Sliding hinge

Abstract

A locking structure of the sliding hinge is provided with an operating part, a connecting rod and a connecting rod support, the connecting rod is provided with a rolling body locking piece, the connecting rod support is provided with a locking groove, the rolling body locking piece is located in the locking groove, the operating part is connected with a cam, and the cam face of the cam is matched with the connecting rod to drive the connecting rod to move and further drive the rolling body locking piece to move in the locking groove. The locking grooves are provided with width changing sections corresponding to the rolling faces of the rolling body locking pieces, the connecting rods are arranged in pairs, and the rolling body locking piece of the first connecting rod and the second rolling body locking piece are opposite in movement direction. The device can be locked at any position in the whole stroke in the sliding direction, and when the device is applied to VR glasses, the device can be adjusted to the most suitable and most comfortable position for eyes; moreover, according to a traditional gear shape, a marble pit only limits front-back sliding, slight shaking is caused in the up-down direction due to a gap, and the technical scheme is limited in four directions; only one plane is needed on the sliding piece, the appearance is more concise and attractive, and operation is very easy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sliding hinge, and more particularly to a sliding hinge used in wearable devices. Background Technology

[0002] For wearable devices, such as helmets and glasses, there is a need for length adjustment, so sliding hinges are used. During length adjustment, friction is used to achieve stepless adjustment and positioning. To improve the positioning and holding function, locking structures are incorporated, such as rack and pinion mechanisms or pin tumblers. While these structures provide high locking performance, they only allow for step-by-step adjustments, limiting the precision of the adjustment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sliding hinge capable of stepless adjustment and locking, with a strong locking force. To this end, the invention adopts the following technical solution: A sliding hinge includes a first connecting body and a second connecting body, which are slidably connected. The sliding hinge further includes a locking structure. The locking structure has an operating component movably mounted on the second connecting body. A movable connecting rod is provided between the first and second connecting bodies. A rolling element lock is provided on the connecting rod. A connecting rod support is provided on the first connecting body. The connecting rod is movably located on the connecting rod support. A locking groove is provided on the connecting rod support. The rolling element lock is located in the locking groove. The operating component is connected to a cam. The cam surface of the cam cooperates with the connecting rod to drive the connecting rod to move, thereby driving the rolling element lock to move in the locking groove. The locking groove has a width variation segment corresponding to the rolling surface of the rolling element lock. When the rolling element lock moves to the wide part of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge unlocks. When it moves to the narrow part of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge locks. The locking structure also includes a reset elastic element to reset the connecting rod and the rolling element lock when the operating component is released. The connecting rods are arranged in pairs, and the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod forming a pair are respectively connected to rolling element locks. Each rolling element lock has a width variation segment of its locking groove. The rolling element lock of the first connecting rod moves in the opposite direction to the rolling element lock of the second connecting rod. The width variation direction of the width variation segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the first connecting rod is opposite to the width variation direction of the width variation segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the second connecting rod.

[0004] Based on the above technical solutions, the present invention may also employ the following further technical solutions or a combination of these further technical solutions: The reset elastic element is disposed between the connecting rods that form a pair.

[0005] The connecting rod bracket is provided with a mounting groove for the connecting rod, and the lower part of the connecting rod is inserted into the mounting groove and guided and engaged with the mounting groove in the moving direction.

[0006] The first link and the second link are arranged facing each other.

[0007] The reset elastic element is provided between the upper part of the first link and the lower part of the second link.

[0008] The operating component is a button, and the inner side of the button is connected to the cam.

[0009] The operating component is a button. For a pair of connecting rods, the cam surfaces of the cams also form a pair. The pair of cam surfaces includes a first control inclined surface and a second control inclined surface, which correspond one-to-one with the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, respectively. Furthermore, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are respectively provided with a surface that cooperates with the first control inclined surface and a surface that cooperates with the second control inclined surface.

[0010] The sliding hinge is further provided with a connecting block. A sliding guide groove is provided on the first connecting body. The second connecting body is located on the front side of the first connecting body. The connecting block is located on the other side of the first connecting body. The second connecting body includes a housing. The connecting rod, rolling element lock, connecting rod support and reset elastic element are provided inside the housing. A guide block is provided on the connecting block to cooperate with the sliding guide groove on the first connecting body.

[0011] The sliding hinge is provided with locking structures on both sides of the guide block. The operating component of the locking structure is a button, and the buttons on both sides are arranged opposite each other.

[0012] The rolling element lock is rotatably mounted on the connecting rod.

[0013] The connecting rod is tilted in one of the sliding directions.

[0014] The cam surface is configured to unlock when the operating component is operated, and automatically enter the locked state when the operating component is released via the reset elastic element.

