Hinge device

Abstract

The hinge device comprises a pivot seat, a rotating shaft, a first friction block and a locking assembly. The hinge device has the locking function and long service life by setting sleeve, first cam ring, first elastic ring, second friction block, second cam ring, second elastic ring, elastic element, locking part and cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hinge device, and more particularly to a hinge device with a pivot structure having a locking function. Background Technology

[0002] Hinges are commonly used in electronic products with flip-top functionality, such as laptops, multimedia players, and foldable phones. The hinge mechanism plays a crucial role in these devices.

[0003] Existing hinge mechanisms are categorized into hinge structures with and without locking functions. Hinges without locking functions may affect the opening and closing function of the aforementioned electronic product's body and cover. When the torque exerted on the body and cover exceeds the torque resisting the hinge structure, the body and cover may open and close arbitrarily. Hinges with locking functions, due to their internal double-cam interlocking design, require an additional torque to rotate the hinge between two rotation angles. Compared to hinge structures without locking functions, they are more prone to damage over long-term use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hinge device to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] In view of the above, this disclosure provides a hinge device. In one embodiment, the hinge device includes a pivot seat, a rotating shaft, a first friction block, and a locking assembly. The pivot seat has a shaft hole. The rotating shaft passes through the shaft hole, and its two ends define a free end and a locking end, respectively. The first friction block is connected to the pivot seat and has an opening through which the rotating shaft passes. The first friction block is located at the free end of the rotating shaft. The locking assembly includes a sleeve, a first cam ring, a first elastic ring, a second friction block, a second cam ring, a second elastic ring, an elastic element, a locking part, and a cover. A first baffle is provided at one end of the sleeve, and the first baffle has a first port. The other end of the sleeve has a second port, and the first friction block is located within the first port. The first cam ring surrounds the first friction block, and an inner sidewall of the first cam ring has a first engaging structure. The first elastic ring is located between the baffle and the first cam ring, and surrounds the first friction block. The first elastic ring is pushed by the first baffle and has a first elastic force that normally pushes the first cam ring toward the locking end. The second friction block has a hole through which the rotating shaft passes. The second friction block is adjacent to the first friction block. A second cam ring surrounds the second friction block and has an inner wall surface facing the inner sidewall. A second engaging structure is provided on the inner wall surface, which selectively engages or disengages relative to the first engaging structure. A second elastic ring surrounds the second friction block. An elastic element is adjacent to the second friction block. A locking part is provided at the locking end and adjacent to the elastic element. The locking part abuts against the elastic element, causing the elastic element to normally push the second friction block into contact with the second friction block. A cover seals the second port and has a second baffle that abuts against the second elastic ring, giving the second elastic ring a second elastic force that normally pushes the second cam towards the first cam ring. The rotating shaft is subjected to force to rotate, generating a frictional torque between the first and second friction blocks and causing the second engaging structure to engage or disengage relative to the first engaging structure.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the pivot seat includes a base and a vertical plate, the vertical plate being connected to the base, and the vertical plate having a shaft hole.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the first engaging structure includes a first wedge-shaped groove and a first protruding portion, and the second engaging structure includes a second wedge-shaped groove and a second protruding portion; when the second engaging structure engages with the first engaging structure, the first protruding portion is located in the second wedge-shaped groove, and the second protruding portion is located in the first wedge-shaped groove; when the second engaging structure disengages from the first engaging structure, the first protruding portion moves out of the second wedge-shaped groove, the second protruding portion moves out of the first wedge-shaped groove, and the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion abut against each other.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the elastic element is selected from springs, wave springs, or disc springs.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the first elastic ring is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the second elastic ring is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the hinge device has a locking function through the structure of the pivot seat, the rotating shaft, the first friction block and the locking assembly, and its service life is longer than that of existing hinge devices with locking function, thus improving the problems encountered by the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of one embodiment of the hinge device is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined embodiment shown.

[0014] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined embodiment shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sleeve and the cover in one embodiment is provided.

[0016] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between a first cam ring and a second cam ring in one embodiment is provided.

[0017] Figure 6 The diagram shows the relationship between the first friction block and the first cam ring in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 A diagram showing the relationship between the second friction block and the second cam ring in one embodiment is provided.

[0019] Figures 8A-8C Schematic diagrams showing one embodiment of the hinge device are provided.

