JP2001074028A - Hinge mechanism and its use - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce torque when opening and closing an LCD part by a portable personal computer installed with the LCD part on its main body by a hinge mechanism. SOLUTION: A hinge shaft 21 to be a center of rotation of the LCD part 1 is fixed on a rear part of the main body of the personal computer. A shaft supporting hole 31 for passing the hinge shaft 21 is provided on a lower part of the LCD part 1 (in an erected and opened state). A cross-section of the shaft supporting hole 31 has a sufficiently large clearance between itself and the hinge shaft 21 in the vertical direction of the LCD part 1, and the LCD part 1 forms an ellipse of roughly the same width as a diameter of the hinge shaft 21 is the thickness direction. A compression spring 91 energizes the hinge shaft 21 so as to push it in a direction to a lower end of the LCD part 1. A high friction surface 23 to generate large frictional force between itself and the hinge shaft 21 is provided on a lower part of an inner surface of the shaft supporting hole 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism and a method of using the same, and more particularly, to a body such as a portable personal computer provided with a keyboard, which is rotatable to open and close a lid comprising an LCD (liquid crystal display). TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism to be mounted on a vehicle and a method of using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional hinge mechanism of a portable personal computer of this type, an LCD is opened so that the LCD is opened and held in an upright state, and the LCD can be set up at an angle desired by a user. The hinge mechanism always generates a torque due to a frictional force that can withstand the weight of the part.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional hinge mechanism has the following problems.

[0004] A first problem is that a large load is applied to a housing around a hinge of a personal computer in opening and closing operations of the LCD.

The reason is that the hinge generates a large torque due to friction even in the opening and closing operation of the LCD.

[0006] The second problem is that a large force is required to open and close the LCD unit.

The reason is that the hinge portion generates a large torque due to friction even in the opening and closing operation of the LCD portion.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism (20 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 in FIG. 2
7, 28 in FIG. 10) torque selecting means (21, 31, 91 in FIG. 2; 22, 26 in FIG. 5) capable of selecting either large or small torque required to open and close the lid. 8, 21, 71, 92 in FIG. 8, and 2 in FIG.
1, 72, 93, 28 in FIG. 10), wherein the torque selecting means is electrically operated and a switch (82 in FIG. 10) for switching between large and small torques selected by the torque selecting means. May be included.

When the cover is rotated, the torque selecting means selects a small torque, and when the cover is fixed to the main body, the torque selecting means selects a large torque. A method of using the hinge mechanism as described above.

The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism (20 in FIG. 1) for rotatably attaching a lid (1 in FIG. 1) to a main body (11 in FIG. 1) so as to open and close the lid (1 in FIG. 1). When a force is applied in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the central axis of rotation, the torque for opening and closing the lid decreases, and as a method of using the hinge mechanism, when the lid is rotated, the lid is rotated. The body may be pushed in the predetermined direction.

According to the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism (20 in FIG. 1) rotatably attached to the main body (11 in FIG. 1) so as to open and close the lid (1 in FIG. 1). A hinge shaft (21 in FIG. 2) and a bearing hole (21 in FIG. 2) in which the hinge shaft is inserted and provided on the lid and has a sufficient gap between the hinge shaft and a predetermined direction perpendicular to the hinge shaft. 31), a spring (91 in FIG. 2) for urging the hinge shaft in the predetermined direction with respect to the lid, and an inner surface in a direction in which the hinge shaft of the bearing hole is urged and pressed by the spring. High friction surface (2 in FIG. 2)
3).

The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism (20 in FIG. 1) for rotatably attaching a lid (1 in FIG. 1) to a main body (11 in FIG. 1) so as to open and close the hinge (1 in FIG. 1). A shaft hole (21 in FIG. 2) and a bearing hole (31 in FIG. 4) provided with the hinge shaft and provided in the lid and having a sufficient clearance between the hinge shaft and a predetermined direction perpendicular to the hinge shaft. ), A spring (91 in FIG. 4) for urging the hinge shaft in the predetermined direction with respect to the lid, and a spring in which the hinge shaft of the bearing hole is urged and pressed by the spring. Provided wedge-shaped surface (32 in FIG. 4)
And characterized in that:

According to the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism which is rotatably mounted on a main body (11 in FIG. 1) so as to open and close a lid (1 in FIG. 5). 5 and a hinge shaft (22 in FIG. 5) having both ends inserted into the pair of bearing holes and having a central portion fixed to the lid and curved and elastic. Features.

