JPH10252739A - Hinge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge device of simple and compact structure capable of stopping an opening closing member at an opening position, a closing position, and an arbitrary position therebetween relative to a body member and improving operability of a portable apparatus using the device. SOLUTION: A hinge device comprises a coupling shaft 3; a cam 1 on the fixed side fixed at a first member 10; a cam 4 on the moving side mounted on a second member 12 in a state to lock relative rotation by a rotation lock means 4b; and an energizing means 7 to hold the cam surfaces 1a and 4a of the cams 1 and 4 on the fixed side and the moving side in a pressure contact state. In this case, a recessed part 8 to engage with a protrusion parts 11 formed on the other cam surface 4a to position the two members 10 and 12 and a friction part 9 to generate a given friction force between the recessed part 8 and the tip of the protrusion part 11, situated between the recessed parts 8, are arranged on either cam surface 1a the cam 1 on the fixed side or the cam 4 on the moving side and in a plurality positioned in a peripheral direction and a plurality of positions where the two members 10 and 12 are arranged in a given phase relation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge device and, more particularly, to a hinge device used for portable equipment such as a portable telephone, an electronic organizer, and a compact cosmetic.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of electronic technology in recent years, various portable devices, such as cellular phones and electronic organizers, equipped with a key panel, a liquid crystal screen, and the like have been developed and widely used. These devices have a size that is easy to use when used, have a compact shape when carried, and accidentally press the key panel or damage the LCD screen in a bag or pocket. To open and close the two members so that there is no
The folding format is adopted.

For example, in a portable telephone, a main body member having operation keys arranged on one surface and a main body member swingably connected to a position where the operation keys are covered when carrying the portable telephone (hereinafter referred to as a closed position). A two-fold type that includes an opening / closing member such as a transmission unit that is folded and arranged at an open position for use (hereinafter referred to as an open position) to enable key operation and to function as a sound collecting member. There is. Also,
2. Description of the Related Art There is a type of electronic organizer that includes a main body member on which operation keys are arranged and an opening / closing member such as a liquid crystal display unit which is opened / closed with respect to the main body member. Further, in the cosmetic compact, there is a two-fold type comprising a main body member for accommodating a sponge or the like and an opening / closing member such as a mirror portion which is opened / closed with respect to the main body member.

[0004] Conventionally, in such a folding type portable article, a hinge type hinge device having a function of merely opening and closing a main body member and an opening / closing member has been used. In a portable article using this type of hinge device, if the user releases the lock mechanism between the main body member and the opening / closing member in the closed position, the user can freely swing the opening / closing member relative to the main body member. It has become.

[0005] A hinge in which a spring for urging an opening / closing member to always open with respect to a main body member is combined with a hinge type hinge device is also employed. In this hinge device, when the user releases the locking mechanism between the main body member and the opening / closing member in the closed position, the opening / closing member is opened by itself with respect to the main body member by the resilient force of the spring, and when closed, the spring is opened. The opening / closing member is pressed in the direction of the main body member against the elastic force to be locked by the lock mechanism.

[0006]

However, the hinge type hinge device which merely swingably connects the opening / closing member and the main body member has the following problems. First
In addition, it is difficult to hold the opening / closing member at the open position and the closed position with respect to the main body member. That is, in this case, for example, a stopper that contacts the opening / closing member in the open position must be provided on the main body member, and a lock mechanism that fixes the opening / closing member and the main body member in the closed position must be provided.
However, from the viewpoint of miniaturization, the stopper must be provided in the vicinity of the pivot axis, and the inconvenience that the opening / closing member or the stopper is damaged by excessive stress generated by contact with the opening / closing member may be considered.

[0007] In particular, it is conceivable that the user uses the mobile phone in various postures, so that the opening / closing member needs to be held in the open position regardless of the posture used. However, in the case of a hinge type hinge device, for example, when the user lies down, the opening / closing member, which is a transmitting unit, swings in the closing direction due to gravity. Further, if a lock mechanism is provided at the open position (and the closed position) to avoid this, there is a disadvantage that the shapes and structures of the opening / closing member and the main body member become complicated.

Second, there is a case where it is desired to adjust the opening / closing angle of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body member to an arbitrary position. In such a case, for example, the position of the transmitting section of the portable telephone is set to an optimum position for the user. It would be convenient if it could be adjusted or the LCD screen of the electronic organizer could be set to the position where the user would most easily see it. However, in the hinge type hinge device, the opening / closing member can only swing freely with respect to the main body member, and the opening / closing member is completely closed with respect to the main body position and the open position where the opening / closing member is completely opened. In order to fix at an arbitrary position between them, there is a disadvantage that a separate fixing means is required.

