Hinge device

Abstract

To create a hinge device which enables hinge operation and lift operation to operate smoothly and prevents interference between these operations.SOLUTION: A hinge device comprises: a hinge unit U1; and a lift unit U2. The lift unit includes: a lift frame 40; a slide case 30 which is surrounded by the lift frame and may slide relative to the lift frame on a first slide surface; and a lift spring 41 for biasing the slide case in a direction away from the lift frame. The hinge unit has: a slider 20 which may slide relative to the slide case on a second slide surface and does not have a slide surface which slides on the lift frame; an arm bracket 10 which is supported so as to be rotatable around a hinge rotation center relative to the slide case; and hinge springs 21, 22 which bias the slider in a direction away from the slide case to bias the arm bracket rotationally. Slide resistance between the lift frame and the slide case and slide resistance between the slide case and the slider can be individually adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge device that connects a device body and a cover so that the device can be opened and closed, and more particularly to a lift mechanism that is used when copying thick documents in a multifunction device or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Office equipment such as multifunction peripherals has a contact glass for reading documents on the top surface of the device body, and a document pressing plate (lid) covering the contact glass can be opened and closed relative to the device body via a hinge device. The hinge device not only has a hinge unit for opening and closing the hinge unit, but also a lift unit for raising and lowering the hinge unit to sandwich thick documents between the device body and the lid.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a hinge device in which a member inserted into the main body of a multifunction peripheral moves up and down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-136218 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the sliding surfaces of the same material are used for opening and closing the hinge unit and for raising and lowering the lift unit. This makes it difficult to achieve smooth hinge and lift operations at the same time. Furthermore, if one operation becomes unstable due to wear or other reasons, the other operation also becomes unstable. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a hinge device that allows the hinge operation and the lift operation to be performed smoothly without interfering with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 of the present application is a hinge device that connects a lid to an equipment main body in an openable and closable manner, and is composed of a hinge unit and a lift unit, wherein the lift unit has a lift frame, a slide case that is surrounded by the lift frame and is slidable on a first sliding surface relative to the lift frame, and a lift spring that urges the slide case in a direction separating it from the lift frame, and the hinge unit has a slider that is surrounded by the slide case and is slidable on a second sliding surface relative to the slide case and does not have a sliding surface with the lift frame, an arm bracket that is rotatably supported on the slide case around the hinge rotation center, and a hinge spring that urges the slider in a direction separating it from the slide case, thereby urging the arm bracket to rotate, and is characterized in that the sliding resistance between the lift frame and the slide case and the sliding resistance between the slide case and the slider can be adjusted separately.

[0007] Next, the invention of claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are made different.

[0008] Next, the invention of claim 3 of the present application is characterized in that the sliding resistance of the second sliding surface is smaller than the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface.

[0009] Next, the invention of claim 4 of the present application is characterized in that the lift frame is formed of a metal member, the slide case is formed of a resin member, so that the first sliding surface faces the metal surface and the resin surface, and the slider is formed of a resin member, so that the second sliding surfaces face each other with their resin surfaces facing each other.

[0010] Next, the invention of claim 5 of the present application is characterized in that the fit between the lift frame and the slide case is looser than the fit between the slide case and the slider.

[0011] Next, the invention of claim 6 of the present application is characterized in that the slide case has a case frame shaft protruding from the outer periphery, the lift frame has a frame case bearing that supports the case frame shaft, and the slide case is detachable from the lift frame.

