Mechanism to hold cover open or closed

As monitor 1 held by casing 3 is upwardly pushed, clamp 2 is rectilinearly moved toward push latch 4 in cooperation with rotation of the monitor 1, the monitor 1 is rotatable by claw section 2a disengaged from locking hole 1b, and a striker holding section 4a engages with striker 2b to be forced into the main body of the latch 4 to be in engagement locked position. As the opened monitor 1 is upwardly pushed, the clamp 2 is rectilinearly moved toward the latch 4 in cooperation with the rotation of the monitor 1, the holding section 4a placed in the locked position with the striker 2b is forced into the main body of the latch 4 to be in engagement-lock releasing position, and the released section 2a is urged and moved by spring 5 to lock the hole 1b to hold the monitor 1 in closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cover opening/closing and holding mechanism which opens and closes, and holds a heavy cover by a push action.

BACKGROUND ART

A casing including a cover (lid) to be opened and closed about a rotation shaft such as a retractable cover made of a resin is generally provided with a ready-made push latch as disclosed in Patent Document 1, and opens and closes the cover by a push action. A holding section is provided for the cover of the push latch attached to the casing, and a convex striker adapted to a concave shape of the holding section is provided for the other cover. In such a casing, as the cover in an opened position is pushed to a locking point while forcing the striker into the holding section, the push latch is in a locked position, and the cover is in a closed position by the engagement between the striker and the holding section. When the cover in the closed position is pushed, and the holding section together with the striker is pushed to a lock-releasing point, the push latch is lock released, and the holding section is tilted while being thrust back to be disengaged from the striker. Then, the cover is opened.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Since the conventional cover opening/closing and holding mechanism is arranged as discussed above, there is a problem such that in the case of a casing where a heavy monitor or the like is opened or closed, a ready-made, small push latch mechanism cannot ensure a sufficiently large holding force. Therefore, a specific arrangement such as attaching a plurality of push latches or attaching a large push latch thereto is employed in order to ensure a holding force corresponding to the weight of the cover. However, in such an arrangement, it is necessary to use a large installing space in the casing; thus, there is a problem such that the external size of a product tends to be larger, which reduces the advantage of the product.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a cover opening/closing and holding mechanism that can open and close a heavy cover by a push action, and hold the cover in a closed position through the use of a small push latch.

An aspect of the embodiments of the cover opening/closing and holding mechanism according to the present invention includes a cover that is substantially horizontally held by a casing, and also downwardly rotated about a rotation shaft to be opened; a cover locking hole formed in the face of a rotational distal end of the cover opposite to the side where the rotation shaft is provided; a clamp on one end side of which a clamp claw section for locking the cover locking hole is formed and on the other end side of which a striker is formed, and which is held by the casing to enable a reciprocating rectilinear motion; a push latch attached to the casing and having a striker holding section for engaging with the striker, wherein in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the cover that is in the position held by the casing, the clamp is rectilinearly moved toward the push latch to thereby disengage the clamp claw section from the cover locking hole, thus making the cover rotatable and also the striker holding section engages with the striker to be forced into the main body of the push latch to be in an engagement locked position, and further in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the cover that is in the opened position, the clamp is rectilinearly moved toward the push latch, and the striker holding section that is in the engagement locked position with the striker is forced into the main body of the push latch to be in an engagement-lock releasing position; and an urging unit that always urges the clamp toward the cover locking hole, moves the clamp by the engagement-lock releasing, and locks the clamp claw section in the cover locking hole to substantially horizontally hold the cover, wherein the clamp has a clamp operation section that contacts the cover to converge a rotational movement of the cover to a rectilinear movement of the clamp toward the push latch.

Further, another aspect of the embodiments of the cover opening/closing and holding mechanism according to the invention includes a cover that is substantially horizontally held by a casing, and also downwardly rotated about a rotation shaft to be opened; a cover locking hole formed in the face of a rotational distal end of the cover opposite to the side where the rotation shaft is provided; a clamp on one end side of which a clamp claw section for locking the cover locking hole is formed and on the other end side of which a clamp pivotal shaft for rotationally moving the clamp claw section is formed, wherein a striker is formed between the clamp claw section and the clamp pivotal shaft to be rotatably held by the casing; a push latch attached to the casing and having a striker holding section for engaging with the striker, wherein in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the cover that is in the position held by the casing, the clamp is rotationally moved toward the push latch to thereby disengage the clamp claw section from the cover locking hole, thus making the cover rotatable and also the striker holding section engages with the striker to be forced into the main body of the push latch to be in an engagement locked position, and further in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the cover that is in the opened position, the clamp is rotationally moved toward the push latch, and the striker holding section that is in the engagement locked position with the striker is forced into the main body of the push latch to be in an engagement-lock releasing position; and an urging unit that always urges the clamp toward the cover locking hole, moves the clamp by the engagement-lock releasing, and locks the clamp claw section in the cover locking hole to substantially horizontally hold the cover, wherein the clamp has a clamp operation section that contacts the cover to converge a rotational movement of the cover to a rotational movement of the clamp toward the push latch.

