JP4444885B2 - Cylinder with lock mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cylinder having a lock mechanism for restricting movement of a movable member within a fixed member.

For example, when solder printing is performed on a double-sided mounting board after single-sided mounting, it is necessary to support the board according to the unevenness of the mounted surface (support surface) in order to obtain a stable squeegee pressure. As a support device for supporting a substrate, a plurality of pins are erected on a base, and the height position of the pin (projection length from the base) is set according to the unevenness of the mounting substrate. A multi-point support device for supporting the substrate at multiple points is used. However, when this type of support device is used for workpieces (such as substrates) for high-mix low-volume production, a dedicated device corresponding to the quality is manufactured or the arrangement of a large number of pins is changed manually. It is necessary to change the setup. For this reason, conventionally, an automated multi-point support device that can cope with a wide variety of products in order to reduce manufacturing costs is desired. As this type of multi-point support device, for example, Patent Document 1 has proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a rod (pin) is moved in and out by a spring force of a coil spring to adjust a height position, and a steel ball and a taper ring are used to maintain the height position of the rod. A locking mechanism is provided.
JP 2002-323014 A

  By the way, in the multi-point support device, when the thrust of the rod is set to be strong, the component mounted on the workpiece is damaged by the pressing force from the rod acting on the workpiece, or when the substrate is held, the substrate is bent by the pressing force. The substrate may not be held in a stable state. For this reason, it is preferable to set the thrust of the pins that support the workpiece (substrate or the like) as weak as possible. However, when the thrust of the pin is set weak, the rod does not operate smoothly due to the frictional resistance that acts between the steel ball and the rod when the lock is released by the lock mechanism (it does not return to its original state). ), There is a risk of malfunction such as stopping in the middle. For this reason, in order to set the thrust of the rod weak, it is necessary to reduce the frictional resistance of the lock mechanism at the time of unlocking.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art, and its purpose is to reduce the frictional resistance generated between the lock mechanism and the movable member, and to move the movable member when the lock is released. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cylinder with a lock mechanism that can smoothly operate a cylinder.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the cylinder with a lock mechanism according to claim 1, a shaft-shaped movable member is inserted into a tubular fixed member so as to be able to move in and out, and the movable member within the fixed member is inserted. In the cylinder with a lock mechanism provided with a lock mechanism for restricting the movement of the member, the lock mechanism includes a tapered surface or a tapered surface in which the movable member is inserted into a cylindrical main body and the diameter of the movable member is reduced along the direction in which the movable member is retracted. A casing member having an arc surface formed on the inner surface; a plurality of spheres inserted between the inner surface of the casing member and the outer surface of the movable member; and A first push-out member that is pushed out in the submerged operation direction to press-contact between the tapered surface or the arc surface and the outer surface of the movable member; and a method of ejecting the movable member when the movable member is unlocked And a second pushing member that releases the pressure contact state, and a contact surface that contacts when the first pushing member or the second pushing member pushes the sphere is formed in a taper shape or an arc shape. When the contact surface of the first push member is tapered or arcuate, the contact surface is formed so as to be lowered in the submerged operation direction, while the contact surface of the second push member is In the case of a taper shape or an arc shape, the gist is that the contact surface is formed so as to be lowered in the above-described ejection direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cylinder with a lock mechanism according to the first aspect, the contact surface is formed with a plurality of holding grooves that hold the spheres separately to hold the positions of the spheres. The gist is that the spheres are arranged at equal intervals with respect to the outer surface of the movable member by the plurality of holding grooves.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cylinder with a lock mechanism according to the first aspect, the first pushing member is provided with a holding member that connects the plurality of spheres and holds the positions of the spheres. The gist is that the spherical bodies are arranged at equal intervals with respect to the outer surface of the movable member by the holding member.

