CN114508273A - Pre-assembled hinge module and hinge system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a pre-assembled hinge module and a hinge system, wherein the pre-assembled hinge module comprises: a mounting plate fixed to one of the first and second components; a shaft defining a pivot axis and fixed to the other of the first and second components; at least one torque element secured to the mounting plate and frictionally engaged with the shaft; the cam is fixed on the shaft and can rotate together with the shaft; and a limiting member fixed to or integrally formed with the mounting plate, wherein when the cam is rotated to a position contacting the limiting member, the limiting member stops the cam and provides a stopping resistance to further rotation of the cam, and the cam is able to rotate past the limiting member under the action of a force applied to overcome the stopping resistance. The hinge module of the invention can improve the stability of the product at a specific stop position.

Description

Pre-assembled hinge module and hinge system

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to hinges and, more particularly, to a pre-assembled hinge module that may be used to pivotally connect two components in a system. The present application also relates to a hinge system comprising the above pre-assembled hinge module.

Background

Various types of mechanical hinges may be used to connect the components in a pivoting relationship. A friction hinge (also known as a "constant torque hinge" or "fixed hinge") is a hinge that: it is used on devices that feature pivoting doors, panels, or other components that open or close about a pivot axis. Friction hinges are commonly used, for example, to connect laptop screens to keyboards, and to connect boom frames to center consoles in the automotive industry, among many other applications.

In a conventional friction hinge, the pivot shaft has an outer surface that abuts an inner surface of another component to create mechanical interference in the hinge. This mechanical interference keeps the parts in a stable position after they have been pivoted and released, which is suitable for keeping e.g. the door and the arm in any position.

Conventional friction hinges used in center consoles are typically manufactured as large assemblies with multiple components. The assembly may include large brackets and other stampings designed to fit into the interior of an automobile. These hinge assemblies are relatively large in size, adding significant weight to the console. In addition, conventional friction hinges do not provide the desired position to vary the amount of resistance, thereby providing a variable resistance when pivoting.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-assembled hinge module and hinge system that alleviates or eliminates at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pre-assembled hinge module, comprising: a mounting plate fixed to one of the first and second components; a shaft defining a pivot axis and fixed to the other of the first and second components; at least one torque element secured to the mounting plate and frictionally engaged with the shaft; a cam fixed to the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft; and a limiting member fixed to or integrally formed with the mounting plate, wherein when the cam rotates to a position where it contacts the limiting member, the limiting member stops the cam and provides a stopping resistance to further rotation of the cam, and the cam can rotate past the limiting member under the action of overcoming the stopping resistance.

In one embodiment, a stopper protrusion is formed on an upper surface of the stopper facing the cam, the stopper protrusion providing the stopper resistance to the cam.

In one embodiment, a length of the stopper protrusion in the direction of the pivot axis in which the cam is aligned with a central position of the stopper protrusion is greater than a length of the cam in the direction of the pivot axis.

In one embodiment, the cam is formed in a symmetrical shape and includes a circular cam body and a tail portion protruding from the cam body, the cam body is centrally formed with a coupling hole, and the cam body is formed with a cut-out portion at a position opposite to the tail portion, the cut-out portion is formed to cut out at least a portion of a circle in a linear manner, a tip of the tail portion is located at a position farthest from the pivot axis on the cam, and the stopper protrusion provides the stopper resistance to the tip of the tail portion.

In one embodiment, the limiting member is fixed to the mounting plate, stabilizing wings extending in the direction of the pivot axis are respectively formed on two sides of the limiting member, and notches are respectively formed on two sides of the lower end of the mounting plate, where the stabilizing wings abut against the mounting plate.

In one embodiment, the limiting protrusion is formed by stamping the limiting member, and the part of the limiting protrusion providing the stopping resistance to the cam forms an arc-shaped outer contour.

In one embodiment, the cam is fixed to a section of the shaft through the coupling hole, and teeth or keys that are fitted to each other are formed on an inner surface of the coupling hole and an outer surface of a relevant portion of the shaft; a further section of the shaft is of non-circular cross-sectional shape, at least a portion of an outer surface of the further section also being formed with teeth or keys for securing to the other of the first and second components.

In one embodiment, an upper surface of the stopper is formed in an arc shape centering on the pivot axis, and one or more stopper protrusions are formed on the upper surface, the one or more stopper protrusions providing the stopper resistance by stopping the cam on a rotation locus of the cam.