According to an aspect of the embodiments of the invention, the clamp is rectilinearly or rotationally moved in cooperation with the rotation of the cover to engagement-lock, or release the push latch, and also the clamp held by the casing is arranged to lock the cover to thereby restrain the push latch from having the load of the cover imposed thereon. Thus, it is possible to provide the cover opening/closing and holding mechanism, which can open and close a heavy cover by a push action, and further can hold the cover in a closed position through the use of a small push latch.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to explain the present invention in more detail.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a side view showing an arrangement of a monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a closed state of a monitor. In the first embodiment, a vehicle-mounted display apparatus is used as an example where the cover opening/closing and holding mechanism is applied. In the vehicle-mounted display apparatus, a casing3is secured to the face of a vehicle ceiling, and a monitor1is horizontally housed in the casing3; upon viewing, the monitor1is rotated about a rotation shaft1ato be opened in the direction of a gravitational force, and a monitor screen is oriented toward the side of a rear seat. Note that the parts of the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism except for the ones necessary for the explanation of the mechanism are not shown in the figures.

A locking hole1bis provided on the side of the rotational distal end of the monitor (cover)1opposite to the side where the rotation shaft1aof the monitor is provided. The upper side of the locking hole1bis referred to as an upper projecting section1cand the lower side thereof is referred to as a lower projecting section1d. Further, the lower projecting section1dis longer than the upper projecting section1c; when the monitor1is rotated, the upper projecting section1cdoes not abut against a clamp2, while the lower projecting section1dabuts against the clamp.

The casing3is shown by hatching inFIG. 1. A stopper3ais provided in the position of the casing3to come in contact with the casing, when the monitor1is pushed in the closing direction of the monitor. In the example, the stopper3ais formed of a resilient body to prevent the monitor1from being damaged by an impact upon abutting against the casing3. Moreover, a guide hole for passing the clamp2therethrough to enable a reciprocating rectilinear motion in a horizontal direction is prepared in the position where the casing3opposes the rotational distal end side of the monitor1, and the peripheral face of the guide hole is defined as a guide section3bfor the clamp2.

The clamp2has a claw section (clamp claw section)2afor locking the locking hole (cover locking hole)1bof the monitor1; an oblique side section2cwhere the bottom face of the claw section2ais tapered toward the tip thereof; and a convex striker2badapted to a recess of a striker holding section4aof a push latch4. Hereupon, the lower projecting section1dof the monitor1and the oblique side section2cof the clamp2as a whole rectilinearly move the clamp2in cooperation with the rotating monitor1. Furthermore, a spring (urging means)5is attached between the clamp2and the casing3, and the spring5always applies to the clamp2a tension in the direction indicated by arrow A, that is, in the direction toward the locking hole1b.

The push latch4is provided with the striker holding section4afor engaging with the striker2bof the clamp2. The push latch4is attached to the casing3under conditions where the striker holding section4aenables a reciprocating rectilinear motion in the horizontal direction indicated by arrow A. When the striker holding section4ais pushed to a locking point in the direction opposite to that of the arrow A, the striker holding section4atilts to be in the position engaged with the striker2b(engagement locked position). In the engagement locked position, when the striker holding section4ais pushed to a lock-releasing point in the direction opposite to that of the arrow A, the striker holding section4atilts while being pushed back in the direction of the arrow A to be in the position disengaged from the striker2b(engagement-lock released position), i.e., the position shown inFIG. 1. Hereupon, for the push latch4, a ready-made, small push latch as shown in the prior art previously discussed has only to be used, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism will be described.FIG. 2andFIG. 3are side views of the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism shown inFIG. 1;FIG. 2shows an opening operation thereof, andFIG. 3shows a closing operation thereof.

