CN116498638A - Hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a hinge, which comprises a base, a rotating bracket and an interference piece. The base is provided with a setting groove which is arranged in parallel with the axis direction. The rotating support comprises a rotating part which is arranged parallel to the axis direction, and two ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and positioned in the setting groove so as to rotate around the axis direction. The rotating part is provided with a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove. The torsion friction surface has at least partial curvature radius different from that of other parts and is not contacted with the base. The interference piece is positioned in the setting groove. One end of the interference piece is fixed on the base, and a part between two ends of the interference piece is in a suspended state. The interference piece is positioned between the base and the torsion friction surface, the interference piece is in a bending mode and bends towards the torsion friction surface so as to be in tight contact with a part of the torsion friction surface, and the contact area of the surface contact is changed along with the sliding of the rotating part relative to the base, so that the torsion resistance of the hinge is changed along with the rotation.

Description

Hinge

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinge, and more particularly, to a hinge with torsion resistance varying with rotation.

Background

The foldable electronic device (foldable electronic device) (such as notebook computer, foldable mobile phone or other electronic components) is hinged to the two bodies, so that the included angle (usually 180 degrees to overlap each other) between the two bodies can be changed arbitrarily. The two bodies can be generally divided into an operating part placed on a table top or held on a hand and a main display part. Generally, the user adjusts the included angle to an appropriate size so that the user can view the main display portion in a comfortable posture when performing an operation.

The hinge must provide a suitable torsion resistance to resist the dead weight of the main display portion or torsion generated when the electronic device is shaken, so as to maintain the included angle. There are two general ways to provide torsional resistance. The first is to incorporate a damping washer in the structure of the hinge to provide torsional resistance. The torsional resistance provided by the damping washer generally does not change with rotation, but rather maintains a fixed value. However, when the damping washer provides enough torsion resistance, the included angle between the two bodies is not easy to change. The user must continuously apply a large force to adjust to a desired angle while folding or unfolding the electronic device. Another form is to provide a variable torsional resistance with a combination of springs, rams and cams, providing a large torsional resistance in the range of angles that are often desired by the user, and a small torsional resistance outside the range of angles. However, the combination structure is relatively complex and space-saving, and is not suitable for small-sized light and thin electronic devices such as mobile phones.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on the technical problems, the invention provides a hinge which has a simple structure and a small volume and provides changeable torsion resistance.

The invention provides a hinge, which comprises a base, a rotating bracket and an interference piece. The base has an arrangement groove, and the arrangement groove is arranged parallel to the axial direction. The rotating support comprises a rotating part, the rotating part is arranged parallel to the axis direction, and two ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and positioned in the arrangement groove, so that the rotating part rotates around the axis direction on the base. The rotating part is provided with a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove. The torsion friction surface has at least a partial curvature radius which is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts in the radial direction perpendicular to the axis direction, and the torsion friction surface is not contacted with the base. The interference piece is positioned in the setting groove, one end of the interference piece is fixed on the base, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece is in a suspended (or suspended) state without contacting the base. The interference piece is positioned between the base and the torsion friction surface, the interference piece is in a bending shape and bends towards the torsion friction surface so as to tightly contact with a part of the torsion friction surface, a part of surface contact is formed on the torsion friction surface, and a contact area of the surface contact is changed along with the sliding of the rotating part relative to the base, so that the torsion resistance of the hinge is changed along with the rotation.

In at least one embodiment, the rotating bracket further includes an assembling portion disposed on a side of the rotating portion.

In at least one embodiment, the base includes at least one first sliding engagement portion, and the rotating bracket includes at least one second sliding engagement portion; the first sliding combination part is arranged at one end of the setting groove, the second sliding combination part is arranged at one end of the rotating part, and the second sliding combination part is combined with the first sliding combination part.

In at least one embodiment, the first sliding combination portion and the second sliding combination portion are a combination of a circular arc guide groove and a circular arc guide rail, and the circular arc guide rail is slidably disposed in the circular arc guide groove, so that the rotating portion slides along an arc path relative to the base and rotates around the axis direction.

In at least one embodiment, the center of curvature of the arcuate path falls in the axial direction.

In at least one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the torsional friction surface is continuously variable.

In at least one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the torsional friction surface is discontinuously variable.

In at least one embodiment, the portions of the same radius of curvature are provided as discontinuities.

In at least one embodiment, the base is provided with an opening for communicating the setting groove with the outside of the base.

