Damper

The damper design addresses fluid leakage issues by using a flexible case with a rotating shaft and rotor to control volume and resistance, ensuring airtight operation and enhanced damping forces.

JP7756040B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-17KAYABA CO LTD
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022058209
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-31
Publication Date
2025-10-17
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing damper design is prone to fluid leakage through gaps between the rod and the case, compromising the integrity of the damping mechanism.

Method used

A damper design featuring a flexible case with a rotating shaft and a rotor that adjusts the case volume, utilizing granular material to generate damping forces through flow resistance, and incorporating a resistor to control damping force variation.

Benefits of technology

Prevents fluid leakage by maintaining airtight or liquid-tight contact between the case and rotating components, while achieving high damping forces through frictional resistance and flow resistance adjustments.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007756040000001
    Figure 0007756040000001
  • Figure 0007756040000002
    Figure 0007756040000002
  • Figure 0007756040000003
    Figure 0007756040000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To prevent leakage of a fluid.SOLUTION: A damper A comprises: a flexible case 30; a powder 35 as a fluid filled in the case 30; a rotational shaft 21 arranged outside the case 30; and a rotor 22 that constitutes the case 30, and increases or decreases the volume of the case 30 by rotating integrally with the rotational shaft 21. When the volume of case 30 increases or decreases, an attenuation force acts on the rotational shaft 21 due to flow resistance caused by the flow of the powder 35. Since the rotor 22 does not move relatively while penetrating a portion constituting the case 30, there is no gap where there is a risk of leakage of the powder 35, between the case 30 and the rotor 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a damper device in which a piston that moves integrally with a rod is housed inside a case filled with granular material. The rod penetrates a cap that constitutes the case and is exposed to the outside of the case. When an external force acts on the rod outside the case, the piston moves inside the case, causing the granular material to flow. The flow of the granular material generates frictional forces between the granular material and between the granular material and the piston, and this frictional force of the granular material generates a damping force on the rod. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-021648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the damper device described above is designed so that the rod passes through the cap and moves inside and outside the case, there is a concern that the granular material inside the case may leak out of the case through the gap between the cap and the rod.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has as its object to solve the problem of preventing leakage of fluid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The damper of the present invention comprises: a flexible case; A fluid filled in the case; a rotating shaft disposed outside the case; The case is provided with a rotor that rotates integrally with the rotary shaft to increase or decrease the volume of the case.

[0007] In the damper of the present invention, the fluid is preferably a powder or granular material. Since the powder or granular material is made up of minute solid particles, a large frictional force is generated between the powder or granular material, thereby enabling a high damping function to be exhibited.

[0008] In the damper of the present invention, it is preferable that the case includes a bellows portion, and the volume of the case can be increased or decreased by deformation of the bellows portion.

[0009] In the damper of the present invention, the two cases are preferably connected to each other via a connecting portion so that the volumes of the two cases increase or decrease as the rotor moves relative to the connecting portion. When the rotor rotates, the volume of one case decreases and the volume of the other case increases, causing the fluid (granular material) to flow. The flow resistance of the granular material generates a damping force.

[0010] In the damper of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably has a hook portion that advances into the flow path of the fluid between the two cases. When the powder or granular material is caught in the hook portion, good flow resistance is generated, and a high damping function is exhibited.

[0011] In the damper of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably has a partition wall separating the two cases and a flow hole penetrating the partition wall. The damping function is achieved by the flow resistance generated when the powder or granular material passes through the flow hole.

[0012] The damper of the present invention preferably has a resistor provided within the flow hole, so that the flow resistance within the flow hole can be set or changed as desired by the resistor.

[0013] In the damper of the present invention, it is preferable that the resistor is capable of rotating integrally with the rotating body while inserted into the flow hole, and the cross-sectional area or cross-sectional shape of the resistor within the flow hole changes with the rotation of the rotating body. The damping force increases or decreases depending on the rotation angle of the movable body.

