EP2513397B1 - Hinge - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hinge with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1. Such a hinge is out of the GB 2 274 896 A known.

Hinges connect two levels movably on one edge. They are designed as a connecting joint to connect two components together. For example, hinges on doors or lids of containers are used to open and close the particular room that is being concealed. There are hinges that are heavy in weight and have correspondingly strong bands and the hinges interconnecting bolts. In addition, hinges made of plastic are used in particular for connecting lightweight components, which are lightweight, inexpensive to produce in large numbers and easy to build or are molded as a film hinges between the plastic parts to be connected to this. Such hinges consist essentially of a thin-walled connection, often in the form of a fold, which allows by their flexibility limited rotational movement of the connected components. As the material, polypropylene is preferably used because of excellent wear resistance. Film hinges have a limited load capacity and a lower shear strength. The hinges cause frequent breakage or cracking.

Increasingly, however, other hinges made of plastic are also used, which in classical form consist of swivel joints which are molded onto the components or lateral bands and can be joined into one another in a comb-like manner are connected by a bolt. The bolt can also be made of plastic. Such plastic hinges in a classic design can replace hinges made of sheet steel.

The known hinges make it basically necessary that the hinge parts are connected by a bolt, which must be secured in the row of holes. This is done for example by a screw or by molding a second head on the bolt, so that slipping on both sides is avoided. In the preassembled state, they are screwed on the tab-shaped components, which are provided as bands, to the components to be joined together. This requires a skilled craftsmanship. If the two hinge halves are previously mounted on components and then joined together to be connected to a bolt, so a precise pre-assembly of both hinge halves to the respective components is required.

Serve the hinge halves at the same time to connect two plastic parts together, so the separate production and the separate attachment of such a hinge is a high assembly cost. For example, since a small container which is closed with a lid which is pivotally mounted thereto by a hinge thereto , is relatively inexpensive, the hinge made of plastic known design is relatively expensive. Replacement by a living hinge is often not useful when the lid is to be used frequently, such as a lid on a storage compartment in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, braking torques can not be specified in the known hinges. It is therefore known to use brake means separately in such hinges in order to generate defined friction in order to achieve desired sliding properties or braking properties to achieve when operating the hinges. For example, this can be achieved that the lid is kept open in different inclinations.

Based on the known prior art, the invention has the object, a hinge of the generic type in such a way that the two hinge elements are easily attachable to the components to be connected, that they radially without insertion of a bolt into each other and by material selection or by design are suitable to exercise a defined braking torque. Another object is to limit the pivoting path of the hinge.

The invention solves the problem by designing the hinge according to the teaching specified in claim 1.

Each individual hinge then consists of a first hinge element which forms a bearing sleeve which has a longitudinal gap. This hinge element is attached to the first component protruding so long side or formed, that the bearing sleeve practically projects beyond the edge. The longitudinal gap, which cuts through the bearing sleeve and has a defined width, is located in the region of the jacket wall of the bearing sleeve relative to the attachment to the component. The position does not have to be exactly opposite, the longitudinal gap can also be provided running at an angle to the plane of the component. The clear width of the longitudinal gap should be in a certain ratio to the outer diameter, the total length and the wall thickness. On the second component is an insertion sleeve, also provided with a longitudinal gap attached as a second hinge element. The insertion sleeve is fastened with at least one end face on the second component such that the lateral surface of the insertion sleeve reveals circumferentially. The longitudinal gap of the introducer is freely accessible for insertion into the longitudinal gap of the bearing sleeve arranged. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the insertion sleeve is adapted to the inner diameter of the bearing sleeve. The outer diameter is z. B. smaller by twice the wall thickness of the bearing sleeve when the wall thicknesses of both sleeves are the same size. In any case, the outer diameter of the introducer sheath should be such that, taking into account the resilient design of the shell wall, the introducer can rotate introduced into the bearing sleeve.