  The cylinder with a lock mechanism according to claim 4 is provided with a lock mechanism for restricting the movement of the movable member in the fixed member, with a shaft-shaped movable member inserted into the tubular fixed member so as to be able to move in and out. In the cylinder with a lock mechanism provided, the lock mechanism includes a casing in which the movable member is inserted into a cylindrical main body, and a tapered surface or an arc surface is formed on the inner surface to reduce the diameter along the direction in which the movable member is retracted. A member, a plurality of spheres inserted between the inner surface of the casing member and the outer surface of the movable member, and the tapered surface by extruding the sphere in a direction in which the movable member is retracted when the movable member is locked. Alternatively, the first push-out member press-contacted between the arc surface and the outer surface of the movable member, and when the movable member is unlocked, the spherical body is pushed out in the moving-out direction of the movable member to release the press-contact state. A second push-out member that contacts the first push-out member or the second push-out member when the second push-out member pushes out the sphere, and a center position of the sphere and an outer surface of the movable member at the time of locking. The gist is that it is set between the contact position of the sphere and the contact position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cylinder with a lock mechanism according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the casing member is connected to the taper surface or the arc surface in a non-pressure contact state. The gist of the invention is that a retracting portion for retracting the sphere is formed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the cylinder with a lock mechanism according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a magnet is disposed opposite to the fixed member and the movable member, and the opposed magnets Is provided with a magnetic spring mechanism magnetized with different magnetic poles.

  According to the present invention, the frictional resistance generated between the lock mechanism and the movable member can be reduced, and the movable member can be operated smoothly when the lock is released.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cylinder with a lock mechanism (hereinafter simply referred to as “cylinder”) 10 according to the present embodiment. The cylinder 10 accommodates a movable shaft 12 as a movable member movable along the axial direction of the main body case 11 in a main body case 11 as a cylindrical (tubular) fixing member that is open on both sides. . The movable shaft 12 is accommodated (inserted) with respect to the main body case 11 so as to be movable in and out. The movable shaft 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, a retaining ring 12a is attached to both ends of the movable shaft 12, and is prevented from coming off by the retaining ring 12a. In addition, the movable shaft 12 of the present embodiment is made of high carbon chromium bearing steel (SUJ2), and is subjected to induction hardening treatment and chromium plating treatment. “X” shown in FIG. 1 indicates the maximum stroke length of the movable shaft 12, and the movable shaft 12 moves in and out within the range of the stroke length “X”.

  Further, in the main body case 11, various constituent members of the magnetic spring mechanism 13 and various constituent members of the lock mechanism 14 are arranged along the moving direction (axial direction) of the movable shaft 12 so as to surround the movable shaft 12. It is installed. In FIG. 1, the lock mechanism 14 shows a state in which the upper half with respect to the center line Y is locked to the movable shaft 12, and the lower half shows a state in which the movable shaft 12 is unlocked. The lock mechanism 14 is locked when the movable shaft 12 moves in the sunk direction (indicated by a two-dot chain line), and is unlocked when moved in the outward direction (indicated by a solid line).

  A cylindrical housing case 15 for housing the magnetic spring mechanism 13 is provided in the main body case 11. The housing case 15 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 11. A magnet (permanent magnet) 16 as a magnet is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing case 15, and a magnet (permanent magnet) 17 as a magnet faces the magnet 16 on the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12. It is provided as follows. The magnets 16 and 17 are formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the magnet 16 is bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing case 15, and the magnet 17 is bonded and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12. Further, the magnets 16 and 17 are arranged with a space in the radial direction between the housing case 15 and the movable shaft 12. The magnet 16 and the magnet 17 constitute a magnetic spring mechanism 13.

  The magnet 16 and the magnet 17 are formed so that the lengths in the axial direction are the same length. Further, the magnets 16 and 17 are divided into four in the circumferential direction as shown in the cross-sectional view along the line BB shown in FIG. 1, and the N pole bands 16N, 17N and S formed in a band shape with a width of 90 degrees. The pole bands 16S and 17S are alternately arranged. The magnet 16 and the magnet 17 are configured such that different magnetic poles are alternately arranged opposite to each other. The magnetic spring mechanism 13 exerts a spring function by generating a magnetic force that acts so that the magnet 16 and the magnet 17 attract the relative displacement between the main body case 11 and the movable shaft 12. A bearing 18 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing case 15 adjacent to the magnet 16.

  In the main body case 11, a cylindrical pusher case 19 that houses the lock mechanism 14 and a tapered ring 20 as a cylindrical casing member are provided. The pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 11. The movable shaft 12 is inserted through each central portion of the pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20, and the pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20 are juxtaposed in the axial direction of the movable shaft 12. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which main parts of the pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20 are enlarged. In FIG. 2, the lock mechanism 14 shows a state in which the upper half with respect to the center line Y is locked with the movable shaft 12, and the lower half shows a state in which the movable shaft 12 is unlocked.

