JP2007032764A - Folding device hinge mechanism and folding device provided with this hinge mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge mechanism of a folding device that has different rotating shafts for each device case and enables a stable folding operation that does not cause a deviation between both housings when the device case is folded.
A hinge mechanism 20 of a folding device 1 that foldably connects a pair of device cases, and includes a first frame 21 including first and second arm pieces 22, 24, and third and fourth arms 42. , 44 pieces, and a third frame 30 comprising first and second connecting pieces 32, 33 having first to fourth coupling portions 34-37, and first to fourth arm pieces. And the first to fourth coupling portions are pivotably coupled to form first to fourth coupling portions 101 to 104, and the first to fourth coupling portions include a drive mechanism 50, a stopper mechanism 70, and a linkage mechanism. When the first frame is rotated in one direction with respect to the third frame, the second frame is connected to rotate in the opposite direction with respect to the third frame at the same angle.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism of a folding device and a folding device provided with the hinge mechanism, and more particularly to an improvement of a hinge mechanism for folding and connecting device cases such as a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, and an electronic dictionary.

  In recent years, electronic information devices such as mobile phones, notebook personal computers, electronic dictionaries, etc. have become widespread, and these electronic information devices have been developed and equipped with various software, and have improved functionality. Are small, lightweight and designed, and among them, mobile phones are most advanced in terms of hardware size, weight and design, and various types have been proposed (for example, the following) (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  FIG. 15 shows a foldable mobile phone described in the following Patent Document 1, FIG. 15 (a) is a perspective view, and FIG. 15 (b) is a partially broken enlarged front view of the hinge mechanism.

  The foldable mobile phone 80 includes a cover case 82 having a display unit 81, a speaker, and the like, a main body case 84 having a wireless transmission / reception circuit and various operation keys 83, a microphone, and the like, and hinge mechanisms 85, 85 ′. The lid case 82 and the main body case 84 are connected to each other by hinge mechanisms 85 and 85 ′ so as to be foldable.

  The hinge mechanisms 85 and 85 'are composed of a right hinge mechanism 85 and a left hinge mechanism 85' in FIG. Among these hinge mechanisms, the right hinge mechanism 85 has a first piece part 84a protruding from the main body case 84 and a first piece part 82a protruding from the lid case 82, which are arranged coaxially. A hinge assembly 86 is fitted in the central hole of the piece portions 84a and 82a, and the left hinge mechanism 85 ′ is provided so as to protrude from the second piece portion 84b protruding from the main body case 84 and the lid case 82. The second piece 82b is coaxially arranged, and a hinge shaft 87 is fitted in the central hole of these pieces 84b and 82b. As shown in FIG. 15B, the hinge assembly 86 inserted into the central holes of the first piece parts 84a and 82a is connected to the end of the main body case 84 and rotates integrally with the main body case. 88, a lid driving unit 89 that is coupled to the end of the lid case 82 and rotates integrally with the lid case, and is interposed between the main body driving unit 88 and the lid driving unit 89, and the lid case 82 A driving mechanism (not shown) that exerts a force to rotate the lid drive unit 89 in the opening direction of the lid, and a holding mechanism for holding the lid case 82 in the closed position with the lid case 82 closed. It consists of

  By providing such a hinge mechanism, the foldable mobile phone disclosed in Patent Document 1 described below allows the lid case 82 to be smoothly folded and opened with respect to the main body case 84.

  16 and 17 show a foldable mobile phone described in Patent Document 2 below. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile phone, and FIG. 17A is a side view of the mobile phone case folded. FIG. 17B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the mobile phone provided with a hinge mechanism, and FIG. 17C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the line XX in FIG.

  The foldable mobile phone 90 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1 to a transmission case 91 including a pair of housings 91A and 91B and a storage portion 91C formed at one end of the transmission case 91. A connecting member 92 connected to the housing 94 and a housing portion 94C formed at one end of the pair of housings 94A and 94B, with a second rotation axis L2 parallel to the first rotation axis L1 of the connection member 92 as a center. A receiving case 94 that is rotatably connected, and the transmitting case 91 and the receiving case 94 are connected by a connecting member 92 so that they can be rotated in the opposite directions at the same angle.

  The transmission / reception cases 91 and 94 have a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, storage recesses are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage portions 91C and 94C, respectively, and the connecting member 92 is first rotated at both ends in the longitudinal direction. A pair of storage recesses are respectively provided on the extension lines of the axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2, and the pair of first hinges 95A and 95A and the second hinges 95B and 95B are respectively stored in the storage recesses. The connection member 92 and the transmission case 91 are provided with first hinges 95A and 95A in the respective storage recesses, and the connection member 92 and the reception case 94 are provided with the second hinges 95B and 95B in the respective storage recesses. By being arranged, they are connected so as to be rotatable.

  The connecting member 92 rotates with respect to the transmission case 91 from the folded position to the final opened position. At this time, the folding position is restricted by the connecting member abutting against the first abutting surface 97 constituted by the wall surface extending in the short direction of the transmission case 91 among the wall surfaces defining the storage portion 91C. Further, in the open position, the connection member 92 is regulated by abutting against the second contact surface 98 formed at one end located at the outer edge of the storage portion 91C in the short direction.

According to this configuration, the rotation order of the rotation of the connection member with respect to one case of the transmission / reception case and the rotation of the other case with respect to the connection member is always constant, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable. The folding and opening can be performed smoothly.
JP 2001-251396 A (FIG. 2, FIG. 5, paragraphs [0016] to [0021]) JP 2004-308710 A (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, paragraphs [0010] to [0015])

  In the folding mobile phones described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the lid case (receiving case) and the main body case (sending case) are connected by a foldable hinge mechanism, The main body case can be folded and opened smoothly.

  However, since the folding mobile phone disclosed in Patent Document 1 houses a hinge assembly having a drive member in the first piece portion, the outer shape of the first piece portion becomes large, and the other second piece portions also have The outer shape is large in accordance with the shape of the first piece portion. For this reason, in this mobile phone, a cylindrical projection protrudes from the connecting portion in the open state. If such protrusions exist in the connecting part, the user is conscious of the existence of these protrusions and gives an image of an explicit mechanical part lacking in design. In addition, the surface area of the main body case is reduced. In particular, since the operation key is disposed in the main body case in the vicinity of these connecting portions, that is, the cylindrical projections, if such a projection is present, the operation area of the operation keys is reduced and disposed. The number of operation keys to be operated is limited, and a fingertip may collide with the projection during operation, which may hinder the operation.

  In addition, since the mobile phone disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes two rotation axes, no protrusion is formed on the connection portion of the transmission / reception case, and the surface in the open state is flat. Yes. The transmission / reception case and the connecting member are connected to each other by a pair of first and second hinges on the first and second rotation axes L1 and L2, respectively. It is designed to be rotated.

  A cellular phone or the like is generally formed with substantially the same dimensions so that both cases are exactly overlapped when the transmission / reception case is folded. However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the first and second hinges are individually rotated with respect to the connecting member, both cases may slide when the transmission / reception case is folded. When both cases have the same shape, they do not overlap exactly when folded, and one case protrudes from the other case.

  Therefore, when such a shift occurs, the user feels anxious as if it is a defective product, and in order to correct the shift, the cases must be slid to overlap each other. It will force extra operation.

  In addition, since the first and second hinges operate independently, the timing at which the first hinge or the second hinge hits the wall surface and the subsequent rotation is prevented differs between the first hinge and the second hinge. When the opening / closing operation is not always constant, and any one of the hinges hits the wall surface during the opening / closing operation and the rotation is prevented, the user feels uncomfortable and cannot perform the opening / closing smoothly. Also, the transmission / reception case and the connecting member are made of resin, and in the open state of the transmission / reception case, the holding of both cases is supported by contacting each case end of the resin and the connecting member, The mechanical strength is weak, and if a strong force is applied to one case, the resin case or the like may be damaged.

