JP2004316092A - Hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge adjustable in strength of friction torque during one opening/closing operation. <P>SOLUTION: This hinge 100 is constituted to generate friction torque by elastically deforming end parts 103a, 103b of a spinning pin 103 to hold a shaft member 101 in between. The shaft member 101 is formed in its lengthwise direction with a cutout surface 111 shorter in distance from an axis than a circumferential surface 101c. Consequently, when the cutout surface 111 is positioned on the end part 103a, 103b side of the spinning pin 103, friction torque becomes weak. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge, and more particularly, to a hinge that generates a free cushion torque.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a laptop personal computer, a hinge used to couple the display body and the keyboard body allows the display body to be used with the display body opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the keyboard body. Therefore, not only opening and closing, but also a free cushion torque is generated (for example, see Patent Document 1 or 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-42271
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-501149
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional hinge, since the free cushion torque is generated uniformly, for example, the display body of a laptop personal computer or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player attached to a display is opened and closed. The friction torque during operation could not be varied.
[0006]
In particular, since the coefficient of static friction is usually larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction, the most force is required when starting to open a closed display body, so it is difficult to smoothly open and close the display body and start opening the display body. In some cases, too much force was applied, which could cause a failure of the hinge.
[0007]
Then, an object of the present invention is to provide a hinge which can give strength to a free cushion torque in one operation of opening and closing.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a first through-hole formed at one end in the longitudinal direction, a housing having a hollow portion in the horizontal direction, and a second through-hole that opens in the horizontal direction, A support member for connecting the other end of the housing from a horizontal direction, and the first through hole and the second through hole are inserted into the first and second through holes such that the first and second through holes are concentric. A shaft member, a coupling member that rotatably couples one end of the shaft member to the support member, and an elastic member, a vertical cross section of which is formed in a C-shape, and the shaft member is sandwiched therein. A spring pin configured to generate a free cushion torque with the shaft member by being housed in the hollow portion, wherein the support member is fixed to the first main body, and the other end of the shaft member is fixed to the first body. By fixing to the second body, the first body and A hinge for rotatably attaching the second body to the shaft member, wherein the shaft member extends in a longitudinal direction through a cutout surface having a distance from the axis of the shaft member shorter than other circumferential surfaces. By forming, the notch surface is located at a position where the notch surface is opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the spring pin, and the notch surface is located at one of the opposing ends of the spring pin. In such a case, the hinge is characterized in that the free cushion torque is weakened.
[0009]
When a free cushion torque is generated between the shaft member and the shaft member by sandwiching the shaft member inside a C-shaped spring pin formed by an elastic member, the opposite ends of the spring pin are opposed to each other. The elastic deformation is greatest near the portion, and the strongest free cushion torque is generated near this end.
[0010]
Therefore, when the notch surface whose distance from the axis of the shaft member is shorter than the other circumferential surface is the position facing the inner circumferential surface of the spring pin and is located on this end side, this end Since the free cushion torque in the vicinity of the portion is relatively weakened, the entire free cushion torque is weaker than when the end portion is in contact with a circumferential surface other than the notched surface.
[0011]
The shaft member thus formed is provided with a step at one end of the shaft member so that the distance from the axis of the shaft member to the circumferential surface thereof is long, and the spring pin is provided at the step. By being hooked, the spring pin can be prevented from coming off the shaft member.
[0012]
Also, by forming a groove for storing lubricant on at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and the inner peripheral surface of the spring pin, the shaft member and the spring pin are prevented from being worn. Can be prevented.
[0013]
The coupling member that couples the shaft member and the support member has a nut that is screwed into a male screw formed on one end side of the shaft member, and a spring washer is sandwiched between the support member and the nut. Thereby, a free cushion torque can be generated between the shaft member and the support member.
[0014]
With the hinge described above, the display main body and the keyboard main body of the laptop personal computer can be rotatably mounted. In this case, when the display main body is closed, the spring pins face each other. By arranging the cutout surface on either side of the end, the display body can be smoothly opened from the closed state.
[0015]
In addition, the hinge described above allows the display main body of the display-attached DVD player and the DVD main body to be rotatably attached. In this case as well, when the display main body is in the closed state, the spring pin is not used. By arranging the cutout surface on either side of the opposing ends, the display body can be opened smoothly from the closed state.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
The hinge 100 according to the present invention includes a shaft member 101, a housing 102, a spring pin 103, a support member 104, two spring washers 105, and a nut 106 as a connecting member.
