JP4260949B2 - Air damper - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air damper that acts as a damper because its operating resistance increases during either one of pulling and pushing movements of a piston rod.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the lid attached to a cup holder, ashtray, glove box, etc., and its main body are connected by a unidirectional air damper, for example, when opening the lid so that it moves slowly and then closes In order to achieve a relatively quick movement, the one that improves the opening and closing feeling is often used.
[0003]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an air damper for such an application has an O-ring 204 fitted in an annular groove 206 of a piston 203 that slides in a cylinder 201, and an orifice 207 is formed in the piston 203. The orifice 207 is configured to face the annular groove 206.
[0004]
In this conventional air damper configuration, when the piston 203 is pulled in the direction of the arrow X, the O-ring 204 comes into contact with one end of the annular groove 206. At this time, the O-ring 204 is placed between the orifice 207 and the cylinder 201. Therefore, the air in the cylinder 201 is difficult to flow out, and the resistance to the piston operation is increased, so that it acts as a damper. On the other hand, when the piston 203 is pushed in the direction of the arrow Y, the O-ring 204 comes into contact with the other end side of the annular groove 206 as shown by the one-dot chain line in the figure, and at this time, the orifice 207 and the cylinder 201 are electrically connected. Then, the air inside the cylinder 201 flows out through the orifice 207, and the resistance to the piston operation becomes small. That is, in the air damper shown in FIG. 9, the end face 207a of the orifice 207 faces the one end of the annular groove 206, and the air damper having such a configuration is a unidirectional one that functions as a damper only when the piston is pulled. It becomes.
[0005]
On the other hand, if the depth of the orifice 207 is made shallow so that the end face 207a faces the other end of the annular groove 206, an air damper that functions as a damper only when pushing the piston can be obtained.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the conventional air damper uses an O-ring, the cost is high.
[0007]
Further, since the friction itself between the O-ring and the cylinder is relatively large, the resistance difference in both directions cannot be increased so much even if it functions as a damper in only one direction. For this reason, for example, the difference is not seen between when the lid is opened and when the lid is closed.
[0008]
Further, the adjustment of the load as the damper is performed by changing the shape of the orifice. However, since the processing of the orifice is a fine processing, it is difficult to finely adjust the load.
[0009]
Furthermore, since the shape of the orifice differs depending on the directionality, it is necessary to use different types of pistons depending on the directionality. In this respect, the number of parts is increased and the manufacturing cost is increased.
[0010]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and can be manufactured at a low cost without using an O-ring, and the difference in opening and closing can be ensured by increasing the resistance difference in both directions. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air damper that can be adjusted easily and that can share components and reduce costs regardless of the directionality.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an air damper that acts as a damper due to an increase in operating resistance during either one of the operations of pulling and pushing the piston rod. Both ends are open, are formed on the inner periphery of one opening end, are expanded toward one opening end, and are inclined toward one opening end cylinder contact surface, and the inner periphery of the other opening end. A cylinder having a cylinder contact surface on the side of the other opening end that is formed and contracts toward the other opening end and is inclined, and a piston rod, and is provided at the tip of the piston rod and slides in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. A piston and a first cap having a cap contact surface that is attached to one opening end portion of the cylinder and contacts a cylinder contact surface on the one opening end portion side, or another opening end that is attached to the other opening end portion of the cylinder Department side silin It comprises a second cap having a contact surface contacting the cap abutment surface, and when constituting the air damper by using the cylinder and the piston rod and the piston and the first cap, depending on the operation of pulling the piston rod The cap abutment surface and the one-opening end side cylinder abutment surface are in close contact with each other to increase the operating resistance and act as a damper. When the cylinder damper , the piston rod, the piston, and the second cap are used to form an air damper , the cap contact is reduced according to the operation of pushing the piston rod. The contact surface and the other opening end side cylinder contact surface come into close contact with each other to increase the operating resistance and act as a damper. Dynamic resistance is small and the free and the mouth end side cylinder contact surface, it is characterized in that.
[0013]
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1 above, an orifice is formed on the cap contact surface to connect the inside of the cylinder and the outside of the cylinder. It is said.
[0014]
Further, in the invention described in claim 3 , in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1, the piston has a plurality of pleated protrusions along the circumferential direction, and the plurality of pleated shapes. The protrusion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in a sucker shape.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0016]
1 is an exploded perspective view of an air damper according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the air damper, FIG. 3 shows one end side of the air damper, (A) is a left side view thereof, and (B) is a front sectional view thereof. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the air damper.
