CN115306816B

CN115306816B - Laminated spring type torque hinge, laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge, and methods of manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: CN115306816B
Application number: CN202210960561.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 原口雅尚
Original assignee: Origin Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Origin Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-11
Filing date: 2021-09-09
Publication date: 2023-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-09
Also published as: CN115306816A; CN114165512A; CN114165512B

Abstract

The present invention provides a laminated spring type torque hinge which seals a sufficient amount of lubricant between the inner periphery of a leaf spring and a connecting shaft and prevents the sealed lubricant from leaking. A laminated spring type torque hinge (2) is provided with: a connecting shaft (4) which connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member in a rotatable manner; leaf springs (6), wherein more than 3 leaf springs (6) are laminated and press-fit on the connecting shaft (4); and a rotation preventing member (8) that prevents rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring (6). A plurality of concave portions (6 a) recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring (6). A lubricant is filled between the plurality of concave portions (6 a) and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft (4). A plurality of concave parts (6 a) of the leaf springs (6) except for the leaf springs (6) at the two ends in the axial direction are blocked by the leaf springs (6) at the two ends in the axial direction.

Description

Laminated spring type torque hinge, laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge, and methods of manufacturing the same

The invention is the divisional application of the invention patent application of which the application date is 2021, 9 and 9, the application number is 202111054344.7, and the invention names are a laminated spring type torque hinge, a laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge and a manufacturing method thereof.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a laminated spring type torque hinge and a method for manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge, in which a resistance torque is applied to a 2 nd member rotatably coupled to a 1 st member, and a laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge and a method for manufacturing a laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge, in which a resistance torque is applied to a 2 nd member when the 1 st member and the 2 nd member are rotatably coupled and the 2 nd member rotates in a predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member.

Background

A torque hinge that applies a resistance torque to a 2 nd member rotatably coupled to a 1 st member has been put into practical use. The torque hinge is attached to, for example, a notebook computer, and applies a resistance torque to a display (a 2 nd member) rotatably connected to a main body (a 1 st member) of the notebook computer, thereby holding the display at an arbitrary position.

Among the torque hinges there is a laminated spring type torque hinge comprising: a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member; a plurality of leaf springs stacked and press-fit to the connecting shaft; a rotation preventing member that prevents rotation of each leaf spring (for example, refer to patent document 1). In order to improve wear resistance and durability, the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft are coated with a lubricant. In the laminated spring type torque hinge, a frictional force generated between the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft causes each leaf spring to apply a required resistance torque to the connecting shaft.

Patent document 2 below discloses a coil spring type unidirectional torque hinge that imparts a resistance torque to a 2 nd member when the 2 nd member rotatably coupled to the 1 st member rotates in a predetermined direction. The coil spring type one-way torque hinge has a housing fixed to the 1 st member, and a cylindrical inner ring, a coil spring mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and fixed to the housing, and a one-way clutch fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring are disposed in the housing. A coupling shaft is fixed to the 2 nd member, and the coupling shaft is inserted into the one-way clutch.

In this coil spring type one-way torque hinge, when the 2 nd member rotates in a predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member, the relative rotation between the one-way clutch and the coupling shaft fixed to the 2 nd member is prevented, so that the relative rotation between the inner race to which the one-way clutch is fixed and the coil spring is generated, and a resistance torque due to a friction force between the inner race and the coil spring is applied to the 2 nd member. On the other hand, when the 2 nd member rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member, the relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is allowed, and thus the relative rotation between the inner race and the coil spring is not generated, and therefore the resistance torque is not applied to the 2 nd member.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 3836149

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-208108

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the laminated spring type torque hinge, since the plurality of leaf springs are laminated and press-fit to the coupling shaft, the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft, and therefore, a very small amount of lubricant is applied to the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft, and the leaf springs and the coupling shaft rotate relatively, there is a problem that the lubricant leaks out from between the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft.

In the coil spring type one-way torque hinge, since the inner race, the coil spring, and the one-way clutch are arranged along the radial direction, it is difficult to reduce the radial dimension. Therefore, when the restriction of the radial dimension is strict, there is a problem that the coil spring type one-way torque hinge cannot be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laminated spring type torque hinge and a method for manufacturing the laminated spring type torque hinge, in which a sufficient amount of lubricant is sealed between an inner peripheral edge of a leaf spring and a connecting shaft, and leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented, and a unidirectional torque hinge and a method for manufacturing the unidirectional torque hinge, in which the radial dimension is easily reduced.

Solution for solving the problem

According to the present invention, the following laminated spring type torque hinge is provided for solving the above problems. That is, there is provided a laminated spring type torque hinge including: a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member; a plate spring having a ring shape or a letter C shape, wherein 3 or more plate springs are laminated and press-fit on the connecting shaft; and a rotation preventing member that prevents rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring, wherein a plurality of recesses recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in a circumferential direction in an inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring, a lubricant is filled between the plurality of recesses and an outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, and the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the leaf spring at both axial side ends are blocked by the leaf springs at both axial side ends.

