Abstract:
A one-way damper includes a cylindrical housing, a viscous fluid contained within the housing, a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing, and a valve body. The rotor has a center part for forming a rotational center, and a control wall extending radially outwardly from the center part for dividing an inside of the housing. The control wall has a distribution path. The valve body has a holding part for holding the center part, and a free edge part extending from one side of the holding part for opening-and closing the distribution path. A seal member prevents the viscous fluid from leaking between the housing and the rotor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a one-way damper, and in particular to a one-way damper that controls the rotation of a body in one direction, and electronic devices using this one-way damper.  
         [0002]     A conventional one-way damper includes a cylinder shaped housing, viscous fluid within this housing, a center part which is a center of the rotation, a rotor which divides the inside of the housing by standing to the diameter direction from this center part and which has a control wall which forms a connecting path between the housing, and in which the center part and the control wall are rotatably housed in the housing. The conventional one-way damper also includes a control valve, in which one side near the control wall is the rotation center, and the other side contacts the inner surface of the housing, and rotates with the rotor, and a seal member which prevents viscous fluid from leaking between the housing and the rotor is suggested (see Patent Document  1).    
         [0003]     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2882109  
         [0004]     In the conventional one-way damper, the space between the housing, the rotor and the control valve forms an orifice. Because a rotation point of the control valve is free, the orifice at the time of operation is large. Accordingly, large damping torque cannot be obtained in a conventional one-way damper.  
         [0005]     In view of the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a one-way damper that can achieve a large damping torque and maintain a certain accuracy of the damping torque, and an electronic device that uses this one-way damper.  
         [0006]     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In order to attain the objects described above, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a one-way damper includes: a cylinder shaped housing, viscous fluid within this housing, a center part which is a center of the rotation, a rotor dividing the inside of the housing and having a control wall forming a distribution path within the housing, and where the center part and the control wall are rotatably housed in the housing. The one-way damper also includes: a holding part for holding the center part, a valve body extending from one side of this holding part and having a free edge part which opens and closes the distribution path, and a seal member for preventing viscous fluid from leaking between the housing and the rotor.  
         [0008]     In the one-way damper of the present invention, the rotor is made of a synthetic resin having elasticity, and the valve body is positioned in a groove. Also in the one-way damper, a cross-section of the distribution path gradually becomes narrow towards a side of the valve body, and a rotation restriction part restricting rotation of the rotor is provided in the housing. Furthermore, the rotor is made of a glass-mixed synthetic resin, and the valve body is made of polyester.  
         [0009]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system includes: an electronic device, where an inputting part is attached with respect to a main body of the electronic device. The electronic device uses the one-way damper of the present invention, where the one-way damper controls the inputting part when moved from the standing position.  
         [0010]     According the a third aspect of the present invention, a system includes an electronic device having a monitor part attached to a main body of the electronic device. The electronic device uses the one-way damper of the present invention, where the one-way damper controls the fall of the monitor part onto the main body.  
         [0011]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a system includes an electronic device having a detachable inputting part that can be forced out of a main body of the electronic device by a forcing member. The electronic device uses the one-way damper of the present invention, where the rotor restricts the inputting part when pushed by the forcing member.  
         [0012]     In the first aspect of the invention, a distribution path is provided on the standing part of the rotor. Since this distribution path is structured so as to open and close at the free edge part, the space between the housing and the rotor, which functions as an orifice, becomes narrow. Therefore, a large damping torque can be obtained and a certain accuracy of the damping torque can be maintained.  
         [0013]     Because the rotor is made of a synthetic resin, which has elasticity, even when the damping torque of the viscous fluid is unevenly functioned to the rotor, the damping torque can be absorbed by the rotor&#39;s elasticity. Therefore, damage and breakage of the rotor is prevented.  
         [0014]     Moreover, because a groove for disposing the valve body within is provided, the movement to the axis direction of the valve body can be restricted. Also, when the thickness of the groove is same as the thickness of the valve body, thickness of the viscous fluid becomes even. Therefore, the damping torque does not fluctuate and can be regulated.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, because the cross-section of the distribution path becomes narrow towards the valve body side, the damping torque can also be functioned for the rotation of the rotor for the non-damping direction.  
         [0016]     Moreover, because the rotation restriction part which restricts the rotation of the rotor is provided, it can be a one-way damper of 1 rotation.  
