JP3456882B2 - Bearing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a hinge mechanism for a lid of a portable personal computer, a copying machine or the like, and a bearing mechanism such as a tilt unit or a torque limiter suitable for stopping the lid at an arbitrary position. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is used for a hinge part of a lid of a portable personal computer, a copying machine or the like, that is, a hinge mechanism, and each constant is set so that the frictional force of the tilt mechanism is larger than the rotational torque due to the weight acting on the lid. By doing so, the lid is also stopped at an arbitrary position.

Further, in a paper feeding device of an electronic information device such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile device, a bidirectional torque limiter is provided in a paper double feed prevention mechanism or the like to prevent double paper feed. In the case of a paper jam, the paper feeding mechanism can be reversed to easily remove the jammed paper.

As a conventional bearing mechanism such as a tilt mechanism or a torque limiter having a relatively simple structure used in this way, a spring member, a friction member, and a rubbed member are separately provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the bearing mechanism includes an inner ring member 1 such as an ordinary shaft rod, an outer ring member 2 such as a bearing piece standing upright from the main body to support a lid of a portable personal computer, and the like. Shield member 3 fixed to the outer ring member, spring member 5 for applying a preload, inner ring member 1
Of the disk-shaped friction member 6 that rotates together with the friction member 6 and the outer ring member 2, and the friction member 6 is sandwiched from both sides. It is composed of disc-shaped friction members 7 and 8 that generate friction between each other.

In this bearing mechanism, the friction coefficient determined by the materials of the rubbed member 6 and the friction members 7, 8 and the state of the contact surface between them, their contact area, and the strength of the pressing force of the spring member 5 It has a torque limit value determined by the above, that is, a frictional force.

[0006]

However, such a bearing mechanism has a structure in which the friction member 6 and the friction members 7 and 8 are in flat contact with each other and a preload is applied by the spring member 5, so that the bearing mechanism is downsized, particularly When the diameter of the outer ring member 2 is reduced, the contact area between the friction target member 6 and the friction members 7 and 8 decreases in proportion to the square of the reduced diameter, and the required friction force is reduced. It was difficult to get the torque.

Further, since the bearing mechanism having such a structure requires the spring member 5 and the friction members 7 and 8 for preload, the time required for the assembling work becomes long, and the cost of those parts also becomes high. It was difficult to reduce the cost.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing mechanism such as a tilt unit or a torque limiter having a structure that is easy to assemble and set a desired frictional force and can be downsized and reduced in cost.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention is a shaft member or an inner ring member, and one or more friction springs engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member. A member and an engaging member or an outer ring member having a ring-shaped inner wall surface that produces a frictional force between the outer wall surface of the friction / spring member,
The friction / spring member is a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a bearing mechanism for obtaining a required torque by stacking a plurality of the thin plates, wherein the friction / spring member is provided at a plurality of positions from an outer wall surface to an inner wall surface. An outer annular portion which is notched and is press-fitted into the inner wall surface of the engaging member or the outer ring, and an inner wall surface which is located inward of the outer annular portion and which engages with the shaft member or the inner ring member 1. An inner annular portion having, and a coupling portion that mechanically couples the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion, and the outer diameter of the outer annular portion corresponding to the cutout portion corresponds to the coupling portion. Larger than the outer diameter of the part,
A diameter of a virtual circle formed by the arc of the outer annular portion is larger than a diameter of a ring-shaped inner wall surface of the engagement member or the outer ring member.

In order to solve the above problems, the second
The invention of claim 1 provides a bearing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the outer annular portion, which is cut out at a plurality of positions from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface, has a tapered tip portion.

In order to solve the above problems, the third
Of the invention, a shaft member or an inner ring member, one or more friction / spring members engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member,
An engaging member or an outer ring member having a ring-shaped inner wall surface that produces a frictional force between the spring member and the outer wall surface, the friction / spring member being a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a plurality of the thin plates. In the bearing mechanism that overlaps to obtain a required torque, the friction / spring member has an outer annular portion having a plurality of continuous arc-shaped outer wall surfaces in section, which are press-fitted into the inner wall surface of the engagement member or the outer ring member, A bearing mechanism comprising: an engaging portion that extends radially inward from the outer annular portion and engages with the shaft member or the inner ring member.

