JP6311349B2 - Flexible slider - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible slider applicable to a muscular strength training apparatus or the like that restricts movement by applying resistance between two members.

  As a recent muscular strength training device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a device configured as a clothing device using a multilayer EAM brake device capable of changing a load by electrical control.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a multilayer EAM brake device.

  In the multilayer EAM brake device 101, a shaft 105 is rotatably supported by ball bearings 107 and 109 with respect to a case 103, and a resistance applying portion 111 is provided between the case 103 and the shaft 105. The resistance applying unit 111 provides resistance to the rotation of the shaft 105 according to voltage application.

  When this multilayer EAM brake device 101 is used in a training apparatus, muscle resistance training of the upper limbs and the like is made possible by the resistance provided by the multilayer EAM brake device 101.

  Specifically, the multilayer EAM brake device 101 is attached to the base of the training apparatus, one end of the lever of the training apparatus is coupled to the shaft 105 of the multilayer EAM brake device 101, and a grip is provided at the other end of the lever.

  At the time of training, the base is attached to the person's upper arm side, the multilayer EAM brake device 101 is disposed on the elbow of the arm, and the lever is disposed extending along the forearm. In this state, when the lever is operated by grasping the grip portion, the strength training can be performed with a load corresponding to the resistance of the multilayer EAM brake device 101.

  However, in the conventional multilayer EAM brake device 101, resistance is given between the movable side shaft 105 and the fixed side case 103, so that the entire structure including the shaft 105 and the case 103 must be made of a rigid body. was there.

  For this reason, the multilayer EAM brake device 101 has problems such as a complicated structure, an increase in size, or an increase in weight, and there are parts that can be worn when applied to a clothing device such as a training device. There were also problems such as limitations.

Development of a personalized training system using a multilayer EAM brake device (01-05-5)

  The problem to be solved is that it is necessary to form a rigid body as a whole in order to give resistance between the movable side and the fixed side.

The flexible slider of the present invention has a flexible flexible hollow base portion that has electrical insulation in order to provide resistance between the movable side and the fixed side while having flexibility as a whole. And a flexible slider body that is slidably inserted through the hollow interior of the base portion and at least one end portion is drawn out of the base portion, and the base portion is flexed by being fixed in the base portion. the slider body having a sliding contact sliding surface, and a resistance application portion that gives a resistance by the sliding contact surfaces in sliding movement relative to the base portion of the slider body in response to application of voltage while permitting the resistance application portion, the divided form sliding surface into a plurality of sliding pieces each having, sliding pieces of said plurality of the cross that is spaced in the sliding direction of the slider body And butterflies.

  In the flexible slider of the present invention, while having flexibility as a whole, resistance by the resistance applying portion can be given to the sliding movement of the slider body which is a relatively movable side with respect to the base portion which is a relatively fixed side. it can.

(Example 1) which is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a flexible slider. (Example 1) which is a perspective view which shows the slider main body and resistance provision part of the flexible slider of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flexible slider of FIG. 1 (Example 1). FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 (Example 1). (Example 1) which is sectional drawing which concerns on the VV arrow of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the slider body of FIG. 1 (Example 1). FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structure of the first and second sliding contact pieces of the resistance applying portion of FIG. 1 together with the slider body, FIG. 7A is a state where no voltage is applied, and FIG. The voltage is applied (Example 1). It is a conceptual diagram which shows the concrete structure of the 1st and 2nd sliding contact piece of the resistance provision part which concerns on a modification with a slider main body, FIG. 8 (A) is the state in which the voltage is not applied, FIG.8 (B) is The voltage is applied (Example 1). It is a conceptual diagram which shows the concrete structure of the 1st and 2nd sliding contact piece of the resistance provision part which concerns on another modification with a slider main body, FIG. 9 (A) is a state in which the voltage is not applied, FIG. ) Is a state where a voltage is applied (Example 1). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible slider according to still another modified example (Example 1). (Example 2) which is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a flexible slider. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a slider body and a resistance applying portion of the flexible slider of FIG. 11 (Example 2). FIG. 12 is a plan view of the flexible slider of FIG. 11 (Example 2). FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13 (Example 2). FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 13 (Example 2). It is sectional drawing which shows a multilayer EAM brake device (conventional example).

