JP4938706B2 - Shock absorber - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an impact absorbing device, and more particularly to an impact absorbing device formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane.

The shock absorbing device is widely applied to, for example, shoe soles. As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, an air cushion is often used as an impact absorbing device for a shoe sole. FIG. 1 shows a shoe having a synthetic resin shoe sole disclosed in Patent Document 4, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the air cushion 4 is disposed on the heel portion of the midsole member 20 constituting the shoe sole. The air cushion 4 is exposed on the side of the shoe. The function of the air cushion 4 supports the weight of the user wearing the shoes, and at the same time, absorbs the impact generated when the vehicle collides with the ground.
Taiwan Patent No. 325398 Taiwan Patent No. 376360 Taiwan Patent No. 437305 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-155604

  However, users are not always fully satisfied with the softness and supporting force of the current air cushion. For example, a cushion in which air or a gel material is filled into a hollow body has a drawback that the air or gel material leaks due to breakage of the hollow body and does not function as a cushion. The air cushion 4 disclosed in Patent Document 4 is exposed to the outside of the shoe sole. In these shoes, the cushion is particularly prone to breakage. Moreover, a material different from other parts of the shoe sole such as a midsole or an outsole is used for the hollow body. There are often difficulties in bonding different materials.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an impact absorbing device excellent in versatility that can simplify the material used and does not impair the function despite some breakage.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, one or more first elastic members having a first outer tube and a first foam material filled in the first outer tube are arranged on a predetermined plane. An impact absorbing device having an impact absorbing sheet to be formed is provided. In such a shock absorbing device, it is preferable that the shock absorbing sheet includes a plurality of the first elastic members arranged in parallel while being in contact with each other on the predetermined plane.

It is preferable that the first outer tube and the first foam material are made of thermoplastic polyurethane. The hardness of the first outer tube is particularly preferably set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less. Furthermore, the density of the first foam It is particularly preferred that in the range of ^{0.2g / cm 3 ~0.6g / cm 3} .

  In the impact absorbing device, it is preferable that the first foamed material is formed in a hollow shape and defines a first accommodation space extending in a length direction of the first elastic material. More preferably, the first foam material and the first housing space are partitioned by a first inner tube extending in the length direction of the first elastic material.

  In the shock absorbing device, the shock absorbing sheet may include one or more through holes penetrating the one or more first elastic members in a vertical direction orthogonal to the predetermined plane. The shock absorbing sheet may further include a second elastic material disposed along the periphery of the first elastic material. The second elastic material may be extended in a U shape along the periphery of the first elastic material.

The second elastic material is a hollow cylindrical second outer tube formed of thermoplastic polyurethane, and is filled in the second outer tube to be hollow, and extends along the length direction of the second elastic material. A second foam material that divides the second storage space, and a second inner pipe that extends in the length direction of the second elastic material and partitions the second foam material and the second storage space. Is preferred. The hardness of the second outer tube is particularly preferably set to Shore A55 and Shore D85 or less. Density of the second foam It is particularly preferred that in the range of ^{0.2g / cm 3 ~0.6g / cm 3} .

  The shock absorbing sheet further includes a third elastic member disposed between the two first elastic members arranged in parallel and extending, and having a third outer tube formed of thermoplastic polyurethane. May be. The hardness of the third outer tube is particularly preferably set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less.

  Furthermore, the impact absorbing device may further include a cover that is made of thermoplastic polyurethane and partially covers the impact absorbing sheet. In addition, the shock absorbing device may include a plurality of layers of the shock absorbing sheets that are superposed on each other.

  As described above, according to the present invention, thermoplastic polyurethane is used for all the materials of the impact absorbing device of the present invention, and therefore, the adhesiveness between the members is good. In addition, since the thermoplastic polyurethane is biodegradable, waste products after use are naturally decomposed. Thus, the impact absorbing device of the present invention can contribute to environmental protection. Further, since the elastic material is arranged in parallel, the elastic material can be elastically deformed and absorb the impact force according to the action of the impact force.

