EP0535024A1 - Charniere - Google Patents

Charniere

Info

Publication number
EP0535024A1
EP0535024A1 EP19910910564 EP91910564A EP0535024A1 EP 0535024 A1 EP0535024 A1 EP 0535024A1 EP 19910910564 EP19910910564 EP 19910910564 EP 91910564 A EP91910564 A EP 91910564A EP 0535024 A1 EP0535024 A1 EP 0535024A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hinge
spring
parts
spring means
arms
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19910910564
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
William Scott Allport
Robert Edward Humphries
John Bernard Little
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITW Ltd
Original Assignee
ITW Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITW Ltd filed Critical ITW Ltd
Publication of EP0535024A1 publication Critical patent/EP0535024A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
    • E05F1/10—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance
    • E05F1/12—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs
    • E05F1/1207—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
    • E05F1/10—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance
    • E05F1/12—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs
    • E05F1/1284—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a leaf or similar spring
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
    • E05D5/00—Construction of single parts, e.g. the parts for attachment
    • E05D5/02—Parts for attachment, e.g. flaps
    • E05D5/06—Bent flaps
    • E05D5/062—Bent flaps specially adapted for vehicles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to hinges particularly (but not exclusively) for mounting body members such as bonnets, boot lids, and lower tail gates of motor vehicles.
  • Vehicle body members such as the above, are heavy to lift. Consequently it is known to counter balance their weight by spring-loaded struts or by gas struts, separate from the hinge assemblies and acting between the member and vehicle body at locations remote from the hinge.
  • spring-loaded struts or by gas struts, separate from the hinge assemblies and acting between the member and vehicle body at locations remote from the hinge.
  • gas struts separate from the hinge assemblies and acting between the member and vehicle body at locations remote from the hinge.
  • the use of separate struts gives rise to the need for additional mounting points required for attaching the opposite ends of the strut to the vehicle and may encroach on the usable space within the vehicle.
  • struts can become permanently damaged due to careless and vigorous treatment of the hinged member.
  • the invention aims to provide a more compact hinge structure for such applications.
  • counterbalancing torque spring means is incorporated into a hinge adapted to be fitted between a vehicle body and an upwardly pivotable member forming part thereof.
  • one end of the torque spring means is attached directly or indirectly to one of the hinge arms and abutment means is secured to or formed integrally with the other hinge arm around which the remainder of the torque spring means is at least partially coiled, the relative positions of the point of attachment and the abutment means being such as to uncoil the spring means as the hinge is closed thereby to generate a restoring force tending to open the hinge.
  • the point of attachment of the torque spring and the said one hinge arm describes a curved path as the hinge arms pivot.
  • the said one hinge arm includes a drum surface (or part thereof) in the region of the hinge point, and the spring end is attached to a point on the said drum surface (or part thereof).
  • the drum surface may have a constant radius of curvature. Where this is the case, different torque/angular displacement characteristics may be obtained depending on whether the centre of curvature is concentric with the axis of the hinge or eccentric thereto.
  • the drum surface may be in the shape of a compound curve having a plurality of radii of curvature to produce different torque/angular displacement characteristics.
  • the arrangement is preferably such that the maximum opening torque is exerted by the torque spring means when the hinge is in a closed position.
  • the coiling of the torque spring means around the drum surface is opposite to the direction of curvature of the coiling of the torque spring over the abutment means, so that the restoring force is made up of two components, one due to the tendency of the spring to recoil and the other due to the reversal of the curvature of the length of the spring which has been unwound.
  • the invention also provides a hinge which comprises two arms which are movable between an open position and a closed position, and are adapted for respective connection to two relatively movable parts; torque spring means attached directly or indirectly to one arm at a position spaced from the hinge axis; abutment means on the other arm engaged by the spring means the latter tending to coil around the abutment means, wherein the torque spring means is reversibly unwound with closing of the hinge so as to exert a force on the arms to urge them into their open position.
  • the torque spring means is attached to a drum surface itself attached to or forming part of the said one arm.
  • the arms are connected for pivotal movement about a single axis, in which case, one of the arms may be adapted to be attached to a vehicle body and the other arm may be adapted to be attached to a movable body member of the vehicle such as a boot lid.
