JP7187600B2 - Braking device that can adjust the braking force step by step - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a braking device capable of stepwise adjusting a braking force applied to a rotating body by operating operating means.

For example, when a person with walking difficulty such as an elderly person walks, a walking aid as shown in Patent Document 1 below is used. Casters are provided on the legs of such walking aids, and the user holds onto the walking aids as a support and rolls the rolling elements provided on the casters to walk while pushing the walking aids. . If the walking aid is not provided with any braking force, the walking aid cannot support the user when the user tries to walk while pushing the walking aid, so casters are provided. A required degree of braking force is required for the rolling elements.

As a braking device that applies a braking force to the caster described above, for example, a torque limiter disclosed in Patent Document 2 below can be used. The torque limiter includes an outer ring, an inner ring disposed inside the outer ring and having an outer peripheral surface with a circular cross section, and a coil spring mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and not rotatable with respect to the outer ring. is fixed, the inner ring rotates against the tightening torque of the coil spring, so a braking force is applied to the inner ring due to the tightening torque of the coil spring.

JP 2020-80945 A Japanese Patent No. 3344905

Therefore, the load applied to the walking aid disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, the load applied to the caster varies depending on the weight of the user and the mode of use. Since only the power is set, when the torque limiter shown in Patent Document 2 is used as a braking device for the walking aid shown in Patent Document 1, depending on the user or his usage style, In addition, there is a risk that the walking aid will fall away from the user due to insufficient braking force applied to the casters, or that the walking aid will not move due to excessive braking force applied to the casters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and a main technical problem thereof is to provide a novel braking device capable of stepwise adjustment of braking force.

As a result of intensive studies, the inventor of the present invention has found that a plurality of torque limiters for disconnectably connecting the one-side member and the other-side member that are both rotatable are axially supported inside a fixed housing at intervals in the circumferential direction. A transmission gear that meshes with the rotating gear of the rotating body is provided on the outer peripheral surface of one of the members, and engaging means and engaged means that can be engaged in the circumferential direction are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the other members. The rotation of the other side member is prevented by locking the stopping means and the locking means, and the rotation of the other side member is blocked by displacing the adjusting member provided with the locking means in the axial direction by operating the operating means. By increasing or decreasing the number of, it was found that the above main technical problems can be achieved.

That is, according to the present invention, as a braking device for achieving the above main technical problems, a braking device capable of stepwise adjusting a braking force applied to a rotating body by operating an operation means, comprising:
the rotating body comprises a rotating gear rotatable around a central axis, the rotating gear being housed inside a fixed housing;
The housing further contains a torque limiter for disconnectably connecting the one-side member and the other-side member rotatable together, and an adjustment member axially movable by the operation of the operating means. ,
A plurality of torque limiters are axially supported at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a transmission gear meshing with the rotating gear is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the one-side members, and the adjustment member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the other-side members. locking means provided on the outer peripheral surface and locked means that can be locked in the circumferential direction are provided,
The axial length of one of the locking means and the locked means is equal to or less than the axial length of the other and differs depending on the circumferential position of the other side member, and is locked with the locking means. The braking device is characterized in that rotation of the other side member provided with the locked means is prevented.

Preferably, the engaging means has a plurality of tooth profiles which are set to have different axial lengths depending on the circumferential position of the other side member, and the engaged means has teeth along the entire circumferential direction. It is a gear that It is preferable that the outer peripheral edges of the axial end faces of the locking means and the locked means, which can face each other in the axial direction, are both chamfered. A plurality of engaging grooves extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting member at intervals in the axial direction according to the number of the other side members. It is preferable that an engaging pawl connected to the housing is elastically engaged with one of the engaging grooves. Preferably, the housing is formed with a guide groove extending linearly in the axial direction, and the adjustment member is formed with a guide ridge that is axially movable along the guide groove. Preferably, the torque limiter includes an inner ring arranged inside the cylindrical other-side member, rotating integrally with the one-side member, and having an outer peripheral surface with a circular cross section, and rotating with respect to the other-side member. a coil spring mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring in a disabled state. The operation means includes an operation plate rotatable about the central axis, and an operation shaft extending axially from the center of the operation plate. The adjustment member has a cylindrical shape, and two guides protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface and enter the two operation grooves. A pin is preferably formed. In this case, the housing is provided with a hollow guide portion that extends axially along the central axis and that is fitted with the adjustment member on the outer peripheral surface of the housing. It is preferable that the operating shaft is inserted and a retaining ring is attached to the tip of the operating shaft.

