FREEZER, AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR EXTENDING/RETRACTING MEMBER

Abstract

 A cryocooler includes a container filled with a refrigerant, an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in a prescribed direction, and a support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts movement in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction. The support member includes a first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member, a second connection portion connected to the container, and a deformation portion extending in the prescribed direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the prescribed direction. The deformation portion includes a member having a bent plate shape or cylindrical shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cryocooler, and a support structure for an extending/retracting member.

Background Art

[0002] A cryocooler includes a container filled with a refrigerant, and an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in an axial direction. As a support structure for supporting the extending/retracting member, support structures disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2 are known. According to the support structure disclosed in PTL 1, a piston serving as the extending/retracting member is supported by a ball bearing. According to the support structure disclosed in PTL 2, the piston serving as the extending/retracting member is supported by a spiral leaf spring.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003] 

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-185750

[PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H5-288419

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0004] In a case of the support structure disclosed in PTL 1 as described above, vibration is generated by rolling of the ball bearing. For example, in a case where the support structure is adopted for the cryocooler mounted on space devices, there is a problem in that the vibration affects each device in the cryocooler. On the other hand, in a case of the support structure disclosed in PTL 2 as described above, the vibration caused by the ball bearing can be suppressed. However, in a case where the spiral leaf spring is used, there is a possibility that the piston may be misaligned in a radial direction. That is, when the piston moves to compressed air side and the leaf spring greatly deforms, rigidity of the leaf spring decreases, thereby causing the possibility that the piston may be misaligned in the radial direction. Therefore, there is a problem in that a stroke of the piston cannot be lengthened.

[0005]  Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a cryocooler, and a support structure for an extending/retracting member that can suppress vibration and can correspond to lengthening of the extending/retracting member.

Solution to Problem

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, there is provided a cryocooler including a container filled with a refrigerant, an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in a prescribed direction, and a support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts movement in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction. The support member includes a first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member, a second connection portion connected to the container, and a deformation portion extending in the prescribed direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the prescribed direction. The deformation portion includes a member having a bent plate shape or cylindrical shape.

[0007] The cryocooler according to the aspect of the present invention, the cryocooler includes the support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts the movement in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction. The support member configured in this way includes the first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member, the second connection portion connected to the container, and the deformation portion that extends in the prescribed direction, one end connected to the first connection portion, and the other end connected to the second connection portion, and that deforms in the prescribed direction. In addition, the deformation portion includes the member having the bent plate shape or cylindrical shape. According to this support structure, in response to extending and retracting of the extending/retracting member, the member having the bent plate shape or cylindrical shape of the deformation portion stretches via the first connection portion. Therefore, vibration caused by a ball bearing can be suppressed. In addition, in the deformation portion, a plate-shaped or cylindrical member deforms between the first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member and the second connection portion fixed to the container. Accordingly, compared to a spiral leaf spring, it is possible to suppress a decrease in rigidity which is caused by extending and retracting of the extending/retracting member. Therefore, even when a stroke is lengthened, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the extending/retracting member in a radial direction. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress the vibration, and it is possible to correspond to lengthening of the extending/retracting member.

[0008] In the cryocooler, the deformation portion may be provided to surround the extending/retracting member when viewed in the prescribed direction. In this manner, it is possible to sufficiently support the extending/retracting member. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the decreases in the rigidity which is caused by extending and retracting of the extending/retracting member.

[0009] In the cryocooler, the deformation portion may include a plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved or bent. Each of the plate-shaped members may be curved or bent, when viewed in a circumferential direction with reference to a center axis extending in the prescribed direction of the extending/retracting member. In this manner, in response to extending and retracting of the extending/retracting member, the plate-shaped members that are curved or bent can stretch in the prescribed direction. Accordingly, it is possible to support the extending/retracting member.

[0010] The cryocooler may further include a piston fixed to the container. The extending/retracting member may be a cylinder that accommodates the piston. The support member may be disposed in both ends of the cylinder in the prescribed direction. In this manner, the cylinder serving as the extending/retracting member can be sufficiently supported by the support member in both ends of the cylinder.

[0011] The cryocooler may further include a coil that generates a force for enabling the extending/retracting member to extend and retract. The deformation portion may be formed of a conductive material and may supply electric power to the coil. In this manner, the deformation portion can also be used as a member for supplying the electric power to the coil.

