HINGE WITH TENSIONABLE SPRING ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hinge with a tensionable spring element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Conventional overhead luggage compartments in aircraft are usually equipped with hinges whose spring tension determines the automatically spring-force-influenced opening of the locking flap, so that the flap moves automatically from a closed position to a fully open position.

[0003] Overhead compartments are equipped with gas springs to facilitate opening the flaps and hold them open. However, gas springs are susceptible to low temperatures. Therefore, opening the compartments can be difficult in a very cold aircraft. Furthermore, the hinge springs are located inside the overhead compartment, where they can be easily damaged and reduce the usable storage space.

[0004] EP 0 894 933 B1 describes a hinge comprising a pivoting and a fixed hinge part with a common hollow cylinder-like hinge axis. This axis is rigidly connected to the pivoting hinge part and rotatably mounted in an axle bearing. The axle bearing body is rigidly connected to the fixed hinge part. A torsion coil spring is arranged in the hinge axis and is rigidly anchored at both ends. The spring tension is adjustable by adjusting one of the two rigidly anchored ends. The tensioned spring facilitates the opening of the flap, and a damping device ensures a delayed opening movement of the flap.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 2 405 090 B1 discloses an arrangement with which the tension of a torsion spiral spring of such a hinge can be adjusted easily and without reassembling the spring in the hinge.

[0006] From US Patent 2,516,935 A, a hinge is known comprising a pivotable hinge part, a fixed hinge part, and a tensionable spring element. The fixed hinge part is formed with a first bearing and a second bearing. The bearings have pivot axes offset from each other. The pivotable hinge part is pivotally mounted on the fixed hinge part about a pivot axis via the first bearing. The tensionable spring element is arranged on the fixed hinge part via the second bearing. The tensionable spring element is designed as a coil spring. The coil spring is arranged at the second bearing together with a component designed as a drive wheel. The drive wheel is designed as a gear in one section and is mounted at the second bearing. One end of the coil spring is secured in the drive wheel.The pivoting hinge component located at the first bearing is designed as a bearing bushing with teeth that are connected to a bearing journal at the first bearing. The teeth engage positively with the gear-shaped section of the drive wheel.

[0007] From EP 2 711 493 A2, a movement mechanism for a cover in a vehicle is known. An adjusting element for the drive element, adjustable via an adjusting screw, is disclosed.

[0008] A well-known problem with aircraft overhead compartments is that the hinges, whether on one or both sides, occupy a significant portion of the available space, thus reducing the usable storage area. The hinges, particularly the springs, can be damaged by cargo unless covers are fitted, which in turn require space and complicate installation and maintenance. The arrangement and dimensions of typical hinges preclude their integration into the narrow, vertical side walls between the overhead compartments.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a hinge according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the hinge forms a very compact and space-saving unit.

[0010] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

[0011] The dependent claims constitute advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0012] According to the invention, the spiral spring is designed as a flat spiral spring. The radially outer end of the spiral spring is connected to the drive wheel. A torque adjustment mechanism is connected to the radially inner end of the spiral spring. The torque adjustment mechanism has a toothed section into which an adjusting screw engages. By adjusting the position of the teeth of the bearing bushing on the drive wheel's gear and by turning an adjusting screw of the torque adjustment mechanism, the spiral spring can be pre-tensioned to the required torque.

[0013] The fixed hinge part is thus designed with two bearings whose respective axes are spaced apart, with the pivotable hinge part, mounted at the first bearing, being driven by a tensionable spring element arranged at the second bearing. The two bearings are independent of each other and, in particular, positioned offset from one another in the same plane. The pivot axes of the bearings are therefore not concentric.

[0014] The flat spiral spring can be designed with Archimedean coils. Starting from the radially inner end of the spring, the coils run spirally in one plane, with the radially inner and the radially outer ends of the flat spiral spring being bent and clampable.

[0015] The pivoting hinge part is designed as a bearing bushing. It is conceivable that the pivoting hinge part is designed as a hinge leaf with a hinge arm, in which case the end furthest from the hinge leaf is designed as a bearing bushing arranged at the first bearing of the fixed hinge part. A sliding pin is formed at the first bearing of the fixed hinge part, so that the pivoting hinge part and the fixed hinge part can be positively connected by means of a sliding bearing.