  Further, the present invention does not use a cushion filled with air, fluid, or the like, and the elastic material and the foam material absorb the impact force by mechanical stress depending on the material and shape. As a result, it is possible to provide an impact absorbing device that functions sufficiently even if there is some damage to the elastic material or foam material.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shock absorber according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the shock absorbing device includes a shock absorbing sheet 2. The shock absorbing sheet 2 is composed of a joined body of, for example, seven first elastic members 21 arranged in parallel to each other on a predetermined plane. Adjacent first elastic members 21 are bonded to each other. Each first elastic member 21 includes, for example, a hollow cylindrical first outer tube 211 and, for example, a columnar first foam material 212 filled in the first outer tube 211.

At least one end of the first outer tube 211 is opened. One end of the first foam 212 is exposed at one end of the first outer tube 211 that is opened. The first outer tube 211 and the first foam material 212 are made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Thermoplastic polyurethane is biodegradable. As a result, the waste after use is naturally decomposed. Shock absorbers can contribute to environmental protection. The first outer tube 211 and the first foam material 212 can be elastically deformed. The hardness of the first outer tube 211 is preferably set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less. It is preferable that the density of the first foam 212 is set in the range of ^{0.2g / cm 3 ~0.6g / cm 3} .

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shock absorbing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the shock absorbing device according to the second embodiment includes a shock absorbing sheet 2 constituted by, for example, a joined body of seven first elastic members 21 as in the first embodiment. The first foam material 212 is formed hollow. As a result, the first foam material 212 is partitioned with, for example, a cylindrical first accommodation space 213 extending in the length direction of each first elastic material 21. The first housing space 213 is formed coaxially with the first outer tube 211, for example. The first accommodation space 213 is exposed at one end of the first elastic member 21.

  In the shock absorbing sheet 2, for example, a plurality of first elastic members 21 are cut. In this way, a plurality of through holes 22, 22, 22... Are formed in the shock absorbing sheet 2. The through hole 22 penetrates the shock absorbing sheet 2 in a vertical direction orthogonal to the extending direction of each first elastic material 21. The first accommodation space 213 may be exposed in the through hole 22. The shock absorbing sheet 2 is partially covered with a cover 3. The cover 3 accommodates the rear end of the shock absorbing sheet 2. The cover 3 is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane. The cover 3 can be elastically deformed.

  In the shock absorbing sheet 2, the position, size, and shape of each through hole 22 are not particularly limited. For example, the through hole 22 may be formed only on the single first elastic member 21 or may be formed across the plurality of first elastic members 21. A plurality of through holes 22 may be formed in the single first elastic member 21. At this time, the interval between the through holes 22 may be set to a predetermined interval. Like reference numerals are attached to the structure or components equivalent to those described above.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shock absorbing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the impact absorbing device according to the third embodiment includes two impact absorbing sheets 2 that are superposed on each other. The shock absorbing sheets 2 are bonded together. Each shock absorbing sheet 2 includes, for example, a joined body of five first elastic members 21. Similarly to the second embodiment, the first foam material 212 of the first elastic material 21 defines the first accommodation space 213. A plurality of through holes 22 are formed in each shock absorbing sheet 2. Here, the position, size, and shape of the through hole 22 may be aligned between the two shock absorbing sheets 2 and 2.

  Each first elastic member 21 includes, for example, a hollow cylindrical first inner tube 214 that extends in the length direction of the first elastic member 21. The first inner pipe 214 partitions the first accommodation space 213 from the first foam material 212. The first foam material 212 is filled between the inner peripheral surface of the first outer tube 211 and the outer peripheral surface of the first inner tube 214. The first inner pipe 214 is disposed coaxially with the first outer pipe 211, for example. The first inner tube 214 may be opened at one end of the first elastic material 21. The first inner tube 214 can be elastically deformed. The first inner tube 214 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

  The shock absorbing sheet 2 includes a second elastic member 41 extending in a substantially U shape along the periphery of the joined body of the first elastic member 21. Each of the second elastic members 41 includes, for example, a hollow cylindrical second outer tube 411 and, for example, a hollow cylindrical second foam material 412 filled in the second outer tube 411, similarly to the first elastic member 21. Is provided. For example, a cylindrical second accommodation space 413 extending in the length direction of each second elastic member 41 is defined in the second foam material 412. The second storage space 413 is formed coaxially with the second outer tube 411, for example. The second accommodation space 413 is exposed at one end of the second elastic member 41.

