vibration-damping material

Abstract

A damping member 1, due to being disposed between an installation surface and a mating object while being fixed to the installation surface, minimizes the transmission of vibration between the installation surface and the mating object. The damping member 1 is provided with an elastic part 10 and a base part 30. The elastic part 10 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer having elasticity. The base part 30 is formed from a material having higher rigidity than the elastic part, and the base part 30 has a fixing surface that faces the installation surface side, a mating surface that faces the mating object side, and a side part that connects the fixing surface and the mating surface. The elastic part 10 is integrally molded by injection molding over the fixed surface side, the side part side, and the mating surface side of the base part 30, thereby accommodating the base part 30 therein. Due to the base part 30 being fixed to the installation surface, the entirety including the elastic part 10 is fixed to the installation surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration damping member that suppresses the effects of vibration. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed to suppress various effects caused by vibration of an object (for example, at least one of the following: noise generation, the object falling over, the object falling from its installed position, the object shifting from its installed position, and damage to the object).

[0003] For example, the fixing plate described in Patent Document 1 is made of a urethane-based elastomer that deforms when a load is applied but returns to its original shape when the load is removed, and has adhesive properties. The fixing plate described in Patent Document 1 is placed between a desk and a device to prevent the device placed on the desk from moving on the desk.

[0004] The adhesive mat described in Patent Document 2 is made of synthetic resin having adhesiveness and elasticity, and has a plurality of protrusions provided on the entire front surface. The back surface of the adhesive mat is smooth and adhesive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-146234 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-39374 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to adequately suppress the effects of vibration over a long period of time, it is desirable to use a material that can adequately absorb vibration and is resistant to deterioration over time. However, in conventional products, when a material that is resistant to deterioration over time is selected, the adhesiveness tends to decrease, making it difficult to secure the product to the installation surface. Furthermore, even when a highly adhesive material is selected, it is often difficult to secure the product sufficiently using the adhesive strength of the material alone. In other words, it has been difficult for conventional products to adequately secure the product to the installation surface and adequately suppress the effects of vibration.

[0007] A typical object of the present disclosure is to provide a vibration-damping member that can be securely fixed to an installation surface and can appropriately suppress the effects of vibration.

[0008] A typical embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vibration-damping member that is fixed to an installation surface and positioned between the installation surface and an opposing object, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibrations between the installation surface and the opposing object. The vibration-damping member comprises an elastic portion formed from an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, and a base portion formed from a material having higher rigidity than the elastic portion, the base portion having a fixed surface facing the installation surface, an opposing surface facing the opposing object, and a side portion connecting the fixed surface and the opposing surface. The elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixed surface side, the side portion side, and the opposing surface side of the base portion, thereby accommodating the base portion internally, and the entire member, including the elastic portion, is fixed to the installation surface.

[0009] The vibration-damping member according to the present disclosure is sufficiently fixed to the installation surface and also appropriately suppresses the effects of vibration.

[0010] The vibration-damping member exemplified in this disclosure is fixed to the installation surface and disposed between the installation surface and an opposing object, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibrations between the installation surface and the opposing object. The vibration-damping member includes an elastic portion and a base portion. The elastic portion is formed from an elastic thermoplastic elastomer. The base portion is formed from a material having higher rigidity than the elastic portion, and has a fixed surface facing the installation surface, a mating surface facing the opposing object, and a side portion connecting the fixed surface and the mating surface. The elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixed surface side, side portion side, and mating surface side of the base portion, thereby accommodating the base portion therein. When the base portion is fixed to the installation surface, the entire member, including the elastic portion, is fixed to the installation surface.

[0011] According to the vibration-damping member of the present disclosure, the elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixing surface side, side portion side, and mating surface side of the base portion, thereby housing the highly rigid base portion within the elastic portion. Therefore, regardless of the material from which the elastic portion is formed (for example, even if a material with low adhesive strength is selected as the material for the elastic portion), the elastic portion can be assembled to the base portion without the use of adhesives or adhesive tape. Furthermore, by fixing the highly rigid base portion to the installation surface, the entire vibration-damping member, including the elastic portion, is fixed to the installation surface. As a result, the vibration-damping member is stably fixed to the installation surface via the highly rigid base portion, without using the adhesive strength of the elastic portion or adhesives. Therefore, the vibration-damping member of the present disclosure can adequately suppress the effects of vibration while being sufficiently fixed to the installation surface.

[0012] Although details will be described later, the elastic portion is formed integrally with the fixing surface side, side portion side, and mating surface side of the base portion, and it is sufficient to accommodate the base portion inside, and it is not necessary to cover the entire outer periphery of the base portion without any gaps. Therefore, part of the base portion may be exposed from the elastic portion.

