Multi-layer and multi-direction display and storage device

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-layer and multi-direction display and storage device, and relates to the field of storage and display devices.The multi-layer and multi-direction display and storage device comprises a base, a ball slide way is arranged on the base, box bodies are slidably embedded in the ball slide way, the upper box body and the lower box body are slidably connected through a connecting structure, and an operating handle is further installed on the outer wall of each box body; the box bodies are hinged to each other through a hinge assembly, and the base is installed on the base through a plane bearing. Through the unique'driving layer-driven layer 'structural design and ingenious transmission of a connecting structure, twenty box bodies of five layers can be driven to be synchronously unfolded or closed in four directions only by operating an operating handle on the box body of the middle driving layer, the problems that a traditional multi-layer cabinet body needs to be operated layer by layer, and the direction is single are solved, and the multi-layer multi-layer cabinet body is convenient to use. Omnibearing efficient display of opening once pulling and closing once pushing is achieved, after all the box bodies are completely retracted, the device forms a regular cube, and the device is small in occupied space, attractive in appearance and suitable for various application scenes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of storage and display devices, and more specifically to a multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Display and storage devices are a type of showcase, home or office furniture that combines the functions of displaying and organizing items. Through the design of a reasonable structure and partition, they can achieve the dual goals of improving space utilization and optimizing visual order. Open designs, such as shelves and grid shelves, can be used to display decorative ornaments, collectibles and other items with aesthetic value. Closed structures, such as cabinets with doors and drawers, can be used to store miscellaneous items in categories, thus adapting to different spaces and making them more convenient to use.

[0003] Existing display and storage devices still have some problems when in use: existing multi-layer display cabinets usually open and close independently for each layer, or use a rotating unfolding mechanism, which has problems such as cumbersome operation, limited unfolding direction, and insufficient display of internal items. In addition, traditional hinges are prone to motion interference when multiple layers are linked, resulting in unsmooth unfolding or an uncompacted structure after storage.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to invent a multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-layer, multi-directional display and storage device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as the fact that existing multi-layer display cabinets usually open and close independently for each layer or use a rotating unfolding mechanism, which have problems such as cumbersome operation, limited unfolding direction, and insufficient display of internal items. In addition, traditional hinges are prone to motion interference when multiple layers are linked, resulting in problems such as unsmooth unfolding or non-compact structure after storage.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a multi-layer, multi-directional display and storage device, including a base, a ball bearing slide on the base, and a box slidably embedded in the ball bearing slide. The upper and lower boxes are slidably connected by a connecting structure, and an operating handle is installed on the outer wall of the middle box. The boxes in the same layer are hinged to each other by a hinge assembly. The base is mounted on a base by a plane bearing.

[0007] Preferably, the hinge assembly includes a connecting plate and two hollow shafts. The two hollow shafts are respectively fastened to two adjacent housings, and the shaft holes on the connecting plate are fitted onto the upper ends of the two hollow shafts, forming a sliding fit. The housings deflect and slide under the constraint of the connecting plate via the hollow shafts fastened to them. This dual-axis parallel structure is superior to the conventional coaxial hinge structure, as it does not cause interference when the two sets of hinges are closed.

[0008] Preferably, the connection structure includes a mandrel located at the center of the housing and connected to two nuts, with two one-way thrust ball bearings in between. The mandrel is fastened to the first, third, and fifth layers of housing, and its mating holes with the second and fourth layers of housing are in a sliding fit. The mating holes are specifically shaped as opposite-direction oval holes. The fixed ends of the one-way thrust ball bearings are fixedly located on the upper and lower sides of the mandrel, and the rotating ends of the one-way thrust ball bearings are located inside the mandrel. The fixed ends and rotating ends maintain a rolling fit. Since the adjacent upper and lower housings are connected in pairs using the above-described connection structure, pulling the operating handle will cause the housings to restrain each other and generate a linkage effect.

[0009] Preferably, the number of boxes is twenty sets, with four sets of boxes on each layer, for a total of five layers. The first, third, and fifth layers from bottom to top are the active layers, and the second and fourth layers from bottom to top are the driven layers. The lines connecting the four hinge points on the four sets of boxes in each layer form a rhombic four-bar linkage. The hinge axes on the four hinge points on the four sets of boxes in the first layer slide on ball bearing tracks. The four different vertices in the rhombic four-bar linkage are represented as A, C, B, and D. The four hinge points connecting each layer of boxes in the active layer are A1-C1-B1-D1, and the four hinge points connecting each layer of boxes in the driven layer are A2-C2-B2-D2. The rhombic A1-C1-B1-D1 and A2-C2-B2-D2 are perpendicular to each other.

