Thrust conversion mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a thrust conversion mechanism that, when converting the rotation of a shaft into linear motion, can increase the linear movement amount with respect to a limited rotation of the shaft without increasing the driving force of the shaft rotation. The thrust conversion mechanism includes: a shaft having a pair of helical engaged portions formed oppositely to each other; a pair of linear motion members having engaged portions respectively engaged with the pair of engaged portions; a housing that movably supports the pair of linear motion members along the shaft and is rotatably supported by the shaft with respect to the shaft; a rocking member that is pivotally supported by one of the pair of linear motion members and engaged with the other of the pair of linear motion members, and rocks by the rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing; and a moving member that is supported by the housing and engaged with the rocking member, and moves in a direction crossing the shaft by the rocking of the rocking member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thrust conversion mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a motion direction conversion mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear motion using a threaded shaft having threads formed on its outer peripheral portion and a nut screwed onto the threaded shaft has been known (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 54-23979

[0004] In such a mechanism, when the rotation of the threaded shaft is restricted within a specified angular range, in order to increase the movement amount of the nut, the lead of the thread must be set relatively large. However, if the lead of the thread becomes large, since the load when the nut moves straight increases, high driving force is required for the rotation of the threaded shaft. In addition, according to the above-described conventional technology, the moving direction of the nut is limited to the linear direction along the threaded shaft, and there is a problem that the use of the mechanism is restricted.

[0005] On the other hand, an axis support mechanism that rotates a frame around an axis is generally used as a hinge mechanism or the like. In particular, a folding type PC, a mobile information terminal, etc. generally adopt a structure in which a frame on which a display is mounted and a frame having an operation portion are folded. In addition, a display is mounted on both of two frames joined by a hinge mechanism, and the two frames are brought into an unfolded state to obtain a wide-screen display.

[0006] This axis support mechanism supports the ends of two frames. If one frame is rotated 180° or 360° with respect to the other frame, interference occurs between the ends due to the thickness of the frames, thereby limiting the rotation angle. In order to avoid this, if the axis support portion is provided at a position away from the ends of the frames, in a state where the two frames are opened flat, there is a gap between the ends of the frames. Thus, when displays provided on the two frames are connected for wide-screen display, the continuity of the image is insufficient. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to increase the linear movement amount with respect to a limited rotation of an axis without increasing the driving force for the rotation of the axis when converting the rotation of the axis into linear motion, to eliminate interference between the ends of two frames when constructing an axis support mechanism, and to be able to have no gap or the like when the two frames are unfolded.

[0008] In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention has the following structure. A thrust conversion mechanism, characterized by comprising: a shaft having a pair of helical engaged portions formed opposite to each other; a pair of linear motion members having engaged portions respectively engaged with the pair of engaged portions; a housing that movably supports the pair of linear motion members along the shaft and is rotatably supported by the shaft relative to the shaft; a rocking member pivotally supported by one of the pair of linear motion members and engaged with the other of the pair of linear motion members, and rocking by the rotation of the shaft relative to the housing; and a moving member engaged with the rocking member and moving in a direction intersecting the shaft by the rocking of the rocking member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the thrust conversion mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view (expanded state) showing a hinge device.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view (inner-folded state) showing the hinge device.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view (outer-folded state) showing the hinge device.

[0013] Figure 5 is an operation example (expanded state) of the hinge device.

[0014] Figure 6 is an operation example (inner-folded state) of the hinge device.

[0015] Figure 7 is an operation example (outer-folded state) of the hinge device.

[0016] Figure 8 is an explanatory view of a hinge device having a flat panel display ( Figure 8 where (a) is the expanded state, Figure 8 where (b) is the inner-folded state, Figure 8 where (c) is the outer-folded state).

[0017] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of a hinge device (handbag) having a handle.

[0018] Figure 10 is an operation explanatory view of a hinge device (handbag) having a handle ( Figure 10 where (a) is the operation state of the thrust conversion mechanism, Figure 10 where (b) is the operation state of the handle).

[0019] Figure 11Action illustration of the hinge device (handbag) with a handle ( Figure 11 In (a) of Figure 11 , it is the action state of the thrust conversion mechanism, Figure 11 In (b) of Figure 11 , it is the action state of the handle).

[0020] Figure 12 Action illustration of the hinge device (handbag) with a handle ( Figure 12 In (a) of Figure 12 , it is the action state of the thrust conversion mechanism, Figure 12 In (b) of Figure 12 , it is the action state of the handle).

