JP2020041584A - Granule damper - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a granule damper capable of changing an attenuation force characteristic.SOLUTION: A granule damper A comprises: a case 17; a resistor 22 housed displaceably in the case 17; a granule 26 housed in the case 17 and causing the resistor 22 to generate resistance with the movement of the resistor 22; a coil 31; energization control means 32 of switching between energization and energization cutoff of the coil 31 and/or changing a current value supplied to the coil 31; and density change means 36 of changing the granule 26 to a form having a different density by a magnetic field generated due to the energization to the coil 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a particulate damper.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a granular material damper in which a resistor is accommodated in a container and a plurality of granular materials are filled. In this granular material damper, a damping force for suppressing the movement of the resistor is generated by the repulsive force of the granular material and the frictional force of the surface of the granular material. The damping force characteristics of this particulate damper hardly change during the movement of the resistor.

JP 08-219377 A

  When applying this kind of granular damper to various devices, depending on the application target, the granular damper has a function to change the damping force during the movement of the resistor and a function to change the set value of the damping force. Desired. It is preferable that an operation for exerting such a function can be easily performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has as an object to provide a granular damper capable of changing damping force characteristics.

  The granular material damper of the present invention includes a case, a resistor, a plurality of granular materials, a coil, a power supply control unit, and a density changing unit. The resistor is displaceably accommodated in the case. The plurality of granular materials are housed in the case, and generate resistance in the resistor as the resistor moves. The energization control unit switches between energization and energization cutoff of the coil and / or changes a current value supplied to the coil. The density changing means changes the granular material into a form having a different density by a magnetic field generated by energizing the coil.

  When the current is supplied to the coil or the current value supplied to the coil is changed by the power supply control means, the density of the granular material changes due to a magnetic field proportional to the current value. When the density of the granular material changes, the elastic repulsive force and frictional force of the granular material change, so that the characteristics of the damping force also change. Since the granular material damper of the present invention electromagnetically changes the characteristics of the damping force of the granular material, a cumbersome mechanical operation is not required.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the resistor may be rotatably provided, and the power supply control unit may include an angle sensor and a control unit. The angle sensor detects the rotation angle of the resistor. The control unit controls the energization and / or the supply current value to the coil based on the detection value of the angle sensor. According to this configuration, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the rotation angle of the resistor.

  In the granular material damper according to the present invention, the power supply control means may include a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the case and a control unit. The control unit controls the energization and / or the supply current value to the coil based on the detection value of the temperature sensor. According to this configuration, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the temperature of the case, the granular material, and the like.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the power supply control means may include a speed sensor and a control unit. The speed sensor detects the speed of the resistor. The control unit controls the energization and / or the supply current value to the coil based on the detection value of the speed sensor. According to this configuration, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the speed of the resistor.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the density changing means may include a movable magnetic partition member. The movable magnetic partition member defines an operating space in the case where the resistor and the granular material are accommodated. According to this configuration, when the coil is energized or the current value supplied to the coil is changed, the movable magnetic partition member moves to change the volume of the working space by the magnetic force, and the density of the granular material is reduced. Change.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the granular material is made of a magnetic material, and the coil is provided on the resistor, so that the density changing unit may be configured. According to this configuration, by energizing the coil or increasing the value of the current supplied to the coil, the granular material moves so as to gather toward the resistor, and the density of the granular material increases.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the granular material may be made of a magnetic material, the resistor may be rotatably provided, and the coil may be arranged in a form surrounding the resistor to form a density changing unit. . According to this configuration, by energizing the coil or increasing the value of the supplied current to the coil, the granular material moves so as to gather between the resistor and the coil, and the density of the granular material increases.

  In the granular material damper of the present invention, the granular material is made of a magnetic material, the resistor is movable along a linear path, and a plurality of coils are arranged so as to be arranged along the moving path of the resistor. Density changing means may be configured. According to this configuration, in the process of moving the resistor, if the current is supplied or the supply current value is sequentially increased to each of the coils corresponding to the position of the resistor among the plurality of coils, the position of the resistor depends on the position of the resistor. As a result, the granular material moves, and the density of the granular material in the moving path of the resistor gradually increases.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a door hinge and a door to which the granular material damper according to the first embodiment is applied. It is a front view of the door hinge to which the granular material damper is applied. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line XX of FIG. 2 showing a state in which the density of a granular material is low. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line XX of FIG. 2 illustrating a state in which the density of the granular material is increased. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where power is not supplied to a coil in the granular material damper according to the second embodiment. It is sectional drawing showing the state which energized the coil and increased the density of the granular material. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where power is not supplied to a coil in the granular material damper according to the third embodiment. It is sectional drawing showing the state which energized the coil and increased the density of the granular material. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where power is not supplied to a coil in the granular material damper according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which only one of a plurality of coils is energized to increase the density of a granular material.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the up and down directions defined in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the granular material damper A of the first embodiment is integrated with a door hinge 10 of a building. The door hinge 10 supports a door 14 on a frame 13 of an opening 12 provided on a wall 11 of a building. The door 14 swings about a vertical rotation axis 18 of the door hinge 10 between a fully closed position that closes the opening 12 and a fully opened position that opens the opening 12 and is farthest from the opening 12. . The granular material damper A applies a damping force that lowers the swing speed to the door 14 at an appropriate timing when the door 14 is closed, thereby preventing the door 14 from being caught between the door 14 and the frame 13, and 14 reduces the sound when closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the door hinge 10 includes a wall-side hinge component 15 attached to the frame 13 and a door-side hinge component 27 attached to the door 14. The wall-side hinge component 15 is a single member including a flat wall bracket 16 fixed to the frame 13 with screws or the like, and a case 17. The case 17 is arranged along the side edge of the wall bracket 16 and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation shaft 18 of the door 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and a lower movable magnetic partition member 20 disposed below the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 are accommodated in the case 17. The upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 both partition the space in the case 17 up and down. The space between the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 in the internal space of the case 17 is an operation space 21 for generating a damping force. Both the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 can move up and down relative to the case 17. The lower movable magnetic partition member 20 is formed with a communication hole 20H for communicating the inside of the working space 21 with the outside of the case 17.

