Traveling device and shock absorbing member

Abstract

This traveling device comprises: a slider that can travel along a rail; and a shock absorbing member that is provided to a stopper that restricts the movement of the slider or that is provided to the slider. The shock absorbing member is formed in an annular shape. The opening direction of an opening provided in the shock absorbing member extends along a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the slider. When a collision occurs between a contact part of the slider and the shock absorbing member, the shock absorbing member is pressed and plastically deforms, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

Description

Running device and shock absorber

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a running device and a buffer member.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-018524 ​​describes a mechanism for advancing and retreating a pull-out frame, which stops when it hits a stopper.

[0003] A better running gear and a better shock absorber are desired.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a running device comprising a slider capable of running along a rail, and a buffer member provided on a stopper that limits the movement of the slider, or a buffer member provided on the slider, wherein the buffer member is formed in an annular shape, and the opening direction of the opening provided in the buffer member is along a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between the abutment portion of the slider and the buffer member, the buffer member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a buffer member provided on a stopper of a traveling device or a slider of the traveling device, the buffer member being formed in an annular shape, the opening direction of an opening provided in the buffer member being along a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between the abutment portion of the slider and the buffer member, the buffer member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a better running device and a better cushioning member can be provided.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traveling device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the traveling device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stopper and a buffer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a contact portion of a slider and a buffer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a contact portion of a slider and a buffer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating deformation of the buffer member when a slider collides with a buffer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating deformation of the buffer member when a slider collides with a buffer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stopper and a buffer member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a contact portion of a slider and a buffer member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a contact portion of a slider and a buffer member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stopper and a buffer member according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slider and a buffer member according to a fourth embodiment.

[0009] A traveling device having a slider on which a robot or the like is placed and travels is provided with a stopper that limits the movement of the slider.

[0010] The stopper may be fitted with rubber, a shock absorber, or the like as a buffer member to absorb the impact when the slider collides with the stopper. When rubber, a shock absorber, or the like is used as a buffer member, the buffer member must be large in size in order to absorb a large impact energy. In addition, rubber, shock absorbers, and the like have a problem of limited freedom in designing the shape and amount of impact absorption.

[0011] Metal is sometimes used as a buffer material. When a metal buffer material is used, the impact energy is absorbed by the plastic deformation of the metal, allowing the buffer material to be made smaller. However, this creates a problem in that a force acts on the slider from the deformed buffer material in a direction oblique to the slider's movement, resulting in a large force acting on the rails that guide the slider and the base that supports the rails.

[0012] The traveling device and buffer member of the present disclosure can reduce the force acting on the rail, base, etc. while also reducing the size of the buffer member.

[0013] [First embodiment] [Overall configuration of traveling device] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a traveling device 10 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a top view of the traveling device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The traveling device 10 is a device that causes a robot or the like to travel. The traveling device 10 includes a base 12 and a slider 14.

[0015] The base 12 includes a pair of support portions 18a and 18b that support the pair of rails 16a and 16b. The base 12 also includes a connecting portion 20 that connects the pair of support portions 18a and 18b to each other. The rails 16a and 16b extend in the X-axis direction. A slider 14 is provided across the rails 16a and 16b. The slider 14 is capable of traveling in the X-axis direction along the pair of rails 16a and 16b.

[0016] Electrical devices such as a robot (not shown) and a drive motor 21 are mounted on the slider 14. The robot and the drive motor 21 are capable of moving together with the slider 14 in the X-axis direction.

[0017] A rack 22 is attached to the support portion 18a. A pinion (not shown) attached to a drive shaft (not shown) of a drive motor 21 meshes with the rack 22. When the drive motor 21 is driven, the slider 14 moves in the X-axis direction.

[0018] The traveling device 10 includes a cable carrier 24. One end of the cable carrier 24 is fixed to the slider 14. The other end of the cable carrier 24 is fixed to the base 12. A plurality of cables (not shown) are wired inside the cable carrier 24. Power and signals are transmitted via the cables to electrical devices mounted on the slider 14, such as the robot and the drive motor 21.

[0019] The base 12 includes a first partial base 12a, a second partial base 12b, and a third partial base 12c. The end of the first partial base 12a on the −X-axis direction side and the end of the second partial base 12b on the +X-axis direction side face each other. The end of the second partial base 12b on the −X-axis direction side and the end of the third partial base 12c on the +X-axis direction side face each other.

[0020] Each of the first partial base 12a, the second partial base 12b, and the third partial base 12c has four legs 26. Two of the legs 26 are arranged below (in the −Z-axis direction) the support portion 18a of each of the first partial base 12a, the second partial base 12b, and the third partial base 12c, spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction. Two of the legs 26 are arranged below (in the −Z-axis direction) the support portion 18b of each of the first partial base 12a, the second partial base 12b, and the third partial base 12c, spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction.