Preferably, the leaf springs are identical in shape, and the leaf springs at both axial end portions are rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the leaf springs other than the leaf springs at both axial end portions.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing the laminated spring type torque hinge, comprising the steps of: after the plate spring is press-fitted to the coupling shaft, the rotation preventing member is insert-molded integrally with the plate spring press-fitted to the coupling shaft.

According to the present invention, the following laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge is provided for solving the above problems. That is, there is provided a laminated spring type one-way torque hinge having: a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member; a plate spring having a ring shape or a letter C shape, wherein 3 or more plate springs are laminated and press-fit on the connecting shaft; a rotation preventing member that is fixed to any one of the 1 st member and the 2 nd member and that prevents rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring; and a one-way clutch which is cylindrical and fixed to the other of the 1 st member and the 2 nd member and which is fitted to the coupling shaft, wherein a plurality of recesses recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the inner periphery of at least a part of the leaf spring, a lubricant is filled between the plurality of recesses and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft, the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the leaf spring at both axial end portions are blocked by the leaf spring at both axial end portions, the leaf spring and the one-way clutch are arranged in the axial direction, and when the 2 nd member rotates in a predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member, the relative rotation of the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is prevented to generate the relative rotation of the coupling shaft and the leaf spring, a resistance torque caused by a friction force between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is applied to the 2 nd member, and when the 2 nd member rotates in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member, the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is allowed to rotate in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and the relative rotation of the leaf spring is not generated.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing the laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge as described above, comprising the steps of: after the plate spring is press-fitted to the coupling shaft, the rotation preventing member is insert-molded integrally with the plate spring press-fitted to the coupling shaft.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

In the laminated spring type torque hinge of the present invention, since the plurality of concave portions recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf springs, and the lubricant is filled between the plurality of concave portions and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, the plurality of concave portions of the leaf springs other than the leaf springs at both axial direction end portions are blocked by the leaf springs at both axial direction end portions, a sufficient amount of lubricant can be enclosed between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf springs and the connecting shaft, and the enclosed lubricant can be prevented from leaking.

In the laminated spring type one-way torque hinge of the present invention, when the 2 nd member rotates to one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the 1 st member, the relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is prevented, and the relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is generated, and the resistance torque due to the friction force between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is applied to the 2 nd member. On the other hand, when the 2 nd member rotates to the other side in the circumferential direction with respect to the 1 st member, the relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is allowed, and the relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is not generated, so that no resistance torque due to the friction force between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is applied to the 2 nd member. In this way, in the laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge of the present invention, when the 2 nd member rotates to one side in the circumferential direction, the resistance torque is applied to the 2 nd member, and when the 2 nd member rotates to the other side in the circumferential direction, the resistance torque is not applied to the 2 nd member, and the function as the unidirectional torque hinge is ensured.

In the laminated spring type one-way torque hinge of the present invention, unlike the conventional coil spring type one-way clutch in which the inner race, the coil spring, and the one-way clutch are arranged in the radial direction, the leaf spring and the one-way clutch are arranged in the axial direction, so that the radial dimension is easily reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of a laminated spring type torque hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention, fig. 1 (b) is a front view of the laminated spring type torque hinge shown in fig. 1 (a), and fig. 1 (c) is a sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 1 (b).

Fig. 2 is a front view of the leaf spring shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in fig. 1 is press-fitted to the coupling shaft, and fig. 3 (b) is a front view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in fig. 1 is press-fitted to the coupling shaft.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which grease as a lubricant is filled between the concave portion of the leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft.

Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which leaf springs at both axial end portions are rotated, and fig. 5 (b) is a front view showing a state in which leaf springs at both axial end portions are rotated.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stacked spring torque hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 (a) is a front view of the laminated spring type torque hinge shown in fig. 6, fig. 7 (B) is a sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 7 (a), and fig. 7 (c) is a B-B view of fig. 7 (B) with the protector removed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a case body (1 st member) and a cover (2 nd member) joined by a laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is rotated upward from the state shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the case main body, the cover, and the torque hinge shown in fig. 8 are exploded.

Fig. 11 (a) is a front view of the torque hinge shown in fig. 8, fig. 11 (b) is a side view of the torque hinge shown in fig. 8, and fig. 11 (c) is a rear view of the torque hinge shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 12 (a) is a sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 11 (a), fig. 12 (B) is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 12 (a), and fig. 12 (C) is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 12 (a).

Fig. 13 is a front view of the leaf spring shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in fig. 12 is press-fitted to the coupling shaft, and fig. 14 (b) is a front view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in fig. 12 is press-fitted to the coupling shaft.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which grease as a lubricant is filled between the concave portion of the leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft.

Fig. 16 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which leaf springs at both axial end portions are rotated, and fig. 16 (b) is a front view showing a state in which leaf springs at both axial end portions are rotated.

Fig. 17 (a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 12 (a) in the case where the one-way clutch is fixed to the case main body and the rotation preventing member is fixed to the cover, and fig. 17 (b) is a D-D cross-sectional view of fig. 17 (a).