[0020] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0021] 1: Hinge mechanism

[0022] 11: Pivot

[0023] 111: Shaft hole

[0024] 112: Base

[0025] 113: Vertical board

[0026] 12: Shaft

[0027] 121: Free End

[0028] 122: Locking terminal

[0029] 13: First friction block

[0030] 131: Opening

[0031] 14: Locking assembly

[0032] 141: Sleeve

[0033] 1411: First Barrier

[0034] 1412: First port

[0035] 1413: Second port

[0036] 142: First Cam Ring

[0037] 1421: Inner wall

[0038] 1422: First engagement structure

[0039] 1423, 1423a, 1423b: First wedge-shaped groove

[0040] 14221: Guide ramp

[0041] 1424, 1424a, 1424b: First protruding part

[0042] 143: First elastic ring

[0043] 144: Second friction block

[0044] 1441:hole

[0045] 145: Second Cam Ring

[0046] 1451:Inner wall surface

[0047] 1452: Second locking structure

[0048] 1453, 1453a, 1453b: Second wedge-shaped groove

[0049] 14521: Guiding slope

[0050] 1454, 1454a, 1454b: Second protrusion

[0051] 146: Second elastic ring

[0052] 147: Elastic element

[0053] 148: Locking part

[0054] 149: Cover

[0055] 1491: Second Barrier

[0056] D: Axial direction

[0057] P1: Initial position

[0058] P2: Locked position

[0059] T: Direction of rotation Detailed Implementation

[0060] Please see Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of an embodiment of the hinge device 1 is shown. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined embodiment shown. Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment is a combination diagram, and Figure 2 For different perspectives. Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between sleeve 141 and cover 149 in one embodiment is provided. Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between a first cam ring 142 and a second cam ring 145 according to an embodiment is provided. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the hinge device 1 includes a pivot seat 11, a rotating shaft 12, a first friction block 13, and a locking assembly 14.

[0061] The pivot seat 11 is provided with a shaft hole 111. A rotating shaft 12 passes through the shaft hole 111 and has a free end 121 and a locking end 122. A first friction block 13 is connected to the pivot seat 11 and has an opening 131 through which the rotating shaft 12 passes. The first friction block 13 is located at the free end 121 of the rotating shaft 12. The locking assembly 14 includes a sleeve 141, a first cam ring 142, a first elastic ring 143, a second friction block 144, a second cam ring 145, a second elastic ring 146, an elastic element 147, a locking part 148, and a cover 149. A first baffle 1411 is provided at one end of the sleeve 141 (see...). Figure 4 The first baffle 1411 has a first port 1412, and the other end of the sleeve 141 has a second port 1413. The first friction block 13 is located inside the first port 1412. The first cam ring 142 surrounds the first friction block 13, and the inner sidewall 1421 of the first cam ring 142 has a first engaging structure 1422 (see...). Figure 5 The first elastic ring 143 is located between the first baffle 1411 and the first cam ring 142. The first elastic ring 143 surrounds the first friction block 13. The first elastic ring 143 is pushed by the first baffle 1411 and has a first elastic force that normally pushes the first cam ring 142 toward the locking end 122. The second friction block 144 has a hole 1441 through which the rotating shaft 12 passes. The second friction block 144 is adjacent to the first friction block 13. The second cam ring 145 surrounds the second friction block 144. The second cam ring 145 has an inner wall surface 1451 facing the inner sidewall 1421. The inner wall surface 1451 is provided with a second engaging structure 1452 (see...). Figure 5The second engaging structure 1452 selectively engages or disengages relative to the first engaging structure 1422. A second elastic ring 146 surrounds the second friction block 144. An elastic element 147 abuts the second friction block 144. A locking portion 148 is provided at the locking end 122 and abuts the elastic element 147; the locking portion 148 abuts against the elastic element 147 so that the elastic element 147 normally pushes the second friction block 144 into contact with the second friction block 144. A cover 149 seals the second port 1413; the cover 149 has a second baffle 1491 (see...). Figure 4 The second elastic ring 146 is abutted against, giving the second elastic ring 146 a second elastic force that normally pushes the second cam toward the first cam ring 142. The rotating shaft 12 is rotated under force to generate a frictional torque between the first friction block 13 and the second friction block 144, and to engage or disengage the second engaging structure 1452 relative to the first engaging structure 1422.

[0062] The aforementioned engagement can be, but is not limited to, snap-fitting, interlocking, or docking. The aforementioned disengagement can be, but is not limited to, the first engagement structure 1422 or the second engagement structure 1452 rotating relative to each other to release the aforementioned engagement, interlocking, or docking, or the first engagement structure 1422 and the second engagement structure 1452 separating from each other, as will be described in detail later.