  A resistor 22 is attached to the case 17 so as to be relatively rotatable about the rotation shaft 18. The resistor 22 is a single member having a rotor 23 and a rod 24. The rotor 23 functions as a resistance generator. The cross-sectional shape of the rotor 23 perpendicular to the rotation shaft 18 is non-circular (eg, rectangular). The rotor 23 is housed in the working space 21. The rod 24 has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotating shaft 18, extends upward from the upper surface of the rotor 23, and passes through the upper movable magnetic partition member 19. The upper end of the rod 24 projects above the case 17. A connecting portion 25 having a non-circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the rotation shaft 18 is formed at an upper end portion of the rod 24.

  A plurality of granular bodies 26 made of an elastomer having a predetermined elasticity are accommodated in the working space 21. Each of the plurality of granular bodies 26 has a spherical shape, and the outer diameters (particle diameters) of all the granular bodies 26 are set to be substantially the same. The plurality of granular bodies 26 are disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the case 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 23, between the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 23 and the lower surface of the upper movable magnetic partition member 19, and between the rotor 23 and the lower movable magnetic member. The space between the partition member 20 and the upper surface is filled. The filling rate of the granular material 26 can be changed within a range of, for example, 60 to 80% by the energization control unit 32 and the density changing unit 36 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the door-side hinge component 27 is a single member including a flat plate-shaped door bracket 28 fixed to the door 14 with screws or the like, and a bearing 29. The bearing portion 29 is arranged along the side edge of the door bracket 28, and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation shaft 18 of the door 14. The bearing portion 29 is formed with a bearing hole 30 in which the lower end surface is recessed. The cross-sectional shape of the bearing hole 30 perpendicular to the rotating shaft 18 is the same as the connecting portion 25, that is, non-circular.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door-side hinge component 27 is configured such that the bearing portion 29 is placed on the upper surface of the case 17 and the bearing hole 30 is fitted into the connection portion 25. No.15. By assembling the door-side hinge component 27 and the wall-side hinge component 15, the door hinge 10 is formed, and the door 14 is supported by the frame 13 via the door hinge 10. Further, since the bearing portion 29 and the resistor 22 are coaxially connected, when the door 14 swings, the resistor 22 rotates integrally with the door 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the granular material damper A is configured to include a coil 31, an energization control device 32, and a density changing device 36 in addition to the case 17, the resistor 22, and the granular material 26 described above. . That is, the particulate damper A and the door hinge 10 partially share parts. The coil 31 has a well-known form in which a metal wire (not shown) is spirally wound around the rotation shaft 18, and is built in the peripheral wall portion 17 </ b> W constituting the case 17. In the axial direction (vertical direction) of the rotating shaft 18, the coil 31 is disposed below the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and above the lower movable magnetic partition member 20. A current is supplied to the coil 31 from a power supply 34 via a control unit 33. When the coil 31 is energized, a magnetic field having a magnitude proportional to the current value is generated in the case 17.

  The energization control unit 32 switches between energization and energization cutoff of the coil 31, and changes a current value supplied to the coil 31. The power supply control means 32 includes an angle sensor 35 in addition to the control unit 33 and the power supply 34 described above. The angle sensor 35 detects the rotation angle of the resistor 22 with the door 14 in the fully closed state at the origin (0 °), that is, the direction of the rotor 23 in plan view. As the angle sensor 35, a sensor that detects an acceleration sensor on the resistor 22 or a dog (not shown) provided on the bearing portion 29 with a proximity switch (not shown) can be used.

