JP2011047444A - Variable restriction device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a flow direction, a flow rate and the like variable without requiring an external drive device in a variable restriction device. <P>SOLUTION: The variable restriction device 10 includes a casing 20, a sleeve 40 and a rocking spool 50. The casing 20 includes a first connection port 28 supplying or discharging gas of first gas pressure P<SB>A</SB>, and a second connection port 30 supplying or discharging gas of second gas pressure P<SB>B</SB>. The first gas pressure P<SB>A</SB>and the second gas pressure P<SB>B</SB>are applied on both of a right and a left end of the rocking spool 50. The rocking spool 50 receives rocking drive force by axial direction differential pressure which is difference of the gas pressures, a relative position thereof with respect to the sleeve 40 changes thereby, a flow direction of gas is changed, and channel area changes according to the axial direction differential pressure. In addition to that, rocking drive force can be received from a right side return spring 60 and a left side return spring 62 by displacement of vibration relative to the sleeve 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable throttle device, and more particularly to a variable throttle device that uses a spool / sleeve mechanism to change the flow direction or flow rate of a gas.

  A throttle valve is provided between the two fluid devices to absorb relative fluctuations such as fluid pressure between the two fluid devices. For example, in Patent Document 1, as a vehicle body tilting device, a hydraulic cylinder is provided between a vehicle body and a carriage, an introduction valve is provided at each end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a throttle valve is provided in parallel with the hydraulic cylinder via a flow valve. A configuration in which is provided is described. This throttle valve is a fixed throttle valve with a fixed channel area. In this configuration, the inclination of the vehicle body can be controlled as a controlled pendulum system by opening the introduction valve, closing the flow valve, and controlling the operation of the hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulic pump or the like. Further, when the vehicle body is in a natural pendulum state, the vibration of the vehicle body can be attenuated by the throttle valve by closing the introduction valve to stop the operation of the hydraulic pump and opening the flow valve. Here, the fixed throttle valve absorbs the fluctuation of the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic chambers on both sides of the hydraulic cylinder due to the relative vibration between the vehicle body and the carriage.

  In Patent Document 2, Patent Document 1 is developed, the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing through the fixed throttle valve can be controlled from the outside, and the supply amount of hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder and the supply amount of hydraulic oil to the throttle valve are coordinated. It is stated to control. Here, the opening area of the throttle valve is the same, but the function of the variable throttle valve is provided by controlling the flow rate.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a spool including a spool having three land portions, that is, a center land and left and right lands disposed on both sides of the center land, and a sleeve that supports the spool so as to be movable in the axial direction. The sleeve mechanism is provided with a movable wire ring that is fixed to one end of the spool and applies a straight driving force to the spool according to the input current. The sleeve has an output port corresponding to the center land and stems on both sides of the center land. A configuration in which a supply port and a discharge port are provided is described. According to this structure, the spool is moved in the axial direction relative to the sleeve by the movable wire ring, and the flow to the output port is controlled by changing the relative opening area between the center land and the output port. Therefore, it is a kind of variable aperture device by external control.

JP 2004-291897 A JP 2008-247335 A JP 2004-270870 A

  As described above, by using the throttle valve, it is possible to absorb relative fluctuations such as fluid pressure between the two fluid devices. That is, the throttle valve can be used for a damper or the like. As such a throttle valve, a fixed throttle valve having a fixed channel area as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be used. A typical fixed throttle valve is an orifice. In order to change the flow rate or the like in the fixed throttle valve, it is necessary to change the flow path diameter of the orifice or to control the flow rate of the working fluid by an external control device as disclosed in Patent Document 2. According to the system in which the spool / sleeve mechanism shown in Patent Document 3 is driven by a movable wire ring, the flow direction, the flow path area, and the like can be varied, but an external drive mechanism such as a movable wire wheel is required.

  As described above, according to the prior art, the throttle device that can change the flow direction or flow rate requires an external drive device and the like, which is large-scale.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a variable throttle device that can change the flow direction or flow rate without requiring an external drive device.

  The variable throttle device according to the present invention includes a swing spool in which a left land, a center land, and a right land are disposed on a stem, and supports the outer periphery of each land of the swing spool so that the swing spool is in the axial direction of the stem. And a left restoring spring and a right restoring spring that apply a restoring force along the axial direction of the stem to the left land and the right land of the swing spool, respectively, and a first gas provided in the sleeve. A gas having a pressure is supplied to the oscillating spool side or discharged from the oscillating spool side, and a gas provided in the sleeve and having a second gas pressure is discharged from the oscillating spool side or the oscillating spool. The swinging spool is provided with an axial differential pressure that is a difference between a gas pressure applied to the left side surface of the left land and a gas pressure applied to the right side surface of the right land. Shaking When the driving force is received or the swinging driving force is received by the relative displacement difference of the swinging spool with respect to the sleeve and the swinging spool is in a neutral state with respect to the sleeve, each land for the first opening and the second opening is provided. As for the relative positional relationship, the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening is set to be zero or a predetermined predetermined communication state, or a predetermined overlap amount from the neutral state The first opening and the second opening are set to communicate with each other for the first time by movement exceeding the first position, and when the swing spool moves from the neutral state with respect to the sleeve by at least one swing drive force, Since the relative positional relationship of each land with respect to the opening and the second opening is variably changed, the flow of gas is variably restricted so that the first opening and the second opening Communicating amount is characterized in that it is linearly or nonlinearly changed according to the amount of change in the positional relationship regardless of the direction of movement of.

  Further, in the variable throttle device according to the present invention, the first connection for guiding the gas having the first gas pressure to the left spring chamber in which the left restoring spring is accommodated to apply the first gas pressure to the left side surface of the left land. A flow path, and a second connection flow path for guiding the gas having the second gas pressure to the right spring chamber in which the right restoring spring is accommodated and applying the second gas pressure to the right side surface of the right land. Therefore, it is preferable to receive the swing driving force by the differential pressure in the axial direction.