[0012] In the cryocooler, the deformation portion may include a plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved or bent. The plate-shaped member may be formed of a material in which rigidity in a first direction in a plane direction is different from rigidity in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the plane direction. In this manner, the deformation portion is aligned so that a low rigidity direction corresponds to the prescribed direction and a high rigidity direction corresponds to the perpendicular direction. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently restrict the movement of the extending/retracting member in perpendicular direction.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support structure for an extending/retracting member which includes an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in a prescribed direction, and a support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts movement in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction. The support member includes a first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member, a second connection portion connected to a prescribed member, and a deformation portion extending in the prescribed direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the prescribed direction. The deformation portion includes a member having a bent plate shape or cylindrical shape.

[0014] According to the support structure for the extending/retracting member in the aspect of the present invention, the same operations and advantageous effects as those of the above-described cryocooler can be achieved.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cryocooler, and a support structure for an extending/retracting member that can suppress vibration and can correspond to lengthening of the extending/retracting member.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] 

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a cryocooler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a gas compressor of the cryocooler illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a deformation portion of a support structure.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a gas compressor of a cryocooler according to a modification example.

Figs. 5A to 5C are sectional views of a support member according to a modification example.

Figs. 6A to 6C are views illustrating a support structure according to a modification example.

Description of Embodiments

[0017] Hereinafter, a cryocooler, and a support structure for an extending/retracting member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals will be given to the same elements or equivalent elements in each drawing, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0018] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a cryocooler 1 is a Stirling cryocooler using a so-called Stirling cycle, and is a small cryocooler that generates a cooling temperature of approximately 80 K, for example. The cryocooler 1 includes a gas compressor 2, a cold head 3, and a capillary tube 4 that connects both of these to each other. The cryocooler 1 is internally filled with refrigerant gas (refrigerant) used for a freezing operation. For example, helium gas can be used as the refrigerant gas.

[0019] The gas compressor 2 adopts a support structure 50 for an extending/retracting member according to the present embodiment. The gas compressor 2 according to the present embodiment has a symmetric configuration with reference to a center position in an axial direction (prescribed direction) in which a center axis CL extends. Therefore, unless otherwise described, only one side configuration in the axial direction will be described. In addition, a side closer to the center position in the axial direction will be referred to as "inward in the axial direction", and a side closer to both ends will be referred to as "outward in the axial direction". In addition, a direction closer to or away from the center axis CL, which is a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the center axis CL will be referred to as a "radial direction". In addition, a side away from the center axis CL in the radial direction will be referred to as an "outer peripheral side in the radial direction", and a side closer to the center axis CL will be referred to as an "inner peripheral side in the radial direction". In addition, a direction around the center axis CL will be referred to as a "circumferential direction". As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the gas compressor 2 includes a container 10, a cylinder (extending/retracting member) 6, a piston 7, a yoke 8, and support members 9A and 9B. Among these, a support structure 50 for the extending/retracting member is configured to include the cylinder 6 and the support members 9A and 9B.

[0020] The container 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction around the center axis CL, and is internally filled with the above-described refrigerant gas. A partition member 5 spreading around the center axis is disposed at a center position of the container 10 in the axial direction.

[0021]  The cylinder 6 constitutes the extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction. That is, the cylinder 6 can reciprocate along the axial direction. The cylinder 6 is accommodated outside in the axial direction from the partition member 5 inside the container 10, and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction around the center axis CL. The cylinder 6 according to the present embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 31 having a cylindrical shape, a partition portion 32 that spreads across the radial direction at an intermediate position in the axial direction inside the cylindrical portion 31, and a coil support portion 33 that is disposed in the vicinity of an outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 in the axial direction, and that supports a coil 36 (to be described later) . A tip end side of the coil support portion 33 has the coil 36 that extends in the radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31, and that extends inward in the axial direction after being bent.

[0022] The piston 7 is fixed to the container 10. The piston 7 is a columnar member extending outward in the axial direction around the center axis CL from the center position of the container 10. An outer end surface of the piston 7 in the axial direction is accommodated inside the cylindrical portion 31 of the cylinder 6, and faces the partition portion 32 to be away from each other in the axial direction. In this manner, a compression/expansion space N is formed between the piston 7 and the cylinder 6. A volume of the compression/expansion space N increases or decreases as the cylinder 6 extends or retracts, thereby expanding and compressing the refrigerant gas in response thereto. The piston 7 has a flow path 7a penetrating along the center axis CL and a flow path 7b penetrating from the flow path 7a in the radial direction at the center position in the axial direction. The flow path 7b communicates with a flow path 5a formed inside the partition member 5 and extending in the radial direction. The flow path 5a communicates with a flow path 4a of the capillary tube 4. In this manner, the refrigerant gas compressed in the compression/expansion space N is supplied to the cold head 3 via the flow paths 7a, 7b, 5a, and 4a.