  The pusher case 19 is formed with an annular storage chamber 21 so as to be isolated from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12. The accommodating chamber 21 accommodates a rubber packing (elastic body) 22 and a part of a pusher 23 as a second pushing member (a pressure receiving portion that receives the pressing force of the packing 22). The packing 22 is disposed in a non-contact state with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 by being housed in the housing chamber 21. With this arrangement, friction does not occur between the movable shaft 12 and the packing 22. Further, the pusher case 19 is formed with an air introduction passage 25 that allows the air port 24 formed through the main body case 11 to communicate with the storage chamber 21. In the storage chamber 21, the packing 22 is disposed to face the air introduction passage 25 so as to receive the air introduced through the air introduction passage 25, and a pusher 23 is disposed adjacent to the packing 22. The packing 22 receives air (air pressure) and moves. When the packing 22 stops receiving air, the packing 22 returns to the original position. When the packing 22 receives air, the pusher 23 is pressed by the packing 22 and moves in the pusher case 19 (accommodating chamber 21) in the direction in which the movable shaft 12 moves out.

  The one side of the taper ring 20 (the left side in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (the pusher case 19 side) is fitted inside the pusher case 19. In the taper ring 20, a plurality of taper rings 20 are arranged in order from the opening side. A steel ball 26 as a single sphere, a washer 27 as a first pushing member, a coil spring 28, and a linear bush 29 are accommodated in the axial direction of the movable shaft 12. , The pusher 23 and the washer 27. In this embodiment, the steel ball 26 is formed of the same material (SUJ2) as the movable shaft 12. The plurality of steel balls 26 are shown in FIG. 1 is inserted and arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the taper ring 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 so as to surround the outer periphery of the movable shaft 12. And more than one Steel ball 26 is subjected to a predetermined force, and the inner peripheral surface of the tapered ring 20 (including the tapered surfaces 34) provided movably along the axial direction of the tapered ring 20.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the pusher 23, the washer 27, and the taper ring 20 will be described in more detail.
The pusher 23 includes a cylindrical body portion 30 and a flange portion 31 integrally formed on the base end side of the body portion 30, and the movable shaft 12 is inserted through a central portion thereof. . The outer diameter of the body portion 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the taper ring 20, while the outer diameter of the flange portion 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pusher case 19. That is, the pusher 23 is disposed between the pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20, while the body portion 30 is accommodated in the taper ring 20 and the flange portion 31 is accommodated in the pusher case 19. The pusher 23 receives a predetermined force and is accommodated so as to be movable along the axial direction of the movable shaft 12 on the inner peripheral surfaces of the pusher case 19 and the taper ring 20.

  A pusher-side tapered surface 32 is formed on the pusher 23 (body portion 30) as a contact surface that decreases in diameter toward the center of the pusher 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the pusher-side tapered surface 32 is formed such that an angle formed by the pusher-side tapered surface 32 and the distal end surface of the body portion 30 is an angle α (20 degrees in this embodiment). Yes. The pusher-side tapered surface 32 is formed so as to be lowered in the moving-out direction of the movable shaft 12 when the pusher 23 is accommodated in the main body case 11.

  The washer 27 is formed with a washer-side tapered surface 33 as a contact surface whose diameter is reduced toward the center of the washer 27. As shown in FIG. 1, the washer-side tapered surface 33 is formed such that an angle formed by the washer-side tapered surface 33 and the tip surface of the washer 27 is an angle β (10 degrees in the present embodiment). . The washer-side tapered surface 33 is formed so as to be lowered in the direction in which the movable shaft 12 is retracted when the washer 27 is accommodated in the main body case 11.

  The taper ring 20 is formed with a taper surface 34 so that the inner diameter of the taper ring 20 is reduced. The tapered surface 34 is reduced in diameter along the direction in which the movable shaft 12 is retracted. Further, the taper surface 34 is formed on the inner surface (inner peripheral surface) of the taper ring 20. The pusher 23 and the washer 27 are disposed such that the pusher side tapered surface 32 and the washer side tapered surface 33 face each other, and the steel ball 26 is disposed between the pusher side tapered surface 32 and the washer side tapered surface 33. ing. Further, the tapered surface 34 of the taper ring 20 is disposed between the pusher 23 and the washer 27. Further, the taper ring 20 is formed with a steel ball retracting portion 35 as a retracting portion connected to the tapered surface 34. The steel ball retracting portion 35 is connected to the end of the tapered surface 34 on the side having the maximum diameter. The steel ball retracting portion 35 extends from the end of the taper surface 34 in the axial direction of the taper ring 20 so that the distance between the steel ball retracting portion 35 and the movable shaft 12 is larger than the diameter of the steel ball 26. Is extended in a straight line.