Fig. 18 (a) is a perspective view showing another form of the rotation preventing member, fig. 18 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the rotation preventing member shown in fig. 18 (a), and fig. 18 (c) is a front view of the rotation preventing member shown in fig. 18 (a) with the protector removed.

Description of the reference numerals

2. Laminated spring type torque hinges; 4. a connecting shaft; 4a, an annular groove; 6. a leaf spring; 6a, a concave part; 6b, protruding pieces; 8. a rotation preventing member; 8a, annular protrusions; 8b, a concave part; 104. a box main body (1 st member); 106. a cover (2 nd member); 108. laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge (torque hinge); 120. a connecting shaft; 122. a rotation preventing member; 126. a leaf spring; 126a, recesses; 130. a one-way clutch.

Detailed Description

First, a preferred embodiment of a laminated spring type torque hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) to 1 (c), the laminated spring type torque hinge, indicated generally by reference numeral 2, includes a coupling shaft 4, a plurality of leaf springs 6 laminated and press-fit to the coupling shaft 4, and a rotation preventing member 8 that prevents rotation of at least a part of the leaf springs 6.

The connecting shaft 4 connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member to be rotatable, and connects the main body of the notebook computer as the 1 st member and the display as the 2 nd member to be rotatable, for example. This is not shown. The connecting shaft 4 is formed in a columnar shape from a suitable metal material such as steel. As shown in fig. 1 (c) and 3 (a), an annular groove 4a is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 4.

The leaf spring 6 is described with reference to fig. 2. The plate spring 6 can be formed of a suitable metal material such as steel. The leaf springs 6 of the illustrated embodiment are each in the shape of the same letter C, and the inner diameter of the leaf spring 6 before being press-fit to the coupling shaft 4 is smaller than the diameter of the coupling shaft 4. A plurality of arcuate concave portions 6a recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6. In the illustrated embodiment, 4 concave portions 6a are formed at intervals of 60 degrees. Further, a pair of protruding pieces 6b protruding radially outward are formed at both end portions in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, except for the portions of the pair of protruding pieces 6b, a portion (a circumferential intermediate portion 6d of the leaf spring 6) facing the opening portion 6c of the leaf spring 6 through the center O of the leaf spring 6 (the center of the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 except for the concave portion 6 a) has a radial dimension L larger than that of the portion except for the circumferential intermediate portion 6 d.

As shown in fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the plate spring 6 is press-fit to the coupling shaft 4. The plate springs 6 may be press-fit to the coupling shaft 4 one by one, or a plurality of plate springs 6 may be press-fit to the coupling shaft 4 at the same time. The number of leaf springs 6 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 4 may be 3 or more, and in the illustrated embodiment, 5 leaf springs 6 are press-fitted to the coupling shaft 4. The press-fit plate spring 6 is disposed near the annular groove 4a of the coupling shaft 4, but slightly offset from the axial position of the annular groove 4a, and the annular groove 4a is exposed when the plate spring 6 is press-fit on the coupling shaft 4.

As shown in fig. 3 (b), the orientation of the leaf springs 6 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 4 is adjusted so that the positions of the concave portions 6a of the leaf springs 6 are aligned when viewed from the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as described above, the shapes of the leaf springs 6 are the same, and therefore, when the orientations of all the leaf springs 6 are adjusted to the same orientation, the positions of the concave portions 6a of the respective leaf springs 6 are aligned when viewed from the axial direction.

After the plate spring 6 is press-fitted to the coupling shaft 4, as shown in fig. 4, grease as a lubricant is filled between the plurality of concave portions 6a and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 4 using a grease filler 10. In this way, in the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of concave portions 6a are formed at the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6, so that a sufficient amount of lubricant is filled between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4. The lubricant is not limited to a semisolid grease, and may be solid or liquid.

Next, as shown in fig. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the leaf springs 6 at both axial end portions are rotated by a predetermined angle (30 degrees in the illustrated embodiment) with respect to the leaf springs 6 other than the leaf springs 6 at both axial end portions. Thus, the plurality of concave portions 6a of the leaf springs 6 (the 3 leaf springs 6 on the inner side in the axial direction) other than the leaf springs 6 on the both axial direction side ends are closed by the leaf springs 6 on the both axial direction side ends, and the lubricant is sealed between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf springs 6 and the coupling shaft 4, thereby preventing the lubricant from leaking.

Next, as shown in fig. 1, the rotation preventing member 8 formed of a suitable synthetic resin is integrally insert-molded with each leaf spring 6 press-fitted to the connecting shaft 4. Thus, the rotation preventing member 8 is closely attached to the coupling shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6, and the leaf spring 6 is fixed to the rotation preventing member 8. Although the coupling shaft 4 and the rotation preventing member 8 are in close contact with each other, the coupling shaft 4 has a cylindrical shape, and the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 8 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 4 has a cylindrical shape, so that the rotation of the coupling shaft 4 is not prevented by the rotation preventing member 8. On the other hand, the pair of protruding pieces 6b of the leaf spring 6 are caught on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 8, so that the rotation of the leaf spring 6 is prevented by the rotation preventing member 8.