According to the braking device constructed in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of torque limiters that connect the one-side member and the other-side member that are both rotatable in a disconnectable manner are axially supported inside the fixed housing at intervals in the circumferential direction. On the outer peripheral surface of each one-side member, a transmission gear meshing with the rotating gear of the rotating body is provided. The locking means and the locked means that can be locked in the circumferential direction are respectively provided, and the axial length of one of the locking means and the locked means is equal to or less than the axial length of the other and the other side Depending on the position of the member in the circumferential direction, the engagement of the engaged means with the engaging means prevents the rotation of the other side member. Accordingly, by operating the operation means to displace the adjustment member in the axial direction, the number of non-rotatable other-side members increases or decreases. When the rotation of the other-side member is blocked, when the rotating body rotates, the one-side member connected to the other-side member whose rotation is blocked rotates relative to the other-side member. resistive torque is generated. Therefore, if the number of non-rotatable members on the other side increases or decreases by operating the operating means, the resistance torque also increases or decreases, so that the braking force can be adjusted in stages according to the usage conditions.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the braking device comprised according to this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; The figure which shows the rotating body of the braking device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a housing of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a torque limiter of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 shows an adjusting member of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; The figure which shows the operation means of the braking device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the braking device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the braking device shown in FIG. 1;

A more detailed description will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of a braking device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a braking device constructed in accordance with the invention and designated generally by the numeral 2 comprises a rotating body 4. As shown in FIG. Unless otherwise specified, "one side in the axial direction" and "other side in the axial direction" in the following description are based on the state shown in the AA cross section of FIG. The left side and "the other side in the axial direction" refer to the right side in the figure.

Referring to FIG. 3 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating body 4 is made of synthetic resin and has a rotating gear 6 rotatable around a central axis o. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary gear 6 is an internal gear and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical rotary outer peripheral wall 8 . One axial end of the rotating outer wall 8 is closed by a rotating end plate 10 . A non-circular connection recess 12 is formed in the center of one axial side surface of the rotary end plate 10, and a cylindrical auxiliary wall 14 is formed surrounding the outer peripheral edge of the connection recess 12 and extending in one axial direction. It is The rotary gear 6 can rotate around the central axis o by connecting the rotor 4 to an external device via the connection recess 12 . An annular projection 16 is also formed on the outside of the auxiliary wall 14 and slightly protrudes to one side in the axial direction in order to reduce the contact area with a shield plate 26, which will be described later. An annular concave portion 18 is formed in the central portion of the other axial side surface of the rotary end plate 10 , and a circular convex portion 20 is formed inside the concave portion 18 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating gear 6 of the rotating body 4 is housed inside a stationary housing 22 . 4 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 22 is made of synthetic resin and has a cup-shaped housing body 24 with one axial end open and a housing body 24 open axially. and a shield plate 26 that closes one end.

