JP2003172248A - Actuator operated with temperature change - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the target machinery make motions proportionally in response to the temperature change by utilizing expansion/contraction of a motive liquid with a large coefficient of thermal expansion with a small and simple transmission mechanism or without using the mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: A first chamber 4 in a housing 1 divided by a movable partition member 3 is filled with the motive liquid M with a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second chamber 5 is filled with an operation liquid W with lubricity. The second chamber 5 is made to communicate with an operation chamber 16 of a cylinder 11. The partition member 3 is compressed with the expansion force of the motive liquid M generated from the temperature rise and the operating liquid W in the second chamber 5 is moved to the operation chamber 16 to push a piston 14, so that the target machinery is made to move linearly according to the temperature change. The stroke and force applied to the piston 14 can be arbitrarily set based on the ratio of the effective area of the partition member 3 to that of the piston 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used as an actuator that operates in response to changes in the ambient temperature of an installation site or artificially controlled temperature, in other words, as a prime mover that causes target devices to operate in accordance with temperature. The present invention relates to an actuator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prime mover that causes a target device to reversibly operate by powerless operation due to a temperature change, that is, a bimetal, a shape memory alloy, and various fluids are widely known as means for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy. ing.

As is well known, the bimetal operates in proportion to the temperature change, and therefore, it is possible to give the operation amount corresponding to the temperature change to the target devices, so that the control in proportion to the temperature is performed. Suitable for the case. However, on the other hand, the force generated by the bimetal is small, so the target equipment cannot be used for large and heavy objects that can be operated by fluid pressure cylinders and electric motors, and can only be used for small and lightweight objects. There is a big limitation.

Further, as is also well known, the shape memory alloy exhibits a shape memory effect by having a crystal structure capable of transforming and reverse transforming to a martensite phase under a specific temperature or stress. Since it is possible to operate not only a lightweight one but also a fairly large and heavy one, it has been attempted to be used in many fields. However, on the other hand, since it deforms from the memorized shape to the original shape at the boundary of a specific temperature, or vice versa, when used as a prime mover of target equipment, it can only perform two-position control and is proportional to temperature. The control corresponding to can not be performed.

On the other hand, in the fluid, the gas has a very large coefficient of thermal expansion and expands / contracts in proportion to the temperature change, so that a considerably large and heavy target device is given an operation amount according to the temperature change. However, since the gas is a compressible fluid, the amount of movement of the one whose load fluctuates during operation cannot be changed and the operation corresponding to the temperature cannot be performed.

Regarding the liquid in the fluid, it is preferable to use a liquid which is partially or wholly vaporized within the operating temperature range of the target equipment, for example, JP-A-56-107980 and JP-A-7-194155. The use of a liquid in which a liquid phase and a gas phase coexist at room temperature is disclosed in JP-A-6-
Japanese Patent No. 341371 discloses the use of a liquid that maintains a liquid phase within an operating temperature range, for example, JP-A-54-14453.
It is a well-known power source as can be seen from the descriptions in JP-A No. 2 and JP-A-57-151077, respectively. However, since the liquids of the former two are vaporized as the temperature rises, it is impossible to operate the target devices whose load fluctuates during operation in proportion to the temperature change.
There is the same problem as when using gas.

Next, a mechanism for generating a mechanical force that operates by receiving the expansion action of the fluid due to the thermal energy which is the temperature to operate the target equipment, that is, the heat energy received by the fluid is used as the mechanical energy for the operation of the target equipment. The converting mechanism is the same as the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 54-144532 and 57-151.
No. 077 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-194155, which are composed of a fluid-loaded cylinder and a piston or plunger fitted therein, or the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-341371. It is said that linear expansion that is uniquely proportional to the expansion of the fluid is performed, as is seen in the expansion and contraction container filled with the fluid and the rod-shaped member connected thereto.

Therefore, it is necessary to transmit the operation of the piston or the plunger or the rod-shaped member by enlarging or reducing the operation in order to cause the target equipment to perform a desired operation. In addition, the cylinder or the expansion container may be installed in a place where heat energy can be easily received, and as a result, the cylinder or the expansion container may be considerably separated from the target equipment. In these cases, the transmission mechanism becomes complicated or large, causing non-negligible mechanical loss,
The energy transfer efficiency will be reduced. Further, since a fluid having a high coefficient of thermal expansion does not have lubricity, if the mechanism for converting heat energy into mechanical energy is a cylinder, it is necessary to separately consider lubrication for the piston or the plunger. .

