JPH0567803B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an actuator using an ejector effect.

Technical background of the invention and its problems An example of an object to be applied that slides while abutting against a certain surface with a constant pressure and exerting a suction action along the surface is a wiper for cleaning window glass. . One of the conditions imposed on this type of actuator is that the actuated object is pressed against the window pane in such a way that the function (cleaning function) and sliding movement of the actuated object are not hindered.

However, conventional actuators have a structure in which an output shaft that is operated mechanically or electrically moves the object to be actuated back and forth, and presses the object directly against the cleaning surface. Therefore, even if there is an obstacle on the surface to be cleaned (window glass surface), the pressing force cannot be changed according to the uneven shape of the surface, so if the object to be cleaned gets caught on the obstacle, the sliding action will stop. However, in the worst case, an accident may occur in which the workpiece is damaged.

On the other hand, the cleaning function that sucks the air from the surface to be cleaned along with the cleaning water is formed by a completely separate mechanism from the actuator, which not only increases the size of the wiper as a whole and increases the manufacturing cost.
Even when the sliding action is stopped as described above, the wasteful cleaning action continues. In order to prevent this, complicated control means are required, which is furthermore expensive and impractical.

Purpose of the invention The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and
One negative pressure energy can provide two physical actions, namely a suction action by the object to be applied and a pressing action to bring the object to be cleaned against the surface to be cleaned. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an actuator with a simple structure and low cost, which does not need to be installed separately from the actuator and can always press an actuated object with a constant force not only on smooth surfaces but also on surfaces with obstacles. do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an actuator that reliably transmits energy to an actuated object and prevents accidental stoppage of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, an actuator according to the present invention includes a cylinder having a communication port for generating negative pressure facing into a wind guide duct through which working fluid flows, and an opening into which external fluid flows. The piston fitted in the cylinder is sucked toward the communication port based on the negative pressure, and the piston is provided with a valve function to direct external fluid from the object to the air guide. It is designed to be sucked into a duct. Further, the present invention is configured to generate a force superimposed on the force with which the piston is attracted by another cylinder.

Embodiments of the Invention The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a principle configuration diagram of an actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing main parts of FIG. 1 in detail, and FIGS.
The figure shows a cleaning device according to an example of use of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are operation explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the cleaning device and the actuator.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an air guiding duct 3, which has an air blowing means 2 such as an air blower connected to one end side to allow high-speed fluid to flow; A cylinder 4 disposed on the side surface of this duct 3, a piston 5 slidably provided within this cylinder 4, and this piston 5.
The output shaft 6 is connected to the output shaft 6.

A metal bush 7, for example, for pivotally supporting the output shaft 6 is attached to the front portion of the cylinder 4 from which the output shaft 6 projects. This bushing 7 reliably maintains airtightness within the cylinder 4 and prevents any hindrance to the sliding movement of the output shaft 6. Further, an opening 8 communicating with the outside is formed in one side of the front side of the cylinder 4. Furthermore, communication ports 9 and 10 are formed in the rear and rear side portions of the cylinder 4 on the end and side faces facing into the air guiding duct 3. A plurality of the side communication ports 10 (for example, four at 90° intervals) are formed.

Further, the cylinder 4 has a flange portion 11 formed on the outer circumferential side surface slightly rearward of the intermediate portion. The rear side separated by the flange portion 11 is engaged with the air guide duct 3, and the end face and side communication ports 9, 10 are configured to face the air guide duct 3. The cylinder 4 is attached to the side surface of the air guide duct 3 by bolts 12 at the flange portion 11.

On the other hand, the piston 5 has a conical front end, and is integrated with the output shaft 6 through a spring pin 13 inserted into the output shaft 6 from its tapered front end. The rear end portion of this output shaft 6 slightly protrudes from the piston 5, and a male screw 14 is formed in this protrusion. A nut 16 is fastened to this male screw 14 via a washer 15, and the piston 5 is firmly fixed by these washer 15 and nut 16.

