Advancing / retreating movement device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an advancing / retreating movement device with which the device can be made compact in an axial direction. An advancing / retreating movement device 1 includes a case, an advancing / retreating member 3, and a switch actuating member 9. The advancing / retreating member 3 is configured to be held at an advanced holding position and a retracted holding position. The advancing / retreating member 3 includes an operation part 314 that protrudes in a direction intersecting an axis X of the advancing / retreating member 3, and that moves the switch actuating member 9 between an actuating position and a non-actuating position. The switch actuating member 9 is provided on a side of the advancing / retreating member 3. The switch actuating member 9 moves between the actuating position and the non-actuating position by at least rotation of the operation part 314 in a circumferential direction D2, which accompanies rotation of the advancing / retreating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, whereby a switch SW is turned on or off.

Description

Advancing and retracting device

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an advancing and retracting device.

[0002] In a device where a retractable member moves relative to a case, such as a device for opening and closing a lid that covers a fuel filler opening of a vehicle, the retractable member is configured to reciprocate between a forward position where it protrudes from the case and a backward position where it is housed in the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The device of Patent Document 1 includes a housing, a pusher that moves in the forward and backward directions and advances and retreats with respect to the housing, and a control ring and a control sleeve provided for holding the pusher in the forward holding position and the backward holding position. In the device of Patent Document 1, the pusher, which is the retractable member, moves in the forward and backward directions together with the control sleeve, and the protrusions provided on the control ring and the protrusions provided on the control sleeve engage in the axial direction, so that the pusher is held in the forward holding position and the backward holding position. In Patent Document 1, the control sleeve is provided so as not to rotate with respect to the housing, and moves in conjunction with the forward and backward directions (the axial direction of the pusher) together with the pusher.

[0004] Further, the device of Patent Document 1 includes a switch for detecting that the lid is in the open state according to the axial position of the pusher. This switch is actuated by a switch actuating portion that protrudes downward (backward direction) from the lower end of the control sleeve. The pusher is configured to move in the axial direction and rotate in the circumferential direction, but the control sleeve and the switch actuating portion do not rotate in the circumferential direction and only move in the axial direction to perform the on / off operation of the switch.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0093392

[0006] Thus, in Patent Document 1, since the on / off operation of the switch is performed by the switch actuating portion that protrudes in the backward direction from the control sleeve, the axial length of the entire device becomes long.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an advancing and retracting device that can make the device compact in the axial direction.

[0008] The reciprocating device of the present invention comprises a case, a reciprocating member that is provided to be able to move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction and is able to engage with a connection object, and a switch operating member that operates to turn a switch on / off according to the position of the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member is configured to be held in a forward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the forward direction and in a backward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the backward direction by axial movement and circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member is provided with an operating part that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the reciprocating member and moves the switch operating member between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein the switch operating member is provided on the side of the reciprocating member and moves between the operating position and the non-operating position by at least circumferential rotation of the operating part accompanying the circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member, thereby turning the switch on or off.

[0009] According to the advance / return movement device of the present invention, it is possible to make the device compact in the axial direction.

[0010] This is a perspective view of a reciprocating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing the lid in the open state in the reciprocating device. This is a schematic diagram showing the lid in the closed state in the reciprocating device. This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device with the case removed. This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device with the case removed, viewed from a different angle. This is a side view of the reciprocating device with the reciprocating member in the forward holding position. This is a perspective view of the cam member. This is a side view of the cam member viewed from another direction. This is a top view showing the locking member of the reciprocating device in the unlocked position. This is a top view showing the locking member of the reciprocating device in the locked position. This is a perspective view showing the switch operating member. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating device showing the reciprocating member in the forward holding position and the first rotation position. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating device showing the reciprocating member and the cam member moved in the second rotation direction from the state shown in Figure 12. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating device showing the reciprocating member moved slightly in the backward direction from the state shown in Figure 13. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved further in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 14 to the folded position. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved forward from the state shown in Figure 15 to the state in which the first engaging portion has contacted the third cam surface. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member is in the retracted holding position and the second rotation position. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, shown by a dashed line, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved slightly in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 17. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved further in the retraction direction from the state shown in Figure 18 to the folded position. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved slightly in the forward direction from the state shown in Figure 19. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the reciprocating member has moved forward from the state shown in Figure 20 to the state in which the first engaging portion has contacted the second cam surface. This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating mechanism, showing the state in which the first engaging portion of the reciprocating member is housed in the first holding portion. This is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the retractable member and the operated part of the switch operating member when the switch operating member is in the operating position. This is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in Figure 23A.Figure 23A is a perspective view showing the state in which the operating part of the retractable member rotates and contacts the operated part of the switch operating member. Figure 24A is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown. Figure 24A is a perspective view showing the state in which the operating part of the retractable member rotates and presses against the operated part of the switch operating member. Figure 25A is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown. Figure 26A is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the retractable member and the operated part of the switch operating member when the retractable member is in the retracted holding position and the second rotation position. This is a perspective view showing the state in which the reciprocating member rotates in the first rotational direction from the state shown in Figure 27A, and the switch operating member is in the operating position. This is a top view showing the positional relationship between the operating part of the switch operating member and the switch in the state shown in Figure 28A. This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device of the second embodiment in which a part of the first case member has been removed. This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device of the second embodiment in which a part of the first case member and a part of the second case member have been removed. This is a perspective view of the reciprocating device of the second embodiment in which a part of the first case member and a part of the second case member have been removed, viewed from a different angle. This is a partially enlarged view showing the part in which the locking member and the engaging projection are engaged in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the switch and the switch operating member of the reciprocating device of the second embodiment. This is a top view showing the state in which the switch operating member has been moved to the non-operating position by the engaging projection in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment. This is a top view showing the state in which the switch operating member has been moved to the operating position in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment.This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the cam portion and the engaging projection when the reciprocating member moves in the axial and circumferential directions in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves from the forward holding position to the backward position. This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the cam portion and the engaging projection when the reciprocating member moves in the axial and circumferential directions in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves from the folded position to the backward holding position. This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the cam portion and the engaging projection when the reciprocating member moves in the axial and circumferential directions in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves from the backward holding position to the folded position. This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the cam portion and the engaging projection when the reciprocating member moves in the axial and circumferential directions in the reciprocating device of the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the reciprocating member moves to the forward holding position. This is a side view showing the reciprocating member to which the first and second members are connected. This is a perspective view showing the first and second members in the state before they are connected to the second case member. This is a side view of the second member.

[0011] The following description of an advance / return device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the advance / return device of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] In this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly perpendicular to A, but shall also include directions that are approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly parallel to B, but shall also include directions that are approximately parallel to B. In this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions shall not refer only to perfect C-shapes, but shall also include shapes that visually resemble a C-shape (approximately C-shapes). In this specification, when "~" is used to indicate a numerical range, it shall include the values ​​at both ends of the range.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the reciprocating device 1 comprises a case 2 and a reciprocating member 3 that is provided to be able to move back and forth in the forward direction D11 and the backward direction D12, which is opposite to the forward direction D11, and is able to engage with the lid L (see Figures 2 and 3) to which it is to be connected. The forward direction D11 and the backward direction D12 are collectively referred to as the axial direction (reciprocating direction) D1. In this specification, the axial direction D1 is the direction in which the axis X extends along the direction in which the reciprocating member 3 moves forward and backward. In this embodiment, the axis X corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating member 3, which is an elongated axial member in the axial direction D1. The circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3 is the direction around the axis of the reciprocating member 3 with respect to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the circumferential direction D2 is the direction in which the reciprocating member 3 rotates around the axis X. One of the directions of the circumferential direction D2 is referred to as the first rotation direction D21. Of the circumferential directions D2, the direction opposite to the first rotational direction D21 is called the second rotational direction D22.

[0014] The reciprocating device 1 is configured to open and close the lid L when the reciprocating member 3 moves forward and backward relative to the case 2, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 opens and closes the lid L by the direct or indirect interaction between the reciprocating member 3 and the lid L. The interaction between the reciprocating member 3 and the lid L (or an accessory member of the lid L) may be an action from the reciprocating member 3 to the lid L, or an action from the lid L to the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is operated by the operation of the lid L. In the reciprocating device 1 of this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a push-push mechanism is employed in which the lid L is opened and closed between a first state, the open state (see Figure 2), and a second state, the closed state (see Figure 3), by being pushed by the reciprocating member 3 by the lid L.

[0015] In this embodiment, the lid opening and closing device to which the reciprocating device 1 is attached comprises, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a base B to which a case 2 is attached and which has an opening Ba, and a lid L that can open and close the opening Ba of the base B and is configured to engage with the tip portion 311 (reciprocating member engaging portion 311a) on the forward direction D11 side of the reciprocating member 3. The shape and structure of the lid are not particularly limited as long as it is configured to open and close a predetermined opening. In this embodiment, the lid L is configured to open and close the opening Ba of a vehicle where a refueling port Bb such as a fuel filler port or power supply port is provided.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lid L comprises a lid body L1 and a lid engaging portion L2 (connection target engaging portion). The lid body L1 is configured to open and close the opening Ba at least partially. The shape of the lid body L1 can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the opening Ba to be opened and closed. The lid body L1 is configured to be rotatable around a hinge H. The lid body L1 may be biased in the opening direction by a spring or the like (not shown).

[0017] The lid engagement portion L2 is configured to engage with the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a, described later). The position where the lid engagement portion L2 is provided is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 is provided on the inner surface of the lid body L1, at the end furthest from the hinge H. The lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 are configured to engage and disengage by the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (details will be described later). In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 is in the circumferential direction D2 at the first rotation position described later (see Figure 12), the lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a) are disengaged, and when the retractable member 3 is in the circumferential direction D2 at the second rotation position described later (see Figure 17), the lid engagement portion L2 and the retractable member 3 (retractable member engagement portion 311a) are engaged. The shape and structure of the lid engagement portion are not particularly limited, as long as they are configured to engage with and disengage from the retractable member 3 by the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3. Here, "substantially cylindrical" means a shape having a wall-like portion with an inner space capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3. A portion of the circumferential direction D2 of the substantially cylindrical lid engagement portion L2 may be removed so as to penetrate in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, but the shape of the lid engagement portion L2 is not particularly limited.

[0019] In this embodiment, the lid engagement portion L2 has a guide portion L21 and a holding portion L22, as shown in Figure 12.

[0020] The guide portion L21 contacts the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a when the lid L is closed or opened. The guide portion L21 guides the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a so that the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 by the closing force when the lid L is closed or the opening force when it is opened. Specifically, the guide portion L21 has an inclined surface L211 that contacts the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a when the lid L moves in the closing direction and the tip portion 311 of the reciprocating member 3 is received by the lid engagement portion L2, and applies a force in the second rotational direction D22 to the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a so that the reciprocating member 3 rotates from a first rotational position (see Figure 12) to a second rotational position (see Figures 13 and 14). In this embodiment, the guide portion L21 is formed as a groove having a width in the circumferential direction D2 that can accommodate the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a. In this embodiment, the guide portion L21 is provided extending radially through the side surface of the lid engagement portion L2. However, the guide portion may be formed as a non-through groove in the radial direction on the inner surface of the side surface of the lid engagement portion. The inclined surface L211 is inclined so as it moves in the forward direction D11, it displaces toward the second rotation direction D22. The inclined surface L211 may be planar, curved, or a combination of planar and curved surfaces.

[0021] The retaining portion L22 is connected to the guide portion L21, and when the lid L is in the closed state, it engages with the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a in the axial direction D1, restricting the lid L from moving in the opening direction (see Figures 3 and 17). The shape and structure of the retaining portion L22 are not particularly limited as long as they can engage with the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a so as to restrict the opening of the lid L. In this embodiment, the retaining portion L22 is formed as a groove extending in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) from the end of the guide portion L21 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the retaining portion L22 is provided by passing through the side surface of the lid engaging portion L2 in the radial direction. However, the retaining portion may be formed as a groove that does not pass through in the radial direction on the inner surface of the lid engaging portion.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the reciprocating device 1 includes a case 2 and a reciprocating member 3, a biasing member 4 that biases the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11, and a cam member 5 provided around the reciprocating member 3, rotatable in the circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3, and restricting the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 also includes a locking member 6 (see Figures 9 and 10) that restricts the rotation of the cam member 5, as will be described later. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reciprocating device 1 includes a locking member drive device 7 that drives the locking member 6 and a manual operation unit 8 that can manually release the lock of the locking member 6. The reciprocating device 1 further includes a switch SW and a switch operating member 9 that operates to turn the switch SW on or off according to the position of the reciprocating member 3, as shown in Figures 4, 9 and 10. The various components of the reciprocating device 1 will be described below. Note that each configuration and operation described below is not essential unless specified in the claims.

