Spring member

Abstract

A spring member according to the present invention comprises a plurality of disc springs in the shape of a hollow truncated cone, and a first linking portion that links two disc springs forming a pair, among the plurality of disk springs, wherein the first linking portion extends along a plane on which the outer edges of the two disk springs forming a pair are located, and has a bent portion.

Description

Spring material

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring member.

[0002] A spring member is known that is placed between a first pressure-receiving body and a second pressure-receiving body and applies pressure to one or both of them. Spring members are used in various devices. For example, the spring member secures a semiconductor module to a cooling member that dissipates heat generated in the semiconductor module to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The spring member described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of disc springs and a support portion that supports the plurality of disc springs. The support portion includes a base portion and a plurality of connecting portions that extend from the base portion and connect the base portion and the disc springs. In this case, the connecting portions connect the disc springs over the shortest distance.

[0003] Patent No. 6197769

[0004] A spring member having multiple disc springs has nonlinear load characteristics and is required to press the pressed body evenly. However, if the distance between the disc springs is shortened and the number of disc springs included in the spring member is increased, the length of the connecting portion connecting the disc springs becomes shorter. If the connecting portion is short, stress applied to the connecting portion when a load is applied to the spring member becomes more concentrated, which may cause the connecting portion to break. On the other hand, if the distance between the disc springs is increased, although the stress applied to the connecting portion is suppressed, the number of disc springs per unit area decreases, which may result in an inability to press the pressed body evenly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a spring member that can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating stress applied to a connecting portion.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the spring member of the present invention comprises a plurality of hollow frustum-shaped disc springs and a first connecting portion that connects two paired disc springs among the plurality of disc springs, and is characterized in that the first connecting portion extends along a plane in which the outer edges of the paired disc springs are located and is partially bent.

[0007] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first connecting portion has a first straight portion extending on a straight line passing through the center of one of the pair of disc springs and the extending end from the one disc spring at the first connecting portion, and a second straight portion extending on a straight line passing through the center of the other of the pair of disc springs and the extending end from the other disc spring at the first connecting portion.

[0008] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the multiple disc springs are arranged in two directions that intersect with each other, and the multiple disc springs are all connected via the multiple first connecting portions.

[0009] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the multiple disc springs are arranged in two directions that intersect with each other, and the multiple disc springs and the multiple first connecting portions form a closed ring.

[0010] Furthermore, in the spring member according to the present invention, in the above invention, the plurality of disc springs are arranged concentrically or spirally.

[0011] In addition, the spring member of the present invention, in the above invention, further comprises a frame-shaped base and a second connecting portion connecting the disc springs and the base, and the base surrounds the plurality of disc springs and the first connecting portion.

[0012] In addition, the spring member of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first connecting portion is connected to the outer edge of the disc spring, and the direction in which the first connecting portion extends from the outer edge is perpendicular to the tangent of the outer edge at the portion from which the first connecting portion extends.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to exert an effect of pressing an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating stress applied to a connecting portion.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 corresponds to a side view taken along an arrow A in FIG. 1 and illustrates an example of a shape of the spring member when a load is applied thereto. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional spring member. FIG. 4 corresponds to a side view taken along an arrow B in FIG. 3 and illustrates an example of a shape of the spring member when a load is applied thereto. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a third modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a spring member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a first modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a second modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing the configuration of a main part of a spring member according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] In the following description, a spring member used in a pressing unit will be described as a form for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment"). The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of each part, and the like may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings also include parts with different dimensions and ratios.

[0016] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of a spring member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The spring member 1 according to the first embodiment applies pressure to both a first pressed body and a second pressed body by elastic force.

[0017] The spring member 1 is formed using a flat spring steel. For example, the spring member 1 is formed by punching out the outer shape of the spring member 1 from a flat spring steel. Examples of spring steel include, but are not limited to, carbon tool steel (SK material) and stainless steel (SUS).

[0018] The spring member 1 includes two disc springs 2 and a connecting portion (first connecting portion) 3 that connects the disc springs 2 together.