In opening the monitor1, the side of the rotational distal end of the monitor1in the closed state by a user is upwardly (in the direction of arrow P) pushed as shown inFIG. 2. Then, the lower projecting section1dprovided in the monitor1pushes the oblique side section2cof the clamp2against the tension of the spring5toward the push latch4, and the clamp2is guided by the guide section3bto be horizontally moved toward the push latch4. At that time, the striker holding section4aof the push latch4is tilted to engage with the striker2bof the clamp2, and be horizontally moved together with the clamp2while maintaining the engagement.

As the monitor1abuts against the stopper3ato be stopped, the striker2bof the clamp2is moved to a locking point of the push latch4to be in the position held by the striker holding section4a. At that time, when a user stops pushing the monitor1in the direction of arrow P, the striker2bof the clamp2is locked in the position (the position shown inFIG. 3) somewhat thrust back by the striker holding section4a. When the push latch4is in the engagement locked position, the lock between the locking hole1bof the monitor1and the claw section2aof the clamp2is completely removed, and thus the monitor1can be released and opened downwardly.

In closing the monitor1, as shown inFIG. 3, the side of the rotational distal end of the monitor1in the state opened by a user is upwardly (in the direction of arrow P) pushed. Since the engagement lock is maintained with the clamp2drawn by the push latch4, the upper projecting section1cof the monitor1passes through the oblique side section2cand the claw section2aof the clamp2without coming in contact with those sections, and the lower projecting section1dthat is longer than the upper projecting section1ccomes in contact with the oblique side section2c. Then, the lower projecting section1dpushes the oblique side section2cof the clamp2against the tension of the spring5toward the push latch4, and the clamp2is guided by the guide section3bto be horizontally moved toward the push latch4. At that time, the striker holding section4aof the push latch4that is engaged with the striker2bis also horizontally moved together with the clamp2to be pushed to the lock-releasing point. When the push latch4is lock-released, the lock-released clamp2is moved in the direction of arrow A by the tension of the spring5, and the claw section2alocks the locking hole1bto hold the monitor1in the closed position. Therefore, even when a user stops pushing the monitor1in the direction of arrow P, the monitor remains in the closed position shown inFIG. 1.

When the monitor1is in the closed position, the load of the monitor1is applied to the clamp2and the guide section3bof the casing3, and the load is not applied to the push latch4. Thus, the load applied to the push latch4is equal to the tension in the direction of arrow A of the spring5. Therefore, when the strengths of the clamp2and the casing3supporting the clamp are secured, the heavy monitor1can be positively held even when the device receives external force such as vehicle vibration or the like, and further the monitor can be opened and closed with the push action.

Moreover, even when a small push latch4is used, a large holding force can be secured; thus, it becomes possible to dispose a monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism in a small mounting space within the casing3, thereby implementing reduction in size of the product and increasing flexibility in design thereof.

As discussed above, according to the first embodiment, the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism is arranged to include: the monitor1that is substantially horizontally held by the casing3, and also downwardly rotated about the rotation shaft1ato be opened; the locking hole1bformed in the face of the rotational distal end opposite to the side where the rotation shaft1aof the casing3is provided; the clamp2on one end side of which the claw section2afor locking the locking hole1bis formed and on the other end side of which the striker2bis formed, and which is held by the guide section3bof the casing3to enable the reciprocating rectilinear motion; the push latch4attached to the casing3and having the striker holding section4afor engaging with the striker2b, wherein in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the monitor1that is in the position held by the casing3, the clamp2is rectilinearly moved toward the push latch4to thereby disengage the claw section2afrom the locking hole1b, thus making the monitor1rotatable, and also the striker holding section4aengages with the striker2bto be forced into the main body of the push latch4to be in the engagement locked position, and further in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the monitor1that is in the opened position, the clamp2is rectilinearly moved toward the push latch4, and the striker holding section4athat is in the engagement locked position with the striker2bis forced into the main body of the push latch4to be in the engagement-lock releasing position; the spring5that always urges the clamp2toward the locking hole1b, moves the clamp2by the engagement-lock releasing, and locks the claw section2ain the locking hole1bto substantially horizontally hold the monitor1; and the lower projecting section1dand the oblique side portion2cthat rectilinearly move the clamp2toward the push latch4in cooperation with the monitor1to be rotationally moved.