When a torque larger than the friction force between the coupling shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6 is applied to the coupling shaft 4 or the rotation preventing member 8, the coupling shaft 4 and the rotation preventing member 8 rotate relatively, and a required resistance torque is applied to the coupling shaft 4 from the leaf spring 6.

As shown in fig. 1 (c), an annular protrusion 8a fitted into the annular groove 4a of the coupling shaft 4 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 8 in the illustrated embodiment, and the annular protrusion 8a of the rotation preventing member 8 is fitted into the annular groove 4a of the coupling shaft 4, whereby the coupling shaft 4 and the rotation preventing member 8 can be prevented from moving relative to each other in the axial direction.

The outer shape of the rotation preventing member 8 is arbitrary depending on the shape of the member to which the rotation preventing member 8 is attached. The rotation preventing member 8 of the illustrated embodiment has a quadrangular prism shape overall, and 4 concave portions 8b are formed. The recess 8b is formed by abutment of a die for fixing the relative position of the coupling shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6 in the axial direction when the rotation preventing member 8 is insert molded.

In the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 capable of being configured as described above, the rotation preventing member 8 is fixed to a 1 st member (not shown) such as a main body of a notebook computer, and the coupling shaft 4 is fixed to a 2 nd member (not shown) such as a display of the notebook computer. When the 2 nd member is rotated relative to the 1 st member by an external force, the coupling shaft 4 is rotated relative to the leaf spring 6 fixed to the rotation preventing member 8, and in this case, a required resistance torque is applied to the coupling shaft 4 from the leaf spring 6, so that the 2 nd member is held at an arbitrary position when the external force applied to the 2 nd member is removed.

As described above, in the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, since the lubricant is filled between the concave portion 6a of each leaf spring 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4, and the plurality of concave portions 6a of the leaf springs 6 other than the leaf springs 6 at both axial direction side ends are blocked by the leaf springs 6 at both axial direction side ends, it is possible to seal a sufficient amount of lubricant between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf springs 6 and the connecting shaft 4, and to prevent the sealed lubricant from leaking. Thereby, the durability of the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 is improved. Further, since the enclosed lubricant is prevented from leaking by the leaf spring 6, the lubricant does not intrude into the die-joining surfaces of the upper die and the lower die of the rotation preventing member 8, and molding failure at the time of insert molding the rotation preventing member 8 can be suppressed.

In the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, the rotation preventing member 8 is integrally insert-molded with the leaf spring 6 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 4, so that there is practically no gap between the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 8, and the leaf spring 6 and the rotation preventing member 8 are in close contact. Therefore, the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 has little so-called rotational rattle and rebound, and has high responsiveness.

The resistance torque applied from the leaf spring 6 to the coupling shaft 4 depends on the radial dimension of the leaf spring 6, and the larger the radial dimension of the leaf spring 6 is, the larger the resistance torque is, and in this case, the larger the influence exerted on the resistance torque by the radial dimension L of the circumferential intermediate portion 6d of the leaf spring 6 is. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial dimension L of the circumferential intermediate portion 6d of the leaf spring 6 is larger than the radial dimension of the portion other than the circumferential intermediate portion 6d except the portions of the pair of protruding pieces 6b, and therefore, the reduction of the resistance torque of the leaf spring 6 can be prevented, and the leaf spring 6 can be miniaturized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, for example, the rotation preventing member may not be formed by insert molding. For this example, the rotation preventing member 12 has the main body 14 and the protector 16, as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7. The main body 14 has a rectangular end face wall 18 and a side wall 20 extending from the peripheral edge of the end face wall 18 to one side in the axial direction. As is apparent from fig. 7 (b) and 7 (c), the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 20 is fitted with the plurality of leaf springs 6 press-fitted to the connecting shaft 4. After the leaf springs 6 press-fit to the connecting shaft 4 are accommodated in the main body 14, the protection 16 is press-fit to the open side end of the side wall 20 of the main body 14. In the example shown in fig. 6 and 7, although some clearance is generated between the leaf spring 6 and the main body 14 of the rotation preventing member 12, there is an effect that a sufficient amount of lubricant is enclosed between the leaf spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4 and the enclosed lubricant is prevented from leaking.

In the illustrated embodiment, all of the leaf springs 6 have the same shape, but some of the leaf springs may have a shape different from that of other leaf springs, and for example, leaf springs having no recess 6a formed in the inner peripheral edge thereof may be included. The shape of the leaf spring is the letter C shape in the above embodiment, but may be annular. The plate spring may have a notch formed in an outer peripheral edge thereof, and a protrusion fitted into the notch in the outer peripheral edge thereof may be formed in an inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member, and the rotation of the plate spring may be prevented when the coupling shaft is rotated by fitting the notch in the outer peripheral edge thereof and the protrusion in the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member, which is not shown. In the case where the leaf spring has a letter C shape, at least one pair of such notches is preferably formed at both end portions in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring, and in the case where the leaf spring has a ring shape, one or more notches may be formed at arbitrary positions. The

rotation preventing members

8 and 12 may prevent the rotation of at least a part of the leaf springs 6, or may not prevent the rotation of all of the leaf springs 6.