[0019] The disc spring 2 has a hollow truncated cone shape (frustum cone shape) with an inclined surface that slopes from the outer periphery toward the center. The disc spring 2 has a circular outer shape and a through hole with a circular opening in the center that penetrates the disc spring 2. This through hole forms a hole shape that widens from the center toward the outer periphery. The disc spring 2 has, for example, a uniform plate thickness and a radially expanding shape. For example, the disc spring 2 is formed by molding a hollow disc-shaped member so that it rises continuously from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery. Two disc springs 2 are arranged on the same plane with the penetration direction aligned. Each disc spring 2 is convex in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Note that a slit may be formed in the disc spring 2. This slit may be formed on either the inner periphery or the outer periphery. If it is formed on the outer periphery, it is arranged outside the connecting portion of the connecting portion 3.

[0020] The connecting portion 3 is strip-shaped and connects the two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3 has, for example, the same thickness as the disc springs 2. Here, the thickness of the disc springs 2 corresponds to the distance between the front and back surfaces of the disc springs 2.

[0021] The connecting portion 3 extends from an end of one of the disc springs 2 along the radial direction of the circle formed by the outer edges of the disc spring 2, then bends along the radial direction of the circle formed by the outer edges of the other disc spring 2 and connects to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2. That is, the connecting portion 3 extends with a bent portion, and the two disc springs 2 are connected at both ends. The connecting portion 3 also extends along a plane on which the outer edges of the disc springs 2 to be connected are located. The outer edges of the two disc springs 2 that make up a pair are included in this plane, and the connecting portion 3 may be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to this plane within the range of manufacturing tolerance. Note that, although an example in which the connecting portion 3 is connected to the outer edge of the disc spring 2 will be described, it may also be configured to be connected to a position closer to the inner periphery than the outer edge of the disc spring 2.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the connecting portion 3 includes a first linear portion 31 extending on a straight line L1 passing through the center of one of the paired disc springs 2 and the extending end of the one disc spring 2 at the connecting portion 3, and a second linear portion 32 extending on a straight line L2 passing through the center of the other disc spring 2 and the extending end of the other disc spring 2 at the connecting portion 3. The straight lines L1 and L2 correspond to the direction in which the connecting portion 3 extends from the outer edge of the disc spring 2. This extending direction is perpendicular to the tangent line of the outer edge of the disc spring 2 at the portion where the connecting portion 3 extends. Note that, although an example in which the straight lines L1 and L2 pass through the center of the disc spring 2 will be described, the connecting portion 3 can also be configured such that the straight lines L1 and L2 do not pass through the center of the disc spring 2. Furthermore, the direction in which the connecting portion 3 extends from the outer edge of the disc spring 2 may not be perpendicular to the tangent to the outer edge of the disc spring 2. In this case, by making the extension direction of the connecting portion 3 perpendicular (90°) to the tangent, the angle formed by the connecting portion 3 with each of the disc springs 2 to which it is connected becomes 90°, and it is possible to suppress bias in stress.

[0023] Figure 2 corresponds to a side view of Figure 1 taken along the arrow A, and shows an example of the shape of the spring member when a load is applied. As shown in Figure 2, when a load is applied to the disc spring 2, the disc spring 2 deforms in a direction that reduces the height of the truncated cone (the distance between one end and the other end in the penetration direction). As a result, a bending stress is applied to the connecting portion 3, and curling occurs. This curling reduces the load applied to the connecting portion 3 by the bending stress.

[0024] 3 is a plan view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a conventional spring member. The conventional spring member 100 includes two disc springs 101 and a connecting portion 102 that connects the two disc springs 101. The disc springs 101 have a shape similar to that of the disc springs 2. The connecting portion 102 extends linearly, and the two disc springs 101 are connected at both ends. The connecting portion 102 connects the two disc springs 101 over the shortest distance.

[0025] 4 corresponds to a side view of the spring member as viewed from the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 3 and shows an example of the shape of the spring member when a load is applied. As shown in FIG. 2, when a load is applied to the disc spring 101, the disc spring 101 deforms in a direction that reduces the height of the truncated cone. At this time, only bending stress is applied to the connecting portion 102, and no curling occurs. Therefore, the connecting portion 102 is deformed by the large load due to the bending stress, which may cause damage or the like.