The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism (27 in FIG. 7) for rotatably mounting the lid (1 in FIG. 7) so as to open and close the lid (1 in FIG. 7) with respect to the main body (11 in FIG. 7). A hinge shaft (21 in FIG. 8) fixed and fitted with a bearing provided on the lid or the main body, and a brake shoe (71 in FIG. 8) supported by a shaft provided on the lid or the main body. ) And a spring for urging the brake shoe in a direction pressed against the hinge shaft (92 in FIG. 8).
And an operating unit provided on the lid or the main body and moving the brake shoe away from the hinge shaft against the urging force of the spring by moving the brake shoe in a predetermined direction (FIG. 7).
And 2).

The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism (29 in FIG. 9) for rotatably mounting the lid (1 in FIG. 7) so as to open and close the lid (1 in FIG. 7) with respect to the main body (11 in FIG. 7). A hinge shaft (21 in FIG. 9), which is fixed and fits a bearing provided on the lid or the main body, and a guide portion provided on the lid or the main body so that only linear movement is possible so as not to rotate. Piece (7 in FIG. 9)
2) and a spring (93 in FIG. 9) for urging the brake piece in a direction in which the tip is pressed against the end face of the hinge shaft.
An operation unit (2 in FIG. 9) provided on the lid or the main body and moving the tip of the brake piece away from the end surface of the hinge shaft against the urging force of the spring by moving the brake piece in a predetermined direction. Preferably, an end surface of the hinge shaft is formed in a conical surface (73 in FIG. 9),
It is preferable that the tip of the brake piece is formed in a conical surface (74 in FIG. 9) having a shape fitting into the conical surface of the end surface of the hinge shaft.

[0016]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a portable personal computer in which an LCD unit 1 is rotatably attached to a main body 11 by a hinge mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of standing up and opened. FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the D portion 1 taken along the line AA shown in FIG.
3A and 3B show a normal state where no force is applied to the LCD unit 1 and a state where the upper side of the LCD unit 1 is pushed by hand as shown in FIG.

A hinge shaft 21 serving as a center of rotation of the LCD unit 1 is fixed to a rear portion of the main body 11. On the lower side of the LCD unit 1 (in the upright state, in the closed state, it becomes the rear side), a bearing hole 31 through which the hinge shaft 21 is inserted is provided. The cross section of the bearing hole 31 has a sufficiently large gap between the hinge shaft 21 and the LCD unit 1 in the vertical direction.
The thickness direction of the LCD unit 1 forms an ellipse having substantially the same width as the diameter of the hinge shaft 21.

A compression spring 91 is provided between the hinge shaft 21 and a member constituting the housing of the LCD unit 1.
In the direction toward the lower end of the LCD unit 1. A high friction surface 23 that generates a large frictional force with the hinge shaft 21 is provided below the inner surface of the bearing hole 31. FIG. 3 shows the spring 9 for defining the high friction surface 23.
1 is an AA cross-sectional view in which a hinge shaft 21 is omitted.

The hinge shaft 20, the bearing hole 31, the spring 91, and the high friction surface 23 constitute the hinge mechanism 20.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

When no force is applied to the LCD unit 1, the hinge 91 is pressed against the high friction surface 23 by the spring 91 as shown in FIG. The LCD unit 1 can be reliably held so as not to move in the open state or the closed state.

When the LCD unit 1 is opened and closed, the user of the personal computer operates the LC unit 1 as shown in FIG.
The upper surface 3 of the D part 1 is pushed in the direction of the hinge shaft 21. As a result, as shown in FIG.
1 against the force of the hinge shaft 21, the high friction surface 23 is separated from the hinge shaft 21, the torque of the hinge unit 20 can be reduced, and the torque required to open and close the LCD unit 1 is reduced. It can be as small as possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower portion of the bearing hole 31 has a wedge-shaped surface 32 so that the lower portion of the cross section of the bearing hole 31 has a wedge shape. When no force is applied, the spring 91 can press the hinge shaft 21 against the wedge-shaped surface 32 to generate a large frictional force.

FIG. 5 shows an LC of a portable personal computer using a hinge mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In a front view showing the D part 1 (the bearing 26 is shown in a sectional view),
3A and 3B are a diagram illustrating a state where no force is applied to the LCD unit 1 and a diagram illustrating a state where the upper end of the LCD unit 1 is pressed.

The hinge shaft 22 is a round bar made of an elastic steel or the like, which is normally curved so that the central portion protrudes toward the LCD unit 1 and is provided so as to protrude from the lower side of the LCD unit 1 at the central portion. Is fixed to the indicating unit 33. A pair of bearings 2
6 are fixed to both sides of the rear end of the main body not shown in FIG. 5, and are fixed so as to be located on a straight line.
Both ends of the hinge shaft 22 are inserted into bearing holes 34 provided in the pair of bearings 26 so as to open only at inner end surfaces. The hinge shaft 22, the pointing portion 33, and the bearing 26 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line 35 when viewed from the front of the personal computer.