[0063] in accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot seat 11 includes a base 112 and a vertical plate 113. The vertical plate 113 is connected to the base 112 and has a shaft hole 111. The first friction block 13 is positioned on the vertical plate 113. According to... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first cam ring 142 and the first friction block 13 can rotate synchronously, and the second cam ring 145 can move relative to the first friction block 13 along an axis D of the rotating shaft 12. The second cam ring 145 and the second friction block 144 can rotate synchronously, and the second cam ring 145 can move relative to the second friction block 144 along the axis D. When the rotating shaft 12 rotates, it drives the second friction block 144 and the second cam ring 145 to rotate. At this time, the second friction block 144 rotates relative to the first friction block 13 and generates friction, generating a frictional torque between the first friction block 13 and the second friction block 144. The second cam ring 145 rotates relative to the first cam ring 142, and the second engaging structure 1452 rubs against the first engaging structure 1422, resulting in the aforementioned engagement or disengagement, generating a counter-torque between the first cam ring 142 and the second cam ring 145. Therefore, the torque required for the user to rotate the rotating shaft 12 must be greater than the sum of the aforementioned frictional torque and the counter-torque.

[0064] Figure 6 A diagram showing the relationship between the first friction block and the first cam ring in one embodiment is provided. Figure 7 A diagram showing the relationship between the second friction block and the second cam ring in one embodiment is provided. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Only the relative relationships between components are displayed, omitting parts of components and other components. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the first cam ring 142 is sleeved on a portion of the first friction block 13. During rotation, the first friction block 13 drives the first cam ring 142 to rotate synchronously along the rotating shaft 12, so there is no radial relative rotation between the two. The position where the first cam ring 142 is sleeved can move relative to the first friction block 13 along the axial direction D of the rotating shaft 12. Therefore, the first friction block 13 and the first cam ring 142 have relative movement, but no relative rotation. Similarly, the second cam ring 145 is also sleeved on a portion of the second friction block 144, and there is relative movement between the two, but no relative rotation.

[0065] Please see Figures 8A to 8C See also Figure 5 , Figures 8A to 8C Schematic diagrams showing the usage state of one embodiment of the hinge device 1 are provided. According to... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first engaging structure 1422 includes a first wedge-shaped groove 1423 and a first protruding portion 1424, and the second engaging structure 1452 includes a second wedge-shaped groove 1453 and a second protruding portion 1454. In this embodiment, there are two first wedge-shaped grooves 1423, defined as first wedge-shaped groove 1423a and first wedge-shaped groove 1423b. There are two first protruding portions 1424, defined as first protruding portion 1424a and first protruding portion 1424b, and the two first wedge-shaped grooves 1423 and the two first protruding portions 1424 are alternately arranged. There are two second wedge-shaped grooves 1453, defined as second wedge-shaped groove 1453a and second wedge-shaped groove 1453b. There are two second protruding portions 1454, defined as second protruding portion 1454a and second protruding portion 1454b, and the two second wedge-shaped grooves 1453 and the two second protruding portions 1454 are alternately arranged. The shapes of the two first wedge-shaped grooves 1423 are matched with the shapes of the two second protrusions 1454, and the shapes of the two second wedge-shaped grooves 1453 are matched with the shapes of the two first protrusions 1424. This matching means that any first protrusion 1424 can move into any second wedge-shaped groove 1453, and any second protrusion 1454 can move into any first wedge-shaped groove 1423. This disclosure does not require that the first protrusions 1424 and the second wedge-shaped grooves 1453, or the second protrusions 1454 and the first wedge-shaped grooves 1423, achieve structural consistency. Figure 8A As shown, the pivot 12 of the hinge device 1 is in an initial position P1. When the first engaging structure 1422 and the second engaging structure 1452 are engaged, the first protruding part 1424a is located in the second wedge groove 1453a, the first protruding part 1424b is located in the second wedge groove 1453b, the second protruding part 1454a is located in the first wedge groove 1423a, and the second protruding part 1454b is located in the first wedge groove 1423b (see...). Figure 5When the rotating shaft 12 rotates in the rotation direction T, it drives the second friction block 144 to rotate and the second cam ring 145 to rotate. The second cam ring 145 rotates relative to the first cam ring 142, as shown below. Figure 8B As shown, the two first protruding portions 1424 respectively move out of their corresponding second wedge-shaped grooves 1453, and the two second protruding portions 1454 respectively move out of their corresponding first wedge-shaped grooves 1423, and the two first protruding portions 1424 respectively abut against the two second protruding portions 1454. At this time, the first engaging structure 1422 and the second engaging structure 1452 disengage. According to Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the first engaging structure 1422 further includes a guide ramp 14221, and the second engaging structure 1452 further includes a guide ramp 14521. Thus, when the shaft 12 rotates, the first protruding part 1424 can smoothly move out of the second wedge groove 1453 (i.e., move towards the outside of the second wedge groove 1453), and the second protruding part 1454 can smoothly move out of the first wedge groove 1423 (i.e., move towards the outside of the first wedge groove 1423). When the shaft 12 rotates 90 degrees, the shaft 12 is in the locked position P2, and the two first protruding parts 1424 move to their corresponding second wedge grooves 1453, and the two second protruding parts 1454 move to their corresponding first wedge grooves 1423, completing the locking function of the shaft 12. Figure 8C As shown. This disclosure does not limit the number, arrangement position, or shape of the first protrusion 1424, the second protrusion 1454, the first wedge groove 1423, and the second wedge groove 1453. Multiple structures determine the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 12, further determining the number of times the first engaging structure 1422 and the second engaging structure 1452 engage and disengage. Manufacturers can design according to customer needs. Figure 8A In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge device 1 has a two-stage locking function. According to some other embodiments, the first protrusion 1424, the second protrusion 1454, the first wedge groove 1423, and the second wedge groove 1453 are two or more, thus the hinge device has a multi-stage locking function.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the first elastic ring 143 is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the second elastic ring 146 is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the elastic element 147 is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0067] According to some embodiments, the hinge device can be applied to 3C products, such as laptops, foldable phones or audio-visual playback devices, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0068] According to some embodiments, through structural design such as pivot seat, rotating shaft, first friction block and locking assembly, the hinge device has a locking function and has a longer service life compared with existing hinge devices with locking function.