[0021] Each leg 26 is extendable and retractable in the Z-axis direction. As a result, even if the stand (not shown) on which the traveling device 10 is placed is not horizontal, the extension direction of the rails 16 a and 16 b can be made horizontal by adjusting the height of the legs 26.

[0022] Stoppers 28 are provided at the ends of the support portions 18a and 18b of the first partial base 12a on the +X-axis direction side, respectively. The stoppers 28 are fastened to the support portions 18a and 18b with bolts 32. A buffer member 30 is attached to the stoppers 28.

[0023] The stopper 28 limits the movement of the slider 14 in the +X-axis direction. Normally, the slider 14 is controlled to move within a range where it will not collide with the stopper 28. In the unlikely event that the slider 14 attempts to move further in the +X-axis direction beyond the stopper 28, the slider 14 collides with the stopper 28, and the slider 14 is restricted from moving further in the +X-axis direction than the stopper 28. When a collision occurs between the contact portion 34 of the slider 14 and the buffer member 30, the buffer member 30 is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0024] [Configuration of Stopper and Cushioning Member] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stopper 28 and cushioning member 30 in the first embodiment. The stopper 28 is formed in a generally L-shape and has a fixing portion 36 and an attachment portion 38. The fixing portion 36 has three bolt holes 40 into which the bolts 32 (Figure 1) are inserted. The cushioning member 30 is attached to the attachment portion 38 by welding. The cushioning member 30 may be attached to the attachment portion 38 with a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt. This allows the cushioning member 30 to be firmly fixed to the stopper 28.

[0025] The buffer member 30 is formed in an annular shape having an opening 42. The opening direction of the opening 42 is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (X-axis direction) of the slider 14 and is a direction (Y-axis direction) along the width direction of the contact portion 34 ( FIG. 1 ) of the slider 14.

[0026] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the contact portion 34 of the slider 14 and the buffer member 30 in the first embodiment. The axis A shown in Fig. 4 is a line parallel to the X-axis that passes through the center P of the opening 42 of the buffer member 30. This axis A passes through the contact portion 34 of the slider 14. In other words, when the buffer member 30 is viewed from the movement direction of the slider 14 (the X-axis direction) as shown in Fig. 5, the center P of the opening 42 of the buffer member 30 and the contact portion 34 of the slider 14 overlap.

[0027] [Regarding Deformation of the Cushioning Member Upon Collision with the Slider] Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing deformation of the cushioning member 30 upon collision between the slider 14 and the cushioning member 30 in the first embodiment. The collision energy input to the cushioning member 30 in Figure 7 is greater than the collision energy input to the cushioning member 30 in Figure 6. Therefore, the amount of deformation of the cushioning member 30 shown in Figure 7 is greater than the amount of deformation of the cushioning member 30 shown in Figure 6. The arrows shown in Figures 6 and 7 indicate the direction of force acting from the cushioning member 30 to the slider 14.

[0028] 6, the surface S1 of the buffer member 30 that abuts against the abutment portion 34 of the slider 14 is substantially parallel to the surface S2 of the abutment portion 34 of the slider 14 that abuts against the buffer member 30. Therefore, a force is applied from the buffer member 30 to the slider 14 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the movement direction (X-axis direction) of the slider 14. Therefore, when the slider 14 and the buffer member 30 collide, the impact input to the pinion, rack 22, rails 16a, rails 16b, base 12, etc. can be suppressed.

[0029] 7, a depression B is formed due to deformation, and the cushioning member 30 abuts against the abutment portion 34 of the slider 14 above the depression B (in the +Z-axis direction) and below the depression B (in the -Z-axis direction). This cancels out the force in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction) that is input from the cushioning member 30 to the abutment portion 34 of the slider 14. This makes it possible to suppress the impact that is input to the pinion, rack 22, rails 16a, 16b, base 12, etc. when the slider 14 and cushioning member 30 collide.

[0030] The amount of collision energy absorbed by the buffer member 30 can be easily adjusted by changing the thickness of the annulus, the outer diameter of the annulus, and the like.

[0031] Second Embodiment The traveling device 10 of the second embodiment differs from the traveling device 10 of the first embodiment in the direction in which the buffer member 30 is attached to the stopper 28. In the following, a description of the same configuration as the traveling device 10 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0032] 8 is a perspective view of the stopper 28 and the buffer member 30 according to the second embodiment. The buffer member 30 is formed in an annular shape having an opening 42. The opening direction of the opening 42 is perpendicular to the movement direction (X-axis direction) of the slider 14 and is along the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the contact portion 34 ( FIG. 1 ) of the slider 14.