Next, a preferred embodiment of a laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 8 to 10 show a box 102 used as a center console box disposed in a cabin of an automobile. The case 102 includes a case main body 104 that houses the article, a cover 106 that covers an upper portion of the case main body 104, and a laminated spring-type one-way torque hinge 108 (hereinafter referred to as "torque hinge 108") that connects the case main body 104 and the cover 106. The case body 104 is an example of the 1 st member of the present invention, and the cover 106 is an example of the 2 nd member of the present invention, but the 1 st member and the 2 nd member of the present invention are not limited to the case body 104 and the cover 106.

As shown in fig. 8 to 10, the box main body 104 includes a rectangular bottom plate 110, a vertical plate 112 extending upward from an upper surface of the bottom plate 110, and a pair of brackets 114 protruding from one surface of the vertical plate 112 with a space therebetween in a width direction of the vertical plate 112. As shown in fig. 10, a rectangular receiving opening 114a is formed in one bracket 114, and a circular supporting opening 114b is formed in the other bracket 114. A square tubular side wall extending upward is attached to the periphery of the bottom plate 110, and an accommodation space with an open upper portion is defined by the upper surface of the bottom plate 110 and the inner surface of the side wall, which is not shown.

As will be described further with reference to fig. 8 to 10, the cover 106 includes a rectangular top plate 116 and a pair of brackets 118 extending downward from the top plate 116 with a gap therebetween in the width direction of the top plate 116. As shown in fig. 10, a rectangular receiving opening 118a is formed in one bracket 118, and a circular supporting opening 118b is formed in the other bracket 118.

As described with reference to fig. 11 and 12, the torque hinge 108 includes a coupling shaft 120 that rotatably couples the box body 104 and the cover 106, a rotation preventing member 122 attached to the coupling shaft 120, and a housing 124 attached to the coupling shaft 120 and disposed on one side (left side in fig. 11 (b)) in the axial direction of the rotation preventing member 122. The connecting shaft 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a suitable metal material such as steel. As shown in fig. 12 (a), a pair of

annular grooves

120a, 120b are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 120 at intervals in the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shape of the rotation preventing member 122 is rectangular in a front view as shown in fig. 11 (c), but any shape may be adopted depending on the shape of the member to which the rotation preventing member 122 is attached.

As shown in fig. 12 (a), a plurality of leaf springs 126 stacked and press-fit to the coupling shaft 120 are disposed inside the rotation preventing member 122. The plate spring 126 is formed of a suitable metal material such as steel. As shown in fig. 13, the leaf springs 126 of the illustrated embodiment each have the same letter C shape, and the inside diameter of the leaf spring 126 before being press-fit to the coupling shaft 120 is smaller than the diameter of the coupling shaft 120. A plurality of arcuate concave portions 126a recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 126. In the illustrated embodiment, 4 recesses 126a are formed at 60 degree intervals. Further, a pair of protruding pieces 126b protruding radially outward are formed at both circumferential side ends of the leaf spring 126.

In the illustrated embodiment, except for the portions of the pair of protruding pieces 126b, a portion (a circumferential intermediate portion 126d of the leaf spring 126) facing the opening portion 126c of the leaf spring 126 via the center O 'of the leaf spring 126 (the center of the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 126 except for the concave portion 126 a) is larger than a portion except for the circumferential intermediate portion 126d in a radial dimension L'.

As shown in fig. 14 (a) and 14 (b), when the torque hinge 108 is assembled, the plate spring 126 is first press-fit to the coupling shaft 120. The plate springs 126 may be press-fit to the coupling shaft 120 one by one, or a plurality of plate springs 126 may be press-fit to the coupling shaft 120 at the same time. The number of leaf springs 126 press-fit to the coupling shaft 120 is only 3 or more, and in the illustrated embodiment, 5 leaf springs 126 are press-fit to the coupling shaft 120. The press-fit plate spring 126 is disposed near the annular groove 120a of the coupling shaft 120, but slightly offset from the axial position of the annular groove 120a, and the annular groove 120a is exposed when the plate spring 126 is press-fit on the coupling shaft 120.

As shown in fig. 14 (b), the orientation of the leaf springs 126 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 120 is adjusted so that the positions of the concave portions 126a of the leaf springs 126 are aligned when viewed from the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as described above, the leaf springs 126 are each identical in shape, and therefore, when the orientations of all the leaf springs 126 are adjusted to be identical, the positions of the concave portions 126a of the respective leaf springs 126 are aligned when viewed from the axial direction.

After the plate spring 126 is press-fitted over the coupling shaft 120, as shown in fig. 15, grease as a lubricant is filled between the plurality of concave portions 126a and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 120 using a grease filler 128. In this way, in the torque hinge 108 of the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of concave portions 126a are formed at the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 126, so that a sufficient amount of lubricant is filled between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 126 and the connecting shaft 120. The lubricant is not limited to a semisolid grease, and may be solid or liquid.