Claims

1. A hinge device, characterized in that, Include: A pivot seat is provided with a shaft hole; A rotating shaft passes through the shaft hole, and the two ends of the rotating shaft define a free end and a locking end, respectively; A first friction block is connected to the pivot seat. The first friction block has an opening through which the rotating shaft passes, and the first friction block is located at the free end of the rotating shaft. A locking component, comprising: A sleeve has a first baffle wall at one end, the first baffle wall has a first port, the other end of the sleeve has a second port, and the first friction block is located in the first port; A first cam ring surrounds the first friction block, and a first engaging structure is provided on an inner sidewall of the first cam ring; A first elastic ring is located between the first baffle and the first cam ring. The first elastic ring surrounds the first friction block. The first elastic ring is pushed by the first baffle and has a first elastic force that normally pushes the first cam ring toward the locking end. A second friction block is provided with a hole through which the rotating shaft passes; the second friction block is adjacent to the first friction block. A second cam ring surrounds the second friction block. The second cam ring has an inner wall surface facing the inner sidewall. A second engaging structure is provided on the inner wall surface. The second engaging structure selectively engages or disengages from the first engaging structure. A second elastic ring surrounds the second friction block; An elastic element is adjacent to the second friction block; A locking part is provided at the locking end and adjacent to the elastic element. The locking part abuts against the elastic element, so that the elastic element normally pushes the second friction block to contact the second friction block. as well as A cover is provided to seal the second port. The cover is provided with a second baffle that abuts against the second elastic ring, so that the second elastic ring normally has a second elastic force that pushes the second cam ring toward the first cam ring. The rotating shaft rotates under force to generate a frictional torque between the first friction block and the second friction block, and to engage or disengage the second engaging structure relative to the first engaging structure.

2. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The pivot seat includes a base and a vertical plate, the vertical plate being connected to the base and having the shaft hole.

3. The hinge device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first engaging structure includes a first wedge-shaped groove and a first protrusion, and the second engaging structure includes a second wedge-shaped groove and a second protrusion. When the second engaging structure engages with the first engaging structure, the first protrusion is located in the second wedge-shaped groove, and the second protrusion is located in the first wedge-shaped groove. When the second engaging structure disengages from the first engaging structure, the first protrusion moves out of the second wedge-shaped groove, and the second protrusion moves out of the first wedge-shaped groove, and the first protrusion abuts against the second protrusion.

4. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first elastic ring is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring.

5. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The second elastic ring is selected from a spring, a wave spring, or a disc spring.

6. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is selected from springs, wave springs, or disc springs.

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