In order to solve the above problems, the fourth
Of the invention, a shaft member or an inner ring member, one or more friction / spring members engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member,
An engaging member or an outer ring member having a ring-shaped inner wall surface that produces a frictional force between the spring member and the outer wall surface, the friction / spring member being a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a plurality of the thin plates. In the bearing mechanism which overlaps to obtain a required torque, the friction / spring member is notched at a plurality of positions from an outer wall surface to an inner wall surface, and an outer annular portion is press-fitted into the inner wall surface of the engagement member or the outer ring. An inner annular portion having an inner wall surface located inward of the outer annular portion and engaged with the outer annular portion, and a coupling portion mechanically coupling the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion. A diameter of a virtual circle formed by an arc of the outer annular portion is larger than a diameter of a ring-shaped inner wall surface of the engaging member or the outer ring member, and a void portion is provided on an inner surface side of the inner annular portion facing the coupling portion. To provide a bearing mechanism characterized by A.

In order to solve the above problems, the fifth
The present invention provides a bearing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bearing mechanism is a tilt mechanism.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1 (A) showing the cross section of the first embodiment of this bearing mechanism, particularly the tilt mechanism, and FIG. 1 (B) showing the cross section at YY ′, the same symbols as those shown in FIG. Symbols indicate corresponding members.

The main feature of this tilt mechanism is the shape of the friction / spring member 4. The friction / spring member 4 is made of a metal material having a high elasticity such as a steel material and having a high hardness. The outer annular portion 4a, the inner annular portion 4b, and the outer annular portion 4a.
And a coupling portion 4c that mechanically couples the inner annular portion 4b. The friction / spring member 4 is manufactured in large quantities at low cost by punching a metal plate made of such a metal material and having a thickness of about 0.5 mm, for example.

The outer annular portion 4a of the friction / spring member 4 is not a perfect ring shape, but is cut out at two places to support the lid of a portable personal computer, a copying machine, etc. In the state of being press-fitted into the engaging member having the inner wall surface or the outer ring member 2, the annular structure has a gap G formed by the notch. As shown in FIG. 2, when the friction / spring member 4 is not press-fitted into the engagement member or the outer ring member 2, the diameter d of the outer annular portion 4c corresponding to the position of the coupling portion 4c.
1 is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, but the distance d3 from one tip of the two outer annular portions 4a to the other tip is
It is larger than the inner diameter d2 of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2 (d3
> D2).

Therefore, by press-fitting the outer annular portion 4 a of the friction / spring member 4 into the inner wall surface of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, the outer wall surface of the outer annular portion 4 a and the inner wall surface of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2 are pressed. A predetermined frictional force acts between and, and the frictional force is always kept almost constant. Here, the engagement member or the outer ring member 2 is a receiver that receives the outer wall surface of the outer annular portion 4a and generates friction with it, and when the bearing mechanism is a tilt mechanism, it is used as a lid of a portable personal computer or the like. A bearing portion that is integrally formed with the lid side of the hinge mechanism that connects to the main body is generally used, and in the case of a torque limiter, an outer ring member that is connected to a load is generally used.

Further, the tip of each outer annular portion 4a is slightly tapered in order to improve the spring property. This tapered structure enhances the elasticity of the tip portion of the outer annular portion 4a.

The inner annular portion 4 of the friction / spring member 4
b is mechanically coupled to the outer annular portion 4a by a coupling portion 4c, and has an inner diameter surface forming a central hole into which the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 is mounted, in the central portion thereof. Here, when the bearing mechanism is a tilt mechanism, the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 is generally a shaft rod of a hinge mechanism that connects a lid and a main body of a portable personal computer or the like.

If there is a slight backlash, the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 may have the inner annular portion 4b.
When the backlash is not allowed at all due to the clearance fit on the inner diameter surface of the shaft member or the inner ring member 1, the inner ring member 4
It has an inner wall surface conforming to the outer shape of the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 so that the inner wall surface of b can be lightly press-fitted. Since the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 of this embodiment is a shaft rod in which the cross-sectional shape of the portion where the inner annular portion 4b is mounted is a shape in which both ends of the circle are removed, the cross section of the inner wall surface of the inner annular portion 4b is also cross-sectional. The shape is a shape in which both ends of a circle are removed, and no special rotation stopper is required between the shaft member and the inner ring member 1.

When assembling this bearing mechanism, first of all, the required number of friction members in the engagement member or the outer ring member 2 are sequentially arranged.
The spring member 4 is press-fitted. In this embodiment, the five outer annular portions 4a of the friction / spring members 4 are press-fitted into the engaging member or the outer ring member 2.