[0017]
In these drawings, an air damper 101 is a unidirectional air damper that acts as a damper when the piston rod 2 is pulled, and a cylinder 3, a piston rod 2, and a piston 3 provided at the tip (one end) of the piston rod 2. And a cap 4 that attaches to one open end 11 of the cylinder 1.
[0018]
The cylinder 1 has a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and a cylinder abutment is formed on the inner periphery of the one opening end 11 so as to expand toward the one opening end and incline with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Surface 12 is formed. On the other hand, the diameter of the other opening end portion 13 is narrowed with respect to the cylinder body, and the inner periphery before the other opening end portion 13 is reduced in diameter and inclined toward the other opening end portion 13 with respect to the cylinder inner peripheral surface. A cylinder contact surface 14 (see FIG. 7) is formed.
[0019]
Further, a support portion 15 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 1 so that, for example, a support shaft extending from the box body side wall of the glove box is fitted into the hole 15a of the support portion 15 so as to support the cylinder 1. It has become.
[0020]
The above-mentioned piston rod 2 is in the shape of a long and narrow rod, and a shaft insertion hole 21 is formed on the other end side, for example, an operating shaft extending from the lid side wall of the glove box is inserted, and the lid The piston rod 2 is operated together with the lid when the body is opened and closed.
[0021]
The piston 3 has a plurality of pleated protrusions 31 along the circumferential direction, and the plurality of pleated protrusions 31 are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 1 in a sucker shape. Yes. Further, a space between the plurality of pleated protrusions 31 is used as a grease reservoir, and an appropriate amount of grease is filled therein.
[0022]
The cap 4 is formed of a material having moderate elasticity, and a central cover surface 42 is recessed into the cap with respect to the peripheral end portion 41, and between the peripheral end portion 41 and the cover surface 42. The cap contact surface 43 is formed with a gradient so as to increase the diameter toward the peripheral end 41 side. The cap contact surface 43 comes into contact with the cylinder contact surface 12 when the cap 4 is attached to the one opening end 11 side of the cylinder 1.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the cap contact surface 43 is formed with slit groove-like orifices 44... Across the entire width along the contact surface width direction. Holes 45... For smooth production by injection molding are formed along the peripheral end portion 41 at predetermined intervals.
[0024]
On the bottom circumference of the peripheral portion 46 of the cap 4, locking claws 47 that protrude inward are formed at predetermined intervals, and when the cap 4 is attached, the locking claws 47 are arranged on the outer periphery of the cylinder 1. The locking claw 47 is recessed along the cylinder direction within the width of the locking groove 16. Accordingly, the crowned cap 4 can move along the cylinder direction with a play corresponding to the width of the locking groove 16. When the cap 4 is attached, a gap R <b> 2 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 46 a of the peripheral portion 46 of the cap 4 and the outer peripheral surface 11 a or the locking groove 16 of the one opening end portion 11 of the cylinder 1. The In the portion where the locking claw 47 is formed, a gap R <b> 2 is also formed between the locking claw 47 and the locking groove 16.
[0025]
In order to assemble the above parts as the air damper 101, as shown in FIG. 1, first, the other end of the piston rod 2 is inserted into one opening end 11 of the cylinder 1 and the piston rod 2 is inserted into the other opening of the cylinder 1. Project from the end 13. The piston rod 2 and the piston 3 are slidably supported at the center of the cylinder by the inner peripheral shape of the other open end 13. The piston 3 is slidably adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 1. Subsequently, the cap 4 is attached to the open end 11 of the cylinder 1. The operation of the air damper 101 assembled in this way will be described below.