Third, from the viewpoint of operability, at a position slightly opened with respect to the main body member, the opening / closing member automatically closes toward the closed position, or near the open position,
It is convenient if the opening / closing member is configured to automatically move toward the open position. That is, if the user who has finished the call closes the opening and closing member to a certain extent, the opening and closing member automatically moves to a completely closed position, and conversely, if the user who wants to talk opens the opening and closing member to a certain extent, the setting is made. If it can be configured to open automatically until it is positioned at the opened position, the convenience for a user who uses frequently can be improved.

[0010] However, with only the hinge type hinge device,
Such a configuration cannot be expected, and even when combined with a spring as described above, it is possible to bias in one direction toward the open position. In both cases, the above effects cannot be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can hold an opening / closing member at predetermined open and closed positions with respect to a main body member.
A hinge device having a simple and compact structure that connects both members so that it can be stopped at any position between the open position and the closed position, and that can improve the operability of a portable device using the same. It is intended to provide.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a connecting shaft for connecting a first member and a second member so as to be able to swing relative to each other; A movable cam having a cam surface attached to the second member and brought into contact with a cam surface of the fixed cam; A rotation locking means for locking the relative rotation of the cam with respect to the second member, and biasing the cam surface of the movable cam toward the cam surface of the fixed cam to hold both cam surfaces in a pressed state. And a biasing means for moving the first member and the second member on a cam surface of one of the fixed side cam and the movable side cam in a predetermined phase relationship. A concave portion for engaging the convex portion provided on the cam surface of It proposes a hinge device comprising a friction portion which generates a predetermined frictional force is provided between the tip of disposed adjacent the protrusions.

In the above hinge device, the recess may be
It is effective if a plurality of the cam surfaces are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, in the hinge device, the connection shaft is formed so as to be fixed at least in the axial direction to either the first member or the second member, and the fixed cam is attached to the connection shaft. The movable cam is fixed to at least the axial direction, and the movable cam is rotatably attached to the connection shaft around the axis thereof, and the fixed cam includes a relative rotation of the fixed cam with respect to the first member. May be provided.

In the hinge device, the fixed cam may be a side cam disposed around the connection shaft, and the movable cam may be provided to be movable in an axial direction of the connection shaft. If the biasing means is formed of a resilient member that presses the movable cam along the axial direction, it is effective in that a compact structure can be obtained. Further, the concave portion may include an inclined portion for guiding the convex portion to the positioning position in the vicinity of the positioning position of the first member and the second member engaging with the convex portion. This is more effective in that the operability of a device using the hinge device can be improved. In the above hinge device, the same number of the concave portions and the convex portions may be provided at equal intervals around the axis of the connection shaft.

[0015]

According to the hinge device of the present invention, when the second member is swung relative to the first member around the connection axis, the movable cam attached to the second member is moved. , First
Is rotated relative to the fixed cam fixed to the member. Since the cam surface of the movable cam is urged toward the cam surface of the fixed cam by operation of the urging means, the cam surface of the movable cam is always kept in pressure contact with the cam surface of the fixed cam. In this case, when the phase of the concave portion provided on one of the cam surfaces matches the phase of the convex portion provided on the other cam surface, the concave portion and the convex portion are engaged with each other, so that the first member The second member is relatively positioned with respect to the second member.

On the other hand, in the case where the convex portion is displaced from the concave portion, the tip of the convex portion is brought into pressure contact with the friction portion provided adjacent to the concave portion, so that a frictional force is generated between the two. As a result, the free movement of the second member with respect to the first member is restricted, and the relative movement between the two members is suppressed unless a force exceeding the frictional force acts on the second member.
That is, in the state where the convex portion is in contact with the friction portion that has come off from the concave portion, it is possible to stop the second member in a state in which the second member is steplessly adjusted to an arbitrary position with respect to the first member. Become.

Further, if a plurality of concave portions are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, the first member and the second member are positioned each time a convex portion coincides with these concave portions. Positioning at a plurality of positions becomes possible.

Next, in the hinge device, the fixed cam is fixed to the connecting shaft at least in the axial direction, and the movable cam is attached to the connecting shaft so as to be rotatable around its axis. If a rotation locking means for locking relative rotation with respect to is provided, the connecting shaft is fixed to either the first member or the second member at least in the axial direction, so that the convex portion is formed as described above. Positioning of the first member and the second member at a predetermined position by engagement of the first member and the second member, and stepless connection of the first member and the second member by pressure contact between the protrusion and the friction portion at the adjacent position. Both effects of position adjustment can be achieved.

