JP7717682B2 - hinge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge having a main body and a rotary damper having an axis portion protruding from the main body.

A hinge is known that includes a rotary damper with a main body and a shaft that protrudes from the main body (see Patent Document 1). The hinge includes a first member that is attached to a fixed member such as a housing, and a second member that is attached to a movable member such as a lid or door. The main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed in the first member. The shaft of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed in the second member.

The movable member rotates around the shaft of the rotary damper. When the movable member rotates, the shaft of the rotary damper rotates relative to the main body, generating a damping force. This damping force helps to reduce the impact when the movable member closes.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-286472

However, in conventional hinges, the radial load acting on the movable member is borne by the shaft of the rotary damper. Because the radial load acts on the shaft in a cantilevered manner, there is a risk of the rotary damper being damaged.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a hinge that can reduce or eliminate the radial load acting on the shaft portion of the rotary damper.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a hinge comprising a main body and a rotary damper having an axle protruding from the main body, the hinge comprising: a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed; a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the axle of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed; and a third member attached to one of the fixed members or the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion being disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, the second member rotating relatively to the first member and the third member around the axle of the rotary damper, and the third member bearing at least a portion of the radial load acting on the second member, and the main body of the rotary damper bearing a portion of the radial load acting on the second member .
Another aspect of the present invention is a hinge comprising a main body and a rotary damper having an axle protruding from the main body, the hinge comprising: a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed; a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the axle of the rotary damper is non-rotatably housed; and a third member attached to one of the fixed members or the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion being disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, the second member rotating relatively to the first member and the third member around the axle of the rotary damper, the third member bearing at least a portion of the radial load acting on the second member, and a through hole communicating with each other being formed in each of the first member and the third member so that the first member and the third member can be fastened together to the fixed member or the one of the movable members.

According to the present invention, the radial load acting on the shaft portion of the rotary damper can be reduced or eliminated.

1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a fixed member and a movable member (FIG. 1A shows the movable member in a closed position, and FIG. 1B shows the movable member in an open position). 2(a) is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 1(b). FIG. 3( a ) is a perspective view of the hinge of this embodiment in an assembled state, FIG. 3( b ) is an exploded perspective view of the hinge (viewed from the third member side), and FIG. 3( c ) is an exploded perspective view of the hinge (viewed from the first member side). 4(a) is a front view of the hinge, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4(a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge of the present embodiment before the first member and the third member are connected.

Hereinafter, a hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the hinge according to the present invention can be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. This embodiment is provided with the intention that those skilled in the art will be able to fully understand the invention by fully disclosing the specification.

Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show an example of a hinge 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to a fixed member (e.g., a housing 11) and a movable member (e.g., a lid 12). Figure 1(a) shows the closed position of the lid 12, and Figure 1(b) shows the open position of the lid 12. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show enlarged views of Figures 1(a) and 1(b).

As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the hinge 10 comprises a first member 1 attached to the housing 11 by fastening members 13 such as screws, a third member 3 fastened together with the first member 1 to the housing 11 by fastening members 13, and a second member 2 attached to the edge (narrower end surface) of the lid 12 by fastening members 14 such as screws. The first member 1 and the third member 3 are fixed members. The second member 2 is movable members. When the lid 12 is opened or closed, the second member 2 rotates relative to the first member 1 and the third member 3.

Figure 3(a) shows a perspective view of the hinge 10 in an assembled state, Figure 3(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the hinge 10 (viewed from the third member 3 side), and Figure 3(c) shows an exploded perspective view of the hinge 10 (viewed from the first member 1 side). Figure 4(a) shows a front view of the hinge 10, and Figure 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 4(a). 1 is the first member, 2 is the second member, 3 is the third member, and 4 is the rotational damper.

As shown in Figure 3(b), the rotary damper 4 comprises a cylindrical main body 4a and a shaft portion 4b protruding from the main body 4a. A viscous fluid is filled between the main body 4a and the shaft portion 4b. When the shaft portion 4b rotates in one direction (for example, clockwise direction C) relative to the main body 4a, a damping force is generated. The rotary damper 4 itself is well known, and the configuration of the rotary damper 4 is not particularly limited, so further detailed explanation will be omitted.

The first member 1 comprises a first cylindrical portion 1a and a first bracket portion 1b that is resin-molded integrally with the first cylindrical portion 1a. The first cylindrical portion 1a is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 fits into the first cylindrical portion 1a. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 is formed with a pair of flat surfaces 21 that are parallel to each other. The inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 1a is formed with a pair of anti-rotation protrusions 23 that correspond to the pair of flat surfaces 21. While FIG. 3(b) only shows the anti-rotation protrusion 23 on the far side, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a pair of anti-rotation protrusions 23 are formed. The anti-rotation protrusions 23 engage with the flat surfaces 21 of the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4, preventing the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 from rotating relative to the first member 1.

The first bracket portion 1b is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate extending from the first tubular portion 1a toward the third member 3. A reinforcing rib 25 is formed in the center of the length of the first bracket portion 1b. A through hole 24 is formed in the first bracket portion 1b, through which a fastening member 13 passes for attachment to the housing 11. The shape of the first bracket portion 1b is not particularly limited.

The second member 2 comprises a second cylindrical portion 2a and a second bracket portion 2b molded integrally with the second cylindrical portion 2a from resin. The second cylindrical portion 2a comprises a large-diameter portion 2a1 and a small-diameter portion 2a2 protruding from the large-diameter portion 2a1. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 2a1. The shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 2a2. As shown in FIG. 3(b), a pair of parallel flat surfaces 22 is formed on the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4. As shown in FIG. 3(c), a pair of flat surfaces 26 corresponding to the pair of flat surfaces 22 on the shaft portion 4b is formed on the inner surface of the small-diameter portion 2a2. While only the rear flat surface 26 is shown in FIG. 3(c), a pair of flat surfaces 26 is formed as shown in FIG. 4(b). The flat surface 26 engages with the flat surface 22 of the shaft portion 4 b of the rotary damper 4 , thereby preventing the shaft portion 4 b of the rotary damper 4 from rotating relative to the second member 2 .