[0033] 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the contact portion 34 of the slider 14 and the buffer member 30 in the second embodiment. The axis A shown in Fig. 9 is a line parallel to the X-axis that passes through the center P of the opening 42 of the buffer member 30. This axis A passes through the contact portion 34 of the slider 14. In other words, when the buffer member 30 is viewed from the movement direction of the slider 14 (the X-axis direction) as shown in Fig. 10, the center P of the opening 42 of the buffer member 30 and the contact portion 34 of the slider 14 overlap.

[0034] Third Embodiment The traveling device 10 of the third embodiment differs from the traveling device 10 of the first embodiment in the manufacturing method of the stopper 28 and the buffer member 30. In the following, description of the same configuration as the traveling device 10 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0035] 11 is a perspective view of the stopper 28 and the buffer member 30 in the third embodiment. The stopper 28 and the buffer member 30 are manufactured by cutting out a single plate material. As a result, the buffer member 30 is formed integrally with the stopper 28. This eliminates the need to attach the buffer member 30 to the stopper 28.

[0036] Fourth Embodiment A traveling device 10 according to a fourth embodiment differs from the traveling device 10 according to the first embodiment in the position at which the buffer member 30 is attached. In the following, a description of the same configuration as the traveling device 10 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0037] [Configuration of Slider and Cushioning Member] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the slider 14 and the cushioning member 30 in the fourth embodiment.

[0038] While the traveling device 10 of the first embodiment includes one slider 14, the traveling device 10 of the fourth embodiment includes two sliders 14. Each of the two sliders 14 is provided straddling the same rails 16 a and 16 b. Both of the two sliders 14 can travel in the X-axis direction along the pair of rails 16 a and 16 b.

[0039] A buffer member 30 is attached to one slider 14 on a surface facing the other slider 14. A buffer member 30 is attached to the other slider 14 on a surface facing the one slider 14. The buffer member 30 is attached to a bracket 44 by welding. The bracket 44 is fastened to the slider 14 with bolts 46.

[0040] An abutting portion 34 is provided at a portion of the slider 14 that abuts against the buffer member 30. The abutting portion 34 is fastened to the slider 14 by a bolt 48.

[0041] When the two sliders 14 approach each other and the contact portions 34 collide with the buffer members 30, the buffer members 30 are pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0042] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0043] (Note 1) A traveling device (10) of the present disclosure includes a slider (14) capable of traveling along rails (16a, 16b), and a buffer member (30) provided on a stopper (28) that limits the movement of the slider, or a buffer member provided on the slider, wherein the buffer member is formed in an annular shape, and the opening direction of an opening (42) provided on the buffer member is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between an abutment portion (34) of the slider and the buffer member, the buffer member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0044] (Supplementary Note 2) In the traveling device according to Supplementary Note 1, when the buffer member is viewed from the moving direction of the slider, the center of the opening and the abutting portion may overlap.

[0045] (Supplementary Note 3) In the traveling device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the opening direction of the opening may be a direction along the width direction of the contact portion.

[0046] (Supplementary Note 4) In the traveling device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the opening direction of the opening may be a direction along a thickness direction of the contact portion.

[0047] (Supplementary Note 5) In the traveling device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the buffer member may be attached to the stopper by welding.

[0048] (Supplementary Note 6) In the traveling device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the buffer member may be formed integrally with the stopper.

[0049] (Supplementary Note 7) In the traveling device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the buffer member may be attached to the stopper by a fastening member.

[0050] (Appendix 8) The cushioning member of the present disclosure is a cushioning member provided on a stopper of a running device or a slider of the running device, the cushioning member is formed in an annular shape, the opening direction of the opening provided in the cushioning member is a direction along a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between the abutment portion of the slider and the cushioning member, the cushioning member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

[0051] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0052] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10: Traveling device 14: Slider 16a, 16b: Rails 21: Drive motor (electrical equipment) 28: Stopper 30: Cushioning member 34: Contact portion 42: Opening

Claims

1. A traveling device comprising: a slider capable of running along a rail; and a buffer member provided on a stopper that limits the movement of the slider, or a buffer member provided on the slider, wherein the buffer member is formed in an annular shape, and the opening direction of the opening provided in the buffer member is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between the abutment part of the slider and the buffer member, the buffer member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing collision energy.

2. A traveling device according to claim 1, wherein the center of the opening and the contact portion overlap when the buffer member is viewed from the direction of movement of the slider.

3. A traveling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening direction of the opening is a direction along the width direction of the contact portion.

4. A traveling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening direction of the opening is a direction along the thickness direction of the contact portion.

5. A traveling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the buffer member is attached to the stopper by welding.

6. A traveling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the buffer member is formed integrally with the stopper.

7. A traveling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the buffer member is attached to the stopper by a fastening member.

8. A buffer member provided on a stopper of a traveling device or a slider of the traveling device, the buffer member being formed in an annular shape, the opening direction of an opening provided in the buffer member being a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider, and when a collision occurs between the contact portion of the slider and the buffer member, the buffer member is pressed and plastically deformed, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

Images