Further, in the above hinge device, the fixed cam is constituted by a side cam disposed around the connection shaft, the movable cam is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the connection shaft, and the biasing means is provided by the movable cam. If it is constituted by a resilient member that presses along the axial direction, the dimension in the radial direction can be reduced, so that it is possible to reduce the size and weight, and a hinge device suitable for portable goods is configured. become.

In the above hinge device, the concave portion may be
In the vicinity of the positioning positions of the first member and the second member that engage with the convex portion, if an inclined portion that guides the convex portion to the positioning position is provided, When the convex part approaches the concave part and approaches the inclined part provided in the concave part by relatively swinging the member 2, the convex part is engaged in the concave part along the inclined part. Will be guided to. As a result, only by swinging the second member with respect to the first member to a position where the convex portion approaches the inclined portion of the concave portion, the second member alone can be moved to the positioning position with respect to the first member. Will be.

If the same number of the concave portions and the convex portions are provided at equal intervals around the axis of the connecting shaft, all the concave portions and the convex portions are engaged with each other at each interval angle, and the first Since the member and the second member can be positioned, the first member
And the second member can be held at the positioning position with a large holding force.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a hinge device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition,
In the present embodiment, a hinge device used for a mobile phone is described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge device according to the present embodiment includes a fixed cam 1, a straight rod-shaped connecting shaft 3 having one end fixed to the fixed cam 1 by a pin 2, A movable cam 4 that is inserted into the shaft 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction.
A flange 6 fixed to the other end of the connection shaft 3 by a C-ring 5, disposed between the flange 6 and the movable cam 4, and moving the movable cam 4 in the direction of the fixed cam 1. And a coil spring 7 which is always biased toward the coil spring 7.

The fixed cam 1 and the movable cam 4 are
This is a side cam having cam surfaces 1a and 4a that face each other in the axial direction, and is made of, for example, plastic or metal.

The fixed side cam 1 is provided with a cam surface 1a on one end surface formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the cam surface 1a has a groove-shaped concave portion 8 crossing in the diametrical direction and a concave portion 8 And a friction portion 9 which is adjacent to 8 and has a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction. The concave portion 8 is formed in a substantially V-shaped groove shape that gradually widens toward the friction portion 9, and as a result, both side walls of the concave portion 8 form inclined surfaces (inclined portions) 8a. I have.

The fixed side cam 1 is provided with a two-sided portion 1b (rotation locking means) whose side surface is cut out in parallel. The two-sided portion 1b is provided to lock the rotation of the fixed cam 1 in the circumferential direction with respect to the mobile phone body (first member) 10 as described later. It is also used to position the phase with respect to the mobile phone body 10. That is, this two-sided portion 1
When the fixed cam 1 is fixed to the mobile phone body 10 by b, the V-shaped groove-shaped recess 8 provided in the fixed cam 1 is fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the mobile phone body 10. It has become so.

On the other hand, the cam surface 4a of the movable cam 4 is
The cam surface 4a of the fixed cam 1 is formed in a substantially complementary shape. That is, the cam surface 4a of the movable cam 4
Is provided with a convex portion 11 having a trapezoidal cross section that fits perfectly into the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1. The fixed-side cam 1 and the movable-side cam 4 formed in this way have mutual cam surfaces 1a, 4
The convex portion 11 and the concave portion 8 are completely engaged each time the movable cam 4 is rotated by 180 °.

Further, a two-sided portion 4b (rotation locking means) similar to the two-sided portion 1b of the fixed side cam 1 is provided on the side surface of the movable side cam 4.

In the hinge device according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, a portable telephone main body 10 and a transmission section (second member) 12 are connected.
That is, the fixed side cam 1 is inserted and fixed in the insertion hole 13 formed on the side surface of the mobile phone body 10. The insertion hole 13 has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the contour shape of the cross-section of the fixed cam 1, and the fixed cam 1 inserted into the insertion hole 13 is On the other hand, the rotation about the connecting shaft 3 is restricted.

The connecting shaft 3, the flange 6, the coil spring 7, and the movable cam 4 provided at the other end of the hinge device are accommodated in an insertion hole 14 formed in the transmitting section 12. A guide surface 1 slidably contacting a two-surface portion 4b provided on a side surface of the movable cam 4 on an inner surface of the insertion hole 14.
5 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the insertion hole 1
The movable cam 4 accommodated in the movable shaft 4 is allowed to rotate around the connecting shaft 3 and to move along the longitudinal direction of the connecting shaft 3,
When the relative rotation of the transmitting unit 12 around the connecting shaft 3 is restricted and the transmitting unit 12 is swung with respect to the mobile phone main body 10, the transmitting unit 12 is moved around the connecting shaft 3 while being moved in the axial direction. It can be rotated.