[0014] In the damper of the present invention, the case is preferably provided with a filling port for filling the fluid, which makes it easy to perform maintenance such as refilling the working space with fluid or replacing the fluid in the case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] When the volume of the case increases or decreases, flow resistance due to the flow of the fluid and pressure due to the increase or decrease in the volume of the fluid occur. This flow resistance and pressure act as a damping force on the rotating shaft. Because the rotating body does not move relative to the case while penetrating the parts that make up the case, there are no gaps between the case and the rotating body that could allow fluid to leak. This prevents the fluid inside the case from leaking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a rotating body is in a neutral position in the damper of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a rotor rotates counterclockwise from a neutral position in the damper of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a rotating body rotates clockwise from a neutral position in the damper of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a resistor is disposed in a flow hole in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shape of a resistor in the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a rotating body is in a neutral position in the damper of the second embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a rotor rotates counterclockwise from a neutral position in the damper of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <Embodiment 1> Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In a damper A of this first embodiment, a movable body 20 rotates around a rotation axis 21. The damper A has a support member 10, a movable body 20, a case unit 30, and powder and granular material 35 housed in a case 31.

[0018] The support member 10 has a cylindrical shape. A connecting portion 11 is fixedly provided on the inner peripheral surface of the support member 10. The connecting portion 11 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the support member 10 toward the center of the support member 10. The connecting portion 11 is arranged so that its plate thickness direction faces the circumferential direction of the support member 10. The connecting portion 11 has a flow hole 12 with a circular cross section that penetrates the connecting portion 11 in the circumferential direction (plate thickness direction). The inner diameter of the flow hole 12 is a constant dimension over the entire axial length of the flow hole 12.

[0019] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a resistor 13 is disposed inside the flow hole 12. The resistor 13 is a generally cylindrical member. The maximum outer diameter of the resistor 13 is smaller than the inner diameter of the flow hole 12. The resistor 13 is disposed coaxially with the flow hole 12. The outer peripheral surface of the resistor 13 is composed of a constant diameter surface 14, a steeply inclined surface 15, and a gently inclined surface 16. The outer diameter of the constant diameter surface 14 is constant over the entire axial area. The steeply inclined surface 15 and the gently inclined surface 16 are disposed on either side of the constant diameter surface 14 in the axial direction of the resistor 13. The steeply inclined surface 15 has a truncated cone shape whose diameter gradually decreases in the direction away from the constant diameter surface 14. The gently inclined surface 16 also has a truncated cone shape whose diameter gradually decreases in the direction away from the constant diameter surface 14. 4, the inclination angle α of the acute side of the steeply inclined surface 15 relative to the axis of the resistor 13 is set to be larger than the inclination angle β of the acute side of the gently inclined surface 16 relative to the axis of the resistor 13. The resistor 13 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the flow hole 12 via a plurality of support pieces 17 extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the constant diameter surface 14.

[0020] The movable body 20 is a single member having a rotation shaft 21 and a plate-shaped rotating body 22 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 21. The movable body 20 is housed inside the support member 10 and is arranged so that the rotation shaft 21 is concentric with the center of the support member 10. The rotating body 22 is arranged so that its plate thickness direction faces the circumferential direction (the direction of movement of the movable body 20). The movable body 20 is supported on the support member 10 so as to be rotatable relative to the support member 10 around the rotation shaft 21. The rotation range of the movable body 20 is an area of ​​less than 180° in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the neutral position shown in FIG. 1. When the movable body 20 is in the neutral position, the rotating body 22 is arranged directly opposite the connecting portion 11 across the rotation shaft 21, and the connecting portion 11, the rotation shaft 21, and the rotating body 22 are aligned in a straight line. The internal space of the support member 10 is divided into two arc-shaped spaces 18 by the rotor 22 and the connecting portion 11.