[0026]
First, the case where the piston rod 2 is pushed toward the one opening end portion 11 of the cylinder 1 from the state of FIG. 2 will be described. When the piston rod 2 is pushed, the air pressure in the cylinder increases, and the cap 4 moves to the outside of the cylinder by the amount of play corresponding to the width of the locking groove 16, and the cap contact surface 43 and the cylinder contact surface 12 are separated from each other, and a gap R1 as shown in FIG. 4A is generated. Further, as described above, a gap R <b> 2 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 46 a of the peripheral portion 46 of the cap 4 and the outer peripheral surface 11 a and the locking groove 16 of the one opening end portion 11 of the cylinder 1. . Therefore, the inside of the cylinder (the space surrounded by the cylinder 1, the piston 3, and the cap 4) and the outside of the cylinder are conducted through the gap R1 and the gap R2, and the air in the cylinder passes through the gaps R1 and R2. As a result, the operating resistance when the piston rod 2 is pushed becomes small. That is, the operation of pushing the piston rod 2 is performed quickly. A part of the air in the cylinder may be discharged from the gap R1 through the hole 45.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the piston rod 2 is pulled toward the other opening end 13 of the cylinder 1, the air pressure in the cylinder becomes negative, and the cap 4 is drawn inward by the negative pressure. Move to the inside of the cylinder. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cap contact surface 43 and the cylinder contact surface 12 are in close contact with each other, and the inside of the cylinder and the outside of the cylinder are conducted through the orifice 44. Since the inflow of air is restricted by the orifices 44. Therefore, the operation resistance when pulling the piston rod 2 becomes large and acts as a damper, and the pulling operation of the piston rod 2 accordingly becomes slow.
[0028]
When pulling or pushing the piston rod 2, the plurality of pleated protrusions 31 of the piston 3 are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 1 in a sucker shape. The airtightness (sealability) can be reliably maintained. Further, since an appropriate amount of grease is filled between the plurality of pleated projections 31, this grease coats the sliding surface between the piston 3 and the cylinder 1, and the sliding between the piston 3 and the cylinder 1 is performed. The dynamic resistance is even lower.
[0029]
Since the cap 4 is formed of a material having moderate elasticity, the cap contact surface 43 is deformed in response to air pressure fluctuations when the piston rod 2 is pulled or pushed. This deformation causes the cap contact surface 43 and the cylinder contact surface 12 to be released when the piston rod 2 is pushed, and the cap contact surface 43 and the cylinder contact surface 12 are brought into close contact when the piston rod 2 is pulled. Bring.
[0030]
Therefore, the configuration in which the cap 4 is formed of a material having moderate elasticity, combined with the above-described configuration in which the cap 4 is movable, further enhances the unidirectional damper effect of the air damper 101. Even if the air damper adopts only one of the configuration in which the cap 4 is formed of an elastic material and the configuration in which the cap 4 is movable, the unidirectional damper function can be sufficiently exhibited.
[0031]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the air damper according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the air damper according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing both end sides of the air damper according to the second embodiment, and FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the air damper of 2nd Embodiment.
[0033]
The air damper 102 in this embodiment is a unidirectional air damper that acts as a damper when the piston rod 2 is pushed. The air damper 102 in the first embodiment is a main component such as the cylinder 1 and the piston rod 2. And the piston 3 is the same and is a common part, and only the caps 5 and 6 attached to both ends of the cylinder are different. Therefore, only the configuration of the caps 5 and 6 will be described here.
[0034]
The cap 5 is mounted on the other open end 13 of the cylinder 1 and the cap 6 is mounted on the open end 11 of the cylinder 1. Both the cap 5 and the cap 4 are formed of a material having moderate elasticity, like the cap 4. Yes. The cap 5 has a hollow substantially truncated cone shape, and one end on the long diameter side is opened, and the other end on the short diameter side is formed as a lid portion 51. An aperture groove 51 a is formed in the lid 51, and an inclined surface from the aperture groove 51 a to the opening peripheral edge 52 is a cap contact surface 53 that contacts the cylinder contact surface 14.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 5, slit cap-shaped orifices 54 are formed on the cap contact surface 53 over the entire width along the contact surface width direction.
[0036]
On the other hand, the shape of the cap 6 is substantially similar to the cap 4 described above. The difference is that a rod passage hole 69 through which the piston rod 2 can penetrate is formed in the center of the lid surface 62 of the cap 6. This is the point where the periphery of the through hole 69 of the rod is reinforced in a thick shape. Since the other parts of the cap 6 are almost similar to the cap 4, among the reference numerals attached to the cap 4, the second digit “4” from the bottom is changed to “6”, and the reference numerals are attached. The description is omitted.
[0037]
In order to assemble the above components as the air damper 102, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the cap 5 is inserted from the one opening end 11 side of the cylinder 1 and pushed into the other opening end 13, and the inner periphery of the other opening end 13 is obtained. The locking piece 13 a (FIG. 5) that protrudes with a gap along is inserted into the throttle groove 51 a of the cap 5, and the cap 5 is fitted into the other opening end 13. At this time, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the other opening end 13 and the throttle groove 51a at a portion where the locking piece 13a is not provided, thereby forming an air passage (not shown).