  • a spring By incorporating a spring into the hinge, the invention enables the two hinged parts to be both hingedly interconnected and biased towards an open position without the need for separate hinge an strut structures.
  • At least part of the spring means may to advantage be interposed between the arms to produce a compact hinge.
  • the invention also lies in a hinge for providing a pivotal interconnection between first and second members, which comprises two parts for respective connection to the first and second members, linkage means pivotally interconnecting the two parts and enabling the latter to be moved between a closed position, in which the two parts lie closely adjacent one another, and an open position, in which the parts are separated, and spring means exerting a force which urges the two members into the said open position thereof, the spring means nesting between the two parts at least when the latter are in their closed position.
  • the linkage means includes at least one rigid strut and the spring means applies a biasing force to a point intermediate the ends of the strut in a direction to urge the strut towards the position it occupies in the open position of the hinge.
  • the linkage means includes two rigid struts each pivotally connected at its ends to each of the two hinge parts at spaced positions therealong so that the struts and the said hinge form a collapsible quadrilateral linkage.
  • one strut is shorter than the other and the spring means acts between a point intermediate the ends thereof and the junction of one end of the longer link and one of the two hinge parts.
  • the spring is preferably a torque spring and may comprise a plurality of superimposed elongate spring metal leaves the number being chosen to provide the required restoring force.
  • One or both of the struts may be of bifurcated construction thereby to straddle the hinge parts and provide a very compact form in the closed position of the hinge, which is an important consideration for a boot lid hinge where the available space for the hinge is limited.
  • a hinge according to the invention may be used for a motor vehicle bonnet, tailgate or other similar body member which must be pivotal relative to the vehicle body.
  • the invention also lies in a vehicle having an upwardly pivotable member forming part of the body thereof, mounted thereto by a hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figures 1 and 2 are schematic side views of a hinge according to the first aspect of the invention shown respectively in an open and a closed condition;
  • FIGS 3 and 4 are perspective views of the hinge taken from different angles
  • Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the hinge
  • Figure 6a is a perspective view from one side of an alternative type of hinge in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 6b is a sectional side view of the hinge of Figure 6a showing the latter when attached to panels of a vehicle body;
  • Figure 6c is a perspective view from the other side of the hinge of Figure 6a;
  • Figure 7 is a side view of a further alternative type of hinge, shown in its closed position attached to panels of a vehicle body;
  • Figure 8 is an underside view of the hinge of Figure 7 itself partially cut away to show internal detail and with the vehicle body panels removed for clarity;
  • Figure 9 is a cross section of the hinge assembly of Figure 7, on the line III-III,
  • Figure 10 is a side view of the hinge of Figure 7 shown in its open position. Detailed description of the illustrated embodiments
  • the hinge shown in Figures 1 to 4 is intended for use in connecting a car boot lid (partially shown at 2) to a car body part of which is shown at 4.
  • the hinge comprises curved arm 6 attached to the boot lid 2 and an arm 8 attached to the body 4.
  • the arm 8 carries a subframe 9 which, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4, is attached thereto by two blocks 10, 12 attached to opposite side members of a generally rectangular frame 14.
  • One end of the curved arm 6 projects into the central region of the frame 14 and is pivotally connected thereto by a hinge pin 15 which extends between and is supported by the two opposite side members of the frame 14.
  • the frame 14 is also attached to a cylindrical ring 16 part of the curved surface of which is extended laterally to form an arcuate platform 17 which spans the frame 14.
  • a torque spring 20 is secured at one end to the outer surface of the platform 17 by means of a screw 22, and extends tangentially from the arcuate surface 17 to pass below and around a roller 23 carried by the curved arm 6, so as to at least in part encircle the roller.
  • the latter is mounted on the arm 6 by means of a bracket 24 attached to and extending on opposite sides thereof.
  • the restoring force exerted by the uncoiled spring 20 urges the arm 6 in a clockwise direction as denoted by the arrow A in Figure 1.
  • the spring 20 consists of a plurality of superimposed leaves of stainless steel. The number of leaves determines the magnitude of the restoring force acting on the arm 6.
  • the open position of the hinged assembly is shown in Figure 1, and the closed position, in Figure 2. Anticlockwise movement of the arm 6 from the open to the closed position tends to uncoil the spring 20 from around the roller 23 and force it to wrap around part of the curved surface of the ring 16 and platform 17.
  • the centre of curvature of the curved surface 16, 17 does not coincide with the axis of the pin 15.