At least the insertion sleeve has at least one sleeve wall portion extending on one side of the longitudinal gap, which is designed to be resilient. Incidentally, here too, the width of the longitudinal gap in a certain ratio to the outer diameter of the total length and the wall thickness is dimensioned accordingly, so that insertion of the longitudinal gap of the insertion in the longitudinal gap of the bearing sleeve and a subsequent screwing in is possible. By simultaneous relative rotation of the components against each other, the introducer is completely screwed into the bearing sleeve, the lateral shell wall sections of the introducer are slightly turned on each other while using their own spring elasticity or resilience of the shell wall of the bearing sleeve during insertion and the complete insertion of the shell wall of the introducer into the bearing sleeve engages the inner wall of the bearing sleeve. In accordance with the selected inner diameter of the bearing sleeve and the outer diameter of the introducer sheath or the design of a resilient leg in the shell wall of the bearing sleeve while the friction between the two hinge elements is determined. But this is also variably predetermined, z. B., the tube spring tension can be made variable and thermostable by means of an inserted into the insertion additional metal element that exerts a defined spreading effect on the insertion. As an additional element is z. B. an annular C-spring.

The frictional force between the two nested sleeves can be defined in many ways also on the sleeves. If, for example, a continuous jacket wall section in the immediate vicinity of the longitudinal gap of the insertion sleeve resiliently, for. B. somewhat thin-walled or elastic than the remaining wall portion formed, this wall portion causes a defined system pressure on the inner surface of the bearing sleeve. However, the system pressure can also be adjusted by resiliently provided or formed from the jacket wall resilient tongues, which abut resiliently against each other when rotating on the inside of the bearing sleeve shell wall. Likewise, such sections and corresponding corresponding sections may be provided in the bearing wall. However, if penetration of liquid into the hinge should be largely avoided, the bearing sleeve should generally have a closed shape, except for the longitudinal gap formation. The insertion sleeve can be fastened in a simple manner, for example, over its front edge on a wedge-shaped fixing surface of the component. The front side can also be integrally formed on the component. The bearing sleeve, however, is always attached to a longitudinal edge of the first component. The bearing sleeve and also the insertion sleeve can be bent, for example, from thin sheet metal or spring plate, such as bronze sheet. But advantages of the invention in particular, if the hinge elements are made of plastic and injection-molded directly to the component. Here then no separate assembly operations, such as screwing, riveting, soldering or welding, to be made. Furthermore, if the hinge element is part of the component, this can be produced at a slight additional tool price.

In principle, the bearing sleeve and the insertion sleeve can be longitudinally slotted hinge elements. In this case, care must be taken that, for example, by lateral storage limitation of the lid on a container lateral displacement in the assembled state is not possible. However, the problem of lateral displacement can also be solved in a simple manner by arranging at least pairwise bearing sleeves with open or closed bottom and, corresponding thereto, on the second component at least paired insertion sleeves with open or closed bottom. If two such hinges are spaced apart from each other and care is taken, for example, that the closed or open bottom of the bearing sleeves are on the outside and the closed or the open bottom of the bearing sleeves inside, it can be seen that after the joining of the paired hinge elements a Relative lateral displacement of the two components is no longer possible.

The open floor may for example be a projecting annular flange, so that, for example, cable can also be passed through the tubular hinge. This has particular advantages when the hinge connects, for example, two components in a motor vehicle, which are to be movable relative to each other and a harness is to be routed via the connection. Due to the centric guidance of the wiring harness through the tubular hinge no mechanical stress on the wiring harness. It will be further appreciated that by using a closed bottom, no liquid can penetrate into a hinge. Although this would in principle be possible over the longitudinal gap in the bearing sleeve, but since the longitudinal gaps in both sleeves are offset from each other such that during normal pivoting movement of the longitudinal gap in the bearing sleeve through the wall portion of Insertion tube is concealed, penetration of liquid is not possible. When using particularly thin walls and materials with inherent elasticity, especially in the insertion, it is also possible to attach a closed bottom to the shell wall of the introducer. Taking advantage of the elasticity yet screwing into the bearing sleeve is possible. Much easier can be an introduction in that along the bottom of a section of the jacket wall is cut free, so that it is exposed as a resilient portion.