  The detection signal from the angle sensor 35 is input to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 switches between energization and interruption of energization of the coil 31 based on the detection value (angle detection information) input from the angle sensor 35, and controls a current value supplied to the coil 31. Further, the control unit 33 determines whether the door 14 swings in the swinging direction, that is, the direction in which the door 14 opens or the direction in which the door 14 closes, based on the detection value of the angle sensor 35. I do.

  The density changing unit 36 includes the above-described coil 31, the upper movable magnetic partition member 19, and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20. The density changing means 36 has a function of changing the density of the granular material 26 in the working space 21. When the coil 31 is energized, a magnetic field is generated in the case 17, and the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the magnetic field. That is, the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 moves downward. The lower movable magnetic partition member 20 moves upward. Thus, the volume of the working space 21 is reduced, so that the filling rate of the granular material 26 in the working space 21, that is, the density is increased.

  Next, the operation and effect of the first embodiment will be described. When the door 14 is opened and closed, the movement of the door 14 is transmitted to the resistor 22 via the fitting structure of the bearing portion 29 and the connecting portion 25, and the resistor 22 rotates integrally with the door 14. When the resistor 22 rotates, the rotor 23 rotates in the working space 21 while causing the granular body 26 to flow, so that the granular body 26 generates an elastic repulsive force caused by being pressed by the rotor 23 in the circumferential direction. Occurs.

  Further, with the rotation of the resistor 22, the flowing granular material 26 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case 17, the outer surface of the resistor 22, the lower surface of the upper movable magnetic partition member 19, and the upper surface of the lower movable magnetic partition member 20. A frictional force is generated due to the sliding contact, and a frictional force is also generated between the granular bodies 26 due to the sliding contact therebetween. These elastic repulsive force and frictional force act as a drag for suppressing the rotating operation of the resistor 22 and the swinging operation of the door 14, and function as a damping force of the granular material damper A. When this damping force is applied to the door 14, the door 14 is prevented from being caught between the door 14 and the wall 11, is prevented from being caught between the door 14 and the frame 13, and has a sound when the door 14 is closed. To reduce.

  In the process of swinging from the fully closed position to a position close to the fully open position when the door 14 is opened, the operability is better as the damping force by the granular material damper A is smaller. However, when the door 14 approaches the fully open position, it is possible to prevent the door 14 and the wall 11 from being pinched by increasing the damping force. Also, in the process of swinging from the fully open position to a position close to the fully closed position when closing the door 14, the smaller the damping force by the granular material damper A, the better the operability. However, when the door 14 approaches the fully closed position, by increasing the damping force, the pinch between the door 14 and the frame 13 can be prevented, and the sound when the door 14 is closed can be reduced.

  In consideration of this point, the granular material damper A of the first embodiment automatically changes the damping force according to the opening / closing direction and the opening degree of the door 14. Based on the detection signal of the angle sensor 35, the control unit 33 controls the state in which the door 14 is not swinging, the process in which the door 14 in the fully closed position swings to a position close to the fully open position, and the process in which the door 14 in the fully open position is In the process of swinging to a position close to the fully closed position, energization of the coil 31 is cut off. Thus, no magnetic field is generated in the case 17, so that the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 are not affected by the magnetic field.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where no magnetic field is generated, the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 moves the case 17 due to the weight of the lower movable magnetic partition member 20, the weight of the granular material 26, and the weight of the upper movable magnetic partition member 19. It is placed on the bottom wall. Further, the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 is placed on the granular material 26. In this state, since the volume of the working space 21 is relatively large, the density of the granular material 26 is also relatively low. When the density of the granular material 26 is low, the above-described frictional force is relatively small, so that the damping force is relatively weak. Thus, the push / pull operation force required for opening and closing the door 14 can be reduced.

  In the process of opening the door 14, when the angle sensor 35 detects that the door 14 has approached the fully open position, the control unit 33 energizes the coil 31. The current value at this time may be set in advance, or may be automatically set based on the result of calculating the swing speed of the door 14 based on the detection signal from the angle sensor 35. When the coil 31 is energized, a magnetic field is formed in the case 17, and as shown in FIG. 4, the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 approach each other due to the magnetic force, so that the volume of the working space 21 decreases. Thus, the density of the granular material 26 increases. As a result, the elastic repulsive force and frictional force of the granular body 26 generated with the rotation of the resistor 22 increase, and the damping force increases, so that the swing speed of the door 14 decreases. Therefore, the pinch between the door 14 and the wall 11 can be prevented.

  In the process of closing the door 14, when the angle sensor 35 detects that the door 14 has approached the fully closed position (for example, the direction of the door 14 has become an angle of 15 ° with respect to the fully closed position), The control unit 33 energizes the coil 31. The current value at this time may be set in advance, or may be automatically set based on the result of calculating the swing speed of the door 14 based on the detection signal from the angle sensor 35. When the coil 31 is energized, a magnetic field is formed in the case 17 and the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 approach each other due to the magnetic force, so that the volume of the working space 21 decreases and the density of the granular material 26 decreases. Increase.

