotor 13 is inserted into insertion hole 15A of cap 15. As a result, the gap between rotor 13 and cap 15 is sealed by seal member 14, and rotor 13 and cap 15 are attached to housing 11 in a state in which rotor 13 can rotate relative to cap 15.

[0046] By inserting the shaft portion 13A into the insertion hole 16B, the gear 16 is attached to the rotor 13 in a state where it cannot rotate relative to the rotor 13. As described above, in the first portion 13A1 of the shaft portion 13A, through which the gear 16 is inserted, rectangular cross sections are continuous in the Z direction, and the insertion hole 16B is a rectangular hole. Therefore, the gear 16 attached to the shaft portion 13A cannot rotate relative to the rotor 13. In other words, when the gear 16 rotates, the rotor 13 rotates together with the gear 16.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the spring 12 is assembled to the housing 11. 4, coil portion 12A of spring 12 is located on helical portion 11CS2 of spring support portion 11CS in housing 11, and base end 12B is located on straight portion 11CS1. As described above, helical portion 11CS2 has seating surface CS2F having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of coil portion 12A, and therefore the portion of coil portion 12A that contacts seating surface CS2F is located on seating surface CS2F so as to follow the shape of seating surface CS2F.

[0048] In the rotary damper 10 of the present disclosure, the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R are provided with a restricting portion that stops the rotating body 10R, which rotates due to the biasing force of the spring 12, in a predetermined position by abutment between the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R. Either the housing 11 or the rotating body 10R is a first restricting member, and the other of the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R other than the first restricting member is a second restricting member. The restricting portion may include a protrusion provided on the first restricting member and a groove provided on the second restricting member into which the protrusion fits.

[0049] Because the restricting portion has a protrusion and a groove into which the protrusion fits, the engagement between the first restricting member and the second restricting member is less likely to be released than when the first restricting member only abuts against the second restricting member, which allows the first restricting member to stably engage with the second restricting member.

[0050] In the rotary damper 10 of this embodiment, the housing 11 is an example of a first restricting member, and the rotating body 10R is an example of a second restricting member. That is, the housing 11 has a restricting protrusion 11F included in a restricting portion. The restricting protrusion 11F protrudes from the base portion 11C in the Z direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the housing 11 has two restricting protrusions 11F. Each restricting protrusion 11F belongs to a different restricting portion. The two restricting protrusions 11F are located outside the filling portion 11A and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the support portion 11B. That is, the housing 11 may have multiple restricting portions arranged in the circumferential direction of the support portion 11B. Compared to a rotary damper having only one restricting portion, the position of the rotating body 10R in the circumferential direction can be stabilized.

[0051] The restricting protrusion 11F is a portion of the housing 11 that is covered by the rotating body 10R when the rotary damper 10 is assembled. The restricting protrusion 11F is also an example of a stopper. Each restricting protrusion 11F has an abutment surface 11FF that extends along the YZ plane. The abutment surface 11FF is a surface that abuts against a groove provided in the second restricting member. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the abutment surface 11FF is a flat surface that extends along the YZ plane.

[0052] 5 and 6 show the structure of the gear 16 when viewed from the direction from the housing 11 toward the gear 16. Note that Fig. 6 also shows the structure of the spring 12 as well as the structure of the gear 16.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the gear 16 includes an engagement tube 16A and an annular portion 16C. The annular portion 16C is connected to the engagement tube 16A in the Z direction. The engagement tube 16A has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and includes an engagement portion 16A1 that includes multiple teeth on its outer peripheral surface. The insertion hole 16B described above penetrates the bottom of the engagement tube 16A along the Z direction. The engagement tube 16A includes a spring abutment portion 16A2 on its inner peripheral surface. The spring abutment portion 16A2 includes a top surface 16A2F that abuts against the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 when the rotary damper 10 is assembled. The top surface 16A2F has a helical surface shape that conforms to the outer shape of the coil portion 12A. In the rotary damper 10, the top surface 16A2F, together with a seat surface CS2F provided on the housing 11, sandwiches the coil portion 12A in the Z direction.

[0054] The engagement tube 16A has an engagement hole 16A3 that penetrates the engagement tube 16A in the Z direction. The engagement hole 16A3 is sandwiched between a first end and a second end of the spring abutment portion 16A2 in the circumferential direction of the pivot support portion 11B. When the rotation damper 10 is assembled, the tip end 12C of the spring 12 is inserted into the engagement hole 16A3 and engages with a wall portion that defines the engagement hole 16A3. The wall portion is a part of the engagement tube 16A.

