JPH0571753B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a shock absorber suitable for use in doors, storage cabinets, etc.

(Prior Art) An article storage, for example, an aircraft luggage rack, is provided so that the storage itself is rotatable with respect to a fixed frame. Furthermore, the refrigerator is provided with a door that can be opened and closed. When the above-mentioned baggage shelves and doors (hereinafter referred to as "doors") are rotated from the closed position to the open position, due to their own weight and the weight of the stored items, the baggage racks and doors (hereinafter referred to as "doors") It opens. In particular, this tendency exists in doors that are provided so as to be openable and closable about a pivot axis in the horizontal direction. Therefore, a technique is required to provide a buffer device between the door and the main body to buffer the opening speed of the door. Conventionally, shock absorbers made of oil dampers have been widely used, but they have had problems in terms of oil leakage and durability. A mechanical shock absorber that solves this oil leakage problem has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 74799/1983.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Although the mechanical shock absorber described above achieves its intended purpose because there is no oil leakage, the rack formed on one of the two expandable and contractible members is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the problem remains that this spoils the aesthetic appearance. Further, when the device is attached to a refrigerator or the like, dew, ice, dust, etc. are likely to adhere to the exposed rack, which may prevent the door from opening and closing smoothly. Furthermore, since the speed regulating mechanism portion protrudes from the rack portion, the appearance is unsightly, and the elongated holes in the rack portion give a feeling of insufficient strength. If the shock absorber is installed in a location that is not easily visible, aesthetics need not be an issue.
In the case of items that are used in everyday life, such as refrigerators and storage cabinets, not only strength but also appearance are important factors. When trying to solve this,
A problem arises in that the device becomes bulky.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention aims to provide a shock absorbing device that is compact, has sufficient strength, and does not impair its appearance, and has a box-shaped case body having an opening for inserting a slider at one end. A slider that is slidably fitted into the case body, an input gear that is provided on the slider and has a part of its teeth protruding to one side of the slider, and the input gear are always in mesh with each other. a rack for rotating the input gear when the slider moves in and out of the case body; a speed regulating means disposed inside the slider; and a speed regulating means disposed inside the slider for speeding up the rotation of the input gear. a speed-increasing gear train that transmits the speed to the speed regulating means;
and a protrusion amount regulating means for regulating the amount of protrusion of the slider from the case body.

(Function) For example, when a door is opened, the slider is pulled out from the case body following this. Along with this, the input gear in the slider rotates according to the rack. The rotation of the input gear is transmitted to the speed regulating means via the speed increasing transmission means to operate the speed regulating means. When the speed regulating means operates, a brake is applied to the rotation of the input gear, and a brake is applied to the slider pulled out from the case body. With this braking force,
The opening speed of the door becomes slow.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an illustrated example applied to a buffer for a refrigerator door.

First, an overview of the external appearance of the shock absorber will be explained with reference to FIG. The shock absorber 1 includes a case body 3 that is pivotally attached to a refrigerator body 2 (see FIG. 10), a slider 4 that is fitted into the case body so as to be able to move in and out of the case body, and various means (described later) housed inside the slider. ). One end of the slider 4 protruding from the case body 3 is pivotally attached to the doors 6, 60 as shown in FIG.

2 to 8, the configuration of the shock absorber 1 will be explained in detail. The case body 3 is a box-shaped body consisting of a first case 3a and a second case 3b, and has an opening 3 at one end 3c for inserting a slider.
d is formed. Both cases 3a and 3b are fixed to each other with tapping screws 5, 5, . . . after incorporating a slider 4, which will be described later. The other end 3e of the case body is formed with a mounting hole 3f for rotatably connecting it to a shaft 2a provided in the refrigerator body. A rack 7 is integrally formed on the inner wall of one side wall 3g of the first case 3a.
In both cases 3a and 3b, inside the opening 3d,
Ribs 8, 8 forming part of a protrusion amount regulating means for regulating the protrusion amount of the slider, which will be described later, are formed.

The slider 4 is a thin box-shaped body consisting of a base 4a and a cover 4b, which are fixed to each other with tapping screws 9 after incorporating each means described below. Stoppers 4c and 4d are formed on the outer surfaces of the base 4a and the cover 4b, respectively, to restrict the length of the slider 4 projecting from the case body 3. These stoppers 4c and 4d can engage with a rib 8 of the opening 3d of the case body, and together with the rib 8 constitute a protrusion amount regulating means for regulating the amount of protrusion of the slider 4 from the case body. By the stopper engaging the rib 8,
A portion of the slider 4 is always located within the case body and does not protrude outside the case. The slider portion that does not protrude outside the case (see FIG. 9) is referred to as a permanently fitted portion 4f.

