CN111608515B

CN111608515B - Friction hinge device

Info

Publication number: CN111608515B
Application number: CN201910903038.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 禹桢薰; 郑益溱; 权玟佑; 林佯默; 崔奉柱; 金载珉
Original assignee: Hyundai Motor Co; Kia Motors Corp; Seoyon E Hwa Co Ltd; Nifco Korea Inc
Current assignee: Hyundai Motor Co; Seoyon E Hwa Co Ltd; Nifco Korea Inc; Kia Corp
Priority date: 2019-02-22
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2023-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-24
Also published as: CN111608515A; KR20200102766A; KR102429508B1; DE102019125054A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a friction hinge device, comprising: a first hinge element coupled to the pivoting object; a second hinge element coupled to a fixed object; a friction shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge element and the second hinge element; and a friction guide which is in frictional contact with the friction shaft.

Description

Friction hinge device

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of korean patent application No.10-2019-0021158, filed in the korean intellectual property office at 22.2.2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a friction hinge device, and more particularly, to a friction hinge device capable of frictionally holding a pivoting object in a desired position or a predetermined position and giving a click feeling during pivoting of the pivoting object, thereby improving ease of use and freedom of design.

Background

The hinge device is configured to pivot a pivoting object such as a door, a lid, a cover, or an armrest.

For example, an instrument panel armrest for a vehicle may allow the armrest to pivot relative to the instrument panel box via a hinge arrangement. The instrument panel box has a space for storing various small items, and a top opening of the instrument panel box is opened and closed when the armrest pivots.

The hinge device includes a first hinge element coupled to a pivoting object such as an armrest, a second hinge element coupled to a fixed object such as an instrument panel box, a pivot pin provided between the first hinge element and the second hinge element, a torsion spring mounted on the pivot pin, and a locking structure for locking or unlocking a pivoting position of the first hinge element. The first hinge element may be configured to be elastically pivoted with respect to the second hinge element by an elastic force of the torsion spring.

However, the conventional hinge device has a complicated structure due to the torsion spring and the locking structure, which increases the manufacturing cost and reduces the degree of freedom of design.

The conventional hinge device cannot properly hold the pivot object at a desired position of a user and has no click feeling in the pivoting operation of the first hinge member, resulting in a reduction in the operational feeling of the pivot object and an inability to properly adjust the opening degree of the pivot object.

The above information described in this background section is provided to aid in understanding the background of the inventive concepts and may include any technical concepts that are not admitted to be prior art by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, while fully maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

An aspect of the present invention provides a friction hinge device capable of frictionally holding a pivot object at a desired position or a predetermined position and giving a click feeling during a pivoting operation of the pivot object, thereby improving an operational feeling, ease of use, and a degree of freedom in design.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a friction hinge device may include: a first hinge element coupled to the pivot object; a second hinge element coupled to a fixed object; a friction shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge element and the second hinge element; and a friction guide frictionally contacting the friction shaft.

The friction shaft may have a first friction surface, and the friction guide may have a second friction surface in contact with the first friction surface.

The friction shaft may include a head portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the head portion, and the first friction surface may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

The friction guide may have a friction hole in which the cylindrical portion of the friction shaft is received, and the second friction surface may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the friction hole.

The friction shaft may have a third friction surface, and the friction guide may have a fourth friction surface frictionally contacting the third friction surface. A third friction surface may be formed on the head and a fourth friction surface may be formed on the outer surface of the friction guide.

The friction guide may further include a lubrication groove to which lubricant is applied, and the lubrication groove may be formed around the friction hole.

The first hinge element may include a first mounting bracket and a first hinge arm extending from the first mounting bracket, and the second hinge element may include a second mounting bracket and a second hinge arm extending from the second mounting bracket.

The first hinge arm may have a first pivot lug, the second hinge arm may have a second pivot lug, and the first pivot lug may be pivotally connected to the second pivot lug by a friction shaft.

The friction shaft may be fixed to the second pivot lug, and the friction guide may be fixed to the first pivot lug.

The second pivot lug may have a stop extending toward the first hinge element, and the first hinge arm may have a stop surface that contacts the stop when the first pivot lug pivots.

The second pivot lug may have a stopper extending toward the first hinge element, and the friction guide may have a first stopper protrusion and a second stopper protrusion that contact the stopper when the first pivot lug pivots.

The friction hinge device may further include a washer interposed between the first pivot lug and the second pivot lug.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a friction hinge device may include: a first hinge element coupled to the pivoting object; a second hinge element coupled to a fixed object; a pivot shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge element and the second hinge element; a friction shaft and a friction guide to generate a friction force between the first hinge element and the second hinge element.