In one embodiment, the at least one torque element defines a recess, the shaft passes through the recess and frictionally engages the recess of the at least one torque element, the pre-assembled hinge module further comprises a housing secured to the mounting plate and defining an interior space with the mounting plate, the at least one torque element is disposed in the interior space, and the cam is located outside of the interior space; and a fastener fixedly retaining the at least one torque element within the housing and preventing rotation of the at least one torque element relative to the housing and the mounting plate, the at least one torque element having a bore provided therein, and the fastener comprising a rivet received within the bore to secure the at least one torque element to the housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an articulated system including: a first member; a second component; and a pre-assembled hinge module according to the above, the pre-assembled hinge module coupling the first component to the second component in a pivotal connection to allow pivotal movement of the first component relative to the second component.

The invention has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

(1) the preassembled hinge module of the application is added with a stopping function, so that the hinge can be stopped at a specific angle position, such as the opening or closing position of a product, or at any specific angle, a slightly larger moment is required to overcome the stopping characteristic, and then the hinge works in a friction hinge mode;

(2) the preassembled hinge module can improve the stability of a product at a specific stopping position, and requires larger torque;

(3) the preassembled hinge module has a reliable internal structure, good operation quality, a compact structure and space saving;

(4) the preassembled hinge module adopts a modular design, and is convenient to install and control quality.

Drawings

Various objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely exemplary of the invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the different views. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the articulation system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the articulation system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the articulating system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating system of the present application with the arm in a raised position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the articulating system of the present application with the arm in a raised position;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application arranged substantially symmetrically;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 19 is a right side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of a pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application arranged substantially symmetrically;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cam of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the torque element of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the housing of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the riveted housing of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the shaft of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the shaft of the pre-assembled hinge module of the present application;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the mounting plate and stop of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 33 is another perspective view of the mounting plate and stop of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the mounting plate of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a limiter of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 36 is another perspective view of a limiter of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application.

List of reference numerals:

1 Pre-assembled hinge Module

10 mounting plate

110 groove

120 mounting part

121 gap

20 torque element

210 concave part

220 drilling a hole

230 edge

30 casing

310 circumference

320 opening

330 ridge

340 first hole

350 second hole

360 rivet

40 shaft

410 head

420 partition part

430 joint part

440 annular recess

450 distal end

50 cam

510 tail part

520 cam body

521 coupling hole

522 cut-out

60 stop

610 limit protrusion

620 stabilizing wing

630 upper surface

640 coupling

2 arm

3 outer cover

Detailed Description

For further explanation of the principles and construction of the present invention, reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are provided for illustration and explanation, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the articulated system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position, fig. 2 is a side view of the articulated system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position, fig. 3 is a side view of the articulated system of the present application with the arm in a lowered position, fig. 4 is a perspective view of the articulated system of the present application with the arm in a raised position, and fig. 5 is a side view of the articulated system of the present application with the arm in a raised position.

Referring to fig. 1-5, the articulation system may be employed in a variety of applications involving one or more friction hinges that control relative pivotal movement of components. For example, the hinge system may be incorporated into various types of closure systems used on motor vehicles, watercraft and/or aircraft, and include, but are not limited to, various types of compartments, cabinets, hatches, receptacles, overhead bins and storage units.

In the present example, the articulation system may be part of a center console of an automobile. The articulation system comprises a relatively pivotable arm 2 and a housing 3. The arm 2 is coupled to the housing 3 in a pivotal connection. The pivotal connection allows pivotal movement of the arm 2 relative to the housing 3 between a lowered position and a raised position. The arm 2 may be coupled to the housing 3 by a pair of hinge modules 1 (one on each side of the cover). Each hinge module 1 is a pre-assembled unit configured to be universally mounted to components requiring a hinge. Also, the hinge module 1 may be mounted to various types of components and in various arrangements. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the hinge module 1 may be formed in two configurations of mirror symmetry to be applied to both sides of the hinge system.

Fig. 7 is a top view, fig. 8 is a bottom view, fig. 9 is a left side view, fig. 10 is a right side view, fig. 11 is a rear view, fig. 12 is a front perspective view, fig. 13 is a rear perspective view, fig. 14 is a perspective view, and fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the pre-assembled hinge module of the first embodiment of the present application.