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention does not use the thermal deformation of a bimetal, which has the above-mentioned conventional means for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy to cause target devices to operate in accordance with temperature. A large force cannot be generated, a large force can be generated by using thermal expansion of fluid, but the transmission mechanism is complicated or large and energy transmission efficiency is reduced, and depending on the conversion mechanism, consider its lubricity. It was made to solve the problem that it must be, the transmission mechanism is simple or small,
In some cases, it is unnecessary and it is not necessary to consider the lubricity of the conversion mechanism.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an actuator used as a prime mover for causing target devices to operate in accordance with temperature, with a mutually movable partition member to change the volume of each actuator. Has a housing partitioned into two chambers, the first chamber of the two chambers is filled with a driving liquid having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and the second chamber is filled with a lubricating working liquid. A driving mechanism; and a conversion mechanism having a working chamber whose volume changes by changing the length in one direction and a working member which performs linear movement in one direction in response to a change in volume, and which connects the working chamber to the second chamber. A partitioning member shrinks / expands the second chamber in accordance with the expansion / contraction of the driving liquid according to the temperature of the driving liquid to feed / deliver the working liquid into / from the working chamber, thereby linearly moving the working member. Having done It was one of the determined means.

The stroke of the actuating member is arbitrarily set according to the ratio of the effective area of the partition member, which is the portion for transmitting the force of the driving liquid to the operating liquid, and the effective area of the portion, for transmitting the force of the working liquid to the operating member. be able to. Further, since the force generated in the driving mechanism is transmitted to the conversion mechanism by the working liquid, it is possible to arbitrarily select to directly integrate the two mechanisms or separate them to form separate bodies. With these, it is possible to easily, reduce the size, or eliminate the transmission mechanism provided between the actuating member and the target device. Furthermore, since the working liquid that has lubricity is used, not only can the cylinder be adopted without considering lubrication in the conversion mechanism, but also the thermal expansion coefficient is extremely small and the vapor pressure is high. The operating member can be operated stably and accurately.

In carrying out the present invention, the driving mechanism and the converting mechanism may be directly connected and integrated as described above or separated from each other, depending on the situation of the installation place and the operating conditions of the target devices. Depending on which one is selected, the required operation according to the temperature change can be performed using a simple and small transmission mechanism or without using the transmission mechanism.

It is preferable that the partition member is composed of a flexible cylindrical body or a free piston in order to increase the volume change of the second chamber and give a large stroke or a large force to the operating member.

Further, the conversion mechanism is composed of a cylinder and the working chamber and the working member are a cylinder chamber and a piston or a plunger, or an expandable and retractable housing having an expandable and retractable peripheral side wall is used as the working chamber and expandable and contractible. The configuration in which the actuating member is attached to the end is such that the effective area of the piston or the telescopic housing that receives the pressure of the working liquid is set to an arbitrary area ratio with the effective area of the partition member, and the actuating member is adapted to the target equipment. This is a preferable form for giving a required stroke or force.

Further, according to the present invention, an actuator used as a prime mover for causing target devices to operate according to temperature is a free piston in which at least one end is a cylinder body and the inside is fitted into the cylinder body. Has a housing partitioned into two chambers whose volume is variable by a partitioning member consisting of, and a first chamber, which is opposite to one end of the two chambers, is filled with a driving liquid having a large thermal expansion coefficient. And a driving mechanism in which a second chamber, which is one end side, is filled with a working fluid having lubricity; an actuating member consisting of a piston or a plunger in a cylinder cylinder that is integrally formed with the cylinder body and extends from one end side thereof. A conversion mechanism having an actuation cylinder fitted with the actuation member, one end side of which is filled with actuation liquid to form an actuation chamber including a second chamber; The partition member due to expansion and contraction in response to temperature allowed is moving the working chamber, and with another solution means the actuating member via a working liquid with that assumed for linearly moving.

The working liquid filled between the partition member and the actuating member causes the actuating member to perform a linear movement of a stroke corresponding to the stroke of the partition member according to the expansion / contraction of the driving liquid. The chamber has a constant volume and also serves as the second chamber in the first solving means. According to the present solving means, the stroke and the force given to the partition member by the driving liquid are transmitted to the operating member as they are, and a transmission mechanism provided between the target device and the like has a simpler structure than the first solving means. It is possible to achieve the object that it is small, simplified or unnecessary, and that it is not necessary to separately consider lubrication of the partition member and the operating member.

Next, the above-mentioned two solving means move the operating member linearly from the preset operating start temperature until the maximum temperature given during operation is reached, and the operating temperature range can be set arbitrarily. , The stroke of the operating member cannot be limited to a certain value.

In view of the above, the present invention relates to either of the above-mentioned two means for solving the problems, in which the operation start temperature setting has a variable volume and maximum volume adjustable chamber for receiving the working liquid when the driving liquid starts to expand. A mechanism; an end-of-operation temperature setting mechanism that adjustably regulates the maximum stroke of the operating member due to the operating liquid; A means for setting the temperature range in which the working liquid is linearly moved is added.

The operation starting temperature is arbitrarily set by adjusting the maximum volume of the chamber of the setting mechanism and appropriately adjusting the flow rate of the driving liquid flowing into it, and the operation ending temperature is appropriately adjusted by the stroke of the operating member. Is set arbitrarily. Then, the abnormal increase in pressure of the driving liquid and the working liquid due to the temperature rise after stopping the working member is avoided by letting the working liquid escape.