The friction shaft may have a first friction surface, and the friction guide may have a second friction surface frictionally contacting the first friction surface.

The friction shaft and the pivot shaft may be parallel to each other.

The friction shaft may include a cylindrical portion, and the first friction surface may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

The friction shaft may be fixed to the first hinge element and may rotate about the pivot axis when the first hinge element pivots.

The friction guide may have a friction groove guiding the movement of the friction shaft, and the second friction surface may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the friction groove.

The first hinge arm may have a first pivot lug, the second hinge arm may have a second pivot lug, and the first pivot lug may be pivotally connected to the second pivot lug by a pivot shaft.

The friction shaft may be fixed to the first pivot lug and the friction guide may be fixed to the second pivot lug.

The friction guide may have a stop surface that limits movement of the friction shaft.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a friction hinge assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a friction hinge assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of portion B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the friction shaft shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the friction guide shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 6 shows a side view in the direction of arrow a of fig. 1 in the state of the first hinge element in the first position;

fig. 7 shows the state of the first hinge element in the second position;

fig. 8 shows a state in which the first hinge element is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of portion D of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 shows a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a friction hinge arrangement according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows an exploded perspective view of a friction hinge arrangement according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 shows an enlarged view of portion F of fig. 14;

fig. 16 shows an enlarged view of a portion G of fig. 14;

FIG. 17 shows an enlarged view of the friction guide shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 shows an enlarged view of the friction shaft shown in FIG. 14;

fig. 19 shows a side view of the first hinge element in the first position in the direction of arrow E in fig. 13;

fig. 20 shows the state of the first hinge element in the second position;

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of a friction hinge assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 21; and

fig. 23 shows an enlarged view of the portion K of fig. 22.

Description of the reference numerals

1: pivoting object

2: fixed object

10: first hinge element

11: first mounting bracket

12: first hinge arm

13: first pivot lug

14: connecting hole

15: first pivot hole

16: finger-shaped object

17: gap between the two plates

20: second hinge element

21: second mounting bracket

22: second hinge arm

23: second pivot lug

24: stop piece

25: second pivot hole

26: gasket ring

27: projection part

30: friction shaft

31: head part

32: cylindrical part

33: coupling part

40: friction guide

41: friction hole

42: opening of the container

43: lubrication groove

44: connecting hole

46: protrusion

51: first stop protrusion

52: second stop protrusion

54: rivet

61: first friction surface

62: second friction surface

63: third friction surface

64: fourth friction surface

110: first hinge element

111: first mounting bracket

112: first hinge arm

113: first pivot lug

114: connecting hole

115: first pivot hole

112a: stop surface

120: second hinge element

121: second mounting bracket

122: second hinge arm

123: second pivot lug

124: stop piece

125: second pivot hole

126: supporting part

130: friction shaft

132: cylindrical part

133: coupling part

140: friction guide

141: friction groove

142: opening(s)

143: stop surface

144: fitting recess

145: engaging recess

146: third pivot hole

147: ribs

151: first protrusion

152: second protrusion

153: first mating hole

154: second mating hole

161: first friction surface

162: second friction surface

170: pivotal shaft

171: head part

172: cylindrical part

173: coupling part

180: gasket ring

181: gasket ring

182: connecting rib

183: drilling holes

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies associated with the present invention will be excluded so as not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

Terms such as first, second, a, B, (a) and (B) may be used to describe elements in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the inherent features, sequence, order, or the like of the respective elements are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Those terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning that is equivalent to the contextual meaning in the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a friction hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first hinge element 10 coupled to a pivoting object 1, a second hinge element 20 coupled to a fixed object 2, a friction shaft 30 pivotally connected to the first hinge element 10 and the second hinge element 20, and a friction guide 40 frictionally contacting the friction shaft 30.

The first hinge element 10 may include a first mounting bracket 11 (refer to fig. 6) mounted on the pivot object 1, and one or more first hinge arms 12 extending from the first mounting bracket 11. For example, the pivoting object 1 may be an armrest, a cover, or the like.

The first mounting bracket 11 may be a flat plate that is flat in the horizontal direction. The first mounting bracket 11 may be mounted on the pivoting object 1 by a plurality of fasteners. The pair of first hinge arms 12 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the first mounting bracket 11. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first hinge arms 12 may extend from ends of the first mounting bracket 11, respectively.

The first hinge arm 12 may have a first pivot lug 13 pivotally connected to the second hinge element 20. The first pivot lug 13 may be bent or extend at an angle from the first hinge arm 12. The first pivot lug 13 may have a first pivot hole 15 in which the friction shaft 30 is received and a coupling hole 14 to which the friction guide 40 is mounted.

