JP2002257129A - Hinge device and portable electronic instrument using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge device and a portable electronic instrument using the same having an extremely high commertial value and novel invention. SOLUTION: A first member 1 and a second member 2 are constituted to be rotationally locked together when an engaging recess 4 and a engaging protrusion 5 are in an engaged condition. At least one of the engaging recess 4 and the engaging protrusion 5 is made slidably movable and an engaging urging mechanism 7 is provided to urge at least one of the engaging recess 4 or the engaging protrusion 5 in the engaging direction and the engaging recess 4 and the engaging protrusion 5 are constituted so that these are made engageable/disengageable according to relative rotation of the first member 1 and the second member 2. Further, the instrument is so constituted that the relative rotary urging force to engage the engaging recess 4 with the engaging protrusion 5 is generated from a condition in which these are not engaged with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge device and a portable electronic device using the hinge device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a portable telephone as a typical example of portable electronic equipment, a foldable display body having a display screen is foldably attached to a portable telephone main body. There is a type and an integrated type having a display screen on the mobile phone itself.

[0003] The integral type is said to be excellent in terms of weight reduction and convenience, and the foldable type is considered to be excellent in terms of prevention of switch malfunction, downsizing, variety of designs, and the like.

[0004] By the way, the folding type tends to be larger and heavier than the integrated type due to its structure. Therefore, the folding type is required to be smaller and lighter.

[0005] The present invention provides a hinge device which solves the above-mentioned problems, and a portable electronic device using the hinge device.

[0006]

The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] A hinge device for pivotally connecting a first member 1 and a second member 2, comprising a first connecting portion 3 connected to the first member 1, and a second connecting member 3 connected to the second member 2. Two connecting parts 6
And the engaging protrusions 5 engaging with the engaging recesses 4 or the engaging protrusions 5 provided at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 respectively.
Alternatively, the engaging concave portion 4 is provided in the second connecting portion 6 so that the first member 1 and the second member 2 are rotationally locked when the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 are engaged with each other. And at least one of the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 is provided so as to be slidable in the direction of engagement and disengagement.
An engagement urging mechanism 7 for urging at least one of the engagement protrusions 5 in the engagement direction is provided. As the first member 1 and the second member 2 rotate relative to each other, the respective engagement recesses 4 And the engaging projections 5 are configured to be disengageable, and the respective engaging recesses 4 and the engaging projections 5 are engaged with each other from a non-engaged state. The present invention relates to a hinge device which is configured to generate power.

Further, a shaft 8 is provided on the second connecting portion 6,
An engaging concave portion 4 or an engaging convex portion 5 is provided at each of the left and right positions of the shaft portion 8, and the engaging convex portion 5 or the engaging concave portion 4 which engages with the engaging concave portion 4 or the engaging convex portion 5, respectively. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the provided bearing portion 9 is provided on the first connecting portion 3.

Further, each of the bearing portions 9 is slidably connected to the shaft portion 8, and a spring 7 is provided between the bearing portions 9.
And each of the bearing portions 9 is configured so as to be slidable in the direction of engagement and disengagement against the ridges 7,
With the relative rotation of the first member 1 and the second member 2, the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 provided on the bearing portion 9 and the shaft portion 8 can be disengaged. 3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein said engaging concave portion and said engaging convex portion are configured to generate a relative rotational urging force to be engaged from a non-engaged state. The present invention relates to a hinge device.

When the first connecting portion 3 is connected to the pivoting portion 10 of the first member 1, the second member 2 disposed at the left and right positions of the pivoting portion 10 of the first member 1 The first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 are configured so that the second connecting portion 6 can be connected to the pivoting portion 11, and the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 Each engagement recess 4 provided at each left and right position
And the engaging projections 5 are configured to be disengageable, and each of the engaging recesses 4 and the engaging projections 5 are engaged with each other from a disengaged state. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge device is configured to generate a force.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device using the hinge device, wherein the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided at a pivot portion.

The first member 1 or the second member 2
A hinge portion for pivotally connecting the lid portion or the flip as a main body and the main body portion as the second member 2 or the first member 1 which overlaps with the lid portion or the flip so as to be able to open and close from a superposed state to a predetermined opening angle. A portable electronic device using the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention (how to implement the invention) will be briefly described with reference to the drawings, showing the operational effects thereof.