As described above, the fixed cam 1 is fixed to the portable telephone body 10 and the movable cam 4 is attached to the transmission section 12. As a result, in the hinge device according to the present embodiment, FIG. As shown in the figure, in a phase in which the transmitting section 12 forms an angle of about 150 ° with the mobile phone main body 10,
The convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 is configured to be exactly engaged with the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the cam surface 4a of the movable cam 4 which is actually hidden is indicated by a solid line, and the cam surface 1a of the fixed cam 1 is indicated by a broken line.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a phase in which the transmitting section 12 forms an angle of about 0 ° with respect to the portable telephone body 10 so as to cover the key panel 16 of the portable telephone body 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 comes into contact with the inclined surface 8a of the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1, and the convex portion 11 is half-engaged with the concave portion 8, as shown in FIG. It is configured to be in a combined state.

The operation of the hinge device thus configured will be described below. When the transmitting section 12 is disposed at a closed position (closed position) with respect to the mobile phone body 10, the convex section 11 of the movable cam 4 is formed on the inclined surface 8 a of the concave section 8 of the fixed cam 1 as described above. The tip is approaching. In this case, since the movable cam 4 is urged in the direction of the fixed cam 1 by the coil spring 7, the protrusion 11 is formed along the inclined surface 8a as shown by an arrow in FIG. The transmission unit 12 is urged in a direction in which the transmission unit 12 comes into close contact with the mobile phone main body 10.

When using such a portable telephone, the user applies an external force in a direction to open the transmitting section 12 covering the key panel 16 of the portable telephone main body 10, whereby
As shown in FIG. 6, the transmitting section 12 is swung about the connecting shaft 3 with respect to the mobile phone main body 10 against the urging force of the coil spring 7. Then, the movable-side cam 4 moves in the axial direction against the urging force of the coil spring 7, and its convex portion 11 comes off the concave portion 8 of the fixed-side cam 1, and as shown in FIG. 9 will be allocated.

Until the convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 comes off the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1, the urging force of the coil spring 7 causes the urging force in the direction of bringing the transmission unit 12 into close contact with the portable telephone body 10. When the convex portion 11 is disengaged from the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1 and rides on the friction portion 9, the urging force of the coil spring 7 is used only to press the tip of the convex portion 11 against the flat friction portion 9. Is done. As a result, a constant frictional force is generated between the tip of the convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 and the frictional portion 9 of the fixed cam 1, and the user applies an external force exceeding the frictional force to the transmitting section 12. Unless activated, the transmitter 12
Is held at an arbitrary position with respect to the mobile phone main body 10 in a stopped state. That is, the user can adjust the angle of the transmitting section 12 with respect to the mobile phone main body 10 to an optimal position and steplessly as desired.

In this case, if the magnitude of the frictional force is set to a minimum value at which the transmitting section 12 cannot move by only gravity, for example, the convex section 11 and the friction section 9
The operability at the time of the user's operation is not deteriorated while the wear of the device is minimized.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the user moves the transmitting section 12 to a position about 120 ° with respect to the mobile phone main body 10, as shown in FIG. The tip of the convex portion 11 of 4 will reach the inclined surface 8 a of the concave portion 8 of the fixed side cam 1. Therefore, the transmitter 1
2, a biasing force is applied by the coil spring 7 to move the protrusion 11 along the inclined surface 8a. Then, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8, the transmitter 12 has a relative angle between the mobile phone main body 10 and the transmitter 12 of about 1 unit.
The projection 11 of the movable cam 4 becomes 50 ° and the fixed cam 1
Is automatically moved to the position (open position) indicated by the dashed line where it completely engages with the concave portion 8 of FIG.

Conversely, the relative angle between the portable telephone body 10 and the transmitting section 12 becomes about 150 °, and the convex section 11 of the movable cam 4 is completely engaged with the concave section 8 of the fixed cam 1. Beyond the position, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, even when the transmitting section 12 is swung to near 0 °, as long as the convex section 11 is approaching the inclined surface 8a, the transmitting section 12 does not When the urging force acting to return the talk section 12 to the open position is actuated and the hand is released from the talk section 12, it is automatically swung in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10 to the open position indicated by the chain line. Will be.

In other words, when trying to make a call in a hurry, or when operating the transmitting part 12 in a hurry when a call is received, the user places the transmitting part 12 in the portable telephone main body 10.
If the user swings to an arbitrary position between about 120 ° to 180 ° and then releases his hand, the transmitting section 12 is automatically set to the open position of 150 °, which is convenient.