[0010] Preferably, the ball bearing slide includes two guide rails arranged perpendicularly to each other, wherein the guide rails are fixed to the base by bolts and positioning pins to form a motion reference for the transverse slide LH and the longitudinal slide LV, and a slider is slidably fitted on the guide rail, a ball bearing is provided between the slider and the guide rail, and a hinge shaft is inserted into the top mating hole of the slider.

[0011] The technical effects and advantages provided by the present invention in the above technical solution are as follows:

[0012] 1. This invention, through its unique "active layer-driven layer" structural design and ingenious transmission of the connecting structure, allows for the simultaneous opening or closing of five layers (twenty in total) of cabinets in four directions by simply operating the operating handle on the middle active layer cabinet. This solves the problem of traditional multi-layer cabinets requiring layer-by-layer operation and having a single direction, achieving a comprehensive and efficient display with a simple pull to open and a simple push to close. After all the cabinets are fully retracted, the device forms a regular cube, occupying little space, with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and is suitable for various application scenarios.

[0013] 2. Combining the rhombic four-bar linkage composed of dual-axis parallel hinges, especially the oblique displacement mechanism of the driven layer's rhombic four-bar linkage, a beneficial change in the deflection torque on the housing is generated, suppressing the housing's tendency to reverse. Furthermore, the high-precision guidance of the ball bearing slide fundamentally guides and controls the motion trajectory of the driven layer, making the entire linkage opening and closing process smooth and predictable. This completely solves the problems of reverse rotation, random motion, or jamming in multi-layer mechanisms, as well as the mutual interference of hinges when the mechanism's hinge points are at their extreme positions. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the closed state of the device of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the unfolded state of the device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the box's state when it is open and closed according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the state of the driven layer housing after the operating handle of the present invention has been pulled open by 90°.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the connection between the upper and lower housings of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ball bearing slide of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the hinge assembly of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a force analysis diagram of the active layer box body deflection angle in the range of 0 to 45° according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the dual-axis parallel hinge mechanism of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1. Hinge assembly; 101. Connecting plate; 102. Hollow shaft; 103. Screw; 104. Washer; 2. Connecting structure; 201. Mandrel; 202. One-way thrust ball bearing; 2021. Fixed end; 2022. Rotating end; 3. Operating handle; 4. Housing; 5. Base; 6. Base; 7. Ball bearing slide; 701. Guide rail; 702. Hinge shaft; 703. Slider; 704. Ball bearing;

[0026] ACBD, the four vertices of the rhomboid four-bar linkage; A1-C1-B1-D1, the hinge point connecting the boxes in the active layer; A2-C2-B2-D2, the hinge point connecting the boxes in the driven layer.

[0027] LH, lateral slide; LV, longitudinal slide;

[0028] H0, the center position of the housing when the device is fully closed or open; H α H1: Instantaneous position of the spindle; H2: Position of the spindle when the housing is offset by 45°;

[0029] F: Push (pull) force; O: Center point of the device; A0: Position of point A1 when the box is fully closed;

[0030] G1, the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the thrust F to the hinge point C2; G2, the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the thrust F to the hinge point A2. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] This invention provides, for example Figure 1-9 The multi-layer, multi-directional display and storage device shown includes a base 5, a ball bearing slide 7 on the base 5, and a box 4 slidably embedded in the ball bearing slide 7. The upper and lower boxes 4 are slidably connected by a connecting structure 2. An operating handle 3 is also installed on the outer wall of the box 4. The boxes 4 are hinged to each other by hinge components 1 at the upper and lower ends. The base 5 is mounted on the base 6 by a plane bearing.

[0033] The hinge assembly 1 includes a connecting plate 101, and the connecting plate 101 and the housing 4 are detachably and rigidly fixedly connected by screws 103. A washer 104 is installed between the contact surfaces of the connecting plate 101 and the screws 103. The hinge assembly 1 also includes a hollow shaft 102, and the hollow shaft 102 is circumferentially positioned and rotated to support the connecting plate 101 through an interference fit. It provides a stable and movable connection between the housings 4 and is an indispensable core functional component for achieving the overall beneficial effects of convenient operation, smooth movement and compact closure of the present invention.