[0021] The case unit 30 includes two cases 31 that communicate with each other. The case unit 30 includes, as components, a connecting portion 11, a rotating body 22, and a pair of bellows portions 32. The pair of bellows portions 32 are curved so that their axes form an arc. The pair of bellows portions 32 are individually housed in two arc-shaped spaces 18 and are arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft 21. One end of the bellows portion 32 is fixed to the rotating body 22, and the other end of the bellows portion 32 is fixed to the connecting portion 11. The connecting portion 11, one bellows portion 32, and the rotating body 22 form one case 31. The case unit 30 is configured by connecting two cases 31 via the connecting portion 11 fixed to the support member 10. The internal space of each case 31 is defined as an operating space 33. The two working spaces 33 communicate with each other via a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the flow hole 12 and the outer surface of the resistor 13 (hereinafter referred to as a flow space 34).

[0022] Powder and granular material 35 serving as a fluid is accommodated within the two working spaces 33 and the fluidization space 34. The powder and granular material 35 is filled into the working spaces 33 and the fluidization space 34 so that no gaps are formed. The powder and granular material 35 is a powder or granular material with a particle size (radian diameter) of 0.001 μm to 10 mm. Materials used for the powder and granular material 35 include silica-based (silicon carbide) inorganic materials, metals such as iron, and the like.

[0023] When the movable body 20 (rotating body 22) is in the neutral position, the two working spaces 33 are semicircular and have the same volume. When the movable body 20 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from the neutral position, one of the arc-shaped spaces 18 becomes a major-arc space 19E with an increased volume, and the other arc-shaped space 18 becomes a minor-arc space 19R with a decreased volume, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 . Accordingly, within the major-arc space 19E, the bellows portion 32 expands while maintaining its arc shape, increasing the volume of the working space 33. Within the minor-arc space 19R, the bellows portion 32 contracts while maintaining its arc shape, decreasing the volume of the working space 33. When the volumes of the two working spaces 33 alternately increase and decrease, the powder 35 in the working space 33 with the decreasing volume flows through the flow space 34 into the working space 33 with the increasing volume.

[0024] The portions of the connecting portion 11 that face the two working spaces 33 function as a partition wall 36 that separates the two cases 31 (working spaces 33). The flow holes 12 penetrate the partition wall 36 in the circumferential direction, and thereby function as a communication passage that connects the two working spaces 33. The areas of the partition wall 36 excluding the flow holes 12 function as a hook portion 37. The hook portion 37 is arranged so as to advance into the flow path of the powder / granular material 35 when it moves back and forth between the two working spaces 33, and functions to hinder the flow of the powder / granular material 35.

[0025] As the volumes of the two working spaces 33 alternately increase and decrease, the powder and granular material 35 flows within each working space 33 and moves back and forth between the two working spaces 33 by passing through the flow space 34. At this time, frictional resistance occurs between the powder and granular material 35 and the rotating body 22, between the powder and granular material 35 and the inner surface of the bellows portion 32, between the powder and granular material 35 and the partition wall 36 (connecting portion 11), between the powder and granular material 35 and the inner circumferential surface of the flow hole 12, between the powder and granular material 35 and the outer surface of the resistor 13, and between the powder and granular material 35 themselves. When the powder and granular material 35 passes through the flow hole 12, flow resistance occurs. These frictional resistances and flow resistances provide a damping function that suppresses rotation of the movable body 20.

[0026] Furthermore, the resistor 13 disposed within the flow hole 12 has a steeply inclined surface 15 and a gently inclined surface 16. In the circumferential direction around the rotation axis 21, the steeply inclined surface 15 faces clockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the gently inclined surface 16 faces counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3. When the rotor 22 rotates counterclockwise from the neutral position as shown in FIG. 2, the powder and granular material 35 moves within the flow space 34 while sliding against the steeply inclined surface 15. The inclination angle α of the steeply inclined surface 15 with respect to the flow direction of the powder and granular material 35 is relatively large, so the damping force when the rotor 22 rotates counterclockwise is relatively large. In contrast, when the rotor 22 rotates clockwise, the powder and granular material 35 moves within the flow space 34 while sliding against the gently inclined surface 16. The inclination angle β of the gently inclined surface 16 relative to the flow direction of the powder 35 is smaller than the inclination angle α of the steeply inclined surface 15, so the damping force when the rotating body 22 rotates clockwise is smaller than when it rotates counterclockwise.