The first pivot lug 13 may include a pair of fingers 16 formed on a top end thereof, and each finger 16 may curve or extend at an angle outwardly from the top end of the first pivot lug 13. The pair of fingers 16 may be spaced apart from each other such that a gap 17 may be provided between the pair of fingers 16.

The second hinge element 20 may include a second mounting bracket 21 (refer to fig. 6) mounted on the fixed object 2, and one or more second hinge arms 22 extending from the second mounting bracket 21. For example, the fixed object may be an instrument panel box, a housing, or the like.

The second mounting bracket 21 may be a flat plate that is flat in the vertical direction. The second mounting bracket 21 may be mounted on the fixed object 2 by a plurality of fasteners. The pair of second hinge arms 22 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the second mounting bracket 21. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the second hinge arms 22 may extend from ends of the second mounting brackets 21, respectively.

The second hinge arm 22 may have a second pivot lug 23 connected to the first pivot lug 13 of the first hinge element 10 by a friction shaft 30. The second pivot lug 23 may have a second pivot hole 25 coupled with the friction shaft 30, and a stopper 24 limiting the position of the first hinge element 10. The stopper 24 may extend toward the first hinge element 10, and the first hinge arm 12 may have a stopper surface 12a contacting the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23. As shown in fig. 7, when the first hinge element 10 moves (pivots) to the second position P2, the stop surface 12a of the first hinge arm 12 may contact the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23 to restrict the second position P2 (first stopper structure) of the first hinge element 10. In this way, the first hinge arm 12 of the first hinge element 10 and the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 can constitute a first stop structure.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the friction shaft 30 may be inserted into the first pivot hole 15 of the first hinge element 10 and the second pivot hole 25 of the second pivot lug 23 such that the friction shaft 30 pivotally connects the first pivot lug 13 of the first hinge element 10 and the second pivot lug 23 of the second hinge element 20.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a washer 26 may be inserted between the first pivot lug 13 and the second pivot lug 23, and the friction shaft 30 may pass through a bore of the washer 26. The washer 26 may limit the spacing between the first pivot lug 13 and the second pivot lug 23. Referring to fig. 9, the washer 26 may have a protrusion 27 inserted into the first pivot hole 15 of the first pivot lug 13.

Referring to fig. 4 and 9, the friction shaft 30 may include a head 31, a cylindrical portion 32 extending from the head 31, and a coupling portion 33 extending from the cylindrical portion 32. The head 31 may contact the outer surface of the friction guide 40 and the cylindrical portion 32 may pass through the first pivot hole 15 of the first pivot lug 13 and the bore of the washer 26. The coupling portion 33 may be coupled with the second pivot hole 25 of the second pivot lug 23 by a serration coupling or an interference fit. Thus, the friction shaft 30 may be fixed to the second pivot lug 23, and the first pivot lug 13 may pivot about the friction shaft 30.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling part 33 may have a plurality of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the plurality of teeth may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling part 33 at a predetermined interval. The second pivot lug 23 may have a plurality of concave teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of the second pivot hole 25, and the plurality of concave teeth may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second pivot hole 25 at a predetermined interval. That is, a plurality of male teeth may be engaged with a plurality of female teeth, so that the coupling portion 33 of the friction shaft 30 may be coupled to the second pivot hole 25 of the second pivot lug 23 by a serration coupling.

Referring to fig. 1, the friction guide 40 may be fixed to the first pivot lug 13 by a fastener such as a rivet 54. Referring to fig. 5, the friction guide 40 may have a friction hole 41 in which the cylindrical portion of the friction shaft 30 is received and a coupling hole 44, and the friction guide 40 is coupled through the coupling hole 44. The rivet 54 may be coupled to the coupling hole 14 of the first pivot lug 13 and the coupling hole 44 of the friction guide 40, so that the friction guide 40 may be fixed to the first pivot lug 13. As shown in fig. 9, the friction guide 40 and the washer 26 may be opposite to each other on both sides of the first pivot lug 13.

The cylindrical portion 32 of the friction shaft 30 may have a first friction surface 61 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the friction guide 40 may have a second friction surface 62 formed on an inner circumferential surface of the friction hole 41. Accordingly, the cylindrical portion 32 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the inner circumferential surface of the friction hole 41 of the friction guide 40 through the first and second friction surfaces 61 and 62. Specifically, when the first hinge element 10 pivots with respect to the second hinge element 20, the first friction surface 61 of the cylindrical portion 32 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the second friction surface 62 of the friction hole 41 of the friction guide 40, so that a frictional force may be generated between the friction shaft 30 and the friction guide 40.