  Further, in the variable throttle device according to the present invention, the intermediate differential flow path that communicates the space of the left spring chamber of the left land and the space of the right spring chamber of the right land provides zero axial differential pressure in the neutral state. As a result, it is preferable to receive a swing driving force from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring due to a relative displacement difference of the swing spool with respect to the sleeve.

  Further, in the variable throttle device according to the present invention, the first fixed throttle portion provided in the first connection flow path and throttles the gas flow guided to the left land side by a predetermined throttle amount, and the second connection flow path. It is preferable to include a second fixed restricting portion that is provided and restricts the flow of gas guided to the right land side by a predetermined amount of restriction.

  In the variable throttle device according to the present invention, one or a predetermined number of intermediate fixings are provided in the intermediate connection flow path to suppress vibrations according to the masses of the left restoring spring, the right restoring spring, and the swinging spool. It is preferable to provide an aperture portion.

  Further, in the variable throttle device according to the present invention, the swing spool is disposed at a position where the central land closes the second opening when in the neutral state with respect to the sleeve, and is formed between the central land and the left land. The left gas chamber and the right gas chamber formed between the center land and the right land are both disposed at a position communicating with the first opening, and when the sleeve moves from the neutral state, the center land However, it is preferable that the second opening and the first opening communicate with each other with a communication amount corresponding to the amount of change in the relative positional relationship.

  In the variable throttle device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the swing spool has a central land including a communication path that connects the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber.

  Further, in the variable aperture device according to the present invention, the variable aperture device is provided to be connected between the first opening and the second opening, and a communication amount between the first opening and the second opening is predetermined. It is preferable to include a bias restricting section that is set so as to be in a communication state with a predetermined bias amount.

  With the above configuration, the variable throttle device is a spool / sleeve mechanism having a left restoring spring and a right restoring spring at both ends of the swing spool, respectively, and the swing spool has a gas pressure applied to the left side surface of the left land. A swing driving force is received by an axial differential pressure that is a difference from a gas pressure applied to the right side surface of the right land, or a swing driving force is received by a relative vibration displacement difference of the swing spool with respect to the sleeve, and at least The flow of gas between the first opening and the second opening can be changed by variably changing the relative positional relationship between the center land and the first opening by any swing driving force. Squeeze.

  The variable throttle device uses a first connection flow path for applying a first gas pressure to the left side surface of the left land and a second connection flow path for applying a second gas pressure to the right side surface of the right land. Thus, the swing spool can receive the swing drive force by the axial differential pressure.

  Further, in the variable throttle device, an intermediate connection passage that communicates the space of the left spring chamber of the left land and the space of the right spring chamber of the right land is provided, so that in the neutral state, the axial differential pressure is zero, Oscillating driving force can be received from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring due to the relative displacement difference of the oscillating spool.

  As described above, the swing spool moves in the axial direction due to the axial differential pressure or the relative vibration displacement difference, so that the flow direction or flow rate is not particularly required without an external drive device for driving the swing spool. Etc. can be made variable.

  Further, in the variable throttle device, the first fixed throttle portion provided in the first connection flow path and throttled the gas flow guided to the left land side by a predetermined throttle amount, and provided in the second connection flow path, And a second fixed restrictor that restricts the flow of gas guided to the land side by a predetermined amount of restriction. As a result, a sudden change in the swing drive force can be suppressed, and the change in the swing drive force can be made smooth.

  Further, the variable throttle device includes one or a predetermined number of intermediate fixed throttle portions that are provided in the intermediate connection flow path and that suppress vibration according to the mass of the left restoring spring, the right restoring spring, and the swing spool. . The difference in relative vibration with respect to the sleeve causes a gas pressure difference between the left and right spring chambers, but the pulsation of the gas pressure difference is suppressed by the intermediate fixed restrictor, so that vibration suppression should be smooth. Can do.

In the variable throttle device, the swing spool is disposed at a position where the center land closes the second opening when the swing spool is in a neutral state, and the left gas formed between the center land and the left land. The chamber and the right gas chamber formed between the central land and the right land are both disposed at a position communicating with the first opening, and when the center land moves from the neutral state, the central land opens to the second opening. The second opening and the first opening communicate with each other with a communication amount corresponding to the amount of change in the relative positional relationship.

  In the variable throttle device, the oscillating spool has a central land including a communication path that connects the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber. Thereby, the structure for communicating both the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber to the first opening can be realized in the sleeve, and the structure can be simplified.

  In the variable aperture device, the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening is in a predetermined amount of communication between the first opening and the second opening. An aperture to be set is provided. Thereby, the amount of communication between the first opening and the second opening in the neutral state can be set to a pre-biased size instead of zero.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, it is a diagram showing a variable throttle device having a configuration suitable for the case where the swing spool receives a swing driving force by the axial differential pressure. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the variable aperture apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the variable aperture apparatus of FIG. 1 with FIG. In the embodiment according to the present invention, it is a diagram for explaining the action of the variable aperture. It is a figure which shows the structure which added the fixed aperture apparatus in the structure of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the arrangement of the openings of the sleeve is changed as a modification of FIG. 1. In the embodiment according to the present invention, it is a diagram showing a variable throttle device having a configuration suitable for the case where the swing spool receives swing drive force from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring due to displacement of relative vibration with respect to the sleeve. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the variable aperture apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the variable aperture apparatus of FIG. 7 with FIG. As another modification of FIG. 1, it is a figure explaining a mode that a communicating path is provided in an intermediate land. It is sectional drawing of the center land for demonstrating the mode of the communicating path of FIG.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, air will be described as a fluid applied to the variable throttle device, but dry nitrogen other than air, an inert gas, or the like may be used. Further, in the following, the swinging spool is swung from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring by a configuration suitable for receiving the swinging driving force by the axial differential pressure and the displacement difference of the swinging spool relative to the sleeve. Although the description will be divided into the configuration suitable for receiving the driving force, the swing spool may receive both types of swing driving force.