Mainly referring to FIG. 4, the housing body 24 has a circular housing end plate 28 which is perpendicular to the central axis o and arranged on the other side of the rotating body 4 in the axial direction, and a housing end plate. and a cylindrical housing outer wall 30 extending from the outer periphery of the housing 28 toward one side in the axial direction. A circular through-hole 32 is formed in the center of the housing end plate 28, and a hollow guide portion 34 surrounds the outer peripheral edge of the through-hole 32 and extends in one axial direction on one side surface of the housing end plate 28 in the axial direction. is established. The guide portion 34 is composed of a one-side guide portion 34a surrounding one half of the outer peripheral edge of the through hole 32 and another side guide portion 34b surrounding the other half of the outer peripheral edge of the through hole 32. A pair of guide paths 36 extending linearly in the axial direction are defined between the guide portion 34a and the other side guide portion 34b. As shown in the enlarged view of section X in FIG. 4, each of the pair of guide paths 36 is defined on both sides in the diametrical direction. Both the one-side guide portion 34a and the other-side guide portion 34b have a substantially arcuate cross-section, and two guide shallow grooves 38 extending linearly in the axial direction are formed in the respective outer peripheral surfaces. Approximately semicircular intermediate walls 40 that stand radially inward are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the distal end portions of the one-side guide portion 34a and the other-side guide portion 34b. The intermediate walls 40 of the one-side guide portion 34a and the other-side guide portion 34b are aligned in the axial direction, and the radial end surfaces of the intermediate walls 40 face each other with a gap therebetween. A small concave groove 42 having an arcuate cross section extending in the axial direction is formed in the center of the radial end face of each intermediate wall 40 .

Three support shafts 44a to 44c are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction at a radially intermediate portion of one side surface of the housing end plate 28 in the axial direction. The support shafts 44a to 44c each support a torque limiter 66, which will be mentioned later. Two raised portions 46 each having a substantially fan shape when viewed in the axial direction are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on one side surface in the axial direction of the housing end plate 28 at a radially intermediate portion or an outer peripheral portion thereof. The protuberances 46 are arranged between the support shafts 44a and 44b and between the support shafts 44a and 44c in the circumferential direction. An outer circumference relief portion 48 is formed with a reduced axial height for the rotation gear 6 to pass through. Guide grooves 50 extending linearly in the axial direction are formed on the radially inner side surfaces of the two raised portions 46 . The guide groove 50 is formed by locally increasing the inner diameter of the raised portion 46 . Three small through holes 52 are formed in the radially intermediate portion of the housing end plate 28 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. It is fixed to a non-fixed wall or the like. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 4, two of the three small through holes 52 are provided in the radially inner portions of the two protuberances 46 (portions where the outer peripheral relief portions 48 are not formed). Between the guide portion 34 and the small through holes 52 that are not formed in the raised portion 46 among the three small through holes 52 described above and which are radially intermediate portions on one side surface in the axial direction of the housing end plate 28, there is an axial An upright wall 54 in the shape of a rectangular plate is provided, and an engaging claw 56 that protrudes radially inward is formed on the radially inner surface of the leading end of the upright wall 54 . A rectangular through-hole 58 is formed radially inward of the base edge of the upright wall 54. This through-hole 58 is formed for the purpose of forming the engaging claw 56. As shown in FIG. An annular groove 60 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the extending end (one axial end) of the housing outer peripheral wall 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shield plate 26 is circular and has a circular central hole 62 formed in the center thereof for rotatably supporting the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary wall 14 of the rotor 4 . An annular ridge 64 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shield plate 26 and extends continuously in the circumferential direction. It is attached to the housing body 24 .

As shown in FIG. 1, inside the housing 22 described above, a torque limiter 66 and an adjusting member 68 are housed together with the rotary gear 6. As shown in FIG. The torque limiters 66 connect the one-side member 70 and the other-side member 72 which are both rotatable in a disconnectable manner, and are arranged in plurality at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, three torque limiters 66 are supported by three support shafts 44a to 44c provided on the housing 22, respectively. All three torque limiters 66 have the same configuration. 2 and 5 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the torque limiter 66 also includes an inner ring 74, a coil spring 76 and a shield 78. As shown in FIG.