[0012] The invention of claim 7 of the present application is characterized in that a lift restricting member for restricting the operation of the lift unit is detachably provided on the side of a mounting hole provided on the lift frame for connecting with the device main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The hinge device of the present invention separates the sliding surfaces in the hinge unit that controls the hinge operation from the sliding surfaces in the lift unit that controls the lift operation, making it possible to adjust the sliding resistance of each separately. This allows for smooth hinge operation and lift operation, and realizes a hinge device in which the operations do not interfere with each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a device having a hinge device. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a hinge device, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a front view. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device at a different angle from that of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 5(c) and 5(d) are cross-sectional views of the arm bracket taken along the line CC in FIG. 5(c). [Figure 6] 6(c) and 6(d) are cross-sectional views of the joint bracket shown in FIG. 6(c). [Figure 7] 7(c) and 7(d) are explanatory diagrams of the structure of the slide case, including (a) a top perspective view, (b) a bottom perspective view, (c) a front view, and (d) an E-E cross section of FIG. 7(c). [Figure 8]8(c) and 8(d) are explanatory diagrams of the structure of the reinforcing plate, including (a) a top perspective view, (b) a bottom perspective view, (c) a front view, and (d) an FF cross-sectional view of FIG. 8(c). [Figure 9] 9(c) and 9(d) are explanatory diagrams of the slider structure, including (a) a top perspective view, (b) a bottom perspective view, (c) a front view, and (d) a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9(c) taken along the line G-G. [Figure 10] 10(c) and 10(d) are explanatory diagrams of the structure of the lift frame, including (a) a top perspective view, (b) a bottom perspective view, (c) a front view, and (d) an HH cross-sectional view of FIG. 10(c). [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a hinge device when it is lifted down, in (a) a closed state, (b) an intermediate state, and (c) an open state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device in a closed state when lifted up. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of the lift-up operation of the hinge device, in which (a) the lift-down intermediate state and (b) the lift-up closed state. [Figure 14] Illustrative diagrams of the sliding surfaces: (a) top view of the lift frame, (b) top view of the slide case, (c) top view of the slider, and (d) schematic cross-sectional view perpendicular to the sliding direction in the configuration in which the lift frame, slide case, and slider are combined. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating removal of the hinge unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hinge device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Example]

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a multifunction device A as an object using a hinge device B according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, the multifunction device A is composed of a device main body A1 and a lid A2 that covers a contact glass A3 provided on the device main body A1. The lid A2 is connected to the device main body A1 via the hinge device B so as to be able to open and close around a hinge rotation center 12a.

[0017] 2 to 10 are diagrams specifically showing an example of a hinge device B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the hinge device B, showing a state in which the lift unit U2 is coupled to the hinge unit U1. In Fig. 2(a), only the arm bracket 10, hinge shaft 12, stopper pin 15, and retaining ring 16 of the hinge unit U1 are shown. Also, only the slide case 30 and lift frame 40 of the lift unit U2 are shown. The arm bracket 10 is supported by the hinge shaft 12 to be rotatable about the hinge rotation center 12a relative to the slide case 30, and the slide case 30 is supported by the lift frame 40 to be slidable in the direction of arrow 30j.

[0018] 2(b) is a front view of hinge device B, in which joint bracket 11 is contained within arm bracket 10 and fastened with flat head screws 17. Hinge shaft 12 passes through hinge shaft bearing 13 attached to joint bracket 11 and case hinge shaft hole 30a (FIG. 3) of slide case 30. Case frame shaft 30i provided on slide case 30 is supported by frame case bearing 40n of lift frame 40. Plate side plate 31b of reinforcing plate 31 is provided adjacent to the inside of slide case 30.

[0019] The configuration of the hinge device B will be described with reference to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 taken at a different angle from that of FIG. 3, and the component perspective views and cross-sectional views of FIGS.