[0027] The damper A of the first embodiment has a flexible case 31, powder 35 as a fluid filled in the case 31, a rotating shaft 21, and a rotating body 22. The case 31 is arranged along an arc centered on the rotating shaft 21, and the rotating shaft 21 is arranged outside the case 31. The rotating body 22 constitutes the case 31, and increases or decreases the volume of the case 31 by rotating integrally with the rotating shaft 21. The case 31 includes a bellows portion 32. The volume of the case 31 can be increased or decreased by deformation of the bellows portion 32.

[0028] When the volume of the case 31 increases or decreases, a frictional force caused by the fluid (granular material 35) flowing through the flow space 34 generates flow resistance. This flow resistance causes a damping force to act on the rotating shaft 21. The fluid that applies the damping force to the rotating shaft 21 is the granular material 35. Because the granular material 35 is made up of minute solid particles, a large frictional force is generated between the granular material 35. This allows a high damping function to be achieved.

[0029] The rotating shaft 21 is disposed outside the case 31, and the rotating body 22 is a member that constitutes the outer surface of the case 31. In other words, neither the rotating shaft 21 nor the rotating body 22 moves relative to each other while penetrating the parts that constitute the case 31. Therefore, there is no gap between the case 31 and the rotating shaft 21, or between the case 31 and the rotating body 22, which could allow the powder or granular material 35 (fluid) inside the case 31 to leak. Because the rotating body 22 constitutes the case 31 by being fixed to the bellows part 32, the rotating body 22 and the bellows part 32 can be kept in close contact in an airtight or liquid-tight manner. This prevents the fluid inside the case 31 from leaking.

[0030] The two cases 31 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 11 so that they can communicate with each other. The volumes of the two cases 31 increase and decrease as the rotating body 22 moves relative to the connecting portion 11. When the rotating body 22 rotates, the volume of one case 31 decreases and the volume of the other case 31 increases, causing the fluid (granular material 35) to flow. The flow resistance of the granular material 35 generates a damping force.

[0031] The connecting portion 11 has a hook portion 37 that advances into the flow path of the powder / granular material 35 between the two cases 31. When the powder / granular material 35 is caught on the hook portion 37, good flow resistance is generated, and a high damping function is exhibited. The connecting portion 11 has a partition wall 36 that separates the two cases 31, and a flow hole 12 that penetrates the partition wall 36. The damping function is exhibited by the flow resistance that occurs when the powder / granular material 35 passes through the flow hole 12. A resistor 13 is provided inside the flow hole 12. The flow resistance inside the flow hole 12 can be set or changed as desired by the resistor 13.

[0032] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. In a damper B of the second embodiment, a movable body 50 rotates around a rotation axis 51. The damper B has a support member 40, a movable body 50, a case unit 60, and powder and granular material 35 housed in the case 61. The powder and granular material 35 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0033] The support member 40 has a cylindrical shape. A connecting portion 41 is fixedly provided on the inner peripheral surface of the support member 40. The connecting portion 41 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the support member 40 toward the center of the support member 40. The connecting portion 41 is arranged so that its plate thickness direction faces the circumferential direction of the support member 40. The connecting portion 41 has a flow hole 42 with a circular cross section that penetrates the connecting portion 41 in the circumferential direction (plate thickness direction). The inner diameter of the flow hole 42 is a constant dimension over the entire axial length of the flow hole 42.

[0034] The movable body 50 is a single member having a rotating shaft 51 and two plate-shaped rotating bodies 52. The two rotating bodies 52 protrude outward in different radial directions from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 51. The two rotating bodies 52 are arranged in a positional relationship with a predetermined angle (for example, about 120°) between them in the circumferential direction. The rotating bodies 52 are arranged so that the plate thickness direction faces the circumferential direction (the direction of movement of the movable body 50).

