JP7224311B2 - shock absorber - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shock absorber capable of adjusting the closed position of a movable member that closes an opening of an automobile, such as a trunk lid, tailgate (backdoor), bonnet, and door.

Patent document 1 as a lid bumper (shock absorber) for an automobile, comprising a receptacle attached to a frame or panel of an automobile, and a stud composed of a head and a shaft portion, the head being inserted into the receptacle and combined with the receptacle. are shown in

The interior of the receptacle is formed with ribs that selectively engage one of the small and large ribs formed on the stud. A small rib on the stud engages a rib on the receptacle in a ratcheting manner. Thereby, the amount of protrusion of the stud from the receptacle can be adjusted. After this adjustment, when the stud is twisted around its central axis, the large ribs of the stud are strongly engaged with the ribs of the receptacle, and the stud is held in the adjusted position relative to the receptacle. ing.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-516962

The main problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a shock absorber of this kind with a structure capable of more appropriately and stably holding the adjusted state of the closed position of the movable member of the automobile. The point is to make it possible to give.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a shock absorber capable of adjusting the closed position of a movable member that closes an opening of a vehicle at the closed position,
a grommet body for mounting;
a female member that is at least partially housed in the grommet body in a state that it can move in a direction along the central axis of the grommet body;
a male member comprising a shock-absorbing head located outside the female member at one end of a shaft portion housed in the female member,
The female member is formed with a deformable portion that is likely to be elastically deformed. Engagement portions that can be engaged with each other are formed in
A restricting portion that is pressed against an inner surface of the deformable portion of the female member to restrict elastic deformation of the deformable portion when the male member is rotated from a pre-twisting position to a predetermined twisting position. It was supposed to be prepared.

When the movable member is closed while the shock absorber is installed on the opening side or the movable member side, the shock absorbing head of the male member hits the opening side or the movable member side, thereby causing the female member to move. The grommet can be pushed into the body.
Since the female member is provided with an engaging portion in the deformable portion that is movable in the central axis direction in the grommet body and is engaged with the engaged portion at each position after this movement, By the closing operation of the movable member, the female member is pushed into the grommet body by a predetermined distance, and is held by the engagement at the pushed position.
Thereafter, when the male member is rotated to a predetermined twisting position, the restricting portion of the male member is pressed against the inner surface of the deformable portion of the female member to restrict the elastic deformation of the deformable portion. As a result, it is possible to firmly maintain the state in which the female member is pushed into the grommet body by a predetermined distance, and position the shock-absorbing head portion of the male member at a fixed position.
Thus, when the movable member is closed again, the shock absorber determines the closing position of the movable member.

It is one aspect of the present invention to extend the shaft portion of the male member from the inside of the female member by a predetermined amount as the male member rotates to the twisted position.

In addition, the female member and the male member are combined with the sliding contact portion formed on one of them in contact with the guide portion formed on the other, and the guide portion is aligned with the central axis. It is one of the aspects of the present invention to form it so as to follow a rotating virtual spiral.

Further, the female member is engaged with a locked portion formed on the male member as the male member is rotated to the twisted position so that the male member returns to the pre-twisted position. It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a locking portion that restricts movement.

Further, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a forward movement restricting means for restricting the forward movement of the male member beyond the twisted position.

Further, provision of temporary holding means for temporarily holding the male member in the pre-twisting position is one aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to rationally provide the shock absorber with a structure capable of more appropriately and stably maintaining the state in which the closed position of the movable member of the automobile is adjusted by the shock absorber.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damping device according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grommet body that constitutes the shock absorber. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a female member that constitutes the shock absorber. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a male member that constitutes the shock absorber. FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the shock absorber. FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cutaway side view showing the shock absorber in use, in which the male member is in the pre-twisting position (reference position). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of FIG. 6 broken at a position different from that of FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shock absorber with the male member in a predetermined twisted position; 9 is a fragmentary cutaway side view of the state of FIG. 8. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of FIG. 8 broken at a position different from that of FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the female member that constitutes the shock absorber as viewed from its base side. 12 is a cross-sectional view at the AA position in FIG. 11. FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the shock-absorbing head side of the male member that constitutes the shock-absorbing device with the cap removed, and shows the male member in the pre-twisting position. The lock portion of the female member and the temporary holding means are indicated by imaginary lines. FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cutaway perspective view of the male member of the shock absorber with the cap removed.