  A slide of a flexible slider body that is inserted through a hollow flexible base for the purpose of providing resistance between the movable side and the fixed side while having flexibility as a whole. The movement is realized by a flexible slider that is fixed in the base portion and gives resistance by a resistance applying portion that allows the base portion to bend.

  Specifically, the flexible slider includes a hollow flexible base portion having electrical insulation and a hollow inside of the base portion slidably inserted so that at least one end portion is outside the base portion. A flexible slider body that is pulled out and a sliding contact surface that is fixed in the base portion and allows the base portion to bend and slide in contact with the slider body, and slides relative to the base portion of the slider body in response to voltage application. A resistance applying unit that applies resistance to the movement by the sliding contact surface.

  An electrorheological material can be used for applying resistance to the sliding movement of the slider body by the resistance applying unit.

  Such a flexible slider can be applied to a rehabilitation device, a training device, etc. as an accessory that can change a load by electrical control, and can also be used as a fastener that restricts movement by giving resistance between two members. Can be applied.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of flexible slider]
1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flexible slider according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a slider body and a resistance applying portion of the flexible slider of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flexible view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the flexible slider 1 includes a base portion 3 that is a relatively fixed side, a slider body 5 that is a relatively movable side, and a resistance applying portion 7. The flexible slider 1 of this embodiment has flexibility as a whole, and gives resistance by the resistance applying portion 7 to the sliding movement of the slider main body 5 with respect to the base portion 3 according to application of voltage.

  The base portion 3 is made of a material having electrical insulation and flexibility such as polypropylene and polyethylene, and is formed in a flat rectangular hollow shape (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The base portion 3 of the present embodiment is formed in a hollow shape at the intermediate portion in the width direction of the base sheets 9 and 11 by connecting a pair of flat rectangular base sheets 9 and 11 to each other on both sides in the width direction. And both sides in the longitudinal direction are open.

  The “longitudinal direction” corresponds to the sliding movement direction of the slider body 5, and the “width direction” corresponds to the intersecting direction with respect to the sliding movement direction of the slider body 5. The same applies to the following description.

  The base sheets 9 and 11 are joined by a rivet 13 as a fastener in this embodiment. However, for joining the base sheets 9 and 11, various joining methods can be employed, and for example, welding or adhesion may be employed.

  One base sheet 9 is formed with slits 15a and 15b as insertion holes penetrating the wall thickness at both ends in the slide movement direction.

  The slider body 5 is made of a flexible conductive material in which, for example, carbon, metal, or the like is dispersed in polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like, and is formed in a planar rectangular sheet shape narrower in the width direction than the base portion 3.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific structure of the slider body 5.

  The slider body 5 of the present embodiment has an integral laminated structure in which a core sheet 25 is sandwiched between a pair of slider sheets 21 and 23, and the slider sheets 21 and 23 have the above-described conductivity and flexibility. It is comprised with the material which has. The core material sheet 25 is made of a material having electrical insulation and flexibility such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The slider body 5 can also be configured as a single sheet.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slider body 5 is slidably inserted through the hollow interior of the base portion 3, and both end portions 5 a and 5 b are drawn out of the base portion 3.

  The both ends 5a and 5b are pulled out by inserting the slits 15a and 15b of the base sheet 9 of the base 3 in a curved state by the flexibility of the slider body 5 (FIG. 4). reference).

  As a result, both end portions 5a and 5b of the slider body 5 are elastically engaged with the slits 15a and 15b, and the slide position with respect to the base portion 3 is maintained in a normal state.