[0016] The axis of the first bearing defines the opening movement of the flap. It is conceivable that a damper is arranged on the hinge axis. The damper advantageously enables a controlled, smooth, and not too rapid upward pivoting movement of the hinged part, ensuring safety. Preferably, the damper is positively mounted in the bearing bushing of the hinged part. This has the advantage of a space-saving mounting, thus ensuring a narrow hinge.

[0017] A section of the bearing bushing of the pivoting hinge part is designed with teeth. This allows a force to be transmitted to the pivoting hinge part.

[0018] The second bearing of the fixed hinge part accommodates both the tensionable spring element and a toothed component. The tensionable spring element can be connected to the toothed component, whereby the torque of the anchorable, tensionable spring element is transmitted to the toothed component.

[0019] The tensionable spring element and the pivoting hinge part, each arranged at different bearings, are connected to each other by means of a mechanical force transmission that enables the torque of the spring element to be transferred to the pivoting hinge part. According to the invention, the torque transmission is effected by means of a gear drive.

[0020] The teeth of the bearing bushing and the teeth of the component located at the second bearing are arranged in such a way that they interlock positively and without slippage. This ensures the indirect torque transmission from the spring element to the pivoting hinge part.

[0021] The tensionable spring element is operatively connected to a torque adjustment mechanism. The torque adjustment mechanism is designed to be positively locked to the second bearing, with one end of the spring element being connectable to the torque adjustment mechanism. An adjusting screw is located on a toothed section of the torque adjustment mechanism. The adjusting screw's shaft engages the toothed torque adjustment mechanism multiple times simultaneously, with a rotational movement of the adjusting screw causing a relative movement of the torque adjustment mechanism. The spring element can be pre-tensioned by rotating the torque adjustment mechanism and by adjusting the position of the interlocking teeth of the bearing bushing and the component located at the second bearing. The adjusting screw ensures that the pre-tensioned setting is secured.

[0022] Preferably, a stop for the pivoting hinge part is formed on the fixed hinge part. It is conceivable that the stop includes a screw, and that the impact of the pivoting hinge part is dampened by a spring arranged on the screw. The screw allows for fine adjustment of the hinge's open position.

[0023] A preferred embodiment provides that the fixed hinge part is designed as a housing in which the hinge is arranged. This advantageously protects the hinge mechanism from damage and contamination. It is conceivable that the housing is made of plastic, which is lightweight yet highly durable. Plastic parts can be manufactured with a high degree of functionality. For example, the housing can be designed with a cover that is positively, frictionally, or materially bonded to the housing.

[0024] Preferably, all individual parts of the entire hinge mechanism are arranged within the housing. The housing holds the individual parts together. It may, for example, have features such as recesses, walls, and / or brackets that hold, guide, and / or secure the hinge components. It is conceivable that the housing has openings through which the adjusting screw and the stop screw can be adjusted.

[0025] According to the invention, the first bearing and the second bearing are arranged offset from each other with respect to their pivot axes. Preferably, the pivot axes of the two bearings are aligned parallel to each other.

[0026] In particular, the pivoting hinge part is subjected to a counterclockwise load when the flat spiral spring acts clockwise on the drive wheel.

[0027] Further advantages and application possibilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0028] The description, claims, and drawing use the terms and associated reference numerals listed below. In the drawing, this means: Fig. 1 a side view of the hinge according to the invention in closed and open positions; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the mechanism of a hinge according to the prior art; Fig. 3 an exploded view of the individual parts of the hinge. Fig. 2 Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the tensionable spring element and the force transmission to the pivoting hinge part of Fig. 2 Fig. 5 a view of the open housing of Fig. 2Fig. 6 shows a top view of the mechanism of the hinge according to the invention with a flat spiral spring; and Fig. 7 shows an exploded view of the hinge according to the invention with a flat spiral spring. Fig. 6 .

[0029] The hinge 10 comprises a pivoting hinge part 12 and a fixed hinge part 14, which is designed with two bearings 16, 18.

[0030] As in Fig. 1 As shown, the hinge 10 moves automatically by means of spring tension from a closed position 20 to an open position 22.