A typical embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. FIG. When the shock absorber 1 according to this embodiment is operated to close a movable member that blocks the opening of the automobile at the closed position, such as the trunk lid, tailgate (back door), bonnet, and door that constitute the automobile, The opening portion side O and the movable member side L are buffered so that portions that are not expected to contact each other do not abut each other, and the closing position can be adjusted.

Such a shock absorber 1 is installed on the opening side O or the movable member side L, and by closing the movable member, the later-described female body is connected via the later-described male member 4 . The member 3 is pushed into a grommet body 2 which will be described later (see FIG. 6). Thereafter, by rotating the male member 4, which will be described later, to a predetermined twisted position, it is possible to prevent the engagement between the female member 3 and the grommet body 2 from being released. As a result, when the movable member is closed again, the damping device 1 determines the closing position of the movable member. For example, if the movable member is a trunk lid, the height of the trunk lid in its closed position can be determined by the damping device 1 . In addition, the shock absorber 1 is constructed so that the male member 4 is extended by a predetermined length from the female member 3 by the twisting operation (rotating operation) of the male member 4, which will be described later (see FIG. 9). By making the dimensions substantially match the overstroke of the movable member, the overstroke can be absorbed and the opening can be closed by the movable member at the closed position without backlash. .

Such a shock absorber 1 is composed of a grommet body 2, a female member 3 and a male member 4. As shown in FIG.

The grommet body 2 is for attaching the buffer device 1 to the opening side O or the movable member side L. As shown in FIG.

In the illustrated example, the grommet body 2 has a form in which an outer flange 2d is formed at the one end of a tubular portion 2a with one end 2b open and the other end 2c closed. The tubular portion 2a has a square tubular shape in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the central axis, that is, the central axis x of the grommet body 2 (see FIGS. 2, 6, and 10) is square at any position. is presenting. Further, the contour of the outer flange 2d is circular. Of the four side portions 2e of the grommet body 2, two side portions 2e at opposite positions are respectively formed with engagement pieces 2f. The engaging piece 2f extends in the direction along the central axis x on the side of the one end 2b, and has a pair of longitudinal grooves 2g that position one end of the groove at the one end 2b, and between the one ends of the pair of longitudinal grooves 2g. It is composed of a portion of the side portion 2e divided by the lateral groove 2h extending therethrough. The outer surface of the engaging piece 2f is formed with an inclination that gradually increases the distance from the central axis x as it approaches the one end 2b side. In the illustrated example, a rectangular mounting hole H is formed on the opening side O or the movable member side L, and the mounting hole H follows the cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 2a from the other end 2c side. When the grommet body 2 is inserted, the outer surfaces of the pair of engaging pieces 2f are brought into sliding contact with the rim of the mounting hole H in the course of this insertion, and are bent toward the central axis x to allow this insertion, and the insertion end position is reached. , and is engaged with the edge of the mounting hole H. As shown in FIG. As a result, the grommet body 2 is mounted such that the panel having the mounting hole H is sandwiched between the outer flange 2d and the engaging piece 2f (FIG. 6).

Further, inside the grommet body 2, an engaged portion 2i is formed for an engaging portion 3b formed outside a deformable portion 3a of the female member 3, which will be described later. Of the four side portions 2e of the grommet body 2, the engaged portions 2i are respectively formed on two side portions 2e where the engaging pieces 2f are not formed. In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 2i is formed at an intermediate position of the grommet body 2 in the central axis x direction. In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 2i is formed by forming a plurality of ribs 2j extending in the width direction of the side portion 2e with gaps between adjacent ribs 2j in the direction of the central axis x. The cross-sectional shape of the grommet body 2 along the central axis x at the position of the engaged portion 2i is zigzag.

At least a part of the female member 3 can then be housed in the grommet body 2 in such a manner as to be movable along the central axis x of the grommet body 2 . At the same time, the female member 3 is formed with a deformable portion 3a that is likely to be elastically deformed. Engagement portions 3b that can be engaged at each position after the movement are formed.

