telescopic device

Abstract

To inhibit increase of costs caused by contact between a band material and a cylindrical member.SOLUTION: A spiral expansion device uses an expandable cylindrical structure formed by winding two band materials, an outer band material 5 having engagement parts 5d, 5e which are arranged parallel to each other in a width direction and provided with projections and holes which are continuous in a longitudinal direction, and an inner band material 2 having engagement parts 2d, 2e, to each other. The expansion device includes: a cylindrical inner guide member 1 in which the outer band material 5 and the inner band material 2 contact with an outer peripheral surface and which has groove parts configured to guide the outer band material 5 and the inner band material 2 respectively in spiral forms; and a cylindrical member 4 which is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be along the outer peripheral surface of the inner guide member 1 and guides the inner band material 2 and the outer band material 5 to a space between an inner periphery of the cylindrical shape and an outer periphery of the inner guide member 1 in spiral forms. In the cylindrical member 4, friction reduction parts 4c which reduce friction are provided at a portion where the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 4 contacts with the outer band material 5 and a portion where the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 4 contacts with the inner band material 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0007] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a telescopic device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a telescopic device that forms a compactly storable cylindrical telescopic structure by overlapping and winding two strip materials having an engagement shape in two rows, shifted by half the width, in a spiral shape is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 includes a first strip material and a second strip material each configured in a strip shape, and from a separated state in which the first strip material and the second strip material are accommodated in a spiral shape on a horizontal plane, it is wound in a spiral shape and shifted to a passing state that constitutes a normal structure, and a spiral body differential device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the spiral reciprocating actuator disclosed in Patent Document 1, when performing a lifting operation, since the strip material and the cylindrical member that guides it come into contact, energy loss increases due to friction, and wear may occur on each of the strip material and the cylindrical member. <​​​​​​​​The expandable device according to this disclosure is a spiral expandable device using an expandable cylindrical structure formed by winding together two strips: an outer strip having engaging portions arranged in parallel in the width direction and each row having projections and holes continuous in the longitudinal direction, and an inner strip having the engaging portions, the inner strip having a groove portion on its outer circumferential surface that contacts the outer strip and the inner strip and guides the outer strip and the inner strip in a spiral manner, and a cylindrical shape formed along the outer circumferential surface of the inner guide member, and the inner circumference of the cylindrical shape and the inner guide member of A cylindrical member is provided between the outer circumference and the inner strip material and the outer strip material, respectively, to guide the inner strip material and the outer strip material in a spiral manner. The cylindrical member is provided with friction-reducing portions at the locations where the inner circumference of the cylindrical member contacts the outer strip material and where the inner circumference of the cylindrical member contacts the inner strip material, respectively, to reduce friction. This makes it possible to avoid wear caused by friction between the strip material and the cylindrical member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure provides an expansion joint that can suppress cost increases caused by contact between a strip material and a cylindrical member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing an example of the configuration of an expandable / contractor. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing an example of the configuration of an expandable / contractor. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the expandable mechanism showing the protrusions and holes of the inner and outer belts. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a telescopic device showing an example of the engagement portion formed by the combination of protrusions and holes in the inner and outer belts, and the position of the rollers provided on the cover. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the inner guide member. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the expansion joint. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiment 1 The expandable device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, in order to clarify the explanation, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate. Furthermore, the XYZ coordinates shown in the following figures are for convenience in explaining the positional relationships of the components, with the positive Z axis being vertically upward and the XY plane being the horizontal plane, and these are common to all drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the telescopic device 100. As shown in Figure 1, the telescopic device 100 comprises a cylindrical structure 10 and an inner guide member 1. The telescopic device 100 according to this embodiment 1 further comprises a lower belt case 3, a cover 4, and an upper belt case 6.

[0012] The cylindrical structure 10 is expandable and contractible along its central axis, i.e., in the C1 direction. Here, the C1 direction is the Z-axis direction.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the expandable / contractable device 100, with the lower belt case 3 and upper belt case 6 omitted. As shown in Figure 2, the cylindrical structure 10 comprises an outer belt 5 and an inner belt 2 positioned inside the outer belt 5. The inner belt 2 and outer belt 5 can be made of a flexible material. Specifically, steel can be used as the material for the inner belt 2 and outer belt 5.

