Hinge device and folding box

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of folding containers, in particular to a hinge device and a folding box, the hinge device comprises an inner hinge, an outer hinge and a locking device, the inner hinge is connected with the outer hinge through a pivot shaft, the locking device comprises a locking plate, one end of the locking plate is hinged to the outer hinge, and the locking plate and the rotation axis of the locking plate are both parallel to the pivot shaft. Limiting blocks are arranged on the sides, facing the inner hinges, of the locking plates, and when the locking plates rotate to the locking positions, the limiting blocks abut against the inner hinges located at the vertical positions to prevent the inner hinges from rotating towards the folding positions. When the locking plate is in the unlocking position, the inner hinge is not blocked and freely rotates. The inner hinge in the vertical position is locked through the rotating structure in the vertical direction, the locking structure is optimized and used in the folding box, compared with the prior art, the occupied space is reduced, only slight angle rotation needs to be conducted on the locking plate, and locking and unlocking operation is simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of foldable containers, in particular to a hinge device and a foldable container. Background Art

[0002] A foldable container is a type of platform container, which includes a cargo-carrying chassis and foldable end walls at both ends of the chassis. When a foldable container is used, the end walls are erected to load cargo, and when the empty container is returned, the end walls are folded to lower the height. Multiple foldable containers can be folded and connected together to be transported as a container, reducing the return transportation cost.

[0003] When the folding box end wall is changed from the folded state to the upright position, the market usually uses the following Figure 1 The latch form shown is used to lock the end wall. After the latch is in place, it needs to be limited again to prevent the latch from shifting. This structure has many parts and components, a complex structure, a large assembly volume, a large space occupation, and many operation steps. There are improvements on the locking structure in the existing patents, but the various structures are relatively complex and still have some of the above-mentioned defects. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a hinge device and a folding box to solve the problems raised by the background technology, optimize the locking structure of the end wall, and simplify the device and operation.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the utility model provides the following technical solution: a hinge device, comprising an inner hinge, an outer hinge and a locking device, wherein the inner hinge is connected to the outer hinge via a pivot shaft and the inner hinge can pivot between a folded position and an erected position.

[0006] The locking device is arranged inside the outer hinge and on a side away from the pivot axis, and comprises a locking plate; one end of the locking plate is hinged to the outer hinge, the locking plate and the rotation axis of the locking plate are parallel to the pivot axis, and the locking plate can rotate between an unlocking position and a locking position;

[0007] A limiting block is provided on one side of the locking plate facing the inner hinge. When the locking plate is rotated to the locking position, the limiting block abuts against the inner hinge in the erected position to prevent the inner hinge from rotating to the folded position. When the locking plate is in the unlocking position, the inner hinge is not blocked and can rotate freely.

[0008] Therefore, the utility model locks the inner hinge in the vertical position through the rotating structure in the vertical direction, and the locking plate can be rotated from the unlocking position to the locking position only by a slight angle rotation of the locking plate, thereby optimizing the locking structure and simplifying the operation.

[0009] Preferably, a rotating shaft is fixed to the end of the hinge of the locking plate, and the outer hinge is provided with a rotating hole, and the rotating shaft cooperates with the rotating hole; a torsion spring is provided on the rotating shaft, and the torsion spring enables the locking plate to always maintain the tendency to rotate from the unlocking position to the locking position. Thus, a specific hinge connection method between the locking plate and the outer hinge is provided, which realizes the rotation of the locking plate around the rotating shaft, and reduces the manual force during locking through the torsion spring, increases the force required for unlocking, and improves the locking stability and the stability of the inner hinge when it is in the upright position.