The operation start temperature setting mechanism is a cylinder in which one of the cylinder chambers defined by the piston is a chamber into which the driving liquid flows, and a manual adjustment for stopping the movement of the chamber by the piston to increase the volume of the chamber. And a screw member, the end-of-operation temperature setting mechanism is a manual adjustment screw member, and the operation member hits to prevent a further stroke, and the relief mechanism is partitioned by a piston. A cylinder in which one of the cylinder chambers has a working liquid flowing in, and the other chamber of the cylinder chamber is equipped with a return spring that pushes the piston. The structure is simple and the operation is easy. This is a preferable form for

Next, according to the present invention, with respect to either of the above-mentioned two solutions, the volume of the chamber is variable, and the working liquid is opened when the stroke of the working member reaches a constant value so that the working liquid is introduced into the chamber. A stroke setting mechanism having a discharge path for controlling the operation liquid; and a return path having a check valve that closes toward the chamber and returning the working liquid in the chamber when the driving liquid contracts; The means to make the stroke to be constant always added.

As a result, even if the temperature rises so as to cause the operating member to make a linear motion longer than the required stroke, the operating member is always limited to a constant stroke, and the target devices are allowed to perform a predetermined operation. It can be done accurately.

The variable volume chamber is defined as one of the cylinder chambers defined by the piston, the other chamber is provided with a piston pressing spring, and the operating member is a plunger fitted in the cylinder chamber. Connecting the discharge passage to the cylinder chamber and closing the discharge passage with a plunger until a constant stroke is a preferable form in order to surely achieve the purpose with a simple structure.

Here, in carrying out the present invention, alcohol, which is a low molecular weight organic compound, is used as a driving liquid.
It is preferable to use one type selected from ether, ketone, and liquefied petroleum gas, and use one type selected from hydraulic fluid for hydraulic equipment and lubricating oil as the working liquid. The driving liquid selected from these can be maintained in a liquid phase without vaporization under the natural environment of receiving sunlight by keeping the pressurized state in the operation start temperature range if necessary, and the temperature of the target equipment can be changed. The working liquid generally has a high viscosity index and excellent low-temperature fluidity, and it moves efficiently between the second chamber and the working chamber without causing a large resistance change. Does not lower.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 6 are vertical sectional views showing different embodiments, in which A is a driving mechanism and B is a driving mechanism. Is a conversion mechanism.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 of the driving mechanism A has a cylindrical shape, and the conversion mechanism B is constituted by a cylinder 11 having a diameter smaller than that of the housing 1, and these are directly connected and integrated. Is. One end wall 1 of the housing 1
A pedestal 2 protruding inward is formed in a, and a base end of a partition member 3 made of a flexible synthetic resin and having a closed cylindrical end is liquid-tightly attached and fixed to the pedestal 2. . The interior of the housing 1 is partitioned by the partition member 3 into a first chamber 4 which is an outer space thereof and a second chamber 5 which is an inner space thereof, and the other end wall 1b is opened to the first chamber 4. A supply / discharge port 6A is provided and is closed by a stopper 6B so that it can be opened and closed.

The cylinder 11 constituting the conversion mechanism B is an actuating member which is fitted in the cylinder chamber 13 by fitting the base end of the cylinder tube 12 into the end wall 1a, disposed on substantially the same central axis as the housing 1. A piston rod 15 extending from the piston 14 projects outward from the tip of the cylinder barrel 12. A portion of the cylinder chamber 13 on the base end side of the piston 14 forms a working chamber 16 and communicates with the second chamber 5 by a communication hole 17 penetrating the pedestal 2 and the end wall of the cylinder barrel 12.
A supply / discharge port 18A opening to the working chamber 16 is provided at the base end of the cylinder cylinder 12 and is openably / closably closed by a plug 18B.

The first chamber 4 is filled with a driving liquid M made of a liquid having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and the second chamber 5 is filled with a working liquid W made of a liquid having a lubricating property. Is also filled in the communication hole 17 and the working chamber 16.

The driving liquid M is one kind selected from alcohols exemplified by methanol and ethanol, one kind selected from ethers exemplified by methyl ether and ethyl ether, or a ketone represented by a single ketone or a mixed ketone. One selected type, or one selected from liquefied petroleum gas exemplified by liquefied butane is used.
Further, the working liquid W is a kind selected from working oil for hydraulic equipment, petroleum-based or synthetic lubricating oil.

The driving liquid M and the working liquid W are used for replenishment and replacement in addition to filling and filling the first chamber 4, the second chamber 5 and the working chamber 16 using the supply / discharge ports 6A and 18A. At the operation starting temperature of the target equipment, the filling is carried out in a state of zero pressure or an appropriately pressurized positive pressure.

The piston rod 15 operates the target equipment through a transmission mechanism such as a gear, a link, a cam, or a rope, or
Alternatively, it is arranged at a predetermined position and posture with respect to the target devices so that it can be directly operated without passing through the transmission mechanism. Further, the piston rod 15 is pushed into the cylinder barrel 12 by a load, a rotational force or a force of a spring provided separately, which generates a force in a direction of returning to an operation start position, that is, an inoperative position of the target device, and when the operation is started, The piston 14 is placed at a position where the working chamber 16 has a minimum volume.

