JP2004332861A - Opening and closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening and closing device used for various types of electronic devices enabling a reduction in operating force for opening and closing operation and providing light operating feeling. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of generally ring-shaped sliding members 29 and 30 are rotatably and overlappingly installed on the contact part of the side face of a movable case 28 with a fixed shaft 27 and on the contact part of the side face of the movable case 28 with a fixed body 21. By this, when opening and closing operation of the movable case 28 is performed, friction between the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27 or between the movable case 28 and the fixed body 21 can be reduced by the sliding members 29 and 30. As a result, the operating force for the opening and closing operation can be reduced and the opening and closing device with light operating feeling can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switching device used for various electronic devices such as a mobile phone and a personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, as electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal computers have become smaller and lighter, so-called foldable types, in which a movable housing is mounted on a fixed housing so as to be openable and closable, have been increasing. There is also a demand for a switchgear used that is light and easy to open and close.
[0003]
Such a conventional switchgear will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0004]
In these drawings, the cross-sectional views are enlarged in the radial direction in order to make it easier to understand the relationship between the fixed cam and the movable cam.
[0005]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional switchgear, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the same. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially cylindrical fixed body having a fixed portion 1A formed on the left side surface. Is provided with a protruding portion 2A and a fixed cam 2 formed of two inclined portions 2B and 2C extending right and left from the protruding portion 2A.
[0006]
Reference numeral 3 denotes a movable member having a substantially cylindrical shape, which is arranged rotatably in the opening and closing direction with respect to the fixed member 1 and has a movable cam 4 provided on the outer periphery of the left side surface facing the fixed cam 2, The tip of the movable cam 4 is urged by a coil-shaped spring 6 mounted in a slightly bent state between the movable cam 4 and the substantially disk-shaped cover 5 to elastically contact the inclined portion 2B of the fixed cam 2. .
[0007]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a substantially cylindrical fixed shaft. The fixed body 1 is fixed to the left end of the fixed shaft 7, and the right end is inserted into the hollow part of the movable body 3 and the spring 6 to engage the cover 5. Has been stopped.
[0008]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a substantially cylindrical movable case. The fixed portion 1A of the fixed body 1 protrudes rotatably from a through hole 8A at the left end of the movable case 8, and a protrusion 3A of the movable body 3 is formed in an outer circumferential groove 8B. The movable body 3 is inserted into the movable case 8 so as to be movable in the axial direction.
[0009]
The cover 5 covers the opening at the right end of the movable case 8, and the fixed body 1, the movable body 3, the spring 6, and the like are housed in the movable case 8, thereby forming the opening / closing device 10.
[0010]
In addition, as shown in the perspective view of the mobile phone in FIG. 4, the opening / closing device 10 configured as described above includes, for example, an operation unit 12A in which a fixed unit 1A of the fixed body 1 includes a plurality of keys on an upper surface, a microphone, or the like. The movable case 8 is fixed to the fixed housing 12 on which the voice input unit 12B is formed, and the movable case 8 is fixed to the movable housing 13 on which a display unit 13A such as an LCD or a sound output unit 13B such as a speaker is formed on the surface. The movable housing 13 is supported by the fixed housing 12 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the fixed housing 12, thereby forming an electronic device.
[0011]
In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, when the tip of the movable cam 4 is in elastic contact with the inclined portion 2B below the fixed cam 2, the movable body 3 is urged by the spring 6 in the downward closing direction. Therefore, the movable housing 13 to which the movable case 8 is fixed is held in a closed state with respect to the fixed housing 12.
[0012]
Then, when the movable casing 13 is opened by hand from this closed state, the movable body 3 rotates upward through the movable casing 8 fixed to the movable casing 13, and the tip of the movable cam 4 is fixed to the fixed cam 2. The movable body 3 is urged in the upward opening direction by elastically contacting the upper inclined portion 2C beyond the protruding portion 2A, so that the movable housing 13 is in an open state.
[0013]
That is, by rotating the movable case 8 fixed to the movable housing 13, the tip of the movable cam 4 is elastically contacted with either the inclined portion 2 </ b> B or 2 </ b> C of the fixed cam 2, 13 is configured to be opened and closed.
[0014]
As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
[0015]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-89542
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional opening / closing device, when the movable case 8 is rotated to open / close the movable housing 13, the movable case 8 is fixed by the spring 6 attached between the movable body 3 and the cover 5 in a bent state. Since the left side surface of the body 1 is pressed against the left side surface of the movable case 8 and the cover 5 is pressed against the right side surface of the movable case 8, the friction of these abutting portions causes the movable housing 13 to be caught and closed, and the operation is performed. There was a problem that the feel was easily impaired.