Further, the piston 5 blocks the opening 8 from the end face and side communication ports 9 and 10 and the air guiding duct 3 at a front side position (hereinafter referred to as a first position) within the cylinder 4 . On the other hand, when the piston 5 is located on the rear side (hereinafter referred to as the second position), the conical surface 5 ₁ is located at the side communication port 1
0 (see imaginary line in FIG. 2), the opening 8 is communicated with the wind guide duct 3. Further, in this second position, the piston 5 is stopped by a stopper 17 formed on the rear end surface of the cylinder 4.

Next, an example in which the actuator 1 as described above is applied to a cleaning device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. This cleaning device has a structure in which a suction hood for suctioning and removing deposits adhering to surfaces to be cleaned such as window glass surfaces is rotatably supported in close proximity to the surface to be cleaned. Explain in detail.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the same members as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. code 2
1 and 21 are brackets, and 22 is a support rod, and this support rod 22 is connected to the bracket 21 via bolts 23 and 23. However, this support rod 22 has elongated holes 24, 24 formed therein, and can be slid back and forth by loosening the bolts 23, 23.

Further, a fixed shaft 26 of a rotating support 25 is fixed to the tip 22 ₁ of the support rod 22, and the rotating side surface of the rotating support 25 is attached to a suction hood 27, which is an object to be operated, by means of welding or the like. is connected to the back of the

This suction hood 27 is a long object that tapers from the back surface to the tip, and a slit-shaped suction port 28 is formed at the tip. This suction port 2
A pair of elastic bodies 29 and 30 are bonded to both sides of the elastic body 8. Further, a biasing force in the A direction is applied to the suction hood 27 by the return means 31 so as to separate it from the surface to be cleaned. This return means 31 utilizes the torsional force of a coil spring 31 ₁ , and one end of the coil spring 31 ₁ is fixed to the suction hood 27 , and the other end is fixed to a core rod 31 ₂ fixed to the support rod 22 . ing.

Further, reference numeral 32 is a flexible pipe, and one end of this pipe 32 is connected to the opening 8 of the cylinder 4, and the other end is connected to a through hole 27 formed in one side of the suction hood 27.
Connected to ₁ .

On the other hand, the output shaft 6 of the actuator 1 is connected to one side of the suction hood 27 via a wire 33. That is, in this case, the wire 33
is connected to the side surface 27 ₂ (see FIG. 6) of the suction hood 27 facing the surface to be cleaned 34 such as a glass window.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator 1 of the present invention applied to the above cleaning device retracts its output shaft 6 when the suction hood 27 cleans the surface to be cleaned 34, By pulling the wire 33, the suction hood 27 can be brought into contact with the surface to be cleaned 34.

First, FIG. 5 shows the operation of the actuator 1, in which the piston 5 is in the first position as shown in a due to the biasing force of the return means 31, and the output shaft 6 is made to protrude the most. Next, when the blowing means 2 is operated to generate air flow in the duct 3 in the direction B, for example, negative pressure is generated on the cylinder 4 side near the end face and side communication ports 9 and 10 due to the eject effect. . This negative pressure is transmitted throughout the cylinder 4, and as a result, the piston 5 is drawn toward the end face and the side communication port as shown in b, and the output shaft 6 can be retracted. This output shaft 6 is connected to the side surface 272 of the suction hood 27 facing the surface to be cleaned ₃₄ via the wire 33, so that the suction hood 27 can be rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG. This means that the suction port 28 of the hood 27 is brought into contact with the surface to be cleaned 34 from an oblique direction.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 5b, the conical surface ₅₁ of the piston 5 faces the side communication port 10, thereby generating negative pressure near the side communication port 10. This negative pressure is sucked from inside the cylinder by the suction hood 27.
This is transmitted to the suction port 28 of the suction hood 27, and the suction port 28 starts a suction action. Arrow E indicates the air flow at this time.

The piston 5 receives wind pressure due to this flow, and the second position shown in FIG. 5c is guaranteed not only by the effect of the negative pressure but also by the wind pressure. Further, in the state shown in FIG. 5b or c, the airflow of the duct 3 presses the conical surface ₅₁ of the piston 5, so that the piston 5 can be held in the second position more reliably.