[0010] Preferably, a vacant slot is provided on one side of the inner hinge away from the pivot axis, the vacant slot is perpendicular to the pivot axis, and a corner block is formed at the end of the vacant slot close to the pivot axis and the bottom edge of the inner hinge, and the corner block cooperates with the limit block. Thus, the locking device can not only use the locking plate and the limit block in the locking position to press against the corner block and the inner hinge in the upright position, thereby limiting the inner hinge, but also use the corner block to push the locking plate and the limit block in the locking position during the process of the inner hinge rotating from the folded position to the upright position, so that the inner hinge rotates in the direction away from the pivot axis. After the inner hinge is completely rotated to the upright position, the limit block automatically resets to the locking position under the action of the torsion spring and its own weight, thereby realizing the self-locking function of the inner hinge, that is, when the inner hinge needs to be locked, no extra manual operation is required, thereby simplifying the operation.

[0011] Preferably, the locking device further comprises an unlocking device, which is manually operated to drive the locking plate to rotate from the locking position to the unlocking position; the unlocking device comprises a handle, which is hinged to the locking plate and is located on the side of the locking plate facing away from the inner hinge. Thus, the inner hinge can be unlocked by manual external force, and the handle can be directly pulled out to pull out the limit block. When the handle is not in use, it can be turned to be close to the locking plate to avoid affecting the use conditions such as transportation and storage.

[0012] Preferably, the locking device further comprises a positioning device, and the positioning device limits the locking plate to an unlocked position or a locked position. Thus, the locking device itself has a self-positioning function through the setting of the positioning device, and the locking plate has the ability to be permanently in the locked position or the unlocked position without the action of external force, without the need for long-term manual operation.

[0013] Preferably, the positioning device includes a spring plunger, an inner slot and an outer slot. The spring plunger is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge. The inner slot and the outer slot are arranged on the same side of the limit block and can cooperate with the ball of the spring plunger. The inner slot is closer to the inner hinge than the outer slot. When the spring plunger cooperates with the inner slot, the locking plate is in the unlocked position. When the spring plunger cooperates with the outer slot, the locking plate is in the locked position. Thus, the self-positioning of the locking plate and the limit block is achieved by the ball and elastic mechanism of the spring plunger in combination with the inner slot and the outer slot in different positions.

[0014] Preferably, the locking device further comprises a support block, which is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge and parallel to the rotation axis of the locking plate; when the locking plate is in the locked position, the support block abuts against the limit block and the locking plate. Thus, the support block can serve as a support for the other side of the limit block, relieving the bearing force at the hinge of the locking plate.

[0015] The utility model also provides the following technical solution: a folding box, comprising a base frame, an end wall and the above-mentioned hinge device, wherein the end wall is connected to the base frame through the hinge device, thereby reducing the occupied space, simplifying the operation and enhancing the practicality of the folding box through the optimized locking structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a hinge device on a base frame in the prior art;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the inner hinge in the hinge device of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the hinge device of the utility model (the locking plate is in the unlocking position);

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The main view (go to one side panel);

[0020] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the hinge device of the utility model (the locking plate is in the locking position);

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The main view (go to one side panel);

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of part A;

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A magnified schematic diagram of part B;

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figures 3 to 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle hinge device (unlocking plate);

[0025] Fig.10 yes Figures 3 to 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the locking plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The utility model discloses an embodiment of a hinge device, referring to Figures 2 to 10 The embodiment includes an inner hinge 1, an outer hinge 2 and a locking device. The inner hinge 1 and the outer hinge 2 are connected by a pivot shaft 3 and the inner hinge 1 can pivot between a folded position and an erected position. The folded position means that the inner hinge 1 is in a horizontal state, and the erected position means that the inner hinge 1 is in a vertical state. The outer hinge 2 includes two side panels 21 arranged in parallel. The inner hinge 1 is sandwiched between the two side panels 21 and connected to the two side panels 21 by the pivot shaft 3.