[0026] In the first embodiment described above, the connecting portions 3 connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, which increases the number of disc springs 2 per unit area while reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3 when a load is applied to the spring member 1. According to the first embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0027] (Variation 1 of Embodiment 1) Next, Variation 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Variation 1 includes a connecting portion 3A instead of the connecting portion 3 of the spring member 1 according to Embodiment 1. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0028] The spring member 1A according to the first modification includes two disc springs 2 and a connecting portion (first connecting portion) 3A that connects the disc springs 2 together.

[0029] The connecting portion 3A is strip-shaped and connects two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3A extends from the outer edge of one of the disc springs 2, bends in an arc, and connects to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2. In this case, the connecting portion 3A bends so as to convex on the opposite side of the line connecting the centers of the disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3A is also disposed on the plane on which the outer edges of the disc springs 2 are located. In other words, the connecting portion 3A bends and extends in a portion, and the two disc springs 2 are connected at both ends.

[0030] In the above-described first modification, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3A connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3A when a load is applied to the spring member 1A. According to this first modification, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0031] (Variation 2 of Embodiment 1) Next, Variation 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Variation 2 includes a connecting portion 3B instead of the connecting portion 3 of the spring member 1 according to Embodiment 1. Below, differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0032] The spring member 1B according to the second modification includes two disc springs 2 and a connecting portion (first connecting portion) 3B that connects the disc springs 2 together.

[0033] The connecting portion 3B is strip-shaped and connects two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3B extends from the outer edge of one of the disc springs 2, bends in an arc, and connects to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2. In this case, the connecting portion 3B bends so as to convex on the opposite side of the line connecting the centers of the disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3B is disposed on a plane on which the outer edges of the disc springs 2 are located. In other words, the connecting portion 3B extends with a bent portion, and the two disc springs 2 are connected at both ends. The connecting portion 3B is shaped along a circle L (an ellipse in FIG. 6 ) that passes through the center of each disc spring 2 in a planar view seen from the height (axis) direction of the frustum shape.

[0034] In the above-described modified example 2, similar to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3B connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3B when a load is applied to the spring member 1B. According to this modified example 2, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the present modified example 2, the installation space for the connecting portion 3B can be made smaller than that of the V-shaped configuration in which straight lines are connected to each other, such as the connecting portion 3 according to the first embodiment.

[0036] (Third Modification of First Embodiment) Next, a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this third modification, a connecting portion 3C is provided instead of the connecting portion 3 of the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment. Below, portions that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0037] The spring member 1C according to the third modification includes two disc springs 2 and a connecting portion (first connecting portion) 3C that connects the disc springs 2 together.

[0038] The connecting portion 3C is strip-shaped and connects the two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3C extends radially from the outer edge of one of the disc springs 2, then bends at a right angle toward the other disc spring 2, and extends again, bends at a right angle toward the other disc spring 2, and connects to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2. The connecting portion 3C is disposed on the plane on which the outer edges of the disc springs 2 are located. That is, the connecting portion 3C extends with a bent portion, and the two disc springs 2 are respectively connected at both ends. Note that while FIG. 7 shows an example in which the connecting portion 3C is bent at a right angle, it may be bent at an angle other than a right angle.

[0039] In the above-described third modification, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3C connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3C when a load is applied to the spring member 1C. According to the third modification, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) Next, embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In embodiment 2, six disc springs 2 are provided as compared to spring member 1 according to embodiment 1, and a plurality of connecting portions are provided. Below, differences from embodiment 1 will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0041] The spring member 1D according to the second embodiment includes six disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3, 3D that connect adjacent disc springs 2. The six disc springs 2 are arranged in two directions that intersect with each other. In the second embodiment, the six disc springs 2 are arranged in a staggered pattern. Hereinafter, in the arrangement of the disc springs 2, the left-right direction in the drawings is referred to as the row direction, and the up-down direction is referred to as the column direction. For example, the disc springs 2 of the spring member 1D shown in FIG. 8 are arranged in two rows and three columns (2 x 3).