[0018]
A male screw 108 is formed at one end 101a of the shaft member 101 so that a nut 106 to be described later can be screwed into the male screw 108.
[0019]
The other end 101b of the shaft member 101 is provided with a fixing portion 109 for fixing to an object (for example, a display body of a laptop personal computer) rotatably connected by the hinge 100. .
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 109 is configured to be fixed by being fitted to an object to be connected. However, the fixing portion 109 may be one that can be fixed to the object to be connected. Any structure may be used. For example, like the shaft member 201 shown in FIG. 2, the fixing portion 209 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a screw is screwed into the flat fixing portion 209. By providing the screw through-hole 210 that can be combined, the shaft member 201 can be screwed to an object to be fixed.
[0021]
The shaft member 101 is provided with a cutout surface 111 so as to extend in the length direction.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3 (a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. 1), the notch surface 111 has a distance C from the axis B of the shaft member 101 to another circle. It is formed so as to be shorter than the distance D to the peripheral surface 101c.
[0023]
Here, in the present embodiment, while the distance D from the axis B to the circumferential surface 101c is 2.3 mm, the minimum value of the distance C from the axis B to the notch surface 111 (that is, from the axis B The length (perpendicular to the notch surface 111) is not less than 2.15 mm and not more than 2.25 mm, but is not limited thereto.
[0024]
A first through-hole 112 for inserting the shaft member 101 is formed at one end 102a in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102, and a fitting protrusion for connecting to a support member 104 described later is formed at the other end 102b. A part 113 is formed.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (a side view as viewed from the other end 102b side of the housing 102), a hollow portion 114 is formed in the housing 102 in a horizontal direction.
[0026]
The hollow portion 114 is formed in a size and a shape capable of accommodating the shaft member 101 and a spring pin 103 described later, and the spring pin 103 is fixed so that the spring pin 103 does not move inside the housing 102. And the inner peripheral surface 102c of the housing 102 are fixed by an appropriate means such as an adhesive.
[0027]
The spring pin 103 is made of spring steel, has a C-shaped longitudinal section, and can hold the shaft member 101 inside.
[0028]
The inner peripheral surface 103c of the spring pin 103 is formed in a partially cut cylindrical shape, and its radius E is slightly shorter than the distance D from the axis B of the shaft member 101 to the peripheral surface 101c. (In this embodiment, the radius E is 2.1 mm.) When the shaft member 101 is sandwiched inside the spring pin 103, the opposite ends of the spring pin 103 face each other. By widening the interval F between the portions 103a and 103b, the shaft member 101 can be sandwiched inside the spring pin 103.
[0029]
Therefore, the spring pin 103 can sandwich the shaft member 101, and when the shaft member 101 is rotated about its axis B, the inner peripheral surface 103c of the spring pin 103 and the circumferential surface 101c of the shaft member 101 are rotated. , The strongest free cushion torque is generated near the ends 103a and 103b where elastic deformation is large.
[0030]
Note that a friction member such as resin can be attached to the inner peripheral surface 103c of the spring pin 103 so that an appropriate free cushion torque is generated between the inner peripheral surface 103c and the circumferential surface 101c of the shaft member 101.
[0031]
In this embodiment, the interval F between the opposing ends 103a and 103b is such that the interval F1 on the inner peripheral surface side of the spring pin 103 is 2 mm and the interval F2 on the outer peripheral surface side is 3 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any interval may be used as long as the strongest free cushion torque is generated at the ends 103a and 103b.
[0032]
The support member 104 is formed by a base portion 104a fixed to an object rotatably mounted by the hinge 100 and a side wall portion 104b extending perpendicularly from the base portion 104a. The side wall portion 104b includes a shaft member. A second through hole 116 for inserting 101 is formed.
[0033]
The second through-hole 116 is formed in a size and shape that allows the shaft member 101 to be inserted therein, and is opened in the horizontal direction to insert the shaft member 101 from the horizontal direction.