[0034] The connecting structure 2 includes a spindle 201 located at the center of the housing 4 and connected to a double nut, with two one-way thrust ball bearings 202 sandwiched between them. The spindle 201 is fastened to the first, third, and fifth layers of housing 4, and has a sliding fit with the mating holes of the second and fourth layers of housing 4. The fixed end 2021 of the one-way thrust ball bearing 202 is fixedly located on the upper and lower sides of the spindle 201, and the rotating end 2022 of the one-way thrust ball bearing 202 is located inside the spindle 201. The fixed end 2021 and the rotating end 2022 maintain a sliding fit. Since the adjacent upper and lower housings 4 are connected in pairs in the above connection form, pulling the operating handle 3 will cause the housings 4 to restrain each other and thus generate a linkage effect.

[0035] There are twenty sets of housings 4 in total, with four sets of housings 4 on each layer, for a total of five layers. The first, third, and fifth layers of housings 4 from bottom to top are the active layers, while the second and fourth layers are the driven layers. The lines connecting the four hinge points on the four sets of housings 4 in each layer form a rhombic four-bar linkage. The hinge shafts 702 on the four hinge points of the four sets of housings 4 in the first layer slide on the ball bearing slide 7. The four different vertices of the rhombic four-bar linkage... Represented as A, C, B, and D, the four hinge points connecting each layer of boxes 4 in the active layer are A1-C1-B1-D1, and the four hinge points connecting each layer of boxes 4 in the driven layer are A2-C2-B2-D2. The rhombuses A1-C1-B1-D1 and A2-C2-B2-D2 are always perpendicular to each other. The entire rhombus mechanism can flexibly extend and retract, exhibiting straight lines at either the lateral or longitudinal limits.

[0036] The ball slide 7 includes two guide rails 701 arranged perpendicularly to each other. The guide rails 701 are fixed to the base 5 by bolts and positioning pins, forming the motion reference of the transverse slide LH and the longitudinal slide LV. A slider 703 is slidably fitted on the guide rails 701. A ball 704 is provided between the slider 703 and the guide rails 701. A hinge shaft 702 is inserted into the top mating hole of the slider 703.

[0037] In use, the user pulls the operating handle 3 installed on the outer wall of the third-layer box 4 outward. This pulling force is transmitted to the diamond four-bar linkage of the bottom layer (first-layer box 4). Since the hinge shafts 702 at the four corners of the linkage are bound in the ball bearing slides 7 of the base 5, the linkage is forced to extend outward, causing the four boxes 4 of this layer (active layer) to rotate outward by 90° and open. The core shaft 201 is fixed in the center of the active layer box 4. When the active layer moves, the core shaft 201 moves along a trajectory at a 45° angle to the slide 703. The core shaft 201 passes through the irregular oval hole in the center of the driven layer box 4. Due to the asymmetrical design of the oval hole, the force exerted by the core shaft 201 on the hole wall when it moves will generate a predetermined torque with a definite direction. This torque is sufficient to overcome potential random interference and force the diamond four-bar linkage of the driven layer to unfold laterally (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bottom layer), ensuring that the movement is controllable and avoiding jamming.

[0038] The movement of the second layer (driven layer) transmits the torque upwards to the third layer (active layer), the fourth layer (driven layer), and the fifth layer (active layer) through the same central connection structure 2. Therefore, the force of a single pull handle, through precise force and movement transmission in the vertical direction, enables all five layers of twenty boxes to unfold synchronously and smoothly in sequence, forming a full-range, large-area display surface. Pushing the handle in the opposite direction causes all boxes 4 to close synchronously and compactly.

[0039] Action mechanism: The housing 4 of the diamond four-bar linkage of the active layer (layers one, three, and five) can open or close sequentially under the action of external force and the constraint of the ball slide 7. Although the housing 4 of the driven layer (layers two and four) also has the function of opening and closing, its driving force comes from the pushing (pulling) force F of the corresponding shaft hole in the center of the driven layer housing 4 when the spindle 201 installed in the center of the active layer housing 4 moves. This force generates a rotational torque relative to the corresponding hinge assembly 1, causing the housing 4 to deflect.

