CN1589534A - Hinge device - Google Patents

Abstract

The hinge device includes a housing 30, a cam 60, a cam follower 40 to interact with the cam, and a resilient member 80. The housing contains the cam, cam follower and resilient member. The cam moves linearly, and the cam follower rotates. The cam has a peak 76, a valley 77, and a straight line section 78 in which the cam follower holds its position.

Description

hinge device

technical field

The present invention relates generally to hinge devices, and more particularly to a hinge device for connecting two parts of an assembly, such as a portable radiotelephone, in a Some components are moved to a folded or unfolded position relative to an axis between them.

technical background

Typically, a portable device such as a portable foldable radiotelephone comprises two parts connected to each other by a hinge, usually one with a keypad and the other with a liquid crystal display. When the cordless phone is not in use, move the two parts to the folded position so that the keypad and LCD face each other. Conversely, when using the radiotelephone, the keypad and LCD screen are moved to the open position, exposing the keypad and LCD screen. The hinge mechanism allows the two components to be connected to each other and move smoothly into the folded or opened position.

Conventional radiotelephones typically only open at a single angle because conventional hinges are designed to remain open at only a single angle. However, since recent radiotelephones have various functions, there is an inconvenience in using only a predetermined angle to open the radiotelephone. Therefore, there is a need for a hinge arrangement that allows the radiotelephone to be opened and used at different angles.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device which allows a radiotelephone to be opened and used at different angles by improving the conventional hinge device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that can automatically rotate within a certain angle range, stop at any position within another angle range, and be fixed at another angle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge arrangement for connecting a first unit and a second unit capable of rotating relative to each other to a closed or open position, the arrangement comprising: a cam assembly having a cam; a cam follower assembly , which has a cam follower that interacts with the cam of the cam assembly; and a resilient member that applies a force to one of the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly, enabling the cam follower of the cam follower assembly to engage with the cam assembly cam interaction. One of the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly is fixed to the first unit and moves linearly relative to the first unit, and the other is connected to the second unit and rotates about a rotation axis relative to the linearly moving assembly. The cam of the cam assembly includes peaks for the linearly moving one of the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly to be moved farthest from the other rotating assembly; two downward slopes from either side of the peak an inclined surface; and a linear portion connected to one of the two inclined surfaces and fixing the linear movement assembly at a predetermined position.

The end of the linear section may have a valley-shaped recess into which the cam follower assembly is inserted.

The hinge device may further include a housing fixed to the first unit, the housing housing the linear movement assembly.

A guide rod extending in the rotation axis direction may be fixed on one of the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly, and a guide hole into which the guide rod is inserted may be formed on the other of the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly, thereby guiding Relative motion between cam assembly and cam follower assembly.

The cam assembly and the rotation assembly of the cam follower assembly may include an extension shaft protruding to the outside of the frame, and the hinge device may further include a connection assembly connected with the extension shaft and the second unit.

The peak can have a groove into which the cam follower assembly can be inserted.

The groove into which the cam follower assembly may be inserted may have a portion where an inclined surface and a linear portion intersect.

The linear portion may have a plurality of grooves into which the cam follower assembly can be inserted.

Brief description of the drawings

The description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings will enable those skilled in the art to clearly understand the objects and features of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable radiotelephone including a hinge arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first body unit and the second body unit of the radiotelephone are separated, and the divided hinge arrangement is shown enlarged. ;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the hinge device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the developed view of the cam surface of the hinge device in Fig. 1;

4(a) to 4(c) are views illustrating the sequential operation of the hinge device, with a side view of the frame for illustrating the inside of the frame;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating folded and unfolded states of the radiotelephone in FIG. 1;

6 is an exploded view illustrating a cam surface of a second embodiment of a cam assembly of the hinge device in FIG. 1;

7 is an exploded view illustrating a cam surface of a third embodiment of a cam assembly of the hinge device in FIG. 1;

8 is a developed view illustrating a cam surface of a fourth embodiment of the cam assembly of the hinge device of FIG. 1 .

Description of specific embodiments

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable foldable radiotelephone 10 includes a first body unit 12 having a keypad, and a second body unit 14 having a liquid crystal display. The hinge device 20 is fixed on both sides of the connecting portion between the first body unit 12 and the second body unit 14 . The hinge device 20 is inserted into the fitting hole of the first body unit 12 , and then the second body unit 14 is connected with the hinge device 20 . The shape and size of the mounting hole generally correspond to the shape and size of the mounting hole of the hinge device 20, so that the hinge device 20 can be prevented from coming out of the mounting hole, and the hinge device is fixed to the first fuselage unit 12, and prevents It rotates relative to the first fuselage unit 12 .

