JPH09250552A - One way torque limit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the one way torque limit which has characteristics most suitable as a pivot axis making smooth the end stroke of a rotating closure for a seat and the like by permitting resistance to be increased in response to the rotating moment of the rotating closure, which is quickly increased as it is closed with no change made in characteristics due to change in temperature such as a case when the viscous resistance of oil is utilized. SOLUTION: A rotating shaft 2 rotatably supported by a frame 3, is covered by a cylindrical elastic body 6, and a twisting spring 7 which is locked onto the rotating shaft 2 at its one end, and is also locked onto the frame 3 at the other end, is fitted in the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 6. The dimension of a gap between the twisting spring 7 and the cylindrical elastic body 6, is so set that the twisting spring 7 contracted in diameter comes close to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical elastic body 6 when the rotating closure falls down beyond a specified angle. Furthermore, let friction force be acted by a compression spring 10 to a gap between the cylindrical elastic body 6 and the rotating shaft 2, and let the aforesaid friction force be decreased only when the rotating closure stand upright by rotating cams 8 and 9 so as to allow the closure to be in an open condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a support structure for a rotary lid which is vertically erected from an open state and falls down by its own weight to close a hole opened upward. Regarding limits.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a user opens and closes a rotary lid of a toilet seat quietly without releasing the hand from the rotary lid. However, sometimes I may release my hand on the way, and if I just pivotally attached the rotary lid, I closed it so that it would fall,
Generates a loud sound.

Therefore, there has been one in which the rotary lid of the toilet seat is pivotally supported by a one-way torque limit utilizing the viscous resistance of oil so that the closing end becomes smooth.

With this one-way torque limit, grease-like oil is moved from one chamber to the other chamber through a narrow passage as it rotates, and the viscous resistance at this time causes the end of closing even if the hand is released. It is designed to be smooth. In the reverse rotation, the lid can be opened without resistance by flowing oil through the check valve.

[0005]

The one-way torque limit has a problem that the resistance characteristic at the end of closing varies depending on the season because the viscosity of the oil changes depending on the temperature.

Further, the rotational moment when the rotary lid is closed increases as the angle of the rotary lid approaches horizontal as the closing of the rotary lid is finished, whereas the viscous resistance of the one-way torque limit using the oil is independent of the angle. It is constant and not the optimum characteristic for the purpose of smoothing the closing end.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a one-way torque limit having a characteristic that the resistance increases as the closing is completed without changing the characteristic with temperature.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) The one-way torque limit provided by the present invention is a rotating lid that takes approximately 1/4 rotation to alternately take a closed state in which the opening is covered by its own weight and an open state in which the opening is vertically erected to expose the opening.
A rotation shaft fixed as a rotation support shaft, a frame attached to one end of the opening for supporting the rotation shaft, and a tubular elastic body covering the rotation shaft in the frame,
A torsion spring that is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular elastic body and biases the rotation shaft toward the lid by locking one end to the rotation shaft and the other end to the frame is provided. The urging force is set so that the rotary lid will fall over the opening under its own weight when the rotary lid tilts in the closing direction, and the distance between the torsion spring and the tubular elastic body will be reduced when the rotary lid falls over a predetermined angle. It is characterized in that the torsion spring having a diameter is set so as to be in close contact with the cylindrical elastic body.

(2) In the one-way torque limit, a tubular spring having a C-shaped cross section is sandwiched between the tubular elastic material and the torsion spring to protect the tubular elastic body from the torsion spring and to increase the braking force. be able to.

(3) In order to make the spring force of the torsion spring adjustable, the portion of the frame that locks the other end of the torsion spring is used as a rotary ring that is coaxially fitted to the frame body so that the rotational position can be adjusted. It is possible to provide a fixing member that is configured and that fixes the rotating ring whose rotational position is adjusted to the frame body.