Since the diameter of the bearing hole 34 is larger than the diameter of the hinge shaft 22 and is curved, the hinge shaft 22 has its end inserted obliquely into the bearing hole 34. Hinge axis 2
If the end 2 is not inserted into the bearing hole 34 and is completely free, the end 2 is bent more greatly than that shown in FIG. 6, the bearing 2 is provided only at the lower part of its own tip and the upper part of the edge of the bearing hole 34 by the elastic force as shown in FIG.
6 to generate a large frictional force. This is LC
This is a normal state in which no force is applied to the D section 1.

When opening and closing the LCD unit 1, the surface 3
Of the hinge shaft 22 in the direction of the hinge shaft 22.
Of the bearing shaft 34 and the hinge shaft 2
2 is made parallel to reduce the frictional force generated between the hinge shaft 22 and the bearing 26 when the LCD unit 1 rotates, thereby achieving torquelessness.

It is desirable that the support portion 33 has flexibility so that it can be elastically deformed following the deformation of the hinge shaft 22 from a curved state to a linear state. However, even if the support portion 33 is a rigid body, the present invention can be applied if the end of the hinge shaft 22 becomes parallel to the bearing hole 34 due to elastic deformation of only the portion of the hinge shaft 22 outside the support portion 33.

Further, the lower end of the support portion 33 has a cylindrical surface centered on the hinge shaft 22, and a stopper for receiving the cylindrical surface is provided on the main body of the personal computer. When hitting the stopper, the hinge shaft 22 can be made straight.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a personal computer using the hinge mechanism 27 according to the third embodiment of the present invention (the hinge mechanism 27 is shown in perspective). FIGS. 8A and 8B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism 27. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a torque generating state and a torqueless state, respectively.

In the hinge mechanism 27, the hinge shaft 21 provided on the main body 11 is fitted into a bearing hole (not shown) provided on the LCD unit 1, and the LCD unit 1 is mounted on the hinge shaft 21.
Rotate around.

A pair of brake shoes 71 are pivotally supported on a pair of shafts 72 provided on the LCD unit 1, and the pair of brake shoes 71 are respectively compressed by compression springs 92 disposed between the rear portions. The part is urged to press the hinge shaft 21.

An operation section 2 is attached to the upper edge of the LCD section 1 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. The operation section 2 is connected to a pair of brake shoes 71 by a wire 4, and the wire 4 Is guided by tubes, ribs, bosses, and the like provided on the LCD unit 1. When the operation unit 2 is moved to the right side in FIG.
1 and pulls the rear end of the brake shoe 71 away from the hinge shaft 21 against the spring 92.
The torqueless state where no torque is generated when the CD unit 1 rotates. When the operation unit 2 is moved leftward in FIG. 7 by the force of the spring 92 without applying a force to the operation unit 2, the spring 92
Accordingly, the front portion of the brake shoe 71 presses the hinge shaft 21, and a state is generated in which a large friction torque is generated when the LCD unit 1 rotates.

The user of the personal computer is LC
When the D unit 1 is opened and closed, the operation unit 2 can be opened and closed with a very small torque by moving the operation unit 2 rightward in FIG. At other times, the LCD unit 1 can be reliably held in an open state or a closed state with a large fixed torque by setting the operation unit 2 to the left return state.

The operation section 2 may be provided on the upper surface 3 of the LCD section 2 or on the back side of the display section (outer surface when closed).

Further, the brake shoe 71, the operating section 2, the wire 4 and the like are provided on the main body 11 side, and the brake shoe 71 is pressed against a hinge shaft or a bearing provided on the LCD section 1 so that L
A torque for the rotation of the CD unit 1 may be generated.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are configuration diagrams of a hinge mechanism 29 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B show a torque generating state and a torqueless state, respectively. is there. This hinge mechanism is also used in a portable personal computer as shown in FIG.

In the hinge mechanism 29, a hinge shaft 21 provided on the main body 11 is fitted to a bearing (not shown) provided on the LCD unit 1, and the LCD unit 1 rotates about the hinge shaft 21.

The end surface of the hinge shaft 21 is formed as a conical concave surface 73. The guide piece 75 provided in the LCD unit 1 guides the brake piece 72 so as to be movable on the extension of the hinge shaft 21 but not to rotate, and is provided with a conical convex surface provided at the tip by a compression spring 93. 74 is urged to press the concave surface 73.