  Further, in the foldable mobile phone described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the member constituting the hinge mechanism and the transmission / reception case are connected to each other, the hinge member and the transmission / reception according to the opening / closing of the transmission / reception case. The case rubs, and this rubbing may generate a sound that makes the user uncomfortable, for example, a squeak noise. In order to prevent such a sound from being generated, the connection between the transmission / reception case and the hinge mechanism can be loosened. However, if this happens, there will be play between the case and the hinge mechanism, and the transmission / reception case will not be folded. Become stable.

  Furthermore, the foldable mobile phone described in the above-mentioned patent document 2 can be rotated by bringing the upper and lower casings of the mobile phone into contact with each other as a method for restricting the rotational distance of the mobile phone to an open state or a closed state. Although the distance is regulated, since the housing itself is generally covered with a resin case, if excessive stress is applied in the opening direction, the case may break due to contact with each other, There is a risk of rubbing and squeaking noise. In addition, since the mobile phone is maintained in an open state or a closed state only by bringing the casings into contact with each other, it cannot be substantially held in the open or closed state, and only a small force is applied in the rotation direction. The open or closed state is easily released.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to have different rotating shafts for each device case, and the two housings are displaced when the device case is folded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding device hinge mechanism capable of performing a stable folding operation that does not cause a problem, and a folding device including the hinge mechanism.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to firmly hold the folding device in the open state or the closed state, improve the strength of the pair of device cases of the folding device, and squeak noise generated by rubbing the device cases. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge mechanism for a folding device and a folding device having the hinge mechanism.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 1 of the present application is a hinge mechanism for a folding device in which one end portions of a pair of device cases are foldably connected to each other. The mechanism is
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body of a predetermined length attached to one side of the device case, and first and second arms erected in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and having a coupling portion formed at the tip thereof A first frame comprising a piece;
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body having a predetermined length attached to the other side of the device case, and third and fourth arms standing in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and having a coupling portion formed at the tip thereof A second frame comprising a piece;
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body having a predetermined length, and standing in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and branched to the left and right, and the first to fourth arms at the branched tip portion A third frame comprising first and second connecting pieces having first to fourth connecting portions connected to the pieces;
With
The coupling portion formed on the first to fourth arm pieces and the first to fourth coupling portions are rotatably connected to form first to fourth coupling portions, and the first to fourth coupling portions are formed. At least one of the fourth connecting portions is provided with a drive mechanism for rotating and holding the first and second frames at predetermined positions.
At least one of the first to fourth connecting portions is provided with a stopper mechanism for restricting the first and second frames to an open state and a closed state,
At least one set of connecting portions of the first or second connecting portion and the third or fourth connecting portion is connected by a linkage mechanism, and the first frame has the first and second connecting portions as axes. When a predetermined angle is rotated in one direction with respect to the three frames, the second mechanism is linked to the rotation by the linkage mechanism, and the second frame is opposite to the third frame about the third and fourth connecting portions. Are connected so as to rotate by the same angle as the first frame.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the first aspect, the stopper mechanism includes one of the first and second connection portions that connect the first frame and the second structure. It is provided respectively on one of the third and fourth connecting portions connecting the frames.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism for a folding device according to the second aspect, the drive mechanism is provided at a connecting portion where the stopper mechanism is not provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the first aspect, the stopper mechanism is one surface of an arm piece or a connecting portion of the connecting pieces constituting the connecting portion provided with the stopper mechanism. And a stopper plate provided with a pair of locking claws protruding in the normal direction from two locations on the outer peripheral edge of the plate body, the circular plate body having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the coupling portion And a locking projection that is provided on one surface of the coupling portion of the arm piece or the coupling piece to which the stopper member is not fixed, and that prevents the stopper member from rotating by contacting one of the locking projections, It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the first aspect, the drive mechanism is an arm-one-side cam piece provided on at least one surface of the first to fourth arm pieces. A connecting piece side cam piece provided on one surface of the connecting piece connected to the arm piece provided with the arm piece side cam piece, the arm piece side cam piece, the connecting piece side cam piece, And a spring body that presses the arm piece or the connecting piece so as to strengthen the engagement.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the arm piece side cam piece and the connection piece side cam piece are a plurality of pieces provided radially around the rotation axis. The cams of the protrusions are provided so as to mesh with each other, and the angle formed by any two of the plurality of cams is the same angle as the rotatable angle of the first or second frame. It is provided.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism is at least a pair of the first to fourth connecting portions facing each other through the third frame. It is provided between the connection parts.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the fourth aspect, the stopper member is made of a metal rigid body.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to the first aspect, the first to third frames are made of a metal rigid body.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the linkage mechanism includes the first or second connection portion and the third or fourth connection. Fixed to the rotating bar of the first or second arm piece and the third or fourth arm piece, and a predetermined distance away from the rotating shaft. A link mechanism comprising a pair of cam pieces for fixing one end and the other end of the actuating bar at a predetermined position.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the hinge mechanism of the folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the linkage mechanism includes the first or second arm piece and the third or fourth arm. It is a gear mechanism comprising a gear fixed to each of the pieces and an even number of free gears attached between the gears.

  The invention of the folding device according to claim 12 includes a pair of device cases, and one ends of the pair of device cases are connected by the hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Features.

  Further, in the folding device according to claim 12, when the folding device is in a closed state, the pair of device case surfaces come into contact with each other and one of the stopper members is provided. When a predetermined gap is formed between the locking claw and the locking projection, and the folding device is in an open state, the one ends connected by the hinge mechanism of the pair of device cases And a predetermined gap is formed between the other locking claw of the stopper member and the locking projection.

  Moreover, the invention of claim 14 is the folding device according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined gap is a gap corresponding to 0.5 to 1.5 degrees around the rotation axis of the stopper member. It is characterized by that.

  By providing the above configuration, the present invention has the following excellent effects. That is, according to the invention of claim 1, the hinge mechanism has two rotation axes. For example, with the rotation of the first frame in the one direction with the third frame as the base axis, Similarly, since the second frame rotates in the reverse direction with the third frame as a base axis, the opening movement of the device case becomes smooth. Further, since the rotation of the first frame and the rotation of the second frame are interlocked with each other, if the two axes are independent in the state in which the folding device is folded, the positions of the device cases are displaced. However, in the present invention, such a deviation does not occur. That is, for example, when this hinge mechanism is applied to a foldable mobile phone, the positional displacement of the upper and lower housings of the mobile phone does not occur, and a sense of stability can be given to the user. In addition, since the stopper mechanism for restricting the first and second frames to the open state and the closed state is provided in the hinge mechanism itself, the restriction of the open or closed state by the contact between the device cases when applied to a folding device. Since it is not necessary to do so, damage to the device case of the folding device can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the stopper mechanism is provided on each of the two rotating shafts, as compared with the case where the stopper mechanism is provided only on one of the rotating shafts, no play or play occurs on each of the rotating shafts. .

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the drive mechanism is provided at a position where the stopper mechanism is not provided, the burden generated in each of the first to fourth connecting portions can be distributed, and the drive mechanism and the stopper mechanism can be combined with each other. Since the connecting portions are not provided, the structure of each of the connecting portions can be relatively simple, so that it can be manufactured relatively easily.

  According to the invention of claim 4, a stopper mechanism is constituted by a stopper member having a pair of locking claws on the outer peripheral edge and a locking projection provided on the engaging portion of the arm piece or the connecting piece. Therefore, the effect of claim 1 can be achieved with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the cam piece provided on one surface of the arm piece and the cam piece provided on one surface of the connecting piece are engaged with each other, and the spring body is attached so as to strengthen this engagement state. With a simple structure of energizing, good driving of the hinge mechanism can be realized, and a snap action can be obtained during driving.