[0023] Case 2 houses some of the components of the reciprocating device 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, Case 2 houses a portion of the axial direction D1 of the reciprocating member 3, a biasing member 4, and a cam member 5. Case 2 also houses a locking member 6, a locking member drive device 7, a manual operation unit 8, a switch SW, and a switch operating member 9. Case 2 is attached to the base B (see Figures 2 and 3) on which the lid L is provided, such that the reciprocating member 3 protruding from Case 2 engages with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L. The shape of Case 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can house some of the components of the reciprocating device 1.

[0024] Case 2, as shown in Figure 1, has a retractable member outlet 21 that leads out the retractable member 3 so that a part of the retractable member 3 protrudes to the outside of Case 2. Case 2 guides the retractable member 3 so that it moves in the axial direction D1 and rotates in the circumferential direction D2. Note that "case" is not limited to the outer housing portion, but also includes other members attached to the housing portion that are provided integrally with the housing portion.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, a restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 is provided inside the case 2, which engages with the second engaging portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3, which will be described later. The restricting portion 221 engages with the second engaging portion E2 in the axial direction D1 to restrict the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. Specifically, the restricting portion 221 faces the second engaging portion E2 in the axial direction D1 to restrict the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the retraction direction D12 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position (Figures 6 and 12), while allowing movement in the second rotation direction D22. Furthermore, the restricting portion 221 is provided with a predetermined length such that when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the retraction direction D12 is released. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 221 extends along the circumferential direction D2 for a predetermined length so as to face the second engaging portion E2 toward the retraction direction D12 when the retraction member 3 is in the forward holding position.

[0026] In this embodiment, the case 2 has a regulating portion (first regulating portion) 221, as well as a second regulating portion 222 that engages with the second engaging portion E2 in one direction in the circumferential direction D2. The second regulating portion 222 extends along the axial direction D1 so as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, it faces the second engaging portion E2 in one direction in the circumferential direction D2 (towards the first rotation direction D21). In this embodiment, the first regulating portion 221 and the second regulating portion 222 are provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the case 2, but they may also be composed of parts other than the case 2 within the case 2. In this embodiment, the first regulating portion 221 and the second regulating portion 222 are composed of a single protrusion provided on the inner surface of the case 2. However, the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion may be provided separately, such as by separate protrusions.

[0027] The reciprocating member 3 moves axially D1 relative to the case 2 and rotates circumferentially D2. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is held in a forward holding position (see Figure 12) where it has moved in the forward direction D11, and in a backward holding position (see Figure 17) where it has moved in the backward direction D12, due to the movement D1 and rotation D2 of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is connected to a cam member 5 and is held in the forward holding position and the backward holding position by the cam member 5. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the forward holding position in the second rotational direction D22 (see Figures 12 to 14), moves in the backward direction D12 against the biasing force of the biasing member 4, passes through a folding position (see Figure 15), moves in the forward direction D11, and is held in the backward holding position (see Figures 16 and 17). In this embodiment, when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state, the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12 (see Figure 18), passes through the folding position (see Figure 19), moves by a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, rotates in the first rotation direction D21 and is held in the forward holding position (see Figures 20 to 22).

[0028] The "forward holding position" is the position where the reciprocating member 3 has moved in the forward direction D11. Specifically, the forward holding position is the axial position D1 of the reciprocating member 3 when it has moved in the forward direction D11 and is held there, as shown in Figure 12. In this embodiment, the lid L can be opened when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position. The "retracted holding position" is the position where the reciprocating member 3 has moved in the retracted direction D12. Specifically, the retracted holding position is the axial position D1 of the reciprocating member 3 when it has moved in the retracted direction D12 and is held there, as shown in Figure 17. In this embodiment, the lid L is closed when the reciprocating member 3 is in the retracted holding position. In this specification, even if the position of the reciprocating member 3 shown in Figure 12 is different from the position in the circumferential direction D2, if the axial position D1 is the same, the expression "reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position" is used similarly. Similarly, in this specification, even if the position of the retractable member 3 shown in Figure 17 is different from the position of the circumferential direction D2, if the position of the axial direction D1 is the same, the expression "retracted holding position" is used to describe the retractable member 3.

[0029] As shown in Figures 12 to 14, Figure 22, etc., the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 between a first rotation position and a second rotation position. The first rotation position is the position of the reciprocating member 3 when it rotates in the first rotation direction D21 relative to the second rotation position. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotation position, its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. In this embodiment, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotation position and the forward holding position (see Figure 12), the lid L is in the open state. The second rotation position is the position of the reciprocating member 3 when it rotates in the second rotation direction D22 relative to the first rotation position. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the second rotation position, it becomes possible for it to move in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the second rotation position and the retraction holding position (see Figure 17), the lid L is in the closed state. Note that the first rotation position and the second rotation position are relative positions to each other and do not necessarily refer to a single point in the circumferential direction D2.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reciprocating member 3 includes a reciprocating member body 31 extending in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member body 31 includes a tip portion 311 which is the end region on the forward direction D11 side in the axial direction D1, a base portion 312 which is the end region on the backward direction D12 side in the axial direction D1, and a central portion 313 which is the region between the tip portion 311 and the base portion 312 in the axial direction D1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the tip portion 311 is located on the outside of the case 2 and is a portion that can engage with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L. The retractable member 3 is provided with a retractable member engaging portion 311a at the tip portion 311 that engages with the lid L. The retractable member engaging portion 311a is configured to engage with the lid engaging portion L2 provided on the lid L when the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position, thereby holding the lid L in a closed state (see Figures 3 and 17). The retractable member engaging portion 311a is also configured to disengage from the lid engaging portion L2 when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, thereby allowing the lid L to move to an open state (see Figures 2 and 12). The shape of the retractable member engaging portion 311a is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the retractable member engaging portion 311a protrudes from the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3 in a direction intersecting the axial direction D1. Specifically, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a is composed of an engagement projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. The reciprocating member engagement portion 311a has a contact surface that is inclined in the same direction as the inclined surface L211 of the guide portion L21 of the lid engagement portion L2 so that it can move smoothly with respect to the inclined surface L211. In addition, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a has an engagement surface on the retraction direction D12 side that engages with the engagement surface of the holding portion L22 that extends in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, two reciprocating member engagement portions 311a are provided symmetrically with respect to the axis X, but the number of reciprocating member engagement portions 311a is not particularly limited and may be one or more.

[0032] The base end portion 312 is the end region of the retracting member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the base end portion 312 overlaps with the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 (it is located radially inward of the cam member 5). In this embodiment, the retracting member 3 is provided with a first engaging portion E1 that can engage with the cam member 5, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is provided at the base end portion 312. However, the first engaging portion E1 does not necessarily have to be provided at the base end portion 312; the position where the first engaging portion E1 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is a position that can engage with the cam member 5.

[0033] As shown in Figures 12 and 17, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the cam member 5 to hold the reciprocating member 3 in the forward holding position and the retracted holding position. As will be described in detail later, when the reciprocating member 3 is held in the forward holding position, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the first holding portion 521 of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 (see Figure 12). Also, when the reciprocating member 3 is held in the retracted holding position, the first engaging portion E1 engages with the second holding portion 522 of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 (see Figure 17).

[0034] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is configured to contact the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 and press the first cam surface 511 in the retraction direction D12 when the retraction member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12 in order to rotate the cam member 5 in the first rotation direction D21 (see Figures 15 and 19). Note that the pressing of the first cam surface 511 in the retraction direction D12 may be performed by a configuration other than the first engaging portion E1. For example, the retraction member 3 may have a pressing portion as a first engaging portion that is capable of pressing the first cam surface 511 in the retraction direction D12, separate from the first engaging portion E1 shown.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is configured to engage with the first holding portion 521 in the circumferential direction D2 while the first engaging portion E1 is held by the first holding portion 521 (see Figures 12 and 22). In this case, as will be described later, as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2, the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (see Figures 12, 13, and 22).

[0036] The shape and structure of the first engagement portion E1 are not particularly limited as long as they can engage with the cam member 5 to hold the retractable member 3 in the forward holding position and the retractable holding position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first engagement portion E1 is provided at the end on the forward direction D11 side and has an axial engagement surface E11 that engages with the first holding portion 521 and the second holding portion 522 in the axial direction D1, a pressing portion E12 that contacts the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 and can press the first cam surface 511, and a pair of circumferential engagement surfaces E13 and E14 that engage with the first holding portion 521 in the first rotation direction D21 and the second rotation direction D22. In this embodiment, the first engagement portion E1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the circumferential engagement surfaces E13 and E14 as the upper and lower bases. However, the shape of the first engagement portion can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the cam member 5, etc.

[0037] In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 has a biasing member housing section (not shown in the drawings). The biasing member housing section is a housing space that can partially house the biasing member 4 from the end of the reciprocating member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the biasing member 4 is a coil spring and is provided in the biasing member housing section to bias the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11. One end of the biasing member 4 is attached to the case 2, and the other end of the biasing member 4 is attached to the reciprocating member 3 (biasing member housing section). In this embodiment, the biasing member 4 has the function of biasing the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11 as well as the function of biasing in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21). Specifically, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotational position in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotational direction D22) due to an external force applied from the lid L, the reaction force acts to bias the reciprocating member 3 in the opposite direction to its rotational direction (first rotational direction D21). This biasing force in the circumferential direction D2 toward the first rotational direction D21 makes it easier to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotational direction D21) when it reaches the forward holding position from the retracted holding position (see Figure 22). Furthermore, as will be described later, the biasing force of the biasing member 4 toward the first rotational direction D21 causes the reciprocating member 3 to move in the axial direction D1 with the second engaging portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 in contact with the second restricting portion 222 (Figures 14, 15, 18-21). Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 can move stably in the axial direction D1.

[0038] The central portion 313 is the region between the tip portion 311 and the base portion 312 of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. The central portion 313 is the part of the reciprocating member 3 located inside the case 2 that is on the forward direction D11 side of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1, and on the backward direction D12 side of the reciprocating member outlet 21 of the case 2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 is provided with a second engagement portion E2, as shown in Figures 4 to 6. In this embodiment, the second engagement portion E2 is provided in the central portion 313. As shown in Figures 6, 12, 22, etc., the second engagement portion E2 is provided so as to be able to engage with a restricting portion 221 provided inside the case 2 in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, the second engagement portion E2 and the restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 are positioned opposite each other in the axial direction D1 to restrict the retractable member 3 from moving in the retracting direction D12 when the retractable member 3 is in the forward holding position, and to allow movement to the second rotation position. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second engagement portion E2 and the restricting portion (first restricting portion) 221 are configured such that when the retractable member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the restriction on the retractable member 3's movement in the retracting direction D12 is released. More specifically, as shown in Figure 12, when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and the first rotation position, the second engaging portion E2 is located on the forward direction D11 side of the restricting portion 221 and engages with the restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, restricting the reciprocating member 3 from moving in the backward direction D12. Furthermore, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 while in the forward holding position and reaches the second rotation position (see the dashed line in Figure 13), the restriction of the movement of the second engaging portion E2 in the backward direction D12 by the restricting portion 221 is released, and the reciprocating member 3 is allowed to move in the backward direction D12.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the reciprocating member 3 reaches the second rotational position and moves in the retraction direction D12 (see Figure 14), the second engaging portion E2 faces the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2 and moves along the second restricting portion 222. More specifically, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12 with the second engaging portion E2 pressed toward the second restricting portion 222 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4 in the first rotational direction D21. This allows the reciprocating member 3 to move stably in the retraction direction D12. The same applies when the reciprocating member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position, and the reciprocating member 3 can move stably in both the forward direction D11 and the retraction direction D12.