Temperature of the place where the housing 1 is placed,
Generally, when the atmospheric temperature rises, or in addition to this, when the sunlight irradiates the housing 1, the driving liquid M inside the housing 1 is heated and greatly expanded, and the partition member 3 formed of a cylindrical bag.
Is compressed to reduce the volume of the second chamber 5, which is the internal space thereof. Since the working liquid W has a small coefficient of thermal expansion and is incompressible, the working liquid W moves from the communication hole 17 to the working chamber 16 as the second chamber 5 shrinks, and the piston 14 has a stroke proportional to the temperature rise. The cylinder 11 is pushed and moved in the direction of the tip.

When the temperature decreases, the driving liquid M changes from expansion to contraction, and the piston 14 starts to move toward the base end by the above-mentioned returning force to move the working liquid W in the working chamber 16 to the second chamber 5. . Since the stroke of the return movement of the piston 14 also corresponds proportionally to the temperature decrease, it is possible to cause the target devices to perform the operation proportionally to the temperature increase and decrease.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, since the effective area of the piston 14 is smaller than the effective area of the partition member 3, the stroke of the piston 14 corresponding to the temperature change is large, and the target equipment is Can make large movements.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing 21 of the driving mechanism A has a cylindrical shape, and the conversion mechanism B has a cylinder 31 having a diameter smaller than that of the housing 21. . A pedestal 22 projecting inward is formed on one end wall 21a of the housing 21, and the base end of a partition member 23 formed of a bellows, which is a cylindrical body whose peripheral side wall is expandable and contractible and whose tip is closed, is a pedestal. It is mounted and fixed in a liquid-tight manner on 22. The interior of the housing 21 is partitioned by the partition member 23 into a first chamber 24 that is an outer space and a second chamber 25 that is an inner space, and the other end wall 21b has an opening to the first chamber 24. Supply and discharge port 26A
Is provided and is closed so that it can be opened and closed by the plug 26B.

A plunger 34, which is an operating member, is fitted in the cylinder chamber 33 of the cylinder 31 constituting the conversion mechanism B with the tip of the plunger protruding from the tip of the cylinder tube 32 to the outside. The part on the front end side forms a working chamber 36. The second chamber 25 and the working chamber 36 include the end wall 21 a of the housing 21 and the cylinder 31.
Are communicated with each other by a pipe passage 37 formed of a metal pipe or a pressure-resistant hose whose both ends are screwed and coupled to the head cover 31a at the base end of the cylinder cover 32. 38A is provided and is openably / closably closed by a plug 38B.

The first chamber 24 is filled with the same driving liquid M as in the previous embodiment, and the second chamber 25, the working chamber 36 and the pipe passage 37 are filled with the same working liquid W as in the previous embodiment. It is filled.

Injecting and filling the driving liquid M and the working liquid W,
Replenishment and replacement are performed from the supply / discharge ports 26A and 38A, the filling pressures thereof are appropriately set, a return force is applied to the plunger 34, and the plunger is located at a position where the working chamber 36 has the minimum volume at the start of operation. Placing 34 is the same as in the previous embodiment.

When the driving liquid M expands as the temperature rises, the partition member 23 made of bellows is compressed to reduce the volume of the second chamber 25 which is the internal space thereof, and the working liquid in the second chamber 25 is accordingly reduced. W passes through the pipe passage 37 and the working chamber 36
To move the plunger 34 toward the tip of the cylinder 31 with a stroke proportional to the temperature rise. When the temperature decreases, the driving liquid M contracts, and the plunger 34 moves the working liquid W in the working chamber 36 to the second chamber 25 while moving in the proximal direction with a stroke proportional to the temperature decrease. .

Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the plunger 34 is larger than the effective area of the partition member 23.
Since the effective area is small, the stroke of the plunger 34 with respect to the temperature change is large, and it is possible to cause the target devices to perform a large operation.

In particular, in the second embodiment, since the driving mechanism A and the conversion mechanism B have a separate structure in which they are connected by the pipe passage 37, the conversion mechanism B is installed close to the target devices and transmitted. It is extremely easy to make the mechanism extremely simple, compact, or unnecessary. Further, the driving mechanism A can be installed at a place where a temperature change that matches the operating conditions of the target devices is generated, and the target devices can be operated appropriately.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the housing 41 of the driving mechanism A is a cylinder, and the conversion mechanism B is a telescopic housing 5 whose peripheral side wall is extendable and retractable and whose tip is closed.
1, that is, those having a bellows are directly connected and integrated. One end wall 41a of the housing 41
Is formed with a pedestal 42 that projects to the outside, and the other end wall 41b is provided with a supply / discharge port 46A and is closed by a plug 46B so that it can be opened and closed. Further, a partition member 43 formed of a free piston is fitted in the housing 41, and a space inside the housing 41 on the side of the supply / discharge port 46A partitioned by the partition member 43 forms the first chamber 44, and the pedestal 42 side. Of space forms the second chamber 45. Further, the pedestal 42 is provided with a supply / discharge port 58A opened to the communication hole 57, and is openably / closably closed by a plug 58A.

