Stretchable cover

Abstract

To prevent chips from dropping on a protection curtain of an expansible / contractable cover.SOLUTION: An expansible / contractable cover includes a protective curtain unit 10, a support unit 20, and a strip shield unit 30. The protective curtain unit 10 is expansible / contractable between a developed state and a folded state, and has a plurality of upper ridge parts 111 and a plurality of upper valley-holding parts 112 connected between the two adjacent upper ridge parts 111. The support unit 20 has a movable plate 21 provided on the front end of the protective curtain unit 10, and a supporter 22 connected to the upper ridge parts 111. The strip shield unit 30 has an extension plate material 31 fixed to the movable plate 21, and a plurality of standard plate materials 32 fixed to the supporter 22 behind the extension plate material 31, and in the developed state, the extension plate material 31 shields the plurality of upper valley-holding parts 112 on the side of the movable plate 21, and each of the standard plate materials 32 is connected to the upper ridge parts 111 on both front and rear sides of each of the remaining upper valley-holding parts 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a telescopic cover, and more particularly to a telescopic cover including a strip shield unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 1 to 5 show a conventional telescopic cover that is used to cover a processing machine (e.g., a wafer cutter, not shown) with a protective curtain and has strip shields (also called "armor") for protecting the protective curtain. As shown, the conventional telescopic cover includes a protective curtain 1 that is stretchable in the front-to-rear direction X and can be changed between an unfolded state and a folded state by this stretching, a support module 2 connected to the protective curtain 1, and a strip shield module 3 for shielding the top surface of the protective curtain 1. The protective curtain 1 has an awning member 101 and two side curtain members 102 connected to both sides of the awning member 101 in the left-to-right direction Y. The awning member 101 has a plurality of ridges 103 that are aligned in the front-to-rear direction X of the protective curtain 1 and each extend in the left-to-right direction Y, and a plurality of valley folds 104 that connect between each pair of adjacent ridges 103. When the protective curtain 1 is unfolded, the unfolded valley folds 104 form a V-shaped valley space 105 in a side view. The support module 2 includes a movable plate 201 that is arranged at the front end of the protective curtain 1 in the front-to-rear direction X, a fixed plate 202 that is arranged at the rear end of the protective curtain 1 in the front-to-rear direction X, and a plurality of rib-like supporters 203 that are arranged within the protective curtain 1 and are fixed to the corresponding ridges 103. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the strip shield module 3 includes multiple strip members (slats) 301 that are all the same shape and size, and one of the strip members 301 at the front end is fixed to the movable plate 201, while the other strip members 301 are each connected to corresponding ridges 103 and fixed to the upper ends of corresponding supporters 203 via the ridges 103.