In the following description, for example, the first gas pressure P _A is supplied to the two openings and the second gas pressure P _B is supplied to the one opening. One or more may be used. Further, the positional relationship between the opening and the land is such that the opening related to the first gas pressure P _A and the opening related to the second gas pressure P _B are in communication with each other, and in a disconnected state. Any arrangement relationship may be used as long as the direction of flow or the flow rate can be changed according to the swing driving force.

  The variable throttle device is provided between two gas devices and exhibits a damper function and the like. As an example of two gas devices, for example, two gas chambers on both sides of a cylinder in a piston / cylinder mechanism can be used. In this case, a variable throttle device can be used as a damper mechanism arranged in parallel with the piston / cylinder mechanism.

  In addition, as the two gas devices to which the variable throttle device is applied, two gas chambers in which the gas pressure relatively changes, two gas chambers in which relative mechanical vibrations occur, and the like can be used.

  The spring constant, natural frequency, and the like described below are examples for explanation, and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the application product to which the variable aperture device is applied.

  Below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element in all the drawings, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In the description in the text, the symbols described before are used as necessary.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the variable aperture device 10. The variable throttle device 10 is a kind of a spool / sleeve mechanism including a housing 20, a sleeve 40, and a swing spool 50. The housing 20 is connected to the first connection port 28 a gas having a first gas pressure P _A is connected to the first gas system (not shown) is supplied or discharged, the second gas device, not shown A second connection port 30 through which a gas having the second gas pressure P _B is supplied or discharged is provided.

The variable throttle device 10 is swung by an axial differential pressure, which is a difference between the first and second gas pressures P _A and P _B , applied to the left and right ends of the swing spool 50. The spool 50 has a configuration suitable for receiving a swing driving force. The left and right are for the position along the axial direction of the swinging spool 50. As shown in FIG. 1, if the axial direction of the swinging spool 50 is the X-axis direction and the + X side is the right side, The X side is the left side.

  In FIG. 1, the casing 20 is a cylindrical member having an arrangement space in which a sleeve 40 and a swing spool 50 are arranged at the center. In this arrangement space, the left spring chamber 22 and the right spring chamber 24 respectively provided on the left and right ends of the swing spool 50 are respectively accommodated so that the left restoring spring 60 and the right restoring spring 62 can be compressed and extended in the axial direction. Space.

Further, the housing 20, the first introduction passage 29 extending from the first connection port 28 to the sleeve 40 side through the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 provided in the sleeve 40, the first gas pressure P _A supplying gas to the oscillating spool 50 side with, or is a flow path for discharging a gas having a first gas pressure P _a from the pivot spool 50 side. Here, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 are connected together to the first introduction flow path 29 passing through the inside of the housing 20, so that the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 communicate with each other, The opening for introducing gas has the same function. In that sense, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 configured to communicate with each other can be collectively referred to as a first opening.

First connection channel 32 connecting the first introduction passage 29 and the left spring chamber 22, by supplying the first gas pressure P _A on the left side spring chamber, as described below, the left side surface of the left land 54 to a channel having a function of providing an axial force corresponding to the first gas pressure P _a.

Similarly, in the housing 20, the second introduction flow path 31 extending from the second connection port 30 toward the sleeve 40 side allows gas having the second gas pressure P _B to pass through the central opening 42 provided in the sleeve 40. It is a flow path for supplying gas having the second gas pressure P _B to the swing spool 50 side or discharging from the swing spool 50 side. Although there is one central opening 42, it can be referred to as a first opening in order to contrast with the first opening.

In addition, the second connection flow path 34 that connects the second introduction flow path 31 and the right spring chamber 24 supplies the second gas pressure P _B to the right spring chamber, so that, as will be described later, The flow path has a function of applying a force corresponding to the second gas pressure P _B to the right side surface.

  The left restoring spring 60 accommodated in the left spring chamber 22 and the right restoring spring 62 accommodated in the right spring chamber 24 are elastic bodies having a function of returning to the neutral position with respect to the axial movement of the swing spool 50. is there. In FIG. 1, the left restoring spring 60 and the right restoring spring 62 are shown as coil springs. However, the left restoring spring 60 and the right restoring spring 62 are always neutral when they are compressed and expanded in the axial direction of the swing spool 50 and moved in the axial direction. As long as it is an elastic body having a function of pulling back to the position, plastic rubber, leaf spring, or the like may be used.

  The left restoring spring 60 is an elastic body as described above, and disks are provided at both ends in the axial direction. The left disk is for determining the axial position of the left restoring spring 60 and setting the restoring force. The left adjustment screw 70 to be screwed into the housing 20 has a function of adjusting the axial position according to the screwing amount, with the tip thereof being in contact with the left disk. In this way, the restoring force of the left restoring spring 60 is set by adjusting the screwing amount of the left adjusting screw 70. Note that one or both of the left adjustment screw 70 and the right adjustment screw 72 described later can be omitted.

  The disc on the right side of the left restoring spring 60 transmits the restoring force to the left end of the swing spool 50. The right disc and the left end of the oscillating spool 50 can be configured as a pivot and a bearing so that friction is reduced. That is, a pivot is provided on the left end surface of the right disk, and a bearing that receives the pivot is disposed on the left end of the swing spool 50, thereby supporting each other by line contact. The pivot may be provided on the swing spool 50 and the bearing may be provided on the right disk. Since the pivot or the like is for reducing friction, the variable aperture device 10 functions as an aperture even without a pivot or the like.

The right disk in the left restoring spring 60 has another function. It is a function of transmitting the axial force corresponding to the first gas pressure P _A that is supplied to the left side spring chamber 22 on the left side of the left land 54 of the oscillating spool 50. Therefore, the space between the outer periphery of the right disk and the inner wall of the left spring chamber 22 is appropriately airtight. A suitable gas-tight, can be right-hand circular plate is moved in the axial direction, it is meant that the degree of gas having a first gas pressure P _A from leaking much on the side of the swing spool 50. The extent not less leakage, axial force may be a degree that is properly transmitted to the oscillating spool 50 corresponding to the first gas pressure P _A.

