Hinge

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinge, including a base, a rotating bracket and an interference piece. The base has a setting groove arranged parallel to the axis direction. The rotating bracket includes a rotating part arranged parallel to the axis direction, and the two ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and located in the setting groove to rotate around the axis direction. The rotating part has a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove. The curvature radius of at least part of the torsion friction surface is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts, and there is no contact with the base. The interference piece is located in the setting groove. One end of the interference piece is fixed to the base, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece is in a suspended state. The interference piece is located between the base and the torsion friction surface, the interference piece is in a curved shape, and is bent toward the torsion friction surface to contact the part of the torsion friction surface urgently, and the contact area of ​​the surface contact changes with the sliding of the rotating part relative to the base, so that the torsion impedance of the hinge changes with the rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hinges, and more particularly to a hinge capable of changing torsional impedance as it rotates. Background Art

[0002] A foldable electronic device (such as a notebook computer, a foldable mobile phone or other electronic components) is a device that connects two bodies with a hinge, so that the angle between the two bodies (usually 180 degrees to overlapping each other) can be changed arbitrarily. The two bodies can usually be divided into an operating part placed on a desktop or held in the hand and a main display part. Generally speaking, the user will adjust the angle to an appropriate size so that the main display part can be viewed in a comfortable posture during operation.

[0003] The hinge must provide appropriate torque resistance to counteract the weight of the main display part or the torque generated when the electronic device shakes, and maintain the aforementioned angle. There are generally two ways to provide torque resistance. The first is to add a damping washer to the structure of the hinge to provide torque resistance. The torque resistance provided by the damping washer usually does not change with the rotation, but maintains a fixed value. However, when the damping washer provides sufficient torque resistance, it also means that the angle between the two bodies is not easy to change. When folding or unfolding the electronic device, the user must continue to apply a large force to adjust it to the desired angle. Another form is to provide variable torque resistance with a combination of springs, push rods and cams, providing a large torque resistance within the angle range that the user often needs, and a small torque resistance outside the angle range. However, this combination structure is relatively complex and space-consuming, which is not conducive to application in small and thin electronic devices such as mobile phones. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on the above technical problem, the present invention proposes a hinge which has a simple structure and a small volume and provides variable torque resistance.

[0005] The present invention provides a hinge, including a base, a rotating bracket and an interference piece. The base has a setting groove, and the setting groove is set parallel to the axis direction. The rotating bracket includes a rotating part, the rotating part is set parallel to the axis direction, and the two ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and located in the setting groove, so that the rotating part rotates around the axis direction on the base. The rotating part has a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove. The torsion friction surface has a curvature radius that is at least partially not equal to the curvature radius of other parts in the radial direction perpendicular to the axis direction, and the torsion friction surface does not contact the base. The interference piece is located in the setting groove, one end of the interference piece is fixed to the base, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece does not contact the base and is in a suspended (or floating) state. The interference piece is located between the base and the torsion friction surface. The interference piece is in a curved shape and is bent toward the torsion friction surface so as to contact a part of the torsion friction surface tightly, forming a local surface contact with the torsion friction surface. The contact area of ​​the surface contact changes as the rotating part slides relative to the base, thereby causing the torsion impedance of the hinge to change as the rotation changes.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the rotating bracket further includes an assembling portion disposed on a side of the rotating portion.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the base includes at least one first sliding joint, and the rotating bracket includes at least one second sliding joint; wherein the first sliding joint is arranged at one end of the setting groove, the second sliding joint is arranged at one end of the rotating part, and the second sliding joint is combined with the first sliding joint.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the first sliding joint and the second sliding joint are a combination of an arc guide groove and an arc guide rail, and the arc guide rail is slidably disposed in the arc guide groove, so that the rotating part slides along an arc path relative to the base and rotates around the axis direction.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the center of curvature of the arc path falls in the axial direction.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the torsional friction surface varies continuously.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the curvature radius of the torsional friction surface changes discontinuously.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, portions with the same radius of curvature are arranged to be discontinuous.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, an opening is formed on the base to connect the setting groove and the outside of the base.

[0014] Through the above technical solution, the hinge of the present invention can change the friction force inside the hinge with the angle during rotation, thereby providing a torsional impedance that changes with the angle. The hinge of the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure and small volume, so it is easy to be applied to small and thin electronic devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 1 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross section along line A-A'.