The one-side member 70 has a tubular shape made of synthetic resin, and a transmission gear 80 that meshes with the rotating gear 6 of the rotating body 4 is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The cross section of the inner peripheral surface of the one-side member 70 is generally circular, and two connection pins 82 protruding radially inward are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the one-side member 70 on both sides in the diametrical direction. . Both of the two connection pins 82 are positioned slightly displaced from the center in the axial direction to the other side in the axial direction, and have a rectangular cross section. Annular ridges 84 are also formed on both axial end surfaces of the one-side member 70 to reduce the contact area with other axially adjacent members (that is, the rotating body 4 and the shield 78).

The inner ring 74 is a cylindrical member made of metal and having a circular cross section. Bearing portions 88a and 88b are provided which are somewhat reduced in diameter. The bearing portion 88a located on one axial side of the inner ring main portion 86 is longer in axial length than the bearing portion 88b located on the other axial side. Two notches 90 are formed on both diametrically opposite sides which are open at the bottom. The two connection pins 82 of the one-side member 70 enter the two notches 90 and lock in the circumferential direction, so that the inner ring 74 can rotate integrally with the one-side member 70 .

The coil spring 76 is formed by winding a metal wire rod having a circular cross section. and a pair of hook portions 94 extending toward. The spring main portion 92 is circular when viewed in the axial direction, and has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring main portion 86 in a free state, that is, in a state in which no external force is applied to the coil spring 76 . Therefore, the coil spring 76 is attached to the inner ring 74 with the inner peripheral surface of the spring main portion 92 tightening the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring main portion 86 .

The other side member 72 has a tubular shape made of synthetic resin, and an inner ring 74 having a coil spring 76 mounted therein is inserted therein. The cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the other side member 72 is generally circular, and three hook grooves 96 into which the hook portions 94 of the coil spring 76 can enter are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. All three hook grooves 96 extend linearly in the axial direction, and two hook portions 94 enter two of the three hook grooves 96, respectively, so that the coil spring 76 is attached to the other side member 72. It becomes impossible to rotate against it. Here, in the illustrated embodiment, even when the inner ring 74 (that is, the one-side member 70 to which it is connected) and the other-side member 72 tend to rotate relative to each other in either direction, the two hook grooves Either of the two hook portions 94 entering each of the hook grooves 96 is pushed by the other side member 72 in the loosening direction of the spring, and the torque limiter 66 acts as a bidirectional torque limiter. An annular fitting recessed groove 98 extending continuously in the circumferential direction is formed at one end in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the other side member 72 . An annular shaft holding portion 100 for relatively rotatably supporting the bearing portion 88b of the inner ring 74 is also formed at the other axial end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the other side member 72 . The outer peripheral surface of the other side member 72 is provided with locking means (teeth 116a to 116c) described later and locked means capable of being locked in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaged means is a gear 102 having teeth along the entire circumferential direction, and the gear 102 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the other side member 72 except for one end in the axial direction. there is The outer peripheral edge of one axial end face of gear 102 is chamfered, and numeral 104 indicates the chamfered portion.

The shield 78 is made of synthetic resin and closes one axial end of the other side member 72 in a state in which the inner ring 74 with the coil spring 76 mounted thereon is inserted inside the other side member 72 . The shield 78 has a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction, and a shaft hole 106 is formed in the center thereof for relatively rotatably supporting the bearing portion 88a of the inner ring 74 . On the other side in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the shield 78 that defines the shaft hole 106, there is an annular relief portion 108 whose inner diameter is locally increased in order to reduce the contact area with the bearing portion 88a of the inner ring 74. is also formed. A truncated conical restricting ridge 110 is formed on the other axial side surface of the shield 78 so as to surround the outside of the outer peripheral edge of the shaft hole 106 and protrude to the other axial side. As shown, the restricting protrusion 110 enters between the inner peripheral surface of the other side member 72 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring main portion 86 to restrict the coil spring 76 from moving to one side in the axial direction. Movement of the coil spring 76 to the other side in the axial direction is restricted by the shaft holding portion 100 of the other side member 72 . A ring-shaped fitting ridge 112 extending continuously in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shield 78 . Thus, the shield 78 is attached to the other side member 72 .