The first member 1 and the second member 2 are rotated by the engagement of the engaging concave portions 4 and the engaging convex portions 5 provided at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6, respectively. Dynamically locked. Since the respective engaging concave portions 4 and the engaging convex portions 5 are urged by the engaging urging mechanism 7, the rotation locks in which the respective engaging concave portions 4 and the engaging convex portions 5 are engaged. State is maintained.

More specifically, for example, in a closed state where the first member 1 and the second member 2 are overlapped with each other, the respective engaging recesses 4 and the engaging protrusions 5 are engaged. When the first member 1 and the second member 2 rotate relative to each other in the opening direction, the engagement between the engagement recesses 4 and the engagement protrusions 5 urged by the engagement urging mechanism 7. A combined cam force, that is, a relative rotation urging force that acts so that each of the engaging concave portions 4 and the engaging convex portions 5 engage with each other is generated. Is always urged to close as long as it does not rotate to the position where it is disengaged. It should be noted that this relative rotation urging force may function as an opening urging.

In the present invention, the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 that generate the relative rotational urging force are provided at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6, respectively. With the relative rotation of the first member 1 and the second member 2, the relative rotation urging force is generated at each of the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6.

Accordingly, a strong urging force can be obtained very efficiently. Therefore, when the first member 1 and the second member 2 are pivotally connected, for example, two hinge devices are provided. The number of parts can be reduced, for example, with only one hinge device, and the cost can be reduced and the mass productivity can be improved. In addition, the pivotal connection between the first member 1 and the second member 2 can be improved. The size can be reduced, and the size and weight of the entire article including the hinge device can be surely reduced.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the present invention and will be described below.

The present embodiment relates to a hinge device a for pivotally connecting a first member 1 and a second member 2. The hinge device a is connected to the first member 1 and the second connecting member 3. Second connecting part 6
It is composed of

The first connecting portion 3 includes a case body 12 and a bearing 9 provided on the case body 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case body 12 is formed by forming a suitable synthetic resin member into a cylindrical shape, and fits into a hole 10 a of a pivot portion 10 provided in the first member 1. It is configured so that it can be inserted, and its peripheral surface has a hole 10a of the pivot portion 10.
There are formed two concave portions 12a which engage with the concave and convex so as to be in a detented state when inserted into the groove.

The case body 12 has guide portions 12b for guiding slide protrusions 9a of a pair of bearing portions 9 disposed in the case body 12 at a total of four opposing positions on both left and right ends. .

Each of the bearing portions 9 is a piece formed by forming an appropriate metal member as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is set to have a diameter that can be arranged in the case body 12 and A slide protrusion 9a that slides along the guide portion 12b of the case body 12 is formed at a position facing the peripheral surface. Therefore, the bearing portion 9 is slidable in the case body 12 in the axial direction.

The bearing portion 9 is formed with a hole 9b for fitting and connecting to a shaft portion 8 of a second connecting portion 6 described later.

The bearing 9 has a hole 9 on its inner surface.
A convex ridge 13 is formed at a position facing the opening edge of b.

When the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 are connected to each other, the protruding ridge 13 engages with the engaging concave portion 4 (the concave ridge 1) of the second connecting portion 6.
7) is formed as an engaging projection 5 that can engage with the concave and convex, and a tapered surface 13a is formed at a corner of each of the ridges 13 constituting the engaging projection 5.

When disposing the bearing 9 in the case body 12, the bearing 9 is disposed between the bearings 9 with a coil spring (engagement urging mechanism) serving as a spring 7 interposed therebetween. Is configured so as to be able to slide in the axial direction against the coil spring 7 in a detented state in the case body 12. In some cases, the bearing 9 may be made of a die-cast material or an appropriate metal member formed by press working. In the case of the latter, it is reported that the bearing 9 is extremely durable. People have confirmed through experiments.

The second connecting portion 6 includes a shaft portion 8 and a connecting portion 14 provided on the shaft portion 8.

The shaft portion 8 is a rod made of a suitable synthetic resin as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. There is provided a connecting portion 14 for connecting to the hole 11a in a detented state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting portion 14 is fitted and connected to the shaft portion 8 in a non-rotating state. The ring member 15 and the ring member 15 are connected to the shaft portion 8. And a mounting member 16 for mounting in a non-rotating state.