When molding or free cutting of a resilient portion, it is also possible to provide on the portion itself on the outside protruding a locking element, a separate braking surface of a different material or a covering. In the case of a latching element, this can be, for example, a longitudinal bead which is formed or pressed in when sheet metal is used. This bead can be arranged so that it engages against Schwenkwegbegrenzung against an edge of the longitudinal gap in the bearing sleeve, wherein flank adjustment further pivoting in at least one of the two directions of rotation is possible or not possible. By attaching a sliding surface, twisting in a desired direction beyond the edge of the longitudinal gap can be enabled. But it is also possible to introduce the latched setting in the inner wall of the bearing sleeve a plurality of recesses in which the locking element or the locking elements on the outside of the shell wall of the insertion sleeve can engage during rotation. Such locking elements can also be provided on the cut or attached spring elements. By the provided detents a ratchet function is given by micro-locking, whereby it is possible to easily hold a component in different detent positions relative to the other. For example, when such a hinge in connection used with attached to headrests screens, so this can be the detent positions of the screens in different angles of inclination to the respective viewer set in a simple manner. Of course, such locking functions can also be provided in hinges, z. B. are used in screens and other components, where desired.

The advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims in detail.

Since the two hinge elements which engage in each other form cavities, such a hinge is almost suitable for a cable feedthrough. The cable can be pulled axially through a series of hinge elements, if it is a hinge, but it can also end behind each single hinge. To pull through the frontal wall is to be provided with a through hole or it is to dispense with such a wall. In such a case, the components would have to be connected to the end faces.

Since the cavity is present anyway, other functional inserts can be used, for example, a lamp or a light-emitting diode, which is arranged in a housing and has a rear cable connection, which can be passed through the central bore or through a continuous open hinge according to the invention , This LED can be used to illuminate the hinge as such. However, the light can also escape between the two adjacent hinge elements. It can be realized directly or indirectly ambiente lighting. For example, if a hinge is used according to the invention for the aperture of a mirror on a sun visor in a motor vehicle, so can a continuous light source between the adjacent hinge elements be provided, which is inserted into the cavities of the adjacent hinge body to illuminate the mirror. In principle, therefore, hinges designed according to the invention can be used in conjunction with lamps where surfaces are to be illuminated when a flap is opened. The cavities of the hinges can also act as a storage space for lamp bodies since they face each other. Of course, such hinges can also be used in hinged lamps, such as reading lamps in a motor vehicle. Between the hinges may also be mounted around the longitudinal axis in a defined radius curved reflector, z. B. can be formed on the component to allow the light to escape in a certain direction during pivoting of the hinge can.

Often it is desired that hinges, if they have no notches, should have a body-free, seeming run. This is given in the inventively embodied hinge alone by the spring forces of the shell walls. In addition, however, silicone inserts, whether in flat design or in ring design, can be used to achieve a certain desired sliding property between the abutting surfaces. For this purpose, grooves can be introduced into the shell walls, in which such elements are used, for. As well as a silicone O-ring, which exerts a damping friction property.

If you also want to achieve certain damped rotational movements, it can be used in the cavity formed by the hinge elements a braking element which cooperates with the shell wall. Such brake elements are used to damp the rotational movement and consist of a rotor which is rotatably mounted, for example, in a bearing shell, wherein the rotor and the bearing shell are arranged relative to each other rotatable. there either the rotor can be connected to the element and the bearing shell can be statically fixed to a housing or to a holder. Likewise, the bearing shell with the element and the rotor can be fixed stationarily on a housing or on a holder of the hinge. The housing is formed by the jacket walls of the bearing sleeve or the insertion sleeve. The at least provided own braking device exerts a braking force on the casing walls. In this case, the rotor may rest under spring action or by magnetic action. Examples are in the DE 103 52 445 B4 , of the DE 100 61 030 B4 , of the DE 203 18 076 U1 , of the DE 20 2004 016 117 U1 and the DE 203 05 291 U1 described. All braking elements specified therein can be used with appropriate dimensioning design in the cavities of the hinges according to the invention. Of course, commercial silicone brakes can be used to achieve a desired braking effect. By the lateral surfaces rubbing against each other in the hinges according to the invention, it is also possible to impress in these lubrication grooves, or, if they are made of plastic, with auszuformen, in which then a lubricant is entered or a silicone can be injected, to sustainably achieve the desired motion damping relative rotation of the components against each other.

