JP4420727B2 - Torque transmission mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a torque transmission mechanism such as a torque limiter and a torque hinge, and more particularly to a novel concept torque transmission mechanism using a polygonal coil.

Various conventional torque hinges or torque limiters using a coil spring or a torque limiter or torque hinge in which a plate spring is wound around a shaft have been proposed. For example, a coil spring made up of a plurality of wound windings is used to lock a hook portion provided at one end of a coil spring to a locking portion of an outer ring member, and to tighten a shaft member serving as an inner ring member or an inner ring member with the coil spring. And is suitable for a torque hinge or torque limiter having a relatively small rotational torque (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, as for the case where a leaf spring is wound around the shaft member, the center portion of the leaf spring is rounded to form an insertion hole of the shaft member, the insertion hole is narrowed and the shaft member is tightened to generate rotational torque. There are also bidirectional torque hinges or torque limiters (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, the spring member is frictionally contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member. The bidirectional member generates a rotational torque by tightening the shaft member serving as an inner ring member with a regular hexagonal spring member made of a material rich in elasticity. There is a torque hinge or torque limiter (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 09-053648 A JP 2000-136819 A JP 2001-012514 A

  However, as in the invention of Patent Document 1, in a torque limiter that uses a coil spring and generates a rotational torque by using the coil spring, the hook is always provided at one end of the coil spring, and the hook is used as an outer ring member. Alternatively, a locking step for locking in the locking groove of the inner ring member is necessary, and if the rotational torque is increased, the hook portion is torn off, and the coil spring is used to wind the hook portion. This is necessary, and there are problems such as occurrence of structural play due to the hook portion, inability to obtain a stable rotational torque, and inability to obtain a torque limiter with a small size and high rotational torque.

  Further, as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the central portion of the leaf spring is rounded to form an insertion hole for the shaft member, and the insertion hole is narrowed with a screw or the like to tighten the shaft to generate rotational torque. The torque hinge or torque limiter has problems that it is difficult to reduce the size, that the rotational torque as designed cannot be obtained depending on the mounting method, and that the torque in each rotating direction varies greatly depending on the mounting direction.

  A bi-directional torque hinge that generates a rotational torque by tightening a shaft as an inner ring with a closed regular hexagonal (polygonal) spring member made of a material rich in elasticity, such as the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3. Or, with a torque limiter, it is difficult to reduce the size, it is impossible to obtain a large rotational torque with a small size, strict component management must be performed to obtain the required torque, and a stable rotational torque can be obtained. There are issues such as not being able to.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and to have a torque generating structure capable of generating a stable and relatively large rotational torque and having a highly reliable torque limiter capable of being downsized. It is characterized in that a torque transmission mechanism such as a torque hinge is provided.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first invention is a torque comprising an outer member, a spiral intermediate member inserted into the outer member, and an inner member press-fitted into the spiral intermediate member. In the transmission mechanism, the spiral intermediate member is a regular polygonal coil having windings of two or more turns, and both ends are free ends, and the outer member has an outer shape of the regular polygonal coil. A regular polygon space formed by a conforming regular polygon inner peripheral surface, and each outer corner portion of the regular polygon coil is located at each inner corner portion of the regular polygon inner peripheral surface of the outer member. When the inner member is press-fitted into the regular polygon coil and when a rotational force is transmitted between the inner member and the outer member, the outer corner portion of the regular polygon coil is the outer member of the outer member. Locked to the inner corner, the regular polygon coil Providing a torque transmission mechanism, characterized in that to prevent the unwinding of the line.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the regular polygonal coil is composed of a winding having a plurality of turns wound in opposite directions, and cancels the torsional force applied to the inner member. A torque transmission mechanism is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the torque transmission mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the torque transmission mechanism is composed of a plurality of coils each having a plurality of turns wound in the same direction.

The fourth invention is characterized in that in any one of the first invention to the third invention, the torque transmission mechanism is any one of a torque limiter, a torque hinge, a damper, or a combination thereof. A torque transmission mechanism is provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a torque transmission such as a torque limiter or a torque hinge that can be reduced in size and has a torque generating structure that is easy to manufacture and that can generate a large rotational torque that is small and stable. A mechanism can be provided. Moreover, a torque of a desired magnitude can be obtained by adjusting the number of turns of the spiral intermediate member.