In the illustrated example, the female member 3 includes a pair of plate-like main bodies 3d elongated in the direction along the central axis x, a pair of base-constituting plates 3f connecting between one ends of the pair of plate-like main bodies 3d, and a pair of A hinge piece 3h connecting the other end of the plate-like main body 3d is provided.

The base-constituting plate 3f has a side portion 3g in the direction along the central axis x integrated with an edge portion on one end side of the plate-like main body 3d (see FIG. 3). The component plate 3f constitutes a base portion 3i having a rectangular frame-like cross section perpendicular to the central axis x.

The hinge piece 3h has one side perpendicular to the central axis x integrated with the other end of one of the pair of plate-like main bodies 3d, and the other side perpendicular to the central axis x being integrated with the pair of plate-like main bodies. It is integrated with the other end of 3d. The hinge piece 3h is bent so that its center protrudes toward the base portion 3i. The hinge piece 3h is configured to be easily elastically deformed in the direction of narrowing the angle on the inner side of the bend.

With such a configuration, the female member 3 has the deformable portion 3a at a location ahead of the base portion 3i. Specifically, the deformable portion 3a tends to elastically deform in a direction that narrows the gap between the pair of plate-like main bodies 3d as it approaches the hinge piece 3h, with the connection point with the base portion 3i as the center of deformation. It is configured.

The engaging portions 3b are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of plate-like main bodies 3d. In the illustrated example, the engaging portion 3b is formed by forming a plurality of ribs 3c extending in the width direction of the plate-like main body 3d with gaps between the ribs 3c adjacent in the direction of the central axis x. The cross-sectional shape of the plate-like main body 3d in the direction along the central axis x at the position of the engaging portion 3b is zigzag.

Between the base portion 3i and the hinge piece 3h of the plate-like main body 3d, an inner bulging portion 3j is formed to form a step 3k on the side of the hinge piece 3h. The engaging portion 3b is formed at a portion between the formation position of the inner bulging portion 3j and the hinge piece 3h on the plate-like main body 3d.

Inside the base portion 3i, a sliding contact portion 3m is formed to contact a guide portion 4o of the male member 4, which will be described later. In the illustrated example, the sliding contact portion 3m rotates substantially 180 degrees around the central axis x, which is formed on one side and the other side of the central axis x. It has a rib-like shape along a virtual spiral that surrounds the In the illustrated example, a guide portion 4o, which will be described later, also has a rib shape similarly formed along an imaginary spiral around the central axis x, and the female member 3 combined with the male member 4 has two The corresponding guide portion 4o is brought into contact with the side portion of each sliding contact portion 3m on the side opposite to the hinge piece 3h (FIG. 6).

An edge portion of the base portion 3i opposite to the hinge piece 3h side is engaged with a locked portion 4i formed on the male member 4 described later as the male member 4 is rotated to a twisted position described later. Together, a lock portion 3n is formed to restrict return movement of the male member 4 to a position before twisting, which will be described later.

Temporary holding means 3o for temporarily holding the male member 4 in the pre-twisting position is provided on the edge of the base portion 3i opposite to the hinge piece 3h side.

In the illustrated example, the lock portion 3n is formed at the edge portion of the base portion 3i opposite to the hinge piece 3h side, which is formed by the base portion constituting plate 3f, and is formed by the plate-like main body 3d. The temporary holding means 3o is formed on the edge portion.

The locking portion 3n has an arm shape projecting upward from the edge in a direction along an imaginary straight line that crosses the central axis x at an angle of substantially 45 degrees.

On the other hand, the temporary holding means 3o forms part of the edge of the plate-like main body 3d into an arm-like shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis x by means of a lightening portion 3q formed in the plate-like main body 3d, A hook portion 3p is formed on the free end of the hinge piece 3h and protrudes toward the side opposite to the hinge piece 3h.

In the illustrated example, the two lock portions 3n and two , and the temporary holding means 3o are adapted to extend respectively.