Each hinge device 20 includes a rotatable extension shaft 22 protruding toward the second body unit 14 , and a connecting part 24 is mounted on the extension shaft 22 , and the connecting part 24 includes an engaging surface 26 . There is a connection hole 28 on the second body unit 14, and the connection part 24 of the hinge device is inserted into the connection hole 28. Each attachment hole 28 has an engaging surface that interacts with the engaging surface 26 . Alternatively, the second body unit may have an extension shaft, and each hinge means may have a connection hole. Also, the extension shaft 22 may be directly engaged with the second body unit 14 without using the connecting member 24 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , each hinge device 20 includes a frame 30 , a cam follower assembly 40 , a cam assembly 60 , an elastic member 80 and a connecting member 24 , which are installed in the frame 30 in sequence.

Frame 30 includes an elongated tubular casing. The longitudinal centerline of the frame 30 defines the axis of rotation 100 of the hinge arrangement 20 . The frame 30 includes an end wall 32 formed at one end thereof, a side wall 34 formed extending from the end wall 32 , and an extension protrusion 36 partially extended from the side wall 34 . The other end 38 formed opposite to the end wall 32 is open. The end wall 32 has a shaft hole 33 . The side wall 34 includes two opposing planar walls 35, 35a and two opposing arcuate walls 37, 37a. The planar walls 35, 35a have the function of a key which prevents the hinge means from rotating when the frame is mounted in the body unit of the radiotelephone. In addition, as will be explained below, the planar wall also has the function of preventing the rotation of the cam assembly 60 accommodated in the frame. Formed elongated projections 36 extend from two opposing planar walls 35, 35a, cam assembly 60 and resilient member 80 (to be described below) behind cam follower assembly 40 are inserted into frame 30, projections 36 is bent to cover the open end 38 .

However, the invention is not limited to this method of covering open ends. As a method of preventing the elastic member 38 from protruding outward to cover the open end 38 , a method other than the protruding portion 36 extending curvedly may be used. After inserting the internal parts into the frame, instead of using the additional protrusions, the open ends can be covered by deforming the side wall portions of the open ends of the frame after the internal parts are installed in the frame. Alternatively, a cap can be machined to attach to the open end and cover the open end with this cap after the part is inserted into the frame.

The frame 30 is preferably formed by deep drawing (deep drawing) of metal such as a brass plate. In addition, the frame can also be injection molded with plastic resin materials.

The cam follower assembly 40 includes a disc-shaped support 42, the extension shaft 22 extends from the support 42 along the rotation axis 100, and the guide rod 44 extends from the support 42 along the rotation axis 100 in the direction opposite to the extension shaft 22, and the guide rod 44 Cam follower protrusions 46 are formed on both sides.

The extension shaft 22 includes an engaging surface 48 and an engaging protrusion 50 formed on the engaging surface 48 . Without the connection part 24, the engagement surface 48 and the engagement projection 50 engage directly with the fuselage unit. Guide rod 44 is an elongated cylindrical rod extending from the center of bracket 42 . The protrusions 46 of the two cam followers are formed in close contact with the sides of the guide rod 44. The protrusions 46 of the cam followers extend together with the guide rod 44 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 100 and are longer than the length of the guide rod 44. short. The two cam follower projections 46 are arranged symmetrically to the rotational axis 100 of the hinge device 20 . The protrusions 46 of the two cam followers form a cam follower. The portion of the cam follower involved in interacting with the cam surface will be described later. Each cam follower protrusion 46 has an inclined surface 52 . The thickness of the cam follower protrusion decreases along the inclined surface 52 towards its rounded end. Those skilled in the art will understand that the thickness, slope and curvature of the cam follower protrusion tip can be set to interact with a stop groove (described later) formed on the cam surface. Of course, the structure of the cam follower is not limited to the cam follower protrusion 46 described above. The cam follower may include a support post independent of the guide rod.

The cam follower assembly 40 is inserted through the open end 38 of the frame 30 . The cam follower assembly 40 is rotatable about a rotational axis 100 within the frame 30 . The extended shaft 22 of the cam follower assembly 40 protrudes through the shaft hole 33 of the frame 30 .

The connecting member 24 is fitted on the extension shaft 22 . The coupling member 24 is provided to increase the distance from the rotational axis 100 to the engagement surface, increase the area of the engagement surface and the size of the engagement protrusion to ensure that the rotation of the cam follower assembly 40 is transmitted to the radiotelephone body unit. Depending on the structure of the fuselage unit, connecting parts may not be required.