[0041] The shape and structure of the second engaging portion E2 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second engaging portion E2 is formed as a projection that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axial direction D1 (specifically, in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1). As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the second engaging portion E2 has an axial engaging surface E21 that extends along the circumferential direction D2 and engages with the restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, and a circumferential engaging surface E22 that extends along the axial direction D1 and engages with the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the retractable member 3 is provided with an operating part 314 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis X of the retractable member 3 and moves the switch operating member 9, which will be described later, between an operating position and a non-operating position. The operating part 314 moves the switch operating member 9 between an operating position and a non-operating position by displacement in the circumferential direction D2 due to the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2. Specifically, when the retractable member 3 is positioned in a predetermined axial direction D1, the operating part 314 displaces in the circumferential direction D2, pressing the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9, thereby moving the switch operating member 9 between an operating position and a non-operating position (see Figures 24A and 25A). Details will be described later. In this embodiment, the operating part 314 is composed of a projection continuous with the second engaging portion E2, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. However, the operating part may be provided separately from the second engaging portion.

[0043] As shown in Figures 12 to 22, the cam member 5 interacts with the reciprocating member 3 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, and rotates relative to the reciprocating member 3. The cam member 5 is rotatably mounted within the case 2. Specifically, the cam member 5 is configured to rotate within the case 2 by engaging with the reciprocating member 3 at the end of the reciprocating member 3 on the retraction direction D12 side. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 does not substantially move in the axial direction D1 within the case 2, but is rotatable in the circumferential direction D2. Note that the movement of the cam member 5 in the axial direction D1 is restricted by a wall portion (not shown) provided in the case 2 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but the configuration is not limited to this as long as movement in the axial direction D1 can be restricted. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 is configured to move the reciprocating member 3 a predetermined distance between the folded position and the retracted holding position, and to hold it in the forward holding position and the retracted holding position. More specifically, the cam member 5 moves the reciprocating member 3 a predetermined distance between a folding position (for example, Figures 15 and 19, etc.) and a retracted holding position (for example, Figure 17, etc.), and holds the reciprocating member 3 in the retracted holding position. The folding position is, as will be described later, the position in which the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12 and then folds back in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4 when the reciprocating member 3 moves from the forward holding position to the retracted holding position, or from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retracting direction D12 and is pressed by the reciprocating member 3 (first engaging portion E1), the cam member 5 is provided with a first cam surface 511 that is inclined so as to rotate in the first rotation direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2 of the reciprocating member 3, a first holding portion 521 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so as to be held at the forward holding position where the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, and a second holding portion 522 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so as to be held at the retracting holding position where the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retracting direction D12 and is provided at a position separated from the first holding portion 521 in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 includes a second cam surface 523 that contacts the first engaging portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 and extends to the first holding portion 521, and a third cam surface 524 that contacts the first engaging portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 and extends to the second holding portion 522. In this embodiment, a plurality of the first cam surface 511, the second cam surface 523, the third cam surface 524, the first holding portion 521, and the second holding portion 522 are provided in the circumferential direction D2.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the cam member 5 comprises a first cam member 51 having a first cam surface 511, and a second cam member 52 having a second cam surface 523 and a third cam surface 524, and being provided separately from the first cam member 51 on the forward direction D11 side relative to the first cam member 51. In this embodiment, the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other in the circumferential direction D2. When the cam member 5 is composed of a first cam member 51 and a second cam member 52 provided separately, the path such as a groove through which the first engaging portion E1 moves can be simplified, and the manufacturing of the cam member 5 can be made easier. In this embodiment, the first cam member 51 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the second cam member 52 by engaging with the second cam member 52 in the circumferential direction D2, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52. The method of engaging the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 in the circumferential direction D2 is not particularly limited, as long as the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52 is restricted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the first cam member 51 has a recess 512 that engages with an engaging projection 525 provided at the end of the second cam member 52 on the retraction direction D12 side. The engagement of the engaging projection 525 of the second cam member 52 with respect to the second cam member 52 restricts the relative rotation of the first cam member 51 with respect to the second cam member 52. Here, "restricted relative rotation" is not limited to a state in which the first cam member 51 does not rotate at all with respect to the second cam member 52, but also includes a state in which the relative rotation is limited to a small range. The cam member may be composed of a single member or of three or more members, as long as it can interact with the retraction member 3 when the retraction member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 and rotate relative to the retraction member 3.

[0046] The shapes of the first cam member 51 and the second cam member 52 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first cam member 51 is formed in an annular shape and includes an outer portion provided with a recess 512 (see FIG. 8) that engages with an engagement protrusion 525 (see FIG. 8) of the second cam member 52, and an inner portion provided with a first cam surface 511 constituted by a plurality of inclined surfaces. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second cam member 52 has a cylindrical shape (in the drawing, the cam member 5 is shown in a state of being partially cut in the axial direction D1 to facilitate understanding of the internal structure of the cam member 5). A set of a second cam surface 523, a first holding portion 521, a third cam surface 524, and a second holding portion 522 is provided in the second cam member 52 in a plurality of sets (four sets in the present embodiment) in this order in the circumferential direction D2. The plurality of sets are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the second cam member 52.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, the first cam surface 511 is a cam surface that is pressed in the backward direction D12 by the advancing / retreating member 3 (first engaging portion E1) when the advancing / retreating member 3 moves in the backward direction D12. The first cam surface 511 is inclined so that the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21 when pressed by the advancing / retreating member 3 (first engaging portion E1). The inclination angle of the first cam surface 511 is not particularly limited as long as, in a state where the advancing / retreating member 3 (first engaging portion E1) and the first cam surface 511 are in contact, a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the first rotation direction D21 is generated when a force is received from the advancing / retreating member 3 in the backward direction D12.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the first cam surface 511 is provided on the first cam member 51 on the movement locus of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first cam member 51 has a plurality of serrated protrusions in the circumferential direction D2, and the first cam surface 511 is provided at the end portion on the forward direction D11 side of the plurality of protrusions.

[0049] As shown in Figures 20 to 22, the second cam surface 523 is configured to contact the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, and is a cam surface that extends toward the first holding portion 521. In this embodiment, the second cam surface 523 contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position via the folded position (see Figures 20 and 21). The second cam surface 523 extends inclined toward the first holding portion 521. The second cam surface 523 is inclined to rotate the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when it contacts the first engagement portion E1 and receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11. When the second cam surface 523 receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 and the cam member 5 rotates, the second cam surface 523 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while sliding relative to the first engagement portion E1 (see the solid and dashed lines in Figure 21). As a result, the first engagement portion E1 is housed and held in the first holding portion 521 connected to the second cam surface 523 (see Figure 22). The inclination angle of the second cam surface 523 is not particularly limited, as long as it is an inclination angle that generates a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when a force is received from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second cam surface 523 is provided at a position spaced apart from the first cam surface 511 in the axial direction D1, and at a position facing the axial direction D1. The second cam surface 523 is provided on the second cam member 52 on the axial direction D1 movement trajectory of the first engaging portion E1.

[0051] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the third cam surface 524 is configured to contact the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, and is a cam surface that extends toward the second holding portion 522. In this embodiment, the third cam surface 524 contacts the first engagement portion E1 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the forward holding position through the return position to the retracted holding position (see Figure 16). The third cam surface 524 extends inclined toward the second holding portion 522. The third cam surface 524 is inclined to rotate the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when it contacts the first engagement portion E1 and receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11. When the third cam surface 524 receives a force from the first engagement portion E1 and the cam member 5 rotates, the third cam surface 524 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while sliding relative to the first engagement portion E1 (see the solid and dashed lines in Figure 16). As a result, the first engagement portion E1 is guided and held by the second holding portion 522 connected to the third cam surface 524 (see Figure 17). The inclination angle of the third cam surface 524 is not particularly limited, as long as it is an inclination angle that generates a force that rotates the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2 (first rotation direction D21) when a force is received from the first engagement portion E1 in the forward direction D11.

[0052] In this embodiment, the third cam surface 524 is provided at a position spaced apart from the first cam surface 511 in the axial direction D1, and at a position facing the axial direction D1. The third cam surface 524 is provided on the second cam member 52 on the axial direction D1 movement trajectory of the first engaging portion E1.

[0053] The first holding portion 521 is the portion that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the reciprocating member 3 is held in the forward holding position. In this embodiment, the first holding portion 521 engages with the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1. More specifically, the first holding portion 521 holds the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3, which is biased in the forward direction D11 by the biasing member 4, in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the first holding portion 521 engages with the first engaging portion E1 not only in the axial direction D1 but also in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, when the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 while the first engaging portion E1 is held by the first holding portion 521, the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 (see Figures 12, 13, and 22).

[0054] The shape and structure of the first retaining portion 521 are not particularly limited, as long as it can engage with the first engaging portion E1 so as to hold the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 in the forward holding position. In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 521 is formed as a groove having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first engaging portion E1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 12, the first retaining portion 521 includes an axially engaged surface 521a that engages with the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1, and circumferentially engaged surfaces 521b and 521c that engage with the circumferential engaging surfaces E13 and E14 of the first engaging portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2. The axially engaged surface 521a is composed of an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1. The circumferentially engaged surfaces 521b and 521c are composed of planes extending along the axial direction.

[0055] The second holding portion 522 is a portion that engages with the first engaging portion E1 so that the retractable member 3 is held in the retracted holding position. In this embodiment, the second holding portion 522 engages with the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1. More specifically, the second holding portion 522 holds the retractable member 3 in the retracted holding position by engaging with the first engaging portion E1 of the retractable member 3, which is biased in the forward direction D11 by the biasing member 4, in the axial direction D1. The second holding portion 522 is located on the retracted side in the axial direction D1 relative to the first holding portion 521.

[0056] The shape and structure of the second holding portion 522 are not particularly limited, as long as they can engage with the first engaging portion E1 so that the retractable member 3 is held in the retracted holding position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 17, the second holding portion 522 includes an axially engaged surface 522a that engages with the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1 in the axial direction D1, and a circumferentially engaged surface 522b that engages with the circumferentially engaged surface E14 of the first engaging portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2. The axially engaged surface 522a is composed of an inclined surface that is inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the axial engaging surface E11 of the first engaging portion E1. The circumferentially engaged surface 522b is composed of a plane that extends along the axial direction. The circumferential engaging surface 522b is pressed in the forward direction D11 by the axial engaging surface E11 when the axial engaging surface 522a is pressed in the forward direction D11, and after the cam member 5 has rotated a predetermined amount in the first rotation direction D21, it comes into contact with the circumferential engaging surface E14, thereby stopping the cam member 5 at a predetermined rotation position (see Figures 16 and 17).

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, the cam member 5 has a contact portion 53 that can come into contact with the locking member 6 when a rotational force is applied to the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the contact portion 53 comes into contact with the locking member 6 in the circumferential direction D2, restricting the cam member 5 from rotating in the circumferential direction D2 at a predetermined position. Specifically, the contact portion 53 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in such a way that it prevents the lid L from moving from a closed state to an open state. Further details on this point will be described later.

[0058] The contact portion 53 is provided so as to face the locking member 6 in the circumferential direction D2 when it is in the locked position. More specifically, the contact portion 53 is composed of a wall portion provided on the second rotational direction D22 side with respect to the locking member 6 in the locked position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the contact portion 53 is composed of a wall portion protruding in the forward direction D11 from the end of the second cam member 52 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the cam member 5 (second cam member 52) has a plurality of contact portions 53, and the plurality of contact portions 53 are provided spaced apart from each other so as to form a space SP of a predetermined size or larger in the circumferential direction D2, as will be described later (see Figures 7, 9, and 10).