[0040] The direction of force F is related to the trajectory and direction of the rotating shaft. Due to the constraints of the four-bar linkage, when the active layer box 4 is deflected by force, the spindle 201 at the center of box 4 moves along a straight line at a 45-degree angle to the hinge slide. The following analysis uses the driven layer box 4 as an example to explain the change in the deflection of box 4 during the entire opening process of the operating handle 3:

[0041] 1. When the operating handle 3 is pulled outward, the active layer housing 4 deflects at an angle between 0 and 45°. The thrust F acts outward along the rotation axis (hinge A2 also moves outward, and C2 inward). Relative to hinge C2, the torque generated by the thrust F causes the driven layer housing 4 to reverse direction (opposite to the active layer housing 4). (Refer to...) Figure 8When the active layer box 4 is pulled apart from 0° to 45°, its pivot center H0 moves outward along the 45° line to point H1. At this time, the center of the driven layer box 4 is pushed off by the pivot. Let the thrust be F. Then, relative to the hinge point C2, the torque is F•C2G1, and relative to the hinge point A2, the torque is F•A2G2. Obviously, the lever arm C2G1 > A2G2. Therefore, the torque F•C2G1 > F•A2G2. The driven layer box 4 will shift in the counterclockwise direction (opposite to the shift direction of the active layer box 4).

[0042] 2. When the active layer box 4 deflects to 45°, the rotating shaft has moved outward to its limit position H1. The outer contours of the active layer box 4 and the driven layer box 4 are completely overlapped, except that the opening directions differ by 90°. At this time, the shape of the rhomboid four-bar linkage is square. At this time, the thrust F begins to turn inward towards point O. Once the active layer box 4 continues to deflect, the driven layer box 4 has a 50% probability of deflecting clockwise synchronously with the active layer box 4, ultimately resulting in the active layer box 4 opening and the driven layer box 4 closing. Therefore, the key technology adopted in this application is to make the corresponding mating hole on the driven layer box 4 with the rotating shaft into an oval hole with a specific direction and angle. At this time, when the active layer box 4 begins to deflect from 45° to 90°, the spindle 201 begins to move inward, and the pressure F also turns inward towards the center point O of the device. Figure 3 As can be seen, when the operating handle 3 is pulled open to 90 degrees... 0 If the geometric center hole of the driven layer box 4 (that is, the mating hole of the mandrel 201) is just a round hole, the force F applied by the four mandrels 201 to the four driven layer boxes 4, whether the force is applied outward or inward, presents a symmetrical and balanced state. At this time, the deflection trend of the box 4 is random. As the operating handle 3 is pulled open to an angle exceeding 90 degrees... 0 At that time, due to the continuous application of force, the shape of the four-bar linkage representing the active layer box 4 will change from a square to a longitudinally extending rhombus. However, to ensure that the shape of the four-bar linkage representing the driven layer box 4 changes from a square to a laterally extending rhombus, it is necessary to break the equilibrium state of the rotational torque formed by the force F. The measures adopted in this application are as follows: Figure 4 As shown: Based on the rhombus representing the longitudinal extension of the active layer box 4 (the rhombus angle can be arbitrarily set to 60 degrees). 0 Then, move the same rhombus representing the lateral extension of the driven layer box 4 to the upper left by approximately 30 degrees. 0 When the direction deviates by a certain distance, the two rhomboid four-bar linkage diagrams are positioned and superimposed according to their respective central axes. The central holes of the two layers of boxes 4 are then combined to form the required waist-shaped hole. The center distance is also the deviation distance between the two sets of axes, which also shows the geometric position of the waist-shaped hole on the driven layer box 4.

[0043] Figure 4The shaded area in the central circular hole represents the mandrel 201. The force F transmitted through the mandrel 201 to the driven layer housing 4 will force the driven layer housing 4 to deflect according to a set program. Figure 4 It is evident that the torque exerted by force F on rod A2C2 is positive (i.e., counterclockwise deflection) because the lever arm of force F on A2 is greater than that on C2, thus causing A2 to move outward. Similarly, the deflection torque of force F on rods A2D2 and B2D2 is also positive. Only on rod B2C2, due to its position relative to the oblong hole, does it have a very small effect. Considering all factors, this configuration meets the functional requirements of the mechanism, ultimately ensuring that the driven layer housing 4 is fully opened, and when the handle is pulled back from 180° to 0°, both the active and driven layer housings 4 will be fully closed.