[0038]
Next, the piston 3 is put into the one opening end 11 of the cylinder 1, and the piston rod 2 is protruded from the one opening end 11 of the cylinder 1. Subsequently, the rod through hole 69 of the cap 6 is inserted into the piston rod 2, the cap 6 is inserted, and the piston 1 is attached to the opening end 11 of the cylinder 1. The piston rod 2 and the piston 3 are slidably supported at the center of the cylinder by the inner peripheral shape of the rod passage hole 69 of the cap 6. The operation of the air damper 102 assembled in this way will be described below.
[0039]
First, the case where the piston rod 2 is pushed toward the other opening end 13 of the cylinder 1 from the state of FIG. 6 will be described. As the piston rod 2 is pushed, the air pressure in the cylinder increases, the cap 5 is pushed outward by the pressure, and the cap contact surface 53 and the cylinder contact surface 14 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder interior (the space surrounded by the cylinder 1, the piston 3 and the cap 5) and the outside of the cylinder are electrically connected to each other through the orifice 54, the air passage, etc. Since the outflow of the air is limited by the orifices 54, the flow is small. Therefore, the operation resistance when the piston rod 2 is pushed becomes large and acts as a damper, and the operation of pushing the piston rod 2 accordingly becomes slow.
[0040]
On the other hand, when the piston rod 2 is pulled toward the open end 11 of the cylinder 1, the air pressure in the cylinder becomes negative, and the cap 5 is drawn inward by the negative pressure, and the cap contact surface. 5 3, free each other and the cylinder contact surface 1 4, and the other open end 1 3, between the cap 5, is caused voids R3 as shown in FIG. 8 (B). The air passage is also slightly enlarged accordingly. Accordingly, the inflow of air into the cylinder is quickly performed via this void R3 and air passage or the like, the operation resistance when pulling the piston rod 2 is reduced. That is, the operation of pulling the piston rod 2 is performed quickly.
[0041]
Also in the case of the air damper 102, since the cap 5 is formed of an elastic material, the above-described action of the cap abutment surface 53 and the cylinder abutment surface 14 being separated or closely attached is further strengthened. The damper effect can be demonstrated more clearly.
[0042]
As described above, in the first and second embodiments, since the expensive O-ring is not used, the air dampers 101 and 102 can be manufactured at low cost.
[0043]
In addition, since the air dampers 101 and 102 can be configured without using an O-ring that increases friction with the cylinder inner peripheral surface, the operating resistance in one direction that exhibits the damper effect and the operating resistance in the opposite direction to that are exhibited. Therefore, for example, when the air damper 101 is operated in synchronism with opening and closing on the lid side of a glove box or the like, the operating resistance especially in the closing operation can be remarkably reduced, and the opening and closing feeling The difference can be assured.
[0044]
In addition, since the orifices 44 and 54 are formed in the caps 4 and 5 that are easy to process, the shape of the orifices 44 and 54 such as the slit width and the slit depth can be easily changed, and therefore the damper load can be adjusted. It can be done easily.
[0045]
Moreover, since the direction which functions as a damper can be changed according to each aspect of the cylinder contact surfaces 12 and 14 formed in the cylinder opening end portions 11 and 13, the direction can be easily changed with a simple configuration. This eliminates the need for conventional microfabrication of the piston for changing the orifice shape. Moreover, the direction can be easily changed by simply replacing the cap, which is a simple component.
[0046]
Further, in the air dampers 101 and 102 having different directions as the damper, the cylinder 1, the piston rod 2 and the piston 3 which are the main parts can be shared, so that the number of parts of the air damper can be reduced. Coupled with not using a ring, a significant reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention consists of an above-described structure, there can exist an effect which is demonstrated below.
[0048]
In this invention, since it was set as the structure which does not use an expensive O-ring, an air damper can be manufactured at low cost.
[0049]
In addition, since an air damper can be configured without using an O-ring that increases friction with the cylinder inner peripheral surface, the difference between the operating resistance in one direction that exhibits the damper effect and the operating resistance in the opposite direction. Therefore, for example, when the lid is operated when the lid is opened and closed, the operating resistance especially during the closing operation can be reduced, and the difference in opening and closing feeling can be ensured.
