JP2004257513A - Hinge and hinge unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to obtain the smooth and quick opening and closing action by composing it so that the big friction torque is obtained in an opening and closing end section and the small friction torque is obtained during the opening and closing. <P>SOLUTION: A support member 2 attached to an equipment body, a rotating axle 9 attached to an opening and closing member, a connection means 8 connecting to the support member 2 and the rotating axle 9 to the movement free relatively, a screwing means 14 consisting of a screw section 16 on the side of the support member 2 that makes the support member 2 and the rotating axle 9 screw mutually and a screw section 10 on the side of the rotating axle 9 and a biasing means 18 such as a compression spring etc. giving the friction torque when rotating the axle giving the biasing power to the screw 14 are provided with this hinge unit. The biasing power by the biasing member 18 depending on the rotating direction of the rotating axle 9 is increased or decreased and then the friction torque is increased or decreased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge and a hinge unit that openably and closably connect an apparatus body such as a notebook personal computer and a display as an opening and closing member, and more particularly, to a hinge and a hinge unit that can obtain a smooth opening and closing operation by applying a friction torque. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an example of this type of hinge, as shown in FIG. 4, a fixed bracket 21 attached to a device main body, an open / close bracket 22 attached to a display, and one end fixed to the open / close bracket 22 A rotating shaft 24 whose other end is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 22 of the fixed bracket 21, a pressing washer 26 attached to the other end of the rotating shaft 24, and a large-diameter portion of the rotating shaft 24. A thrust washer 27 mounted between the fixed bracket 25 and the fixed bracket 21; a free flow washer 28, a friction plate 29 mounted on a portion of the rotating shaft 24 between the fixed bracket 21 and the holding washer 26; A hinge 20 including a spring washer 30 is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In the hinge 20 having such a configuration, the friction plate 29 is pressed in the direction of the fixed bracket 21 by the urging force of the spring washer 30, so that a friction torque can be generated when the display is opened and closed. Therefore, the display can be smoothly opened and closed, and can be held at an arbitrary opening and closing angle.
[0004]
As another example of a hinge, as shown in FIG. 5, a bracket 32 attached to the device main body and a rotating shaft 34 attached to the display side and rotatably supported by a bearing 33 of the bracket 32. A friction plate 36 mounted between the large-diameter portion 35 of the rotating shaft 34 and the bearing portion 33 of the bracket 32; and a plurality of rotating plates 34 mounted on the portion of the rotating shaft 34 protruding from the bearing portion 33 of the bracket 32. A hinge 31 including a disc spring 37, a holding washer 38, and a nut 39 screwed to the tip of the rotating shaft 34 outside the holding washer 38 is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
In the hinge 31 having such a configuration, the friction plate 36 is pressed in the direction of the bearing 33 of the bracket 32 by the urging force of the disc spring 37, so that a friction torque is applied when the display is opened and closed. As a result, the display can be smoothly opened and closed, and the display can be held at an arbitrary opening and closing angle.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the hinges 20 and 31 described in Patent Document 1 among the hinges 20 and 31 having the above-described configuration do not include a mechanism for adjusting the urging force of the spring washer 30, and therefore, by repeatedly opening and closing the display, the spring washer 30 is repeated. When the urging force is reduced, the friction torque is reduced and the display cannot be smoothly opened and closed, and the display cannot be maintained at an arbitrary opening and closing angle. Furthermore, since substantially the same friction torque is applied in the entire opening / closing range, a large friction torque cannot be obtained in a region where a large resistance is required, such as an opening / closing end portion, and a large resistance is not required during opening / closing. In such a region, the friction torque cannot be reduced, and a smooth and fast opening / closing operation cannot be obtained.
[0007]
On the other hand, the hinge 31 shown in Patent Document 2 can adjust the urging force of the disc spring 37 by adjusting the tightening force of the nut 39. Therefore, by repeatedly opening and closing the display, the urging force of the disc spring is reduced. Even if it decreases, the initial frictional torque can be maintained by maintaining the initial urging force by retightening the nut 39, so that the display can be smoothly opened and closed, and the display can be opened and closed at an arbitrary opening and closing angle. It can be securely held.