[0059] The locking member 6 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5. The locking member 6 is configured to be movable between a locked position (see dashed line in Figure 9) in which it engages with the cam member 5 to restrict the cam member 5 from rotating in the first rotational direction D21, in order to restrict the cam member 5 from moving to the forward position when the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position, and an unlocked position (see solid line in Figure 9) in which it allows the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21. More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the locking member 6 restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21, thereby restricting the cam member 5 from rotating from the second rotational position of the cam member 5 (see Figure 17), which is the position in which the cam member 5 engages with the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L in the axial direction D1, to the first rotational position of the cam member 5 (see Figure 12), which is the position in which the engagement with the lid engaging portion L2 in the axial direction D1 is released. This restricts the movement of the lid L from the closed state to the open state, preventing the lid L from being opened unintentionally. The locking member 6 is an optional component of the reciprocating movement device 1 and is not necessarily required. If the locking member 6 is not provided, the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 can be omitted.

[0060] The locked position of the locking member 6 is a position in which the cam member 5 can be restricted from rotating in the first rotational direction D21 when the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position. More specifically, the locked position is a position in which the locking member 6 can contact the contact portion 53 in such a way that it restricts the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 when the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position toward the folding position and a force is applied from the retractable member 3 toward the cam member 5 that rotates it in the first rotational direction D21. The unlocked position of the locking member 6 is a position in which the locking member 6 is removed from the rotational trajectory of the cam member 5 and allows the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21.

[0061] In this embodiment, the locking member 6 contacts the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5, thereby restricting the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 and restricting the movement of the retractable member 3 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the locking member 6 engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5, which is located radially outward of the retractable member 3, and does not engage with the retractable member 3. Therefore, there is no need to extend the locking member 6 to the retractable member 3, and the locking member 6 can be made shorter. Consequently, even if a force in the first rotational direction D21 is applied to the tip of the locking member 6 from the cam member 5, it becomes less likely to break (compared to a long locking member that reaches the retractable member 3).

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10, the locking member 6 moves from a direction perpendicular to the axis X towards the axis X, moving from the unlocked position to the locked position. However, the direction of movement of the locking member 6 is not particularly limited, as long as it is provided to be movable between the locked position and the unlocked position. For example, the locking member may move in the direction of the axis X from the unlocked position to the locked position, or it may rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0063] In this embodiment, the locking member 6 is driven by a locking member drive device 7, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 9, and 10. The locking member 6 has a driven portion 61 driven by the locking member drive device 7, and an extended portion 62 that engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this embodiment, the locking member 6 also has a pressed portion 63 that is pressed by a manual operation unit 8, which will be described later, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10. In this embodiment, the locking member drive device 7 comprises a drive unit (motor) 71 and a screw shaft 72.

[0064] In this embodiment, the driven portion 61 has a female thread that screws onto the outer circumference of the screw shaft 72 of the locking member drive device 7. The driven portion 61 is restricted from rotating together with the screw shaft 72 when the screw shaft 72 rotates around its axis. As a result, when the screw shaft 72 rotates around its axis, the locking member 6, including the driven portion 61, moves in the axial direction of the screw shaft 72 according to the direction of rotation of the screw shaft 72. This allows the locking member 6 to move to the locked position and the unlocked position. The extended portion 62 engages with the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2. The extended portion 62 extends linearly from the driven portion 61 and, in the locked position, is positioned on the side of the first rotational direction D21 relative to the contact portion 53, restricting the rotation of the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21.

[0065] The manual operation unit 8 is used to manually unlock the locking member 6, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the electric locking member drive device 7. The shape and structure of the manual operation unit 8 are not particularly limited as long as they can move the locking member 6 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the manual operation unit 8 includes an operating member (cable, etc.) 81 for manual operation and a lock release unit 82 that contacts the pressed portion 63 of the locking member 6 with the operating force of the operating member 81 and moves the locking member 6 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, the linear motion of the operating member 81 is converted into rotational motion around the axis of the lock release unit 82, thereby operating the pressed portion 63 of the locking member 6. However, the operation of the manual operation unit 8 is not particularly limited; the lock release unit may move linearly due to the linear motion of the operating member, the lock release unit may rotate due to the rotational motion of the operating member, or the lock release unit may move linearly due to the rotational motion of the operating member.

[0066] The switch SW is operated in accordance with the state of the lid L. Specifically, the switch SW is set to the ON state when the lid L is open or closed, and to the OFF state when the lid L is closed or open. This allows the state of the lid L to be determined by the ON / OFF state of the switch SW. In this embodiment, the switch SW is configured to be ON when the lid L is open, making it possible to inform the user that the lid L remains open. The switch SW may be connected to a control device (not shown), and for example, when the switch SW is ON (or OFF), the control device may perform a predetermined operation according to the state of the switch SW, such as locking the locking member 6.

[0067] The switch SW is operated by a switch operating member 9, as shown in Figures 23A to 28B. The switch operating member 9 operates the switch SW in accordance with the movement of the reciprocating member 3. Specifically, the switch operating member 9 operates to turn the switch SW on or off according to the position of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0068] The movement of the retractable member 3 in the axial direction D1 and rotation in the circumferential direction D2, along with the rotation of the operating part 314 in at least the circumferential direction D2, causes the switch operating member 9 to move between an operating position and a non-operating position, thereby turning the switch SW on or off. Here, the operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW can be set to a predetermined state (on or off). In this embodiment, the operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position when the switch SW is turned on. On the other hand, the non-operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW can be set to the opposite state (off or on) from the operating position. In this embodiment, the non-operating position of the switch operating member 9 is the position in which the switch SW is turned off. Since the lid L is either open or closed depending on the rotational position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the state of the lid L can be easily determined by turning the switch SW on or off by the switch operating member 9 through the rotation of the operating part 314 of the retractable member 3 in at least the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, the lid L is open when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, and when the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, the switch operating member 9 is moved to the operating position by the operating unit 314, thereby turning on the switch SW (see Figures 23A, 23B, 28A, and 28B). In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is configured to move between the operating position and the non-operating position by the rotation of the operating unit 314 in the circumferential direction D2, but the switch operating member 9 may also be configured to move between the operating position and the non-operating position by movement in the axial direction D1 in addition to the rotation of the operating unit 314 in the circumferential direction D2.

[0069] In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3. In this case, the switch operating member 9 that operates the switch SW in the reciprocating movement device 1 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and there is no need to provide a configuration for operating the switch SW in the reciprocating member 3 (or cam member 5). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the length of the part necessary for the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member 3 (reciprocating member 3 and / or cam member 5) in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1. Note that the side of the reciprocating member 3 is the direction perpendicular to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and the components of the switch operating member 9 (particularly the shaft portion 91 described later) are arranged within the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. This prevents the switch operating member 9 from being provided in a position beyond the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1.

[0070] The shape and structure of the switch operating member 9 are not particularly limited, as long as the rotation of the operating part 314 in at least the circumferential direction D2 allows the switch operating member 9 to move between an operating position and a non-operating position, thereby turning the switch SW on or off. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 11, the switch operating member 9 includes a shaft portion 91 rotatably mounted around a predetermined axis, a shaft biasing member 92 that biases the shaft portion 91 to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, an operated portion 93 provided on the shaft portion 91 and operated by the operating part 314, and an operating portion 94 provided on the shaft portion 91 that operates the switch SW.

[0071] The shaft portion 91 is the main body of the switch operating member 9, which is rotatably mounted around a predetermined axis. The shaft portion 91 is provided with an operated portion 93 and an operating portion 94. When the shaft portion 91 rotates around its axis, the operated portion 93 and the operating portion 94 rotate together with the shaft portion 91 around its axis. The direction in which the shaft portion 91 extends is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the shaft portion 91 is arranged substantially parallel to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3. In this case, the entire switch operating member 9 extends along the axis X of the reciprocating member 3, and the portion that protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the axis X of the reciprocating member 3 becomes smaller. Therefore, the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact not only in the axial direction D1 but also in the direction perpendicular to the axis X.

[0072] The shaft biasing member 92 biases the shaft 91 in one direction around its axis. In this embodiment, the shaft biasing member 92 biases the shaft 91 in the direction in which the switch SW is turned ON by the actuation unit 94. However, the shaft biasing member may also bias the shaft 91 in the direction in which the switch SW is turned OFF. In this embodiment, the shaft biasing member 92 is a torsion spring with one end attached to the shaft 91 and the other end attached to the case 2. However, the structure of the shaft biasing member is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the shaft 91 in one direction around its axis, and biasing members other than torsion springs may be used.

[0073] The operated portion 93 is the part operated by the operating portion 314 of the retractable member 3. The operated portion 93 is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis of the shaft portion 91 due to the rotation of the operating portion 314 at least in the circumferential direction D2 accompanying the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, so that the switch SW is turned on or off by the operating portion 94. In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 (and the operating portion 314) may also move in the axial direction D1 along with the rotation in the circumferential direction D2, and the operated portion 93 may be configured to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 91 not only due to the rotation of the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2 but also due to the movement in the axial direction D1. Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 23A to 25B, the operated portion 93 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 as the retractable member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned off by the operating part 94. Also, in this embodiment, when the lid L is closed from the open state, as shown in Figures 23A to 25B, the operated part 93 rotates in the second rotational direction D22 as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotational direction D22 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned off by the operating part 94. Also, in this embodiment, when the lid L is opened from the closed state, as shown in Figures 27A and 28A, the operated part 93 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 as the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the operated part 93 rotates around the axis of the shaft part 91, and the switch SW is turned on by the operating part 94.

[0074] In this embodiment, the operated portion 93 protrudes radially outward from the shaft portion 91 so as to be located on the rotational trajectory of the operating portion 314, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A to 28B. More specifically, the operated portion 93 is located on the rotational trajectory of the operating portion 314 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotational position (see Figures 23A and 23B), and is configured to rotate in contact with the operating portion 314 when the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotational position in the second rotational direction D22.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the operated portion 93 has an inclined operated surface 931 that rotates around a predetermined axis when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 while in contact with the operating portion 314. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 23A, the operated portion 93 has an engagement surface 932 that extends from the operated surface 931 in the retraction direction D12.

[0076] In this embodiment, the operated surface 931 is provided on the forward direction D11 side of the operated portion 93. When the reciprocating member 3 is in the first rotation position, the operated surface 931 faces the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2, and is inclined so that the distance to the operating portion 314 decreases as it moves toward the retracting direction D12. The provision of the operated surface 931 makes it easier for the reciprocating member 3 to move toward the retracting direction D12 (engagement surface 932) while the operated surface 931 is pressed by the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2. The inclination of the operated surface 931 reduces the operating force.

[0077] The engaging surface 932 engages with the operating portion 314 in the circumferential direction D2 when the retracting member 3 rotates from the first rotation position in the second rotation direction D22 and moves in the retraction direction D12, thereby holding the shaft portion 91 in a predetermined position. Specifically, the portion of the operating portion 314 extending in the axial direction D1 and the engaging surface 932 come into contact at a predetermined contact point extending in the axial direction D1, thereby holding the switch operating member 9 in the non-operating position against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92. In this embodiment, when the operating portion 314 and the engaging surface 932 engage in the circumferential direction D2, the second engaging portion E2 engages with the second restricting portion 222, and the rotation of the retracting member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 is restricted.

[0078] The position in which the operated portion 93 is provided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the operating portion 314 of the reciprocating member 3 is configured to contact the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 in the axial direction D1 between the reciprocating member outlet 21 (see Figure 1) and the end (upper end) of the cam member 5 on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, the operating portion 314 and the operated portion 93 engage at a position between the reciprocating member outlet 21 and the end of the cam member 5 on the forward direction D11 side, where the cam member 5 is not located radially outside the reciprocating member 3. Therefore, the space required radially outside the reciprocating member 3 is smaller compared to the case where the operating portion and the operated portion engage radially outside the cam member. Therefore, the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made even more compact.

[0079] The operating part 94 is the part that operates the switch SW. The shape and structure of the operating part 94 are not particularly limited as long as it can contact the switch SW so that the switch SW can be turned on or off. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 11, the operated part 93 is provided at the end of the shaft 91 on the forward direction D11 side, and the operating part 94 is provided at the end of the shaft 91 on the backward direction D12 side.