[0042] The connecting portion 3 is strip-shaped and connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the row direction among the six disc springs 2. A plurality of connecting portions 3 are provided, and for example, when the plurality of disc springs 2 are arranged in a 2 x 3 matrix, the disc spring 2 located in the first row and second column is connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column via the connecting portion 3, and is also connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and third column via a connecting portion 3 different from that of the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column. In addition, in the spring member 1D, the connecting portion 3 is provided on the outer side, opposite to the disc springs 2 adjacent to each other in the row of the disc springs 2.

[0043] The connecting portion 3D is strip-shaped and connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the row direction among the six disc springs 2. Like the connecting portion 3, the connecting portion 3D is partially bent and extends, and both ends thereof are connected to two disc springs 2. In the second embodiment, all of the disc springs 2 are connected via the connecting portions 3 and 3D.

[0044] In the above-described second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3D connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3, 3D when a load is applied to the spring member 1D. According to the second embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0045] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, nine disc springs 2 and a plurality of connecting portions are provided in addition to the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment. The following describes the parts that are different from the first embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0046] The spring member 1E according to the third embodiment includes nine disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3, 3E that connect adjacent disc springs 2 to each other.

[0047] The connecting portion 3 connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the row direction among the nine disc springs 2. A plurality of connecting portions 3 are provided. For example, when the plurality of disc springs 2 are arranged in a 3×3 matrix as shown in FIG. 9 , the disc spring 2 located in the first row and second column is connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column via a connecting portion 3, and is also connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and third column via a connecting portion 3 different from the connecting portion 3 connecting to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column. In the third embodiment, when row numbers and column numbers are assigned in order from top to bottom, the connecting portion 3 is provided so that the disc spring 2 in the nth row protrudes toward the space between the disc springs 2 in the (n-1)th row.

[0048] The connecting portion 3E is strip-shaped and connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the column direction among the nine disc springs 2. Like the connecting portion 3, the connecting portion 3E extends with a bent portion, and connects to two disc springs 2 at each end. In the third embodiment, two connecting portions 3E are provided. When the disc springs 2 are arranged in a 3x3 matrix as shown in FIG. 9, one connecting portion 3E connects the disc spring 2 located in the first row and third column to the disc spring 2 located in the second row and third column. The other connecting portion 3E connects the disc spring 2 located in the second row and first column to the disc spring 2 located in the third row and first column.

[0049] In the above-described third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3E connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3, 3E when a load is applied to the spring member 1E. According to the third embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0050] (Variation 1 of Embodiment 3) Next, Variation 1 of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main part of a spring member according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Variation 1 includes a connecting part (first connecting part) 3F instead of the connecting part 3 of spring member 1E according to Embodiment 3. Below, parts that differ from Embodiment 3 will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0051] The connecting portion 3F according to the first modified example has a belt shape and connects two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3F extends from the outer edge of one of the disc springs 2, then bends toward the other disc spring 2, and connects to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2.

[0052] In the above-described first modification, similarly to the third embodiment, the connecting portions 3E, 3F that connect the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3E, 3F when a load is applied to the spring member. According to the first modification, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0053] Furthermore, according to variant example 1, the connecting portion 3F is bent so as to fit between the disc springs 2 in adjacent rows, so that the length of the connecting portion 3F can be secured within the space formed by the multiple disc springs. As a result, the extension length of the connecting portion 3F can be made longer than that of the connecting portion 3, and the bending stress can be further reduced.

[0054] (Variation 2 of Embodiment 3) Next, Variation 2 of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main part of a spring member according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Variation 2 includes a connecting part (first connecting part) 3G instead of the connecting part 3 of spring member 1E according to Embodiment 3. Below, parts that differ from Embodiment 3 will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0055] The connecting portion 3G according to the second modification is strip-shaped and connects two disc springs 2. The connecting portion 3G extends in the column direction from the outer edge of one disc spring 2, then bends in the row direction, and then bends in the column direction to connect to the outer edge of the other disc spring 2. The connecting portion 3G is U-shaped and bent at a right angle. Note that while FIG. 11 shows an example in which the connecting portion 3G is bent at a right angle, it may be bent at an angle other than a right angle.