The conversion mechanism B is the expansion housing 51 described above.
And an actuating member made of a rod-shaped body 54 having a base end fixed to the expansion end 52 which is the closing end thereof, and the base end of the expansion housing 51 is liquid-tightly mounted and fixed to the pedestal 42. The telescopic housing 51 is covered by a protective cover body 59 attached to the housing 41, and the rod-shaped body 54
Protrudes from the tip of the protective cover body 59 to the outside.

The first chamber 44 is filled with the same driving liquid M as in the previous two embodiments, and the second chamber 45, the working chamber 56 which is the internal space of the telescopic housing 51, and the communication hole for communicating these. 57 is filled with the same working liquid W as in the previous two embodiments.

Also in this embodiment, as in the previous two embodiments, the supply / discharge ports 46A and 58A are used to inject and fill the driving liquid M and the working liquid W, and to replenish and replace them, and to fill them. The pressure is set appropriately, and the returning force is applied to the rod-shaped body 54. Further, when the operation is started, the operation chamber 5
A partition member 43 composed of a free piston is placed at a position where 6 is the minimum volume.

When the driving liquid M expands as the temperature rises, the partition member 43 is pressed and moved to reduce the volume of the second chamber 45, and accordingly, the working liquid W in the second chamber 45 is compressed.
7 to move to the working chamber 56, the telescopic housing 51 is extended, and the rod-shaped body 54 is moved toward the tip end with a stroke proportional to the temperature rise. When the temperature drops and the driving liquid M begins to contract, the rod-shaped body 54 moves into the working chamber 5.
While moving the working liquid W of No. 6 to the second chamber 45, the working liquid W moves in the proximal direction in a stroke proportional to the temperature decrease.

In the third embodiment, the effective area of the expandable housing 51 is larger than the effective area of the partition member 43 as shown in FIG. Although it is smaller than the strokes of the piston 14 and the plunger 34 in the embodiment, it is possible to operate the target equipment with a force larger than these, and it is suitable for operating large and heavy objects.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the housing 61 of the driving mechanism A is composed of a flat box body 61A and a cylinder body 61B projectingly formed at its tip, and the conversion mechanism B is a cylinder body. 61B is integrated with the working cylinder 71 formed in front of it. A supply / discharge port 66A is provided on an end wall 61b of the housing 61 on the side opposite to the cylinder body 61B, and the supply / discharge port 66A is openably and closably closed by a plug 66B. Also, the cylinder body 61B
A partition member 63 composed of a free piston is fitted to the cylinder chamber 73 of the conversion mechanism B, and a piston or a plunger, which is a piston 74 in this embodiment, is fitted to the cylinder chamber 73 of the conversion mechanism B. The piston rod 75 extending from the piston 74 projects outward from the tip of the cylinder barrel 72.

The space from the partition member 63 of the box 61A of the housing 61 and the cylinder 61B to the box 61A side forms a first chamber 64, and the opposite side of the cylinder 61B forms a second chamber 65. is doing. Also, the cylinder tube 7
A space from the second piston 74 to the cylinder body 61B side forms a working chamber 76. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second chamber 65 and the working chamber 76 are substantially one chamber formed in one cylinder, and the working chamber 76 includes the second chamber 65. A supply / discharge port 78A is provided in the cylinder cylinder 72 at the position where the operation chamber 76 is located when the operation is started, and the supply / discharge port 78A is openably / closably closed by a plug 78B.

The first chamber 64 is filled with the same motive fluid M as in the previous three embodiments, and the working chamber 76 containing the second chamber 65 is similar to those in the previous three embodiments. W is filled. These filling and filling, replenishment and replacement, and setting of the filling pressure are performed by using the supply / discharge ports 66A and 78A, and a returning force is applied to the piston 74 which is an operating member.

In the present embodiment, the cylinder body 61
Since B and the cylinder tube 72 have the same diameter and are continuous as a unit, the partition member 63, the working chamber 76, and the piston 74 move integrally with a stroke corresponding to the expansion and contraction of the driving liquid M due to the temperature change. Partition member 63 by the driving liquid M
The stroke and force given to the piston 74 are as they are
Be transmitted to.

That is, in the present embodiment, the second chamber 65 is integrated with the working chamber 76 and is included therein. Therefore, the second chamber 65 has a simpler structure than that of the previous three embodiments and can be transmitted to the target devices. The mechanism can be made small, simplified or unnecessary, and it is not necessary to separately consider the lubrication of the partition member 63 and the piston 74. In this embodiment, the housing 61
Since a part of each is formed in the flat box 61A, the surface area is large, and the heat of the driving liquid M is satisfactorily transferred, and the operation of the target devices can be made sensitive to the temperature change.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the housing 81 of the driving mechanism A is cylindrical and the conversion mechanism B is composed of a cylinder 91 having a diameter smaller than that of the housing 81 as in the first embodiment. Then, these are directly connected and integrated. The base end of a partition member 83, which is a tubular bag made of a flexible synthetic resin and has a closed tip, is mounted and fixed in a liquid-tight manner on a pedestal 82 provided so as to project inward from one end wall 81a of the housing 81. The interior of the housing 81 is partitioned by a partition member 83 into a first chamber 84 that is an outer space and a second chamber 85 that is an inner space.