Similarly, the right restoring spring 62 is also provided with discs at both ends in the axial direction. The right disk determines the axial position of the right restoring spring 62 and sets the restoring force. The left disk transmits the restoring force to the swing spool 50. Similarly, the left disc has a function of transmitting an axial force corresponding to the second gas pressure P _B supplied to the right spring chamber 24 to the right side surface of the right land 56 of the swing spool 50. . Similarly, the right adjustment screw 72 screwed into the housing 20 has a function of adjusting the axial position of the right restoring spring 62 in accordance with the screwing amount. In other respects, the detailed configuration is the same as that described for the left restoring spring 60.

In this way, the left restoring spring 60 and the right restoring spring 62 are provided at both ends of the swing spool 50, and basically the axial position of the swing spool 50 is set to the neutral position. As described above, the axial force corresponding to the first gas pressure P _A by the right of the disk on the left restoring spring 60 is provided to the left end of the swing spool 50, the left side of the disk in the right restoring spring 62 Since the axial force corresponding to the second gas pressure P _{B is applied} to the right end of the swing spool 50, the swing spool 50 moves from the neutral position according to the differential pressure (P _A −P _B ). A driving force is given. When the first gas pressure P _A = the second gas pressure P _B , the swing spool 50 is correctly positioned at the neutral position. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the swing spool 50 is correctly in the neutral position.

  A sleeve 40 in FIG. 1 is a cylindrical member that is fixedly attached to an arrangement space in which the sleeve 40 and the swing spool 50 are arranged at the center of the housing 20, and an outer peripheral portion is fixed to the housing 20. The inner peripheral surface is a sliding surface that supports the swing spool 50 so as to be movable in the axial direction. As the sliding surface, in addition to the contact between the sleeve 40 and the swing spool 50, a resin or the like may be provided on the outer periphery of the swing spool 50, and the contact between the metal and the resin may be used.

  As described in the description of the configuration of the housing 20, the sleeve 40 is provided with three openings spaced apart from each other along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement order is a left opening 44, a central opening 42, and a right opening 46 from the left side that is −X side to the right side that is + X side. Corresponding to these openings, the housing 20 is also provided with three openings, and as described above, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 are connected to the first introduction flow path 29 and the central opening. The part 42 is connected to the second introduction flow path 31.

  The swing spool 50 is a shaft body on which a left land 54, a center land 52, and a right land 56 are arranged on a stem. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement order of the lands is a left land 54, a center land 52, and a right land 56 from the left side on the −X side to the right side on the + X side. The outer peripheral dimension of each land is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the sliding surface of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 40. Slightly smaller means that the swing spool 50 is supported by the sleeve 40 and maintains a gap that can be smoothly moved in the axial direction while maintaining airtightness between the lands and the sleeve 40. In addition, when the damping effect is positively exerted by this gap, it is preferable to widen this gap amount to some extent.

  The stem is a thin shaft member that connects the lands. The outer diameter of the stem is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the lands. Therefore, a space is formed between the stem between each land and the sleeve 40, and this space becomes a gas chamber that holds gas or flows gas. In the example of FIG. 1, a left gas chamber is formed between the left land 54 and the center land, and a right gas chamber is formed between the center land 52 and the right land.

  The arrangement positions of the lands of the swing spool 50 and the arrangement positions of the openings of the sleeve 40 are set as follows. That is, when the swing spool 50 is in the neutral position, the central land 52 is a position where the central opening 42 is just closed. The left land 54 is shifted to the −X direction from the position of the left opening 44 so that the left opening 44 is completely opened. Further, the right land 56 is set at a position shifted in the + X direction from the position of the right opening 46 so that the right opening 46 is completely opened.

Therefore, in the neutral state, the first gas pressure P _A, in addition to being supplied to the left the spring chamber 22, through the left opening 44 and the right opening 46, is supplied to the side of the swing spool 50. On the other hand, the second gas pressure P _B is supplied to the right spring chamber 24, but the central opening 42 is closed by the central land 52, so that it is blocked and not supplied to the swing spool 50 side.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the swing spool 50 is in a neutral state with respect to the sleeve 40, the first opening and the second opening with respect to the relative positional relationship of each land with respect to the first opening and the second opening. It is set so that the amount of communication with the part becomes zero. Specifically, when the spool has three lands and the sleeve has three openings as shown in FIG. 1, the central land 52 is the first opening in the neutral state as described above. The positional relationship between the central land 52 and the central opening 42 is set so that the portion 42 can be completely closed. At this time, the left land 54 and the right land 56 are in such a positional relationship that the left opening 44 and the right opening 46, which are the second openings, are not blocked. The position of the swing spool 50 in such a positional relationship is the neutral position of the swing spool 50.

  In some cases, even in the neutral state, the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening may be a predetermined amount of communication that is predetermined. Specifically, the central land 52 does not completely block the central opening 42 which is the first opening, and the first opening is partially opened to the swing spool 50 side with a predetermined margin. It is good. In this way, by allowing the central land 52 to partially open the first opening, an appropriate amount of gas can be communicated between the first opening and the second opening. Thereby, the operation of the variable aperture device 10 can be made more stable. Conversely, an overlap of the swing spool 50 is provided on both sides of the central opening 42, and even if the swing spool 50 moves in the neutral state and the overlap range, the first opening and the second opening are not It is possible to prevent communication. Below, description is continued about the case where the communication amount between a 1st opening part and a 2nd opening part is zero in a neutral state.

Further, when the axial differential pressure (P _A -P _B ) is generated, the swing spool 50 moves from its neutral state. By this movement, the relative positional relationship of each land with respect to the first opening and the second opening is variably changed. As a result, the amount of communication between the first opening and the second opening is changed according to the amount of change in the positional relationship regardless of the direction of movement so as to variably restrict the gas flow. become. Regardless of the direction of movement, the first value is the same as long as the absolute value of the relative movement amount of the sleeve 40 with respect to the swing spool 50 is the same regardless of whether the movement direction is the right direction or the left direction. This means that the amount of communication between the opening and the second opening is the same. The specific contents will be described later.