6 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustment member 68 is made of synthetic resin and arranged in the center of the housing 22. A gear 102 (covered) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the other side member 72. (locking means) and locking means that can be locked in the circumferential direction are provided. In the AA sectional view of FIG. 1 (the same applies to FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4), the adjustment member 68 is marked with light ink for easy understanding. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment member 68 includes a cylindrical adjustment barrel wall 114, the locking means being formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment barrel wall 114 and spaced apart in the circumferential direction. It consists of two tooth molds 116a to 116c. The teeth of the three tooth types 116a to 116c are all composed of a plurality of external teeth having the same module and the same pitch (4 teeth for the tooth type 116a, and 3 teeth for the tooth types 116b and 116c). , the axial length of each tooth type is different. As can be understood by referring to the developed view of the outer peripheral surface in FIG. 6, the three tooth dies 116a to 116c all extend from one axial end of the adjusting cylinder wall 114 toward the other axial end (see FIG. 6). , the lower side is on one side in the axial direction and the upper side is on the other side in the axial direction). The extending end faces of the teeth 116a to 116c, ie, the outer peripheral edge portions of the end faces on the other side in the axial direction are chamfered. On the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting cylinder wall 114, axially linear gaps are formed between the circumferentially adjacent tooth molds 116a and 116b and between the circumferentially adjacent tooth molds 116a and 116c. An extending guide ridge 120 is formed. A plurality of engagement grooves 122 extending in the circumferential direction are provided between the circumferentially adjacent tooth molds 116b and 116c on the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting cylinder wall 114 according to the number of the other side members 72 (the embodiment shown in the drawing). In the form four) are axially spaced apart. Four guide ridges 124 linearly extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adjusting cylinder wall 114 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, two guide pins 126 protruding radially inward are provided on both sides in the diametrical direction of the inner peripheral surface of the adjusting cylinder wall 114 . The cross-sectional shapes of the two guide pins 126 are both circular. As shown in the BB cross-sectional view of FIG. Four small guide ridges 124 are formed in the formed guide groove 50. Two guide pins 126 are formed in each of the four guide shallow grooves 38 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 34, one side guide portion 34a and the other side guide portion 34a. It is fitted in a pair of guideways 36 defined by portions 34b and is axially movable within housing 22 without rotation.

The adjustment member 68 described above is combined with an operating means indicated generally by numeral 128, and can be moved axially within the housing 22 by operating this. 7 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation means 128 is made of synthetic resin, and includes an operation plate 130 rotatable around a central axis o, and one side of the operation plate 130 in the axial direction. and an operating shaft 132 extending to the The operation plate 130 is arranged outside the housing 22, and has a circular shape as a whole, but a plurality of concave portions 134 are repeatedly formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof at intervals in the circumferential direction. The operating shaft 132 passes through the through-hole 32 of the housing 22 from its proximal end connected to the operating plate 130 and enters inside the hollow guide portion 34 provided in the housing 22 . The operation shaft 132 has a large-diameter base end portion 136 connected to the operation plate 130 , a medium-diameter intermediate portion 138 extending from one axial end of the large-diameter base end portion 136 to one axial side, and a shaft of the medium-diameter intermediate portion 138 . and a small-diameter extension end portion 140 extending from the one-side end in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the boundary portion between the large-diameter base end portion 136 and the operation plate 130 is gradually increased from the large-diameter base end portion 136 toward the operation plate 130 . The large-diameter proximal end portion 136 is arranged outside the housing 22 similarly to the operation plate 130 , and the shoulder surface 141 defined at the boundary between the large-diameter proximal end portion 136 and the medium-diameter intermediate portion 138 is the housing end plate 28 . It faces the other side in the axial direction. The medium diameter intermediate portion 138 is located inside the hollow guide portion 34 . The medium-diameter intermediate portion 138 has a circular cross-sectional shape as a whole, and two operation grooves 142 spirally extending from one end in the axial direction toward the other side in the axial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface. As understood by referring to the left view of FIG. 7(a) and the partially enlarged view of FIG. Indicated at 144 . Further, as can be understood by referring to the AA to CC sectional views of FIG. 7(a), the two operating grooves 142 are arranged at an angular interval of 180 degrees. The small-diameter extending end portion 140 passes through the small concave groove 42 provided in the intermediate wall 40 of each of the one-side guide portion 34 a and the other-side guide portion 34 b , and the extended end faces the convex portion 20 of the rotating body 4 . An annular mounting groove 146 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter extension end portion 140 .