The cylinder 91 constituting the conversion mechanism B is disposed on the same central axis as the housing 81 by fitting the base end of the cylinder tube 92 into the end wall 81a, and the cylinder chamber 93
A plunger 94, which is an actuating member fitted into the cylinder, projects outward from the tip of the cylinder tube 92. A portion of the cylinder chamber 93 on the proximal end side of the plunger 94 forms a working chamber 96, and communicates with the second chamber 85 by a communication hole 97 penetrating the pedestal 82 and the end wall of the cylinder cylinder 92.

The first chamber 84 is filled with the same driving liquid M as in the previous embodiments, and the second chamber 85, the communication hole 97, the working chamber 96, and the two chambers 104 and 115 which will be described later are filled with the above-mentioned liquid. The same working liquid W as in each of the embodiments is filled. The driving liquid M is injected by opening the supply / discharge port 84A closed by the plug 86B of the other end wall 81b of the housing 81, and the working liquid W is supplied / discharge port 98A closed by the plug 98B of the cylinder cylinder 92. Is opened and injected.

When the driving liquid M expands as the temperature rises, the partition member 83 is compressed to move the working liquid W therein to the working chamber 96, and the plunger 94 is pressed and moved toward the tip of the cylinder 91. When the driving liquid M contracts as the temperature drops, the plunger 94 moves in the proximal direction by a returning force (not shown) to move the working liquid W to the second chamber 85. The basic operation of, is the same as that of the previous embodiment.

In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism B is provided with an operation start temperature setting mechanism C, an operation end temperature setting mechanism D, and a relief mechanism E.

The operation starting temperature setting mechanism C includes the cylinder chamber 10
2 has a cylinder 101 in which a piston 103 is fitted and a manual adjusting screw member 107.
One chamber 104 partitioned by the piston 103 of the
05 is connected to the communication hole 97, and a pressing spring 106 having a weak force for pressing the piston 103 in the direction of reducing the volume of the chamber 104 is inserted in the other chamber.
The adjusting screw member 107 is screwed into the end wall of the cylinder 101 on the side where the pressing spring 106 is inserted. Further, the operation end temperature setting mechanism D is a contact piece 109 fixed to the plunger 94 and projected in the radial direction, and an adjusting screw member 110 screwed into an appropriate member such as a base to which the actuator according to the present embodiment is attached. And have.

The relief mechanism E has a cylinder 112 in which a piston 114 is fitted in a cylinder chamber 113, and one chamber 11 defined by the piston 114 in the cylinder chamber 113.
5 is connected to the communication hole 97 by the guide hole 116, and a return spring 117 having a strong force for pushing the piston 114 in the direction of reducing the volume of the chamber 115 is inserted in the other chamber.

When the temperature rises and the working liquid W in the second chamber 85 starts moving to the working chamber 96, this working liquid W flows into the chamber 104 while pushing the piston 103 having the smallest resistance, and the piston 103 The inflow is continued until it hits the adjusting screw member 107 and stops. Next, the plunger 94 having the next smallest resistance is pushed into the working chamber 96, and is continued until the hitting piece 109 hits the adjusting screw member 110 and stops. Finally, the piston 114 having the highest resistance is pushed into the chamber 115, and this inflow continues until the maximum temperature is reached and the driving liquid M expands to the maximum.

When the temperature decreases, the working liquid W that has flowed into each of the chambers 115, 96 and 104 flows out in this order toward the second chamber 85.

By manually operating the two adjusting screw members 107 and 110 and appropriately setting the stop positions of the piston 103 and the plunger 94, the actuation of the plunger 94 by the driving liquid M which expands in proportion to the temperature rise is started. The timing and the operation end timing, that is, the operation start temperature and the operation end temperature can be arbitrarily set, and the target devices can be operated in an arbitrary temperature range.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the housing 121 of the driving mechanism A has a cylindrical shape, and the conversion mechanism B has a cylinder chamber 133 having a diameter smaller than that of the housing 121. It is a thing. The base end of a partition member 123 made of a bellows, which is a cylindrical body whose peripheral side wall is expandable and contractible and whose tip is closed, is mounted and fixed to a pedestal 122 provided on one end wall 121a of the housing 121 so as to project inwardly. The inside of the housing 121 is a space outside of the first chamber 1 by the partition member 123.
24 and the second chamber 125 which is an inner space.