The invention will be explained in the following with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Figur 1

in einer Explosionszeichnung zwei Bauteile mit Scharnierelementen nach der Erfindung,

Figur 2

die teilweise zusammengedrehten Scharnierelemente nach Figur 1,

Figur 3

die ineinander gedrehten Scharnierelemente nach Figur 1,

Figur 4

in einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht die Scharnierelemente nach Einführen der Einführhülse in den Längsschlitz der Lagerhülse,

Figur 5

beide ineinander gedrehte Hülsen in einer Raststellung,

Figur 6

die ineinander gedrehten Hülsen in einer Klemmstellung,

Figur 7

ineinander gesteckten Hülsen mit eingesetztem C-Ring,

Figur 8

in geschnittener Seitenansicht zwei Scharnierelemente, deren Einführhülse in die Lagerhülse über Längsspalte eingeführt ist, wobei die Einführhülse keinen Rastansatz aufweist,

Figur 9

ein Scharnierelement gemäß Figur 8 in einer ersten Drehstellung,

Figur 10

die Scharnierelemente gemäß Figur 8 in einer weiteren Drehstellung und

Figur 11

die Scharnierelemente in einer Drehstellung, in der die beiden Hülsen ineinander greifend drehbar gelagert sind.

In the drawings show:

FIG. 1

in an exploded view, two components with hinge elements according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the partially twisted hinge elements after FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

the nested hinge elements after FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

in a sectional side view of the hinge elements after insertion of the insertion in the longitudinal slot of the bearing sleeve,

FIG. 5

both nested sleeves in a detent position,

FIG. 6

the nested sleeves in a clamping position,

FIG. 7

nested sleeves with inserted C-ring,

FIG. 8

in a sectional side view of two hinge elements whose insertion sleeve is inserted into the bearing sleeve via longitudinal gaps, wherein the insertion sleeve has no latching approach,

FIG. 9

a hinge element according to FIG. 8 in a first rotational position,

FIG. 10

according to the hinge elements FIG. 8 in another rotational position and

FIG. 11

the hinge elements in a rotational position in which the two sleeves are rotatably mounted intermeshing.

All figures show a first component 1 made of plastic with molded hinge elements 3, 4, each consisting of a bearing sleeve 7, 8, each with closed bottom 17, 18, which are mounted on the opposite sides, as well as with longitudinal columns 9, 10, up to extend to the floors are provided. The longitudinal gaps 9, 10 are provided approximately opposite the fastening sides of the first hinge elements 3, 4 on the first component 1. It is a manufactured by injection molding plastic molding in which the hinge elements 3, 4 are formed with. Congruent corresponding to these bearing sleeves 7, 8 are provided on a second component 2 second hinge elements 5, 6, which are formed as insertion sleeves 11, 12 and each having a closed bottom 19, 20 which are mounted opposite to the second component 2, in that a guide slot 23 is provided between the casing wall and the second component 2. This guide slot 23 may be longer than the insertion sleeve 5, 6 may be formed. Furthermore, the component 2 can only be a spacer in this area, which corresponds to the distance between the two floors 19, 20.

The insertion sleeves 11, 12 are mounted on the bottom side radially to the second component 2 and extend with the open sleeve wall to the outside. In the insertion tubes also longitudinal gaps 13, 14 are introduced, which have a certain clear width. Furthermore, the two right-hand sleeve sections 15, 16 are cut free relative to the bottom 19, 20, so that these sections are resilient by utilizing their own elasticity. At these sections, two bead-shaped locking elements 21, 22 are integrally formed in the near-gap region.