  The slider body 5 only needs to have at least one of the end portions 5 a and 5 b, that is, one end portion drawn out of the base portion 3. In this case, the other end portion of the slider body 5 is disposed in the base portion 3.

  Electrodes 27a and 27b made of a conductive metal such as copper are attached to both ends 5a and 5b of the slider body 5 drawn to the outside. The electrodes 27a and 27b of the present embodiment are provided in a strip shape across both edges in the width direction of the slider body 5, and have flexibility depending on the setting of the plate thickness and the like. These electrodes 27a and 27b are electrically connected to the slider body 5 (slider sheets 21 and 23 in this embodiment) and grounded (see FIG. 7).

  The resistance applying unit 7 includes a plurality of first sliding contact pieces 29a and second sliding contact pieces 29b.

  The first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b, which will be described in detail later, are planar rectangular sheets made of a flexible electrorheological material. Note that the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b can be made of a conductive material. In this case, the slider body 5 is made of an electrorheological material.

  The first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b are attached to electrodes 31a, 31b, which will be described later, on the back side, and fixed to the base portion 3 via the electrodes 31a, 31b. The first slidable contact piece 29a is located on one inner surface 3a (one of the inner surfaces 3a, 3b) side of the base portion 3 that is opposed to the slider body 5. The second sliding contact piece 29b is positioned on the other inner surface 3b (the other of the inner surfaces 3a and 3b) side of the base portion 3 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As a result, the surfaces of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b constitute sliding contact surfaces 33 a and 33 b that are in sliding contact with the front and back surfaces of the slider body 5 from both sides, respectively. Accordingly, the resistance applying portion 7 is divided into a plurality of first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b having sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b, respectively.

  The first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b extend along the width direction of the slider body 5 at the center of the electrodes 31 a and 31 b, and both sides protrude from both sides of the slider body 5 in the width direction. For this reason, the slidable contact surfaces 33a and 33b of the first and second slidable contact pieces 29a and 29b are in slidable contact with the slider body 5 in the entire width direction.

  The first slidable contact pieces 29 a and the second slidable contact pieces 29 b are alternately arranged so as not to be opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3. Thereby, the 1st and 2nd sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b are mutually adjacently arranged in parallel at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base part 3 as a whole.

  The first sliding contact piece 29a and the second sliding contact piece 29b are inserted between the adjacent second sliding contact pieces 29b in the thickness direction and between the adjacent first sliding contact pieces 29a. The second sliding contact piece is arranged so as to be inserted in the thickness direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As a result, the slider body 5 is curved in a wave shape in the longitudinal direction due to flexibility in the base portion 3, and the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b are positioned in the wave-like groove of the slider body 5. To do.

  The electrodes 31a and 31b of the first and second slidable contact pieces 29a and 29b are formed of a planar rectangular conductive sheet having flexibility. The electrodes 31 a and 31 b extend along the width direction of the base portion 3, and are fastened and fixed by the rivets 13 while being sandwiched between the base sheets 9 and 11 on both sides of the base portion 3 in the width direction.

  Both end portions of the electrodes 31a and 31b are drawn out from both sides of the base portion 3 in the width direction. Note that both ends of the electrodes 31 a and 31 b may be positioned in the base portion 3 without being drawn out from both sides in the width direction of the base portion 3.

  These electrodes 31 a and 31 b are connected to a common electrode 35. The common electrode 35 is formed of a flexible planar rectangular conductive sheet, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3. The common electrode 35 is in contact with each other in a state where it intersects all the electrodes 31 a and 31 b on one side in the width direction of the base portion 3 and is conductive. At the portions in contact with the electrodes 31a and 31b, the common electrode 35 is fastened together with the electrodes 31a and 31b by the rivet 13 between the base sheets 9 and 11, respectively.

  Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the common electrode 35 are drawn out from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3. The common electrode 35 only needs to have at least one end drawn to the outside. A voltage source 37 is connected to one end 35a of the common electrode 35. As a result, the electrodes 31a and 31b are connected to the voltage source 37 via the common electrode 35 (see FIG. 7).

  Thus, the voltage source 37 can switch between voltage application and release through the switch 39 between the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b and the slider body 5.

Note that the common electrode 35 may be omitted, and the electrodes 31a and 31b may be connected to the voltage source 37, respectively. In this case, one end of each of the electrodes 31 a and 31 b drawn out from the base portion 3 may be connected to the voltage source 37.
[Details of first and second sliding contact pieces]
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the specific structure of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b of the resistance applying portion 7 together with the slider body 5. FIG. 7A shows the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a. , 29b and the slider body 5 are not applied with voltage, and FIG. 7B shows the state where the same voltage is applied.

  As described above, the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b are made of an electrorheological material. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of electrorheological particles 43 are dispersed in the electrically insulating medium 41 to form first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b.

  The electrical insulating medium 41 is made of, for example, a non-adhesive fluorine-based resin or silicon resin, and the electrorheological particles 43 are made of, for example, solid particles such as silica gel or carbon.

  At the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b, an adsorption surface 45 formed of a cross section of the electrorheological particle 43 is exposed to the outside. The suction surface 45 is flush with the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b. As shown in FIG. 7B, the suction surface 45 is exposed to the outside on the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b even when a voltage is applied between the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b and the slider body 5. Thus, an adsorption force to the slider body 5 is generated by an electric force.

  Specifically, the suction surface 45 of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b is generated by the lines of electric force generated between the electrodes 31a, 31b of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b and the slider body 5. In addition, an attracting force to the slider body 5 is generated by the electric force. This adsorption force is considered to be caused by Maxwell stress.

In a normal state where no voltage is applied, as shown in FIG. 7A, no attracting force is generated by the attracting surface 45, and the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b including the attracting surface 45 are freely slidable. Is acceptable.
[Function of flexible slider]
The flexible slider 1 of the present embodiment can be used, for example, as a body-type training apparatus for a human upper limb. When used as a training device, for example, the flexible slider 1 as a whole is positioned along the upper limb of the person, the base 3 is attached to the upper arm side of the person, and one end 5a of the slider body 5 is attached to the lower arm of the person. Install on the side. At this time, since the flexible slider 1 bends as a whole, it can be securely attached to the upper limb.

  In this state, when the lower arm is moved relative to the upper arm, the slider body 5 slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base portion 3 while the entire flexible slider 1 or only the slider body 5 is bent to follow the movement of the upper limb. To do.

  At this time, by applying a voltage between the resistance applying portion 7 and the slider main body 5, resistance is given to the sliding movement of the slider main body 5 with respect to the base portion 3, and muscle strength training is performed with a load corresponding to the resistance. Can do.

  Specifically, when the lower arm is bent with respect to the upper arm, the slider body 5 slides so as to be pulled out (projects) from the base portion 3, and at this time, between the resistance applying portion 7 and the slider body 5. A voltage is applied to the slider body 5 to provide resistance to the sliding movement of the slider body 5. As a result, the flexible slider 1 can perform upper limb strength training.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the resistance of the slider body 5 to the sliding movement is such that the sliding surfaces 33 a and 33 b of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b of the resistance applying portion 7 This is performed by adsorbing the slider body 5 by an adsorbing force based on an electric force. Note that by changing the applied voltage, it is possible to change the attraction force and the resistance against the sliding movement of the slider body 5 caused thereby.

  When extending the lower arm relative to the upper arm, the slider body 5 slides so as to be immersed in the base portion 3. At this time, the voltage application between the resistance applying portion 7 and the slider body 5 is released, the suction force of the suction surface 45 disappears, and the slide movement of the slider body 5 can be performed smoothly.