Each ring member 15 is formed of a suitable metal member as shown in FIG. 1, and has an opening edge of a hole 15a into which the shaft portion 9 is inserted on the inner surface of each ring member 15. A pair of concave stripes 17 are formed radially at the opposing positions.

The recess 17 is formed as an engagement recess 4 which can engage with the projection 13 formed on the bearing portion 9. The corner of each recess 17 forming the engagement recess 4 is tapered. The surface 17a is formed. The ring member 15 may be a die-cast member or a member formed by pressing a suitable metal member. In particular, in the case of the latter, the present application discloses that the ring member 15 is extremely durable. People have confirmed through experiments.

The hinge device a having the above configuration is provided at each of the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 with the relative rotation of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6. The relative rotation urging force that the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 are disengaged from each other, and that the engaged concave convex portion 5 and the engaging concave portion 4 are engaged from a disengaged state. Are the first connecting part 3 and the second connecting part 6
Will occur in between.

The relative rotation biasing force will be further described.

First, when the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 are relatively rotated, the left and right engaging concave portions 4 (the concave streaks of the ring member 15) provided on the shaft portion 8 related to the second connecting portion 6. 17) The left and right engaging protrusions 5 provided on the bearing portion 9 relating to the first connecting portion 3 respectively.
(Protrusion 13) From the state in which they are engaged (see FIG. 3), each of the bearing portions 9 slides inward (in the direction of engagement and disengagement) in the case body 12 against the coil spring 7, The engaging concave portions 4 of the shaft portion 8 and the engaging convex portions 5 of the bearing portions 9 try to come off while sliding (see FIG. 4). At this time, the bearing portions 9 are pressed by the coil springs 7 until the engagement recesses 4 of the shaft portion 8 and the engagement protrusions 5 of the bearing portions 9 are completely disengaged. A force (engagement in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 4) is generated between the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6 so as to cause the first relative rotation. The power will act.

Subsequently, the engaging recesses 4 and the engaging protrusions 5 are completely disengaged from each other, and when they are rotated by about 180 ° as they are, the tip surfaces 4a and 5a rotate while sliding against each other. At this time, a cushioning action is generated between the distal end surface 4a of each of the engaging concave portions 4 and the distal end surface 5a of each of the engaging convex portions 5 due to the contact resistance caused by the urging force of the coil spring 7). When the engagement recesses 4 and the engagement protrusions 5 approach each other, the force of the engagement recesses 4 and the engagement protrusions 5 trying to engage from a disengaged state by slipping (FIG. 5) A force in the direction of the middle arrow b) is generated,
A second relative rotational urging force acts between the second connecting portions 6 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the engaging recess 4 is provided on the shaft portion 8 and the engaging convex portion 5 is provided on the bearing portion 9. However, the engaging recess 4 is provided on the bearing portion 9, while the engaging recess 4 is provided on the shaft portion 4. A configuration in which the convex portion 5 is provided may be adopted.

Next, the hinge device a according to the present embodiment is attached to a pivoting portion of a foldable portable telephone in which a lid 1 having a display screen is foldably attached to a main body 2 of the portable telephone. An example will be described below.

In this embodiment, as a part to which the hinge device a is attached, an attachment hole 10 a is provided at the center of the end of the lid 1 on the pivot side.
A pivoting portion 10 having a pair of protruding portions disposed in a state of being fitted to right and left positions of the pivoting portion 10, and having a mounting hole 11a.
Is provided at the center of the end of the main body 2 on the pivot side. This is due to a configuration in which one hinge device a according to the present embodiment fully demonstrates its function.

Specifically, the main body 11 is attached to the pivot portion 10 of the lid 1.
When the hinge device a is fitted and arranged in this state, a pair of left and right pivot portions 11 are fitted and arranged, and the first connecting portion 3 is prevented from rotating to the position of the pivot portion 10 of the lid 1. Fitted, while
Each of the connecting portions 14 of the second connecting portion 6 arranged at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 is fitted to each of the pivotal connecting portions 11 of the main body 2 in a detented state (see FIG. 6).