According to the second invention, it is possible to provide a torque transmission mechanism that can hold the inner member substantially straight with respect to the outer member by supporting the inner member so as not to be inclined by the spiral intermediate member. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a torque transmission mechanism that exhibits a larger and stable rotational torque can be obtained. According to the fourth aspect, a torque transmission mechanism such as a torque limiter, a bidirectional torque hinge, or a one-way torque hinge can be obtained.

First, the torque transmission mechanism 100 of Embodiment 1 which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
[Embodiment 1]
A torque transmission mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components constituting a torque transmission mechanism 100 having a torque generation structure suitable for use as a torque limiter or a torque hinge. 2A is a view of the torque transmission mechanism 100 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2B is a view showing a cross section of the torque transmission mechanism 100 taken along a cutting line XX ′ in FIG. 2A. It is. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the torque transmission mechanism 100. FIG.

First, the torque transmission mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 1 is formed by an outer member 1 having a regular pentagonal inner peripheral surface made of a metal material or a synthetic resin material, and a regular pentagonal inner peripheral surface of the outer member 1. Polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 formed by a regular pentagonal coil that is inserted or inserted into the rectangular space 1A and has a winding number of more than 1 turn, preferably 2 turns or more, and a cylindrical inner ring member Or it has the torque generation structure comprised by the inner member 3 which consists of a thing like a cylindrical shaft member, or what inserted the shaft member into the inner ring member. In the torque transmission mechanism 100, each inner corner portion 1a of the regular pentagonal space 1A serves as a locking portion described later, and an outer corner portion 2a of the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 serves as a rewinding suppression portion described later.

  The outer member 1 also serves as a housing, and has a regular pentagonal space 1A having an inner peripheral surface that conforms to the outer shape of the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2. The outer shape may have any shape, and may have a mounting hole (not shown), or a gear shape or pulley shape. Each of the five inner corners 1a of the outer member 1 regulates each outer corner 2a of a polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 described later, and the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 is a regular pentagonal space 1A of the outer member 1. The outer member 1 has an important function of positioning all the outer corners 2a of the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 at or near the inner corners 1a of the regular pentagonal inner circumferential surface of the outer member 1 when inserted into the outer member 1. . Although this point will be described in detail later, the rewinding suppression portion that is the outer corner portion 2 a of the spiral intermediate member 2 is locked to the locking portions that are the five inner corner portions 1 a of the outer member 1. Note that one side of the regular pentagonal space 1A is closed and the other side is open. The spiral intermediate member 2 is inserted from the open portion. The open part is closed by a shield member (lid) (not shown) having a central hole through which the inner member 3 is inserted.

  The polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 is formed by winding a winding made of an elastic metal material or the like having a square or circular cross section with a radius r smaller than the radius R of the inner member 3 whose inscribed circle Z is circular in cross section. (FIG. 3), the coil is wound in a polygonal shape. The polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 of this embodiment is composed of a regular pentagonal coil in which the winding is wound in a regular pentagon with more than one turn, preferably two or more turns. In this state, each of the five outer corner portions 2a formed by the windings is in a straight line and is aligned in the front and back direction of the paper surface, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the front and back direction of the paper surface. The polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 is inserted or inserted into the regular pentagonal space 1A of the outer member 1 so that the outer corners 2a of the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 are aligned with the five inner angles of the corresponding outer member 1. . The polygonal spiral intermediate member 2, which is a regular pentagonal coil, has a winding start and a winding end, which are not formed with a hook portion as in the prior art, and are free ends that are not locked anywhere. Yes.

  Here, in the free state in which the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 made of a regular pentagonal coil 2 (hereinafter referred to as a regular pentagonal coil in the first embodiment) is not attached to the outer member 1, the regular pentagonal coil is used. When the inner member 3 is press-fitted into 2, the inner member 3 increases the diameter r of the inscribed circle of the regular pentagonal coil 2 to the diameter R of the inner member 3, so that the winding of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is wound. Therefore, all the outer corners 2a of each winding are shifted in order. That is, the outer corner portion 2a is inclined with respect to the front and back direction of the paper. When the winding is rewound in this way and the diameter of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is increased, it is clear that no large rotational torque is generated between the regular pentagonal coil 2 and the inner member 3. is there.