[0034]
The second through-hole 116 is formed so as to be concentric with the first through-hole 112 provided in the housing 102 when the housing 102 is connected to the support member 104, so that these first through-holes 116 are formed. The shaft member 101 can be inserted into the through hole 112 and the second through hole 116.
[0035]
In addition, a fitting recess 117 is formed on the side wall portion 104b of the support member 104 so that the housing 102 can be connected from the horizontal direction. The housing 102 can be connected to the support member 104 by being fitted into the fitting recess 117 from the direction.
[0036]
The shaft member 101 is inserted into a second through hole 116 formed in the support member 104, and a nut 106 is screwed into a male screw 108 provided at one end of the shaft member 101, whereby the shaft member 101 is rotated with respect to the support member 104. It is movably connected.
[0037]
A spring washer 105 made of spring steel is interposed between the support member 104 and the nut 106 to generate a free cushion torque between the support member 104 and the shaft member 101.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, two spring washers 105 are used, but the number can be appropriately selected in consideration of the amount of free cushion torque to be generated.
[0039]
The hinge 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is assembled and used as shown in FIG.
[0040]
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, with the spring pin 103 interposed between the shaft member 101 and the housing 102, the fitting projection 113 of the housing 102 is inserted into the fitting recess 117 of the support member 104. By inserting, the housing 102 and the support member 104 are connected, and the shaft member is inserted into the first through hole 112 provided in the housing 102 and the second through hole 116 provided in the support member 104. 101 will be inserted.
[0041]
Then, after inserting two spring washers 105 into the shaft member 101 protruding from the support member 104, the nut 106 is screwed into a male screw 108 provided at one end 101a of the shaft member, thereby supporting the shaft member 101 with the support member 104. The member 104 is rotatably connected.
[0042]
The fixing portion 109 provided at the other end 101b of the shaft member 101 of the hinge 100 assembled in this manner is fixed to the display main body 120 of the laptop computer by appropriate means such as fitting, and the base of the support member 104 is fixed. The display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 of the laptop computer are rotatably attached by fitting the base 104a to the keyboard main body 121 of the laptop computer by fitting, bonding, screwing or other appropriate means. Will be able to
[0043]
Here, since a free cushion torque is generated between the shaft member 101 of the hinge 100 and the spring pin 103 and between the shaft member 101 and the support member 104, the display is performed with respect to the keyboard body 121. The main body 120 can be kept stationary while maintaining a predetermined angle.
[0044]
In this regard, as described above, the notch surface 111 is formed in the shaft member 101 used in the hinge 100 according to the present embodiment so as to extend in the length direction. Is located on either side of the ends 103a, 103b of the spring pin 103 that generates the strongest free cushion torque with the shaft member 101, the cutout surface 111 causes the ends 103a, 103b The free cushion torque in the vicinity is reduced, and the overall free cushion torque is relatively reduced.
[0045]
FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the shaft member 101 and the spring pin 103 and the angle between the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 in a 12-step correlation diagram of (1) to (12). As described above, in the states (1) and (2) in which the cutout surface 111 is located on the one end 103a side of the spring pin 103, the free cushion torque is relatively weak, and the display is The main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 can be opened with relatively easy force.
[0046]
The angle shown in FIG. 7 is an angle between the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121.
[0047]
By opening the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 beyond the angle of (2), the vicinity of one end 103a of the spring pin 103 comes into contact with the circumferential surface 101c of the shaft member 101. Cushion torque increases, and a strong force is required when opening the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121.
[0048]
Therefore, the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 can be stably stopped at angles between (3) to (11).
[0049]
When the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 are opened up to the angle represented by (12), the cutout surface 111 is located on the other end 103b side of the spring pin 103, so that the free cushion torque is again increased. Becomes weaker.
[0050]
By disposing the shaft member 101 and the spring pin 103 so as to have the above positional relationship, when the display main body 120 and the keyboard main body 121 are opened from a closed state, a relatively weak force is applied. Thus, when these are open, the free cushion torque can be applied with a relatively strong force.
[0051]
Note that, instead of the shaft member 101 described above, for example, a spiral groove 322 and a ring-shaped groove 422 shown in FIG. 9 are formed like the shaft member 301 shown in FIG. By doing so, a lubricant such as grease is held in these grooves 322 and 422, and the circumferential surfaces 301c and 401c of the shaft members 301 and 401 and the inner circumferential surface 103c of the spring pin 103 are worn. Can be prevented.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the display main body 120 of the laptop computer and the keyboard main body 121 are connected by the hinge 100. For example, instead of the display main body 120, the display main body of the display-attached DVD player and the keyboard main body 121 are connected. By using the DVD player body instead, the hinge 100 can be used for a display-attached DVD player.