[0050]
Further, since the damper function is exhibited by using the separation and close contact between the cap contact surface and the cylinder contact surface, an O-ring is fitted to a conventional piston or an orifice is formed. A complicated configuration is not required, and therefore the air damper can be of a simple configuration.
[0051]
Further, in the present invention, since the cylinder inscribed surface is formed by giving a gradient toward the one opening end side on the inner periphery of the one opening end of the cylinder, there are at least two modes, for example, one opening, as the cylinder informing surface Two modes can be formed when the diameter is increased toward the end side and when the diameter is reduced, and the direction of functioning as a damper can be changed according to the two aspects of the cylinder contact surface. The microfabrication required for changing the direction in accordance with the orifice shape of the piston is not required at all. Therefore, the direction can be easily changed with a simple configuration.
[0052]
And by arranging the two modes of the cylinder contact surface at each end of the cylinder, the cylinder can be used in common regardless of directionality, while the piston and piston rod are in common. Therefore, all the main parts can be made common, and therefore, the number of parts of the air damper can be reduced, and in terms of cost, the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced in combination with the absence of the O-ring.
[0053]
In the present invention, since the orifice is formed in the cap that can be easily processed, the shape of the orifice can be easily changed, and therefore the damper load can be easily adjusted.
[0054]
Further, in the present invention, since the outer peripheral surface of the piston is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in a sucker shape, the piston slides in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Can be reliably maintained. Further, an appropriate amount of grease can be filled between the plurality of pleated projections, and this grease coats the surface of the piston and the cylinder, so that the sliding resistance between the piston and the cylinder is further increased. It will be low.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air damper according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the air damper according to the first embodiment.
3A and 3B are enlarged views of one end side of the air damper according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 3A is a left side view thereof, and FIG. 3B is a front sectional view thereof.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the air damper according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an air damper according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of an air damper according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing both end sides of an air damper according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the air damper according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional air damper.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylinder 11 One opening end part 12 Cylinder contact surface 13 Other opening end part 13a Locking piece 14 Cylinder contact surface 15 Support part 15a Support part hole 16 Locking groove 2 Piston rod 21 Shaft insertion hole 3 Piston 31 Fold Protrusion 4 Cap 41 Peripheral end 42 Cover surface 43 Cap contact surface 44 Orifice 45 Hole 46 Peripheral 47 Locking claw 5 Cap 51 Cover 51a Restriction groove 52 Opening edge 53 Cap contact surface 54 Orifice 6 Cap 62 Cover Surface 69 Rod passage hole 101 Air damper 102 Air damper R1, R2, R3 Air gap

Claims (3)

In the air damper that acts as a damper because the operating resistance increases during either operation of pulling and pushing the piston rod,
One opening end side cylinder contact surface which is a cylindrical body and is open at both ends, is formed on the inner periphery of one opening end, and expands toward one opening end, and the inner periphery of the other opening end A cylinder having a cylinder contact surface on the side of the other opening end that is formed to be reduced in diameter and inclined toward the other opening end, and
A piston rod;
A piston provided at the tip of the piston rod and sliding in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder;
First cap having an abutting cap contact surface on one opening end portion side cylinder abutment surface mounted on one open end of the cylinder or,
A second cap having a cap contact surface that is attached to the other opening end of the cylinder and contacts the cylinder opening surface of the other opening end portion;
With
When an air damper is configured using the cylinder, piston rod, piston, and first cap, the cap contact surface and the one-end end side cylinder contact surface are brought into close contact with each other in accordance with the operation of pulling the piston rod. The operating resistance becomes large and acts as a damper, and according to the operation of pushing the piston rod, the cap contact surface and the one-end end side cylinder contact surface are released, and the operation resistance becomes small,
When an air damper is configured using the cylinder, piston rod, piston, and second cap, the cap contact surface and the other opening end side cylinder contact surface are brought into close contact with each other according to the operation of pushing the piston rod. The operating resistance becomes large and acts as a damper, and according to the operation of pulling the piston rod, the cap contact surface and the other contact end side cylinder contact surface are released and the operation resistance becomes small.
An air damper characterized by that.   The air damper according to claim 1, wherein an orifice that connects the inside of the cylinder and the outside of the cylinder is formed on the cap contact surface.   2. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the piston has a plurality of pleated protrusions along a circumferential direction, and the plurality of pleated protrusions are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in a sucker shape. The listed air damper.

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