JP2004162734A - Hinge construction - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge structure capable of preventing damage on covers even when have dropped portable device terminals for information. <P>SOLUTION: The hinge structure comprises a hinge portion having a pair of projections for a fulcrum at a right and left direction and a pair of fitting projections, a trunk having a pair of holes for a fulcrum of the hinge portion, and a cover having a pair of fitting holes rotatably engaged with the pair of fitting projections of the hinge portion. Two contact faces are formed by preparing support projections on the trunk. The contact faces are formed to be brought into contact with respective contact faces so that the contact faces are arranged on the hinge portion so as to bring into contact with the contact faces. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge structure that allows a cover or the like of an electronic device such as a personal digital assistant to be freely opened and closed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional hinge structure, four movable shafts urged by elastic members are provided on a hinge portion where two cab portions are combined, and the movable shafts are engaged with bearing portions provided on the main body and the cover to cover the cover. It is rotatably opened and closed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Since such a conventional hinge structure has a complicated structure and is expensive, the following inexpensive hinge structure using the above structure is used.
[0003]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional example in a closed state, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing its fully opened state, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing its disassembled state. This is an example applied to
10 and 11, reference numeral 1 denotes an information portable terminal.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a main body of the portable information terminal 1, and a liquid crystal module or a display unit 3 covering the liquid crystal module with a transparent sheet material, an operation for inputting with a numeric keypad, function keys, etc., in a case molded of a resin material or the like. The unit 4 is mounted.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of fulcrum holes 6 are provided at both ends of the hinge storage portion 5 of the main body 2.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a cover, which is formed of a resin material or the like, and is in the closed position shown in FIG. 10 when the portable information terminal 1 is not used, and protects the display unit 3 and the operation unit 4 of the main body 2.
As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of fitting holes 9 are provided at both ends of the hinge mounting portion 8 of the cover 7.
[0005]
Numeral 10 denotes a hinge portion. As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of left and right fulcrum projections 11 and a pair of left and right fitting projections 12 are provided on both sides of the longitudinal end of the hinge portion 10, and are integrally formed of a resin material or the like. Molded into
When assembling the portable information terminal 1 described above, the fulcrum projection 11 of the hinge 10 is rotatably engaged with the fulcrum hole 6 of the main body 2 by utilizing the elasticity of the resin material in FIG. The protrusion 12 is rotatably engaged with the fitting hole 9 of the cover 7 by utilizing the elasticity of the resin material.
[0006]
This forms a hinge structure in which the main body 2 and the cover 7 are rotatably connected by the hinge portion 10. When the portable information terminal 1 is used, the cover 7 shown in FIG. 10 is moved from the closed position to the fully opened position shown in FIG. The hinge 7 is rotated approximately 180 degrees around the fulcrum 11 of the hinge 10 as a center of rotation, and the cover 7 is rotated approximately 180 degrees around the fitting projection 12 of the hinge 10 so that the cover 7 is rotated as shown in FIG. The information portable terminal 1 is used by rotating it 360 degrees so as to be in contact with the back surface of the terminal 3 and inverting the display unit 3 and the operation unit 4 to facilitate operation.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-275435 (page 3 [0020]-
(FIG. 2)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a portable information terminal having a cover using the above-mentioned conventional hinge structure, a load at the time of collision with a floor or the like (hereinafter referred to as an impact load) when the portable information terminal is dropped or the like. Is applied to the cover, the impact load is supported only by the cover and the engagement portion between the fulcrum projection and the fitting projection, so that the impact load may damage the cover and the hinge portion.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hinge structure that does not damage a cover or the like even when an information portable terminal or the like is dropped.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a hinge portion provided with a pair of left and right fulcrum projections and a pair of fitting projections, and a pair of fulcrum holes for rotatably engaging the pair of fulcrum projections. In a hinge structure comprising a main body and a cover provided with a pair of fitting holes for rotatably engaging the pair of fitting projections, a support projection having a contact surface formed on the main body is provided, and the hinge is provided. A contact portion that contacts a contact surface of the support protrusion when a load is applied to the cover.
[0011]
Further, the hinge portion and the fulcrum projection are formed of an elastic material, and a notch is provided near the fulcrum projection of the hinge portion to form a flexible structure.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hinge structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a case where the hinge structure is applied to an information portable terminal as an example.
First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a side view showing a closed state of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fully opened state of the AA section in FIG. 1.
[0013]
The same parts as those in the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a support protrusion, which has a substantially prismatic shape having a substantially square cross section, and is disposed on a side surface of the hinge housing portion 5 of the main body 2 as shown in FIG. Molded. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the support protrusions 21 are provided at three places on the main body.