[0023] The yoke 8 is a double cylindrical member disposed on the outer peripheral side in the radial direction from the cylindrical portion 31 of the cylinder 6. The yoke 8 is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the container 10, and is provided to surround the cylindrical portion 31 of the cylinder 6. The yoke 8 has a groove portion 8a extending inward in the axial direction from the outer end portion in the axial direction. A permanent magnet 34 is formed on an outer peripheral surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove portion 8a in the radial direction. In this manner, the yoke 8 forms a magnetic circuit together with the permanent magnet 34. The coil 36 supported by the coil support portion 33 of the cylinder 6 is disposed in the groove portion 3a of the yoke 8 from the outside toward the inside in the axial direction. In this manner, the coil 36 is disposed inside the groove portion 3a to face the inner peripheral side of the permanent magnet 34. The coil 36 is excited to generate a force for causing the cylinder 6 serving as the extending/retracting member to extend and retract by using an operation of the permanent magnet 34.

[0024] The support member 9A supports the cylinder 6 serving as the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction, and restricts movement in the perpendicular direction (radial direction and circumferential direction) perpendicular to the axial direction. The support member 9A includes a first connection portion 41A connected to the cylinder 6, a second connection portion 42A connected to the container 10, and a deformation portion 40A extending in the axial direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion 41A, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the axial direction. The first connection portion 41A is connected to the outer end portion of the cylinder 6 in the axial direction. In addition, the second connection portion 42A is disposed to face the first connection portion 41A while being separated outward in the axial direction. The first connection portion 41A and the second connection portion 42A are configured to include a plate-shaped member having an annular shape formed around the center axis CL, or a plate-shaped member having a disc shape.

[0025] The deformation portion 40A is configured to include a bent plate-shaped member. The deformation portion 40A is configured to include a plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved. In addition, each of the plate-shaped members is curved when viewed in the circumferential direction with reference to the center axis CL. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the deformation portion 40A is configured so that the plate-shaped member extending in a strip shape is curved into a C-shape in cross section. The plate-shaped member is formed in an elongated rectangular shape. The plate-shaped member is folded so that front and rear planar portions are curved. The plate-shaped member is formed of a material having elastic anisotropy. The plate-shaped member is formed of a material in which rigidity in a longitudinal direction (first direction) in a plane direction and rigidity in a short direction (second direction) in the plane direction are different from each other. Here, the rigidity in the longitudinal direction is low, and the rigidity in the short direction is high. As this material, single crystal metal is used. Examples of applicable single crystal metal include Fe-Mn-Si alloy, Cu-Al-Mn alloy, and Cu-Al-Ni alloy. Here, Cu-Al-Ni alloy is adopted which is excellent in both elastic anisotropy and super-elasticity. In addition, the deformation portion 40A may be formed of a conductive material. According to this configuration, the deformation portion 40A is likely to deform in the longitudinal direction (axial direction in an assembly character). On the other hand, the deformation portion 40A maintains its shape without deforming in the short direction (perpendicular direction perpendicular to the axial direction).

[0026] The outer end portion of the deformation portion 40A in the axial direction is connected to the second connection portion 42A, and the inner end portion is connected to the first connection portion 41A. The deformation portion 40A is connected to an outer peripheral edge portion of the first connection portion 41A and the second connection portion 42A. Each plate-shaped member of the deformation portion 40A is curved when viewed in the circumferential direction with reference to the axial direction. The deformation portion 40A is curved to protrude toward the inner peripheral side in the radial direction. A plurality of the deformation parts 40A are provided to surround the cylinder 6 when viewed in the axial direction. The plurality of deformation parts 40A may be disposed at an equal angle around the center axis CL. The number of the deformation parts 40A is not particularly limited. According to the above-described configuration, the deformation portion 40A deforms in the axial direction. On the other hand, the deformation portion 40A maintains its shape without deforming in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the axial direction. That is, the support member 9A can support the cylinder 6 be capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction, and can restrict movement in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The support member 9A can function as an energizing member for supplying electricity to the coil 36.