[0014] The inner belt 2 and outer belt 5 are each formed to be long in the longitudinal direction and have a predetermined width perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and are formed to be thin in the thickness direction which is perpendicular to both the longitudinal and width directions. When the inner belt 2 and outer belt 5 are arranged in the cylindrical structure 10, this thickness direction becomes the inward and outward direction of the expandable / contractable device 100.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the detailed configuration of the telescopic device 100 with the cover 4 further omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner belt 2 is an inner belt member including a plurality of protrusions 2a, 2b provided in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the inner belt 2, and a plurality of holes 2c.

[0016] The plurality of protrusions 2a are provided in one row on the tip side (upward in the Z-axis) of the two rows in the longitudinal direction of the inner belt 2. The plurality of protrusions 2b are provided in one row on the base side (here, the negative Z-axis direction) of the two rows in the longitudinal direction of the inner belt 2 so as to be parallel to the plurality of protrusions 2a. The plurality of protrusions 2a are located above the plurality of protrusions 2b. In the cylindrical structure 10, the protrusions 2a and 2b protrude toward the inner guide member 1 side.

[0017] Here, FIG. 4 is a side view showing the first engaging portion 2d and the second engaging portion 2e of the inner belt 2, and the third engaging portion 5d and the fourth engaging portion 5e of the outer belt 5 described later in the configuration of the telescopic device 100, and omitting the inner wall surface forming the cover 4 and showing only the roller 4c.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, a set of locations where the plurality of protrusions 2a and the plurality of holes 2c are provided on the upward side in the Z-axis is defined as the first engaging portion 2d, and a set of locations where the plurality of protrusions 2b and the plurality of holes 2c are provided on the downward side in the Z-axis is defined as the second engaging portion 2e. That is, in the inner belt 2, it is assumed that the first engaging portion 2d and the second engaging portion 2e are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction in a state of being parallel to each other in the width direction.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 3, the outer belt 5 is an outer belt member including a plurality of protrusions 5a, 5b provided in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the outer belt 5, and a plurality of holes 5c.

[0020] Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 5a are provided in one of the two rows in the longitudinal direction of the outer belt 5. The plurality of protrusions 5b are provided in the other of the two rows in the longitudinal direction of the outer belt 5 so as to be parallel to the plurality of protrusions 5a. The plurality of protrusions 5a are located above the plurality of protrusions 5b when compared. The protrusions 5a and 5b protrude from the outer edge of the hole 5c. In the cylindrical structure 10, the protrusions 5a and 5b protrude toward the inner guide member 1 side.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 here, a set of the plurality of protrusions 5a and the plurality of holes 5c provided on the upper side in the Z-axis direction is defined as the third engaging portion 5d, and a set of the plurality of protrusions 5b and the plurality of holes 5c provided on the lower side in the Z-axis direction is defined as the fourth engaging portion 5e. That is, in the outer belt 5, it is assumed that the third engaging portion 5d and the fourth engaging portion 5e are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction in a state of being parallel to each other in the width direction.

[0022] In the cylindrical structure 10, when the inner belt 2 and the outer belt 5 are wound around the inner guide member 1, the plurality of protrusions 5a and the plurality of protrusions 5b are inserted into the corresponding plurality of holes 2c, respectively, so as to engage with each other.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of the inner guide member 1. The inner guide member 1 is a cylindrical body disposed inside the cylindrical structure 10. On the outer peripheral surface 1a of the inner guide member 1, a first spiral groove 1b, a second spiral groove 1c, and a grounded flange 1d are formed. The first spiral groove 1b and the second spiral groove 1c are formed in parallel on the outer peripheral surface 1a.

[0024] The first helical groove 1b and the second helical groove 1c are each provided on the outer circumferential surface 1a, spaced apart from the flange 1d. The first helical groove 1b extends along the multiple protrusions 2a of the inner belt 2 in the cylindrical structure 10, and the first helical groove 1b is capable of engaging with the multiple protrusions 2a of the inner belt 2. The second helical groove 1c extends along the multiple protrusions 2b of the inner belt 2 in the cylindrical structure 10, and is capable of engaging with the multiple protrusions 2b of the inner belt 2.