  According to the invention of claim 6, when the cams are provided at such intervals, when the rotation is restricted by the stopper member, the cams are also engaged at the same time. Since the first and second frames can also be held by the driving mechanism, the hinge mechanism and the folding device including the hinge mechanism are stabilized in the open state and the closed state. If more cams are provided, for example, every half of the pivotable angle of the first or second frame, the drive mechanism meshes at an intermediate point between the open state and the closed state. Therefore, a more preferable snap action can be realized.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the space occupied by the linkage mechanism can be suppressed by providing the linkage mechanism so as to connect the connecting portions facing each other via the third frame.

  According to the invention of claim 8, since the stopper member has rigidity, the first and second frames can be firmly supported, and damage or the like can be suppressed.

  According to the invention of claim 9, the mechanical strength of the hinge mechanism can be maintained by forming the first to third frames from a metal rigid body, and the pair of device cases can be connected via the frames. In an electronic device such as a mobile phone, the antenna performance can be improved.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 10, by adopting a link mechanism as the linkage mechanism, it is possible to provide a hinge mechanism of a folding device that can realize the effect of claim 1 well.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by employing a gear mechanism as the linkage mechanism, it is possible to provide a hinge mechanism for a folding device that can satisfactorily realize the effect of the first aspect.

  According to invention of Claim 12, the folding apparatus which has an effect of the said Claims 1-11 can be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 13, when the open state and the closed state are established, the device cases come into contact with each other, but the regulation by the stopper mechanism is not strictly performed. In this state, the drive mechanism The cam pieces are not meshed with each other, and therefore the driving force acts in the direction in which the cam pieces are intended to mesh with each other, that is, the direction in which the device cases are in contact with each other. It will be in the state pressed in the direction which meets, and will be able to maintain an open state and a closed state firmly.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 14, when this gap is extremely small as 0.5 ° to 1.5 °, when the device case is further pressed in the rotating direction in the open state and the closed state. Since the rotation of the device case is restricted by the stopper mechanism, the rotation of the device case is controlled as a result of the two stopper actions, and the device case can be reliably rotated.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a hinge mechanism of a folding device and a folding device including the hinge mechanism for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is a hinge of the folding device. It is not intended to be specific to the mechanism and the folding device comprising this hinge mechanism, and other embodiments within the scope of the claims are equally applicable. In the following embodiment, an example in which the folding device is applied to a folding mobile phone will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mobile phone, and various types of folding mechanisms such as a notebook PC and an electronic dictionary are provided. It can be applied to other equipment.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone to which a hinge mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile phone shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the back of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge mechanism in an exploded manner, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view seen from a different direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the foldable mobile phone 1 includes a transmission case 2 in which a wireless transmission / reception circuit, various operation keys, a microphone, and the like are accommodated, and a reception case 10 in which a display unit, a receiver, and the like are accommodated. And a hinge mechanism 20 that rotatably connects these transmission / reception cases 2 and 10. In FIG. 1, the hinge mechanism 20 is covered with a hinge cover C including a pair of cover members 7 and 8.

  The transmission case 2 accommodates components such as the control circuit board 3 inside, an elongated box-like rear housing 2a having a speaker opening and a battery mounting portion formed at the bottom, and the rear housing 2a. A control circuit board 3 including a microphone, a speaker, and the like, various operation keys 5a to 5c, and a front surface housing 2b that has a plurality of holes that expose the various operation keys 5a to 5c and covers the opening of the back housing 2a. In addition, components such as the control circuit board 3 and various operation key switch boards are accommodated in the rear housing 2a, and the opening is covered with the front housing 2b.

  The control circuit board 3 is equipped with a call control circuit for controlling a call function, a network control circuit for controlling network connection and the like, and a control circuit for controlling other functions, and these control circuits are controlled by a built-in CPU. It has become so. Since these control circuits use known ones, detailed explanations are omitted. The switch board, the operation sheet member, the control circuit board, and the like are fixed to the support frame 4, and one end of the support frame 4 is fixed to the second frame 41 of the hinge mechanism 20. The switch board 5 includes a plurality of operation keys 5a to 5c.

  The receiving case 10 has an opening 10b ′ on the front surface, and includes a rear housing 10a, a display panel 11 made of a liquid crystal display device and the like, components such as a receiver 12, and a display window that exposes the display surface of the display panel 11. And a front housing 10b that covers the opening of the rear housing 10a. The rear housing 10a accommodates components such as a panel control board 14 and a receiver 12 for controlling an image to be displayed on the display panel 11. Components such as the display panel 11 and the panel control board 14 are fixed to a support frame 13 as shown in FIG. 2, and one end of the support frame 13 is fixed to a first frame 21 of the hinge mechanism 20. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control circuit boards 3 and 14 accommodated in the transmission case 2 and the reception case 10 are respectively flexible lead wires 6, that is, flexible printed wiring boards (hereinafter referred to as FPCs). It is connected by 6). The FPC 6 is formed of a strip-like body having a narrow width and a predetermined length in which an ultrafine wire is wired inside an insulating film, and a central portion thereof is bent in a substantially U-shape. This FPC 6 is hinged by disposing a portion bent in a substantially U-shape from the control circuit board 3 through one corner 15b to which the hinge mechanism 20 of the transmission case 2 is connected. The mechanism 20 is connected to the control circuit board 14 via one corner 16 b of the receiving case 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinge mechanism 20 includes a pair of first and second frames 21 and 41 attached to the support frames 4 and 13 housed in the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10, and these The connecting member 30 as a third frame for connecting the first and second frames 21 and 41 and the first and second frames 21 and 41 connected by the connecting member 30 are respectively rotated from the folding position to a predetermined angle. The first and second drive mechanisms 50 and 50 for regulating and holding the drive, the link mechanism 60 for linking the first and second frames 21 and 41, and the drive of both frames, and the transmission case 2 And stopper mechanisms 70 and 70 that maintain the open and closed states when the receiving case 10 is opened and closed.

  The components constituting the first and second frames 21 and 41, the connecting member 30, the first and second drive mechanisms 50 and 50, the link mechanism 60, and the stopper mechanisms 70 and 70 are mostly made of metal rigid bodies. Is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. As the metal material, a stainless steel spring material (for example, SUS304CSP-1 / 2H) having high strength, high rigidity, and high toughness is preferable. The plate thickness of the first and second frames 21 and 41 is, for example, 1.5 mm, and the plate thickness of the connecting member 30 is, for example, 1.2 mm. By forming each component with a metal material in this way, the mechanical strength of the hinge mechanism can be increased as compared with a conventional resin material, so that the component can be made smaller. Moreover, since the support frames 4 and 13 are electrically connected by forming the hinge mechanism 20 as a whole by a metal rigid body, the reception area of the antenna provided in either of the support frames 4 and 13 can be increased, and the antenna Performance can be improved.

  In addition, the first and second frames 21 and 41 are incorporated without providing any protrusions in the respective concave portions formed at the connecting portions of the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 that are folded in two.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first frame 21 has a predetermined length of the coupling piece 26 and a pair of first lengths of a predetermined length that are bent substantially at right angles from both ends of the coupling piece 26 in the same direction. It consists of 2nd arm pieces 22 and 24, is attached to the support frame 13 of the receiving case 10, and the whole is U-shaped when it sees from a plane.

  The length of the coupling piece 26 is shorter than the width of the receiving case 10, and the first and second arm pieces 22, 24 have coupling portions 22 a, 24 a formed at their respective distal ends, U-shaped grooves 23c and 25c for inserting FPCs or lead wires are formed in the arm portions of the arm pieces 22 and 24, respectively.

  The coupling portion 22a of the first arm piece 22 is a ring-shaped attachment ring having an opening 22b of a size that allows the cylindrical cap 51 to be inserted. In addition, a groove 22c into which the flange 53 formed on the flange 52 of the cylindrical cap 51 is inserted is formed on the outer periphery of the coupling portion 22a.