It can be seen that the insertion sleeves 11, 12 of the second hinge elements 5, 6 with their longitudinal columns 13, 14 in the longitudinal gaps 9, 10 of the bearing sleeves 7, 8 of the first hinge elements 3, 4 in a certain angular position of the components 1, 2 to each other are. They can then be twisted relative to each other FIG. 2 is apparent. In this case, the jacket walls 7, 8 enter the guide slots 23 and the resilient By further relative pivoting and taking advantage of the spring elasticity of the sleeve wall portion 15, 16 and the elasticity of the other shell wall sections of the sleeves is achieved that the first hinge elements 3, 4 and the second hinge elements. 5 , 6 are intertwined, resulting in FIG. 3 is apparent. The hinge can be produced in this way from the two plastic moldings. In this case, the locking elements 21, 22 reach, for example, in the longitudinal columns 9, 10 and lie down, as from FIG. 3 can be seen on the one edge. If the two components 1, 2 are pivoted against each other, they can also slide over the edges of the longitudinal columns 9, 10 and rest under a defined tension on the inner surface of the jacket wall of the bearing sleeves 7, 8. The described assembly steps are in the FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrated. In FIG. 7 is a special feature shown. The hinge elements, which are brought together in a sliding manner, provide a tube spring tension between the sleeves, which can be made variable and thermostable by the C-spring inserted into the insertion sleeve.

In the FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 the sleeves are shown without locking elements in the assembly steps. Furthermore, these figures are intended to show that even if a closed bottom is present in each case on the bearing sleeves 7, 8 and the insertion sleeves 11, 12, a screwing of the two sleeves is possible with each other when the wall thicknesses and the material used a spring elasticity allow, which allows a slight deformation of the end portions of the shell wall in the region of the longitudinal slots in the interlocking, but when the two sleeves are rotated into each other, retain their shape.

A hinge according to the invention can be used in manifold ways. The applications are in particular pivotally mounted or hinged flap lid closures with high strength requirements, as they are used in covers of compartments in the automotive interior in conjunction of pivoting parts in the car itself, in the toy industry in toys and housewares. The application area is unlimited. Depending on the equipment and materials used, such hinges can also be used as window hinges, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first component

2

second component

3

first hinge element

4

first hinge element

5

second hinge element

6

second hinge element

7

bearing sleeve

8th

bearing sleeve

9

longitudinal gap

10

longitudinal gap

11

introducer

12

introducer

13

longitudinal gap

14

longitudinal gap

15

Sleeve wall section

16

Sleeve wall section

17

closed ground

18

closed ground

19

closed ground

20

closed ground

21

locking element

22

locking element

23

guide slot

24

C-ring spring

Claims (15)

1. Hinge with two pivotably connected components (1, 2) and with at least one first round hinge element (3, 4) at the first component (1) and at least one corresponding second round hinge element (5, 6) at the second component (2), which hinge elements (3, 5; 4, 6) are connected together to be rotatable about the centre axis, wherein:

   - the first hinge element (3, 4) is a bearing sleeve (7, 8) with a longitudinal gap (9, 10),

   - an insertion sleeve (11, 12) with a longitudinal gap (13, 14) is fastened to the second component (2) as second hinge element (5, 6),

   - the outer diameter of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is so matched to the inner diameter of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) and the outer diameter of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is so dimensioned that with consideration of the resilient design of the circumferential wall the insertion sleeve (11, 12) can rotate in the bearing sleeve (7, 8),

   - at least one sleeve wall section (15, 16) at the longitudinal gap (13, 14) of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is formed to be resilient and

   - the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is insertable by the longitudinal gap (13, 14) into the longitudinal gap (9, 10) of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) and through relative rotation of the components (1, 2) can be rotated completely into the bearing sleeve (7, 8),
   characterised in that