The pre-assembled hinge module 1 includes: a mounting plate 10 fixed to one of the arm 2 (which may also be referred to as a first member) and the housing 3 (which may also be referred to as a second member) (e.g., by means of bolts); a shaft 40 defining a pivot axis (not shown) and fixed to the other of the arm 2 and the housing 3; a housing 30 fixed to the mounting plate 10 and forming an inner space with the mounting plate 10; at least one torque element 20 disposed in the interior space and frictionally engaging the shaft 40; a cam 50 fixed to the shaft 40 so as to be rotatable together with the shaft 40; and a stopper 60 fixed to the mounting plate 10. At a certain position of the pivoting movement, i.e. when the arm 2 forms a certain angle with the housing 3, the stop provides resistance to the rotation of the cam. In other words, when the cam 50 rotates to a position contacting the limiting member 60, the limiting member 60 will stop the cam 50 and provide a stop resistance to further rotation of the cam 50, and the cam 50 can rotate over the limiting member 60 under the action of the stop resistance. Alternatively, the preassembled hinge module 1 does not comprise a housing 30, i.e. the torque element 20 may be exposed.

The upper surface 630 (cam-facing surface) of the retainer 60 may be formed with a retainer protrusion 610. The stop tab 610 may provide resistance by an interference fit with the cam 50. That is, the distance from the upper surface of the stopper protrusion 610 to the shaft 40 is slightly smaller than the farthest distance from the shaft 40 on the cam 50. When the cam 50 passes the catching protrusion 610 as the shaft 40 rotates, the cam 50 may pass the catching protrusion 610 by the elastic deformation of the cam 50 and/or the catching protrusion 610. The stopper protrusion 610 may be formed with an arc-shaped outer profile.

The length of the stopper protrusion 610 in the direction of the pivot axis (left-right direction in fig. 9) may be greater than the length of the cam 50 in the direction of the pivot axis. In this pivot axis direction, the cam 50 is aligned with the center of the stop protrusion 610, thereby providing a greater margin for engagement between the cam 50 and the stop protrusion 610 to provide stable resistance when the position of the cam 50 is slightly shifted.

Referring to fig. 24, the shaft 40 may include, in order from left to right, a head portion 410, a partition 420, an engagement portion 430, an annular recess 440, and a distal end 450. In other embodiments, the order may be changed. The cam 50 may be secured to the head 410. Mounting plate 10 and optional housing 30 are rotatably disposed between divider 420 and junction 430. The joint 430 may be fixed to the other of the arm 2 and the housing 3. The annular recess 440 may cooperate with a coupling element (e.g. a circlip) to connect the pre-assembled hinge module to the other of the arm 2 and the housing 3. The distal end 450 of the shaft 40 protrudes through the first and second parts (arm 2 and housing 3) so that the annular recess 440 is exposed. The partition part 420 is formed in a disc shape having a larger diameter than the other portion of the shaft 40 to limit the housing 30 or the torque element 20 and to partition the components at both sides thereof.

Referring to fig. 26, the cam 50 may be formed in a symmetrical shape, for example, like a raindrop shape. The symmetrical shape ensures that the cam 50 overcomes the same resistance when it passes the stop lug 610 during clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The cam 50 may include a circular cam body 520 and a tail 510 protruding from the cam body 520. A coupling hole 521 is centrally formed on the cam body 520. The cam body 520 is formed with a cut-out 522 at a position opposite to the tail portion. The cut-out portion 522 may be formed to cut out at least a portion of a circle in a linear manner. As in the present embodiment, the cut-away portion 522 is formed to cut away the upper portion of the cam body 520 in two symmetrical straight lines. The tip (or called end) of the tail portion 510 is located farthest from the pivot axis on the cam 50, and the stopper protrusion 610 provides stopper resistance to the tip of the tail portion 510.

Referring to fig. 30 and 31, the inner surface of the coupling hole 521 and the outer surface of the head portion 410 of the shaft 40 are formed with teeth or keys that are fitted to each other. The engagement portion 430 of the shaft 40 has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. At least a portion of the outer surface of the engagement portion 430 is also formed with teeth or keys for securing to the other of the arm 2 and the housing 3.

The lower end of the mounting plate 10 extends horizontally out of the stopper 60. The stopper protrusion 610 may be formed by punching a lower surface of the stopper 60. Alternatively, the stopper protrusion 610 is an additional component attached to the upper surface of the stopper 60.