An operation section 2 is attached to the upper edge of the LCD section 1 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. The operation section 2 is connected to a brake piece 72 by a wire 4. Guided by tubes, ribs, bosses and the like provided in the section 1, when the operating section 2 is moved to the right in FIG. 7, the rear end of the brake piece 72 is pulled by the wire 4,
The convex surface 74 of the brake piece 72 is separated from the concave surface 73 of the hinge shaft 21 against the spring 93, so that a torqueless state is generated in which no torque is generated when the LCD unit 1 rotates. When the operation unit 2 is moved leftward in FIG. 7 by the force of the spring 93 without applying a force to the operation unit 2, the brake piece 7 is
2 presses against the concave surface 73 of the hinge shaft 21, and L
The torque generating state in which a large friction torque is generated when the CD unit 1 rotates.

The user of the personal computer is LC
When the D unit 1 is opened and closed, the operation unit 2 can be opened and closed with a very small torque by moving the operation unit 2 rightward in FIG. At other times, the LCD unit 1 can be reliably held in an open state or a closed state with a large fixed torque by setting the operation unit 2 to the left return state.

The tip of the brake piece 72 has a concave surface.
It goes without saying that the end surface of the hinge shaft 21 may be a convex surface. Furthermore, when the distal end surface of the brake piece 72 generates a sufficiently large frictional force, the distal end of the brake piece 72 and the end surface of the hinge shaft 21 may be flat without providing the convex surface 74 and the concave surface 73 of the hinge shaft 21. Good. Further, a tooth profile that meshes with each other may be provided at the tip of the brake piece 72 and the end face of the hinge shaft 21.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portable personal computer using a hinge mechanism 28 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention (the hinge mechanism 28 and the like are shown in perspective).

Although the details of the hinge mechanism 28 are not shown, in the hinge mechanism 28, a hinge shaft provided in the main body 11 of the personal computer is fitted into a bearing hole provided in the LCD unit 1. The LCD unit 1 rotates about a hinge axis.

The hinge mechanism 28 can select the magnitude of the torque with respect to the rotation of the LCD 1 by an electromagnetic action. LC
By operating a switch 82 provided in the D section 1 and connected to the hinge mechanism 28 with a cable 81, the magnitude of the torque generated by the hinge mechanism 28 can be selected. Body 1
1 is provided with a battery 12 and a driving unit 13, and the battery 12 supplies power to the driving unit 13,
Supplies power to the hinge mechanism 28.

As the hinge mechanism 28 for electromagnetically selecting the magnitude of the torque, for example, an LC
There is a type in which a brake plate attached to the main body 11 side is electromagnetically attracted to or separated from a disk fixed to the D section 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portable personal computer using the hinge mechanism 28 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (the hinge mechanism 28 and the like are seen through). The personal computer shown in FIG. 11 is the same as that shown in FIG. 10 except that the hinge mechanism 28 is provided on both sides of the personal computer, and that the external battery 14 is used instead of the battery 12. .

The user of the personal computer is LC
To open and close the D section 1, the switch 82 is operated to reduce the torque of the hinge mechanism 28. At other times, by operating the switch 82 to increase the torque of the hinge mechanism 28, the LCD unit 1 can be reliably held in an open state or a closed state with a large fixed torque.

The above-mentioned portable personal computer L
The present invention is not limited to the opening and closing of the CD portion, and can be used for opening and closing the body of various lids.

[0051]

The first effect is to extend the life of the hinge mechanism.

The reason for this is that the mechanical load on the hinge mechanism is reduced by reducing the torque generated when the hinge mechanism rotates, such as when the lid of the LCD unit or the like is opened or closed.

The second effect is that when used to attach the lid to the main body, it is not necessary to manage the value of the torque generated by the hinge mechanism so as to satisfy both opening and closing and fixing of the LCD unit. That is.

The reason is that it is possible to reduce the torque to reduce the generated torque only when the hinge mechanism rotates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable personal computer in which an LCD unit 1 is rotatably attached to a main body 11 by a hinge mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the LCD unit 1 standing up and opened. is there.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the LCD unit 1 taken along the line AA shown in FIG.
And (b) show a normal state in which no force is applied to the LCD unit 1 and the LCD as shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where an upper side of a unit 1 is pressed by hand.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in which a spring 91 and a hinge shaft 21 are omitted to clearly show a high friction surface 23.

FIG. 4 is an LCD part 1 in which a lower side of a bearing hole 31 has a wedge-shaped surface.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front views showing an LCD unit 1 of a portable personal computer using a hinge mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where no force is applied to the LCD unit and a diagram illustrating a state where the upper end of the LCD unit 1 is pressed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the bearing 26 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a personal computer using a hinge mechanism 27 according to a third embodiment of the present invention (the hinge mechanism 27 is seen through).