  When the density of the granular material 26 increases, the elastic repulsive force and the frictional force of the granular material 26 generated with the rotation of the resistor 22 increase, and the damping force increases, so that the swing speed of the door 14 decreases. Then, when the angle of the door 14 with respect to the fully closed position becomes, for example, 2 °, the energization to the coil 31 is cut off, so that the density of the granular material 26 decreases and the damping force decreases. Until the angle of the door 14 becomes 2 °, the swing speed of the door 14 is sufficiently reduced, so that even if the damping force is reduced, it is possible to prevent the door 14 from being caught between the door 14 and the frame 13. At the same time, the sound when the door 14 is closed can be reduced. Further, after the angle of the door 14 becomes 2 °, the damping force decreases, so that the swing speed of the door 14 does not extremely decrease. Therefore, there is no possibility that the door 14 stops before the fully closed position, and the door 14 is completely closed.

  The granular material damper A according to the first embodiment includes a case 17, a resistor 22, a granular material 26, a coil 31, an energization control unit 32, and a density changing unit 36. The resistor 22 is displaceably accommodated in the case 17. Specifically, the resistor 22 has a rotor 23 that rotates while being housed in the case 17. The granular material 26 is accommodated in the case 17 and causes the resistor 22 to generate resistance as the resistor 22 moves (rotates). The energization control unit 32 switches between energization and energization cutoff of the coil 31 and / or changes a current value supplied to the coil 31. The density changing means 36 changes the granular material 26 into a form having a different density by a magnetic field generated by energizing the coil 31.

  According to the granular material damper A, when power is supplied to the coil 31 by the power supply control means 32 or the current value supplied to the coil 31 is changed, the density of the granular material 26 is increased by a magnetic field proportional to the current value. Changes. When the density of the granular material 26 changes, the elastic repulsive force and frictional force of the granular material 26 change, so that the characteristics of the damping force also change. Since the granular material damper A of the present invention electromagnetically changes the characteristics of the damping force by the granular material 26, troublesome mechanical work is unnecessary.

  The rotor 23 of the resistor 22 has a non-circular cross section and is rotatably provided. The energization control means 32 includes an angle sensor 35 for detecting the rotation angle of the resistor 22 and a control unit 33 for controlling the energization and / or the supply current value to the coil 31 based on the detection value of the angle sensor 35. . According to this configuration, the rotation angle between the resistor 22 and the door 14 is detected, and the damping force is automatically changed by controlling the energization and / or the supply current value to the coil 31 according to the detected value. Can be.

  Further, the density changing means 36 is configured to include an upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and a lower movable magnetic partition member 20 that define an operating space 21 in which the resistor 22 and the granular body 26 are accommodated in the case 17. . According to this configuration, when the coil 31 is energized or the current value supplied to the coil 31 is changed, the upper movable magnetic partition member 19 and the lower movable magnetic partition member 20 move to the volume of the working space 21 by the magnetic force. Move to change. Thereby, the density of the granular material 26 changes.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a granular material damper B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the particulate damper B according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The granular material damper B of the second embodiment is also integrated with the door hinge 37 of the building as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the door hinge 37 includes a wall-side hinge component 38 attached to the frame 13 and a door-side hinge component 27 attached to the door 14. The wall hinge component 38 is a single member including a flat wall bracket (not shown) fixed to the frame 13 with screws or the like, and a case 39. The case 39 is arranged along the side edge of the wall bracket, and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation shaft 18 of the door. The door-side hinge component 27 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  A resistor 40 is attached to the case 39 so as to be relatively rotatable about the rotation shaft 18. The resistor 40 is a single member having a rotor 41 and a rod 42. The rotor 41 functions as a resistance generator. The cross-sectional shape of the rotor 41 perpendicular to the rotation axis 18 is non-circular (eg, rectangular). The rotor 41 is housed in the case 39. The rod 42 has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation shaft 18 and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotor 41. A connecting portion 43 having a non-circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the rotating shaft 18 is formed at the upper end of the rod 42. The connecting portion 43 is fitted in the bearing hole 30 of the door-side hinge component 27.

  A plurality of granular bodies 44 having a predetermined elasticity are accommodated in the case 39. The material of the granular body 44 is a mixture of magnetic powder and an elastomer. Each of the plurality of granular bodies 44 has a spherical shape, and the outer diameter (particle diameter) of all the granular bodies 44 is set to be substantially the same. The plurality of granular bodies 44 are in a state of being filled between the inner surface of the case 39 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 41. The filling rate of the granular material 44 can be changed in a range of, for example, 60 to 80% by the energization control unit 46 and the density changing unit 50 described later.

  The granular material damper B includes a coil 45, an energization control device 46, and a density changing device 50 in addition to the case 39, the resistor 40, and the granular material 44 described above. That is, the granular material damper B and the door hinge 37 share some parts. The coil 45 has a well-known form in which a metal wire (not shown) is spirally wound around the rotation shaft 18, and is built in the rotor 41. A current is supplied to the coil 45 from a power supply 48 via a control unit 47. When the coil 45 is energized, a magnetic field having a magnitude proportional to the current value is generated in the case 39.