[0013] A styrene-based elastomer may be used as the material for the elastic portion. Styrene-based elastomers not only have extremely high vibration absorption properties, but also are less susceptible to deterioration over time than other materials (e.g., urethane-based elastomers), function well even at low temperatures, and are highly water-resistant, hygienic, and lightweight. Therefore, using a styrene-based elastomer as the material for the elastic portion further appropriately suppresses the effects of vibration. On the other hand, a styrene-based elastomer also has the property of being less likely to adhere to other components. In contrast, in the vibration-damping member disclosed herein, the elastic portion is integrally molded on the outer periphery of the base portion and assembled to the base portion, and the base portion is then fixed to the installation surface. Therefore, even if a styrene-based elastomer, which is less likely to adhere to other components, is used for the elastic portion, the entire vibration-damping member is stably fixed to the installation surface.

[0014] However, it is also possible to use thermoplastic elastomers other than styrene-based elastomers as the material for the elastic portion. For example, if an olefin-based elastomer is used as the material for the elastic portion, the resulting elastic portion will have high vibration absorption, will be resistant to deterioration over time, and will be highly resistant to low temperatures, water, and light weight. Furthermore, if a polyester-based elastomer is used as the material for the elastic portion, the resulting elastic portion will have high vibration absorption, will be resistant to deterioration over time, and will be highly resistant to low temperatures, heat, and oil. Even if a thermoplastic elastomer other than those listed above is used, the vibration-damping member can still be securely fixed to the installation surface and suppress the effects of vibration.

[0015] The fixing surface of the base may have a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the installation surface. In this case, the plurality of protrusions appropriately reduce the possibility that the elastic portion integrally molded on the outer periphery of the base will shift relative to the base (for example, in a direction parallel to the fixing surface of the base). This makes it easier to stabilize both the assembly state of the elastic portion to the base and the fixing state of the vibration-damping member to the installation surface. This further facilitates suppression of the effects of vibration.

[0016] When multiple protrusions are provided on the fixing surface of the base, the shape of each protrusion can be selected appropriately. For example, the shape of the protrusion may be cylindrical or prismatic (such as a square prism).

[0017] At least one of the multiple protrusions formed on the fixing surface of the base portion may be exposed to the installation surface without being covered by the elastic portion, so that it directly contacts the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface. As described above, the base portion with the protrusions has higher rigidity than the elastic portion. Therefore, by directly contacting at least one of the protrusions on the base portion with the installation surface, the vibration-damping member can be more easily fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state than when the base portion and the installation surface are not in direct contact. This further facilitates suppression of the effects of vibration.

[0018] In other words, when at least one of the protrusions is in direct contact with the installation surface, the protrusion can serve both to prevent the elastic portion from shifting relative to the base portion and to improve the stability of the vibration-damping member fixed to the installation surface.

[0019] When the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface, all of the protrusions may be in direct contact with the installation surface. In this case, it is easier to improve both the effect of suppressing displacement of the elastic portion relative to the base portion and the effect of improving the stability of the fixation of the vibration-damping member to the installation surface. However, it is also possible to configure the vibration-damping member so that only some of the protrusions are in contact with the installation surface.

[0020] When multiple protrusions (contact protrusions) are in direct contact with the installation surface, the multiple contact protrusions may be arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or greater) around an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the fixing surface. In this case, the pressure generated between the multiple contact protrusions and the installation surface tends to become more uniform. As a result, the vibration-damping member can be more easily fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state.

[0021] For example, if the base has a generally rectangular plate-like outer shape, the protrusions may be formed at least at each of the four corners of the fixing surface of the base, which further improves stability when fixing the vibration damping member to the installation surface.

[0022] Of the multiple protrusions formed on the fixing surface of the base, at least two or more protrusions may be exposed to the installation surface without being covered by the elastic portion, so that they directly contact the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface. The tips of each of the multiple protrusions (contact protrusions) that directly contact the installation surface may be formed on a flat surface located on the same plane. In this case, the contact area between the multiple contact protrusions and the installation surface is likely to increase. Therefore, the pressure generated between the multiple contact protrusions and the installation surface is reduced compared to when the tips of the contact protrusions are not on a flat surface located on the same plane. This further improves the stability when fixing the vibration-damping member to the installation surface and reduces the possibility of deformation, damage, etc. of the installation surface.

[0023] The tips of all of the contact protrusions may be flat and located on the same plane. In this case, the stability of the attachment of the vibration-damping member is further improved. However, even if some of the contact protrusions are not formed on the flat surface described above, the stability of the attachment of the vibration-damping member is improved by forming the tips of at least two or more contact protrusions on a flat surface.

[0024] When the elastic portion is integrally molded and assembled to the base portion, the flat surfaces at the tips of the multiple protrusions that directly contact the installation surface may be flush with the flat surface of the elastic portion facing the installation surface. In this case, when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface, not only do the flat surfaces (flat surfaces) of the multiple contact protrusions contact the installation surface, but the flat surface of the elastic portion facing the installation surface also contacts the installation surface at the same time. As a result, the contact area between the vibration-damping member and the installation surface is further increased. This further improves the stability of the vibration-damping member when fixed to the installation surface, and reduces the possibility of deformation or damage to the installation surface.