[0020] [Configuration of Hinge Device B in the Present Invention] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the arm bracket 10 is a bent member made of a metal plate, such as stainless steel, produced by press working. The arm bracket 10 is composed of an arm upper plate 10a containing a joint bracket 11, an arm side plate 10b, and an arm flange 10c used to secure the arm bracket 10 to the cover A2. The arm bracket 10 is positioned on the cover A2 by arm cover positioning holes 10e provided in the arm flange 10c, and is screwed to the cover A2 by arm cover mounting holes 10d. The arm upper plate 10a is provided with arm cover mounting screw holes 10i for screwing the arm bracket 10 from the cover plate A2 side. The stopper pin 15 is inserted into an arm stopper pin hole 10g provided in the arm side plate 10b, and is restricted in the thrust direction by a retaining ring 16 that fits into the stopper pin ear 15b and the stopper pin groove 15c. When the arm bracket 10 is in the open state, the stopper pin shaft 15a of the stopper pin 15 abuts against a plate stopper pin receiver 31e of the reinforcing plate 31, which will be described later, and restricts the open angle of the arm bracket 10 to 65 degrees with respect to the horizontal. When performing adjustment work, the stopper pin 15 can be removed from the arm stopper pin hole 10g, allowing the arm bracket 10 to open up to 90 degrees. The hinge shaft 12 is inserted into one arm hinge shaft hole 10f provided in the arm side plate 10b, and further passes through a hinge shaft bearing 13 attached to the joint bracket 11. Then, the hinge shaft ear 12c abuts against the arm side plate 10b, and the hinge shaft crimping portion 12d provided at the other end is crimped into the other arm hinge shaft hole 10f, thereby restricting the thrust direction of the hinge shaft 12. An arm assembly hole 10h provided in the arm side plate 10b is a hole into which a stopper pin 15 or the like is inserted when it is desired to temporarily hold the arm bracket 10 in a closed state during transportation, assembly, adjustment, or the like.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, joint bracket 11 is a bent member made of a metal plate, such as SUS, produced by press working. Joint bracket 11 is composed of a joint upper plate 11a and a joint side plate 11b. Joint bracket 11 and arm bracket 10 are fastened together with flat head screws 17 using joint arm positioning hole 11d and joint arm mounting screw hole 11c provided in joint upper plate 11a, and arm joint positioning axis 10j and arm joint mounting hole 10k provided in arm upper plate 10a. The bearing body 13a of the hinge shaft bearing 13 described above is inserted into the joint bearing hole 11e provided in the joint side plate 11b, and the bearing flange 13b abuts against the joint side plate 11b. The bearing flange 13b is sandwiched between the joint bracket 11 and a reinforcing plate 31 described below, so the thrust direction of the hinge shaft bearing 13 is restricted. As described above, the hinge shaft axis 12b of the hinge shaft 12 is inserted into the hinge shaft bearing 13. The hinge shaft 12 passes through a case hinge shaft hole 30a provided in a slide case 30 described below and a plate hinge shaft hole 31d provided in the reinforcing plate 31. As a result, the joint bracket 11, together with the arm bracket 10, is supported rotatably about the hinge rotation center 12a with respect to the slide case 30. A pressure-receiving pin crimping portion 14b of the pressure-receiving pin 14 is crimped into a joint pressure-receiving pin hole 11f provided in the joint side plate 11b. A pressure-receiving pin shaft 14a of the pressure-receiving pin 14 is urged by a slider cam portion 20a of a slider 20, which will be described later. The arm bracket 10, the joint bracket 11, the hinge shaft 12, the hinge shaft bearing 13, the pressure-receiving pin 14, the stopper pin 15, the retaining ring 16, and the flat head screw 17 constitute the opening / closing unit SU10.