  However, as in the first embodiment, the regular pentagonal coil 2 is a small gap in the outer member 1, and in particular, each outer corner 2 a of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is slightly smaller than each inner corner 1 a of the outer member 1. When the inner member 3 is press-fitted into the regular pentagonal coil 2 as shown in FIG. 2 in a state where it is mounted with a gap, the diameter r of the inscribed circle of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is equal to the diameter R of the inner member 3. Therefore, although the winding is pulled, all the outer corner portions 2a are restricted by the inner corner portions 1a of the regular pentagonal inner peripheral surface of the outer member 1, and cannot be substantially shifted. That is, the rewinding suppression portion that is the outer corner portion 2a of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is latched by the latching portion that is each inner corner portion 1a of the regular pentagonal inner peripheral surface of the outer member 1, and therefore, at each inner corner portion. Stays at a certain locking part. Therefore, according to the structure of this embodiment, when the inner member 3 is press-fitted into the regular pentagonal coil 2, the winding forming the regular pentagonal coil 2 is not substantially rewound in the winding direction. Therefore, the diameter of the regular pentagonal coil 2 is not increased by rewinding, and the radial pentagonal coil 2 and the inner member 3 are subjected to an outward radial force due to the press-fitting of the inner member 3 in the original state. During this period, a stable large rotational torque value can be obtained. In addition, since the unwinding restraining portion, which is the outer corner portion 2a, is locked and regulated by the regular pentagonal inner corner portion 1a of the outer member 1, where both ends of the winding of the regular pentagonal coil 2 are located. Obviously, it may be a free end that is not locked, and the conventional hook portion is not required at all.

  This can obtain a rotational torque substantially equal to or higher than that obtained by forming a regular pentagonal intermediate member with a single metal plate. Here, it has been described that the outer member 1 has a regular pentagonal inner peripheral surface that forms a regular pentagonal space 1A. Preferably, however, the portion of the regular pentagonal coil 2 swells radially outward by press-fitting the inner member 3. Is provided with a recess 1B. The concave portion 1B has an inclination or an arc shape that slightly expands the inner surface of the regular pentagon that forms the regular pentagonal space 1A of the outer member 1 in the radial outward direction.

  In this regard, when a circular coil is used as an intermediate member as in the prior art, there is no corner in the circular normal coil. It is obvious that even if the inner member as described above is press-fitted with the coil mounted, the coil winding is merely rewound along the inner member, and a stable large rotational torque cannot be obtained. Further, it is only necessary that a circular coil can be press-fitted into the outer member, but it is extremely difficult to press-fit the coil into the outer member 1. This coil is unwound when the inner member is press-fitted. These points are the major differences between the case where a regular polygon coil is used as the intermediate member and the case where a conventional circular coil is used.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is not particularly illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the torque transmission mechanism 100 of the first embodiment, one regular pentagonal coil is used as the spiral intermediate member 2. Even when the spiral intermediate member 2 is composed of one regular pentagonal coil, a desired rotational torque can be obtained and satisfactory in terms of rotational torque, but the spiral intermediate member 2 has a spiral shape. In addition, a twisting force is generated. Due to this twisting force, the inner member 3 may be inclined with respect to the central axis when held without being inclined. In order to prevent this, the torque transmission mechanism 200 (not shown) of the second embodiment uses two regular pentagonal coils having the same number of windings and the opposite winding directions. By using two regular pentagonal coils with the same number of windings and opposite winding directions, the torsional forces applied to the inner member 3 press-fitted into these regular pentagonal coils cancel each other. The inner member 3 is held along the original center axis and does not tilt.