2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the variable aperture device 10 having the above-described configuration. 2, when the first gas pressure P _A is lower pressure than the second gas pressure P _B, FIG. 3 is a case where the first gas pressure P _A is at a higher pressure than the second gas pressure P _B.

In FIG. 2, the first gas pressure P _A is lower than the second gas pressure P _B. That is, since the second gas pressure P _B is higher pressure than the first gas pressure P _A, the driving force in the -X direction by the gas pressure P _B supplied to the right end of the swing spool 50 on the right side spring chamber 24, the left greater than the driving force of the gas pressure P _a in accordance + X direction given to the left end of the swing spool 50 in the spring chamber 22. Therefore, the swinging spool 50 moves to the −X side from the neutral position by the swinging driving force by this axial direction differential pressure (P _B −P _A ).

By moving the swing spool 50 from the neutral position to the −X side, the central land 52 opens the right side of the central opening 42. The opening amount varies depending on the axial differential pressure (P _B -P _A ). That is, the flow channel area is the amount of opening is large when the axial pressure difference (P _B -P _A) is large, smaller the axial differential pressure (P _B -P _A) is. Thus, the flow path area is variably changed by the axial differential pressure (P _B −P _A ).

In this way, the gas having the second gas pressure P _B from the second gas device (not shown) passes through the second connection port 30 -the second introduction channel 31 -the central opening 42 -the right of the swinging spool 50. The gas passes through the gas chamber-right opening 46-first introduction flow path 29-first connection port 28 and is guided to a first gas device (not shown).

On the other hand, in FIG. 3, since the first gas pressure P _A is higher than the second gas pressure P _B , driving in the + X direction is performed by the gas pressure P _{A applied} to the left end of the swing spool 50 in the left spring chamber 22. The force is larger than the driving force in the −X direction by the gas pressure P _{B applied} to the right end of the swing spool 50 in the right spring chamber 24. Therefore, the swinging spool 50 moves to the + X side from the neutral position by the swinging driving force generated by the axial direction differential pressure (P _A −P _B ).

By moving the swing spool 50 from the neutral position to the + X side, the central land 52 opens the left side of the central opening 42. The opening amount varies depending on the axial differential pressure (P _A −P _B ). As in the case of the movement from the neutral position of the swing spool 50 to the −X side, the flow path area, which is the opening amount, is variably changed by the axial differential pressure (P _A −P _B ).

Therefore, the gas having the first gas pressure P _A from the first gas device (not shown) is the first connection port 28 -the first introduction channel 29 -the left opening 44 -the left gas chamber of the swing spool 50- It passes through the central opening 42-the second introduction flow path 31-the second connection port 30 and is guided to a second gas device (not shown).

Thus, when the gas pressure P _A of the first gas device (not shown) is lower than the gas pressure P _B of the second gas device, the variable throttle device 10 starts from the side of the second gas device on the high pressure side. receiving a supply of high pressure gas, on the contrary, the gas pressure P _B of the second gas apparatus when a lower pressure than the gas pressure P _a of the first gas device, the side from the second gas apparatus of the first gas device of the high-pressure side In contrast, a high-pressure gas can be supplied. Due to such an action, by using the variable throttle device 10, it is possible to suppress a pressure difference between the first gas device and the second gas device.

Here, the driving of the swing spool 50 for suppressing the pressure difference between the first gas device and the second gas device is the difference between the first gas pressure P _A and the second gas pressure P _B. A certain axial direction differential pressure is used, and if an axial direction differential pressure is generated without using a special drive device, the swing drive is automatically performed. Further, the flow passage area is varied according to the magnitude of the axial differential pressure, and the larger the axial differential pressure, the larger the flow passage area. Therefore, the pressure difference between the first gas device and the second gas device. Even if this occurs, the pressure difference can be quickly eliminated and the equilibrium pressure can be restored. In this way, the shape of the opening can be set so that the amount of movement of the swing spool 50 in the X direction and the amount of change in the flow path area have a proportional relationship. In addition, the relationship between the amount of movement in the X direction and the flow path area can be made non-linear, or can be changed in two steps.

  FIG. 4 shows the operation of the variable throttle device 10 as a communication between the first opening A and the second opening B when the relative positional relationship between the swing spool 50 and the sleeve 40 is changed. It is a figure explaining the change of quantity. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis takes time, the change in the displacement difference X, which is the difference in the relative position between the swing spool 50 and the sleeve 40, and the corresponding first opening A and second opening. The change of the communication amount with the part B is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, even if X changes from the neutral state to the plus side or the minus side, the communication amount between the first opening A and the second opening B is the direction of change of X. Regardless, if the absolute values of X are the same, they are the same. The magnitude of the communication amount between the first opening A and the second opening B is changed according to the change in the magnitude of the absolute value of X. That is, the variable aperture device 10 has a kind of rectifying action with respect to the change function of X.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the variable throttle device 12 in which the fixed throttle portions 80 and 81 are provided in the first connection flow channel 32 and the second connection flow channel 34, respectively, in the configuration of FIG. The configuration other than the first connection flow path 32, the second connection flow path 34, and the fixed throttle portions 80 and 81 is the same as that in FIG.

  The fixed restricting portion 80 is provided in the first connection flow path 32 and is used to restrict the flow of gas guided to the left spring chamber 22 by a predetermined restricting amount. Similarly, the fixed restricting portion 81 is provided in the second connection flow path 34 and is used for restricting the flow of gas guided to the right spring chamber 24 by a predetermined amount of restriction. As a result, a sudden change in the swing drive force can be suppressed, and the change in the swing drive force can be made smooth.

  These two fixed throttle portions 80 and 81 can be the same, but can be referred to as the first fixed throttle portion 80 and the second fixed throttle portion 81 particularly when it is desired to distinguish them. As the first fixed throttle unit 80 and the second fixed throttle unit 81, an orifice throttle, a radial slit type throttle, a porous throttle that allows a gas to flow into a porous material, or the like can be used.