[0027] The support member 9B includes a first connection portion 41B connected to the cylinder 6, a second connection portion 42B connected to the container 10, and a deformation portion 40B extending in the axial direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion 41B, having the other end connected to the second connection portion 42B, and deforming in the axial direction. The first connection portion 41B is connected to the inner end portion of the cylinder 6 in the axial direction. In addition, the second connection portion 42B is disposed to face the first connection portion 41B while being separated inward in the axial direction. With regard to other configurations, the first connection portion 41B, the second connection portion 42B, and the deformation portion 40B have the same configurations as the first connection portion 41A, the second connection portion 42A, and the deformation portion 40A.

[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cold head 3 includes a casing 21, a cylinder 22, a displacer 23, a support rod 27, and a coil spring 25. The casing 21 having a substantially columnar shape internally communicates with the flow path 4a inside the capillary tube 4, and the refrigerant gas is fed into the casing 21 through the capillary tube 4.

[0029] The cylinder 22 is a substantially cylindrical member disposed to protrude from the casing 21. A tip (end that protrudes from the casing 21) of the cylinder 22 is closed. The cylinder 22 internally has a space that communicates with the inside of the casing 21. In addition, the displacer 23 extending along the cylinder 22 is inserted into the cylinder 22.

[0030] An expansion space M is formed on a tip end side of the cylinder 22 by an inner wall of the cylinder 22 and the displacer 23. The refrigerant gas inside the casing 21 flows into the expansion space M through a gas flow path 24 formed inside the displacer 23. The gas flow path 24 inside the displacer 23 is filled with a regenerator material 26.

[0031] The displacer 23 is supported by the support rod 27 that extends in a protruding direction of the cylinder 22 inside the casing 21. The support rod 27 is supported by a bearing support portion 28 and a bearing 29 which are disposed inside the casing 21, and the bearing 29 supports the displacer 23 to be movable in the protruding direction of the cylinder 22 via the support rod 27. The coil spring 25 is disposed in the casing 21 to be wound around the support rod 27. One end of the coil spring 25 is attached to the support rod 27, and the other end is attached to the bearing support portion 28. The coil spring 25 applies an elastic force in a direction in which the displacer 23 returns to an initial position, in a case where the displacer 23 is moved due to a flow of the refrigerant gas.

[0032] In the cryocooler 1, the pair of the cylinders 6 reciprocates along the axial direction by energizing the coil 36. That is, the pair of the cylinders 6 moves closer to each other in the axial direction, thereby reducing the compression/expansion space N and compressing the refrigerant gas inside the space. In addition, the pair of the cylinders 6 moves away from each other in the axial direction, thereby enlarging the compression/expansion space N and expanding the refrigerant gas inside the space. When the refrigerant gas is compressed or expanded inside the compression/expansion space N by reciprocating movement of each cylinder 6, a pressure fluctuation is transmitted to the cold head 3 through the flow path inside the capillary tube 4, and the refrigerant gas inside the cold head 3 is compressed or decompressed.

[0033] When the refrigerant gas in the compression/expansion space N is compressed by the gas compressor 2, the pressure is transmitted through the capillary tube 4, and a portion of the refrigerant gas is pushed into the expansion space M while being cooled by the regenerator material 26 inside the cold head 3. Thereafter, when the compression/expansion space N is enlarged by the gas compressor 2, the pressure of the refrigerant gas inside the cold head 3 decreases through the capillary tube 4, and the refrigerant gas inside the compression/expansion space N is subjected to adiabatic expansion to generate coldness. These processes are repeatedly performed, thereby enabling the cylinder 22 of the cold head 3 to perform a freezing operation of approximately 80K or lower, for example.

