This invention relates to an impact absorbing device.
Conventionally, an automobile is usually equipped with a bumper. The bumper prevents an automobile body from being damaged when the automobile collides. Additionally, an impact absorbing device is recently used on the bumper to upgrade an impact absorption capability (see patent literature 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). By using the impact absorbing device, further impact to the automobile body can be reduced. In addition, when the automobile collides with a person, the impact to the person is also absorbed by the impact absorbing device. Therefore, serious physical injuries are prevented. The impact absorbing device is also used on an automobile hood (see patent literature 6 and 7). In other words, when the automobile collides with a person, the front of the automobile clashes into the lower half of the person's body, and then the person hits the automobile hood. In such an event, the impact absorbing device lifts the hood. Therefore, space is generated between the hood and the engine. Accordingly, the impact can be cushioned by deforming the hood when the person falls onto the hood.
Descriptions are made of one example (patent literature 5) of a conventional impact absorbing device using the drawings below. As shown in
Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Patent laid-open H06-644896
Patent Document No. 2: Japanese Patent laid-open H11-291845
Patent Document No. 3: Japanese Patent laid-open 2000-255350
Patent Document No. 4: Japanese Patent laid-open 2001-71786
Patent Document No. 5: Japanese Patent laid-open 2002-200949
Patent Document No. 6: Japanese Patent laid-open 2004-203250
Patent Document No. 7: Japanese Patent laid-open 2004-352134
However, the impact absorbing device shown in the above example has the following problem. Firstly, the impact absorbing device of the example is a mechanism which absorbs an impact by the frictional force between the movable body 234 and the inner wall of the exterior pipe 231, and by deformation of the side wall of the exterior pipe 231. However, when the coefficient of friction is small, the movable body 234 slips. Therefore, the side wall of the exterior pipe 231 is not deformed. Thus, the impact cannot be absorbed sufficiently. In addition, the impact absorbing device of the example also houses the interior pipe 232 and returns the bumper to an initial position when the impact is not applied to the impact absorbing device. However, this provides the problems of requiring a support such as the movable body support stick 235 so that the movable body 234 is not inserted into the wedge-shaped space 236 and an increasing number of components can cause a complicated configuration.
The present invention is designed with respect to such circumstances and is directed at providing an impact absorbing device having a compact configuration for securely absorbing an impact.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing device comprising:
an exterior pipe having an inner wall and further having a tapered part and an impact absorption part arranged at a part of the inner wall for absorbing exterior impacts, the exterior pipe being connected to external components;
an interior pipe having one or a plurality of holes, the interior pipe being coaxially arranged inside the exterior pipe, the interior pipe being capable of sliding axially along inside the exterior pipe and being capable of projecting from the exterior pipe;
an interior pipe sliding means for sliding the interior pipe, the interior pipe sliding means being connected to the interior pipe and a bottom of the exterior pipe;
one or a plurality of movable bodies arranged in the one or plurality of holes of the interior pipe respectively, the one or plurality of movable bodies being rigid spheres;
a support part having one or a plurality of movable body accommodation parts for accommodating the one or plurality of movable bodies respectively, the support part being arranged inside the interior pipe; and
a support part sliding means for sliding the support part, the support part sliding means being connected to the support part.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism locking the interior pipe so that the interior pipe is not released, and the lock mechanism may be arranged upon a bottom of the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the interior pipe sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the interior pipe, one end of the elastic body for the interior pipe may be connected to a projection direction end of the interior pipe under compression of the elastic body for the interior pipe, and the wire for the interior pipe may be connected to the interior pipe directly or via a component.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the component may be the lock mechanism.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the support part, one end of the elastic body for the support part may be connected to the support part under compression of the elastic body for the support part, and the wire for the support part may be connected to the support part and serves as the wire for the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, either at least one of the elastic body for the inside pipe or the elastic body for the support part may be a spring.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a motor unit for pushing and pulling the wire for the support part, and the motor unit may be connected to the wire for the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the elastic body for the interior pipe and the elastic body for the support part may be arranged inside the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the exterior pipe may be made of materials having elastic characteristics.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may have an odd number of movable bodies and holes.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the interior pipe may have a disk-shaped projection facing outwards in an upper end of the interior pipe, the exterior pipe may have a disk-shaped projection facing outwards in a bottom end of the exterior pipe, and the support part may have a disk-shaped projection facing inwards in an upper end of the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the elastic body for the interior pipe may be arranged outside the exterior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the exterior pipe may be made of materials having elastic characteristics.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may have an odd number of movable bodies and of holes.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing device comprising:
an exterior pipe having an inner wall and further having a tapered part and an impact absorption part arranged at a part of the inner wall for absorbing exterior impacts, the exterior pipe being connected to external components;
an interior pipe having one or a plurality of holes, the interior pipe being coaxially arranged inside the exterior pipe, the interior pipe being capable of sliding axially along inside the exterior pipe and being capable of projecting from the exterior pipe;
an interior pipe sliding means for sliding the interior pipe, the interior pipe sliding means being connected to the interior pipe and a bottom of the exterior pipe;
one or a plurality of movable bodies arranged in the one or the plurality of holes of the interior pipe respectively, the one or the plurality of movable bodies being rigid spheres;
a support part having one or a plurality of movable body accommodation parts for accommodating the one or the plurality of movable bodies respectively, the support part being arranged inside the interior pipe;
a pressing component for pushing and sliding the support part, said pressing component being arranged inside the interior pipe; and
a support part sliding means for sliding the support part, the support part sliding means being connected to the support part.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism locking the interior pipe so that the interior pipe is not released, and the lock mechanism may be arranged upon a bottom of the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the interior pipe sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the interior pipe, one end of the elastic body for the interior pipe may be connected to a projection direction end of the interior pipe under compression of the elastic body for the interior pipe, and the wire for the interior pipe may be connected to the interior pipe directly or via a component.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the one embodiment, the component may be the lock mechanism.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the one embodiment, the support part sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the support part, one end of the elastic body for the support part may be connected to the support part under compression of the elastic body for the support part, and the wire for the support part may be connected to the support part and serves as the wire for the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the wire for the support part may move the support part through the pressing component.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, either at least one of the elastic body for the interior pipe or the elastic body for the support part may be a spring.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment further comprise a motor unit for pushing and pulling the wire for the support part, and the motor unit may be connected to the wire for the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the exterior pipe may be made of materials having elastic characteristics.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may have an odd number of movable bodies and holes.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing device comprising:
an exterior pipe connected to external components;
an interior pipe having one or a plurality of holes, the interior pipe being coaxially arranged inside the exterior pipe, the interior pipe being capable of sliding axially along inside the exterior pipe and being capable of projecting from the exterior pipe;
an interior pipe sliding means for sliding the interior pipe, the interior pipe sliding means being connected to the interior pipe at a bottom of the exterior pipe;
a central pipe having an inner wall and further having a tapered part, the tip of the tapered part having an opening edge being formed so that it tapers off towards a direction of an opening, and an impact absorbing part arranged at a part of the inner wall for absorbing external impacts, the central pipe being arranged between the exterior pipe and the interior pipe;
one or a plurality of movable bodies arranged in the one or the plurality of holes of the interior pipe respectively, the one or the plurality of movable bodies being rigid spheres;
a support part having one or a plurality of movable body accommodation parts for accommodating the one or the plurality of movable bodies respectively, the support part being arranged inside the interior pipe; and
a support part sliding means for sliding the support part, the support part sliding means being connected to the support part.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism locking the interior pipe so that the interior pipe is not released, and the lock mechanism may be arranged upon a bottom of the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device according to the present invention, the interior pipe sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the interior pipe, one end of the elastic body for the inside pipe may be connected to a projection direction end of the interior pipe under compression of the elastic body for the interior pipe, and the wire for the interior pipe may be connected to the interior pipe directly or via a component.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the component may be the lock mechanism.