[0080] Next, an overview of the operation of the reciprocating device 1 when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 to 17, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from a first rotation position in the circumferential direction D2 to a second rotation position while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. At the second rotation position, the restriction on movement in the retraction direction D12 is released, and the member is guided within the case 2 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12. As shown in Figures 14 to 17, the linear movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the retraction direction D12 causes the first cam surface 511 to be pressed against the first engagement portion E1, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. Through the above operation, the reciprocating member 3 moves from a forward holding position where the first engagement portion E1 and the first holding portion 521 are engaged to a retracted holding position where the first engagement portion E1 and the second holding portion 522 are engaged. Further details will be described later, but as the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 beyond the retracted holding position to the folding position, the first cam surface 511 is pressed against the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 15, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. Next, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and the first engagement portion E1 and the second holding portion 522 engage, holding the reciprocating member 3 in the retracted holding position.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted, and is guided within the case 2 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12 at the second rotation position (see Figures 12 to 17). In this case, the reciprocating member 3 does not move in the retraction direction D12 while rotating in the circumferential direction D2, but rather moves in the retraction direction D12 after the rotation in the circumferential direction D2 is completed. Therefore, when rotating the cam member 5 in the first rotation direction D21, only a force in the retraction direction D12 is required for the reciprocating member 3, and no force is required to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2. Thus, the operating load of the reciprocating member 3 can be suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position and then moves in the retraction direction D12. This prevents the reciprocating member 3 from being pushed in the retraction direction D12 by tampering or the like when the lid L is open, thus preventing the cam member 5 from rotating. Specifically, even if the reciprocating member 3 is pressed in the retraction direction D12 with a person's finger instead of the lid L from the state shown in Figure 12, the reciprocating member 3 will not move in the retraction direction D12. Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 will not move in the retraction direction D12 due to tampering or the like. This prevents the cam member 5 from rotating due to the reciprocating member 3 moving in the retraction direction D12, and also prevents the reciprocating member 3 from moving to the retracted holding position. Moreover, in this embodiment, the suppression of the operating load and the prevention of the reciprocating member 3 moving to the retracted holding position due to tampering or the like can be achieved with a simple configuration, rather than a complex configuration like that shown in Patent Document 2.

[0083] Here, "restriction of movement in the retraction direction D12" means that when the retraction member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted to a predetermined range, and this also includes cases where the retraction member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 by a predetermined amount (at least within the range in which the cam member 5 does not rotate) before the retraction member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, when the retraction member 3 is in the forward holding position, the movement in the axial direction D1 is restricted by the restricting part 221 so that it does not substantially move in the axial direction D1 (for example, 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, of the amount of movement of the retraction member 3 in the axial direction D1).

[0084] Furthermore, "guided within case 2" includes not only cases where the member is guided by case 2 itself, but also cases where the member is guided within case 2 by other components other than the housing of case 2. In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 is guided in the circumferential direction D2 by the first restricting portion 221 provided on case 2, and guided in the axial direction D1 by the second restricting portion 222 provided on case 2.

[0085] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state and the reciprocating member 3 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the cam member 5 is configured to rotate together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotation direction D22. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the cam member 5 has a space SP on the first rotation direction D21 side relative to the contact portion 53 of the cam member 5 that is larger than or equal to the amount of movement of the cam member 5 when it rotates in the second rotation direction D22. In this case, the provision of space SP allows the cam member 5 to rotate together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotation direction D22 when the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position (see Figure 12) and the locking member 6 is in the locked position (see Figure 10). Therefore, for example, even if the locking member 6 is in the locked position when the lid L is in the open state, the locking member 6 does not obstruct the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 and the cam member 5, and the lid L can be moved to the closed state. Furthermore, with this configuration, the locking member 6 is moved to the locked position when the lid L is open, and the lid L can be locked in the closed position without operating the locking member 6 when the lid L is closed.

[0086] Next, an overview of the operation of the reciprocating device 1 when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, when the lid L moves from the closed state to the open state, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 while its movement toward the first rotation position is restricted, and the first cam surface 511 is pressed against the first engagement portion E1, causing the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotation direction D21. Specifically, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12 from the retracted holding position toward the folding position, causing the cam member 5 to rotate in the first rotation direction D21 (see Figure 19). Also, as shown in Figures 20 to 22, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and the first engagement portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521. With the first engaging portion E1 housed in the first holding portion 521, the reciprocating member 3 rotates with the cam member 5 in the first rotational direction D21 from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, enabling movement to the open state of the lid L (see Figure 22). More specifically, the reciprocating member 3 is reoriented from the folded position to the forward direction D11 by the biasing force of the biasing member 4, and when it moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11, the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521 (see solid line in Figure 22). When the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521, the restriction on the movement of the reciprocating member 3 toward the first rotational position is released, and the reciprocating member 3 rotates with the cam member 5 from the second rotational position to the first rotational position by the biasing force of the biasing member 4 toward the first rotational direction D21 (see dashed line in Figure 22). As a result, the reciprocating member 3 is held in the forward holding position, enabling movement to the open state of the lid L.

[0087] Next, the opening and closing operation of the lid of the reciprocating device 1 of this embodiment will be explained in more detail, using a reciprocating device that opens and closes the lid L of the fuel filler port as an example. It should be noted that the following explanation is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the following explanation.

[0088] First, in order to close the lid L from the open state (see Figure 2), the lid L is operated in the closing direction, for example, by the user. When the lid L is operated in the closing direction, as shown in Figure 12, the lid engaging portion L2 of the lid L moves to the vicinity of the tip portion 311 of the retractable member 3. In the open state of the lid L, the retractable member 3 is in the forward holding position and the first rotation position (the position shown in Figure 12). In this position, the retractable member engaging portion 311a of the retractable member 3 is positioned to be able to enter the guide portion L21 of the lid engaging portion L2.

[0089] As the lid L moves further in the closing direction from the position shown in Figure 12, the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a comes into contact with the inclined surface L211 of the guide portion L21 of the lid engaging portion L2. When the lid L moves in the closing direction while the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a is in contact with the inclined surface L211, the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a receives a force in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) from the inclined surface L211. As a result, the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 from the state shown in Figure 12 to the state shown in Figure 13. At this time, since the second engaging portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 is engaged with the first restricting portion 221 in the axial direction D1, the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotation direction D22 while its movement in the retraction direction D12 is restricted. When the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the second rotational direction D22, the first engaging portion E1 (circumferential engaging surface E14) of the reciprocating member 3 engages with the first holding portion 521 (circumferentially engaged surface 521c) of the cam member 5 in the circumferential direction D2, so the cam member 5 rotates together with the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotational direction D22 (see Figure 13). Due to the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the second rotational direction D22, the biasing member 4, which is a coil spring, receives a force that causes it to twist in the circumferential direction D2, and a biasing force in the first rotational direction D21 is generated on the reciprocating member 3.

[0090] As the lid L moves further in the closing direction from the state shown by the solid line in Figure 13, the lid engaging portion L2 presses it in the retraction direction D12, causing the retraction member 3 to move in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, when the retraction member 3, which has rotated to the second rotation position (or its vicinity), receives a force in the retraction direction D12 from the lid engaging portion L2, the inclined surface E23 at the intersection of the axial engaging surface E21 and the circumferential engaging surface E22 of the second engaging portion E2 comes into contact with the inclined surface 223 at the intersection of the first restricting portion 221 and the second restricting portion 222. When a force in the retraction direction D12 is applied to the retraction member 3 from that state, the retraction member 3 slides in the retraction direction D12 while rotating in the second rotation direction D22, from the state shown by the solid line in Figure 13 to the state shown by the dashed line. At this time, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a of the reciprocating member 3 moves in the second rotation direction D22 (see the dashed line in Figure 13) and is held by the holding portion L22 of the lid engagement portion L2 (see Figure 14). Note that the inclined surface E23 and the inclined surface 223 are not necessarily provided.

[0091] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the reciprocating member 3 moves to the second rotation position, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the retraction direction D12. Specifically, the circumferential engagement surface E22 of the second engagement portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 is guided along the second restricting portion 222, causing the reciprocating member 3 to move linearly in the retraction direction D12. In this embodiment, as described above, the biasing member 4 applies a biasing force to the reciprocating member 3 in the first rotation direction D21, so that the second engagement portion E2 of the reciprocating member 3 is pressed toward the second restricting portion 222, and the reciprocating member 3 moves more stably in the retraction direction D12.

[0092] As shown in Figure 15, when the retractable member 3 reaches the folded position beyond the retracted holding position in the axial direction D1, the first engaging portion E1 of the retractable member 3 comes into contact with the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5. In this state, when a force in the retraction direction D12 is applied to the retractable member 3 from the lid L, the first cam surface 511 is pressed by the pressing portion E12 of the first engaging portion E1, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 15, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. At this time, the lid L is in a position close to the closed state, and the force applied to the lid L by the user is removed. As a result, the retractable member 3, which was pushed in the retraction direction D12, moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force in the forward direction D11 of the biasing member 4.

[0093] When the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, the third cam surface 524 is positioned on the forward direction D11 side of the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 16. In this state, when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, the axial engagement surface E11 of the first engagement portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the third cam surface 524 (see solid line in Figure 16). When the reciprocating member 3 moves further in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4, the cam member 5 rotates further in the first rotational direction D21, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 16 and in Figure 17, and the first engagement portion E1 is held by the second holding portion 522. As a result, the reciprocating member 3 is held in the retracted holding position (see Figure 17). In this state, the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a of the reciprocating member 3 is engaged with the holding portion L22 of the lid engagement portion L2 in the axial direction D1, and the lid L is held in the closed position.

[0094] Next, we will explain in detail the operation of lid L from the closed state to the open state.

[0095] To open the lid L from its closed state (see Figure 3), the lid L is pushed in the backward direction D12 relative to the closed state, for example, by the user. When the lid L is pushed in the backward direction D12 from the state shown in Figure 18, the reciprocating member 3 is pressed in the backward direction D12 from the retracted holding position via the reciprocating member engagement portion 311a, which is engaged with the lid engagement portion L2. As shown in Figure 18, the circumferential engagement surface E22 of the second engagement portion E2 is engaged with the second restricting portion 222 in the circumferential direction D2. Therefore, the reciprocating member 3 moves linearly in the backward direction D12 while its rotation in the first rotational direction D21 is restricted (see the dashed line in Figure 18). When the reciprocating member 3 reaches the folded position from the retracted holding position, the first engagement portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the first cam surface 511 of the cam member 5 (see Figure 19). In this state, when a force D12 in the retraction direction is applied to the retraction member 3 from the lid L, the first cam surface 511 is pressed by the pressing portion E12 of the first engagement portion E1, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 19, and the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotation direction D21. When the force applied to the lid L by the user is removed, the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4.

[0096] As the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, the second cam surface 523 is positioned on the forward direction D11 side of the first engagement portion E1, as shown in Figure 20. When the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 in this state, the axial engagement surface E11 of the first engagement portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3 comes into contact with the second cam surface 523 (see the dashed line in Figure 20). As the reciprocating member 3 moves further in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4, the cam member 5 rotates in the first rotational direction D21, as shown by the solid and dashed lines in Figure 21. As the cam member 5 rotates further, the first retaining portion 521 reaches the position of the first engagement portion E1 in the circumferential direction D2, and the first engagement portion E1 is housed in the first retaining portion 521, as shown in Figure 22. When the first engaging portion E1 is housed in the first holding portion 521, the retractable member 3 moves in the forward direction D11. This releases the restriction on the rotation of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 by the second restricting portion 222. Therefore, the retractable member 3 becomes rotatable in the first rotation direction D21 at the forward holding position (or nearby). In this embodiment, the retractable member 3 rotates in the first rotation direction D21 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4 in the first rotation direction D21 and moves to the first rotation position. This rotation of the retractable member 3 in the first rotation direction D21 causes the retractable member engaging portion 311a, which is held by the holding portion L22 of the lid engaging portion L2, to detach from the holding portion L22, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 22. As a result, the lid L is released from engagement with the retractable member 3 and becomes movable in the opening direction, and the lid L opens.

[0097] Next, the operation of the retractable member 3 and the switch operating member 9 will be described. In the following description, the switch SW operated by the switch operating member 9 will be described using an example in which it is configured to turn on when the lid L is in the open state. However, the following description is merely an example, and the switch SW may be used to detect other states of the lid L or other components, as long as it is configured to turn on or off depending on the position of the retractable member 3.