[0025] The base portion may have a screw hole formed therein that penetrates from the mating surface side to the fixing surface side. In this case, a screw inserted into the screw hole is screwed into the installation surface, thereby firmly fixing the base portion to the installation surface. As a result, the entire vibration-damping member, including the elastic portion, is stably fixed to the installation surface. Note that if the elastic portion is fixed to the installation surface with a screw without using the base portion, the soft elastic portion may deform, causing the screw head to come into contact with the object and potentially damaging the object. There is also a possibility that the soft elastic portion may come off the screw. In contrast, if the base portion to which the elastic portion is assembled is fixed to the installation surface with a screw, the entire vibration-damping member, including the elastic portion, is firmly fixed to the installation surface, and the possibility of the screw head coming into contact with the object is reduced.

[0026] A screw hole may be formed in at least one of the contact protrusions (i.e., the protrusions that directly contact the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface) of the base portion. In this case, the area around the screw hole on the fixing surface side of the base portion, where high pressure is likely to occur when a screw is screwed, directly contacts the installation surface without the elastic portion. This reduces the possibility of damage to the soft elastic portion due to pressure when a screw is screwed, and further improves stability when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface. Furthermore, the thickness of the base portion in the area where the protrusion is formed is greater than the thickness of the base portion in the area where the protrusion is not formed. Therefore, by positioning the screw hole, which is subject to a large load when a screw is screwed, as a protrusion with a large thickness, the strength of the base portion is also likely to be improved.

[0027] The tip surface of the contact protrusion where the screw hole is formed may be flat. In this case, the pressure generated when the screw is screwed into the contact protrusion is easily dispersed by the flat surface at the tip of the contact protrusion. This further improves stability when the vibration damping member is fixed to the installation surface, and reduces the possibility of deformation or damage to the member or the installation surface.

[0028] A counterbore (which may be a deep counterbore) may be formed on the mating surface side of the screw hole. A counterbore is a step formed at the entrance of a screw hole, with a diameter larger than the diameter of the head of the screw. The depth of the counterbore may be designed to be deeper than the thickness of the head of the screw used. By forming a counterbore on the mating surface side of the screw hole, the possibility of the head of the screw used to fix the vibration damping member to the installation surface coming into contact with the mating object is reduced. As a result, the possibility of deformation, damage, etc. occurring in the mating object is reduced.

[0029] When multiple screw holes are formed in the base, the multiple screw holes may be arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or greater) around an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the approximately plate-shaped base. In this case, when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface with screws, the pressure generated between the vibration-damping member and the installation surface tends to become more uniform. As a result, the vibration-damping member can be more easily fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state.

[0030] The elastic portion integrally molded around the base portion may have screw hole exposure portions formed by omitting material on the object side and the installation surface side of the screw holes formed in the base portion, exposing (opening) the screw holes. In this case, an operator can easily insert screws into the screw holes. Furthermore, even when a screw is screwed into the screw hole, the elastic portion is less likely to be damaged.

[0031] Alternatively, instead of providing a screw hole in the base, a screw may be fixed to a part of the base. In this case, by rotating the entire base to which the screw is fixed, the vibration damping member is properly fixed to the installation surface by the screw.

[0032] The base may be made of a material that has magnetic properties. In this case, if there is a substance on the installation surface to which a magnet can be attached, the base will be fixed to the installation surface by magnetic force. This allows the operator to more easily fix the vibration-damping member to the installation surface.

[0033] The specific method for incorporating a magnetic material into the material of the base portion can be selected as appropriate. For example, a plastic magnet, which can be processed using a compound in which magnetic powder is added to plastic as the raw material, may be used as the material of the base portion. In this case, the magnetic base portion can be formed by various methods such as injection molding or compression molding. Furthermore, the magnetic base portion may be formed by adding at least one of a magnet and a magnetic sheet to at least a portion of the base portion. The base portion may be formed from a magnetic metal or the like.

[0034] If the base portion is made of a material having magnetic properties, the screw holes in the base portion described above may be omitted. In this case, the configuration of the base portion is simplified. Furthermore, the technique of including a material having magnetic properties in the base portion and the technique of forming screw holes in the base portion may be used in combination. In this case, the worker can, for example, temporarily fix the vibration-damping member to an appropriate position on the installation surface using magnetic force, and then screw in the screws. Therefore, the vibration-damping member can be fixed to the installation surface more appropriately.

[0035] However, it is also possible to form the vibration damping member without using a material having magnetic force for the base portion, in which case various materials having high rigidity (for example, various resins such as ABS resin, various metals such as stainless steel, etc.) can be used for the base portion.

