Patent ID: 12209633

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through preferred embodiments and modifications and combinations thereof. However, the present invention defined in the claims is not limited to the following preferred embodiments, and not all combinations of features described in the preferred embodiments are essential.

FIG.1is a diagram schematically showing an example of a usage mode of a supporter100. The supporter100is a member that supports a supported body S. The supporter100shown inFIG.1supports a machine tool serving as the supported body S, and the machine tool is an example of the supported body S. The supporter100includes an upper member110and a lower member120. The lower member120is arranged on a floor surface F, and on which the upper member110is to be mounted.

FIG.2is a perspective view of a state in which the upper member110and the lower member120are separated from each other, as viewed obliquely from above.FIG.3is a perspective view of a state in which the upper member110and the lower member120are separated from each other, as viewed obliquely from below.FIG.4includes a plan view of the upper member110as viewed from above, and a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line A-A in the plan view.FIG.5includes a plan view of the upper member120as viewed from below, and a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line B-B in the plan view.

The upper member110includes a load receiver111on which a projection P projecting downward from the supported body S is to be mounted and which receives the load of the supported body S. For example, when the supported body S is a machine tool, a height adjustment bolt, which projects downward from the machine tool, is mounted on the load receiver111, to thereby receive the load of the machine tool. The height adjustment bolt is an example of the projection P.

As shown inFIG.4, the upper member110preferably has a circular or substantially circular shape in a plan view. As shown inFIG.5, the lower member120preferably has a circular or substantially circular shape in a plan view. As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the upper member110and the lower member120have the same outer edge diameter in a plan view.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.4, in the center portion in a plan view of an upper portion of the upper member110, a recess115into which the projection P of the supported body S can be inserted provided. The load receiver111includes the bottom of the recess115.

As shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, a fitted portion112having a recessed shape is provided in a lower surface of the upper member110. On the other hand, as shown inFIG.2andFIG.5, a fitting portion121having a raised shape that is to be fitted in the fitted portion112is provided in an upper surface of the lower member120. In the upper member110shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, a fitted portion112having a circular or substantially circular shape in a plan view with a diameter sufficiently greater than that of the load receiver111is provided. On the other hand, in the lower member120shown inFIG.2andFIG.5, the fitting portion121having a diameter slightly smaller in a plan view than that of the fitted portion112is provided so that it can be fitted in the fitted portion112of the upper member110. It should be noted that the fitted portion having a recessed shape may be provided in the upper surface of the lower member120. In such a case, a fitting portion having a raised shape that is to be fitted in the fitted portion of the lower member120is provided in the lower surface of the upper member110.

As shown inFIG.3andFIG.5, the lower member120includes a plurality of legs122in contact with the floor surface F. In the center portion surrounded by the plurality of legs122in a plan view, an indentation124indented upward from the lower surfaces of the legs122is provided. The lower member120shown inFIG.3andFIG.5includes, in regions other than the center portion thereof in the plan view, three of the legs122at equal or substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

As shown inFIG.4, the upper member110includes, in the center portion thereof in a plan view, a first flexure113that bends downward under the load of the supported body S received by the load receiver111. As shown inFIG.5, in the portion surrounded by the plurality of legs122, the lower member120includes the indentation124included in the second flexure123that is bent downward as pressed by the first flexure113of the upper member110being bent downward.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view of a supporter100showing a state in which the load receiver111is not receiving the load of the supported body S.FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the supporter100showing a state in which the load receiver111is receiving the load of the supported body S.FIG.8is a diagram showing a distribution of contact pressure exerted on the lower member120when pressed by the first flexure113of the upper member110being bent downward.

When arranging the supported body S on the floor surface F, the supporter100is arranged directly underneath the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S while the fitting portion121of the lower member120is fitted in the fitted portion112of the upper member110. In the example shown inFIG.1, the supporter100is arranged directly underneath the height adjustment bolt projecting downward from the machine tool.

When the load receiver111of the upper member110is not receiving the load of the supported body S, a gap G1is formed between the lower surface of the first flexure113of the upper member110and the upper surface of the second flexure123of the lower member120, as shown inFIG.6.

When the projection P of the supported body S is mounted on the load receiver111of the upper member110and the load receiver111receives a load L of the supported body S as shown inFIG.7, the first flexure113of the upper member110bends downward. As the first flexure113of the upper member110bends downward, the second flexure123of the lower member120is pressed by the first flexure113of the upper member110and bends downward. At this time, in the second flexure123of the lower member120, as shown inFIG.8, a contact pressure higher than that exerted in a region R1not corresponding to the positions of the legs122in a plan view is exerted in a region R2corresponding to the positions of the legs122. Such a contact pressure distribution as shown inFIG.8can be realized by selecting thicknesses, materials, and so forth of the upper member110and the lower member120that make the rigidity of the lower member120lower than that of the upper member110.