[0017]
An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an opening / closing device capable of achieving a light operating force in opening / closing operation and providing a light operation feeling.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
[0019]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sliding members in a substantially ring shape are rotatably provided on a movable case side surface and a fixed shaft or a contact portion between the movable case side surface and a fixed body so as to be opened and closed. When the opening and closing operation of the movable case is performed, a plurality of sliding members slide and rotate, and the friction between the movable case and the fixed shaft or the fixed body is reduced. Therefore, the opening and closing operation can be performed with a light operating force, and an opening and closing device having a light operation feeling can be obtained.
[0020]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the sliding member is formed of a metal plate, and the sliding member is formed of a metal plate such as steel to process the sliding member. And the procurement is facilitated, so that the opening and closing device can be formed at low cost.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the outer diameters of the plurality of sliding members are made different, and friction is reduced by reducing the contact area between the plurality of sliding members. This has the effect of reducing the size and further reducing the operating force.
[0022]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sliding members are fixed to the movable case and the fixed shaft or the movable case and the fixed body, respectively. This has the effect of preventing detachment and falling off, and of making the opening and closing device easy.
[0023]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the sliding member is formed of a lubricating member, and the sliding member is subjected to lubricating plating, or by using a high-density resin or the like. Further, there is an effect that the operation force can be reduced.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
In these drawings, the cross-sectional views are enlarged in the radial direction in order to make it easier to understand the relationship between the fixed cam and the movable cam.
[0026]
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switchgear. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a substantially cylindrical metal member having a fixed portion 21A formed on a left side surface. In the fixed body, on the outer periphery of the right side surface, there is provided a fixed cam 22 formed of a protruding portion 22A and two inclined portions 22B and 22C extending right and left from the protruding portion 22A.
[0027]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a substantially cylindrical metal movable body, and reference numeral 27 denotes a substantially cylindrical fixed shaft. The fixed body 21 is fixed to the left end of the fixed shaft 27, and the movable body 23 is fixed to the fixed body 21. Are arranged rotatably in the opening and closing direction, and a movable cam 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the left side of the movable body 23 which is the surface facing the fixed cam 22.
[0028]
Reference numeral 28 denotes a substantially cylindrical movable case made of metal or insulating resin. The fixed portion 21A of the fixed body 21 protrudes rotatably from an opening 28A on the left side surface of the movable case 28, and a right inner side surface of the movable case 28. A coil-shaped spring 26 is attached between the movable cam 24 and the right side surface of the movable cam 24 in a slightly bent state, and is urged by the spring 26 so that the distal end of the movable cam 24 rebounds to the inclined portion 22B of the fixed cam 22. In contact.
[0029]
Further, a substantially ring-shaped sliding member 29 is fixed to the right outer surface of the movable case 28, and the right end of the fixed shaft 27 is inserted through the hollow portion of the movable body 23 and the spring 26, so that A substantially ring-shaped sliding member 30 having a smaller outer diameter than the sliding member 29 is fixed by caulking or the like to a tip portion of the through hole 28B.
[0030]
The plurality of sliding members 29 and 30 are formed by applying a substantially ring-shaped metal plate such as steel or copper alloy, or by subjecting them to lubricating plating such as electroless nickel plating containing fluorine. The right side of the member 29 and the left side of the sliding member 30 are rotatably overlapped by the spring 26 and are in elastic contact.
[0031]
The protrusion 23A of the movable body 23 is inserted into the groove 28C on the outer periphery of the movable case 28, and the movable body 23 is housed in the movable case 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The spring 26 and the like are housed in the movable case 28 to form the opening / closing device 31.
[0032]
The opening / closing device 31 configured in this manner is, for example, as shown in a perspective view of the mobile phone in FIG. The movable case 28 is fixed to the fixed housing 12 in which the audio input unit 12B is formed, and the movable case 28 is fixed to the movable housing 13 in which the display unit 13A such as an LCD and the audio output unit 13B such as a speaker are formed on the surface. The movable housing 13 is pivotally supported on the fixed housing 12 so as to be openable and closable by the fixed housing 12 to constitute an electronic device.
[0033]
In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, when the tip of the movable cam 24 is in elastic contact with the inclined portion 22 </ b> B below the fixed cam 22, the movable body 23 is urged in the downward closing direction by the spring 26. Therefore, the movable housing 13 to which the movable case 28 is fixed is held in a closed state with respect to the fixed housing 12.
[0034]
When the movable housing 13 is opened by hand from this closed state, the movable body 23 rotates upward through the movable case 28 fixed to the movable housing 13, and the tip of the movable cam 24 is Since the movable body 23 is urged in the upward opening direction by elastically contacting the upper inclined portion 22C beyond the protruding portion 22A, the movable housing 13 is in an open state.
[0035]
At this time, since the fixed body 21 in which the fixed portion 21A is fixed to the fixed housing 12 and the fixed shaft 27 in which the fixed portion 21A is fixed to the left end do not rotate, the sliding member 30 fixed to the right end of the fixed shaft 27 is not rotated. In contrast, the sliding member 29 fixed to the right outer surface of the movable case 28 rotates, and friction occurs between the right side surface of the sliding member 29 and the left side surface of the sliding member 30. And 30 are formed by applying a lubricating plating to a metal plate or the like, and have a small frictional resistance, so that the movable case 28 does not have a feeling of being caught and the opening / closing operation is performed lightly. .