[0035] The movable body 50 is housed inside the support member 40 and is arranged so that the rotation axis 51 is concentric with the center of the support member 40. The movable body 50 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the support member 40 around the rotation axis 51. The rotation range of the movable body 50 is a range of a certain angle in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the neutral position shown in FIG. 6. The angle at which the movable body 50 is allowed to rotate increases as the angle formed by the two rotating bodies 52 in the working space 44 decreases. When the movable body 50 is in the neutral position, the two rotating bodies 52 are arranged in a semicircular region on the opposite side of the connecting portion 41 from the connecting portion 41, sandwiching the rotation axis 51, and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the imaginary line S passing through the connecting portion 41 and the rotation axis 51. The internal space of the support member 40 is partitioned into two arc-shaped spaces 43 and one working space 44 by the connecting portion 41 and the two rotating bodies 52. The arc-shaped space 43 is the space between the connecting portion 41 and the rotating body 52 , and the working space 44 is the space between the two rotating bodies 52 .

[0036] The case unit 60 includes two cases 61 that communicate with each other. The case unit 60 includes, as components, a connecting portion 41, a rotating body 52, a pair of bellows portions 62, and one resistor 63. The pair of bellows portions 62 are curved so that their axes form an arc. The pair of bellows portions 62 are individually housed in two arc-shaped spaces 43 and are arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft 51. One end of the bellows portion 62 is fixed to one of the rotating bodies 52, and the other end of the bellows portion 62 is fixed to the connecting portion 41. The connecting portion 41, one bellows portion 62, and the rotating body 52 form one case 61. The case unit 60 is configured by connecting two cases 61 via the connecting portion 41 fixed to the support member 40. The internal space of each case 61 is defined as an operating space 64. The two working spaces 64 communicate with each other via a gap (hereinafter referred to as a flow space 65) between the inner peripheral surface of the flow hole 42 and the outer surface of a resistor 63, which will be described later. The two working spaces 64 and the flow space 65 contain powder and granular material 35 as a fluid.

[0037] The resistor 63 is an elongated member having an arc shape coaxial with the rotating shaft 51. The resistor 63 is inserted into the flow hole 42 and housed in the two working spaces 64. Both circumferential ends of the resistor 63 are fixed to the two rotating bodies 52. The resistor 63 rotates integrally with the rotating body 52 (movable body 50) while remaining inserted into the flow hole 42. The resistor 63 has a pair of large diameter portions 66, a pair of tapered portions 67, and one small diameter portion 68. The pair of large diameter portions 66 constitute both ends of the resistor 63. The base ends of the large diameter portions 66 are fixed to the rotating body 52. ​​The pair of tapered portions 67 are connected to the tip ends of the large diameter portions 66, and have a shape in which the outer diameter dimension decreases as it moves away from the large diameter portions 66. The small diameter portion 68 is arranged to connect the pair of tapered portions 67. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 66 is smaller than the inner diameter of the flow hole 42. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 68 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 66.

[0038] When the movable body 50 (rotating body 52) is in the neutral position, the two working spaces 64 form semicircular arcs of the same volume. When the movable body 50 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the arc-shaped spaces 43 becomes a major arc space 45E with an increased volume, and the other arc-shaped space 43 becomes a minor arc space 45R with a decreased volume. Accordingly, within the major arc space 45E, the bellows portion 62 expands while maintaining its arc shape, increasing the volume of the working space 64. Within the minor arc space 45R, the bellows portion 62 contracts while maintaining its arc shape, decreasing the volume of the working space 64. When the volumes of the two working spaces 64 alternately increase and decrease, the powder 35 in the working space 64 with the decreasing volume flows through the flow space 65 into the working space 64 with the increasing volume.

[0039] The portions of the connecting portion 41 that face the two working spaces 64 function as a partition wall 46 that separates the two cases 61 (working spaces 64). The flow holes 42 penetrate the partition wall 46 in the circumferential direction, and thereby function as a communication passage that connects the two working spaces 64. The areas of the partition wall 46 excluding the flow holes 42 function as hook portions 47. The hook portions 47 are arranged so as to advance into the flow path of the powder and granular material 35 when it moves back and forth between the two working spaces 64, and function to hinder the flow of the powder and granular material 35.