Through the technical scheme, the hinge can change the friction force inside the hinge along with the angle in the rotating process, so that the torsion resistance along with the angle is provided. The hinge has the characteristics of simple structure and small volume, and is applied to a light and thin electronic device with small size.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of fig. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a rotating mount and an interference piece according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge with a smaller included angle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a rotating frame and an interference piece at a small angle in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge at another smaller included angle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge with a smaller included angle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a rotating frame and an interference piece at a small angle in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge with a larger included angle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a rotating frame and an interference piece at a larger angle in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another rotating mount and interference piece according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals illustrate: a 100-hinge; 110-a base; 113-providing a groove; 114-a first sliding joint; 116-opening holes; 120-rotating the bracket; 121-a rotating part; 122-an assembly; 123-a second sliding joint; 124-torque friction surface; 130-an interference piece; 130 a-screws; 130 b-positioning columns; 210-linkage mechanism; 220, 230-organism; x-axis direction; R0-R4, rmax-radius of curvature; a0, A1, A3, A5-contact area.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a hinge 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a base 110, one or more rotating brackets 120 and one or more interference pieces 130. Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate two rotating holders 120 in pairs and two corresponding interference pieces 130. The number of rotating brackets 120 and interference tabs 130 may vary as desired.

As shown in fig. 3, the hinge 100 may be used to couple to two bodies 220,230 such that the two bodies 220,230 form a foldable electronic device, wherein each rotating bracket 120 is connected to one of the two rotating brackets 120.

An exemplary illustration of a base 110 in combination with a rotating bracket 120 and an interference piece 130 is described below. It should be noted that the base 110 may be provided with a plurality of corresponding structures to match the plurality of rotating brackets 120 and the plurality of interference pieces 130. The rotating brackets 120 are generally disposed on the base 110 in pairs, that is, a plurality of pairs of rotating brackets 120 may be disposed on the base 110.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the base 110 has a disposition groove 113 and a pair of first sliding coupling portions 114. The cross section of the installation groove 113 is semicircular, the installation groove 113 is arranged parallel to the axis direction X, and each first sliding joint portion 114 is respectively arranged at two ends of the installation groove 113.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, the rotating bracket 120 includes a rotating portion 121 and an assembling portion 122. The rotating portion 121 is disposed parallel to the axial direction X, and two ends of the rotating portion 121 are respectively provided with a second sliding coupling portion 123. Each second sliding coupling portion 123 is slidably coupled to the corresponding first sliding coupling portion 114, and is located in the setting groove 113, so that two ends of the rotating portion 121 are slidably coupled to the base 110, thereby enabling the rotating portion 121 to rotate on the base 110 around the axis direction X.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the first sliding coupling portion 114 and the second sliding coupling portion 123 are a combination of a circular arc-shaped guide groove and a circular arc-shaped guide rail. The circular arc guide groove and the circular arc guide rail are concentrically arranged, the circular arc guide rail is slidably arranged in the circular arc guide groove, and the curvature centers of the circular arc guide rail and the circular arc guide rail fall in the axis direction X. The combination of the circular arc guide groove and the circular arc guide rail makes the rotating part 121 slide along an arc path relative to the base 110, and rotate around the axis direction X.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the rotating portion 121 has a torsion friction surface 124 facing the installation groove 113. The torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121 has at least a partial radius of curvature different from the radius of curvature of the other portions in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. In addition, the torsion friction surface 124 is not in contact with the base 110, and the assembly portion 122 is disposed on one side of the rotation portion 121.

As shown in fig. 6, in the first embodiment, the radius of curvature of the torsion friction surface 124 continuously changes linearly, that is, the radius of curvature of the torsion friction surface 124 continuously changes with different reference angles, so that the rotating portion 121 presents a cam shape. Assuming that the reference angle extending perpendicularly from the axial direction X to the assembling portion 122 is 0 degree (the reference line is directed to the right in fig. 6), and the reference angle extending perpendicularly from the axial direction X to the other side of the rotating portion 121 is 180 degrees (the reference line is directed to the left in fig. 6); at the position where the reference angle is 0 degrees, the torsion friction surface 124 has the smallest radius of curvature R0, and at the position where the reference angle is 180 degrees, the torsion friction surface 124 has the largest radius of curvature Rmax.