[0022] 3, 4, and 7, the slide case 30 is a resin-molded box body, and as described above, the hinge shaft 12 passing through the case hinge shaft hole 30a rotatably supports the joint bracket 11. The slide case 30 has a case frame sliding surface 30c (a component of the first sliding surface) that slides against the lift frame 40 (described later), and a case slider sliding surface 30b (a component of the second sliding surface) that slides against the slider 20. The slide case 30 also has a case frame shaft 30i that protrudes outward from the slide case 30 and is supported by the lift frame 40.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 8, the reinforcing plate 31 is a bent metal plate, such as SUS, produced by press working. The reinforcing plate 31 is composed of a bottom plate 31a, side plate 31b, and plate case mounting plate 31c, with the side plate 31b being bent in a direction that fits along the inner wall of the slide case 30. The plate case mounting plate 31c is inserted into a case insertion hole 30g (Figures 4 and 7(b)) in the slide case 30. The reinforcing plate 31 and the slide case 30 are then fastened together with pan head screws 32 using the plate case mounting screw holes 31g and the case mounting holes 30h (Figure 7(b)). The plate damper hole 31f is a hole through which a damper mounting shaft 23d, described later, passes. As described above, the hinge shaft 12 passes through the plate hinge shaft hole 31d provided in the plate side plate 31b. As described above, the stopper pin 15 abuts against the plate stopper pin receiver 31e provided in the plate side plate 31b in the open state, thereby restricting the opening angle of the arm bracket 10. The slide case 30, the reinforcing plate 31, and the pan head screw 32 constitute a lift unit SU30.

[0024] 3, 4, and 9, the slider 20 is a resin-molded box body, and is contained in a slide case 30. The slider 20 has a slider case sliding surface 20e (a component of the second sliding surface) that slides against the slide case 30. The slider 20 has a slider cam portion 20a that biases the pressure-receiving pin shaft 14a, and a grease receiving wall 20f (a wall that prevents grease from leaking out between the pressure-receiving pin shaft 14a and the slider cam portion 20a).

[0025] The slider 20 is supported by the slide case 30 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow 20g. The hinge springs (first and second hinge springs 21 and 22) inserted into the slider 20 (FIG. 9(d)) are sandwiched and charged between the hinge spring receiving portion 20c provided inside the slider hinge spring opening 20b (FIG. 4) and the case hinge spring receiving portion 30d provided inside the slide case 30 (FIG. 7(d)). Therefore, the slider 20 is biased in the direction (arrow 20h) away from the slide case 30. The damper 23 has a damper mounting shaft 23d (FIGS. 4 and 11 cross-sectional views) inserted into the case damper relief surface 30e (FIG. 7(d)), and the damper flange 23c is sandwiched and fixed between the case hinge spring receiving surface 30d and the first hinge spring 21 (FIG. 11 cross-sectional view). The damper rod 23b protruding from the damper body 23a of the damper 23 comes into contact with the damper receiving portion 20d of the slider 20 when the arm bracket 10 approaches the closed state, and generates a resistance force in the direction of arrow 20h that is proportional to the sliding speed of the slider 20. The slider 20, the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22, and the damper 23 constitute a biasing unit SU20.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10, the lift frame 40 is a bent member made of a metal plate, such as SUS, produced by press working. The lift frame 40 is composed of a frame bottom plate 40a, frame side plates 40b, frame back plate 40c, and frame holding plate 40d, with the frame side plates 40b and frame holding plate 40d bent relative to the frame back plate 40c in a direction that surrounds the outer periphery of the slide case 30. The frame bottom plate 40a is also provided with bent frame bottom plate ribs 40e. This is because the weight of the lid A2 is constantly applied to the frame bottom plate 40a via lift springs 41 (described later), and the frame bottom plate ribs 40e prevent the frame bottom plate 40a from bending. Furthermore, the frame bottom plate ears 40f provided on the frame bottom plate 40a are fitted into the frame side plate locking holes 40g provided on the frame side plates 40b, preventing the angle between the frame back plate 40c and the frame bottom plate 40a from changing due to the weight of the cover body A2.

