JPH09233165A - Hinge structure for collapsible device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the function by preventing the play of a hinge of the collapsible device. SOLUTION: The hinge is made up of a 1st hinge 11, 2nd hinges 21a, 21b having guide projections 22a, 22b and support grooves 23a, 23b at an inner side face, a male boss 30 fixed in the 1st hinge 11 and with a projection 31 at one side, female bosses 40a, 40b having guide grooves 41a, 41b, sliding freely in the 2nd hinge and engaging with the guide projections 22a, 22b and the support grooves 23a, 23b and projection support ribs 45a, 45b and having a recessed part 42 engaging with the projection 31, a spring 50 pressing the female bosses 40a, 40b in contact with the male boss 30, and a screw 60 to tighten a 1st case 10 and a 2nd case 20. When the projection 31 and the recessed part 42 are engaged with each other, the support grooves 23a, 23b and the support ribs 45a, 45b are engaged with each other and the female bosses 40a, 40b are engaged with the male boss 30 while being turned at a prescribed angle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable device such as a mobile phone, a word processor and a personal computer, and more particularly to a hinge structure thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a foldable device of this type is shown in FIG.
As shown in an example of its appearance, the first hinge portion 71 is integral with the first housing 10, and the second hinge portions 81a and 81b are integral with the second housing 20. The second hinge portions 81a and 81b are connected to each other so as to openably and closably connect the first housing and the second housing.

Such a structure of the hinge portion of the conventional foldable device is as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG.
Guide protrusions 22a and 22b are formed in the second hinge portions 81a and 81b in the hinge axis direction, and convex portions 31 and screw holes 32 are formed on one surface fixed in the first hinge portion 71 and orthogonal to the hinge axis direction. Male boss 30 and second hinge portion 81
A recessed portion 42 formed in a, 81b is formed with guide grooves 41a, 41b engaged with the guide protrusions 22a, 22b in the outer peripheral surface hinge axial direction, and is engaged with the protrusion 31 on the surface facing the male boss 30. Has a spring accommodating portion 43 and a central hole 4
4, the female bosses 90a and 90b, the spring 50 that is press-fitted into the spring accommodating portion 43 and constantly presses the female bosses 90a and 90b to the male boss 30 side, and the central holes 44 of the female bosses 90a and 90b.
And a screw 60 for fastening the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 into the screw hole 32 of the male boss 30.

In the conventional hinge structure having such a structure, when the first and second casings 10 and 20 are closed, as shown in FIG. 14, the convex portion 31 of the male boss 30 and the female boss are usually used. The concave portions 42 of 90a and 90b are not engaged. Then, when one of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, for example, the second housing 20, is opened, the opposing surfaces of the female bosses 90a and 90b and the male boss 30 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. When the concave portion 42 and the convex portion 31 are in phase with each other, they are engaged with each other, and the first casing 10 and the second casing 2 are rotated.
0 is fixed in the open state at an arbitrary opening / closing angle (α °).

Incidentally, as another prior art, the actual Kaihei 5-
47280 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-31422.

[0006]

A first problem is that in the prior art, the housing may be shaken in the A direction or the B direction (rotational direction) in FIG. 9, which may impair the usability. It was

The second problem is that, in the conventional technique, the housing is rattled in the rotating direction, which may cause deterioration of the characteristics of the portable wireless device.

The reason is that, in the above-mentioned hinge,
In order to smoothly move the female bosses 90a and 90b in the hinge axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b),
The width of the guide grooves 41a, 41b is set to the guide protrusions 22a, 22
It is formed wider than b.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are fixed in an open state at an arbitrary opening / closing angle (α °) (the convex portion 31 of the male boss 30 and Female boss 9
0a, 90b when the recess 42 is engaged), the guide groove 4
This is because a play angle θ ° (1 / 2θ ° + 1 / 2θ °) is generated in the gap between the 1a and 41b and the guide protrusions 22a and 22b.

In view of the above, the present invention improves the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, and prevents the rattling of the housing with a simple structure, and at the same time, provides a hinge structure for a foldable device which can reduce the size and weight of the device. For the purpose of provision.

[0011]

A hinge structure for a foldable device according to the present invention comprises a first hinge portion which is integrally formed with the first housing and which connects the first housing and the second housing in an openable and closable manner. In a hinge structure composed of a second hinge part integrated with the second housing, a male boss fixed in the first hinge part and having a convex part formed on one surface orthogonal to the hinge axial direction, and in the second hinge part. A guide protrusion and a tapered support groove formed in the hinge axial direction, and a guide groove and a protrusion shape that slidably move in the second hinge portion and engage with the guide protrusion and the support groove, respectively. A female boss having a support rib and having a concave portion that engages with the convex portion, a spring for pressing the female boss to the male boss, and fastening the first casing and the second casing To penetrate the female boss to enter the male boss Consists of a screw, by engaging the support rib and the tapered portion of the support groove,
The female boss is engaged with the male boss while rotating.