[0027] See also Figure 2 , directly adopting the most commonly used inner hinge structure in the prior art, specifically: a vacant slot 11 is provided on the side of the inner hinge 1 away from the pivot axis 3, the vacant slot 11 is perpendicular to the pivot axis 3, and a corner block 12 is formed between the end of the vacant slot 11 close to the pivot axis 3 and the bottom edge of the inner hinge 1. Figures 3 to 6 When the inner hinge 1 is in the upright position, the end of the empty slot 11 away from the pivot shaft 3 is the "upper" and the end close to the pivot shaft 3 is the "lower". A U-shaped plate 22 is arranged above the two side plates 21. A fixing block 23 is welded to the end of the empty slot 11 away from the pivot shaft 3. The fixing block 23 is in direct contact with the U-shaped plate 22. The two are against each other so that the outer hinge 2 and the U-shaped plate 22 provide support and limit to the inner hinge 1 and the fixing block 23; at the same time, the fixing block 23 also provides a structural basis for the subsequent fixing of the inner hinge 1 and the middle end frame of the folding box. The above-mentioned structures of the empty slot 11, the corner block 12, the fixing block 23 and the U-shaped plate 22 are all existing structures and do not need to be improved or adjusted.

[0028] See also Figures 3 to 6 The locking device is arranged inside the outer hinge 2 and on the side away from the pivot axis 3, and includes a locking plate 4, which is arranged between the two side plates 21, and one end of the locking plate 4 is hinged to the two side plates 21 at the same time, see Figures 3 to 6 Combined with Fig. 9 , Fig.10The utility model provides a specific hinge connection method between the locking plate 4 and the outer hinge 2: a rotating shaft 41 is fixed to the hinge end of the locking plate 4, and a rotating hole 25 is provided on the side plate 21. The rotating shaft 41 cooperates with the rotating hole 25 to realize the rotation of the locking plate 4 around the rotating shaft 41. The locking plate 4 and the rotation axis of the locking plate 4 are parallel to the pivot shaft 3, that is, the rotation direction of the locking plate 4 and the inner hinge 1 are in the same plane. A limiting block 5 is provided on the side of the locking plate 4 facing the inner hinge 1, and the end of the limiting block 5 away from the rotating shaft 41 is flush with the end of the locking plate 4 away from the rotating shaft 41, and the upper and lower opposite sides of the limiting block 5 are rounded.

[0029] See also Figures 7 to 10 The locking device also includes a positioning device, which has two extreme positions during the rotation of the locking plate 4, namely, an unlocking position (see Figure 3 and Figure 7 ) and locked position (see Figure 5 and Figure 8 ), that is, the locking plate 4 can rotate between the unlocking position and the locking position, and the positioning device can limit the locking plate 4 to the unlocking position or the locking position. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The positioning device includes a spring plunger 24, an inner slot 61 and an outer slot 51. The spring plunger 24 is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge 2 and has two slots, which are respectively located on the opposite sides of the two side plates 21. The inner slot 61 and the outer slot 51 are both V-shaped and can cooperate with the ball of the spring plunger 24. The positioning device includes two groups of inner slots 61 and outer slots 51, each group is respectively located on the two sides of the limit block 5: the limit block 5 is provided with outer slots 51 on both sides opposite to each other, and the limit block 5 is provided with mutually parallel and symmetrical slot walls 6 on the side facing the inner hinge 1. The opposite sides of the two slot walls 6 are flush with the two sides of the limit block 5 and are provided with inner slots 61; the space on the opposite sides of the two slot walls 6 can accommodate the inner hinge 1. The setting directions of the inner slot 61 and the outer slot 51 are both parallel to the locking plate 4, and the inner slot 61 on the same side is closer to the inner hinge 1 than the outer slot 51.