[0098] First, in the open state of the lid L, to indicate that the lid L is open, the switch operating member 9 is positioned in the operating position (see Figure 23A), and the switch SW is turned on by the operating part 94 of the switch operating member 9 (see Figure 23B). Specifically, the shaft portion 91 of the switch operating member 9 is biased by the shaft biasing member 92 in the direction of operating the switch SW, causing the shaft portion 91 to rotate around its axis, and the operating part 94 to press against the switch SW. In this state, the switch operating member 9 is not operated by the reciprocating member 3. That is, the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 is not operated by the operating part 314 of the reciprocating member 3 (or has not rotated to the point where the switch SW is turned off). Note that the states shown in Figures 23A and 23B correspond in this embodiment to the state shown in Figure 12, where the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and in the first rotation position.

[0099] As described above, when the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, the retractable member 3 moves from the forward holding position to the backward direction D12, then moves to the forward direction D11 via the folding position, and is then held in the backward holding position (see Figures 12 to 17).

[0100] When the lid L moves from the open state to the closed state, while the reciprocating member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12 from the forward holding position (see Figures 12 to 14), the operated part 93 is pressed against the other side by the operating part 314 against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92 and rotates around a predetermined axis, and the switch operating member 9 moves from the operating position to the non-operating position (see Figures 23A to 25B). In this embodiment, when the lid L is operated from the open state to the closing direction, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 and rotates in the circumferential direction D2 in order to move the reciprocating member 3 from the forward holding position to the retraction holding position. Due to the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the switch operating member 9 rotates from the operating position to the non-operating position, as shown in Figures 24A and 25A. Specifically, the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22) causes the operating portion 314 of the reciprocating member 3 to be displaced in the circumferential direction D2 (second rotation direction D22), pressing the operated surface 931 of the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 in the circumferential direction D2. As a result, the switch operating member 9 rotates around the axis of the shaft 91 against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the operating portion 94 moves away from the switch SW (see Figures 24B and 25B). As a result, the switch SW is turned off, as shown in Figure 25B. Note that the states shown in Figures 24A and 24B correspond to the states shown in Figure 13 in this embodiment. Also, the states shown in Figures 25A and 25B correspond to the states shown in Figure 14 in this embodiment.

[0101] From the moment the retractable member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12 from the forward holding position until it is held in the retraction holding position via the return position (Figures 15 to 17), the operated portion 93 is pressed against the other side by the operating portion 314 around a predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position (see Figures 26A and 26B). In this embodiment, when the retractable member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction D12, the operating portion 314 of the retractable member 3 engages with the engagement surface 932 located on the retraction direction D12 side of the operated surface 931, while further rotating the shaft portion 91 (see Figure 26A). The operating portion 314 and the engagement surface 932 are in contact with a predetermined contact area in the axial direction D1, and the switch operating member 9, which is biased to rotate around its axis by the shaft biasing member 92, is stably held in the non-operating position. As shown in Figure 26B, when the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position, the operating part 94 is held away from the switch SW, and the switch SW is in the OFF state. In this embodiment, the states shown in Figures 26A and 26B correspond to the state shown in Figure 17, where the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position and is also in the second rotation position (closed state of the lid L). As described above, when the lid L is in the closed state, the retractable member 3 is in the second rotation position, and depending on the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, the switch SW is in the OFF state, and it can be determined that the lid L is in the closed state.

[0102] Next, we will explain the operation of the switch operating member when the lid L changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0103] When the lid L is closed, the switch operating member 9 is in a non-operating position (see Figure 26A), and the operating part 94 of the switch operating member 9 is separated from the switch SW, so that the switch SW is turned off (see Figure 26B). In this embodiment, the states shown in Figures 26A and 26B correspond to the state shown in Figure 17, where the retractable member 3 is in the retracted holding position and in the second rotation position.

[0104] As described above, when the lid L changes from a closed state to an open state, the retractable member 3 moves from the retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12, then moves to the forward direction D11 via the folding position, and is then held in the forward holding position (see Figures 18 to 22).

[0105] When the lid L opens from a closed state, the reciprocating member 3 moves from its retracted holding position to the retracted direction D12, and then moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 via the folding position (Figures 18 to 21). During this time, the operated part 93 is pressed by the operating part 314 around a predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, and the switch operating member 9 is held in the non-operating position (see Figures 27A and 27B). In this embodiment, in order to open the lid L from a closed state, when the lid L is pressed, the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12, then moves in the forward direction D11 via the folding position. At this time, as shown in Figures 26A to 27B, the switch operating member 9 remains in the non-operating position while the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1. Note that the states shown in Figures 27A and 27B correspond to the state in Figure 19 in this embodiment.

[0106] After the reciprocating member 3 moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction D11 via the folding position (see Figure 22), as shown in Figures 28A and 28B, the rotation of the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 releases the pressure applied by the operating part 314 to the operated part 93 around a predetermined axis. The biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92 causes the shaft 91 to rotate in one direction around a predetermined axis, and the switch operating member 9 moves from the non-operating position to the operating position. Specifically, as shown in Figure 28B, the switch operating member 9 rotates due to the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92, the operating part 94 presses the switch SW, and the switch SW turns ON. In this embodiment, the state shown in Figures 28A and 28B corresponds to the state shown in Figure 22, where the reciprocating member 3 is in the forward holding position and is located at the first rotation position (the lid L is open). As described above, when the lid L is open, the retractable member 3 is in the first rotation position, and the switch SW is turned ON according to the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, making it possible to determine that the lid L is open. In this embodiment, the switch SW is switched according to the position of the retractable member 3 in the circumferential direction D2, making it possible to determine the open or closed state of the lid L corresponding to the state of the retractable member 3.

[0107] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above embodiments, the movement of the reciprocating member 3 in the forward holding position in the forward direction D11 can be restricted by the wall portion (not shown) on the upper side of the case 2, but is not limited to this, and can also be restricted by the engagement between the first holding portion 521 of the cam member 5 and the first engaging portion E1 of the reciprocating member 3.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the case in which a lid L is used as the connection target was described, but the operation is not limited to opening and closing the lid L, as long as a reciprocating movement device is connected and transitions between a first state and a second state different from the first state. For example, a reciprocating movement device can be used to restrict and release the movement of the connection target.

[0109] Next, the reciprocating device of the second embodiment will be described. The reciprocating device of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the operating part for moving the switch operating member between the operating position and the non-operating position is provided on an engaging projection guided by the cam portion. In the following description, explanations of matters common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and the focus will be on the differences. In addition, to the extent that it does not contradict the matters described below, all matters described for the first embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0110] The reciprocating device 1 of the second embodiment comprises a case 2, a reciprocating member 3, and a switch operating member 9, as shown in Figures 29 to 31. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 further comprises a biasing member 4 that biases the reciprocating member 3 in the forward direction D11, as shown in Figure 29, and a cam portion C provided inside the case 2 and configured to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 also comprises a locking member 6 that restricts the rotation of the reciprocating member 3. In this embodiment, the reciprocating device 1 comprises a locking member driving device 7 that drives the locking member 6, as shown in Figure 30, and a manual operation unit 8 that can manually release the lock of the locking member 6. Note that the configurations of the locking member 6, the locking member driving device 7, and the manual operation unit 8 are basically the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted.

[0111] The reciprocating device 1 further includes a switch SW and a switch operating member 9, as shown in Figures 31 and 33 to 35. The switch operating member 9, as in the first embodiment, includes a shaft portion 91 rotatably mounted around a predetermined axis, a shaft biasing member 92 that biases the shaft portion 91 to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, an operated portion 93 provided on the shaft portion 91 and operated by the reciprocating member 3 (engaging projection PR), and an operating portion 94 provided on the shaft portion 91 that operates the switch SW.

[0112] Similar to the first embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, as shown in Figure 31. In this case, the switch operating member 9 that operates the switch SW in the reciprocating movement device 1 is provided on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and there is no need to provide a configuration for operating the switch SW in the reciprocating member 3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the length of the portion of the reciprocating member 3 necessary for its reciprocating movement in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the switch operating member 9 is located on the side of the reciprocating member 3, and the components of the switch operating member 9 (particularly the shaft portion 91) are arranged within the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1. This prevents the switch operating member 9 from being provided in a position beyond the movable range of the reciprocating member 3 in the axial direction D1, and the reciprocating movement device 1 can be made compact in the axial direction D1.

[0113] Case 2, as shown in Figures 29 to 31, has a box-shaped first case member 2A with an opening on one side and a second case member 2B that closes the opening of the first case member 2A. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 29, the bottom surface 23 of the first case member 2A, which is the side facing the retraction direction D12, is provided with a projection 24 that constitutes the first cam surface C1, which will be described later. The projection 24 is inclined such that its height from the bottom surface 23 changes as it moves in the circumferential direction D2, and this inclined surface constitutes the first cam surface C1. The projection 24 is provided at a position where it contacts the first contact surface CT1 of the retraction member 3 (in this embodiment, the inclined surface at the rear end of the second member 3B) in the axial direction D1 when the retraction member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12, as will be described later.

[0114] The second case member 2B is attached to the first case member 2A and closes the opening of the first case member 2A. In this embodiment, the second case member 2B is composed of a lid-shaped member that closes the first case member 2A. In this embodiment, a circular retractable member outlet 21 is formed in the second case member 2B (see Figure 41). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 29 to 31 and Figure 41, the second case member 2B has a cylindrical portion 25 that extends in the retraction direction D12 from the opening edge of the retractable member outlet 21 and constitutes a part of the cam portion C (specifically, the second cam surface C2 and guide portion C3 described later). More specifically, the second case member 2B has a plate-shaped lid portion 26 and a cylindrical portion 25 that protrudes in the retraction direction D12 from the inner surface of the plate-shaped lid portion 26 around the retractable member outlet 21. In this case, the cylindrical portion 25 extending in the retraction direction D12 from the opening edge of the retraction member outlet 21 functions as a rib that reinforces the area around the retraction member outlet 21. Therefore, even if the case 2 is miniaturized and the width between the periphery of the second case member 2B and the retraction member outlet 21 is reduced, the strength of the case 2 can be maintained.

[0115] In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is provided with an engaging projection PR that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis X of the reciprocating member 3 so as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, the reciprocating member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3 is held in a forward holding position moved in the forward direction D11 and a backward holding position moved in the backward direction D12, with the engaging projection PR guided by the cam portion C. As shown in Figures 36 to 39, the reciprocating member 3 is configured to pass through a turning position (see the solid line in Figure 37 and the dashed line in Figure 38) located further towards the backward direction D12 relative to the backward holding position when moving between the forward holding position and the backward holding position. When the reciprocating member 3 moves forward and backward in the axial direction D1, it moves while rotating in the circumferential direction D2 due to the cam portion C. As will be described in more detail later, the retractable member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction D2 when the first contact surface CT1 and the second contact surface CT2 provided on the second member 3B of the retractable member 3 come into contact with the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 of the cam portion C, and the engaging projection PR provided on the retractable member 3 is guided along a predetermined path, thereby realizing a predetermined movement of the retractable member 3.

[0116] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 29 and 36 to 39, the cam portion C includes a first cam surface C1 provided on the retraction direction D12 side within the case 2, a second cam surface C2 provided on the forward direction D11 side relative to the first cam surface C1, and a guide portion C3 that accommodates an engaging projection PR so as to guide the retracting member 3 from the forward holding position for a predetermined length in the axial direction D1. The retracting member 3 (second member 3B) that interacts with the cam portion C has a first contact surface CT1 that contacts the first cam surface C1, and a second contact surface CT2 provided on the forward direction D11 side of the engaging projection PR and that contacts the second cam surface C2. Details of the engaging projection PR will be described later.

[0117] The first cam surface C1 is inclined such that it contacts the first contact surface CT1 as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12, causing the reciprocating member 3 to rotate in the circumferential direction D2 in the first rotation direction D21 (see Figures 36 to 39). In this embodiment, the first cam surface C1 is provided on the case 2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 29, the first cam surface C1 is formed by the inclined surface of the front end of a projection 24 that protrudes from the bottom surface 23 of the first case member 2A. Multiple first cam surfaces C1 are provided in the circumferential direction D2, and between adjacent pairs of first cam surfaces C1, C1, a first stepped portion ST1 extending in the axial direction D1 is formed, as shown in Figures 36 to 39. As shown in Figure 30, the first stepped portion ST1 engages in the circumferential direction D2 with the engaging stepped portion ES, which extends in the forward direction D11 from the end of the first contact surface CT1 on the first rotational direction D21 side (see Figures 37 and 38).

