JP2002030851A - Opening/closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening/closing device simple in structure with a small number of part items, easy to assemble, reducible in weight, miniaturizable, low in cost and easily selecting a load characteristic. SOLUTION: A hinge shaft positioned on one side between the fixed side and the movable side, and a spring member positioned on the other side are connected in a relatively rotatable manner. A fixed face rotated synchronously with the hinge shaft and brought into contact with the spring member is formed at the hinge shaft. The spring member is provided being regulated by a regulating member so as to come in close contact with the fixed face of the hinge shaft, with the energizing force applied in the axial direction of the hinge shaft, and the mutual contact face of the spring member and the fixed face of the hinge is formed as a cam.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an opening and closing device for opening and closing two members such as a lid and a main body of an OA product or the like, and in particular, portable articles such as an electronic organizer, a portable telephone, and a compact cosmetic. It relates to a switchgear optimally applied to a switchgear.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a portable telephone, an electronic organizer or the like, two keys such as a main body and a lid are provided so as not to accidentally press a key panel when carrying the portable telephone, damage a liquid crystal screen, or reduce the size of the liquid crystal screen. There is provided a two-fold structure in which members can be opened and closed. As the two-fold structure, a structure in which two members are openably and closably connected by a hinge device as an opening and closing device is employed. Conventionally, as this hinge device, as disclosed in JP-A-8-317025 and JP-A-2000-17932, a pair of cams are aligned with each other so that they can rotate relative to each other. It is provided so that it can approach and separate, and the cam surfaces of these cams are urged to be in close contact with each other by a spring, and by rotating both cams relatively,
The two cams move relatively along their axis,
Generally, the angle relationship between the two cams is changed.

[0003] Incidentally, the hinge device disclosed in JP-A-8-317025 has a cylindrical member 101, as shown in FIG.
The spring 102, the cam 103, the cam follower 104, and the cap 105 are configured. The spring 102, the cam 103, and the cam follower 104 are housed in the tubular member 101, and are prevented from coming off by the cap 105. Kam Follower 104
The cam 103 is biased toward the cam follower 104 by the spring 102 by the rotation of the cam follower 104 due to the opening and closing of the open / close member.
Are separated and approached to generate the strength of the urging force of the spring 102 and can be opened and closed.

A hinge device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-17932 has a pair of cams 110, as shown in FIG.
111 are provided so as to be rotatable relative to each other so as to approach and separate from each other.
The cam surfaces of the cams 0 and 111 are urged to be in close contact with each other by a spring 115, and the cams 110 and 111 rotate relatively to each other so that the cams 110 and 111 move relative to each other along their axes. To both cams 11
The angle relationship between 0 and 111 is changed. The cam 110 is a movable cam, which is formed by a head 112, an axis 113, and a cam portion 114. The cam 111 is a fixed cam, and is movable on the shaft 113 of the movable cam 110 along the axial direction thereof. And rotatably mounted on the guide holder 116.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional switchgear has a large number of parts and a complicated structure. For example, in the above-mentioned hinge device, the one shown in FIG. 21 is a cylindrical member 101, a spring 102, a cam 103, a cam follower 10 and the like.
There are a number of components such as 4 and the cap 105, and even the one shown in FIG. 22 has a number of components such as the movable cam 110, the fixed cam 111, the spring 115, and the guide holder 116, and their structures are also complicated. In this way, the number of parts is large,
If the structure is complicated, it takes a lot of trouble to manufacture, the manufacturing cost increases and the cost is high, and the assembling of the parts requires a lot of trouble. In particular, in the case of a small product, each component becomes small, and it is more difficult to assemble with high accuracy. Further, when the number of parts is large, there is a problem that it is difficult to further reduce the weight and size.

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing points, and has as its object to facilitate selection of load characteristics, to have a simple structure, to have a small number of parts, and to be easily assembled.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive opening / closing device that can be reduced in weight and size.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing device comprising a hinge shaft located on one of a fixed side and a movable side and a spring member located on the other side. The hinge shaft has a fixed surface which is synchronously rotated with the hinge shaft and comes into contact with the spring member, and the spring member has a biasing force acting on the hinge shaft in the axial direction thereof. The fixing member is provided so as to be in close contact with the fixed surface of the hinge shaft, and a surface of the hinge member and the spring member that are in contact with each other are formed on the cam.