[0036] The base portion may have an insertion hole formed therein, which penetrates from the mating surface side to the fixing surface side and through which the elastic portion is inserted. The elastic portion may be integrally molded by filling (flowing into) the insertion hole by injection molding. By filling the insertion hole with the elastic portion and integrally molding it, the possibility of the elastic portion integrally molded on the outer periphery of the base portion shifting relative to the base portion is appropriately reduced. In other words, by providing an insertion hole in the base portion, shifting of the elastic portion in a direction parallel to the fixing surface of the base portion and shifting of the elastic portion in a direction away from the fixing surface of the base portion and the mating surface (i.e., shifting that creates a gap between the elastic portion and the base portion) is suppressed. This facilitates stabilizing both the assembly of the elastic portion to the base portion and the fixation of the vibration-damping member to the installation surface. This further facilitates suppressing the effects of vibration.

[0037] When both the insertion hole and the protrusion are formed in the base portion, the insertion hole and the protrusion not only suppress with high precision the displacement of the elastic portion in a direction parallel to the fixing surface of the base portion, but also suppress the displacement of the elastic portion in a direction away from the fixing surface of the base portion and the mating surface. Thus, by forming both the insertion hole and the protrusion in the base portion, the effect of suppressing displacement of the elastic portion relative to the base portion is synergistically enhanced.

[0038] The base portion may be provided with a plurality of insertion holes. By forming a plurality of insertion holes in the base portion, it becomes easier to more appropriately suppress displacement of the elastic portion relative to the base portion than when there is only one insertion hole. Furthermore, the plurality of insertion holes may be arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or greater) about an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the fixing surface. In this case, it becomes easier to appropriately suppress displacement of the elastic portion throughout the entire vibration-damping member.

[0039] The material of the elastic portion may contain a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material stores electromagnetic waves as energy and emits light using the stored energy. In this case, even if the location where the vibration-damping member is installed becomes dark due to a power outage or the like, the vibration-damping member can be used as a landmark to make it easier to determine the location of items. Therefore, in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, not only is the possibility of objects falling due to vibration reduced, but the vibration-damping member also makes it easier to appropriately assist in securing an escape route and avoiding collisions with items.

[0040] A plurality of protrusions of uniform height may be formed on the surface of the elastic portion facing the mating object. In this case, the pressure acting on each of the plurality of protrusions is appropriately distributed, which facilitates more appropriate suppression of the effects of vibration. The shape of the protrusions formed on the elastic portion can be selected as appropriate. For example, a protrusion having a shape similar to a cut-out sphere (e.g., a hemisphere) may be formed on the elastic portion. In this case, the contact state between the elastic portion and the mating object is more likely to be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibration damping member 1 as viewed from a surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an opposing object). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 as viewed from the rear surface 3 side (the side that contacts the installation surface). [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration damping member 1 with an elastic portion 10 and a base portion 30 disassembled, as viewed from a surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an opposing object). [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 with the elastic portion 10 and the base portion 30 disassembled, as viewed from the rear surface 3 side (the side that comes into contact with the installation surface). [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibration damping member 1 cut along a cross section passing through the center and perpendicular to a surface 2, as viewed from the surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an opposing object). [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibration damping member 101 of a first modified example, as viewed from the front surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an opposing object). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vibration damping member 201 of a second modified example, as viewed from the front surface side (the side that comes into contact with an opposing object). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] (Schematic configuration) A typical embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a vibration-damping member 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibration-damping member 1 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (the vibration-damping member 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is substantially plate-shaped). The vibration-damping member 1 is placed at an installation position where various counterpart objects are to be installed. More specifically, the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to an installation surface at the installation position where the counterpart object is to be installed, and is placed between the installation surface and the counterpart object. As a result, transmission of vibration between the installation surface and the counterpart object is appropriately suppressed.

[0043] In the following, the surface of the vibration damping member 1 that comes into contact with an object will be referred to as the front surface 2, and the surface that comes into contact with the installation surface (i.e., the surface opposite to the front surface 2) will be referred to as the back surface 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 as seen from the front surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with the object). Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 as seen from the back surface 3 side (the side that comes into contact with the installation surface).

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the vibration damping member 1 includes an elastic portion 10 and a base portion 30. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 with the elastic portion 10 and the base portion 30 disassembled, as viewed from the front surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an object). Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 with the elastic portion 10 and the base portion 30 disassembled, as viewed from the back surface 3 side (the side that comes into contact with an installation surface). Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vibration damping member 1 cut along a cross section that passes through the center and is perpendicular to the front surface 2, as viewed from the front surface 2 side (the side that comes into contact with an object).

[0045] The elastic portion 10 is made of an elastic thermoplastic elastomer. When the vibration-damping member 1 is in use, the surface 2 of the elastic portion 10 comes into contact with an object, and as a result, vibrations between the installation surface and the object are absorbed by the elastic portion 10.

[0046] The base portion 30 is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the material of the elastic portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the base portion 30 facing the opposing object (upper side in FIG. 3) is referred to as the opposing surface 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the base portion 30 facing the installation surface (upper side in FIG. 4) is referred to as the fixed surface 33. Furthermore, the portion of the base portion 30 that connects the opposing surface 32 (see FIG. 3) and the fixed surface 33 (see FIG. 4) is referred to as the side portion 34.