  Each second elastic member 41 includes, for example, a hollow cylindrical second inner pipe 414 extending along the length direction of the second elastic member 41. The second inner pipe 414 partitions the second accommodation space 413 from the second foam material 412. A second foam material 412 is filled between the inner peripheral surface of the second outer tube 411 and the outer peripheral surface of the second inner tube 414. The second inner tube 414 is disposed coaxially with the second outer tube 411, for example. The second inner tube 414 may be opened at one end of the second elastic member 41.

The second elastic material 41 is formed under the same conditions as the first elastic material 21. The second outer tube 411, the second foam material 412 and the second inner tube 414 can be elastically deformed. The second outer tube 411, the second foam material 412 and the second inner tube 414 are made of thermoplastic polyurethane. The hardness of the second outer tube 411 is preferably set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less. It is preferable that the density of the second foam 412 is set in the range of ^{0.2g / cm 3 ~0.6g / cm 3} . Like reference numerals are attached to the structure or components equivalent to those described above.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shock absorber according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the shock absorber according to the fourth embodiment has a simplified configuration from the shock absorber of the third embodiment. That is, in the second elastic material 41, the second foam material 412 and the second inner tube 414 are omitted. As a result, the second elastic member 41 defines, for example, a cylindrical second accommodation space 413 a extending in the length direction of each second elastic member 41 in the second outer tube 411. Like reference numerals are attached to the structure or components equivalent to those described above.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shock absorber according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the shock absorbing device according to the fifth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the shock absorbing device according to the third embodiment. However, in place of at least one or more first elastic members 21, a third elastic member 23 is incorporated in each shock absorbing sheet 2 of the shock absorbing device according to the fifth embodiment. The 3rd elastic material 23 is arrange | positioned on both sides of the 1st elastic material 21 arrange | positioned in the center of five, for example.

  Each shock absorbing sheet 2 includes a joined body of the first elastic material 21 and the third elastic material 23. The first elastic material 21 and the third elastic material 23 are alternately arranged. Adjacent first elastic member 21 and third elastic member 23 are bonded to each other. The second elastic member 41 described above extends in a substantially U shape along the periphery of the joined body. The second elastic member 41 is bonded to the periphery of the joined body. The 1st elastic material 21 and the 2nd elastic material 41 have the same composition as a 3rd embodiment, for example.

  The third elastic member 23 includes, for example, a hollow cylindrical third outer tube 231. The third outer tube 231 can be elastically deformed. The third outer tube 231 is made of, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane. In the third outer tube 231, for example, a columnar third accommodation space 233 extending in the length direction of each third elastic member 23 is defined. The third outer tube 231 is opened at least at one end thereof. As a result, the third housing space 233 is opened at one end of the third outer tube 231. Like reference numerals are attached to the structure or components equivalent to those described above.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of use of the impact absorbing device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the impact absorbing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the heel portion of the shoe sole 13. The shock absorbing device supports the weight of the user wearing the shoes. At the same time, the impact absorbing device can absorb the impact that occurs when it collides with the ground. It goes without saying that the impact absorbing device according to another embodiment may be similarly arranged on the shoe sole 13.

  The impact absorbing device of the present invention can be applied not only to the shoe sole, but also to other fields, that is, for example, protective clothing and helmets, armor used in various sports. At this time, a suitable thickness and shape may be set according to the application. In setting, for example, the number of shock absorbing sheets may be adjusted. Thus, each embodiment and modification of the impact absorbing device can be applied to various uses within the scope of the present invention.