[0019] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross section along line BB'.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the rotating bracket and the interference plate in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hinge at a smaller angle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the rotating bracket and the interference plate at a relatively small angle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hinge at another smaller angle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hinge at a smaller angle in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig.11 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the rotating bracket and the interference plate at a relatively small angle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hinge at a larger angle in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.13 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the rotating bracket and the interference plate at a relatively large included angle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.14It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of another rotating bracket and an interference plate in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of the reference numerals: 100-hinge; 110-base; 113-setting groove; 114-first sliding joint; 116-opening; 120-rotating bracket; 121-rotating part; 122-assembling part; 123-second sliding joint; 124-torque friction surface; 130-interference plate; 130a-screw; 130b-positioning column; 210-linkage mechanism; 220, 230-body; X-axis direction; R0~R4, Rmax-radius of curvature; A0, A1, A3, A5-contact area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 2 is a hinge 100 provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, comprising a base 110 , one or more rotating brackets 120 and one or more interference plates 130 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 The description is given by taking two pairs of rotating brackets 120 and two corresponding interference plates 130 as an example. The number of rotating brackets 120 and interference plates 130 can be changed as required.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the hinge 100 can be used to be combined with two bodies 220 , 230 , so that the two bodies 220 , 230 form a foldable electronic device, wherein each rotating bracket 120 is connected to one of the two rotating brackets 120 .

[0032] The following is an example of a base 110 that cooperates with a rotating bracket 120 and an interference plate 130. It should be noted that multiple sets of corresponding structures can be set on the base 110 to cooperate with multiple rotating brackets 120 and multiple interference plates 130. The rotating brackets 120 are generally set in pairs on the base 110, that is, multiple pairs of rotating brackets 120 can be set on the base 110.

[0033] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the base 110 has a setting groove 113 and a pair of first sliding joints 114. The setting groove 113 has a semicircular cross section and is arranged parallel to the axial direction X. The first sliding joints 114 are respectively arranged at both ends of the setting groove 113.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the rotating bracket 120 includes a rotating portion 121 and an assembling portion 122. The rotating portion 121 is arranged parallel to the axial direction X, and a second sliding joint portion 123 is respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating portion 121. Each second sliding joint portion 123 is slidably coupled to a corresponding first sliding joint portion 114 and is located in the arrangement groove 113, so that both ends of the rotating portion 121 are slidably coupled to the base 110, so that the rotating portion 121 can rotate around the axial direction X on the base 110.

[0035] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the first sliding joint 114 and the second sliding joint 123 are a combination of an arc-shaped guide groove and an arc-shaped guide rail. The arc-shaped guide groove and the arc-shaped guide rail are concentrically arranged, and the arc-shaped guide rail can be slidably disposed in the arc-shaped guide groove, and the center of curvature thereof falls on the axis direction X. The combination of the arc-shaped guide groove and the arc-shaped guide rail enables the rotating part 121 to slide relative to the base 110 along an arc path and rotate around the axis direction X.

[0036] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the rotating portion 121 has a torsion friction surface 124 facing the setting groove 113. In the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, at least a local curvature radius of the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121 is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts. In addition, the torsion friction surface 124 does not contact the base 110, and the assembly portion 122 is disposed on one side of the rotating portion 121.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown in the first embodiment, the curvature radius of the torsion friction surface 124 presents a continuous linear change, that is, the curvature radius of the torsion friction surface 124 continuously changes with the reference angle, so that the rotating portion 121 presents a cam shape. Assuming that the reference angle extending perpendicularly from the axis direction X to the assembly portion 122 is 0 degrees (the reference line points to Figure 6 The reference angle of the axis direction X extending perpendicularly to the other side of the rotating portion 121 is 180 degrees (the reference line points to Figure 6 ); at a position where the reference angle is 0 degrees, the torsional friction surface 124 has a minimum radius of curvature R0, and at a position where the reference angle is 180 degrees, the torsional friction surface 124 has a maximum radius of curvature Rmax.

[0038] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the interference piece 130 is located in the setting groove 113, and one end of the interference piece 130 is fixed to the base 110, and the other end is against the base 110, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece 130 is not in contact with the base 110 and is in a suspended (floating) state. One end of the interference piece 130 can be fixed to the base 110 by a screw 130a and a positioning column 130b. The interference piece 130 is located between the base 110 and the torsion friction surface 124.