[0055] The annular portion 16C has a restricting groove 16C1 on its surface facing the housing 11. The surface of the annular portion 16C facing the housing 11 is an example of the lower surface of the rotating body 10R that faces the housing 11. The restricting groove 16C1 is an example of an abutment portion located on the lower surface. Because the restricting portion is not exposed to the outside of the rotary damper, the restricting portion is prevented from being damaged by contact with an engagement object or the like.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the annular portion 16C has two restriction grooves 16C1. The two restriction grooves 16C1 are arranged at an interval in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. When viewed from a perspective facing the XY plane, each restriction groove 16C1 has an arc shape that follows the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. The restriction groove 16C1 includes a first end and a second end in the circumferential direction. The first end of the restriction groove 16C1 includes an abutment surface 16C1F that follows the YZ plane. The abutment surface 16C1F is a flat surface that follows the XF plane.

[0057] The annular portion 16C has a plurality of contact protrusions 16C2 on its inner circumferential surface. Each contact protrusion 16C2 extends in the Z direction, and the plurality of contact protrusions 16C2 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B. When the rotary damper 10 is assembled, each contact protrusion 16C2 is configured to be able to come into contact with the coil portion 12A of the spring 12.

[0058] 6, when the rotary damper 10 is assembled, the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 abuts against the top surface 16A2F of the spring abutment portion 16A2 so as to fit along the top surface 16A2F. As a result, the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 is sandwiched between the seat surface CS2F and the top surface 16A2F, so that the shape of the coil portion 12A housed between the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R is less likely to be distorted.

[0059] Furthermore, the tip end 12C of the spring 12 engages with a wall portion that defines the engagement hole 16A3 and is exposed to the outside of the gear 16 from the engagement hole 16A3. The base end 12B extends in the tangential direction of the coil portion 12A, thereby exposing the tip end 12C from the gear 16.

[0060] [Assembly method] A method of assembling the rotary damper 10 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. For ease of explanation, Figures 7 and 8 combine a cross section including the first regulating protrusion 11F and the first regulating groove 16C1 with a cross section including the second regulating protrusion 11F and the second regulating groove 16C1.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, when assembling the rotary damper 10, first, the support portion 11B of the housing 11 is attached to the shaft portion 13A of the rotor 13. This positions the outer shear piece 13B1 and the inner shear piece 13B2 of the rotor 13 within the filling portion 11A. Next, a viscous fluid is filled into the filling portion 11A. Next, the seal member 14 is attached to the rotor 13 so that the seal member 14 is sandwiched between the rotor 13 and the cap 15, and the cap 15 is attached to the housing 11. Next, the spring 12 is attached to the housing 11 so as to surround the filling portion 11A. At this time, the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 is in an extended state.

[0062] 8, while the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 is compressed toward the base portion 11C of the housing 11 by the top surface 16A2F (see FIG. 5) of the gear 16, the first portion 13A1 of the shaft portion 13A is fitted into the insertion hole 16B of the gear 16. As a result, the abutment surface 11FF (see FIG. 4) of the first restricting protrusion 11F abuts against the abutment surface 16C1F (see FIG. 5) of the first restricting groove 16C1, and the abutment surface 11FF (see FIG. 4) of the second restricting protrusion 11F abuts against the abutment surface 16C1F (see FIG. 5) of the first restricting groove 16C1. In the rotary damper 10 of this embodiment, the first restriction protrusion 11F and the first restriction groove 16C1 form a first restriction portion, and the second restriction protrusion 11F and the second restriction groove 16C1 form a second restriction portion.

[0063] As described above, the rotary damper 10 of this embodiment includes a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion aligned along the circumferential direction of the bearing portion 11B. Each restricting portion includes a restricting groove 16C1 included in the rotating body 10R and a restricting protrusion 11F that engages with the restricting groove 16C1 inside the housing 11. The restricting groove 16C1 is the first portion, and the restricting protrusion 11F is the second portion.

[0064] As described above, first restriction groove 16C1 in the first restriction portion is configured to be able to engage with first restriction protrusion 11F in the first restriction portion. On the other hand, restriction groove 16C1 in the first restriction portion is configured to be able to engage with restriction protrusion 11F in the second restriction portion by changing the winding of spring 12. Similarly, restriction groove 16C1 in the second restriction portion is configured to be able to engage with restriction protrusion 11F in the first restriction portion by changing the winding of spring 12.