  The energization control means 46 switches between energization and energization cutoff of the coil 45 and changes the value of the current supplied to the coil 45. The energization control means 46 includes a temperature sensor 49 in addition to the control unit 47 and the power supply 48 described above. The temperature sensor 49 is provided on a peripheral wall of the case 39 and detects the temperature inside the case 39. The temperature of the granular material 44 can be estimated based on the temperature in the case 39. The detection signal from the temperature sensor 49 is input to the control unit 47. The control unit 47 switches between energization and non-energization of the coil 45 based on a detection value (temperature detection information) input from the temperature sensor 49 and controls a current value supplied to the coil 45.

  The density changing means 50 is configured by using the granular material 44 as a magnetic material and providing the coil 45 on the rotor 41 of the resistor 40 housed in the case 39. The density changing means 50 has a function of changing the density of the granular material 44 in the case 39. When the coil 45 is energized, a magnetic field is generated in the case 39, and the adjacent granular bodies 44 adhere to each other due to the magnetic force of the magnetic field, so that the filling rate of the granular bodies 44, that is, the density is increased.

  Next, the operation and effect of the second embodiment will be described. The control unit 47 controls energization of the coil 45 based on the detection signal of the temperature sensor 49. That is, when the temperature of the case 39 is low, the volume of each granular body 44 is relatively small, and the density of the granular bodies 44 is low. If the density of the granular material 44 is low, the damping force is relatively low, so that the operating force for opening and closing the door 14 may be small, but on the other hand, pinching between the door 14 and the wall 11 or the door 14 There is a concern about pinching between the door and the frame 13 and a collision sound when the door 14 is closed. Therefore, when the temperature of the case 39 is low, the coil 45 is energized to generate a magnetic field. When the magnetic field is formed, as shown in FIG. 6, the granular material 44 is gathered by the magnetic force on the rotor 41 in which the coil 45 is built. As a result, the density of the granular material 44 between the rotor 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 39 increases, so that the damping force increases.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the case 39 is high, the volume of each granular body 44 is relatively large and the density of the granular bodies 44 is high, so that the damping force is relatively high. For this reason, there is a low risk of being caught between the door 14 and the wall 11, being caught between the door 14 and the frame 13, and a collision sound when the door 14 is closed. However, when the damping force is further increased, the operating force required to open and close the door 14 increases, and the operability decreases. Therefore, when the temperature of the case 39 is high, the coil 45 is not energized (see FIG. 5), and the damping force is not further increased. As described above, according to the granular material damper B of the second embodiment, by controlling the energization of the coil 45 in accordance with the temperature of the case 39, the door 14 can be opened and closed even if the temperature around the door hinge 37 fluctuates. Operating force required for pushing and pulling can be kept constant, and pinching between the door 14 and the wall 11, pinching between the door 14 and the frame 13, and collision noise when the door 14 is closed Can be prevented.

  In the granular material damper B of the second embodiment, the energization control means 46 controls the temperature sensor 49 for detecting the temperature of the case 39 and the energization and / or supply current value to the coil 45 based on the detected value of the temperature sensor 49. And a control unit 47 for performing the operation. According to this configuration, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the temperature of the case 39. Further, the density changing means 50 is configured by using the granular material 44 as a magnetic material and providing the coil 45 to the resistor 40. According to this configuration, the energization of the coil 45 or an increase in the value of the current supplied to the coil 45 causes the granular bodies 44 to move toward the resistor 40 so as to aggregate, and the density of the granular bodies 44 increases.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a granular material damper C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the particulate damper C of the third embodiment, the same components as those of the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same operation and effect as those of the first or second embodiment is omitted.

  The granular material damper C of the third embodiment is also integrated with the door hinge 51 of the building, as in the first and second embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the door hinge 51 includes a wall-side hinge component 52 attached to the frame 13 and a door-side hinge component 27 attached to the door 14. The wall-side hinge component 52 is a single member including a plate-like wall bracket (not shown) fixed to the frame 13 with screws or the like, and a case 53. The case 53 is arranged along the side edge of the wall bracket, and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation axis 18 of the door. The door-side hinge component 27 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  A resistor 22 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is attached to the case 53 so as to be relatively rotatable about the rotation shaft 18. The resistor 22 is a single member having a rotor 23 having a non-circular cross section and a rod 24 projecting upward from the rotor 23. The rotor 23 is housed in a case 53. The connecting portion 25 having a non-circular cross section formed at the upper end of the rod 24 is fitted into a bearing hole 30 of the door-side hinge component 27.