  The flow path resistance of the throttle of the fixed throttle unit 80 can be set so as to suppress the pulsation frequency of the gas flow according to the gas volume of the left spring chamber 22. That is, generally, if the flow path resistance of the throttle is R and the gas capacity of the gas chamber into which the gas flows is C, the natural frequency f of the gas flow is f = ω / (2π) = 1 / (2πRC ). Since a frequency faster than this does not respond, it can be used as a high-pass cut filter, that is, a low-pass filter.

In the above, in the left opening portion 44 and the right opening 46 provided in the sleeve 40, a gas having a first gas pressure P _A is discharged from the side of the supply to the side or swinging spool 50 of the pivot spool 50, and In the central opening 42, the gas having the second gas pressure P _B is supplied to the oscillating spool 50 side or discharged from the oscillating spool 50 side. In such a case, as described above, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 can be referred to as a first opening, and the central opening 42 can be referred to as a second opening. Thus, in the above description, there are three openings, but the number of openings may be other than three.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the variable diaphragm device 14 in which four openings are provided in the sleeve. FIG. 6 shows an XY cross-sectional view and an XZ cross-sectional view with an axis perpendicular to the X axis as a Y axis and a Z axis. Here, the first introduction flow path 29 and the second introduction flow path 31 are arranged in the housing 100 so as not to cross each other. The first introduction passage 29 via the left first opening 110 and the right first opening 114 provided in the sleeve 102, to supply a gas having a first gas pressure P _A to the swing spool 50 side or, it has a flow path for discharging a gas having a first gas pressure P _a from the pivot spool 50 side. Further, the second introduction flow path 31 supplies the gas having the second gas pressure P _B to the swing spool 50 side via the left second opening 112 and the right second opening 116 provided in the sleeve 102. Alternatively, the flow path is for discharging a gas having the second gas pressure P _B from the swing spool 50 side.

  In the sleeve 102, the left first opening 110, the left second opening 112, the right first opening 114, and the right first opening from the −X side on the left side to the + X side on the right side along the axial direction. Two openings 116 are arranged in this order. As described above, the left first opening 110 and the right first opening 114 are connected to the first introduction flow path 29. Therefore, these are referred to as the first opening, the left second opening 112, Since the right second opening 116 is connected to the second introduction flow path 31, these can be referred to as a second opening.

  The arrangement position of each land of the swing spool 50 and the arrangement position of each opening of the sleeve 102 are set as follows. That is, when the swing spool 50 is in the neutral position, the left land 54 is a position where the left first opening 110 is just closed. The right land 56 is a position where the right second opening 116 is just closed. The center land 52 is a position shifted in the + X direction from the position of the left second opening 112 so that both the left second opening 112 and the right first opening 114 are completely opened, The position is shifted in the −X direction from the position of the one opening 114.

Therefore, in the neutral state, the first gas pressure P _A, in addition to being supplied to the left the spring chamber 22, is supplied to the right air chamber of the oscillating spool 50 via the right first opening 114. On the other hand, the second gas pressure P _B is supplied to the left gas chamber of the swing spool 50 through the left second opening 112 in addition to being supplied to the right spring chamber 24. Since the communication between the right gas chamber and the left gas chamber is blocked by the central land 52, the first opening formed by the left first opening 110 and the right first opening, the left second opening 112, It does not communicate with the second opening formed by the right second opening 116.

Therefore, when the swing spool 50 is in a neutral state with respect to the sleeve 102, the first opening and the second opening are not in communication. Here, if the first gas pressure P _A is lower than the second gas pressure P _B , as described with reference to FIG. 2, the swing spool 50 moves in the −X direction, and the left first opening 110 The right side opens. Thereby, gas flows from the second connection port 30 toward the first connection port 28. Conversely, if the first gas pressure P _A is higher than the second gas pressure P _B , as described in FIG. 2, the swing spool 50 moves in the + X direction, and the right second opening 116 The left side opens. Thereby, gas flows from the first connection port 28 toward the second connection port 30.

  As described above, even when a configuration having four openings is used, the same effect as the variable diaphragm described in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be obtained.

In the above description, the oscillating spool 50 is caused by the axial differential pressure that is the difference between the first gas pressure P _A that is the gas pressure of the first gas device and the second gas pressure P _B that is the gas pressure of the second gas device. It was assumed that a swing drive force was applied. In addition, the swing driving force may be applied to the swing spool 50 by the restoring force due to the displacement of the right and left restoring springs due to the difference in displacement of the relative vibration of the sleeve 40 with respect to the swing spool 50. In such a case, the first gas device and the second gas device (not shown) relatively vibrate, the vibration is transmitted to the housing of the variable throttle device, and the sleeve integral with the housing is a swing spool. An example of relative vibration can be given.

  The variable throttle device 16 shown in FIG. 7 has a configuration suitable for receiving a swing driving force from the left restoring spring 64 and the right restoring spring 66 depending on the displacement difference of the relative vibration of the sleeve 40 with respect to the swing spool 50. is there. FIG. 7 shows an XY cross-sectional view and an XZ cross-sectional view, with the Y axis and the Z axis being orthogonal to the X axis, as in FIG. Here, compared with FIG. 1, the first connection flow path 32 and the second connection flow path 34 are omitted, and the intermediate connection flow paths 120 and 122 that connect the left spring chamber 22 and the right spring chamber 24. Is provided.

  That is, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the first connection channel 32 and the second connection channel 34 are omitted, and the space of the left spring chamber 22 of the left land 54 and the space of the right spring chamber 24 of the right land 56 are communicated. By providing the intermediate connection flow paths 120 and 122, the axial differential pressure is zero in the neutral state. As a result, the swing spool 50 receives swing drive force from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring due to the displacement difference of the relative vibration of the sleeve 40 with respect to the swing spool 50.

  The intermediate fixed restricting portion 130 provided in the intermediate connection flow paths 120 and 122 has a function of restricting the gas flow between the left spring chamber 22 and the right spring chamber 24 with a predetermined restricting amount. Can be omitted. Therefore, the contents of the intermediate fixed throttle unit 130 will be described later. Hereinafter, the description of the configuration without the intermediate fixed throttle unit 130 will be continued unless otherwise specified.