A pin 11 that rotatably supports the input gear 10, pins 14 and 15 that support the speed increasing gears 12 and 13, and a pin 17 that supports the one-way transmission means 16 are each integrally formed on the base 4a. . The input gear 10 has a part of its teeth protruding from a notch 4e formed in one side wall of a constantly fitting part 4f of the base 4a, and is always engaged with the rack 7. The speed increasing gear 12, which is a two-stage gear, has its small diameter tooth portion 12a meshing with the output gear 10, and its large diameter tooth portion 12b meshing with the small diameter tooth portion 13a of the speed increasing gear 13. Large diameter tooth portion 13b of speed increasing gear 13
meshes with the drive gear 16a of the one-way transmission means 16. The one-way transmission means 16 is rotatably supported by a pin 17, and the drive gear 16a has the cylindrical portions of the sleeves facing each other with a gap therebetween.
, a driven gear 16b, and a coil spring 16c disposed between the sleeves. The coil spring 16c is connected to the drive gear 1 which rotates when the door is opened and the slider 4 is pulled out from the case body 3.
Although the rotation of the drive gear 6a is transmitted to the driven gear 16b, the rotation of the drive gear that rotates when the door is closed acts so as not to transmit this to the driven gear. The driven gear 16b is a worm gear, and meshes with the worm shaft 18a of the speed governor 18. A gear train from the speed increasing gear 12 to the worm shaft 18a constitutes speed increasing transmission means. The tips of each pin supporting each gear are respectively fitted into support holes formed in the cover 4b. Therefore, each gear including the input gear 10 is supported with its shaft supported on both sides.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 to 7, the speed regulating means 18 is formed with an arm 18b having an expanding habit that is press-fitted into the worm shaft 18a, and a recess 18c in which the tip of this arm engages. A friction plate support member 18d and a partially cylindrical support portion 18e formed to extend in the axial direction on the friction plate support member 18d and a boss portion 18 thereof.
It consists of a friction plate 18g which is supported by the friction plate 18g, and a cylindrical braking cup 18h surrounding this friction plate. The cup 18h has a flange portion 18
n is engaged with the support portion 4m of the base 4a.
The worm shaft 18a has one end inserted into the bearing hole 18 of a bearing member 18i that is engaged with the side wall 4f of the base 4a.
j and is rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 3, the bearing member 18i is prevented from falling off by a falling-off preventing portion 4g formed on the cover 4b.
The other end of the shaft 18a is rotatably supported in a bearing hole 18k formed in a cup 18h. Friction plate 18
g and its supporting member 18d are connected to the worm shaft 18a.
is inserted rotatably relative to the . Arm 1
8b and the support member 18d constitute a torque limiter, which is designed to avoid overload during braking, which will be described later. The friction plate 18g has an arm portion extending from the boss portion in a tomoe shape that expands due to centrifugal force when the worm shaft 18a rotates at high speed and slides against the inner circumferential surface of the cup 18h, thereby controlling the rotation of the worm shaft. Apply the brakes. The friction plate 18g is prevented from coming off by a presser plate 18m press-fitted into the worm shaft.

A support pin 4i is formed in a recess 4h formed in the other side wall of the normally inserted part 4f of the slider 4, and a guide roller 4j that rolls on the inner wall of the case body is rotatably supported on this pin. has been done.
A mounting hole 4k for pivotally mounting the slider 4 to the doors 6, 60 is formed in one end 4c of the slider 4, and pins 6a, 60a (see FIG. 10) provided on the door are inserted through the mounting hole 4k. Reinforcing ribs 4p are formed on the base 4a and the cover 4b. A rib 3h is formed on the inner surface of the case body 3 to reduce the sliding resistance of the slider 4. In addition, the case body 3
A stopper 3i is formed inside one end, with which the tip 4s of the slider 4 abuts when the slider 4 is pushed in.

As shown in FIG. 10, the doors 6, 60 are attached to the refrigerator body by pivots 6b, 60b so as to be openable and closable. A sealing member and a hinge bracket are provided between these doors and the main body 2, but these are omitted from illustration because they are not directly related to the present invention.