In this state, the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6
One of the relative rotation urging forces generated each time the relative rotation is made by approximately 180 ° (the first relative rotation urging force) urges the lid 1 toward the main body 2 in the closing direction. The other (second relative biasing force) functions as an opening biasing force that biases the lid 1 toward the body 2 in the opening direction.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the lid 1 is moved in the closing direction from the closed state in which the lid 1 is folded with respect to the main body 2 to a predetermined turning position A which is turned in the opening direction. A predetermined rotation that exerts a closing urging force (a first relative rotation urging force) and rotates in the closing direction from an open state in which the lid unit 1 is maximally opened with respect to the main body unit 2. Position B
During this period, an opening urging force for urging the lid 1 in the opening direction (a second relative rotational urging force) is provided.

Therefore, when the lid 1 is folded and closed, the urging force of the closing acts to prevent the lid 1 from being unexpectedly opened. On the other hand, when the lid 1 is opened to the maximum open state. Is prevented from being closed, for example, during a conversation by an opening urging force.

In this embodiment, when the lid 1 is rotating between the predetermined rotation position A and the predetermined rotation position B with respect to the main body 2, the shaft 8 is provided. The engagement recesses 4 and the engagement projections 9 provided on the bearing portion 9 are set to be completely disengaged from each other, so that no relative rotation urging force is generated and the engagement recesses 4 are formed by the coil springs 7. The respective end surfaces 4a and the respective end surfaces 5a of the engaging projections 5 are pressed against each other, so that the pressing force of the coil spring 7 is applied to the main body 2 by the cover 1 at a predetermined rotation position A When rotating between the rotation position B and the first connection portion 3 and the second connection portion 6, a buffering action is generated due to contact resistance, and the open state of the lid portion 1 with respect to the main body portion 2 is maintained. It functions as a holding force. Therefore, when the lid 1 is rotating between the predetermined rotation position A and the predetermined rotation position B, the lid 1 is stopped at a desired position with respect to the main body 2 by the buffering action (free stop state). ) Will be retained.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above. For example, when the lid 1 is folded with respect to the main body 2 and rotated from the closed state to the predetermined rotation position B in the opening direction, the lid 1 is hinged. The device a is urged by the opening urging force to rotate in the direction until it reaches the maximum open state. At this time, since the opening urging force of the hinge device a is constantly acting on the lid 1, there is no trouble such as the lid 1 being closed during a conversation, and the lid 1 is always opened. Will be maintained.

Further, when the lid 1 is rotated in the closing direction from the open state in which the lid 1 is fully opened to the main body 2 to the predetermined rotation position A, the lid 1 is applied by the closing urging force of the hinge device a. It will rotate in the closing direction until it is urged to be in the closed state. At this time, since the closing urging force of the hinge device a is constantly acting on the lid 1, there is no trouble such as the lid 1 being unexpectedly opened, and the lid 1 is always kept closed. Will be done.

In this embodiment, the engaging concave portion 4 and the engaging convex portion 5 that generate the relative rotational urging force are provided at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6, respectively. Therefore, with the relative rotation between the first member 1 and the second member 2, this relative rotation urging force is generated at each of the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3 and the second connecting portion 6. .

Accordingly, a strong urging force can be obtained very efficiently. Therefore, when the first member 1 and the second member 2 are pivotally connected, for example, two hinge devices are provided. The number of parts can be reduced, for example, with only one hinge device, and the cost can be reduced and the mass productivity can be improved. In addition, the pivotal connection between the first member 1 and the second member 2 can be improved. It is possible to reduce the size of the hinge device a
It is also possible to surely achieve the reduction in size and weight of the entire article including (the plurality of hinge devices a according to the present embodiment may be provided at the attachment site).

Further, in this embodiment, as a portion to which the hinge device a is attached, a mounting hole is provided at the center of the end of the lid 1 on the pivot side.
A pivoting portion 10 having a mounting hole 10a is provided.
A pivot portion 11 having 11a is provided at the center of the pivot-side end of the main body portion 2. A pair of left and right pivot portions 11 of the main body portion 11 are fitted into the pivot portion 10 of the lid portion 1. In this state, when the hinge device a is inserted and arranged in this state, the first connecting portion 3 is fitted to the position of the pivoting portion 10 of the lid portion 1 in a non-rotating state, while the first connecting portion 3 is fitted to the second connecting portion 6. A connecting portion arranged at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion 3
Each of the fourteen is configured to be fitted to each of the pivoting parts 11 of the main body 2 in a detented state.