As shown in fig. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the interference piece 130 is located in the setting groove 113, one end of the interference piece 130 is fixed to the base 110, the other end abuts against the base 110, and a portion between two ends of the interference piece 130 is in a suspended (suspended) state without contacting the base 110. One end of the interference piece 130 may be fixed to the base 110 by a screw 130a and a positioning post 130 b. The interference piece 130 is located between the base 110 and the torsion friction surface 124.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the interference piece 130 is curved and is curved toward the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121 to be in pressing contact with a part of the torsion friction surface 124, to form a partial surface contact with the torsion friction surface 124, and to receive a pressing force perpendicular to the axial direction X. The contact area of the surface contact varies with the sliding of the rotating portion 121 with respect to the base 110. The area of the pressing force in contact with the surface determines the amount of friction between the torsional friction surface 124 and the interference piece 130. In general, the friction force increases when the area of pressing force in contact with the surface increases, and decreases when the area of pressing force in contact with the surface decreases.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, when the assembly portion 122 is unfolded so that the angle between the assembly portion and the upper surface of the base 110 is 180 degrees, the interference piece 130 contacts a portion of the reference angle close to 0 degrees. The radius of curvature R0 of the contact portion is smaller, so that the contact area A0 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is smaller; at the same time, torsional friction surface 124 is also less pressed against interference piece 130 such that interference piece 130 presses relatively less against torsional friction surface 124. At this time, the frictional interference of the interference piece 130 against the rotating portion 121 is reduced to a minimum value so that the rotating portion 121 can be easily rotated.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, when the rotating portion 121 rotates relative to the base 110, the included angle between the assembling portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is reduced (e.g. 170 degrees), and the position of the interference piece 130 contacting the torsion friction surface 124 is changed. At this time, the curvature radius of the contact portion is raised to R1 (R1 > R0), and the contact area between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is increased to A1; at the same time, the torsion friction surface 124 pushes the interference piece 130 outward against the lifting degree, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 to the torsion friction surface 124 is increased. At this time, the friction force applied by the interference piece 130 to the rotating portion 121 increases, and the torque force required to rotate the rotating portion 121 (i.e. the torque resistance of the rotating bracket 120 increases), so that the angle between the assembling portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110, i.e. the angle between the paired rotating brackets 120, can be easily fixed.

Further, as shown in fig. 9, as the rotating portion 121 is continuously rotated relative to the base 110, the angle between the assembling portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is continuously decreased (e.g., 150 degrees). The radius of curvature of the contact portion is further raised to R2 (R2 > R1> R0) so that the contact area between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is further increased; at the same time, the degree of the tightening of the torsion friction surface 124 to the interference piece 130 is increased again, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 to the torsion friction surface 124 is increased again. The torque resistance of the rotating bracket 120 is raised to a higher value, so that the included angle between the assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is more easily fixed.

As shown in fig. 5, 7 and 9, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as the rotating portion 121 rotates, the included angle between the assembling portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is changed, and the contact area between the torsion friction surface 124 and the interference piece 130 is continuously changed. Therefore, at different angles, there will be different torsional resistances between the base 110 and the rotating bracket 120, so as to facilitate the angle between the fixed assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110. Taking the first embodiment as an example, when the included angle gradually decreases, the torsion resistance increases with the decrease; in the case of a foldable electronic device combining two bodies 220,230, it is applicable to fix the bodies 220,230, which are mainly displayed, at an angle suitable for viewing.

As shown in fig. 5, 7 and 9, the torsion friction surface 124 may be disposed in a range between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, so that when the angle between the assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is close to 90 degrees, the interference piece 130 will not contact the torsion friction surface 124 any more, so that the torsion resistance between the base 110 and the rotating bracket 120 only remains the friction force between the first sliding connection portion 114 and the second sliding connection portion 123, so that the two machine bodies 220,230 can be easily folded together.

As shown in fig. 2, 5, 7 and 8, the interference piece 130 is bent towards the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121, the base 110 is mainly used for fixing one end of the interference piece 130, and the other end of the interference piece 130 abuts against the base 110. The portion between the two ends of the interference piece 130 does not interfere with the base 110, that is, the portion between the two ends of the interference piece 130 does not contact the base 110 and takes on a floating state. Therefore, the base 110 may be provided with an opening 116 communicating the setting groove 113 with the outside of the base 110, so as to reduce the weight of the base 110, and make the portion between the two ends of the interference piece 130 in a suspended state. The aperture 116 may also be used to observe the condition of the interference piece 130 to determine whether the interference piece 130 is functioning properly.

The hinge 100 shown in fig. 3 may be provided with other interlocking mechanisms 210 without variable torsion resistance, such as interlocking gears engaged with each other, and the interlocking mechanisms 210 are combined with the base 110 and connected to the rotating bracket 120 or the two bodies 220,230, so as to prevent the rotating bracket 120 from being separated from the base 110, and enable the two rotating brackets 120 to interlock with respect to the base 110.

Referring to fig. 10, 11, 12 and 13, a hinge 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a base 110, a rotating bracket 120 and an interference piece 130.