[0008] The opening and closing device according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the spring member is a leaf spring. Also,
In the opening and closing device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the cam formed on the surface of the hinge shaft that is in contact with the fixed surface of the leaf spring and
A concave portion or a convex portion, and the relative rotation between the hinge shaft and the leaf spring shifts the relative positional relationship of the concave portion or the convex portion, so that the cam can obtain the strength of the urging force of the leaf spring and also provide a click feeling. Features.

In the opening and closing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the hinge shaft includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a step between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion is fixed to the leaf spring. It is characterized by the following.

The opening and closing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the leaf spring has at least one bent portion between the fixing surface of the hinge shaft and the regulating member.

Further, the opening and closing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the leaf spring is formed by bending and notching.

In the opening and closing device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the leaf spring is formed by being bent so as to include a plurality of portions that exert an urging force when compressed in the direction of action of the urging force. It is characterized in that the load characteristics change depending on the increase or decrease of a plurality of portions exerting the urging force.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable mobile phone showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A. In FIG. 1, a foldable mobile phone 1 includes a main body (fixed side) 2 on which keys for various functions and the like are arranged, and a lid (movable side) 3 on which a liquid crystal display is provided. It is connected to open and close. The opening and closing device 4 includes a hinge shaft 5, a leaf spring 6, and an E-ring 7, as shown in FIG.

The construction of the hinge shaft 5, leaf spring 6, and E-ring 7 constituting the opening / closing device 4 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 3 and an exploded perspective view in FIG. The hinge shaft 5 includes a large-diameter portion 5a and a small-diameter portion 5b, and a step between the large-diameter portion 5a and the small-diameter portion 5b is formed on a fixed surface 8 that contacts the leaf spring 6.
The large diameter portion 5a of the hinge shaft 5 has a flat surface (cut surface) 9.
The cover (movable side) 3 is fixed to the large diameter portion 5a. The flat surface 9 of the large-diameter portion 5a serves for non-rotatable attachment to the lid 3. Therefore, the hinge shaft is rotated by opening and closing the lid 3.

In the present embodiment, the leaf spring 6 is bent and formed in an N-shape. The leaf spring 6 acts on the small-diameter portion 5b of the hinge shaft 5 in the axial direction thereof. Is attached so as to be in close contact with the fixed surface 8 of the hinge shaft 5,
It is regulated by the E-ring 7. At this time, an initial torque is set for the leaf spring 6 and regulated by the E-ring 7. Reference numeral 10 in FIG.
Is a groove for mounting the E-ring 7. This leaf spring 6
It is fixed to the main body (fixed side) 2 so as not to rotate, but is rotatable relative to the hinge shaft 5. Therefore, although the cover 3 is normally opened and closed with the main body 2, the main body 2 side can be opened and closed with the lid 3.

The fixed surface 8 of the leaf spring 6 and the hinge shaft 5
Is formed on the cam 11. In the present embodiment, the cam 11 has a concave portion (V-shaped groove) in the fixing surface 8.
12 are formed, and on the contact surface of the leaf spring 6, a convex portion (a U-shaped convex portion) 13 corresponding to the concave portion 12 is formed.

Thus, the large diameter portion 5a of the hinge shaft 5 is fixed to the lid (movable side) 3, the leaf spring 6 is fixed to the main body (fixed side) 2, and the lid 3 (the main body 2 may be used. When the lid is opened and closed, the hinge shaft 5 rotates. Then this hinge shaft 5
The cam (recess) 12 of the fixed surface 8 and the convex portion 13 of the leaf spring 6 which rotate in synchronization with the upper surface ride on the plane of the fixed surface 8 so that the leaf spring 6 is compressed. And the cam (recess) of the fixed surface 8 of the hinge shaft 5 is increased.
When the projection 12 and the projection 13 of the leaf spring 6 match, the urging force of the leaf spring 6 is instantly released or weakened, and a click feeling is generated.