[0039] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the interference piece 130 is in a curved shape and is bent toward the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating part 121 to contact a part of the torsion friction surface 124, thereby forming a local surface contact with the torsion friction surface 124 and bearing a pressing force perpendicular to the axial direction X. The contact area of ​​the surface contact changes as the rotating part 121 slides relative to the base 110. The pressing force and the surface contact area determine the magnitude of the friction between the torsion friction surface 124 and the interference piece 130. Generally speaking, the friction force increases when the pressing force and the surface contact area increase, and the friction force decreases when the pressing force and the surface contact area decrease.

[0040] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the assembly portion 122 is unfolded so that the angle between it and the upper surface of the base 110 is 180 degrees, the interference piece 130 is in contact with the portion of the reference angle close to 0 degrees. The radius of curvature R0 of the aforementioned contact portion is small, so that the contact area A0 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is small; at the same time, the degree of urgency of the torsion friction surface 124 on the interference piece 130 is also low, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torsion friction surface 124 is relatively small. At this time, the friction interference of the interference piece 130 on the rotating part 121 is reduced to the minimum value, so that the rotating part 121 can be easily rotated.

[0041] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, when the rotating part 121 rotates relative to the base 110, the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 decreases (for example, 170 degrees), and the position of the interference piece 130 in contact with the torsion friction surface 124 changes. At this time, the radius of curvature of the contact portion is increased to R1 (R1>R0), and the contact area between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is increased to A1; at the same time, the torsion friction surface 124 pushes the interference piece 130 outward to increase the urgency, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torsion friction surface 124 increases. At this time, the friction force applied by the interference piece 130 to the rotating part 121 increases, and the torque required to rotate the rotating part 121 increases (that is, the torsion impedance of the rotating bracket 120 increases), and the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 can be easily fixed, that is, the angle between the paired rotating brackets 120 can be fixed.

[0042] like Fig. 9 As shown, further, when the rotating part 121 continues to rotate relative to the base 110, the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 continues to decrease (for example, 150 degrees). The radius of curvature of the contact portion is increased to R2 (R2>R1>R0), so that the contact area between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is increased again; at the same time, the urgency of the torsion friction surface 124 on the interference piece 130 is increased again, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torsion friction surface 124 is increased again. The torsion impedance of the rotating bracket 120 is increased to a higher value, so that the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is easier to be fixed.

[0043] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as the rotating portion 121 rotates to change the angle between the assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110, the contact area between the torsion friction surface 124 and the interference sheet 130 changes continuously. Therefore, at different angles, there will be different torsion impedances between the base 110 and the rotating bracket 120, so as to fix the angle between the assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110. Taking the first embodiment as an example, when the angle gradually decreases, the torsion impedance increases accordingly; in the case of a foldable electronic device that combines two bodies 220, 230, it can be used to fix the main display body 220, 230 at a suitable viewing angle.

[0044] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9As shown, the setting range of the torsion friction surface 124 can be between the reference angle of 0 degree and 180 degrees. Therefore, when the angle between the assembly portion 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 is close to 90 degrees, the interference piece 130 will no longer contact the torsion friction surface 124, so that the torsion impedance between the base 110 and the rotating bracket 120 is only the friction force between the first sliding joint portion 114 and the second sliding joint portion 123, so that the two bodies 220, 230 can be easily folded together.

[0045] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the interference piece 130 is bent toward the torsion friction surface 124 of the rotating part 121, and the base 110 is mainly used to fix one end of the interference piece 130, and the other end of the interference piece 130 is against the base 110. The part between the two ends of the interference piece 130 does not interfere with the base 110, that is, the part between the two ends of the interference piece 130 does not contact the base 110 and is suspended. Therefore, the base 110 can be provided with an opening 116 connecting the setting groove 113 and the outside of the base 110, so as to reduce the weight of the base 110 and make the part between the two ends of the interference piece 130 be suspended. The opening 116 can also be used to observe the state of the interference piece 130 to determine whether the interference piece 130 can operate normally.

[0046] Figure 3 The hinge 100 shown may be provided with other linkage mechanisms 210 without variable torque impedance, such as linkage gears that mesh with each other. The linkage mechanism 210 is combined with the base 110 and connected to the rotating bracket 120 or the two bodies 220, 230 to prevent the rotating bracket 120 from detaching from the base 110 and to allow the two rotating brackets 120 to be linked relative to the base 110.

[0047] Please refer to the figure Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 2 is a hinge 100 provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, comprising a base 110 , a rotating bracket 120 and an interference piece 130 .