  Further, the coupling portion 24a of the second arm piece 24 is made of a plate-like body having a predetermined size, and a non-circular attachment hole 24b for attaching the first attachment shaft 72 of the stopper member 71 to the plate-like body, A pair of protrusions 25a and 25b for positioning and fixing the stopper member 71 are formed on one surface of the plate-like body (the surface facing the first arm piece 22).

  The height of these protrusions 25a and 25b (height from the surface of the plate-like body) is shorter than the wall thickness of the stopper member 71, that is, is shorter than the thickness of the stopper member 71, and has a predetermined fan shape around the mounting hole 24b. It is on the imaginary line opened at an angle and is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the second arm piece 24. These protrusions 25 a and 25 b are formed by punching from the other surface of the second arm piece 24.

  The coupling piece 26 has a band shape, and attachment holes 26a and 26b to be attached to the support frame 13 are formed in the vicinity of both ends.

  The second frame 41 has substantially the same shape as the first frame 21, and has a predetermined length of a coupling piece 46 and a pair of first lengths of a predetermined length that are bent substantially at right angles from both ends of the coupling piece 46 in the same direction. 3 and the fourth arm pieces 42 and 44, which are attached to the support frame 4 of the transmission case 2.

  The length of the coupling piece 46 is shorter than the width of the transmission case 2, and the third and fourth arm pieces 42 and 44 are formed with coupling portions 42a and 44a at the respective leading ends, respectively. U-shaped grooves 43c and 45c for inserting FPCs or lead wires are formed in the arm portions of the arm pieces 42 and 44, respectively.

  The coupling portion 42a of the third arm piece 42 is a ring-shaped attachment ring having an opening 42b large enough to allow the cylindrical cap 51 to be inserted. In addition, a groove 42c into which the flange 53 formed on the flange 52 of the cylindrical cap 51 is inserted is formed on the outer periphery of the coupling portion 42a.

  Further, the coupling portion 44a of the fourth arm piece 44 is formed of a plate-like body having a predetermined size, a non-circular mounting hole 44b for attaching the stopper member 71 to the plate-like body, and one surface of the plate-like body ( A pair of protrusions 45a and 45b for positioning and fixing the stopper member 71 are formed on the surface facing the third arm piece 42, respectively.

  The heights of these protrusions 45a and 45b are the same as the heights of the protrusions 25a and 25b of the first frame, and are on the imaginary line opened at a predetermined angle in a fan shape with the mounting hole 44b as the center. It is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the piece 44. These protrusions 45 a and 45 b are formed by punching from the other surface of the fourth arm piece 44.

  The coupling piece 46 has a band shape, and U-shaped grooves 46a and 46b attached to the support frame 4 are formed in the vicinity of both ends.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connecting member 30 is bent at a substantially right angle in the same direction from both ends of the connecting piece 31 shorter than the connecting piece 26 of the first frame 21 and both ends of the connecting piece 31. The first and second connecting pieces 32 and 33 and the connecting piece 31 are integrally connected. Each of the first and second connecting pieces 32, 33 is composed of a substantially horizontally long elliptical plate-like body branched to the left and right, and a part of the outer peripheral edge of the central portion in the longitudinal direction is coupled to the end of the coupling piece 31. The left and right are the first and third coupling portions 34 and 36 and the second and fourth coupling portions 35 and 37 with the coupling portion as the center.

  A fixing hole 38 for mounting an operation bar 61 of a link mechanism 60 described later is formed in the first connecting piece 32 at substantially the center thereof. The first and third coupling portions 34 and 36 are provided with mounting holes 34a and 36a that are inserted into the operating rod 67, and the outer surfaces, that is, the inner surfaces of the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42 at the time of assembly. A plurality of cams 34b and 36b are integrally formed by pressing or the like on the surface opposite to. These cams 34b and 36b are formed radially around the respective mounting holes 34a and 36a.

  The second connecting piece 33 includes second and fourth coupling portions 35 and 37, and mounting holes 35a and 37a in which second mounting shafts 73 and 73 provided on the stopper members 71 and 71 are mounted, respectively, Locking projections 35b and 37b that are provided on the outer edge portions of the fourth coupling portions 35 and 37 and restrict the rotation of the stopper members 71 and 71 to a predetermined angle in a state where the stopper members 71 and 71 are mounted. Each is formed. Therefore, when the stopper members 71 and 71 are rotated by a predetermined angle, the locking claws 71a and 71b collide with the locking projections 35b and 37b, and the rotation is restricted. This rotation limitation is the rotation limitation of the second and fourth arm pieces 24, 44, that is, the rotation limitation of the first and second frames 21, 41.

  That is, each stopper member 71, 71 is fixed by being prevented from rotating by the mounting holes 24b, 44b and the projections 25a, 25b, 45a, 45b of the second and fourth arm pieces 24, 44. When the arm pieces 24 and 44 are rotated, the stopper members 71 and 71 are also rotated according to the rotation. When the arm pieces 24 and 44 are rotated by a predetermined angle, the locking claws 71a and 71b of the stopper members 71 and 71 are locked. The rotation is restricted by colliding with the projections 35b and 37b.

  The heights of the locking projections 35b and 37b are lower than the thickness of a stopper member 71 described later, and are formed at the bottoms of the second and fourth coupling portions 35 and 37, respectively. The protrusions 25a, 25b, 45a, 45b provided on the second and fourth arm pieces 24, 44 are not in contact with the locking protrusions 35b, 37b provided on the second and fourth coupling portions 35, 37. In addition, the length obtained by adding the heights of both protrusions is slightly shorter than the thickness of the stopper member 71.

  Here, first, the stopper mechanism 70 will be described first.

  The stopper mechanism 70 is a pair of stopper members 71 and 71 fixed to the first and second frames 21 and 41, and the stopper members 71 and 71 come into contact with the rotation of the first and second frames 21 and 41. It is comprised from the latching protrusions 35b and 37b which contact | connect and regulate the rotation.

  Since both the stopper members 71 and 71 have the same structure, the stopper member 71 attached to the 2nd arm piece 24 is demonstrated below. However, the stopper member 71 attached to the second arm piece 24 and the stopper member 71 attached to the fourth arm piece 44 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the connecting member 30 as a boundary.

  The stopper member 71 has a shape in which locking claws 71a and 71b protrude in the normal direction from two locations on the outer peripheral edge of the plate body having a substantially circular shape and a predetermined thickness, and is substantially crescent-shaped in plan view, First and second mounting shafts 72 and 73 are provided at substantially the center of the front and back surfaces, and the crescent-shaped tip portions serve as locking claws 71a and 71b. Each locking claw 71a, 71b is separated from the first mounting shaft 72 by a predetermined angle θ (not shown). The first mounting shaft 72 is formed in a non-circular shape so as to be fitted into the mounting hole 24b, and is prevented from rotating by being fitted into the mounting hole 24b of the second arm piece 24. The second mounting shaft 73 is thick enough to be inserted into the mounting hole 35 a of the second coupling part 35 and slightly longer than the thickness of the second coupling part 35. Then, after being inserted into the attachment hole 35a, the tip end portion of the second attachment shaft 73 is caulked to be rotatably fixed to the attachment hole 35a. Note that the angle θ formed by each of the locking claws 71a and 71b is, for example, equally divided into a desired maximum rotation angle when mounted on the mobile phone 1, and the angle of the locking protrusions 35b and 37b in the circumferential direction is equal to that angle. The angle plus the extension angle.

  The stopper member 71 is made of a metal material, particularly stainless steel having a high mechanical strength. When the stopper member 71 is made of such a metal material, even if an excessive force is applied to one of the first and second frames 21 and 41, the locking claws 71a and 71b are locked to the locking projections 35b and 37b. Therefore, damage or the like is less likely to occur.

  In addition, a through hole (not shown) that also penetrates the first and second mounting shafts 72 and 73 may be formed in the axial center portion of the stopper members 71 and 71. A coaxial cable that electrically connects the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 is inserted to connect the substrates.