[0025] The inner guide member 1 is held in a state that allows it to rotate around the central axis C1 of the cylindrical structure 10. The inner guide member 1 receives driving force from a drive source such as a motor (not shown) and rotates in one direction or the other around the central axis. Typically, the central axis of the inner guide member 1 and the central axis C1 of the cylindrical structure 10 are the same.

[0026] Cover 4 is , cylinder The cover 4 is a cylindrical body positioned inside the structural body 10 so as to cover the inner guide member 1. The cover 4 has openings 4a and 4b on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. Furthermore, multiple friction-reducing parts are formed on the inner surface of the inner wall of the cover 4. In the following, these friction-reducing parts will be described as rollers 4c.

[0027] Furthermore, the friction-reducing portion is formed of a material that is more durable than the inner wall surface of the cover 4, and in such a way that the friction between the friction-reducing portion and the inner belt 2 is less than the friction when the inner belt 2 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the cover 4, and the friction between the friction-reducing portion and the outer belt 5 is less than the friction when the outer belt 5 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the cover 4.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, openings 4a and 4b are located in the cover 4, with opening 4b located above opening 4a. Opening 4a is formed in the cover 4 with a size and shape that allows the inner belt 2 to be introduced from the outside to the inner guide member 1, and is a hole that penetrates the wall of the cylindrical cover 4. Similarly, opening 4b is formed in the cover 4 with a size and shape that allows the outer belt 5 to be introduced from the outside to the inner guide member 1, and is a hole that penetrates the wall of the cylindrical cover 4. body It is assumed to be formed near the bottom of cover 4.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the multiple rollers 4c are substantially cylindrical and are arranged so that a portion of them protrudes inward from the inner wall surface of the cover 4. Furthermore, each of the multiple rollers 4c is arranged so that it can rotate axially in a direction parallel to the width direction of the spirally arranged outer belt 5. In other words, the multiple rollers 4c are arranged in accordance with the angle of the outer belt 5 and support the outer belt 5 by contacting its outer circumferential surface when the outer belt 5 forms a spiral. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of VI-VI in Figure 1 showing a part of the expansion joint 100, and shows an example of the state in which the rollers 4c are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the outer belt 5.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the roller 4c is positioned so that when its circumference is in contact with the outer surface of the spirally arranged outer belt 5, it does not come into contact with the multiple protrusions 5a and 5b, or the multiple holes 5c of the outer belt 5. In other words, the roller 4c is positioned to come into contact with the outer belt 5 at a location between the third engaging portion 5d and the fourth engaging portion 5e in the width direction.

[0031] Furthermore, regarding the arrangement of the rollers 4c in the cover 4, in the spiral direction when the outer belt 5 is guided spirally, the spacing between adjacent rollers 4c can be such that the spacing is wider when farther from the opening 4b and shorter when closer to the opening 4b. In practice, when this is achieved, the rollers 4c will be spaced closer together near the bottom of the cover 4 and wider together near the top of the cover 4.

[0032] For example, the distance between rollers 4c located close to the opening 4b may be kept constant and short, while the distance between rollers 4c located a predetermined distance away from the opening 4b in the spiral direction may be increased.

[0033] More specifically, at positions where the outer belt 5 and inner belt 2 do not engage, and at positions where the outer belt 5 and inner belt 2 begin to engage, the distance between the rollers 4c that the outer belt 5 contacts can be kept at a constant short distance. On the other hand, near the top of the cover 4, where the outer belt 5 and inner belt 2 are fully engaged, a self-holding force is applied between the outer belt 5 and inner belt 2, reducing the force exerted by the outer belt 5 on the cover 4. Therefore, near the top of the cover 4, the number of rollers 4c supporting the outer belt 5 can be reduced, and the distance between the rollers 4c can be increased.

[0034] Furthermore, the roller 4c is positioned to contact the outer circumferential surface of the inner belt 2 at the point where the inner belt 2 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the cover 4. In other words, the roller 4c is positioned to contact and support the outer circumferential surface of the inner belt 2 at the point where the inner belt 2 and the outer belt 5 are not engaged.