The catching protrusion 610 may be provided at an angle requiring greater resistance during rotation of the shaft 40, for example, when the pre-assembled hinge module is applied to an armrest lid of an automobile, the required angle may be an angle at which the armrest lid is not opened or an angle at which the armrest lid is opened to the maximum. In this way, it is possible to avoid the armrest lid of the vehicle from being opened accidentally or from being undesirably shaken during the travel of the vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment, more than one retaining protrusion 610 may be provided on the retaining member 60 to provide greater resistance at multiple angles. At this time, the side profile of the stopper 60 may be formed in an arc shape centering on the pivot axis of the shaft 40 such that the upper surface 630 of the stopper 60 is equidistant from the tip of the tail 510 when the cam rotates.

As shown in fig. 27, the torque element 20 defines a recess 210, and the shaft 40 may pass through the recess 210 and frictionally engage the torque element recess 210. The amount of frictional resistance provided by torque element 20 depends in part on the amount of surface area of the torque element that contacts shaft 40. In fig. 24, two torque elements 20 are shown. However, it should be understood that one or more additional torque elements 20 may be received in the interior space formed by the housing 30 and the mounting plate 10 and stacked adjacent to each other. Increasing the number of torque elements 20 may increase the total surface area that frictionally engages the shaft 40 and thus increase the amount of frictional resistance provided by the pre-assembled hinge module 1. The amount of frictional resistance provided by the preassembled hinge module 1 can be increased by placing a suitable number of torque elements in the interior space, thereby increasing the overall thickness of the torque elements 20. Alternatively, the amount of frictional resistance provided by the modular hinge module 1 may also be increased by varying the thickness of the individual torque modifying elements 20.

The housing 30 may be fixed to the mounting plate 10 by, for example, rivets, and forms an inner space with the mounting plate 10. A torque element 20 is disposed in the interior space. The cam 50 is located outside the interior space. The torque element 20 may be fixedly retained within the housing 30 by fasteners (e.g., rivets) and prevent rotation of the torque element 20 relative to the housing 30 and the mounting plate 10. The torque element 20 may be provided with a bore 220. Rivets may be received within bores 220 to secure torque element 20 to housing 30.

Referring to fig. 28 and 29, one side of the case 30 has an opening 320, the other side is formed as a panel having a first hole 340 and a second hole 350, and a peripheral edge 310 is formed between the one side and the other side. Shaft 40 may pass through recess 210 and first hole 340 of torque member 20 and rivet 360 may pass through bore 220 and second hole 350 of torque member 20. A lubricant (e.g., grease) may be added to the interior space formed by the housing 30 and the mounting plate 10 to lubricate the contact points of the torque element 20 and the shaft 40. Peripheral edge 310 mates with mounting plate 10 in a fluid tight connection, preventing lubricant applied to torque element 20 from escaping the interior space and preventing dust and other contaminants from entering the interior space.

The housing 30 receives the torque element 20 in a form-locking fit. The inner surface extending along the interior of the periphery 310 includes sharp ridges 330. The ridges 330 engage the edges 230 of the torque element 20 to hold the torque element 20 in a positive locking fit.

As shown in fig. 12 and 14, the assembled hinge module 1 can be formed with two configurations of mirror symmetry to accommodate different applications.

Fig. 15 is a front view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 16 is a plan view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 17 is a bottom view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 18 is a left side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 19 is a right side view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 20 is a rear view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 21 is a front perspective view of a pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 22 is a rear perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, fig. 23 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment disposed substantially symmetrically with the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application, and fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the pre-assembled hinge module of the second embodiment of the present application.

The present embodiment differs from the foregoing embodiments mainly in that the mounting plate 10 and the stopper 60 are two components separated from each other. The position-limiting member 60 of the present embodiment may be formed by bending a sheet body, and is substantially L-shaped (having two portions substantially perpendicular to each other). A first side (portion) of the L-shaped stopper may be fixed to a lower portion of the mounting plate 10 by, for example, a bolt or the like, and a second side (portion) of the L-shaped stopper may form the stopper protrusion 610. Two stabilizing wings 620 extend backwards from two sides of the first side of the L-shaped limiting member. Notches 121 are formed at both sides of the lower end of the mounting plate 10, respectively. The stabilizing wings 620 abut the mounting plate 10 at the notches 121. This not only ensures that the retaining member 60 can be firmly fixed to the mounting plate 10, but also enables both sides of the lower end of the mounting plate 10 to be smoother without forming a protrusion occupying additional space.