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 37, the second cam surface C2 is inclined such that when the retractable member 3 is held in the retracted position via the folded position from the forward holding position, and the retractable member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the folded position, it contacts the second contact surface CT2 of the engaging projection PR, causing the retractable member 3 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 39, the second cam surface C2 is inclined such that when the retractable member 3 is held in the forward holding position via the folded position from the retracted position, and the retractable member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 from the folded position, it contacts the second contact surface CT2 of the engaging projection PR, causing the retractable member 3 to rotate in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, the second cam surface C2 is provided on the case 2. More specifically, the second cam surface C2 is provided on the cylindrical portion 25 of the second case member 2B. The second cam surface C2 is formed by the inclined surface at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 25 of the second case member 2B. Multiple second cam surfaces C2 are provided in the circumferential direction D2, and between adjacent pairs of second cam surfaces C2, C2, a second stepped portion ST2 extending in the axial direction D1 is formed, as shown in Figures 36 to 39. The second stepped portion ST2 engages with the engaging projection PR in the circumferential direction D2 (see Figures 37 and 38).

[0119] The guide portion C3 guides the engaging projection PR of the retractable member 3 in the axial direction D1. The guide portion C3 extends in the axial direction D1 and guides the engaging projection PR in the axial direction D1 when the retractable member 3 moves from the forward holding position to the backward direction D12, or when the retractable member 3 moves toward the forward holding position to the forward direction D11 (see Figures 36 and 39). In this embodiment, the guide portion C3 is provided in the case 2. More specifically, the guide portion C3 is provided in the cylindrical portion 25 of the second case member 2B. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 29, the guide portion C3 is a guide groove cut out to a predetermined width along the axial direction D1 on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 25.

[0120] The movement of the reciprocating member 3 between the forward holding position and the retracted holding position will be explained below using Figures 36 to 39 as examples. Note that the movement patterns of the reciprocating member 3 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 36 to 39. For ease of understanding, Figures 36 to 39 are schematic diagrams of the reciprocating member 3 and the cam portion C laid out on a plane. In Figures 36 to 39, the vertical direction is the axial direction D1 (up is the forward direction D11, and down is the retracted direction D12), and the horizontal direction is the circumferential direction D2 (right is the first rotational direction D21, and left is the second rotational direction D22).

[0121] As shown in Figure 36, in the forward-holding position, the engaging projection PR of the retractable member 3 is held at the front end of the guide portion C3. In this embodiment, the forward-holding position corresponds to the state in which the lid L is open. When a force in the retraction direction D12 is applied to the retractable member 3, such as by closing the lid L, the retractable member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12 against the biasing force of the biasing member 4.

[0122] When the reciprocating member 3 moves in the retraction direction D12, the first contact surface CT1 provided at the rear end of the reciprocating member 3 (second member 3B) comes into contact with the first cam surface C1 (see the dashed line in Figure 36). If a further force in the retraction direction D12 is applied to the reciprocating member 3 from this state, the inclination of the first contact surface CT1 and the first cam surface C1 causes the reciprocating member 3 to rotate in the circumferential direction D2 in the first rotation direction D21. Further rotation in the circumferential direction D2 is restricted when the engaging step portion ES of the reciprocating member 3 engages with the first step portion ST1 in the circumferential direction D2 (see the solid line in Figure 37). In this embodiment, this state is the folded position of the reciprocating member 3.

[0123] In the state shown by the solid line in Figure 37, when the force applied to the retraction member 3 in the retraction direction D12 is released, the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4 in the forward direction D11. When the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, the second contact surface CT2 provided at the front end of the engaging projection PR contacts the second cam surface C2. Due to the inclination of the second contact surface CT2 and the second cam surface C2, the retraction member 3 rotates in the first rotation direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. Further rotation of the retraction member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 is restricted when the engaging projection PR engages with the second step portion ST2 in the circumferential direction D2 (see the dashed line in Figure 37). In this embodiment, this state is the retracted holding position of the retraction member 3.

[0124] The movement of the retractable member 3 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position is performed in essentially the same manner. Specifically, when a force is applied to the retractable member 3 in the retracted direction D12 from the retracted holding position shown by the solid line in Figure 38, the retractable member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12 against the biasing force of the biasing member 4. When the retractable member 3 moves in the retracted direction D12, the first contact surface CT1 of the retractable member 3 (second member 3B) comes into contact with the first cam surface C1, and the retractable member 3 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2. Further rotation in the circumferential direction D2 is restricted when the engaging step portion ES of the retractable member 3 engages with the first step portion ST1 in the circumferential direction D2 (folding position; see the dashed line in Figure 38). In the state shown by the dashed line in Figure 38, when the retraction force D12 on the retraction member 3 is released, the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11 due to the biasing force D11 of the biasing member 4. When the retraction member 3 moves in the forward direction D11, the second contact surface CT2 provided at the front end of the engaging projection PR comes into contact with the second cam surface C2 (see the solid line in Figure 39). Due to the inclination of the second contact surface CT2 and the second cam surface C2, the retraction member 3 rotates in the first rotational direction D21 in the circumferential direction D2, and the engaging projection PR moves to the guide portion C3 provided on the first rotational direction D21 side of the second cam surface C2. Once the engaging projection PR has entered the guide portion C3, it moves to the front end of the guide portion C3 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 4 and is held in the forward holding position (see the dashed line in Figure 39).

[0125] Next, the retractable member 3 will be described. As shown in Figures 40 and 41, the retractable member 3 comprises a first member 3A and a second member 3B.

[0126] The first member 3A is a member of the reciprocating member 3 that is located on the forward direction D11 side. In this embodiment, a part of the first member 3A protrudes out of the case 2 from the reciprocating member outlet 21. As shown in Figures 30, 31, 40, and 41, the first member 3A is provided at the tip 311 on the forward direction D11 side of the reciprocating member outlet 21 and has a reciprocating member engaging portion 311a that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis X of the reciprocating member 3 and engages with the object to be operated (the lid L in this embodiment).

[0127] More specifically, as shown in Figures 40 and 41, the first member 3A comprises a first member body 32 extending along the axial direction D1 and a reciprocating member engaging portion 311a provided on the forward direction D11 side of the first member body 32. In this embodiment, the first member body 32 is configured to be movable in the axial direction D1 with respect to the reciprocating member outlet 21 and rotatable in the circumferential direction D2. In this embodiment, the first member body 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The reciprocating member engaging portion 311a protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of the first member body 32. That is, the reciprocating member engaging portion 311a protrudes radially outward from the opening edge of the circular reciprocating member outlet 21.

[0128] As shown in Figures 40 and 41, the end of the first member 3A on the side facing the receding direction D12 is provided with a first connecting portion 33 that connects to the second member 3B. The first connecting portion 33 is connected to a second connecting portion 34 provided on the second member 3B. The first connecting portion 33 is connected to the second connecting portion 34 in such a way that separation of the first member 3A and the second member 3B in the axial direction D1 is suppressed. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 33 is connected to the second connecting portion 34 in such a way that relative rotation in the circumferential direction D2 is suppressed when the first member 3A and the second member 3B are connected.

[0129] The first connecting portion 33 is configured so as not to protrude radially outward from the first member body 32 (the outermost part of the first connecting portion 33 is located at the same position or inward in the radial direction as the outer circumference of the first member body 32). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 41, the first connecting portion 33 comprises a cylindrical portion 33a with a smaller diameter than the first member body 32 and a connecting projection 33b protruding from the cylindrical portion 33a. The outermost part of the connecting projection 33b is provided so as to be located at the same position or inward in the radial direction as the outer circumference of the first member body 32. In this embodiment, the connecting projection 33b is connected to a groove-shaped connected portion 34a provided on the second connecting portion 34 of the second member 3B. Specifically, the second connecting portion 34 comprises a connected portion 34a formed by an L-shaped groove. The first member 3A and the second member 3B are connected by moving the connecting projection 33b from the opening on the forward direction D11 side of the connected portion 34a in the backward direction D12, then rotating it in the circumferential direction D2 and pressing it into the circumferential groove of the connected portion 34a. The shape and structure of the first connecting portion 33 and the second connecting portion 34 are not particularly limited, as long as they are configured to suppress separation of the first member 3A and the second member 3B in the axial direction D1 and to suppress relative rotation in the circumferential direction D2. For example, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may be composed of an engaging claw and an engaging recess, or they may be connected to each other by other connection methods such as adhesive bonding.

[0130] The second member 3B is the member on the retraction direction D12 side among the members constituting the retraction member 3. In this embodiment, the second member 3B is housed in the case 2 and interacts with the cam portion C. In this embodiment, the first member 3A is longer in the axial direction D1 than the second member 3B, and the first member 3A (first member body 32) is inserted into the retraction member outlet 21. However, the second member may be longer in the axial direction D1 than the first member, and the second member may be inserted into the retraction member outlet 21, or the lengths of the first and second members in the axial direction D1 may be approximately the same, and both the first and second members may be inserted into the retraction member outlet 21.

[0131] As shown in Figures 40 to 42, the second member 3B is provided with an engaging projection PR that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis X of the reciprocating member 3 so as to interact with the cam portion C, in order to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1. More specifically, the second member 3B comprises a second member body 35 and an engaging projection PR protruding from the outer surface of the second member body 35. In this embodiment, the second member body 35 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a pair of engaging projections PR protrude from the outer surface of the second member body 35. The second member 3B also has a second connecting portion 34 that is connected to the first connecting portion 33 of the first member 3A described above. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 34 has a connected portion 34a formed by an L-shaped groove. Specifically, the connected portion 34a has an opening at its end on the forward direction D11 side into which the connecting projection 33b can be inserted, and has an axial groove extending from the opening in the axial direction D1 for a predetermined length, and a circumferential groove extending from the axial groove in the circumferential direction D2. As described above, the shape and structure of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be changed as appropriate.

[0132] In this embodiment, the second member 3B has a first contact surface CT1 that contacts the first cam surface C1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 42, the first contact surface CT1 is formed by an inclined surface provided at the rear end of the second member 3B and inclined in the same direction as the first cam surface C1. The first contact surface CT1 may also be provided at other parts of the second member 3B, such as the rear end of the engaging projection PR.

[0133] The engaging projection PR interacts with the cam portion C to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 as the reciprocating member 3 moves in the axial direction D1, and is guided by the cam portion C (in this embodiment, the second cam surface C2 and the guide portion C3). In this embodiment, the engaging projection PR protrudes from the outer surface of the second member body 35. In this embodiment, the engaging projection PR interacts with the second cam surface C2 to rotate the reciprocating member 3 in the circumferential direction D2 when the reciprocating member 3 moves in the forward direction D11. Specifically, the engaging projection PR has a second contact surface CT2 provided on the forward direction D11 side of the engaging projection PR and in contact with the second cam surface C2. The second contact surface CT2 is composed of an inclined surface that is inclined in the same direction as the second cam surface C2.

[0134] Furthermore, the engaging projection PR may have a first contact surface CT1 at its rear end and a second contact surface CT2 at its end on the forward direction D11 side, as described above. In this case, the engaging projection PR interacts with both the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2, causing the reciprocating member 3 to rotate in the circumferential direction D2 as it moves in the forward direction D11 and the reverse direction D12.

[0135] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 32 and 42, the engaging projection PR has an engaged portion PR1 that engages with the locking member 6 in the locked position when a force is applied to the retracting member 3 in the retracted position D12 while the retracting member 3 is in the retracted holding position. The engagement of the engaged portion PR1 with the locking member 6 restricts the retracting member 3 from moving from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position, and restricts the lid L from moving from the closed state to the open state. Thus, in this embodiment, the engaging projection PR functions as a guided portion that is guided by the cam portion C when the retracting member 3 moves in the axial direction D1 and the circumferential direction D2, and also functions as a locking portion that restricts the movement of the retracting member 3 by engaging with the locking member 6.