As a result, in the supporter100, a sliding region SA1in which the first flexure113of the upper member110being bent downward and the second flexure123of the lower member120being bent downward as pressed by the first flexure113can slide on each other, is provided. When the supported body S vibrates, the first flexure113and the second flexure123slide on each other in the sliding region SA1, whereby the supporter100in the state where the sliding region SA1has been formed reduces or prevents transmission of the vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F. Also, when the floor surface F vibrates, the first flexure113and the second flexure123slide on each other in the sliding region SA1, whereby the supporter100in the state where the sliding region SA1has been formed reduces or prevents transmission of the vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

As described above, the supporter100includes the upper member110including the load receiver111on which the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S is to be mounted and which receives the load L of the supported body S. The supporter100also includes the lower member120which is arranged on the floor surface F and on which the upper member110is to be mounted. The upper member110includes, in the center portion thereof in a plan view, the first flexure113that bends downward under the load L of the supported body S received by the load receiver111. The lower member120includes the second flexure123that bends downward when pressed by the first flexure113bending downward. In the supporter100, the sliding region SA1in which the first flexure113being bent downward and the second flexure123being bent downward as pressed by the first flexure113can slide on each other is defined by the load receiver111having received the load L of the supported body S. As a result, it is possible to reduce or prevent, irrespective of the magnitude of vibration, transmission of vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F and transmission of vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

In the supporter100, when the supported body S or the floor surface F vibrates, the first flexure113and the second flexure123slide on each other within the sliding region SA1. As a result, when the supported body S vibrates, the first flexure113and the second flexure123slide on each other within the sliding region SA1, which makes it possible to reduce or prevent transmission of the vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F. Also, when the floor surface F vibrates, the first flexure113and the second flexure123slide on each other within the sliding region SA1, which makes it possible to reduce or prevent transmission of the vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

The gap G1may formed between the first flexure113and the second flexure123when the load receiver111is not receiving the load L of the supported body S. As a result, it is possible to favorably structure the sliding region SA1such that, when the projection P is mounted on the load receiver111, the first flexure113and the second flexure123can slide on each other.

The lower member120may include the plurality of legs122that come in contact with the floor surface F. The lower member120may also include the indentation124included in the second flexure123and surrounded by the plurality of legs. As a result, when the projection P is mounted on the load receiver111, it is possible to achieve a favorable bend in the second flexure123as pressed by the first flexure113.

The upper member110may have a rigidity lower than that of the lower member120. As a result, when the projection P is mounted on the load receiver111, the amount of downward bending of the first flexure113and the amount of downward bending of the second flexure123can be made different, and the sliding region SA1can be favorably provided.

In either one of the lower surface of the upper member110and the upper surface of the lower member120, the fitted portion having a recessed shape may be provided, and in the other, the fitting portion which is to be fitted in the fitted portion and has a raised shape may be provided. As a result, even when the supported body S or the floor surface F vibrates while the projection P is mounted on the load receiver111, it is possible to reduce or prevent excessive sliding of the upper member110relative to the lower member120.

The upper member110and the lower member120, in a plan view, may both have a circular or substantially circular outer edge with the same diameter. As a result, when the projection P is mounted on the load receiver111, it is possible to provide the sliding region SA1at a favorable position in the plan view.

The load receiver111may include the bottom of the recess115into which the projection P can be inserted. As a result, insertion of the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S into the recess115makes favorable mounting of the projection P possible.

FIG.9toFIG.11are diagrams showing a supporter200according to another preferred embodiment.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view of the supporter200showing a state in which the load receiver211is not receiving the load of the supported body S. The supporter200is a member that supports the supported body S. The supporter200includes an upper member210and a lower member220.

The upper member210is a member that includes a load receiver211on which the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S is to be mounted and which receives the load of the supported body S. The lower member220is a member that is arranged on the floor surface F, and on which the upper member210is to be mounted.

As with the upper member110of the supporter100, the upper member210is a member having a circular or substantially circular shape in a plan view. As with the lower member120of the supporter100, the lower member220is a member having a circular or substantially circular shape in the plan view. As with the upper member110and the lower member120of the supporter100, the upper member210and the lower member220have the same outer edge diameter in the plan view.

In the center portion in the plan view of an upper portion of the upper member210, a recess215into which the projection P of the supported body S can be inserted is provided. The load receiver211is the bottom of the recess215.

In a lower surface of the upper member210, a fitted portion212having a recessed shape is provided. On the other hand, in an upper surface of the lower member220, a fitting portion221having a raised shape that is to be fitted in the fitted portion212of the upper member210is provided. In the upper member210shown inFIG.9, the fitted portion212having a circular or substantially circular shape in the plan view with a diameter sufficiently greater than that of the load receiver211is provided. On the other hand, in the lower member120, the fitting portion221having a diameter slightly smaller in the plan view than that of the fitted portion212is provided so that it can be fitted in the fitted portion212of the upper member210. It should be noted that the fitted portion having a recessed shape may be provided in the upper surface of the lower member220. In such a case, a fitting portion having a raised shape that is to be fitted in the fitted portion of the lower member220is provided in the lower surface of the upper member210.

The lower member120includes a plurality of legs222that come in contact with the floor surface F. The lower member220shown inFIG.9includes, in regions other than the center portion thereof in the plan view, three of the legs222at equal or substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The upper member210includes, in the center portion thereof in the plan view, a flexure213that bends downward under the load of the supported body S received by the load receiver211. The upper member210also includes, in a portion that surrounds the flexure213, a contact that comes in contact with a planar surface225of the lower member220. The attitude of the contact214changes as the flexure213bends downward.