Moreover, once set to the open position as shown in FIGS.
Is held in its open position unless a relatively large force is applied to remove it from the concave portion 8, so that, for example, even when the user uses the device while lying down or facing upwards, the transmitter 12 is closed. There is no inconvenience. Also, even if the user accidentally spreads the transmitter section 12 to near 180 °, it automatically returns to the open position of 150 °,
For example, even if the mechanism cannot be extended by 180 ° or more, it is possible to prevent occurrence of excessive stress in the mechanism.

Since the opening position of 150 ° is set by the unevenness of the cams 1 and 4 and the urging force of the coil spring 7, unlike the case of using the mechanical stopper, the transmitting section 12 and the portable The generation of excessive stress on the telephone body 10 can be reliably prevented.

Further, the user who has finished the call is sent to the transmitting section 12.
Is moved to the closed position, the user only needs to apply an external force to the transmission unit 12 such that the movable cam 4 can move in the axial direction against the urging force of the coil spring 7. Good. Then, the coil spring 7 is compressed and the convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 comes off from the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1, and the tip of the convex portion 11 is disposed on the friction portion 9, so that the convex portion 11 and the concave portion The transmission unit 12 can be moved with a relatively smaller force than when the engagement with the transmission unit 8 is released.

Then, the transmitting section 12 is brought close to the portable telephone main body 10 to a position indicated by a chain line in FIG. 4, and the convex portion 11 of the movable cam 4 is turned into the inclined surface 8 a of the concave portion 8 of the fixed cam 1.
The convex portion 11 is moved so as to fall into the concave portion 8 along the inclined surface 8a.
Will be biased toward the closed position. Therefore, even if the user who has finished the call does not move the transmitting unit 12 until it comes into close contact with the mobile phone main body 10, it can be automatically moved until it comes into close contact only by moving the transmitting unit 12 to the almost contacting position. In addition, it is kept in close contact.

As a result, for example, in addition to the case where the lock mechanism is combined with a lock mechanism such as a snap lock, the transmission section 12 can be securely closed without providing a lock mechanism. Therefore, the configuration can be made extremely simple. In addition, when the transmitting section 12 is opened in a bag or the like while being carried and the key panel 16 is pressed by mistake or taken out of the bag or the like. It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as being caught in the vehicle.

The hinge device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following modifications are possible. First, the concave portion 8 provided in the fixed cam 1 has a V-shaped cross-sectional shape, but is not limited thereto.
A trapezoidal shape or a semicircular shape may be used as long as it has an inclined surface 8a on the side wall surface. Further, the convex portion 11 is not limited to the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and may have a triangular or semicircular cross-section.

Also, an example has been shown in which the open position is set to a position where the angle between the portable telephone body 10 and the transmitting section 12 is about 150 °, but the present invention is not limited to this. Can be set to any value. Further, the concave portion 8 of the fixed side cam 1 is arranged in the diametric direction, and the fixed side cam 1 and the movable side cam 4 are formed so as to engage with each other every 180 ° rotation of the movable side cam 4. Instead, the concave portion 8 is arranged in two or more radial directions, and the convex portion 11 is
By arranging them in the directions, they may be configured to engage at an arbitrary rotation angle. Further, a plurality of concave portions 8 may be arranged at regular intervals, and the same number of convex portions 11 as the concave portions 8 may be provided at regular intervals, so that these concave and convex portions may be simultaneously engaged. Further, although the coil spring 7 is employed, another resilient member, for example, a disc spring or the like may be used instead.

Further, the fixed side cam 1 is fixed to the portable telephone body 10 and the movable side cam 4 is attached to the transmission section 12. On the contrary, the movable side cam 4 is attached to the portable telephone body 10. The fixed side cam 1 may be arranged in the talk section 12.

Next, a second embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The hinge device according to the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped connecting shaft 21 provided with a flange portion 20 at one end, and a cap 23 fitted into the other end of the connecting shaft 21 and connected by a pin 22.
And slidably fitted on the connecting shaft 21 between the cap 23 and the flange portion 20 and the mutual cam surfaces 24a, 2
5a, a ring-shaped fixed cam 24 and a movable cam 25 which are opposed to each other, the movable cam 25 and the cap 2
3 and a coil spring 26 inserted between them.