  A plurality of granular bodies 44 having a predetermined elasticity are accommodated in the case 53. As in the second embodiment, the material of the granular body 44 is a mixture of a magnetic powder and an elastomer. Each of the plurality of granular bodies 44 has a spherical shape, and the outer diameter (particle diameter) of all the granular bodies 44 is set to be substantially the same. The plurality of granular bodies 44 are in a state of being filled between the inner surface of the case 53 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 23. The filling rate of the granular material 44 can be changed within a range of, for example, 60 to 80% by an energization control unit 55 and a density changing unit 59 described later.

  The granular material damper C is provided with a coil 54, an energization control device 55, and a density changing device 59 in addition to the case 53, the resistor 22, and the granular material 44 described above. That is, the particulate damper C and the door hinge 51 partially share parts. The coil 54 has a well-known form in which a metal wire (not shown) is spirally wound around the rotation shaft 18, and is built in the peripheral wall 53 </ b> W of the case 53. A current is supplied to the coil 54 from a power supply 57 via a control unit 56. When the coil 54 is energized, a magnetic field having a magnitude proportional to the current value is generated in the case 53.

  The energization control unit 55 switches between energization and interruption of energization of the coil 54, and changes a current value supplied to the coil 54. The energization control unit 55 includes a temperature sensor 58 similar to that of the second embodiment, in addition to the control unit 56 and the power supply 57 described above. The temperature sensor 58 is provided on the peripheral wall 53W that forms the case 53, and detects the temperature inside the case 53. The detection signal from the temperature sensor 58 is input to the control unit 56. The control unit 56 switches between energization and non-energization of the coil 54 based on a detection value (angle detection information) input from the temperature sensor 58 and controls a current value supplied to the coil 54.

  The density changing means 59 is configured by using the granular material 44 as a magnetic material and providing the coil 54 on the peripheral wall 53 </ b> W constituting the case 53. The coil 54 is disposed at the same position as the rotor 23 of the resistor 22 in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the rotating shaft 18 that is the center of rotation of the resistor 22. That is, the coil 54 is configured to surround the rotor 23. The density changing means 59 has a function of changing the density of the granular material 44 in the case 53. When the coil 54 is energized, a magnetic field is generated in the case 53, and the adjacent granular bodies 44 adhere to each other due to the magnetic force of the magnetic field, so that the filling rate of the granular bodies 44, that is, the density is increased.

  Next, the operation and effects of the third embodiment will be described. The controller 56 controls energization of the coil 54 based on the detection signal of the temperature sensor 58. That is, when the temperature of the case 53 is low, the volume of each granular body 44 is relatively small, and the density of the granular bodies 44 is low. If the density of the granular material 44 is low, the damping force is relatively low, so that the operating force for opening and closing the door 14 may be small, but on the other hand, there is no pinching between the door 14 and the wall 11 or the door 14 There is a concern about pinching between the door and the frame 13 and a collision sound when the door 14 is closed. Therefore, when the temperature of the case 53 is low, the coil 54 is energized to generate a magnetic field. When the magnetic field is formed, as shown in FIG. 8, the granular material 44 is gathered in the coil 54 by the magnetic force. Since the coil 54 is arranged at the same height as the rotor 23 in the vertical direction, the density of the granular material 44 is reduced between the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 53 (peripheral wall 53W). Get higher. Thereby, the damping force increases.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the case 53 is high, the volume of each granular body 44 is relatively large and the density of the granular bodies 44 is high, so that the damping force is relatively high. Therefore, pinching between the door 14 and the wall 11, pinching between the door 14 and the frame 13, and collision noise when the door 14 is closed can be prevented. However, when the damping force is further increased, the operating force required to open and close the door 14 increases, and the operability decreases. Therefore, when the temperature of the case 53 is high, the energization of the coil 54 is cut off (see FIG. 7), and the damping force is not further increased. As described above, according to the granular material damper C of the third embodiment, the energization of the coil 54 is controlled in accordance with the temperature of the case 53, so that the opening and closing of the door 14 can be performed even if the temperature around the door hinge 51 fluctuates. Operating force required for pushing and pulling can be kept constant, and pinching between the door 14 and the wall 11, pinching between the door 14 and the frame 13, and collision noise when the door 14 is closed Can be prevented.

  In the granular material damper C of the third embodiment, the energization control unit 55 controls the temperature sensor 58 that detects the temperature of the case 53 and the energization and / or supply current value to the coil 54 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 58. And a control unit 56 that performs the control. According to this configuration, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the temperature of the case 53. Further, the density changing means 59 is configured by using the granular material 44 as a magnetic material and arranging the coil 54 at the same height as the rotor 23. According to this configuration, the energization of the coil 54 or an increase in the value of the current supplied to the coil 54 causes the granular body 44 to move so as to gather between the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 53. Therefore, the density of the granular material 44 increases.

<Embodiment 4>
Next, a granular material damper D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the granular material damper D of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same operation and effect as those of the first or second embodiment will be omitted.