[0047] 5, the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded by injection molding over the mating surface 32 (see FIG. 3), the side portion 34, and the fixing surface 33 (see FIG. 4) of the base portion 30. As a result, the highly rigid base portion 30 is housed inside the elastic portion 10. Therefore, regardless of the material from which the elastic portion 10 is made (for example, even if a material with low adhesive strength is selected as the material for the elastic portion 10), and even without using adhesive, adhesive tape, or the like, the elastic portion 10 can be properly assembled to the base portion 30.

[0048] It should be noted that the elastic portion 10 only needs to be able to accommodate the base portion 30 therein, and does not need to completely cover the entire outer peripheral surface of the base portion 30 (the mating surface 32, the side portion 34, and the fixing surface 33). In fact, in the vibration damping member 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) of the base portion 30 are exposed on the installation surface side (the upper side in Fig. 2). The protrusions 36 will be described in detail later.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the elastic portion 10 is assembled to the base portion 30 (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the base portion 30 is fixed to the installation surface, thereby fixing the entire vibration-damping member 1 including the elastic portion 10 to the installation surface. Therefore, the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface in a stable manner via the highly rigid base portion 30, without using the adhesive force of the material of the elastic portion 10 or the adhesive force of an adhesive or the like. Therefore, the vibration-damping member 1 can appropriately suppress the effects of vibration while being sufficiently fixed to the installation surface.

[0050] The vibration-damping member 1 of this embodiment is fixed to the installation surface by threading the screws 5. Therefore, compared to when the adhesive force of the elastic portion 10 or an adhesive or the like is used, the entire vibration-damping member 1 including the elastic portion 10 is fixed to the installation surface in a strong and stable state.

[0051] (elastic part) The elastic portion 10 will now be described in detail. In this embodiment, a styrene-based elastomer is used as the material for the elastic portion 10. Styrene-based elastomers not only have extremely high vibration absorption properties, but also have the property of being less susceptible to deterioration over time than other materials (e.g., urethane-based elastomers). Therefore, using a styrene-based elastomer as the material for the elastic portion 10 further appropriately suppresses the effects of vibration. On the other hand, styrene-based elastomers also have the property of being less likely to adhere to other components. In contrast, in the vibration-damping member 1 of this embodiment, the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded around the outer periphery of the base portion 30 and assembled to the base portion 30, and the base portion 30 is then fixed to the installation surface. Therefore, even if a styrene-based elastomer, which is less likely to adhere to other components, is used as the material for the elastic portion 10, the entire vibration-damping member 1 can be stably fixed to the installation surface. Note that even if an olefin-based elastomer or a polyester-based elastomer is used as the material for the elastic portion 10 instead of a styrene-based elastomer, the effects of vibration can still be appropriately suppressed.

[0052] The material of the elastic portion 10 of this embodiment can also contain a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material stores electromagnetic waves as energy and emits light using the stored energy. Therefore, by including a phosphorescent material in the material of the elastic portion 10, even if the installation location of the vibration-damping member 1 becomes a dark environment due to a power outage or the like, the luminous vibration-damping member 1 can be used as a landmark to make it easier to determine the location of items. Therefore, in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, not only is the possibility of objects falling due to vibration reduced, but the vibration-damping member 1 can also more easily appropriately assist in securing an escape route and avoiding collisions with items.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, a plurality of protrusions 11 of uniform height are formed on the surface 2 (i.e., the surface that contacts the counter-object) of the elastic part 10 on the opposing object side (upper side of the figure). Therefore, when the surface of the elastic part 10 contacts the opposing object, the pressure acting on each of the plurality of protrusions is appropriately distributed, making it easier to more appropriately suppress the effects of vibration. More specifically, the protrusions 11 in this embodiment are formed in a shape in which a portion of a sphere has been cut off (hemispherical). Therefore, it is easier to further stabilize the contact state between the elastic part 10 and the opposing object.