[0034] Next, operations and advantageous effects of the cryocooler 1 and the support structure 50 for the extending/retracting member according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0035] The cryocooler 1 according to the present embodiment includes the support members 9A and 9B that support the cylinder 6 serving as the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction, and that restrict the movement in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The support members 9A and 9B configured in this way have the first connection portions 41A and 41B connected to the extending/retracting member, the second connection portions 42A and 42B connected to the container 10, and the deformation parts 40A and 40B extending in the axial direction, having one end connected to the first connection portions 41A and 41B, having the other end connected to the second connection portions 42A and 42B, and deforming in the axial direction. The deformation parts 40A and 40B are configured to include the bent plate-shaped member. According to the support structure 50, in response to extending and retracting of the cylinder 6, the bent plate-shaped member of the deformation parts 40A and 40B stretches via the first connection portions 41A and 41B. Therefore, vibration caused by a ball bearing can be suppressed. In addition, in the deformation parts 40A and 40B, the plate-shaped member deforms between the first connection portions 41A and 41B connected to the cylinder 6 and the second connection portions 42A and 42B fixed to the container 10. Therefore, compared to the spiral leaf spring, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the rigidity which is caused by extending and retracting of the cylinder 6. Therefore, even when a stroke is lengthened, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the cylinder 6 in the radial direction. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress the vibration, and it is possible to correspond to lengthening of the cylinder 6.

[0036] In the cryocooler 1 according to the present embodiment, the deformation parts 40A and 40B are provided to surround the cylinder 6 when viewed in the axial direction. In this manner, it is possible to sufficiently support the cylinder 6. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the decreases in the rigidity which is caused by extending and retracting of the cylinder 6.

[0037] In the cryocooler 1 according to the present embodiment, the deformation parts 40A and 40B are configured to include the plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved, and each of the plate-shaped members is curved when viewed in the circumferential direction with reference to the center axis CL extending in the axial direction of the cylinder 6. In this manner, in response to extending and retracting of the cylinder 6, the plate-shaped member that is curved or bent stretches in the axial direction. Accordingly, the cylinder 6 can be supported.

[0038] The cryocooler 1 according to the present embodiment further includes the piston 7 fixed to the container 10. The cylinder 6 accommodates the piston 7, and the support members 9A and 9B are disposed in both ends of the cylinder 6 in the axial direction. In this manner, the cylinder 6 serving as the extending/retracting member can be sufficiently supported by the support member in both ends of the cylinder 6.

[0039] The cryocooler 1 according to the present embodiment further includes the coil 36 that generates the force for the cylinder 6 to extend and retract. The deformation parts 40A and 40B are formed of the conductive material, and supply the electric power to the coil 36. In this manner, the deformation parts 40A and 40B can also be used as a member for supplying the electric power to the coil 36.

[0040] In the cryocooler according to the present invention, the deformation parts 40A and 40B are configured to include the plurality of plate-shaped members that are bent. The plate-shaped member is formed of the material in which the rigidity in the first direction in the plane direction and the rigidity in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the plane direction are different from each other. In this manner, the deformation parts 40A and 40B are aligned so that a low rigidity direction corresponds to the prescribed direction and a high rigidity direction corresponds to the perpendicular direction. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently restrict the movement of the cylinder 6 in perpendicular direction.

[0041] According to the present embodiment, there is provided the support structure 50 for the extending/retracting member. The support structure 50 for the extending/retracting member includes the cylinder 6 serving as the extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction, and the support members 9A and 9B that support the cylinder 6 to be capable of extending and retracting in the axial direction, and that restrict the movement in the perpendicular direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The support members 9A and 9B include the first connection portions 41A and 41B connected to the cylinder 6, the second connection portions 42A and 42B connected to the container (prescribed member) 10, and the deformation parts 40A and 40B extending in the axial direction, having one end connected to the first connection portions 41A and 41B, having the other end connected to the second connection portions 42A and 42B, and deforming in the axial direction. The deformation parts 40A and 40B are configured to include the bent plate-shaped member.

[0042] According to the support structure 50 for the extending/retracting member in the present embodiment, the same operation and advantageous effect as those of the above-described cryocooler 1 can be achieved.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0044] For example, the above-described embodiment adopts the cylinder as the extending/retracting member. However, a piston may be adopted as the extending/retracting member. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the gas compressor 2 of a cryocooler 100 includes a cylinder 106 fixed to the container 10, and a piston 107 capable of extending and retracting. The cylinder 106 is disposed in the vicinity of a center position of the container 10 in the axial direction. The cylinder 106 has the compression/expansion space N that communicates with the flow path 5a of the partition member 5 to accommodate the piston 107. The piston 107 includes a piston member 131 to be accommodated in the compression/expansion space N of the cylinder 106, a piston rod 132 connected to the piston member 131 and extending in the axial direction, and a coil support portion 133 disposed in the vicinity of an outer end portion of the piston rod 132 in the axial direction. The outer end portion of the piston rod 132 in the axial direction is connected to the first connection portion 41A of the support member 9A. A position of the piston rod 132 between the yoke 8 and the cylinder 106 is connected to the first connection portion 41B of the support member 9B. A through-hole is formed in the second connection portion 42B, and the piston rod 132 is inserted into the through-hole.