         [0017]     Furthermore, because the rotor is made of glass contained synthetic resin, and the valve body is made of polyester, the rotor with high load can be strengthened. Therefore, damage and breakage of the rotor can be prevented.  
         [0018]     According to the second aspect of the invention, falling of the inputting part from standing position, falling of the monitor part on the main body and jumping out of the inputting part from the main body by force of the forcing member can be controlled by the one-way damper. Therefore the damage and breakage of the inputting part and the monitor part can be prevented. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front view showing a case of the one-way damper shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the case of the one-way damper;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3  showing the case of the one-way damper;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a rotor of the one-way damper shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front view showing the one-way damper in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a plan view showing the one-way damper shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  shows an operation of the one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  shows an operation of the one-way damper of according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a first electronic device that uses the one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present′ invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a second electronic device that uses the one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a third electronic device that uses the one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a one-way damper in a disassembled state according-to an embodiment of the present invention. The one-way damper is made of a rigid material, such as a synthetic resin. For example, the case  11  is made of polycarbonate, which is a synthetic resin having rigidity. Cap  21 , which seals the opening end of the case  11 , is also made-of polycarbonate. Silicone oil (not shown in figures), which is a viscous fluid, is housed in the case  11 , which is sealed by the cap  21 .  FIG. 1  also shows, a synthetic resin rotatably housed in the case  11  and which has operation axis part  48 , which extends through a hole  23  of the cap  21  to outside. A rotor  41  is made of a synthetic resin, such as polyester, and a valve  51 , also made of polyester, is attached to the rotor  41 . O-ring  61 , which is made of a self-lubricated silicone rubber, serves as a seal member to prevent silicone oil from leaking between the cap  21  and the rotor  41 .  
         [0037]     Incidentally, the housing is formed by the case  11  and the cap  21 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the case  11 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the case  11 , which is same as line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0039]     In these drawings, the case  11  includes a case main body  12 , which is cylinder shaped and has a bottom, a first attachment part  16  on the outer peripheral of the case main body  12  to the axis direction, and a second attachment part  18  that is reinforced at both ends by a rib  20 . The case main body  12  also includes an axis supporting part  13  having a cylinder shaped concave part on the inside of the bottom on the axis direction of the outer peripheral, a rotation restriction part  14  having a protrusion part protruding inwardly in an arc shape, and on the inside of the opening edge, a level part  15  surrounding the rotation restriction part  14 .  
         [0040]     Moreover, a notch  17  is provided on the first attachment part  16 , and an attachment hole  19  is provided on the second attachment part  18 .  
         [0041]     Moreover, on a rotation restriction part  14 , an inner peripheral contacts on the outer peripheral of the center part  43  which structures the rotor  41  and the outer peripheral of the holding part  52  which structures the valve part  51 , and the opposite side of the bottom of the case main body  12  is contacted with the flange part  47 .  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap  21  is uniformly provided so as to surround the circumference of the loop-shaped sealing part  22 , which has a through hole  23 . The cap  21  also includes a loop-shaped protrusion part  24 ,which is inserted in the level part  15  of the case  11 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the rotor  41 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0044]     In these drawings, the rotor  41  includes a cylinder shaped supporting axis  42 , which is rotatably inserted in the axis supporting part  13  of the case  11 , a center part  43  which is concentrically connected to an edge of the supporting axis  42 , a standing part  45 , which is connected so as to stand to the radius direction from this center part  43 , contacts the inner peripheral of the case main body  12  and divides inside of the case main body  12  into two, a flange part  47  concentrically connected to the side opposite to the supporting axis  42  of the center part  43 , and rotatably inserted in the level part  15  of the case main body  12 , and an I-cut shaped operation axis part  48 ,concentrically connected to the side opposite to the center part  43  of this flange  47  and extends through the cap  21 .  