Next, the male member 4 is provided with a cushioning head 4a positioned outside the female member 3 at one end of the shaft portion 4c housed inside the female member 3. As shown in FIG.
At the same time, the male member 4 is pressed against the inner surface 3e of the deformable portion 3a of the female member 3 as the male member 4 rotates from the pre-twisting position to the predetermined twisting position. A regulating portion 4k for regulating elastic deformation of 3a is provided.
In the illustrated example, the male member 3 accommodates the shaft portion 4c in the female member 4 so that the axial centerline of the shaft portion 4c is substantially aligned with the central axis x, and is rotated around the central axis x. It can be rotated from a pre-twisting position to a predetermined twisting position.

In the illustrated example, the cushioning head portion 4a of the male member 4 has a disc portion 4b, and one end of the shaft portion 4c is integrated with the center of one surface of the disc portion 4b. A short cylindrical portion 4d is formed on the other surface of the disk portion 4b. In the illustrated example, the short cylindrical portion 4d is housed inside, and a cap 4e made of rubber or synthetic resin having rubber-like elasticity is fitted to the short cylindrical portion 4d to provide a buffering function. A strike portion 4f of the head portion 4a is formed. In FIGS. 7, 10 and 14, reference numeral 4g denotes an engaging claw that engages with an engaging portion formed inside the cap 4e to maintain the fitted state of the cap 4e.

Engagement holes 4h into which the claws 3p of the temporary holding means 3o enter when the male member 4 is in the pre-twisting position are formed in the disk portion 4b forming the cushioning head 4a. is formed. The engaging hole 4h also serves as the locked portion 4i. Lock portions 3n are provided in the disk portion 4b between the pair of engagement holes 4h in the direction of rotation of the disk portion 4b when the male member 4 is in the pre-twisting position. An accommodating hole 4j into which the is inserted is formed.

In the illustrated example, the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 has the restricting portion 4k from the other end to the middle position in the length direction, and the sliding contact is made at the position from the middle position in the length direction to one end. It has a guide portion 4o in contact with the portion 3m.

In the restricting portion 4k, the shaft portion 4c has a substantially rectangular cross section in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the shaft portion 4c. That is, the restricting portion 4k has a length side surface 4m and a width side surface 4n. The distance between the pair of width side surfaces 4n of the restricting portion 4k substantially matches the distance between the inner surfaces 3e of the plate-like main body 3d of the female member 3 where the engaging portion 3b is formed. On the other hand, the distance between the pair of length side surfaces 4m of the restricting portion 4k is smaller than the distance between the inner surfaces 3e of the plate-like main body 3d of the female member 3 where the engaging portions 3b are formed.

In the illustrated example, the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 is inserted into the female member 3 only in such a direction that the length side surface 4m of the restricting portion 4k faces the inner surface 3e of the plate-like main body 3d of the female member 3. It is possible. In the illustrated example, a slight gap 3r is formed between the ends of the two sliding contact portions 3m of the female member 3 (see FIG. 11). The male member 4 can be inserted into the female member 3 from the side of the base portion 3i of the female member 3 so that the axial center line of the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 is aligned with the central axis x.

A large-diameter portion 4p is formed at the middle position of the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 in the longitudinal direction. When the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 is inserted into the female member 3 to a position where the large-diameter portion 4p of the shaft portion 4c abuts against the inner bulging portion 3j formed in the female member 3, the deformable portion 3a of the female member 3 is pushed. bends outward, allowing the insertion of the shaft portion 4c beyond it. When the large-diameter portion 4p enters the hinge piece 3h side of the inner bulging portion 3j, the elastically deformable portion 3a is elastically restored and the inner bulging portion 3j is positioned closer to the base portion 3i than the large-diameter portion 4p. As a result, the combined state of the female member 3 and the male member 4 is maintained with the male member 4 positioned at the pre-twisting position (see FIG. 6).

Further, in the combined state, each part of the male member 4 and each part of the female member 3 are linked as follows.
(1) The sliding contact portions 3m at corresponding positions are in contact with the two guide portions 4o, respectively, as described above.
(2) The two claw portions 3p of the temporary holding means 3o are engaged with the corresponding engaging holes 4h (see FIG. 13).
(3) The two locking portions 3n are respectively inserted into the accommodating holes 4j at corresponding positions (see FIG. 13).