[0031] According to the in Figs. 2 to 5In the first embodiment shown according to the prior art, the hinge 10 is designed such that it has a first bearing 16 and a second bearing 18 on the fixed hinge part 14. The pivotable hinge part 12 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis S 1 via the first bearing 16. The pivot axis S 1 defines the opening movement B of the flap 24. In this embodiment, the pivotable part 12 is designed as a hinge arm 26 with a hinge leaf 28 that can be connected to the flap 24. Preferably, the hinge arm 26 has a bearing bushing 30 at the end opposite the hinge leaf 28, which is positively connected to a bearing pin 32 formed on the first bearing 16. Thus, the pivotable hinge part 12 and the fixed hinge part 14 are connected by means of a sliding bearing. The fixed hinge part 14 is formed at the second bearing 18 into a hollow cylinder 36 in which an axle tube 38 is arranged.The second bearing 18 rotates around the pivot axis S 2, which is spaced apart and offset from the pivot axis S 1 of the first bearing 16.

[0032] As in Fig. 4As shown, the tensionable spring element 34 is designed as a torsion coil spring 40. The coils of the torsion coil spring 40 are arranged as a cylindrical spiral, and the spring ends are bent into a leg-like shape. This allows for easy attachment and tensioning of the torsion coil spring 40. The torsion coil spring 40 is located inside the axle tube 38. At the end furthest from the stationary hinge part 14, a torque adjuster 42 can be positively connected to the torsion coil spring 40 and the axle tube 38. A pin passes through the spring end and secures the connection between the torsion coil spring 40, the axle tube 38, and the torque adjuster 42. The torque adjuster 42 can be closed with a cover 44. A component 46 designed as a gear is arranged at the second bearing 18. It can be positively connected to the axle tube 38.The tensionable torsion coil spring 40, arranged in the axle tube 38, is anchored at one end in component 46 by means of a pin. Thus, the respective ends of the torsion coil spring 40 are anchored in different components. The required torque of the torsion coil spring 40 is adjustable by means of a worm gear 48. The worm gear 48 comprises the torque adjustment 42, designed as a worm wheel, and an adjusting screw 50. The axis of the adjusting screw 50 and the axis of the torque adjustment 42 are offset by 90°, with the shaft of the adjusting screw 50 engaging in the toothed torque adjustment 42. When the adjusting screw 50 is rotated, the torque adjustment 42 rotates, and the torsion coil spring 40 also rotates, thus allowing it to be tensioned.

[0033] The torque of the torsion coil spring 40 is indirectly transmitted to the pivoting hinge part 12 by means of a power transmission, which in this case is designed as a gear drive. The toothed component 46, arranged at the second bearing 18, engages positively and without slippage in the teeth 47 of the bearing bushing 30, thus enabling the automatic, spring-force-influenced opening of the hinge 10. The torsion coil spring 40 can be pre-tensioned to the required torque. The pre-tension is achieved by the position of the teeth 47 of the bearing bushing 30 on the gear of the component 46 arranged at the second bearing 18 and by turning the torque adjustment 42 by means of the adjusting screw 50. A damper 52 is positively mounted on the pivoting hinge part 12 and enables the controlled opening movement B of the pivoting hinge part 12, so that the lifting of the flap 24 is smooth and not too fast.

[0034] As especially from Fig. 2 As can be seen, a stop 54 for the pivotable hinge part 12 is provided on the fixed hinge part 14. The stop 54 comprises a stop screw 56 on which a damping spring 58 is arranged. The stop screw 56 allows fine adjustment of the open position 22 of the hinge 10. Preferably, a nut 60 is arranged above the spring 58 in a form-fitting manner, which prevents the stop screw 56 from turning.

[0035] According to the in Fig. 5In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed hinge part 14 is designed as a housing 62 with a cover 64. The housing 62 protects the mechanism of the hinge 10 from damage, holds the individual parts of the entire mechanism of the hinge 10 together, and secures the individual components by means of projections 66. It is conceivable that the housing 62 is made of plastic and that the cover 64 is connected to the housing 62 by a form-fit, force-fit, or material-fit connection. The adjusting screw 50 and the stop screw 56 are accessible through openings in the housing 62. The compact design of the hinge 10 ensures that it can be placed in the side wall between two luggage boxes, with the hollow cylinder 36 located horizontally in the area of ​​the luggage box's top panel. It can be integrated either inside or above the top panel.