Next, as shown in fig. 16 (a) and 16 (b), the leaf springs 126 at both axial end portions are rotated by a predetermined angle (30 degrees in the illustrated embodiment) with respect to the leaf springs 126 other than the leaf springs 126 at both axial end portions. Thus, the plurality of concave portions 126a of the leaf springs 126 (the 3 leaf springs 126 on the inner side in the axial direction) other than the leaf springs 126 on the both axial direction ends are closed by the leaf springs 126 on the both axial direction ends, and the lubricant is sealed between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf springs 126 and the connecting shaft 120, thereby preventing the lubricant from leaking.

Next, as shown in fig. 11, the rotation preventing member 122 formed of an appropriate synthetic resin is integrally insert-molded with each leaf spring 126 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 120. Thus, the rotation preventing member 122 is in close contact with the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126, and the plate spring 126 is fixed to the rotation preventing member 122. Although the coupling shaft 120 and the rotation preventing member 122 are in close contact with each other, the coupling shaft 120 has a cylindrical shape, and the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 122 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft 120 has a cylindrical shape, so that the rotation of the coupling shaft 120 is not prevented by the rotation preventing member 122. On the other hand, the pair of protruding pieces 126b of the plate spring 126 are caught on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 122, so that the rotation of the plate spring 126 is prevented by the rotation preventing member 122.

When a torque larger than the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126 is applied to the coupling shaft 120 or the rotation preventing member 122, the coupling shaft 120 rotates relative to the rotation preventing member 122, and a required resistance torque is applied to the coupling shaft 120 from the plate spring 126.

As shown in fig. 12 (a), an annular protrusion 122a fitted into the annular groove 120a of the coupling shaft 120 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 122 in the illustrated embodiment, and the annular protrusion 122a of the rotation preventing member 122 is fitted into the annular groove 120a of the coupling shaft 120, whereby the coupling shaft 120 and the rotation preventing member 122 can be prevented from moving relative to each other in the axial direction.

The case 124 disposed on one side of the rotation preventing member 122 in the axial direction will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12. As shown in fig. 11 (a), the casing 124 has a quadrangular front view. As shown in fig. 12 (a), the case 124 is formed hollow and has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 124a. An annular wall 124b extending radially inward is formed at the axial center of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 124a. A plurality of fixing pieces 124c extending to one side (left side in fig. 12 (a)) in the axial direction at intervals in the circumferential direction are attached to the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall 124b. A projection 124d protruding radially inward is formed on the radially inner side of the distal end side of the fixing piece 124c, and the projection 124d is fitted into the annular groove 120b of the coupling shaft 120 to prevent relative movement between the coupling shaft 120 and the housing 124 in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 12 (a) and 12 (b), a cylindrical one-way clutch 130 is mounted to the housing 124, and the one-way clutch 130 is disposed on the other side (right side in fig. 12 (a)) in the axial direction of the annular wall 124b of the housing 124. The one-way clutch 130 is fitted to the coupling shaft 120.

As will be described further with reference to fig. 12 (b), the one-way clutch 130 includes a cylindrical main portion 130a and a plurality of cylindrical rollers 130c, and the plurality of cylindrical rollers 130c are disposed in a plurality of wedge-shaped recesses 130b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main portion 130a at intervals in the circumferential direction. The radial dimension of the wedge-shaped recess 130b becomes gradually smaller in the clockwise direction as viewed from above the paper surface of fig. 12 (b). A spring 130d for pressing the roller 130c in the clockwise direction is disposed in each wedge-shaped recess 130b. Further, a plurality of arcuate grooves 130e extending in the axial direction at intervals in the circumferential direction are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the main portion 130a, and the one-way clutch 130 is fixed to the housing 124 so as not to rotate relative to the housing 124 by fitting the arcuate grooves 130e into the arcuate projections 124e of the housing 124.

When the housing 124 is about to rotate in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the coupling shaft 120 or when the coupling shaft 120 is about to rotate in the clockwise direction with respect to the housing 124 as viewed from above the paper surface of fig. 12 (b), the roller 130c bites between the wedge-shaped recess 130b of the one-way clutch 130 and the coupling shaft 120, and thus the relative rotation of the housing 124 and the coupling shaft 120 is prevented by the one-way clutch 130.

In contrast, when the housing 124 rotates clockwise with respect to the coupling shaft 120 or the coupling shaft 120 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the housing 124 as viewed from above the paper surface of fig. 12 (b), the roller 130c does not bite between the wedge-shaped recess 130b and the coupling shaft 120, and thus, the relative rotation of the housing 124 and the coupling shaft 120 is allowed.