[0136] The position where the engaged portion PR1 is provided is not particularly limited, as long as it can engage with the locking member 6 and restrict the movement of the reciprocating member 3 from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 32 and 42, the engaged portion PR1 engages with the locking member 6 at a position on the forward direction D11 side of the rear end of the engaging projection PR, and on the retracted direction D12 side of the second contact surface CT2. Therefore, when the locking member 6 and the engaging projection PR engage, no space is required on the retracted direction D12 side of the engaging projection PR for the engagement of the locking member 6 and the engaging projection PR (for example, when the locking member 6 engages with the rear end of the engaging projection PR, it is necessary to provide space on the retracted direction D12 side of the engaging projection PR for the extension portion 62 of the locking member 6). Therefore, the axial space D1 required for engagement between the locking member 6 and the engaging projection PR can be reduced, and the entire device can be miniaturized.

[0137] In this embodiment, the engaging projection PR includes an operating part PR2 that moves the switch operating member 9 between an operating position and a non-operating position, as shown in Figure 42 (see Figure 34). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 34, the operating part PR2 contacts the operated portion 93 of the switch operating member 9 and rotates the shaft portion 91 of the switch operating member 9 around its axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member 92. As a result, the switch operating member 9 moves from the operating position, where the switch SW is pressed by the operating part 94, to the non-operating position. In this embodiment, as described above, the engaging projection PR includes an engaged portion PR1 that engages with the locking member 6 and an operating part PR2 that operates the switch operating member 9. In this case, the engaging projection PR functions as a guided portion guided by the cam portion C, as well as a locking portion that engages with the locking member 6 to restrict the movement of the advancing member 3, and also functions as an operating part that operates the switch operating member 9.

[0138] In this embodiment, the operating part PR2 has an inclined surface at its front end (inclined in the opposite direction to the second contact surface CT2). Because the operating part PR2 has an inclined surface, when the engaging projection PR moves from the position on the side of the operated part 93 in the retraction direction D12 to the forward direction D11, the inclined surface of the operating part PR2 abuts against the rear end of the operated part 93, thereby moving the operated part 93 out of the trajectory of the engaging projection PR in the forward direction D11. Therefore, even if the operated part 93 is positioned on the trajectory of the engaging projection PR, the retraction member 3 can move from the retracted holding position to the forward holding position.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the retractable member 3 is constructed by connecting a first member 3A and a second member 3B, which is a separate member from the first member 3A, to each other. The first member 3A and the second member 3B each have portions (retractable member engagement portion 311a and engagement projection PR) that protrude in a direction intersecting the axis X, but by connecting the first member 3A and the second member 3B from both sides of the retractable member outlet in the axial direction D1, they can be made into a single retractable member 3. As a result, when assembling the retractable member 3 to the case 2, it is not necessary to pass the retractable member engagement portion 311a and engagement projection PR through the retractable member outlet 21. Therefore, it is not necessary to form an outwardly protruding portion in the retractable member outlet 21 for passing the portions (retractable member engagement portion 311a and engagement projection PR) that protrude from the outer surface of the retractable member 3. As a result, the retractable member outlet 21 only needs to be the smallest size that allows insertion of a portion of the retractable member 3 that does not have a protruding portion (retractable member engagement portion 311a and engagement projection PR), such as the first member body 32. Therefore, the retractable member outlet 21 can be made to the smallest size, and the case 2 (second case member 2B) can be miniaturized.

[0140] The embodiments described above primarily describe an invention having the following configuration.

[0141] (1) A reciprocating device comprising: a case; a reciprocating member that is provided to be able to move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction, and which is able to engage with a connection target, and a switch operating member that operates to turn a switch on / off according to the position of the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member is configured to be held in a forward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the forward direction and in a backward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the backward direction, by axial movement and circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member, the reciprocating member has an operating part that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the reciprocating member and moves the switch operating member between an operating position and a non-operating position, the switch operating member is provided to the side of the reciprocating member, and the switch operating member moves between the operating position and the non-operating position, thereby turning the switch on or off, by at least circumferential rotation of the operating part accompanying the circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member.

[0142] (2) The forward and backward moving device according to (1), wherein the switch operating member comprises a shaft portion rotatably provided around a predetermined axis; a shaft biasing member that biases the shaft portion to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis; an operated portion provided on the shaft portion and operated by the operating portion; and an operating portion provided on the shaft portion that operates the switch, wherein the operated portion rotates around the predetermined axis of the shaft portion by at least the rotation in the circumferential direction of the operating portion accompanying the axial movement and circumferential rotation of the forward and backward moving member, and the switch is turned on or off by the operating portion.

[0143] (3) The reciprocating device according to (1) or (2), wherein the shaft portion is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the reciprocating member.

[0144] (4) The reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the reciprocating device further comprises a cam member that engages with the reciprocating member at the end of the reciprocating member on the retracting side, and the operating portion of the reciprocating member is configured to contact the operated portion of the switch operating member with the outlet of the reciprocating member and the end of the cam member on the forward side in the axial direction.

[0145] (5) The reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the operated part has an operated surface that is inclined to rotate around a predetermined axis as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction while the operated part is in contact with the operating part.

[0146] (6) When the connected object changes from the first state to the second state, the reciprocating member moves from the forward holding position in the backward direction, moves in the forward direction via the return position, and is then held in the backward holding position. When the connected object changes from the second state to the first state, the reciprocating member moves from the backward holding position in the backward direction, moves in the forward direction via the return position, and is then held in the forward holding position. (1) When the connected object changes from the first state to the second state, while the reciprocating member moves a predetermined amount from the forward holding position in the backward direction, the operated part is pressed against the other by the operating part around the predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member and rotates, and the switch operating member moves from the operating position to the non-operating position. (2) When the reciprocating member moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction from the forward holding position and is held in the retraction holding position via the return position, the operated portion is pressed against the other by the operating portion around the predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member, and the switch operating member is held in the non-operating position. The reciprocating member moves a predetermined amount in the forward direction via the turning position, and the rotation of the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction releases the pressure applied by the operating part to the operated part around the predetermined axis, and the biasing force of the shaft biasing member causes the shaft to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, moving the switch operating member from the non-operating position to the operating position, according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0147] (7) The reciprocating device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the reciprocating device further comprises a cam portion provided in the case and configured to rotate the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction, the reciprocating member is provided with an engaging projection that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the reciprocating member so as to interact with the cam portion to rotate the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction, the reciprocating member is held in a forward holding position when moved in the forward direction and in a backward holding position when moved in the backward direction, with the engaging projection guided by the cam portion, and the operating portion is provided on the engaging projection.

[0148] 1. Moving device 2. Case 2A. First case member 2B. Second case member 21. Moving member outlet 221. Restricting part (first restricting part) 222. Second restricting part 223. Inclined surface at the intersection of the first restricting part and the second restricting part 23. Bottom surface 24. Protruding part 25. Cylindrical part 26. Lid part 3. Moving member 3A. First member 3B. Second member 31. Moving member body 311. Tip part 311a. Moving member engagement part 312. Base end part 313. Central part 314. Operating part 32. First member body 33. First connecting part 33a. Cylindrical part 33b. Connecting projection part 34. Second connecting part 34a. Connected part 35. Second member body 4. Biasing member 5. Cam member 51. First cam member 511. First cam surface 512 Recess 52 Second cam member 521 First retaining part 521a Axial engaging surface 521b, 521c Circumferential engaging surface 522 Second retaining part 522a Axial engaging surface 522b Circumferential engaging surface 523 Second cam surface 524 Third cam surface 525 Engaging projection 53 Contact part 6 Locking member 61 Driven part 62 Extended part 63 Pressed part 7 Locking member driving device 71 Driven part 72 Screw shaft 8 Manual operation part 81 Operating member 82 Lock release part 9 Switch operating member 91 Shaft part 92 Shaft biasing member 93 Operated part 931 Operated surface 932 Engaging surface 94 Operating part B Base part Ba Opening Bb Supply port C Cam part C1 First cam surface C2 Second cam surface C3 Guide part CT1 First contact surface CT2 Second contact surface D1 Axial direction D11 Forward direction D12 Reverse direction D2 Circumferential direction D21 First rotation direction D22 Second rotation direction E1 First engagement part E11 Axial engagement surface E12 Pressing part E13, E14 Circumferential engagement surfaces E2 Second engagement part E21 Axial engagement surface E22 Circumferential engagement surface E23 Inclined surface at the intersection of the axial engagement surface and the circumferential engagement surface of the second engagement part ES Engagement step H Hinge L Lid L1 Lid body L2 Lid engagement part L21 Guide part L211 Inclined surface L22 Holding part PR Engagement projection PR1 Engaged part PR2 Operating part SP SpaceST1 First step section ST2 Second step section SW Switch X axis

Claims

1. A reciprocating device comprising: a case; a reciprocating member projecting from an outlet of the reciprocating member of the case, provided to be able to move back and forth in a forward direction and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction, and capable of engaging with a connection object; and a switch operating member that operates to turn a switch on / off according to the position of the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member is configured to be held in a forward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the forward direction and in a backward holding position when the reciprocating member has moved in the backward direction, by axial movement and circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member, the reciprocating member is provided with an operating part projecting in a direction intersecting the axis of the reciprocating member, and moving the switch operating member between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein the switch operating member moves between the operating position and the non-operating position, thereby turning the switch on or off, by at least circumferential rotation of the operating part accompanying the circumferential rotation of the reciprocating member.

2. The forward-reverse movement device according to claim 1, wherein the switch operating member comprises a shaft portion rotatably provided around a predetermined axis; a shaft biasing member that biases the shaft portion to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis; an operated portion provided on the shaft portion and operated by the operating portion; and an operating portion provided on the shaft portion that operates the switch, wherein the operated portion rotates around the predetermined axis of the shaft portion by at least the rotation in the circumferential direction of the operating portion accompanying the axial movement and circumferential rotation of the forward-reverse member, and the switch is turned on or off by the operating portion.

3. The reciprocating device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft portion is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the reciprocating member.

4. The reciprocating device according to claim 3, further comprising a cam member at the retraction-side end of the reciprocating member, which engages with the reciprocating member, and wherein the operating portion of the reciprocating member is configured to contact the operated portion of the switch operating member in the axial direction between the outlet of the reciprocating member and the forward-side end of the cam member.

5. The reciprocating device according to claim 2, wherein the operated portion has an operated surface that is inclined to rotate around a predetermined axis as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction while in contact with the operating portion.

6. When the connected object changes from the first state to the second state, the reciprocating member moves from the forward holding position in the backward direction, moves in the forward direction via the return position, and is then held in the backward holding position. When the connected object changes from the second state to the first state, the reciprocating member moves from the backward holding position in the backward direction, moves in the forward direction via the return position, and is then held in the forward holding position. (1) When the connected object changes from the first state to the second state, while the reciprocating member moves a predetermined amount from the forward holding position in the backward direction, the operated part is pressed against the other by the operating part around the predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member and rotates, and the switch operating member moves from the operating position to the non-operating position. (2) When the reciprocating member moves a predetermined amount in the retraction direction from the forward holding position and is held in the retraction holding position via the return position, the operated portion is pressed against the other by the operating portion around the predetermined axis against the biasing force of the shaft biasing member, and the switch operating member is held in the non-operating position. The reciprocating device according to claim 2, wherein after the reciprocating member has moved a predetermined amount in the forward direction via the folding position, the rotation of the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction releases the pressure applied by the operating part to the operated part around the predetermined axis, and the biasing force of the shaft biasing member causes the shaft to rotate in one direction around the predetermined axis, moving the switch operating member from the non-operating position to the operating position.

7. The reciprocating device according to claim 1, further comprising a cam portion provided within the case and configured to rotate the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction, the reciprocating member having an engaging projection that protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the reciprocating member so as to interact with the cam portion to rotate the reciprocating member in the circumferential direction as the reciprocating member moves in the axial direction, the reciprocating member being held in a forward holding position when moved in the forward direction and a backward holding position when moved in the backward direction, with the engaging projection guided by the cam portion, and the operating portion provided on the engaging projection.

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