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a configuration of the hinge mechanism 27, wherein FIGS. 8A and 8B show a torque generating state and a torqueless state, respectively.

9A and 9B are configuration diagrams of a hinge mechanism 29 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a torque generating state and a torqueless state, respectively.

FIG. 10 shows a hinge mechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable personal computer using a computer (a hinge mechanism 28 and the like are seen through).

11 shows a hinge mechanism 28 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable personal computer using a computer (a hinge mechanism 28 and the like are seen through).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 LCD part 2 Operation part 3 Surface 4 Wire 11 Main body 12 Battery 13 Drive part 14 Battery 20 Hinge mechanism 21 Hinge axis 22 Hinge axis 23 High friction surface 26 Bearing 27 Hinge mechanism 28 Hinge mechanism 29 Hinge mechanism 31 Shaft bearing hole 32 Wedge surface 33 Surface 34 Bearing hole 71 Brake shoe 72 Shaft 73 Concave surface 74 Convex surface 75 Guide 81 Cable 91 Spring 92 Spring 93 Spring

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A hinge mechanism rotatably attached to a main body so as to open and close a lid body, comprising a torque selecting means capable of selecting either large or small torque required for opening and closing the lid body. A hinge mechanism. 2. A hinge mechanism for rotatably mounting a lid on a main body so as to open and close the lid. When a force is applied to the lid in a predetermined direction perpendicular to a central axis of rotation of the lid, the lid is opened. A hinge mechanism characterized in that opening and closing torque is reduced. 3. A hinge mechanism rotatably attached to a main body so as to open and close a lid, wherein a hinge axis fixed to the main body, the hinge axis is inserted into the lid, and is perpendicular to the hinge axis. A bearing hole having a sufficient clearance between the hinge shaft and the hinge shaft in a predetermined direction, a spring for urging the hinge shaft in the predetermined direction relative to the lid, and the hinge shaft of the bearing hole is A hinge mechanism comprising: a high friction surface provided on an inner surface in a direction of being urged and pressed by a spring. 4. A hinge mechanism rotatably attached to a main body so as to open and close a lid, wherein a hinge shaft fixed to the main body, the hinge shaft is inserted and provided on the lid and perpendicular to the hinge shaft. A bearing hole having a sufficient clearance between the hinge shaft and the hinge shaft in a predetermined direction, a spring for urging the hinge shaft in the predetermined direction relative to the lid, and the hinge shaft of the bearing hole is A wedge-shaped surface provided on an inner surface in a direction biased and pressed by a spring. 5. A hinge mechanism rotatably attached to a main body so as to open and close a lid body, wherein a pair of bearing holes provided on the main body and both located in a straight line, and both ends are inserted into the pair of bearing holes. A hinge mechanism comprising a hinge shaft having a central portion fixed to the lid and being curved and having elasticity. 6. A hinge mechanism rotatably attached to a main body so as to open and close a lid, wherein a hinge shaft fixed to the main body or the lid and fitted with a bearing provided on the lid or the main body is provided. A brake shoe pivotally supported by a shaft provided on the lid or the main body, a spring for urging the brake shoe in a direction pressed against the hinge shaft, and a predetermined spring provided on the lid or the main body. An operating unit that moves the brake shoe away from the hinge shaft against the urging force of the spring by moving the brake shoe in the direction. 7. A hinge mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body so as to open and close the lid, wherein a hinge shaft fixed to the main body or the lid and fitted with a bearing provided on the lid or the main body, A brake piece guided so as to be able to move only linearly so as not to rotate on a guide portion provided on the lid or the main body, and biasing the brake piece in a direction in which a tip thereof is pressed against an end face of the hinge shaft. And an operating portion provided on the lid or the main body and moved in a predetermined direction to move the tip of the brake piece away from the end face of the hinge shaft against the urging force of the spring. A hinge mechanism. 8. An end surface of the hinge shaft is formed in a conical surface, and a tip of the brake piece is formed in a conical surface having a shape fitted to a conical surface of an end surface of the hinge shaft. 8. The hinge mechanism according to 7. 9. The torque selecting means operates electrically,
2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching between a large torque and a small torque selected by said torque selecting means. 10. When rotating the lid, the torque selecting means selects a small torque, and when trying to fix the lid to the main body, the torque selecting means selects a large torque. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The use of the hinge mechanism according to 1. 11. The method according to claim 2, wherein when rotating the lid, the lid is pushed in the predetermined direction.