More specifically, the piston 5 is moved from the first position to the second position by the working fluid flowing through the air guiding duct 3. This movement causes the output shaft 6 of the piston 5 to retract, and the suction port 28 of the suction hood 27, which is linked to the output shaft 6 via the wire 33, comes into contact with the glass surface that is the surface to be cleaned. In this second position, the piston 5 opens a side flow opening 10 provided in the cylinder 4 and generates a negative pressure in the cylinder 4 through this flow opening 10, which is caused to flow through the opening 8. A suction force is applied to the suction hood 27. In addition, this suction force moves the piston 5 further toward the flow port side, expands the opening area of the flow port 10, strengthens the suction power to the surface to be cleaned, and increases the suction hood 2.
7 firmly against the surface to be cleaned and perform suction.

When the actuator 1 of the present invention is used in this way, the working fluid in the air guide duct 3 brings the suction hood 27 into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and the suction hood 27 is brought into contact with the surface to be cleaned. It can simultaneously perform the action of suctioning air and water droplets from the cleaning surface.

In this way, the actuator 1 of this embodiment is
Since not only the suction force due to the negative pressure generated by the working fluid but also the collision pressure of the external fluid and the working fluid are utilized, the reliability of the actuator function is increased.

Although the working fluid is generated in the direction B by the blower, it may be generated in the opposite direction by a means such as a vacuum pump that sucks air inside the duct 3 and discharges it to the outside.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device is as follows. Cleaning equipment usually uses a combination of chemicals or water;
Prior to suction by the suction hood 27, cleaning chemicals or water are sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view seen from above in FIG.
The state shown by the imaginary line shows the positional relationship of each member when the blowing means 2 is not operating, and the state shown by the solid line shows the state when the blowing means 2 is operating. That is, the state shown by the imaginary line corresponds to FIG. 5a, and the state shown by the solid line corresponds to FIG. 5c. Further, the direction of arrow D indicates the direction in which the cleaning device is moved.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the action of the actuator 1 causes the suction hood 27 to rotate in the C direction about the fulcrum P of the rotation support 25. The suction hood 27 has elastic bodies 29 and 30 attached to the surface to be cleaned 34.
The suction action starts in almost the same way as when the water hits the surface (the opening 8 and the side communication port 10 communicate with each other), and the water adhering to the surface 34 to be cleaned is suddenly attracted to the surface 34 to be cleaned. The membrane 35 and other deposits can be sucked into the duct 3. In addition,
When the blowing means 2 is stopped, the suction hood 27 returns to the state shown by the imaginary line by the restoring force A of the coil spring 31 ₁ of the return means 31.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 7 is a basic configuration diagram, FIG. 8 is an enlarged partially cutaway sectional view of the main part, and FIG. 9 is an operation diagram. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining.

In each figure, the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the reference numeral 41 indicates an actuator according to the present embodiment. In this actuator 41, a second cylinder 43 is arranged to face a first cylinder 42, which corresponds to the cylinder 4 of the previous embodiment, through an air guide duct 3 so that the front and rear directions thereof are the same. The first and second pistons 44 and 45 of each cylinder 42 and 43 share an output shaft 46 and are connected to each other. Further, the second cylinder 43 is communicated with the air guide duct 3 via a connecting pipe 47 from the rear side (the side opposite to the end surface connected to the duct 3).

In detail, the first cylinder 42 has almost the same configuration as the first embodiment, and includes an end communication port 48 and a side communication port 49 installed facing into the duct 3, and an opening 50 communicating with the outside. A flange portion 51 is provided on the outer peripheral surface, and a metal bushing 52 is provided on the front end surface. However, as is clear from FIG. 8, the first piston 44 is stopped at a position that blocks the opening 50 from the duct 3. This is because it is regulated by the stroke amount of the second piston 45, which will be described later.

On the other hand, the second cylinder 43 has a flange portion 54 formed along the front end surface. Then, this flange portion 54 is brought into contact with the duct 3, and the bolt 55
It is fixed at. In addition, the second cylinder 43
is a communication port 5 for generating negative pressure on the rear end surface.
6 is formed. A connector member 57 of the connecting pipe 47 is fastened to the communication port 56, and the second
The inside of the cylinder 43 is communicated with the duct 3 through the connector member 57 and the connecting pipe 47.