Hereinafter, the operation of the cylinder 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the normal state (the state in which the lock by the lock mechanism 14 is released and the cylinder 10 is moving out for the maximum stroke length X), the retaining ring 12a of the movable shaft 12 is attached to the bearing 18 as shown in FIG. The magnet 16 and the magnet 17 are in contact with each other. That is, the movable shaft 12 is positioned with respect to the main body case 11 with the N pole bodies 16N and 17N and the S pole bodies 16S and 17S constituting the magnets 16 and 17 facing each other and attracting each other. Further, the steel ball 26 in the taper ring 20 does not mesh with the taper surface 34, and the lock of the movable shaft 12 is released (shown on the lower side of FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In this state, when a workpiece or the like is pressed against the distal end side of the movable shaft 12 (right end portion in FIG. 1) and a pressing force is applied, the movable shaft 12 moves in the sunk direction (the direction from right to left in FIG. 1). Moving. At this time, the magnet 17 provided on the movable shaft 12 moves in the same direction together with the movable shaft 12. When the movable shaft 12 moves, an attractive force is exerted between the magnet 16 on the housing case 15 side and the magnet 17 on the movable shaft 12 side to pull back the moved magnet 17 relative to the magnet 16 whose position is fixed. Since this suction force acts so as to repel the displacement of the movable shaft 12, it acts as a cushion when the workpiece is pressed against the movable shaft 12, and further becomes a pressing force that presses the workpiece against the movable shaft 12. That is, the magnets 16 and 17 exhibit a spring force similarly to a coil spring or the like.

  In the magnetic spring mechanism 13, when the magnets 16 and 17 act as “springs”, an attractive force (thrust) acting in the axial direction to return the magnet 17 on the movable shaft 12 side to the original position is predetermined. The same value is shown between the strokes. In the magnetic spring mechanism 13, when the magnets 16 and 17 are displaced in the axial direction, a constant thrust is generated by the axial component of the magnetic lines of force generated obliquely at the ends of the magnets 16 and 17. That is, when the magnets 16 and 17 are displaced and overlapped, oblique magnetic lines of force are generated at the end portions of the magnets 16 and 17 in a certain direction (constant inclination), and an axial force is applied to the overlapping portion therebetween. Magnetic field lines only in the vertical direction that do not affect For this reason, the axial force acts on the magnets 16 and 17 only by the axial component of the oblique lines of magnetic force generated at the end regardless of the overlapping width. Therefore, the magnetic spring mechanism 13 always presses the work with a constant force.

  On the other hand, in the lock mechanism 14, when the movable shaft 12 moves in the sinking direction, the steel ball 26 rolls toward the sinking direction of the movable shaft 12, that is, toward the tapered surface 34 of the taper ring 20. That is, the coil spring 28 presses the washer 27 with the movement of the movable shaft 12, and the steel ball 26 is pushed out in the submerging operation direction by moving the washer 27 in the submerging operation direction of the movable shaft 12. The steel ball 26 rolls toward the tapered surface 34 formed so as to reduce the inner diameter of the tapered ring 20 and meshes with the tapered surface 34, and the steel ball 26 is interposed between the tapered surface 34 and the movable shaft 12. Press contact. As a result, the movable shaft 12 is locked by the steel ball 26 being pressed between the outer peripheral surface and the tapered surface 34, and the position thereof is held (movement is restricted). When the steel ball 26 rolls as described above, the pusher 23 is pushed out toward the packing 22 housed in the housing chamber 21 of the pusher case 19.

  In addition, the lock mechanism 14 locks the movable shaft 12 by supplying a predetermined pressure of air (air) from an air supply source (not shown) to the air port 24 in a state where no pressing force is applied to the movable shaft 12. To release. That is, the air supplied via the air port 24 is introduced into the accommodation chamber 21 through the air introduction passage 25 of the pusher case 19. Then, the packing 22 in the storage chamber 21 receives air pressure (air pressure) and moves to press the pusher 23. Then, the pushed pusher 23 pushes the steel ball 26 bitten into the tapered surface 32 in the moving direction of the movable shaft 12. As a result, the steel ball 26 is released from the state of being bitten by the tapered surface 34, and at the same time, the locked state of the movable shaft 12 is released.

