GB2609509A

GB2609509A - Buffer hinge structure

Info

Publication number: GB2609509A
Application number: GB2112193.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lin Su-Wei
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2023-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-25
Also published as: GB202112193D0; TWM619656U; GB2609509B

Abstract

A buffer hinge comprising a first hinge leaf 11 coupled to a turning member 22 of a hydraulic buffer unit 2 and a second hinge leaf 12 coupled to an elastic section 23 of unit 2 which further includes a buffer section 21, case 24 and buffer fluid (25). A flow rate control and regulation unit 3 includes a control element 31 having a nut section 311 and radial orifice 317 for passage of fluid (25), an adjusting element 32 which may include spring biased ball check valve 321, 322, is adjusted by bolt member 316 to adjust the force and regulate fluid flow through passage 312, 317. Spring tension adjustment member 232 may be provided.

Description

BUFFER HINGE STRUCTURE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a buffer hinge structure, and more particularly, to a buffer hinge structure providing a buffering effect that can be adjusted to different degrees according to actual need in use.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Generally, a manually operated door includes two hinge leaves that are separately connected to a door leaf and a door frame, and the two hinge leaves are rotatably connected to one another via a pin. With this structure, a user can manually open or close the door leaf relative to the door frame.

[0003] Sometimes, the user opens or closes the door leaf in a hurry or the door leaf is opened or closed by a strong wind or some other external force. The door leaf subjected to a large force would produce a loud sound of impact when it is closed to the door frame. In a worse condition, the door leaf and/or the door frame, even the walls located adjacent to them, might be damaged under the strong impact.

To solve this problem, a buffering mechanism is added to the pin connected to between the two hinge leaves.

[0004] Conventionally, the buffering mechanism, after being added to the pin connected to between the two hinge leaves, is not adjustable or controllable to provide different degrees of buffering effect. In the case a too large buffering effect is provided, the user might have to open or close the door leaf laboriously. On the other hand, in the case a too small buffering effect is provided, it would not be able to effectively solve the problem of loud sound and damaged door caused by the strong collision of the door leaf with the door frame or the adjacent walls.

[0005] It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop a buffer hinge structure, of which a buffering effect is adjustable according to actual need in use, so that the buffer hinge structure is more practical for use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a buffer hinge structure, a buffering effect of which is adjustable according to actual need in use, so that the buffer hinge structure is more practical for use.

[0007] To achieve at least the above objective, the buffer hinge structure according to the present disclosure includes a hinge unit, a hydraulic buffer unit and a flow rate control and regulation unit. The hinge unit includes a first leaf and a second leaf. The first leaf has a first barrel formed therewith, and the second leaf has a second barrel formed therewith; and the first barrel and the second barrel are configured complementary to one another. The hydraulic buffer unit includes a buffer section, a turning member, an elastic section, a case and a buffer fluid. The turning member is rotatably fitted on and connected to the buffer section the buffer section includes a passage; the elastic section is provided on the buffer section; and the case encloses the buffer section, a part of the turning member and a part of the elastic section therein. The buffer fluid is limited in the case and can flow through the passage. The turning member is connected at a top to the first barrel; and the elastic section is connected at a bottom to the second barrel. The flow rate control and regulation unit includes a control element and an adjusting element. The control element includes a nut section, a bolt element and a sideward extended orifice. The nut section communicates with two ends of the control element, the bolt element is screwed into an end of the nut section, and the orifice is formed on a sidewall of the control element and communicable with the nut section. The adjusting element is set in the nut section with an end pressed against the bolt element and another end partially protruded from the control element. The control element is provided in the turning member; and the end of the adjusting element partially protruded from the control element is pressed against the passage of the buffer section.

[0008] In the buffer hinge structure, the elastic section includes a shaft, an elasticity adjusting section and an elastic member. The shaft has an end connected to the buffer section and another end connected to the elasticity adjusting section; and the elastic member is fitted on around the shaft with two ends separately pressed against the buffer section and the elasticity adjusting section.

[0009] In the buffer hinge structure, the control element has an end formed into a diametrically reduced opening that communicates with the nut section. The adjusting element is confined in the nut section between the diametrically reduced opening and the bolt element with an end of the adjusting element partially protruded from the diametrically reduced opening.

[0010] In the buffer hinge structure, the control element has another end serving as a handling section. An external force can be applied to the handling section to assemble the control element to a predetermined position in the turning member. [001]] In the buffer hinge structure, the control element includes at least one sealing section provided on around an outer peripheral surface of the control element; and the sealing section is air-tightly fitted between the turning member and the control element.