  Next, the drive mechanism 50 will be described.

  Drive mechanisms 50 and 50 are provided on the coupling portion 22a of the first arm piece 22 of the first frame 21 and the coupling portion 42a of the third arm piece 42 of the second frame 41, respectively. Each drive mechanism 50, 50 includes a cam mechanism that regulates and holds the first and third frames 21, 41 at a predetermined position, and a spring body that drives the cam mechanism, and the first and second frames 21, 41 are provided. These frames are moved intermittently according to the rotation. Since the drive mechanisms provided in the first arm piece 22 and the third arm piece 42 have the same configuration, the same reference numerals are given, and the drive mechanism 50 attached to the first arm piece 22 is described below. Only explain.

  The cam mechanism includes a cam 34b provided in the first coupling portion 34 and a disc-shaped cam plate 55 having a cam 55b meshing with the cam 34b on one surface. The cam plate 55 is provided with a spring pressing portion 54 whose one end is pressed by a spring body (not shown) provided in the cylindrical cap 51 and whose other end is connected to the link mechanism 60. It is integrally fixed to the collar 67. The spring pressing portion 54 of the cam plate 55 has a diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the opening of the cylindrical cap 51 and a predetermined thickness, and faces the inner surface thereof, that is, one surface of the first coupling portion 34. A plurality of cams 55 b are formed radially from the operating rod 67 on the surface. Further, the cam plate 55 is provided with a recess 55c between the cams 55b so as to mesh with the cam 34b of the first coupling portion 34. Similarly, a recess 34 c is also formed between a plurality of cams 34 b provided on the outer surface of the first coupling portion 34. Further, the cylindrical cap 51 is fixed in the mounting hole 22b of the coupling portion 22a by the flange 53, and the spring pressing portion 54 of the cam plate 55 is fixed to the cylindrical cap 51. The first frame 21 rotates as the first frame 21 rotates. The rear end portion of the cylindrical cap 51 protrudes from the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42. The rear end portion is accommodated in the other corner portions 15a and 16a of the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 when assembled. Is done.

  The cams 34b and 55b of each other are preferably provided in accordance with the angle when the mobile phone 1 is opened. For example, if the open state of the mobile phone 1 is 160 °, the interval between the cams is 160 ° or If it is provided at every half of 80 °, the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are fixed when the cams are engaged with each other, so that the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 in the open state, the closed state, or an intermediate portion thereof are stabilized.

  Thus, when the first and second frames 21 and 41 are rotated, the cam plate 55 of the drive mechanism 50 is rotated, and the cam 55b provided on the cam plate 55 is engaged with the first and second frames. It moves against the urging force of the spring body so as to ride on the cams 34b, 36b of the three coupling portions 34, 36. Thereby, when the cams are not meshed with each other, an appropriate resistance is generated, and a snap action at the time of rotation is realized.

  Next, the link mechanism 60 will be described.

  The link mechanism 60 is provided on the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42, has a protruding bar 65 a on one surface thereof, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42. A long rod-like body rotatably fixed to the connecting member 30 by a cam piece 65, a restricting plate 63 fixed to the first connecting piece 32 of the connecting member 30, and a shaft bar 61a provided at the center. The operation bar 61 is configured to link the rotation of the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42 by fixing both ends thereof to the protruding rod 65a communicated with the restriction holes 63a and 63b provided in the restriction plate 63. And when either one of the drive mechanisms 50, 50 is driven, the other drive mechanisms are operated in conjunction with each other.

  The cam piece 65 is fixed to the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42 by a fixing member 68 provided at the distal end portion of the operating rod 67, and is linked to the drive mechanisms 50 and 50 provided in both arm pieces. In addition, a small protrusion 69 that is locked to the locking holes 64 a and 64 b of the restriction plate 63 is provided at the tip of the fixing member 68. Further, the cam piece 65 has a substantially half-moon shape, and a protruding bar 65a that engages with the restriction holes 63a and 63b of the restriction plate 63 is formed at a position away from the rotation shaft on the inner surface thereof. The rod 65a swings in an arc shape in accordance with the rotation of the cam piece 65.

  The restriction plate 63 is formed of a substantially elliptical plate-like body having substantially the same length and width as the first connecting piece 32, and is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body at the tip of the fixing member 68. A restriction hole 64a, 64b that is engaged with the small protrusion 69, and a narrow groove opening that is bent over a predetermined angle around the engagement hole and into which the protruding rod 65a is inserted. Holes 63a and 63b are provided. The protruding rod 65a inserted into the restriction holes 63a and 63b can swing within the holes, and its movement is restricted at a predetermined position.

  The actuating bar 61 is made of a rod-like body having substantially the same length as the restricting plate 41, and is provided with elliptical holes 62a and 62b having a predetermined length of play in the longitudinal direction at both ends. The protruding rod 65a of the cam piece 65 is inserted into the holes 62a and 62b.

  With the above-described configuration, when the link mechanism 60 is moved, for example, by rotating the first frame 21 from the open state to the closed state, the link mechanism 60 is accompanied by the rotation of the rotated first frame 21. The cam piece piece 65 connected to the first arm piece 22 rotates, whereby the protruding bar 65a of the cam piece piece 65 moves counterclockwise as viewed from the right in the restriction hole 63a. Along with this movement, a counterclockwise force is also applied to the hole 62a at one end of the operating bar 61, and the operating bar 61 rotates clockwise about the shaft bar 61a. Then, a clockwise force is applied to the protruding rod 65a of the cam piece 65 connected to the third arm piece 42 connected to the hole 62b at the other end of the operating bar 61, whereby the cam piece 65 is rotated clockwise. Accordingly, the third arm piece 42 is also rotated clockwise in accordance with this movement, so that the first frame 21 and the third frame 41 are rotated in opposite directions. In addition, since it is clear that the same operation is performed in the case of shifting from the closed state to the open state, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, assembly of the hinge mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, stopper members 71 and 71 are mounted on the second coupling portion 33 of the connecting member 30, respectively. The stopper member 71 is mounted by inserting the second mounting shaft 73 of the stopper member 71 into the mounting holes 35a and 37a provided in the first and second coupling portions 35 and 37 of the second connecting piece 33, and then inserting the hole 33a. Crimp the top of this shaft so that it does not come off. 4 and 5 are shown in the already crimped state.

  On the other hand, the cylindrical cap 51 is inserted from the inside of the mounting holes 22b and 42b of the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42, and the flange piece 52 of the cylindrical cap 51 is inserted into the groove of the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42. Insert into 22d and 42d for positioning. Next, a coiled spring body (not shown) is inserted into the cylindrical cap 26. The spring pressing portion 54 of the cam plate 55 is inserted and fixed in the cylindrical cap 51, and then the connecting member 30 and the first and second frames 21 and 41 are attached. In this attachment, the cam plate 55 pressed by the spring body is pushed against the spring body, and in this state, between the first and third arm pieces 22 and 42 and the second and fourth arm pieces 24 and 44. The first to fourth coupling portions 34 to 37 of the coupling member 30 are arranged on the first coupling shaft 72 of the stopper members 71 and 71 mounted on the second and fourth coupling portions 35 and 37 of the second coupling piece 33. , 72 are inserted into the mounting holes 24a, 44a of the second and fourth arm pieces 24, 44 to prevent rotation, and the locking claws 71a, 71b of the stopper members 71, 71 are connected to the protrusions 25a, 25b, 45a, It is fixed in contact with 45b.