A retainer ring 148 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter extension end portion 140 inside the guide portion 34 so that the operation means 128 is prevented from coming off from the housing 22, that is, in the axial direction with respect to the housing 22. is combined with the housing 22 in a state in which the movement of is restricted. The retainer ring 148 is also made of synthetic resin, and has an annular mounting ridge 150 that fits into the mounting groove 146 on its inner peripheral surface. An annular protrusion 152 is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the other side end surface of the retainer ring 148 in the axial direction. contact area is reduced. The retainer ring 148 is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the intermediate walls 40 of the one-side guide portion 34a and the other-side guide portion 34b and the protrusion 20 of the rotating body 4. As shown in FIG.

Further describing the operating means 128, the operating means 128 is combined with the housing 22 in a state in which the adjusting member 68 is previously fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 34 (of the housing 22). In other words, the two guide pins 126 provided on the adjustment member 68 enter the pair of guide paths 36 provided on the guide portion 34, respectively, and when the operating means 128 is combined with the housing 22, the operating means 128 is formed with two guide pins 126. The two guide pins 126 formed in the adjustment member 68 are aligned with the two guide pins 126 formed on the adjusting member 68, and the two guide pins 126 are positioned at the inlets 144 of the two guide grooves 142, as shown in FIG. It is in the state shown in the AA cross section of (FIG. 8-1). Here, since the rotation of the adjustment member 68 with respect to the housing 22 is restricted by the engagement of the guide pin 126 and the guide path 36, the operation means 128 is operated from the state shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 8-1). When the outer peripheral surface of the operation plate 130 is gripped and rotated counterclockwise as seen from the right side of the cross-sectional view, each of the two guide pins 126 moves along the two operation grooves 142 formed in the operation shaft 132. , and the adjustment member 68 moves axially to the other side within the housing 22 . Such operation of the adjustment member 68 utilizes the operation principle of a so-called screw conveyor (sometimes called an Archimedes screw, an Archimedes pump, a screw pump, or an Archimedes spiral, etc.).

Next, operation of the braking device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4.
In the state shown in FIG. 8-1, the adjustment member 68 is positioned on one side in the axial direction within the housing 22, as shown in the AA cross-sectional view of FIG. 8-1. At this time, as shown in the CC cross-sectional view, none of the teeth 116a to 116c of the adjustment member 68 are engaged with any of the gears 102 of the three other-side members 72, and all the other-side members 72 is rotatable within housing 22 . Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates in the state shown in FIG. The gear 6 idles, that is, the rotating body 4 rotates with substantially no load.

From the state shown in FIG. 8-1, the operation means 128 is operated, that is, the operation plate 130 is rotated counterclockwise (as viewed from the right side of the AA cross section) to move the adjustment member 68 to the other side in the axial direction, Of the three tooth forms 116a to 116c formed on the adjusting member 68, only the tooth form 116a with the longest axial length engages with the gear 102 of the other side member 72, but the tooth form 116a is axially longer than the tooth form 116a. The short teeth 116b and 116c are shown disengaged from the gear 102 in FIG. 8-2. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 8-2, only the other side member 72 having the gear 102 engaged with the tooth profile 116a is prevented from rotating, and the other side member 72 is connected via the torque limiter 66. The one-side member 70 rotates against the tightening force of a coil spring 76 mounted on the outer peripheral surface of an inner ring 74 that rotates integrally therewith. Such an operation, that is, the operation in which the one-side member 70 rotates against the required resistance torque such as the tightening force of the coil spring 76, is called "torque limiter action" in the present application. Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates in the state shown in FIG. 8B, braking force corresponding to one coil spring 76 is applied to the rotating body 4 .