[0012] In the buffer hinge structure, the control element includes a threaded connecting section provided on an outer peripheral surface of the control element, and the turning member is provided on around an inner wall surface with a connecting section corresponding to the threaded connecting section, such that the control element is assembled to the turning member through engagement of the threaded connecting section with the connecting section.

[0013] In the buffer hinge structure, the adjusting element includes an elastic element and a push element. The push element is located at an end of the control element, and the elastic element has two ends separately pressed against the bolt element and the push element.

[0014] In the buffer hinge structure, the elastic element is a spring and the push element i s a ball.

[0015] Thus, in the buffer hinge structure according to the present disclosure, the buffering effect provided by the hydraulic buffer unit can be adjusted via the flow rate control and regulation unit to different degrees according to actual need in use, making the present disclosure more practical for use

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a buffer hinge structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a fully exploded perspective view of the buffer hinge structure according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a hydraulic buffer unit and a flow rate control and regulation unit in the buffer hinge structure of the present disclosure are being adjusted to provide the hinge structure with an increased buffering effect.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the hydraulic buffer unit and the flow rate control and regulation unit are being adjusted to provide the hinge structure with a decreased buffering effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] To facilitate understanding of the objects, characteristics and effects of this present disclosure, embodiments together with the attached drawings for the detailed description of the present disclosure are provided. It is noted the present disclosure can be implemented or applied in other embodiments, and many changes and modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and it is also understood that the preferred embodiments are only illustrative and not intended to limit the present

disclosure in any way.

[002]] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 4, in which a buffer hinge structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the buffer hinge structure includes a hinge unit 1, a hydraulic buffer unit 2, and a flow rate control and regulation unit 3.

[0022] The hinge unit 1 includes a first leaf 11 and a second leaf 12. The first leaf 11 has a first barrel 111 formed therewith, and the second leaf 12 has a second barrel 121 formed therewith. The first and the second barrel 111, 121 are configured complementary to one another.

[0023] The hydraulic buffer unit 2 includes a buffer section 21, a turning member 22, an elastic section 23, a case 24, and a buffer fluid 25. The turning member 22 is rotatably fitted on and connected to the buffer section 21, which includes a passage 26. The elastic section 23 is provided on the buffer section 21, and the case 24 encloses the buffer section 21, a part of the turning member 22 and a part of the elastic section 23 therein. The buffer fluid 25 is limited in the case 24 and can flow through the passage 26. The turning member 22 is connected at a top to the first barrel 111, and the elastic section 23 is connected at a bottom to the second barrel 121.

[0024] The flow rate control and regulation unit 3 includes a control element 31 and an adjusting element 32. The control element 31 includes a nut section 311, a bolt element 316 and a sideward extended orifice 317. The nut section 311 communicates with two ends of the control element 31; the bolt element 316 is screwed into an end of the nut section 311; and the orifice 317 is formed on a sidewall of the control element 31 and communicable with the nut section 311. The adjusting element 32 is set in the nut section 311 with an end pressed against the bolt element 316 and another end partially protruded from the control element 31. The control element 31 is provided in the turning member 22 and the end of the adjusting element 32 that is partially protruded from the control element 31 is pressed against the passage 26 of the buffer section 21. The bolt element 316 can be a slotted screw, a Phillips screw or a hex socket cap screw.

[0025] In practical use of the hinge structure of the present disclosure, the hydraulic buffer unit 2 serves as a rotational shaft of the hinge unit 1, so that the first leaf 11 having the first barrel 111 connected to the top of the turning member 22 and the second leaf 12 having the second barrel 121 connected to the bottom of the elastic section 23 are rotatable about the hydraulic buffer unit 2. When the first leaf 11 is rotated relative to the second leaf 12, the turning member 22 is brought to rotate at the same time. At this point, the buffer section 21, to which the turning member 22 is rotatably fitted and connected, is displaced relative to the turning member 22. The displaced buffer section 21 together with the elastic section 23 and the buffer fluid 25 provides a buffering effect.

[0026] When it is desired to adjust the buffering effect provided by the hinge structure of the present disclosure, a suitable tool may be used to apply a force to the bolt element 316 of the control element 31 for the adjusting element 32 to move toward the passage 26 or away from the passage 26, so that the adjusting element 32 applies a proper force against the passage 26 to regulate a flow of the buffer fluid 25 at the passage 26 and accordingly, adjust a flowing path of the buffer fluid in the case 24 to thereby achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the buffering effect to different degrees. The buffer fluid 25 flowed into the control element 31 can flow back into the case 24 via the orifice 317.