[0021] Figure 13 Illustration showing another embodiment of the hinge device with a thrust conversion mechanism (frame angle 90°; Figure 13 In (a) of Figure 13 , it is a side view, Figure 13 In (b) of Figure 13 , it is a front view).

[0022] Figure 14 It is an illustration for making Figure 13 the frame angle of the embodiment shown in Figure 13 be 180° ( Figure 14 In (a) of Figure 14 , it is a side view, Figure 14 In (b) of Figure 14 , it is a front view).

[0023] Figure 15 It is an illustration for making Figure 13 the frame angle of the embodiment shown in Figure 13 be 270° ( Figure 15 In (a) of Figure 15 , it is a side view, Figure 15 In (b) of Figure 15 , it is a front view).

[0024] Figure 16 It is an illustration showing the state of the rocking member in the state shown in Figure 13 Figure 13 .

[0025] Figure 17 It is an illustration showing the state of the rocking member in the state shown in Figure 14 Figure 14 .

[0026] Figure 18 It is an illustration showing the state of the rocking member in the state shown in Figure 15 Figure 15 .

[0027] Among them, the reference numerals are explained as follows:

[0028] 1, 1A: Thrust conversion mechanism,

[0029] 2, 2: Shaft,

[0030] 3, 2R, 2L: Split shaft,

[0031] 2a, 2b: Engaged part,

[0032] 2c: Front protrusion,

[0033] 4, 3R, 3L: Linear moving members

[0034] 5, 3a, 3b: Engaging parts

[0035] 3c, 3g: Shaft protrusions

[0036] 3d, 3h, 3j, 3k: Engaging protrusions

[0037] 3e, 3f: Elongated holes

[0038] 4: Rocking member

[0039] 4a: Shaft hole

[0040] 4b: Engaging part

[0041] 4c: Elongated hole

[0042] 4m, 4n, 4p: Engaging protrusions

[0043] 5: Moving member

[0044] 5a, 5b: Engaging parts

[0045] 5c, 5f: Guide holes

[0046] 5d: Hanging part

[0047] 5e: Coupling protrusion

[0048] 5g: Cam hole

[0049] 5p: Protrusion

[0050] 5q: Connecting part

[0051] 6: Spring

[0052] 7: Partition plate

[0053] 7a: Opening

[0054] 10, 10A, 10B: Housing

[0055] 10a, 10b: Bearing parts

[0056] 10c: Shaft supporting part

[0057] 10d: Supporting protrusion

[0058] 10e, 10f: Guide protrusions

[0059] 〕 10f: Hanging part

[0060] 11: Holding member

[0061] 20, 21: Leaf folding device

[0062] 30: Leaf folding frame

[0063] FP: Flat panel display

[0064] K: Bag body

[0065] J: Hinge part

[0066] H: Handle

[0067] P: Unlocking lever

[0068] M: Magnet

[0069] W: Connected part Detailed implementation mode

[0070] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote parts having the same function, and repeated descriptions in each drawing are appropriately omitted.

[0071] As Figure 1 shown, the thrust conversion mechanism 1 includes at least a shaft 2 (2R, 2L), a linear motion member 3 (3R, 3L), a housing 10, a rocking member 4, and a moving member 5.

[0072] Here, in the shaft 2, the split shafts 2R, 2L are linearly arranged facing each other, but the split shafts 2R, 2L may also be connected to form a single shaft 2. In the shaft 2, engaging portions 2a, 2b having opposite spiral directions are formed. The engaging portions 2a, 2b may be formed by external threads or internal threads, or may be formed by spiral cam grooves or cam protrusions as shown in the drawings. In the illustrated example, one end side of the shaft 2 is held by a holding member 11.

[0073] The linear motion member 3 has a pair of left and right linear motion members 3R, 3L. The linear motion member 3R has an engaging portion 3a that engages with the engaging portion 2a, and the linear motion member 3L has an engaging portion 3b that engages with the engaging portion 2b. When the engaging portions 2a, 2b are threads, the engaging portions 3a, 3b are nuts, and when the engaging portions 2a, 2b are cam grooves, the engaging portions 3a, 3b are engaging protrusions that engage with the cam grooves. The linear motion member 3 (3R, 3L) linearly moves along the shaft 2 by relative rotation of the shaft 2.

[0074] The rocking member 4 has a shaft hole 4a pivotally supported by a shaft projection 3c provided on one of the linear motion members 3L. Additionally, it has an engaging portion 4b for engaging with an engaging projection 3d provided on the other linear motion member 3R, and is moved along the axis 2 closer to or away from by a pair of linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L), causing the rocking member 4 to rock around the shaft projection 3c.