The application and release of the voltage can be realized by controlling the switch 39 with a controller (not shown).
[Effect of Example 1]
The flexible slider 1 of this embodiment has a hollow flexible base portion 3 having electrical insulation and a hollow interior of the base portion 3 slidably inserted into both ends 5a and 5b. A flexible slider main body 5 drawn out of the portion 3, and sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b fixed in the base portion 3 to allow the base portion 3 to bend and to be in sliding contact with the slider main body 5; And a resistance applying portion 7 that applies resistance to the sliding movement of the slider body 5 with respect to the base portion 3 by the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flexible slider 1 has flexibility as a whole, but the resistance applying portion is resistant to the sliding movement of the slider body 5 that is the relatively movable side with respect to the base portion 3 that is the relatively fixed side. 7 can be provided.

  As a result, in this embodiment, the structure of the flexible slider 1 can be simplified, reduced in size, reduced in weight, and the like.

  Moreover, when the flexible slider 1 is applied to a clothing apparatus such as a training device, even if it is a part that cannot be worn by a rigid body, the flexible slider 1 can be worn by bending. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the parts that can be dressed from being limited. Furthermore, when applied to a clothing apparatus, the flexible slider 1 bends, so that it is possible to cope with each part, and it is not necessary to prepare as a dedicated product, and versatility can be expanded.

  In the flexible slider 1 of the present embodiment, the slider body 5 is made of one of a flexible conductive material and an electrorheological material, the resistance applying portion 7 is made of the other of the conductive material and the electrorheological material, and the slider body 5 The slider main body 5 is attracted to the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b in accordance with the application of a voltage between the resistance applying portions 7.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the resistance applying portion 7 and the slider body 5 can surely have flexibility, and resistance to the sliding movement of the slider body 5 can be surely given.

  Further, in this embodiment, the structure of the resistance applying portion 7 and the slider body 5 can be simplified, reduced in size, reduced in weight, etc. As a result, the structure of the flexible slider 1 as a whole can be simplified, reduced in size, Weight reduction etc. can be achieved reliably.

  Since the resistance applying portion 7 has a sheet shape extending along the width direction of the base portion 3 of the slider body 5, the structure of the resistance applying portion 7 and the flexible slider 1 is simplified, reduced in size, reduced in weight, and the like. Can be achieved reliably.

  The resistance applying portion 7 of this embodiment is divided into a plurality of first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b each having sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b, and a plurality of first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b. Are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, due to the distance between the first and second slidable contact pieces 29a and 29b, even when the first and second slidable contact pieces 29a and 29b are not flexible, the base portion 3 is bent. Can be tolerated. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the range of selection of materials for the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b, which are the resistance applying portion 7, can be expanded.

  Moreover, when the 1st and 2nd sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b have flexibility, the flexibility of the resistance provision part 7 whole can be improved, and the base part 3 can be made easy to bend. Further, when the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b are flexible, the first and second sliding contact pieces are bent before the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b are bent together with the base portion 3. The base portion 3 can be bent in advance between the pieces 29a and 29b. Therefore, the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b can be bent only when necessary, and the durability of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b can be improved.

  The plurality of first and second slidable contact pieces 29 a and 29 b are arranged such that the first slidable contact piece 29 a is positioned on one side of the inner surfaces 3 a and 3 b of the base portion 3 facing each other with the slider body 5 interposed therebetween. The second sliding contact piece 29b is located on the other side of 3a, 3b, and the sliding contact surfaces 33a, 33b of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b are in sliding contact with the slider body 5 from both sides.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, resistance against sliding movement can be reliably applied from both sides of the slider body 5.

  Further, if the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b are controlled separately, it is possible to control the resistance of the slider body 5 with respect to the sliding movement in a fine manner.