  • Rotation of the ring 16 about pin axis 15 increases the radius of the point at which the spring first engages the curved surface 16, 17 and thus correspondingly increases the torque applied by the spring 20 on the arm 6 about the pin 15 as the arm 6 is forced in an anticlockwise manner against the action of the spring.
  • the hinge can be arranged to exert the maximum torque on the arm 6 and the boot lid 2 attached thereto, when the latter is in its lowered, (and therefore is closed position) .
  • some or all of the ring 16 is optional, where the hinge is only required to provide for pivoting of the boot lid through approximately 90° or less as is usually the case.
  • the hinge shown in Figures 6a to 6c (in its opened position) is intended for use in attaching a downward pivoting lower tailgate 36 to the rear lower sill 38 of a vehicle body ( Figure 6b). It will be seen that the tailgate 36 is closed when the hinge is in an open position and open when the hinge is closed.
  • the hinge comprises castings 40 and 42 respectively attached to the sill 38 and an end face 41 of the tailgate 38.
  • the castings 40 and 42 are pivotally connected via a hinge pin 43 which is located at its ends in through bores in opposed flanges 44, 46 of the member 42 and which extends through an integral sleeve 48 on the member 40.
  • the castings 40 and 42 are biassed into the position shown in Figures 6a to 6c (which corresponds to a closed position of the tailgate 38) by a spring 50 attached at one end to a quadrant 52 formed with the member 42, and partially coiled around a roller 54 mounted at its ends on lugs 56, 58 on the casting 40.
  • the spring 50 is attached to the quadrant 52 by a nut and bolt assembly passing through those components.
  • the spring 50 may be riveted to the quadrant 52 or may include a generally Z-shaped hook which engages in an aperture (not shown) in the quadrant 52.
  • a tongue 60 provides an extension to the upper curved surface of the quadrant 52 and, with the castings 40, 42 in the position shown in Figures 6a to 6c projects into an aperture 62 adjacent a shoulder 51 in the casting 40.
  • the casting 42 includes a pair of shoulders, one of which is designated 64 in Figure 6a, disposed one an either side of the tongue 62 which in use, engage the casting 40 so as to limit the extent of allowable movement of the hinge.
  • the tailgate 38 When the tailgate 38 is to be opened it is pivoted downwards, ie in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Figure 6a until the lower edges of the flanges 44, 46 engage the shoulder 51. This causes the spring 50 to uncoil from the roller 54 and partially wrap around the upper surface of the quadrant 52, (and then the tongue 60) and the restoring force exerted by the spring 50 at least partially counteracts the tendancy of the tailgate 38 to fall open under its own weight.
  • an alternative type of hinge which nevertheless still embodies the invention comprises an upper hinge member 110, secured as by welding to the underside of a car boot lid (partially shown at 112), and a lower hinge member 114 secured as by welding to the car bodywork 116 adjacent the upper edge of the aperture which is closed by the boot lid.
  • the members 110 and 114 are pivotally interconnected by two links, namely a shorter link 118 and a longer link 120.
  • the members 110 and 114 and the links 118 and 120 form a collapsible quadrilateral linkage which is movable between the closed (collapsed) position, shown in Figure 7 and the opened or extended position, shown in Figure 10.
  • the link 118 comprises two laterally spaced elements 118a, 118b and the link 120 likewise comprises two laterally spaced elements 120a, 120b.
  • 118a and 118b lie inside the side flanges of the members 112 and 114, while 120a and 120b lie outside the members 112 and 114.
  • a curved plate 122 forming a quandrant is rigidly attached to and spans the two elements 118a and 118b, and one end of a torque spring 124 is rigidly attached to a curved upper surface 126 thereof.
  • the other end of the torque spring 124 partially extends around a pin 128 by which the longer link 120 is pivotally attached to the member 114.
  • the spring 124 consists of three superimposed leaves of stainless steel, and when partially unwound from around the pin 128 as in Figure 9 the effect of the spring is to apply to the link 118 a torque tending to move it in a clockwise direction towards the open position of the hinge (illustrated in Figure 10) in which the spring has once again coiled itself around the pin.
  • the member 110 can be apertured as at 130 so as to accommodate the thickness of the spring 124 wrapped around the quadrant 122 when the hinge is closed (as in Figure 9), and the member 114 is likewise cut away at 132 to accommodate thickness of the spring as it transfers and encircles the pin 128 in the open position (of Figure 10).
  • the described hinge therefore not only provides pivotal interconnection for the boot lid 112 but also provides a spring force to assist in lifting the boot lid, the magnitude of the spring force being dependent on the material, thickness and number of leaves incorporated in the spring 124. Further, the arrangement of the spring and its nesting between the members 110 and 114 provides a very compact construction, enabling the hinge to be accommodated between the underside of the boot lid 112 and an upper surface of a body panel 116 - so that none of the hinge extends into the boot cavity.
  • the described hinge has an amplitude of pivotal movement of about 60°; but this can be increased to 90°, by appropriate alteration of the geometry of the linkage 118, 120.