  The granular material damper D of the fourth embodiment is used as a buffer means for preventing furniture and the like from falling. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the granular material damper D includes a case 60, a resistor 62, a granular material 44, a coil 65, an energization control unit 66, and a density changing unit 70. The case 60 has a cylindrical shape. A guide hole 61 having a penetrating shape is formed at one end of both ends in the axial direction of the case 60. A resistor 62 is attached to the case 60. The resistor 62 can move relative to the case 60 in the axial direction. The resistor 62 is a single member having a piston portion 63 and a rod 64 having a smaller diameter than the piston portion 63. The piston portion 63 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a function as a resistance generating portion.

  The piston part 63 is housed in the case 60. The rod 64 has a form projecting coaxially with the case 60 and the piston portion 63 from one end of the piston portion 63 in the axial direction. The rod 64 penetrates the guide hole 61 and protrudes outside the case 60. Of the two ends in the axial direction of the case 60, the end on the side where the guide hole 61 is not formed and the one end of the rod 64 are objects to be damped by the granular material damper D (for example, the ceiling and furniture of a house). It is connected to.

  A plurality of granular bodies 44 having a predetermined elasticity are accommodated in the case 60. The material of the granular body 44 is a mixture of the magnetic powder and the elastomer, as in the second and third embodiments. Each of the plurality of granular bodies 44 has a spherical shape, and the outer diameter (particle diameter) of all the granular bodies 44 is set to be substantially the same. The plurality of granular bodies 44 are in a state of being filled between the inner surface of the case 60 and the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion 63. The filling rate of the granular material 44 can be changed within a range of, for example, 60 to 80% by the energization control unit 66 and the density changing unit 70 described later.

  A plurality of (four in the fourth embodiment) coils 65 are attached to the case 60. The coil 65 has a well-known form in which a metal wire (not shown) is spirally wound around a rotation axis, and is built in a peripheral wall portion 60 </ b> W constituting the case 60. The plurality of coils 65 are arranged so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch in the axial direction of the case 60 (that is, the direction in which the resistor 62 moves relative to the case 60). A current is individually supplied to the plurality of coils 65 from a power supply 68 via a control unit 67. When the coil 65 is energized, a magnetic field having a magnitude proportional to the current value is generated in the case 60.

  The energization control unit 66 switches between energization and energization cutoff of the coil 65 and changes a current value supplied to the coil 65. The energization control unit 66 includes a speed sensor 69 in addition to the control unit 67 and the power supply 68 described above. The speed sensor 69 detects the relative moving speed of the resistor 62 with respect to the case 60. As an example of the speed sensor 69, a sensor that integrates the acceleration of the resistor 62 obtained by an acceleration sensor (not shown) and outputs the calculated value as the moving speed of the resistor 62 can be used. The detection signal of the speed sensor 69 is input to the control unit 67.

  The control unit 67 determines the position of the piston 63 in the axial direction of the case 60 based on the detection value (speed information of the resistor 62) input from the speed sensor 69, and corresponds to the position of the piston 63. The coil 65 is energized. The current value supplied to the coil 65 may be a preset value or may be changed based on temperature information of the case 60 or the like. Further, no current is supplied to the coil 65 that does not face the piston portion 63.

  The density changing means 70 is configured by using the granular material 44 as a magnetic material and arranging a plurality of coils 65 along the movement path of the piston portion 63. The coil 65 is configured to surround the movement path of the piston 63. The density changing means 70 has a function of changing the density of the granular material 44 in the case 60. That is, when the coil 65 is energized, due to the magnetic force of the magnetic field generated in the case 60, as shown in FIG. Assemble in a narrow area between the site.

  By the aggregation of the particulates 44, the filling rate, that is, the density of the particulates 44 between the piston portion 63 and the peripheral wall portion 60W is increased, so that the damping force is intensively increased. In the process of moving the resistor 62, the granular bodies 44 gather in the area near the piston 63, so that even when the position of the piston 63 is displaced, a high damping force is always maintained.

  The granular material damper D of the present invention includes a case 60, a resistor 62 accommodated in the case 60 so as to be displaceable, and a resistor 62 accommodated in the case 60, which generates a resistance with the movement of the resistor 62. The apparatus includes a granular body 44 to be made, a coil 65, an energization control unit 66, and a density changing unit 70. The energization control means 66 switches between energization and energization cutoff for the coil 65 and / or changes the value of the current supplied to the coil 65. The density changing means 70 changes the granular material 44 into a form having a different density by a magnetic field generated by energizing the coil 65.

  When power is supplied to the coil 65 by the power supply control unit 66 or the current value supplied to the coil 65 is changed, the density of the granular material 44 changes due to a magnetic field proportional to the current value. When the density of the granules 44 changes, the elastic repulsive force and frictional force of the granules 44 change, so that the characteristics of the damping force also change. The granular material damper D according to the fourth embodiment electromagnetically changes the characteristic of the damping force by the granular material 44, so that troublesome mechanical work is unnecessary.

  The energization control unit 66 includes a speed sensor 69 for detecting the speed of the resistor 62 and a control unit 67 for controlling energization and / or supply current to the coil 65 based on a value detected by the speed sensor 69. Therefore, the damping force can be automatically changed according to the speed of the resistor 62.