[0048] like Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown, in the second embodiment, the torsional friction surface 124 of the rotating portion 121 has at least a local curvature radius that is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. Different from the first embodiment, the curvature radius of the torsional friction surface 124 of the second embodiment does not present a continuous change, but a segmented discontinuous change, so that the torsional friction surface 124 presents a partially protruding state, for example, the local curvature radius of the torsional friction surface 124 is R3, while the curvature radius of other parts is R4, and R4>R3.

[0049] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, when the assembly part 122 is unfolded so that the angle between it and the upper surface of the base 110 is 180 degrees, the interference piece 130 is in contact with the portion of the reference angle close to 0 degrees, and the curvature radius of the contact portion is R3, so that the contact area A3 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is small; at the same time, the degree of urgency of the torsion friction surface 124 on the interference piece 130 is also low, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torsion friction surface 124 is relatively small. At this time, the friction interference generated by the interference piece 130 on the rotating part 121 is reduced to the minimum value, so that the rotating part 121 can be easily rotated.

[0050] like Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, when the rotating part 121 rotates relative to the base 110, the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 decreases (for example, 150 degrees), and the interference piece 130 contacts the part where the reference angle is greater than 0 degrees. At this time, the radius of curvature of the contact part is increased to R4, increasing the contact area A4 between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124; at the same time, the torsion friction surface 124 pushes the interference piece 130 outward to increase the urgency, so that the pressing force of the interference piece 130 on the torsion friction surface 124 increases, and the friction between the interference piece 130 and the torsion friction surface 124 is increased, so that the rotating bracket 120 has a higher torsion impedance, and the angle between the assembly part 122 and the upper surface of the base 110 can be easily fixed, and the angle between the paired rotating brackets 120 can also be easily fixed. That is, in the second embodiment, the torsional impedance can be varied between two values, and in particular, a larger torsional impedance is obtained when the angle is smaller, so as to facilitate fixing the main display bodies 220, 230 at a suitable viewing angle.

[0051] like Fig.14 As shown, in different embodiments, the parts with the same curvature radius can also be set to be discontinuous local or segmented changes, for example, the parts with the curvature radius of R4 can be multiple, or there can be multiple intervals that change linearly from R3 to R4. Therefore, during the process of angle change, the torsional impedance can alternate between a larger value and a smaller value, so that the user can fix the viewing angle at the desired angle.

[0052] Through the above technical solution, the hinge 100 of the present invention can change the friction force inside the hinge with the angle during rotation, thereby providing a torsional impedance that changes with the angle. The hinge 100 of the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure and small volume, which is conducive to reducing the size and being applied to small and thin electronic devices.

Claims

1. A hinge, characterized in that: include: The base has a setting groove, and the setting groove is arranged parallel to the axis direction; A rotating bracket, comprising a rotating part, wherein the rotating part is arranged parallel to the axis direction, and both ends of the rotating part are slidably combined with the base and located in the setting groove, so that the rotating part can rotate around the axis direction on the base; wherein the rotating part has a torsion friction surface facing the setting groove; wherein the torsion friction surface has, in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis direction, at least a local curvature radius that is not equal to the curvature radius of other parts, and the torsion friction surface does not contact the base; and An interference piece is located in the setting groove, one end of the interference piece is fixed to the base, and the part between the two ends of the interference piece does not contact the base but is in a suspended state; wherein the interference piece is located between the base and the torsion friction surface, the interference piece is in a curved shape, and is bent toward the torsion friction surface to tightly contact a part of the torsion friction surface, forming a local surface contact with the torsion friction surface, and the contact area of ​​the surface contact changes with the sliding of the rotating part relative to the base.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating bracket also includes an assembling portion, which is arranged on one side of the rotating portion.

3. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base includes at least one first sliding joint, and the rotating part includes at least one second sliding joint; the at least one first sliding joint is arranged at one end of the setting groove, the at least one second sliding joint is arranged at one end of the rotating part, and the at least one second sliding joint is combined with the at least one first sliding joint.

4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The at least one first sliding joint and the at least one second sliding joint are a combination of an arc guide groove and an arc guide rail. The arc guide rail can be slidably arranged in the arc guide groove, so that the rotating part slides along an arc path relative to the base and rotates around the axial direction.

5. The hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The center of curvature of the arc path falls in the axial direction.

6. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curvature radius of the torsional friction surface changes continuously.

7. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curvature radius of the torsional friction surface changes discontinuously.

8. The hinge according to claim 7, characterized in that: Portions with the same curvature radius are set to be discontinuous.

9. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: An opening connecting the setting groove and the outside of the base is formed on the base.

Images