[0035] Furthermore, when the circumference of the roller 4c is in contact with the outer surface of the inner belt 2, which is arranged in a spiral shape, the roller 4c is positioned so as not to come into contact with the multiple protrusions 2a and 2b, or the multiple holes 2c of the inner belt 2. In other words, the roller 4c is positioned so as to come into contact with the inner belt 2 at a location between the first engaging portion 2d and the second engaging portion 2e in the width direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the lower belt case 3 is a case that supplies the inner belt 2. Typically, the lower belt case 3 is ring-shaped and located on the outside of the cover 4.

[0037] The upper belt case 6 is a case that responsibly houses the outer belt 5. Typically, the upper belt case 6 is ring-shaped and located on the outside of the cover 4.

[0038] Next, we will describe the operation of extending the cylindrical structure 10.

[0039] As the inner guide member 1 rotates in a predetermined direction around the central axis C1, the inner guide member 1 winds up the outer belt 5 and the inner belt 2. Subsequently, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer belt 5 is fed from the upper belt case 6 through the opening 4b of the cover 4 to the inner guide member 1, and the inner belt 2 is fed from the lower belt case 3 through the opening 4a of the cover 4 to the inner guide member 1.

[0040] At this time, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the outer belt 5 and the inner belt 2 are wound spirally around the inner guide member 1 while engaging with each other. In other words, the structure transitions from a separate state in which the outer belt 5 and the inner belt 2 are housed in the upper belt case 6 and the lower belt case 3, respectively, to a cylindrical configuration state in which the outer belt 5 and the inner belt 2 are wound spirally around each other. As a result, the cylindrical structure 10 extends.

[0041] Next, the operation of contracting the cylindrical structure 10 will be described. When the inner guide member 1 rotates around the central axis C1 in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was rotated when performing the operation of extending the cylindrical structure 10 described above, the outer belt 5 and inner belt 2, which are already engaged and wound around each other, become unraveled in the inner guide member 1.

[0042] At this time, the inner belt 2 is pulled from the inner guide member 1 through the opening 4a of the cover 4 into the lower belt case 3, while the outer belt 5 is pulled from the inner guide member 1 through the opening 4b of the cover 4 into the upper belt case 6. As a result, the inner belt 2 is stored in the lower belt case 3 and the outer belt 5 is stored in the upper belt case 6.

[0043] In this way, the cylindrical structure 10 transitions between an extended state and a contracted state by transitioning between a cylindrical configuration state in which the inner belt 2 and the outer belt 5 are engaged with each other and a state in which they are separated.

[0044] Here, when the inner belt 2 and the outer belt 5 engage with each other to form a cylindrical configuration, the outer belt 5 takes on a spiral shape while positioned inside the cover 4. At this time, a force is generated that presses the outer belt 5 against the inner wall surface of the cover 4.

[0045] On the other hand, the cover 4 is provided with multiple rollers 4c. Therefore, the outer belt 5 can transition to a spiral shape while in contact with the rollers 4c on the inner circumference of the cover 4 and separated from the inner wall surface of the cover 4.

[0046] In this case, because the outer belt 5 and the roller 4c are in contact, the frictional force acting on the outer belt 5 can be reduced compared to when it is in contact with the inner wall surface of the cover 4.

[0047] In other words, friction between the outer belt 5, which is a strip material, and the cover 4, which is a cylindrical member, is reduced to improve efficiency, and wear on both the outer belt 5 and the cover 4 can be avoided. Therefore, cost increases caused by contact between the strip material and the cylindrical member can be suppressed. The same applies to the area where the inner belt 2 and the outer belt 5 are not in contact, but the inner belt 2 is in contact with the cover 4.

[0048] Furthermore, when the outer belt 5 is shaped in a spiral, the force pressing the outer belt 5 against the inner wall surface of the cover 4 is stronger at positions where the outer belt 5 is not engaged with the inner belt 2, and at the position where engagement begins.