[0065] That is, since the rotary damper 10 has two restricting protrusions 11F that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction, it is possible to change the circumferential position of the gear 16 relative to the housing 11 in increments of 180°. Therefore, it is also possible to change the torque of the spring 12 in increments of 180°.

[0066] According to the rotary damper 10 of this embodiment, the rotational torque is changed by changing the winding of the spring 12. Therefore, a plurality of different rotational torques can be set in the rotary damper 10, and the restoring force is maintained at each rotational torque.

[0067] [Effect] The operation of the rotary damper 10 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figures 9 to 11 show a cross section along the XY plane that passes through the annular portion 16C of the gear 16, for the convenience of explaining the position of the restriction groove 16C1 relative to each restriction protrusion 11F.

[0068] FIG. 9 shows the initial position of the restriction groove 16C1 relative to the restriction protrusion 11F. 9, when the rotary damper 10 is assembled, the abutment surface 11FF of each regulating protrusion 11F abuts against the abutment surface 16C1F of the regulating groove 16C1 in which that regulating protrusion 11F is located. This stops the position of the rotating body 10R at the position where the regulating groove 16C1 abuts against the regulating protrusion 11F. As a result, the rotating body 10R causes the spring 12 to maintain a restoring force.

[0069] As described above, the contact surface 16C1F of the restriction groove 16C1 and the contacted surface 11FF of the restriction protrusion 11F are both flat surfaces, which allows the contact surface 16C1F and the contacted surface 11FF to come into contact with each other through their surfaces, compared to when either the contact surface 16C1F or the contacted surface 11FF is a curved surface.

[0070] 10, when either the first rod 101 or the second rod 102 is pushed in along the Y direction, a force that resists the biasing force acts on the gear 16. As a result, the rotating body 10R rotates, for example, so that the restricting protrusion 11F is positioned at the center of the restricting groove 16C1 in the circumferential direction. When the force pushing the first rod 101 and the second rod 102 is released, thereby releasing the force acting on the gear 16, the restoring force of the spring 12 causes the rotating body 10R to rotate until the abutted surface 11FF of the restricting protrusion 11F abuts against the abutting surface 16C1F of the restricting groove 16C1.

[0071] At this time, the viscous fluid in the filling portion 11A is sheared by the rotor 13, and the braking torque generated in the rotor 13 damps the linear motion of each of the rods 101 and 102. As a result, noise and rattles generated by the meshing between the engaging portion 16A1 of the gear 16 and the engaging portions 101A and 102A of the rods 101 and 102 are suppressed.

[0072] 11, for example, the rotor 10R rotates so that the restricting protrusion 11F is located at the end of the restricting groove 16C1 opposite the abutment surface 16C1F in the circumferential direction. In this case, when the force acting on the gear 16 is released, the restoring force of the spring 12 rotates the rotor 10R until the abutted surface 11FF of the restricting protrusion 11F abuts against the abutment surface 16C1F of the restricting groove 16C1. At this time, noise and rattles caused by the meshing of the engaging portion 16A1 of the gear 16 with the engaging portions 101A and 102A of the rods 101 and 102 are suppressed.

[0073] As described above, the rotary damper 10 of this embodiment reduces the operating noise and rattle of the members that engage with the rotary damper 10. This improves the operability of an article that includes the rotary damper 10, and as a result, it is possible to increase the comfort of the environment in which the article is installed.

[0074] As described above, according to one embodiment of the rotary damper and locking device, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The position of the rotating body 10R, which rotates due to the biasing force based on the restoring force, is stopped at a predetermined position by the restricting portion. Then, the rotating body 10R stopped at the predetermined position can cause the spring 12 to maintain the restoring force.

[0075] (2) Since the rotating body 10R is provided with the rotor 13 and the gear 16 separately, the position of the gear 16 can be adjusted independently of the position of the rotor 13. (3) Since the restricting portion includes the restricting protrusion 11F and the restricting groove 16C1 into which the restricting protrusion 11F fits, the engagement between the first restricting member and the second restricting member is less likely to be released than when the first restricting member only abuts against the second restricting member. Therefore, the first restricting member can be stably engaged with the second restricting member.

[0076] (4) Since the restricting portion is not exposed to the outside of the rotary damper 10, the restricting portion is prevented from being damaged by contact with an engaging object or the like. (5) Compared to a case where the rotary damper 10 has only one restricting portion, the position of the rotor 10R in the circumferential direction can be stabilized.