As shown in Figure 3(b), the second bracket portion 2b is formed, for example, in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate with three sides reinforced by reinforcing walls. The second bracket portion 2b has a through-hole 27 formed therein through which the fastening member 14 (see Figure 2(a)) for attaching it to the lid 12 passes. The shape of the second bracket portion 2b is not particularly limited.

As shown in Figure 4(b), a sleeve 31 is interposed between the second cylindrical portion 2a of the second member 2 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4. A flange 31a is formed integrally with the sleeve 31. The flange 31a is interposed between the first cylindrical portion 1a and the second cylindrical portion 2a. The sleeve 31 is made of resin. The sleeve 31 allows the second member 2 to rotate smoothly relative to the first member 1 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4, and also prevents wear of the second member 2.

As shown in Figure 3(c), the third member 3 comprises a third tubular portion 3a and a third bracket portion 3b that is resin-molded integrally with the third tubular portion 3a. The third tubular portion 3a is cylindrical with a bottom. The third bracket portion 3b is, for example, plate-shaped and extends from the third tubular portion 3a toward the first member 1. As shown in Figure 5, the third bracket portion 3b has a shape complementary to the first bracket portion 1b and has a step 28. When the third bracket portion 3b is placed on the first bracket portion 1b, the first member 1 and the third member 3 cannot be separated in the axial direction. The shape of the third bracket portion 3b is not particularly limited.

As shown in Figure 3(c), the third bracket portion 3b has a through hole 29 formed therein through which the fastening member 13 (see Figure 2(a)) for attaching to the housing 11 passes. The through hole 29 of the third bracket portion 3b and the through hole 24 of the first bracket portion 1b are connected to each other so that the first member 1 and the third member 3 can be fastened together to the housing 11.

As shown in Figure 4 (b), the small diameter portion 2a2 of the second cylindrical portion 2a fits into the third cylindrical portion 3a. A sleeve 32 is interposed between the small diameter portion 2a2 of the second cylindrical portion 2a and the third cylindrical portion 3a. A flange 32a is integrally formed with the sleeve 32. The flange 32a is interposed between the large diameter portion 2a1 of the second cylindrical portion 2a and the third cylindrical portion 3a. The sleeve 32 is made of resin. The sleeve 32 allows the second member 2 to rotate smoothly relative to the third member 3 and prevents wear of the second member 2.

When the lid 12 is opened or closed, the second member 2 rotates around the shaft 4b of the rotary damper 4 relative to the first member 1 and third member 3. As shown in Figure 4(b), when a radial load P (a load perpendicular to the axial direction) acts on the second member 2, the third member 3 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 are subjected to the radial load P. This reduces or eliminates the radial load P acting on the shaft 4b of the rotary damper 4, preventing damage to the rotary damper 4.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the first member and the third member are attached to the fixed member, and the second member is attached to the movable member. However, the first member and the third member may be attached to the movable member, and the second member may be attached to the fixed member. Furthermore, after connecting the first member and the third member, either the first member or the third member may be attached to the fixed member or the movable member.

In the above embodiment, the radial load acting on the second member is supported by both the third member and the main body of the rotary damper, but it may also be supported by only the third member.

In the above embodiment, the second cylindrical portion is inserted into the third cylindrical portion, but the third cylindrical portion may also be inserted into the second cylindrical portion. Furthermore, even if the second cylindrical portion does not insert into the third cylindrical portion, a sleeve may straddle the second and third cylindrical portions, and the radial load acting on the second member may be borne by the third member via the sleeve.

In the above embodiment, the main body of the rotary damper bears the radial load acting on the second member, but the sleeve may be configured to straddle the first and second cylindrical portions, and the first member may bear the radial load acting on the second member via the sleeve.

This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-214518, filed December 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

1...First member 1a...First cylindrical portion 2...Second member 2a...Second cylindrical portion 3...Third member 3a...Third cylindrical portion 4...Rotational damper 4a...Main body 4b...Shaft portion 31...Sleeve 32...Sleeve 24...Through hole 29 of first member...Through hole P of third member...Radial load

Claims (5)

A hinge including a main body and a rotation damper having a shaft portion protruding from the main body,
a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is housed so as not to rotate;
a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member, the second member having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated;
a third member attached to the one of the fixed member and the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion,
the second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion,
the second member rotates relative to the first member and the third member around the shaft portion of the rotary damper,
The third member bears at least a portion of the radial load acting on the second member ,
A hinge in which the main body of the rotation damper bears a portion of the radial load acting on the second member . The hinge described in claim 1, characterized in that one of the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion fits into the other of the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion. A hinge including a main body and a rotation damper having a shaft portion protruding from the main body,
a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is housed so as not to rotate;
a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member, the second member having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated;
a third member attached to the one of the fixed member and the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion,
the second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion,
the second member rotates relative to the first member and the third member around the shaft portion of the rotary damper,
The third member bears at least a portion of the radial load acting on the second member ,
A hinge in which through holes communicating with each other are formed in the first member and the third member so that the first member and the third member can be fastened together to one of the fixed member or the movable member . The hinge described in claim 2, characterized in that a sleeve is interposed between the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion. 2. The hinge according to claim 1 , wherein a sleeve is interposed between the second cylindrical portion and the main body of the rotary damper.