[0075] The moving member 5 has engaging portions 5a, 5b that engage with engaging projections 4m, 4n provided on the rocking member 4. In the illustrated example, when the rocking member 4 rocks counterclockwise around the shaft projection 3c, the engaging projection 4m engages with the engaging portion 5a, and when the rocking member 4 rocks clockwise around the shaft projection 3c, the engaging projection 4n engages with the engaging portion 5b.

[0076] Through the engagement between the engaging projections 4m, 4n and the engaging portions 5a, 5b, when the rocking member 4 rocks around the shaft projection 3c, the moving member 5 moves in a direction intersecting the axis 2. At this time, in the illustrated example, in the rocking member 4, the distance from the shaft hole 4a to the engaging projection 4m is different from the distance from the shaft hole 4a to the engaging projection 4n (the distance from the shaft hole 4a to the engaging projection 4n is longer than the distance from the shaft hole 4a to the engaging projection 4m). In the moving member 5, due to a step being provided between the engaging portions 5a, �b, the amount of movement of the moving member 5 is larger when the rocking member 4 rocks clockwise compared to when the rocking member 4 rocks counterclockwise.

[0077] The housing 10 is pivotally supported by the axis 2. In the illustrated example, the housing 10 has a bearing portion 10a pivotally supported by a split axis 2R, and has a bearing portion 10b pivotally supported by a split axis 2L. The front end projections 2c of the split axes 2R, 2L are supported by a shaft support portion 10c.

[0078] The housing 10 slidably supports the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) along the axis 2, and indirectly supports the rocking member 4 supported by the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L). In the illustrated example, in the linear motion member 3L, a long hole 3e is provided along the axis 2, and a support projection 10d provided on the housing 10 is inserted into the long hole 3e.

[0079] The housing 10 slidably supports the moving member 5 in a direction intersecting the axis 2. A long hole-shaped guide hole 5c is provided on the moving member 5 along the moving direction, and a guide projection 10e provided on the housing 10 is inserted into the guide hole 5c.

[0080] A suspension portion 5d is provided on the moving member 5, and the other end of a spring 6 whose one end is suspended to the suspension portion 5d is suspended to the suspension portion 10f of the housing 10. Thus, the moving member 5 is biased by the spring toward the shaft 2 in a state supported by the housing 10. By this spring biasing, the engaging portions 5a, 5b of the moving member 5 are always in a state of engaging with either or both of the engaging protrusions 4m, 4n of the rocking member. In addition, a coupling protrusion 5e for coupling with other components is provided on the moving member 5. The coupling protrusion 5e is arranged to penetrate an opening 7a of a partition plate 7 provided as needed.

[0081] For such a thrust conversion mechanism 1, by holding the two shafts 2 in parallel with the holding member 11, it is possible to obtain Figures 2 to 4 the hinge device 20 shown. In the hinge device 20, two shafts 2 each having an engaged portion 2a, 2b are fixed to the holding member 11 in a state where the ends are held, and the housings 10 (10A, 10B) are respectively pivotally supported by the two fixed shafts 2.

[0082] As Figure 2 shown, in the hinge device 20, it is possible to change to a deployed state in which a pair of housings 10 (10A, 10B) are in a planar shape, an inward folding state in which they rotate in the direction of arrow T1 from the planar state (refer to Figure 3 ), and an outward folding state in which they rotate in the direction of arrow T2 from the planar state (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0083] In such a hinge device 20, the thrust for moving the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) along the shaft 2 is generated by the rotation of the housing 10 (10A, 10B) relative to the shaft 2 fixed to the holding member 11. That is, the rotational force of the folding / unfolding operation of the housing 10 (10A, 10B) in the hinge device 20 is converted into the linear motion thrust of the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L).

[0084] At this time, a pair of linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are in a neutral position in the Figure 2 shown deployed state, become the closest to each other in the Figure 3 shown inward folding state, and become the farthest from each other in the Figure 4 shown outward folding state. Here, the rotation of the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) relative to the shaft 2 is restricted to a 360° rotation from the Figure 3 shown inward folding state to the Figure 4 shown outward folding state, but the relative movement amount is twice that compared to the case where the engaging portions 3a, 3b of the linear motion members 3 engaged with the pair of engaged portions 2a, 2b move independently.