[0036]
That is, by rotating the movable case 28 fixed to the movable housing 13, the distal end of the movable cam 24 is elastically brought into contact with one of the inclined portions 22 </ b> B and 22 </ b> C of the fixed cam 22 to open and close the movable housing 13. At the same time, the sliding member 29 fixed to the movable case 28 and the sliding member 30 fixed to the fixed shaft 27 reduce the friction between the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27 so that a light opening and closing operation is performed. It is configured.
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sliding members 29 and 30 are provided in a substantially ring-like manner on the contact portion between the side surface of the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27 so as to be rotatable. When the opening / closing operation is performed, the plurality of sliding members 29 and 30 slide and rotate, and the friction between the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27 is reduced. Thus, an opening and closing device having a light operation feeling can be obtained.
[0038]
By forming the sliding member 20 as a lubricating member by applying lubricating plating such as electroless nickel plating containing fluorine to a metal plate such as steel or copper alloy or the like, the sliding member 20 can be easily slid by pressing or the like. Since the members 29 and 30 can be processed and the shape is a substantially ring shape having a through hole in the center, it is possible to use general-purpose components such as commercially available washers, and so it is easy to procure components. The switching device can be formed at low cost.
[0039]
When the sliding members 29 and 30 are formed of a lubricating member, processing such as molding is required in addition to lubricating plating on the above-described metal plate, but high-density resin such as nylon is used, or Even if a resin in which a solid lubricant is dispersed is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or the like to crosslink the molecules on the surface by covalent bonding, it is possible to further reduce the operating force.
[0040]
Further, by making the outer diameters of the plurality of sliding members 29 and 30 different, the contact area between the sliding members 29 and 30 is reduced, thereby reducing the friction and performing the opening and closing operation more lightly. be able to.
[0041]
By fixing the plurality of sliding members 29 and 30 to the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27, the sliding members can be prevented from coming off or falling off during assembly, and the opening and closing device can be easily manufactured.
[0042]
In the above description, the left side surface of the movable case 28 is the opening 28A, the right end of the fixed shaft 27 is projected from the through hole 28B on the right side, and the contact portion between the side surface of the movable case 28 and the fixed shaft 27 is formed. , The sliding members 29 and 30 are rotatably stacked, but as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, the right side of the movable case 28 is an opening 28D, and the movable case 28 is fixed from the through hole 28E on the left side. When the fixing portion 21A of the body 21 is protruded and the opening hole 28D is covered with the cover 32 or the like, sliding members 29A and 30A are provided at the contact portion between the left inner side surface of the movable case 28 and the left side surface of the fixing body 21. The present invention can be implemented even with a configuration.
[0043]
Further, in the above description, only the configuration in which the movable casing 13 is opened and closed by hand and the movable case 28 fixed to the movable casing 13 is rotated has been described, but the push button and the elastic contact of the movable cam 24 with the fixed cam 22 are described. The present invention can be implemented in a so-called one-push open configuration in which a component such as a reversing cam for reversing the position is provided, and in addition to the opening and closing operation by hand, the movable housing 13 is opened by a pressing operation of a push button from a closed state. It is possible.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an advantageous effect is obtained in that the opening / closing operation can be performed with a light operating force and an opening / closing device having a light operation feeling can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a sectional view of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same according to another embodiment; FIG. 5: Cross-sectional view of conventional switchgear [Fig. 6] Exploded perspective view [Explanation of reference numerals]
12 Fixed housing 12A Operation unit 12B Audio input unit 13 Movable housing 13A Display unit 13B Audio output unit 21 Fixed body 21A Fixed unit 22 Fixed cam 22A Projection parts 22B, 22C Inclined part 23 Movement body 23A Projection 24 Movable cam 26 Spring 27 Fixed shaft 28 Movable case 28A, 28D Opening hole 28B, 28E Through hole 28C Groove 29, 29A, 30, 30A Sliding member 31 Opening / closing device 32 Cover

Claims (5)

A fixed body provided with a fixed cam on a side surface, a movable body disposed rotatably with respect to the fixed body, and having a movable cam provided on a surface facing the fixed cam; , A substantially cylindrical movable case housing the movable body rotatably and the movable body movably in the axial direction, the fixed body fixed to one end, and the movable case opposite the other end. A fixed shaft rotatably mounted on the side surface, the movable case side and the fixed shaft, or the contact portion between the movable case side and the fixed body, a plurality of sliding members in a substantially ring shape rotatable. Switchgear provided in a stack. The switchgear according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is formed of a metal plate. The switchgear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sliding members have different outer diameters. 2. The opening / closing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sliding members are fixed to the movable case and the fixed shaft or the movable case and the fixed body, respectively. The switchgear according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is formed of a lubricating member.

Images