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the support part sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the support part, one end of the elastic body for the support part may be connected to the support part under compression of the elastic body for the support part, and the wire for the support part may be connected to the support part and serves as the wire for the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, either at least one of the elastic body for the interior pipe or the elastic body for the support part may be a spring.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a motor unit for pushing and pulling the wire for the support part, and the motor unit may be connected to the wire for the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the central pipe may be made of materials having elastic characteristics.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may have an odd number of movable bodies and holes.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing device comprising:
an exterior pipe having an inner wall and further having a tapered part and an impact absorption part arranged at a part of the inner wall for absorbing external impacts, the exterior pipe being connected to external components;
a plurality of interior pipes having one or a plurality of holes respectively, the plurality of interior pipes being coaxially arranged inside the exterior pipe; the plurality of interior pipes having a different external diameter and a different internal diameter respectively, and the plurality of interior pipes being capable of sliding axially along inside the exterior pipe and being capable of projecting from said exterior pipe;
an interior pipe sliding means for sliding the plurality of interior pipes, the interior pipe sliding means being connected to the interior pipe arranged innermost and a bottom of the exterior pipe;
a plurality of movable bodies arranged in the one or the plurality of holes of the interior pipe respectively, the plurality of movable bodies being rigid spheres;
a plurality of support parts having one or a plurality of movable body accommodation parts for accommodating a corresponding movable body of the plurality of movable bodies respectively, each of the plurality of support parts being arranged inside a corresponding interior pipe of the plurality of interior pipes; and
a plurality of support part sliding means for sliding a corresponding support part of the plurality of support parts, each of the plurality of support part sliding means being connected to the corresponding support part of the plurality of support parts,
wherein the plurality of interior pipes are arranged in a nested structure, and in the plurality of interior pipes, the tapered part and the impact absorbing part which are similar to those formed in the exterior pipe are formed at an inner wall of each of the plurality of interior pipes having another interior pipe inside.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise one or a plurality of lock mechanisms, the one or plurality of lock mechanisms locking the plurality of interior pipes so that the plurality of interior pipes are not released, and the one or the plurality of lock mechanisms may be arranged upon a bottom of each of the plurality of interior pipes.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the interior pipe sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the interior pipe, one end of the elastic body for the interior pipe may be connected to a projection direction end of the interior pipe under compression of the elastic body for the interior pipe, and the wire for the interior pipe may be connected to the interior pipe directly or via a component.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the component may be the lock mechanism.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, each of the plurality of support part sliding means may comprise an elastic body and a wire for the support part respectively, one end of each of the elastic bodies for the support part may be connected to a corresponding support part of the plurality of support parts under compression of each of the elastic bodies for the support part and another end of each of the elastic bodies for the support part may be connected a bottom of a corresponding interior pipe of the plurality of interior pipes, and each of the wires for the support part may be connected to a corresponding support part of the plurality of support parts and serves as the wire for the interior pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, either at least one of the elastic body for the interior pipe or the elastic body for the support part may be a spring.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment may further comprise a motor unit for pushing and pulling the plurality of wires for the support part, the motor unit being connected to the plurality of wires for the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, impact may be absorbed by an outer pipe of the exterior pipe and the plurality of interior pipes in descending order according to their external diameters.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, the exterior pipe and interior pipes, which have another interior pipe on the inside, of the plurality of interior pipes may be made of materials having elastic characteristics.
The impact absorbing device of the present invention according to the embodiment, may have an odd number of movable bodies and one or a plurality of holes.
Next, descriptions are made of an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited at all by the following embodiments.
Based on
In this embodiment, STKM13C which is a carbon steel tube for machine structural purposes (STKM materials) is used for the exterior pipe 11 and the interior pipe 12. In this embodiment, a heat-treated carbon steel tube for machine structural purpose (STKM material) (i.e., a heat-treated STKM13C which is a carbon tool steel (SK materials) or an SK7) is used for the support part 13. In this embodiment, a high carbon chromium bearing steel (SUJ-2) or a SUS440C is used for the movable body 14.
