Hinge

Abstract

Provided is a hinge that can reduce or eliminate radial loads acting on the shaft of a rotary damper. A hinge (10) is provided with a rotary damper (4) having a main body (4a) and a shaft (4b) projecting from the main body (4a), the hinge comprising: a first member (1) mounted on a fixed member and having a first cylinder (1a) that accommodates the main body (4a) of the rotary damper (4) so as not to be able to rotate; a second member (2) mounted to a moveable member and having a second cylinder (2a) that accommodates the shaft (4b) of the rotary damper (4) so as not to be able to rotate; and a third member (3) mounted to the fixed member and having a third cylinder (3a). The second cylinder (2a) is disposed between the first cylinder (1a) and the third cylinder (3a). The second member (2) rotates about the shaft (4b) of the rotary damper (4) relative to the first member (1) and the third member (3). At least a portion of the radial load P acting on the second member (2) is received by the third member (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge including a rotary damper having a main body and a shaft portion protruding from the main body.

Background Art

[0002] A hinge including a rotary damper having a main body and a shaft portion protruding from the main body is known (see Patent Document 1). The hinge includes a first member attached to a fixed member such as a housing, and a second member attached to a movable member such as a lid or a door. The main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated in the first member. The shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated in the second member.

[0003] The movable member rotates about the shaft portion of the rotary damper. When the movable member rotates, the shaft portion of the rotary damper rotates relative to the main body, and a damping force is generated. This damping force can mitigate the impact when the movable member closes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional hinge, the shaft portion of the rotary damper receives the radial load acting on the movable member. Since the radial load acts on the shaft portion in a cantilever beam shape, there is a problem that the rotary damper may be damaged.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hinge capable of reducing or eliminating the radial load acting on the shaft portion of the rotary damper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention One aspect is a hinge including a rotary damper having a main body and a shaft portion protruding from the main body, and includes a first member attached to one of a fixed member and a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated, a second member attached to the other of the fixed member and the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated, and a third member attached to the one of the fixed member and the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, the second member relatively rotates about the shaft portion of the rotary damper with respect to the first member and the third member, and the third member receives at least a part of the radial load acting on the second member wherein a part of the radial load acting on the second member is received by the main body of the rotary damper It is a hinge. Another aspect of the present invention is a hinge including a rotary damper having a main body and a shaft portion protruding from the main body. The hinge includes a first member attached to one of a fixed member and a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the main body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated, a second member attached to the other of the fixed member and the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably accommodated, and a third member attached to the one of the fixed member and the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion. The second member relatively rotates about the shaft portion of the rotary damper with respect to the first member and the third member. At least a part of the radial load acting on the second member is received by the third member. Through holes communicating with each other are formed in the first member and the third member respectively so that the first member and the third member can be clamped together to the one of the fixed member and the movable member.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the radial load acting on the shaft portion of the rotary damper can be reduced or eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, the hinge of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the hinge of the present invention can be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. This embodiment is provided with the intention of enabling those skilled in the art to fully understand the invention by sufficiently disclosing the specification.

[0011] Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) show an example in which the hinge 10 of an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a fixed member (e.g., the housing 11) and a movable member (e.g., the lid 12). Fig. 1(a) shows the closed position of the lid 12, and Fig. 1(b) shows the open position of the lid 12. Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) show enlarged views of Figs. 1(a) and 1(b).

[0012] As shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the hinge 10 includes a first member 1 attached to the housing 11 by a fastening member 13 such as a screw, a third member 3 fastened to the housing 11 together with the first member 1 by the fastening member 13, and a second member 2 attached to the mouth (narrower end face) of the lid 12 by a fastening member 14 such as a screw. The first member 1 and the third member 3 are on the fixed side. The second member 2 is on the movable side. When the lid 12 is opened and closed, the second member 2 rotates relative to the first member 1 and the third member 3.