[0015] Because of the technical solution of this invention, the sliding component can be locked at any position throughout its entire stroke. When applied to VR glasses, it can be adjusted to the most suitable and comfortable position for the eyes. Furthermore, traditional gear-shaped or pincushion-shaped components only restrict forward and backward sliding, and there will be slight wobbling in the up and down direction due to gaps. However, this technical solution restricts sliding in all four directions. Only one plane is needed on the sliding component, resulting in a simpler and more aesthetically pleasing appearance. It also has one-way locking in two directions, making operation very easy. Moreover, the structure of the one-way locking component can be very simple. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding hinge of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the structure of the sliding hinge.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in the locked state.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in the unlocked sliding adjustment state.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control cam on the button of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the coordination of the control cam, connecting rod, and locking groove.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the locking structure within the second connector.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the sliding connection between the second connector and the first connector.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding connection between the second connector and the first connector. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a sliding hinge, comprising a first connecting body 1 and a second connecting body 2, which are slidably connected. The first connecting body 1 and the second connecting body 2 can serve as connecting components for the sliding hinge in a wearable device, respectively connecting to two structures in the wearable device that require relative sliding.

[0026] The sliding hinge is also provided with a locking structure, and the locking structure is provided with an operating component. The operating component is movably mounted on the second connecting body 2. In this embodiment, the operating component is a button 3.

[0027] A movable connecting rod 4 is provided between the first connecting body 1 and the second connecting body 2. A rolling element lock 5 is provided on the connecting rod 4. A connecting rod bracket 6 is provided on the first connecting body 1. The connecting rod 4 is movably located on the connecting rod bracket 6. A locking groove 60 is provided on the connecting rod bracket 6. The rolling element lock 5 is located in the locking groove 60. A cam 7 is connected to the inner side of the button 3. The cam surface of the cam 7 cooperates with the connecting rod 4 to drive the connecting rod 4 to move, and thereby drive the rolling element lock 5 to move in the locking groove 60. The 0 has a width variation segment corresponding to the rolling surface of the rolling element lock (for example, in this embodiment, it is a cylindrical surface). When the rolling element lock 5 moves to the wide part 601 of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge unlocks, and when it moves to the narrow part 602 of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge locks. The width variation segment can be a groove segment in which one side of the groove wall is arc-shaped or inclined relative to the other side of the groove wall. The locking structure is also provided with a reset elastic element 8 to reset the connecting rod 4 and the rolling element lock 5 when the operating component is released.

[0028] The connecting rods 4 are arranged in pairs, forming a first connecting rod of a pair ( Figure 3 , 4 The left-hand link 4 and the second link (shown) Figure 3 , 4 The reset elastic element 8 is provided between the connecting rod 4 on the right side shown, and the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are respectively connected to rolling element locking members 5. Each rolling element locking member 5 has its own width variation segment. The rolling element locking member of the first connecting rod ( Figure 3 , 4 The left-hand rolling element lock 5 and the second rolling element lock (shown on the left) Figure 3 , 4 The rolling element lock 5 on the right side of the diagram moves in the opposite direction, and the width change segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the first link ( Figure 3 , 4 The width change direction of the width change segment on the left side of the lock groove 60 shown is the same as the width change segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the second link. Figure 3 , 4 The width variation direction of the left side of the locking groove 60 (shown) is opposite. In this way, it can be ensured that there is a one-way locking effect after sliding adjustment in both directions, and the locking force does not depend on the force value of the reset elastic element 8, so as to make the operation easier while ensuring the locking effect.

[0029] The connecting rod bracket 6 is provided with a mounting groove 61 for the connecting rod 4. The lower parts of the first and second connecting rods are inserted into the mounting groove and are positioned face-to-face with the first and second connecting rods in the direction of connecting rod movement, guided and engaged by the mounting groove 61.

[0030] The reset elastic element 8 is respectively provided between the upper and lower parts of the pair of connecting rods 4, and the reset elastic element 8 can be a compression spring.

[0031] For the connecting rods 4 that form a pair, the cam surfaces of the cams 7 also form a pair. The pair of cam surfaces includes a first control inclined surface 71 and a second control inclined surface 72, which correspond to the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, respectively. Furthermore, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are respectively provided with a surface 41 that cooperates with the first control inclined surface 71 and a surface 42 that cooperates with the second control inclined surface 72, making the pressing operation more comfortable and stable.

[0032] The rolling element locking member 5 is rotatably mounted on the connecting rod 4. For example, it can be a cylinder connected to the connecting rod 4 via a shaft 51, and can rotate relative to the connecting rod 4. Alternatively, the rolling element locking member 5 can be a bearing mounted on the connecting rod, with its outer ring rotatable.

[0033] The sliding hinge is also provided with a connecting block 9. The first connecting body 1 is provided with a sliding guide groove 11. The second connecting body 2 is located on the front side of the first connecting body 1. The connecting block 9 is located on the other side of the first connecting body 1 and is connected to the second connecting body 2 by screws. The second connecting body 2 includes a housing. The connecting rod 4, the rolling element lock 5, the connecting rod bracket 6 and the reset elastic element 8 are provided inside the housing. The connecting block 9 is provided with a guide block 91 that cooperates with the sliding guide groove 11 on the first connecting body.

[0034] The sliding hinge is provided with locking structures on both sides of the guide block, which makes the locking more secure.