The head 31 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the friction guide 40. Specifically, the head 31 of the friction shaft 30 may have a third friction surface 63 frictionally contacting the friction guide 40, and the third friction surface 63 may be formed on a portion contacting the outer surface of the friction guide 40. The friction guide 40 may have a fourth friction surface 64, and the fourth friction surface 64 may be formed on an outer surface of the friction guide 40 contacting the head 31 of the friction shaft 30. The third friction surface 63 of the head 31 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the fourth friction surface 64 of the friction guide 40 so that a frictional force may be generated between the friction shaft 30 and the friction guide 40.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction hole 41 may have an opening 42, and the friction shaft 30 may be inserted into the friction hole 41 through the opening 42.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction guide 40 may have a lubrication groove 43 formed on an outer surface thereof, and the lubrication groove 43 may be formed around the friction hole 41. In particular, a lubrication groove 43 may be formed in the fourth friction surface 64, and a lubricant such as grease (grease) may be applied into the lubrication groove 43. The frictional force generated between the friction shaft 30 and the friction guide 40 can be appropriately controlled or adjusted by the lubricant applied to the lubrication groove 43. When the first hinge element 10 pivots relative to the second hinge element 20, the pivoting force of the first hinge element 10 can be uniformly maintained by the lubricant applied to the lubrication groove 43 and the friction surfaces 61, 62, 63, and 64.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction guide 40 may have a protrusion 46 extending upward from a top end thereof, and the protrusion 46 may be fitted into the gap 17 of the first pivot lug 13. The friction guide 40 may be securely coupled to the first pivot lug 13 by the protrusion 46 and the gap 17.

When the user moves the first hinge element 10 and the pivot object 1 to the second position P2 with an excessive force, the first hinge arm 12 of the first hinge element 10 may deform the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23. In order to prevent deformation of the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23, a second stopper structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be provided.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction guide 40 may have a first stop protrusion 51 and a second stop protrusion 52 (second stop structure) that contact the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 by the pivoting of the first pivot lug 13. The first stop protrusion 51 may extend from the top end of the friction guide 40 toward the first mounting bracket 11, and the first stop protrusion 51 may be disposed adjacent to the protrusion 46. The second stop protrusion 52 may extend from the bottom of the friction guide 40 toward the first hinge arm 12. When the first hinge element 10 moves (pivots) between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the first stopper protrusion 51 may contact the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23 (refer to fig. 6) or the second stopper protrusion 52 may contact the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23 (refer to fig. 7), so that a click feeling may be provided and the pivot position of the first hinge element 10 may be limited within the pivot range between the first position P1 and the second position P2. In this way, the first and

second stop projections

51, 52 of the friction guide 40 and the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 may constitute a second stop structure.

In particular, as shown in fig. 6, in a state where the first hinge element 10 and the pivot object 1 are located at the first position P1, the second stop protrusion 52 and the stop surface 12a of the first hinge arm 12 may be located below the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23, and at least a portion of the second stop protrusion 52 may be closer to the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 than the stop surface 12a of the first hinge arm 12. When the first hinge element 10 is moved to the second position P2, the contact between the second stop protrusion 52 and the stopper 24 may be made before the contact between the stop surface 12a of the first hinge arm 12 and the stopper 24. Since the stopper surface 12a of the first hinge arm 12 is in contact with the stopper 24 after the second stopper protrusion 52 is in contact with the stopper 24, it is possible to appropriately buffer an excessive force applied to the first hinge element 10 and the pivoting object 1, thereby preventing the first hinge arm 12 of the first hinge element 10 from deforming the stopper 24 of the second pivoting lug 23 due to the excessive force. The friction hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may employ a structure in which the first and

second stop protrusions

51 and 52 of the friction guide 40 contact the stopper 24 of the second pivot lug 23, thereby effectively generating a click feeling and performing position restriction.

When the user moves the pivot object 1 with respect to the fixed object 2, the first pivot lug 13 of the first hinge element 10 may pivot with respect to the second pivot lug 23 of the second hinge element 20, the first friction surface 61 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the second friction surface 62 of the friction guide 40, and the third friction surface 63 of the friction shaft 30 may frictionally contact the fourth friction surface 64 of the friction guide 40. Due to the frictional contact between the friction shaft 30 and the friction guide 40, the pivoting object 1 can be appropriately held at a desired position or a predetermined position.

Fig. 6 shows a state where the first hinge element 10 and the pivoting object 1 are moved to the first position P1, where the first position P1 may be a position where the pivoting object 1 is closest to the fixed object 2. In particular, the first position P1 may be a position where the first mounting bracket 11 of the first hinge element 10 is closest to the second mounting bracket 21 of the second hinge element 20. The first stop protrusion 51 of the first hinge element 10 may contact the stopper 24 (refer to fig. 6) of the second pivot lug 23 at the first position P1 so that the user may feel a click feeling with respect to the first position P1 and the first position of the first hinge element 10 may be restricted. For example, when the hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an instrument panel armrest, the pivot object 1 may be an armrest, and the fixed object 2 may be an instrument panel box. The first position P1 may be a position where the pivoting armrest fully closes the fixed dashboard box.

