JP4528468B2 - Hinge device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge device, and more particularly to a hinge device configured to be able to change a resistance torque depending on a rotation angle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a hinge device for pivotally connecting an object to be stopped at an arbitrary angle, such as a display part of a notebook computer, friction welding is applied to cause an appropriate rotational resistance to act on the connecting shaft. Braking means for applying force may be incorporated.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to this conventional configuration, in order to stop the rotating body such as the display unit at an arbitrary angle, it is necessary to set the resistance force based on the angle at which the weight of the rotating body acts most. Therefore, the rotational resistance force in the region where the influence of the own weight is reduced tends to be excessively large.
[0004]
The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is, for example, that a relatively low resistance torque is applied at the starting position and a relatively high resistance at the intermediate position. An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that is configured such that torque is applied and the maximum resistance torque that can maintain a stopped state is applied in the normal position, that is, the resistance force varies depending on the rotation angle.
[0005]
In order to achieve such an object, in the present invention, a hinge device (1) for rotatably connecting the first member and the second member to each other, a base member (2) fixed to the first member, A shaft member (4) rotatably coupled to the base member and fixed to the second member, a central portion (5C) rotating integrally with the shaft member, and an arm portion (5A) extending from the central portion to the outer peripheral side And a braking member (5) formed of an elastic material, and an elastic member (6) for urging the central portion of the braking member toward the base member and sliding the central portion against the base member If, projection provided on the portion facing the base member of the free end of a over arm part (9), when the rotation angle of the braking member relative to the base member is within a predetermined range, the protrusion and the base member provided on the base member in order to avoid sliding contact circumferential recess (11), When the rotation angle of the brake member relative to the serial base member is a predetermined angle, and shall be characterized by having a recess and (10) provided in the base member so as to plunge the protrusion. In particular, a plurality of sets of protrusions, recesses, and depressions may be provided.
[0006]
In this way, a region where the projection provided at the free end of the arm portion is in sliding contact with the base member is applied with a relatively high resistance torque, and a region where the sliding contact of the projection is avoided in the circumferential recess is relatively low resistance. Torque is applied, and the maximum resistance torque can be applied at the position where the protrusion enters the recess.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0008]
1 to 3 show a configuration of a hinge device according to the present invention. The hinge device 1 is rotatable to an angled base member 2 whose horizontal portion 2H is fixed to a fixing member (first member) side and a bearing hole 3 provided in a vertical portion 2V of the base member 2. A shaft member 4 that is inserted and fixed to the movable member (second member) side, a braking member 5 that is integrally coupled to the shaft member 4 so as to be rotatable relative to the base member 2, and a vertical portion 2V of the base member 2 A pair of disc springs 6 (elastic members) for applying a pressing force to the braking member 5, a flat washer 7 for preventing the braking member 5 and the disc spring 6 from coming off from the shaft member 4, and these braking members 5 , A disc spring 6, and a nut 8 for fixing the shaft member 4 with the flat washer 7 attached to the base member 2. The disc spring may be another elastic means such as a coil spring.
[0009]
The braking member 5 is formed of an elastic material such as phosphor bronze, for example, and a true circular center portion 5C that is in direct sliding contact with the vertical portion 2V of the base member 2 in a state where the pressure contact force of the disc spring 6 is applied, A hemispherical projection 9 which is composed of an arm portion 5A having a semicircular arc connected to the outer peripheral edge of the center portion 5C at the circumferential middle portion, and projecting toward the vertical portion 2V side of the base member 2 at each circumferential end of the arm portion 5A. Is formed.
[0010]
In the vertical portion 2V of the base member 2, a set of two hemispherical depressions 10 into which the hemispherical protrusions 9 can enter and one circular groove 11 over an appropriate angle range is provided at each point-symmetrical position. ing.
[0011]
In addition, the code | symbol 12 in FIG. 1 is the cover made from a synthetic resin with which the relative rotation part of the hinge apparatus 1 is covered.
[0012]