(4) In order to provide resistance when the rotary lid is closed and to lighten the movement of the rotary lid when it is vertically erected, a cylindrical elastic body is attached to a flange formed on the rotary shaft in the axial direction. Press and compress from the frame side along
A compression spring that applies a rotation resistance force to the rotation shaft, and a compression spring that is provided so as to be sandwiched between the compression spring and the cylindrical elastic body. In the range of the rotation angle, it is possible to provide a rotary cam mechanism that reduces the axial length to reduce the compression amount of the compression spring.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of a one-way torque limit 1 of the present invention, 2 is a rotating shaft, 3
Is a frame formed by coaxially fitting a rotating ring 5 to the fixed outer case 4. Reference numeral 6 is a cylindrical elastic body, and 7 is a rectangular wire torsion spring. Reference numeral 8 is a first cam ring, 9 is a second cam ring, and a rotary cam is constituted by this combination. 10
Is a compression spring, 11 is a pressure adjusting screw, 12 is a fixing nut of the pressure adjusting screw, and 13 is a fixing screw which is a fixing member of the rotating ring.

Each part will be further described with reference to FIGS.

The rotary shaft 2 serves as a rotary support shaft of the rotary lid. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary shaft 2 has a tip portion 2a inserted into and fixed to a shaft hole of the rotary lid (not shown) and a tip hole of the fixed outer case 4. A large-diameter portion 2b axially supported on the shaft, a flange portion 2c in contact with the inner surface of the tip of the fixed outer case 4, and a small-diameter friction shaft 2d are coaxially integrally formed. Chamfers 2e and 2f for preventing rotation are formed on both sides of the tip 2a and the end of the friction shaft 2d. Further, a locking hole 2g for inserting one end of the rectangular wire torsion spring 7 and positioning in the rotation direction is formed in a part of the flange portion 2c.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed outer case 4 has a hole 4a for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft 2 in the front portion, and a fixed arm 4C having mounting holes 4b on both sides thereof is provided in a protruding manner. . The rear part of the fixed outer case 4 has a cylindrical shape in which the rotary ring 5 is rotatably fitted, and has a screw hole 4e formed in the side wall.
The fixing screw 13 of the rotating ring 5 is screwed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating ring 5 has a small diameter portion 5a which fits in the rear opening of the fixed outer case 4 and a large diameter portion 5b which is flush with the fixed outer case 5 and forms the outer shape of the frame 3. An annular groove 5c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 5a so as to fit the fixing screw 13 therein, and the pressure-adjusting screw 11 is provided at the rear of the large-diameter portion 5b. Is formed with a screw hole 5d. In addition, a locking hole 5e is formed in one end surface of the rotating ring 5 for inserting the other end of the rectangular wire torsion spring 7 and positioning in the rotation direction.

The cylindrical elastic body 6 is composed of a friction shaft 2 having a small diameter as a rotating shaft.
A cylindrical body as shown in FIG. 5 which is closely fitted to d, for example, urethane rubber is used.

The rectangular wire torsion spring 7 is formed by winding a rectangular wire into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 6 in order to increase the frictional contact area with the cylindrical elastic body 6. It is also possible to use a torsion spring formed by winding a round wire in a cylindrical shape.

The first cam ring 8 is, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical cam having a ridge 8a formed on the peripheral edge of one end surface, and an elliptical hole 8b into which the friction shaft 2d of the rotary shaft is fitted while positioning it in the rotational direction by its chamfer 2f at the other end.

The second cam ring 9 is, as shown in FIG.
It is a cylindrical cam having a recess 9a into which the protrusion 8a of the first cam ring 8 is fitted, and an oval hole 9b into which the pressure adjusting screw 11 is fitted while positioning it in the rotational direction.

As the compression spring 10, a coil spring as shown in FIG. 9 is used.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pressure adjusting screw 11 has a male screw portion 1 fitted in a screw hole 5d at the rear portion of the rotary ring 5.
1a has a slightly smaller diameter at the tip and chamfers 11b on both sides
And a state in which the position of the protrusion 11c is regulated in the rotational direction in the elongated hole 9b of the second cam ring 9 when the compression spring 10 is fitted. Fit in. Further, at the rear end of the pressure adjusting screw 11, a split groove 11d into which a screwdriver is inserted at the time of adjustment.
Are formed.

The fixing nut 12 of the pressure adjusting screw is as shown in FIG. 11, and has a diameter to be screwed into the male screw portion 11a of the pressure adjusting screw 11.

By assembling the above-mentioned components, the one-way torque limit 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured.