Therefore, when the clamp2is engagement-locked and released with the push latch4in cooperation with the rotation of the monitor1, and also the monitor1is locked by the clamp2held by the guide section3bof the casing3, it is possible to restrain the push latch4from being subjected to the load of the monitor1. Thus, the heavy monitor1can be opened and closed by the push action through the use of the small push latch4, and also held in the casing3. Further, it becomes possible to secure a large holding force through the use of the small push latch4; thus, it becomes possible to dispose the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism in a small mounting space within the casing3, thereby implementing reduction in size of the product and increasing flexibility in design thereof.

According to the first embodiment, the oblique side portion2cis tapered toward the tip of the clamp2in such manner that the lower face of the claw section2aof the clamp2is tapered toward the tip, and the lower projecting section1dof the monitor1is arranged to abuts against the oblique side portion2cwhen the monitor1is rotationally moved. Therefore, the clamp2can be operated in cooperation of the opening and closing of the monitor1by a simple arrangement.

Second Embodiment

The monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism of the first embodiment discussed above is arranged such that the clamp2is rectilinearly moved; however, in a second embodiment, it is arranged to be rotationally moved.FIG. 4is a side view showing an arrangement of a monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 4(a) shows a closed state of a monitor1,FIG. 4(b) shows an opening operation of the monitor1, andFIG. 4(c) shows a closing operation of the monitor1. Note that inFIG. 4, the same or equivalent parts as the ones inFIG. 1toFIG. 3are designated by similar numerals.

A pivotal shaft2dis formed on one-end side of a clamp2, and a spring5is attached to the pivotal shaft2d. Further, the pivotal shaft2dis attached to a guide section3cof a casing3for covering the upper portion of the monitor1. On the other hand, a claw section2aand an oblique side section2care formed in the other-end portion of the clamp2, and the claw section2ais rotated about the pivotal shaft2dby the tension in the direction indicated by arrow A′ of the spring5to thereby lock the locking hole1bof the monitor1. Further, a striker2bis formed between the pivotal shaft2dand the claw section2aof the clamp2.

A push latch4is provided vertically from the casing3, and a striker holding section4ais operated vertically to the push latch.

Next, the operation of the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism will be described.

In opening the monitor1, the side of the rotational distal end of the monitor1in the closed state by a user is upwardly (in the direction of arrow P) pushed as shown inFIG. 4b. Then, the lower projecting section1dprovided in the monitor1pushes up the oblique side section2cagainst the tension of the spring5, and the clamp2is upwardly rotated about the pivotal shaft2d. At that time, the striker holding section4aof the push latch4is tilted to engage with the striker2bof the clamp2, and be upwardly pushed up together with the clamp2while maintaining the engagement.

When the monitor1abuts against the bottom face of the guide section3cof the casing3to be stopped, the striker2bof the clamp2is moved to the locking point of the push latch4to be in the position held by the striker holding section4a. At that time, when a user stops pushing the monitor1in the direction of arrow P, the striker2bof the clamp2is locked in the position (the position shown inFIG. 4(c)) somewhat thrust back by the striker holding section4a. When the push latch4is in the engagement locked position, the lock between the locking hole1bof the monitor1and the claw section2aof the clamp2is completely removed, and thus the monitor1can be released and opened downwardly.

In closing the monitor1, as shown inFIG. 4(c), the side of the rotational distal end of the monitor1in the state opened by a user is upwardly (in the direction of arrow P) pushed. Since the engagement lock is maintained with the clamp2drawn by the push latch4, the upper projecting section1cof the monitor1passes through the oblique side section2cand the claw section2aof the clamp2without coming in contact with those sections, and the lower projecting section1dthat is longer the than upper projecting section1ccomes in contact with the oblique side section2c. Then, the lower projecting section1dpushes up the oblique side section2cagainst the tension of the spring5, and the clamp2is upwardly rotated about the pivotal shaft2d. At that time, the striker holding section4aof the push latch4that is engaged with the striker2bis also upwardly moved together with the clamp2to be pushed to the unlocking point. When the push latch4is lock-released, the lock-released clamp2is rotated in the direction of arrow A′ by the tension of the spring5, and the claw section2alocks the locking hole1bto hold the monitor1in the closed position. Therefore, even when a user stops pushing the monitor1in the direction of arrow P, the monitor remains in the closed position shown inFIG. 4(a).