  The shock absorbing device according to the invention is manufactured only from thermoplastic polyurethane. As a result, the adhesiveness between the members is good and the manufacturing cost of the shock absorbing device is sufficiently suppressed. Moreover, thermoplastic polyurethane is highly versatile because it is easily processed into various shapes. In addition, since the thermoplastic polyurethane is biodegradable, waste products after use can be naturally decomposed. Thus, an environmentally friendly product is provided.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the shock absorbing device is not filled with air or fluid. That is, a cushion filled with air or fluid is not used. In the present invention, a member that absorbs an impact force by a mechanical stress due to a material or shape such as an elastic material or a foam material is used. As a result, it is possible to provide an impact absorbing device that functions sufficiently even if there is some damage to the elastic material or the foamed material.

  Therefore, the present invention can be applied to various fields that need to absorb shocks, such as shoe soles, protective clothing, helmets, armor used in various sports, and the like, and has excellent versatility. Can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the usage example of the conventional impact-absorbing device. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the shock absorber which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the shock absorber which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the shock absorber which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the shock absorber which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the shock absorber which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the shoe sole which shows the usage example of the impact-absorbing device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  13 Shoe sole, 2 Shock absorbing sheet, 21 1st elastic material, 211 1st outer tube, 212 1st foam material, 213 1st accommodation space, 214 1st inner tube, 22 Through-hole, 23 3rd elastic material, 231 3rd outer pipe, 233 3rd accommodation space, 3 cover, 41 2nd elastic material, 411 2nd outer pipe, 412 2nd foam material, 413, 413a 2nd accommodation space, 414 2nd inner pipe.

Claims (13)

A first outer pipe, with comprises a first shock-absorbing sheet is formed on a predetermined plane by the first elastic member of the plurality of composed of a foam material filled in the first outer tube, a plurality of layers A shock absorbing device in which the shock absorbing sheets are superposed on each other,
The shock absorbing sheet includes a plurality of joined bodies of the first elastic members arranged in parallel with each other on the predetermined plane,
The shock absorbing sheet includes one or more through holes penetrating the one or more first elastic members in a vertical direction perpendicular to the predetermined plane,
The impact absorbing device, wherein the first foam material is formed in a hollow shape and defines a first accommodating space extending in a length direction of the first elastic material.   2. The impact absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein the first foam material and the first accommodating space are partitioned by a first inner pipe extending in a length direction of the first elastic material. Shock absorber. 3. The impact absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing sheet further includes a second elastic member disposed along a peripheral edge of the joined body . 4. The impact absorbing device according to claim 3, wherein the second elastic member extends in a U shape along the periphery of the joined body .   5. The impact absorbing device according to claim 3, wherein the second elastic material is a hollow cylindrical second outer tube formed of thermoplastic polyurethane, and is filled in the second outer tube to be hollow. A second foam material defining a second housing space extending in a length direction of the second outer pipe; and a second foam material and the second foam material extending in a length direction of the second elastic material. An impact absorbing device comprising: a second inner pipe that partitions the two housing spaces.   6. The impact absorbing device according to claim 5, wherein the hardness of the second outer tube is set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less. In the shock absorbing device according to claim 5 or 6, the density of the second foam impact absorbing device which is characterized in that in the range of ^{0.2g / cm 3 ~0.6g / cm 3} .   In the impact-absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the impact-absorbing sheet is disposed between two first elastic members disposed in parallel and stretched, and is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane. An impact absorbing device further comprising a third elastic member having a third outer tube formed.   9. The impact absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein the hardness of the third outer tube is set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less.   The impact absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first outer tube and the first foamed material are formed of thermoplastic polyurethane.   The impact absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hardness of the first outer tube is set to Shore A55 or more and Shore D85 or less. In the shock absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the density of the first foam and characterized in that it is set in the range of 0.2g ^/ cm ³ ~0.6g ^/ cm 3 Shock absorber.   The impact absorbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a cover that is made of thermoplastic polyurethane and partially covers the impact absorbing sheet.

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