[0013] Fig. 3(a) shows a perspective view of the assembled hinge 10, Fig. 3(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the hinge 10 (viewed from the side of the third member 3), and Fig. 3(c) shows an exploded perspective view of the hinge 10 (viewed from the side of the first member 1). Fig. 4(a) shows a front view of the hinge 10, and Fig. 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 4(a). 1 is the first member, 2 is the second member, 3 is the third member, and 4 is a rotary damper.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3(b), the rotary damper 4 includes a cylindrical main body 4a and a shaft portion 4b protruding from the main body 4a. A viscous fluid is filled between the main body 4a and the shaft portion 4b. When the shaft portion 4b rotates relative to the main body 4a in one direction (for example, the clockwise direction C), a damping force is generated. The rotary damper 4 itself is a known device, and the configuration of the rotary damper 4 is not particularly limited, so further detailed description is omitted.

[0015] The first member 1 includes a first cylindrical portion 1a and a first bracket portion 1b integrally resin-molded with the first cylindrical portion 1a. The first cylindrical portion 1a is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. As shown in Fig. 4(b), the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 1a. As shown in Fig. 3(b), a pair of flat surfaces 21 parallel to each other are formed on the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4. On the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 1a, a pair of anti-rotation protrusions 23 corresponding to the pair of flat surfaces 21 are formed. Only the anti-rotation protrusion 23 on the back side is shown in Fig. 3(b), but as shown in Fig. 4(b), a pair of anti-rotation protrusions 23 are formed. By engaging the anti-rotation protrusion 23 with the flat surface 21 of the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4, the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 is prevented from rotating relative to the first member 1.

[0016] The first bracket portion 1b is formed, for example, in a plate shape extending from the first cylindrical portion 1a toward the third member 3. A reinforcing rib 25 is formed at the central portion in the length direction of the first bracket portion 1b. A through hole 24 through which a fastening member 13 for attaching to the housing 11 passes is formed in the first bracket portion 1b. The shape of the first bracket portion 1b is not particularly limited.

[0017] The second member 2 includes a second cylindrical portion 2a and a second bracket portion 2b integrally resin-molded with the second cylindrical portion 2a. The second cylindrical portion 2a includes a large-diameter portion 2a1 and a small-diameter portion 2a2 protruding from the large-diameter portion 2a1. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 2a1. The shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 2a2. As shown in FIG. 3(b), a pair of flat surfaces 22 parallel to each other are formed on the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4. As shown in FIG. 3(c), a pair of flat surfaces 26 corresponding to the pair of flat surfaces 22 of the shaft portion 4b are formed on the inner surface of the small-diameter portion 2a2. Only the flat surface 26 on the back side is shown in FIG. 3(c), but as shown in FIG. 4(b), a pair of flat surfaces 26 are formed. By engaging the flat surface 26 with the flat surface 22 of the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4, the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4 is prevented from rotating relative to the second member 2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the second bracket portion 2b is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, for example, with three sides reinforced by reinforcing walls. A through hole 27 through which a fastening member 14 (see FIG. 2(a)) for attaching to the lid 12 passes is formed in the second bracket portion 2b. The shape of the second bracket portion 2b is not particularly limited.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4(b), a sleeve 31 is interposed between the second cylindrical portion 2a of the second member 2 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4. A flange 31a is integrally formed on the sleeve 31. The flange 31a is interposed between the first cylindrical portion 1a and the second cylindrical portion 2a. The sleeve 31 is made of resin. The sleeve 31 allows the second member 2 to rotate smoothly with respect to the first member 1 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4, and prevents wear of the second member 2.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the third member 3 includes a third cylindrical portion 3a and a third bracket portion 3b integrally resin-molded with the third cylindrical portion 3a. The third cylindrical portion 3a has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The third bracket portion 3b is, for example, plate-shaped and extends from the third cylindrical portion 3a toward the first member 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the third bracket portion 3b has a shape complementary to that of the first bracket portion 1b and has a step 28. When the third bracket portion 3b is overlaid on the first bracket portion 1b, the first member 1 and the third member 3 become inseparable in the axial direction. The shape of the third bracket portion 3b is not particularly limited.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3(c), a through hole 29 through which a fastening member 13 (see FIG. 2(a)) for attaching to the housing 11 passes is formed in the third bracket portion 3b. The through hole 29 in the third bracket portion 3b and the through hole 24 in the first bracket portion 1b communicate with each other so that the first member 1 and the third member 3 can be jointly fastened to the housing 11.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the small-diameter portion 2a2 of the second cylindrical portion 2a fits into the third cylindrical portion 3a. A sleeve 32 is interposed between the small-diameter portion 2a2 of the second cylindrical portion 2a and the third cylindrical portion 3a. A flange 32a is integrally formed on the sleeve 32. The flange 32a is interposed between the large-diameter portion 2a1 of the second cylindrical portion 2a and the third cylindrical portion 3a. The sleeve 32 is made of resin. The sleeve 32 allows the second member 2 to rotate smoothly with respect to the third member 3 and prevents wear of the second member 2.