[0030] When the inner hinge 1 is in the vertical position (attached Figure 3 To Attachment Fig. 9 The inner hinge 1 in the figure is in the upright position and can be used for reference): When the spring plunger 24 cooperates with the inner slot 61, the locking plate 4 is in the unlocked position, see Figure 7 At this time, the locking plate 4 is in an inclined state, and the limit block 5 is away from the inner hinge 1 and the corner block 12 in the vertical position, and the inner hinge 1 is not blocked and can rotate freely. When the spring plunger 24 cooperates with the outer card slot 51, the locking plate 4 is in the locked position, see Figure 8At this time, the locking plate 4 is in a vertical state, the outer side of the locking plate 4 facing away from the inner hinge 1 is flush with the outer sides of the two side plates 21 away from the inner hinge 1, and at the same time, the limit block 5 enters the empty slot 11, the inner hinge 1 enters the middle of the two slot walls 6, and the limit block 5 presses against the corner block 12 to prevent the inner hinge 1 from rotating to the folded position. The ball and elastic mechanism of the spring plunger 24, in conjunction with the inner slot 61 and the outer slot 51 at different positions, realize the self-positioning of the locking plate 4 and the limit block 5. The above-mentioned positioning device is set so that the locking device itself has a self-positioning function, and the locking plate 4 has the ability to be permanently in the locked position or unlocked position without the action of external force, without the need to maintain manual operation for a long time.

[0031] A torsion spring (not shown in the drawings) is arranged on the rotating shaft 41, and the arrangement direction of the torsion spring needs to satisfy: the locking plate 4 always keeps the unlocking position ( Figure 7 middle position) to the locked position ( Figure 8 The inner hinge 1 has a tendency to rotate in the middle position (in the middle position), thereby reducing the manual force required for locking, increasing the force required for unlocking, and improving the locking stability and the stability of the inner hinge 1 when it is in the upright position. The torsion spring enhances the cooperation between the corner block 12 and the limit block 5: the locking device can not only use the locking plate 4 and the limit block 5 in the locked position to resist the corner block 12 and the inner hinge 1 in the upright position, thereby limiting the inner hinge 1, but also the inner hinge 1 can also push the locking plate 4 and the limit block 5 in the locked position through the corner block 12 during the process of rotating from the folded position to the upright position, so that it rotates away from the pivot axis 3. At the moment when the inner hinge 1 is completely rotated to the upright position, the ball of the spring plunger 24 is in the position between the inner groove 61 and the outer groove 51, and will not be stuck by the inner groove 61 or the outer groove 51, so that the limit block 5 can automatically reset to the locked position under the action of the torsion spring and its own weight, thereby realizing the self-locking function of the inner hinge 1, that is, when the inner hinge 1 needs to be locked, no unnecessary manual operation is required, thereby simplifying the operation.

[0032] The locking device also includes an unlocking device, which is manually operated to drive the locking plate 4 from the locking position ( Figure 8 middle position) to the unlocked position ( Figure 7 The unlocking device includes a handle 7, which is hinged to the locking plate 4 and is located on the side of the locking plate 4 facing away from the inner hinge 1. When the inner hinge 1 is in the upright position and the locking device keeps locking it, the handle 7 can be pulled outward by manual external force to pull out the limit block 5 until the locking plate 4 is in the unlocking position, and the inner hinge 1 can be unlocked. When the handle 7 is not in use, the handle 7 can be turned to be close to the locking plate 4 to avoid affecting the use conditions such as transportation and storage.

[0033] When the locking device locks the inner hinge 1, in order to relieve the bearing force of the hinge of the locking plate 4 and the rotating shaft 41 and enhance the locking stability, a supporting component needs to be provided between the rotating shaft 41 and the limiting block 5. Therefore, the locking device also includes a supporting block 8, see Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The support block 8 is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge 2 and is parallel to the rotation axis of the locking plate 4, that is, parallel to the rotation axis 41. The two ends of the support block 8 are respectively fixed to the two side plates 21 to support the upper part of the limit block 5; when the locking plate 4 is in the locked position, the support block 8 enters the angle formed by the locking plate 4 and the limit block 5 and abuts against the limit block 5 and the locking plate 4. At this time, the upper part of the limit block 5 is abutted by the support block 8, and the lower part of the limit block 5 can abut against the corner block 12.