[0049] Here, in areas where the inner belt 2 and outer belt 5 need to be strongly supported at the bottom of the telescopic device 100, the rollers 4c can be placed in large numbers with short spacing between them, while in areas where the support force for the outer belt 5 does not need to be strong at the top of the telescopic device 100, the rollers 4c can be placed in small numbers with longer spacing between them. As a result, the telescopic device 100 can be equipped with an appropriate number of rollers 4c, reducing the number of rollers 4c used and thus lowering costs.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other words, the above description has been omitted and simplified as appropriate for the sake of clarity, and those skilled in the art can easily change, add, and modify each element of the embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0051] Although the friction reduction section was described as using a roughly cylindrical roller 4c, it can be appropriately modified as long as it reduces friction between the outer belt 5 and the cover 4, such as by simply using a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material commonly used for the inner wall surface of the cover 4, or by arranging a spherical rotating body.

[0052] Furthermore, although the above description assumes that the roller 4c is provided on a cylindrical cover 4 having an inner wall surface, the above method allows the outer belt 5 to be made spiral in shape, without contacting the inner wall surface of the cover 4, but only contacting the roller 4c. In other words, instead of the cover 4 being cylindrical with a wall surface, it is also possible to have a configuration that includes a roller 4c and a frame that fixes the roller 4c.

[0053] In the above explanation, it was described that the distance between rollers 4c located close to the opening 4b is short, and the distance between rollers 4c located far from the opening 4b is long. However, it is also acceptable for the distance between rollers 4c on the cover 4 to remain constant without such adjustments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1 Inner guide member 1a Outer surface 1b First spiral groove 1c Second spiral groove 1d flange 2. Inner belt (inner band material) 2a protrusion 2b protrusion 2c hole 2d First engagement part 2e Second engaging part 3. Lower belt case 4 Covers 4a aperture 4b aperture 4c Friction reduction section (roller) 5. Outer belt (outer strap material) 5a protrusion 5b protrusion 5c hole 5d Third engaging part 5e Fourth engaging part 6. Upper belt case 10. Cylindrical structure 100 Telescopic device

Claims

1. A spiral expandable and expandable device using an expandable and expandable cylindrical structure formed by winding two strips together: an outer strip having engaging portions in which projections and holes are formed in parallel in the width direction and continuous in the longitudinal direction in each row, and an inner strip having the engaging portions. A cylindrical inner guide member having grooves on its outer surface that contact the outer strip and the inner strip, and that guide the outer strip and the inner strip in a spiral manner, The inner guide member is formed in a cylindrical shape along its outer circumferential surface, and a cylindrical member is provided between the inner circumference of the cylindrical shape and the outer circumference of the inner guide member, which guides the inner strip material and the outer strip material in a spiral manner. The cylindrical member is A friction-reducing portion is provided at each of the locations where the inner circumference of the cylindrical member contacts the outer strip material and where the inner circumference of the cylindrical member contacts the inner strip material, thereby reducing friction. The cylindrical member has an opening from the outside, into which the outer strip material can be inserted between the outer circumference of the inner guide member and the inner circumference of the cylindrical member. The friction reduction section is In the spiral direction when the outer strip is guided in a spiral manner, the distance between adjacent friction-reducing portions is long at positions far from the opening, and shorter at positions close to the opening compared to the distance far from the opening. Telescopic device.

2. The friction reduction section is The friction caused by contact with the inner strip is made smaller than the friction that occurs when the inner strip and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member are in contact. The friction caused by contact with the outer strip is made smaller than the friction that occurs when the outer strip and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member are in contact, and The inner wall surface of the cylindrical member is formed of a material with higher durability than the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member. The expandable device according to claim 1.

3. The friction reduction section is The cylindrical member is positioned so as it guides the inner and outer strips in a spiral manner, it does not come into contact with the projections and holes of the two strips, respectively. The expandable / contractable device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The engaging portion of the inner strip material comprises a first engaging portion, which is one engaging portion, and a second engaging portion, which is the other engaging portion, both of which are provided in parallel in the width direction of the inner strip material. The engagement portion of the outer strip material comprises a third engagement portion, which is one of the engagement portions provided in parallel in the width direction of the outer strip material, and a fourth engagement portion, which is the other engagement portion. The friction reduction section is It is positioned between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion so as to abut against the inner strip material, or A part is positioned between the third and fourth engaging parts so as to abut against the outer strip material, The expandable device according to claim 3.

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