  When the lock is released, the pusher-side tapered surface 32 of the pusher 23 comes into contact (contact) with the steel ball 26, and the force along the axial direction of the movable shaft 12 and the force along the direction orthogonal to the axial direction due to the contact. Will be added. For this reason, the steel ball 26 is subjected to a diagonally upward force with respect to the moving-out operation direction (the axial direction of the movable shaft 12) as indicated by the arrow in FIG. As a result, a force for separating the steel ball 26 from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 is positively applied, and the steel ball 26 is pushed away from the movable shaft 12 by the force. The steel ball 26 also contacts the washer-side tapered surface 33 of the washer 27. Then, the steel ball 26 escapes in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 by contact with the washer 27. The steel ball 26 rolls on the tapered surface 34 and reaches the steel ball retracting portion 35. As a result, a gap is formed between the steel ball 26 that has reached the steel ball retracting portion 35 and the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 as shown in the lower side of FIG. That is, when the lock state by the lock mechanism 14 is released, the steel ball 26 is brought into a non-contact state with respect to the movable shaft 12, and the frictional resistance generated between the steel ball 26 and the movable shaft 12 is reduced.

  Thereafter, the movable shaft 12 moves in the outgoing direction by the action of the magnetic spring mechanism 13 (attraction force for attracting the magnet 16) by removing the workpiece. At this time, a gap is formed between the movable shaft 12 and the steel ball 26, and the steel ball 26 is in a separated state. For this reason, the movable shaft 12 can move in the outgoing direction without receiving frictional resistance with the steel ball 26.

  A plurality of cylinders 10 according to the present embodiment can be arranged on a base to constitute a multipoint support device. The multipoint support device is configured, for example, by arranging four cylinders 10 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction at predetermined intervals (equal intervals).

  In the multipoint support device configured as described above, a workpiece (for example, a substrate) is placed on the distal end side of the movable shaft 12 of each cylinder 10. Then, the movable shaft 12 of each cylinder 10 abuts on the work and moves in the sinking direction according to the unevenness of the work. That is, the movable shaft 12 of the cylinder 10 in contact with the convex portion of the workpiece has a large amount of submerged movement, and the movable shaft 12 of the cylinder 10 in contact with the concave portion of the workpiece has a small amount of submerged movement. In the multipoint support device, the movable shaft 12 of the cylinder 10 moves in accordance with the unevenness of the workpiece, the height position (projection length from the base) of the movable shaft 12 is automatically adjusted, and the workpiece is supported. Since the cylinder 10 of this embodiment includes the magnetic spring mechanism 13, the workpiece is always pressed by a constant force regardless of the stroke amount of the movable shaft 12 by the magnetic spring mechanism 13.

  Further, each movable shaft 12 is moved by the lock mechanism 14 according to the unevenness of the work and is held in that state. Unlocking is performed by removing air from the movable shaft 12 and then supplying air to each air introduction path via the air supply path.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A pusher-side tapered surface 32 and a washer-side tapered surface 33 are provided at a portion where the steel ball 26 contacts the pusher 23 and the washer 27. The pusher-side tapered surface 32 and the washer-side tapered surface 33 positively apply a force that separates the steel ball 26 from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 when the lock is released. Therefore, the frictional resistance generated between the lock mechanism 14 and the movable shaft 12 can be reduced, and the movable shaft 12 can be operated smoothly when the lock is released. That is, even if the thrust of the cylinder 10 is set to be weak, by reducing the frictional resistance, the movable shaft 12 can be operated smoothly without being affected by the frictional resistance due to the contact with the steel ball 26. The cylinder 10 of the present embodiment is a low friction cylinder whose frictional resistance is set to about 980.7 mN (100 gf).

  (2) Both the pusher 23 and the washer 27 are provided with tapered surfaces (the pusher-side tapered surface 32 and the washer-side tapered surface 33). For this reason, the steel ball 26 can be further easily separated from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 at the time of unlocking.

  (3) A steel ball retracting portion 35 is provided so as to be connected to the tapered surface 34. For this reason, when unlocking, the gap between the movable shaft 12 and the steel ball 26 can be widened, and a reliable non-contact structure can be obtained.