That is, the cam (recess) 12 of the hinge shaft 5 and the leaf spring 6 are rotated by the relative rotation of the hinge shaft 5 and the leaf spring 6.
A rotation torque is generated due to a relative angle between the projection and the projection, and the two members are opened and closed by this rotation torque.
To open and close. In the present embodiment, since the cams (recesses) 12 of the hinge shaft 5 are arranged 180 ° symmetrically, a click feeling is generated every 180 °, and when the lid 3 is closed, torque is generated in the closing direction. When the cover 3 is opened, it can be held at an angle slightly less than 180 °. In the drawings according to the present embodiment, a concave portion 12 as a cam is provided on the fixed surface 8 of the hinge shaft.
The leaf spring 6 is provided with the convex portion 13, but the same effect is obtained even if the convex portion 13 is reversed. That is, the fixing surface 8 of the hinge shaft 5 may be a convex portion, and the leaf spring 6 may be a corresponding concave portion.

According to the present invention, the arrangement, the angle, and the like of the cam 11 formed on the contact surface between the fixed surface 8 of the hinge shaft 5 and the leaf spring 6 are determined.
By changing the shape, number, etc., and by changing the shape of the leaf spring 6, the holding angle, feeling,
The rotation torque and the like can be freely changed. The leaf spring is
By changing the bent shape or providing notches,
Various shapes of leaf springs can be employed, and a desired spring load can be selected. In particular, according to the present invention, by setting the initial load to be applied to the spring member (leaf spring 6) between the fully opened and fully closed positions according to the shape of the cam, the movable member can be automatically moved (opened and closed) to the fully opened and fully closed positions. In other words, it is possible to make them close and open.

FIGS. 5 to 9 show a modified example of a leaf spring in which a bent shape is changed or various cutouts are provided. FIG. 5 is a perspective view, and FIG. 8 shows only a front view (B). The same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. FIG. 5 shows a W-shaped leaf spring 6, and FIG. 6 shows that two pieces of strap-shaped pieces 6 a and 6 b are cut out at the center of the piece bent downward from the top to be bent upward from the lower end. The both sides of the piece 6c are notched 14. FIG. 7 shows strap-shaped pieces 6a and 6b provided on one side facing downward from the upper end and the other side facing upward from the lower end, and FIG. 8 shows a bent piece 6d facing upward from the lower end. And the piece 6e bent downward from the upper end overlaps, and the notch 14
In FIG. 9, both ends are bent inward from below and symmetrically erected, and the notch 14 is provided at the top and the notch 14 is provided at the bent portion at the lower end. Things.

By providing the bent shape and the notch as described above, the load characteristics can be changed. For example, in the leaf spring shown in FIG. 8, the leaf spring 6 is compressed as shown in FIG.
When the portions come into contact with each other, the load characteristics of the leaf spring 6 change at this point.

FIGS. 10 to 14 are front views showing states of use in which the leaf spring is changed. FIG. 10A shows a setting state, and FIG. 10B shows an operating state. At the time of setting (a), an initial load is applied to set. (B) shows the cam (recess) of the hinge shaft 5 during operation.
12 shows a state in which the position of the projection 12 of the leaf spring 6 is shifted from that of the leaf spring 6, and the spring is compressed. In these FIGS. 10 to 14,
It can be understood that the load characteristics can be freely changed by changing the shape of the leaf spring 6. Incidentally, FIG. 10 shows that the load is low, the spring constant is low, and the load characteristics can be easily and broadly set (they are hardly affected by variations in load). FIG. 11 shows a low load, a low spring constant, a symmetrical shape, and good operational balance. FIG. 12 shows a high load, a high spring constant, a symmetrical shape, and good operational balance. FIG. 13 shows a high load and a low spring constant. Easy and wide setting of load characteristics (less affected by load variation). In particular, in the leaf spring 6 shown in FIG. 14, in the set state of FIG. 14A, the part e contacts the part d while the initial load is applied, but in the operation of FIG. 6 is compressed and deflected by h1, a load greater than the initial load is applied, and a gap h2 is formed between the portion e and the portion d.
Occurs and the load characteristics change. FIG. 19 shows the load characteristics in this case.