The guide portion 4o of the male member 4 circulates around the central axis x, which is formed on one side and the other side of the central axis x, in a range of substantially 180 degrees, and also circumnavigates the central axis x. It has a rib shape formed along a virtual spiral. The two guide portions 4o have substantially the same overall length and are formed within a certain range in the length direction of the shaft portion 4c.

In the illustrated example, the damping device 1 inserts the tip of the female member 3 beyond the base portion 3i into the grommet body 2, inserts the shaft portion 4c of the male member 4 into the female member 3, and inserts the female member 3 as described above. and the male member 4 are combined.

In the illustrated example, a projecting portion 3s is formed on the hinge piece 3h side of the plate-like main body 3d of the female member 3 to form a step 3t facing the base portion 3i side. Further, a contact portion 2k for the stepped portion 3t is formed in a portion of the grommet body 2 which is closer to the one end 2b of the grommet body 2 than the engaged portion 2i and which is adjacent to the engaged portion 2i. .

The female member 3 is inserted into the grommet body 2 beyond the base portion 3i by elastically deforming the deformable portion 3a so that the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion 2i. ing. In the illustrated example, both the engaging portion 3b and the engaged portion 2i have zigzag cross sections along the central axis x. held in position. Although illustration is omitted, as long as one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion 2i is zigzag as described above, the other may be a single projection. Further, in this insertion, the protruding portion 3s contacts the contact portion 2k. At the same time, when the projecting portion 3s hits the contact portion 2k, the deformable portion 3a is elastically deformed, thereby allowing the projecting portion 3s to be inserted up to a position where it overcomes the contact portion 2k. . When the female member 3 is inserted into the grommet body 2 to the extent that the projecting portion 3s overcomes the contact portion 2k, the deformable portion 3a is elastically restored to position the contact portion 2k above the step 3t. Thereby, the combined state of the grommet body 2 and the female member 3 is also maintained (see FIG. 14).

When the movable member is closed while the shock absorber 1 is installed on the opening side O or the movable member side L, the shock absorbing head portion 4a of the male member 4 moves toward the opening side O or the movable member side L. , so that the female member 3 can be pushed into the grommet body 2 .
In the illustrated example, the female member 3 is pushed into the grommet body 2 via the guide portion 4o and the sliding contact portion 3m when the movable member is closed.

The female member 3 is attached to the grommet body 2 so as to be movable in the direction of the central axis x, and the engaging portion 3b engaged with the engaged portion 2i at each position after this movement is attached to the deformable portion 3a. Since the movable member is closed, the female member 3 is pushed into the grommet body 2 by a predetermined amount and is held at the pushed position by the engagement.

Thereafter, when the male member 4 is rotated to a predetermined twisted position, the restricting portion 4k of the male member 4 is pressed against the inner surface 3e of the plate-like main body 3d of the female member 3, that is, the inner surface 3e of the deformable portion 3a. elastic deformation of the deformable portion 3a is restricted. As a result, it is possible to firmly maintain the state in which the female member 3 is pushed into the grommet body 2 by a predetermined distance, and to position the shock-absorbing head portion 4a of the male member 4 at a fixed position.
In the illustrated example, when the male member 4 in the pre-rotation position is turned substantially 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction r in FIG. The inward deformation of the deformable portion 3a is restricted by being in close contact with the portion 3e, thereby preventing the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion 2i from being released (FIG. 9).

Thus, when the movable member is closed again, the shock absorber 1 determines the closed position of the movable member.

Further, in this embodiment, by the twisting operation of the male member 4, the male member 4 is extended from the female member 3 by a predetermined length.
In the illustrated example, when the sliding contact portion 3m is brought into contact with the guide portion 4o, the male member 4 in the pre-rotation position is turned substantially 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction r in FIG. In addition, the male member 4 can be drawn out from within the female member 3 by, for example, several millimeters (FIG. 9).
By substantially matching the extension dimension with the overstroke of the movable member, it is possible to absorb the overstroke.