[0008]
However, in the hinge 31 disclosed in Patent Literature 2, substantially the same friction torque is applied in the entire opening and closing range as in the hinge 20 described in Patent Literature 1, so that a large resistance such as an opening and closing end is generated. A large friction torque cannot be obtained in a necessary region, and a friction torque cannot be reduced in a region where a large resistance is not required, such as during opening / closing, and a smooth and fast opening / closing operation cannot be obtained.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can apply a predetermined friction torque over a long period of time to obtain a smooth opening / closing operation, and to achieve an arbitrary opening / closing angle. It can be securely held, and furthermore, a large friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is required, such as an open / close end, and a small friction torque is obtained in a region in the middle of opening and closing where a large resistance is not required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge and a hinge unit that can smoothly and quickly open and close.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a hinge according to claim 1 of the present invention is a hinge for connecting an apparatus main body and an opening / closing member so as to be relatively openable and closable. A supporting member to be attached, a rotating shaft attached to the opening / closing member or the device main body, connecting means for relatively rotatably connecting the supporting member and the rotating shaft, and the supporting member and the rotating shaft. And a biasing means for applying a biasing force to the screwing means to generate a friction torque when the rotating shaft rotates, in a rotating direction of the rotating shaft. Means configured to increase or decrease the friction torque accordingly is adopted.
A hinge according to a second aspect is the hinge according to the first aspect, wherein the screwing means is provided on a side of the support member and a screw portion provided on the rotating shaft side, and the screwing portion is provided with a screw. And a screw portion that is screwed into the screw.
Further, in the hinge according to the third aspect, in the hinge according to the second aspect, the biasing unit biases the threaded portion on the support member side and the threaded portion on the rotating shaft side in the axial direction thereof. A compression spring is used.
Further, the hinge according to claim 4 employs a means in which the hinges according to claims 1 to 3 are provided at both ends between the device main body and the opening / closing member so that the characteristics are opposite to each other. are doing.
[0011]
[Action]
According to the present invention, by adopting the above-described means, screwing means for screwing the support member and the rotating shaft to each other (for example, a screw part on the rotation side and a support member screwed together with the screw part) A biasing force (for example, a compression spring) is applied to the screwing means including the screw portion on the side of the rotating shaft, so that a friction torque can be generated when the rotating shaft rotates. Then, the friction torque increases or decreases according to the rotating direction of the rotating shaft. Further, by providing hinges at both ends between the device body and the opening / closing member so that the characteristics are opposite to each other, a constant friction torque is applied when the opening / closing member is opened and closed. Can be done.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention. This hinge 1 connects an apparatus body such as a notebook computer and a display as an opening / closing member so as to be relatively openable and closable. A support member 2, a rotating shaft 9, connecting means 8 for relatively rotatably connecting the support member 2 and the rotating shaft 9, and a supporting member. A screwing means 14 for screwing the rotary shaft 9 and the rotary shaft 9 to each other is provided, and an urging means 18 for applying an urging force to the screwing means 14.
[0013]
The support member 2 is attached to a device main body, and is a rectangular plate-shaped substrate 3 fixed to a device main body (not shown) with screws or the like, and a rectangular body integrally provided on one end of the substrate 3. And a plate-shaped support plate 4.
[0014]
The support plate 4 is provided with a pair of through-holes 5 and 6 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and the upper through-hole 5 is a bearing portion of a connecting means 8 that rotatably supports a rotating shaft 9 described later. 5, one end of a support pin 7 that supports a movable member 15 described below so as to be movable in the horizontal direction is fitted into the lower through hole 6.
[0015]
The rotating shaft 9 has a round bar shape having an outer peripheral surface formed in a plurality of steps, and an attachment portion (not shown) provided at the other end portion is fixed to a display (not shown) by screws or the like. By doing so, it can be integrally attached to the display.
[0016]
At one end of the rotating shaft 9 is provided a screw portion 10 which is a screwing means 14, and this screw portion 10 is mutually screwed with a screw portion 16 of a moving member 15 which is a screwing means 14 described later. ing. In this case, the screw portion 10 is formed as a right-handed male screw.
[0017]
At the base of the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9, a shaft portion 11, which is a connecting means 8 having substantially the same diameter as the screw portion 10, is continuously provided, and this shaft portion 11 is connected to the bearing portion 5 of the support plate 4 of the support member 2. , The rotation shaft 9 and the support member 2 are relatively rotatably connected to each other.
[0018]
A friction plate 12 having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 11 is continuously provided at the base of the shaft portion 11 of the rotating shaft 9, and one side surface of the friction plate 12 comes into contact with one side surface of the support plate 4. In addition, when the rotating shaft 9 rotates and slides against one side surface of the support plate 4, friction torque is generated therebetween. Note that the friction torque is increased or decreased according to the urging force of the urging means 18 described later.