[0085] Further, the movement of the linear motion member 3 (3R, 3L) along the axis 2 is converted into the rocking motion of the rocking member 4, and further the rocking motion of the rocking member 4 is converted into the movement of the moving member 5 in the direction crossing the axis 2, so that a larger movement amount with respect to the limited rotation about the axis 2 can be ensured, and the movement direction is converted into a direction different from the direction along the axis 2. Thereby, the use of the hinge device 20 can be expanded.

[0086] Figures 5 to 7 An operation example showing the case where the hinge device 20 is applied to a mobile information terminal is shown. In this example, when performing a folding operation of rotating the housing 10 (10A, 10B) with respect to the axis 2 using the hinge device 20, the flat panel display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display") FP coupled to the moving member 5 moves in the direction crossing the axis 2.

[0087] In Figure 5 In the unfolded state shown, the housings 10A, 10B are located at the flatly unfolded positions, and the displays FP coupled to the moving member 5 are in a state where the facing ends are butted against each other without a gap at the joint portion S. At this time, the hinge device 20 is in a state where the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are in the neutral position with respect to the axis 2, and the engaging protrusions 4m, 4n of the rocking member 4 are engaged with the engaging portions 5a, 5b of the moving member 5 together, and the moving member 5 is in the state closest to the axis 2.

[0088] In contrast, in Figure 6 In the inner-folded state shown, the hinge device 20 is in a state where the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are closest to the axis 2, the rocking member 4 rotates clockwise about the shaft protrusion 3c, and the engaging protrusion 4m of the rocking member 4 pushes up the engaging portion 5b of the moving member 5, whereby the moving member 5 moves to a state away from the axis 2. Thereby, the display FP coupled to the moving member 5 is in a state where its end is away from the joint portion S.

[0089] In addition, in Figure 7 In the outer-folded state shown, the hinge device 20 is in a state where the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are farthest away from the axis 2, the rocking member 4 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft protrusion 3c, and the engaging protrusion 4n of the rocking member 4 pushes up the engaging portion 5a of the moving member 5, whereby the moving member 5 moves to a state away from the axis 2. Thereby, the display FP coupled to the moving member 5 is in a state where its end is away from the joint portion S, but compared with the state shown in Figure 6 the state shown, the end of the display FP is closer to the joint portion S.

[0090] According to such a hinge device 20, in the unfolded state of the housing 10 (10A, 10B), as shown in Figure 8As shown in (a) thereof, the ends of a pair of display units FP are in a butting fit state without gaps. Further, in the inwardly folded state of the housing 10 (10A, 10B), as Figure 8 shown in (b) thereof, the pair of display units FP are in a state of being accommodated inside the holding member 11. And, in the outwardly folded state of the housing 10 (10A, 10B), as Figure 8 shown in (c) thereof, the pair of display units FP are in a state of being disposed at a position covering the holding member 11 but not protruding from the holding member 11.

[0091] Further, in the hinge device 20, the shafts 2 that respectively pivotally support the housings 10A, 10B are separately provided. When the pair of housings 10 (10A, 10B) are rotated to the unfolded state / folded state, the housings 10 (10A, 10B) can be rotated 180° about the shaft 2 without interference between the ends of the housings 10 (10A, 10B).

[0092] Further, in the hinge device 20, magnets M are respectively mounted on the housing 10 (10A, 10B) and the moving member 5. The magnets M mounted on these two are located at positions that are close in the unfolded state of the housing 10 (10A, 10B) and far in the folded state of the housing 10 (10Af, 10B). When the magnets M mounted on these two attract each other, the unfolded state of the housing 10 (10A, 10B) is held by the attractive force. When the magnets M mounted on these two repel each other, the folded state is held by the repulsive force.

[0093] Figures 9 to 12 An example of operating the thrust conversion mechanism 1 using the handle H of a handbag is shown. In this handbag, the handle H is rotatably provided at a hinge portion J provided in the handbag body K, and the shaft 2 of the thrust conversion mechanism 1 is rotated by the rotation of the handle H.

[0094] In such a handbag, as Figure 10 shown in (b) thereof, when the handle H is held by hand, the handle H is in a state of standing upright at 90°, as Figure 11 shown in (b) thereof or Figure 12 shown in (b) thereof, when the hand is removed from the handle H, the handle H is in a state of tilting at 0° or 180°. At this time, when the handle H rotates from 0° to 180° with respect to the handbag body H, the shaft 2 rotates from 0° to 180° with respect to the housing 10 fixed to the handbag body H.