[0027] When the adjusting element 32 is moved in a direction toward the passage 26, as shown in Fig. 3, an increased part of the adjusting element 32 is retracted into the nut section 311, which enables the adjusting element 32 to more strongly press against the passage 26 of the buffer section 21 and hinder the buffer fluid 25 from flowing through the passage 26 into the nut section 311 of the control element 31 easily. With more buffer fluid 25 leaving in the case 24, the elastic section 23 and the buffer fluid 25 can together produce a relatively larger resistance to the rotation of the turning member 22 to achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the hydraulic buffer unit 2 to provide an increased buffering effect.

[0028] On the other hand, when the adjusting element 32 is moved in a direction away from the passage 26, as shown in Fig. 4, the part of the adjusting element 32 retracted in the nut section 311 is decreased, which causes the adjusting element 32 to less strongly press against the passage 26 of the buffer section 21 and allow the buffer fluid 25 to flow through the passage 26 into the nut section 311 of the control element 31 more easily. Thus, both the case 24 and the nut section 311 internally define the flow path of the buffer fluid 25, and the elastic section 23 and the buffer fluid 25 together produce only a relatively smaller resistance to the rotation of the turning member 22 to achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the hydraulic buffer unit 2 to provide a decreased buffering effect. [0029] Thus, in the buffer hinge structure according to the present disclosure, the buffering effect provided by the hydraulic buffer unit 2 can be adjusted via the flow rate control and regulation unit 3 to different degrees according to actual need in use, making the present disclosure more practical for use [0030] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the elastic section 23 includes a shaft 231, an elasticity adjusting section 232, and an elastic member 233. The shaft 231 has an end connected to the buffer section 21 and another end connected to the elasticity adjusting section 232; and the elastic member 233 is fitted on around the shaft 231 with two ends of the elastic member 233 pressed against the buffer section 21 and the elasticity adjusting section 232. With these arrangements, the elastic member 233 can be adjusted to a suitable tension by operating the elasticity adjusting section 232, so that the elastic section 23 with proper elasticity can work with the buffer fluid 25 to provide the buffering effect.

[003]] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the control element 31 has an end formed into a diametrically reduced opening 312 that communicates with the nut section 311 The adjusting element 32 is confined in the nut section 311 between the diametrically reduced opening 312 and the bolt element 316 that is screwed into an end of the nut section 311 that is located opposite to the diametrically reduced opening 312. An end of the adjusting element 32 located closer to the diametrically reduced opening 312 is partially protruded therefrom. With these arrangements, the adjusting element 32 is stably disposed in the nut section 311 of the control element 31 to ensure a stable operation of the flow rate control and regulation unit 3.

[0032] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the control element 31 has another end serving as a handling section 313, to where an external force can be applied for assembling the control element 31 to a predetermined position in the turning member 22.

[0033] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the control element 31 includes at least one sealing section 314, such as an 0-ring, provided on around an outer peripheral surface of the control element 31. The sealing section 314 is air-tightly fitted between the turning member 22 and the control element 31 to prevent the buffer fluid 25 from leaking at a joint between the turning member 22 and the control element 31 and accordingly, ensure there is always sufficient buffer fluid in the case 24 to maintain stable operation of the hinge unit 1 with good buffering effect.

[0034] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the control element 31 includes a threaded connecting section 315 provided on its outer peripheral surface, and the turning member 22 is provided on around an inner wall surface with a connecting section 221 corresponding to the threaded connecting section 315, such that the control element 31 is assembled to the turning member 22 through engagement of the threaded connecting section 315 with the connecting section 221. A tool may be used to apply a force to the handling section 313 of the control element 31 to engage the threaded connecting section 315 with the connecting section 221, enabling easy assembly of the control element 31 to the hydraulic buffer unit 2. [0035] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the adjusting element 32 includes an elastic element 321 and a push element 322. The push element 322 is located in the control unit and limited to the diametrically reduced opening 312. The elastic element 321 has two ends separately pressed against the bolt element 316 of the control element 31 and the push element 322. In the present disclosure, the elastic element 321 is a spring, and the push element 322 is a ball.