The cap 23 has a flange 23a, and is configured so as to form a part of the outer surface of the transmitting section 12 by closing an insertion hole 27 of the transmitting section 12 described later. . The fixed cam 24 and the movable cam 25
Is a side cam, and a convex portion 28, a concave portion 29, an inclined surface 29a, and a friction portion 30 are formed on the cam surfaces 24a and 25a similarly to the hinge device according to the first embodiment.

The fixed cam 24 and the flange 20 of the connecting shaft 21 are made to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 31 of the portable telephone body 10, and the fixed cam 24 and the flange 20 are attached to the portable telephone body 10. On the other hand, two surface portions 24b and 20a are formed so as not to rotate. The movable cam 25 is formed with a two-sided portion 25b which is slidable in the axial direction and non-rotatably disposed in an insertion hole 27 provided in the transmission section 12.

The hinge device configured as described above is similar to the hinge device shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone body 10 and the transmitting section 1
2 with the insertion holes 27 and 31 coaxially arranged.
When inserted in one direction from two sides, the flange 20 at the tip and the fixed cam 24 are inserted into the insertion hole 27 of the mobile phone body 10 to restrict rotation, while the movable cam 25 is
It is arranged in the insertion hole 30 of the transmitting section 12 in an inserted state. The cap 23 is fixed to the transmitter 12 by, for example, bonding or press fitting.

The operation of the hinge device configured as described above will be described below. When the user swings the transmitting unit 12 with respect to the mobile phone main body 10, the movable cam 25 disposed in the insertion hole 31 of the transmitting unit 12 in the inserted state, together with the transmitting unit 12, connects the connecting shaft. 21 and is relatively rotated with respect to the fixed cam 24 whose rotation is restricted in the insertion hole 27 of the mobile phone main body 10.

The movable cam 25 is urged toward the fixed cam 24 by a coil spring 26 disposed between the movable cam 25 and the cap 23. , Cam surface 25a of fixed side cam 25
According to the shape of the transmission part 12, the inside of the insertion hole 31 of the transmitting part 12 can be moved in the axial direction against the urging force of the coil spring 26. Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the hinge device according to the present embodiment thus configured, in addition to the effect of the hinge device according to the first embodiment, the transmission device in which the insertion holes 27 and 31 are aligned with each other is provided. It is only necessary to insert and fix the hinge device from the one of the insertion holes 27 and 31 to the talk section 12 and the mobile phone main body 10, and it is extremely easy to assemble mobile equipment such as a mobile phone. There is an effect that can be.

Next, a third embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The hinge device according to the present embodiment is different from the hinge devices according to the above-described first and second embodiments mainly in the shapes of the cam surfaces 41a and 42a of the fixed cam 41 and the movable cam 42.

As shown in FIG. 13, the hinge device according to this embodiment has a straight rod-shaped connecting shaft 43, a bracket 44 having a U-shaped cross section penetrated by the connecting shaft 43, and disposed inside the bracket 44. And the fixed cam 41 and the movable cam 42 penetrated by the connecting shaft 43, and the movable cam 42 is disposed between the movable cam 42 and the bracket 44 so that the movable cam 42 is always moved in the direction of the fixed cam 41. And a biasing coil spring 45. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 46 denotes a retaining ring such as a C-ring for fixing the connecting shaft 43 to the bracket 44 in the axial direction thereof.

The connecting shaft 43 extends on both sides of the bracket 44, and through holes 47 for fixing the connecting shaft 43 to, for example, the transmitting section 12 by pins (not shown) are provided near both ends of the bracket. It is formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Also, a through hole 48 orthogonal to the axis is formed near the center of the connection shaft 43. A pin 50 is inserted into the through hole 48 so as to be inserted into an elongated hole 49 of the movable cam 42 described later.

The bracket 44 is formed with, for example, a female screw 44a, and is fixed to the portable telephone body 10 by a screw (not shown), for example.
In addition, a cutout portion 51 for locking a fixed cam 41 described later is formed on one side of the bracket 44.

The fixed side cam 41 has an abutting surface 41b at one end for abutting on the bracket 44 and the bracket 4
4 is a substantially cylindrical side cam having a projection 41c to be engaged with the notch portion 4 of FIG. The cam surface 41a of the fixed cam 41 has a concave portion 52 in a semicircular region on one side with the center line as a boundary, and a concave portion 52 in a semicircular region on the other side.
A friction portion 53 is formed one step higher in the axial direction than the concave portion 52. The friction portion 53 is formed substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the concave portion 52 and
And an inclined surface 54 gently inclined from the concave portion 52 toward the friction portion 53.