[0003] With the above configuration, when processing is performed using a processing machine, the movable plate 201 is moved forward to open the protective curtain 1 from its folded state into its unfolded state, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the strip members 301, which were entirely overlapping each other in the folded state, are shifted forward and backward so that they partially overlap each other and cover the awning member 101 of the protective curtain 1. At this time, the supporters 203 are spaced apart from each other and support the unfolded protective curtain 1, which allows the protective curtain 1 to shield and protect the mechanism (for example, lead screw, not shown) below the protective curtain 1, and the protective curtain 1 itself is also shielded and protected by the strip shield modules 3. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Product information (accordion) on the Nabell Corporation website (https: / / www.bellows.co.jp / ?p=26, accessed October 11, 2023) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the conventional extendable cover is deployed and used, the end of the protective curtain 1 closest to the movable plate 201 is usually the closest to the tool head of the processing machine and is therefore the part that is deployed most frequently, and therefore the strip members 301 closest to the movable plate 201 of the strip shield module 3 are also pulled most frequently and used to protect the corresponding parts of the protective curtain 1. However, because the strip members 301 are configured to cover each valley space 105 one-to-one when the protective curtain 1 is deployed, if gaps are formed between adjacent strip members 301 that have been pulled so that they partially overlap, chips generated during processing can enter the valley spaces 105 through the gaps and fall onto the protective curtain 1. These intruding chips can damage the protective curtain 1 during opening and closing, and as a result, for example, cutting fluid (such as pure water) used in processing can leak into the protective curtain 1, potentially causing rust in the mechanism that is to be protected below the protective curtain 1.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable cover that can solve the above problems in some way. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As means for achieving the above object, the present invention includes a protective curtain unit, a support unit, and a strip shield unit, the protective curtain unit being extendable and contractible along the front-to-rear direction so as to change between an unfolded state and a folded state, and having an awning member, the awning member having a plurality of upper ridges aligned in the front-to-rear direction and each extending in a left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, and a plurality of upper valley folds connected between each two adjacent upper ridges, the unfolded state of the protective curtain unit being a state in which the upper ridges are spaced apart and the upper valley folds are spread out, and a valley space is formed by each of the upper valley folds, and the folded state of the protective curtain unit being a state in which the upper ridges are close to each other and the upper valley folds are folded, the support unit being a movable plate provided at the front end of the protective curtain unit in the front-to-rear direction. and a plurality of supporters, the supporters being arranged below the awning member and each connected to a corresponding one of the upper ridge portions; the strip shield unit being arranged to shield the upper surface of the protective curtain unit; the cover having an extended plate material fixed to the movable plate and a plurality of standard plate materials being arranged respectively behind the extended plate material in the front-to-rear direction and fixed to the corresponding supporters; when the protective curtain unit is in the deployed state, the extended plate materials shield the valley spaces formed by at least two of the upper valley fold portions closest to the movable plate; and each of the standard plate materials being configured to connect to the upper ridge portions on both the front and rear sides of each of the remaining upper valley fold portions other than the at least two upper valley fold portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Because the design combines the expansion plate and standard plate of the strip shield unit, the expansion plate is configured to cover the valley spaces formed by the multiple upper valley folds closer to the movable plate. This allows a single expansion plate to cover the multiple valley spaces when deployed. Even if the end of the protective curtain unit closest to the movable plate is deployed most frequently, only a gap may form between the expansion plate and the adjacent standard plate. Furthermore, this gap will not be located over the valley spaces between the multiple upper valley folds closer to the movable plate. Therefore, even if chips generated during processing fall onto the expansion plate, the likelihood of them getting into the valley spaces between the upper valley folds closer to the movable plate is significantly reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional telescopic cover. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional telescopic cover. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a partial side view showing a conventional stretchable cover in an expanded state. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional stretchable cover in an expanded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a stretchable cover of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the deployed state of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the deployed state of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the folded state of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the folded state of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 6, 7, and 8, one embodiment of the telescopic cover 100 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the telescopic cover 100 includes a protective curtain unit 10, a support unit 20, and a strip shield unit 30. The telescopic cover 100 can be used to cover a processing machine (e.g., a wafer cutter, not shown).

[0011] The protective curtain unit 10 is extendable in the front-to-rear direction X so as to change between an unfolded state (see Figures 8 and 9) and a folded state (see Figures 11 and 12), and includes an awning member 11 and two side curtain members 12. In this embodiment, the protective curtain unit 10 is formed into an accordion-like shape from a single piece of folded fabric.

[0012] The awning member 11 has a plurality of upper ridge portions 111 aligned in the front-to-rear direction X and extending in the left-to-right direction Y perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X, and a plurality of upper valley fold portions 112 connected between each pair of adjacent upper ridge portions 111.

[0013] The two side curtain members 12 are connected to both sides in the left-right direction Y of the awning member 11, i.e., to the left and right sides, and extend downward along the front-to-rear direction X. Each side curtain member 12 has a plurality of side ridge portions 121 aligned in the front-to-rear direction X and each corresponding to the upper ridge portion 111, and a plurality of side valley fold portions 122 corresponding to each upper valley fold portion 112 and connected between two adjacent side ridge portions 121.

[0014] The unfolded state of the protective curtain unit 10 is a state in which the upper ridges 111 are spaced apart, the upper valley folds 112 are unfolded, valley spaces 113 are formed by the upper valley folds 112, the side ridges 121 are spaced apart, and the side valley folds 122 are unfolded, as shown in Figure 8. The folded state of the protective curtain unit 10 is a state in which the upper ridges 111 are close to each other, the upper valley folds 112 are folded, the side ridges 121 are close to each other, and the side valley folds 122 are folded, as shown in Figure 11.