[0044] Figure 9 -A is a schematic diagram of the four hinge points of the rhomboid four-bar linkage after adopting dual-axis parallel hinges. Obviously, it avoids the drawback of interference at the hinge points caused by the application of conventional coaxial hinges, which makes it impossible to completely close or open the device.

[0045] In summary, the closing process of all boxes 4, that is, the process of the included angle of the operating handle 3 changing from 180° to 90° to 0°, is similar in principle to the opening of boxes 4, except that the shape change of the rhomboid mechanism is exactly the opposite. That is, the shape change of the four-bar mechanism composed of the active layer boxes 4 changes from a longitudinally extending rhombus to a square and then to a transversely extending rhombus, until a horizontal straight line; the shape change of the four-bar mechanism composed of the driven layer boxes 4 changes from a transversely extending rhombus to a square and then to a longitudinally extending rhombus, until a vertical line.

[0046] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device, comprising a base (5), characterized in that, The base (5) is provided with a ball bearing slide (7), and a box (4) is slidably embedded in the ball bearing slide (7). The upper and lower boxes (4) are slidably connected by a connecting structure (2). An operating handle (3) is also installed on the outer wall of the box (4). The boxes (4) are hinged to each other by a hinge assembly (1). The base (5) is mounted on the base (6) by a plane bearing.

2. The multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge assembly (1) includes two hollow shafts (102), which are respectively fitted into corresponding holes in two adjacent housings (4). The upper ends of the two hollow shafts (102) are inserted into two holes in the connecting plate (101) to form a sliding fit. Screws (103) are inserted into the hollow shafts (102), and the screws (103) pass through the washer (104) and the inner hole of the hollow shaft (102) to be fastened in the housing (4), which plays the role of pressing the hollow shaft (102) and limiting the connecting plate (101), and can ensure the sliding clearance between the connecting plate (101) and the housing (4). All housings (4) are connected to each other in pairs through the hinge assemblies (1) at the upper and lower ends. The hinge assembly (1) at the lower end of the first layer is replaced by a hinge shaft (702) instead of a hollow shaft (102).

3. The multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection structure (2) includes a spindle (201) located at the center of the housing (4) and connected to a double nut, with two one-way thrust ball bearings (202) in between. The spindle (201) is fastened to the housing (4) of the first, third and fifth layers, and the mating holes with the upper housing (4) of the second and fourth layers are in sliding fit. The mating holes are in the shape of specific opposite oval holes. The fixed end (2021) of the one-way thrust ball bearing (202) is fixedly set on the upper and lower sides of the spindle (201). The rotating end (2022) of the one-way thrust ball bearing (202) is located inside the spindle (201), and the fixed end (2021) and the rotating end (2022) maintain a rolling fit.

4. The multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of boxes (4) is twenty, and each layer has four boxes (4), for a total of five layers. The first, third and fifth layers of boxes (4) from bottom to top are active layers, and the second and fourth layers of boxes (4) from bottom to top are passive layers.

5. A multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connection of the four hinge points set on the four sets of boxes (4) in the first layer forms a rhombic four-bar linkage. The hinge shaft (702) on the four hinge points set on the four sets of boxes (4) in the first layer slides on the ball slide (7). The four different vertices in the rhombic four-bar linkage are represented as A, C, B, and D. The four hinge points connecting each box (4) in the active layer are A1-C1-B1-D1 in sequence, and the four hinge points connecting each box (4) in the driven layer are A2-C2-B2-D2 in sequence. The rhombic A1-C1-B1-D1 and the rhombic A2-C2-B2-D2 are always perpendicular to each other.

6. The multi-layered, multi-directional display and storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball track (7) includes two guide rails (701) arranged perpendicularly to each other. The guide rails (701) are fixed to the base (5) by bolts and positioning pins to form the motion reference of the transverse track LH and the longitudinal track LV. A slider (703) is slidably fitted on the guide rail (701). A ball (704) is provided between the slider (703) and the guide rail (701). A hinge shaft (702) is inserted into the top fitting hole of the slider (703).

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