Landscapes

  • Closing And Opening Devices For Wings, And Checks For Wings (AREA)
  • Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

Charnière conçue pour être placée entre un corps de véhicule (4) et un élément pivotant (2) qui en fait partie, et dans laquelle un élément à ressort de couple (20), qui s'équilibre, est incorporé. L'élément à ressort de couple peut être fixé sur une de ses extrémités à un des bras (8) de la charnière, le reste de l'élément à ressort ayant tendance à s'enrouler autour de l'élément d'aboutissement (23) fixé à ou formé de manière solidaire avec l'autre bras de charnière (6) de sorte que le ressort est déroulé lorsque la charnière est fermée, ce qui produit une force de rappel qui a tendance à rouvrir la charnière.
EP19910910564 1990-06-06 1991-06-06 Charniere Withdrawn EP0535024A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9012611 1990-06-06
GB909012611A GB9012611D0 (en) 1990-06-06 1990-06-06 Hinge

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0535024A1 true EP0535024A1 (fr) 1993-04-07

Family

ID=10677157

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910910564 Withdrawn EP0535024A1 (fr) 1990-06-06 1991-06-06 Charniere

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0535024A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7950591A (fr)
GB (1) GB9012611D0 (fr)
IE (1) IE911932A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1991019071A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9027193D0 (en) * 1990-12-14 1991-02-06 Tensator Ltd Hinge assemblies
KR970007135Y1 (en) * 1992-05-26 1997-07-16 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Cartridge ejecting device of optical disk player
DE29608315U1 (de) * 1996-05-08 1997-09-04 Scharwaechter Gmbh Co Kg Tankklappe mit integrierter Aufspringmechanik
US5992550A (en) * 1996-06-07 1999-11-30 Scania Cv Ab Device and method for suspending a tiltable engine bonnet with respect to a vehicle frame
GB2330175B (en) * 1997-10-09 1999-12-08 Itw Ltd Hinged closures
US6367123B1 (en) 1998-10-09 2002-04-09 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Vehicle lid hinge

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1588349A (en) * 1924-03-27 1926-06-08 Ftacnik Martin Door closer
US1652643A (en) * 1925-02-21 1927-12-13 Augustus F Klasing Spring-door closer
DE593478C (de) * 1933-01-08 1934-02-28 Carl Maste Federtuerschliesser
US3024488A (en) * 1959-09-30 1962-03-13 Studebaker Packard Corp Hinge device for automobiles
US3621509A (en) * 1969-08-18 1971-11-23 Gen Motors Corp Vehicle body closure counterbalance
US4383347A (en) * 1981-02-25 1983-05-17 The Boeing Company Four-bar linkage door hinge
US4783881A (en) * 1985-04-09 1988-11-15 Ho Shi C Door closing device with a belt-shaped spiral spring
GB2212212B (en) * 1987-11-10 1991-10-16 Link 51 Ltd Door assemblies

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9119071A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9012611D0 (en) 1990-07-25
IE911932A1 (en) 1991-12-18
WO1991019071A1 (fr) 1991-12-12
AU7950591A (en) 1991-12-31

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