  (4) The packing 22 is provided, and the steel ball 26 engaged with the tapered surface 32 is pushed out by moving the packing 22 by air pressure, so that the movable shaft 12 is unlocked. For this reason, the mechanism for releasing the lock can be simplified, and the structure of the cylinder 10 can be simplified. In addition, by simplifying the structure, the manufacturing cost of the cylinder 10 can be reduced.

  (5) The packing 22 is disposed so as not to contact the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12. Therefore, when the lock is released and the movable shaft 12 moves in the outward direction, the movable shaft 12 can be operated more smoothly without friction between the movable shaft 12 and the packing 22. .

  (6) The cylinder 10 is provided with a magnetic spring mechanism 13 and a lock mechanism 14. The cylinder 10 generates a spring force in the same manner as the coil spring by the action of the magnet 16 and the magnet 17 constituting the magnetic spring mechanism 13, and the spring force is set to a constant value regardless of the stroke change of the movable shaft 12. . Therefore, even when a workpiece (for example, a substrate) is pressed against the movable shaft 12, a constant pressing force can be applied to the workpiece. In addition, the cylinder 10 holds the movable shaft 12 against the attractive force of the magnet 17 even if the movable shaft 12 moves in the sunk direction by the action of the lock mechanism 14, and the stroke length of the movable shaft 12 is set to the workpiece length. It can be reliably maintained with a length that matches the shape.

  (7) The lock mechanism 14 includes a steel ball 26 and a tapered surface 34 of the taper ring 20 with which the steel ball 26 is engaged. That is, the movable shaft 12 is locked by pressing the steel ball 26 between the tapered surface 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12. For this reason, the holding force of the movable shaft 12 can be increased, and the stroke length of the movable shaft 12 can be reliably maintained at a length that matches the shape of the workpiece.

  (8) Moreover, when the cylinder 10 of this embodiment is applied to a multipoint support device, deformation (damage) of the workpiece and bending of the substrate can be suppressed because the thrust can be set weak. As a result, the workpiece can be held in a stable state.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiments described below, the same components as those in the embodiments already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the redundant description thereof is omitted or simplified. In FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 14 shows a state in which the upper half with the center line Y as a reference locks the movable shaft 12, and the lower half shows a state in which the movable shaft 12 is unlocked.

  In the present embodiment, a pusher 40 and a washer 41 are provided in the main body case 11. The pusher 40 includes a cylindrical body part 42 and a flange part 43. Further, in the present embodiment, the pusher 40 is formed with a protrusion 44 having a reduced thickness at the tip of the body portion 42. Further, a protrusion 45 similar to the protrusion 44 of the pusher 40 is formed at the tip of the washer 41.

  In the present embodiment, the contact portion (contact position) where the protrusions 44 and 45 and the steel ball 26 come into contact with each other when the lock is released is lower than the center position of the steel ball 26 (the axial center side of the movable shaft 12). ) Is set. Specifically, the contact portion is set between the center position of the steel ball 26 and the contact position of the steel ball that contacts the outer surface of the movable shaft 12 when locked.

  When configured in this manner, when the lock is released, a force is applied to the lower side of the steel ball 26. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the steel ball 26 has a moving-out direction (the axial direction of the movable shaft 12). ) Will be applied obliquely upward (indicated by arrows in FIG. 3). For this reason, a force for separating the steel ball 26 from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 is positively applied, and the steel ball 26 is pushed away from the movable shaft 12 by the force. Further, the steel ball 26 is also released in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the movable shaft 12 by contacting the washer 41. According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 14 shows a state where the movable shaft 12 is locked.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) holding the positions of the steel balls 26 with an equal interval (90 ° interval in the present embodiment) at the pusher side tapered surface 32 of the pusher 23. A holding groove 48 is formed. Further, the washer-side tapered surface 33 of the washer 27 has a plurality of (this book) that holds the positions of the steel balls 26 at regular intervals (in the present embodiment, at 90-degree intervals) in the same manner as the pusher-side tapered surface 32. In the embodiment, four holding grooves 49 are formed. In the present embodiment, one steel ball 26 is held in each holding groove 49, and four steel balls 26 are inserted into the main body case 11.