  Since the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3, the resistance to the slider body 5 can be given in a balanced manner in the longitudinal direction, and the operation Stability and certainty can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the slider body 5 has a sheet shape that is curved in a wave shape in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3 due to flexibility in the base portion 3, and the first and second sliding contact pieces 29 a and 29 b are the slider body 5. Located in a wavy groove.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the size of the flexible slider 1 in the thickness direction can be reduced, and the size can be more reliably reduced.

  Further, the base 3 has slits 15a and 15b penetrating the wall thickness on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and both end portions 5a and 5b of the slider body 5 have the slits 15a and 15b curved in a flexible state. It is inserted and pulled out.

Therefore, in this embodiment, both end portions 5a and 5b of the slider body 5 are elastically engaged with the slits 15a and 15b, and the slide position of the slider body 5 with respect to the base portion 3 can be held in a normal state.
[Modification]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structure of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b of the resistance applying portion 7 together with the slider body 5 according to a modification of the first embodiment, and FIG. A state in which no voltage is applied between the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b and the slider body 5, FIG. 8B shows a state in which the voltage is applied.

  In this modification, the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b, which are the resistance applying portion 7, are made of a flexible electrorheological material, and a pair of electrodes 31a1 and 31a2 are provided on the opposite side surfaces to the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b, respectively. , 31b1 and 31b2, and the slider body 5 is attracted to the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes 31a1, 31a2, 31b1 and 31b2.

  In such a modification, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to ground the slider body 5 and the configuration can be simplified.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structure of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b of the resistance applying portion 7 together with the slider body 5, according to another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9B shows a state where no voltage is applied between the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a, 29b and the slider body 5, and FIG. 9B shows a state where the same voltage is applied.

  In the flexible slider 1 according to the modified example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the electrorheological particles 43 of the resistance applying unit 7 are applied to the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b according to the application of voltage. The slidable contact surfaces 33a and 33b are configured to appear and disappear.

  The first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b are formed by dispersing a plurality of electrorheological particles 43 in an electrically insulating medium 41 having adhesiveness and elasticity.

  The electrorheological particles 43 are held in a state of protruding from the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b, and the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a are applied during voltage application due to the electrorheological effect. 29b is relatively immersed.

  Due to this immersion, the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b cause the sliding contact surfaces 33a and 33b to generate a physical attracting force with respect to the slider main body 5 due to their adhesiveness.

  Even in this modification, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible slider according to still another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

  The flexible slider 1 of this modification is obtained by omitting one of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29a and 29b from the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 10, the second sliding contact piece 29b is omitted and only the first sliding contact piece 29a is provided.

Even in this modification, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[Other]
The flexible slider 1 according to the first embodiment has been used as a training device that is a clothing device, but can be widely applied to devices other than the clothing device as long as they provide resistance between two members to restrict movement. it can.

  For example, it can be used as a fastener between two members. In this case, the base part 3 is attached to one member, the slider main body 5 is attached to the other member, and sliding movement of the slider main body 5 with respect to the base part 3 may be prevented by resistance.

  Thereby, the flexible slider 1 can play a role like an electrically controllable surface fastener or a belt buckle.

  The flexible slider 1 can also be applied as a rehabilitation device or the like that is a clothing device. For example, the flexible slider 1 can be used by being attached to a person's lower limb to assist walking.

  In this case, the base 3 is attached to the human thigh, and one end 5a of the slider body 5 is attached to the crus. When walking, the slider body 5 can be freely slid, and when walking is stopped, the slider body 5 can be regulated to assist the standing posture of the lower limbs.

  In addition, the present invention can also be applied as a mechanism for adjusting the rigidity of the backrest of a seat of an automobile or the like.

[Configuration of flexible slider]
11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flexible slider according to the second embodiment, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a slider body and a resistance applying portion of the flexible slider in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a flexible view in FIG. 14 is a plan view of the slider, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view according to the arrow XIV-XIV in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view according to the arrow XV-XV in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, with respect to the constituent parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with A added thereto are used to omit redundant description. 11 and 12 and FIGS. 13 to 15 have basically the same structure, although the number of first and second sliding contact pieces 29aA and 29bA of the resistance applying portion 7A is different.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the flexible slider 1 </ b> A of this embodiment is formed by dividing the slider body 5 </ b> A into a plurality of slider pieces 47.