[0015] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the support unit 20 has a movable plate 21 provided at the front end of the protective curtain unit 10 in the fore-and-aft direction X, a fixed plate 23 arranged at the rear end of the protective curtain unit 10 in the fore-and-aft direction X, and a plurality of supporters 22.

[0016] 8, 9, and 10, each supporter 22 is disposed below the awning member 11 inside the protective curtain unit 10. Specifically, the upper end of each supporter 22 is connected to a corresponding upper ridge portion 111, and both ends of each supporter 22 in the left-right direction Y are connected to corresponding side ridge portions 121 of the two corresponding side curtain members 12.

[0017] As shown in Figures 7, 9 and 10, the strip shield unit 30 is arranged to shield the upper surface of the protective curtain unit 10, and comprises a plurality of standard plate materials 32 and one extended plate material 31 that is larger in size than the standard plate material 32 (i.e., has a larger area covering the protective curtain unit 10).

[0018] 7, the extension plate 31 has a first mounting end 311 fixed to the movable plate 21, and a first shielding plate portion 312 extending rearward in the front-rear direction X (hereinafter simply referred to as "rearward") from the first mounting end 311. The first shielding plate portion 312 has a first horizontal portion 313 connected to the first mounting end 311, a first inclined portion 314 extending rearward and downward from the first horizontal portion 313 and at an angle to the first horizontal portion 313, and a first cross plate portion 315 extending further rearward and downward from the first inclined portion 314 and at an angle to the first inclined portion 314.

[0019] 7, each standard plate 32 has a second mounting end 321 and a second shielding plate portion 322 extending rearward from the second mounting end 321. In each standard plate 32, the second shielding plate portion 322 has a second horizontal portion 323 connected to the second mounting end 321 and a second cross plate portion 324 extending rearward and downward from the second horizontal portion 323 and at an angle to the second horizontal portion 323.

[0020] When the protective curtain unit 10 is in the deployed state, the expansion plate material 31 is located above the valley spaces 113 formed by at least two upper valley folds 112 closest to the movable plate 21, shielding these valley spaces 113, and each standard plate material 32 is connected to the upper ridge portions 111 on the front and rear sides of each of the remaining upper valley folds 112 other than the at least two so as to shield the valley spaces 113 formed by each of the remaining upper valley folds 112 other than the at least two, and each supporter 22 is fixed to the corresponding upper ridge portion 111 on the underside of the protective curtain unit 10.

[0021] More specifically, in this embodiment, when the protective curtain unit 10 is in the deployed state, the extension plate material 31 shields the valley spaces 113 formed by the four upper valley folds 112 closest to the movable plate 21 (for the sake of specificity, these four upper valley folds 112 are labeled 112I in Figures 8 to 12), and each standard plate material 32 shields the valley spaces 113 formed by the remaining upper valley folds 112 (also labeled 112II). As a variation of this embodiment, the number of valley spaces 113 of the upper valley folds 112 (112I) that are shielded by the extension plate material 31 may be two, three, or more than four.

[0022] The second mounting end 321 of each standard plate 32 is connected to the corresponding upper ridge 111 (also designated by reference numeral 111I) located on both the front and rear sides of the remaining upper valley fold 112 (112II), and is fixed to the corresponding supporter 22 (also designated by reference numeral 22I). That is, each standard plate 32 is fixed to the corresponding supporter 22 (22I) via the corresponding upper ridge 111 (111I).

[0023] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the protective curtain unit 10 is in the deployed state, the first mounting end 311 of the expansion plate 31 is spaced apart from the second mounting end 321 of one of the standard plate members 32 closest to the expansion plate member 31, the first cross plate member 315, which is part of the first shielding plate member 312 of the expansion plate member 31, overlaps and abuts on the second horizontal portion 323 of the second shielding plate member 322 of the one of the standard plate members 32, the second mounting ends 321 of two adjacent standard plate members 32 are spaced apart from each other, the rear ends of the second cross plate members 322 of the second shielding plate members 322 of two adjacent standard plate members 32 are spaced apart from each other, and the second shielding plate members 322 of each standard plate member 32 partially overlap. More specifically, in two adjacent standard plate materials 32, the second cross plate portion 324 of the second shielding plate portion 322 of the front standard plate material 32 overlaps the second horizontal portion 323 of the second shielding plate portion 322 of the rear standard plate material 32.