[0014]
In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a closing contact surface as an abutment surface formed at one end of the support protrusion 21, and an abutting step portion as an abutting portion provided on the hinge portion 10 at the closed position of the cover 7. 23 so as to be substantially in contact therewith.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a fully open contact surface formed on the other end of the support projection 21 as a contact surface, which is substantially in contact with a contact end portion 25 as a contact portion of the hinge 10 at a fully open position of the cover 7 shown in FIG. Formed.
[0015]
The operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the portable information terminal 1 falls at the closed position of the cover 7 shown in FIG. 2 and an impact load indicated by an arrow P 1 in FIG. 2 is applied to the cover 7, the impact load is applied to the engagement projection 12 of the hinge portion 10. In addition to the engaging portion of the support projection 21 of the main body 2, the contact step 23 of the hinge 10 slightly flexes and abuts on the closing contact surface 22 (three places in the present embodiment) of the support projection 21 of the main body 2. It is supported by being in contact with it, and is dispersed to respective portions (the cover 7, the fulcrum protrusion 11, the fulcrum hole 6, the fitting protrusion 12, the fitting hole 9, the support protrusion 21, and the contact step portion 23 of the hinge portion 10) to be impacted. It absorbs the load and prevents the cover 7 and the like from being damaged.
[0016]
When the portable information terminal 1 falls and the impact load indicated by the arrow P2 in FIG. 4 is applied to the cover 7 in the fully opened position of the cover 7 shown in FIG. In addition to the engaging portion and the engaging portion of the fulcrum projection 11, the contact end portion 25 of the hinge portion 10 contacts the fully open contact surface 24 (three places in the present embodiment) of the support projection 21 of the main body 2. And the impact load is distributed to the respective portions (the cover 7, the fulcrum projection 11, the fulcrum hole 6, the fitting projection 12, the fitting hole 9, the support projection 21, and the contact end 25 of the hinge portion 10). It absorbs and prevents the cover 7 and the like from being damaged.
[0017]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the impact load is applied to the engaging portion such as the fulcrum projection and the contact surface of the support projection provided on the main body and the contact portion such as the contact step provided on the hinge portion. In this way, a hinge structure that does not damage the cover or the like even when the portable information terminal or the like falls can be obtained.
In addition, this eliminates the need to reinforce the hinge portion, the fulcrum projection of the main body, and the engagement portion of the fitting projection with a thick wall or the like, which can contribute to miniaturization of an electronic device such as an information portable terminal.
[0018]
Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the disassembled state of the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the fully opened state, FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a half-open state of the cover as viewed from the direction of arrow D, and FIG. 9 is a view as seen from arrow E in FIG.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0019]
5 and 6, reference numeral 31 denotes a holding projection which has a substantially prismatic shape having a substantially quadrangular cross section, and which is disposed near the fulcrum hole 6 on the side surface of the hinge housing portion 5 of the main body 2, and And molded together.
Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the longitudinal distances L1 and L2 between the longitudinal end of the holding projection 31 and the center of the fulcrum projection 11 are substantially equal.
[0020]
Numeral 32 denotes a notch, which is arranged at a position corresponding to the holding projection 31 of the hinge part 10 formed of an elastic material such as a resin material having elasticity together with the fulcrum projection 11, and is cut out from the center of the fulcrum projection 11 shown in FIG. The distance L3 to the closed end of the portion 32 is formed to be slightly longer than the longer one of the longer distances L1 and L2 of the holding projection 31, and the notch 32 is formed at the closed position and the fully opened position of the cover 7. So that it does not come into contact with
[0021]
In the vicinity of the fulcrum projection 11 of the hinge part 10, a notch 32 forms a flexible structure for supporting the fulcrum projection 11 flexibly.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 33 denotes an escape portion, which is provided on both sides of the notch portion 32 on the side of the contact end portion 25 of the hinge portion 10, and which is provided at an open position such as a half-open position of the cover 7 as shown in FIG. Is formed by notching so that the wall surface of the notch 32 does not contact the protruding portion of the holding protrusion 31 from the main body 2 when it is deformed by bending due to the flexible structure near the fulcrum protrusion 11.
[0022]
The operation of the above configuration will be described.
The absorption of the impact load at the closed position and the fully opened position of the cover 7 is the same as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the closed position and the fully opened position of the cover 7, the holding projection 31 is fitted into the notch 32, and is formed by a flexible structure near the fulcrum projection 11 of the hinge 10 when carrying or operating an information portable terminal or the like. Even if it is deformed, the wall of the notch 32 contacts the holding projection 31 to prevent further deformation, thereby preventing the cover 7 and the like from falling off from the main body 2.