  8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the variable aperture device 16 having the above-described configuration. FIG. 8 shows a case where the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 are subjected to acceleration vibration in the + X direction, and FIG. 9 is a case where the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 are subjected to acceleration vibration in the −X direction.

  In FIG. 8, the case 21 and the sleeve 40 fixed integrally therewith receive acceleration + α in the + X direction. At this time, since the swinging spool 50 is suspended from the sleeve 40 by the left restoring spring 64 and the right restoring spring 66, the swinging spool 50 is relatively left of the sleeve 40, that is, in the −X direction. It is displaced to. As described above, the swing spool 50 receives the swing drive force from the left restoring spring 64 and the right restoring spring 66 due to the relative vibration displacement with respect to the sleeve 40.

  The state in which the oscillating spool 50 is displaced in the −X direction relative to the sleeve 40 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2, so that the central land is moved by the movement from the neutral position of the oscillating spool 50 to the −X side. 52 opens the right side of the central opening 42. This opening amount differs depending on the magnitude of the displacement amount, that is, the axial acceleration + α of vibration. That is, the flow path area, which is the opening amount, is large when the axial acceleration α of vibration is large, and small when the axial acceleration α of vibration is small. In this way, the flow path area is variably changed by the axial acceleration α of vibration.

In this way, the gas having the second gas pressure P _B from the second gas device (not shown) passes through the second connection port 30 -the second introduction channel 31 -the central opening 42 -the right of the swinging spool 50. The gas passes through the gas chamber-right opening 46-first introduction flow path 29-first connection port 28 and is guided to a first gas device (not shown).

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a case where the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 fixed integrally therewith receive an acceleration −α in the −X direction. Again, since the swing spool 50 is suspended from the sleeve 40 by the left restoring spring 64 and the right restoring spring 66, the swing spool 50 is relatively to the right, that is, in the + X direction with respect to the sleeve 40. Displace.

  The state in which the oscillating spool 50 is displaced in the −X direction relative to the sleeve 40 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore the central land 52 is moved by moving the oscillating spool 50 from the neutral position to the + X side. Will open the left side of the central opening 42. The opening amount varies depending on the axial acceleration −α of vibration. As in the case of the movement from the neutral position of the swing spool 50 to the −X side, the flow path area that is the opening amount is variably changed by the axial acceleration α of the vibration.

Therefore, the gas having the first gas pressure P _A from the first gas device (not shown) is the first connection port 28 -the first introduction channel 29 -the left opening 44 -the left gas chamber of the swing spool 50- It passes through the central opening 42-the second introduction flow path 31-the second connection port 30 and is guided to a second gas device (not shown).

  Thus, for example, the variable throttle device 16 receives relative vibration between a first gas device and a second gas device (not shown), and the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 receive acceleration + α in the + X direction. When the oscillating spool 50 moves in the -X direction, gas flows from the first gas device side to the second gas device side. Conversely, the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 increase the acceleration -α in the -X direction. When receiving, the swing spool 50 moves in the −X direction, and the gas flows from the second gas device side to the first gas device side.

  As described above, when the casing 21 and the sleeve 40 vibrate by ± α, the swing spool 50 also vibrates in the left-right direction, and the gas flows while repeating the sorting in the left-right direction. In this case as well, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the absolute value of X is the same regardless of the direction of change of the displacement difference X, which is the difference in the relative position between the swing spool 50 and the sleeve 40. The change in the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening corresponding to this is the same. However, unlike FIGS. 2 and 3, in FIGS. 8 and 9, the direction of gas flow between the first opening and the second opening is distributed according to the direction of change of X. The change of the quantity itself is as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the oscillating spool 50 including the spring system vibrates at the natural frequency of the system, so that the sleeve for the oscillating spool 50 can be set by appropriately setting the mass of the oscillating spool 50 and the spring constant of the spring system. The relative vibration of 40 varies with frequency. For example, if the natural frequency of the oscillating spool 50 including the spring system is set to a suitably low frequency, the relative vibration between the oscillating spool 50 and the sleeve 40 in the case of a vibration having a higher frequency than the natural frequency. The target displacement is the same as the amplitude of the swing spool 50. That is, it acts as a high pass filter.

  Here, the driving of the oscillating spool for suppressing the vibration is the oscillating driving force received from the left restoring spring and the right restoring spring by the displacement of the relative vibration between the sleeve and the oscillating spool due to the vibration to be suppressed. If a vibration occurs without using a special drive device, the swing drive is automatically performed. In addition, the flow path area is varied according to the magnitude of the axial acceleration of vibration, and the larger the axial acceleration of vibration, the larger the flow path area. Therefore, even if vibration occurs, the vibration is quickly suppressed. Work like so.

  In this way, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the oscillating spool 50 receives axial acceleration, and the oscillating spool 50 vibrates at the natural frequency of the oscillating spool 50 including the spring system. That is, the left restoring spring 64 and the right restoring spring 66 are repeatedly contracted and expanded along with the vibration of the swing spool 50, whereby the gas pressure in the left spring chamber 22 and the gas pressure in the right spring chamber 24 also fluctuate and pulsate. .

  This pulsation can be suppressed by providing the intermediate connection flow paths 120 and 122, but the pulsation can be more effectively suppressed by providing the intermediate fixed throttle portion 130 in the intermediate connection flow paths 120 and 122. Can do. As the intermediate fixed restrictor 130, an orifice restrictor, a radial slit type restrictor, a porous restrictor for flowing gas into a porous substance, or the like can be used.

  1, 5, and 7, when using a configuration having three lands and three openings as the spool and the sleeve, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 are communicated with each other. Used as one opening. In FIGS. 1, 5, and 7, the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 are connected to the first introduction flow path 29.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a communication path 150 penetrating in the axial direction is provided in the central land 52, and thereby the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber which are gas chambers on both sides of the central land 52 are communicated. According to this configuration, there is no need to connect the left opening 44 and the right opening 46 to the first introduction flow path 29, and the structure of the sleeve and the housing can be simplified. In the example of FIG. 10, only the left opening 44 is connected to the first introduction flow path 29, and the right gas chamber corresponding to the right opening 46 passes through the communication path 150 and the left corresponding to the left opening 44. Connected to the gas chamber. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the central land 52. In this example, four communication paths 150 separated from each other penetrate the central land 52 in the axial direction.