[0036] The in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7The second embodiment shown according to the invention essentially corresponds to the first embodiment according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3In contrast to the first embodiment, the spring element 34 is designed as a flat spiral spring 68. It is arranged at the second bearing 18 together with a component 46 designed as a drive wheel 70. The drive wheel 70 is designed as a gear in one section and is loosely mounted at the second bearing 18, with the radially outer end of the flat spiral spring 68 being secured in the drive wheel 70. A torque adjustment mechanism 42 is arranged on the flat spiral spring 68, and the radially inner end of the flat spiral spring 68 is connected to the torque adjustment mechanism 42, for example, in a groove. The pivotable hinge part 12, arranged at the first bearing 16, is designed as a bearing bushing 30 with teeth 47. The teeth 47 engage positively in the gear-shaped section of the drive wheel 70.The flat spiral spring 68 can be pre-tensioned to the required torque by means of the position of the teeth 47 of the bearing bushing 30 on the gear of the drive wheel 70 and by turning the torque adjustment 42 by means of an adjusting screw 50, the shaft of which engages in the toothed area of ​​the torque adjustment 42. In this case, the flat spiral spring 68 acts clockwise on the drive wheel 70, which moves the hinge arm 26 counterclockwise into the open position 22. Reference symbol list

[0037] 10 Hinge 12 Swiveling hinge part 14 Fixed hinge part 16 First bearing 18 Second bearing 20 Closed position 22 Open position 24 Flap 26 Hinge arm 28 Hinge leaf 30 Bearing bushing 32 Bearing pin 34 Tensionable spring element 36 Hollow cylinder 38 Axle tube 40 Torsion coil spring 42 Torque adjustment 44 Cover 46 Component with gear 47 Teeth 48 Worm gear 50 Adjusting screw 52 Damper 54 Stop 56 Stop screw 58 Spring 60 Nut 62 Housing 64 Housing cover 66 Features 68 Flat coil spring 70 Drive wheel S Swivel axle B Opening movement

Claims

1. Hinge (10) comprising a pivotable hinge part (12), a stationary hinge part (14), and a tensionable spring element (34), which stationary hinge part (14) is designed to be provided with a first bearing (16) and a second bearing (18), which bearings (16, 18) have pivot axes (S1, S2) that are offset relative to each other, wherein the pivotable hinge part (12) is mounted in the first bearing (16) on the stationary hinge part (14) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (S1), the tensionable spring element (34) is arranged on the stationary hinge part (14) via the second bearing (18), and the tensionable spring element (34) is designed as a coil spring (68), which coil spring (68) is arranged loosely on the second bearing (18) together with a component (46) in the form of a driving wheel (70), with one area of the driving wheel (70) being designed as a gear wheel and being mounted on the second bearing (18), with the radially outer end of the coil spring (68) being secured in the driving wheel (70), with the pivotable hinge part (12) arranged on the first bearing (16) being designed as a bearing bush (30) having gear teeth (47) thereon, which are positively connected to a bearing journal (32) on the first bearing (16), which gear teeth (47) engage positively in the gear-shaped area of the driving wheel (70), characterized in that the coil spring (68) is designed as a flat coil spring, and that the radially outer end of the coil spring is connected to the driving wheel (70), that a torque control (42) at the radially inner end of the coil spring (68) is connected to it, that the torque control (42) has a toothed area in which an adjusting screw (50) engages, and that is possible to preload the coil spring (68) to the required torque with the aid of the position of the gear teeth (47) of the bearing bush (30) on the gear-shaped area of the driving wheel (70) and by turning the adjusting screw (50) of the torque control (42).

2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that a damper (52) is arranged on a hinge axis (S1, S2), which damper is mounted in particular so as to lock positively in the bearing bush (30) of the pivotable hinge part (12).

3. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stationary hinge part (14) is designed to be provided with an adjustable stop (54).

4. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stationary hinge part (14) is designed as a housing (62).

5. Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34), the mechanical power transmission between the hinge parts (12, 14), the adjustable stop (54) and the adjustable torque control (42) are all arranged in the housing (62).

6. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable hinge part (12) will be loaded counterclockwise when the flat coil spring acts clockwise on the driving wheel (70).