[0054] (base part) The base portion 30 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, a fixing surface 33 (the surface facing the installation surface) of the base portion 30 is formed with a plurality of protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) that protrude toward the installation surface. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded by injection molding so as to cover the circumferential direction of each of the plurality of protrusions 36. As a result, the plurality of protrusions 36 appropriately reduce the possibility that the elastic portion 10 integrally molded on the outer periphery of the base portion 30 will shift relative to the base portion 30 (for example, in a direction parallel to the fixing surface 33 of the base portion). This makes it easier to stabilize both the assembly state of the elastic portion 10 to the base portion 30 and the fixed state of the vibration damping member 1 to the installation surface. This further facilitates suppression of the effects of vibration.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , at least one of the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) formed on the fixing surface 33 of the base portion 30 is not covered by the elastic portion 10 and is exposed on the installation surface side (upper side in FIGS. 2 and 4 ). This allows the vibration-damping member 1 to directly contact the installation surface when it is fixed to the installation surface. As described above, the base portion 30 with the protrusions 36 has higher rigidity than the elastic portion 10. Therefore, by directly contacting at least one of the protrusions 36 on the base portion 30 with the installation surface, the vibration-damping member 1 is more likely to be fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state than when the base portion 30 and the installation surface are not in direct contact. This further reduces the effects of vibration. In other words, when at least one of the protrusions 36 is in direct contact with the installation surface, the protrusions 36 can both suppress displacement of the elastic portion 10 relative to the base portion 30 and improve the stability of the fixation of the vibration-damping member 1 to the installation surface.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, all of the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) formed on the fixing surface 33 of the base portion 30 come into direct contact with the installation surface. Therefore, it is easy to improve both the effect of suppressing displacement of the elastic portion 10 relative to the base portion 30 and the effect of improving the stability of fixing the vibration-damping member 1 to the installation surface.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) that directly contact the installation surface are arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or more; in this embodiment, N = 4) around an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the fixing surface 33. This makes it easier for the pressure generated between the multiple protrusions 36 and the installation surface to become uniform. As a result, the vibration damping member 1 can be more easily fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state.

[0058] The base portion 30 of this embodiment has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular plate. The multiple protrusions 36 of this embodiment include at least four protrusions 36 formed at each of the four corners of the fixing surface 33 of the base portion 30. As a result, stability is further improved when the vibration damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the tips (ends on the installation surface side) of the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) that directly contact the installation surface are formed on a flat surface located on the same plane. That is, the heights of the multiple protrusions 36 that directly contact the installation surface are uniform, and the tip surfaces are formed on a flat surface parallel to the fixing surface 33. As a result, the contact area between the multiple protrusions 36 and the installation surface is likely to increase. Therefore, compared to when the tips of the protrusions 36 are not formed on a flat surface located on the same plane, the pressure generated between the multiple protrusions 36 and the installation surface is reduced. This further improves the stability when the vibration damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, and also reduces the possibility of deformation, damage, etc., of the installation surface. Specifically, in this embodiment, the tips of all of the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) are formed on a flat surface located on the same plane. As a result, the stability of the fixation of the vibration damping member 1 is further improved.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, when the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded and assembled to the base portion 30, the flat surfaces at the tips of the multiple protrusions 36 (36A, 36B) that directly contact the installation surface and the back surface 3 (the flat surface facing the installation surface) of the elastic portion 10 are located on the same plane. Therefore, when the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, not only do the tip surfaces (flat surfaces) of the multiple protrusions 36 come into contact with the installation surface, but the flat surface facing the installation surface of the elastic portion 10 also comes into contact with the installation surface at the same time. As a result, the contact area between the vibration-damping member 1 and the installation surface is further increased. This further improves the stability when the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, and reduces the possibility of deformation or damage to the installation surface.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the base portion 30 has a screw hole 37 formed therein, penetrating from the mating surface 32 (see FIG. 3) to the fixing surface 33 (see FIG. 4). A screw 5 is inserted into the screw hole 37. The screw 5 inserted into the screw hole 37 is screwed into the installation surface, thereby firmly fixing the base portion 30 to the installation surface. As a result, the entire vibration damping member 1, including the elastic portion 10, is stably fixed to the installation surface. Note that if the elastic portion 10 is fixed to the installation surface with the screw 5 without using the base portion 30, the soft elastic portion 10 may deform, and the head of the screw 5 may come into contact with the object, potentially damaging the object. There is also a possibility that the soft elastic portion 10 may come off the screw 5. In contrast, by fixing the base portion 30, to which the elastic portion 10 is assembled, to the installation surface with the screw 5, the entire vibration damping member 1, including the elastic portion 10, is firmly fixed to the installation surface, and the possibility of the head of the screw 5 coming into contact with the object is reduced.

[0062] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the screw holes 37 in this embodiment are formed in at least one of the protrusions 36 that directly contact the installation surface when the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface. As a result, the area around the screw holes 37 on the fixing surface 33 side of the base portion 30, where high pressure is likely to occur when the screws 5 are screwed, directly contacts the installation surface without the elastic portion 10. This reduces the possibility of damage to the soft elastic portion 10 due to pressure when the screws 5 are screwed, and improves stability when the vibration-damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface. Furthermore, the thickness of the base portion 30 in the portion where the protrusions 36 are formed is greater than the thickness of the base portion 30 in the portion where the protrusions 36 are not formed. Therefore, by positioning the screw holes 37, which are subject to a large load when the screws 5 are screwed, in the thick protrusions 36 (specifically, protrusions 36A), the strength of the base portion 30 is also likely to be improved.

[0063] In this embodiment, the multiple protrusions 36 include protrusions 36A in which screw holes 37 are formed and protrusions 36B in which no screw holes 37 are formed. The protrusions 36A in which screw holes 37 are formed are larger than the protrusions 36B in which no screw holes 37 are formed. Therefore, the strength of the protrusions 36A, which are subjected to a large load when the screws 5 are screwed into them, is improved.