[0056] In the above-described second modification, similar to the third embodiment, the connecting portions 3E, 3G connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3E, 3G when a load is applied to the spring member. According to the second modification, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0057] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, nine disc springs 2 and a plurality of connecting portions are provided in addition to the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment. The following describes the parts that are different from the first embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0058] The spring member 1F according to the fourth embodiment includes nine disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3H, 3I that connect adjacent disc springs 2. In the fourth embodiment, the nine disc springs 2 are arranged in a 3×3 array, and the disc spring 2 located in the center (second row, second column) is connected to the disc springs 2 located around it via one of the connecting portions 3H, 3I.

[0059] The connecting portion 3H connects the centrally located disc spring 2 to the disc springs 2 located at the corners of the nine disc springs 2. A portion of the connecting portion 3H is bent to form an arc shape, and is connected to two disc springs 2 at each end. A plurality of connecting portions 3H are provided, and for example, one connecting portion 3H connects the centrally located disc spring 2 to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and the first column (upper left in FIG. 12). The connecting portion 3H also connects the centrally located disc spring 2 to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and the third column (upper right in FIG. 12), the disc spring 2 located in the third row and the first column (lower left in FIG. 12), and the disc spring 2 located in the third row and the third column (lower right in FIG. 12).

[0060] The connecting portion 3I connects the centrally located disc spring 2 of the nine disc springs 2 to the disc springs 2 located other than at the corners. Like the connecting portion 3, the connecting portion 3I is partially bent and extends, and is connected to two disc springs 2 at both ends. A plurality of connecting portions 3I are provided, and for example, one connecting portion 3I connects the centrally located disc spring 2 to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and second column (top center in FIG. 14 ). The connecting portion 3I also connects the centrally located disc spring 2 to the disc spring 2 located in the second row and first column (center left in FIG. 14 ), the disc spring 2 located in the second row and third column (center right in FIG. 14 ), and the disc spring 2 located in the third row and second column (bottom center in FIG. 14 ).

[0061] In the above-described fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3H, 3I connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3H, 3I when a load is applied to the spring member 1F. According to the fourth embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0062] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a connecting portion 3J is further provided in addition to the spring member 1D according to the second embodiment. The following describes the parts that are different from the second embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0063] The spring member 1G according to the fifth embodiment includes six disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3, 3D, 3J that connect adjacent disc springs 2 to each other.

[0064] The connecting portion 3J is strip-shaped and connects, among the six disc springs 2, disc springs 2 that are adjacent to each other in the row direction and that are different from the disc springs 2 connected by the connecting portion 3D. Like the connecting portions 3 and 3D, the connecting portion 3J is partially bent and extends, and both ends are connected to two disc springs 2. The spring member 1G forms a closed ring shape by the disc springs 2 and the connecting portions 3, 3D, and 3J.

[0065] In the above-described fifth embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3D, and 3J that connect the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3, 3D, and 3J when a load is applied to the spring member 1G. According to the fifth embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0066] Furthermore, according to embodiment 5, the spring member 1G forms a closed annular shape with the disc spring 2 and the connecting portions 3, 3D, and 3J, and therefore, compared to the spring member 1D, the relative positional relationship of the disc spring 2 can be maintained.

[0067] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, a connecting portion 3K is further provided in addition to the spring member 1E according to the third embodiment. The following describes the parts that are different from the third embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0068] The spring member 1H according to the sixth embodiment includes nine disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3, 3E, 3K that connect adjacent disc springs 2 to each other.

[0069] The connecting portion 3K is strip-shaped and connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the row direction among the nine disc springs 2, but different from the disc springs 2 connected by the connecting portion 3E. Like the connecting portions 3 and 3E, the connecting portion 3K is partially bent and extends, and both ends are connected to two disc springs 2. The spring member 1H forms a closed ring shape by the disc springs 2 and the connecting portions 3, 3E, and 3K.