Next, the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 is relatively lightly press-fitted into the central hole formed by the inner diameter surface of the inner annular portion 4b of the five friction / spring members 4, and finally the shield plate 3 is engaged with the engaging member. Alternatively, the tilt mechanism is completed by fitting and fixing the outer ring member 2 on the opening side.

However, when the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 is relatively lightly press-fitted into the central hole of the inner annular portion 4b in this way, the shield plate 3 is not always necessary, and even if omitted, the respective parts are separated. It never happens. Also, the shield plate can be omitted when the assembly is performed with a bracket. In the above description, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the inner wall surface of the inner annular portion 4b is a shape obtained by cutting both ends of a circle, but it may be a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrangle, or a hexagon, or another circular cross-section. But of course it's good.

Next, a second embodiment of the bearing mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the same symbols as those shown in FIG. 1 indicate corresponding members. The friction / spring member 4 in this embodiment has four continuous arcuate sections 4a ′ each having an outer diameter surface that produces a frictional force between the engagement member or the inner diameter surface of the outer ring member 2.
And an engaging portion 4b 'that extends radially inward from a portion having a small outer diameter of the arcuate section 4a' in cross section and engages with the shaft member or the inner ring member 1.

Four substantially circular arc-shaped portions 4a ′ having the same cross section
Has a diameter of an imaginary circle drawn by each of them smaller than the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, but the maximum between the outer wall surfaces of the pair of arcuate section 4a 'of each pair arranged facing each other. The distance is made larger than the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2. Therefore, when the friction / spring member 4 is press-fitted into the inner wall of the engagement member or the outer ring member 2, the large diameter portion of the outer wall surface of each pair of arcuate section 4a ′ in cross section, which is arranged to face each other, is reduced in diameter. These portions mainly generate a frictional force between the engaging member and the inner wall of the outer ring member 2.

The engaging portion 4d extending in the radial inward direction from the portion having a small diameter between the four adjacent arc-shaped portions 4a ′ in cross section is
Their tip portions have a prismatic structure suitable for supporting the shaft rod 1 having a square cross section. When the shaft rod 1 is press-fitted into the tip portion of the engagement portion 4d, the engagement portion 4d expands the four cross-section arc-shaped portions 4a 'by the press-fitting, so that the press-fitting also causes the four cross-section arc-shaped portions 4a'. It is possible to increase the frictional force between the outer wall surface and the engaging member or the inner wall of the outer ring member 2.

Next, the embodiment of this bearing mechanism shown in FIG. 4 is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same symbols as those shown in FIG. 1 indicate the corresponding members. The friction / spring member 4 in this embodiment has four outer annular portions 4a, inner annular portions 4b, and connecting portions 4c for connecting them. In the four outer annular portions 4a, a part of the outer wall surface of a portion corresponding to the coupling portion 4c is cut out to be thin, and the diameter of the cut portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, When the engaging member or the outer ring member 2 is press-fitted, a gap is formed between the engaging member and the inner wall thereof. Therefore, the springiness of the outer annular portion 4a is further enhanced.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the friction / spring member 4 is press-fitted into the engagement member or the inner wall of the outer ring member 2, but the outer annular portion 4a of the friction / spring member 4 in the non-press-fitted state is shown. The maximum diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the engagement member or the outer ring member 2. Therefore, when the friction / spring member 4 is press-fitted into the inner wall of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, the portion of the outer annular portion 4 a that is larger than the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2 of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2. A frictional force is generated between the inner wall and the inner wall.

Next, in the friction / spring member 4 in another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, four outer annular portions 4a arranged at substantially equal angles and the shaft rod 1 acting as an inner ring member are inserted in the center. It has an inner annular part 4b having a central hole and a connecting part 4c for connecting between them. The maximum distance between the outer wall surfaces of the pair of opposing outer annular portions 4a is larger than the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2, or the four outer annular portions 4a are the inner diameter of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2. It has an arcuate outer wall corresponding to a part of a circle having a larger diameter.
The inner annular portion 4b has four hollow portions 4 so that not only the central hole through which the shaft rod 1 is inserted but also only the corner portions of the shaft rod 1 contact the inner annular portion 4b and the central portion does not contact.
b'is formed.