[0040] As the volumes of the two working spaces 64 alternately increase and decrease, the powder and granular material 35 flows within each working space 64 and moves back and forth between the two working spaces 64 by passing through the flow space 65. At this time, frictional resistance occurs between the powder and granular material 35 and the rotating body 52, between the powder and granular material 35 and the inner surface of the bellows portion 62, between the powder and granular material 35 and the partition wall 46 (connecting portion 41), between the powder and granular material 35 and the inner circumferential surface of the flow hole 42, between the powder and granular material 35 and the outer surface of the resistor 63, and between the powder and granular material 35 themselves. Flow resistance occurs when the powder and granular material 35 passes through the flow space 65. These frictional resistances and flow resistances provide a damping function that suppresses rotation of the movable body 50.

[0041] The damper B of the second embodiment has a flexible case 61, powder and granular material 35 as a fluid filled in the case 61, a rotating shaft 51, and a rotating body 52. ​​The case 61 is arranged along an arc centered on the rotating shaft 51, and the rotating shaft 51 is arranged outside the case 61. The rotating body 52 constitutes the case 61, and increases or decreases the volume of the case 61 by rotating integrally with the rotating shaft 51. The case 61 includes a bellows portion 62. The volume of the case 61 can be increased or decreased by deformation of the bellows portion 62.

[0042] When the volume of the case 61 increases or decreases, flow resistance occurs due to frictional forces caused by the fluid (granular material 35) flowing through the flow space 34. This flow resistance causes a damping force to act on the rotating shaft 51. The fluid that applies the damping force to the rotating shaft 51 is the granular material 35. Because the granular material 35 is made up of minute solid particles, a large frictional force occurs between the granular material 35 itself. This allows for a high damping function to be achieved.

[0043] The rotating shaft 51 is disposed outside the case 61, and the rotating body 52 is a member that forms the outer surface of the case 61. In other words, neither the rotating shaft 51 nor the rotating body 52 moves relative to each other while penetrating the parts that form the case 61. Therefore, there is no gap between the case 61 and the rotating shaft 51, or between the case 61 and the rotating body 52, which could allow the powder or granular material 35 (fluid) inside the case 61 to leak. Because the rotating body 52 forms the case 61 by being fixed to the bellows part 62, the rotating body 52 and the bellows part 62 can be kept in close contact in an airtight or liquid-tight manner. This prevents the fluid inside the case 61 from leaking.

[0044] The two cases 61 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 41 so that they can communicate with each other. The volumes of the two cases 61 increase and decrease as the rotating body 52 moves relative to the connecting portion 41. When the rotating body 52 rotates, the volume of one case 61 decreases and the volume of the other case 61 increases, causing the fluid (granular material 35) to flow. The flow resistance of the granular material 35 generates a damping force.

[0045] The connecting portion 41 has a hook portion 47 that advances into the flow path of the powder / granular material 35 between the two cases 61. When the powder / granular material 35 is caught on the hook portion 47, good flow resistance is generated, and a high damping function is exhibited. The connecting portion 41 has a partition wall 46 that separates the two cases 61, and a flow hole 42 that penetrates the partition wall 46. The flow resistance that occurs when the powder / granular material 35 passes through the flow hole 42 exhibits a damping function.

[0046] A resistor 63 is provided within the flow hole 42. When inserted into the flow hole 42, the resistor 63 can rotate integrally with the rotating body 52. ​​The cross-sectional area of ​​the resistor 63 within the flow hole 42 changes as the rotating body 52 rotates. When the movable body 50 is in the neutral position, or within a range rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position or by a certain angle in the counterclockwise direction, a small diameter portion 68 is disposed within the flow hole 42. When the small diameter portion 68 is disposed within the flow hole 42, the volume of the flow space 65 is relatively large, and therefore the damping force is relatively small.

[0047] As the rotating body 52 rotates from this state by a certain angle, the tapered portion 67 is positioned within the flow hole 42. As the tapered portion 67 moves within the flow hole 42, the volume of the flow space 65 gradually decreases, and the damping force gradually increases. As the rotation of the movable body 50 continues, the large diameter portion 66 is positioned within the flow hole 42, and a large damping force is exerted. In this way, the damping force increases or decreases depending on the rotation angle of the movable body 50 relative to the support member 40.