[0024] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when the protective curtain unit 10 is in the folded state, the first mounting end 311 of the expansion plate 31 is adjacent to the second mounting end 321 of one of the standard plate members 32 closest to the expansion plate member 31, the first shielding plate portion 312 of the expansion plate member 31 is located on top of the second shielding plate portions 322 of the multiple standard plate members 32 closer to the expansion plate member 31, the second mounting ends 321 of two adjacent standard plate members 32 are adjacent to each other, the rear ends of the second cross plate portions 324 of the second shielding plate portions 322 of the two standard plate members 32 are adjacent to each other, and the second shielding plate portions 322 of each standard plate member 32 overlap each other.

[0025] 9 and 10, when processing work is performed using a processing machine, the movable plate 21 is moved forward, and the originally overlapping extension plate members 31 and each standard plate member 32 are sequentially shifted forward and backward, opening the protective curtain unit 10 from its folded state (FIGS. 11 and 12) to its unfolded state, so that the processing machine is covered by the awning member 11 of the protective curtain unit 10. At this time, the supporters 22 are also moved away from each other to support the unfolded protective curtain unit 10. This provides a protective function for the mechanism (lead screw, etc., not shown) shielded by the protective curtain unit 10, and also has the effect of protecting the awning member 11 of the protective curtain unit 10 by the extension plate members 31 and standard plate members 32 of the strip shield unit.

[0026] The advantages of the above embodiment obtained by the above configuration can be roughly summarized as follows.

[0027] First, by utilizing the design combining the extended plate material 31 and the standard plate material 32 of the strip shield unit 30, the extended plate material 31 directly covers the valley spaces 113 formed by each of the multiple upper valley folds 112 (112I) on the side closer to the movable plate 21, so that a single extended plate material 31 can cover multiple valley spaces 113. Even if the end of the protective curtain unit 10 closest to the movable plate 21 is most frequently deployed, only a gap may be formed between the extended plate material 31 and one adjacent standard plate material 32, and this gap that may be formed will not be located above the valley spaces 113 of the multiple upper valley folds 112 (112I) on the side closer to the movable plate 21. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, compared to conventional technology, even if chips generated during processing fall onto the extension plate material 31, the possibility of them entering the valley space 113 of the upper valley fold portion 112 (112I) on the side closer to the movable plate 21 can be significantly reduced, thereby preventing the protective curtain unit 10 from being damaged by chips and the like during the opening and closing process of the protective curtain unit 10.

[0028] Secondly, the first shielding plate portion 312 of the extended plate material 31 of the strip shield unit 30 combines a design in which the first inclined portion 314 extends diagonally rearward and downward from the first horizontal portion 313, and a design in which the first bridge plate portion 315 extends diagonally rearward and downward from the first inclined portion 314.Therefore, when the protective curtain unit 10 is in the deployed state, the first bridge plate portion 315 of the extended plate material 31 is always in contact with an adjacent standard plate material 32 and can elastically press against it, so that the extended plate material 31 is firmly superimposed on the adjacent standard plate material 32.

[0029] Thirdly, by forming the extended plate material 31 of the strip shield unit 30 to a size that is larger than each of the standard plate materials 32, for example, to a size that is large enough to cover the four upper valley folds 112 on the side closer to the movable plate 21 as in the above embodiment, when the protective curtain unit 10 is in a folded state, some of the standard plate materials 32 are shielded and protected by the extended plate materials 31, reducing the possibility of external foreign objects entering between the standard plate materials 32.

[0030] As described above, the retractable cover of the present invention can effectively reduce the possibility of chips and the like generated by processing entering the valley space 113 of the upper valley fold portion 112 on the side closer to the movable plate 21, which is a part of the protective curtain unit 10 that is particularly frequently used, and therefore the object of the present invention can be reliably achieved.