[0019]
On the left side of the friction plate 12 of the rotating shaft 9, a wrench hooking part 13 having two chamfered opposing surfaces is provided, and a wrench (not shown) is hung on the wrench hooking part 13 to rotate during assembly. The shaft 9 can be turned or pressed in a predetermined direction.
[0020]
On the right side of the support plate 4 of the support member 2, a moving member 15 is provided facing the support plate 4 at a predetermined distance. The moving member 15 has an elliptical plate shape, and is provided with a pair of through holes 16 and 17 on the upper and lower sides. The upper through hole 16 is formed in a screw portion 16 as the screwing means 14. The screw portion 16 is formed by screwing a female screw of a right-hand thread that matches the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 16. 10 are screwed together.
[0021]
The lower through-hole 17 of the moving member 15 is formed as a slide hole 17 through which the support pin 7 connected to the support plate 4 of the support member 2 is relatively slidably inserted. By being inserted, the moving member 15 is supported movably in the horizontal direction.
[0022]
The screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 and the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15 are rotated by rotating the rotating shaft 9 rightward (toward the front in the figure) so that the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 The moving member 15 is loosened with respect to the threaded portion 16 of the moving member 15 by being rotated to the left (toward the rear in the drawing).
[0023]
A compression spring 18 such as a disc spring as an urging means 18 is interposed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 9 located between the support plate 4 of the support member 2 and the moving member 15. The support plate 4 of the support member 2 and the moving member 15 are urged in a direction away from each other.
[0024]
In this case, the support plate 4 and the moving member 15 are urged in a direction in which they are separated from each other, so that the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 and the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15 are biased in the axial direction in which they are separated from each other. As a result, friction torque can be generated between the two screw portions 10 and 16 when the rotating shaft 9 rotates. Therefore, by rotating the rotating shaft 9 to the right (toward the front in the figure), the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is tightened against the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15, and the support plate 4 and the moving member 15 Is reduced, the urging force of the compression spring 18 is increased, and the friction torque generated between the two screw portions 10 and 16 increases. Further, by rotating the rotating shaft 9 to the left (toward the rear in the figure), the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is loosened with respect to the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15, and the connection between the support plate 4 and the moving member 15 is reduced. The distance therebetween is widened and the urging force of the compression spring 18 is weakened, and the friction torque generated between the two threaded portions 10 and 16 is reduced.
[0025]
The hinge 1 configured as described above is located at the right end between the device main body and the display, the moving member 15 is supported by the supporting member 2 by the supporting pin 7, and the shaft 11 of the rotating shaft 9 is supported by the supporting member. 2, a compression spring 18 is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a screw portion 10 of a rotating shaft 9 protruding from the supporting plate 4, and a screw of the rotating shaft 9 protruding from the compression spring 18. The screw portion 16 of the moving member 15 is screwed into the portion 10 and tightened until the urging force of the compression spring 18 reaches a predetermined value. Then, in this state, the support member 2 is attached to the device main body side with screws or the like, and the rotating shaft 9 is attached to the display side with screws or the like.
[0026]
Then, the hinge 1 having the same configuration as that described above is located at the left end portion between the device main body and the display, the whole is similarly assembled, the support member 2 is attached to the device main body side with screws or the like, and the rotating shaft 9 is screwed or the like. To the display side.
[0027]
In this case, the hinges 1 and 1 are attached so that the rotation axis 9 of the hinge 1 at the right end and the rotation axis 9 of the hinge 1 at the left end are located on the same axis. Also, the hinges 1, 1 are mounted such that the characteristics of the rotating shafts 9, 9 are opposite to each other. That is, when the rotation shaft 9 rotates clockwise, the screw portion 10 of the rotation shaft 9 is tightened against the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15, and when the rotation shaft 9 rotates counterclockwise, the hinge portion 1 of the rotation shaft 9 rotates. 10 is loosened with respect to the threaded portion 16 of the moving member 15, and the hinge 1 at the left end allows the threaded portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 to be loosened with respect to the threaded portion 16 of the moving member 15 when the rotating shaft 9 rotates clockwise. Then, the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is attached so that the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is fastened to the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15 when rotated leftward.
[0028]
In this manner, a hinge unit (not shown) that relatively opens and closes the device body and the display by the hinge 1 according to this embodiment is configured. In this case, a stopper or the like (not shown) is provided between the display device and the device main body so that the display device can be opened and closed within a range of 0 ° to 180 °.