  In FIG. 10, a bias diaphragm 152 provided by connecting the left opening 44 and the central opening 42 includes a first opening corresponding to the left opening 44 and a second opening corresponding to the center opening 42. This is a diaphragm device that is set so that the amount of communication with the opening is a predetermined bias amount. In relation to FIG. 1, it has been described that even in the neutral state, the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening may be a predetermined predetermined communication state. By using 152, it becomes easy to set the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening to a predetermined predetermined amount of communication. That is, the bias diaphragm 152 is a variable diaphragm device that varies the amount of communication between the first opening and the second opening by changing the relative positional relationship between the swing spool 50 and the sleeve 40. A bias flow path between a first opening and a second opening provided in parallel to the main configuration. As shown in FIG. 10, the bias throttle unit 152 can use an annular throttle device that surrounds the axis of the swing spool 50.

  The variable throttle device according to the present invention is provided between two gas devices and can be used as one that exhibits a damper function or the like. For example, it can be used as a damper mechanism for suppressing gas pressure fluctuation and mechanical vibration in two gas chambers in which the gas pressure varies relatively, two gas chambers in which relative mechanical vibration occurs, and the like. it can.

  10, 12, 14, 16 Variable throttle device, 20, 21, 100 Housing, 22 Left spring chamber, 24 Right spring chamber, 28 First connection port, 29 First introduction flow path, 30 Second connection port, 31 2 introduction flow path, 32 1st connection flow path, 34 2nd connection flow path, 40, 102 sleeve, 42 center opening, 44 left opening, 46 right opening, 50 swing spool, 52 center land, 54 left Land, 56 Right land, 60, 64 Left restoring spring, 62, 66 Right restoring spring, 70 Left adjusting screw, 72 Right adjusting screw, 80, 81 (first and second) fixed throttle, 110 Left first opening 112 left second opening, 114 right first opening, 116 right second opening, 120, 122 intermediate connection flow path, 130 intermediate fixed throttle, 150 communication path, 152 bias throttle.

Claims (8)

A swing spool in which a left land, a center land, and a right land are arranged on the stem;
A sleeve that supports the outer periphery of each land of the swing spool and guides the swing spool so as to swing freely in the axial direction of the stem;
A left restoring spring and a right restoring spring for applying a restoring force along the axial direction of the stem to the left land and the right land of the swing spool,
A first opening provided in the sleeve and having a first gas pressure supplied to the oscillating spool side or discharged from the oscillating spool side;
A second opening provided in the sleeve and having a second gas pressure discharged from the swing spool side or supplied to the swing spool side;
With
The swing spool
The rocking driving force is received by the differential pressure in the axial direction, which is the difference between the gas pressure applied to the left side of the left land and the gas pressure applied to the right side of the right land,
Or
The swing drive force is received by the relative displacement difference of the swing spool with respect to the sleeve,
When the swing spool is in a neutral state with respect to the sleeve, the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening is zero or the relative positional relationship of each land with respect to the first opening and the second opening is zero or It is set so that a predetermined predetermined amount of communication is established, or is set so that the first opening and the second opening communicate with each other only after a movement exceeding a predetermined overlap amount from the neutral state,
When the swing spool moves from the neutral state with respect to the sleeve by at least one swing driving force, the relative positional relationship of each land with respect to the first opening and the second opening is variably changed, so that the gas The amount of communication between the first opening and the second opening is changed linearly or nonlinearly according to the amount of change in the positional relationship regardless of the direction of movement. A variable aperture device. The variable aperture device according to claim 1,
A first connection flow path for guiding a gas having a first gas pressure to a left spring chamber in which a left restoring spring is accommodated to apply a first gas pressure to the left side surface of the left land;
A second connecting flow path for guiding the gas having the second gas pressure to the right spring chamber in which the right restoring spring is accommodated to apply the second gas pressure to the right side surface of the right land;
A variable aperture device characterized by receiving a swing driving force by an axial differential pressure. The variable aperture device according to claim 1,
Relative displacement of the oscillating spool with respect to the sleeve with the axial differential pressure being zero in the neutral state by providing an intermediate connection channel that communicates the space of the left spring chamber of the left land and the space of the right spring chamber of the right land A variable throttle device that receives a swing driving force from a left restoring spring and a right restoring spring due to a difference. The variable aperture device according to claim 2,
A first fixed restricting portion that is provided in the first connection flow path and restricts the flow of gas guided to the left land side by a predetermined restricting amount;
A second fixed restricting portion that is provided in the second connection flow path and restricts the flow of gas guided to the right land side by a predetermined restricting amount;
A variable aperture device comprising: The variable aperture device according to claim 3,
A variable restrictor provided with one or a predetermined number of intermediate fixed restrictors provided in the intermediate connection flow path for suppressing vibration according to the mass of the left restoring spring, the right restoring spring, and the swing spool apparatus. The variable aperture device according to claim 1,
The swing spool
When in a neutral state with respect to the sleeve, the central land is disposed at a position closing the second opening, and between the central land and the right land, the left gas chamber formed between the central land and the left land. The right gas chamber to be formed is disposed at a position communicating with the first opening,
When moving from the neutral state with respect to the sleeve, the central land moves relative to the position where the second opening is opened, and the second opening and the second A variable aperture apparatus characterized by communicating with one opening. The variable aperture device according to claim 6,
The swing spool
A variable throttle device comprising a central land including a communication passage communicating the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber. The variable aperture device according to claim 7,
A connection is provided between the first opening and the second opening, and the communication amount between the first opening and the second opening is set to be in a communication state with a predetermined predetermined bias amount. A variable aperture apparatus comprising a bias aperture section.

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