Further, in this embodiment, the male member 4 can be temporarily held in the pre-twisted position by the temporary holding means 3o, and the male member 4 can be unintentionally held in the predetermined twisted position. It is made to prevent a situation in which it is twisted up to.
In the illustrated example, the male member 4 is twisted unless a force large enough to elastically deform the arm-shaped temporary holding means 3o is applied to the male member 4 so that the claw portion 3p is pulled out of the engagement hole 4h. It has been made inoperable.

Further, in this embodiment, after the male member 4 is twisted to the predetermined twisting position, the locking portion 3n prevents the male member 4 from returning to the position before twisting.
In the illustrated example, when the male member 4 is twisted substantially 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction r in FIG. , the free end thereof is inserted into the engagement hole 4h which becomes the locked portion 4i due to the elastic return at the twist end position, thereby preventing the backward movement (FIG. 8). , FIG. 10). In the illustrated example, the pawl portion 3p of the temporary holding means 3o is positioned below the shock-absorbing head portion 4a at the twist end position of the male member 4 (FIG. 8).

Further, in this embodiment, after the male member 4 is twisted to a predetermined twisting position, a forward motion restricting means is provided to restrict the forward motion of the male member 4 beyond the twisting position. ing.
In the illustrated example, when the male member 4 is twisted substantially 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction r in FIG. The stepped portion 3k of the inner bulging portion 3j abuts from the side of the hinge piece 3h, and the male member 4, which is linked to the female member 3 by the guide portion 4o and the sliding contact portion 3m, cannot be pulled out from the female member 3 any more. In other words, it prevents it from twisting any further.

As a result, the opening/closing member is closed to push the female member 3 into the grommet body 2 by a predetermined amount, and then the male member 4 is twisted to let out the male member 4 from the female member 3 by a predetermined amount. The state in which the closed position of the movable member is controlled by the shock absorber 1 is stably maintained.

In the illustrated example, it is possible to expose the engaging hole 4h as the locked portion 4i of the male member 4 by removing the cap 4e (FIG. 13), and in this exposed state, a tool is used. The locking portion 3n is elastically deformed by pushing it in a direction in which the free end is pulled out of the engagement hole 4h as the locked portion 4i, thereby releasing the engagement between the locking portion 3n and the locked portion 4i and twisting the male member 4. It is also possible to return the shock absorber 1 to the initial state by returning it to the pre-rotation position.

It should be noted that imparting elastic deformation characteristics to the portions of the cushioning device 1 described above that should be provided with such characteristics can be easily realized by making all or part of the constituent members from synthetic resin. be.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all embodiments capable of achieving the objects of the present invention.

x central shaft 2 grommet body 2i engaged portion 3 female member 3a deformable portion 3b engaging portion 3e inner surface 4 male member 4a cushioning head 4c shaft portion 4k restricting portion

Claims (6)

A shock absorber that makes it possible to adjust the closed position of a movable member that closes an opening of an automobile at the closed position,
a grommet body for mounting;
a female member that is at least partially housed in the grommet body in a state that it can move in a direction along the central axis of the grommet body;
a male member comprising a shock-absorbing head located outside the female member at one end of a shaft portion housed in the female member,
The female member is formed with a deformable portion that is likely to be elastically deformed. Engagement portions that can be engaged with each other are formed in
A restricting portion that is pressed against an inner surface of the deformable portion of the female member to restrict elastic deformation of the deformable portion when the male member is rotated from a pre-twisting position to a predetermined twisting position. A shock absorber comprising: 2. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein said shaft portion of said male member is extended by a predetermined dimension from within said female member as said shaft portion is rotated to said twisted position. The female member and the male member are combined so that the sliding contact portion formed on one of them is in contact with the guide portion formed on the other of them, and the guide portion rotates around the central axis. 3. The damping device according to claim 2, which is formed along the spiral of . The female member is engaged with a locked portion formed on the male member as the male member is rotated to the twisted position, thereby causing the male member to return to the pre-twisted position. 4. The shock absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a locking portion that regulates. 5. The shock absorber according to claim 4, further comprising a forward movement restricting means for restricting forward movement of said male member beyond said twisted position. The shock absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising temporary holding means for temporarily holding the male member in the pre-twisting position.

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