  The operating rod 67 is inserted through the mounting holes 34a and 34b and the center of the cam plate 55 to the bottom of the inner surface of the cylindrical cap 51, and the cams 34b and 36b of the first and third coupling portions 34 and 36 are inserted. The cam 55 is engaged with the cam 55b of the cam plate 55. Subsequently, the cam piece 65 is attached to the operating rod 67. For this mounting, the cam piece 65 is inserted into the operating rod 67, a fixing member 68 is attached to the tip of the operating rod 67, and the cam piece 65 is fixed to the fixing member 68 to prevent rotation. Then, the shaft bar 61a of the actuating bar 61 is inserted into the fixing hole 38 through the insertion hole 64c of the restricting plate 63 and fixed so as to be freely rotatable. Is inserted into the small projection 69 of the part. In addition, the protruding rod 65a of the cam piece 65 is inserted into the holes 63a and 63b of the restricting plate 63 and the holes 62a and 62b formed at both ends of the operating bar 61, and the tip is caulked.

  6 to 8 show a state where the hinge mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is assembled, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a case where the hinge mechanism is closed, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the hinge mechanism is in the middle of opening and closing. 8 and 8 are perspective views showing the case where the hinge mechanism is in an open state.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the assembled hinge mechanism 20 includes a first connecting portion 101 in which the first arm piece 22 and the first connecting portion 34 are connected, a second arm piece 24 and the second connecting portion. 35 is connected to the second connecting portion 102, the third arm piece 42 and the third connecting portion 36 are connected to each other, the fourth arm piece 44 and the fourth connecting portion 37 are connected to each other. The first and second frames 21 and 41 and the connecting member 31 are integrally formed by the fourth connecting portion 104, and the driving mechanism 50 and the link mechanism 60 are provided in the first and third connecting portions 101 and 103. In addition, a stopper mechanism 70 is provided in the second and fourth connecting portions 102 and 104.

  FIG. 9 explains the relationship between the folded state of the transmission / reception case and the hinge mechanism. FIG. 9 (a) shows a state in which both cases are folded with the transmission / reception case of FIG. 1 cut from the line AA. 9 (b) is an enlarged side sectional view showing the hinge mechanism in the state of FIG. 9 (a), FIG. 10 shows a state where the transmission / reception case of FIG. 9 is opened by 80 °, and FIG. a) is a side sectional view, FIG. 10 (b) is an enlarged side sectional view showing the hinge mechanism in the state of FIG. 10 (a), FIG. 11 shows a state in which the transmission / reception case of FIG. (A) is a sectional side view, FIG.11 (b) is an expanded sectional side view which shows the hinge mechanism in the state of Fig.11 (a). 9 (a), 10 (a), and 11 (a), the link mechanism is omitted so that the shape of the housing at the connecting portion can be easily understood, and FIG. 9 (b) and FIG. 10 (b) and FIG. 11 (b) show a state where the hinge mechanism 20 is cut at a predetermined position so that the stopper member can be seen.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 (a), 10 (a) and 11 (a), the hinge mechanism 20 is covered by being sandwiched from a front surface and a back surface by a pair of substantially semi-elliptical cover members 7, 8. It is attached between the transmission case 2 and the reception case 10. The cover members 7 and 8 are formed with hook-shaped locking portions 7a and 8a at one end portion in the longitudinal direction, and locking screw mounting ports 7b and 8b are formed at the other short side portions facing each other. The locking screw mounting ports 7b and 8b are communicated with each other while the locking portions 7a and 8a are locked to each other, and the connected locking screw mounting ports 7b and 8b are fixed by screws 9 with screws. Yes. At this time, by providing the locking screw mounting ports 7b and 8b at the side ends of the semi-elliptical longitudinal direction, the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are folded and opened at a predetermined angle. Since the screw 9 is not exposed from the talking case 2 and the receiving case 10, that is, cannot be seen from the outside, the aesthetic appearance can be improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9B, the hinge mechanism in the state in which the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are folded is such that the first and second frames 21 and 41 are in a substantially parallel state. That is, among the stopper members 71, 71, the locking claw 71 a of the stopper member 71 provided in the fourth connecting portion 104 abuts on the locking protrusion 37 b of the fourth coupling portion 37 of the connecting member 30, The locking claw 71 a of the stopper member 71 provided in the two connecting portions 102 is located at a distance from the locking projection 35 b of the second coupling portion 35. That is, when the cellular phone 1 is in the closed state, only one of the locking claws 71a of the two stopper members 71 is in contact with the locking projection 37b. For example, when the opening / closing angle of the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 of the cellular phone 1 is 160 °, the opening / closing angle restricted by the stopper member 71 is slightly more than 160 ° (for example, about 1 to 3 °, ie, 1 This means that a large angle is set for each rotation axis, and the angle restricted by the stopper member 71 is set to be larger than the actual opening / closing angle. For example, since the stopper member 71 is not restricted even in the closed state, the transmission case 2 and the reception case 10 can be urged to be pressed against each other by the drive mechanism 50. It is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 in the state. In addition, although the case where one of the stopper members 71 and 71 abuts is described here, both the stopper members are slightly spaced (0.5 to 1.5 ° around the rotation axis, preferably 1 °). You may make it be in the state which opened. In this case, in the closed or open state of the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10, the two cases 2 and 10 are supported by contacting each other.

  Next, when one case, for example, the reception case 10 is rotated by a predetermined angle from this folded state, the other transmission case 2 is also rotated by the same angle in the opposite direction. For example, when the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are opened by 80 ° as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10A, the hinge mechanism 20 has the first and second frames 21 and 41 as shown in FIG. Rotate substantially the same angle, ie 40 °, in opposite directions with respect to the connecting member 30.

  Further, when the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are rotated and opened to 160 °, which is in the open state, the hinge mechanism 20 has the first and second frames 21 and 21 as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 41 are rotated by 80 ° from each other with respect to the connecting member 30, and in a state of being opened 160 °, both corners 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b of the transmission / reception cases 2, 10 come into contact with each other The open state is supported, and the stopper members 71 and 71 are positioned with a slight gap (2 °) with respect to the locking projections 35b and 37b. However, in the open state, the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are brought into contact with each other and the stopper members 71 and 71 are also brought into contact with the locking projections 35b and 37b without providing such a small gap. good.

  FIG. 12 is a side view seen from the B direction of FIG. As shown in this figure, when the hinge mechanism 20 is covered with the cover members 7 and 8, the gap where the hinge mechanism 20 sandwiched between the corners 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b of the transmission / reception cases 2, 10 is connected. In the width direction is longer than the width direction of the cover members 7 and 8 constituting the hinge cover C, and the side edges of the cover members 7 and 8 and the corners 15a of the transmission and reception cases 2 and 10, A small gap of a predetermined length d is formed between 15b and 16a, 16b. If a gap is formed at this position, when the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 are folded, the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 and the cover members 7 and 8 are not rubbed to generate a frictional sound such as a squeak noise. This small gap is such that dust and the like do not enter.

  As described above, the hinge mechanism of the first embodiment is driven by the link mechanism 60 because the rotation of the first and second frames 21 and 41 is driven in linkage with the connecting member 30 in the opposite phase. Since the rotation of both frames is always linked, a stable opening / closing operation can be realized, and the transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 in the closed state are not displaced.

  In the first embodiment, the drive mechanisms 50 are provided at the two locations of the first and third connection portions 101 and 103, but any number of drive mechanisms 50 may be provided at any of the first to fourth connection portions 101 to 104. However, if there is only one drive mechanism 50, since play or backlash due to backlash occurs, it is preferable to provide one for each rotating shaft. In addition, the link mechanism 60 is provided in the first and third connecting portions 101 and 103 provided with the drive mechanism 50. Any link mechanism 60 can be used as long as the first frame 21 and the second frame 41 can be linked. Preferably, the first arm piece 22 and the third arm piece 42, or the second arm piece 24 and the fourth arm piece 44 are provided so as to be linked with each other, so that the most space-saving installation can be achieved.

  In the first embodiment, the stopper mechanism 70 is also provided in the second and fourth connecting portions 102 and 104. However, any number of stopper mechanisms 70 may be provided in any of the connecting portions. It shall be provided one by one. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the stopper mechanism 70 can be provided even in a connecting portion provided with the drive mechanism 50 and the link mechanism 60.