[0064] As described above, the tip surface of the protrusion 36A, in which the screw hole 37 is formed, is formed flat. As a result, the pressure generated when the screw 5 is screwed into the protrusion 36A is easily dispersed by the flat surface at the tip of the protrusion 36A. This further improves stability when the vibration damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, and also reduces the possibility of deformation or damage to the member or the installation surface.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, a counterbore is formed on the mating surface 32 side of the screw hole 37. The counterbore is a step formed at the entrance of the screw hole 37 and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the head of the screw 5. The depth of the counterbore is designed to be deeper than the thickness of the head of the screw 5 used. By forming a counterbore on the mating surface 32 side of the screw hole 37, the possibility that the head of the screw 5 used to fix the vibration damping member 1 to the installation surface will come into contact with the mating object is reduced. As a result, the possibility of deformation, damage, etc. occurring in the mating object is reduced.

[0066] In this embodiment, a plurality of (four) screw holes 37 are formed in the base portion 30. The plurality of screw holes 37 are arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or more; in this embodiment, N=4) around an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the approximately plate-shaped base portion 30. Therefore, when the vibration damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface with the screws 5, the pressure generated between the vibration damping member 1 and the installation surface tends to become more uniform. As a result, the vibration damping member 1 can be more easily fixed to the installation surface in a more stable state.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded around the base portion 30. On the object side of the screw hole 37 formed in the base portion 30, a screw hole exposing portion 18 is formed by omitting material, exposing (opening) the screw hole 37. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, on the installation surface side of the elastic portion 10 of the screw hole 37 formed in the base portion 30 (i.e., the portion where the protrusion 36A is located), a screw hole exposing portion 17 is formed by omitting material, exposing (opening) the protrusion 36A and the screw hole 37. Therefore, an operator can easily insert a screw 5 into the screw hole 37. Furthermore, even when the screw 5 is screwed into the screw hole 37, the elastic portion 10 is less likely to be damaged.

[0068] 4, protrusion exposing portions 16 that expose the protrusions 36B are formed by omitting material at the locations of the elastic portion 10 where the multiple protrusions 36B formed on the base portion 30 are located. As a result, when the vibration damping member 1 is fixed to the installation surface, the protrusions 36B come into appropriate contact with the installation surface.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base portion 30 has an insertion hole 39 formed therein, which penetrates from the mating surface 32 (see FIG. 3) to the fixing surface 33 (see FIG. 4) and through which the elastic portion 10 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic portion 10 is integrally molded by filling (flowing into) the insertion hole 39 by injection molding. By filling the insertion hole 39 with the elastic portion 10 and integrally molding it, the possibility of the elastic portion 10, which is integrally molded on the outer periphery of the base portion 30, shifting relative to the base portion 30 is appropriately reduced. This makes it easier to stabilize both the assembly state of the elastic portion 10 to the base portion 30 and the fixed state of the vibration-damping member 1 to the installation surface. This further facilitates suppression of the effects of vibration.

[0070] The base portion 30 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 39. Therefore, displacement of the elastic portion 10 relative to the base portion 30 is more appropriately suppressed than when there is only one insertion hole 39. Furthermore, the plurality of insertion holes 39 are arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry (N is an integer of 2 or more; N=4 in this embodiment) about an axis that passes perpendicularly through the center of the fixing surface 33. As a result, displacement of the elastic portion 10 is more appropriately suppressed throughout the entire vibration damping member 1.

[0071] In this embodiment, the base portion 30 is made of a material that has magnetic properties. Therefore, if a substance to which a magnet is attached exists on the installation surface on which the vibration-damping member 1 is to be installed, the base portion 30 is fixed to the installation surface by magnetic force. This allows the worker to more easily fix the vibration-damping member 1 to the installation surface. For example, the worker can temporarily fix the vibration-damping member 1 to an appropriate position on the installation surface by magnetic force, and then screw in the screws 5. This allows the vibration-damping member 1 to be fixed to the installation surface more appropriately. Note that in cases where the vibration-damping member 1 is firmly fixed by the magnetic force of the base portion 30, it is possible to omit various configurations for fixing the vibration-damping member 1 with the screws 5 (e.g., the screw holes 37 of the base portion 30, etc.).

[0072] In this embodiment, the base portion 30 is made of a plastic magnet, which can be processed using a compound made of plastic containing magnetic powder. Therefore, the magnetic base portion 30 can be appropriately formed using various methods, such as injection molding or compression molding. However, the material of the base portion 30 can also be changed. For example, the magnetic base portion 30 may be formed by adding at least one of a magnet and a magnetic sheet to at least a portion of the base portion 30. It is also possible to form the base portion 30 without including a magnetic material in its material. For example, ABS resin, which has high rigidity, durability, impact resistance, and is easily processable, may be used as the material for the base portion 30. Alternatively, at least one of a rigid metal (e.g., stainless steel) and a synthetic resin may be used as the material for the base portion 30.