Next, the operating procedure of the hinge device 1 will be described. Since the hemispherical projection 9 at the free end of the arc-shaped arm portion 5A integrated with the braking member 5 is aligned with the arc groove 11 (T1 in FIG. 3), only the frictional resistance of the center portion 5C acts. A relatively low rotational resistance torque is applied.
[0013]
From this position, the range in which the hemispherical protrusion 9 is in direct sliding contact with the vertical portion 2V of the base member 2 (T2 in FIG. 3) is applied with the pressure resistance of the hemispherical protrusion 9 via the elastic force of the arm portion 5A. Torque increases.
[0014]
When the maximum angle is reached, the hemispherical protrusion 9 enters the hemispherical recess 10, so that the rotational resistance torque is maximized and a click feeling is generated. If a plurality of hemispherical depressions 10 are provided on the circumference, the stop position where the click feeling is generated can be set in a plurality of stages (T3 and T4 in FIG. 3).
[0015]
How to change the resistance in the entire rotation range may be determined as appropriate according to the convenience of the device to be used. The angular range and position of the arc groove 11 and the position of the hemispherical depression 10 are the above-described embodiments. Needless to say, it is not limited to the above.
[0016]
The hinge device 1 is used, for example, when an overhead liquid crystal display is attached to the inner surface of a roof of an automobile so as to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 4, the base member 2 is fixed to a roof inner surface 16 as a fixing member. The shaft member 4 is fixed to one end edge of the liquid crystal display 17 which is a movable member. Here, a latch mechanism 18 having an appropriate structure is provided on the free end side of the liquid crystal display 17. When the display device is not in use, the state in which the display surface faces the roof inner surface 16 is maintained. The liquid crystal display 17 is rotated downward so that the display surface faces the occupant side.
[0017]
In this case, the initial movement range (T1) is such that the hemispherical projection 9 at the free end of the arc-shaped arm portion 5A integrated with the braking member 5 is aligned with the arc groove 11, and only the frictional resistance of the central portion 5C acts. Therefore, a relatively low rotational resistance torque acts. Accordingly, when the latch mechanism 18 is released, the liquid crystal display 17 rotates by an angle T1 due to the weight of the liquid crystal display 17, and the hemispherical projection 9 is stopped at the end of the arc groove 11 and stopped.
[0018]
In the range (T2) in which the hemispherical protrusion 9 is in direct sliding contact with the vertical portion 2V of the base member 2 from this position, the rotational resistance torque increases because the pressing force of the hemispherical protrusion 9 is applied via the elastic force of the arm portion 5A. Therefore, the liquid crystal display 17 rotates when an operating force is applied and stops at a position where the hand is released (free stop function).
[0019]
When the regular position T3 is reached, the hemispherical projection 9 enters the hemispherical depression 10, and thus the rotational resistance torque is maximized and a click feeling is generated.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the resistance force can be changed according to the rotation angle, a great effect can be obtained in expanding the application range of this type of hinge device. In particular, if a plurality of pairs of protrusions, recesses, and depressions are provided, the pressure contact force per group can be reduced, which is effective in enhancing durability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the hinge device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the hinge device according to the present invention. Schematic side view of the display device
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hinge apparatus 2 Base member 3 Bearing hole 4 Shaft member 5 Braking member 6 Belleville spring 7 Flat washer 8 Nut 9 Hemispherical protrusion 10 Hemispherical depression 11 Arc groove 12 Cover 16 Roof inner surface 17 Liquid crystal display 18 Latch mechanism

Claims (2)

A hinge device for connecting the first member and the second member to each other in a rotatable manner;
A base member fixed to the first member;
A shaft member rotatably coupled to the base member and fixed to the second member;
A braking member formed of an elastic material, including a central portion that rotates integrally with the shaft member, and an arm portion that extends from the central portion toward the outer periphery;
An elastic member that urges the central portion of the braking member toward the base member and slidably contacts the central portion with the base member ;
A projection provided in a portion opposed to the base member of the free end of the arm portion,
A circumferential recess provided in the base member to avoid sliding contact between the protrusion and the base member when a rotation angle of the braking member with respect to the base member is within a predetermined range ;
A hinge device comprising: a recess provided in the base member to allow the protrusion to enter when a rotation angle of the braking member with respect to the base member is a predetermined angle .   The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of the protrusion, the recess, and the recess are provided.

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