[0077] (6) Since the coil portion 12A of the spring 12 is sandwiched between the seat surface CS2F and the top surface 16A2F, the shape of the coil portion 12A accommodated between the housing 11 and the rotating body 10R is less likely to be distorted.

[0078] (7) The rotational torque is changed by changing the winding of the spring 12. Therefore, a plurality of different rotational torques can be set in the rotary damper 10, and the restoring force is maintained at each rotational torque.

[0079] The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows. [Regulation Department] The rotary damper 10 may include only one regulating portion. Alternatively, the rotary damper 10 may include three or more regulating portions. For example, if the rotary damper 10 includes three regulating portions and the three regulating portions are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the journal portion 11B, the circumferential position of the gear 16 relative to the housing 11 can be changed in 120° increments. Therefore, the torque of the spring 12 can also be changed in 120° increments.

[0080] The stopper provided in the restricting portion may be located in a portion of the housing that is not covered by the rotating body 10R. In this case, the contact portion that contacts the stopper may be located, for example, on the side surface of the rotating body 10R, so that the contact portion can contact the stopper that is exposed to the outside of the rotating body 10R.

[0081] The housing 11 and the rotating body 10R may be configured such that the rotating body 10R can be stopped in a predetermined position by the abutment between the abutted portion of the housing 11 and the abutting portion of the rotating body 10R. Therefore, for example, the abutted portion of the housing 11 and the abutting portion of the rotating body 10R may be stepped portions configured to be able to abut against each other. Alternatively, both the abutted portion of the housing 11 and the abutting portion of the rotating body 10R may be convex portions configured to be able to abut against each other. Alternatively, either the abutted portion of the housing 11 or the abutting portion of the rotating body 10R may be a convex portion, and the abutted portion and the abutting portion other than the convex portion may be a wall portion configured to be able to abut against the convex portion.

[0082] [Seat and seating surface] At least one of the seating surface CS2F and the top surface 16A2F does not have to have a spiral surface. For example, at least one of the seating surface CS2F and the top surface 16A2F may be a flat surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...Rotary damper 10R...rotating body 11. Housing 11A…Filling section 11B…Axis branch 11F...Regulatory protrusion 12...Spring 12A...Coil section 13...Rotor 13A…Shaft part 14...Sealing member 15...Cap 16...Gear 16A…Engagement part 16C1…Regulation groove 100...locking device 101...1st rod 102...Second rod

Claims

1. a housing including an annular filling portion filled with a viscous fluid and a bearing portion disposed within the filling portion; a rotor that is supported on the support portion so as to be rotatable in a circumferential direction of the support portion and that transmits the braking force of the viscous fluid to an engagement object; a spring disposed outside the filling portion and transmitting a circumferential biasing force to the rotor; A rotary damper comprising: The housing and the rotating body are provided with a restricting portion that stops the rotating body, which rotates due to the biasing force, at a predetermined position by contact between the housing and the rotating body. Rotating damper.

2. The rotating body is a rotor supported on the support portion so as to be rotatable in a circumferential direction of the support portion; an engaging member that is non-rotatably connected to the rotor and engages with the engaging object; The rotary damper according to claim 1 .

3. one of the housing and the rotating body is a first restricting member, the housing and the rotating body other than the first restricting member are second restricting members, The restriction portion is a protrusion provided on the first restricting member; a groove provided in the second restricting member and into which the protrusion fits; The rotary damper according to claim 1 .

4. The restriction portion is a stopper that is covered by the rotating body in the housing; a contact portion located on a lower surface of the rotating body facing the housing, the contact portion contacting the stopper to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position; The rotary damper according to claim 1 .

5. a plurality of the restricting portions arranged in the circumferential direction; The rotary damper according to claim 1 .

6. the restricting portion includes a first portion of the rotating body and a second portion that engages with the first portion inside the housing, The first portion of each restricting portion is configured to be able to engage with the second portion of another restricting portion by changing the winding of the spring. The rotary damper according to claim 5 .

7. The spring includes a spiral coil portion wound in the circumferential direction, the coil portion is sandwiched between a seat surface of the housing and a top surface of the rotating body, The seat surface and the top surface have a spiral surface shape conforming to the outer shape of the coil portion. The rotary damper according to claim 1 .

8. Rod and and a rotary damper according to any one of claims 1 to 7 that engages with the rod. Locking device.

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