[0034] Based on the above embodiments, the utility model also provides an embodiment of a folding box. The folding box includes a base frame, an end wall and the above-mentioned hinge device, wherein the hinge device is arranged at both ends of the base frame along the length direction, wherein the outer hinge 2 is fixed to the base frame, the inner hinge 1 is fixed to the end wall, and the end wall is connected to the base frame through the hinge device, thereby realizing the rotation of the end wall between the folded position and the upright position, and enhancing the practicality of the hinge device in the folding box. The folded position of the end wall refers to when the folding box is not in use, the end wall is folded up, which is convenient for stacking and transporting or storing multiple boxes; the upright position of the end wall refers to when the folding box is used for transportation, the end wall is erected to make it perpendicular to the base frame, so as to meet the working conditions of hoisting, carrying goods and the like.

[0035] In summary, the utility model locks the inner hinge 1 in the vertical position through a rotating structure in the vertical direction, thereby optimizing the locking structure and reducing the occupied space; and only a slight angle rotation of the locking plate 4 is required to realize the rotation of the locking plate 4 between the unlocking position and the locking position, thereby realizing the locking of the inner hinge 1 and simplifying the operation.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge device, comprising an inner hinge (1), an outer hinge (2) and a locking device, wherein the inner hinge (1) is connected to the outer hinge (2) via a pivot shaft (3) and the inner hinge (1) is capable of pivoting between a folded position and an erected position, characterized in that: The locking device is arranged inside the outer hinge (2) and located on a side away from the pivot axis (3), and comprises a locking plate (4); one end of the locking plate (4) is hinged to the outer hinge (2), the locking plate (4) and the rotation axis of the locking plate (4) are parallel to the pivot axis (3), and the locking plate (4) can rotate between an unlocking position and a locking position; A limiting block (5) is arranged on one side of the locking plate (4) facing the inner hinge (1); when the locking plate (4) is rotated to the locking position, the limiting block (5) abuts against the inner hinge (1) in the erected position, thereby preventing the inner hinge (1) from rotating toward the folded position; when the locking plate (4) is in the unlocking position, the inner hinge (1) is not blocked and can rotate freely.

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating shaft (41) is fixed to the hinged end of the locking plate (4); the outer hinge (2) is provided with a rotating hole (25), and the rotating shaft (41) cooperates with the rotating hole (25); a torsion spring is provided on the rotating shaft (41), and the torsion spring enables the locking plate (4) to always maintain a tendency to rotate from the unlocking position to the locking position.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A vacant slot (11) is provided on a side of the inner hinge (1) away from the pivot axis (3), the vacant slot (11) is perpendicular to the pivot axis (3), and a corner block (12) is formed between the end of the vacant slot (11) close to the pivot axis (3) and the bottom edge of the inner hinge (1), and the corner block (12) cooperates with the limit block (5).

4. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device also includes an unlocking device, which is manually operated to drive the locking plate (4) to rotate from a locking position to an unlocking position; the unlocking device includes a handle (7), which is hinged to the locking plate (4) and is located on a side of the locking plate (4) facing away from the inner hinge (1).

5. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device also includes a positioning device, which limits the locking plate (4) to an unlocking position or a locking position.

6. The hinge device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The positioning device comprises a spring plunger (24), an inner slot (61) and an outer slot (51); the spring plunger (24) is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge (2); the inner slot (61) and the outer slot (51) are arranged on the same side of the limit block (5) and can both cooperate with the ball of the spring plunger (24); and the inner slot (61) is closer to the inner hinge (1) than the outer slot (51); when the spring plunger (24) cooperates with the inner slot (61), the locking plate (4) is in an unlocking position; when the spring plunger (24) cooperates with the outer slot (51), the locking plate (4) is in a locking position.

7. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device further comprises a support block (8), which is arranged on the inner side of the outer hinge (2) and parallel to the rotation axis of the locking plate (4); when the locking plate (4) is in the locked position, the support block (8) abuts against the limit block (5) and the locking plate (4).

8. A folding box, characterized in that: It comprises a base frame, an end wall and the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end wall is connected to the base frame through the hinge device.

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