The cylinder cylinder 132 forming the end wall 121a and the cylinder chamber 133 of the conversion mechanism B is provided in one cylinder block 131, and the housing 121 and the cylinder cylinder 132 are arranged in parallel with each other and are arranged in the cylinder chamber 133. The plunger 134, which is the fitted operation member, projects outward from the tip of the cylinder tube 132. A portion of the cylinder chamber 133 on the proximal end side of the plunger 134 forms a working chamber 136, and communicates with the second chamber 125 through a communication hole 137 extending from the cylinder block 131 to the pedestal 122.

The first chamber 124 is filled with the driving liquid M similar to that in each of the previous embodiments, and the second chamber 125 and the communication hole 13 are provided.
7, the working chamber 136 and the chamber 144 described later are filled with the same working liquid W as in the previous embodiments. The driving liquid M is injected by opening the supply / discharge port 126A that is closed by the plug 126B of the other end wall 121b of the housing 121, and the working liquid W is the plug 1 of the cylinder block 131.
The supply / discharge port 138A closed by 38B is opened to be injected into the communication hole 137.

When the driving liquid M expands as the temperature rises, the partition member 123 is compressed to move the working liquid W inside the partition member 123 into the working chamber 136, and the plunger 134 is pushed and moved to set the target devices. The basic operation of moving the working liquid W to the second chamber 125 by moving the working liquid W to the second chamber 125 by a returning force (not shown) when the driving liquid M contracts due to the temperature decrease It is the same as the embodiment of.

In the present embodiment, the stroke setting mechanism F is attached to the conversion mechanism B. In this mechanism F, a piston 143 is fitted in a cylinder chamber 142 of a cylinder body 141 that is stacked on a cylinder block 131.
One chamber 144 divided by 43 is connected to an annular chamber 139 surrounding the cylinder chamber 133 forming the working chamber 136 by a discharge passage 145, and a piston 143 is provided in the other chamber and a volume of the chamber 144 is increased. It is assumed that a push spring 146 that pushes in the direction of reducing is inserted.

Further, the chamber 144 is connected to the communication hole 137 by the return passage 1
A check valve 148, which is connected by 47 and closes toward the chamber 144, is provided in the return path 147.

When the plunger 134 moves as the temperature rises and its base end reaches the annular chamber 139, the working liquid W
Will flow into the chamber 144 through the discharge passage 145, and the plunger 134 will stop at that position and the working liquid W will continue to flow into the chamber 144 until the maximum temperature is reached. When the temperature decreases and the driving liquid M contracts, the pressure of the working liquid W decreases, the plunger 134 starts moving in the proximal direction, and the working liquid W in the chamber 144 opens the check valve 148. The valve is operated to move from the return path 147 to the second chamber 125 via the communication hole 137.

The distance between the base end position and the annular chamber 139 at the start of operation of the plunger 134 is constant, and therefore the plunger 134 is moved by the stroke corresponding to this initially set distance, even if the temperature rise width is large. The target devices can always be made to perform a predetermined constant operation accurately. Then, when the stroke of the plunger 134 reaches a constant value when the temperature rises, the working liquid 136 is discharged from the working chamber 136 into the chamber 144 of a variable volume formed by the push spring 146 acting on the piston 143. Since the working liquid W in the chamber 136 is returned from the return passage 147 with the check valve 148, it is possible to achieve the purpose of causing the plunger 134 to perform a constant stroke operation with a simple structure.

When the actuator of the present invention is operated in accordance with the ambient temperature of the installation location, generally, the ambient temperature, even if the driving liquid M is pressurized at the operation start temperature, the driving force will decrease when the temperature drops significantly. The liquid M may largely contract and the pressure in the first chambers 4, 24, 44, 64, 84, 124 may drop significantly, and a part of the driving liquid M may vaporize, but after returning to the operation start temperature. Maintains a complete liquid phase, so that even if the load of the target device changes during operation, the amount of operation does not change and the operation corresponding to the temperature can be performed.

Further, the actuator of the present invention uses not only the ambient temperature but also an artificial heat supply means to amplify the expansion of the driving liquid M due to the change of the ambient temperature to perform the linear movement of the operating member with a large stroke. And
The motive fluid M can be expanded exclusively by an artificial heat supply means. As the heat supply means, an electric resistance heating element, hot air or hot water, or gas / liquid fuel can be used.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, the expansion / contraction of the driving liquid due to the temperature change is converted into the linear motion of the working member with the incompressible working liquid interposed to operate the target equipment. According to the above, it is possible to change the expansion / contraction amount of the driving liquid into an arbitrary stroke or force and give it to the operating member,
The transmission mechanism between the target device and the operating member is small and simple or unnecessary, and the target device can be efficiently operated with a small mechanical loss. Also,
Since the working liquid has lubricity, it is not necessary to separately consider lubrication when the cylinder structure is adopted, and the structure can be simplified and maintenance can be facilitated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,21,41,61,81,121 housing,
3,23,43,63,83,123 Partition member, 4,
24, 44, 64, 84, 124 First chamber, 5, 25,
45,65,85,125 2nd chamber, 11,31,7
1,91 Cylinder, 14,74 Piston, 16,3
6,56,76,96,136 working chamber, 34,94,
134 Plunger, 37 Tube Passage, 51 Telescopic Housing, 54 Bar, 61A Box, 61B Cylinder, A Drive Mechanism, B Conversion Mechanism, C Operation Start Temperature Setting Mechanism, D Operation End Temperature Setting Mechanism, E Release Mechanism, F
Stroke setting mechanism, M driving liquid, W working liquid,