As shown in fig. 10, 11, 12 and 13, in the second embodiment, the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121 has at least a partial radius of curvature different from the radius of curvature of the other portions in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. Unlike the first embodiment, the radius of curvature of the torsion friction surface 124 of the second embodiment does not exhibit a continuous change, but has a discontinuous change of a segment such that the torsion friction surface 124 exhibits a locally protruding state, for example, the radius of curvature of the torsion friction surface 124 is locally R3, while the radius of curvature of the other portion is R4, and R4> R3.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, when the assembly portion 122 is unfolded to make an angle between the assembly portion and the upper surface of the base 110 be 180 degrees, the interference piece 130 contacts a portion of the reference angle close to 0 degrees, and the radius of curvature of the contact portion is R3, so that the contact area A3 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is smaller; at the same time, the torsion friction surface 124 is also pressed against the interference piece 130 to a lesser extent so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 against the torsion friction surface 124 is relatively small. At this time, the frictional force interference generated by the interference piece 130 against the rotating portion 121 is reduced to a minimum value so that the rotating portion 121 can be easily rotated.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, when the rotating portion 121 rotates relative to the base 110, the included angle between the assembling portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is reduced (e.g. 150 degrees), and the interference piece 130 contacts a portion with a reference angle greater than 0 degrees. At this time, the curvature radius of the contact portion is raised to R4, and the contact area A4 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is increased; meanwhile, the torque friction surface 124 pushes the interference piece 130 outwards to raise the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torque friction surface 124, so that the friction force between the interference piece 130 and the torque friction surface 124 is raised, and the rotating bracket 120 has higher torque resistance, so that the included angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 can be easily fixed, and the included angle between the paired rotating brackets 120 can also be easily fixed. That is, in the second embodiment, the torsional resistance can be changed between two values, particularly, a larger torsional resistance when the included angle is smaller, so as to fix the main displayed bodies 220,230 at an angle suitable for viewing.

In various embodiments, as shown in fig. 14, the portions with the same radius of curvature may be configured as discontinuous local or piecewise variations, for example, the portion with the radius of curvature R4 may be plural, or there may be plural sections with linear variations from R3 to R4. Therefore, the torsion resistance can be alternately changed between a larger value and a smaller value in the process of changing the included angle, so that the user can fix the viewing angle at a required angle.

Through the above technical solution, the hinge 100 of the present invention can change the friction force inside the hinge with the angle during the rotation process, thereby providing the torsion resistance with the angle. The hinge 100 of the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure and small volume, and is beneficial to downsizing, so as to be applied to small-sized light and thin electronic devices.

Claims (9)

1. A hinge, comprising:

a base having a setting groove, the setting groove being set parallel to the axial direction;

the rotating bracket comprises a rotating part, wherein the rotating part is arranged parallel to the axis direction, and two ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and positioned in the arranging groove, so that the rotating part can rotate around the axis direction on the base; wherein the rotating part is provided with a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove; the torsion friction surface is at least provided with a local curvature radius which is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts in the radial direction perpendicular to the axis direction, and the torsion friction surface is not contacted with the base; and

the interference piece is positioned in the setting groove, one end of the interference piece is fixed on the base, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece is in a suspended state without contacting the base; the interference piece is positioned between the base and the torsion friction surface, is in a bending state, bends towards the torsion friction surface so as to be in tight contact with a part of the torsion friction surface, forms partial surface contact with the torsion friction surface, and changes the contact area of the surface contact along with the sliding of the rotating part relative to the base.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein the rotating bracket further comprises an assembling portion disposed at a side of the rotating portion.

3. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the base includes at least one first sliding engagement portion and the rotating portion includes at least one second sliding engagement portion; the at least one first sliding combination part is arranged at one end of the arrangement groove, the at least one second sliding combination part is arranged at one end of the rotating part, and the at least one second sliding combination part is combined with the at least one first sliding combination part.

4. A hinge according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first sliding engaging portion and the at least one second sliding engaging portion are a combination of a circular arc-shaped guide groove and a circular arc-shaped guide rail, and the circular arc-shaped guide rail is slidably disposed in the circular arc-shaped guide groove, so that the rotating portion slides along an arc-shaped path relative to the base to rotate around the axial direction.

5. The hinge of claim 4, wherein a center of curvature of the arcuate path falls in the axial direction.

6. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the torsional friction face is continuously variable.

7. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the torsional friction face is discontinuously variable.

8. The hinge of claim 7, wherein the portions of the same radius of curvature are provided as discontinuities.

9. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with an opening communicating the arrangement groove with the outside of the base.