  Next, the case where a gear mechanism is used as the linkage mechanism for linking and driving the first and second frames of the link mechanism of the present invention will be described. 13A and 13B show a hinge mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a perspective view in a closed state, FIG. 13B is a perspective view in an open state, and FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the hinge mechanism in FIG. FIG. This hinge mechanism 20A is mainly different from the hinge mechanism 20 of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the linkage mechanism, and the other configurations are substantially the same. Therefore, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is incorporated. Only the different parts will be described in detail below. In Example 2 described below, only one drive mechanism is provided. In the following, the linkage mechanism is shown as a rotational force transmission mechanism composed of a plurality of gears, and the drive mechanism is shown as a rotation angle restricting means.

  The hinge mechanism 20A of the present embodiment includes a first frame 21, a second frame 41, and a connecting member 30, and the first frame 21 includes a pair of left and right first, The second arm pieces 22 and 24 and the coupling pieces 26 that connect the first and second arm pieces 22 and 24 are configured. The first and second arm pieces 22, 24 have coupling portions 22 a, 24 a at their tip portions, respectively, and a rectangular shaft hole 22 b into which the D cut portion of the first main shaft 105 is fitted in one coupling portion 22 a. However, the other coupling portion 24a is provided with a round shaft hole 24b 'into which the tip of the first pivot 107 is fitted. With this configuration, when a rotational force is applied to the first frame 21, the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 106 connected to the first main shaft 105.

  The second frame 41 has substantially the same configuration as the first frame 21 and connects the pair of left and right third and fourth arm pieces 42 and 44 and the third and fourth arm pieces 42 and 44. It is comprised with the coupling piece 46. FIG. Of the coupling portions 42a, 44a provided at the distal ends of the arm pieces 42, 44, one coupling portion 42a has a large-diameter shaft hole 42b 'through which the second main shaft 118 is inserted, and a cup on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The concave portion to which the ring 121 is engaged is provided, and the other coupling portion 42b is provided with a round shaft hole 44b ′ into which the tip of the second pivot 108 is fitted. The coupling 121 holds the cam follower 117 constituting the rotation angle restricting means 115 and fixes it to the second frame 41. Further, the cam follower 117 is coupled to the second main shaft 118 to prevent rotation. With this configuration, when a rotational force is applied to the second frame 41, the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 119 connected to the second main shaft 118 and the cam follower 117.

  The connecting member 30 has a shaft hole 34 a for supporting the first main shaft 105, a shaft hole 36 a for supporting the second main shaft 118, and a shaft hole 38 a for supporting the gears 112, 113. , 38b, and a cam surface 116 constituting the rotation angle restricting means 115 is integrated with the first connecting piece 32 by press working or the like on the outer wall surface surrounding the shaft hole 36a that supports the second main shaft 118. It is carved in. The shaft holes 38a and 38b are arranged in a staggered manner between the shaft hole 34a and the shaft hole 36a. With this configuration, even if gears 112 and 113 having a predetermined outer diameter are used, the distance between the shaft hole 34a and the shaft hole 36a can be shortened, and the folding device to which the hinge mechanism 20A is attached can be thinned. The second connecting piece 33 is provided with a shaft hole 35 a for supporting the first pivot 107 and a shaft hole 37 a for supporting the second pivot 108. Unlike the case of the first embodiment, both ends of the coupling piece 31 are coupled to the first and second coupling pieces 32 and 33 so as to be positioned on the near side when mounted on the folding device. A screw hole 31b for fixing the attachment frame 125 and an opening 31a for attaching the hinge cover C are provided.

  The rotation angle restricting means 115 includes a cam surface 116 and a cam follower 117. In order to elastically engage the cam follower 117 with the cam surface 116 and interlock with the rotation of the second frame 41, a coupling 121 is provided. , A sleeve 122, an extension spring 123, and a stop washer 124 are provided. In order to incorporate them, the front shaft portion of the second main shaft 118 is inserted into the shaft hole 36a of the connecting member 30, and the cam follower 117, the coupling 121, and the sleeve 122 are fitted into the shaft portion. The shaft end is passed through the large-diameter shaft hole 42b ′ of the second frame 41, and an extension spring 123 is fitted on the end of the shaft, and then a stopper washer 124 is fixed to the end of the second main shaft 118. The As a result, the extension spring 123 applies a pressing force to the cam follower 117 via the sleeve 122 that is movable in the axial direction. The inner shaft portion of the second main shaft 118 is fitted into the shaft hole 129 of the auxiliary mounting frame 125.

  The rotation angle restricting means 115 having the above-described configuration is loaded at the initial stage of rotation when the first frame 21 and the second frame 41 are rotated and opened / closed relatively, that is, when transitioning from one state to another state. When it gets over and over it, the load becomes smaller and it functions to be stable in the closed state and the open state. Thus, the opening / closing operation of the two-fold transmission / reception cases 2 and 10 has a snap action.

  The auxiliary attachment frame 125 is for supporting the gears 106, 112, 113, and 119 between the inner surface of the first connection piece 32 of the connection member 30, and includes an upper side 126 and a side side 127. 126 is provided with a screw hole 132 through which a fixing screw 137 for fixing the auxiliary mounting frame 125 to the connecting member 30 is inserted, and an opening 131 corresponding to the opening 31a, and the side 127 has a first main shaft. A shaft hole 128 that supports the shaft 105, a shaft hole 129 that supports the second main shaft 118, and shaft holes 130 and 140 that support the gears 112 and 113 are provided.

  In addition, the second connecting piece 33 of the connecting member 30 is connected to the first and second pivots 107 on the connecting portions 24b ′ and 44b ′ of the second and fourth arm pieces 24 and 44 of the first frame 21 and the second frame 41, respectively. The stopper members 71 and 71 are fitted on the first and second pivot shafts 107 and 108, respectively. The stopper members 71 and 71 have the same shape as that shown in the first embodiment, and are fixed to the second and fourth arm pieces 24 and 44 and are provided on the outer surface of the second connecting piece 33 (illustrated). The rotation of the first and second frames 21 and 41 is restricted by abutting (omitted). In the rotational force transmission mechanism 111, the gears 106 and 119 are fixed to the first and second main shafts 105 and 118, respectively, and the gears 112 and 113 are free gears provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the center support shaft. .

  In the hinge mechanism 20A configured as described above, the rotational force transmission mechanism 111 including an even number of gear trains is provided between the first frame 21 and the second frame 41. When a rotational force is applied to one of the two frames 41, the reverse rotational force is transmitted to the other. That is, when a rotational force is applied to the first frame 21, the first main shaft 105 rotates and the gear 106 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the gear 119 via the gears 112 and 113. When the gear 119 rotates, the second main shaft 118 rotates, the cam follower 117 and the coupling 121 coupled thereto rotate, and the second frame 41 with which the coupling 121 is engaged rotates. At this time, the cam follower 117 is elastically engaged with the cam surface 116, and the rotation angle restricting means 115 functions.

  13A and 13B show the operation of the hinge mechanism when the second frame 41 is opened from the closed state with respect to the first frame 21. FIG. When the first frame 21 and the second frame 41 are opened from the closed state (see FIG. 13A), the open surfaces are continuous and flat (see FIG. 13B). This is because the two shafts, that is, the first main shaft 105 of the first frame 21 and the second main shaft 118 of the second frame 41 are both supported by the connecting member 30. Further, since the rotational force transmission mechanism 111 connects the gears 112 and 113 of both the main shafts with the gears 106 and 119, the diameters of the gears 106 and 119 of the both main shafts can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the hinge mechanism 20A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the first and second frames 21, 41 is interlocked using an even number of gears as the linkage mechanism. When the folding device is opened by rotating the transmitting case 2 or the receiving case 10 connected to one frame of a folding device (for example, the mobile phone 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) having the mechanism 20A, the hinge mechanism Will rotate around the two axes by dividing the rotation angle of the transmission / reception case 2 and 10 equally, and both axes will not rotate independently, so the transmission / reception case in the closed state The deviation of 2, 10 can be suppressed.