[0029]
In the hinge 1 and the hinge unit according to this embodiment configured as described above, when the display is opened with respect to the main body of the apparatus, the hinge 1 at the right end is such that the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is a movable member. 15 rotates in a direction to be loosened with respect to the screw portion 16, the urging force of the compression spring 18 is weakened, the friction torque between the two screw portions 10 and 16, and the friction plate 12 of the rotating shaft 9 and the support The friction torque between the member 2 and the support plate 4 will gradually decrease. In this case, the hinge 1 at the left end rotates in the direction in which the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is tightened with respect to the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15, so that the urging force of the compression spring 18 is increased, The friction torque between the screws 10 and 16 and the friction torque between the friction plate 12 of the rotating shaft 9 and the support plate 4 of the support member 2 gradually increase.
[0030]
Therefore, when the display is opened, a large friction torque can be obtained in a region where a large resistance is required, such as an open end, and a small friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is not required, such as during opening. Therefore, a smooth and quick opening operation can be obtained, and fine adjustment of the holding position at the open end can be performed.
[0031]
When the display is closed with respect to the device main body, the hinge 1 at the right end rotates in a direction in which the screw 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is tightened with respect to the screw 16 of the moving member 15. The urging force of the compression spring 18 is increased, and the friction torque between the two screw portions 10 and 16 and the friction torque between the friction plate 12 of the rotating shaft 9 and the support plate 4 of the support member 2 gradually increase. . In this case, the hinge 1 at the left end rotates in a direction in which the screw portion 10 of the rotating shaft 9 is loosened with respect to the screw portion 16 of the moving member 15, so that the urging force of the compression spring 18 is weakened. The friction torque between the screw portions 10 and 16 and the friction torque between the friction plate 12 of the rotating shaft 9 and the support plate 4 of the support member 2 gradually decrease.
[0032]
Therefore, when the display is closed, a large friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is necessary, such as a closed end portion, and a small friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is not required, such as during closing. Therefore, a smooth and fast closing operation can be obtained, and the occurrence of an impact at the closing end can be prevented.
[0033]
Furthermore, in the hinge unit according to this embodiment, when the display is opened, the friction torque by the hinge 1 at the left end is mainly used, and when the display is closed, the friction torque by the hinge 1 at the right end is mainly used. As a result, the durability can be greatly increased.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the hinge according to the present invention, the urging force is applied by the urging means to the screwing means for screwing the support member and the rotating shaft to each other, so that the friction torque during the rotation of the rotating shaft is increased. And the friction torque is increased or decreased in accordance with the rotation direction of the rotating shaft.Therefore, a large friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is required, such as an open / close end, and the opening / closing of the motor is controlled. In a region where a large resistance is not required, such as in the middle, a small friction torque can be obtained. Therefore, the opening and closing operation can be performed smoothly and quickly, and the resistance at the opening and closing ends is increased to enable fine adjustment of the angle at the open end and to prevent the occurrence of an impact at the closed end. Can be.
[0035]
Further, according to the hinge unit of the present invention, hinges having characteristics opposite to each other can be provided at both ends between the device body and the opening / closing member. Therefore, when the opening / closing member is opened, the friction torque is reduced by one hinge. When the opening / closing member is closed gradually, the friction torque can be gradually increased by the other hinge. Accordingly, a large friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is required, such as an opening / closing end portion, and a small friction torque is obtained in a region where a large resistance is not required, such as during opening / closing. Opening and closing operations can be performed smoothly and quickly. Further, since the resistance at the open / close end can be increased, the angle of the open / close member can be finely adjusted on the open end side, and the occurrence of an impact at the closed end of the open / close member can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of what is shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the one shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional hinge.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of a conventional hinge.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hinge 2 Support member 8 Connecting means 9 Rotating shaft 10 Screw part 14 Screwing means 16 Screw part 18 Urging means

Claims (4)

A hinge for relatively openably and closably connecting the device body and the opening / closing member, wherein the support member is attached to the device body or the opening / closing member; A connecting means for relatively rotatably connecting the member and the rotating shaft, a screwing means for screwing the support member and the rotating shaft to each other, and applying an urging force to the screwing means, A hinge comprising biasing means for generating a friction torque when the rotating shaft rotates, wherein the friction torque is increased or decreased according to the rotating direction of the rotating shaft. The screwing means comprises a screw portion provided on the support member side and a screw portion provided on the rotation shaft side and screwed together with the screw portion. Hinges. The hinge according to claim 2, wherein the urging means is a compression spring that urges the screw portion on the support member side and the screw portion on the rotation shaft side in the axial direction thereof. 4. A hinge unit, wherein the hinge according to claim 1 is provided at both ends between the device main body and the opening / closing member so that the characteristics are opposite to each other.

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