   - the bearing sleeve of the first hinge element (3, 4) is fastened to or formed on the first component (1) to protrude at the longitudinal side in such a manner that the longitudinal gap (9, 10) is disposed in the region of the circumferential wall of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) opposite the fastening,

   - the bearing sleeve (11, 12) fastened to the second component (2) is fastened at at least one end face in such a manner that the circumferential surface of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is circumferentially free and the longitudinal gap (13, 14) of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) is freely accessible for insertion into the longitudinal gap (9, 10) in the bearing sleeve (7, 8) and

   - the said resilient sleeve wall section (15, 16) is a cut-free resilient sleeve wall section (15, 16), which adjoins the longitudinal gap (9, 10).
2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that at least respective paired bearing sleeves (7, 8) with open or closed base (17, 18) are arranged at the first component (1) and correspondingly thereto at least respective insertion sleeves (11, 12) in paired arrangement with open or closed base (19, 20) are arranged at the second component (2).
3. Hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the insertion sleeves (11, 12) and/or the bearing sleeves (7, 8) are of cylindrical form and each have at an end face a base (17, 18; 19, 20) or an annular flange covering the end face of the respective other sleeve, wherein two bases (17, 19; 18, 20) or the annular flanges are arranged oppositely at the outer side referred to a pair of hinge elements (3, 5; 4, 6) rotatable one into the other.
4. Hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the sleeve circumferential wall of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) and/or bearing sleeve (7, 8) is of resilient construction.
5. Hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the insertion sleeve (11, 12) has at the sleeve circumferential wall or at the sleeve wall section (15, 16) at least one detent element (21, 22) protruding at the outer side, brake surface or brake element.
6. Hinge according to claim 5, characterised in that the bearing sleeve (7, 8) has at the inner side at the sleeve circumferential wall at least one detent receptacle for the detent element (21, 22) or that the detent element (21, 22) on pivotation of the components (1, 2) has detenting engagement in the longitudinal gap (13, 14) of the bearing sleeve (7, 8).
7. Hinge according to claim 6, characterised in that several detent receptacles are provided in distribution over the circumference of the inner surface of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) for several detent settings.
8. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the circumferential wall of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) and/or that of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) has or have at least one tongue-shaped spring element which protrudes from the surface of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) or into the interior space of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) and that the respective mating sleeve has in the region of the spring element a stiffly resilient wall section or a non-resilient wall section.
9. Hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the hinge elements (3, 4; 5, 6) consist of plastics material or metal.
10. Hinge according to claim 1 and 9, characterised in that the hinge elements (3, 4; 5, 6) together with the respective components (1, 2) consist of plastics material and are each of integral construction.
11. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a springloaded element (24) defining the friction force between the insertion sleeve (11, 12) and the bearing sleeve (7, 8) is inserted into the insertion sleeve (11, 12).
12. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a cable for connection of energy consumers is led in axial direction through at least one arrangement consisting of two hinge elements (3, 5; 4, 6) or a lighting element with a cable connection, which is led through a bore in one end wall, is inserted into the hinge element, or another functional insert which emits light from the open end face is inserted.
13. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a flat or annular silicon insert is introduced between the mutually adjoining surfaces of the hinge elements (3, 5; 4, 6) or hinge grooves or grooves for reception of other slide means or brake means are formed in at least one of the circumferential surfaces of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) or the bearing sleeve (7, 8).
14. Hinge according to claim 1 to 11, characterised in that mechanical, electromechanical or magnetic brake elements are inserted into the cavity of the hinge elements and produce a force-dependent movement path of the thus-damped hinge.
15. Hinge according to claim 14, characterised in that a rotating brake element is inserted into the internal cavity of a hinge element (3, 5; 4, 6), wherein the casing of the bearing sleeve (7, 8) is extended and the stationary brake part is fixed thereon and the cylindrical brake part engages in the cavity of the insertion sleeve (11, 12) and acts directly on the sleeve inner wall.

Images