[0027] The lift frame 40 has a frame case sliding surface 40h (a component of the first sliding surface) that slides against the slide case 30. Furthermore, frame case bearings 40n are provided at both ends of the upper end of the lift frame 40 on the arm bracket 10 side to receive each of the pair of case frame shafts 30i. Therefore, the slide case 30 is supported by the lift frame 40. A frame slit 40k (FIG. 10(b)) provided in the frame back plate 40c abuts against the pan head screw 32 at maximum lift, thereby preventing the slide case 30 from slipping off the lift frame 40. In this way, the pan head screw 32 serves as a lift restricting member that limits the movement of the lift unit U2. A frame body mounting screw hole 40m (mounting hole for the device main body A1) (FIG. 10(b)) provided in the frame back plate 40c is used to fasten the lift frame 40 to the back of the device main body A1 with a frame screw 40p (FIG. 15). The aforementioned pan head screws 32 are also provided on the rear side of the device body A1, and by removing the pan head screws 32 from the rear side of the device body A1, it is possible to remove only the hinge unit U1 while leaving the lift unit U2. The frame flanges 40i, which are bent and protrude outward from the lift frame side plates 40b, are flanges that are supported by the edges of the storage holes when the lift frame 40 is inserted into the storage holes of the device body A1. The frame body abutment dowels 40j, which are half-punched from the lift frame side plates 40b, are provided to absorb any play of the lift frame 40 within the storage holes of the device body A1.

[0028] The lift spring 41 is charged while being sandwiched between the case lift spring receiving surface 30f (FIGS. 4 and 7(d)) ​​and the lift case bottom plate 40a of the slide case 30. Therefore, the slide case 30 is biased in a direction away from the lift frame 40 (arrow 30k). The lift frame 40 and the lift spring 41 constitute a base portion SU40. The opening / closing portion SU10 and the biasing portion SU20 form a hinge unit U1, and the lift portion SU30 and the base portion SU40 form a lift unit U2.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device B, and the operation of the hinge device B will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] [Operation of Hinge Device B in the Present Invention] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the hinge unit U1 when the lift unit U2 is not extended (when the hinge device B is lifted down). Figure 11(a) shows the operating state in which the angle between the arm bracket 10 and the sliding case 30 is 0 degrees (0 degrees from the horizontal) (hereinafter referred to as the closed state), Figure 11(b) shows the operating state in which the angle between the arm bracket 10 and the sliding case 30 is 30 degrees (30 degrees from the horizontal) (hereinafter referred to as the intermediate state), and Figure 11(c) shows the operating state in which the angle between the lift case 10 and the sliding case 30 is 65 degrees (65 degrees from the horizontal) (hereinafter referred to as the open state). In the figure, the slider 20 is biased in the direction of the arrow 20h by the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22. Therefore, the slider cam portion 20a biases the pressure-receiving pin shaft 14a with a force F1, and the torque generated around the hinge rotation center 12a by this biasing force tries to open (put into an open state) the arm bracket 10. The charge forces of the first and second hinge springs 21, 22 are adjusted so that this torque is balanced with the torque T1 that tries to close (put into a closed state) the arm bracket 10 due to the weight of the lid body A2 (not shown), and therefore the lid body A2 can be opened and closed with a light operation as the weight of the lid body A2 is offset. In FIG. 11(b), the slider 20 is also biased in the direction of arrow 20h by the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22. Therefore, the slider cam portion 20a biases the pressure-receiving pin 14 with a force F2. Here, the charging force of the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22 is smaller than in the closed state, so F2 is smaller than F1. At this time, the cover A2 is in the intermediate state, and the torque T2 that attempts to close the arm bracket 10 due to its own weight is also smaller than T1. Therefore, the torque generated by F2 is balanced, just as in the closed state. Furthermore, because an appropriate sliding resistance is generated by the second sliding surface between the slider case 30 and the slider 20, the cover A2 maintains the intermediate state even without operation. A mechanism that uses elastic force and sliding resistance to stop the cover A2 at any angle in this way is called a free-stop mechanism. In Figure 11(c), the slider 20 is also biased in the direction of arrow 20h by the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22. Therefore, the slider cam portion 20a biases the pressure-receiving pin 14 with a force F3. Here, the charging forces of the first and second hinge springs 21 and 22 are smaller than in the intermediate state, so F3 is smaller than F2. At this time, the cover A2 is in the open state, and the torque T3 that tries to close the arm bracket 10 due to its own weight is also smaller than T2. ​​Therefore, the torque generated by F3 is greater, and a force acts on the arm bracket 10 in the opening direction. However, when the cover A2 is in the open state, the stopper pin shaft 15a abuts against the plate stopper pin receiver 31e, preventing the arm bracket 10 from opening any further.