[0048] The two rotors 52 constituting the case 61 are provided with a filling port 70 for filling with a fluid. The filling port 70 connects the work space 44 and the operating space 64, and can be opened and closed by a closing member 71. Because the case 61 is provided with the filling port 70, maintenance such as refilling the powder 35 (fluid) from the work space 44 to the operating space 64 and replacing the powder 35 in the case 61 can be easily performed.

[0049] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In embodiments 1 and 2, the fluid may be a granular material with a larger particle size than powder (for example, a granular solid with a radian diameter of more than 1 mm), a viscous liquid, a gas, a compressible liquid such as silicone oil, etc. In the first and second embodiments, the case may have its volume increased or decreased by a portion other than the bellows portion. In the first and second embodiments, only one case may be used. In this case, the single case may be filled with a compressible fluid, and a damping force may be generated by increasing or decreasing the volume of the single case. In the first and second embodiments, the connecting portion may not have a partition wall separating the two cases, but may have only a hook portion that protrudes in a cantilevered manner into the flow path of the fluid. In embodiments 1 and 2, the dampers are described as having two cases connected via a connecting portion fixed to a support member, but the dampers of embodiments 1 and 2 can be considered as having a configuration in which the circumferential middle portion (connecting portion) of one case is fixed to a support member. In the first and second embodiments, the particle size (radian diameter) of the powder or granules is set to 0.001 μm to 10 mm, but by using powder or granules with a particle size (radian diameter) of 0.001 μm to 1 mm, the damping function can be exhibited more effectively. In the first and second embodiments, the flow hole may be shaped so that the inner diameter varies along the axis of the flow hole.

[0050] In the first embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the resistor is not disposed in the flow hole. In the first embodiment, a fluid filling port may be provided in the rotating body or the connecting portion. The shape of the resistor in embodiment 1 can be changed as desired. For example, the shape of the steeply inclined surface or the gently inclined surface may be changed from a truncated cone to a spherical surface, or small holes may be formed in the resistor to allow the powder or granular material to flow.

[0051] In the second embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the resistor within the flow hole may be changed as the rotor rotates. In the second embodiment, the filling port may be provided in the connecting portion. In the second embodiment, the resistor may be composed of only a small diameter portion and a tapered portion, or may be composed of only a large diameter portion and a tapered portion, or may be composed of only a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, with the two portions connected in a stepped manner. The resistor of the second embodiment is not limited to a symmetrical shape, and may be an asymmetrical shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] A, B...Damper 11,41...Connection part 12, 42...Flow holes 13,63...Resistor 21,51...Rotation axis 22,52...rotating body 31,61…case 32,62...Bell section 35...Powder (fluid) 36,46...Partition wall 37, 47...Hook section 70...Filling port

Claims

1. a flexible case; A fluid filled in the case; a rotating shaft disposed outside the case; a rotor that constitutes the case and rotates integrally with the rotary shaft to increase or decrease the volume of the case.

2. The damper according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a powder or granular material.

3. 3. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a bellows portion.

4. The two cases are connected to each other via a connecting portion, and 4. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the volumes of the two cases increase and decrease as the rotor moves relative to the connecting portion.

5. The damper according to claim 4 , wherein the connecting portion has a hook portion that advances into a flow path of the fluid between the two cases.

6. 6. The damper according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion has a partition wall separating the two cases and a flow hole passing through the partition wall.

7. 7. The damper according to claim 6, wherein a resistor is disposed within the flow hole.

8. the resistor is capable of rotating integrally with the rotor while being inserted into the flow hole, 8. The damper according to claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional area or cross-sectional shape of the resistor within the flow hole changes with rotation of the rotating body.

9. The damper according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the case is provided with a filling port for filling the fluid.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Rotating damper

    JP1995042882U

  • Rotary damper

    JP2010078012A

  • Damper apparatus

    JP2011021648A

  • Rotary damper

    JP2013002539A

  • Rotary damper

    JP2019105284A