  The holding groove 48 and the holding groove 49 are arranged to face each other when the pusher 23 and the washer 27 are accommodated in the main body case 11. And the steel ball 26 is latched by the holding groove 48 and the holding groove 49, respectively, and the position with respect to the circumferential direction of the movable shaft 12 is hold | maintained. The holding groove 48 and the holding groove 49 are linearly formed outward from the center side of the pusher 23 and the washer 47. For this reason, the steel ball 26 rolls while being guided by the holding groove 48 or the holding groove 49 when the movable shaft 12 is locked and unlocked.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (8) of the first embodiment.
(9) By holding the steel ball 26 by the holding groove 48 and the holding groove 49, the steel ball 26 can be held at the same position in the stroke direction (intrusion operation direction) of the movable shaft 12 and in the circumferential direction of the movable shaft 12. Can be held in the same position. That is, the position of the steel ball 26 can be maintained without arranging the steel ball 26 along the outer periphery of the movable shaft 12 without any gap, and the position of the steel ball 26 is biased when the cylinder 10 is used. Can be prevented. For this reason, the non-contact state between the movable shaft 12 and the steel ball 26 can be stably obtained when the lock is released, and a stable locking force (braking force) can be obtained by arranging the steel balls 26 evenly when locked. Can do. Moreover, since it is not necessary to increase the number of the steel balls 26 more than necessary, it is possible to contribute to the manufacturing cost reduction of the cylinder 10. Furthermore, the position reproducibility of the movable shaft 12 in the XY directions can be improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the lock mechanism 14 shows a state where the movable shaft 12 is locked.

  In the present embodiment, a holding member 51 that holds the pusher 50 and the steel ball 26 is provided in the main body case 11. The holding member 51 includes a first holding member 52 and a second holding member 53, and the steel ball 26 is sandwiched between the holding members 52 and 53. The first holding member 52 is formed with a tapered surface 54 having the same configuration as the pusher-side tapered surface 32 described in the first and third embodiments, and the tapered surface 54 has a third surface. A holding groove 55 having the same configuration as the holding groove 48 described in the embodiment is formed. And the holding member 51 connects the some steel ball 26, and hold | maintains the position of this steel ball 26. FIG. The plurality of steel balls 26 are accommodated in the main body case 11 in an integrated state by being held by the holding member 51.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (8) of the first embodiment and the effects (9) of the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(10) Even when the movable shaft 12 is detached from the main body case 11 and the inside of the main body case 11 is maintained, since the plurality of steel balls 26 are integrated by the holding member 51, the maintainability can be improved. . Even when the movable shaft 12 is detached, the steel ball 26 is integrally managed by the holding member 51, so that the steel ball 26 can be prevented from dropping out of the main body case 11.

Each embodiment may be changed as follows.
In each embodiment, the magnetic spring mechanism 13 is provided as a configuration for applying the moving force of the movable shaft 12, but the coil spring 61 is accommodated in the main body case 11 as shown in FIG. 6 instead of the magnetic spring mechanism 13. Then, the moving force of the movable shaft 12 may be applied by the coil spring 61. In FIG. 6, the lock mechanism 14 indicates a state in which the upper half with respect to the center line Y is locked with the movable shaft 12, and the lower half indicates a state in which the movable shaft 12 is unlocked. The configuration of the lock mechanism 14 is the same as that of the lock mechanism 14 described in the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the angles α and β of the pusher side tapered surface 32 of the pusher 23 and the washer side tapered surface 33 of the washer 27 may be changed. The angles α and β are preferably set in the range of 3 degrees to 60 degrees. The same applies to the second and fourth embodiments.

In the first embodiment, the tapered surface formed on the pusher 23 and the washer 27 may be changed to an arc surface. The same applies to the second and fourth embodiments.
In the first and second embodiments, the steel ball retracting portion 35 may be omitted.

  In the first to third embodiments, the combination of the pushers 23 and 40 and the washers 27 and 41 constituting the lock mechanism 14 may be changed. For example, the pusher 23 and the washer 41 may be combined, or the pusher 40 and the washer 27 may be combined. Further, in the first and third embodiments, only one of the pusher 23 and the washer 27 may be formed with a tapered surface. In the second embodiment, only one of the pusher 40 and the washer 41 may be provided with a protrusion.

In each embodiment, the number of steel balls 26 (the number inserted in the main body case 11) and the size may be changed.
In each embodiment, the taper surface 34 of the taper ring 20 may be an arc surface.