  The plurality of slider pieces 47 are arranged with a gap therebetween in the width direction of the base portion 3A, which is the direction intersecting the sliding movement direction of the slider body 5A. In the present embodiment, the intervals between the adjacent slider pieces 47 are equal.

  Common electrodes 49 a and 49 b attached in a state of crossing all the slider pieces 47 are provided at both end portions 47 a and 47 b of the slider piece 47. Further, at both end portions 47a and 47b of the slider piece 47, the coupling tape 51 is wound around the common electrodes 49a and 49b and coupled to each other. A part of the common electrodes 49a and 49b is pulled out from the tape 51 to be exposed and grounded (see FIG. 14).

  The base portion 3A has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but has a hollow bag shape in which a pair of flat rectangular base sheets 9A and 11A are integrally formed on both sides in the width direction. -Both sides in the longitudinal direction of the sheets 9A and 11A are joined to each other by welding or the like (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

  Further, the base sheets 9A and 11A of the base portion 3A are stitched together along the longitudinal direction between the adjacent slider pieces 47 of the slider body 5A. This prevents the base sheets 9A and 11A from swelling apart at the intermediate portion in the width direction of the base portion 3A, and the sliding contact surfaces 33aA and 33bA of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29aA and 29bA are moved to the slider. It is possible to reliably make sliding contact with the main body 5A.

  The base sheets 9A and 11A are stitched together by a cord-like body 53 having electrical insulation. Both ends of the cord-like body 53 are sandwiched between the base sheets 9A and 11A on both sides in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

  The cord-like body 53 is drawn to the outside on the base sheet 9A side through the slits 15aA and 15bA of the base sheet 9A from both ends toward the intermediate part, and before the first sliding contact piece 29aA, the base sheet 9A. , 11A are inserted in the thickness direction and drawn out to the outside on the base sheet 11A side. Next, the cord-like body 53 extends so as to exceed the first sliding contact piece 29aA along the base sheet 11A, and is inserted between the base sheets 9A and 11A in the thickness direction before the second sliding contact piece 29bA. It is pulled out on the base sheet 9A side. Hereinafter, similarly, the cord-like body 53 is sewn between the base sheets 9A and 11A.

  The resistance applying portion 7A has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the electrodes 31aA and 31bA of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29aA and 29bA are the inner surfaces 3aA of the base sheets 9A and 11A of the base portion 3A. It is fixed to 3bA by adhesion or the like.

  Both end portions of the electrodes 31aA and 31bA are located in the base portion 3A and are not drawn to the outside from both sides in the width direction of the base portion 3A. The common electrode 35A is in contact with and in conduction with all the electrodes 31aA and 31bA on one side in the width direction of the base portion 3A. The electrodes 31aA, 31bA and the common electrode 35A are preferably bonded with a conductive adhesive or the like.

  One end portion 35aA in the longitudinal direction of the common electrode 35A is bent on one end portion side in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3A, and is pulled out to the outside in the width direction of the base portion 3A. A voltage source 37 (not shown) is connected to one end 35aA of the common electrode 35A.