[0031] In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and variations thereof, it is not intended that the present invention be limited thereto, but rather to encompass all modifications and equivalents thereof as various configurations falling within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] The expandable cover according to the present invention can cover and protect a processing machine, and can also prevent chips and debris generated during processing from scattering, making it industrially useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100 Stretchable Cover 10 Protective Curtain Unit 11 Tent components 111 Upper peak 112 Upper Valley Fold 113 Valley Space 12 Side curtain member 121 Lateral peak 122 Side valley fold 20 Support Unit 21 Movable plate 22 Supporters 23 Fixing plate 30 Strip Shield Unit 31 Expansion plate material 311 first attachment end 312 first shielding plate portion 313 First horizontal section 314 First Inclined Section 315 First crossing plate 32 Standard Plate Material 321 second attachment end 322 Second shielding plate part 323 Second horizontal section 324 Second crossing plate X Anteroposterior direction Y left / right direction

Claims

1. The protective curtain unit includes a support unit and a strip shield unit. the protective curtain unit is extendable and contractable along the front-to-rear direction so as to change between an unfolded state and a folded state, and includes an awning member, the awning member having a plurality of upper ridges aligned in the front-to-rear direction and each extending in a left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, and a plurality of upper valley folds connected between each two adjacent upper ridges, the unfolded state of the protective curtain unit being a state in which the upper ridges are spaced apart and the upper valley folds are spread apart, with valley spaces formed by each of the upper valley folds, and the folded state of the protective curtain unit being a state in which the upper ridges are close to each other and the upper valley folds are folded up, The support unit has a movable plate provided at the front end of the protective curtain unit in the front-rear direction and a plurality of supporters, the supporters being arranged below the awning members and each connected to a corresponding one of the upper ridge portions; the strip shield unit is provided to shield the upper surface of the protective curtain unit, and includes an extended plate material fixed to the movable plate, and a plurality of standard plate materials each disposed rearward of the extended plate material in the front-to-rear direction and fixed to the corresponding supporter, wherein when the protective curtain unit is in the deployed state, the extended plate material shields the valley spaces formed by at least two of the upper valley folds closest to the movable plate, and each of the standard plate materials is configured to connect to the upper ridge portions on both the front and rear sides of each of the remaining upper valley folds other than the at least two upper valley folds, the extension plate member has a first mounting end portion fixed to the movable plate and a first shielding plate portion extending rearward in the front-rear direction from the first mounting end portion, Each of the standard plates has a second mounting end and a second shielding plate portion extending rearward in the front-rear direction from the second mounting end, When the protective curtain unit is in the deployed state, the first mounting end of the extended plate is spaced from the second mounting end of one of the standard plates closest to the extended plate, the first shielding plate portion of the extended plate partially overlaps the second shielding plate portion of the closest one of the standard plates, the second mounting ends of two adjacent standard plates are spaced from each other, the rear ends of the second shielding plate portions of two adjacent standard plates are spaced from each other, and the second shielding plate portions of the standard plates partially overlap each other, When the protective curtain unit is in the folded state, the first mounting end of the extension plate is adjacent to the second mounting end of one of the standard plates closest to the extension plate, the first shielding plate portion of the extension plate is located above the second shielding plate portions of the plurality of standard plates closer to the extension plate, the second mounting end portions of two adjacent standard plates are adjacent to each other, rear ends of the second shielding plate portions of two adjacent standard plates are adjacent to each other, and the second shielding plate portions of the standard plates overlap each other, the first shielding plate portion has a first horizontal portion connected to the first mounting end portion, a first inclined portion extending rearward and downward from the first horizontal portion and oblique to the first horizontal portion, and a first bridge plate portion extending rearward and downward from the first inclined portion and oblique to the first inclined portion, In each of the standard plates, the second shielding plate portion has a second horizontal portion connected to the second mounting end portion, and a second cross plate portion extending rearward and downward from the second horizontal portion and inclined relative to the second horizontal portion. Stretchable cover.

2. The protective curtain unit further includes two side curtain members, which are connected to both sides of the awning member in the left-right direction along the front-to-rear direction and extend downward, and each of the side curtain members has a plurality of side ridge portions that are aligned in the front-to-rear direction and adjacent to the upper ridge portion of the awning member, and a plurality of side valley fold portions that are adjacent to each of the upper valley fold portions of the awning member and connected between two adjacent side ridge portions, and both ends of each of the supporters in the left-to-right direction are each connected to a corresponding one of the side ridge portions of the two side curtain members. The stretchable cover of claim 1 .

3. The support unit further includes a fixing plate provided at a rear end of the protective curtain unit in the front-to-rear direction. The stretchable cover of claim 1 .

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