The cam assembly 60 includes a side wall 62, a cam portion 64 formed facing the cam follower assembly 40 on one side of the cam assembly 60, and extending outward from the center on the opposite side of the cam assembly 60 from the cam portion 64. A cylindrical boss 66 is formed. The boss 66 is provided with a through hole 68 extending along the rotation shaft 100 to penetrate the boss 66 from the cam portion 64 . The guide rod 44 fixed on the cam follower assembly 40 is fitted into the through hole 68 penetrating the boss 66 from the cam portion 64 to control the relative movement of the guide rod 44 .

The side walls 62 include opposing planar walls 70 and opposing curved walls 72 that are the same shape as the side walls 34 of the frame 30 . The structure of the cam assembly 60 is such that it can be loaded into the frame 30 and move linearly along the rotation axis 100 without rotation. The cam portion 64 includes a cam surface 74 formed on the side of the cam assembly facing the cam follower assembly 40 . The cam portion 64 includes two opposed crests 76 a and 76 b corresponding to the diameter of the rotary shaft 100 , and two troughs 77 a and 77 b in the form of fixed grooves diametrically opposed to the rotary shaft 100 . The peak 76a and the valley 77a are interconnected by an inclined surface 79a extending from the peak 76a and a flat portion (or linear portion) 78a extending from the inclined surface 79a to the valley 77a. The inclined surface 791a is between the peak 76a and the valley 77b. Similarly, the inclined surface 79b and the planar portion (or linear portion) 78b are between the peak 76b and the valley 77b, and the inclined surface 791b is between the peak 76b and the valley 77a.

The cam assembly 60 is inserted through the open end 38 of the frame 30 with the cam surface 74 directed to face the cam follower protrusion 46 of the cam follower assembly 40 . The cam assembly 60 is inserted into the frame 30 in a tight fit so that it can move linearly along the axis of rotation 100 within the frame 30 but is restricted from rotating within the frame 30 .

The cam assembly 60 is held against the cam follower assembly 40 by a resilient member 80, preferably a compressed spring coil.

Behind the cam follower assembly 40 , the cam assembly 60 and the elastic member 80 are sequentially inserted into the frame 30 , and the extended protruding portion 36 of the frame 30 is bent along the fold line 31 to partially cover the open end of the frame 30 .

The cam assembly, the cam follower assembly and the elastic member are injection molded from a plastic resin material, preferably an engineering plastic resin. Furthermore, the cam assembly and cam follower assembly can be fabricated from sintered or cold forged metal materials.

The operation of the hinge device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 , FIGS. 4( a ) to ( d ) and FIG. 5 .

When the second body unit is at the P1 position in FIG. 5, the radiotelephone 10 is in a fully folded state. Figure 4(a) illustrates the state of the hinge arrangement when the second body unit is in the P1 position, and Figure 3 illustrates the position of one of the cam follower protrusions 46 on the cam surface 74 corresponding to the P1 position. In this state, the cam follower protrusion 46 is located on the inclined surface 791 a between the peak 76 a and the valley 77 b on the cam surface 74 . At the position P1, the cam assembly 60 pushes the cam follower assembly 40 by the force of the elastic member 80. At this time, the elastic member 80 and the inclined surface 791a give the cam follower assembly 40 a rotational force, and this rotational force makes the second body unit 14 turns to the first body unit 12, that is, the force generated by the hinge device makes the first body unit 12 and the second body unit 14 closely contact each other at the P1 position, so the radiotelephone is stably kept in the folded state.

In this case, when the body units are moved away from each other, the radiotelephone 10 is opened and the radiotelephone is in use, the cam follower protrusion 46 reaches the peak 76a of the cam surface 74, and FIG. 4(b) illustrates this state, which corresponds to position P2 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 . As the two fuselage units are moved further away from each other, the cam follower protrusion 46 rides over the peak 76a of the cam surface 74 . As the cam follower protrusion 46 rides over the peak 76 a of the cam surface 74 , the resilient member 80 will force the cam assembly 60 against the cam follower assembly 40 . Therefore, the cam follower protrusion 46 slides down along the inclined surface 79a of the cam surface 74 without external force, and stops at a position P3 at the end point of the inclined surface 79a in FIGS. 3 and 5 .

In order to move the second fuselage unit 14 further away from the first fuselage unit from the position of P3, an external rotational force should be continuously applied to it. If the rotational force is not temporarily applied during the movement of the second body unit 14, the second body unit stops at this position, and the elastic force of the elastic member 80 holds the second body unit 14 at this position. At this time, the cam follower protrusion 46 is on the flat portion 78a. FIG. 4(c) illustrates this state, which corresponds to position P4 in FIGS. 3 and 5 . When the second body unit 14 at the position P4 is further moved away from the first body unit to the position P5, the cam follower protrusion 46 is reliably inserted into the valley 77a of the cam surface 74 . FIG. 4(d) illustrates this state of the hinge device, which maintains the second body unit in a stable fixed state between positions P3 and P5 at any angle.