As shown in fig. 25, the mounting plate 10 and the stopper 60 may have different thicknesses, for example, the mounting plate 10 is thicker than the stopper 60. The mounting plate 10 may serve to support the assembled hinge module 1, and thus, when it is thick, the assembled hinge module 1 can have better structural strength and stability. When the cam 50 passes the stopper protrusion 610, the cam 50 may abut the stopper protrusion 610 to apply pressure to the stopper 60. The smaller thickness compared to the mounting plate 10 is advantageous in providing a suitable elastic deformation when subjected to the above-mentioned pressure, thus providing a suitable amount of resistance to the cam 50.

It should be understood that the different thicknesses of the mounting plate 10 and the stop 60 above are merely examples. The mounting plate 10 and the retaining member 60 may also have the same thickness, or the retaining member 60 may have a thickness greater than the thickness of the mounting plate 10. Alternatively, the elastic deformation may be partially or entirely provided by the stopper protrusion 610, or partially or entirely provided by other components. Alternatively, the mounting plate 10 itself may have a different thickness. Alternatively, the retaining member 60 itself may have a different thickness, for example, the stabilizing wings 620 may be thicker than the rest of the retaining member 60.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the disclosure and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description and illustration, rather than of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A pre-assembled hinge module configured to couple a first component to a second component for pivotal movement relative to each other, the pre-assembled hinge module comprising:

a mounting plate (10) secured to one of the first and second components;

a shaft (40) defining a pivot axis and fixed to the other of the first and second components;

at least one torque element (20) secured to the mounting plate and frictionally engaged with the shaft;

a cam (50) fixed to the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft; and

a stopper (60) fixed to or integrally formed with the mounting plate,

when the cam rotates to a position where the cam is in contact with the limiting part, the limiting part can stop the cam and provide stopping resistance for further rotation of the cam, and the cam can rotate to pass through the limiting part under the action of overcoming the stopping resistance.

2. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 1, wherein a limit protrusion (610) is formed on an upper surface (630) of the retainer facing the cam, the limit protrusion providing the stop resistance to the cam.

3. The pre-assembled hinge module of claim 2, wherein the length of the stop projection in the direction of the pivot axis is greater than the length of the cam in the direction of the pivot axis in which the cam is aligned with a central location of the stop projection.

4. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 2, wherein the cam is formed in a symmetrical shape and includes a circular cam body (520) and a tail (510) protruding from the cam body, a coupling hole (521) is centrally formed on the cam body, and the cam body is formed with a cut-out portion (522) at a position opposite to the tail, the cut-out portion being formed to cut out at least a portion of a circle in a linear manner, a tip of the tail is located at a position farthest from the pivot axis on the cam, and the stopper protrusion provides the stopper resistance to the tip of the tail.

5. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 1, wherein the limiting member is fixed to the mounting plate, and stabilizing wings (620) extending in the direction of the pivot axis are formed on both sides of the limiting member, respectively, and a notch (121) is formed on both sides of a lower end of the mounting plate, respectively, where the stabilizing wings abut against the mounting plate.

6. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 2, wherein the restraining protrusion is formed by stamping the restraining member, and the portion of the restraining protrusion providing the restraining resistance to the cam is formed with an arcuate outer profile.

7. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 4, wherein the cam is fixed to a section of the shaft through the coupling hole, and teeth or keys are formed on an inner surface of the coupling hole and an outer surface of a relevant portion of the shaft to be engaged with each other; a further section of the shaft is of non-circular cross-sectional shape, at least a portion of an outer surface of the further section also being formed with teeth or keys for securing to the other of the first and second components.

8. The pre-assembled hinge module according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the retainer is formed in an arc shape centering on the pivot axis, and one or more retainer protrusions are formed on the upper surface, the one or more retainer protrusions providing the stopper resistance by stopping the cam at a rotation locus of the cam.

9. The preassembled hinge module of claim 1 wherein the at least one torque element defines a recess (210), the shaft passing through the recess and frictionally engaging the recess of the at least one torque element,

the pre-assembled hinge module further comprises: a housing (30) secured to the mounting plate and defining an interior space with the mounting plate, the at least one torque element being disposed in the interior space, the cam being located outside of the interior space; and a fastener fixedly retaining the at least one torque element within the housing and preventing rotation of the at least one torque element relative to the housing and the mounting plate,

a bore (220) is provided in the at least one torque element and the fastener comprises a rivet received in the bore to secure the at least one torque element to the housing.

10. An articulating system, comprising:

a first member;

a second component; and

the pre-assembled hinge module (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, which couples the first component to the second component in a pivotal connection to allow pivotal movement of the first component relative to the second component.

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