[0031] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the lift unit U2 is extended (when the hinge device B is lifted up). In FIG. 12, the slide case 30 is biased in the direction of arrow 30k by the lift spring 41, and this biasing force and the operating force of the cover A2 move the slide case 30 in a direction away from the bottom surface 40a of the lift frame.

[0032] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the conditions under which the lift unit U2 operates. In Figure 13(a), when the cover A2 is in the intermediate state, a booklet (document) A4 is placed on the contact glass A3. Then, as shown in Figure 13(b), when the cover A2 is closed, a force in the opposite direction to the operating force F4 is applied to the arm bracket 10, with the booklet A4 as the fulcrum. This force, along with the biasing force of the lift spring 41 in the direction of arrow 30k, separates the slide case 30 from the lift frame bottom plate 40a, and the hinge unit U1 lifts up.

[0033] [Features of Hinge Device B in the Present Invention] To realize the above-mentioned free stop mechanism, it is necessary to properly manage the sliding resistance on the second sliding surface (the sliding surface between the slide case 30 and the slider 20) of the hinge unit U1 and set it to a value that absorbs the variations in the torque T2 and force F2 in Fig. 11. In comparison, the sliding resistance on the first sliding surface (the sliding surface between the slide case 30 and the lift frame 40) of the lift unit U2 should be small so that the hinge unit U1 can be lifted up more smoothly.

[0034] Figure 14 illustrates the sliding surfaces, with Figure 14(a) being a top view of the lift frame, Figure 14(b) being a top view of the slide case, Figure 14(c) being a top view of the slider, and Figure 14(d) being a schematic cross-sectional view of the combined lift frame, slide case, and slider cut perpendicular to the sliding direction. The frame case sliding surface 40h of the lift frame 40 in Figure 14(a) faces the case frame sliding surface 30c of the slide case 30 in Figure 14(b) to form a first sliding surface. The case slider sliding surface 30b of the slide case 30 in Figure 14(b) faces the slider case sliding surface 20e of the slider 20 in Figure 14(c) to form a second sliding surface.

[0035] In Figure 14(d), 30c / 40h represent the first sliding surface, and 20e / 30b represent the second sliding surface. As can be seen from Figure 14(d), the slider 20 is surrounded by the slide case 30 and does not have a sliding surface with the lift frame 40. This allows for reliable control of sliding resistance, improving the accuracy of the free-stop mechanism described above. Furthermore, the slider 20 and slide case 30 are molded resin products, while the lift frame 40 is a bent metal product. Therefore, the first sliding surface is a sliding surface between resin and metal, and the second sliding surface is a sliding surface between resin and resin. This allows the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface to be adjusted individually, making the sliding resistances different from each other or making the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface smaller than that of the second sliding surface. Furthermore, the fit (interlock) between the slide case 30 and the lift frame 40 is set looser than the fit between the slider 20 and the slide case 30, thereby making the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface smaller than the sliding resistance of the second sliding surface.

[0036] As mentioned above, to maintain the accuracy of the free stop mechanism, it is necessary to properly manage the sliding resistance of the second sliding surface. However, because the fit between the slide case 30 and the slider 20 is tight and the hinge operation is used more frequently than the lift operation, the sliding resistance of the second sliding surface may change. In anticipation of such a situation, the present invention makes it possible to replace the hinge unit U1 and slide case 30 from the lift unit U2, and this mechanism will be described below. As described above, the frame case bearing 40n provided on the lift frame 40 supports the case frame shaft 30i of the slide case 30. However, since the upper part of the case frame shaft 30i (the arm bracket 10 side) is not surrounded by the frame case bearing 40n, the slide case 30 can be easily attached and detached from the lift frame 40.