The four empty portions 4b ′ are the inner annular portion 4b.
The inner surface of the inner annular portion 4b, which corresponds to the coupling portion 4c, is an empty portion 4b '. When the friction / spring member 4 is press-fitted into the inner wall of the engagement member or the outer ring member 2, the spring properties of the four outer annular portions 4a act and the inner annular portion 4b bends the empty portion 4b 'radially inward. Therefore, the bearing mechanism of this structure can exhibit a large frictional force.

It should be noted that even in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG.
Any number of spring members 4 may be used. In this case, the friction / spring members 4 used in the bearing mechanism must naturally have the same shape and the same size.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, this bearing mechanism is provided with frictional force against the inner wall of the engaging member or the outer ring member 2.
Since the friction between the engagement member or the inner wall of the outer ring member 2 and the outer peripheral wall of the spring member 4 due to the press-fitting of the spring member 4 is utilized, it may be a tilt unit or a torque limiter having a large frictional force, that is, a large torque. A simple bearing mechanism can be easily obtained.

Further, since the friction plate, the friction plate and the spring are not combined as in the conventional structure, the number of parts is small, the assembly is easy, and the cost and size of the bearing mechanism can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a bearing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the bearing mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the bearing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another embodiment of the bearing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the bearing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional bearing mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... shaft rod or inner ring member 2 ... Engaging member or outer ring member 3 ... Shield member 4 ... Friction / spring members 4a ... Friction / outer annular part of spring member 4b ... Friction, inner ring of spring member 4b '... Friction-vacant part of inner annular part of spring member 4c ... Friction / Spring member connection 4d ··· Friction / engagement part of spring member

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-49-14848 (JP, A) Actually open 52-165255 (JP, U) Actually open 59-194633 (JP, U) Actually open 53-107753 (JP , U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16C 11/10 F16D 7/02

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ring shape that produces a frictional force between a shaft member or an inner ring member, one or more friction / spring members engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member, and an outer wall surface of the friction / spring member. A bearing mechanism comprising an engaging member having an inner wall surface or an outer ring member, wherein the friction / spring member is a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a plurality of the thin plates are stacked to obtain a required torque. The friction / spring member is cut out at a plurality of positions from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface and is press-fitted into the engagement member or the inner wall surface of the outer ring, and the outer annular portion is located inward of the outer annular portion. The outer annular portion, which includes an inner annular portion having an inner wall surface with which the shaft member or the inner ring member 1 is engaged, and a joint portion that mechanically joins the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion, and corresponds to the cutout portion. The outer annular portion whose outer diameter corresponds to the connecting portion Larger than the outer diameter, and a bearing mechanism the diameter of the imaginary circle being greater than the diameter of the annular inner wall surface of the engaging member or outer ring member which arcs of the outer annular portion is formed. 2. The bearing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of an outer annular portion cut out at a plurality of positions from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface is tapered. 3. A ring shape that produces a frictional force between a shaft member or an inner ring member, one or more friction / spring members engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member, and an outer wall surface of the friction / spring member. A bearing mechanism comprising an engaging member having an inner wall surface or an outer ring member, wherein the friction / spring member is a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a plurality of the thin plates are stacked to obtain a required torque. The friction / spring member has an outer annular portion having a plurality of continuous arc-shaped outer wall surfaces which are press-fitted into the inner wall surface of the engagement member or the outer ring member, and the shaft member extending radially inward from the outer annular portion. Alternatively, the bearing mechanism may include an engaging portion that engages with the inner ring member. 4. A ring shape that produces a frictional force between a shaft member or an inner ring member, one or more friction / spring members engaged with the shaft member or the inner ring member, and an outer wall surface of the friction / spring member. A bearing mechanism comprising an engaging member having an inner wall surface or an outer ring member, wherein the friction / spring member is a thin plate punched from a metal plate by a press, and a plurality of the thin plates are stacked to obtain a required torque. The friction / spring member is cut out at a plurality of locations from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface and is press-fitted into the inner wall surface of the engaging member or the outer ring, and the outer ring portion is located inward of the outer ring portion. An inner annular portion having an inner wall surface with which the annular portion is engaged, and a connecting portion that mechanically connects the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion, and a diameter of a virtual circle formed by an arc of the outer annular portion. Is the diameter of the ring-shaped inner wall surface of the engagement member or the outer ring member Large, the bearing mechanism comprising the hollow portion on the inner surface of the opposing the inner annular portion of the coupling portion. 5. The bearing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bearing mechanism is a tilt mechanism.