Therefore, the structure of each of the pivoting portions 10 and 11 can be simplified, and, of course, at the portions (left and right portions) which are boundaries between the pivoting portions 10 and 11, the engaging concave portions 4 and the engaging convex portions 5, the relative rotation biasing force acts, and thus the lid 1
The left and right balance at the pivotal attachment point, which is the fulcrum of the sliding movement between the body and the main body 2, exerts the relative rotation function and the urging function that are extremely efficient.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be appropriately designed.

[0051]

As described above, the present invention is constructed as described above, so that a strong urging force can be obtained very efficiently.
Since the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced and mass productivity can be improved, and the hinge portion between the first member and the second member can be reduced in size. An innovative hinge device with extremely high commercial value, such that the size and weight of the entire article can be surely achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the first aspect of the present invention, the first connecting portion,
An innovative hinge device having extremely high commercial value, such as obtaining an efficient relative rotation function and an urging function between the second connecting portions.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the second aspect of the present invention, the first connecting portion,
An innovative hinge device with extremely high commercial value, such as a more reliable and efficient relative rotation function and an urging function between the second connecting portions can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the first to third aspects, simplification of the pivotal connection between the first member and the second member is achieved, and An extremely efficient relative rotation function and an urging function can be obtained, so that the revolutionary hinge device is extremely high in commercial value.

Further, according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a portable electronic device which is extremely practical can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic operation explanatory view of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic operation explanatory view of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic operation explanatory diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a main part according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a use state of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st member 2 2nd member 3 1st connection part 4 Engagement recessed part 5 Engagement convex part 6 2nd connection part 7 Engagement urging mechanism / spring 8 Shaft part 9 Bearing part 10 Pivot part 11 Pivot part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3J105 AA02 AA03 AA04 AB11 AB22 AB46 AB47 AC07 DA15 DA23 4E360 AA02 AB12 AB17 AB20 AB42 EC11 ED04 ED13 ED15 ED17 ED23 ED27 GA52 GB26 5K023 AA07 BB03 DD08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hinge device for pivotally connecting a first member and a second member, wherein a first connecting portion connected to the first member is provided, and a second connecting portion connected to the second member. Is provided on the second connecting portion, and the engaging concave portion or the engaging concave portion which engages with the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion provided at each of the left and right positions of the first connecting portion is provided. The first member and the second member are configured to be rotationally locked when the engagement protrusions are in the engagement state, and at least one of the engagement recess and the engagement protrusion is slid in the engagement disengagement direction. In addition to being movably provided,
An engagement urging mechanism for urging at least one of the engagement concave portion and the engagement convex portion in the engagement direction, and the respective engagement concave portions are associated with the relative rotation of the first member and the second member. And the engaging projections are configured to be disengageable, and a relative rotational urging force is generated to engage from a state where the respective engaging recesses and the engaging projections are not engaged. A hinge device having a configuration as described above. 2. A shaft portion is provided on the second connecting portion, and an engaging concave portion or an engaging convex portion is provided on each of left and right positions of the shaft portion, and the second concave portion engages with each of the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein a bearing portion having an engaging projection or an engagement recess is provided on the first connecting portion. 3. Each of the bearing portions is slidably connected to the shaft portion, and a spring is disposed between the bearing portions.
Each of the bearing portions is configured to be slidable in the direction of engagement and disengagement against this emission, and with the relative rotation of the first member and the second member, each of the bearing portions and the shaft portion is formed. The engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion provided are configured to be able to be disengaged, and the relative rotation of the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion to be engaged from the non-engaged state. 3. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein a dynamic urging force is generated. 4. When the first connecting portion is connected to the pivoting portion of the first member, the second member is disposed at the left and right positions of the pivoting portion of the first member. The two connecting portions can be connected to each other, and the respective engaging recesses provided at the left and right positions of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion with the relative rotation of the first member and the second member, respectively. And the engaging projections are configured to be disengageable, and a relative rotational urging force is generated to engage from a state where the respective engaging recesses and the engaging projections are not engaged. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge device is configured as described above. 5. A portable electronic device using the hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device according to claim 1 is provided on a pivot portion. 6. A lid or a flip as the first member or the second member, and a main body as the second member or the first member overlapping with the lid or the flip can be opened and closed to a predetermined opening angle from a superposed state. A portable electronic device using the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for a pivot portion to pivot.