[0095] At this time, as Figure 9 shown, the thrust conversion mechanism 1 has the structure described above. As Figure 10 shown in (a) thereof, in the state where the handle H is standing upright at 90°, the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are in the neutral position, and the moving member 5 moves to the state closest to the shaft 2.Figure 11 or (a) of Figure 12 As shown in (a) of Figure 12 , when the handle H is in the state of being tilted at 0° or 180°, the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) are in the farthest or closest state, and the moving member 5 moves to the state farthest from the shaft 2. In Figures 9 to 12 In the example shown in Figures 9 to 12 , the engaging protrusions 4m, 4n of the rocking member 4 are provided at equal distances from the shaft hole 4a.

[0096] This handbag with the handle H can be linked to the movement of the moving member 5 in the thrust conversion mechanism 1 to actuate the locking mechanism of the handbag, etc. For example, as Figure 9 shown in Figure 9 , when the handle H is in the upright state of 90°, the entry of the unlocking lever P is blocked by the protrusion 5P provided on the moving member 5. When the handle H is in the state of being tilted at 0° or 180°, the entry of the unlocking lever P is allowed by the movement of the protrusion 5P provided on the moving member 5.

[0097] Thus, when the handle H is in the upright state of 90°, that is, when the handle H is being held, the problem of the locking being released and the handbag being opened due to the accidental entry of the unlocking lever P can be eliminated. In addition, when the handle H is in the state of being tilted at 0° or 180°, that is, when the hand is removed from the handle H, since the entry of the unlocking lever P can be allowed without performing other operations, the handbag can be quickly opened.

[0098] It should be noted that in the illustrated example, in the thrust conversion mechanism 1, magnets M are respectively provided on the housing 10 and the moving member 5. When the hand is removed from the handle H, the repulsive force between the magnets M is used to make the handle H be in the state of being tilted at 0° or 180°. Thus, even if the hand is removed from the handle H and the handle H still remains upright, the situation where the entry of the unlocking lever P is not allowed can be eliminated.

[0099] In the above two embodiments, it is shown that the "direction crossing the shaft 2" is the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the shaft 2, but it can also be other directions. For example, in another embodiment, the "direction crossing the shaft 2" can also cross the extending direction of the shaft 2 at an inclination angle other than 90°.

[0100] Figures 13 to 18 The thrust conversion mechanism 1A of another embodiment and the hinge device 21 having the thrust conversion mechanism 1A are shown. The thrust conversion mechanism 1A is the same as the foregoing exemplary form, and at least includes a shaft 2 (2R, 2L), linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L), a housing 10, a rocking member 4, and a moving member 5.

[0101] The housing 10 rotatably supports the shaft 2 by using bearing portions 10a, 10b, and supports the front end portions of the shafts 2R, 2L by using a shaft support portion 10c. In addition, the housing 10 is hinge-coupled to the hinge frame 30, and is configured such that asFigure 13 The 90° housing angle shown in (a) of Figure 14 The 180° housing angle shown in (a) of Figure 15 The 270° housing angle shown in (a) of is rotatable relative to the hinge frame 30.

[0102] Housings identical to the housing 10 can be axially symmetrically mounted on the hinge frame 30, and when a pair of housings 10 are hinge-coupled to the hinge frame 30, each housing 10 is rotatably supported relative to the hinge frame 30 by 180°.

[0103] The shaft 2 (2R, 2L) is connected to the hinge frame 30, and when the housing 10 is rotated relative to the hinge frame 3, the shaft 2 rotates relative to the housing 10.

[0104] The thrust conversion mechanism 1A is the same as the previous form example. When the shaft 2 rotates relative to the housing 10, the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) engaged with the shaft 2 linearly move along the shaft 2.

[0105] And, a pair of linear motion members 3R, 3L are the same as the previous form example. By the rotation of the shaft 2 in one direction, the pair of linear motion members 3R, 3L move closer to each other as shown in Figure 13 ( Figure 16 ), and by the rotation of the shaft 2 in the opposite direction, the pair of linear motion members 3R, 3L move away from each other as shown in Figure 15 ( Figure 18 ). At this time, the linear motion members 3R, 3L each have a long hole 3f extending in the direction along the shaft 2, and the long hole 3f engages with the guide protrusion 10f provided on the housing 10 and guides the linear movement of the linear motion members 3R, 3L.