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates the removal of the slide case 30 from the lift frame 40. Note that the frame body mounting screw hole 40m is not shown because its cross section is different from the case mounting hole 30h and the plate case mounting screw hole 31g; only the frame mounting screw 40p is shown. In FIG. 15, the hinge unit U1 can be easily replaced by removing the pan head screw 32 through the access hole A5 drilled on the rear side of the device body A1. Thus, in the hinge device B of the present invention, a lift restricting member (pan head screw 32) that restricts the movement of the lift unit 40 is provided on the side of the frame body mounting screw hole 40m (mounting hole) in the lift frame 40. This not only facilitates the installation and removal of the hinge device B to and from the device body A1, but also allows the hinge unit U1 and slide case 30 to be quickly replaced by performing the procedure on the rear side of the device body A1 when the sliding resistance described above changes.

[0038] In this way, in the present invention, since the sliding surfaces of the hinge unit U1 and the lift unit U2 are different, the sliding resistance of each can be properly managed, and by replacing the units according to the situation, a hinge device B that always operates smoothly can be realized. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to realize a highly reliable hinge device B, which can be widely applied to office equipment such as copying machines, multifunction machines, and printing machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] A Multifunction device A1 device body A2 Lid body A3 Contact Glass A4 booklet A5 working hole B Hinge device U1 Hinge unit U2 Lift Unit SU10 opening and closing section SU20 biasing part SU30 lift unit SU40 base 10 Arm Bracket 11 Joint bracket 12 Hinge shaft 12a Hinge rotation center 14 Pressure receiving pin 15 Stopper pin 20 Slider 20e Slider case sliding surface (second sliding surface) 21 First hinge spring 22 Second hinge spring 23 Damper 30 Slide Case 30b Case slider sliding surface (second sliding surface) 30c Case frame sliding surface (first sliding surface) 31 Reinforcement plate 40 Lift Frame 40h Frame case sliding surface (first sliding surface) 41 Lift spring

Claims

1. A hinge device that connects a cover to a device body in an openable and closable manner, It consists of a hinge unit and a lift unit. the lift unit includes a lift frame, a slide case surrounded by the lift frame and slidable on a first slide surface relative to the lift frame, and a lift spring that biases the slide case in a direction separating the slide case from the lift frame; the hinge unit is surrounded by the slide case, and includes a slider that is slidable on a second slide surface relative to the slide case and does not have a slide surface with the lift frame; an arm bracket that is rotatably supported on the slide case around a hinge rotation center; and a hinge spring that urges the arm bracket to rotate by urging the slider in a direction away from the slide case, A hinge device characterized in that the sliding resistance between the lift frame and the slide case and the sliding resistance between the slide case and the slider are individually adjustable.

2. 2. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface have different sliding resistances.

3. 3. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding resistance of the second sliding surface is smaller than the sliding resistance of the first sliding surface.

4. The hinge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lift frame is formed of a metal member, the slide case is formed of a resin member, so that the first sliding surface faces the metal surface and the resin surface, and the slider is formed of a resin member, so that the second sliding surfaces face each other with their resin surfaces facing each other.

5. 4. The hinge device according to claim 3, wherein the fit between said lift frame and said slide case is looser than the fit between said slide case and said slider.

6. 2. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the slide case has a case frame shaft protruding from its outer periphery, the lift frame has a frame case bearing supporting the case frame shaft, and the slide case is detachable from the lift frame.

7. 7. The hinge device according to claim 6, wherein a lift restricting member for restricting the movement of the lift unit is detachably provided on the side of the mounting hole provided on the lift frame for connecting with the device body.

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