  As an example of this change, the same effect as described above can be obtained even if two regular pentagonal coils having the same number of windings and opposite winding directions are used. Even if two regular pentagonal coils having two regular pentagonal coils with 2N turns, half the number of windings N, and opposite winding directions are used, the mutual torsional force is reduced. Since it can cancel, the same effect can be acquired. In the same manner, combinations with different numbers of coil turns may be combined.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment is not particularly illustrated. In the torque transmission mechanism 300 (not shown) of the third embodiment, a one-way clutch is used as the inner member 3 in the torque transmission mechanism 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in order to obtain a one-way torque hinge. The one-way clutch to be used may have a well-known general structure including an inner ring member (shaft member), an outer ring member having a plurality of wedge-shaped pockets, and a rotating body mounted in each of the wedge-shaped pockets. The rotating body may be either a ball or a roller. As is well known, the one-way clutch rotates in the direction in which the rotating body is free in the wedge-shaped pocket, and rotates in the direction in which the rotating body bites in the wedge-shaped pocket. In this case, the outer ring member and the inner ring member are integrated. Therefore, the torque transmission mechanism of this embodiment using such a one-way clutch is a one-way torque hinge that idles in one direction and exhibits a predetermined rotational torque value in the other direction. It is not necessary to limit the structure of the one-way clutch, and a one-way torque hinge can be obtained in the same manner by using a one-way clutch having a structure different from that described above.

[Embodiment 4]
The torque transmission mechanism 400 of the fourth embodiment is not particularly illustrated. In the torque generation structure of the torque transmission mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since a polygonal spiral intermediate member is used, it is between the cylindrical inner ring member or the columnar shaft member. Spaces are formed by the corners, and appropriate gaps exist between the windings of the polygonal spiral intermediate member. Therefore, in the torque transmission mechanism 400, varnishes are formed in these spaces and gaps. Or it is filled with a lubricant such as grease. Since a considerable amount of lubricant can be filled in these spaces and gaps, the life of the torque transmission mechanism 400 can be improved, and a highly reliable torque transmission mechanism can be obtained.

In the above mentioned embodiment has used the regular pentagon coil as helical intermediate member 2 of a polygon, regular triangle coil positive square coils, regular hexagon coil, polygonal coils such as regular heptagon coil Of course, there is no problem. By using the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2, the polygonal spiral intermediate member 2 and the inner member 3 are separated by a line, that is, when viewed on the cross section, unlike the case of a normal circular coil. Since contact is made, the force at the contact portion is made uniform, and a stable rotational torque can be obtained.

  Further, when the number of turns of the coil increases, it is generated between the winding located at the center and the inner member 3 as compared with the rotational torque generated between the winding located at both ends and the inner member 3. For example, when a 6-turn or 9-turn coil is required to obtain the required rotational torque, two or three 3-turn coils are used. A large rotational torque can be obtained, and the polygonal coil can be standardized. That is, a larger rotational torque can be obtained by using a plurality of coils having a relatively small number of turns without increasing the number of turns of the spiral intermediate member 2.

[Embodiment 5]
In the above embodiment, a regular polygonal member is used as the spiral intermediate member. However, in the torque transmission mechanism 500 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. There is a feature in using. 4A is a view of the outer member 1 viewed from the front, FIG. 4B is a view of the spiral intermediate member 2 viewed from the front, and FIG. 4C is a view of the spiral intermediate member 2. It is the figure seen from the side. The outer member 1 has a circular space portion S that fits the outline of the spiral intermediate member 2 and a locking portion H that is a triangular recess. The spiral intermediate member 2 is attached to the outer member 1 with a small gap so that the rewinding suppression portion 2A is locked to the locking portion H of the outer member 1. The spiral intermediate member 2 is formed by winding the above-described metal wire having a circular cross section for approximately 6 turns, and the top of the rewinding restraining portion 2A is in a straight line as described above, and the height is substantially the same. is there. Reference numeral 2b indicates the start of winding or the end of winding.