When the monitor1is in the closed position, the load of the monitor1is applied to the monitor1and the guide section3cof the casing3, and the load is not applied to the push latch4. Moreover, the load applied to the push latch4is equal to the tension in the direction of arrow A′ of the spring5, and the load can be adjusted by changing the distance from the pivotal shaft2dof the clamp2to the striker2b. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the holding force for locking the monitor1is equal to the tension in the direction of arrow A of the spring5; however, since the clamp2is rotationally moved in the second embodiment, the holding force is not equal to the tension of the spring5, and the holding force can be adjusted by the change of the distance from the pivotal shaft2dof the clamp2to the claw section2a. Further, by the changes of the distance from the pivotal shaft2dof the clamp2to the striker2band the distance from the pivotal shaft2dto the claw section2a, the amount of pushing the monitor1and the engagement allowance for engaging the claw section2aand the locking hole1bto each other can be adjusted, thus implementing a saving space. Therefore, flexibility in design can be increased.

As discussed above, according to the second embodiment, the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism is arranged to include: the monitor1that is substantially horizontally held by the casing3, and also downwardly rotated about the rotation shaft1ato be opened; the locking hole1bformed in the face of the rotational distal end opposite to the side thereof where the rotation shaft1aof the monitor1is provided; the clamp2on one end side of which the claw section2afor locking the locking hole1bis formed and on the other end side of which the pivotal shaft2dfor rotationally moving the claw section2ais formed, wherein the striker2bis formed between the claw section2aand the pivotal shaft2d, and the pivotal shaft2dis rotationally movably held by the guide section3cof the casing3; the push latch4attached to the casing3and having the striker holding section4afor engaging with the striker2b, wherein in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the monitor1that is in the position held by the casing3, the clamp2is rotationally moved toward the push latch4to thereby disengage the claw section2afrom the locking hole1b, thus making the monitor1rotatable, and also the striker holding section4aengages with the striker2bto be forced into the main body of the push latch4to be in the engagement locked position, and further in cooperation with the upward rotation movement of the monitor1that is in the opened position, the clamp2is rotationally moved toward the push latch4, and the striker holding section4athat is in the engagement locked position with the striker2bis forced into the main body of the push latch4to be in the engagement-lock releasing position; the spring5that always urges the clamp2toward the locking hole1b, moves the clamp2by the engagement-lock releasing, and locks the claw section2ain the locking hole1bto substantially horizontally hold the monitor1; and the lower projecting section1dand the oblique side portion2cthat rotationally move the clamp2toward the push latch4in cooperation with the monitor1to be rotationally moved. Therefore, also in the arrangement where the clamp2is rotationally operated, as in the first embodiment discussed above, it can be configured that the monitor1is supported by the clamp2and the guide section3cof the casing3rather than the push latch4. Consequently, through the use of the small push latch4, the heavy monitor1can be opened and closed by the push action, and also held in the casing3in the closed position. Further, it becomes possible to secure a large holding force through the use of the small push latch4; thus, it becomes possible to dispose the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism in a small mounting space within the casing3, thereby implementing reduction in size of the product and increasing flexibility in design thereof.

Additionally, in the first and second embodiments discussed above, to open the monitor to any desired angle automatically, a cover urging unit for imparting a tension in the opening direction to the monitor may be provided therein.FIG. 5is a side view showing an arrangement where the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism according to the first embodiment is provided with the cover urging unit, and inFIG. 5, the parts similar or corresponding to those ofFIG. 1are designated by similar numerals, and explanations thereabout will be omitted. InFIG. 5, a spring6is provided for the cover urging unit; the spring6downwardly urges and opens the monitor1, which has been rotatable where the claw section2aof the clamp2is disengaged from the locking hole1b. The spring6is also applicable to the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism of the second embodiment.

However, when the monitor is large in weight, it is necessary to impart a larger tension in the opening direction to the monitor. Even in that case, when the display apparatus uses the monitor opening/closing and holding mechanism of the first or the second embodiment, the self-weight of the monitor and the tension of the cover urging unit are applied to the casing and the clamp, and thus the load to be applied to the push latch is not increased. Therefore, the holding force for holding a heavy cover in the closed position can be secured by a small push latch.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As discussed above, since the cover opening/closing and holding mechanism according to the present invention is arranged such that the weight of the cover is supported by the clamp and the casing instead of the small push latch, it is suitable for use in a cover opening/closing and holding mechanism for opening and closing a heavy cover such as a monitor of a vehicle ceiling-mounted display apparatus used for a rear seat.