In each embodiment, the packing 22 may be a Y packing or a V packing.
In the third embodiment, the number of holding grooves 48 and holding grooves 49 formed in the pusher 23 and the washer 27 may be changed. However, the number of holding grooves 48 and holding grooves 49 is the same.

Next, a technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and another example will be added below.
(A) A multi-point support device in which a plurality of cylinders with a lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are arranged on a base.

Sectional drawing of the cylinder with a lock mechanism in 1st Embodiment. Similarly, the principal part expanded sectional view of a cylinder with a lock mechanism. The principal part expanded sectional view of the cylinder with a lock mechanism in 2nd Embodiment. The principal part expanded sectional view of the cylinder with a lock mechanism in 3rd Embodiment. The principal part expanded sectional view of the cylinder with a lock mechanism in 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the cylinder with a lock mechanism in another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cylinder with a lock mechanism, 11 ... Main body case, 12 ... Movable shaft, 13 ... Magnetic spring mechanism, 14 ... Lock mechanism, 20 ... Tapering, 26 ... Steel ball, 23, 40 ... Pusher, 27, 41 ... Washer, 32 ... Pusher side taper surface, 33 ... Washer side taper surface, 34 ... Tapered surface, 35 ... Steel ball retracting part, 44, 45 ... Projection part, 48, 49 ... Holding groove, 50 ... Holding member.

Claims (6)

In a cylinder with a lock mechanism, a shaft-shaped movable member is inserted into a cylindrical fixed member so as to be able to appear and retract, and includes a lock mechanism that restricts movement of the movable member in the fixed member.
The locking mechanism includes a casing member in which the movable member is inserted into a cylindrical main body, and a taper surface or a circular arc surface that is reduced in diameter along a direction in which the movable member is retracted, and the casing member includes the casing member. A plurality of spheres inserted between an inner surface and an outer surface of the movable member; and when the movable member is locked, the spheres are pushed out in a direction in which the movable member is retracted, and the tapered surface or the arc surface and the movable member A first extruding member that is in pressure contact with an outer surface, and a second extruding member that releases the pressure contact state by pushing out the sphere in the moving-out direction of the movable member when unlocking the movable member,
A contact surface that contacts when the first push member or the second push member extrudes the sphere is formed in a taper shape or an arc shape, and a contact surface of the first push member is formed in the taper shape or the arc shape. When the contact surface is formed so as to be lowered in the submerged operation direction, the contact surface of the second push-out member is formed in the taper shape or the arc shape. A cylinder with a lock mechanism, characterized in that it is formed so as to be lowered. A plurality of holding grooves are formed on the contact surface to hold the spheres separately to hold the positions of the spheres, and the spheres are formed on the outer surface of the movable member by the plurality of holding grooves. The cylinder with a lock mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cylinders are arranged at intervals. The first pusher member is provided with a holding member that connects the plurality of spheres to hold the position of the spheres, and the spheres are equidistant from the outer surface of the movable member by the holding members. The cylinder with a lock mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder is provided with a lock mechanism. In a cylinder with a lock mechanism, a shaft-shaped movable member is inserted into a cylindrical fixed member so as to be able to appear and retract, and includes a lock mechanism that restricts movement of the movable member in the fixed member.
The locking mechanism includes a casing member in which the movable member is inserted into a cylindrical main body, and a taper surface or a circular arc surface that is reduced in diameter along a direction in which the movable member is retracted, and the casing member includes the casing member. A plurality of spheres inserted between an inner surface and an outer surface of the movable member; and when the movable member is locked, the spheres are pushed out in a direction in which the movable member is retracted, and the tapered surface or the arc surface and the movable member A first extruding member that is in pressure contact with an outer surface, and a second extruding member that releases the pressure contact state by pushing out the sphere in the moving-out direction of the movable member when unlocking the movable member,
The contact portion that contacts when the first push-out member or the second push-out member pushes out the sphere is defined by a center position of the sphere and a contact position of the sphere that contacts the outer surface of the movable member at the time of locking. Cylinder with lock mechanism, characterized by being set in between. The said casing member is formed with the retraction | saving part connected with the said taper surface or circular arc surface, and retreat | retreating the spherical body of a non-pressure-contact state. Cylinder with locking mechanism as described. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a magnetic spring mechanism in which magnets are arranged opposite to the fixed member and the movable member, and the magnets facing each other are magnetized with different magnetic poles. Cylinder with mechanism.

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