  When a shaft member (not shown) is press-fitted into the spiral intermediate member 2 in a state where the spiral intermediate member 2 is free, the diameter of the shaft member is larger than the diameter of the spiral intermediate member 2 as described above. The winding of the spiral intermediate member 2 is rewound by the press-fitting of the shaft member, and the diameter of the spiral intermediate member 2 becomes equal to the diameter of the shaft member. However, in the fifth embodiment, since the rewinding restraining part 2A of the intermediate member 2 is locked to the locking part H of the outer member 1, the top of the rewinding restraining part 2A is not detached, and remains as the first. Since the winding of the spiral intermediate member 2 is not rewound, the spiral intermediate member 2 and the shaft member (not shown) are placed between the spiral intermediate member 2 and the shaft member (not shown) as in the above-described embodiment. A stable and large rotational torque can be generated. Of course, two or more rewinding suppression portions 2A may be provided at substantially equal intervals.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the spiral intermediate member 2 used in the torque transmission mechanism 600 (not shown) of the sixth embodiment. 5A shows the winding 2D forming the spiral intermediate member 2, FIG. 5B shows a view of the spiral intermediate member 2 from the front, and FIG. 5C shows the spiral intermediate member. The figure which looked at 2 from the side is shown. As shown in FIG. 5A, convex portions 2d are formed in advance at regular intervals on the winding 2D having a quadrangular cross section. Since this interval is equal to the circumference of the spiral intermediate member 2, when the winding 2 </ b> D is wound spirally, the convex portions 2 d of the respective winding numbers are arranged in a line in the front and back direction of the paper surface. Thus, the rewinding suppression unit 2A is formed. Although not shown, the outer member naturally has a space for accommodating the spiral intermediate member 2 and includes a locking portion for locking the rewinding suppression portion 2A as in the above embodiment. In FIG. 5, the example in which the interval between the convex portion 2d and the convex portion 2d is equal to the circumference of the spiral intermediate member 2 is described. However, the number is 1/2 or 1/3 of the circumference of the spiral intermediate member 2. Of course, it is also possible to provide the rewinding restraining part 2A at a plurality of locations on the helical intermediate member 2 at every minute. In this case, the outer member (not shown) naturally also has a plurality of locking portions at positions corresponding to the rewinding suppressing portion 2A of the spiral intermediate member 2. Reference numeral 2b denotes the start or end of winding.

  Also in Embodiments 5 and 6, if the above-described one-way clutch is used as the inner member, a one-way torque hinge similar to the above can be easily obtained. Similarly to the fourth embodiment, a lubricant is injected into a gap between the spiral intermediate member 2 and the inner member 3, coils that are reversely wound, or a plurality of coils that are wound in the same direction are used. Of course. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a latching action without adding a special latch mechanism by cutting and removing a part of the inner member and making a part of the inner member a non-circular arc shape. become. That is, in order to escape from the non-arc-shaped portion, a torque value larger than the normal rotational torque value is required. The inner member is a cylindrical inner ring member, a columnar shaft member, a combination thereof, or a one-way clutch.

According to the torque transmission mechanism having the torque generation structure of the present invention, the winding of the spiral intermediate member 2 is not loosened, that is, the coil is not rewound, regardless of which direction the inner member rotates. Direction torque can be obtained.

The perspective view of each component before the assembly of the torque transmission mechanism 100 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention is shown. It is a figure which shows the torque transmission mechanism 100 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the torque transmission mechanism 100 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the torque transmission mechanism 500 concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the helical intermediate member used for the torque transmission mechanism 600 concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer member 1A ... Regular pentagon space 1A of the outer member 1
2 ... spiral intermediate member 2a ... corner 2b of spiral intermediate member 2 ... winding start or end of winding 2D of spiral intermediate member 2 2d ... winding of spiral intermediate member 2 Convex part 2A of line 2D ... Rewinding suppression part 3 of spiral intermediate member 2 ... Inner member

Claims (4)

In a torque transmission mechanism comprising an outer member, a spiral intermediate member inserted into the outer member, and an inner member press-fitted into the spiral intermediate member,
The spiral intermediate member is a regular polygonal coil having windings of two or more turns, and both ends are free ends,
The outer member has a regular polygon space formed by a regular polygon inner peripheral surface that conforms to the outer shape of the regular polygon coil,
Each of the outer corners of the regular polygon coil is located at each inner corner of the inner surface of the regular polygon of the outer member,
When the inner member is press-fitted into the regular polygon coil and when a rotational force is transmitted between the inner member and the outer member, the outer corner of the regular polygon coil is the inner angle of the outer member. A torque transmission mechanism, wherein the torque transmission mechanism is locked to a portion to suppress rewinding of the winding of the regular polygon coil . In claim 1 ,
The regular polygonal coil comprises a winding having a plurality of turns wound in opposite directions, and cancels the torsional force applied to the inner member. In claim 1,
The regular polygon coil is composed of a plurality of coils each having a number of turns of a plurality of turns wound in the same direction. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 ,
The torque transmission mechanism is a torque limiter, a torque hinge, a damper, or a combination thereof.

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