Fig. 7 shows a state in which the first hinge element 10 and the pivoting object 1 are moved to the second position P2, wherein the second position P2 may be a position in which the pivoting object 1 is farthest away from the fixed object 2. In particular, the second position P2 may be a position where the first mounting bracket 11 of the first hinge element 10 is farthest from the second mounting bracket 21 of the second hinge element 20. The second stop protrusion 52 of the first hinge element 10 may contact the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 at the second position P2, so that the user may feel the click feeling of the second position P2 and may restrict the second position of the first hinge element 10. For example, when the hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an instrument panel armrest, the pivot object 1 may be an armrest, and the fixed object 2 may be an instrument panel box. The second position P2 may be a position where the pivoting armrest fully opens the fixed dashboard box.

Fig. 8 shows a state in which the first hinge element 10 and the pivoting object 1 are located at an intermediate position PS between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The first and

second stop projections

51, 52 of the first hinge element 10 can be separated from the stop 24 of the second pivot lug 23 in the intermediate position PS. For example, when the hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an instrument panel armrest, the pivot object 1 may be an armrest, and the fixed object 2 may be an instrument panel box. The intermediate position PS may be a position where the pivoting armrest partially opens the fixed dashboard box.

Fig. 11 shows a modification of the embodiment of fig. 5. Here, the friction guide 40 may not have the protrusion 46 and the first and

second stop protrusions

51 and 52, and the lubrication groove 43 may not be formed around the friction hole 41.

Fig. 12 shows a modification of the embodiment of fig. 9. Here, the friction shaft 30 may not have a head, so the friction shaft 30 may not have a third friction surface, and the friction guide 40 may not have a fourth friction surface.

Fig. 13 to 23 show a friction hinge device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, a friction hinge device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first hinge element 110 coupled to a pivoting object 1, a second hinge element 120 coupled to a fixed object 2, a pivot shaft 170 pivotally connected to the first hinge element 110 and the second hinge element 120, and a friction shaft 130 and a friction guide 140 generating a friction force between the first hinge element 110 and the second hinge element 120.

The first hinge element 110 can include a first mounting bracket 111 mounted on the pivot object 1, and one or more first hinge arms 112 extending from the first mounting bracket 111. For example, the pivoting object 1 may be an armrest, a cover, or the like.

The first mounting bracket 111 may be a flat plate that is flat in the horizontal direction. The first mounting bracket 111 may be mounted on the pivoting object 1 by a plurality of fasteners. The pair of first hinge arms 112 may be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the first mounting bracket 111. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the first hinge arms 112 may extend from ends of the first mounting brackets 111, respectively.

The first hinge arm 112 may have a first pivot lug 113 pivotally connected to the second hinge element 120. The first pivot lug 113 may be bent or extend at an angle from the first hinge arm 112. The first pivot lug 113 may have a first pivot hole 115 to receive the pivot shaft 170 and a coupling hole 114 to which the friction shaft 130 is coupled. The pivot shaft 170 may pass through the first pivot hole 115 of the first pivot lug 113 such that the first pivot lug 113 may pivot about the pivot shaft 170, and the friction shaft 130 may be coupled to the coupling hole 114 of the first pivot lug 113 such that the friction shaft 130 may be fixed to the first pivot lug 113 of the first hinge element 110.

The second hinge element 120 may include a second mounting bracket 121 mounted on the fixed object 2, and one or more second hinge arms 122 extending from the second mounting bracket 121. For example, the fixed object may be an instrument panel box, a housing, or the like.

The second mounting bracket 121 may be a flat plate that is flat in the vertical direction. The second mounting bracket 121 may be mounted on the fixed object 2 by a plurality of fasteners. The pair of second hinge arms 22 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the second mounting bracket 121. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the second hinge arms 122 may extend from ends of the second mounting brackets 121, respectively.

The second hinge arm 122 may have a second pivot lug 123 coupled to the first pivot lug 113 of the first hinge element 110 by a pivot shaft 170. The second pivot lug 123 may have a second pivot hole 125 that receives the pivot shaft 170 and a stop 124 that limits the position of the first hinge element 110. The stopper 124 may have a first fitting hole 153 and may extend from a top end of the second pivot lug 123 toward the first hinge arm 112 of the first hinge element 110, and the first hinge arm 112 may have a stopper surface 112a contacting the stopper 124 by the pivoting of the first pivot lug 113. Referring to fig. 20, when the first hinge element 110 is moved to the second position P2, the stopper surface 112a of the first hinge arm 112 may contact the stopper 124 of the second pivot lug 123 to restrict the second position P2 of the first hinge element 110. In this way, the first hinge arm 112 of the first hinge element 110 and the stop 124 of the second pivot lug 123 may constitute a first stop structure.