FIG.10is a cross-sectional view of the supporter200showing a state in which the load receiver211is receiving the load L of the supported body S.FIG.11is a diagram showing a distribution of contact pressure exerted on the lower member220when the attitude of the contact214changes as the flexure213bends downward.

When arranging the supported body S on the floor surface F, the supporter200is arranged directly underneath the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S while the fitting portion221of the lower member220is fitted in the fitted portion212of the upper member210.

When the load receiver211of the upper member210is not receiving the load L of the supported body S, a gap G2is formed between the lower surface of the flexure213of the upper member210and the upper surface of the lower member220, as shown inFIG.9. The gap G2is set to a size such that when the load receiver211of the upper member210receives the load L of the supported body S, the lower surface of the flexure213of the upper member210and the upper surface of the lower member220do not come in contact with each other. When the load receiver211of the upper member210is not receiving the load L of the supported body S, the entire lower surface of the contact214of the upper member210is in contact with a planar surface225of the lower member220, as shown inFIG.9.

When the projection P of the supported body S is mounted on the load receiver211of the upper member210and the load receiver211receives the load L of the supported body S as shown inFIG.10, the flexure213of the upper member210bends downward. Between the lower surface of the flexure213of the upper member210and the upper surface of the lower member220, a gap G3smaller than the gap G2is still formed even when the flexure213of the upper member210bends downward. The lower surface of the flexure213of the upper member210and the upper surface of the lower member220not coming in contact with each other cause the contact214of the upper member210to be pushed radially outward in the plan view, and the attitude thereof changes as shown inFIG.10. A radially outer portion of the lower surface of the contact214of the upper member210separates and rises from the planar surface225of the lower member220, and a radially inner portion of the lower surface of the contact214comes in contact with the planar surface225. At this time, as shown inFIG.11, contact pressure is not exerted in a region R3in which the planar surface225of the lower member220is not in contact with the contact214of the upper member210, whereas contact pressure is exerted in a region R4, which is in contact with the contact214.

In the supporter200, a sliding region SA2in which the contact214, the attitude of which changed as the flexure213of the upper member210bent, and the planar surface225of the lower member220can slide on each other, is provided. When the supported body S vibrates, the contact214and the planar surface225of the lower member220slide on each other in the sliding region SA2, whereby the supporter200in the state where the sliding region SA2has been provided reduces or prevents transmission of the vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F. Also, when the floor surface F vibrates, the contact214and the planar surface225of the lower member220slide on each other in the sliding region SA2, whereby the supporter200in the state where the sliding region SA2has been provided reduces or prevents transmission of the vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

As described above, the supporter200includes the upper member210including the load receiver211on which the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S is to be mounted and which receives the load L of the supported body S. The supporter200also includes the lower member220which is arranged on the floor surface F and on which the upper member210is to be mounted. The upper member210includes, in the center portion thereof in the plan view, the flexure213that bends downward under the load L of the supported body S received by the load receiver211. The upper member210also includes, in the portion that surrounds the flexure213, the contact214that comes in contact with the lower member220. The attitude of the contact214changes as the flexure213bends downward. In the supporter200, the sliding region SA2in which the contact214, the attitude of which changed as the flexure213bent downward, and the lower member220can slide on each other is formed by the load receiver211having received the load L of the supported body S. As a result, it is possible to reduce or prevent, irrespective of the magnitude of vibration, transmission of vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F and transmission of vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

When the supported body S or the floor surface F vibrates, the contact214and the lower member220slide on each other within the sliding region SA2. As a result, when the supported body S vibrates, the contact214and the lower member220slide on each other within the sliding region SA2, which makes it possible to reduce or prevent transmission of the vibration of the supported body S to the floor surface F. Also, when the floor surface F vibrates, the contact214and the lower member220slide on each other within the sliding region SA2, which makes it possible to reduce or prevent transmission of the vibration of the floor surface F to the supported body S.

In either one of the lower surface of the upper member210and the upper surface of the lower member220, the fitted portion having a recessed shape may be provided, and in the other, the fitting portion which is to be fitted in the fitted portion and has a raised shape may be provided. As a result, even when the supported body S or the floor surface F vibrates while the projection P is mounted on the load receiver211, it is possible to reduce or prevent excessive sliding of the upper member210relative to the lower member220.

The upper member210and the lower member220, in the plan view, may both have a circular or substantially circular outer edge with the same diameter. As a result, when the projection P is mounted on the load receiver211, it is possible to provide the sliding region SA2at a favorable position in the plan view.

The load receiver211may include the bottom of the recess215into which the projection P can be inserted. As a result, insertion of the projection P projecting downward from the supported body S into the recess215makes favorable mounting of the projection P possible.

The present invention has been described through the above preferred embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the description of the above preferred embodiments. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above preferred embodiments. It is also apparent from the scope of claims that the present invention also encompasses one or more of such modifications or improvements.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.