Further, the second cylinder 43 has an opening 58 formed in its front side surface to communicate with the outside. This opening 58 opens the second
When the piston 45 is located at the front side (hereinafter referred to as the first position), it is completely closed.

Furthermore, the first and second cylinders 42, 43
The first and second pistons 44 and 45 are connected using a common connection method using an output shaft 46. That is, one end of this output shaft 46 passes through the first cylinder 42 and projects into the second cylinder 43, and a male screw 61 is formed at the tip of this projection. The output shaft 46 is supported within the second cylinder 43 by a bush 62 and connected to the second piston 45 by a spring pin 63. This second piston 45 has a washer 6 inserted into the male screw 61.
4 and a nut 65 from behind. Further, the other end of the output shaft 46 is connected to the first cylinder 42.
Inside, it is connected to the first piston 44 by a spring pin 60, and further extends through the bush 52 and projects to the outside to be connected to an actuated body (not shown).

The actuator 41 having the above configuration is the ninth
Perform the actions shown in the figure.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 5,
The actuator of the suction hood 27 will be explained as in the first embodiment. First, the state shown in FIG. 9a is ensured by the force of the return means 31. When air moves in the duct 3 (direction B), for the same reason as in the previous embodiment, the connection port near each communication port 48, 49 of the first cylinder 42 and the connection port of the connecting pipe 47 with the duct 3 Negative pressure is generated near 67.

Among these negative pressures, the negative pressure of the counter-guiding duct connection port 67 of the connecting pipe 47 is the negative pressure of the second cylinder 4.
It is transmitted from the communication port 56 of No. 3 to the second piston 45, and moves the piston 45 to the rear side (referred to as the second position).
attract to. This action is caused by the first piston 44
coincides with the direction of action of the first cylinder 42
This is superimposed on the force that causes the piston 44 to be attracted to the second position due to the negative pressure generated at each of the communication ports 48 and 49 .

Further, the action of the second cylinder 43 is as follows:
Even if the first piston 44 in the first cylinder 42 is not pulled to the second position for some reason, it is possible to pull the output shaft 46 without being affected by this. . In other words, the second cylinder 43 assists the first cylinder 42, making the force acting on the output shaft 46 even stronger than in the first embodiment. Moreover, this effect is achieved by the opening 58 of the second cylinder 43 being in communication with the outside air, so that the second piston 45
When the front surface of the second piston 45 passes through the opening 58, the pressure difference between the negative pressure and the atmospheric pressure has the effect of urging the second piston 45 from the front.

On the other hand, the first cylinder 42 receives negative pressure through the respective communication ports 48 and 49 and fluid pressure at various parts in the E direction as in the previous embodiment, and furthermore, the working fluid pressure of the air guiding duct 3 is also received through the communication port 49. receive. In this way, this embodiment can transmit two or three times more fluid energy to the output shaft 46, and acts on the object more reliably and more powerfully than the previous embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the first and second cylinders 42 and 43 are configured to interlock with each other by connecting the output shaft 46, but such a connecting means is configured such that the output shafts of each cylinder are independently connected. Can be configured.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the above configuration,
Components that perform the same functions as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. That is, the reference numeral 68 indicates the second cylinder 4.
3, an output shaft 69 is a roller attached to the output shaft 68, 70 is a lever having elongated holes 70 ₁ and 70 ₂ at both ends, and 71 is a roller 72 attached to the duct 3.
The roller 72 supports the lever 70 rotatably on one plane.
73 is a roller attached to the rear end of the output shaft 46 of the first cylinder 42. And each output shaft 4
The rollers 72 and 69 of 6 and 68 hold both ends of the lever 70.

Such a configuration also provides the same effects as the second embodiment.

The actuator according to the present invention can of course be used in machines and devices other than wipers for cleaning window glass, and may be used not only in the atmosphere but also in water or oil.