  In addition, the density changing means 70 uses the granular material 44 as a magnetic material, enables the resistor 62 to move along a linear path parallel to the axis of the case 60, and moves the plurality of coils 65 along the movement path of the resistor 62. It is configured to be arranged side by side. According to this configuration, in the process of moving the resistor 62, when the coil 65 of the plurality of coils 65 corresponding to the position of the resistor 62 is sequentially energized or the supply current value is increased, the piston unit The granular body 44 moves according to the position of 63, and as shown in FIG. 10, the density of the granular body 44 in the movement path of the resistor 62 gradually increases.

  In the case where the large coil 65 covering the entire area of the movement path of the piston portion 63 is formed of one conductor, the conductor is long and the resistance is large, and accordingly a high voltage is required. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, since the length of the conductor forming one coil 65 can be shortened, a predetermined current value is supplied to the coil 65 even at a low voltage to form a magnetic field of a predetermined strength. Can be.

  If a different current value is applied to the plurality of coils 65, the density of the granular material 44 in the vicinity of each coil 65 is different, so that the damping force can be appropriately changed in the process of moving the resistor 62. .

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the first to fourth embodiments, the current value to be supplied to the coil is automatically changed based on the detection values of the various sensors. However, operating means is provided instead of the sensor or in addition to the sensor. Alternatively, the value of the current supplied to the coil may be arbitrarily changed by manually operating the operation means.
(2) In the first embodiment, the angle sensor is used as the power supply control means. However, the temperature sensor according to the second or third embodiment or the speed sensor according to the fourth embodiment may be used instead of the angle sensor.
(3) In the first embodiment, two movable magnetic partition members, the upper movable magnetic partition member and the lower movable magnetic partition member, are provided, but one of the upper movable magnetic partition member and the lower movable magnetic partition member is movable. Only the magnetic partition member may be provided.
(4) In the second and third embodiments, the temperature sensor is used as the power supply control means. However, instead of the temperature sensor, the angle sensor of the first embodiment or the speed sensor of the fourth embodiment may be used.
(5) In the first to third embodiments, the granular damper is applied to the door hinge. However, the granular dampers of the first to third embodiments can be applied to devices and apparatuses other than the door hinge.
(6) In the first to third embodiments, the cross section of the rotor is non-circular, but the cross section of the rotor may be circular.
(7) In the fourth embodiment, the speed sensor is used as the power supply control means. However, the angle sensor of the first embodiment and the temperature sensors of the second and third embodiments may be used instead of the speed sensor.
(8) In the first to fourth embodiments, the control unit executes a switching operation between energization and interruption of energization of the coil, and performs an operation of controlling a current value supplied to the coil. The control unit may execute only one of the operation of switching between energization and interruption of energization of the coil and the operation of controlling the current value supplied to the coil.

  A, B, C, D: Granular body dampers, 17, 39, 53, 60: Case, 19: Upper movable magnetic partition member (movable magnetic partition member), 20: Lower movable magnetic partition member (movable magnetic partition member), 21 ... working space, 22, 40, 62 ... resistor, 26, 44 ... granular material, 31, 45, 65 ... coil, 32, 46, 55, 66 ... energization control means, 33, 47, 56, 67 ... control Part, 35: angle sensor, 36, 50, 59: density changing means, 49, 58: temperature sensor, 69: speed sensor

Claims (8)

Case and
A resistor housed displaceably in the case;
A plurality of granular bodies housed in the case and causing resistance to the resistor with the movement of the resistor;
Coils and
Energization control means for switching between energization and energization cutoff for the coil and / or changing a current value supplied to the coil;
A granular material damper comprising: a density changing unit configured to change the granular material into a form having a different density by a magnetic field generated by energizing the coil. The resistor is provided rotatably,
The energization control means,
An angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the resistor;
2. The granular material damper according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control a value of a current supplied to and / or supplied to the coil based on a value detected by the angle sensor. 3. The energization control means,
A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the case;
2. The granular material damper according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control a current value and / or a supply current value to the coil based on a value detected by the temperature sensor. The energization control means,
A speed sensor for detecting the speed of the resistor,
2. The granular material damper according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to control a value of a current supplied to and / or supplied to the coil based on a value detected by the speed sensor. 3.   5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the density changing unit includes a movable magnetic partition member that partitions an operating space in the case in which the resistor and the granular material are accommodated. The granular material damper according to any one of the above items. The granular material is a magnetic material,
The granular material damper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coil is provided on the resistor to constitute the density changing unit. The granular material is a magnetic material,
The resistor is provided rotatably,
The granular material damper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coil is arranged in a form surrounding the resistor to constitute the density changing unit. The granular material is a magnetic material,
The resistor is movable along a straight path,
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the density changing unit is configured by arranging a plurality of the coils so as to be arranged along a movement path of the resistor. 6. The granular material damper according to the above.

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