In this hinge structure for a folding device, the tapered support groove may be formed in the female boss, and the projecting support rib may be formed in the second hinge portion.

According to the hinge structure of the present invention having the above structure, by opening and closing the first or second housing,
When the convex portion of the male boss and the concave portion of the female boss are engaged with each other, the support groove having the tapered portion in the second hinge portion and the projecting support rib of the female boss are engaged with each other, so that the female boss in the second hinge portion is engaged. By rotating while engaging with the male boss, one side surface of the guide groove comes into contact with the guide protrusion, and in the other second hinge portion,
Since the first and second casings are fixed in a state where the other side surface of the guide groove is in contact with the guide protrusion, rattling of the casing due to a difference in width between the guide groove and the guide protrusion can be prevented. it can.

[0014]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an open state of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge portion of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view and a side view of the female boss of FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view and a sectional view of the second hinge portion of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a positional relationship between the second hinge portion of FIG. 2 and the female boss, and FIG. 6 is an opening / closing operation of the hinge of FIG. 7 is a perspective view including a partial cross section, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are a cross sectional view and a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the second hinge portion and the female boss when the hinge of FIG. 2 is opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the external view of FIG. 1, the first hinge portion 1 integrated with the first housing 10 is provided.
1 and a second hinge portion 21a that is integral with the second housing 20,
21b, the first hinge portion 11 and the second hinge portion 21.
a and 21b are connected to each other to connect the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.
Are connected so that they can be opened and closed. The details of the structure of the hinge portion will be described below, but the same components as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 are designated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, this hinge portion has guide protrusions 22a and 22b formed in the second hinge portions 21a and 21b in the axial direction of the hinge, and the inside of the first hinge portion 11 is formed. Fixed to the male boss 30 having a convex portion 31 and a screw hole 32 formed on one surface orthogonal to the hinge axial direction, and the guide protrusions 22a, 22b located in the second hinge portions 21a, 21b in the outer peripheral surface hinge axial direction. Guide groove 41 to engage with
female bosses 40a, 40b having a recess 42 for engaging with the protrusion 31 on the surface facing the male boss 30 and having the spring accommodating portion 43 and the central hole 44, and the spring accommodating portion. The spring 50 that is press-fitted into the male boss 40a and 40b to press the female bosses 40a and 40b into constant contact with the male boss 30 side;
b through the central hole 44 of the b into the screw hole 32 of the male boss 30 and the screw 60 for fastening the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. When 10 and 20 are closed, the convex portion 31 of the male boss 30 and the female boss 40 are
The concave portions 42 of a and 40b are not engaged,
When either the first casing 10 or the second casing 20 is opened, the female bosses 40a, 40b and the male boss 30 are in contact with each other and rotate while contacting each other.

In the hinge portion of this embodiment, the female boss 4 located further inside the second hinge portions 21a and 21b.
As shown in FIG. 3, support ribs 45a and 45b in the form of protrusions are formed at positions 0a and 40b at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the hinge.

On the other hand, the support ribs 45 of the female bosses 40a and 40b are provided on the inner circumferences of the second hinge portions 21a and 21b.
Support grooves 23a and 23b having tapered portions 24a and 24b as shown in FIG. 4 are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the hinge central axis so as to engage with a and 45b. The shapes of the support grooves 23a and 23b are the support ribs 45a and 4b.
The groove width e is set so that the female bosses 40a, 40b can each rotate by 1 / 2θ ° in the second hinge portions 21a, 21b when engaged with the female boss 5b (FIG. 5). 40
The taper portion 24 is formed in accordance with the depth h of the recess 42 of a and 40b.
The dimensions f of a and 24b are set (FIG. 4).

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 6 (c).

When the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are smaller than the arbitrary opening / closing angle (α °) (including the state where the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are closed), the male boss 30 convex parts 3
1 and the recesses 42 of the female bosses 40a, 40b do not engage,
It is in the state of FIG. At this time, the female bosses 40a, 40
The support ribs 45a and 45b of b are the second hinge portion 21.
By setting the positions of the support grooves 23a and 23b in a and 21b, the support grooves 23a and 24b are lightly contacted with the tapered portions 24a and 24b.

When the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are opened close to an arbitrary opening / closing angle (α °), that is, when the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42 start to engage with each other, it is shown in FIG. 6 (b). As described above, the elastic force of the spring 50 causes the support ribs 45a and 45b to move to the tapered portion 2
4a and 24b, the female bosses 40a and 40b are shown in FIG.
While rotating in the direction of the arrow, it begins to move in the hinge axis direction.