In this assembly, first, the pressure adjusting screw 11, the fixing nut 12, the compression spring 10, and the first and second cam rings 8 and 9 are temporarily assembled to the rotary ring 5. Next, the rotary shaft 2, the cylindrical elastic body 6, and the square wire torsion spring 7 are sequentially inserted into the fixed outer case 4. Then, while rotating the rotary ring 5 so that the other end of the rectangular wire torsion spring 7 fits into the locking hole 5e of the rotary ring, both are fitted and integrated.

At this time, the rotational position of the rotary ring 5 is adjusted so that the biasing force of the square wire torsion spring 7 on the rotary shaft 2 becomes an appropriate amount. This is to match the weight of the rotary lid, etc., and when the rotary lid is tilted in the closing direction, it must be smaller than the size that the rotary lid falls down on the opening by its own weight.

After this adjustment is completed, the fixing screw 13 is tightened and fixed so as to enter the annular groove 5c.

Further, the pressure adjusting screw 11 is adjusted.

This is because the compression spring 10 adjusts the frictional force against rotation generated by pressing the cylindrical elastic body 7 against the flange portion 2c of the rotary shaft 2,
Gradually screw it into the rotary ring and the pressure adjusting screw 10
The compression amount of the first and second cam rings 8 and 9 increases.
The force of pushing the tubular elastic material 6 is increased via the.

The first cam ring 8 and the second cam ring 9 are
The chamfers 2f and 11b respectively position the rotary shaft 2 and the pressure adjusting screw 11 in the rotational direction. Therefore,
When the pressure adjusting screw 11 is rotated, there are a rotation range in which the ridge 8a of the first cam ring 8 fits into the recess 9a of the second cam ring 9, and a rotation range in which the ridge 8a deviates from this. When fitted together, the gap between the first and second cam rings 8 and 9 disappears, so the amount of compression of the compression spring 10 is temporarily reduced, and the resistance to rotation is reduced.

Therefore, when the compression spring 11 is screwed in and the compression amount of the compression spring 10 becomes close to an appropriate amount, the rotary lid is vertically erected and opened at the rotational position of the rotary shaft 2. The protrusion 8a of the first cam ring 8 is fitted in the recess 9a of the second cam ring 9. This resists the change of the rotating lid from the open state to the closed state,
This is to stabilize the open state.

After that, the fixing nut 12 is tightened,
Do not loosen the pressure adjusting screw 11.

The characteristics of the one-way torque limit 1 assembled as described above are as shown in FIG.

The one-way torque limit 1 of the present invention is
The resistance force applied when the rotary lid is closed is the biasing force of the square wire torsion spring 7 in the opening direction, the reaction against the compression of the elastic tubular body 6 by the square wire torsion spring 7, and the compression spring 10.
The frictional force is synthesized by pressing the cylindrical elastic body 8 against the rotating shaft 2.

The urging force of the square wire torsion spring 7 is proportional to the rotation angle θ of the rotating shaft, and is determined by its spring constant and the initial urging force adjusted by the rotating ring 5.

The reaction of the elastic tubular body 6 with respect to the compression is started when the elastic tubular body 6 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle θ (45 ° in the illustrated example) in the closing direction. This is because the distance between the square wire torsion spring 7 and the tubular elastic body 6 is set to a size in which the square wire torsion spring having a reduced diameter comes into close contact with the tubular elastic body when the rotary lid falls more than a predetermined angle. is there. This reaction appears as a resistance force against the diameter reduction of the square wire torsion spring 7 and a frictional force against the rotation between the square wire torsion spring 7 and the cylindrical elastic body 6.

The frictional force obtained by the compression spring 10 is
Takes an extremely small value when the rotating lid is in the upright open state,
When the rotating lid starts to be closed, it rises to a certain value and keeps this size thereafter. The small value when open is
This is because the protrusion 8a of the first cam ring fits into the recess 9a of the second cam ring, and the amount of compression of the compression spring 10 is temporarily reduced. The frictional force when the opening / closing lid is closed is a value adjusted by the pressure adjusting screw 11.

As a result of the combination of the above forces, the force in the state where the rotary lid stands up is extremely small, and shows a small resistance force when the rotary lid starts to be closed. The resistance force increases as the rotary lid is closed, but the rotary lid is closed over a certain angle. As a result, it is possible to obtain the characteristic that the rate of increase in the resistance force suddenly increases. This is an optimum property for smoothly closing the rotary lid of the toilet seat.