In assembling the case 102, as shown in fig. 8 to 10, one end side of the coupling shaft 120 is supported by the support opening 114b of the case main body 104 and the support opening 118b of the cover 106, and the rotation preventing member 122 disposed on the other end side of the coupling shaft 120 is accommodated in the accommodation opening 114a of the case main body 104, and the case 124 is accommodated in the accommodation opening 118a of the cover 106. Thus, the rotation preventing member 122 incorporating the leaf spring 126 is fixed to the case main body 104 so as not to rotate relative to the case main body 104, and the case 124 incorporating the one-way clutch 130 is fixed to the cover 106 so as not to rotate relative to the cover 106.

Next, the function of the torque hinge 108 as described above is explained.

When the cover 106 is rotated downward relative to the case main body 104 (the cover 106 is closed from the opened state), the roller 130c is caught between the wedge-shaped recess 130b of the one-way clutch 130 and the coupling shaft 120, and the relative rotation of the coupling shaft 120 and the one-way clutch 130 is prevented. Thus, when the cover 106 rotates downward, the coupling shaft 120 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the cover 106. On the other hand, the rotation of the plate spring 126 is prevented by the rotation preventing member 122 fixed to the box main body 104, and therefore, the coupling shaft 120 rotates with respect to the plate spring 126, that is, the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126 rotate relatively. Thereby, a resistance torque due to the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126 is given to the cover 106.

By setting the resistance torque applied to the lid 106 to a value slightly larger than the torque based on the weight of the lid 106, even when the lid 106 is released by hand, the lid 106 can be prevented from closing by the weight (the lid 106 can be stopped at an arbitrary position), and the lid 106 can be easily closed by slightly applying the downward torque (the torque in the closing direction) to the lid 106 by hand.

When the cover 106 is rotated upward relative to the case main body 104 (when the cover 106 is opened from the closed state), the roller 130c does not bite between the wedge-shaped recess 130b of the one-way clutch 130 and the coupling shaft 120, and the relative rotation between the coupling shaft 120 and the one-way clutch 130 is allowed. Accordingly, even if the cover 106 is rotated, the coupling shaft 120 does not rotate, and the relative rotation between the coupling shaft 120 and the leaf spring 126 does not occur, so that no resistance torque due to the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the leaf spring 126 is applied to the cover 106. Thus, the cover 106 can be opened with a small force.

As described above, in the torque hinge 108 of the illustrated embodiment, when the cover 106 is rotated downward, a resistance torque is applied to the cover 106, and when the cover 106 is rotated upward, a resistance torque is not applied to the cover 106, and thus the function as a one-way torque hinge can be ensured.

Further, in the torque hinge 108 of the illustrated embodiment, unlike the conventional coil spring type one-way clutch in which the inner race, the coil spring, and the one-way clutch are disposed in the radial direction, the plate spring 126 and the one-way clutch 130 are disposed in the axial direction, and thus the radial dimension is easily reduced.

In the torque hinge 108, since the lubricant is filled between the concave portion 126a of each leaf spring 126 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 120, and the plurality of concave portions 126a of the leaf springs 126 other than the leaf springs 126 at both axial end portions are closed by the leaf springs 126 at both axial end portions, a sufficient amount of lubricant is enclosed between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf springs 126 and the connecting shaft 120, and the enclosed lubricant is prevented from leaking. Thereby, durability of the torque hinge 108 is improved. Further, since the leakage of the enclosed lubricant is prevented by the plate spring 126, the lubricant does not intrude into the clamping surfaces of the upper die and the lower die of the rotation preventing member 122, and molding failure at the time of insert molding of the rotation preventing member 122 can be suppressed.

In the torque hinge 108, the rotation preventing member 122 is integrally insert-molded with the leaf spring 126 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 120, so that there is practically no gap between the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring 126 and the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member 122, and the leaf spring 126 and the rotation preventing member 122 are in close contact. Therefore, the torque hinge 108 has little so-called rotational rattle and rebound, and has high responsiveness.

The resistance torque given from the leaf spring 126 to the coupling shaft 120 depends on the radial dimension of the leaf spring 126, and the larger the radial dimension of the leaf spring 126 is, the larger the resistance torque is, in which case the influence of the radial dimension L' of the circumferential intermediate portion 126d of the leaf spring 126 on the resistance torque application is larger. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial dimension L' of the circumferential intermediate portion 126d of the leaf spring 126 is larger than the radial dimension of the portion other than the circumferential intermediate portion 126d except the portions of the pair of protruding pieces 126b, and therefore, a decrease in the resistance torque of the leaf spring 126 can be prevented, and the leaf spring 126 can be miniaturized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the one-way clutch 130 is fixed to the cover 106 via the case 124, but the one-way clutch 130 may be directly fixed to the cover 106 without via the case 124 or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation preventing member 122 is fixed to the case main body 104, and the one-way clutch 130 is fixed to the cover 106, but the one-way clutch 130 may be fixed to the case main body 104, and the rotation preventing member 122 may be fixed to the cover 106, contrary to the illustrated embodiment. The orientation of the one-way clutch 130 in this case is opposite to that of the one-way clutch 130 of the above-described embodiment.