         [0045]     Moreover, the center part  43  and the standing part  45  include a groove  44  which extends to the axis direction which reaches to the other side of the standing part  45  from one side edge of the standing part  45  via the outer peripheral of the center part  43 . The depth of the groove  44  is the depth of the outer peripheral of the center part  43 . The outer peripheral of the carrying part  52  becomes level with the groove  44  when the carrying part  52  of the valve  51  is attached on the groove  44 . When the valve body  51  is placed on the groove  44  on the standing part  45 , the cross-section of the distribution path  46  gradually becomes narrow towards the free edge part  53  of the valve  51 .  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the valve body  51  includes a carrying part  52  that holds the center part  43 . The carrying part  52  is arc shaped and is attached to the groove  44  of the center part  43 . The free edge part  53  extends from an edge of the carrying part  52  to the radius direction, and is positioned on the groove  44  of the standing part  45 , and closes and opens the distribution path  46 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  shows a frontal view of the one-way damper wherein each of the parts shown in  FIG. 1  is assembled together.  FIG. 9  shows a plan view of the one-way damper, and  FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0048]     With further reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a viscous fluid  31 , such as silicone oil, is shown, and A and B depict a division formed by dividing the housing into two.  
         [0049]     Next, one example of the assembly of the one-way damper D is explained.  
         [0050]     First, the case  11  is anchored while the opening edge side of the case main body  12  faces upward. An adequate amount of a viscous fluid  31  is poured into the case main body  12 .  
         [0051]     Next, the rotor  41  is attached to the valve body  51  by mating the free end part  53  to the narrow cross-sectional part of the distribution path  46 . The carrying part  52  faces the groove  44 , and the center part  43  is inserted in the carrying part  52 , using the elasticity of the carrying part  52 .  
         [0052]     After applying the viscous fluid  31  to the supporting axis  42 , the center part  43 , the standing part  45 , the center part  43  side of the flange  47 , and the valve body  51 , the rotor  41  is inserted from the supporting axis  42  into the case main body  12 .  
         [0053]     Once the rotor  41  is inserted-in the case main body  12 , the supporting axis  42  is rotatably coupled to the axis supporting part  13 , and the center part  43  abuts against the bottom of the case main body  12 . In addition, the center part  43  and the carrying part  52  abut against the inner peripheral face of the rotation restriction part  14 , and the outer peripheral of the standing part  45  abuts against the inner peripheral face of the case main body  12 . The flange  47  abuts against the rotation restriction part  14  and the level part  15 .  
         [0054]     Moreover, the operation axis part  48  of the rotor  41  is coupled to the O-ring  61 . The operation axis part  48  is then inserted in the through hole  23  of the cap  21 , while the loop shaped extruding part  24  side faces the lower side. The opening edge of the case main body  12  is sealed by the sealing part  22 .  
         [0055]     When the O-ring  61  and the cap  21  are attached, the opening edge of the case main body  12  is sealed at the sealing part  22 . Leakage of the viscous fluid  31  between the housing and the rotor  41  is prevented by providing a pressure contact ,among the O-ring  61  and the case main body  12 , the loop shaped protrusion part  24 , the flange part  47  and the operation axis part  48 .  
         [0056]     As shown in FIGS.  8  to  10 , the one-way damper D can be assembled by creating an air-tight seal in the space between the upper edge of the case main body  12  and the outer edge of the cap  21  by high frequency bonding, and assembly can be completed. When the one-way damper D is assembled, as described, the inside of the housing is divided into two divisions A and B by the rotation restriction part  14  and the standing part  45 .  
         [0057]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show an operation of the one-way damper according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]     An operation of the one-way damper according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained next. In the one-way damper D, the housing is anchored by the first attachment part  16  and/or the second attachment part  18 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the force that causes the operation axis part  48  of the rotor  41  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction occurs, the standing part  45  and the valve body  51  also rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and the silicone oil  31  in the division A is pressurized. Next, the pressurized silicone oil  31  pushes the free end part  53  towards the standing part  45 , and seals the distribution path  46 . Because the silicone oil  31  in the division A passes through the space (orifice) between the housing and the rotor  41  and flows into the division B, the operation axis part  48  controls the rotation in the counterclockwise direction.  
         [0060]     Referring again to  FIG. 12 , when the force that causes rotation in the clockwise direction occurs, the standing part  45  and the valve body  51  begin to rotate in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the silicone oil  31  in the division B is pressured, and as shown in  FIG. 13 , the pressured silicone oil  31  passes through the distribution path  46  and pressures the free end part  53 , and opens the distribution path  46 . Because the silicone oil  31  of the division B passes through the distribution path  46  and flows to the division A, damping does not need that extent for the operation axis part  48  to rotate to the clockwise direction.  