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the cylindrical elastic body 6 is directly tightened by the rectangular wire torsion spring 7 is adopted, but as shown in FIG. 13, the circumference of the cylindrical elastic body 6'is C-shaped in cross section. The structure may be covered with the cylindrical spring 14. The use of the tubular spring 14 has the following two meanings. One is to protect the cylindrical elastic body 6 and prolong its life because the outer peripheral surface is roughened by the square wire torsion spring 7. In addition, the other one is to obtain a different resistance characteristic at the end of closing by combining a cylindrical spring 14 having an elastic characteristic different from that of the cylindrical elastic body 6, thereby expanding the selection range of the characteristic at the time of manufacture. This is because.

The above description was made in the case where the opening / closing lid of the toilet seat is rotatably supported, but the one-way torque limit of the present invention is in a closed state in which the hole opened upward is closed so as to cover it from above. And, it can be widely used for supporting a rotary lid that alternately takes an open state that stands upright.

[0041]

The one-way torque limit of the present invention is
The urging force in the opening direction by the torsion spring 7 is combined with the reaction against the compression of the elastic tubular body 6 and the frictional force between the elastic tubular body 6 and the rotary shaft 2 by the compression spring 10, and this frictional force is combined with the rotary cam 8, Since the size is reduced only when the rotary lid is upright by the open state by 9, the optimum characteristics can be obtained as the rotary support structure such as the rotary lid of the toilet seat.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a one-way torque limit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) showing a rotating shaft of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a left side view (a) and a sectional view (b) showing a fixed outer case of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a rotating ring of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

5 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) showing the elastic tubular body of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a square wire torsion spring of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

7 is a first one-way torque limit shown in FIG.
It is a left side view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) which show a cam ring.

FIG. 8 is a second one-way torque limit shown in FIG.
It is the front view (a) and right side view (b) which show a cam ring.

9 is a front view showing the one-way torque limit compression spring shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

10 is a left side view (a) and a front view (b) showing the pressure adjusting screw of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view (a) and a side view (b) showing a fixing nut of the one-way torque limit shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing torque-rotation angle characteristics of the one-way torque limit of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a left side view (a) and a front view (b) showing another embodiment in which a tubular spring having a C-shaped cross section is combined with an elastic tubular body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 One-way torque limit 2 Rotating shaft 3 Frame 4 Fixed outer body 5 Rotating ring 6 Cylindrical elastic body 7 Torsion spring 8 First cam ring 9 Second cam ring 10 Compression spring 11 Pressure adjusting screw 12 Fixing nut 13 Rotating ring fixing screw

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rotary shaft fixed as a rotary support shaft to a rotary lid that alternately rotates between a closed state in which the opening is covered by its own weight and a closed state in which the opening stands upright to expose the opening by rotating about 1/4. A frame attached to one end of the opening and pivotally supporting the rotary shaft; a tubular elastic body covering the rotary shaft in the frame; and a frame fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular elastic body. Is provided with a torsion spring for biasing the rotation shaft in the opening direction by locking the rotation axis and the other end with the frame, and the biasing force of the torsion spring is applied when the rotation lid is tilted in the closing direction. The size of the rotary lid is set so that it falls over the opening under its own weight, and the gap between the torsion spring and the tubular elastic body is set so that when the rotary lid falls over more than a predetermined angle, the reduced torsion spring comes into close contact with the tubular elastic body. One-way torque limit 2. The one-way torque limit according to claim 1, wherein a tubular spring having a C-shaped cross section is sandwiched between the tubular elastic material and the torsion spring. 3. A portion of the frame that locks the other end of the torsion spring is configured as a rotating ring that is coaxially fitted to the frame body so that the rotational position can be adjusted, and the rotating ring whose rotational position is adjusted is provided in the frame body. The one-way torque limit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the one-way torque limit. 4. A tubular elastic body is pressed against a flange formed on a rotary shaft from the frame side in the axial direction, and compressed,
A compression spring that applies a rotational resistance force to the rotation shaft, and a predetermined position that is provided so as to be sandwiched between the compression spring and the cylindrical elastic body, and receives the rotation of the rotation shaft so that the rotation lid is in a vertically standing open state. The one-way torque according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a rotary cam mechanism that reduces an axial length to reduce a compression amount of the compression spring in a rotation angle range. limit.