Next, a movement of the support part 13 in the impact absorbing device is described based on
Next,
Next, when the impact is actually applied to the interior pipe 12, the interior pipe pushes the tapered part 111 of the exterior pipe 11 via the movable body 14, as shown in
As described above, in the impact absorbing device of the present invention, when the impact is absorbed, the movable body can contact with the tapered part, and the movable body pushes the side wall of the exterior pipe with mechanical force not with the frictional force because the movable body does not escape in the movable body accommodation part. Thereby, the impact is transmitted to the side wall of the pipe securely. Additionally, in the impact absorbing device of the present invention, at the time of an axial movement of the interior side pipes such as storage, by the movement of the movable body to the movable body accommodation part of the support part. Therefore, the sliding of the interior pipe such as the storage is possible while this configuration is a simple configuration.
Additionally, by using a spring and a wire, the impact absorbing device of the present invention is excellent in being able to push the interior pipe instantly after an obstruction has been detected by a sensor.
In the impact absorbing device, materials, hardness and thickness of each exterior pipe, a diameter of the pipe, a touch area between the pipe and the movable body (a hard sphere) and the like may be adjusted in order to absorb impacts in order of pipes having a larger diameter among the plurality of exterior pipes.
In this embodiment, a heat-treated STKM13C is used for the exterior pipe 11. Although STKM13C is used for the exterior pipe 11 in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and other carbon steel tubes for machine structural purposes (STKM materials) or a heat-treated SUP10 material and the like which have elastic characteristics may be used for the exterior pipe 11. Furthermore, resin and the like having elastic characteristics may be used for the exterior pipe. In this embodiment, the materials used in the above first embodiment are used for the interior pipe 12, the support part 13 and the movable body 14 under the elastic deformation of the exterior pipe 11 conditions (in other words, within a scope that the exterior pipe is not deformed plastically).
In the impact absorbing device according to this embodiment, materials which have elastic characteristics are used for the exterior pipe 11 as described above. Therefore, when the exterior pipe is deformed elastically in the impact absorption, the support part 13 is moved in a lower direction by winding the wire 16a with the motor unit 2, and the movable body accommodation part 131 of the support part 13 and the movable body hole 121 of the interior pipe 12 are placed in a face to face condition. In this condition, by retracting a part or the whole of movable body 14 in the movable body accommodation part, the exterior pipe 11 which is deformed elastically is restored to its former state.
Accordingly, even if the exterior pipe 11 is deformed in the impact absorption, the impact absorbing device according to this embodiment can restore the exterior pipe which is elastically deformed to its former state by storing the movable body 14 in the movable body accommodation part 131 of the support part 13. Therefore, the impact absorbing device according to this embodiment can be used repeatedly as an impact absorbing device even if it only absorbs an applied impact after being used once.
In the impact absorbing device according to this embodiment, materials having elastic characteristics are used only for the exterior pipe. However, the present invention is not limited to this, materials having elastic characteristics may also be used for the central pipe, interior pipe and so on.
In addition, the impact absorbing device of the present invention according to all embodiments has an odd number of movable bodies and movable body holes preferably. For example, there are three, five, seven, nine, eleven, and thirteen etc. However, the present invention is not limited to these.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention, the movable body accommodation part of the support part may be a groove formed in the support part.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention, a peripheral part of the movable body holes of the interior pipe may be formed of a material which is harder than a material used for the exterior pipe or the central pipe.
In the impact absorbing device of the present invention, the movable body is preferably a hard sphere. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Additionally, it is preferable for the shape of the movable body to be a globe. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the movable body may be a pillar shape, a rugby ball shape, or a triangle and so on.
As described above, the impact absorbing device according to the present invention can absorb applied impacts securely with a simple configuration and can be easily recycled. For example, the impact absorbing device of the present invention is used for an automobile bumper or a hood. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to various fields such as electric railcar, airplane and so on.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2005-352680 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2006/324069 | 12/1/2006 | WO | 00 | 7/30/2009 |