[0045] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the support structure for the extending/retracting member is applied to the gas compressor 2. However, the support structure for the extending/retracting member may be applied to the cold head 3.

[0046] In addition, the configuration of the deformation portion of the support member is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as in a support member 150 illustrated in Fig. 5A, a deformation portion 153 configured to include a bent plate-shaped member may be adopted. In addition, a curved form or the number of curved times of the plate-shaped member is not particularly limited. As in a support member 160 illustrated in Fig. 5B, a deformation portion 163 configured to include a plate-shaped member curved twice in a substantially S-shape may be adopted. As in a support member 170 illustrated in Fig. 5C, a deformation portion 173 configured to include a bent cylindrical member may be adopted. For example, the deformation portion 173 may be configured to include a bellows that is a cylindrical member bent in multiple stages. In addition, a curved cylindrical member may be adopted as the deformation part.

[0047] In addition, a bent or curved form of the plate-shaped member is not particularly limited. As in a deformation portion 180 illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B, a slit may be inserted into one plate-shaped member so as to form bifurcated portions 181 and 182. In this manner, one bifurcated portion 181 may be curved or bent to one side in the axial direction, and the other bifurcated portion 182 may be curved or bent to the other side in the axial direction. In addition, a shape of the plate-shaped member configuring the deformation portion is not particularly limited, and other shapes in addition to the rectangular shape may be adopted. For example, as in a deformation portion 190 illustrated in Fig. 6C, an edge portion may be curved so that the vicinity of the center position in the longitudinal direction is recessed. In this way, a spring constant may be adjusted by adjusting the shape of the plate-shaped member itself. In addition, in the support member, a member that generates an elastic force may not be only the deformation part. In a case where the spring constant is insufficient, a coil spring may be additionally used.

Reference Signs List

[0048] 

1, 100:

cryocooler

6, 106:

cylinder

7, 107:

piston

9A, 9B, 150, 160, 170:

support member

36:

coil

40A, 40B, 153, 163, 173, 180, 190:

deformation portion

41A, 41B:

first connection portion

42A, 42B:

second connection portion

50:

support structure

Claims

1. A cryocooler comprising:

a container filled with a refrigerant;

an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in a prescribed direction; and

a support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts movement in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction,

wherein the support member includes

a first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member,

a second connection portion connected to the container, and

a deformation portion extending in the prescribed direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the prescribed direction, and

wherein the deformation portion is formed of a member having a bent plate shape or a cylindrical shape.

2. The cryocooler according to claim 1,
wherein the deformation portion is provided to surround the extending/retracting member when viewed in the prescribed direction.

3. The cryocooler according to claim 2,
wherein the deformation portion includes a plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved or bent, and
wherein each of the plate-shaped members is curved or bent, when viewed in a circumferential direction with reference to a center axis extending in the prescribed direction of the extending/retracting member.

4. The cryocooler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a piston fixed to the container,

wherein the extending/retracting member is a cylinder that accommodates the piston, and

wherein the support member is disposed in both ends of the cylinder in the prescribed direction.

5. The cryocooler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

a coil that generates a force for enabling the extending/retracting member to extend and retract,

wherein the deformation portion is formed of a conductive material and supplies electric power to the coil.

6. The cryocooler according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the deformation portion includes a plurality of plate-shaped members that are curved or bent, and
wherein the plate-shaped member is formed of a material in which rigidity in a first direction in a plane direction is different from rigidity in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the plane direction.

7. A support structure for an extending/retracting member, comprising
an extending/retracting member capable of extending and retracting in a prescribed direction; and
a support member that supports the extending/retracting member to be capable of extending and retracting in the prescribed direction, and that restricts movement in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction.
wherein the support member includes

a first connection portion connected to the extending/retracting member;

a second connection portion connected to a prescribed member, and

a deformation portion extending in the prescribed direction, having one end connected to the first connection portion, having the other end connected to the second connection portion, and deforming in the prescribed direction,

wherein the deformation portion is formed of a member having a bent plate shape or a cylindrical shape.

Drawing