The operation of the hinge mechanism will now be described in connection with the transition of the radiotelephone from the open position to the closed position. That is to illustrate the position change of the second body unit from the position P5 to the position P1 in FIG. 5 . In a state where the radiotelephone is fully opened (position P5 in FIGS. 3 and 5, FIG. 4(d)), the cam follower protrusion 46 is inserted and secured in the valley 77a. In this state, an upward force should be applied to position P2 in order to close the radiotelephone. When a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied in the fastened state, since the trough 77a is surrounded by an inclined surface, the cam follower protrusion 46 slides upward along the inclined surface and reaches the flat portion 78a. Since the cam follower protruding portion 46 passes the position P3 upward along the planar portion 78a, the second body unit can be turned with a constant turning force. However, since the cam follower protrusion should go from the position P3 to the position P2 along the upward slope 79a, it is necessary to apply a large rotational force. After the cam follower protrusion 46 has crossed the crest 76a (position P2), it passes through the downward slope 791a and thus automatically reaches the position P1 without any external rotational force, placing the radiotelephone in the folded position.

6 to 8 illustrate the unfolded state of other embodiments of the cam portion. Referring to FIG. 6, the cam surface 74c is identical to the cam surface 74 shown in FIG. 3, except that it further includes grooves 761c at the crests. The cam follower protrusion 46c can be securely inserted into the groove 761c, and the cam follower protrusion 46c can move between the position P1 and the position P5 in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 . When the cam follower protrusion 46c is inserted into the groove 761c at the peak (position P2), the unfolded or opened state of the radiotelephone corresponds to the position P2 in FIG. 5 . Operations at other positions are the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 . Referring to FIG. 7, the cam surface 74d is identical to the cam surface 74 shown in FIG. 3 except that it further includes a groove 782d at the start of the straight portion 78d. The cam follower protrusion 46d can be reliably inserted into the groove 782d. Cam follower protrusion 46d is movable between position P1 and position P5 in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 . When the cam follower protrusion 46d is inserted into the groove (782d) (position P3), the radiotelephone unfolded or opened state corresponds to the position of P3 in FIG. Example is the same. Referring to FIG. 8, the cam surface 74e is the same as the cam surface 74 shown in FIG. 3 except that it further includes a plurality of grooves 785e at the straight portion 78e. The cam follower protrusion 46e can be reliably inserted into the groove 785e.

The cam follower protrusions 46e move between positions P1 and P5 in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when each cam follower protrusion 46e is inserted into any one of the plurality of grooves 785e (Position 4), the unfolded or opened state of the wireless phone corresponds to the position P4 in FIG. 5 . Operations on other positions are the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. a hinge means is used to connect first module and Unit second that can relatively turn to closed or open position, and this device comprises:

Cam pack has cam;

Cam follower member, it has and the interactional cam follower of the cam of cam pack; And

Elastomeric element applies active force to one of cam pack and cam follower member, and the cam follower of described cam follower member can be interacted with the cam of described cam pack,

Be fixed on the described first module one of in wherein said cam pack and the cam follower member, and it is linear mobile with respect to this first module, another assembly then is connected with described Unit second, and rotates around rotation axis with respect to described linearly moving assembly

The cam of wherein said cam pack comprises: summit is used for making the linearly moving assembly of described cam pack and described cam follower member to be moved to assembly position farthest apart from another rotation; Downward-sloping two inclined planes from the both sides of summit; And be connected with one of described two inclined-planes, and described linearly moving assembly be fixed on linear segment on the precalculated position.

2. according to the hinge means of claim 1, it is characterized in that the end of described linear segment has the groove that forms low ebb, described cam follower member is inserted into this groove.

3. according to the hinge means of claim 1, it is characterized in that further comprising a frame, this frame is fixed to first module, and wherein comprises described linearly moving assembly.

4. according to the hinge means of claim 1, on it is characterized in that being fixed to a assembly in described cam pack and the described cam follower member along the guide post that described rotation axis extends, form on the assembly of pilot hole in described cam pack and cam follower member that described guide post inserts, thereby guide relatively moving between described cam pack and the cam follower member.

5. according to the hinge means of claim 3, the runner assembly that it is characterized in that described cam pack and cam follower member comprises to the outside outstanding prolongation axle of frame, and described hinge means further comprises the link that is connected to described prolongation axle and Unit second.

6. according to the hinge means of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that having the groove that described cam follower can insert on the described summit.

7. according to the hinge means of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that being formed with the groove that described cam follower member can insert on inclined plane and the crossing part place of linear segment.

8. according to the hinge means of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that described linear segment has the groove that a plurality of described cam follower members can insert.

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