[0023] When opening and closing the lid 12, the second member 2 rotates about the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4 with respect to the first member 1 and the third member 3. As shown in FIG. 4(b), when a radial load P (a load in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction) acts on the second member 2, the third member 3 and the main body 4a of the rotary damper 4 receive the radial load P. Therefore, the radial load P acting on the shaft portion 4b of the rotary damper 4 can be reduced or eliminated, preventing the rotary damper 4 from being damaged.

[0024] Note that the present invention is not limited to being embodied in the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in other embodiments without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the first member and the third member are attached to the fixing member, and the second member is attached to the movable member. However, the first member and the third member may be attached to the movable member, and the second member may be attached to the fixing member. Further, after connecting the first member and the third member, either one of the first member and the third member may be attached to the fixing member or the movable member.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the radial load acting on the second member is received by both the third member and the main body of the rotary damper. However, only the third member may receive it.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the second cylindrical portion is inserted into the third cylindrical portion. However, the third cylindrical portion may be inserted into the second cylindrical portion. Further, even if the second cylindrical portion does not enter the third cylindrical portion, the sleeve may straddle the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, and the third member may receive the radial load acting on the second member via the sleeve.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the main body of the rotary damper receives the radial load acting on the second member. However, the sleeve may straddle the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, and the first member may receive the radial load acting on the second member via the sleeve.

[0029] This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-214518 filed on December 24, 2020. All of this content is incorporated herein by reference.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0030] 1... First member 1a... First cylindrical portion 2... Second member 2a... Second cylindrical portion 3... Third member 3a... Third cylindrical portion 4... Rotary damper 4a... Main body 4b... Shaft portion 31... Sleeve 32... Sleeve 24... Through hole of the first member 29... Through hole of the third member P…Radial load

Claims

1. In a hinge comprising a body and a rotary damper having a shaft portion protruding from the body, a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably received; a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably received; a third member attached to the one of the fixed member or the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, the second member relatively rotates about the shaft portion of the rotary damper with respect to the first member and the third member, the third member receives at least a part of the radial load acting on the second member, and a hinge in which the body of the rotary damper receives a part of the radial load acting on the second member.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein one of the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion enters the other of the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion.

3. In a hinge comprising a body and a rotary damper having a shaft portion protruding from the body, a first member attached to one of a fixed member or a movable member and having a first cylindrical portion in which the body of the rotary damper is non-rotatably received; a second member attached to the other of the fixed member or the movable member and having a second cylindrical portion in which the shaft portion of the rotary damper is non-rotatably received; a third member attached to the one of the fixed member or the movable member and having a third cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion is disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion, the second member relatively rotates about the shaft portion of the rotary damper with respect to the first member and the third member, the third member receives at least a part of the radial load acting on the second member, and a hinge in which through holes communicating with each other are formed in the first member and the third member respectively so that the first member and the third member can be clamped together to the one of the fixed member or the movable member.

4. The hinge according to claim 2, wherein a sleeve is interposed between the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion.

5. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein a sleeve is interposed between the second cylindrical portion and the body of the rotary damper.

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