[0070] In the above-described sixth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3E, and 3K that connect the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3, 3E, and 3K when a load is applied to the spring member 1H. According to the sixth embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0071] Furthermore, according to embodiment 6, the spring member 1H forms a closed annular shape with the disc spring 2 and the connecting portions 3, 3E, and 3K, and therefore, compared to the spring member 1E, the relative positional relationship of the disc spring 2 can be maintained.

[0072] Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this seventh embodiment, the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with twenty-four disc springs 2 and a plurality of connecting portions 3, 3L. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0073] The spring member 1I according to the seventh embodiment includes twenty-four disc springs 2 and connecting portions (first connecting portions) 3, 3L that connect adjacent disc springs 2. The twenty-four disc springs 2 form a triple annular structure that is arranged on the circumference of a concentric circle formed by an inner circumferential portion, an outer circumferential portion, and an intermediate portion. Four disc springs 2 are arranged on the inner circumferential portion, eight on the intermediate portion, and twelve on the outer circumferential portion, and are arranged at equal intervals in each portion, for example, in the circumferential direction.

[0074] The connecting portions 3 connect adjacent disc springs 2 in the circumferential direction of each portion among the plurality of disc springs 2. A plurality of connecting portions 3 are provided, and for example, the disc springs 2 located in the outer periphery are connected to adjacent disc springs 2 on one side in the circumferential direction via the connecting portions 3, and are also connected to adjacent disc springs 2 on the other side in the circumferential direction via connecting portions 3 different from the connecting portions 3 connected to the disc springs 2 on one side.

[0075] The connecting portion 3L is strip-shaped and connects adjacent annular disc springs 2 among the plurality of disc springs 2. Like the connecting portion 3, the connecting portion 3L extends with a bent portion, and connects to two disc springs 2 at both ends. In the seventh embodiment, four connecting portions 3L are provided. Note that, although FIG. 15 shows an example in which the disc springs 2 that are furthest apart in the annular structure are connected by the connecting portion 3L, the arrangement positions of the connecting portions 3L are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 15, and the number of connecting portions 3L is not limited to four.

[0076] In the seventh embodiment described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3L connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3, 3L when a load is applied to the spring member 1I. According to the seventh embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0077] Eighth Embodiment Next, the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, the disc springs 2 are arranged in a spiral shape that moves away from the center as they rotate. In this spiral shape, adjacent disc springs 2 in the rotation direction are connected by a connecting portion 3. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0078] The spring member 1J according to the eighth embodiment includes twenty-three disc springs 2 and connecting portions 3 that connect adjacent disc springs 2. The twenty-three disc springs 2 are arranged on a spiral imaginary line that moves away from the center as it rotates.

[0079] The connecting portion 3 connects adjacent disc springs 2 in the rotation direction among the plurality of disc springs 2. A plurality of connecting portions 3 are provided.

[0080] In the above-described eighth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3 connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3 when a load is applied to the spring member 1J. According to the eighth embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0081] Ninth Embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing the configuration of a spring member according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In this ninth embodiment, in contrast to the spring member 1 according to the first embodiment, sixteen disc springs 2 are provided, as well as a plurality of connecting portions 3, 3M, and a base portion 4. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0082] The spring member 1K in this embodiment 9 comprises sixteen disc springs 2, connecting portions 3 connecting adjacent disc springs 2, connecting portions 3M connecting the disc springs 2 and a base portion 4, and a frame-shaped base portion 4 surrounding the disc springs 2 and connecting portions 3 and 3M.

[0083] The connecting portions 3 connect adjacent disc springs 2 in the row direction among the sixteen disc springs 2. A plurality of connecting portions 3 are provided, and for example, when a plurality of disc springs 2 are arranged in a 4×4 matrix as shown in Fig. 17 , the disc spring 2 located in the first row and second column is connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column via a connecting portion 3, and is also connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and third column via a connecting portion 3 different from the connecting portion 3 connected to the disc spring 2 located in the first row and first column. In the ninth embodiment, the connecting portions 3 in the same column are provided so as to extend in the same direction.

[0084] The base 4 accommodates sixteen disc springs 2 and a plurality of connecting portions 3, 3M within the frame.