[0036] Thus, when the control element 31 is moved in a direction toward the passage 26, as shown in Fig. 3, the elastic element 321 is elastically compressed and the part of the elastic element 321 retracted into the nut section 311 is increased, which enables the elastic element 321 to more strongly press the push element 322 against the passage 26 of the buffer section 21 and hinders the buffer fluid 25 from flowing through the passage 26 into the nut section 311 of the control element 31 easily. With more buffer fluid 25 leaving in the case 24, the elastic section 23 and the buffer fluid 25 can together produce a relatively larger resistance to the rotation of the turning member 22 to thereby achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the hydraulic buffer unit 2 to provide an increased buffering effect. [0037] On the other hand, when the control element 31 is moved in a direction away from the passage 26, as shown in Fig. 4, the elastic element 321 is elastically released and the part of the adjusting element 32 retracted in the nut section 311 is decreased, which causes the elastic element 321 to less strongly press the push element 322 against the passage 26 of the buffer section 21 and allows the buffer fluid 25 to flow through the passage 26 into the nut section 311 of the control element 31 more easily. Thus, both the case 24 and the nut section 311 internally define the flow path of the buffer fluid 25, and the elastic section 23 and the buffer fluid 25 together produce only a relatively smaller resistance to the rotation of the turning member 22 to achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the hydraulic buffer unit 2 to provide a decreased buffering effect [0038] Further, to adjust the hinge structure of the present disclosure to different degrees of buffering effect, a tool can be used to apply a force to the bolt element 316, so as to change a position of the bolt element 316 relative to the nut section 311 and allow the bolt element 316 to press against the elastic element 321 with preferred pressure and accordingly, adjust the elasticity of the elastic element 321 for controlling a resistance of pushing the push element 322 against the passage 26.

In this manner, the adjusting element 32 can produce a proper force for regulating the amount of the buffer fluid 25 flowing through the passage 26 and adjusting the flow path of the buffer fluid 25 in the case 24 to thereby achieve the purpose of adjusting and controlling the degree of the buffering effect.

[0039] While the present disclosure has been described by means of a specific embodiment, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure set forth in the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A buffer hinge structure, comprising: a hinge unit including a first leaf and a second leaf; the first leaf having a first barrel formed therewith, and the second leaf having a second barrel formed therewith; and the first barrel and the second barrel being configured complementary to one another; a hydraulic buffer unit including, a buffer section, a turning member, an elastic section, a case and a buffer fluid; the turning member being rotatably fitted on and connected to the buffer section; the buffer section including a passage; the elastic section being provided on the buffer section; and the case enclosing the buffer section, a part of the turning member and a part of the elastic section therein; the buffer fluid being limited in the case and able to flow through the passage, the turning member being connected at a top to the first barrel; and the elastic section being connected at a bottom to the second barrel; and a flow rate control and regulation unit including a control element and an adjusting element; the control element including a nut section, a bolt element and a sideward extended orifice, the nut section communicating with two ends of the control element, the bolt element being screwed into an end of the nut section, and the orifice being formed on a sidewall of the control element and communicable with the nut section the adjusting element being set in the nut section with an end pressed against the bolt element and another end partially protruded from the control element; the control element being provided in the turning member; and the end of the adjusting element partially protruded from the control element being pressed against the passage of the buffer section.
2. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic section includes a shaft, an elasticity adjusting section and an elastic member the shaft having an end connected to the buffer section and another end connected to the elasticity adjusting section; and the elastic member being fitted on around the shaft with two ends separately pressed against the buffer section and the elasticity adjusting section.
3. The buffer hinge structure according to claim I, wherein the control element has an end formed into a diametrically reduced opening that communicates with the nut section; and the adjusting element is confined in the nut section between the diametrically reduced opening and the bolt element with an end of the adjusting element partially protruded from the diametrically reduced opening.
4. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the control element has another end serving as a handling section, and an external force applied to the handling section enabling the control element to be assembled to a predetermined position in the turning member.
5. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the control element includes at least one sealing section provided on around an outer peripheral surface of the control element; and the sealing section being air-tightly fitted between the turning member and the control element.
6. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the control element includes a threaded connecting section provided on an outer peripheral surface of the control element, and the turning member is provided on around an inner wall surface with a connecting section corresponding to the threaded connecting section, such that the control element is assembled to the turning member through engagement of the threaded connecting section with the connecting section.
7. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element includes an elastic element and a push element the push element being located at an end of the control element, and the elastic element having two ends separately pressed against the bolt element and the push element
8. The buffer hinge structure according to claim 7, wherein the elastic element is a spring and the push element is a ball.