         [0061]     As described above, according to the present invention, because the distribution path  46  is provided on the standing part  45  of the rotor  41 , and this distribution path  46  is closed and opened by the free end part  53 , the space between the housing which functions as an orifice and the rotor becomes narrow and a large torque can be obtained and the certain accuracy of the damping torque can be maintained.  
         [0062]     Also, because the rotor  41  is made of polyester, which has elasticity, even when the damping torque of the silicone oil  31  is functioned unevenly to the rotor, the damping torque can be absorbed by the elasticity of the rotor  41 . Therefore, the damage and breakage of the rotor  41  can be prevented.  
         [0063]     Moreover, because the groove  44  is disposed in the valve body  51 , the movement to the axis direction of the valve body can be restricted. And when the thickness of the valve body  51  is the depth of the groove  44 , the thickness of the silicone oil  31  becomes even, and the fluctuation of the damping torque disappears, and the damping torque can be regulated.  
         [0064]     Further, the cross section of the distribution path  46  is narrowed towards the valve body  51  side, the damping torque can be functioned for the rotation of the rotor  41  to the non-damping direction. Because the rotation regulating part  14  which regulates the rotation of the rotor  41  is provided inside the case main body  12 , it can be a one-way damper D having one rotation.  
         [0065]      FIG. 14  is an explanation drawing for showing one example of an electronic device using a one-way damper according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0066]      FIG. 14 , shows an electronic device PA, such as a personal computer. An inputting part I is attached to a main body O, such that the electronic device PA can stand. The one-way damper described above is used as a rotation axis of a rotation part X. The one-way damper is attached such that the damping torque occurs when the inputting part I falls from the standing position standing along the main body O.  
         [0067]     When using the electronic device PA, the lock (not shown) of the lock mechanism, which maintains the inputting part I to the standing position, is unlocked and the upper end of the inputting part I is slightly pulled to forefront, the inputting part I is fallen by its weight. However, this fall of the inputting part I is controlled by this one-way damper.  
         [0068]      FIG. 15  shows another electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, using the one-way damper of the present invention.  
         [0069]      FIG. 15  shows an electronic device PB, such as a personal computer. A monitor part M is attached so as to stand with respect the main body O. The aforementioned one-way damper is used as a rotation axis of a rotation part X. The one-way damper is provided such that a damping torque occurs when the standing monitor M is closed onto the main body O.  
         [0070]     When usage of the electronic device PB is completed, the monitor part M is closed onto the main body O by pulling the upper edge of the monitor part M. The closing movement of the monitor M is damped by the one-way damper.  
         [0071]      FIG. 16  shows a still further electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention using the one-way damper of the present invention.  
         [0072]      FIG. 16  shows an electronic device PC, such as a personal computer. An inputting part I is housed such that it may be horizontally taken in and out of the main body O. In addition, the inputting part I stored with respect to the main body O is urged from the main body O by a forcing member (not shown).  
         [0073]     Moreover, the one-way damper is attached such that a damping torque occurs when the inputting part I is protruded from the main body O.  
         [0074]     In the electronic device PC, when a lock (not shown) of a lock mechanism is unlocked while the inputting part I is stored in the main body O, the inputting part I is ejected from the main body O by the force of the forcing member. For example, when the gear mechanism which gears the rack provided on the conveyer for conveying this inputting part I rotates the operation axis part of the one-way damper, the inputting part I which is ejected from the main body O is damped by the one-way damper.  
         [0075]     As described above and as shown in FIGS.  14  to  16 , according to the personal computer PA-PC of the present invention, the inputting part I may fall from the standing position as shown in  FIG. 14 , the monitor part M may fall onto the main body O as shown in  FIG. 15 , or the inputting part I may be ejected from the main body O by the force of a forcing member. In the present invention, the inputting part I and/or the monitor part M can be damped by the one-way damper. Therefore, damage or breakage of the inputting part I and the monitor part M is prevented.  
         [0076]     In the aforementioned embodiments, the example where the rotor  41  is made of a polyester resin is described. When a synthetic resin made of 30wt % glass is used for the rotor  41 , the rotor  41 , which receives a high load, can be strengthened. Also, the heat expanding ratio can be minimized. Therefore, damage and breakage of the rotor  41  can be prevented. Also the change in measurement caused by the temperature change can be minimized.  
         [0077]     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-228998 filed on Aug. 5, 2004 is incorporated in the application.  
         [0078]     While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.