[0085] The second connecting portion, connecting portion 3M, extends in a strip-like shape in a direction intersecting the row direction, and connects the disc spring 2 located at the end in the row direction to the base portion 4. In Fig. 17, connecting portion 3M is shown as extending linearly, but it may also be configured to extend with a bent portion, similar to connecting portion 3. In the ninth embodiment, eight connecting portions 3M are provided.

[0086] In the above-described ninth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 3 connecting the disc springs 2 to each other have a partially bent shape, thereby increasing the number of disc springs 2 per unit area and reducing the bending stress applied to the connecting portions 3 when a load is applied to the spring member 1K. According to the ninth embodiment, the spring member can press an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating the stress applied to the connecting portions.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the ninth embodiment, all of the disc springs 2 are connected to the base 4 via the connecting portions 3 and 3M, which makes it possible to maintain the relative positional relationships of the disc springs 2. Furthermore, by fixing the base 4 to the installation position with fixing means such as screws, it is possible to apply a uniform pressure load to the object, alleviate stress on the connecting portions, and reliably prevent the disc springs 2 from shifting from the installation position.

[0088] In the ninth embodiment, an example has been described in which the disc springs 2 are connected to the base 4 by the connecting portions 3M for each row, but it is sufficient that all of the disc springs 2 are connected to the base 4 via other disc springs 2 and connecting portions 3, etc. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the disc springs 2 are connected between rows as with connecting portions 3D, and the disc springs 2 located at the end of the group of disc springs connected by connecting portions 3, 3D are connected to the base 4 by connecting portion 3M. Also, while the base 4 is an example in which it is a frame forming a closed ring, it may also be a surrounding ring with a partially open ring shape (e.g., C-shape).

[0089] Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments. In the embodiments and modifications, examples of the connecting portion being L-shaped, arc-shaped, or U-shaped have been described, but any shape with a partially bent portion, such as a zigzag shape, can be used. Furthermore, the disc spring 2 has been described as having a hollow truncated cone shape, but any deformable truncated cone shape, such as a hollow truncated pyramid shape, can be used.

[0090] In addition, in the above-described first to ninth embodiments and modified examples, the thickness of the connecting portion is the same as that of the disc spring 2, but the connecting portion may have a different thickness. For example, the connecting portion may be thinner than the disc spring 2 to facilitate deformation in response to applied stress.

[0091] As such, the present invention may include various embodiments not described here, and various design changes may be made within the scope of the technical idea specified by the claims.

[0092] As described above, the spring member according to the present invention is suitable for pressing an object with a uniform pressing load while mitigating stress applied to a connecting portion.

[0093] 1, 1A to 1K Spring member 2 Disc spring 3, 3A to 3L Connecting portion (first connecting portion) 3M Connecting portion (second connecting portion) 4 Base portion

Claims

1. A spring member comprising: a plurality of disc springs each having a hollow frustum shape; and a first connecting portion connecting two disc springs that form a pair among the plurality of disc springs, wherein the first connecting portion extends along a plane on which the outer edges of the two disc springs that form the pair are located, and a portion of the first connecting portion is bent.

2. A spring member as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting portion has: a first straight portion extending on a straight line passing through the center of one of the pair of disc springs and the extension end from the one disc spring at the first connecting portion; and a second straight portion extending on a straight line passing through the center of the other of the pair of disc springs and the extension end from the other disc spring at the first connecting portion.

3. The spring member according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of disc springs are arranged in two mutually intersecting directions, and the plurality of disc springs are all connected via a plurality of the first connecting portions.

4. The spring member according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of disc springs are arranged in two directions that intersect with each other, and the plurality of disc springs and the plurality of first connecting portions form a closed ring.

5. The spring member according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of disc springs are arranged concentrically or spirally.

6. The spring member according to claim 1, further comprising: a frame-shaped base; and a second connecting portion connecting the disc springs and the base, wherein the base surrounds the plurality of disc springs and the first connecting portion.

7. A spring member as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first connecting portion is continuous with the outer edge of the disc spring, and the direction in which the first connecting portion extends from the outer edge is perpendicular to the tangent line of the outer edge at the portion from which the first connecting portion extends.

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