On the other hand, the movable cam 42 is also a substantially cylindrical side cam having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the fixed cam 41, and has a shape substantially complementary to the cam surface 41a of the fixed cam 41. It has a cam surface 42a, and has a convex portion 55 that engages with the concave portion 52 of the fixed cam 41. The movable cam 42 is provided with an oblong elongated hole 49 penetrating in the radial direction and extending in the axial direction. The pin 50 inserted into the through hole 48 near the center of the connection shaft 43 is disposed in the elongated hole 49 in an inserted state. As a result, the movable cam 42 can move along the axial direction of the connection shaft 43 within a range in which the pin 50 can move in the long hole 49, while restricting the rotation operation around the connection shaft 43. It has become. That is, the long hole 49 and the pin 50
Constitute the rotation locking means 56.

The operation of the thus configured hinge device of the present embodiment will be described below. As shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, the mobile phone
When the transmitter 12 is arranged at a closed position with respect to 0,
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the phase relationship is set such that the convex portion 55 provided on the movable cam 42 is disposed at an intermediate position on the inclined surface 54 of the fixed cam 41.

As a result, similarly to the first and second embodiments, when the transmitting section 12 is completely closed with respect to the mobile phone main body 10, it is disposed on the inclined surface 54 of the fixed cam 41. The coil spring 45 extends in a direction in which the convex portion 55 of the movable cam 42 is engaged with the concave portion 52 along the inclined surface 54.
The transmission unit 12 is activated by the mobile phone 1
The key panel 16 is held in close contact with the key panel 16.

Next, when the user opens the transmitting section 12 with respect to the mobile phone main body 10, the convex section 57 of the movable cam 42 is opened.
Is disengaged from the concave portion 52 of the fixed side cam 41, and its tip is
Until the friction unit 53 is brought into contact with the friction unit 53 as shown in FIG. 15, the urging force of the coil spring 45 exerts a force for returning the transmission unit 12 to the mobile phone main body 10. However, when the user swings the transmitting section 12 against this force, and the projection 55 of the movable cam 42 is once moved to the friction section 53, the coil spring 4
The urging force of 5 is used only to press the tip of the convex portion 55 against the flat friction portion 53, and the transmitting portion 12 can arbitrarily contact the mobile phone main body 10 by a constant friction force generated therebetween. The position is held in a stopped state. That is, in this state, the user can continuously adjust the angle of the transmitting section 12 with respect to the mobile phone main body 10 to an optimal position.

Further, when closing the transmitting section 12 with respect to the portable telephone body 10, the user is required to close the transmitting section 12 against the frictional force generated between the tip of the projection 55 and the friction surface 53. 12 is rocked. The tip of the projection 55 is fixed to the fixed cam 41.
14, the urging force of the coil spring 45 causes the protrusion 55 of the movable cam 42 to move into the recess 52 along the slope 54 of the fixed cam 41 as shown by the arrow in FIG. By being urged to be retracted, the transmitting section 12 is automatically closed.

Therefore, according to the hinge device according to this embodiment, similarly to the hinge devices according to the above-described first and second embodiments, the portable telephone body 10 of the transmitting section 12 is also provided.
To an arbitrary position with respect to the
Is maintained in close contact with the mobile phone main body 10.

[0066]

As described in detail above, in the hinge device according to the present invention, both cams are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship on the cam surfaces of the fixed cam and the movable cam which are relatively rotated about the connection axis. And the frictional portion is provided at a position adjacent to the concave portion, so that the first member and the second member are located at the position where the concave portion and the convex portion engage. The first member can be stopped at an arbitrary position with respect to the second member by a frictional force generated between the friction member and the protrusion when the protrusion can be positioned with respect to the member. There is an effect that can be.

If a plurality of recesses are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cam surface, the first member and the second member can be positioned at a plurality of positions where the protrusions engage with the recesses. In addition, when the convex portions are arranged between the concave portions, the first member and the second member can be relatively stopped at an arbitrary position without any step.

The connecting shaft is formed so as to be fixed at least in the axial direction to either the first member or the second member, and the fixed cam is fixed to the connecting shaft at least in the axial direction. The movable cam is attached to the connecting shaft so as to be rotatable around its axis, and the fixed cam is provided with rotation locking means for locking the relative rotation with respect to the first member. By fixing in the direction,
Positioning of the first member and the second member at a predetermined position by engagement of the convex portion and the concave portion, and absence of contact between the first member and the second member by pressure contact between the convex portion and the friction portion at an adjacent position. There is an effect that both of the stepwise position adjustments can be achieved.

Further, in the above hinge device, the fixed cam is constituted by a side cam disposed around the connection shaft, the movable cam is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the connection shaft, and the biasing means is provided by the movable cam. If constituted by a resilient member that presses along the axial direction, the radial dimension can be reduced. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, there is an effect that a portable article including the hinge device can be reduced in size and weight.