The operation of the embodiment configured as above is explained in the 10th section.
This will be explained based on the drawings and FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 10, when the doors 6, 60 are closed, the shock absorber 1 is placed in a state in which most of the slider 4 is retracted into the case body 3, as shown in FIG. . In the state shown in FIG. 2, when the closed position holding action for the doors 6, 60 is released, the doors are opened by their own weight. When the door is opened, the slider 4 is pulled out from the case body 3. When the slider is withdrawn, the input gear 10 rotates according to the rack 7.
The rotation of the input gear 10 is increased in speed and transmitted to the worm shaft 18a via the speed increasing gears 12, 13 and the one-way transmission means 16, causing the shaft to rotate at a high speed. The rotation of the worm shaft is transmitted to the support member 18d via the arm 18b, and rotates the friction plate 18g supported by the support member 18d. Worm shaft 18a
When the shaft rotates at high speed, its centrifugal force causes the arms of the friction plate 18g to expand and rub against the inner circumferential surface of the cup 18h, thereby braking the rotation of the shaft. The braking applied to the worm shaft acts as a braking force on the input gear 10 via the speed increasing gear train, and applies braking to the speed at which the slider 4 is pulled out from the case body 3.
Slowly rotate the door in the direction it opens. The opening speed of the door increases as the opening angle increases, or as the door has a pocket like the door 60 and stores bottles, etc., and the rotation speed of the worm shaft 18a also increases accordingly. So,
Even greater braking force is generated.

When the door is placed in a completely open state by a stopper (not shown) provided on the door itself, the slider 4 inserts its normally fitted portion 4f into the case body 3, as shown in FIG. It will stop at the left position. If the door is not provided with a stopper means, as shown in FIG. 9, the stopper 4d engages with the rib 8, thereby regulating the amount of protrusion of the slider 4. When the slider 4 is extended to the maximum, the input gear 10 and the guide roller 4j are located inside the case body 3, so that they are not exposed.

Now, when the door is opened forcibly rather than by its own weight, the worm shaft 18a rotating at high speed is braked by the friction plate and becomes overloaded. At this time, the arm 18b is bent and engages the engagement recess 18c to avoid overloading.

When you turn an open door to close it,
The slider 4 is pushed into the case body 3. At this time, the input gear 10 rotates according to the rack 7 and rotationally drives the speed increasing transmission means, but the rotation at this time is caused by the coil spring 16c of the one-way transmission means 16 being tightened and the driving gear 16a being rotated. Since the rotation is not transmitted to the driven gear 16b, the worm shaft 18
a is not rotated. Therefore, since the speed regulating means 18 does not operate, no braking force is applied to the moving slider 4.

Although a refrigerator has been mentioned above as an object to which a shock absorbing device is provided, the shock absorbing device of the present invention can also be applied to the above-mentioned baggage shelf body, kitchen storage body and its door, opening/closing lid of electrical appliances, rotating body, etc. Of course, it can be applied.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, since the rack and the input gear are not exposed to the outside, it is difficult for dust, dew, etc. to adhere thereto, and the appearance is good, giving a sense of stability. Furthermore, since a rack is provided in the case body and the gear train is supported and housed on the slider on both sides, sufficient strength can be obtained, and at the same time, the overall length can be shortened and compactness can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a shock absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the same, Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the same, and Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the same. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of the speed regulating means, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a shock absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 is an operational view of Fig. 2 showing the slider in a state where it is pulled out to the maximum from the case body, and Fig. 10 is a state in which the door is closed. Schematic side view of a refrigerator showing a buffer device, No. 11
The figure is a schematic side view of the refrigerator showing the shock absorber with the door open. 3...Case body, 3d...Opening, 4...Slider, 4c, 4d, 8...Protrusion amount regulating means, 4
f... Constantly fitted portion, 7... Rack, 10... Input gear, 12, 13, 16, 18a... Speed increasing transmission means, 18... Speed governor means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A box-shaped case body having an opening for inserting a slider at one end, and a permanent insertion portion of the case body that is always positioned within the case body and is slidably inserted into the case body. an input gear disposed in the always-fitting portion of the slider and having a part of its teeth protruding to one side of the slider; a rack for rotating the input gear when the slider moves in and out of the case body so that the gears are always in mesh with each other; a speed regulating means disposed inside the slider; speed increasing transmission means for increasing the rotation speed of the input gear and transmitting it to the speed regulating means; and a protrusion provided between the case body and the slider for regulating the amount of protrusion of the slider from the case body. A buffer device consisting of a quantity regulating means.