8-2, the operating means 128 is further operated to engage the gear 102 of the other side member 72 together with the tooth 116a of the adjusting member 68 and the tooth 116b having the second longest axial length after the tooth 116a. However, FIG. 8-3 shows a state in which the tooth profile 116c, which is shorter in axial length than the tooth profile 116b, does not engage with the gear 102. As shown in FIG. The gear 102 engaged by tooth profile 116a is different from the gear 102 engaged by tooth profile 116b, thus preventing rotation of two different other side members 72 in the state shown in FIG. 8-3. . Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates in the state shown in FIG. 8-3, the braking force of two coil springs 76 is applied to the rotating body 4 for the reason described above.

By further operating the operating means 128 from the state shown in FIG. 8-3, the teeth 116a and 116b of the adjusting member 68 as well as the tooth 116c with the shortest axial length are engaged with the gear 102 of the other side member 72. is shown in Figure 8-4. The gear 102 engaged by tooth 116c is different from the gear 102 engaged by tooth 116a and the gear 102 engaged by tooth 116b; Rotation of the side member 72 is prevented. Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates in the state shown in FIG. 8-4, a braking force equivalent to three coil springs 76 is applied to the rotating body 4 for the reason described above. If the operating means 128 is operated to the opposite side from the state shown in FIG. 8-4, that is, if the operating plate 130 of the operating means 128 is rotated clockwise (as viewed from the right side of the AA section), the state shown in FIG. 8-4 is obtained. The state can be changed step by step to the state shown in FIG. 8-1. In the illustrated embodiment, the torque limiter 66 is a bi-directional torque limiter. Therefore, in the states shown in FIGS. Even so, a braking force is applied to the rotor 4 by the coil spring 76 .

Therefore, according to the braking device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the torque limiters 66, which detachably connect the rotatable side members 70 and 72, are circumferentially spaced inside the stationary housing 22. A transmission gear 80 meshing with the rotating gear 6 of the rotating body 4 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the one-side members 70, and a transmission gear 80 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the other-side members 72 by operation of the operating means 128. Tooth profiles 116a to 116c (locking means) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting member 68 movable in the direction of rotation and a gear 102 (locked means) that can be locked in the circumferential direction are provided, respectively. The axial length of one of the locking means is equal to or less than the axial length of the other and varies depending on the circumferential position of the other side member 72. Rotation of the side member 72 is prevented. Accordingly, by operating the operating means 128 to displace the adjusting member 68 in the axial direction, the number of the non-rotatable other side members 72 increases or decreases. When the rotation of the other-side member 72 is blocked, the one-side member 70 connected to the other-side member 72 whose rotation is blocked rotates relative to the other-side member 72 when the rotor 4 rotates. A resistance torque is generated in the one-side member 70 by the action of . Therefore, if the number of the non-rotatable other side members 72 is increased or decreased by operating the operating means 128, the resistance torque is also increased or decreased, so that the braking force can be adjusted stepwise according to the usage conditions.

In the illustrated embodiment, chamfers 118 and 104 are provided on the outer peripheral edges of the axial end faces of tooth forms 116a to 116c (locking means) and gear 102 (locked means), which can face each other in the axial direction. Therefore, when the adjustment member 68 is displaced in the axial direction, the teeth 116a to 116c and the gear 102 can be smoothly engaged. A plurality of engaging grooves 122 extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting member 68 at intervals in the axial direction according to the number of the other side members 72 . Accordingly, the engaging pawl 56 connected to the housing 22 is elastically engaged with one of the plurality of engaging grooves 122, so that the axial position of the adjusting member 68, that is, the other side where the adjusting member 68 prevents rotation. The number of members 72 can be easily grasped.