When applied as an actuator other than a cleaning device, the means for returning to the initial position (first position) may be, for example, a return spring provided behind the piston 43 of the second cylinder 43 in the second embodiment, or a solenoid You may also use electromagnetic force.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, the object to be operated is driven based on the negative pressure generated by the working fluid, so when this is utilized in a cleaning device,
This eliminates the need to separately provide a suction means for performing a cleaning action and a pressing means for bringing the suction means into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and it is complicated to displace the suction hood according to the unevenness of the surface to be cleaned. There is no need for additional control means, and the suction hood can perform a suction action with an extremely simple structure, and can perform a cleaning action by riding over the unevenness of the surface to be cleaned and contacting the surface to be cleaned with a constant pressure.

That is, according to the actuator of the present invention,
A single negative pressure energy automatically performs the physical actions of suction and pressure on the surface to be cleaned.

When the suction hood separates from the surface to be cleaned, the suction action is stopped accordingly, so that unnecessary cleaning operations are not continued.

In this way, in the cleaning device using the actuator of the present invention, while the blowing means is being driven and the suction hood is continuing suction, the output shaft of the piston of the cylinder is actuated to direct the suction port of the suction hood toward the surface to be cleaned. Bring it into contact and apply suction with strong negative pressure. When the suction force of the suction hood decreases due to an obstruction on the surface to be cleaned, the suction port of the suction hood moves away from the surface to be cleaned. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of operational stoppage accidents. As described above, the present invention has a highly reliable, compact and inexpensive actuator, and its utility value is greatly increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram showing an actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing an enlarged and detailed main part of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the present invention based on the above usage example, and FIG. is the second aspect of the present invention
FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing an enlarged main part of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the same actuator, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the third embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing an example. 1, 41... Actuator, 2... Air blowing means, 3... Air guiding duct, 4, 42, 43... Cylinder, 5, 44, 45... Piston, 7, 5
2, 62... Bush, 6, 46... Output shaft,
8,60,63...Spring pin, 16,65
...nut, 11,51,54...flange part,
12, 55... Bolt, 10, 49... Side communication port, 9, 48... End face communication port, 17... Stopper, 8, 50... Opening, 47... Connection pipe.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. It is attached to the air guiding duct 3 through which the working fluid flows, so that the communication ports 9 and 10 face the duct 3, and the front side opposite to the communication ports 9 and 10 is attached. A cylinder 4 having an opening 8 communicating with the outside on the side thereof; and a cylinder 4 slidably fitted into the cylinder 4, and in a first position, the communication ports 9, 10 and the opening 8.
and in the second position, the communication port 9,
10 and an opening 8 to generate negative pressure in the cylinder 4, and a piston 5 capable of drawing external fluid from the opening 8 into the duct 3 through the communication ports 9 and 10; , protrudes from this piston 5, and is connected to the cylinder 4.
The piston 5 is moved from the first position to the second position and held in that state by the negative pressure generated by the high-speed flow of the working fluid. An actuator characterized by actuating a shaft 6 and applying suction force to an opening 8. 2. It is attached to the duct 3 so that the communication ports 48 and 49 face into the air guiding duct 3 through which the working fluid flows, and is attached to the outside on one front side opposite to the communication ports 48 and 49. a first cylinder 42 having a communicating opening 50; and a first cylinder 42 that is slidably fitted into the first cylinder 42 and blocks communication between the communication ports 48, 49 and the opening 50 in the first position. In the second position, the communication ports 48, 49 and the opening 50 are communicated with each other to generate negative pressure within the cylinder 42, and external fluid from the opening 50 is directed through the communication ports 48, 49. a first piston 44 that can be sucked into the duct 3 through the duct 3; an output shaft 46 that protrudes from the first piston 44 and protrudes outside from one end of the first cylinder 42; A second cylinder 43 is disposed opposite to the cylinder 42 via the duct 3 and has a communication port 56 communicating with the duct 3 on its rear side and an opening 58 communicating with the outside on its front side surface.
and a second piston 45 that is slidably fitted into the second cylinder 43 and slides from the first position to the second position by negative pressure from the communication port 56.
and a connecting means for connecting the second piston 45 and the first piston 44, the first piston 44 and the second piston 45 are connected by negative pressure generated by the high-speed flow of the working fluid. It moves from the first position to the second position and maintains that state, and the second
An actuator characterized in that the output shaft 46 is actuated by applying a force exerted by a piston 45, and a suction force is applied to the opening 50.