Referring to fig. 14 and 16, the second pivot lug 123 may have a support portion 126 supporting the front end of the friction guide 140, and the support portion 126 may extend from the front end of the second pivot lug 123 toward the first pivot lug 113. The support portion 126 may have a second mating hole 154.

Referring to fig. 14 and 21, the washer 180 may be interposed between the first pivot lug 113 and the second pivot lug 123 and may limit a spacing between the first pivot lug 113 and the second pivot lug 123. The gasket 180 may include a pair of gasket rings 181, and a connection rib 182 connecting the pair of gasket rings 181. Each washer ring 181 may have a bore 183 with the cylindrical portion 172 of the pivot shaft 170 received in the bore 183. The bore 183 of the washer ring 181 may be aligned with the first pivot hole 115 of the first pivot lug 113 and the second pivot hole 125 of the second pivot lug 123.

Referring to fig. 14 and 18, the friction shaft 130 may include a cylindrical portion 132 and a coupling portion 133 extending from the cylindrical portion 132. The cylindrical portion 132 may have a first friction surface 161 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The coupling portion 133 may be coupled to the coupling hole 114 of the first pivoting lug 113 by a serration coupling or an interference fit so that the friction shaft 130 may be fixed to the first pivoting lug 113 of the first hinge element 110. Thus, the friction shaft 130 may be rotated about the pivot shaft 170 by the pivoting of the first pivot lug 113 of the first hinge element 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling part 133 may have a plurality of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the plurality of teeth may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling part 133 at predetermined intervals. The first pivot boss 113 may have a plurality of concave teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 114, and the plurality of concave teeth may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 114 at a predetermined interval. The plurality of convex teeth may be engaged with the plurality of concave teeth such that the coupling portion 133 of the friction shaft 130 may be coupled with the coupling hole 114 of the first pivot lug 113 through a serration coupling.

The pivot shaft 170 may be disposed parallel to the friction shaft 130. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the pivot shaft 170 may be inserted into the first pivot hole 115 of the first hinge member 110 and the second pivot hole 125 of the second hinge member 120 such that the pivot shaft 170 pivotally connects the first hinge member 110 and the second hinge member 120. The pivot shaft 170 may include a head 171, a cylindrical portion 172 extending from the head 171, and a coupling portion 173 extending from the cylindrical portion 172. The cylindrical portion 172 may pass through the first pivot hole 115 of the first pivot lug 113, the washer 180, and the third pivot hole 146 of the friction guide 140, and the coupling portion 173 may be coupled to the second pivot hole 125 of the second pivot lug 123 by a serration coupling or an interference fit. According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling part 173 may have a plurality of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the plurality of teeth may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling part 173 at a predetermined interval. The second pivot lug 123 may have a plurality of concave teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of the second pivot hole 125, and the plurality of concave teeth may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second pivot hole 125 at a predetermined interval. The plurality of convex teeth may be engaged with the plurality of concave teeth, so that the coupling portion 173 of the friction shaft 30 may be coupled to the second pivot hole 125 of the second pivot lug 123 by a serration coupling.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, the friction guide 140 may be installed between the first pivot lug 113 and the second pivot lug 123 by a pivot shaft 170. Referring to fig. 13, 14 and 17, the friction guide 140 may include a friction groove 141 guiding rotation of the friction shaft 130 caused by pivoting of the first pivot lug 113, and the third pivot hole 146 is aligned with the bore 183 of the washer 180.

The friction groove 141 may be formed in an arc shape corresponding to a rotation orbit of the friction shaft 130 by the pivoting of the first pivot boss 113. The friction groove 141 may have a second friction surface 162 formed at an inner circumferential surface thereof, and the first friction surface 161 of the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 may frictionally contact the second friction surface 162 of the friction groove 141 of the friction guide 140, so that a frictional force may be generated between the friction shaft 130 and the friction guide 140. The third pivot hole 146 may be configured to receive the cylindrical portion 172 of the pivot shaft 170.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a lubricant such as grease may be applied to the second friction surface 162 of the friction groove 141, and a frictional force between the first friction surface 161 of the friction shaft 130 and the second friction surface 162 of the friction guide 140 may be appropriately controlled or adjusted by the lubricant. When the first hinge element 110 pivots with respect to the second hinge element 120, the pivoting force of the first hinge element 110 may be uniformly maintained by the lubricant applied to the second friction surface 162 and the friction surfaces 161 and 162.