Although the braking device constructed according to the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified and modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Change is possible. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the torque limiter is of the type using a coil spring, but the torque limiter may be of any type using a ring spring, leaf spring, tolerance ring, or the like. Further, the torque limiter of the illustrated embodiment is a so-called bi-directional torque limiter, and the one-side member and the other-side member to which it is connected are rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. It is also possible to make the member and the other side member rotatable relative to each other only in one of the forward and reverse directions, that is, the torque limiter can be a one-way torque limiter. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the operating means 128 utilizes the principle of a so-called screw conveyor, and by rotating the operating plate 130, the operating means 128 as a whole does not displace in the axial direction, and only the adjusting member 68 moves toward the housing 22. However, it is also possible to move the adjusting member axially by integrating the operating means with the adjusting member and displacing the entire operating member in the axial direction. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the engaging means has a tooth profile set so that the length in the axial direction varies depending on the position of the other side member, and the engaged means has teeth along the entire circumferential direction. Although it was a gear, the axial length of the tooth profile of the locking means is constant regardless of the position of the other side member, and the axial length of the gear of the locked means is made different depending on the position of the other side member. May be set. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary gear is an internal gear, but the rotary gear can also be an external gear such as a sun gear. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of torque limiters all have the same characteristics, but each characteristic, such as the tightening force of the coil spring, may be changed.

2: Braking Device 4: Rotating Body 6: Rotating Gear 22: Housing 66: Torque Limiter 68: Adjusting Member 70: One Side Member 72: Other Side Member 80: Transmission Gear 102: Gear (Locked Means)
116a to 116c: tooth mold (locking means)
128: Operating means

Claims (8)

A braking device capable of stepwise adjusting a braking force applied to a rotating body by operating an operation means,
the rotating body comprises a rotating gear rotatable around a central axis, the rotating gear being housed inside a fixed housing;
The housing further contains a torque limiter for disconnectably connecting the one-side member and the other-side member rotatable together, and an adjustment member axially movable by the operation of the operating means. ,
A plurality of torque limiters are axially supported at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a transmission gear meshing with the rotating gear is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the one-side members, and the adjustment member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the other-side members. locking means provided on the outer peripheral surface and locked means that can be locked in the circumferential direction are provided,
The axial length of one of the locking means and the locked means is equal to or less than the axial length of the other and differs depending on the circumferential position of the other side member, and is locked with the locking means. A braking device, wherein the rotation of the other side member provided with the locked means is prevented. The locking means has a plurality of tooth profiles whose length in the axial direction is set to differ according to the circumferential position of the other side member, and the locked means is a gear having teeth along the entire circumferential direction. 2. The braking device of claim 1, wherein a. 3. The braking device according to claim 1, wherein outer peripheral edges of axial end surfaces of said locking means and said locked means, which can face each other in the axial direction, are both chamfered. A plurality of engaging grooves extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adjusting member at intervals in the axial direction according to the number of the other side members. 4. The braking device according to claim 1, wherein an engaging pawl connected to said housing is elastically engaged with one of said engaging grooves of said housing. 2. The housing is formed with a guide groove extending linearly in the axial direction, and the adjustment member is formed with a guide ridge that is axially movable along the guide groove. 5. The braking device according to any one of 4. The torque limiter has an inner ring arranged inside the tubular other-side member, rotates integrally with the one-side member, and has an outer peripheral surface with a circular cross section, and a state in which it cannot rotate with respect to the other-side member. 6. The braking device according to claim 1, further comprising a coil spring mounted on said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring. The operation means includes an operation plate rotatable about the central axis, and an operation shaft extending axially from the center of the operation plate. The adjustment member has a cylindrical shape, and two guides protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface and enter the two operation grooves. 7. A braking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pin is formed. The housing is provided with a hollow guide portion extending axially along the central axis and erected on the outer peripheral surface thereof, into which the adjustment member is fitted, and the operation shaft is inserted inside the guide portion. 8. The braking device according to claim 7, wherein a retainer ring is attached to the tip of said operating shaft.

Images