Note that the structure of the modification of the first embodiment can be applied to the structure of the second embodiment.
[Effect of Example 2]
Also in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the slider main body 5A is divided into a plurality of slider pieces 47, and the plurality of slider pieces 47 are interposed between each other in the width direction of the base portion 3, which is a direction intersecting the sliding movement direction of the slider main body 5A. It is arranged with a gap.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexibility of the entire slider body 5A can be improved, and the slider body 5A itself and the base portion 3A in which the slider body 5A is positioned can be easily bent. Furthermore, the slider body 5A can be bent in advance between the slider pieces 47, and the slider piece 47 itself can be bent only when necessary, so that the durability of the slider piece 47 can be improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base portion 3A is composed of a pair of base sheets 9A and 11A which are sewn together along the longitudinal direction between the adjacent slider pieces 47.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the base sheet 9A, 11A is prevented from swelling away from each other at the intermediate portion in the width direction of the base portion 3A, and the sliding contact surfaces 33aA of the first and second sliding contact pieces 29aA, 29bA are prevented. , 33bA can be reliably brought into sliding contact with the slider body 5A. As a result, it is possible to improve the stability and certainty of the operation of the flexible slider 1A.

  In addition, the flexible slider 1A of the second embodiment is also widely applied to a training device, a rehabilitation device, and the like that are transmission devices, as well as to a device that restricts movement by giving resistance between two members, as in the first embodiment. Can do.

1 Flexible slider 3 Base part 3a, 3b Inner surface (base part)
5 Slider body 7 Resistance applying portions 9 and 11 Base sheets 15a and 15b Slits 5a and 5b End portions (slider body)
29a 1st sliding contact piece 29b 2nd sliding contact piece 31a, 31b Electrode 33a, 33b Sliding contact surface 47 Slider piece

Claims (10)

A hollow flexible base portion having electrical insulation;
A flexible slider body that is slidably inserted through the hollow interior of the base portion and at least one end portion thereof is drawn out of the base portion;
A sliding contact surface that is fixed in the base portion to allow bending of the base portion and that is in sliding contact with the slider main body, and is slidable relative to the base portion of the slider main body in response to voltage application; A resistance applying unit that provides resistance by
The resistance applying portion is divided into a plurality of sliding contact pieces each having the sliding contact surface,
The plurality of sliding contact pieces are arranged at intervals in the sliding movement direction of the slider body.
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to claim 1,
The slider body is made of one of a flexible conductive material and an electrorheological material,
The resistance applying portion is composed of the other of the conductive material and the electrorheological material,
Adsorbing the slider body to the sliding contact surface in response to application of the voltage between the slider body and the resistance applying portion;
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to claim 1,
The resistance applying portion is made of a flexible electrorheological material, has at least a pair of electrodes on the side opposite to the sliding contact surface, and applies the voltage between the pair of electrodes to the sliding contact surface. Adsorb the slider body;
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The resistance applying portion is a sheet-like shape extending along a crossing direction with respect to the sliding movement direction of the slider body.
A flexible slider characterized by that. It is a flexible slider as described in any one of Claims 1-4 ,
The plurality of sliding contact pieces are a first sliding contact piece located on one side of the inner surface of the base portion and the second sliding contact piece located on the other side of the inner surface of the base portion. Including
The sliding contact surfaces of the first and second sliding contact pieces are in sliding contact with the slider body from both sides.
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to claim 5 ,
The first and second sliding contact pieces are alternately arranged with a displacement in the sliding movement direction.
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to claim 6 , wherein
The slider body has a sheet shape that is curved in a wave shape in the slide movement direction due to the flexibility in the base portion,
The first and second sliding contact pieces are located in a wave-like groove of the slider body;
A flexible slider characterized by that. A flexible slider according to any one of claim 1 to 7
The slider body is divided into a plurality of slider pieces,
The plurality of slider pieces are arranged with a gap between each other in a crossing direction with respect to a sliding movement direction of the slider body.
A flexible slider characterized by that. The flexible slider according to claim 8 , wherein
The base portion includes a pair of base sheets sewn together along the slide movement direction between adjacent slider pieces.
A flexible slider characterized by that. A flexible slider according to any one of claim 1 to 9
The base portion has an insertion hole that penetrates a wall thickness at least on one end side in the sliding movement direction,
The one end of the slider body is inserted in a state where the insertion hole is bent by bending, and is pulled out to the outside.
A flexible slider characterized by that.