The friction groove 141 may have a plurality of engagement recesses 145, and the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 may be selectively seated in the plurality of engagement recesses 145 to generate a click feeling. The friction groove 141 may have an opening 142 formed at one end thereof. The friction guide 140 may have a rib 147 formed in a cantilever structure by the friction groove 141 and the opening 142. The rib 147 may be coupled to the friction guide 140 in a cantilever manner such that the rib 147 may be elastically deformed with respect to the friction guide 140. The elastic deformation of the ribs 147 may allow the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 to be easily inserted into the friction groove 141 through the opening 142 and the ribs 147.

The cylindrical portion 172 of the pivot shaft 170 may pass through the first pivot hole 115 of the first pivot lug 113, the washer 180, and the third pivot hole 146 of the friction guide 140 and the coupling portion 173 of the pivot shaft 170 may be connected to the second pivot hole 125 of the second pivot lug 123, so that the friction guide 140 may be fixedly positioned between the first pivot lug 113 and the second pivot lug 123.

The friction guide 140 may have a mating recess 144 formed in a top end thereof. The connection ribs 182 of the washer 180 may be fitted into the fitting recesses 144 of the friction guide 140 so that the pair of washer rings 181 may be opposite to each other on both sides of the friction guide 140 as shown in fig. 21.

The friction guide 140 may have a first protrusion 151 formed on a top end thereof, and a second protrusion 152 formed on a front end thereof. The first protrusion 151 may be fitted into the first fitting hole 153 of the stopper 124, and the second protrusion 152 may be fitted into the second fitting hole 154 of the support portion 126. Accordingly, the friction guide 140 may be firmly fixed to the second pivot lug 123.

When the user moves the first hinge element 110 and the pivot object 1 to the second position P2 with an excessive force, the first hinge arm 112 of the first hinge element 110 may deform the stopper 124 of the second pivot lug 123. In order to prevent the stopper 124 of the second pivot lug 123 from being deformed, a second stopper structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be provided.

When the first hinge member 110 is moved (pivoted) to the second position P2, the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 may be in contact with the stopper surface 143 of the friction groove 141 (refer to fig. 22 and 23). Therefore, a click feeling can be given, and the second position P2 of the first hinge member 110 can be restricted. In this way, the friction guide 140 and the stop surface 143 of the friction groove 141 may constitute a second stop structure.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction guide 140 may have a stop surface 143 (second stop structure) formed on the other end of the friction groove 141, and the stop surface 143 of the friction guide 140 may be a curved cylindrical portion 132 corresponding to the friction shaft 130. As shown in fig. 19, in a state in which the first hinge element 110 and the pivot object 1 are located at the first position P1, the stop surface 143 of the friction guide 140 and the stop surface 112a of the first hinge arm 112 may be located below the stop 124 of the second pivot lug 123, and the stop surface 143 of the friction guide 140 may be closer to the stop 124 of the second pivot lug 123 than the stop surface 112a of the first hinge arm 112. When the first hinge element 10 is moved to the second position P2, contact between the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 and the stop surface 143 of the friction groove 141 may occur before the stop surface 112a of the first hinge arm 112 contacts the stop 124 of the second pivot lug 123. Since the stop surface 112a of the first hinge arm 112 comes into contact with the stopper 124 of the second pivot lug 123 after the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 comes into contact with the stop surface 143 of the friction groove 141, it is possible to appropriately buffer an excessive force applied to the first hinge element 110 and the pivot object 1, thereby preventing the first hinge arm 112 of the first hinge element 110 from deforming the stopper 124 of the second pivot lug 123 due to the excessive force. The friction hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may employ a structure in which the cylindrical portion 132 of the friction shaft 130 contacts the stopper surface 143 of the friction groove 141, thereby effectively generating a click feeling and achieving a positional restriction.

When the user moves the pivot object 1 with respect to the fixed object 2, the first pivot lug 113 may pivot with respect to the second pivot lug 123, and the first friction surface 161 of the friction shaft 130 may frictionally contact the second friction surface 162 of the friction guide 140. Due to the frictional contact between the friction shaft 130 and the friction guide 140, the pivoting object 1 can be properly held at a desired position or a predetermined position.

Fig. 19 shows a state in which the first hinge element 110 and the pivoting object 1 are moved to the first position P1, wherein the first position P1 may be a position in which the pivoting object 1 is closest to the fixed object 2. In particular, the first position P1 may be a position where the first mounting bracket 111 of the first hinge element 110 is closest to the second mounting bracket 121 of the second hinge element 120. For example, when the hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an instrument panel armrest, then the pivoting object 1 may be an armrest and the fixed object 2 may be an instrument panel box. The first position P1 may be a position where the pivoting arm rest completely closes the fixed instrument panel box.