[0106] In contrast, as shown in Figures 16 to 18 , the rocking member 4 is formed as a rod member having a central portion pivotally supported by a shaft protrusion 3g provided on one linear motion member 3L, a long hole 4c provided at one end side and engaging with an engagement protrusion 3h of the other linear motion member 3R, and an engagement protrusion 4p provided at the other end side. As shown in Figures 16 to 18 , the rocking member 4 is a mechanism that rocks around the shaft protrusion 3g by the linear motion members 3R, 3L moving closer to or away from each other along the shaft 2.

[0107] And, the moving member 5 is provided with a long hole-shaped guide hole 5f in a direction intersecting the shaft 2, and the guide hole 5f engages with two engagement protrusions 3j, 3k provided on one linear motion member 3L. The engagement protrusions 3j, 3k are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the direction intersecting the shaft 2. Therefore, by the engagement of the guide hole 5f with the engagement protrusions 3j, 3k, the moving member first moves in the direction along the shaft 2 according to the movement of the linear motion member 3R.

[0108] In addition, the moving member 5 has a cam hole 5g, and the engaging projection 4p of the rocking member 4 engages with the cam hole 5g. The cam hole 5g has a cam surface extending in the direction of the shaft 2, and the cam surface corresponds to the movement of the engaging projection 4p along the shaft 2 when the rocking member 4 rocks. In addition, the cam hole 5g has a cam surface for moving the moving member 5 in a direction intersecting the shaft 2 by the movement of the engaging projection 4p in a direction intersecting the shaft 2 when the rocking member 4 rocks.

[0109] According to this mechanism, when the frame 10 rotates relative to the hinge frame 3, the shaft 2 rotates relative to the frame 10, and the pair of linear motion members 3R, 3L move along the shaft 2 in a closer or farther away manner. By the movement of the linear motion members 3R, 3L, the rocking member 4 rocks around the shaft projection 3g. And, for the rocking of the rocking member 4, the cam hole 5g of the moving member 5 functions, so that the moving member 5 moves in a direction intersecting the shaft 2.

[0110] The moving member 5 is provided with a connecting portion 5q, and the connected portion W of the object to be moved is connected to the connecting portion 5q. From the above description, it can be seen that the moving member 5 not only moves in a direction intersecting the shaft 2, but also moves in the direction along the shaft 2 according to the movement of the linear motion member 3R. Therefore, the connecting portion 5q is provided with an avoidance guide for avoiding the movement of the moving member 5 along the shaft 2 and transmitting only the movement in the direction intersecting the shaft 2 to the connected portion W.

[0111] As described above, in the thrust conversion mechanisms 1, 1A of the embodiments of the present invention, when converting the rotation of the shaft 2 into a linear motion, by having the linear motion members 3 (3R, 3L) approaching or separating from each other, it is possible to increase the linear movement amount with respect to the limited rotation of the shaft 2 without increasing the driving force of the rotation of the shaft 2. In addition, when constructing the hinge devices 20, 21, the interference at the ends between the two frames 10 is eliminated, and a display or the like is connected to the moving member 5 provided in the two frames 10, so that when the two frames 10 are unfolded, the display or the like can move without a gap in a direction intersecting the shaft 2.

[0112] Such thrust conversion mechanisms 1, 1A and hinge devices 20, 21 can be applied to various uses.

[0113] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention can also be included in the present invention. In addition, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose and structure of the above-described embodiments, the techniques of each other can be utilized and combined.

Claims

1. A thrust conversion mechanism, characterized in that: Comprising: A shaft having a pair of helical engaged portions formed oppositely to each other; A pair of linear motion members having engaged portions respectively engaged with the pair of engaged portions; A housing that movably supports the pair of linear motion members along the shaft and is rotatably supported by the shaft relative to the shaft; A rocking member that is rotatably supported by one of the pair of linear motion members and engaged with the other of the pair of linear motion members, and rocks by the rotation of the shaft relative to the housing; and A moving member that is engaged with the rocking member and moves in a direction intersecting the shaft by the rocking of the rocking member.

2. The thrust conversion mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a holding member that holds the two shafts in parallel, A pair of housings rotatably supported by the shafts respectively rotate around the shafts by at least 180°.

3. The thrust conversion mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the pair of housings are in a planar position, flat plate members respectively combined with the pair of moving members approach without a gap.

4. The thrust conversion mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flat plate member is a flat panel display.

5. A hinge device having the thrust conversion mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4.

6. A mobile information terminal having the hinge device according to claim 5.

7. A handbag having the thrust conversion mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shaft is fixed to a handle rotatably supported by the handbag body.

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