[0073] The techniques disclosed in the above embodiments are merely examples. Therefore, it is possible to modify the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vibration-damping member 101 of a first modified example, viewed from the surface 2 side (the side that contacts the counter-object). As shown in the first modified example, the surface 2 (i.e., the surface that contacts the counter-object) of the elastic portion 110 on the counter-object side (the upper side of the figure) does not need to be provided with the protrusions 11 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 5). Even in this case, the effects of vibration are appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the positions and number of screw holes through which the screws 5 are inserted can be changed, as shown in the first modified example.

[0074] 7 is a perspective view of the vibration damping member 201 of the second modified example, viewed from the front side (the side that comes into contact with the opposing object). As shown in the second modified example, the shape of the vibration damping member 201 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and it may be formed into a substantially disk shape or the like.

Claims

1. A vibration-damping member that is fixed to an installation surface and disposed between the installation surface and an object to suppress transmission of vibration between the installation surface and the object, an elastic portion formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having elasticity; a base portion formed of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic portion, the base portion having a fixing surface facing the installation surface, a mating surface facing the mating object, and a side portion connecting the fixing surface and the mating surface; Equipped with the elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixing surface side, the side portion side, and the mating surface side of the base portion, thereby accommodating the base portion therein; When the base portion is fixed to the installation surface, the entire device including the elastic portion is fixed to the installation surface, a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the installation surface are formed on the fixing surface of the base portion; A vibration-damping member characterized in that at least one of the multiple protrusions is not covered by the elastic portion and is exposed on the installation surface, so that it directly contacts the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface.

2. The vibration damping member according to claim 1, A vibration-damping member characterized in that at least one of the protrusions of the base portion that directly contacts the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface has a screw hole that penetrates from the opposing surface side to the fixing surface side and through which a screw is inserted.

3. A vibration-damping member that is fixed to an installation surface and disposed between the installation surface and an object to suppress transmission of vibration between the installation surface and the object, an elastic portion formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having elasticity; a base portion formed of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic portion, the base portion having a fixing surface facing the installation surface, a mating surface facing the mating object, and a side portion connecting the fixing surface and the mating surface; Equipped with the elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixing surface side, the side portion side, and the mating surface side of the base portion, thereby accommodating the base portion therein; When the base portion is fixed to the installation surface, the entire device including the elastic portion is fixed to the installation surface, a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the installation surface are formed on the fixing surface of the base portion; at least two of the plurality of protrusions are not covered by the elastic portion and are exposed to the installation surface, so that they come into direct contact with the installation surface when the vibration damping member is fixed to the installation surface; A vibration-damping member characterized in that the tips of the plurality of protrusions that come into direct contact with the installation surface are formed on a flat surface that is located on the same plane.

4. The vibration damping member according to claim 3, A vibration-damping member characterized in that, when the elastic portion is integrally molded and assembled to the base portion, the flat surface at the tip of each of the multiple protrusions that directly contact the installation surface and the flat surface of the elastic portion facing the installation surface are located on the same plane.

5. The vibration damping member according to claim 3, A vibration-damping member characterized in that at least one of the protrusions of the base portion that directly contacts the installation surface when the vibration-damping member is fixed to the installation surface has a screw hole that penetrates from the opposing surface side to the fixing surface side and through which a screw is inserted.

6. A vibration-damping member that is fixed to an installation surface and disposed between the installation surface and an object to suppress transmission of vibration between the installation surface and the object, an elastic portion formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having elasticity; a base portion formed of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic portion, the base portion having a fixing surface facing the installation surface, a mating surface facing the mating object, and a side portion connecting the fixing surface and the mating surface; Equipped with the elastic portion is integrally molded by injection molding across the fixing surface side, the side portion side, and the mating surface side of the base portion, thereby accommodating the base portion therein; When the base portion is fixed to the installation surface, the entire device including the elastic portion is fixed to the installation surface, A vibration-damping member characterized in that the base portion is formed with a screw hole that penetrates from the opposing surface side to the fixed surface side and through which a screw is inserted.

7. The vibration damping member according to claim 6, A vibration-damping member, characterized in that a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the installation surface are formed on the fixing surface of the base portion.

8. The vibration damping member according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 6, A vibration-damping member characterized in that the elastic portion is made of a styrene-based elastomer.

9. The vibration damping member according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 6, A vibration-damping member characterized in that the material of the base portion contains a material having magnetic force.

10. The vibration damping member according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 6, an insertion hole is formed in the base portion, the insertion hole penetrating from the mating surface side to the fixing surface side and through which the elastic portion is inserted; The vibration-damping member is characterized in that the elastic portion is integrally molded by filling the insertion hole with the elastic portion by injection molding.

11. The vibration damping member according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 6, A vibration-damping member characterized in that the material of the elastic portion contains a phosphorescent material that stores electromagnetic waves as energy and emits light by itself using the stored energy.

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