[0053]
Also, by providing a groove 223 capable of holding lubricating oil on the inner peripheral surface 203a, as in the case of the spring pin 203 shown in FIG. Wear on the peripheral surface 203c can be prevented.
[0054]
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0055]
Since the hinge 200 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the hinge 100 according to the first embodiment except for the shaft member 501, only the shaft member 501 will be described below.
[0056]
The shaft member 501 used in the hinge 500 according to the present embodiment is provided with a step portion 524 on the one end 501a side where the distance from the axis of the shaft member 501 is long.
[0057]
By providing such a stepped portion 524, one end 103d of the spring pin 103 in the longitudinal direction is caught on the stepped portion 524 as shown in FIG. Can be prevented from falling off.
[0058]
The size of the step portion 524 is a design item that can be selected as appropriate within a range where the spring pin 103 can be prevented from coming off the shaft member 501.
[0059]
However, the size of the step portion 524 needs to be large enough to penetrate the first through hole 112 and the second through hole 116.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to provide a hinge capable of increasing or decreasing the free cushion torque during one operation of opening and closing.
[0061]
As a result, when the hinge is used for a laptop computer or a DVD player with a display, the free cushion torque acts weakly when the display is closed, so that the display can be smoothly moved. You can open it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge 100 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of a shaft member 201.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA 'in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the housing 102.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the spring pin 103.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a usage example of the hinge 100.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a correlation between a positional relationship between a shaft member 101 and a spring pin 103 and an angle between a display main body 120 and a keyboard main body 121.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the shaft member 301.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the shaft member 401.
FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of a spring pin 203;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge 500 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a shaft member 501 and a spring pin 103.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 500 Hinge 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 Shaft member 102 Housing 103, 203 Spring pin 104 Support member 105 Spring washer 106 Nut 108 Male screw 109 Fixing portion 111 Notch surface 112 First through hole 116 Second Through-hole 120 Display body 121 Keyboard body 322, 422 Groove 223 Groove 524 Stepped portion

Claims (8)

A housing having a first through hole formed at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a hollow portion in the horizontal direction,
A support member that has a second through hole that opens in the horizontal direction, and connects the other end of the housing from the horizontal direction so that the first through hole and the second through hole are concentric,
A shaft member inserted into the first through-hole and the second through-hole,
A coupling member that rotatably couples one end of the shaft member to the support member,
It is made of an elastic member, the longitudinal section is formed in a C-shape, and the shaft member is housed in the hollow portion while sandwiching the shaft member inside, so that a free cushion torque is generated between the shaft member and the shaft member. With a spring pin,
A hinge for fixing the first main body and the second main body to be rotatable by fixing the support member to a first main body and fixing the other end of the shaft member to a second main body. hand,
The notch surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the spring pin by forming a notch surface in which the distance from the axis of the shaft member is shorter than the other circumferential surface in the shaft member so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Are opposed to each other, and when the cutout surface is located on either side of the opposed end of the spring pin, the free cushion torque is reduced. Hinge. The shaft member is provided with a step on the one end side such that the distance from the axis to the circumferential surface is long, and the spring pin is hooked on the step, so that the spring pin is connected to the shaft member. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is prevented from coming off. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein a groove for storing a lubricant is formed on at least one of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member and an inner peripheral surface of the spring pin. 4. . The coupling member has a nut that is screwed into a male screw formed on the one end side, and the shaft member and the support member are formed by sandwiching a spring washer between the support member and the nut. The hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a free cushion torque is generated between the hinges. A laptop personal computer wherein a display main body and a keyboard main body are rotatably mounted by the hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The laptop personal computer according to claim 5, wherein the cutout surface is located on one side of the end when the display body is closed. A display-attached DVD player, wherein the display main body and the DVD main body are rotatably mounted by the hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. The display-attached DVD player according to claim 7, wherein when the display main body is closed, the cutout surface is located on one side of the end. 9.

Images