Fig. 20 shows a state in which the first hinge element 110 and the pivoting object 1 are moved to the second position P2, wherein the second position P2 may be a position in which the pivoting object 1 is farthest away from the fixed object 2. In particular, the second position P2 may be a position where the first mounting bracket 111 of the first hinge element 110 is farthest from the second mounting bracket 121 of the second hinge element 120. For example, when the hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an instrument panel armrest, then the pivoting object 1 may be an armrest and the fixed object 2 may be an instrument panel box. The second position P2 may be a position where the pivoting armrest is fully open to secure the dashboard box.

As described above, the friction hinge device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can frictionally hold the pivot object at a desired position or a predetermined position and give a click feeling during a pivoting operation of the pivot object, thereby improving an operation feeling, ease of use, and a degree of freedom in design.

In the foregoing, although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, but various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention claimed in the following claims.

Claims

1. A friction hinge device comprising:

a first hinge element coupled to the pivoting object;

a second hinge element coupled to the fixed object;

a friction shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge element and the second hinge element; and

a friction guide frictionally contacting the friction shaft,

wherein the first hinge element comprises a first mounting bracket and a first hinge arm extending from the first mounting bracket,

the second hinge element comprises a second mounting bracket and a second hinge arm extending from the second mounting bracket,

the first hinge arm has a first pivot lug,

the second hinge arm has a second pivot lug,

the second pivot lug has a stop extending toward the first hinge element, an

The friction guide has a first stop protrusion and a second stop protrusion that contact the stopper when the first pivot lug pivots.

2. The friction hinge device of claim 1, wherein the friction shaft has a first friction surface, and

the friction guide has a second friction surface in contact with the first friction surface.

3. The friction hinge device of claim 2, wherein the friction shaft includes a head portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the head portion, and

the first friction surface is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

4. The friction hinge device according to claim 3, wherein the friction guide has a friction hole in which a cylindrical portion of the friction shaft is accommodated, and

the second friction surface is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the friction hole.

5. The friction hinge device of claim 4, wherein the friction shaft has a third friction surface,

the friction guide has a fourth friction surface in frictional contact with the third friction surface,

the third friction surface is formed on the head, and

the fourth friction surface is formed on an outer surface of the friction guide.

6. The friction hinge device as recited in claim 4, wherein the friction guide further comprises a lubrication groove to which lubricant is applied, and

the lubrication groove is formed around the friction hole.

7. The friction hinge device of claim 1,

the first pivot lug is pivotally connected to the second pivot lug by the friction shaft.

8. The friction hinge device as recited in claim 7, wherein the friction shaft is fixed to the second pivot lug, and

the friction guide is secured to the first pivot lug.

9. The friction hinge apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first hinge arm has a stop surface that contacts the stop when the first pivot lug pivots.

10. The friction hinge device as recited in claim 7, further comprising a washer interposed between the first pivot lug and the second pivot lug.

11. A friction hinge device comprising:

a first hinge element coupled to a pivot object;

a second hinge element coupled to a fixed object;

a pivot shaft pivotally connecting the first hinge element and the second hinge element; and

a friction shaft and a friction guide generating a friction force between the first hinge element and the second hinge element,

the first hinge arm has a first pivot lug,

the second hinge arm has a second pivot lug,

the second pivot lug has a stop extending toward the first hinge element,

the first hinge arm has a stop surface that contacts the stop when the first pivot lug pivots, and

the friction guide has a stop surface that limits movement of the friction shaft.

12. The friction hinge device of claim 11, wherein the friction shaft has a first friction surface, and

the friction guide has a second friction surface in frictional contact with the first friction surface.

13. The friction hinge device as recited in claim 11 wherein the friction shaft and the pivot shaft are parallel to each other.

14. The friction hinge device of claim 12, wherein the friction shaft includes a cylindrical portion, and

15. The friction hinge device of claim 12, wherein the friction shaft is fixed to the first hinge element, and

when the first hinge element is pivoted, the friction shaft rotates around the pivot shaft.

16. The friction hinge device according to claim 12, wherein the friction guide has a friction groove that guides the movement of the friction shaft, and

the second friction surface is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the friction groove.

17. The friction hinge device of claim 11,

the first pivot lug is pivotally connected to the second pivot lug by the pivot shaft.

18. The friction hinge device as recited in claim 17, wherein the friction shaft is fixed to the first pivot lug, and

the friction guide is secured to the second pivot lug.

19. The friction hinge device of claim 18, further comprising a washer interposed between the first pivot lug and the second pivot lug.