[0035] The cam surface is configured to unlock when the operating component is operated, and automatically enter the locking state via the reset elastic element 8 when the operating component is released. It also has a self-locking function after entering the locking state, regardless of the direction of sliding. This ensures reliable locking and makes operation more convenient, especially in cases where locking structures are provided on both sides as described above. In this case, as shown in the figure, the cam's slope can be lower on the outer side and higher on the inner side. In the button-released state: the rolling element lock 5 is pressed against both sides by the spring force. When the second connecting body 2 moves to the left, the left rolling element lock 5 is continuously clamped (at the narrow part 602 of the width change segment), and the second connecting body 2 is fixed; when the second connecting body 2 moves to the right, the right rolling element lock 5 is continuously clamped, and the second connecting body 2 is fixed; thus achieving the locking effect; when the button is pressed, in the unlocked state: the rolling element lock 5 is pulled towards the middle by the connecting rod 4 (at the wide part 601 of the width change segment).

[0036] The connecting rod is inclined in one of the sliding directions, which can reduce the size of the product in the direction perpendicular to the first connecting body 1 without affecting the movement and locking effects.

[0037] The operating component can also be a sliding operating block, in which case the connecting rod direction and locking groove of the present invention can be horizontally flipped by 90°.

[0038] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the structural features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "installed," "set," "equipped with," "connected," "connected," and "sleeve-in" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral construction; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, elements, or components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "one end," "the other end," "outer side," "inner side," "horizontal," "end," "length," "outer end," "left," and "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. The terms "first" and "second" are also used only for the sake of brevity in description and do not indicate or imply relative importance.

[0041] Furthermore, in practicing the claims of this invention, those skilled in the art can understand and influence variations to the disclosed embodiments through a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Additionally, in the claims and description, words such as "comprising" and "containing" do not exclude other elements or steps, and non-plural nouns do not exclude their plural forms.

Claims

1. A sliding hinge, comprising a first connecting body and a second connecting body, wherein the first connecting body and the second connecting body are slidably connected, characterized in that, The sliding hinge also includes a locking structure. The locking structure has an operating component, which is movably mounted on a second connecting body. A movable connecting rod is provided between the first and second connecting bodies. A rolling element lock is provided on the connecting rod. A connecting rod bracket is provided on the first connecting body. The connecting rod is movably located on the connecting rod bracket. A locking groove is provided on the connecting rod bracket. The rolling element lock is located in the locking groove. The operating component is connected to a cam. The cam surface of the cam cooperates with the connecting rod to drive the connecting rod to move, and in turn, drive the rolling element lock to move in the locking groove. The locking groove has a width variation segment corresponding to the rolling surface of the rolling element lock. When the rolling element lock moves to the wide part of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge unlocks. When it moves to the narrow part of the width variation segment, the sliding hinge locks. The locking structure also includes a reset elastic element to reset the connecting rod and the rolling element lock when the operating component is released. The connecting rods are arranged in pairs, and the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod forming a pair are respectively connected to rolling element locks. Each rolling element lock has a width variation segment of its locking groove. The rolling element lock of the first connecting rod moves in the opposite direction to the rolling element lock of the second connecting rod. The width variation direction of the width variation segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the first connecting rod is opposite to the width variation direction of the width variation segment corresponding to the rolling element lock of the second connecting rod.

2. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reset elastic element is disposed between the connecting rods that form a pair.

3. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod bracket is provided with a mounting groove for the connecting rod, and the lower part of the connecting rod is inserted into the mounting groove and guided and engaged with the mounting groove in the moving direction.

4. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first link and the second link are arranged facing each other.

5. A sliding hinge as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The reset elastic element is provided between the upper part of the first link and the lower part of the second link.

6. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The operating component is a button, and the inner side of the button is connected to the cam.

7. A sliding hinge as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The operating component is a button. For a pair of connecting rods, the cam surfaces of the cams also form a pair. The pair of cam surfaces includes a first control inclined surface and a second control inclined surface, which correspond one-to-one with the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, respectively. Furthermore, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are respectively provided with a surface that cooperates with the first control inclined surface and a surface that cooperates with the second control inclined surface.

8. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding hinge is further provided with a connecting block. A sliding guide groove is provided on the first connecting body. The second connecting body is located on the front side of the first connecting body. The connecting block is located on the other side of the first connecting body. The second connecting body includes a housing. The connecting rod, rolling element lock, connecting rod support and reset elastic element are provided inside the housing. A guide block is provided on the connecting block to cooperate with the sliding guide groove on the first connecting body.

9. A sliding hinge as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The sliding hinge is provided with locking structures on both sides of the guide block. The operating component of the locking structure is a button, and the buttons on both sides are arranged opposite each other.

10. A sliding hinge as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The rolling element lock is rotatably mounted on the connecting rod.

11. A sliding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod is tilted in one of the sliding directions.

12. A sliding hinge as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, characterized in that, The cam surface is configured to unlock when the operating component is operated, and automatically enter the locked state when the operating component is released via the reset elastic element.

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