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a housing, the interior of which is partitioned by a movable partition member into two chambers whose volumes are variable with each other,
The first chamber of the two chambers is filled with a driving liquid having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and the second chamber is filled with a working liquid having lubricity. A conversion chamber having a working chamber whose volume changes and a linear movement in one direction in response to the volume change, and a conversion mechanism in which the working chamber communicates with the second chamber; The operating member is linearly moved by the partition member contracting / expanding the second chamber and sending / sending the working liquid into / from the working chamber in accordance with expansion / contraction in accordance with temperature. Actuator that operates by changing the temperature. 2. The actuator operated by a temperature change according to claim 1, wherein the conversion mechanism is directly connected to the driving mechanism, and these are integrated. 3. The temperature change according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism and the conversion mechanism are separate bodies, and the second chamber and the working chamber communicate with each other through a pipe passage for moving the working liquid. Actuator operated by. 4. The partition member is a flexible tubular body,
The actuator operated by a temperature change according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the chamber is the second chamber. 5. A free piston in which at least a region of the housing forming the second chamber is a cylinder, and the partition member is fitted in the cylinder.
An actuator that operates according to the temperature change described in 2 or 3. 6. The conversion mechanism is a cylinder, and the cylinder chamber and piston / or plunger form the working chamber and the working member.
An actuator that operates by the temperature change described in. 7. The conversion mechanism has an expansion / contraction housing whose peripheral side wall is expandable / contractible, the inside of the expansion / contraction housing is used as the working chamber, and the operation member is attached to the expansion / contraction end of the expansion / contraction housing. Claim 1,
An actuator that operates according to the temperature change described in 2 or 3. 8. A housing which is divided into two chambers whose volumes are variable by a partition member which is a cylinder body at least a part of one end side of which is internally fitted to the cylinder body, Of the two chambers, the first chamber on the opposite side to the one end is filled with a driving liquid having a large thermal expansion coefficient, and the second chamber on the one end side is filled with a lubricating working liquid. A driving mechanism, and an operating cylinder in which an operating member composed of a piston or a plunger is fitted to a cylinder cylinder that is formed integrally with the cylinder body and extends to the one end side, and the one end side from the operating member is the A conversion mechanism that is filled with a working liquid and forms a working chamber that includes the second chamber; and the partition member operates as the partition liquid expands and contracts according to the temperature of the driving liquid. Actuator which operates to move, thereby linearly moving the actuating member through the actuating liquid, the temperature change, characterized in that the. 9. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein an actuation start temperature setting mechanism having a variable volume and maximum volume adjustable chamber that receives the actuating liquid when the driving liquid starts expanding. An operation end temperature setting mechanism that adjustably regulates a maximum stroke of the operation member by the operation liquid; and a relief mechanism having a variable volume chamber that receives the operation liquid after the operation member ends the operation. An actuator operated by a temperature change, wherein a temperature range in which a member is linearly moved by the working liquid can be set arbitrarily. 10. A cylinder in which the operation start temperature setting mechanism uses one of the cylinder chambers partitioned by a piston as the chamber, and a manual adjustment screw that stops the movement of the piston in the volume increasing direction when the piston hits the cylinder. The actuator which operates by temperature change according to claim 9, which comprises a member. 11. The actuator operated by a temperature change according to claim 9, wherein the operation end temperature setting mechanism is a manual adjustment screw member, and the operation member abuts to prevent a further stroke. 12. The cylinder wherein the relief mechanism has one of the cylinder chambers defined by a piston as the chamber,
The actuator operated by a temperature change according to claim 9, wherein a return spring for pushing the piston is installed in the other chamber of the cylinder chamber. 13. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the chamber is variable, and the chamber is opened when the stroke of the operating member by the operating liquid reaches a constant value to introduce the operating liquid into the chamber. A stroke setting mechanism having a discharge path, a check valve that closes toward the chamber, and a return path that returns the working liquid in the chamber as the driving liquid contracts; An actuator that operates due to temperature changes, characterized in that the stroke of linear movement by the liquid is always constant. 14. The temperature change according to claim 13, wherein the variable volume chamber is one chamber of a cylinder chamber partitioned by a piston, and the pressing spring of the piston is inserted in the other chamber. Actuator that operates. 15. The operation member is a plunger fitted in a cylinder chamber, and the discharge passage is connected to the cylinder chamber and is closed by the plunger until a constant stroke is achieved. Actuator that operates according to the temperature change. 16. One type selected from alcohol, ether, ketone, and liquefied petroleum gas is used as the driving liquid, and one type selected from hydraulic fluid for hydraulic equipment and lubricating oil is used as the working liquid. Claims 1, 2, 3,
An actuator that operates according to the temperature change described in 8, 9, or 13.