[0023]
In an open position such as the half-open position of the cover 7 shown in FIG. 8, when the portable information terminal 1 falls and an impact load indicated by an arrow P3 in FIG. 12 and the fulcrum projection 11 is supported by the engagement portion.
At this time, the vicinity of the fulcrum projection 11 of the hinge portion 10 has a flexible structure formed by the notch 32, and the fulcrum projection 11 comes off from the fulcrum hole 6 of the main body 2 due to the deformation of the flexible structure within the elastic range. And the hinge portion 10 is detached from the main body 2 to prevent the cover 7 and the like from being damaged.
[0024]
Note that the cover 7 and the like detached from the main body 2 are re-engaged with the fulcrum hole 6 of the main body 2 by using the flexible structure near the fulcrum projection 11 to restore the original state.
As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, a flexible structure is formed by the notch near the fulcrum projection of the hinge, so that the cover can be opened halfway. Even when the portable information terminal or the like falls at the position, damage to the cover or the like can be prevented.
[0025]
Further, this flexible structure makes it possible to easily perform restoration when the cover or the like comes off.
Further, the holding projection is fitted into the cutout portion between the closed position and the fully opened position of the cover, so that the cover can be prevented from falling off from the main body when the portable information terminal or the like is carried or operated.
[0026]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the full-open position of the cover is described as a position inverted to the back surface of the main body. However, the full-open position is not limited to the inverted position, and a stopper may be provided on the main body or the like at an open position in the middle. The supporting projections and the holding projections may be provided so as to exhibit the above-described functions at the fully opened position.
In addition, if the hinge structure of the present invention is applied to small doors and doors of large electronic equipment and general office equipment, it is possible to prevent a small door or the like from hitting a small door or the like or to a wall or the like when moving the equipment. It is possible to prevent damage to the small door and the like due to the impact load at the time of collision.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the impact load is applied to the engagement portions such as the fulcrum projections and the contact surfaces of the support projections provided on the main body and the contact portions such as the contact step portions provided on the hinge portion. With this configuration, a hinge structure that does not damage the cover or the like even when the portable information terminal or the like falls can be obtained.
[0028]
Further, by forming a flexible structure by a notch near the fulcrum projection of the hinge, it is possible to prevent damage to the cover and the like even when the portable information terminal or the like is dropped at an open position such as a half-open position of the cover. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a side view showing a closed state of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a fully opened state of the A-section; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a side view showing a fully opened state of the second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a portion C. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a half-opened state of the cover viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fully opened state of the conventional example. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the conventional example.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information portable terminal 2 Main body 3 Display part 4 Operation part 5 Hinge storage part 6 Support hole 7 Cover 8 Hinge attachment part 9 Fitting hole 10 Hinge part 11 Support point projection 12 Fitting projection 21 Supporting projection 22 Close contact surface 23 Contact Step 24 Fully open contact surface 25 Contact end 31 Holding protrusion 32 Notch 33 Escape

Claims (5)

A hinge portion provided with a pair of left and right fulcrum protrusions and a pair of fitting protrusions, a main body provided with a pair of fulcrum holes for rotatably engaging the pair of fulcrum protrusions, and the pair of fitting protrusions being rotatable; In a hinge structure comprising a cover provided with a pair of fitting holes that engage with
The main body is provided with a support protrusion having a contact surface, and the hinge portion is provided with a contact portion that comes into contact with the contact surface of the support protrusion when a load is applied to the cover. Features hinge structure. A hinge portion provided with a pair of left and right fulcrum protrusions and a pair of fitting protrusions, a main body provided with a pair of fulcrum holes for rotatably engaging the pair of fulcrum protrusions, and the pair of fitting protrusions being rotatable; In a hinge structure comprising a cover provided with a pair of fitting holes that engage with
A hinge structure, wherein the hinge portion and the fulcrum projection are formed of an elastic material, and a notch is provided near the fulcrum projection of the hinge portion to form a flexible structure. In claim 2,
A hinge structure wherein a holding projection is provided on the main body, and the holding projection and the notch are fitted at a closed position of the cover and a fully opened position of the cover. In claim 2 or claim 3,
The main body is provided with a support protrusion having a contact surface, and the hinge portion is provided with a contact portion that comes into contact with the contact surface of the support protrusion when a load is applied to the cover. Features hinge structure. In claim 1 or claim 4,
The contact surface of the support projection is configured by two contact surfaces, a closed contact surface and a fully open contact surface, and the closed contact surface is provided with a contact step portion of the hinge portion at a closed position of the cover. The hinge structure is arranged so as to be in contact with each other, and the fully open contact surface is formed so as to be in contact with a contact end of the hinge portion at a fully open position of the cover.

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