  In the second embodiment, the number of drive mechanisms is one, but it is apparent from the configuration of the first embodiment that two or more drive mechanisms can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone to which a hinge mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a housing and a case are removed from the mobile phone of FIG. 1 so that an internal mechanism such as a link mechanism can be seen; 3 is a perspective view seen from the back of FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge mechanism in an exploded manner, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a case where the hinge mechanism is closed in a state where the hinge mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is assembled, FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the hinge mechanism is in the middle of opening and closing in the state where the hinge mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is assembled. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a case where the hinge mechanism is in an open state in a state where the hinge mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is assembled. FIG. 9 explains the relationship between the folded state of the transmission / reception case and the hinge mechanism. FIG. 9 (a) shows a state in which both cases are folded with the transmission / reception case of FIG. 1 cut from the line AA. FIG. 9B is an enlarged side sectional view showing the hinge mechanism in the state of FIG. 10 shows a state where the transmission / reception case of FIG. 9 is opened by 80 °, FIG. 10 (a) is a side sectional view, and FIG. 10 (b) is an enlarged side sectional view showing a hinge mechanism in the state of FIG. 10 (a). , 11 shows a state where the transmission / reception case of FIG. 9 is opened by 160 °, FIG. 11 (a) is a side sectional view, and FIG. 11 (b) is an enlarged side sectional view showing a hinge mechanism in the state of FIG. 11 (a). , 12 is a side view as seen from the direction B in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a hinge mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view in a closed state, FIG. 13 (b) is a perspective view in an open state, 14 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 15 shows a conventional folding mobile phone, FIG. 15 (a) is a perspective view, FIG. 15 (b) is a partially broken enlarged front view of a hinge mechanism, FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional mobile phone, 17 shows a state in which the mobile phone of FIG. 16 is assembled, FIG. 17 (a) is a side view of the mobile phone case in a folded state, and FIG. 17 (b) is a portion provided with a hinge mechanism of this mobile phone. FIG. 17C is a partially omitted enlarged sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile phone (folding device)
2 Transmission case 6 FPC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reception case 20 Hinge mechanism 21 1st frame 22 1st arm piece 24 2nd arm piece 26 Connection piece 26a, 26b Attachment hole 30 Connecting member (3rd frame)
31 coupling piece 32 first coupling piece 33 second coupling piece 34 first coupling portion 34b cam 35 second coupling portion 35b locking projection 36 third coupling portion 36b cam 37 fourth coupling portion 37b locking projection 41 second frame 42 Third arm piece 44 Fourth arm piece 46 Coupling pieces 46a, 46b U-shaped groove 50 Drive mechanism 51 Cylindrical cap 54 Spring body pressing portion 55 Cam plate 55b Cam 60 Link mechanism 61 Actuating bar 63 Restricting plate 65 Cam piece 65a Protruding rod 67 Actuating rod 70 Stopper mechanism 71 Stopper members 71a and 71b Locking claw 101 First connecting portion 102 Second connecting portion 103 Third connecting portion 104 Fourth connecting portions 105 and 118 First and second main shafts 106 and 119 Gears 107, 108 First and second pivots 111 Rotational force transmission mechanisms 112, 113 (Play) gear 115 Rotation angle restricting means 116 Cam surface 117 Cam Orowa 121 coupling 122 sleeve 123 extended spring 124 lock washer 125 auxiliary mounting frame

Claims (14)

A hinge mechanism of a folding device that foldably connects one end of a pair of device cases, wherein the hinge mechanism is
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body of a predetermined length attached to one side of the device case, and first and second arms erected in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and having a coupling portion formed at the tip thereof A first frame comprising a piece;
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body having a predetermined length attached to the other side of the device case, and third and fourth arms standing in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and having a coupling portion formed at the tip thereof A second frame comprising a piece;
A coupling piece made of a plate-like body having a predetermined length, and standing in the same direction from both ends of the coupling piece and branched to the left and right, and the first to fourth arms at the branched tip portion A third frame comprising first and second connecting pieces having first to fourth connecting portions connected to the pieces;
With
The coupling portion formed on the first to fourth arm pieces and the first to fourth coupling portions are rotatably connected to form first to fourth coupling portions, and the first to fourth coupling portions are formed. At least one of the fourth connecting portions is provided with a drive mechanism for rotating and holding the first and second frames at predetermined positions.
At least one of the first to fourth connecting portions is provided with a stopper mechanism for restricting the first and second frames to an open state and a closed state,
At least one set of the first or second connecting portion and the third or fourth connecting portion is connected by a linkage mechanism, and the first frame is configured with the first and second connecting portions as axes. When the frame is rotated by a predetermined angle in one direction, the second mechanism is linked to the rotation by the linkage mechanism, and the second frame is opposite to the third frame with the third and fourth connecting portions as axes. A hinge mechanism for a folding device, wherein the hinge mechanism is connected to the first frame so as to rotate by the same angle as the first frame.   The stopper mechanism is provided on one of the first and second connecting portions that connect the first frame and one of the third and fourth connecting portions that connect the second frame, respectively. The hinge mechanism of the folding apparatus according to claim 1.   The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 2, wherein the driving mechanism is provided in a connecting portion where the stopper mechanism is not provided.   The stopper mechanism is a circular plate having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the coupling portion, which is fixed to one surface of an arm piece or a coupling portion of the coupling piece constituting the coupling portion provided with the stopper mechanism. A stopper member having a pair of locking claws protruding in the normal direction from two locations on the outer peripheral edge of the plate body, and provided on one surface of a joint portion of an arm piece or a connecting piece to which the stopper member is not fixed, The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking projection that prevents rotation of the stopper member by contacting any one of the locking projections.   The drive mechanism includes an arm piece side cam piece that is connected to an arm piece side cam piece provided on at least one surface of the first to fourth arm pieces, and an arm piece provided with the arm piece side cam piece. A connecting piece side cam piece provided on one surface with which the piece abuts, and a spring body that presses the arm piece or the connecting piece so as to strengthen the engagement between the arm piece side cam piece and the connecting piece side cam piece. The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 1.   The arm piece-side cam piece and the connecting piece-side cam piece are provided so that cams of a plurality of protrusions provided radially around a rotation shaft are engaged with each other, and any two of the plurality of cams The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an angle formed is the same as a rotatable angle of the first or second frame.   2. The hinge of the folding device according to claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism is provided between at least a pair of connecting portions facing each other through the third frame of the first to fourth connecting portions. mechanism.   The hinge mechanism of the folding device according to claim 4, wherein the stopper member is made of a metal rigid body.   The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 1, wherein the first to third frames are made of a metal rigid body.   The linkage mechanism includes an operating bar having a central portion rotatably fixed between the first or second connecting portion and the third or fourth connecting portion, the first or second arm piece, A link mechanism comprising a pair of cam piece pieces fixed to the rotation shaft of the third or fourth arm piece and fixing one end and the other end of the operating bar at a position separated from the rotation shaft by a predetermined distance. The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The linkage mechanism is a gear mechanism including a gear fixed to each of the first or second arm piece and the third or fourth arm piece, and an even number of free gears attached between the gears. The hinge mechanism for a folding device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism is provided.   A folding device comprising a pair of device cases, wherein one end portions of the pair of device cases are connected by the hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11.   When the folding device is in a closed state, the surfaces of the pair of device cases are in contact with each other, and a predetermined gap is formed between one locking claw of the stopper member and the locking projection, and the folding device When the device is in an open state, one end portions of the pair of device cases connected by the hinge mechanism are in contact with each other and between the other locking claw of the stopper member and the locking projection. The folding device according to claim 12, wherein a predetermined gap is formed in the folding device.   14. The folding device according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined gap is a gap corresponding to 0.5 to 1.5 [deg.] Around the rotation axis of the stopper member.

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