FIGS. 15 to 18 are front views showing still another modification in which the leaf spring is changed. FIG.
(B) shows the operation time. The present embodiment is a case where the leaf spring 6 shows a non-linear spring characteristic. In the initial setting as shown in FIG. When the leaf spring 6 is compressed by the action of the cam 11 by the interval of b, the portion indicated by the arrow c also acts as a spring, and the load characteristic changes at this portion. The load characteristics in this case are as shown in FIG. The other parts are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape of the cam and the shapes of the convex portion and the concave portion can be variously modified. As the spring member, not only a leaf spring but also any practicable one can be adopted.

[0025]

As described above in detail, the present invention has only the hinge shaft, the spring member, and the regulating member, and has the following effects. (1) Holding the lid (movable side) by changing the arrangement angle, shape, number, etc. of the cams formed on the contact surface between the fixed surface of the hinge shaft and the spring member, or changing the shape of the spring member Angle, feeling, rotation torque, etc. can be easily selected. In particular,
When the spring member is a leaf spring, it is possible to obtain a load characteristic that is easily set by selecting a shape and a notch. (2) The number of parts is smaller than that of the conventional structure, and the structure is simple. (3) Since the structure is simple and the number of parts is small, the assembling is easy without any trouble, and the assembling can be performed with high accuracy, and the quality is improved. (4) Since the structure is simple, the manufacture is easy, and the number of parts is small, so that the whole is inexpensive. (5) Since the structure is simple and the number of parts is small, it is possible to reduce the weight and size. (6) Since the load characteristics and the rotational torque can be easily adjusted, the present invention can be applied to a wide range of opening and closing devices for opening and closing members.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switchgear according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another modification of the leaf spring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another modification of the leaf spring.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another modification of the leaf spring.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view (A) and a front view (B) showing a modification of the leaf spring.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another modification of the leaf spring.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is at the time of setting (a) and at the time of operation (b).

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is at the time of setting (a) and at the time of operation (b).

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a setting state (a) and an operation state (b).

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, when set (a) and operated (b).

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a setting state (a) and an operation state (b).

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an opening and closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is at the time of setting (a) and at the time of operation (b).

FIG. 16 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a setting state (a) and an operation state (b).

FIG. 17 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a setting state (a) and an operation state (b).

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an opening / closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is at the time of setting (a) and at the time of operation (b).

FIG. 19 is a view showing a load characteristic of the leaf spring shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a load characteristic diagram of the leaf spring shown in FIGS. 15 to 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 opening / closing device 5 hinge shaft 5a large-diameter portion 5b small-diameter portion 6 leaf spring 7 E-ring (restriction member) 8 fixing surface of hinge shaft 11 cam 12 concave portion as cam 13 convex portion 14 notch

Claims (7)

[Claims] A hinge shaft located on one of a fixed side and a movable side and a spring member located on the other side are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and the hinge shaft is rotated synchronously with the hinge shaft to rotate the spring member. A fixing surface is formed in contact with the member, and the spring member is provided by being regulated by a regulating member such that an urging force acts on the hinge shaft in the axial direction thereof so as to come into close contact with the fixing surface of the hinge shaft. Wherein the fixed surface and the surface of the spring member that are in contact with each other are formed on the cam. 2. The switchgear according to claim 1, wherein the spring member is a leaf spring. 3. A cam formed on a surface of the hinge shaft where the fixed surface and the leaf spring contact each other is a concave portion or a convex portion, and the cam relative to the concave portion or the convex portion is formed by relative rotation of the hinge shaft and the leaf spring. 3. The opening / closing device according to claim 2, wherein the positional relationship is displaced, and the magnitude of the urging force of the leaf spring is obtained by the cam, and a click feeling is obtained. 4. The hinge shaft according to claim 1, wherein the hinge shaft includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a step between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion is a fixed surface that comes into contact with a spring member. The switchgear according to any one of claims 3 to 7. 5. The opening / closing device according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring has one or more bent portions between the fixing surface of the hinge shaft and the regulating member. 6. The opening / closing device according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring is formed by bending and notching. 7. The leaf spring is formed by being bent so as to have a plurality of portions that exerts an urging force when compressed in the direction of action of the urging force. The switchgear according to any one of claims 2, 3, 5, and 6, wherein a load characteristic changes.