In the above hinge device, the recess is
In the vicinity of the positioning positions of the first member and the second member that engage with the convex portion, if an inclined portion for guiding the convex portion to the positioning position is provided, the convex portion becomes close to the concave portion. By swinging the second member with respect to the first member to a position where the second member is approaching the inclined portion, there is an effect that the second member can be automatically moved in the positioning direction with respect to the first member. This eliminates the hassle of setting the portable article using the hinge device at the open position and the closed position, and has the effect of improving the usability of the portable article.

Further, by providing the same number of the concave portions and the convex portions at equal intervals around the axis of the connecting shaft, all the concave portions and the convex portions are engaged with each other at every interval angle, and the first
Since the first member and the second member are positioned, there is an effect that the force for maintaining the positioning state of the two members at the positioning position of the first member and the second member can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a positioning state of an embodiment of a hinge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a mobile phone to which the hinge device of FIG. 1 is applied, wherein the hinge device is arranged in the state of FIG. 1;

3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a convex portion of a movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 1 is arranged on a slope of a concave portion of a fixed cam.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mobile phone showing a case where the hinge device is arranged in the state shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the tip of the convex portion of the movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 1 is arranged on the friction portion of the fixed cam.

6 is a side view of the mobile phone showing a case where the hinge device is arranged in the state shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 1 has rotated by 120 ° about the connection axis from the state of FIG. 3 and its convex portion has again approached the slope of the concave portion of the fixed cam. It is.

8 is a side view of the mobile phone showing a case where the hinge device is arranged in the state shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 1 is rotated by 180 ° around the connection axis from the state of FIG. 3 and its convex portion is approaching the slope of the concave portion of the fixed cam. is there.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the mobile phone showing a case where the hinge device is arranged in the state shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention.

12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the hinge device of FIG. 11 is mounted on a mobile phone.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention.

14 is a front view showing a state in which the movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 13 is rotated around the connection axis and its convex portion is approaching the slope of the concave portion of the fixed cam.

15 is a front view showing a state in which the tip of the convex portion of the movable cam of the hinge device of FIG. 13 is disposed on the friction portion of the fixed cam.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 24, 41 Fixed side cam 1a, 4a, 24a, 25a, 41a, 42a Cam surface 1b, 4b, 24b, 25b, 56 Rotation locking means 3, 21, 43 Connecting shaft 4, 25, 42 Movable side cam 7 , 26, 45 Coil spring (biasing means; resilient member) 8, 29, 52 Concave portions 8a, 29a, 54 Inclined surface (inclined portion) 9, 30, 53 Friction portion 10 Mobile phone body (first member) 11 , 28,55 Convex part 12 Speaking part (second member)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connecting shaft for connecting a first member and a second member so as to be relatively swingable, and a fixed cam fixed to the first member and arranged around the connecting shaft. A movable cam attached to the second member, the movable cam having a cam surface that is brought into contact with the cam surface of the fixed cam, and a rotation member that locks relative rotation of the movable cam with respect to the second member. Stopping means; and urging means for urging the cam surface of the movable cam toward the cam surface of the fixed cam to hold both cam surfaces in a pressed state, wherein the fixed cam or the movable cam is provided. At a position where the first member and the second member are arranged on one of the cam surfaces in a predetermined phase relationship, the two members are engaged with the convex portion provided on the other cam surface. A predetermined frictional force is applied between the concave portion for positioning and the tip of the convex portion disposed adjacent to the concave portion. Hinge apparatus characterized by a friction unit for generating is provided. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the concave portions are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the cam surface.
A hinge device as described. 3. The connecting shaft is formed so as to be fixed at least in the axial direction to either the first member or the second member, and the fixed side cam is attached to the connecting shaft at least. The movable side cam is fixed to the connecting shaft so as to be rotatable around its axis, and the movable side cam is related to the fixed member and controls the relative rotation of the fixed side cam with respect to the first member. The hinge device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising rotation stopping means for stopping. 4. The fixed cam comprises a side cam disposed around the connection shaft, the movable cam is provided so as to be movable in an axial direction of the connection shaft, and the urging means comprises: The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a resilient member that presses the movable cam along the axial direction. 5. The device according to claim 5, wherein the concave portion includes an inclined portion for guiding the convex portion to a positioning position near the positioning position of the first member and the second member engaging with the convex portion. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The hinge device according to claim 4, wherein the same number of the concave portions and the convex portions are provided at equal intervals around the axis of the connection shaft.