A configuration in which the one-way clutch 130 is fixed to the case main body 104 and the rotation preventing member 122 is fixed to the cover 106 will be described with reference to fig. 17. When the cover 106 is rotated downward relative to the case body 104 (the cover 106 is closed from the opened state), the plate spring 126 is interposed between the cover 106 and the coupling shaft 120, and therefore, the coupling shaft 120 is intended to be rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the cover 106 by the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126.

However, when the cover 106 is rotated downward, the roller 130c bites between the wedge-shaped recess 130b of the one-way clutch 130 and the coupling shaft 120, and thus the relative rotation between the coupling shaft 120 and the one-way clutch 130 is prevented. Accordingly, when the cover 106 is rotated downward, the plate spring 126 is rotated relative to the coupling shaft 120, that is, the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126 are rotated relative to each other. Thereby, a resistance torque due to the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126 is given to the cover 106.

As will be described further with reference to fig. 17, when the cover 106 is rotated upward relative to the case main body 104 (when the cover 106 is opened from the closed state), the roller 130c does not bite between the wedge-shaped recess 130b of the one-way clutch 130 and the coupling shaft 120, and thus, the relative rotation between the coupling shaft 120 and the one-way clutch 130 is allowed. Therefore, when the cover 106 is rotated upward, the coupling shaft 120 is rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the cover 106 by the friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the plate spring 126. Accordingly, since the relative rotation between the coupling shaft 120 and the leaf spring 126 does not occur, a resistance torque due to a friction force between the coupling shaft 120 and the leaf spring 126 is not applied to the cover 106.

The rotation preventing member 122 of the illustrated embodiment is molded by insert molding, but the rotation preventing member may not be molded by insert molding. For this example, the rotation preventing member 132 has a main body 134 and a protector 136, as described with reference to fig. 18. The main body 134 has a rectangular end surface wall 138 and a side wall 140 extending from the peripheral edge of the end surface wall 138 to one side in the axial direction. Referring to fig. 18 (b) and 18 (c), the inner peripheral surfaces of the side walls 140 are fitted to the plurality of leaf springs 126 press-fitted to the coupling shaft 120. After the leaf springs 126 press-fit to the connecting shaft 120 are accommodated in the main body 134, the protector 136 is press-fit to the open side end of the side wall 140 of the main body 134. In the example shown in fig. 18, although some clearance is generated between the leaf spring 126 and the main body 134 of the rotation preventing member 132, there is an effect that a sufficient amount of lubricant is enclosed between the leaf spring 126 and the connecting shaft 120 and the enclosed lubricant is prevented from leaking out.

In the illustrated embodiment, all of the leaf springs 126 have the same shape, but some of the leaf springs may have a shape different from that of other leaf springs, and may include, for example, leaf springs in which the concave portion 126a is not formed at the inner peripheral edge. The shape of the leaf spring is the letter C shape in the above embodiment, but may be annular. The plate spring is provided with a notch at its outer peripheral edge, and a protrusion fitted into the notch at its outer peripheral edge is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation preventing member, and the rotation of the plate spring is prevented when the coupling shaft is rotated by fitting the notch at its outer peripheral edge and the protrusion at its inner peripheral surface, which is not shown. In the case where the leaf spring has a letter C shape, at least one pair of such notches is preferably formed at both end portions in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring, and in the case where the leaf spring has a ring shape, one or more notches may be formed at arbitrary positions. The

rotation preventing members

122 and 132 may prevent at least a part of the leaf springs 126 from rotating, or may not prevent all of the leaf springs 126 from rotating.

Claims

1. A laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge, wherein,

the laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge comprises: a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the 1 st member and the 2 nd member; a plate spring having a ring shape or a letter C shape, wherein 3 or more plate springs are laminated and press-fit on the connecting shaft; a rotation preventing member that is fixed to any one of the 1 st member and the 2 nd member and that prevents rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring; and a one-way clutch having a cylindrical shape, fixed to the other of the 1 st member and the 2 nd member, and fitted to the connecting shaft,

a plurality of recesses recessed radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring, a lubricant is filled between the plurality of recesses and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the leaf springs at both axial end portions are blocked by the leaf springs at both axial end portions,

the leaf spring and the one-way clutch are arranged along an axial direction,

when the 2 nd member rotates in a predetermined direction relative to the 1 st member, relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is prevented, relative rotation between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is generated, a resistance torque due to friction between the coupling shaft and the leaf spring is applied to the 2 nd member,

in the case where the 2 nd member is rotated in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the 1 st member, relative rotation of the coupling shaft and the one-way clutch is allowed so that relative rotation of the coupling shaft and the plate spring is not generated,

the leaf springs at both axial-direction end portions are rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the leaf springs other than the leaf springs at both axial-direction end portions.

2. The laminated spring type unidirectional torque hinge of claim 1, wherein,

the leaf springs are each identical in shape.

3. A method for manufacturing a laminated spring type one-way torque hinge, which is used for manufacturing the laminated spring type one-way torque hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the method comprises the following steps: after the plate spring is press-fitted to the coupling shaft, the rotation preventing member is insert-molded integrally with the plate spring press-fitted to the coupling shaft.