When the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle (α °), that is, when the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42 are completely engaged, FIG. 6C and FIG. In the second hinge portion 21a, one side surface of the guide groove 41a is in contact with the guide protrusion 22a, while in the second hinge portion 21b, the other side surface of the guide groove 41b is in contact with the guide protrusion 22b.

According to the hinge structure of this embodiment having the above-described structure, the female bosses 40a and 40b engage with the male boss 30 while rotating in the forward and reverse directions by 1 / 2.theta. The portions 22a and 22b and the guide groove 41a,
The play angle θ ° caused by the difference in the width of 41b can be eliminated. Thus, the rattling in the A direction in FIG. 1 is the second hinge portion 21a, and the rattling in the B direction is the second hinge portion 21a.
Each can be prevented with b.

Other embodiments as described below can be configured in the present invention.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, the female boss 4 is used.
When the 0a and 40b are engaged with the male boss 30, it is configured to rotate in the forward and reverse directions by 1 / 2θ ° due to the relationship between the support ribs 45a and 45b and the support grooves 23a and 23b, but this is not particularly limited. Female boss 40a,
The rotation angle of 40b can be freely changed within the range of θ ° by adjusting the positional relationship between the support ribs 45a and 45b and the support grooves 23a and 23b. In addition, female bosses 40a, 40b
It may be configured such that either one of them is rotated by θ °.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the projecting support ribs 45a, 45b are formed on the female bosses 40a, 40b.
The support grooves 23a and 23b having tapered portions are formed in the second hinge portions 21a and 21b, but this is reversed to form the support grooves 23a and 23b having tapered portions on the female bosses 40a and 40b. , The second hinge portion 21a,
You may form the protrusion-shaped support ribs 45a and 45b in 21b.

[0028]

The first effect is that the commercial characteristics of the device can be improved. This will not make the user feel uncomfortable. The reason is that when the second hinge portion and the female boss are engaged, the taper portion of the support groove and the support rib act so as not to generate a play angle, so that the hinge portion does not rattle.

The second effect is to improve the function of the wireless device. The reason is that it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the call characteristics due to the rattling of the hinge portion.

The third effect is that the size and weight of the device can be reduced. The reason is that, with a simple structure, rattling of each housing can be prevented, and in order to prevent such rattling, no additional components are required.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an open state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

3 (a) is a front view of the female boss of the hinge portion in FIG.
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the second hinge portion of FIG. 2, and FIG.
Is a sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the second hinge portion and the female boss of FIG. 2 in left and right directions (a) and (b), respectively.

6A and 6B show opening and closing operations of the hinge portion of FIG.
It is a perspective view containing the partial cross section shown in order of (c).

FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the second hinge portion and the female boss when the hinge portion of FIG. 2 is opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle (a),
It is sectional drawing represented by (b).

8 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the second hinge portion and the female boss when the hinge portion of FIG. 2 is opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing an open state of a conventional foldable device.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge portion according to a conventional example.

11 is a left and right side of the hinge portion of FIG. 10 (a),
It is sectional drawing shown in (b).

12 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the second hinge portion and the female boss when the hinge portion of FIG. 10 is opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of FIG. 10 when the first housing and the second housing are opened at an arbitrary opening / closing angle.

14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the male boss and the female boss of FIG. 10 are not engaged with each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 1st case 11,71 1st hinge part 20 2nd case 21a, 21b, 81a, 81b 2nd hinge part 22a, 22b Guide protrusion 23a, 23b Support groove 24a, 24b Tapered part 30 Male boss 31 Convex part 32 screw holes 40a, 40b, 90a, 90b female bosses 41a, 41b guide grooves 42 recesses 43 spring accommodating parts 44 center holes 45a, 45b support ribs 50 springs 60 screws

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first hinge part integral with the first casing and a second hinge part integral with the second casing for connecting the first casing and the second casing in an openable and closable manner. In the hinge structure, a male boss fixed in the first hinge portion and having a convex portion formed on one surface orthogonal to the hinge axis direction, a guide protrusion portion formed in the second hinge portion in the hinge axial direction, and a tapered support A recess including a groove, a guide groove that is slidably movable in the second hinge portion and that engages with the guide protrusion and the support groove, and a protrusion-shaped support rib, and that engages with the protrusion. A female boss, a spring for pressing the female boss to the male boss, and a male boss that penetrates the female boss to fasten the first casing and the second casing. And a taper portion of the support groove and the support. By engaging the tributyl, the female boss hinge structure of folding devices and characterized in that to engage while rotating the male boss. 2. The hinge structure for a foldable device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered support groove is formed in the female boss, and the projecting support rib is formed in the second hinge portion. .